5.1. Material Model Testing: Introduction

See Also

• http://pytest.org/latest/

Overview

Regression testing is critical to the model development process. Only through thoroughly testing a model can confidence in model results be obtained. Testing of material models involves:

• tests of individual program units (unit testing),
• verfication of model response to controlled inputs,
• validation of model response against data, and
• regression testing when changes to the model are made.

Regression tests in Matmodlab are special purpose problems that have a twofold purpose:

• test the individual components and core capabilities of Matmodlab itself;
• verification and validation (V&V) of material models.

In the first role, problems are fast running and exercise specific features of Matmodlab in a unit-test type fashion. In the second, material models are exercised through specific paths with known, or expected outcomes.