# Damage evolution and element removal for ductile metals

 The damage evolution capability for ductile metals: assumes that damage is characterized by the progressive degradation of the material stiffness, leading to material failure; must be used in combination with a damage initiation criterion for ductile metals (Damage initiation for ductile metals); uses mesh-independent measures (either plastic displacement or physical energy dissipation) to drive the evolution of damage after damage initiation; takes into account the combined effect of different damage mechanisms acting simultaneously on the same material and includes options to specify how each mechanism contributes to the overall material degradation; and offers options for what occurs upon failure, including the removal of elements from the mesh. The following topics are discussed:
 Related Topics About progressive damage and failure In Other Guides *DAMAGE EVOLUTION Damage evolution

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