Simcenter Nastran

Basic Nonlinear
Analysis User's Guide
Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
Unpublished work. © 2024 Siemens

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 Contents

Introduction to Nonlinear Analysis

Overview of Nonlinear Analysis ──────────────────── 1-1
Creating an Input File for a Basic Nonlinear Analysis ────────── 1-2
Case Control Section ───────────────────────── 1-5
Bulk Data Section ────────────────────────── 1-6
Parameters ───────────────────────────── 1-9
Nonlinear Element Output Codes for Plotting ───────────── 1-12
Nonlinear Characteristics and General Recommendations ─────── 1-13

Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

Overview of Nonlinear Elements ─────────────────── 2-1
Physical Elements ──────────────────────────── 2-1
Contact Elements ──────────────────────────── 2-10
Small Strain Elements ──────────────────────── 2-11
User Interface ───────────────────────────── 2-12
Output ──────────────────────────────── 2-13
Co-rotational Formulation in Geometric Nonlinear Analysis ────────── 2-13
Guidelines ─────────────────────────────── 2-14
Limitations ─────────────────────────────── 2-14
Fully Nonlinear Hyperelastic Elements ──────────────── 2-15
User Interface ───────────────────────────── 2-22
Output Description ─────────────────────────── 2-22
Guidelines ─────────────────────────────── 2-25
Limitations ─────────────────────────────── 2-25
Example 1: Rubber Bushing Problem ──────────────────── 2-27
Example 2: Pressure of a Circular Plate ─────────────────── 2-30
Bushing Elements ────────────────────────── 2-34
Swinging Pendulum ─────────────────────────── 2-35
Adaptive Gap Element ──────────────────────── 2-38
Usage ───────────────────────────────── 2-38
Limitations ─────────────────────────────── 2-38
How to Use the CGAP and PGAP Bulk Data Entries ────────────── 2-38
Output ──────────────────────────────── 2-39
Example: Hertz Contact Stress ────────────────────── 2-40

Material and Geometric Nonlinearity

Overview of Material Nonlinearity ─────────────────── 3-1
Nonlinear Elastic Material ────────────────────── 3-1
Defining Nonlinear Elastic Materials in Simcenter Nastran ───────────
3-2
Hyperelastic Material ───────────────────────── 3-2
Special Cases of the Material Law ────────────────────── 3-4
Defining Hyperelastic Materials in Simcenter Nastran ───────────── 3-5

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 3
© 2024 Siemens
 Using the Curve Fitting Algorithm to Determine Material Constants ───────
3-5
Guidelines for Using Hyperelastic Materials ───────────────── 3-7
Limitations of Using Hyperelastic Materials ───────────────── 3-7
Example: Curve-Fitting Algorithm ───────────────────── 3-8
Elastic-Plastic Material ──────────────────────── 3-11
Yield Function ───────────────────────────── 3-12
Defining Elastic-Plastic Materials in Simcenter Nastran ──────────── 3-16
Grid Point Stresses in Solid Elements ──────────────────── 3-17
Viscoelastic Material in Nonlinear Analysis ────────────── 3-17
Temperature-Dependent Material ────────────────── 3-19
Understanding Geometric Nonlinearity ──────────────── 3-19

Loads for Nonlinear Analysis

Overview of Nonlinear Static Loads ────────────────── 4-1
Concentrated Loads ─────────────────────────── 4-1
Distributed Loads ──────────────────────────── 4-2
Mass Related Loads (GRAV and RFORCE Entries) ─────────────── 4-2
Thermal Loads ────────────────────────────── 4-2
Load Combinations ──────────────────────────── 4-3
Overview of Nonlinear Transient Loads ──────────────── 4-5
NLRGAP ──────────────────────────────── 4-8

Nonlinear Analysis Types

Overview of Nonlinear Analysis Types ───────────────── 5-1
3-D Slide Line Contact Analysis ──────────────────── 5-1
Diagnostic Output ──────────────────────────── 5-5
Limitations ─────────────────────────────── 5-5
Defining 3D Slideline Contact in the Input File ──────────────── 5-5
3D Slideline Contact Example ─────────────────────── 5-7
Nonlinear Static Analysis ────────────────────── 5-12
Case Control ────────────────────────────── 5-12
Restrictions and Limitations in SOL 106 ────────────────── 5-13
Controlling Iterations with the NLPARM Entry ──────────────── 5-15
Examples of Convergence Tolerances ─────────────────── 5-18
Nonlinear Buckling Analysis ───────────────────── 5-29
Example (NLSOLIDB.DAT) ──────────────────────── 5-31
Nonlinear Modal Analysis ────────────────────── 5-34
Example (TURBINE1.DAT) ──────────────────────── 5-35
Restarting from SOL 106 into SOL 103 or into Another Linear Solution Sequence 5-36
Differential Stiffness and Follower Force Stiffness in Linear and Nonlinear Solution
Sequences ─────────────────────────── 5-37
Nonlinear Transient Response Analysis ──────────────── 5-38
Case Control ────────────────────────────── 5-39
Limitations of Nonlinear Transient Response Analysis ──────────── 5-40
Direct Time Integration ───────────────────────── 5-40
Implicit Integration Control: TSTEPNL Data Entry ────────────── 5-41
Iteration Related Output Data ─────────────────────── 5-45

4 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
© 2024 Siemens
 Contents

Restarts ──────────────────────────────── 5-48

Nonlinear Analysis With Superelements ──────────────── 5-54
Grid Point Force Balance and Element Strain Energy in Nonlinear Static Analysis
──────────────────────────────── 5-54

Figures

Co-rotational Concept for Small Strain Elements in Geometric Nonlinear

Analysis ─────────────────────────── 2-14
Rubber Bushing ──────────────────────── 2-27
Force-Displacement Curve of a Rubber Bushing ────────── 2-29
Initial and Deformed Shapes of a Rubber Bushing ───────── 2-29
Deformed Shape of Circular Plate Under Pressure – CHEXA and CPENTA
Hyperelastic Elements ───────────────────── 2-32
Deformed Shape of Circular Plate Under Pressure – Axisymmetric
Hyperelastic Elements ───────────────────── 2-33
Total Lagrangian Concept: Deformations are Measured from an Initial
Undeformed State ────────────────────── 2-20
Swinging Pendulum ────────────────────── 2-35
Displacement of Swinging Pendulum, Model with Rod/Visc Element Versus
Model with BUSH1D Element ───────────────── 2-36
Hertz Contact Stress ────────────────────── 2-40
Comparison of Axial Stiffness Values ─────────────── 2-42
Nonlinear Elastic Material ──────────────────── 3-1
Simcenter Nastran Curve-Fitting Algorithm for Hyperelastic Materials (a)
──────────────────────────────── 3-9
Simcenter Nastran Curve-Fitting Algorithm for Hyperelastic Materials (b)
──────────────────────────────── 3-10
Simcenter Nastran Curve-Fitting Algorithm for Hyperelastic Materials (c)
──────────────────────────────── 3-10
von Mises Yield Locus for Plane Stress ────────────── 3-13
Tresca's Yield Locus for Plane Stress ─────────────── 3-13
Some Isotropic Yield Surfaces in Principal Stress Space ────── 3-14
Some Isotropic Yield Surfaces in Principal Stress Space ────── 3-15
Material Nonlinear Models ─────────────────── 3-12
Hierarchy of Load Data ───────────────────── 4-4
Dynamic Loads for Transient Analysis ────────────── 4-12
Example of Combining Loads ────────────────── 4-13
Radial Gap Orientations and Nonlinear Load Sign Conventions ─── 4-7
Model of a Sphere in Contact with Rigid Plane ─────────── 5-7
Slide Line Contact Region One ────────────────── 5-9
Slide Line Contact Region Two ────────────────── 5-9
Typical Slideline Contact Region ───────────────── 5-1
Geometry and Definition of a Typical Three Node Slide Line Element ─ 5-3
Hierarchy of Load Data ───────────────────── 5-25

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 5
© 2024 Siemens
 Prestressed Modes of a Turbine Blade ────────────── 5-35
Simply Supported Beam With a Restrained Motion ──────── 5-50
Simply Supported Beam: Loading Point Response ───────── 5-50

Listings

1-1. Example Input Data for Nonlinear Static Analysis ────────── 1-3
1-2. Example Input Data for Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis ──────── 1-4
2-6. Simcenter Nastran Input File for the Swinging Pendulum ───── 2-35
2-7. Sample of CGAP Output ───────────────────── 2-39
5-1. Slideline Example Problem of Sphere Contacting a Flat Plate ──── 5-10
5-2. Input Data Listing for Simply Supported Beam ────────── 5-51

Tables

Summary of Nonlinear Case Control Commands ────────── 1-5

Summary of Nonlinear Bulk Data Entries ───────────── 1-6
PARAMeters Used in Nonlinear Solution Sequences ──────── 1-9
Physical Elements for Nonlinear Analysis –Small Strain Elements ── 2-2
Physical Elements for Nonlinear Analysis—Fully Nonlinear (Finite
Deformation) Hyperelastic Elements ─────────────── 2-4
Accuracy in Calculation of Ultimate Moment in Yielded State ──── 2-9
Contact Elements for Nonlinear Analysis ───────────── 2-10
Small Strain Elements in Nonlinear Structural Analysis ────── 2-11
Summary of Properties of the Nonlinear Elements ──────── 2-15
Summary of Material Properties of the Nonlinear Elements ──── 2-17
Summary of Static Load Properties of the Nonlinear Elements ─── 2-18
Summary of Data Recovery Properties of the Nonlinear Elements ─ 2-19
Partial Input Data ─────────────────────── 2-42
Simcenter Nastran Input for Nonlinear Slideline Contact ────── 5-5
Differential Stiffness and Follower Force Stiffness Contribution ─── 5-38

6 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
© 2024 Siemens
 1. Introduction to Nonlinear Analysis
Overview of Nonlinear Analysis
This book describes the basic nonlinear capabilities which are available in Solution Sequences 106 and
129.

• For theoretical information on basic nonlinear capabilities, see the Simcenter Nastran Handbook of
Nonlinear Analysis.

• For information on nonlinear heat transfer capabilities (Solution Sequences 153 and 159), see the
Simcenter Nastran Thermal Analysis User’s Guide.

• For information on advanced nonlinear capabilities (SOLs 401 and 402), see the Simcenter Nastran
Multi-Step Nonlinear User's Guide.

Nonlinear effects in structures occur mainly due to nonlinear materials and large deformations (rotations
and/or strains). Contact problems exhibit nonlinear effects due to changes in boundary conditions. All of
these attributes may be represented by Simcenter Nastran nonlinear elements.

The nonlinear element library consists of:

• CBUSH and CBUSH1D for generalized nonlinear springs and dampers.

• CROD, CONROD, and CTUBE for unidirectional truss members.

• CBEAM for axially and laterally deforming line members.

• CQUAD4 and CTRIA3 for membrane, plate and shell modeling and hyperelastic plane strain.

• CQUAD8, CQUAD, and CTRIA6 for hyperelastic plane strain.

• CQUADX4, CQUADX8, CTRAX3, and CTRAX6 for hyperelastic axisymmetric modeling.

• CHEXA, CPENTA, CPYRAM, and CTETRA for solid modeling.

• CGAP and slideline contact (BCONP, BLSEG, BFRIC, BWIDTH) for contact and friction modeling.

Nonlinear elements may be combined with linear elements for computational efficiency if the
nonlinear effects can be localized. Primary operations for nonlinear elements are updating element
coordinates and applying loads for large displacements, and the internal relaxation iteration for material
nonlinearity. Refer to the table Physical Elements for Nonlinear Analysis –Small Strain Elements for a
summary of the nonlinear element properties.

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 1-1
© 2024 Siemens
 1. Introduction to Nonlinear Analysis

The geometric nonlinearity becomes discernible when the structure is subjected to large displacement
and rotation. Geometric nonlinear effects are prominent in two different aspects: geometric stiffening
due to initial displacements and stresses, and follower forces due to a change in loads as a function
of displacements. These effects are included, but the large deformation effect resulting in large strains
is implemented only for hyperelastic materials. Large strain effects are not available for elastic-plastic,
creep, or any other material types.

Material nonlinearity is an inherent property of any engineering material. Material nonlinear effects
may be classified into many categories and those included in Simcenter Nastran are plasticity,
nonlinear elasticity, hyperelasticity, creep, and viscoelasticity. Creep and viscoelasticity, implemented
as a generalized nonlinear viscoelastic capability, may be coupled with plasticity. Many options are
available for yield criteria and hardening behavior in plasticity.

The primary solution operations are gradual load or time increments, iterations with convergence tests
for acceptable equilibrium error, and stiffness matrix updates. The iterative process is based on the
modified-Newton's method combined with optional expeditious methods such as the quasi-Newton
(BFGS) update and the line search. The stiffness matrix updates are performed occasionally to improve
the computational efficiency, and may be overridden at your discretion. A number of options for
arc-length methods are also available for snap-through or post-buckling analysis of static problems.
For transient response analysis, a number of options are available for implicit direct time integration,
combined with adaptive and expedient iteration strategies similar to those implemented for static
analysis.

Solution Sequences 106, 129, 153, and 159 consolidate all the nonlinear features described above.
SOLs 106 and 153 are applicable to static, quasi-static, and nonlinear buckling analyses. SOLs 129 and
159 are primarily applicable to dynamic transient response analysis with some limited static analysis
capability. SOLs 153 and 159 may also be used to perform a nonlinear heat transfer analysis. See
the Simcenter Nastran Thermal Analysis User’s Guide. These solution sequences can accommodate
superelements and provide easy restarts from the database.

Creating an Input File for a Basic Nonlinear Analysis

The input file consists of an optional NASTRAN statement, Executive Control Section, Case Control
Section, and Bulk Data Section. All the features and principles for the user interface are common in
Simcenter Nastran; thus, all the features of the user interface for nonlinear analysis are compatible with
those for the linear analysis. Any exceptions for nonlinear analysis will be explained in the relevant
sections that follow.

Mechanical design is dictated by the strength, dynamic, and stability characteristics of the structure.
Simcenter Nastran provides the analysis capabilities of these characteristics with solution sequences,
each of which is designed for specific applications. The type of desired analysis is specified in the
Executive Control Section by using a solution sequence identification. SOLs 106 and 153 are designed
for static, quasi-static, and buckling analyses. SOLs 129 and 159 provide nonlinear transient response
analysis.

The basic input data required for a finite element analysis may be classified as follows:

1-2 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
© 2024 Siemens
 Creating an Input File for a Basic Nonlinear Analysis

• Geometric data

• Element data

• Material data

• Boundary conditions and constraints

• Loads and enforced motions

• Solution methods

The first three classes of data may not be changed during the course of an analysis whereas the last
three classes of data may be changed during the analysis as defined in the Case Control Section.
Examples of input data are given in Listing 1-1 and Listing 1-2 for nonlinear static and dynamic analysis,
respectively.

SOL 106 $ NONLINEAR STATIC ANALYSIS

DIAG 8,50 $ DIAGNOSTIC PRINTOUT
CEND $ END OF EXECUTIVE CONTROL DATA
TITLE = TEST OF CTETRA ELEMENT (CUBE SUBJECT TO UNIAXIAL LOADING)
DISP = ALL
STRESS = ALL
SPC = 100
SUBCASE 1
SUBTITLE = ELASTIC -- LOAD TO 850. PSI
LABEL = LOAD TO YIELD
LOAD = 50
NLPARM = 50
SUBCASE 2
SUBTITLE = PLASTIC -- LOAD TO 1000. PSI
LABEL = LOAD BEYOND YIELD
LOAD = 100
NLPARM = 100
SUBCASE 4
SUBTITLE = ELASTIC -- UNLOAD COMPLETELY TO 0. PSI
LABEL = FULL UNLOAD
LOAD = 200
NLPARM = 200
$OUTPUT(PLOT) $ PLOT DATA ADDED FOLLOWING THIS LINE IF NEEDED
$ END OF CASE CONTROL DATA
BEGIN BULK
$ PARAMETERS FOR NONLINEAR ITERATION
NLPARM 50 1 AUTO UPW NO
NLPARM 100 8 SEMI UPW NO
NLPARM 200 2 AUTO UPW NO

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 1-3
© 2024 Siemens
 1. Introduction to Nonlinear Analysis

.
.
.
ENDDATA

Listing 1-1. Example Input Data for Nonlinear Static Analysis

SOL 129 $ NONLINEAR TRANSIENT ANALYSIS

DIAG 8,50 $ DIAGNOSTIC PRINTOUT
CEND $ END OF EXECUTIVE CONTROL DATA
TITLE = GAP VERIFICATION BY NONLINEAR TRANSIENT ANALYSIS SEALL = ALL $
FOR ALL MATRICIES
SET 1 = 201 $ ,202,200
SET 3 = 22 $ ,23
SET 4 = 20 $ CONROD
DISP = 1
STRESS = 3 $ FOR GAP FORCES
ELFORCE = 4
LOADSET = 20
`SPC = 100
SUBCASE 1 $ UP TO 0.5 SECONDS
DLOAD = 210
TSTEPNL = 22
SUBCASE 2 $ UP TO 1 SECOND
DLOAD.= 210
TSTEPNL = 21
OUTPUT(XYPLOT)
CSCALE = 1.3
XTITLE = TIME IN SECONDS
YTITLE = DISPLACEMENT IN INCHES
YMIN = 0.
YMAX = 15.
XYPLOT DISP RESP/201(Tl),202(Tl),200(Tl)
$ END OF CASE CONTROL DATA
BEGIN BULK
TSTEPNL 21 200 .0025 2 AUTO 10
.
.
.
ENDDATA
Listing 1-2. Example Input Data for Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis

1-4 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
© 2024 Siemens
 Case Control Section

Case Control Section

The Case Control Section is used to define input data sets, output features, and subcases. The subcase
structure in Simcenter Nastran provides a unique means of changing loads, boundary conditions, and
solution methods by making selections from the Bulk Data.

In SOL 106 and SOL 129, loads and solution methods may change from subcase to subcase on an
incremental basis. However, constraints can be changed from subcase to subcase only in the static
solution sequence. As a result, the subcase structure determines a sequence of loading and constraint
paths in a nonlinear analysis. The subcase structure also lets you select and change output requests for
printout, plot, etc., by specifying set numbers with keywords. Any selections made above the subcase
specifications are applicable to all the subcases. Selections made in an individual subcase supersede the
selections made above the subcases. Table 1-1 summarizes the Case Control commands for nonlinear
analysis.

Table. Summary of Nonlinear Case Control Commands

Load Selection

LOAD Selects static loading condition.

CLOAD Selects static load combination for superelements.

DLOAD Selects dynamic loading conditions.

LOADSET Selects static load sets defined on the Bulk data LSEQ.

NONLINEAR Selects nonlinear loading (NOLINi) for transient response.

IC Selects initial conditions for transient response.

Solution Method Selection

METHOD Selects methods for eigenvalue analysis.

NLPARM Selects iteration methods for nonlinear static analysis.

TSTEPNL Selects iteration methods for nonlinear transient analysis.

Output Requests

DISPLACEMENT Requests output for displacements of physical points.

VELOCITY Requests output for velocities of physical points.

ACCELERATION Requests output for acceleration of physical points.

ELFORCE Requests output for element forces.

STRESS Requests output for element stresses.

BOUTPUT Requests output for slideline contact.

SPCFORCES Requests output for constraint forces of SPC points.

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 1-5
© 2024 Siemens
 1. Introduction to Nonlinear Analysis

NLLOAD Requests output for NOLINi in transient response.

OUTPUT(PLOT) Requests the beginning of the plotter output.

Superelement Control

SUPER Specifies the superelement identification number and the load sequence number.

SEALL Combines the functions of SEMG, SELG, SEKR, SEMR, and SELR.

SEKR Specifies the superelement identification numbers for which stiffness matrices will be
assembled and reduced.

SELG Specifies the superelement identification numbers for which load vectors will be generated.

SELR Specifies the superelement identification numbers for which the static load matrices will be
assembled and reduced.

SEMG Specifies the superelement identification numbers for which stiffness, mass, and damping
matrices will be generated.

SEMR Specifies the superelement identification numbers for which the mass and damping matrices
will be assembled and reduced.

Bulk Data Section

All details of the input data are specified in the Bulk Data Section. Constraint, load, and solution method
Bulk Data entries are not used unless they are selected in the Case Control Section. The nonlinear Bulk
Data entries are summarized in Table 1-2. All the input data designed specially for nonlinear analysis will
be described in the following sections.

Table. Summary of Nonlinear Bulk Data Entries

Element Connectivity

CBEAM Defines connection for beam element.

CBUSH Defines connections for generalized spring and damper.

CBUSH1D Defines connections for rod type spring and damper.

CGAP Defines connection for gap or frictional element.

CHEXA Defines connection for six-sided solid element.

CONROD Defines connection and properties for rod.

CPENTA Defines connection for five-sided solid element.

CPYRAM Defines connection for five-sided solid element.

CQUAD4 Defines connection for quadrilateral element with plane strain or bending and membrane stiffness.

1-6 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
© 2024 Siemens
 Bulk Data Section

CQUAD8 and Defines connection for plane strain hyperelastic quadrilateral element.
CQUAD

CROD Defines connection for rod with axial and torsional stiffness.

CTETRA Defines connection for four-sided solid element.

CTRIA3 Defines connection for triangular element with plane strain or bending and membrane stiffness.

CTRIA6 Defines connection for hyperelastic plane strain triangular element.

CQUADX4 and Defines connection for axisymmetric hyperelastic quadrilateral element.

CQUADX8

CTRAX3 and CTRAX6 Defines connection for axisymmetric hyperelastic triangular element.

CTUBE Defines connection for a tube.

Element Properties

PBCOMP Defines properties for composite CBEAM.

PBEAM Defines properties for CBEAM.

PBUSH and PBUSHT Defines properties for CBUSH.

PBUSH1D Defines properties for CBUSH1D.

PCOMP Defines properties for composite material laminate.

PGAP Defines properties for CGAP.

PROD Defines properties for CROD.

PSHELL Defines properties for CTRIA3 and CQUAD4.

