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Abaqus/Explicit VUMAT for Bergstrom-Boyce Hysteresis Model


Viscoelastic rubber-like materials often exhibit hysteresis in cyclic loadings. This behavior arises
from the frictional sliding of the long molecules across one another. Bergstrom and Boyce [1]
observed in experiments that both filled and unfilled elastomers show significant amounts of
hysteresis during cyclic loading, and both filled and unfilled elastomers are strain-rate-dependent.

This document describes an Abaqus/Explicit user material model (VUMAT) that is largely
analogous to the functionality provided in the Abaqus/Standard hysteresis material model. Based on
the work of Bergstrom and Boyce [1], the model is meant for the simulation of large-strain, time-
dependent hysteretic behavior in rubber-like elastomers.

Hysteresis Material Model

The hysteresis material model for elastomers is based on [1]. The model decomposes the
mechanical behavior of the material into two parts. Using the analogy of a polymeric network, we
have an equilibrium, or purely elastic, response (network A) and a time-dependent deviation from
equilibrium (network B). The model is characterized by the schematic diagram in Figure 1:











Figure 1: Schematic of Bergstrom-Boyce hysteresis model.


The equilibrium network A corresponds to the state that is approached in long-time stress
relaxation tests. The time-dependent network B captures the nonlinear rate-dependent deviation from
the equilibrium state. The time dependence of network B is assumed to be governed by the repeated
motion of molecules that have the ability to significantly change configuration, thereby relaxing the
overall stress state.

An isotropic hyperelastic material model defines network A. The hysteresis material model
defines network B. The total stress of the model is assumed to be the sum of the stresses in the two
networks. The deformation gradient F is assumed to act on both networks. It is decomposed into
elastic (

) and inelastic (

) components in network B through the multiplicative decomposition

e cr
B B
F F F = (1)


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The constitutive response of network A is governed by standard isotropic hyperelasticity. The
stress response of network B is solely dependent on the elastic deformation gradient component

and is governed by the same hyperelastic strain energy potential as network A. Given a deformation
gradient F acting on both networks, the elastic deformation gradient component

in network B is
obtained through an evolution equation,

1 1 e cr cr e cr B
B B B B B
B
S
F F F F

(2)


Where

is the effective creep strain rate in network B, S

B
is the Cauchy stress deviator tensor in
network B, and
B
is the effective stress in network B.

The effective creep strain rate in network B is given by the expression

( )
1
C
cr cr m
B
A E = + (3)


where the positive exponent m, generally greater than 1, characterizes the effective stress
dependence of the effective creep strain rate; the exponent C, restricted to the interval [1, 0],
characterizes the creep strain dependence (through the creep stretch
cr
) on the creep strain rate; the
non-negative constant A maintains dimensional consistency in the equation; and the parameter E
helps regularize the creep strain rate in the vicinity of the undeformed state.

In addition to the above material constants, the hysteresis model is characterized by a stress
scaling factor, S, that defines the ratio of the stress carried by network B to the stress carried by
network A under instantaneous loading. The constants for a typical elastomer are as indicated below:

( )
( ) ( )
1
1.6
5
3
4
1.0
0.01
m
m
S
A s MPa
m
C
E

=
=
=
=
=
(4)


VUMAT Hysteresis Model for Explicit Dynamics

The VUMAT material model supports the polynomial and reduced polynomial forms of the
hyperelastic strain energy potential up to order 3.





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User Interface

The input file user interface is shown below, with a third order polynomial form as an example.

*Mat er i al , name=POLY
*Densi t y
density,
*Depvar
18,
*User Mat er i al , const ant s=17
**c10, c01, c20, c11, c02, c30, c21, c12
1.5, 0.5, 0., 0., 0., 0., 0., 0.
**c03, d1, d2, d3, s, A, m, C
0., 4E-07, 0., 0., 1., 0.0122474, 1.,-1.
**Et a
0.01,

The first nine state variables (SDV1 to SDV9) indicate the creep stretch and can be output.

Verification

To verify the VUMAT hysteresis model, uniaxial tension and simple shear simulations were
conducted and the behavior of the explicit and implicit implementations under quasi-static loading
conditions was compared. The implicit simulation used the native Abaqus/Standard hysteresis
constitutive model. The uniaxial tension and simple shear simulations were performed at a cycling
frequency of 0.1 Hz. A single element unit cube was used.

A sinusoidal extension displacement was applied to one face in the uniaxial tension model. A
sinusoidal shear displacement was applied to one edge in the shear model. The corresponding
reaction forces were recorded. The forces and displacements were plotted on the same graph to form
hysteresis loops. The displaced shape of the uniaxial extension model and the comparison of force-
displacement curves from implicit and explicit solutions are shown in Figs. 2 and 3, respectively. A
similar displaced shape and a force-displacement curve comparison for the simple shear model are
shown in Figs. 4 and 5, respectively. As can be seen, the results compare quite favorably for these
simple modes of deformation at low cycling frequencies where inertia effects are minimal.












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Figure 2: Displaced shape of the uniaxial tension unit cube model.




















Figure 3: Comparison of force-displacement loops for unit cube uniaxial tension models using
Abaqus/Standard and Abaqus/Explicit.








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Figure 4: Displaced shape of the simple shear unit cube model.





















Figure 5: Comparison of force-displacement loops for unit cube simple shear models using Abaqus/
Standard and Abaqus/Explicit.


References:

1) Bergstrom, J . S., and Boyce, M. C., Constitutive Modeling of the Large Strain Time-
Dependent Behavior of Elastomers, Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, Vol.
46, No. 5, 1998, pp. 931954.