Neural network based constitutive modeling of nonlinear viscoplastic structural response

Abstract In the present study constitutive equations in finite element simulations are replaced by means of an artificial neural network (ANN). Following this approach, a physically nonlinear stress-strain behavior with strain rate dependency is substituted by an algebraic system of equations. Implementing this mathematical approximation of a constitutive law into a finite element code, a so-called intelligent element is created. This approach leads to a significant reduction of computing time, because a complex material model is treated numerically by matrix multiplications as in the case of elasticity. Here, a viscoplastic material analysis by means of an ANN is proposed and applied to nonlinear structural behavior.