<p>Fiber-reinforced dielectric elastomers have emerged as promising materials for soft actuators due to their enhanced mechanical stability and tunable electromechanical properties. This paper presents a comprehensive theoretical framework for analyzing the finite electromechanical response of thick-walled cylindrical dielectric elastomer tubes with axial fiber reinforcement subjected to combined radial voltage, internal pressure, and axial loading. Based on the nonlinear electroelastic theory for transversely isotropic materials, we derive analytical solutions for the deformation, stress distribution, and electric field under either axially constrained or axially free boundary condition. The formulation introduces fiber-induced anisotropic invariants into the electroelastic energy function and accommodates arbitrary material models. We find that axial pre-stretch significantly enhances voltage-driven actuation while reducing the risk of electrical breakdown, and fiber reinforcement suppresses electromechanical instabilities and stabilizes the nonmonotonic force–deformation response under combined loading. Moreover, the material’s strain-limiting behavior plays a critical role in preventing catastrophic thinning and electrical failure. The results provide new physical insights into the role of fiber reinforcement in regulating electromechanical coupling and offer quantitative design guidelines for stable and efficient dielectric elastomer tubular actuators in applications such as soft robotics, artificial muscles, and adaptive structures.</p>

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Finite Electromechanical Response of Fiber-Reinforced Dielectric Elastomer Tubes Under Combined Loadings

  • Renwei Mao,
  • Congshan Liu,
  • Guozhan Xia,
  • Weiqiu Chen,
  • Michel Destrade,
  • Yipin Su

摘要

Fiber-reinforced dielectric elastomers have emerged as promising materials for soft actuators due to their enhanced mechanical stability and tunable electromechanical properties. This paper presents a comprehensive theoretical framework for analyzing the finite electromechanical response of thick-walled cylindrical dielectric elastomer tubes with axial fiber reinforcement subjected to combined radial voltage, internal pressure, and axial loading. Based on the nonlinear electroelastic theory for transversely isotropic materials, we derive analytical solutions for the deformation, stress distribution, and electric field under either axially constrained or axially free boundary condition. The formulation introduces fiber-induced anisotropic invariants into the electroelastic energy function and accommodates arbitrary material models. We find that axial pre-stretch significantly enhances voltage-driven actuation while reducing the risk of electrical breakdown, and fiber reinforcement suppresses electromechanical instabilities and stabilizes the nonmonotonic force–deformation response under combined loading. Moreover, the material’s strain-limiting behavior plays a critical role in preventing catastrophic thinning and electrical failure. The results provide new physical insights into the role of fiber reinforcement in regulating electromechanical coupling and offer quantitative design guidelines for stable and efficient dielectric elastomer tubular actuators in applications such as soft robotics, artificial muscles, and adaptive structures.