Hyperelastic Material
The Hyperelastic Material subnode adds the equations for hyperelasticity at large strains. Hyperelastic materials can be suitable for modeling rubber and other polymers, biological tissue, and also for applications in acoustoelasticity. The Hyperelastic Material is available in the Solid Mechanics, Layered Shell, Shell, and Membrane interfaces. Hyperelastic Material is available for 3D, 2D, and 2D axisymmetry.
When a hyperelastic material is included in your model, all studies are geometrically nonlinear. The Include geometric nonlinearity check box in the study settings is selected and cannot be cleared.
By adding the following subnodes to the Hyperelastic Material node you can incorporate many other effects:
See also Hyperelastic Materials in the Structural Mechanics Theory chapter.
The Hyperelastic Material node is only available with some COMSOL products (see https://www.comsol.com/products/specifications/).
Shell Properties

This section is only present when Hyperelastic Material is used in the Layered Shell interface. See the documentation for the Hyperelastic Material node in the Layered Shell chapter.
Hyperelastic Material
Select a hyperelastic Material model from the list and then go to the applicable section for more information.
Density
All hyperelastic material models have density as an input. The default Density ρ uses values From material. For User defined enter another value or expression.
If any material in the model has a temperature dependent mass density, and From material is selected, the Volume reference temperature list will appear in the Model Input section. As a default, the value of Tref is obtained from a Common model input. You can also select User defined to enter a value or expression for the reference temperature locally.
Mixed Formulation
For a material with a very low compressibility, using only displacements as degrees of freedom may lead to a numerically ill-posed problem. You can then use a mixed formulation, which adds an extra dependent variable for either the pressure or for the Lagrange multiplier to enforce incompressibility, see the Nearly Incompressible Hyperelastic Materials and Incompressible Hyperelastic Materials sections in the Structural Mechanics Theory chapter.
From the Use mixed formulation list, select None or Pressure formulation. It is also possible to select an Implicit formulation when an assumption of plane stress is used.
Default Model Inputs and Model Input in the COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual.
Neo-Hookean
From the Compressibility list select how the material is specified in terms of the strain energy density — Compressible, coupled, Compressible, uncoupled, Nearly incompressible, or Incompressible.
If the Compressible, coupled option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densitySimo-Pister or Miehe.
If the Compressible, uncoupled option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined.
If the Nearly incompressible option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The pressure formulation is selected from the Use mixed formulation list, and the default value for the Bulk modulus κ is 100 times the equivalent shear modulus.
If the Incompressible option is selected, an extra variable and weak constraint is added to enforce the incompressibility condition Jel = 1.
From the Specify list select a pair of elastic properties for the isotropic hyperelastic material — Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio, Young’s modulus and shear modulus, Bulk modulus and shear modulus, Lamé parameters, or Pressure-wave and shear-wave speeds. Each of these pairs define the Lamé parameters at infinitesimal deformation as it is possible to convert from one set of properties to another, see Specification of Elastic Properties for Isotropic Materials. For each property, select from the applicable list to either use the value From material or enter a User defined value or expression.
St Venant–Kirchhoff
From the Compressibility list select how the material is specified in terms of the strain energy density — Compressible, coupled, Compressible, uncoupled, or Nearly incompressible.
If the Compressible, uncoupled option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined.
If the Nearly incompressible option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The pressure formulation is selected from the Use mixed formulation list, and the default value for the Bulk modulus κ is 100 times the equivalent shear modulus.
From the Specify list select a pair of elastic properties for the isotropic hyperelastic material — Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio, Young’s modulus and shear modulus, Bulk modulus and shear modulus, Lamé parameters, or Pressure-wave and shear-wave speeds. For each pair of properties, select from the applicable list to either use the value From material or enter a User defined value or expression. Each of these pairs define the Lamé parameters at infinitesimal deformation as it is possible to convert from one set of properties to another, see Specification of Elastic Properties for Isotropic Materials.
Mooney–Rivlin, Two Parameters
From the Compressibility list select how the material is specified in terms of the strain energy density — Compressible, uncoupled, Nearly incompressible, or Incompressible.
The Model parameters C10 and C01 use values From material.
If the Compressible, uncoupled option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The Bulk modulus K uses values From material.
If the Nearly incompressible option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The pressure formulation is selected from the Use mixed formulation list, and the default value for the Bulk modulus κ is 100 times the equivalent shear modulus.
If the Incompressible option is selected, an extra variable and weak constraint is added to enforce the incompressibility condition Jel = 1.
Mooney–Rivlin, Five Parameters
From the Compressibility list select how the material is specified in terms of the strain energy density — Compressible, uncoupled, Nearly incompressible, or Incompressible.
If the Compressible, uncoupled option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The Bulk modulus K uses values From material.
If the Nearly incompressible option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The pressure formulation is selected from the Use mixed formulation list, and the default value for the Bulk modulus κ is 100 times the equivalent shear modulus.
If the Incompressible option is selected, an extra variable and weak constraint is added to enforce the incompressibility condition Jel = 1.
