Calibration of Materials Data in Abaqus; A Comprehensive Guide

According to our research and various papers, material calibration in Abaqus is a critical step in finite element analysis (FEA). By calibrating data in Abaqus and matching computational models to real-world material behavior, we can ensure simulation accuracy.

In this article, we have provided a complete explanation of the key concepts, methods, and applications of material calibration in Abaqus that you can use for high-precision simulations.
For each part that we deemed necessary, we have included detailed photos of the software environment so that you can achieve the desired result exactly according to those photos and methods we have mentioned.

According to our experimental investigations, simulation results strongly depend on the input material properties, so proper calibration is essential for reliable predictions in structural, mechanical, and multiphysics analyses.

You can import material data from text (.txt) files and customize these data in a data table. You can also specify quantity types to describe the data, such as stress and strain or force and displacement.

Creating and editing data sets for calibration in Abaqus

1. From the Model Tree, expand Calibrations and double-click Data Sets.

   The Create Data Set dialog box appears.

   

2. To import a dataset from a file, we have done the following and you can follow the same steps in order.

   1. Click Import Data Set.The Read Data From Text File dialog box appears.
   2. Navigate to the file you want to import. For more information about file selection, see Using file selection dialog boxes.
   3. If the data in your imported file are delimited by a character other than spaces, tabs, or commas, toggle on other and enter the delimiting character in the Delimiter field.
      1. From the Data Set Type options, select the pairing of output variables that describes your imported data. The default type is Stress/Strain.
      2. If desired, specify the numbers of the fields from which Abaqus/CAE should import data. By default, Abaqus/CAE reads data from the first and second fields in the data set.
      3. If desired, specify a Data Set Form of True to import the material data in true form. By default, material data from text files are imported in nominal (or engineering) form.

      Abaqus/CAE displays the imported data and the selected quantity types in the table in the dialog box.

      

      

3. If desired, customize the data displayed in the table by adding, deleting, or modifying rows. For more information about tabular data entry, see Entering tabular data.

1. Click OK to create the new data set and to close the Create Data Set dialog box.

   Abaqus/CAE displays the new data set in the Data Sets container in the Model Tree and plots the data in the viewport.

Processing calibration data in Abaqus

The calibration data processing options enable you to clean up your material data before using it to define material behaviors as we did.

Converting calibration data between nominal and true forms

The Convert option enables you to convert the data in a calibration data set from nominal form to true form or vice versa. Abaqus/CAE performs the conversion using the algorithms described in Stress and strain measures.

1. In the Model Tree, click mouse button 3 on the data set that you want to convert and select Process from the menu that appears. The Data Set Processing dialog box appears.

   

2. Select Convert, and click Continue. The Change Data Set Form dialog box appears.

   

3. Select the form to which you want to convert the selected data set. Options are Nominal (Engineering) Form and True Form.

4. If desired, you can retain the original data set and create a new data set when you perform the data conversion. You can also customize the name of the newly created data set.

5. Click OK.

   Abaqus/CAE performs the selected form conversion for the data.

Scaling calibration data

The Scale option enables you to apply different scaling factors to either column in a calibration data set.

• In the Model Tree, click mouse button 3 on the data set that you want to convert and select Process from the menu that appears.

The Data Set Processing dialog box appears.

• Select Scale, and click Continue.

The Scale Data Set dialog box appears.

• Specify a scaling factor for either column in the data set by editing the values in the Col 1 or Col 2 fields.
• If desired, click Preview to review the new data values created by the scaling factor values.

Abaqus/CAE reflects the new scale factor for each column in the data set.

• If desired, you can retain the original data set and create a new data set when you perform the data conversion. You can also customize the name of the newly created data set.
• Click OK.

Abaqus/CAE performs the selected scaling for the data.

Smoothing data in Abaqus

The Smooth option enables you to operate on a calibration data set to produce data that has a smoother curve. The resulting data set has the same X-coordinate values as the original data set. Abaqus/CAE uses an exponential moving average algorithm to smooth the data; this algorithm is also used by the smooth2 X–Y operator.

