A method simulates behavior of a structure by finite element calculation in which a global model represents the structure, a local model represents an area of the structure including geometric details, and an auxiliary model represents the area without the geometric details. The method includes determining by finite element calculation in the global model of a nodal displacement field corresponding to a loading applied to the global model; applying the nodal displacement field to the local and auxiliary models and determining the corresponding forces; calculating a correction when convergence of the solution obtained for the global model is not achieved, and the applying is resumed with a nodal displacement field calculated in the global model after implementing the correction; determining values of internal variables for the different loading increments; and assessing the evolution in the behavior of the structure over time as a function of these values.