Characterization of Material Properties Using an Inverse Method

A simple finite-element-based inverse method has been devised with the aim of characterizing the properties of isotropic but heterogeneous materials under load. The method has been implemented into the commercial finite element code ABAQUS via its User Material (UMAT) Subroutine to facilitate the process of material characterization. Verification of the method has been carried out using simulated examples and the results showed rapid convergence of the method with good accuracy. The method has also been applied successfully to actual mechanical testing of graphite which has a porous microstructure and hence inhomogeneous distribution of material properties.