A method of modeling a material using a generalized constitutive model includes assembling a plurality of behaviors, the plurality of behaviors assembled without reference to a particular material to be modeled, and assembling a plurality of couplings, each of the plurality of couplings associated with at least one of the behaviors of the plurality of behaviors and defined without reference to a particular material to be modeled. The method also includes selecting at least one behavior from the plurality of behaviors to define a model for a particular material, performing simulations using the model for the particular material to define a simulation output, and making a determination regarding the material according to the simulation output. A system is also provided to carry out the method.