Benchmark Testing for Plane Elasticity Non-linear Analysis
Gerard Care, Grant P. Steven · 1987
Since the development of the first finite element structural codes benchmark testing has been a significant part of their validation phase prior to public use. A recent publication has proposed a set of benchmark tests for static linear analysis. Such tests are designed to demonstrate that codes are capable of emulating basic deformation and stress states in solid bodies, and where structural approximations are made, as in shell theory, that elements are performing to the same level of approximation. Benchmark tests examine when things do not work well and expose weaknesses in any code. A potential user of a code can subject it to such benchmark tests to satisfy him or herself as to its quality. Non-linear material behaviour is present in many areas of structural deformation especially in cyclic loading and work hardening or cold working. This work lays down some possible guidelines for establishing benchmark tests for material non-linearity and presents suggestions for four such tests.