PSOLID Defines properties for CHEXA, CPENTA, CPYRAM, and CTETRA.

PTUBE Defines properties for CTUBE.

PLPLANE Defines properties for hyperelastic plane elements CTRIA3, CTRIA6, CQUAD4, CQUAD8, CQUAD,
CQUADX and CTRIAX.

PLSOLID Defines properties for hyperelastic solid elements CHEXA, CPENTA, CPYRAM, and CTETRA.

Material Properties

CREEP Defines creep material properties.

MAT2 Defines anisotropic material properties for shell elements.

MAT8 Defines orthotropic material properties for shell elements.

MAT9 Defines anisotropic material properties for solid elements.

MATS1 Defines properties for plastic and nonlinear elastic material.

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 1-7
© 2024 Siemens
 1. Introduction to Nonlinear Analysis

MATHP Defines properties for hyperelastic material.

TABLEDi Defines a function for internal load vs. disp or velocity for bush element.

TABLES1 Defines a function for stress-dependent material properties or experimental data for hyperelastic
material.

TABLEST Combines many TABLES1 entries for temperature dependent material properties.

Slideline Contact

BCONP Defines contact parameters.

BLSEG Defines boundary line segments.

BFRIC Defines frictional properties for slideline contact.

BWIDTH Defines boundary line segments width/thickness.

BOUTPUT Defines grid points where contact output is requested.

Constraints

SPC Defines single-point constraints and enforced displacements.

SPC1 Defines single-point constraints.

MPC Defines a linear relationship for two or more degrees-of-freedom.

Loads

CLOAD Defines a static load combination for superelement loads.

FORCEi Defines concentrated load at grid point.

LSEQ Defines static load sets for dynamic analysis.

MOMENTi Defines moment at a grid point.

NOLINi Defines nonlinear transient load.

PLOAD Defines pressure loads on CQUAD4, CTRIA3, CHEXA, CPENTA, CPYRAM, and CTETRA. Should not
be used for hyperelastic plane elements CQUAD4, CQUAD8, CQUAD, CTRIA3, and CTRIA6 or for
hyperelastic CHEXA, CPENTA, CTETRA with midside nodes.

PLOAD2 Defines pressure loads on shell elements, CQUAD4 and CTRIA3. Not available for hyperelastic
elements.

PLOAD4 Defines pressure loads on surfaces of CHEXA, CPENTA, CPYRAM, CTETRA, CTRIA3 and CQUAD4
elements. Not available for hyperelastic plane elements CQUAD4, CQUAD8, CQUAD, CTRIA3, and
CTRIA6.

PLOADX1 Defines pressure loads on axisymmetric elements CQUADX4, CQUADX8, CTRAX3, and CTRAX6.

RFORCE Defines load due to centrifugal force field.

TEMP Defines temperature at grid points.

1-8 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
© 2024 Siemens
 Parameters

TEMPPi Defines temperature field for surface elements.

TEMPRB Defines temperature field for line elements.

TIC Specifies initial values for displacement and velocity.

TLOADi Defines loads as a function of time.

Solution Methods

NLPARM Defines iteration methods for nonlinear static analysis.

NLPCI Defines arc-length methods for nonlinear static analysis.

TSTEPNL Specifies integration and iteration methods for nonlinear transient analysis.

EIGB or EIGRL Defines eigenvalue extraction method for buckling analysis.

Parameters
Parameters constitute an important part of the input data because they maintain communications
among the user, DMAP, and modules. Parameters are single-valued input data used for requesting
special features or specifying miscellaneous data.

You can change the initial values of parameters by specifying the PARAM entry in the Bulk Data
Section or in the Case Control Section. Many options available in Simcenter Nastran are controlled
by user-specified parameters. Table 1-3 lists the parameters used in nonlinear Solution Sequences 106
and 129

Table. PARAMeters Used in Nonlinear Solution Sequences

Solution Sequence
ParameterNa
me 64 106 129 Default Description

ADPCON E E 1.0 Adjusts automatic penalty values for slideline contact regions.

AUTOSPC B E E NO Specifies automatic single-point-constraints.

AUTOSPCR E B NO Specifies automatic SPCs for residual structure.

BAILOUT E E 0 Terminates superelement program with singularities.

BETA B 0.33333 Specifies control factor for Newmark-Beta method.

BUCKLE E -1 Selects nonlinear buckling analysis for restarts.

CB1,2 E 1.0 Selects superelement damping matrix coefficients.

CK1,2,3 E E 1.0 Selects superelement stiffness matrix coefficients.

CM1,2 E E 1.0 Selects superelement mass matrix coefficients.

CNSTRT B 1 Controls restarts for constraint change.

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 1-9
© 2024 Siemens
 1. Introduction to Nonlinear Analysis

Solution Sequence
ParameterNa
me 64 106 129 Default Description

COUPMASS B E E -1 Generates coupled rather than lumped mass matrices.

CURV E -1 Computes stress data in a material coordinate system.

CURVPLOT E -1 Requests x-y (curve) plots.

DBDICT B B B -1 Prints database dictionary at the end and beginning of the run.

DBDRNL E E 0 Prints database dictionary in the nonlinear loop (SOLs 66 and

99 only).

DLOAD B B B 0 Indicates no other changes except for loads (SOLs 64 through

99 only).

DOPT E 0 Controls x spacing of curves for CURVPLOT.

ERROR E E -1 Terminates run for superelement errors.

EST B E E 2 Requests element measure and volume computation.

FACTOR B B B 10,000 Generates SEQID on SEQGP entry.

FKSYMFAC B 1.0 Controls symmetrization of stiffness.

FOLLOWK E E YES Include follower force stiffness.

GPECT B E E -1 Prints all elements connected to each grid point.

GRDPNT B E E -1 Executes Grid Point Weight Generator.

G E 0.0 Specifies uniform structural damping coefficient.

INRLM E 0 Requests appending of inertia relief modes.

KDIAG E -1.0 Applies value of a spring constant to nonlinear stiffness matrix

diagonals.

K6ROT E E E 100.0 Assigns stiffness to normal rotation of CQUAD4 and CTRIA3

elements.

LANGLE E E 1 Selects gimbal angle approach for large rotations if 1 and

rotation vector approach if 2.

LGDISP E E -1 Selects large displacement effects.

LOOPID E E 0 Specifies loop ID in the database for restarts.

MAXLP E 5 Maximum number of iterations for internal loop.

MAXRATIO E E E 1 .0E + 7 Determines the singularity of the stiffness matrix.

MODEL B B B 0 Stores several models in the database.

MPCX B B B 0 Controls MPC and rigid element processing on restarts.

NDAMP E 0.025 Specifies numerical damping in ADAPT method.

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 Parameters

Solution Sequence
ParameterNa
me 64 106 129 Default Description

NINTPTS E 10 Requests CURV to interpolate over all elements.

NLAYERS B B 5 Specifies number of integration points through thickness for

CQUAD4 and CTRIA3.

NLTOL B 2 Sets accuracy tolerances

NMLOOP E 0 Saves tangent stiffness in SOL 106 for normal modes and other
linear solution sequences.

NOCOMPS E 1 Suppresses composite stress output.

NODATA B B B 0 Indicates no changes in Bulk Data (SOLs 64 through 99 only).

NOTRED E 0 Controls t-set reduction (SOL 99 only).

OG E 0 Calculates stress/strain data at grid points for CURV.

OLDELM B 1 Computes element forces using old method.

OUTOPT E 0 Sets format for output quantities computed by CURV.

OUTPUT B 0 Jumps to data recovery.

PDRMSG E 1 Suppresses data recovery messages.

PLOT B E E 1 Jumps to undeformed plot.

PLOTSUP E E 0 Makes undeformed plots for superelements.

PLTMSG E E 1 Suppresses undeformed plot messages.

POST E E 1 Stores post-processing data blocks in database.

PRGPST B E E NO Suppresses singularity printout.

PROUT B E E -1 Suppresses execution and printout from ELTPRT.

RESDUAL E E 1 Skips to nonlinear operations (Phase 2) (SOLs 66 through 99

only).

SDATA E 1 Obtains additional solution set output (SOL 99 only).

SEFINAL B B -1 Indicates no data changes if change SEFINAL.

SEMAP B B SEMAP Determines partitioning of superelements.

SEMAPPRT B B 3 Prints SEMAP table.

SENAME E E SENAME Identifies superelement by name.

SEQOUT B B B 0 Controls output options for OLDSEQ.

SKPLOAD E 1 Skips load vector calculation.

SKPMTRX E 1 Skips matrix reduction and decomposition.

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 1-11
© 2024 Siemens
 1. Introduction to Nonlinear Analysis

Solution Sequence
ParameterNa
me 64 106 129 Default Description

SLOOPID B 0 Specifies loop ID from SOL66 database for restart.

SOLID B B B 0 Stores several solutions in same database.

SPCGEN B E E 0 Places automatic SPCs in SPC1 format.

SSG3 B 0 Skips operations prior to FBS.

START B B B 0 Defines number of grid points for OLDSEQ.

STIME E 0.0 Specifies time step for restarts.

SUBID B E 1 Specifies subcase ID for restarts.

SUBSKP B 0 Skips a number of subcases for restarts.

SUPER B B B 0 Deletes ungrouped grid points.

TABID E 2 Controls punch for response spectra.

TABS E 0.0 Converts units of temperature input to absolute.

TESTNEG E E -1/-2/1 Tests for negative terms on factor diagonal of matrix.

TESTSE E 1.0E + 36 Tests for strain energy for iteration control.

TSTATIC E -1 Selects static solution with TSTATIC=1 using ADAPT method in

TSTEPNL.

USETPRT B E E -1 Selects output type for degrees-of-freedom.

USETSEL B E E 0 Controls sets for row list output option.

WTMASS B E E 1.0 Multiplies terms of structural mass matrix by value.

W3,W4 E 0.0 Selects frequency for conversion of damping.

Note:
B = Must be specified in the Bulk Data Section only.
E = May be specified in either the Bulk Data or Case Control Section.

Nonlinear Element Output Codes for Plotting

Nonlinear elements (which reference nonlinear geometry and/or material) have different plot codes than
linear elements.

See Also

• Item Codes in the Simcenter Nastran Quick Reference Guide

1-12 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
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 Nonlinear Characteristics and General Recommendations

Nonlinear Characteristics and General Recommendations

Modeling for nonlinear analysis should follow the guidelines for good modeling practice pertaining to
linear analysis, which are summarized as follows:

• The analyst should have some insight into the behavior of the structure to be modeled; otherwise, a
simple model should be the starting point.

• Substructuring should be considered for the modularity of the model and/or synergism between
projects and agencies involved.

• The size of the model should be determined based on the purpose of the analysis, the trade-offs
between accuracy and efficiency, and the scheduled deadline.

• Prior contemplation of the geometric modeling will increase efficiency in the long run. Factors to be
considered include selection of coordinate systems, symmetric considerations for simplification, and
systematic numbering of nodal points and elements for easy classification of locality.

• Discretization should be based on the anticipated stress gradient, i.e., a finer mesh in the area of
stress concentrations.

• Element types and the mesh size should be carefully chosen. For example, avoid highly distorted
and/or stretched elements (with high aspect ratio); use CTRIA3 and CTETRA only for geometric or
topological reasons.

• The model should be verified prior to the analysis by some visual means, such as plots and graphic
displays.

Nonlinear analysis requires better insight into structural behavior. First of all, the type of nonlinearities
involved must be determined. If there is a change in constraints due to contact during loading, the
problem may be classified as a boundary nonlinear problem and would require CGAP elements or slide
line contact algorithm.

The material nonlinearity is characterized by material properties. However, the material nonlinear
effects may or may not be significant depending on the magnitude and duration of the loading, and
occasionally on environmental conditions. The anticipated stress level would be a key to this issue.

The geometric nonlinearity is characterized by large rotations which usually cause large displacements.
Intuitively, geometric nonlinear effects should be significant if the deformed shape of the structure
appears distinctive from the original geometry without amplifying the displacements. There is no
distinct limit for large displacements because geometric nonlinear effects are related to the dimensions
of the structure and the boundary conditions. The key to this issue is to know where the loading point is
in the load-deflection curve of the critical area.

SOL 106 or SOL 129 must be used if the model contains any of the following:

• A parameter LGDISP (for geometric nonlinearity).

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 1-13
© 2024 Siemens
 1. Introduction to Nonlinear Analysis

• Any hyperelastic element (PLPLANE or PLSOLID property entry, pointing to a MATHP material).

• Any CGAP element (CGAP and PGAP).

• Slideline contact (BCONP, BLSEG, and/or BFRIC).

• Any active nonlinear material data (specified on MATS1 and/or CREEP).

• Any combination of the above.

The model may consist of superelements, but only the residual structure (superelement 0) may consist
of nonlinear elements mixed with any type of linear elements. All the gaps, slideline contact regions,
and hyperelastic elements are always actively nonlinear if included in the residual structure. However,
other potentially nonlinear elements in the residual structure become actively nonlinear only if a
parameter, LGDISP, is used and/or if they use the nonlinear material data specified on the MATS1 and/or
CREEP data entries.

The subcase structure of Simcenter Nastran may be used in SOLs 106 and 129 to characterize a
nonproportional loading path. Cyclic loading is one example. Some nonlinear problems, such as plastic
deformation, creep deformation, and contact problems with frictional forces, are path-dependent;
others, such as hyperelastic or purely geometric nonlinear, are path-independent. An incremental
process may not be required for a purely geometric nonlinear problem. For computational efficiency,
however, the analysis of such a problem does frequently need incremental solutions.

Note:

• Identify the type of nonlinearity and localize the nonlinear region for computational efficiency. If
unsure, perform a linear analysis by SOL 101 or SOL 109 prior to the nonlinear analysis by SOL 106 or
SOL 129, respectively.

• Segregate the linear region by using superelements and/or linear elements if possible. Notice that the
potentially nonlinear elements can be used as linear elements.

• The nonlinear region usually requires a finer mesh. Use a finer mesh if severe element distortions or
stress concentrations are anticipated.

• Be prepared for restarts with the database properly stored in cases of divergence and changing
constraints or loading paths via subcases.

• The subcase structure should be utilized properly to divide the load or time history for convenience
in restarts, data recovery, and database storage control, not to mention changing constraints and
loading paths.

• The load or time for the subcase should then be further divided into increments, not to exceed 20
load steps (for SOL 106) or 200 time steps (for SOL 129) in each subcase.

1-14 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
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 Nonlinear Characteristics and General Recommendations

• Many options are available in solution methods to be specified on NLPARM (for SOL 106) or TSTEPNL
(for SOL 129) data entries. The defaults should be used on all options before gaining experience.

• Use caution when specifying CGAP element properties. In particular, the closed gap stiffness shouldn’t
exceed the stiffness of the adjacent degree-of-freedom by 1000 times.

• Normal rotation for CQUAD4 and CTRIA3 elements should be restrained by a parameter K6ROT when
the geometric nonlinearity is involved. Default value for parameter K6ROT is 100.

• Understand the basic theory of plasticity or creep before using these capabilities.

• Use caution when preparing input data for creep, because it is unit dependent.

• For the transient analysis by SOL 129, some damping is desirable and the massless degree-of-freedom
should be avoided.

• The time step size for a transient response analysis should be carefully determined based on the
highest natural frequency of interest because it has significant effects on the efficiency as well as the
accuracy.

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 1-15
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 1. Introduction to Nonlinear Analysis

1-16 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
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 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis
Overview of Nonlinear Elements
The nonlinear elements can be divided into two categories:

• Physical elements, which have associated material properties.

• Contact elements, which don’t have any associated material properties.

Physical Elements

The nonlinear physical elements are listed in Table 2-1 and Table 2-2.

The CBUSH element may have nonlinear force-deflection properties defined on the PBUSH and PBUSHT
property entries. The CBUSH element is geometric linear; the orientation is not updated in case of large
deformation. The CBUSH1D element is both geometric and material nonlinear.

The elements CROD, CONROD, and CTUBE may have material nonlinear extensional properties, with
linear torsion. You may supply plastic or nonlinear elastic material properties. Since the stress-strain
curve for compression need not be the same as for tension, this element can, for example, be used to
model cables which cannot carry compression.

The CBEAM element has been modified to provide plastic hinges at the ends of an otherwise elastic
element. This element is intended for collapse analysis in frameworks with loads at the joints, and
materials with small work hardening. You don’t need to specify the cross-section axis about which
the yielding occurs, since the implementation allows for combinations of bending moments in two
directions plus an axial load. The flexibility of the plastic hinge is based upon eight idealized rods at each
end, chosen to match the total area, center of gravity and moments of inertia of the cross-section. As is
shown in Table 2-3, the calculated ultimate moment agrees reasonably well with the theoretical value
for many cross-sections. The material specified on a MATS1 Bulk Data entry should be elastic-perfectly
plastic. Use of any nonlinear material other than elastic-perfectly plastic will give inaccurate results.

The CQUAD4 and CTRIA3 plate elements are available for combined bending and membrane strains
found in shell structures as well as for plane strain applications. For shell type problems the state of
stress is assumed to be constant in each of a variable number of equal layers. One layer should be used
for plane strain. Your input is the one-dimensional stress-strain curve for tension. Higher order CQUAD8,
CQUAD, and CTRIA6 elements exist for fully nonlinear (i.e., large strain and large rotation) hyperelastic
plane strain analysis.

The CHEXA, CPENTA, CPYRAM, and CTETRA elements are typically used to model thick-walled structures
like castings and forgings. Each of these elements has full nonlinear capability except for the CPYRAM
element which cannot be used for hyperelasticity.

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 2-1
© 2024 Siemens
 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

Axisymmetric elements CQUADX4, CQUADX8, CTRAX3, and CTRAX6 are available for fully nonlinear
analysis with the hyperelastic material.

Table. Physical Elements for Nonlinear Analysis –Small Strain Elements

Nonlinear Elasto- Geometric

Name Characteristics Elastic Plastic Nonlinear

CBUSH Generalized 3D spring Yes No No

damper with 6 stiffnesses
for 3 translations and 3
rotations.

CBUSH1D Rod-like spring and Yes No Yes

damper with generalized
force function f (u , ) for
axial displacement u and
velocity .

CROD, CONROD, CTUBE Extension may be plastic Yes Yes Yes

or nonlinear elastic.
Torsion is elastic (linear).

CBEAM Plastic hinge at each No Yes (only Yes

end, which couples axial elastic-
motion and rotations. perfectly
plastic)
Linear material for center
section, traverse shear,
and torsion.

CQUAD4 Shell and Plate Yes Yes Yes

Two-dimensional
plasticity with FIVE
layers for membrane
and bending. 12 layers
maximum; 1 layer
minimum.

Transverse shear is linear.

Plane Strain Yes Yes Yes

PSHELL with MID2=-1 and

PARAM,NLAYER=1

Plane Stress Yes Yes Yes

2-2 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
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 Physical Elements

Nonlinear Elasto- Geometric

Name Characteristics Elastic Plastic Nonlinear

MID2=0

NLAYER=1

CTRIA3 Shell and Plate Yes Yes Yes

Two-dimensional
plasticity with FIVE
layers for membrane
and bending. 12 layers
maximum; 1 layer
minimum.Transverse
shear is linear.

Plane Strain Yes Yes Yes

PSHELL with MID2=-1 and

PARAM,NLAYER=1

Plane Stress Yes Yes Yes

PSHELL with MID2=0

NLAYER=1

CHEXA Mid-side nodes are Yes Yes Yes

allowed.

For additional nonlinear

characteristics, see
PSOLID in the Simcenter
Nastran Quick Reference
Guide.

CPENTA Mid-side nodes are Yes Yes Yes

allowed.

For additional nonlinear

characteristics, see
PSOLID in the Simcenter
Nastran Quick Reference
Guide.

CPYRAM Mid-side nodes are Yes Yes Yes

allowed.

For additional nonlinear

characteristics, see
PSOLID in the Simcenter

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 2-3
© 2024 Siemens
 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

Nonlinear Elasto- Geometric

Name Characteristics Elastic Plastic Nonlinear

Nastran Quick Reference

Guide.

CTETRA Mid-side nodes are Yes Yes Yes

allowed.

For additional nonlinear

characteristics, see
PSOLID in the Simcenter
Nastran Quick Reference
Guide.

• One-dimensional stress-strain curves use the MAT1 entry.

• All other elements may be used for nonlinear analysis as long as they remain linear.

Table. Physical Elements for Nonlinear Analysis—Fully Nonlinear (Finite Deformation) Hyperelastic
Elements

Name Characteristics Gauss Point ξ η ζ

CQUAD, CQUAD4, CQUAD8, CQUADX4 Plane strain or axisymmetric 1 −α −α –

analysis.
2 α −α
Linear isoparametric
quadrilateral with constant 3 −α α
pressure. Compressible 4 α α
and nearly incompressible
applications.

Four Gauss points.

CQUAD, CQAUD8, CQUADX8 Plane strain or axisymmetric 1 −α −α –

analysis.
2 0 −α
Quadratic isoparametric
quadrilateral with linear 3 α −α
pressure. Compressible
and nearly incompressible 4 −α 0
applications. Center node not 5 0 0
available on the CQUAD8
connectivity. 6 α 0

2-4 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
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 Physical Elements

Name Characteristics Gauss Point ξ η ζ

Nine Gauss points. 7 −α 0

8 0 α

9 α α

CTRIA3, CTRIA6 Plane strain. 1 1/3 1/3 –

Linear isoparametric triangle

with constant pressure.
Compressible and nearly
incompressible applications.
One Gauss point.

CTRAX3 Axisymmetric analysis. 1 1/6 1/6 –

Linear isoparametric triangle 2 2/3 1/6

with constant pressure.
Compressible and nearly 3 1/6 2/3
incompressible applications.
Three Gauss points.

CTRIA6 Plane strain. 1 1/6 1/6 –

Quadratic isoparametric 2 2/3 1/6

triangle with constant
pressure. Compressible 3 1/6 2/3
and nearly incompressible
applications.

Three Gauss points.

