LS-DYNA Theory Manual Material Models

Since we wish to include only simple rate effects, the relaxation function is represented
by up to six terms of the Prony series:

N
g (t ) = α 0 + ¦ α m e − β t (19.73.3)
m =1

This model is effectively a Maxwell fluid which consists of a dampers and springs in series. The
formulation is performed in the local system of principal stretches where only the principal
values of stress are computed and triaxial coupling is avoided. Consequently, the one-
dimensional nature of this foam material is unaffected by this addition of rate effects. The
addition of rate effects necessitates 42 additional history variables per integration point. The cost
and memory overhead of this model comes primarily from the need to “remember” the local
system of principal stretches and the evaluation of the viscous stress components.

Material Model 74: Elastic Spring for the Discrete Beam

This model permits elastic springs with damping to be combined and represented with a
discrete beam element type 6. Linear stiffness and damping coefficients can be defined, and, for
nonlinear behavior, a force versus deflection and force versus rate curves can be used.
Displacement based failure and an initial force are optional
If the linear spring stiffness is used, the force, F, is given by:

F = F0 + K ΔL + DΔL (19.74.1)

where K is the stiffness constant, and D is the viscous damping coefficient.

If the load curve ID for f ( ΔL ) is specified, nonlinear behavior is activated. For this
case the force is given by:

ª § ΔL °½ · º
°­
F = F0 + K f ( ΔL ) «1 + C1 ⋅ ΔL + C 2 ⋅ sgn ( ΔL ) ln ¨ max ®1., ¾ ¸» (19.74.2)
« ¨ ¸
¿° ¹ ¼»
DLE
¬ © ¯°
+ DΔL + g ( ΔL ) h ( ΔL )

where C1 and C2 are damping coefficients for nonlinear behavior, DLE is a factor to scale time
units, and g ( ΔL ) is an optional load curve defining a scale factor versus deflection for load
curve ID, h ( d ΔL / dt ) .
In these equations, Δ L is the change in length

ΔL = current length − initiallength

Failure can occur in either compression or tension based on displacement values of CDF
and TDF, respectively. After failure no forces are carried. Compressive failure does not apply if
the spring is initially zero length.

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Material Models LS-DYNA Theory Manual

The cross sectional area is defined on the section card for the discrete beam elements, in
*SECTION_BEAM. The square root of this area is used as the contact thickness offset if these
elements are included in the contact treatment.

Material Model 75: Bilkhu/Dubois Foam Model

This model uses uniaxial and triaxial test data to provide a more realistic treatment of
crushable foam. The Poisson’s ratio is set to zero for the elastic response. The volumetric strain
is defined in terms of the relative volume, V , as:

γ = − ln(V ) (19.75.1)

In defining the curves, the stress and strain pairs should be positive values starting with a
volumetric strain value of zero.

Figure 19.75.1. Behavior of crushable foam. Unloading is elastic.

19.108