The Model parameters C10, C01, C20, C02, and C11 all use values From material.
Mooney–Rivlin, Nine Parameters
From the Compressibility list select how the material is specified in terms of the strain energy density — Compressible, uncoupled, Nearly incompressible, or Incompressible.
If the Compressible, uncoupled option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The Bulk modulus K uses values From material.
If the Nearly incompressible option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The pressure formulation is selected from the Use mixed formulation list, and the default value for the Bulk modulus κ is 100 times the equivalent shear modulus.
If the Incompressible option is selected, an extra variable and weak constraint is added to enforce the incompressibility condition Jel = 1.
The Model parameters C10, C01, C20, C02, C11, C30, C03, C21, and C12 all use values From material.
Yeoh
From the Compressibility list select how the material is specified in terms of the strain energy density — Compressible, uncoupled, Nearly incompressible, or Incompressible.
If the Compressible, uncoupled option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The Bulk modulus K uses values From material.
If the Nearly incompressible option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The pressure formulation is selected from the Use mixed formulation list, and the default value for the Bulk modulus κ is 100 times the equivalent shear modulus.
If the Incompressible option is selected, an extra variable and weak constraint is added to enforce the incompressibility condition Jel = 1.
The Model parameters c1, c2, and c3 all use values From material.
Ogden
From the Compressibility list select how the material is specified in terms of the strain energy density — Compressible, uncoupled, Nearly incompressible, or Incompressible.
If the Compressible, uncoupled option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The Bulk modulus K uses values From material.
If the Nearly incompressible option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The pressure formulation is selected from the Use mixed formulation list, and the default value for the Bulk modulus κ is 100 times the equivalent shear modulus.
If the Incompressible option is selected, an extra variable and weak constraint is added to enforce the incompressibility condition Jel = 1.
In the table for the Ogden parameters, enter values or expressions in each column: Shear modulus (Pa) and Alpha parameter.
Storakers
For Storakers, in the table for the Storakers parameters, enter values or expressions in each column: Shear modulus (Pa), Alpha parameter, and Beta parameter.
Varga
From the Compressibility list select how the material is specified in terms of the strain energy density — Compressible, uncoupled, Nearly incompressible, or Incompressible.
If the Compressible, uncoupled option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The Bulk modulus K uses values From material.
If the Nearly incompressible option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The pressure formulation is selected from the Use mixed formulation list, and the default value for the Bulk modulus κ is 100 times the equivalent shear modulus.
If the Incompressible option is selected, an extra variable and weak constraint is added to enforce the incompressibility condition Jel = 1.
The Model parameters c1, c2, and c3 all use values From material.
Arruda–Boyce
From the Isochoric strain energy list select how the strain energy density of the material is specified in terms of the invariants — Five terms expansion or Inverse Langevin function.
From the Compressibility list select how the material is specified in terms of the strain energy density — Compressible, uncoupled, Nearly incompressible, or Incompressible.
If the Compressible, uncoupled option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The Bulk modulus K uses values From material.
If the Nearly incompressible option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The pressure formulation is selected from the Use mixed formulation list, and the default value for the Bulk modulus κ is 100 times the equivalent shear modulus.
If the Incompressible option is selected, an extra variable and weak constraint is added to enforce the incompressibility condition Jel = 1.
The default values for the Macroscopic shear modulus μ0 and the Number of segments N use values From material.
Gent
From the Compressibility list select how the material is specified in terms of the strain energy density — Compressible, uncoupled, Nearly incompressible, or Incompressible.
If the Compressible, uncoupled option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The Bulk modulus K uses values From material.
If the Nearly incompressible option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The pressure formulation is selected from the Use mixed formulation list, and the default value for the Bulk modulus κ is 100 times the equivalent shear modulus.
If the Incompressible option is selected, an extra variable and weak constraint is added to enforce the incompressibility condition Jel = 1.
The default values for the Macroscopic shear modulus μ and the model parameter jm use values From material.
van der Waals
From the Compressibility list select how the material is specified in terms of the strain energy density — Compressible, uncoupled, Nearly incompressible, or Incompressible.
If the Compressible, uncoupled option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The Bulk modulus K uses values From material.
If the Nearly incompressible option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy density Quadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The pressure formulation is selected from the Use mixed formulation list, and the default value for the Bulk modulus κ is 100 times the equivalent shear modulus.
If the Incompressible option is selected, an extra variable and weak constraint is added to enforce the incompressibility condition Jel = 1.
The default values for the Shear modulus μ, the Maximum chain stretch λm, the Chain network interaction α, and the Weight β use values From material.
Blatz–Ko
For Blatz–Ko the Shear modulus μ and the Model parameters β and ϕ all use values From material.
Gao
For Gao the Model parameters a and n use values From material.
Murnaghan
For Murnaghan the Murnaghan third-order elastic moduli constants l, m, and n and the Lamé parameters λ and μ use values From material.
Delfino
From the Compressibility list select how the material is specified in terms of the strain energy density — Compressible, uncoupled, Nearly incompressible, or Incompressible.
If the Compressible, uncoupled option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy density Quadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The Bulk modulus K uses values From material.