CTRAX6 Axisymmetric analysis. 1 0.3333 0.3333 –

Quadratic isoparametric 33 33
2
triangle with constant 0.7974 0.1012
pressure. Compressible 3 27 87
and nearly incompressible 0.1012 0.7974
applications. 4 87 27

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 2-5
© 2024 Siemens
 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

Name Characteristics Gauss Point ξ η ζ

Seven Gauss points. 5 0.1012 0.1012

87 87
6
0.4701 0.4701
7 42 42
0.4701 0.0597
42 16
0.0597 0.4701
16 42

CHEXA Linear isoparametric 1 α α α

hexahedron with constant
pressure. Compressible 2 −α α α
and nearly incompressible 3 α −α α
applications.
4 −α −α α
Eight Gauss points.
5 α α −α

6 −α α −α

7 +α −α −α
8 −α −α −α

CHEXA Quadratic isoparametric 1 α α α

hexahedron with linear
pressure. Compressible 2 0 α α
and nearly incompressible 3 −α α α
applications.
4 α 0 α
Twenty-seven Gauss points.
5 0 0 α

6 −α 0 α

7 α −α α

8 0 −α α

9 −α −α α
α α 0
10
0 α 0
11
−α α 0
12
α 0 0
13
0 0 0
14
−α 0 0
15
α −α 0
16
0 −α 0
17
−α −α 0
18
α α −α

2-6 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
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 Physical Elements

Name Characteristics Gauss Point ξ η ζ

19 0 α −α

20 −α α −α

21 α 0 −α

22 0 0 −α

23 −α 0 −α

24 α −α −α

25 0 −α −α
26 −α −α −α
27

CPENTA Linear isoparametric 1 1/2 0

pentahedron with constant
pressure. Compressible 2 1/2 1/2
and nearly incompressible 3 0 1/2
applications.
4 1/2 0
Six Gauss points.
5 1/2 1/2

6 0 1/2

CPENTA Quadratic isoparametric 1 1/3 1/3

pentahedron with linear
pressure. Compressible 2 α1 β1
and nearly incompressible 3 β1 α1
applications.
4 β1 β1
Twenty-one Gauss points.
5 α2 β2
α1 = 0.0597158717
6 β2 α2
β1 = 0.4701420641
7 β2 β2
α2 = 0.7974269853
8 1/3 1/3
β2 = 0.1012865073
α1 β1
9
β1 α1
10
β1 β1
11
α2 β2
12
β2 α2
13
β2 β2 0

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 2-7
© 2024 Siemens
 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

Name Characteristics Gauss Point ξ η ζ

14 1/3 1/3 0

15 α1 β1 0

16 β1 α1 0

17 β1 β1 0

18 α2 β2 0

19 β2 α2 0

20 β2 β2
21

CTETRA Linear isoparametric 1 1/4 1/4 1/4

tetrahedron with constant
pressure. Compressible
and nearly incompressible
applications.

One Gauss point.

CTETRA Quadratic isoparametric 1 1/6 1/6 1/6

tetrahedron with linear
pressure. Compressible 2 1/2 1/6 1/6
and nearly incompressible 3 1/6 1/2 1/6
applications.
4 1/6 1/6 1/2
Five Gauss points.
5 1/4 1/4 1/4

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 Physical Elements

Name Characteristics Gauss Point ξ η ζ

Table. Accuracy in Calculation of Ultimate Moment in Yielded State

Section
Moment Axis η
Any multiple of 45°from y- .9481
axis

Moment Axis η
y or z .9856

h/w η for y-axis η for z-axis

0 .8536 .9856

.5 .9031 .9543

1.0 .9295 .9295

2.0 .9543 .9031

∞ .9856 .8536

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 2-9
© 2024 Siemens
 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

Section
htw /wtf η for y-axis η for z-axis
0 .8536 .9856

.5 .8826 1.102

1.0 .9031 1.207

2.0 .9295 1.394

∞ .9856

Contact Elements

The contact (interface) elements are listed in Table 2-4.

The CGAP element is intended to model surfaces which may come into contact. When positive pressure
exists, the gap can carry any transverse shear load which is less than the coefficient of friction times
the normal load. The CGAP element connects two grid points which may be initially coincident. There
is no geometric nonlinear behavior, which implies that the orientation of the contact plane does not
change during deflection. (The physical shape of the two contact surface would have to be specified
and it would require the solution of a difficult analytic problem to determine the location of the actual
contact point or points.)

Due to the requirements of the solution algorithm, there must be a finite compression stiffness for the
CGAP element. The value must be carefully chosen, since a very large value may lead to numerical
problems. A finite extensional stiffness may be used to prevent the drift of structures that are supported
only by CGAP elements. You may also supply an initial opening of the gap. An orientation vector is
required (see CGAP entry for details) to define the transverse axes, even if no shear is to be carried.

The slideline contact is capable of modeling nonlinear contact geometry and inelastic material behavior
including large deformation. Slideline contact is useful for two dimensional geometries, for example
plane stress, plane strain and axisymmetric. They can also be used for three dimensional geometries
provided the contact between the two bodies can be defined in terms of parallel planes called the
slideline planes. The sliding and separation of the two bodies is restricted to the slideline planes. The
bodies can have large relative motions within the slideline plane. However, relative motions outside the
slideline planes are ignored; therefore, they must be small compared to a typical slideline element.

Table. Contact Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

Geometric
Name Characteristics Friction Law Nonlinearity

CGAP Contact between two points. Coulomb's Law No

with:kinetic friction 0
static friction

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 Small Strain Elements

Geometric
Name Characteristics Friction Law Nonlinearity

Extension has different springs for

compression and tension.
Shear force is less than the friction
coefficient times the compression.
Transverse finite compression
stiffness is required.

Slideline Contact between a point and a line. Coulomb's Law Yes

with:kinetic friction =
static friction

Small Strain Elements

A subset of Simcenter Nastran's elements for linear analysis is available for nonlinear structural
analysis (see Table 2-5). The nonlinear elements for small strain analysis can handle material or
geometric nonlinearities or both. In geometric nonlinear analysis, the elements may undergo large total
displacements and rotations but the net deformation of each element has to remain small, therefore
these elements are called “small strain” elements. For linear material and infinitesimal deformation, a
nonlinear analysis with small strain elements gives results which are identical to a linear analysis. The
small strain elements may be combined with any other type of elements, e.g., hyperelastic elements
and/or linear elements.

Table. Small Strain Elements in Nonlinear Structural Analysis

Element Property Material4

Line Elements

CROD PROD MAT1 (MATT1), MATS1

CONROD – MAT1 (MATT1)

CTUBE PTUBE MAT1 (MATT1)

CBEAM PBEAM MAT1 (MATT1), MATS1

PBCOMP1 (Composite Beam) (only elastic-perfectly plastic)

2D ElementsPlane Strain, Plane Stress, Shells

CQUAD4 PSHELL MAT1 (MATT1), MAT2 (MATT2), MAT83 , MATS1,

CREEP

CTRIA3 PCOMP (Composite Shell)2

Solid Elements

CHEXA PSOLID MAT1 (MATT1), MAT9 (MATT9), MAT11

(MATT11), MATS1, CREEP

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 2-11
© 2024 Siemens
 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

Element Property Material4

CPENTA

CPYRAM

CTETRA

For all elements, geometric nonlinearity is turned on with PARAM, LGDISP,1.

1. PBCOMP may refer to MAT1 only (linear material).

2. PCOMP must refer to MAT1, MAT2, MAT8 (only linear material).

3. MAT8 must not be referred by a MATS1 entry (only linear orthotropic material).

4. MAT1 isotropic material.

MAT2 anisotropic material for plates.

MAT8 orthotropic material for plates.

MAT9 anisotropic material for solids.

MAT11 orthotropic material for solids.

MATTi temperature dependency for MAT1, MAT2, MAT8, MAT9, MAT11.

MATS1 nonlinear material (piecewise linear, elasto-plastic) referred by MAT1, MAT2, MAT8, MAT9,
MAT11.

CREEP creep characteristics, referred by MAT1, MAT2, MAT9.

User Interface

Element-related user input is summarized in the table Small Strain Elements. The nonlinear element
calculations are activated if a nonlinear material exists (MATS1 or CREEP Bulk Data entries) or if a
geometric nonlinear analysis of the whole model is requested with PARAM,LGDISP,1. The default is
geometric linear analysis, PARAM,LGDISP,-1.

For elements with rotational degrees-of-freedom (CBEAM, CTRIA3, CQUAD4), two different definitions
for large rotations are available, gimbal angles and rotation vector. The definitions are chosen with
PARAM,LANGLE,i. The default is the gimbal angle definition, i = 1. The 3 gimbal angle components are
the 3 subsequent rotations around the global axes. The second rotation component refers to the second
global axis which has been rotated once by the first rotation. The third rotation refers to the third global
axis which has been rotated twice by the first and second rotation. The rotation vector definition is
chosen with i = 2. The components of the rotation vector refer to the fixed global axes. The direction of

2-12 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
© 2024 Siemens
 Output

the rotation vector is the principal direction of the 3-D rotation. The magnitude of the rotation vector is
the principal value of the 3-D rotation. The difference of the two angle definitions in the output of the
elements appears only for large 3-D rotations.

Output

For this output discussion, an element is a nonlinear element if it supports geometric nonlinear and
PARAM,LGDISP,1 is defined, and/or material nonlinear (plasticity, creep or hyperelastic) is defined on this
element.

Element stress and strain output is requested with the STRESS case control command. The stress and
strain output for nonlinear elements is written into both a nonlinear and a linear format. The nonlinear
format outputs stresses together with strains. Compared to the linear format, the nonlinear format
provides more information with regard to nonlinear material laws (effective strain, equivalent stress
etc.).

The software outputs the rotated engineering stress and strain for the small strain elements.

• The stresses and strains of the small strain elements refer to the undeformed area and length,
respectively.

• The components of the stresses and strains are in the deformed element coordinate system which
co-rotates with the elements' rigid body deformation.

Averaged grid point stresses are requested with the GPSTRESS case control command. Averaged grid
point stresses for nonlinear elements is available in nonlinear static analysis but not in nonlinear
transient analysis.

Element forces are requested with the FORCE case control command except for the CBUSH and
CBUSH1D elements. The STRESS and NLSTRESS case control commands should be used to request the
element force and stress output for the CBUSH and CBUSH1D elements. Element forces per unit length
refer to the undeformed length. The components of the element forces are in the deformed element
system. For nonlinear elements, element forces are available in nonlinear static analysis but not in
nonlinear transient analysis. Element forces are not available for solid elements.

Deformations are requested with the DISPLACEMENT case control command. The output of
displacements and rotations is available in nonlinear static and transient analysis.

Grid point forces are not available in nonlinear static or transient analysis.

Co-rotational Formulation in Geometric Nonlinear Analysis

For small strain elements, a large deformation is split into element rigid body deformation and element
net distortion. The rigid body rotations of the points in the element are approximated by the rotation
of the local element triad which follows the element deformation, as shown in Figure 2-1. For the
remaining element net distortions, a linear strain measure is used. The method is called co-rotational

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 2-13
© 2024 Siemens
 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

formulation. The formulation is capable to simulate large total deformations if a fine mesh is used and
the stretches remain small.

In geometric nonlinear analysis with Simcenter Nastran, the tangent stiffness matrix is calculated in
two steps. First, the linear stiffness or nonlinear material stiffness is calculated. The linear stiffness or
nonlinear material stiffness is constructed from the variation of the stresses in the virtual work. Second,
the differential stiffness is calculated. The differential stiffness is constructed from the variation of the
strains in the virtual work. The differential stiffness is also called geometric stiffness.

Figure. Co-rotational Concept for Small Strain Elements in Geometric Nonlinear Analysis

Guidelines

Large element net deformations should be avoided. In areas of the structure where large total
deformations are expected, the mesh must be fine enough to keep the element net deformations small.
The element net rotation should not exceed 20 degrees and the element should not be stretched by
more than 10%. If stretches exceed 20%, it is recommended to use hyperelastic elements if applicable.

Limitations

• The element net distortions have to remain small.

• Rigid body elements (RBEi, RBAR, RROD entries, etc.) do not rotate in geometric nonlinear analysis.

2-14 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
© 2024 Siemens
 Fully Nonlinear Hyperelastic Elements

• Multipoint constraints (MPCs) remain linear, the user-defined constraint equations don’t change
automatically in geometric nonlinear analysis. In nonlinear static analysis, you may change the MPCs
from subcase to subcase. Then, the changes in the MPCs are accounted for incrementally.

• Offsets in the CBEAM, CTRIA3 and CQUAD4 elements are not allowed in combination with nonlinear
material.

• The results in linear and nonlinear buckling with offsets may be incorrect.

• A temperature variation of the nonlinear material constants in plasticity is not available.

• For the CBEAM, the only nonlinear material available is elastic-perfectly plastic.

Fully Nonlinear Hyperelastic Elements

The hyperelastic elements are fully nonlinear finite deformation elements, including large strain and
large rotation. The following elements are available: plane strain (CQUAD4, CQUAD8, CQUAD, CTRIA3,
and CTRIA6), solid (CHEXA, CPENTA, and CTETRA) and axisymmetric elements (CQUADX4, CQUADX8,
CTRAX3, and CTRAX6).

The following tables summarize the supported properties for elements in a nonlinear analysis.

Table. Summary of Properties of the Nonlinear Elements

Connectivity Properties No. of GRID Points No. of Gauss Points Geometric Nonlinearity

BCONP BWIDTH variable X

BLSEG BFRIC

CBEAM PBEAM 3 16* X

PBCOMP

CBUSH PBUSH 1 or 2

PBUSHT

CBUSH1D PBUSH1D 1 or 2 X

CGAP PGAP 3 0

CHEXA PSOLID 8 8 X

PLSOLID 8 8 X

20‡ 27

CONROD --- 2 1 X

CPENTA PSOLID 6 6 X

PLSOLID 6 6 X

21

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 2-15
© 2024 Siemens
 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

Connectivity Properties No. of GRID Points No. of Gauss Points Geometric Nonlinearity

15‡

CQUAD4 PSHELL 4 5* X**

PCOMP

PLPLANE 4 4 X

CQUAD8 PLPLANE 8‡ 9 X

CQUAD PLPLANE 9‡ 9 X

CROD PROD 2 1 X

CTETRA PSOLID 4,10 1 X

PLSOLID 4 1 X

10‡ 5

CTRIA3 PSHELL 3 5* X**

PCOMP

PLPLANE 3 1 X

CTRIA6 PLPLANE 6‡ 3 X

CTUBE PTUBE 2 1 X

CQUADX4 PLSOLID 4 4

CQUADX8 PLSOLID 8 9

CTRAX3 PLSOLID 3 3

CTRAX6 PLSOLID 6 7

Note:
Notes on Property Table

• * May be changed by you.

• ** Always in equilibrium in updated system.

• ‡ Center grid, if applicable, and midside grids may be omitted. For hyperelastic elements it is
recommended that either all or no midside grids be omitted.

• Edge nodes are not applicable to nonlinear elements, except hyperelastic elements and the
TET10 element.

2-16 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
© 2024 Siemens
 Fully Nonlinear Hyperelastic Elements

Table. Summary of Material Properties of the Nonlinear Elements

Material Property

Connectivity Properties Nonlinear Isotropic Anisotropic Orthotropic

BCONP BWIDTH

BLSEG BFRIC

CBEAM PBEAM 1†

PBCOMP

CBUSH PBUSH X X

PBUSHT

CBUSH1D PBUSH1D X

CGAP PGAP

CHEXA PSOLID 1 9

PLSOLID MATHP

CONROD --- 1

CPENTA PSOLID 1 9

PLSOLID MATHP

CQUAD4 PSHELL 1 2 8

PCOMP

PLPLANE MATHP

CQUAD8 PLPLANE MATHP

CQUAD PLPLANE MATHP

CROD PROD 1

CTETRA PSOLID 1 9

PLSOLID MATHP

CTRIA3 PSHELL 1 2 8

PCOMP

PLPLANE MATHP

CTRIA6 PLPLANE MATHP

CTUBE PTUBE 1

CQUADX4 PLSOLID MATHP

CQUADX8 PLSOLID MATHP

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 2-17
© 2024 Siemens
 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

Material Property

Connectivity Properties Nonlinear Isotropic Anisotropic Orthotropic

CTRAX3 PLSOLID MATHP

CTRAX6 PLSOLID MATHP

Note:
Notes on Property Table

• * May be changed by you.

• † For the beam element, only elastic-perfectly plastic material is available.

• Integers listed under Material properties identify (i) on MATi Bulk Data entries.

• MATS1 and CREEP may be attached to MAT1, MAT2, and MAT9.

Table. Summary of Static Load Properties of the Nonlinear Elements

Static Loads

Connectivity Properties Thermal Pressure Gravity

BCONP BWIDTH

BLSEG BFRIC

CBEAM PBEAM X X

PBCOMP

CBUSH PBUSH

PBUSHT

CBUSH1D PBUSH1D

CGAP PGAP

CHEXA PSOLID X X X

PLSOLID X X X

CONROD --- X X

CPENTA PSOLID X X X

PLSOLID X X X

CQUAD4 PSHELL X X X

PCOMP

2-18 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
© 2024 Siemens
 Fully Nonlinear Hyperelastic Elements

Static Loads

Connectivity Properties Thermal Pressure Gravity

PLPLANE X X

CQUAD8 PLPLANE X X

CQUAD PLPLANE X X

CROD PROD X X

CTETRA PSOLID X X X

PLSOLID X X X

CTRIA3 PSHELL X X X

PCOMP

PLPLANE X X

CTRIA6 PLPLANE X X

CTUBE PTUBE X X

CQUADX4 PLSOLID X X X

CQUADX8 PLSOLID X X X

CTRAX3 PLSOLID X X X

CTRAX6 PLSOLID X X X

Table. Summary of Data Recovery Properties of the Nonlinear Elements

DATA Recovery

Grid Point
Connectivity Properties Stress Stress Force

BCONP BWIDTH X X

BLSEG BFRIC

CBEAM PBEAM X X

PBCOMP

CBUSH PBUSH X X

PBUSHT

CBUSH1D PBUSH1D X X

CGAP PGAP X X

CHEXA PSOLID X X

PLSOLID X

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 2-19
© 2024 Siemens
 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

DATA Recovery

Grid Point
Connectivity Properties Stress Stress Force

CONROD --- X X

CPENTA PSOLID X X

PLSOLID X

CQUAD4 PSHELL X X X

PCOMP

PLPLANE X

CQUAD8 PLPLANE X

CQUAD PLPLANE X

CROD PROD X X

CTETRA PSOLID X X

PLSOLID X

CTRIA3 PSHELL X X X

PCOMP

PLPLANE X

CTRIA6 PLPLANE X

CTUBE PTUBE X X

CQUADX4 PLSOLID X

CQUADX8 PLSOLID X

CTRAX3 PLSOLID X

CTRAX6 PLSOLID X

The element formulation is total Lagrangian in updated coordinates. See Figure 2-2 for an illustration
of the total Lagrangian concept. A nonlinear strain measure and pointwise rotation computed at each
Gauss point are employed. Equilibrium is satisfied in the deformed configuration.

2-20 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
© 2024 Siemens
 Fully Nonlinear Hyperelastic Elements

Figure. Total Lagrangian Concept: Deformations are Measured from an Initial Undeformed State

The elements are especially designed to address volumetric locking and other related problems such as
ill-conditioning of the stiffness matrix, incorrect stresses etc., due to near incompressibility. To this end,
a mixed formulation based on a three field variational principle in which the pressure and the volume
ratio are interpolated independently from the displacements is employed. At the incompressible limit the
bulk modulus becomes infinite and the volumetric strain J − 1 becomes zero so that the pressure may no
longer be obtained from the displacements through the constitutive equation. The pressure and volume
ratio interpolations are discontinuous between the elements.

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 2-21
© 2024 Siemens
 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

The hyperelastic elements are supported in the nonlinear solutions, SOLs 106 and 129. They can be run
through SOLs 101 and 105 for model checkout in linear analysis, the results, however, will generally not
be correct. For buckling analysis, PARAM,BUCKLE in SOL 106 should be used instead.

User Interface

Because there is no difference in geometry, you define the hyperelastic elements using the current
CQUAD4, CQUAD8, CTRIA3, CTRIA6, CHEXA, CPENTA, and CTETRA connectivity entries. Additional
CQUADX4, CQUADX8, CTRAX3, and CTRAX6 connectivity entries are available for the hyperelastic
elements. The PID field for these connectivity entries reference either PLPLANE or PLSOLID property
entries. The MID field references a MATHP material entry that defines the hyperelastic material. This is
the only material model available for fully nonlinear, finite deformation analysis.

See the Simcenter Nastran Element Library for more information.

Output Description

The nonlinear stress output for the hyperelastic elements differs from other material nonlinear stress
output. The hyperelastic stress output contains the following quantities, at each Gauss point, in the basic
coordinate system for solid and axisymmetric elements and in the CID coordinate system, defined on a
PLPLANE entry, for plane strain elements:

Cauchy stresses, i.e., components of the stress vector where dA is an infinitesimal area in the
deformed configuration, and P is the force.

• Pressure

• Logarithmic strains, i.e., the components of

where λl are principal stretches l /l 0 in the principal directions Nl . See Figure 2-3. For compatibility
with other Simcenter Nastran elements, twice the shear components of the logarithmic strain tensor
are printed in the output.

Nl = principal directions in undeformed configuration; nl = RNl = principal directions in deformed

configuration, obtained from Nl by a rigid body rotation. The deformation along Nl is a pure stretch,
after the rigid body motion has been factored out.

2-22 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
© 2024 Siemens
 Output Description

Figure.

• Volumetric strain

where J is an approximation to the determinant of the deformation gradient dx /dX .

This output is obtained with the STRESS (or ELSTRESS) Case Control command. Examples of the new
output for the plane, axisymmetric and solid elements are shown in Listing 2-1.

The linear output contains principal Cauchy stresses and directions with respect to the basic (or CID)
coordinate system. See Listing 2-2.

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 2-23
© 2024 Siemens
 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

Listing 2-1.

2-24 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
© 2024 Siemens
 Guidelines

Listing 2-2.

