In my current Abaqus/Explicit CEL model, I have three analysis steps with different material‐behavior requirements across several regions, and I would appreciate your guidance on the best way to implement the third step.

• Step 1: I apply gravity using the peak-strength material properties, and the slope remains stable.
• Step 2: I reduce the material strength only in Region 4 (using a field variable), which causes that region to fail as intended.
• Step 3: My objective is to update the material properties in other regions—particularly Region 2—based on the plastic strains that develop after Region 4 has failed. In other words, I want the accumulated plastic strain generated in Step 2 to control the evolution of material parameters in Step 3.

I am able to handle the behavior in Step 1 and Step 2 using field variables, but I am unsure about the most appropriate method for Step 3. Specifically:

What is the recommended approach in Abaqus/Explicit to update material properties based on plastic strain generated in a previous step?