If the Nearly incompressible option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy density Quadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The pressure formulation is selected from the Use mixed formulation list, and the default value for the Bulk modulus κ is 100 times the equivalent shear modulus.
If the Incompressible option is selected, an extra variable and weak constraint is added to enforce the incompressibility condition Jel = 1.
The Model parameters a and b use values From material.
Fung
From the Compressibility list select how the material is specified in terms of the strain energy density — Compressible, coupled, Compressible, uncoupled, Nearly incompressible, or Incompressible.
If the Compressible, uncoupled option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The Bulk modulus K uses values From material.
If the Nearly incompressible option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The pressure formulation is selected from the Use mixed formulation list, and the default value for the Bulk modulus κ is 100 times the equivalent shear modulus.
If the Incompressible option is selected, an extra variable and weak constraint is added to enforce the incompressibility condition Jel = 1.
The Coefficient matrix A and Fung parameter c use values From material.
The Coefficient matrix A provides the anisotropic material properties in the directions given by the Coordinate system list. The Material data ordering can be specified in either Standard or Voigt notation. When User defined is selected, a 6-by-6 symmetric matrix is displayed to enter the coefficients of A.
Extended Tube
From the Compressibility list select how the material is specified in terms of the strain energy density — Compressible, uncoupled, Nearly incompressible, or Incompressible.
If the Compressible, uncoupled option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The Bulk modulus K uses values From material.
If the Nearly incompressible option is selected, specify the Volumetric strain energy densityQuadratic, Logarithmic, Hartmann–Neff, Miehe, Simo–Taylor, or User defined. The pressure formulation is selected from the Use mixed formulation list, and the default value for the Bulk modulus κ is 100 times the equivalent shear modulus.
If the Incompressible option is selected, an extra variable and weak constraint is added to enforce the incompressibility condition Jel = 1.
The Model parameters Gc, Ge, α, and β use values From material.
User Defined
If a Compressible material is selected from the Compressibility list, enter an expression for the Elastic strain energy density Ws.
You can also use a mixed formulation by adding the mean pressure as an extra dependent variable. In this case, select either Nearly incompressible or Incompressible from the Compressibility list.
If Nearly incompressible is selected, enter the Isochoric strain energy density Wsiso and the Volumetric strain energy density Wvol.
If Incompressible is selected, enter the Isochoric strain energy density Wsiso only. An extra weak constraint is added to enforce the incompressibility condition Jel = 1.
Select the Use elastic deformation gradient check box to compute the strain energy densities based on components of the elastic deformation gradient Fel. The check box is not selected by default, so it is assumed that Ws, Wsiso, and Wvol are expressions of the components or invariants of the elastic right Cauchy–Green tensor Cel.
Mooney–Rivlin, two-parameters and Ogden, see Inflation of a Spherical Rubber Balloon. Application Library path Nonlinear_Structural_Materials_Module/Hyperelasticity/balloon_inflation.
Murnaghan, see Elasto-Acoustic Effect in Rail Steel. Application Library path Nonlinear_Structural_Materials_Module/Hyperelasticity/rail_steel.
Energy Dissipation
Select the Calculate dissipated energy check box to compute the energy dissipated by Plasticity.
To display this section, click the Show More Options button () and select Advanced Physics Options in the Show More Options dialog box.
Discretization
If the hyperelastic material is nearly incompressible or incompressible, select the discretization for the Auxiliary pressureAutomatic, Discontinuous Lagrange, Continuous, Linear, or Constant.
The Discretization section is available when you use mixed formulation. To display the section, click the Show More Options button () and select Advanced Physics Options in the Show More Options dialog box.
Quadrature Settings
Select the Reduced integration check box to reduce the integration points for the weak contribution of the feature. Select a method for Hourglass stabilizationAutomatic, Manual, or None to use in combination with the reduced integration scheme. The default Automatic stabilization technique is based on the shape function and shape order of the displacement field.
Control the hourglass stabilization scheme by using the Manual option. Select Shear stabilization (default) or Volumetric stabilization.
When Shear stabilization is selected, enter a stabilization shear modulus, Gstb. The value should be in the order of magnitude of the equivalent shear modulus.
When Volumetric stabilization is selected, enter a stabilization bulk modulus, Kstb. The value should be in the order of magnitude of the equivalent bulk modulus.
See also Reduced Integration and Hourglass Stabilization in the Structural Mechanics Theory chapter.
Advanced
To display this section, click the Show More Options button () and select Advanced Physics Options in the Show More Options dialog box.
Enter the Equivalent Young’s modulus Eeq and the Equivalent shear modulus Geq. The defaults are 1 GPa and Eeq/3, respectively. The equivalent moduli are defined by most hyperelastic material models, but not in the User defined option. The characteristic stiffness is needed in expressions for the default penalty factors in contact methods, and it should be representative for the stiffness of the destination domain material in a direction normal to the boundary.
Location in User Interface
Context Menus
Ribbon
Physics tab with Solid Mechanics selected:
Physics tab with Shell, Layered Shell or Membrane selected: