Analysis of bounce of viscoelastic spheres on rigid surfaces

This paper describes a common occurrence in daily life where spherical membranes bounce on rigid surfaces. To investigate the bouncing problem of spherical membranes, an energy method based on a visco-hyperelastic theoretical model was utilized. With the application of neo-Hookean and Gent constitutive models for analysis, we explored the detailed dynamic deformation features of the spherical membrane in both compression and rebound processes. Furthermore, we developed a finite element model based on the viscoelastic spherical membrane, and the obtained results were consistent with the theoretical findings. Additionally, we examined the effects of initial velocity, internal pressure, radius-thickness ratio, and relaxation time on the compression process, and compared the theoretical model with previous experimental results. It is believed that this model can predict the deformation of viscoelastic spherical membranes during bouncing on rigid surfaces.