A novel multiaxial energy‐based approach is presented and used to demonstrate the influence of different finite element (FE) modelling techniques on the prediction of the fatigue life of a rubber composite with long oriented fibres. It is shown that the simplest modelling methods using 2‐D elements with rebar layers, layered 2‐D elements or layered 3‐D elements do not allow for a precise determination of the critical location and damage value. In contrast, modelling methods with 3‐D matrix and discrete reinforcement provide much better results. The predicted critical location corresponds to the measured one, although the predicted fatigue life still differs from the measured results. The most complex microscopic modelling method shows the best agreement between the predicted and measured fatigue life. Because microscopic modelling is not suitable for modelling larger products made of rubber–fibre composite, it is also noted that modelling techniques with 3‐D matrix and discrete reinforcing elements can be used with the same accuracy if the fatigue life curve is obtained from measurements on the specimens made of composite material rather than the specimens made of the critical base material (rubber).

中文翻译：

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橡胶纤维复合材料建模及其对疲劳损伤评估的影响

提出了一种基于多轴能量的新颖方法，该方法用于证明不同的有限元（FE）建模技术对长纤维取向的橡胶复合材料疲劳寿命预测的影响。结果表明，最简单的建模方法是使用带有钢筋层的二维单元，分层的二维单元或分层的三维单元，无法精确确定关键位置和损伤值。相反，具有3-D矩阵和离散钢筋的建模方法可提供更好的结果。尽管预测的疲劳寿命仍与测量结果有所不同，但预测的临界位置对应于测得的临界位置。最复杂的微观建模方法显示了预测疲劳寿命和测量疲劳寿命之间的最佳一致性。