An Integral Part of Finite Element Analysis
Material modeling is an integral part of Finite Element Analysis, and an area of FEA that can be critical to the fidelity of your overall simulation. The Abaqus software, with its emphasis on nonlinear FEA, and large deformation analysis, has provided advanced material models since its inception. For example, because of its nonlinear capabilities, Abaqus has been used in the tire industry for many years. 
This has led to many advanced features for modeling of elastomers and reinforcing structures in tires. The nonlinear behavior of elastomers includes nonlinear elasticity (hyperelasticity), stiffness damage (Mullins effect) and viscoelastic behavior commonly observed as hysteresis loops in cyclic loadings. You may even desire the fidelity of a fully thermo-mechanical material model in which mechanical loadings generate heat due to the dissipated viscous energy.
The SIMULIA Blog is already full of articles that speak to the importance of material modeling in a wide variety of FEA simulation domains:
Biomedical and Biomechanics
Another area and industry in which Abaqus excels is the biomedical and biomechanics industry, or more generally the life sciences. It is easy to imagine the complex and nonlinear materials modeling needs for tissues, muscles, cartilage, etc. Each year at our annual technical conference, you will see a vibrant life sciences track of papers and presentations. SIMULIA has also directly engaged in modeling of the Abaqus Knee Simulator and the Living Heart Project. The SIMULIA blog discussed this area in the following article:
Molecular and Nanoscale
Another very exciting development in the simulation landscape is the idea of building material models from “the ground up” – from atomistic or molecular information and simulation. Check out the following blog posts to learn more about this new area:
The SIMULIA brand of Dassault Systemes is working with our sister brand BIOVIA to better understand how to use BIOVIAs Material Studio molecular dynamics simulation tools to help with our micro-mechanics, or multiscale material modeling, efforts.
Material Modeling and Calibration on the SIMULIA Learning Community¹
While an advanced material model can be critical to the fidelity of your modeling and simulation efforts, we realize that calibration of your material model from fundamental material specimen testing can be quite a challenge. We have dedicated an area of the to providing information on advanced material modeling and calibration. Once you have a login and password for the SLC, you can go to this main post to find a variety of discussions of calibration:
While the main purpose is educational, many of the posts provide the reader with samples of tools for calibration (Excel, Isight, etc.). This area of the SLC also provides an area to share material test data, and Abaqus simulation models used in conjunction with calibration activities. This Material Modeling and Calibration section is constantly evolving and growing.
