The micro-structure of elastomeric materials consists of chains of polymers which through cross-linking and entanglements form a network structure. Starting from this micro-structure, a model is developed to describe the striking elastic response of this class of materials. The individual links of the network are modeled as distinct rod-like micro-elements. The deformations of these elements are related to the macro-deformation field through the assumption of affine deformations. Individual micro-elements are allowed to offer resistance to both axial deformations and reorienting rotations. The elastic energy potential of the macro material region is then calculated through integration over the contribution from each micro element. The resulting equations are specialized to simple deformation configurations of uniaxial extension and pure shear, and the resulting stress response is calculated.
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