Scribd
Upload
73 views2 pages

Autodesk Nastran 2022 Nonlinear Analysis Handbook

The document discusses linear and nonlinear analysis in Nastran 2022. It describes how nonlinear analysis is needed when large displacements, material nonlinearity, or nonlinear boundary conditions are present. Large displacements include deflections over 10 degrees or loads that change direction as the structure deforms. Material nonlinearity refers to plasticity or nonlinear stress-strain curves. Nonlinear boundary conditions include contact or springs. The document uses an example of a beam with a pressure load to demonstrate how nonlinear analysis more accurately captures the load redistribution compared to linear analysis.

Uploaded by

Dan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
73 views2 pages

Autodesk Nastran 2022 Nonlinear Analysis Handbook

The document discusses linear and nonlinear analysis in Nastran 2022. It describes how nonlinear analysis is needed when large displacements, material nonlinearity, or nonlinear boundary conditions are present. Large displacements include deflections over 10 degrees or loads that change direction as the structure deforms. Material nonlinearity refers to plasticity or nonlinear stress-strain curves. Nonlinear boundary conditions include contact or springs. The document uses an example of a beam with a pressure load to demonstrate how nonlinear analysis more accurately captures the load redistribution compared to linear analysis.

Uploaded by

Dan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Autodesk Nastran 2022 Nonlinear Analysis Handbook

1. Introduction

There are many types of behavior that may be referred to as nonlinear. Some examples of nonlinear
behavior include materials that change properties as they are loaded, displacements which cause loads
to alter their distribution or magnitude, gaps which may open or close. The degree of nonlinearity may
be mild or severe.

In linear static analysis we assume that displacements and rotations are small, supports do not settle,
stress is directly proportional to strain, and loads maintain their original directions as the structure
deforms. Most problems can usually be considered linear because they are loaded in their linear elastic,
small deflection range. For these types of problems, the slight nonlinearity does not affect the results
and the difference between a linear and nonlinear solution is negligible.

While many practical problems can be solved using linear analysis, some or all of its inherent
assumptions may not be valid. Adjacent parts may make or break contact with the contact area
changing as the loads change. Elastic materials may become plastic, or the material may not have a
linear stress-strain relation at any stress level. Part of the structure may lose stiffness because of
buckling or material failure. Displacements and rotations may become large enough that equilibrium
equations must be written for the deformed rather than the original configuration. Large rotations cause
pressure loads to change in direction, and also to change in magnitude if there is a change in area to
which they are applied.

Unlike other solutions, subcase loads and results are additive. This allows different loads and boundary
conditions to be applied in a specific sequence to the structure. Additionally, different nonlinear iteration
parameters (NLPARM) may be specified for each subcase allowing further control. To initialize each
subcase to zero, set PARAM,NLSUBCREINIT to ON. This setting allows multiple subcases with each
having the same zero starting point.

Autodesk Nastran 5
Autodesk Nastran 2022 Nonlinear Analysis Handbook

2. Deciding Between Linear and Nonlinear Analysis

The defining line between linear and nonlinear is gray at best. Traditionally, in finite element analysis,
there has been a set of criteria that determines if nonlinear effects are important to a particular model. If
any of these criteria are present, a nonlinear analysis is needed to accurately simulate real-world
behavior. While this criteria still holds true, new capability such as linear contact and new materials such
as composites further blur the line on when it is necessary to carry out a full nonlinear analysis.

Before delving into advanced material types, a look at the traditional nonlinear criteria is an important first
step. A nonlinear effect can be broken down into several sub categories:

• Large displacement effects


• Nonlinear materials (plasticity, nonlinear stress-strain curves)
• Nonlinear boundary conditions such as contact or nonlinear springs/dampers

Large displacement effects are a collection of different nonlinear properties.

The first type is simply large deflections, movements or rotations of a part. For instance, if you expect a
part to rotate or deflect 45 degrees, then a nonlinear analysis is required. In fact, any rotation more than
about 10 deg will start to have increasing error in a linear analysis. This is because linear analysis
assumes small displacement theory in which sin(θ) ≈ (θ).

The second nonlinear effect is follower forces. Follower forces simply mean that the direction of the
forces move with the deformations or movement of the part. Pressure loads are a perfect example of
follower forces since they always act normal to a surface. As a part deforms, follower forces will adjust
the direction of the loads to ensure they stay normal to the surface.

The beam in Figure 1 is loaded with a tip pressure load of 100psi, and three analyses are performed with
difference large displacement settings (LGDISP).

Figure 1. Cantilevered Rectangular Beam Loaded with 100psi Pressure Load.

In Figure 2 you can see the results of the three runs. The first image shows the unrealistic "growth" that
occurs when large displacement effects are turned off (LGDISP=OFF). The second image shows the
results of large displacements turned on, but follower forces turned off (LGDISP=2). The final image
uses large displacement effects with follower forces and is the most accurate (LGDISP=ON).

Autodesk Nastran 6

You might also like