Development of a new polyurethane elastomer class for accurate simulation of structural behavior in OpenSees

Polyurethane elastomer exhibits a complex behavior in response to external forces, which necessitates the use of specialized modeling methods that are often unavailable in standard analysis software. In response to this challenge, researchers have developed a new class in the OpenSees software that enables highly accurate modeling of polyurethane elastomer behavior using laboratory test data. The newly developed class has proven to be highly effective in validating the behavior of polyurethane elastomer, demonstrating that it offers high accuracy in modeling the material’s behavior. The ability to accurately model the behavior of polyurethane elastomer is essential to ensure the safety and reliability of structures that incorporate this material. The findings of this research have significant implications for the design and analysis of structures incorporating polyurethane elastomer, offering new insights into its use as a smart material for enhancing structural performance under extreme loads.