Finite element formulation of the Ogden material model with application to rubber-like shells

The present contribution proposes a variational procedure for the numerical implementation of the Ogden material model. For this purpose the strain energy density originally formulated in terms of the principal stretches is transformed as variational quantities into the invariants of the right Cauchy–Green tensor. This formulation holds for arbitrary three-dimensional deformations and requires neither solving eigenvalue problems nor co-ordinate system transformations. Particular attention is given to the consideration of special cases with coinciding eigenvalues. For the analysis of rubber-like shells this material model is then coupled with a six parametric shells kinematics able to deal with large strains and finite rotations. The incompressibility condition is considered in the strain energy, but it is additionally used as 2-D constraint for the elimination of the stretching parameter at the element level. A four node isoparametric finite element is developed by interpolating the transverse shear strains according to assumed strain concept. Finally, examples are given permitting to discuss the capability of the finite element model developed concerning various aspects. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.