Advanced Materials Research Vols.

189-193 (2011) pp 2247-2250

Online available since 2011/Feb/21 at www.scientific.net
© (2011) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland
doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.189-193.2247

Discussion on Convergence Issues in ABAQUS/Standard while

Carrying out Damage and Fracture Analysis

Huaiwen Wang1,a, Hongwei Ji1,b∗, Ying Sun2,c, Hui Miao1,d

1
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Refrigeration Technology, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin
300134, China
2
Tianjin and Ministry of Education key Laboratory of Advanced Textile Composite Materials, Tianjin
Polytechnic University, Tianjin 300160, China
a b c d
wanghw@tjcu.edu.cn, hongweiji@yahoo.com, sunying@tjpu.edu.cn, miaohui@tjcu.edu.cn
∗
Corresponding author

Keywords: Damage and Damage Simulation; Finite Element Method; ABAQUS/Standard;

Convergence Issues.

Abstract. As a universal finite element method commercial software, ABAQUS has been widely
used in scientific research and engineering applications. However, convergence difficulties are
familiar issues while carrying out damage and fracture analysis. Several methods, which are helpful to
avoid these convergence problems, are presented in this paper. Baseline simulations about damage
initiation and propagation in composites indicate that a larger value of viscous regularization causes
the peak of the reaction force to be higher. A smaller viscosity parameter is better than bigger one.
Other advanced techniques, include using automatic stabilization and customized general solution
controls, are adoptable to improve convergence in ABAQUS/Standard analysis. The results of the
paper are expected to provide guidance for the new user of ABAQUS.

Introduction
The finite element method (FEM) is a computational technique for obtaining approximate
solutions to the partial differential equations that arise in scientific and engineering applications. The
advantages of the finite element method over the finite difference method are that general boundary
conditions, complex geometry, and variable material properties can be relatively easily handled.
Finite element analysis is at present very widely used in the engineering analysis of heat transfer, mass
diffusion, thermal management of electrical components (coupled thermal-electrical analyses),
acoustics, soil mechanics (coupled pore fluid-stress analyses), and piezoelectric analysis.
As a universal finite element method commercial software, ABAQUS has been widely used in
scientific research and engineering applications. For example, it has been used to study mechanical
behaviors of composites [1-2], temperature and residual stress fields simulations [3], simulation of
3D glass bottle forming [4], simulation of a refill friction stir spot welding process [5] and dynamic
crack propagation[6], etc. However, convergence difficulties are familiar issues while carrying out
damage and fracture analysis in ABAQUS/Standard. Such as: (1) in many cases, cohesive elements
are modeled as undergoing progressive damage leading to failure. The modeling of progressive
damage involves softening in the material response, which is material nonlinear; (2) if using other
facture criterion, such as VCCT (virtual crack closure technique), convergence difficulties may also
occur during unstable crack propagation [7].
Several methods are available to help avoid these convergence problems. Some discussion on
these methods, including using viscous regularization, using automatic stabilization and using
nondefault solution controls, will be given in this paper. Moreover, discussion on the effect of using
viscous regularization on the results will be presented.

All rights reserved. No part of contents of this paper may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of TTP,
www.ttp.net. (ID: 132.239.1.231-24/02/13,02:14:21)
2248 Manufacturing Process Technology

Using Viscous Regularization

Principle. Material models exhibiting softening behavior and stiffness degradation often lead to
severe convergence difficulties. Abaqus/Standard provides a viscous regularization capability that
helps in improving the convergence for these kinds of problems. Viscous regularization of the
constitutive equations can cause the tangent stiffness matrix of the softening material to be positive
for sufficiently small time increments [7].
Baseline Simulation. In order to explore the effect of using viscous regularization on the
simulation results, several simulations were done. The simulations involved unit cell models of
composites with single fibre, as shown in Fig. 1. The dimensions of the cell models are
10×10×10mm3. The unit cells were subject to a uniaxial tensile displacement loading along the axis of
fibre. The Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of the fibre are 72GPa and 0.26 while those of matrix
are 3.79GP and 0.37. The damage evolution of the fibre was simulated by damageable layer
techniques and cohesive element method.

(a) (b)

Fig. 1 Single-fibre model with one damageable layer in fibre

(a) cell model, (b) fibre in the model with removed damageable layer

In the framework of damageable layer techniques, damageable layers were introduced into sections
of fibres. The damageable layers have the same mechanical properties as the rest of the fibre, however,
they are damageable. The stiffness of a finite element in damageable layers is reduced to a very low
value, for instance several dozen Pa, if a stress parameter, such as maximum principal stress, in the
element or a nodal point exceeds some critical level. This method has been successfully used in the
simulation of damage initiation and evolution [8-9]. This method is chosen as the baseline, to which
cohesive elements method will compare.
Most of the fibre reinforced composites materials exhibit elastic-brittle behaviour. There is less

12000
Nominal Stress/MPa

9000

6000

3000 Damageable layer technique

Cohesive elements modelling

0
0.00 0.08 0.16 0.24 0.32
Strain

Fig. 2 A typical bilinear Fig. 3 Nominal stress-strain curve of the

traction-separation model[7] single fibre cell model
 Advanced Materials Research Vols. 189-193 2249

significant plastic deformation before damage initiation. A typical stress-strain relation is mostly
linear-elastic in a first part and then tracked by degradation until the material fully losses its stiffness,
which is called traction-separation response. In this study, bilinear model was employed to describe
the pre- and post-damage process of a traction-separation, as shown in Fig 2. Damage initiation refers
to the beginning of the degradation of the response of a material point. The process of degradations
begins when the stresses and/or strains satisfy certain damage criterion.
The damage evolution was modelled using two approaches: damageable layer techniques and
cohesive element method (not using viscous regularization). Fig. 3 shows nominal stress-strain curves
of the unit cell models. It can be seen that the results of the two modelling methods are agree with each
other well.
In the following simulations, different viscosity parameter, from 0.006 to 1, were introduced into
the models. Nominal stress-strain curves of the unit cell models are shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 Nominal stress-strain curve of the cell models with different viscosity parameter

