Performance of LS-DYNA Concrete Constitutive Models

LS-DYNA provides several constitutive models for concrete. To provide some guidance in selecting a proper one for users who have limited experience on concrete, this paper reviews the background theory and evaluates the performance of three popular ones, namely, MAT072R3 (KCC), MAT084 (Winfrith), and MAT159 (CSCM). The basic performance of concrete constitutive models in capturing key concrete behaviors, such as post- peak softening, shear dilation, confinement effect, and strain rate enhancement, is examined through single element simulations including both uniaxial and triaxial load paths. Subsequent to this presentation, the models are applied in analyzing structures subjected to quasi-static, blast, and impact loads and the responses are compared with available test data in order to investigate their capability to predicting and reproducing actual structural responses.