How to know which material model to use in ABAQUS

[mdama]

Just a general question?
If someone asks material model to use in ABAQUS, what would be a good answer?
Assuming we have hyperelastic material, we have a bunch of models like mooney-rivlin or Ogden. How should we pick them and make sure we are right? I need to the procedure.

 

[SWComposites]

you likely need test data for the specific material, then see which material model most closely represents the actual response over the temperature/strain/etc range of interest.

 

[mdama]

what kind of test data?

 

[SWComposites]

well that is somewhat dependent on the material and application.
if the material is isotropic, then probably as a bare minimum tensile and shear stress-strain to failure. maybe compression also if that loading is applicable or if lower strength than tension.
there should be ASTM standard test methods applicable to the particular material; find the applicable ASTM committee.

 

[FEA way]

Abaqus/CAE has a material calibration tool that lets you input the results of physical tests and generates coefficients and curves for the selected hyperelastic models so that you can easily choose the best one for your case. Some are better when limited test data is available while others (more complex ones) require several different experiments to be accurate.

Of course, if you can’t perform any tests (which is often the case) you have to find the data for your kind of material in research papers but forget about high accuracy of the numerical model then.

 

[mdama]

@FEA way
What kind of physical tests for hyperelastic materials are usually done?

 

[FEA way]

The most common one is uniaxial tension test but it's good to have data from other tests too. They can include planar tension, uniaxial compression or equibiaxial tension and confined compression. Of course, it depends on what equipment you have available.