Characterising the frequency‐response of ultra‐soft polymers with the Virtual Fields Method

This paper presents a novel apparatus, combined with application of the Virtual Fields Method (VFM) for high frequency characterisation mechanical response ultra-soft materials. The viscoelastic is characterised under harmonic deviatoric loading at range frequencies using dynamic VFM in domain. Obtaining useful rate data on soft materials challenging typical test methodologies, as low speed sound material makes stress equilibrium difficult to obtain; additionally, stiffness results small stresses and weak measurement signals. apparatus analysis method have been shown capable obtaining important that would be impossible access currently existing techniques.