Common Material Properties

These material properties are common to all types of materials used in MPM simulations.

Fracture Toughness Properties

These properties set material properties that determine the fracture toughness of the material and control various aspects of crack propagation.

Property	Description	Units	Default
JIc	Critical energy release rate fracture toughness for mode I. It is only used for crack propagation by criteria 2, 3, or 7. For criterion 2, it is only used if initTime is not being used. It is also used to set toughness of traction law materials.	J/m2	none
JIIc	Critical energy release rate fracture toughness for mode II. It is currently only used to set toughness of traction law materials.	J/m2	none
KIc	Critical mode I stress intensity factor. It is only used for crack propagation by criteria 1, 4, or 5.	MPa m1/2	none
KIIc	Critical mode II stress intensity factor. It is only used for crack propagation by criteria 1, 4, or 5.	MPa m1/2	none

Script Notes

The following material properties are common to all types of materials, although not used by all materials. These properties are only used in MPM analyses.

• rho for density in g/cm^3.
• Cp or Cv for heat capacity (in J/(kg-K)). Heat capacity is used when doing <a href="conduction.html">conduction calculations and/or coupled mechancial energy</a> adn by some material models. Both Cp and Cv set the same (and only) heat capacity used in the MPM calculations. MPM is a strain-drive method, which implies the heat capacity should be interpreted as the constant-volume heat capacity.
• <a name="csat"></a>csat The saturation concentration (in weight fraction) for diffusion calculations.
• nmix for exponent used in mixed-modes failure of some traction laws.
• KIexp for Exponent p in the elliptical criteria for crack growth. Only used for crack propagation with <a href="propagate.html">criterion 5</a>.
• KIIexp for Exponent q in the elliptical criteria for crack growth. Only used for crack propagation with <a href="propagate.html">criterion 5</a>.
• initTime for time (in ms) to start crack growth. Only used when there is crack propagation with <a href="propagate.html">criteria 2</a>. For criterion 2, initTime takes precedence of a JIc property.
• gamma surface energy in J in Joules/m^2. Only used when there is crack propagation with <a href="propagate.html">criterion 3</a>. Still in development and not meant for general use.
• speed for crack speed (in m/sec) in steady state crack propagation. This speed, however, is only active when there is crack propagation with <a href="propagate.html">criterion 2</a>. (also used in <a href="propagate.html">criterion 3</a> as the initial crack speed, but not meant there for general use)
• maxLength for maximum crack length (in mm) for steady state crack propagation. The simulation will stop soon after crack reaches the input length. This limit, however, is only active when there is crack propagation with <a href="propagate.html">criterion 2</a>.
• p for irreversible energy term in energy balance crack growth. It is dimensionless and probably should be between 0 and 1. Only used when there is crack propagation with <a href="propagate.html">criterion 3</a>. Still in development and not meant for general use.
• gain for gained used in feedback loop to maintain energy balance during crack growth. Only used when there is crack propagation with <a href="propagate.html">criterion 3</a>. Still in development and not meant for general use.
• delIc for max ctod (mm) in opening direction. Only used when there is crack propagation by <a href="propagate.html">criterion 6</a>.
• delIIc for max ctod (mm) in sliding direction. Only used when there is crack propagation by <a href="propagate.html">criterion 6</a>.
• criterion to set crack growth criterion for this material (see options in <a href="propagate.html">Propagate Command</a> but must use numeric setting). A criterion set in a material overrides the <a href="propagate.html">Propagate Command</a> setting.
• altcriterion is identical to criterion, but applies instead to the alternate crack growth criterion in the <a href="altpropagate.html">AltPropagate Command</a>.
• direction to set optional crack growth direction for this material (see options in <a href="propagate.html">Propagate Command</a> but must use numeric setting). A direction set in a material overrides the <a href="propagate.html">Propagate Command</a> setting.
• altdirection is identical to direction, but applies instead to the alternate crack growth direction in the <a href="altpropagate.html">AltPropagate Command</a>.
• traction to set optional traction law to create for crack propagation in this material (see <a href="propagate.html">Propagate Command</a> for details). A traction law set in a material overrides the <a href="propagate.html">Propagate Command</a> setting. The traction law must be set by number (1, 2, etc.) where the number corresponds to the material number, in order, as defined by Material commands. You cannot use a material ID. Numerical values are needed because you may be using this option before the <a href="tractionlaws.html">traction law material</a> has been created.
• alttraction is identical to traction, but applies instead to the alternate crack growth traction law material in the <a href="altpropagate.html">AltPropagate Command</a>.
• xGrow and yGrow: These properties (one or both with default 0) specify a unit vector for a constant crack growth direction. They only apply for crack propagation with <a href="propagate.html">criterion 2</a> and then only when that criterion selects the default propagation direction. The result is a constant crack growth direction regardless of stress state or crack tip orientation. Any input vector will be normalized to a unit vector. If constant crack growth directions with a fixed crack are located precisely on grid lines, it is possible for the crack algorithm to not recognize the crack plane. Is it better to move such a crack slightly off grid lines.
• <a name="artificialvisc"></a>ArtificialVisc can be on or off to turn artificial viscosity on. When it is on, it adds a pressure, Q, related to velocity gradient on the particle, but only when it is compressing. The equation is

