How to define my

material data?
This guide starts from basic knowledge
of material properties. Then it introduces
different material types based on
physical property and linearity, and
especially how to assign materials in
midas NFX

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Reminder about material properties..1
Types of Material.....3

Linear Material.......5
Elasto-plastic material.......6

Hyper-elastic material9
Assign material to FEA model10

Reminder about material

properties

Stress and strain are linked together by stress-strain curve.

And stress-strain curve of each material is usually obtained
by experimental tests (tension test).
Stress-strain curve can be separated to several stages which
correspond to different states of the material:
When strain is small, elastic deformation occurs and linear
material model is used.
When the strain is large enough, plastic deformation will
occur and a nonlinear material model will have to be
considered.
Stress ()
Ultimate Stress
(u)

Fracture

Yield Stress (y)

Slope of Elastic Region
(Modulus of
Elasticity,

Strain ()

Elastic
Region
// Page 1

Plastic
Region

Example of Stress-Strain Curve

In the linear region, the stress-strain relation (Hooks law) can

be simplified into:

s =Ee (: stress, E: modulus of elasticity, : strain)

Modulus of Elasticity (Youngs Modulus)
1) Description of an objects tendency to be deformed
elastically when a force is apply to it.
2) It is equal to the slope of the stress-strain curve within the
elasticity region

Modulus of Elasticity

Poissons Ratio
The relative ratio of the change in length of an object in the
direction to which force is applied to the change in length in the
other two directions

Poissons Ratio

// Page 2

Types of Material

Materials can be divided into linear and nonlinear material.

Linear Material models are suitable for any analysis in which
small strains are considered and deformation remains in the
elastic region.
Nonlinear Material models (Elasto-plastic, Hyper-elastic) provide
more complex material models for analysis in which model is
submitted to plastic deformation.

// Page 3

For isotropic material, properties are identical in all directions. This is the most
commonly used model. Isotropic Material can be chosen as linear, elasto-plastic, hyperelastic materials or temperature-dependant.
For anisotropic material, properties are directionally dependant, as opposed to
isotropic material.
Orthotropic material is a specific case of anisotropic material which has two or three
mutually orthogonal twofold axes of rotation symmetry so that its mechanical properties
are different along each axis. (ex: wood, crystal)
For CFD analysis, special CFD materials for fluid or solid have to be used.
Rigid material is a special type of material which is used to simulate parts with a very
high stiffness (almost rigid). Rigid material can save calculation time during the analysis.
When using rigid materials, boundary conditions must be assign to only one node of the
part.

// Page 4

Linear material

For linear structural analysis, only 2 constants are required:

elastic modulus and the Poisson's ratio. If gravity is present,
mass density have to be defined as well.
Thermal constants are required for thermal transfer analysis and
thermal expansion coefficient is required for thermal stress
analysis.
The value of the tension will be used for the calculation of the
factor of safety.
Material damping factor will be used for linear dynamic analysis.

// Page 5

Elasto-plastic material

For elasto-plastic nonlinear material model, basic structural

constants have to be defined along with material stress-strain
curve.

// Page 6

Stress-strain data can be defined either by defining the full stressstrain curve, either by defining the plastic hardening function.

In the first row, stress and strain are

null.
In the second row, elastic strain and
yield stress are entered.
In the third row, strain and plastic
stress are entered

Stress-strain curve

In the first line, enter 0 for the strain

and yield stress.
In the second line, enter the plastic
strain and plastic stress.
* Value of the strain should be
calculated correctly form the yield

point, which is the starting point of the

curve.

Plastic hardening function

// Page 7

Stress-strain curve is defined as a function. The data can be

directly imported from MS Excell into midas NFX.

// Page 8

Hyper-elastic material

Hyper-elastic materials can be considered as nonlinear elastic

materials. It is usually used for rubber materials.
Hyper-elastic materials can be loaded and submitted to a
deformation of 500% and recover their original shape after
unloading.
As a nonlinear material, nonlinear analysis have to be used, but

principle of superposition can still be used as for linear analysis.

// Page 9

Different ways to assign

material to FEA model

In NFX Designer mode, you can assign materials by using direct

drag & drop or right click menu selection.

Assign Materials by Drag & Drop

Select the part and right click to assign material

// Page 10

In midas NFX Analyst mode, materials are linked with

properties, so the user doesnt need to assign the material to
the CAD model directly.

// Page 11

Now you are ready

to add your own
materials to your
midas NFX model
Please contact us if you have any question
during your trial:
Email: Info@MidasUser.com
Telephone: +82-31-789-4040