Electro-Elastic Model for Dielectric Elastomers

A continuum model is described for the study of the electro-elastic finite deformations of dielectric elastomers. The model: i) derives directly from a global energy balance; ii) does not require the postulation of any force or stresstensor of electrical origin; iii) only requires the knowledge of permittivity and shear moduli of the considered material; and iv) is presented in Lagrangian form which is suited for the implementation in multi-physic finite element simulation environments.