EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON FATIGUE RAPTURE OF FIBER REINFORCED RUBBER USED IN INFLATABLE RUBBER DAM

Abstract

 Tensile tests were conducted to experimentally consider the fatigue rapture mechanism of fiber reinforced rubber used in inflatable rubber dams. From this research, followings were indicated. The rapture strength and fatigue rapture strength of the fiber reinforced rubber are reduced on a part containing a joint potion that reinforcing fibers are discontinuous. In addition, delamination failure mode can occur from the adhesive joints between the rubber and reinforcing fibers, in which case failure may occur at a lower stress level or with fewer cyclic numbers than fatigue rapture of the reinforcing fibers. Therefore, it was considered necessary to be careful of the inner condition and the adhesion method, when cracks in the outer rubber layer are near joint parts.