From Fig. 4, it can be seen that a larger value of viscous regularization causes the peak of the
reaction force to be higher. In general, using viscous regularization is an efficient method to improve
the convergence of ABAQUS/Standard. A smaller viscosity parameter is better than bigger one
usually. That is to say it is helpful using viscous regularization with a small value of the viscosity
parameter to improve the rate of convergence of the model in the softening regime, without
compromising results. However, using viscous regularizations is not universal. Some other
techniques must be used at the same time under some circumstance.

Using Automatic Stabilization

Another approach to help convergence behavior is the use of automatic stabilization. It is useful
when a problem is unstable due to local instabilities, in which case global load control methods are
not appropriate. The principle of using automatic stabilization is that Abaqus/Standard provides an
automatic mechanism for stabilizing unstable static problems through the automatic addition of
volume-proportional damping to the model [7].
However, there is no guarantee that the value of the damping factor is optimal or even suitable in
some cases. Obtaining an optimal value for the damping factor is a manual process requiring trial and
error until a converged solution is obtained and the dissipated stabilization energy is sufficiently
small.
2250 Manufacturing Process Technology

Using Nondefault Solution Controls

Customized general solution controls are not needed in most nonlinear analyses. However, if extreme
nonlinearities occur, customized controls may be needed to obtain a solution. Several important
solution controls include: 1) Avoiding premature cutbacks in difficult analyses: It is useful for
severely discontinuous problems. 2) Activating the “line search” algorithm: The line search
algorithm automatically applies a scale factor to the computed solution correction, which helps to
prevent divergence. 3) Controlling the time incrementation scheme: The time incrementation
parameters may have to be modified if convergence is nonmonotonic. 4) changing solution method:
Abaqus/Standard uses Newton's method to solve nonlinear problems. Quasi-Newton technique can
be chosen for a particular step [7]. Some other techniques, such as to optimize model, may be used to
improve the convergence issues.
General solution controls are intended for experienced analysts and should be used with great care.

Summary
The convergence issues in ABAQUS/Standard while carrying out damage and fracture analysis were
discussed in this paper. Using viscous regularization in the analysis is an effective method to help
convergence. Baseline simulations indicate that a larger value of viscous regularization causes the
peak of the reaction force to be higher. Using viscous regularization with a small value of the viscosity
parameter usually helps improve the rate of convergence of the model in the softening regime,
without compromising results. Additional, the use of automatic stabilization and customized general
solution controls are also means to improve the convergence issues. However, those approaches
should be used with great care. Generally, if sufficient viscous regularization is used, the use of the
automatic stabilization technique is not necessary. In problems where a small amount or no viscous
regularization is used, automatic stabilization will improve the convergence characteristics.

Acknowledgements
The support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 11002100) and Tianjin
Natural Science Foundation (No. 09JCYBJC03700) are greatly acknowledged.

References
[1] L. Mishnaevsky: Computational mesomechanics of composites (John Wiley & Sons Ltd.,
Chichester, England; Hoboken, NJ 2007)
[2] H.W. Wang, H.W. Zhou, L. Mishnaevsky Jr et al.: Comp. Mater. Sci. Vol. 46 (2009), p. 810
[3] K. R. Jia and Z. F. Yue, in: Evaluation, Inspection and Monitoring of Structural Integrity, edited
by G.C. Sih; S.T. Tu; Z.D. Wang, East China University Science and Technology Press,
Shanghai(2008), p. 147
[4] G. de Leede, R. Koch, V. Bouwman and G. Kloosterman: Adv. Mater. Res. Vol. 39-40 (2008), p.
499
[5] K. H. Muci-Kuchler, S. Kalagara and W.J. Arbegast: J. Manuf. Sci. E-T ASME Vol. 132(2010),
p. 014503
[6] M.R. Alam, A.S.J. Swamidas and K. Munaswamy: Fatigue Fract. Eng. Mater. Struct. Vol. 30
(2007), p. 844
[7] Dassault Systemes Simulia Corp.: ABAQUS Analysis User's Manual (Providence, RI, USA
2009).
[8] L. Mishnaevsky and P. Brondsted: Mater. Sci. Eng. A Vol. 498 (2008), p. 81
[9] L. Mishnaevsky and P. Brondsted: Comp. Mater. Sci. Vol. 44 (2009), p. 1351
Manufacturing Process Technology
10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.189-193

Discussion on Convergence Issues in ABAQUS/Standard while Carrying Out Damage and Fracture
Analysis
10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.189-193.2247

DOI References
[2] H.W. Wang, H.W. Zhou, L. Mishnaevsky Jr et al.: Comp. Mater. Sci. Vol. 46 (2009), p. 810
doi:10.1016/j.commatsci.2009.04.024
[4] G. de Leede, R. Koch, V. Bouwman and G. Kloosterman: Adv. Mater. Res. Vol. 39-40 (2008), p. 99
doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.39-40.499
[2] H.W. Wang, H.W. Zhou, L. Mishnaevsky Jr et al.: Comp. Mater. Sci. Vol. 46 (2009), p. 810
doi:10.1016/j.commatsci.2009.04.024
[4] G. de Leede, R. Koch, V. Bouwman and G. Kloosterman: Adv. Mater. Res. Vol. 39-40 (2008), p. 499
doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.39-40.499