Electromechanical coupled deformation analysis of a hyper-elastic dielectric membrane under combined pressure and electric loading

Dielectric elastomers are soft, lightweight, and highly deformable electroactive polymers that undergo large deformations when subjected to mechanical and electrical loading. This unique property makes them promising candidates for applications in artificial muscles, soft robotics, biomedical actuators, and sensors. In this study, the large deformation behavior of a flat, circular dielectric elastomer membrane, clamped at the boundary, is investigated under the combined influence of lateral pressure and an applied electric potential across its thickness. The resulting model provides a framework for predicting deformation profiles and electromechanical stability limits in dielectric elastomer actuators.