Analyzing viscoelastic materials

Both deterministic modelling and data analysis are used to characterize a product line of viscoelastic cushions. Classical Kelvin-Voigt and Maxwell models are derived and solved to compare with industry supplied experimental data. A Maxwell model with a nonlinear spring is used to extract an effective viscosity for each product and used to sort the product line. Data analysis techniques are used to find a small set of exemplar cushions, chosen based on their extremal behaviour in the supplied data. These are then used to characterize all the products. Both methods provide a unique way to classify the product offerings in the marketplace.