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How to Select the right material for FEA [CAE Compass- Newsletter 📩]

Published 3 months ago • 1 min read

🧭 CAE Compass

Edition # 27

Ever tried baking a cake and used salt instead of sugar? Disaster, right? Choosing the wrong material model in your analysis feels exactly like that.

The structure may look perfect, but it won’t perform as expected! Don’t worry; with a little know-how (and a flowchart), you can pick the right material model every time.

Step-1: Understand Your Material’s Personality

Materials have distinct personalities. Some are flexible and love to stretch (hyperelastic), while others resist but still give in over time (viscoelastic).

Your job is to figure out which type you’re dealing with and treat them accordingly.

Example: Hyperelastic Materials

You’re analyzing the performance of a rubber seal in a car engine. Since the seal stretches under pressure but snaps back to its original shape, you need a hyperelastic model.

The Mooney-Rivlin model will help you capture its stretchiness and ensure your simulation doesn’t go out of bounds.

Step-2: Match Your Material Model to the Problem

Now that you know your material’s personality, it’s time to check what kind of party (simulation) you’re throwing.

  • Static Loading? Linear elastic models often work fine for metals.
  • Dynamic or High Deformation? Go for non-linear models like hyperelastic or viscoelastic.
  • Temperature Changes? Make sure your model accounts for thermal effects (like thermo-viscoelastic models).

Step-3: Test, Validate, and Sleep Peacefully

Once you’ve chosen your model, validate it with experimental data. Run a few tests, compare the results, and tweak parameters if needed.

If your simulation aligns with real-world behavior, congratulations! You’ve nailed it.

To decide faster, you can use below flowchart.

Selecting the right material model isn’t about trial and error; it’s about understanding the quirks.

So, the next time you encounter a hyperelastic seal or a viscoelastic damping pad, think of it as choosing between a yoga mat and a couch for relaxation.

You’ll know which one is the right fit.

Happy Analyzing!

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