Generalization of one-dimensional material models for the finite element method

The concept of representative directions is intended to generalize one-dimensional material models for uniaxial tension to complete three-dimensional constitutive models for the finite element method. The concept is applicable to any model which is able to describe uniaxial loadings, even to those for inelastic material behavior without knowing the free energy. The typical characteristics of the respected material class are generalized in a remarkable similarity to the input model. The algorithm has already been implemented into the finite element systems ABAQUS and MSC.MARC considering several methods to increase the numerical efficiency. The implementation enables finite element simulations of inhomogeneous stress conditions within technical components, though the input model predicts uniaxial material behavior only. (C) 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim