Development of a Tool for Automatic Calibration of Material Models in LS-DYNA

LS-DYNA offers a wide variation of material cards to cover different needs in diverse applications. However, choosing the most proper material model among 250 keywords can be quite deceptive. Therefore, an algorithm has been developed to suggest proper material keywords depending on users’ applications. The algorithm is also coupled with a database of material models to look for proper material cards among the existing ones. The algorithm guides the user through some questions by entering the desired material behaviors and simulation properties. The questions are set general and include some examples to avoid necessitation of high material science. Due to a default value by each step, it is possible for the user to skip entering inputs that are non-relevant for him. Each material keyword is coupled with a profile that contains some tags. The tags include the material group (i.e. rubber, foam, plastic or metal and composite) and other important properties, which can be modeled with the corresponding keyword. The algorithm looks beyond the tags and finds the keywords that cover the user’s need. This algorithm is implemented in MATLAB and has been coupled with a database of material cards in Microsoft Excel. Via answering some questions (e.g. about the density or young modulus of the desired material) the program can suggest the most proper material card among the existing ones in the database. The output of the program is a prioritized list of material cards that match the needs of the user. The outputs have been controlled for some pre-defined inputs. Consequently, the results were comprehensive and similar to the expectations from the publications. The nobility of this study is its encyclopedic knowledge about material cards used in full vehicle crash simulations. However, it is possible to develop the algorithm for other applications such as metal forming, etc.