Energy-Consistent Finite Element Modelling of Ferromagnetic Hysteresis

In this article we propose a macroscopic model for ferromagnetic hysteresis that is well-suited for finite element implementation. The model is readily vectorial and relies on a consistent thermodynamic formulation. In particular, the stored magnetic energy and the dissipated energy are known at all times, and not solely after the completion of closed hysteresis loops as is usually the case. The obtained incremental formulation is variationally consistent, i.e., all internal variables follow from the minimization of a thermodynamic potential. This variational approach is directly inspired from the kinematic hardening theory of plasticity, which opens the door for novel energy-consistent coupled mechanical/electromagnetic models.