Modeling and experimental validation of buckling dielectric elastomer actuators

Buckling dielectric elastomer actuators are a special type of electromechanical transducers that exploit electro-elastic instability phenomena to generate large out-of-plane axial-symmetric deformations of circular membranes made of non-conductive rubbery material. In this paper a simplified explicit analytical model and a general monolithic finite element model are described for the coupled electromechanical analysis and simulation of buckling dielectric elastomer membranes which undergo large electrically induced displacements. Experimental data are also reported which validate the developed models. (paper)