Finite Element Modeling of Rubber Composites Reinforced with Continuous Fibers

In this study, the mechanical behavior of continuous-fiber-reinforced rubber composites is investigated experimentally and numerically. Uniaxial tensile tests were performed on the rubber matrix, individual reinforcement fibers, and composite laminates with different fiber orientations and layer configurations. The experimental results were used to calibrate and validate a finite element model developed in ANSYS MAPDL (release 2026 R1), in which the rubber matrix was described using an incompressible Mooney–Rivlin hyperelastic formulation, while the reinforcement was represented by embedded discrete elements with a linear-elastic or a nonlinear elastic cord model. The composite simulations capture the main influence of fiber orientation and laminate structure on the global stress–strain response. The 0∘/90∘ configurations exhibit higher stiffness because fibers aligned with the loading direction transfer load directly, whereas the 45∘/−45∘ configurations show a more compliant response governed by matrix deformation and fiber reorientation. At higher deformation levels, the measured softening was not captured by the model. These differences may be attributed to damage mechanisms such as matrix degradation and fiber–matrix debonding, which are not included in the current formulation. The proposed modeling approach provides a basis for assessing the global mechanical response of such composites and for future extensions that include interfacial damage and fatigue.