  Q = Δx*|D_kk|*(A1*C + A2*Δx*|D_kk|)

  where Δx is the cell size of the mesh, |D_kk| is the relative volume change rate, C is the bulk wave speed in the material, and A1 and A2 are adjustable constants, which are entered using the above avA1 and avA2 properties. The defaults are artificial viscosity off, A1=0.2, and A2=2.0. It is common, but not required, to choose A2 = 10*A1.
      The artificial viscosity property is supported in some materials (as documented under each material). If you use these commands in a material that does not support, an error will result.

• avA1 and avA2 to set the coefficients when artficial viscosity is on.
• color 0.1,0.5,0.2,1.0: Sets the color of the material with the four arguments being red, green, blue, and alpha values between 0.0 and 1.0. A single argument can be used instead to set gray level between 0.0 and 1.0 (with alpha=1.0). Three arguments set red, green, and blue with alpha=1.0. The color is used in <a href="../movieplots.html">material point method plots</a> of <a href="../quantities.html">material type</a>. If no color is provided, a color will be picked from the current spectrum using the material number.
• Friction: A <a href="friction.html">Friction command</a> within a material definition can define custom frictional properties for <a href="multimaterialmode.html">multimaterial mode MPM</a> contact between the current material and another material.
• Interface: An <a href="imperfectinterface.html">Interface command</a> within a material definition can define custom imperfect interface parameters properties for <a href="multimaterialmode.html">multimaterial mode MPM</a> contact between the current material and another material.

XML Notes

There are some material properties that are common to all material types. These properties are only used in NairnMPM and are not allowed in NairnFEA. Some of these properties only work for selected materials (refer to each material for possible details). The common properties are

<rho>1.5</rho>

The material density (in g/cm³) (can be used in NairnFEA files, but it is ignored).

<Cp>1.5</Cp> or <Cv>1.5</Cv>

The material's heat capacity (in J/(kg-K)). It is used when doing <a href="thermal.html">conduction calculations and/or coupled mechanical energy</a> and by some material constitutitive laws. Both Cp and Cv set the same (and only) heat capacity used in the MPM calculations. MPM is a strain-drive method, which implies the heat capacity should be interpreted as the constant-volume heat capacity.

<a name="csat"></a><csat>0.5</csat>

The material's saturation concentration entered as a weight fraction. Only used when doing diffusion calculations.

<Propagate criterion='1' direction='0' traction='1'/>
<AltPropagate criterion='7' direction='4' traction='1'/>

These properties let each material have a different primary and secondary propagation criterion and/or directions than the ones defined in the <a href="mpmheader.html">MPM Header</a>. Set these criterion as described for the <a href="mpmheader.html#propagate">Propagate</a> and <a href="mpmheader.html#altpropagate">AltPropagate</a> commands in the <a href="mpmheader.html">MPM Header</a>. To activate propagation:

1. The <a href="mpmheader.html">MPM Header</a> must have a <a href="mpmheader.html#propagate">Propagate</a> command.
2. The <a href="mpmheader.html">MPM Header</a> can optionally have an <a href="mpmheader.html#altpropagate">AltPropagate</a> command.
3. Any material can override the default primary and/or secondary criteria by using a Propagate and/or AltPropagate command within its material defintion. Even if the <a href="mpmheader.html">MPM Header</a> does not have an <a href="mpmheader.html#altpropagate">AltPropagate</a> command, a material can add a secondary criterion with its own AltPropagate command.

