A computational framework for gradient‐enhanced damage – implementation and applications

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>A gradient‐enhanced damage model is combined with finite viscoelasticity and implemented in an Abaqus user subroutine, exploiting the heat equation solution capabilities for the damage regularisation, in order to simulate soft polymers. This regularised damage approach provides the advantage of mesh independent results and avoids localisation effects. In this work, a self‐diagnostic poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) elastomer is chosen as an example. To this end, an efficient two‐step parameter identification framework is developed to calibrate the corresponding model parameters.</jats:p>