Large Deformation in ABAQUS via UMAT
1. An Introduction to Non-Linear Continuum Mechanics Finite deformation (also called large deformation or finite strain theory) is a framework in continuum mechanics that describes the behavior of materials undergoing significant volume changes, where strains and rotations are not small. Contrary to small deformation theories, which assume infinitesimal changes, finite deformation accounts for geometric non-linearities […]
Thermal Expansion: Holding bad boys in their prison

Confession Time: I sometimes totally underestimate thermal expansion it looks so innocent on paper! 🤓 Let’s break it down: We’ve all seen that classic formula strain = ΔT × α, where α (alpha) is the material’s “how much do I expand when heated?” number. For aluminum, α is 23e-6 /°C which looks ridiculously tiny, like a […]
History of FEA Computation Time

In the past decade, processor performance has increased significantly, leading to a huge jump in computational speed. For example, the first computers, such as the ENIAC, could perform 385 multiplications per second, whereas modern processors can perform more than 11 trillion operations per second (more than 28 million times faster). In addition, computation methodologies have […]
Creep Strain vs Stress Relaxation, A practical guide for CAE users

Description Learn what creep is, how temperature and stress control creep life, and which creep models CAE tools (ANSYS, COMSOL, Abaqus and others) use. Simple equations, practical CAE workflows, ASME / code context, and industrial project examples (boilers, pressure vessels, turbines, heat exchangers). What is creep? Creep is permanent deformation that accumulates over time when […]
My FEM Software Journey: The Good, The Bad & The “Aha!” Moments
I’ve been quiet for a while, but for good reason—more on that later. Today, I’m sharing the messy, challenging, and surprisingly fulfilling path I took to learn commercial FEM software. If you’re navigating the same struggles in your FEM software journey—confusing GUIs, cryptic errors, trial-and-error modeling—you’re not alone. Phase 1: The “Click & Hope” Era […]
Which one is better? Abaqus or ANSYS?

As an engineer, we need to build a model to simulate a process so we can save many and reduce processing time. For this aim, we need to use conventional solvers such as Abaqus, ANSYS, Solidwork (I know, Solidwork solver is a joke), and etc. In this post, we are trying to explore the differences […]