<KIexp>2.3</KIexp>

Exponent p in the elliptical criteria for crack growth. Only used for crack propagation with <a href="mpmheader.html#cracks">criterion</a> 5.

<KIIexp>2.3</KIIexp>

Exponent q in the elliptical criteria for crack growth. Only used for crack propagation with <a href="mpmheader.html#cracks">criterion</a> 5.

<nmix>2</nmix>

A parameter used in some mixed-mode failure laws (e.g., to implement failure when (G_I/J_Ic)^nmix + (G_II/J_IIc)^nmix = 1 in <a href="#traction">TriangularTraction</a> cohesive law).

<initTime>3</initTime>

Time (in ms) to start crack growht. Only used when there is crack propagation with <a href="mpmheader.html#cracks">criteria</a> 2. For criterion 2, initTime takes precidence of a JIc property.

<speed>5</speed>

Define the constant crack speed (in m/sec). This speed, however, is only active when there is crack propagation with <a href="mpmheader.html#cracks">criterion</a> 2.

<maxLength>20</maxLength>

Define the maximum length of the crack (in mm). The crack growth will stop when this length is reached. This limit, however, is only active when there is crack propagation with <a href="mpmheader.html#cracks">criterion</a> 2.

<gamma>.5</gamma>

Only used when there is crack propagation with <a href="mpmheader.html#cracks">criterion</a> 3. Still in development and not meant for general use.

<p>.5</p>

Only used when there is crack propagation with <a href="mpmheader.html#cracks">criterion</a> 3. Still in development and not meant for general use.

<gain>10e5</gain>

Only used when there is crack propagation with <a href="mpmheader.html#cracks">criterion</a> 3. Still in development and not meant for general use.

<xGrow>20</xGrow> and <yGrow>0</yGrow>

These properties (one or both with default 0) specify a unit vector for a constant crack growth direction. They only apply for crack propagation with <a href="mpmheader.html#cracks">criterion</a> 2 and then only when that criterion selects the default propagation direction. The result is constant crack growth direction regardless of stress state or crack tip orientation. Any input vector will be normalized to a unit vector. If constant crack growth directions with a <a href="cracks.html">fixed crack</a> are located precisely on grid lines, it is possible for the crack algorithm to not recognize the crack plane. It is better to move such a crack sligthly off grid lines.

<delIc>0.1</delIc> and <delIIc>0.1</delIIc>

Critical crack opening displacement. Only used when there is crack propagation by <a href="mpmheader.html#cracks">criterion</a> 6. Also used by <a href="#traction">traction-law</a> materials.

<a name="artificialvisc"></a><ArtificialVisc/>, <avA1>.2</avA1>, and <avA2>2.0</avA2>

This first empty tag turns artificial visocsity on, which adds a pressure, Q, related to velocity gradient on the particle, but only when it is compressing. The equation is

Q = Δx*|D_kk|*(A1*C + A2*Δx*|D_kk|)

where Δx is the cell size of the mesh, |D_kk| is the relative volume change rate, C is the bulk wave speed in the material, and A1 and A2 are adjustable constants, which are entered using the above <avA1> and <avA2> commands. The defaults are off, A1=0.2, and A2=2.0. It is common, but not required, to choose A2 = 10*A1.
    The artificial viscosity property is supported in some materials (as documented under each material). If you use these commands in a material that does not support, an error will result.

<a name="friction"></a><Friction mat='2'>0.3</Friction>

This command within a material definition allows multimaterial mode to have different contact laws between different pairs of materials. Set the contact law as explained for <a href="mpmheader.html#friction">Friction command</a> in the <a href="mpmheader.html#cracks">Cracks section of the MPM header</a> except that a setting less than -10 means to assume materials are always in contact and revert to single material mode. The mat attribute defines contact mechanics between this material and the one listed (self contact is ignored). Alternatively, the other material can be specified by name using a matname attribute as explained <a href="definematl.html#usemats">here</a>. If a node has more than two materials, the contact law used will be one between each material and the other material with the most volume.
    You only need to set friction on one of the materials in a pair. If you set both, the setting for the second material will override the one from the first material.

<color red='0.1' green='0.5' blue='0.3' alpha='1.0/>

Sets the color of the material with red, green, blue, and alpha values between 0.0 and 1.0. The color may be used by post-analysis software, but it has no affect on the calculations.