An improved model of ER fluids in squeeze-flow through model updating of the estimated yield stress

In the squeeze-flow mode of operation, electrorheological (ER) fluid is placed between two electrodes, which are free to translate in a direction roughly parallel to the direction of the applied electric field. Consequently, the ER fluid is subjected to alternate tensile and compressive strokes and shearing of the fluid also occurs. Available displacements are small but large forces are available from compact devices and there are many potential applications, notably in vibration isolation. The present authors have spent several years developing mathematical models to account for the observed behaviour of ER fluids in squeeze-flow. Previous attempts at modelling squeeze-flow behaviour have been partially successful but there have always been discrepancies. These discrepancies have generally been attributed to the difficulty of estimating the yield stress developed within the ER fluid when an electric field is applied. In the present paper, the authors describe a new approach in which the yield stress is determined iteratively by minimizing the difference between observed and predicted values of the transmitted force. Using this technique, force/displacement and force/velocity plots are predicted and compared with values from an experimental facility. It is shown that agreement between model predictions and experimental observation is excellent and significantly better than those obtained using existing models.