Guidelines

Simcenter Nastran performs a fully nonlinear analysis, including the effect of large strain and large
rotation, if a PLPLANE and/or PLSOLID Bulk Data entry are encountered. The hyperelastic material is
defined by using the MATHP Bulk Data entry. A nonlinear analysis is always performed except in linear
solutions when a hyperelastic material is defined.

It is best that the differential stiffness PARAM,LGDISP,1 be used in all hyperelastic runs, but it is not the
default. If the strains and the rotations are small, then the hyperelastic analysis should compare to the
linear elastic analysis. However, for hyperelastic analysis, it is always best to use PARAM,LGDISP,1.

Due to the independent pressure interpolations, particularly at very high compressive values of the
pressure (of the order of the bulk modulus), indefiniteness of the stiffness matrix may occur, caused by
an apparent material instability. By default in such instances Simcenter Nastran will ignore the so-called
differential stiffness. Although indefiniteness of the stiffness matrix is probably not associated with a
geometric instability, this may indeed help, as many of the terms, which heavily depend on the pressure,
are part of the differential stiffness.

Limitations

The fully nonlinear hyperelastic CQUAD, CQUAD4, CQUAD8, CTRIA3, and CTRIA6 are plane strain
elements only; they do not contain bending properties, nor can they be used in plane stress analysis.

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 2-25
© 2024 Siemens
 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

Therefore, they cannot be subject to out-of-plane loading conditions and do not sustain a thickness. The
elements assume a thickness of 1.0 for mass calculation in dynamic analyses.

The lower order fully nonlinear hyperelastic elements CQUAD4, CTRIA3, 8-noded CHEXA, 6-noded
CPENTA and 4-noded CTETRA are not immune to shear locking and therefore are not suitable for
bending type loading. The higher order elements CQUAD8, 9-noded CQUAD, CTRIA6, 20-noded CHEXA,
15-noded CPENTA, and 10-noded CTETRA should be used in such situations. See Example 1: Rubber
Bushing Problem.

Even though the fully nonlinear elements are defined using the current CQUAD4, CQUAD8, CTRIA3,
CTRIA6, CHEXA, CPENTA, and CTETRA Bulk Data entries, internally, Simcenter Nastran designates them
as the separate elements, CQUAD4FD, CHEXAFD (for Finite Deformation) etc., because of the different
element formulations. This designation is printed in all the output in which the elements are referenced
by name, such as PARAM,EST, PARAM,GPECT, the sequence processor, and the element stress output.

GPSTRESS and FORCE output is not available for the fully nonlinear hyperelastic elements.

The element types for the fully nonlinear hyperelastic elements are as follows:

Element Element Number in OESNL

Element Number Data Block

CQUAD4 139 201

CQUAD8 (Reverts to CQUAD4 when all midside grids 164 208

are omitted)

CQUAD (Reverts to CQUAD4 when center and all 164 208

midside grids are omitted)

CTRIA3 162 206

CTRIA6 (Reverts to CTRIA3 when all midside grids are 167 211
omitted)

CHEXA with 8 nodes 140 202

CHEXA (Reverts to 8-noded CHEXA when all midside 163 207

grids are omitted)

CPENTA with 6 grids 160 204

CPENTA (Reverts to 6-noded CPENTA when all midside 165 209

grids are omitted)

CTETRA 161 205

CTETRA (Reverts to 4-noded CTETRA when all midside 166 210

grids are omitted)

2-26 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
© 2024 Siemens
 Example 1: Rubber Bushing Problem

Element Element Number in OESNL

Element Number Data Block

CQUADX4 251 262

CQUADX8 (Grid option only) 253 264

CQUADX8 (Gauss option only) 253 266

CTRAX3 250 261

CTRAX6 252 263

Example 1: Rubber Bushing Problem

The cross section of a rubber bushing is shown in Figure 2-4. It is assumed that the frame and internal
shaft are rigid and the rubber bushing is perfectly bonded to these components. The rubber material
is assumed to be of the Mooney-Rivlin type with A 10 = 0.177 N /mm 2 , A 01 = 0.045N /mm 2 , and D
2
1 = 333N /mm . Considering symmetric conditions, only one-half of the rubber bushing is modeled
with 72 finite deformation 4-noded CQUAD elements. The same problem is also modeled with 72
hyperelastic 9-noded CQUAD elements. The grid points on the outer boundary are fully constrained
to simulate the rubber/frame interface. For the grid points on the inner boundary, only the horizontal
degrees-of-freedom were constrained, while the vertical degrees-of-freedom were tied together with
MPCs. Force is applied to the top grid point on the inner wall in the vertical direction.

Figure. Rubber Bushing

The goal of the analysis is to determine the force-displacement curve of the unit and compare it with
the solution in the reference. (Reference: Sussman, T., and Bathe, K. J., “A Finite Element Formulation for

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 2-27
© 2024 Siemens
 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

Nonlinear Incompressible Elastic and Inelastic Analysis,” Computers and Structures (26), pages 357-409,
1987.)

Annotated Bulk Data input of interest is shown in Listing 2-3.

Listing 2-3.

The resulting force-displacement curve at grid point 1301 is shown in Figure 2-5 and the original and
deformed models at a force of 800N are shown in Figure 2-6. The solution obtained with 4-noded
CQUAD elements is overly stiff for a force greater than 200N (shear locking). The shear locking problem
is addressed with the higher order 9-noded CQUAD elements.

2-28 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
© 2024 Siemens
 Example 1: Rubber Bushing Problem

Figure. Force-Displacement Curve of a Rubber Bushing

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 2-29
© 2024 Siemens
 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

Figure. Initial and Deformed Shapes of a Rubber Bushing

The model file for this example is bushing.dat, which can be found in the examples directory (see
Simcenter Nastran Installation and Operations Guide ).

Example 2: Pressure of a Circular Plate

A circular plate is 15 in. in diameter and 0.5 in. thick. It is simply supported along the edge and is
subjected to a uniform follower pressure. The plate is modeled with solid (CHEXA and CPENTA) and with
axisymmetric elements. The solid model represents a 10° segment. Material constants are A 10 = 80 psi,
A 01 = 20 psi, D 1 = 50,000 psi.

Reference: J. T. Oden, Finite Elements of Nonlinear Continua , McGraw-Hill, 1972.

Annotated Bulk Data input of interest for the wedge model is shown in Listing 2-4 and for the
axisymmetric model is shown in Listing 2-5.

BEGIN BULK
$ DEFINE PARAMETERS
PARAM,LGDISP,1
PARAM,DBDRNL,-1
PARAM,POST,0
NLPARM 10 10 ITER 1 100 +NL10
+NL10 -3
.
.
.
$ DEFINE GEOMETRY
CORD2C 1 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 1. +COR1

2-30 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
© 2024 Siemens
 Example 2: Pressure of a Circular Plate

+COR1 1. 0. 0.
GRDSET 2456
GRID 101 1 0. -5. -0.25 1 12456
GRID 102 1 0.75 -5. -0.25 1
GRID 103 1 1.50 -5. -0.25 1
.
.
.
$ DEFINE ELEMENTS
CHEXA 102 1 102 103 1103 1102 202 203 +HX102
+HX102 1203 1202
CHEXA 103 1 103 104 1104 1103 203 204 +HX103
+HX103 1204 1203
CHEXA 104 1 104 105 1105 1104 204 205 +HX104
+HX104 1205 1204
.
.
.
CPENTA 101 1 101 102 1102 201 202 1202
CPENTA 201 1 201 202 1202 301 302 1302
CPENTA 301 1 301 302 1302 401 402 1402
CPENTA 401 1 401 402 1402 501 502 1502
.
.
.
$ DEFINE ELEMENT AND MATERIAL PROPERTIES
PLSOLID 1 1
MATHP 1 80. 20. 5.+4
$ DEFINE LOADING CONDITIONS
LOAD 3 1. 3. 1
LOAD 15 1. 15. 1
.
.
.
LOAD 45 1. 45. 1
PLOAD4 1 101 1. 101
PLOAD4 1 102 1. 102 1103
.
.
.
$ DEFINE CONSTRAINTS
MPC 10 1102 1 1. 102 1 -1.
MPC 10 1102 3 1. 102 3 -1.
.
.
.
ENDDATA

Listing 2-4.

$ INFLATION OF A CIRCULAR PLATE

$ AXISYMMETRIC QUAD4 ELEMENTS
BEGIN BULK
$ DEFINE PARAMETERS
PARAM,LGDISP,1
PARAM,POST,0

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 2-31
© 2024 Siemens
 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

NLPARM 10 10 AUTO 1 +NL10

+NL10 -3
.
.
.
$ DEFINE GEOMETRY
GRDSET 3456
GRID 101 0. -0.25 0. 13456
GRID 102 0.75 -0.25 0.
GRID 103 1.50 -0.25 0.
.
.
.
$ DEFINE ELEMENTS
CQUADX 101 1 101 102 202 201
CQUADX 102 1 102 103 203 202
CQUADX 103 1 103 104 204 203
.
.
.
$ DEFINE ELEMENT AND MATERIAL PROPERTIES
PLPLANE 1 1
MATHP 1 80. 20. 5.+4
$ DEFINE LOADING CONDITIONS
PLOADX1 3 101 3. 101 102
PLOADX1 3 102 3. 102 103
.
.
.
PLOADX1 45 110 45. 110 111
ENDDATA

Listing 2-5.

Original and deformed models are shown in Figure 2-7 and Figure 2-8.

2-32 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
© 2024 Siemens
 Example 2: Pressure of a Circular Plate

Figure. Deformed Shape of Circular Plate Under Pressure – CHEXA and CPENTA Hyperelastic Elements

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 2-33
© 2024 Siemens
 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

Figure. Deformed Shape of Circular Plate Under Pressure – Axisymmetric Hyperelastic Elements

The model files for this example are prplth.dat and prpltg.dat, which can be found in the examples
directory (see Simcenter Nastran Installation and Operations Guide ).

Bushing Elements
The CBUSH element is a generalized spring and damper. Stiffness and damping can be specified for 6
degrees-of-freedom, 3 translations and 3 rotations. In SOL 106 and 129, you can specify 6 nonlinear
force-deflection curves instead of combined stiffness values. The properties of the CBUSH element
are defined on the PBUSH and PBUSHi entries. The PBUSHT entry refers to TABLEDi entries for force-
deflection curves. The CBUSH element is geometric linear only. The circulation is not updated.

The CBUSH1D element is a rod-type spring and damper, it is a 1D version of the CBUSH element. The
CBUSH1D element can be geometric and material nonlinear. General nonlinear functions of the axial
forces versus axial displacement and for velocity are defined with the PBUSH1D entry. The CBUSH1D
element is the only element which can model rotation damping. The effect is demonstrated in the
following example.

The CBUSH and CBUSH1D elements are recommended over the CELASi, CVISC, and CDAMP elements.
The bushing elements always insure rigid body invariance and they offer nonlinear capabilities.

The STRESS case control command should be used to request the element force and stress output for the
CBUSH and CBUSH1D elements.

2-34 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
© 2024 Siemens
 Swinging Pendulum

Swinging Pendulum

The solution to a swinging pendulum is calculated using SOL 129 of Simcenter Nastran Version 70.5+.
The pendulum has a length of 1.0 [m]. and has a concentrated mass of M = 1,000.0 [kg] at the free end,
see Figure 2-9. We start the analysis with the pendulum at rest in horizontal position. The free end is
loaded with a gravity induced load of G = 10,000.0 [N]. The leg of the pendulum is very stiff, K = 1.e+7
[N/m], so that the relative axial deformation is small compared to the overall motion of the pendulum.
Large deformation effects are turned on with PARAM,LGDISP,1.

Figure. Swinging Pendulum

$
$ Name: ar29src1
$
$ A swinging pendulum is modeled. The pendulum is loaded with
$ gravity load. The analysis goes through one and a half cycles,
$ starting in horizontal position. Large deformation is turned on.
$
$ The pendulum is modeled with two separate systems.
$ 1. CROD and CVISC, CROD rotates, CVISC stays in horizontal
$ orientation.
$ 2. CBUSH1D with SPRING and DAMPER, spring and damper rotate.
$
TIME 10 $

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 2-35
© 2024 Siemens
 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

SOL 129 $
CEND
$
TITLE= ar29src1 swinging elastic pendulum
SUBTITLE= demonstrate rotating damping
.
.
.
$
BEGIN BULK
$
param, lgdisp, 1
$
$ GEOMETRY
$
.
.
.
$ CBUSH1D spring and rotating viscous damper
$
$CBUSH1D,EID,GA,GB,CID
cbush1d, 108, 208, 41, 42
$PBUSH1D,PID,K,C
pbush1d, 208, 1.e+7, 1000.
$
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
$ SOLUTION STRATEGY
$
.
.
.
$
ENDDATA

Listing 2-6. Simcenter Nastran Input File for the Swinging Pendulum

We investigate two different models of the pendulum in one run. In the first model, we use a Rod
element for the stiffness of the leg, K = 1.e+7 [N/m], and a Visc element for 5% equivalent viscous
damping, C = 1,000.0 [Ns/m]. The x- and z-displacements of the free end are shown in Figure 2-10. The
Rod rotates while the viscous damper Visc stays fixed in its initial horizontal position. The Visc element is
linear and does not follow large deformations. The displacements are damped out because the viscous
damper is acting in the x-direction during the whole motion.

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 Swinging Pendulum

Figure. Displacement of Swinging Pendulum, Model with

Rod/Visc Element Versus Model with BUSH1D Element

In the second model, we use a BUSH1D element. The element has a linear stiffness (K) and a viscous
damper (C) with the same values as in the first model. In the BUSH1D element, the spring and damper
rotate. The relative axial displacements and velocities are small because of the high axial stiffness of the

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 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

element. The rotating damper has no noticeable effect on the overall motion of the pendulum because it
damps only the small relative deformations. The x- and z-displacements of the free end are not damped,
see Figure 2-10.

The example demonstrates how the answers can change if dampers rotate with the deformation
compared to dampers which stay fixed in space.

Adaptive Gap Element

The gap element is used in Simcenter Nastran to model surface contact problems. The adaptivity
is based on the subincremental scheme with the capability to update the stiffness at the proper
timing, bisect the increment when it is excessive, and adjust the penalty stiffness to the proper values.
Generally, in an non-adaptive gap element, the axial stiffness has to be properly chosen in order to reach
convergence. However, the main goal of the self-adaptive method is to relieve users from this trial and
error method and to achieve convergence on the first try. Due to the adaptive nature of the algorithm,
the adaptive gap method costs more in CPU time when compared to the non-adaptive gap element.
However, the adaptive gap method allows a user to choose a wider latitude of axial stiffness and yet still
achieve convergence. Therefore, with more experience, you can decrease CPU time by fine-tuning this
axial stiffness.

Usage

The gap element is used in nonlinear static analysis (SOL 106) and nonlinear transient analysis (SOL
129). The gap element provides point-to-point contact. When the gap element is open, there is no
contact and no friction. When the gap element is closed, there are three different conditions. The first
case is when the gap is sliding (no friction). The second case occurs when the gap element is sticking
(static friction). The third case occurs when the gap element is slipping (kinetic friction). Sometimes, it
may be difficult to converge because of the switching among these conditions.

Limitations

One of the contact surfaces should not rotate by a large angle because the gap element orientation is
not updated for large rotations.

How to Use the CGAP and PGAP Bulk Data Entries

Often a mistake is made in the orientation of the gap element, which is defined through G0 or X1, X2,
and X3. If the grid points GA and GB are not coincident, then line AB is the element x-axis and the
orientation vector lies in the X-Y plane. The use of coincident grid points is not recommended.

On the PGAP Bulk Data entry, U0 and F0 are the initial gap opening and the preload, respectively. U0 is
the separation of the gap element. If you are unsure about what preload to use, use the default value
of zero. KA, KB, and KT are called the penalty values. KA is the axial stiffness when the gap is closed,
KB is the axial stiffness when the gap is open, and the KT is the transverse gap stiffness. All you need to
input is the KA value. KB is defaulted to be zero, and KT is defaulted as a function of KA. The selection
of KA or a penalty value is critical to the convergence of the problem. The non-adaptive gap does not

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 Output

update this KA value. The new adaptive gap updates this KA value if you specify a positive value for
TMAX. The default option for the new adaptive gap is NO adaptive stiffness update. This is when the
TMAX value is equal to 0.0. If TMAX is a negative number, then Simcenter Nastran uses the non-adaptive
gap formulation. A good initial KA selection is roughly 1000 times the Young's modulus of the material
that is in the neighborhood of the gap element.

Fields 8 and 9 also require some explanation. For the new adaptive value this is MU1, which is the
static coefficient of friction, and MU2, which is the dynamic coefficient of friction. The non-adaptive
gap elements use MUY and MUZ in the same fields instead of MU1 and MU2 values. Therefore, to
compare the results using adaptive and non-adaptive gap elements, set both of these entries to the
same values. On most problems, you will not know how to estimate the penetration depth or field 2 on
the continuation entry. Therefore, if you skip the continuation entry, the default new adaptive gap is
obtained, which is everything adaptive except the KA update.

The recommended allowable penetration of TMAX is 10 percent of the thickness for the shell element,
and for the solid element it is roughly 1/10,000 of the characteristic length for the problem. A small
positive value will turn on the adaptive stiffness update, which will then converge at a faster rate.

The maximum adjustment ratio or MAR in field 3 of the continuation entry is used only for the penalty
value adjustment of the adaptive gap element. The default value of 100 is sufficient for most problems.

Output

The gap element output is obtained by the STRESS output request in the Case Control. An example
of the gap output format is shown in Listing 2-7. The load step is 1.95 on the top left-hand corner.
The digit on the left-hand side of the decimal indicates that subcase 1 is completed. The digits on the
right-hand side of the decimal point indicate that 95 percent of subcase 2 is completed. The far left
column lists the gap element numbers. The second column provides the forces in the axial direction
of the gap element. The third and the fourth columns represent forces in the Y and Z direction. These
forces should be zero if the gap is in the open position. Columns 5 to 9 represent the displacements of
the gap in its element coordinate system. The last column indicates the status of the gap. This status can
be “open”, “stick”, or “slip”.

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 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

Listing 2-7. Sample of CGAP Output

Example: Hertz Contact Stress

Hertz contact stress is a well known problem arising in the contact of a wheel and a rail. To guard
against the possibility of surface failure, it is necessary to calculate the stress that results from loading
one body against another. The gap element is used to model the point-to-point contact phenomenon. In
this case, the gap element represents the contact surface. The Hertz contact stress problem considered
here is a nonlinear static analysis using SOL 106.

Modeling Techniques

For the static analysis, a symmetric half of a 10-degree sector of the sphere is modeled by CHEXA and
CPENTA elements with axisymmetric boundary conditions as shown in Figure 2-11. Contact with a rigid
plane is simulated by adaptive gap elements.

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 Modeling Techniques

Figure. Hertz Contact Stress

Uniform vertical displacement of the symmetric plane is maintained by constraining the vertical
movement of all the nodes on the top plane by MPC relations at the center line. The radius of the sphere
is 8 inches, Young's modulus is 1000 psi, and Poisson's ratio is 0.3. The static analysis is performed in
17 increments up to the maximum loading. The characteristic length of the problem is the diameter of
the sphere, i.e., 16 inches. Therefore, the TMAX value is 16/10000, or 0.0016. The initial KA or axial gap
stiffness is selected to be 1000 times Young's modulus. These values are inserted in the PGAP entry as
shown in Table2-13.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
$ EID PID GA GB X1 X2 X3
CGAP 2001 1 105 301 1. 0. 0.

$ PID U0 F0 KA KB KT MU1 MU2

PGAP 1 .022 1.+6 .3 .3 +
$ TMAX MAR TRMIN
+ 0.0016

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 2. Elements for Nonlinear Analysis

Table. Partial Input Data

$ TMAX MAR TRMIN
+ 0.0016

Discussion of Results

The objective of this example is to demonstrate that the adaptive features of the gap element allows
you to use a wider range of KA values, and still get good results. Figure 2-12 shows that the if the
adaptive features of gap element are used, good results are obtained for KA values ranging from 1.0E1
to 1.0E6. If adaptive features are not used, good results are obtained for KA values between1.0E3 and
1.0E5. For KA values higher than 1.0E5 non-adaptive gap element failed to converge, and below 1.0E3,
the accuracy decreased.

Figure. Comparison of Axial Stiffness Values

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 3. Material and Geometric Nonlinearity
Overview of Material Nonlinearity
Material nonlinearity becomes an issue in your analysis if the stress-strain relationship is nonlinear.
Constitutive equations characterize the macroscopic behavior of the material, which stems from its
microscopic constitution. All engineering materials are inherently nonlinear. However, it isn’t feasible
to characterize a nonlinear material by a single set of equations for the entire range of environmental
conditions, such as loading, temperature, and rate of deformation. Depending on the application or the
situation, the material behavior may be idealized or simplified to account for certain effects, which are
important in the analysis.

The linear elastic (Hookean) material is the simplest case of all. As the strain exceeds the infinitesimal
range, the material exhibits nonlinear behavior:

• Nonlinear elastic behavior if it is recoverable

• Plastic behavior if it is irrecoverable

In Simcenter Nastran, you can use the following types of nonlinear materials:

• Nonlinear elastic

• Hyperelastic

• Elastic-plastic

• Visco-elastic

• Temperature dependent

Nonlinear Elastic Material

Typical stress-strain relationship for a nonlinear elastic material is shown in Figure 3-1. Notice that both
the loading and unloading occur along the same path.

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 3-1
© 2024 Siemens
 3. Material and Geometric Nonlinearity

Figure. Nonlinear Elastic Material

The nonlinear elastic theory implemented is useful to predict multiaxial stress state for materials for
which only the tension and compression stress-strain data is available. The stress-strain data in tension
may be different from that in compression.

The theory implemented in Simcenter Nastran is adequate only for small strains (less than 20%) in
multiaxial stress state as it is not based on the classical theory of finite elasticity. For large strains in
multiaxial state, you should use a hyperelastic material instead.

