Nonlinear Constitutive Model and Finite Element Analysis of Damage Processes in Ferroelectrics

AbstractIn this paper a damage model for ferroelectric materials is presented. It is implemented in terms of a user element in a commercial FEM-code Abaqus. The model is based on micromechanical considerations of domain switching and its interaction with microc- rack growth and coalescence. The influence of damage evolution on the effective material properties is demonstrated. Further, a finite element analysis of a multilayer actuator is performed, showing damage and crack patterns