The Chaboche model is a nonlinear kinematic hardening model commonly used to model the plastic deformation of metals. A phenomenon associated with kinematic hardening is ratcheting, the progressive accumulation of plastic strain during cyclic loading.

Ratcheting is observed, for example, in high-pressure piping systems in nuclear power plants subject to seismic loading. A primary concern is that the accumulated plastic strain could lead to catastrophic failure, even though the loading amplitude from individual cycles is not expected to cause failure.