Averging the Viscoelastic Properties of a Rubber-Cord Ply in a Plane Stress State

Averaging the viscoelastic properties of rubber-cord composites is of interest from both theoretical and practical points of view. For example, the viscoelasticity of rubber leads to heat release in rolling tires, which affects their rolling resistance and the fuel-efficiency. This work focuses on two interrelated aspects: the experimental determination of viscoelastic parameters of the rubber and rubber-cord and their calculation using the averaging method. Since only rather small strains are considered, the linear viscoelasticity theory is used. Parameters of the generalized Maxwell model are obtained. It is revealed that the relaxation times used in the rubber-cord model can also be employed in the rubber model. It is shown that the averaging procedure allows one to obtain the relaxation function and to calculate the mechanical work under harmonic vibrations with a sufficient accuracy.