• In the Model Tree, click mouse button 3 on the data set that you want to convert and select Process from the menu that appears.

The Data Set Processing dialog box appears.

• Select Smooth, and click Continue.

The Smooth Data Set dialog box appears.

• In the Weight field, specify a value for the smoothing parameter. You can specify a smoothing factor between 0 and 1 for the curve; a smaller value produces a smoother curve. The default smoothing factor is 0.75.
• If desired, you can retain the original data set and create a new data set when you perform the data conversion. You can also customize the name of the newly created data set.
• Click OK.

Abaqus/CAE smooths the data set.

Truncating and shifting

The Truncate and Shift option enables you to exclude data points from a calibration data set whose X-coordinate values are less than or greater than a user-specified value or to include data points that lie between two specified X-coordinate values.

• In the Model Tree, click mouse button 3 on the data set that you want to convert, and select Process from the menu that appears.

The Data Set Processing dialog box appears.

• Select Truncate and Shift, and click Continue.

The Truncate Data Set dialog box appears.

• Specify a truncation point on the left side or the right side of the data set, or specify points on both sides of the data set. You can set a truncation point by dragging a slider in the viewport or by entering a value in the appropriate X-axis field.
• Shift the selected subset of data points using either of the following techniques:

1. Toggle on Offset first point to (0,0) to shift the selected subset of data points so that its leftmost point resides at (0,0).
2. Shift the selected subset of data points along either axis by specifying values in the Offset X-axis or Offset Y-axis fields.

• If desired, you can retain the original data set and create a new data set when you perform the data conversion. You can also customize the name of the newly created data set.
• Click OK.

Abaqus/CAE performs the specified truncation or shift.

Applications of Materials Calibration in Abaqus

1. Structural Engineering & Civil Applications

Concrete & Reinforced Structures:

Calibration of concrete damage plasticity (CDP) models to replicate stress-strain behavior under compression, tension, and cyclic loading.

Simulation of crack propagation and failure in reinforced concrete beams, columns, and bridges.

Calibration of elastoplastic models (e.g., Johnson-Cook, Chaboche) for steel under dynamic and seismic loads.

Optimization of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites by matching stiffness and strength properties.

2. Aerospace & Automotive Industries

Calibration of material models (e.g., Johnson-Cook, Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman) for metals and polymers to predict deformation and failure in crash tests.

Simulation of bird strikes, hail impacts, and ballistic penetration using calibrated damage models.

Calibration of orthotropic elastic and progressive damage models for carbon fiber and glass fiber composites.

Prediction of delamination and fiber-matrix debonding in aircraft and automotive components.

3. Biomechanics & Medical Engineering

Calibration of hyperelastic and viscoelastic models for soft tissues (e.g., ligaments, tendons).

Simulation of bone fracture using calibrated failure criteria (e.g., Drucker-Prager for trabecular bone).

Calibration of polymer materials (e.g., silicone, polyurethane) for stents, catheters, and prosthetics.

Fatigue life prediction of implants under cyclic loading.

4. Manufacturing & Metal Forming

Calibration of anisotropic yield criteria (e.g., Hill’48, Barlat) to predict forming limits and springback.

Optimization of deep drawing, stamping, and hydroforming processes.

Calibration of material models for metal powders and polymers to predict residual stresses and distortions.

Simulation of selective laser melting (SLM) and fused deposition modeling (FDM) processes.

5. Geotechnical & Mining Engineering

Calibration of Mohr-Coulomb, Drucker-Prager, and Cam-Clay models for soil behavior under different loading conditions.

Simulation of slope stability, tunneling, and foundation settlement.

Calibration of cohesive zone models (CZMs) to simulate crack propagation in shale rocks.

Conclusion

Materials calibration in Abaqus enhances simulation accuracy by ensuring that material models closely replicate real-world behavior. It is widely applied in industries ranging from aerospace and automotive to biomedical and geotechnical engineering. By leveraging experimental data (e.g., stress-strain curves, fatigue tests, DMA), engineers can optimize designs, predict failures, and improve product performance efficiently.

Would you like a more detailed explanation on calibrating a specific material model in Abaqus?