Defining Nonlinear Elastic Materials in Simcenter Nastran

In Simcenter Nastran, you can perform nonlinear elastic material analyses using isotropic materials.
To define the material properties for a nonlinear elastic analysis, use the MAT1 bulk data entry in
conjunction with the MATS1 and TABLES1 entries to define the stress-dependent material properties. On
the MATS1 entry, when you’re creating a nonlinear elastic material, use field 4 to set the TYPE option to
NLELAST.

See Also

• “MAT1” in the Simcenter Nastran Quick Reference Guide

• “MATS1” in the Simcenter Nastran Quick Reference Guide

• “TABLES1” in the Simcenter Nastran Quick Reference Guide

Hyperelastic Material
You use the hyperelastic material model to analyze elastomers up to a large strain. Elastomers are
natural or synthetic rubberlike materials that have the ability to undergo deformation under the

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 Hyperelastic Material

influence of a force and regain their original shape once the force is removed (unless damage occurs).
They are used extensively in many industries, because of their wide availability and low cost. For
example, in the automotive industry, hyperelastic materials would be used to model parts such as
o-rings, bushings, gaskets, seals, rubber boots, and tires.

The hyperelastic constitutive model available in Simcenter Nastran is based on a generalized Rivlin strain
energy function expressed as follows:

Equation 3-1.

where

Ī1 first distortional strain invariant

Ī2 second distortional strain invariant

Aij material constants related to shear deformation (distortion)

Di material constants related to volumetric deformation

T current temperature

T0 initial temperature

The strain energy function is a potential for the stresses. For example, the Cauchy stresses; i.e.,
components of the stress vector

where dA is an infinitesimal area in the deformed configuration and P is the force, are obtained as
follows:

Equation 3-2.

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 3-3
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 3. Material and Geometric Nonlinearity

where

F = dx/dX deformation gradient

x position of a material point in the deformed configuration

X position of a material point in the deformed configuration

C=FTF is the right Cauchy-Green deformation tensor; J =detF is the volume ratio dV/dV0; and Ī1 and Ī2 are
the first and second distortional strain invariants,

Equation 3-3.

where

are principal stretches l/l0 of the distortional deformation; l is the current and l0 is the original length
along a principal direction;

are principal values of

αv is the volumetric coefficient of thermal expansion; αv = 3α, where α is the coefficient of linear thermal
expansion of an isotropic material; T is the current and T0 is the initial temperature.

The use of a strain energy function implies isotropy in the undeformed configuration. The model can
have up to 25 material constants.

Special Cases of the Material Law

Special cases of the material law are:

• Mooney-Rivlin material

• Neo-Hookean material

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 Mooney-Rivlin Material

Mooney-Rivlin Material

With Mooney-Rivlin materials:

Na = 1

It is a two parameter model that results in a constant shear modulus G.

Neo-Hookean Material

With New-Hookean materials:

Na = 1, A01 = 0.0

It is a one parameter model that results in a constant shear modulus G.

Defining Hyperelastic Materials in Simcenter Nastran

You use the MATHP material bulk data entry to define a hyperelastic material. The MATHP entry consists
of five continuation entries that define the Aij and Di material constants of the strain energy function.
The continuation entries are not required if you’re modeling a Neo-Hookean or a Mooney-Rivlin material.

You specify the order of the strain energy polynomial function using the NA and ND fields of the MATHP
entry for the distortional and volumetric parts, respectively.

If you don’t know the values for the material constants, you can use the curve-fitting algorithm to
determine them from experimental data.

Using the Curve Fitting Algorithm to Determine Material Constants

Simcenter Nastran has a curve-fitting algorithm based on least squares fitting that lets you determine
the material constants Aij and Di based on experimental data up to the fifth-order polynomial form (Na
and/or Nd up to 5). To initiate the curve-fitting algorithm, enter either TAB1, TAB2, TAB3, TAB4, or TABD
in the sixth continuation entry of the MATP bulk data entry. These TABi fields reference experimental
data that is contained in TABLES1 entries.

Simcenter Nastran uses TAB1, TAB2, TAB3, and TAB4 to obtain the material constants Aij. Simcenter
Nastran uses the TABD option (volumetric compression) to obtain the material constants Di. In obtaining
the material constants, the software takes compressibility into account, in the case of simple tension/
compression and equibiaxial tension, when the volumetric part of the strain energy function is of the
order of one.

Once the curve-fitting algorithm computes the material constant, it prints the results in an updated
MATHP entry image in the output file. The image is printed using a 16-character field. This allows you
to directly input the produced MATHP entry into a data file in large-field format. An example of the
produced output is shown in the listing Example: Curve-Fitting Algorithm.

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 3. Material and Geometric Nonlinearity

Simple Tension/Compression (TAB1 Option)

The simple tension/compression test is characterized by a prescribed axial force or displacement. X

values in the TABLES1 entry which contains experimental data must be stretch ratios l/l0. Y values must
be values of the engineering stress F/A0.

Equibiaxial Tension (TAB2 Option)

The equibiaxial tension test is characterized by prescribed equal tensile stresses or elongations in two
directions and is typically produced by the pressure of a spherical membrane. X values in the TABLES1
entry which contains experimental data must be stretch ratios l/l0. Y values must be values of the
engineering stress F/A0, l = current length, F = current value of the force, l0 and A0 = initial length
and cross-sectional area, respectively. In the case of pressure of a spherical membrane, the engineering
stress is given by Pr0λ2/2t0 where P = current value of the pressure and r0, t0 = initial radius and
thickness.

Simple Shear (TAB3 Option)

The simple shear test is obtained by a prescribed shearing force or displacement of a cube. This is not a
homogeneous deformation. It is approximated by one that is homogeneous isochoric as follows:

Equation 3-4.

where x1, x2, x3 are the coordinates of the deformed body and X1, X2, X3 are the coordinates of the body
in its undeformed configuration. You should be aware of this approximation. X values in the TABLES1
bulk data entry which contains experimental data must be values of the shear tangent γ. Y values must

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 Pure Shear (TAB4 Option)

be values of the engineering shear stress F/A0. It is recommended that simple shear be used along with
another test case; otherwise, the coefficients cannot be determined uniquely.

Pure Shear (TAB4 Option)

The pure shear test is a more direct way of imposing a state of shear deformation and is obtained
by a prescribed uniform stretch λ1 of a specimen, which is long in the 2-direction leaving the 3-
direction stress free, or by holding the 2-direction fixed while applying strains in the 1-direction of
a thin rectangular sheet, as in the classical experiments of Rivlin and Saunders.1 If the material is
incompressible, this results in λ3 = 1/λ1, which is characteristic of a state of shear deformation. It is
recommended that pure shear be used along with another test case; otherwise, the coefficients cannot
be determined uniquely. X and Y values, respectively, in the TABLES1 entry which contains experimental
data must be stretch ratios λ1 = I/I0 and values of the nominal stress F/A0l = current length, F = current
value of the force, l0 and A0 = initial length and cross-sectional area, respectively in the 1-direction.

Volumetric Compression (TABD Option)

Pure volumetric compression data may be used to obtain fitted values of the material constants related
to volumetric deformation. X values in the TABLES1 entry which contains experimental data must be
values of the volume ratio J = λ3, where λ = I/I0 is the stretch ratio in all three directions; Y values must
be values of the pressure, assumed positive in compression.

Guidelines for Using Hyperelastic Materials

• If the strains are small, the results of the hyperelastic elements should compare with those of the
linear elastic elements where the shear modulus and the bulk modulus G ≈ 2(A10 + A01) and the bulk
modulus K ≈ 2D1.

• Conventional Mooney-Rivlin and Neo-Hookean materials are fully incompressible. Full

incompressibility is not available but may be simulated with a large enough value of D1. However,
a value of D1 higher than 103 · (A10 + A01) is not recommended.

• When determining the material constants from experimental data, it is best to use data from more
than one test involving different kinds of deformation. A rank deficiency warning may occur in the
least squares fitting algorithm if there is insufficient experimental data. It is best to try to avoid
rank deficiency by providing more experimental data or by lowering the order of the strain energy
polynomial.

Limitations of Using Hyperelastic Materials

• In general, Poisson's ratio for a hyperelastic material should be no greater than .4995, or, equivalently,
that D1/(A10 + A01) does not exceed 1000. As incompressibility increases, convergence difficulties
and/or ill conditioning of the stiffness matrix occurs.

1 Rivlin, R. S. and Saunders, D. W., “Large Elastic Deformations of Isotropic Material VII: Experiments on the Deformation of
Rubber,” Phil. Trans . R. Soc. London, A243, 251-288, 1951.

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 3. Material and Geometric Nonlinearity

• You can’t define a hyperelastic material for a small strain element. For example, a hyperelastic
material can’t be referenced by a PSHELL or PSOLID Bulk Data entry.

• Simcenter Nastran doesn’t support temperature dependence of the hyperelastic material constants.

Example: Curve-Fitting Algorithm

An example created to solve a fully nonlinear (finite deformation) CQUAD4 element under pure shear
with material constants obtained from the simultaneous fitting of experimental data in simple tension,
equibiaxial tension, and pure shear. Annotated Bulk Data input is shown in the following listing that
illustrates the MATHP and TABLES1 entries, which contain the experimental data for curve fitting.

Listing 3-1.

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 Example: Curve-Fitting Algorithm

Note:
See Reference [1]. The data was discretized from plots in Reference [2].
[1] Treloar, L. R. G. The Physics or Rubber Elasticity , 3rd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1975.
[2] Ogden, R. W. “Elastic Deformations of Rubberlike Solids: in “Mechanics of Solids,” The Rodney
Hill 60th Anniversary Volume, H.G. Hopkins and M. J. Sewell, eds., Oxford: Pergamon Press, pp.
499-537.

The following listing illustrates the produced MATHP entry image that is printed in the output just after
the ENDDATA entry image.

*** SYSTEM INFORMATION MESSAGE 6410 (IFP8). BEGIN PROCESSING OF MATHP ENTRY ID = 1
DISTORTIONAL PARAMETER FITTING.
SQUARE ROOT OF SUM OF THE ERRORS SQUARED = 0.25629E+01
UPDATED MATHP ENTRY
1 1.54082 0.24046 1500.00000 0.00000
0.00000 0.00000 0.00000
3 1
-0.00375 -0.01743 0.00104 0.00000
0.00029 0.00033 -0.00004 0.00000 0.00000
0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000
0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000
0.00000 0.00000

Figure 3-2 through Figure 3-4 illustrate the curves obtained from this and similar decks containing a
large strain CHEXA in simple and equibiaxial tension with the material constants generated for the first-,
second-, and third-order strain energy polynomial functions from simultaneous fitting of experimental
data in simple tension, equibiaxial tension, and pure shear.

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 3-9
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 3. Material and Geometric Nonlinearity

Figure. Simcenter Nastran Curve-Fitting Algorithm for Hyperelastic Materials (a)

Figure. Simcenter Nastran Curve-Fitting Algorithm for Hyperelastic Materials (b)

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 Elastic-Plastic Material

Figure. Simcenter Nastran Curve-Fitting Algorithm for Hyperelastic Materials (c)

Elastic-Plastic Material
Before discussing the computational aspects associated with the various models, the definitions of some
of the commonly used terms in plasticity are given below.

Yield Stress Yield Stress is usually measured as the value of stress which produces
the smallest measurable permanent strain.

Bauschinger Effect When a plastically deformed specimen is unloaded, residual stresses on

a microscopic scale remain and influence the plastic yielding for the
different loading. If the previous strain was a uniform extension and the
specimen is then reloaded in compression in the opposite direction, it is
observed that yielding occurs at a much reduced stress. This is known as
the Bauschinger Effect.

The phenomenon of Bauschinger effect can best be described with

reference to Figure 3-5 which shows an idealized stress-strain curve of
a metal first deformed by uniform tension, the load removed and then
reloaded in compression. According to one model (which is one extreme
viewpoint), it is assumed that the elastic unloading range will be double
the initial yield stress. If the initial yield stress in tension is σy and the
specimen is loaded up to a stress σ1 and unloaded, the plastic yielding
will begin in compression at a stress σ2 given by

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 3-11
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 3. Material and Geometric Nonlinearity

Equation 3-5.

Figure. Material Nonlinear Models

Yield Function

Simcenter Nastran supports the following types of yield criteria:

• von Mises (ductile materials)

• Tresca (brittle and some ductile materials)

• Drucker-Prager (sand and concrete)

• Mohr-Coulomb (rock material)

Associated with the yield criteria, there exist yield functions in the form of

Equation 3-6.

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 Yield Function

where:

f (σ) = an effective stress, a function of the stress state

= a tensile yield stress, a function of the stress hardening.

Geometric representation of the yield function is a surface in the stress space (σ1 − σ2 − σ3 coordinates)
which is called a yield surface. The von Mises yield surface is a circular cylinder and Tresca's is a
hexagonal cylinder. The yield surface is reduced to the yield locus in the case of plane stress, as shown
in Figure 3-6 and Figure 3-7 for the von Mises and Tresca criteria, respectively. The Mohr-Coulomb and
Drucker-Prager yield functions represent conical surfaces as shown in Figure 3-8 and Figure 3-9.

Figure. von Mises Yield Locus for Plane Stress

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 3. Material and Geometric Nonlinearity

Figure. Tresca's Yield Locus for Plane Stress

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 Yield Function

Figure. Some Isotropic Yield Surfaces in Principal Stress Space

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 3. Material and Geometric Nonlinearity

Figure. Some Isotropic Yield Surfaces in Principal Stress Space

Defining Elastic-Plastic Materials in Simcenter Nastran

In Simcenter Nastran, you can perform elastic-plastic material analyses using isotropic materials. To
define the properties for an elatic-plastic material, use the MAT1 bulk data entry in conjunction with the
MATS1 and TABLES1 entries to define the stress-dependent material properties.

On the MATS1 entry, when you’re creating an elastic-plastic material, use field 4 to set the TYPE option
to PLASTIC. You can then specify additional options for the work hardening slope, yield function, and
hardening rule.

When TYPE = “PLASTIC”, the software interprets the stress-strain table as engineering stress and strain.

See Also

• “MAT1” in the Simcenter Nastran Quick Reference Guide

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 Grid Point Stresses in Solid Elements

• “MATS1” in the Simcenter Nastran Quick Reference Guide

• “TABLES1” in the Simcenter Nastran Quick Reference Guide

Grid Point Stresses in Solid Elements

When material plasticity is present in a SOL 106 or SOL 129 run, the stress and strain at the grid points
of CHEXA, CPENTA, CPYRAM, and CTETRA elements is computed as follows:

1. The strain field is evaluated at specific integration points to obtain the total strain at those points.

2. The total strain at the integration points is extrapolated to the grid points.

3. The elastic strain, plastic strain, and stress are computed at the grids from extrapolated total strain.

This method assures that the values for elastic strain, plastic strain, and stress that are recovered at the
grid points lie on the stress-strain curve of the material.

Viscoelastic Material in Nonlinear Analysis

A viscoelastic analysis lets you analyze situations in which the strain rate has a significant effect on the
material response. You can analyze the quasi-static behavior of a viscoelastic material using the creep
capability of Simcenter Nastran. In Simcenter Nastran, you can perform a creep analysis on linear elastic
isotropic and elastoplastic isotropic materials only. You can’t perform a creep analysis on anisotropic,
nonlinear elastic, and hyperelastic materials.

In Simcenter Nastran, you can model primary and secondary creep, but not tertiary creep. Simcenter
Nastran uses the Kelvin model for primary creep and the Maxwell model for secondary creep.

Note: Before you can perform a creep analysis, you must first perform a static analysis.

Defining Viscoelastic Materials

You can define elastoplastic properties to consider plastic deformation using the MATS1 bulk data entry
in conjunction with the MAT1 bulk data entry.

You can define viscoelastic properties (linear or nonlinear) in terms of rheological model parameters
(Kp, Cp, and Cs) of the Maxwell-Kelvin model in the CREEP and TABLES1 bulk data entries. Then, you
can perform a quasi-static analysis of the viscoelastic materials by specifying time increment with the
NLPARM bulk data entry (selected by the subcase) in a SOL 106 analysis.

Two classes of empirical creep law are available. Creep Law Class 1 is expressed as:

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 3-17
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 3. Material and Geometric Nonlinearity

Equation 3-7.

Parameters A(σ), R(σ), and K(σ) are specified in the following form, as recommended by the Oak Ridge
National Laboratory:

Parameter Function 1 Digit Function 2 Digit

A(σ) aσb i=1 aebσ i=2

R(σ) cedσ j=1 cσd j=2

K(σ) e · [sinh(fσ)]g k=1 eefσ k=2

TYPE=ijk where i, j, and k are digits equal to 1 or 2, according to the desired function in the table above.
For example, TYPE=122 defines A(σ) = aσb, R(σ) = cσd, and K(σ) = eefσ.

Creep Law Class 2 (TYPE=300) is expressed as:

Equation 3-8.

where the values of b and d must be defined as follows:

and

The coefficient g should be blank if TYPE = 112, 122, 222, or 212 and c, e, f, and g should be blank
if TYPE = 300. The coefficients a through g are dependent on the structural units; caution must be
exercised to make these units consistent with the rest of the input data.

The constants for the creep laws are obtained by curve fitting your experimental data. Simcenter Nastran
does not provide any methods or tools for curve fitting your creep data. You should seek other resources
for this process. You may need to fit all of the creep laws to determine which is best suited for your data.

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 Temperature-Dependent Material

To determine if a particular creep law is a good fit, you will need to graphically plot the curve-fitting
result and compare it with your experimental data.

See “Creep and Viscoelasticity” in the Handbook for Nonlinear Analysis.

See Also

• “MAT1” in the Simcenter Nastran Quick Reference Guide

• “MATS1” in the Simcenter Nastran Quick Reference Guide

• “TABLES1” in the Simcenter Nastran Quick Reference Guide

• “CREEP” in the Simcenter Nastran Quick Reference Guide

Temperature-Dependent Material
In Simcenter Nastran, only linear and nonlinear elastic materials can be temperature dependent. Elastic-
plastic and hyperelastic materials can’t be temperature dependent.

You can specify temperature-dependent properties for elastic and nonlinear elastic materials by using
the MATTi, TABLEST, and TABLES1 bulk data entries.

Note: A limited temperature dependence for creep materials is available based on the Arrhenius
equation.

See Also

• “TABLES1” in the Simcenter Nastran Quick Reference Guide

• “TABLEST” in the Simcenter Nastran Quick Reference Guide

Understanding Geometric Nonlinearity

Geometric nonlinearities are manifested in problems involving large rotations and large deformation.
The characteristics of a geometrically nonlinear problem are:

• follower forces due to large rotations

• geometric stiffening due to initial stress effect (as a result of large rotations)

• large strains due to large deformation

Geometric nonlinear effects should be significant if the deformed shape of the structure appears
distinctive from the original geometry when you inspect it visually.

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 3. Material and Geometric Nonlinearity

A more rigorous and quantitative definition for the large displacements can be derived from the plate
theory of Kirchhoff and Love, which states that the small deflection theory is valid for a maximum
deflection of less than 20% of the plate thickness or 2% of the small span length. However, this
definition seems to be a little conservative for numerical analysis. Additionally, there is no distinct limit
for large displacements because geometric nonlinear effects are related to the boundary conditions
as well as the dimensions of the structure. If the load-deflection curve of the critical point can be
estimated, the loading point should be in the nonlinear portion of the curve.

Geometric nonlinear effects in the structure involving large rotations, whether rigid body rotations or
deformation induced rotations, are self-evident. Stiffening of a membrane, stiffness in a pendulum or
snap-through of an arch belong to this category.

The motion of a pendulum under gravity is caused by geometric (differential) stiffness. Follower forces
are manifested when the applied loads are displacement dependent, such as pressure load and thermal
load applied on the surface that rotates. Centrifugal force is another example of follower forces.

Large strain effects are pronounced in metal forming, rubber and elastomer applications. In such
applications, the strains exceed 100%. Finite strain formulation is required to treat the problems in
this category.

Simcenter Nastran supports the large strain capability for rubbers and elastomers. This formulation
contains the effect of large strain as well as geometric nonlinearity. However, Simcenter Nastran
doesn’t support large strain formulation for metal forming applications. In most structural applications,
however, moderately large strains (20 to 30%) appear in local areas if there is any large deformation

Other geometric nonlinear effects are treated by updated element coordinates, gimbal angles (or
rotation vector), and the differential stiffness [Kd].

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 4. Loads for Nonlinear Analysis
Overview of Nonlinear Static Loads
The static loads in nonlinear analysis consist of a subset of the total Simcenter Nastran static load set.
Most of the relevant loads data applicable to the linear static analysis are also applicable to nonlinear
static analysis, except for the Bulk Data entry DEFORM. The enforced displacements can be applied as
loads using the Bulk Data entry SPCD, which defines an enforced motion of a grid in a specific fixed
direction. Each grid point with an enforced displacement must also appear on an SPC or SPC1 entry.

The loads are selected in each subcase by the LOAD Case Control command. The load for a subcase is
subdivided into the number of increments specified for the subcase. The solution strategy in nonlinear
is to apply the loads in an incremental fashion until the desired load level is reached. The algorithms
“remember” the loads from one subcase to the next. If the load reaches the desired level in a subcase
and if the load description is left out in the subsequent subcase inadvertently, the nonlinear solution
algorithm will begin in an incremental fashion to remove the load. The loads described below make up
the valid subset applicable for nonlinear static analysis.

Concentrated Loads

The concentrated loads consist of two categories: those which are stationary in direction throughout the
analysis and those which follow the grid motion. The first category consists of the following:

FORCE

MOMENT

SLOAD

The second category consists of the following:

FORCE1

FORCE2

MOMENT!

MOMENT2

The three FORCE entries differ only in the manner in which the direction of the force is specified. FORCE
uses the components of a vector. FORCE1 uses two grid points, not necessarily the same as the loaded
grid points. FORCE2 defines the direction of the force as a vector which is the vector product of two
other vectors. The distinctions between the three MOMENT entries are similar. The SLOAD entry is used
to apply loads to scalar points.

