Abaqus implementation of a large family of finite viscoelasticity models

In this paper, we introduce an Abaqus UMAT subroutine for a family of constitutive models for the viscoelastic response of isotropic elastomers of any compressibility – including fully incompressible elastomers – undergoing finite deformations. The models can be chosen to account for a wide range of non-Gaussian elasticities, as well as for a wide range of nonlinear viscosities. From a mathematical point of view, the structure of the models is such that the viscous dissipation is characterized by an internal variable C^v, subject to the physically-based constraint detC^v=1, that is solution of a nonlinear first-order ODE in time. This ODE is solved by means of an explicit Runge–Kutta scheme of high order capable of preserving the constraint detC^v=1 identically. The accuracy and convergence of the code is demonstrated numerically by comparison with an exact solution for several of the Abaqus built-in hybrid finite elements, including the simplicial elements C3D4H and C3D10H and the hexahedral elements C3D8H and C3D20H. The last part of this paper is devoted to showcasing the capabilities of the code by deploying it to compute the homogenized response of a bicontinuous rubber blend.