Development and implementation of the Abaqus subroutines and plug-in for routine structural integrity assessment using the linear matching method

In recent years the Linear Matching Method (LMM) has been developed as a tool for structural integrity assessments of components subjected to cyclic loading conditions. Its capabilities include, among others, calculation of the shakedown limit, ratchet limit, plastic strain range for low cycle fatigue, creep rupture time and fatigue creep interaction. The LMM is now incorporated into EDF Energy’s R5 research program for the high temperature assessment of structural components. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of the LMM framework, its incorporation into Abaqus and current plans to take the method from being primarily research based into wider use by industry for routine structural assessments. The LMM calculations are primarily carried out using the UMAT subroutine, and the first topic discussed in this paper is the implementation of this user subroutine. This includes details of the coding scheme to allow use of multi-processors for the calculations. A brief comparison of the LMM with full cyclic FEA is also included to validate the method and to demonstrate its advantages. The second topic of this paper discusses the development of an Abaqus/CAE plug-in to aid wider adoption of the LMM as an analysis tool for industry. The structure of the plug-in is described alongside the processes used for data collection from the user and automatic configuration of the model