Classification and modeling of uniaxial rate-independent hysteresis phenomena: some preliminary results

Abstract. In this paper, we propose a preliminary classification of complex generalized force-displacement hysteresis loops, that is, asymmetric, pinched, S-shaped, flag-shaped hysteresis loops or those obtained as arbitrary combination of them, that generally characterize the nonlinear response of mechanical systems and materials. Subsequently, we present a preliminary formulation of a novel phenomenological model capable of reproducing such complex hysteresis phenomena and we illustrate the different types of hysteresis loop shapes that can be simulated. Finally, we perform an experimental verification of the proposed model by adopting some experimental hysteresis loops retrieved from the literature.