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 4-1
© 2024 Siemens
 4. Loads for Nonlinear Analysis

Distributed Loads

The distributed loads consist of two categories:

• those which are stationary in direction throughout the analysis (PLOAD1)

• those which follow the element motion (PLOAD, PLOAD2, PLOAD4)

Loads may be applied to the interiors of finite elements. The PLOAD1 entry defines concentrated and
linearly distributed forces and moments to the CBEAM element. However, the stress calculation for
nonlinear CBEAM element ignores the distributed loads, but lump them onto the nodal points. The
PLOAD entry is exceptional in that it references three or four arbitrarily located grids rather than an
element. The PLOAD2 entry defines a uniform static pressure load applied to the CQUAD4 or CTRIA3
elements. The PLOAD4 defines a pressure load on surfaces of CHEXA, CPENTA, CTETRA, CTRIA3, and
CQUAD4 elements which need not be normal to the surface. Since the surface hyperelastic elements
CQUAD4, CQUAD8, CQUAD, CTRIA3, and CTRIA6 are plane strain elements, no pressure load may be
applied on these elements.

Mass Related Loads (GRAV and RFORCE Entries)

The mass related loads are gravity and centrifugal loads, which require specification of mass data. The
gravity loads which can be specified on the GRAV Bulk Data entry are stationary in direction throughout
the analysis. The GRAV entry is used to define the direction and magnitude of the gravity vector in some
identified coordinate system. The components of the gravity vector are multiplied by the mass matrix to
obtain the components of the gravity force at each grid point.

Centrifugal loads are specified on the RFORCE Bulk Data entry. RFORCE defines the components of a
spin vector which is used internally to compute centrifugal forces. Each component of the spin vector is
multiplied by a scale factor.

Thermal Loads

Thermal loads are selected in each subcase by the Case Control command TEMP(LOAD). Thermal loading
which is a follower loading is accomplished through the following entries:

TEMP

TEMPD

TEMPP1

TEMPP3

TEMPRB

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 Load Combinations

The TEMP and TEMPD provide for grid point temperature specification which are then interpolated
to points within elements. For the nonlinear CQUAD4 and CTRIA3 elements the TEMPP1 provides for
an average temperature and thermal gradient in the thickness direction and the TEMPP3 provides for
temperature at points through the thickness. TEMPP1 and TEMPP3 are not available for the plane
strain hyperelastic elements CQUAD4, CQUAD8, CQUAD, CTRIA3, and CTRIA6. The TEMPRB provides for
average temperature at ends A and B for the CROD and CBEAM element. Average temperature specified
directly for an element will take precedence over the temperature interpolated from the elements
connected grid points.

The Case Control command TEMP(INIT) is required above subcase level to specify an initial temperature
distribution. The use of TEMP(MAT) or TEMP(BOTH) will cause a fatal error. Subcases that do not contain
a TEMP(LOAD) will default to TEMP(INIT), which implies no thermal load. Thermal loads are often used
to provide initial strains.

Load Combinations

Various load specifications can be combined using the LOAD, CLOAD, and LSEQ entries.

The LOAD provides for the linear combination of static load sets. The static loads (LOAD, FORCE, etc.)
applied to the upstream superelements cannot be referenced by the LOAD Case Control command.
The CLOAD entry is designed to apply static loads to upstream superelements by combining loads
defined in LSEQ entries. The (CLOAD, LSEQ) combination allows the nonlinear algorithms to apply in an
incremental fashion on the upstream superelement loads to the boundary of the residual structure.

The CLOAD defines a static load combination for superelement loads acting on residual boundary and
the LSEQ defines a static load combination for superelement upstream loads. The LID and TID field
entries point to the appropriate load and temperature distribution entries. The CLOAD defines a static
load as a linear combination of previously calculated superelement loads defined by the LSEQ. The IDVi
fields correspond directly to the numeric labels defined via the EXCITEID fields of the LSEQ entries.

The CLOAD must be selected in the residual solution subcase via the Case Control command, CLOAD.
The LSEQ is selected by a LOADSET Case Control command above any residual subcase. Only one
LOADSET may appear in Case Control. The hierarchy of the loads data is shown schematically in Figure
4-1. An example for the Case Control set-up follows:

SEALL=ALL
LOADSET = 1000
$ Selects LSEQ 1000 for upstream loads
SUPER = ALL $ Identify SEs to process
.
.
.
. DISP = ALL
.
.
.
.

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 4. Loads for Nonlinear Analysis

.
.
$ NONLINEAR SOLUTIONS FOR RESIDUAL SUPERELEMENTS
SUBCASE 10
CLOAD = 1001 $ Refers to CLOAD Bulk Data
NLPARM = 12 $ Iteration control
.
.
.
SUBCASE 20
CLOAD = 1002
LOAD = 10 $ Residual SE load
NLPARM = 22

4-4 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
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 Overview of Nonlinear Transient Loads

Figure. Hierarchy of Load Data

Overview of Nonlinear Transient Loads

The methods employed to define loads in nonlinear transient analysis are similar to those used in the
linear solutions. A single degree-of-freedom or a set of grid points may be loaded with force pattern
that varies with time. Functions may be tabular such as an earthquake or a booster liftoff, or they may
be simple analytic functions such as a sine wave. Simple static load sets generated in both upstream
superelements and the default residual may be used to create the dynamic loads. They may be scaled
and combined with other loads to simulate complex loading problems.

For special problems involving simple scalar nonlinearities, the traditional nonlinear loads (NOLINi
option) may be used in both types of transient solutions. These are useful for simulating nonlinear
damping mechanisms and rotational coupling not provided by the CGAP elements.

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 4. Loads for Nonlinear Analysis

Transient loads define the loadings as functions of time and the location. They can be a load applied
at a particular degree-of-freedom, pressure over the surface area, or the body force simulating an
acceleration. The time history is provided by the TLOADi Bulk Data entries and the static loads may be
converted to dynamic loads using LSEQ entry. The transient dynamic loads are selected in the Case
Control Section by the following commands:

DLOAD Selects TLOADi or DLOAD Bulk Data entries. Each stage of the transient solution
may be defined with a separate SUBCASE, each with its own DLOAD request. The
DLOAD entry is restricted to act only in the time defined in its subcase.

LOADSET Selects LSEQ entries. Must be placed above the solution subcases and/or in the
Superelement Subcases.

NOLINEAR Selects NOLINi entries. May not be changed between solution subcases.

NLLOAD Required for NOLINi output request.

Bulk Data entries associated with the transient loads in SOL 129 are briefly described below:

TLOAD1, Required data defining the coupling between load factors and functions of
time (TABLEDi, DELAY, or coefficients). Specifies the time functions, Fi(t), for
TLOAD2
dynamic load i. TLOAD1 defines the load history in TABLEDi format while
TLOAD2 defines the load history by an analytic expression. Note that each
TLOADi entry must have a unique set identification number.

DAREA Defines load scale factors, Aij, for each degree-of-freedom, uj requested in
set i. The DAREA factors may also be derived from static load entries with
the LSEQ Bulk Data entry.

LSEQ Generates transient load history for static loads and controls the assembly
of static load vectors to be used in dynamic analysis. Each set is equivalent
to a subcase in Case Control. It will cause a static load vector Aj to be
generated and will label it with the EXCITEID identification. This is useful for
modeling problems with distributed transient loading such as GRAV loads or
pressurized areas.

DLOAD Combines different TLOADi functions into a single set and scales each by
a factor, Cki as shown in Eq. 4-1. Performs the same function as the static
LOAD Bulk Data input. Unlike statics, this is the only method to combine
loads in dynamic analysis.

Equation 4-1.

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 Overview of Nonlinear Transient Loads

For more information, see NLRGAP.

TABLEDi, Used with TLOAD1 entries to specify general time varying tabular functions.
Since extrapolation is used beyond the range of data, you should be careful
i=1,2,3,4
with the end points.

DELAY Specifies the delay time for applying the forcing function defined in TLOADi
to each GRID point. The DELAY entry is associated with the degree-of-
freedom and not the forcing function in each TLOADi. This option is useful
for defining loads that travel across a structure such as an oblique wave
along a dam or a bump in the road exciting the wheels of a traveling
vehicle. This saves the analyst the effort of defining multiple TLOADi entries
for simple time lags.

NOLINi, Define specific nonlinear scalar loads as functions of velocity and/or

displacement. Basic analog nonlinear transfer functions are defined.
i=1,2,3,4
However, these functions do not generate tangent matrix terms and the
Newton iteration method may experience difficulties in convergence. Line
search and BFGS solution methods are recommended for these models.

NOLIN1 Nonlinear transient load as a tabular function.

NOLIN2 Nonlinear transient load as products of two variables.

NOLIN3 Nonlinear transient load as a positive variable raised to a

power.

NOLIN4 Nonlinear transient load as a negative variable raised to a

power.

NLRGAP The NLRGAP is an idealization of the contact between any circular shaft
enclosed by a circular housing (Figure 4-2). In this idealization, grid point
A represents the outer surface of the shaft while grid point B represents
the inner surface of the housing. Grid points A and B are coincident and
must have a parallel displacement coordinate system. A rudimentary friction
capability is included to account for the friction-induced torque and friction-
induced lateral loads that occur with a spinning shaft. However, friction
can be neglected, in which case the solution is consistent with that for a
nonrotating shaft in a frictionless housing.

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 4-7
© 2024 Siemens
 4. Loads for Nonlinear Analysis

Figure. Radial Gap Orientations and Nonlinear Load Sign Conventions

NLRGAP

The equations underlying the NLRGAP measure the relative radial displacement between the shaft grid
and the housing grid in the displacement coordinate system of grid points A and B. When the relative
radial displacement is greater than the clearance (i.e. when contact has occurred), contact forces as well
as frictional forces are automatically applied to the grids. The contact and frictional forces are dependent
on the contact stiffness and the coefficient of friction.

Definitions

K(t,u) Contact stiffness, function of time or displacement

G(t) Radial clearance, function of time

μ(t) Coefficient of friction, function of time. Positive value implies shaft rotation from
axis 1 towards axis 2.

R Shaft radius for friction induced torque calculation

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 NLRGAP

Equations

The NLRGAP is internally composed of the following equations. It is helpful to visualize Grid A as
belonging to the shaft and Grid B as belonging to the housing. Consider each grid to have DOF 1 and 2
in the plane of action (e.g., DOF 1 = X and DOF 2 = Y for XY orientation).

The element relative displacement in directions 1 and 2 are:

Equation 4-2.

Equation 4-3.

The relative radial displacement is:

Equation 4-4.

The force in the gap when it is open (Δr≤G(t)) is zero. When the gap is closed (Δr>G(t)), the penetration
is defined as:

Equation 4-5.

The nonlinear gap forces are:

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© 2024 Siemens
 4. Loads for Nonlinear Analysis

Equation 4-6.

Equation 4-7.

Equation 4-8.

Equation 4-9.

Equation 4-10.

If the shaft radius R is input, then the following friction induced torque loads are generated.

Equation 4-11.

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 NLRGAP

Equation 4-12.

Benefit

NLRGAP lets you model contact between two coaxial cylinders, for example shaft and housing.

Input

You use the NLRGAP bulk data entry to model the radial gap. The contact stiffness can be input either
as a function of time or as a function of penetration. In both cases, the stiffness curves are input on
TABLEDi Bulk Data entries which are referenced by the NLRGAP entry. Inputting stiffness as a function of
time lets you model special situations where structural changes over time cause the contact stiffness to
vary over time. Inputting stiffness as a function of penetration lets you input a nonlinear stiffness curve
which might be required, for example, if the shaft or housing were covered by some nonlinear-elastic
material.

As with stiffness, both the coefficient of friction and the clearance can be functions of time. The
time-varying coefficient of friction might be used where the quality of lubrication varied with time, or
if experimental data showed that the surface characteristics of the shaft and housing varied with time.
The clearance can be input as a function of time to model situations where an accelerating, spinning
rotor expands due to centripetal loads.

The NLRGAP entry can also approximate the torque on the shaft and housing due to friction. If this effect
is desired, the RADIUS field of the NLRGAP must be specified. If not specified, then friction effects will still
be included in the lateral loads as shown in Eq. 4-7 through Eq. 4-10. The torque loads, Eq. 4-11 and Eq.
4-12, will not be computed nor applied if RADIUS is input as 0.0 or left blank.

As with the NOLINs, the NLRGAP is selected by the NONLINEAR Case Control command.

Output

The output is the nonlinear loads applied to the NLRGAP grids to simulate the contact. The loads can be
recovered with the NLLOAD Case Control command.

Guidelines

• There should be mass on both grids of the NLRGAP. Otherwise erratic results and divergence can
occur. A small amount of damping (e.g. CDAMPi) between the two grids may improve stability for
some problems.

• The two grids listed on the NLRGAP should be coincident and have parallel displacement coordinate
systems.

• The friction capability is somewhat arbitrary in sign. Referring to the figure Radial Gap Orientations
and Nonlinear Load Sign Conventions, a positive coefficient of friction is consistent with shaft

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 4-11
© 2024 Siemens
 4. Loads for Nonlinear Analysis

rotation from axis 1 towards axis 2 (counter-clockwise). If the shaft is rotating in the opposite
direction, then a negative coefficient of friction must be input in order for the friction induced loads to
have the proper signs.

• In SOL 129, setting ADJUST = 0 on the TSTEPNL entry will turn off the adaptive time step. This is useful
if large contact stiffness is causing an excessively small time step.

• As with the NOLINs, the forces applied to the NLRGAP grids to simulate the radial contact are based
upon the relative displacements of the grids from the previous time step. Therefore, the larger the
contact stiffness, the smaller the necessary time steps. The smaller the contact stiffness, the larger the
penetration. Use the smallest contact stiffness possible to model the contact to the accuracy desired.
The time step may need to be decreased by 10 times or more compared to the same model without
NLRGAPs and NOLINs.

• The NLRGAP is based upon small displacement theory. Therefore, for most accurate results, especially
with respect to friction induced torque, the clearance should be small relative to the housing
diameter. The friction induced torque applied to grids A and B will be equal and opposite in direction.

Limitations

• The NLRGAP can only be positioned in the XY, YZ or ZX plane of the displacement coordinates of the
referenced grids.

• The DOF in the plane of the NLRGAP must be in the d-set. This means that these DOF cannot be
constrained by SPCs or be dependent DOF on MPCs and RBE type elements.

• The NLRGAP can only be used in SOLution sequences 109 and 129.

A diagram of input data linkages is shown in Figure 4-3. The general form of the transient load, Pkj, for
each degree-of-freedom, uj, is:

Equation 4-13.

where the factors are defined by various Bulk Data entries as shown in Figure 4-4.

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 NLRGAP

Figure. Dynamic Loads for Transient Analysis

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 4-13
© 2024 Siemens
 4. Loads for Nonlinear Analysis

Figure. Example of Combining Loads

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types
Overview of Nonlinear Analysis Types
Simcenter Nastran:provides the following types of basic nonlinear analysis capabilities:

• 3-D slide line contact

• nonlinear static

• nonlinear buckling

• nonlinear modal

• nonlinear transient response

• nonlinear analysis with superelements

3-D Slide Line Contact Analysis

Slide line contact lets you model interactions between two deformable bodies. One of the deformable
bodies is called the target and the other is called the source. The modeling of interaction requires that
you define contact regions in terms of slide lines. You may specify as many slide lines as you need.

A slide line contact region consists of a target line and a source line as shown in Figure 5-1. A target
line is a list of grid points in the topological order on the target body. A source line is a list of grid
points in the topological order on the source body. The grid points on the target line are called the target
nodes, and on the source line are called the source nodes. A line segment joining two consecutive target
nodes is called a target segment. Thus a target line, in general, consists of number of target segments.
A minimum of one target segment consisting of two target nodes are required for the target line. Similar
to target line, a source line, in general, consist of a number of source segments. However, a source line
may not have any source segments; it may have just one source node.

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 5-1
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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

Figure. Typical Slideline Contact Region

Note:
• Arrows show positive direction frorn ordering nodes, counterclockwise from target line to
source line.

• X-Y plane is the slideline plane. unit normal in the Z-direction is the slideline plane vector.

• Source and target segment normals must face each other; i.e. the normals must be in the
opposite direction.

The target and the source nodes in a contact region must lie in a plane called the slide line plane. The
slide line plane is defined by a vector normal to the plane called the slide line plane vector. The target
and source can have large relative motions within the slide line plane. However, relative motion outside
the slide line plane are ignored, therefore, must be small compared to a typical target segment. Thus,
slide line contact is ideal for modelling interactions between two bodies which may come in contact in
specific planes. Simcenter Nastran checks to make sure that in the initial geometry all the nodes of a
contact region lie in the slide line plane. However, no such check is made during analysis.

In general, contact is determined only for source nodes and the target line. This may result in target
nodes penetrating the source line. However, the error involved depends only on the mesh discretization.
At the expense of increase in CPU cost, a user may wish to determine contact between target nodes
and the source line in addition to determining contact between source nodes and the target line. This is
called symmetric penetration. Thus, for symmetric penetration, no distinction is made between source
and target.

To determine contact between the source nodes and the target line, a local coordinate system is created
for each target segment. The tangent direction for the target segment is given by the vector from its
first node to the second node. Remember that the target nodes are specified in the topological order.

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 3-D Slide Line Contact Analysis

The normal direction to the target segment is determined by the cross product between the slide line
plane vector and the tangent vector. This normal direction must point from target line to the source line.
This is because Simcenter Nastran determines the contact between source nodes and the target line by
measuring how close the source nodes are to the target segment in this normal direction.

For symmetric penetration, similar to the target segments, tangent and normal directions are also
defined for source segments. Now, the normals of target segments and source segments must face each
other as shown in Figure 5-1. This is generally accomplished by traversing form target line to source line
in a counter-clockwise fashion, or clockwise fashion depending on whether the slideline plane vector
forms a right hand or a left hand coordinate system with the slide line plane. It is your responsibility to
make sure that the normals face each other. Simcenter Nastran checks indirectly to make sure that the
normals face each other by calculating the initial gap between the two bodies. However, this is not a
foolproof check, especially when there is no initial clearance.

Initial penetration between the two bodies is not allowed. The initial gaps between the source nodes
and the target line are calculated based on the coordinates specified for the source and the target nodes.
Thus, if there is no initial gap, Simcenter Nastran may calculate initial penetration if the coordinates
are not specified accurately. To avoid having you calculate the coordinates very accurately, Simcenter
Nastran adjusts the coordinates automatically and issues a warning message if the initial penetration of
a source node is less than ten percent of the length of the target segment to which it projects. However,
if the initial penetration is larger then ten percent, the analysis is terminated and a fatal message is
issued. Sometimes, the analysis may be terminated with this message even though there is a large initial
gap between the two bodies. This implies that the normals of target or source segments are not pointing
in the correct direction.

Once a contact between a node and a body is detected, a three node slide line element as shown in
Figure 5-2 is automatically created. The first node of this element is the source node and the last two
nodes are the target nodes of the target segment with which the source node is in contact. The source
node is forced to slide on the target line after contact and must remain on the target line until a tensile
force develops.

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 5-3
© 2024 Siemens
 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

Figure. Geometry and Definition of a Typical Three Node Slide Line Element

In Simcenter Nastran the contact and traction forces/stresses are always associated with source nodes. In
order to compute the contact and traction stresses, an area is associated with each source node, based
on the contributory length and the width/thickness from the adjacent source segments. Therefore, you
need to specify widths associated with source line in a three dimensional model or thickness associated
with source line in a two dimensional model.

5-4 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
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 Diagnostic Output

You can request to output results for any number of source nodes in any number of slide line contact
regions. The output for a source node consists of (a) the slide line contact region identification number,
(b) the target segment to which it projects, (c) the parametric surface coordinate to identify the exact
projection of source node relative to the two target nodes of the target segment, (d) contact and
tangential forces and stresses in the element coordinate system, and (e) a slip ratio to indicate whether
the source node is sticking, slipping or sliding. The slip ratio is defined as the (shear force)/(coefficient of
function * normal force). Thus, a ratio of 0. indicates no shear or no contact. A slip ratio of 1. indicates
slipping. A value between 0. and 1. is a normalized value which indicates how close the value of the
shear force is to impending slipping.

The slide line contact formulation is based on the penalty method which uses an artificial stiffness
value. However, you don’t need to provide penalty values. Simcenter Nastran automatically calculates
the appropriate numbers. You have the option to scale the calculated penalty values. It is possible that
the automatically calculated penalty values, may sometimes, cause convergence difficulties. However,
you can overcome the convergence problems by restarting the analysis from any previous converged
solution and scaling down the penalty values. Generally, it is recommended to scale down the penalty
values by one order of magnitude at a time.

Diagnostic Output

Diagnostic output related to 3-D slide line contact can be obtained by setting the executive control
statement DIAG to35.

DIAG 35 Prints current coordinates of contact node and other information associated with
source nodes to debug slide line contact algorithm for each iteration for slide line
contact.

Limitations

The slide line capability is only available for SOL 106 and SOL 129. For all other solution sequences all
the Bulk Data entries and Case Control commands related to slide line contact are ignored.

Contact stress or force for any source node could be plotted using XYPLOT BOUT RESP command. The
grid ID is the source node external grid ID. However, the source node requested for plotting must also be
requested for printout via the BOUTPUT Case Control command.

Defining 3D Slideline Contact in the Input File

Table 5-2 shows how the slideline input data is given to Simcenter Nastran through executive and case
control as well as the bulk data entries. For a complete list of these input entries, see the Simcenter
Nastran Quick Reference Guide .

Table. Simcenter Nastran Input for Nonlinear Slideline Contact

Simcenter Nastran Input for Nonlinear Slideline Contact

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

Slideline Input Simcenter Nastran Input

Analysis Type and Diagnostics Executive Control Parameters:

Request

• Nonlinear Statics • SOL 106

• Nonlinear Dynamics • SOL 129

• Slideline Diagnostics • DIAG 35 – Provides extended slideline diagnostics output.

Slideline Output Request Case Control Parameters:

BOUTPUT – Selects the contact regions for history output.

Bulk Data Entries:

Contact Parameters BCONP– Defines the parameters for contact between two bodies.

Boundary Line Segments BLSEG – Defines the curve, which consists of a number of line
segments via grid point numbers that may come in contact with
other body.

