Constitutive model of unplasticized polyvinyl chloride for numerical stress-strain analysis

Abstract

The mechanical properties of unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC) are modified during the manufacturing process of a product. Therefore, the data on the mechanical behavior of this material available in the scientific literature varies greatly. This requires that the type of mechanical behavior of the material and the corresponding constitutive model to be determined on a case-by-case basis. In the present work, an investigation of the mechanical behavior of UPVC is presented in order to select a model, best describing the material behavior at highly heterogeneous stress distributions within the structure. Twelve specimens from different parts of PVC window frames and sashes made by Weiss Profil, Bulgaria, have been tested under tension according to Bulgarian standard 12602-81. The mechanical behavior of the material and the corresponding material characteristics have been determined from the stress-strain curve obtained by the test. The research is directed at identifying the material model parameters, incorporated in FEM software used for the stress-strain analysis of load-bearing structures.