Simplified bulk experiments and hygrothermal nonlinear viscoelasticity

Bulk and shear linear viscoelastic functions were simultaneously determined using confined compression experiments on an epoxy primer, one component of a concrete/fiber-reinforced polymer composite bond line. The results were validated with data from separately conducted bulk creep compliance experiments. The transition region of the, bulk modulus was as wide as those of the tensile and shear relaxation moduli. Thermal and hygral expansions were measured and used to calibrate a hybrid nonlinear viscoelastic constitutive model which represented the hygrothermal nonlinear viscoelastic response of the material. This model was a combination of Schapery's (Further Development of a Thermodynamic Constitutive Theory: Stress Formulation, AA & ES Report (692), 1969a, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Schapery, R.A., 'On the characterization of nolinear viscoelastic materials', Polym. Eng. Sci. 9 1969b, 295-310.) and Popelar's (K., 'Multiaxial nonlinear viscoelastic characterization and modeling of a structural adhesive', J. Eng. Mater. Technol. Trans. ASME 119, 1997,205-210.) shear modified free volume model, which was calibrated ramp using torsion and tension experiments at various temperature and humidity levels. Using free volume concepts to accomplish time shifting as a function of strain, temperature and humidity levels did not create the extent of the softening behavior that was observed in the experiments, particularly at high humidity levels. The vertical shifting concepts of Schapery Were required to capture the extraordinarily strong hygral effect.