Boundary Line Segments BWIDTH – Defines width/thickness for line segments in 3-D/2-D
slideline contact defined in the corresponding BLSEG Bulk Data
Width/Thickness
entry.

Contact Friction BFRIC – Defines frictional properties between two bodies in

contact.

Contact Output BOUTPUT – Defines the sourcem nodes at which the output is
requested.

User Control and Results ADPCON – (Default = 1.0); Automatically calculated penalty
Processing; Parameters values can be scaled by specifying a real value for the ADPCON.
This is useful for changing the penalty values on restart. This
will change the penalty value to be equal to a number calculated
by Simcenter Nastran times SFAC value specified in BCONP Bulk
Data entry times |ADPCON|. ADPCON is applied to all the contact
regions.

The slideline contact formulation is based on the penalty method, which uses an artificial stiffness
value. Simcenter Nastran will automatically calculate the appropriate numbers based on local stiffness.
You have the option to scale the calculated penalty values. The automatically calculated penalty values
may sometimes cause convergence difficulties. However, you can overcome the convergence problems
by restarting the analysis from any previous converged solution and scaling down the penalty value.
Generally, you should decrease the penalty values by one order of magnitude at a time.

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 3D Slideline Contact Example

3D Slideline Contact Example

An elastic sphere in contact with a rigid plane is pressed down with a uniform pressure at the top. No
friction is assumed between the sphere and the rigid plane. The analytical solution to this problem were
first published by Timoshenko, S. P., and Goodier, J. N., Theory of Elasticity , McGraw-Hill Book Company,
1970, pgs. 409-420.

For demonstration purposes, a symmetric half of a ten degree sector of the sphere is modeled by
CHEXA and CPENTA elements with axisymmetric boundary conditions (see Figure 5-3). Uniform vertical
displacements of the symmetry plane is maintained by tying the vertical displacements of all the grid
points on the top plane (loading plane) by MPC relations to the one at the center line (z-axis). A total
load of 2160 is applied at the top of sphere. Because only a ten degree sector is modeled and because
of the MPC relationships, a load of only 60 is applied at the top center grid point. This load is applied in
three subcases with five load increments per subcase.

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

Figure. Model of a Sphere in Contact with Rigid Plane

To model the contact, two slide line regions are defined via the BCONP Bulk Data entry. The first slide line
contact region models the contact between the outer grid points of the sphere at θ = 0° and the rigid
plane as shown in Figure 5-4. The outer grid points of the sphere (148, 116, 114, 112, 110, 108, 105 )
are used to define the source line. To define the target line a grid point 313 at θ = 0° is defined on the
rigid plane. The target line is defined by the lower most center grid point of the sphere (grid point 106)
and the grid point 313. Notice that the grid points on the target and source are defined in topological
order traversing in counter-clockwise form the target line to the source line (see BCONP with ID = 10,
BLSEG with ID's = 10 and 20 in the example input). This is because the slide line plane is the R-Z plane

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 3D Slideline Contact Example

at θ = 0° and the slide line plane vector forms a right hand system with the slide line plane (see CORD2R
with ID = 1 in the example listing).

Figure. Slide Line Contact Region One

The second slide line contact region models the contact between the outer grid points of the sphere at
θ = 0° and the rigid plane as shown in Figure 5-5. Another grid point 314 at θ = 10° on the rigid plane
is defined to model the target line. This time we traverse clockwise form the target line to the source
line in topological order (see BCONP with ID = 20 and BLSEG with ID's = 30 and 40 in the example input)
because the slide line plane vector forms a left hand system with the slide line plane (see CORD2R with
ID = 3 in the example input).

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

Figure. Slide Line Contact Region Two

The most important issue is to make sure that the normals of target and source line point towards each
other. The normal to a segment is obtained by e 3 × t . e 3 is the unit vector in the z-direction of the
coordinate system used in field CID of BCONP Bulk Data entry. t is the tangential vector form node 1 to
node 2 of the line in the order specified in the BLSEG Bulk Data entry.

TIME 300 $
SOL 106 $
CEND
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$ HERTZIAN CONTACT OF A SPHERE ON A FLAT SURFACE $
$ TWO UNSYMMETRICAL SLIDELINES $
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
TITLE=NONLINEAR STATIC CONTACT OF A SPHERE ON A RIGID PLANE WITHOUT
FRICTION

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 3D Slideline Contact Example

SET 333 = 103,117,124,131,138,151,152,

105,108,110,112,114,116,148,149,150,168,167
SET 444 = 106, 301 THRU 314
SET 555 = 9001, 9002
$
$ use BOUTPUT to request output for contact regions
$
BOUTPUT(SORT1) = ALL
$
DISP = 333
SPCF = 444
STRESS = 555
SPC = 4
MPC = 100
SUBCASE 1 $ 20 LBS
NLPARM = 410
LOAD = 100
SUBCASE 2 $ 40 LBS
NLPARM = 420
LOAD = 200
SUBCASE 3 $ 60 LBS
NLPARM = 430
LOAD = 300
OUTPUT(XYPLOT)
XTITLE = LOAD AFCTOR
YTITLE = CONTACT NORMAL FORCE
XYPLOT BOUTPUT RESP/108(6)
XYPLOT BOUTPUT RESP/105(6)
YTITILE BOUTPUT ELEMENTS NORMAL STRESS - X
XYPLOT BOUTPUT RESP/9001(6),9002(6)
BEGIN BULK
$
$ SLIDELlNE CONTACT related bulk data entries
$
BCONP,1,10,20,, ,,1,1
BCONP,2,30,40,, ,,1,3
BLSEG,10,148,116,114,112,110,108,105 $
BLSEG,20,106,313 $
BLSEG,30,170,172,174,176,178,180,208 $
BLSEG,40,314,106 $
$
$ COORDINATE SYSTEM FOR SLIDE LINE PLANE VECTOR
$
CORD2R,1,2,0.,.0,.0,1.,-90.,.0,+C2
+C2,1.,0.,0.0
CORD2R,3,2,0.,0.0,.0,1.,100.,.0,+C3
+C3,1.,0.,.0

Listing 5-1. Slideline Example Problem of Sphere Contacting a Flat Plate

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

Output Formats

Sort1 Output

SORT2 Output

Nonlinear Static Analysis

In Simcenter Nastran, you can perform nonlinear static analysis using SOLs 106, or 153. Modeling
options are compatible with linear analysis. For example, you can convert a SOL 101 model to a SOL 106
analysis by adding a few bulk data entries relevant to the nonlinear analysis to your input file.

These nonlinear properties and/or effects are defined by nonlinear material data (e.g., MATS1, MATHP,
CREEP, and TABLES1), gap elements (GAP), slideline contact (BCONP, BLSEG and BFRIC) for nonlinear
interface, and PARAMeter LGDISP for geometric nonlinearity.

Case Control

Each subcase defines a set of loading and boundary conditions which can be subdivided into a number
of increments. Loading conditions are specified using the same loads as in linear static analysis, i.e.,
FORCEi, MOMENTi, PLOADi, GRAV, TEMP, etc. Constraints can be specified using SPCs and MPCs, which

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 Restrictions and Limitations in SOL 106

can be changed from subcase to subcase. The enforced motion can be applied using SPCD or nonzero
value in SPC. The specified value for SPCD or SPC is a measure of displacement with reference to the
undeformed position. The enforced motion is also subdivided in the subcase like the incremental loads.
The unique data required for SOL 106 is supplied on the NLPARM entry, which controls the incremental
and iterative solution processes. The snap-through analysis or post-buckling analysis can be performed
using arc-length methods which are controlled by parameters in the NLPCI Bulk Data entry.

The load step is labeled by the cumulative load factor. The load factor varies from 0 to 1 in each
subcase. Then the load step will end with 1, 2, 3, etc. for the first, the second and the third subcase,
respectively. There are advantages to divide the entire loading history into many subcases so that each
subcase does not have excessive number of increments, e.g., not to exceed 20 steps. The data blocks
containing solutions can be generated at each increment or the end of each subcase depending on the
intermediate output option specified in the INTOUT field of NLPARM data entry. Data blocks are stored
in the database for output process and restarts. As such, the database size or the output quantities
are better controlled with multiple subcases. Furthermore, the nonproportional loading can only be
achieved by using multiple subcases.

Output requests for each subcase are processed independently. Requested output quantities for all the
subcases are appended after the computational process for actual output operation. Available outputs
are DISPLACEMENT, OLOAD, STRESS, FORCE, GPSTRESS, and SPCFORCE. However, FORCE and GPSTRESS
output are available only for linear elements. It should be noted that the STRESS or STRESS(PLOT)
command will cause the nonlinear stress to be printed. In other words, the STRESS(PLOT) command
suppresses the combined linear/nonlinear stress output only.

Restarts are controlled by parameters (LOOPID and SUBID) which can be specified either in the Case
Control Section or Bulk Data Section. Some optional parameters (ADPCON, BUCKLE, LANGLE, MAXLP,
NMLOOP) are provided for additional control or capabilities. All the superelement model generation
options and matrix reduction options are allowed for the linear portion of the structure.

Restrictions and Limitations in SOL 106

• Only CROD, CONROD, CTUBE, CBEAM, CGAP, CQUAD4, CTRIA3, CTRIA6, CHEXA, CPENTA, and CTETRA
elements may be defined with material or geometric nonlinear properties. All other elements will be
treated as having small displacements and linear materials.

• The CBEAM is assumed to have its nonlinear region concentrated at the ends. Taper is allowed but
pin joints are illegal if nonlinear material conditions are defined with the MATS1, MATTi, or CREEP
entries. Pin joints can be used if the only nonlinearity is geometric. The specification of offset vectors
is not recommended. When geometry nonlinear conditions exist (PARAM,LGDISP,1), the offset vectors
remain parallel to their original orientation when computing the differential stiffness. Also, when
material nonlinear conditions are defined with the MATS1 or CREEP entries, the offset vectors may
produce incorrect results. As a result, the specification of offset vectors is not permitted in these
solutions. However, setting SYSTEM(463) to 1 will disable the FATAL error message and the analysis
will be allowed to continue (with offset vectors remaining parallel to their original orientation). The
use of this system cell may generate incorrect results. Loading conditions that generate follower
forces should not be used when SYSTEM(463) = 1. Use PARAM,FOLLOWK,NO if follower boundary
conditions are specified.

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

• Constraints apply only to the non-rotated displacements at a grid point. In particular, multipoint
constraints and rigid elements may cause problems if the connected grid points undergo large
motions. However, also note that replacement of the constraints with overly stiff elements can result
in convergence problems.

• Large deformations of the elements may cause non-equilibrium loading effects. The elements are
assumed to have constant length, area, and volume, except for hyperelastic elements.

• All restarts with grid point or element changes must start over at the first subcase.

• When TEMPi bulk entries are used to define thermal loads, you have the following restart options:

• If TEMPi bulk entries are defined in the cold-start run only, you can restart from any LOOPID.

• If TEMPi bulk entries are defined in the restart-start run only, you must restart from the beginning
of the solution.

• If TEMPi bulk entries are defined in both runs and they have the same SID, a fatal error occurs.

• If TEMPi bulk entries are defined in both runs and they have different SIDs, you must restart from
the beginning of the solution.

• For large displacement analysis, there are two different approaches for the angular motions: gimbal
angle and rotation vector approach. In Gimbal angle approach angular motions are treated as three
ordered rotations about the z, y, and x axes. In rotation vector approach the three angular motions are
treated as a vector. The rotation is about the rotation axis and the magnitude of rotation is equal to
the amplitude of rotation vector.

• The CGAP element contact planes do not rotate as a function of displacement. The actual shapes of
the contacting surfaces would be required for such calculations.

• Since the solution to a particular load involves a nonlinear search procedure, solution is not
guaranteed. Care must be used in selecting the search procedures on the NLPARM data. You can
override nearly all iteration control restrictions.

• Follower force effects are calculated for loads which change direction with grid point motion.

• All cold-start runs are assumed to start in a stress-free condition with zero displacements and
rotations. Prestressed and pre-loaded cases must be simulated by running them as the initial load
case, followed by the desired solution subcase.

• Every subcase must define a new total load or enforced boundary displacement. This is necessary
because error ratios are measured with respect to the load change.

• All superelements, except for the residual (SE = 0), are assumed to be linear. All existing superelement
restrictions also apply here.

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 Controlling Iterations with the NLPARM Entry

• Any changes to a non-residual superelement requires the use of the appropriate SEMG, SEMA,
SELA, etc., case control request for efficient restarts (see also “Performing Nonlinear Analysis With
Superelements” ).

• Only the residual superelement has automatic output data processing. Upstream superelements may
be loaded only via LSEQ and CLOAD data.

• In postbuckling analysis with arc-length methods (NLPCI Bulk Data entry), the iteration algorithm may
jump between different buckling modes when multiple bifurcation points are present in the structure.
It is recommended to check all possible buckling modes with the linear buckling solution sequence
SOL 105 before making a run with SOL 106. You have to introduce initial imperfections (loads or
enforced displacements) to keep the structure in the intended buckling mode.

Controlling Iterations with the NLPARM Entry

The most crucial data for successful nonlinear static solutions are contained in the NLPARM bulk data
entry. NLPARM defines strategies for the incremental and iterative solution processes. It is difficult
to choose the optimal combination of all the options for a specific problem. However, based on a
considerable number of numerical experiments, the default option was intended to provide the best
workable method for a general class of problems. Therefore, if you have little insight or experience in
a specific application, you should start with the default option. However, if you have some experience
and insight in a specific problem, you can change the default values, if you keep in mind the following
guidelines:

• Computing cost for each line search is comparable to that of an iteration.

• The SEMI method usually provides better convergence than the AUTO method at the expense of
higher computing cost.

• Default tolerances for the convergence criteria may be somewhat conservative. However, loose
tolerances may cause difficulties in the subsequent steps.

• The quasi-Newton method is effective in most problems. However, it seems to have adverse effects in
some problems, e.g., creep analysis.

• The line search method is effective to cope with difficulties in convergence in some problems. More
extensive line searches may be exercised by a large value of MAXLS and/or a smaller value of LSTOL.
On the other hand, line searches may have adverse effects in some problems, e.g., plane stress
plasticity.

• The arc-length method should be used if the problem involves snap-through or postbuckling
deformation. Then the Bulk Data entry NLPCI must be attached.

The NLPARM entry format is shown below with default values wherever applicable:

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
$NLPARM ID NINC DT KMETHOD KSTEP MAXITER CONV INTOUT
NLPARM 0.0 AUTO 5 25 PW NO

$ EPSU EPSP EPSW MAXDIV MAXQN MAXLS FSTRESS LSTOL

1.0E-3 1.0E-3 1.0E-7 3 MAXITER 4 0.2 0.5

$ MAXBIS MAXR RTOLB

5 20. 20.

The ID field is referenced by the NLPARM Case Control command. The NINC field is an integer which
specifies the number of increments to be processed in the subcase. The total load specified in the
subcase minus the load specified in the preceding subcase is equally divided by this integer (NINC)
to obtain the incremental load for the current subcase. Another subcase should be defined to change
constraints or loading paths. However, multiple subcases may be required in the absence of any changes
in constraints or loads to use a moderate value (e.g., not to exceed 20) for NINC. Use of a moderate
value has advantages in controlling database size, output size, and restarts.

The DT field requires a real number specifying the time increment for each load step in the case of creep
analysis. The time unit must be consistent with the unit used in the CREEP data to define the creep
characteristics. The creep time increment should be determined properly for efficiency and accuracy
based on the creep rate represented by the creep law to be used. The larger the creep rate, the smaller
the time increment should be. No creep deformation is considered with the default value of 0. It is noted
that a creep analysis should be preceded by a static analysis with at least one subcase, because the creep
deformation requires stresses in the material.

Stiffness matrix update strategies are determined by a combination of the data specified in the two
fields KMETHOD and KSTEP. Options for KMETHOD are AUTO, SEMI, or ITER. The KSTEP field, which is
an auxiliary to the KMETHOD field, should have an integer equal to or greater than 1. With the AUTO
option, the program automatically determines when to reevaluate the stiffness matrix based on the
rate of convergence. At each iteration, the computing time for convergence without the stiffness matrix
update is estimated and compared with the computing time for the matrix update in order to determine
whether the update is more efficient. This decision is deferred in the first two iterations after a new
stiffness is obtained. If the solution tends to diverge, however, the update decision will be made effective
immediately. The stiffness matrix will be updated upon convergence if the number of iterations required
for convergence is greater than KSTEP. The SEMI option is identical to the AUTO option except for one
additional stiffness update after the first iteration which always occurs unless the solution converges in a
single iteration. With the ITER option, the stiffness matrix is updated at every KSTEP iterations. Thus, the
full Newton-Raphson iteration is exercised if KSTEP is 1. If KSTEP > MAXITER, the stiffness will never be
updated.

The MAXITER field is an integer representing the number of iterations allowed for each load increment.
If the number of iterations reaches MAXITER without convergence, the load increment is bisected and
the analysis is repeated. If the load increment cannot be bisected (i.e., MAXBIS is reached or MAXBIS =
0) and MAXDIV is positive, the best attainable solution is computed and the analysis is continued to the
next load increment. If MAXDIV is negative, the analysis is terminated.

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 Controlling Iterations with the NLPARM Entry

Simcenter Nastran performs the convergence test at every iteration with the criteria you specify in the
CONV field. You can specify any combination of U (for displacement), P (for load), and W (for work).
All the specified criteria must be satisfied to achieve convergence, except for an absolute convergence
condition, under which the solution is converged regardless of criteria. The convergence tolerances are
specified in the fields EPSU, EPSP, and EPSW for U, P, and W criteria, respectively.

Default nonlinear tolerances in Solutions 106 and 153 will vary according to the model, analysis type,
and user-defined precision. Although you can override default tolerances by entering values of CONV,
EPSU, EPSP, and EPSW on the NLPARM entry, you can apply default tolerances with a single parameter,
leaving the above fields on the NLPARM entry blank. Depending on the desired level of accuracy and run
times, various default tolerance sets may be selected. These tolerances are designated as “very high,”
“high,” “engineering design,” and “preliminary design” and are controlled with the parameter:

PARAM,NLTOL,ITOL

where ITOL is an integer value ranging from 0 (very high) to 3 (preliminary design). The default is 2
(engineering accuracy) for nonlinear static analysis and 0 (very high) for nonlinear heat transfer and
dynamic analyses.

See Also

• NLTOL in the Simcenter Nastran Quick Reference Guide

The Simcenter Nastran Quick Reference Guide lists the tolerances set by Simcenter Nastran if you leave
the CONV, EPSU, EPSP, and EPSW fields on the NLPARM entry blank. See Remark 16 of the NLPARM entry
for further details.

To use these default tolerances, leave the CONV, EPSU, EPSP, and EPSW fields on the NLPARM entry
blank. In addition, the NINC field must also either be blank or have a value of 10 or larger. There are two
reasons for this:

• In general, approximately 10 load steps or more are required for proper accuracy and convergence
with the default tolerances.

• Some users may have already “calibrated” a model as to the number of load steps necessary for good
results the “very high” accuracy tolerance.

Therefore, if you set NINC between 1 and 9, the software uses the “very high” accuracy tolerance.

If you don’t specify PARAM,NLTOL, then the default convergence tolerances are the same as if you had
entered PARAM,NLTOL,2 except for heat transfer problems, for which the default is PARAM,NLTOL,0. The
type of analysis will be detected automatically by Simcenter Nastran and the default tolerances adjusted
accordingly.

Dynamic problems using SOL 129 and 159 retain the default tolerances as described in:

• “TSTEPNL” in the Simcenter Nastran Quick Reference Guide

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

If you have a good idea of what to use for the default tolerances and/or number of increments, then you
should use these. If the problem is nearly linear, a value of NINC=1 sometimes yields acceptable results.
For small problems, you should use the “very high” tolerance option because run times are generally not
significant.

Because nonlinear tolerances depend on NLTOL, NINC (on the NLPARM entry), and other possible
NLPARM overrides, convergence tolerances actually used by the code are echoed in the output file (right
after the Bulk Data echo, if any) as shown in the following example:

DEFAULT NONLINEAR TOLERANCES

NLPARM ID 10
NINC 10
EPSU 1.00000E-03 (not normally used)
EPSP 1.00000E-03
EPSW 1.00000E-05
BASED ON
MODEL HAS GAPS AND/OR LINE CONTACT
(VALUES YOU ENTER OVERRIDE THE ABOVE DEFAULTS)

Examples of Convergence Tolerances

A very large nonlinear model consisting of approximately 950,000 DOFs was studied extensively to
determine the effect of various tolerances on run time and accuracy. This particular model did not
employ heat transfer, gaps, or contact. Results of the study showed that compared to the present
“very high accuracy” solution, acceptable accuracy can be achieved for both the “high accuracy” and
“engineering accuracy” designations. The “preliminary design” accuracy tolerances produces results with
the same general trends as other reasonable tolerances, but the answers were considered too inexact for
analyses other than preliminary design trade-off studies. The following table summarizes the effect the
tolerances for this large model.

Tolerances
Run time CPU
Accuracy Type EPSP EPSW hours Accuracy for the large model

Very high 0.001 1.0E-7 163.2 Very Good

High 0.01 0.001 10.3 5% or less accurate

Engineering Design 0.01 0.01 7.0 10% or less accurate

Preliminary Design 0.1 0.1 2.9 10% to 20% less accurate

Many test cases—including standard nonlinear QA test cases—were also analyzed using the default
tolerances. For all models run to date, satisfactory results were obtained. For those models that invoked
the new “engineering design” tolerances (because NINC, CONV, EPSU, EPSP and EPSW were blank)
results changed as expected. Typically, such changes were largest, on a percentage basis, for the
smallest responses in the model. Maximum response values experienced little change. For example,
if the largest displacement was 0.01, then displacements with values around 0.01 changed by about

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 Examples of Convergence Tolerances

1% or less, but displacements that were originally 0.0001 might change by 20% or even more. If the
maximum stress was 20,000, then stresses around 20,000 would change by 1% or less, but stresses
around 1000 might change by 20% or more. If the problem produced primarily displacements in the
Y direction, then using the “engineering tolerances” gives larger cross-axis response in the X and Z
directions than do the “very high” accuracy tolerances. Stresses behave in a similar manner. However,
deformed contour plots of most models using the two accuracy values show little or no difference. If
cross-axis responses or if stresses away from the most highly stressed regions are important, or if the
nonlinear material properties of the model are known with great precision, the “very high” accuracy
tolerances should be used. However for most analyses, the “engineering design” tolerances will often
suffice.

The INTOUT field requires a specification of YES, NO or ALL. If YES is specified, the output requests
(DISPLACEMENT, FORCE, STRESS, etc.), specified in the Case Control Data, will be processed for every
computed converged solution in the subcase. If NO is specified, the output requests will be processed
only for the last load step of the subcase. If ALL is specified, the output requests are processed for
every computed and user-specified load increment. For Newton's iteration methods (i.e., without NLPCI),
the option ALL is equivalent to the option YES, since the computed load increment is equal to load
increment you specified. For arc-length methods (i.e., NLPCI command is specified), the computed load
increment in general is not the same as the user-specified load increment, and is not known in advance.
The option ALL allows you to obtain solutions at the desired intermediate load increments. With a small
database option, the database will retain only those data blocks corresponding to the incremental load
steps for which output is requested by an INTOUT field. Then, the restarts will be restricted to those
starting from these steps. However, if the job is terminated with an incomplete subcase for some reason
(e.g., diverging, time expiration, etc.), data blocks for all the interim steps of that subcase are stored in
the database to allow flexible restarts.

The MAXDIV field requires an integer to specify a limit on the probable divergence conditions allowed
for each iteration to continue. There are two classifications in the divergence condition: probable and
absolute. The absolute divergence is treated as two occurrences of the probable divergence. When the
probable divergence occurs MAXDIV times or more and if MAXDIV is positive, the current solution base
(displacements) is retracted and the stiffness matrix is updated in reference to the preceding iteration
step. If the solution diverges again in the same load increment while MAXDIV is positive, the best
attainable solution is computed and the analysis is continued to the next load increment. If MAXDIV is
negative, the analysis is terminated on second divergence.

The MAXQN field requires an integer to specify the maximum number of quasi-Newton vectors to be
saved in the database. Quasi-Newton vectors are accumulated, if desired, until MAXQN is reached. If the
number of accumulated QN vectors is greater than or close to MAXQN upon convergence, the stiffness
matrix will be updated before the next increment is processed. All the QN vectors already accumulated
are purged upon a stiffness update and the accumulation is reinitiated. The quasi-Newton update may
be suppressed with a value of 0 for MAXQN. Details of the quasi-Newton method will be presented in
the following section.

The line search is controlled by the fields MAXLS and LSTOL. The maximum number of line searches
allowed for each iteration is specified in the MAXLS field. The line search process may be suppressed
with a value of 0 for MAXLS. The LSTOL field requires a real number between 0.01 and 0.9 to specify a
tolerance for the line search operation. The line search operation will be conducted if the error defining

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 5-19
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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

the divergence rate is greater than LSTOL. If the line search convergence is not achieved, the line search
continues until the number of line searches reaches MAXLS.

The FSTRESS field requires a real number (0.0 < FSTRESS < 1.0), representing a fraction of the effective
stress ( ) used to limit the subincrement size in the material routines. The number of subincrements
in the material routines for elasto-plastic or creep deformation processes is determined such that a
subincrement in the effective stress is approximately FSTRESS · . This data is also used to establish an
error tolerance in the yield function to alleviate accumulation and propagation of the error. If the error
in the yield function exceeds FSTRESS · at the converging state, the program will terminate the job
with a fatal error message “ERROR EXCEEDED 20% OF CURRENT YIELD STRESS.” If the bisection option is
selected, bisection will be activated under this condition.

The MAXBIS field requires an integer to specify the number of bisections allowed for a load or arc-length
increment. When the solution diverges, different actions are taken depending on the sign of MAXBIS.
If MAXBIS is positive, the stiffness matrix is updated on the first divergence and the load increment is
bisected on the second divergence. If MAXBIS is negative, the load increment is bisected every time the
solution diverges until the limit on bisection is reached. If the solution does not converge after |MAXBIS|
bisections, the analysis is continued or terminated depending on the sign of MAXDIV.

The MAXR field requires a real number to specify the bounds on the ratio of the adjusted arc-length
increment relative to the initial value. In the adaptive load/arc-length increment, the overall upper and
lower bounds on the load/arc-length increment in the subcase are defined as

Equation 5-1.

where Δln is the arc-length at step n and Δl0 is the original arc-length. The arc-length method for load
increments is selected by the NLPCI Bulk Data entry, which must have the same ID as the NLPARM Bulk
Data entry.

The RTOLB field requires a real number to specify the incremental rotation (in degrees) allowed per
iteration. The bisection is activated if the incremental rotation for any degree-of-freedom (Δθx, Δθy or
Δθz) exceeds the value specified for RTOLB. This bisection strategy based on the incremental rotation is
controlled by the MAXBIS field.

User Interface for Arc-Length Methods: NLPCI Entry

Most of the parameters in the NLPARM Bulk Data entry are used to control the iteration strategy for
arc-length methods. However, MAXLS is not applicable because the line search procedure is not coupled
with arc-length methods currently. The parameters which are applicable only to the arc-length methods
are specified in the Bulk Data entry NLPCI, in connection with the NLPARM data by the same ID. The
NLPCI entry is shown below with default values, followed by brief description of the fields:

5-20 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
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 Iteration Related Output Data

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
NLPCI ID TYPE MINALR MAXALR SCALE DESITER MXINC
NLPCI CRIS 0.25 4. 0.0 12

ID Must be identical to ID of NLPARM to be active.

TYPE Constraint type (CRIS for Crisfield, RIKS for Riks, or MRIKS for modified
Riks method)

MINALR, MAXALR For variable arc-length method, the arc-length is bounded by

where MINALR ≤ 1. and MAXALR ≥ 1. The automatic adjustment is not

activated if MAXALR = MINALR = 1.

SCALE Scaling factor for the magnitude of the load term in arc length. Real >
0 Default = 0. The constraint equation has a disparity in the dimension
by mixing the displacements with the load factor. The scaling factor
(w ) is introduced as user input so that you can make constraint
equation unit-independent by a proper scaling of the load factor, μ.
As the value of w is increased, the constraint equation is gradually
dominated by the load term. In the limiting case of infinite w , the arc-
length method would be degenerated to the conventional Newton's
method.

DESITER Desired number of iterations for convergence to be used for adaptive

arc-length adjustment.

MXINC Maximum number of controlled increments allowed within the

specified load step. There can be cases where the structure never
snaps back and collapses to failure. In these cases, the analysis cannot
be completed without bounding the maximum number of increments.
For such cases, this value should be confined to a reasonable limit,
e.g., less than 100, to prevent inadvertent depletion of the computing
resources.

Iteration Related Output Data

At the end of every iteration, the relevant data from the iteration process are printed under the following
heading. The section numbers in parentheses refer to sections in the Simcenter Nastran Handbook for
Nonlinear Analysis .

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 5-21
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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

ITERATION iteration count i.

EUI relative error in terms of displacements (see Section 3.6.3).

EPI relative error in terms of loads (see Section 3.6.3).

EWI relative error in terms of work (see Section 3.6.3).

LAMBDA rate of convergence (defined in Section 3.3.1).

DLMAG absolute norm of the load error vector.

FACTOR final value of the line search parameter (see Section 3.4).

E-FIRST divergence rate, initial error before line search (see Section 3.4.3).

E-FINAL error at the end of line search (see Section 3.4.3).

N-QNV number of quasi-Newton vectors appended (see Section 3.5.3).

N-LS number of line searches performed during the iteration.

ENIC expected number of iterations for convergence (see Section 3.3.1).

NDV number of occurrences of probable divergence during the iteration (see Section
3.3.2).

MDV number of occurrences of bisection conditions in the material routine (excessive

stress increment) or in the rotation angle (excessive rotation) during the
iteration.

Loads Overview

The static loads in nonlinear analysis consist of a subset of the total Simcenter Nastran static load set.
Most of the relevant loads data applicable to the linear static analysis are also applicable to nonlinear
static analysis except for the Bulk Data entry DEFORM. The enforced displacements can be applied as
loads using the Bulk Data entry SPCD, which defines an enforced motion of a grid in a specific fixed
direction. Each grid point with an enforced displacement must also appear on an SPC or SPC1 entry.

The loads are selected in each subcase by a Case Control command LOAD. The load for a subcase is
subdivided into the number of increments specified for the subcase. The solution strategy in nonlinear
is to apply the loads in an incremental fashion until the desired load level is reached. The algorithms
“remember” the loads from one subcase to the next. If the load reaches the desired level in a subcase
and if the load description is left out in the subsequent subcase inadvertently, the nonlinear solution
algorithm will begin in an incremental fashion to remove the load. The loads described below make up
the valid subset applicable for nonlinear static analysis.

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 Loads Overview

Concentrated Loads

The concentrated loads consist of two categories: those which are stationary in direction through out
the analysis and those which follow the grid motion. The first category consists of the following: FORCE,
MOMENT, and SLOAD.

The second category consists of the following: FORCE1, FORCE2, MOMENT1, and MOMENT2. The three
FORCE entries differ only in the manner in which the direction of the force is specified. FORCE uses
the components of a vector. FORCE1 uses two grid points, not necessarily the same as the loaded grid
points. FORCE2 defines the direction of the force as a vector which is the vector product of two other
vectors. The distinctions between the three MOMENT entries are similar. These loads are follower loads
in nonlinear and produce follower stiffness terms.

Distributed Loads

The distributed loads consist of two categories: those which are stationary in direction through out the
analysis and those which follow the element motion. The first category consists of the PLOAD1.

The second category consists of the following: PLOAD, PLOAD2, and PLOAD4.

Loads may be applied to the interiors of finite elements. The PLOAD1 entry defines concentrated and
linearly distributed forces and moments to the CBEAM element. However, the stress calculation for
nonlinear CBEAM element ignores the distributed loads, but lumps them onto the nodal points. The
PLOAD entry is exceptional in that it references three or four arbitrarily located grids rather than an
element. The PLOAD2 entry defines a uniform static pressure load applied to the CQUAD4 or CTRIA3
elements. The PLOAD4 defines a pressure load on surfaces of CHEXA, CPENTA, CTRIA3, and CQUAD4
elements which need not be normal to the surface. When normal to the surface, the PLOAD4 is a
follower load.

Mass Related Loads

The mass related loads are gravity and centrifugal loads, which require specification of mass data. The
gravity loads which can be specified in the GRAV Bulk Data entry are stationary in direction through out
the analysis. It is used to define the direction and magnitude of the gravity vector in some identified
coordinate system. The components of the gravity vector are multiplied by the mass matrix to obtain the
components of the gravity force at each grid point.

The centrifugal loads to be specified in the RFORCE Bulk Data entry is used to define the components of a
spin vector which is used internally to compute centrifugal forces. Each component of the spin vector is
multiplied by a scale factor.

Thermal Loads

You select thermal loads in each subcase with the TEMP(LOAD) Case Control command. Thermal loading
which is a follower loading is accomplished through the following entries: TEMP, TEMPD, TEMPP1,
TEMPP3, and TEMPRB. The TEMP and TEMPD provide for grid point temperature specification which
are then interpolated to points within elements. For the nonlinear CQUAD4 and CTRIA3 elements the

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

TEMPP1 provides for an average temperature and thermal gradient in the thickness direction and the
TEMPP3 provides for temperature at points through the thickness. The TEMPRB provides for average
temperature at ends A and B for the CROD and CBEAM element. Average temperature specified directly
for an element will take precedence over the temperature interpolated from the elements connected
grid points.

The Case Control TEMP(INIT) is required above the subcase level. For nonlinear static analysis
TEMP(MAT) or TEMP(BOTH) are not applicable. The use of TEMP(MAT) or TEMP(BOTH) will cause a fatal
error. Subcases that do not contain a TEMP(LOAD) will default to TEMP(INIT), which implies no thermal
load. Thermal loads are often used to provide initial strains.

Loads Combination

Various load specifications can be combined using LOAD and (CLOAD, LSEQ).

The LOAD provides for the linear combination of static load sets. The static loads (LOAD, FORCE, etc.)
applied to the upstream superelements cannot be referenced by a Case Control command LOAD.
The CLOAD entry is designed to apply static loads to upstream superelements by combining loads
defined in LSEQ entries. The (CLOAD, LSEQ) combination allows the nonlinear algorithms to apply in an
incremental fashion on the upstream superelement loads to the boundary of the residual structure.

The CLOAD defines a static load combination for superelement loads acting on residual boundary and
the LSEQ defines a static load combination for superelement upstream loads. The LSEQ assigns load
vectors to the superelements and numerically labels them via the DAREA field entry value. The LID and
TID field entries point to the appropriate load and temperature distribution entries. The CLOAD defines a
static load as a linear combination of previously calculated superelement loads defined by the LSEQ. The
IDVi fields correspond directly to the numeric labels defined via the DAREA fields of the LSEQ entries.

The CLOAD must be selected in the residual solution subcase via the case control CLOAD entry. Only one
LOADSET may appear in Case Control. The hierarchy of the loads data is shown schematically in Figure
5-6. An example Case Control Section is shown below:

.
.
.
SEALL=ALL $
LOADSET = 1000 $ Selects LSEQ 1000 for upstream loads
SUPER = ALL $ Identify SEs to process
.
.
.
DISP = ALL
.
.
.
.
.
.

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 Loads Overview

.
.
.
$ NONLINEAR SOLUTIONS FOR RESIDUAL SUPERELEMENTS
SUBCASE 10
CLOAD = 1001 $ Refers to CLOAD Bulk Data
NLPARM = 12 $ Iteration control
.
.
.
SUBCASE 20
CLOAD = 1002
LOAD = 10 $ Residual SE load
NLPARM = 22
.
.
.

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

Figure. Hierarchy of Load Data

Restarts for Nonlinear Static Analysis

Any restart in SOL 106 must have the FMS command RESTART and the two parameters
PARAM,SUBID,value and PARAM,LOOPID,value.

The SUBID is the sequential number of a subcase. It is recommended that the SUBID value always be
incremented by one and point to a new subcase. The new Subcase should contain any standard subcase
commands required.

The LOOPID is the identifier of the converged solution from which the restart is to take place.

Any converged and saved solution always gives the messages:

*** USER INFORMATION MESSAGE 6186,

*** SOLUTION HAS CONVERGED ***

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 Restarts for Nonlinear Static Analysis

SUBID 7 LOADINC 5 LOOPID 67 LOAD STEP 7.000 LOAD FACTOR

1.00000

^^^ DMAP INFORMATION MESSAGE 9005 (NLSTATIC) - THE SOLUTION FOR

LOOPID= 67
IS SAVED FOR RESTART

To restart from the above run, the restart might look like:

RESTART
TIME 10000
SOL 106
DIAG 50
CEND
TITLE = SAMPLE RESTART
PARAM,SUBID,8
PARAM,LOOPID,67
SPC = 200
MPC = 250
SET 1 = 1118
DISPLACEMENT = 1
SPCF=1
SUBCASE 1
LOAD = 101
NLPARM = 51
.
.
.
SUBCASE 7
LOAD = 107
NLPARM = 57
SUBCASE 8
LOAD = 108
NLPARM = 58
BEGIN BULK
NLPARM 58 5 AUTO 20 20 PW YES
1-3 1-3 1-7 -3
SPCD 108 1118 3 0.025
FORCE 108 1118 0. 0. 0. 1.
ENDDATA

For a full data recovery restart after the completion of a complete analysis proceed as above but do not
actually add the new Subcase in Case Control. For example, assume the analysis has ended in subcase 8
above with the following messages:

*** USER INFORMATION MESSAGE 6186,

*** SOLUTION HAS CONVERGED ***

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© 2024 Siemens
 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

SUBID 8 LOADINC 5 LOOPID 72 LOAD STEP 8.000 LOAD FACTOR

1.00000

^^^ DMAP INFORMATION MESSAGE 9005 (NLSTATIC) - THE SOLUTION FOR LOOPID=
72
IS SAVED FOR RESTART

Perform a full data recovery restart as follows:

RESTART
TIME 10000
SOL 106
DIAG 50
CEND
TITLE = FULL DATA RECOVERY RESTART
MAXLINES = 10000000
$ POINT TO A NEW SUBCASE BUT DO NOT ACTUALLY ADD A NEW SUBCASE
PARAM,SUBID,9
PARAM,LOOPID,72
SPC = 200
MPC = 250
SET 1 = 1118
$DISPLACEMENT = 1
$ ADD DISPLACEMENT AND STRESS REQUESTS FOR DATA RECOVERY
DISPLACEMENT=ALL
STRESS=ALL
SPCF=1
SUBCASE 1
LOAD = 101
NLPARM = 51
.
.
.
SUBCASE 7
LOAD = 107
NLPARM = 57
SUBCASE 8
LOAD = 108
NLPARM = 58
BEGIN BULK
ENDDATA

Note that in the above, there is no SUBCASE 9 added.

The result of this last restart will be the complete displacement and stress results output for each
converged solution saved on the data base starting with the first converged solution and ending with
the results of the converged solution at LOOPID = 72.

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 Nonlinear Buckling Analysis

Nonlinear Buckling Analysis

A simple approach to nonlinear buckling analysis exists in SOL 106 by using a quadratic extrapolation.
A similar approach to the limit point calculations was published by Fujikake. The distinction is that
Simcenter Nastran uses two converged solutions in the vicinity of the buckling point to form a
differential stiffness [ΔK], whereas Fujikake uses a converged point and an estimated data point beyond
the buckling point. To find an instability point within a small range of nonlinear domain, two methods of
idealization can be considered:

1. The tangent stiffness matrix is proportional to the external loads, which implies that the critical
load may be linearly interpolated by Pcr = Pn + λ · ΔP.

2. The tangent stiffness matrix is proportional to the displacement increments, which implies that the
critical displacements may be obtained by extrapolating from the current state, i.e., Ucr = Un + λ ·
ΔU.

It appears that Fujikake uses the first approach. Simcenter Nastran uses the second approach. Since
the tangent matrix is assumed to change linearly, the internal loads are a quadratic function of
the displacements. The distinction between the two approaches disappears in the linear bifurcation
problem.

Nonlinear Buckling Formulation

The eigenvalue problem for a nonlinear buckling analysis is approximated by

with

where Kn and Kn-1 are the stiffness matrices evaluated at the known solution points in the vicinity of the
instability.

The critical displacements upon instability are estimated as

with

Based on the virtual work principle,

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

where

The critical buckling load may be estimated as

where Pn is the latest load value which resulted in convergence, and

where Pn-1 is the previous load value which resulted in convergence, and

where λ is a linear buckling load factor computed from a linear buckling analysis in which Pn was used
as the applied load. The linear buckling analysis can be requested in any nonlinear buckling subcase, and
occurs after all of the nonlinear load steps in the subcase have been applied.

Restart is required for a nonlinear buckling analysis after the non-positive definite stiffness matrix is
detected. Since the modified Newton's method is employed with quasi-Newton updates in the general
purpose program, tangential stiffness matrices in the two successive increments are not immediately
available in general.

Nonlinear buckling is requested with the parameter BUCKLE set to +1. The operational steps are then:

1. Run SOL 106 for static analysis and create a database for restarts. It is recommended to continue
the nonlinear static analysis with small steps until a negative determinant of the stiffness matrix is
encountered.

2. Make a restart run as follows:

a. Select PARAM entries SUBID and LOOPID for restart.

b. Provide two small loading steps (below buckling). This may be provided by adding a new
subcase, skipping the rest of the increments of the subcase in which the stiffness matrix
becomes singular.

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 Example (NLSOLIDB.DAT)

c. Keep “KSTEP = 1” in the NLPRAM entry for two load steps to be solved so that the stiffness
matrix is updated for each solution.

d. Include a EIGB Bulk Data entry with a METHOD command in the Case Control Section for the
eigenvalue analysis. The SINV method is recommended for the eigenvalue extraction.

e. Provide mode shape PLOT data if desired.

f. Include PARAM,BUCKLE,1.

To provide a more convenient and versatile capability for nonlinear buckling analysis, an option for
a buckling analysis using a cold-start run with PARAM,BUCKLE,2 was introduced. This option allows
buckling analysis in any subcase that has a METHOD command specified for an eigenvalue analysis.

Example (NLSOLIDB.DAT)

The following input file shows how a nonlinear buckling analysis can be performed in a cold start run.
The complete input file nlsolidb.dat for this example is included at installation_path/scnas/nast/tpl.

ID NLSOLIDB
$
$ DESCRIPTION - ELASTIC-PLASTIC BUCKLING OF IMPERFECT SPHERICAL SHELL
$ HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE APPLIED,PERIPHERY CLAMPED
$ Material definition: ELASTIC-PLASTIC
$ Element types: CHEXA
$
$ SOLUTION - 106
$
$ OUTPUT - DISPLACEMENT, OLOAD
$
$ HISTORY - Aug-5-2009 MRG, Genesis
$
$*$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$
SOL 106
CEND
TITLE=ELASTIC-PLASTIC BUCKLING OF IMPERFECT SPHERICAL SHELL
SUBTITLE=HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE APPLIED,PERIPHERY CLAMPED
SET 10 =100,200,109,209,119,219,131,231
SET 20 =10,11,15,20,25
set 30 = 1000
ECHO=UNSORT
DISP=10
oload=30
SPC=10
PARAM BUCKLE 2
SUBCASE 1

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

LOAD=10
NLPARM=10
SUBCASE 2
LOAD=20
NLPARM=20
METHOD=30
SKIPON
SUBCASE 3
LOAD=30
NLPARM=30
skipoff
SUBCASE 4 $ SUBCASE FOR BUCKLING ANALYSIS
LOAD=40
NLPARM=40
METHOD=30
SKIPOFF
BEGIN BULK
$ FOR BUCKLING ANALYSIS
EIGB 30 SINV 0.0 2. 20 2 2
$ PROPERTIES
MAT1 1 10.8+6 0.3 +MAT1
MATS1 1 PLASTIC 1.225+6 1 2 7.8+4
PSOLID 1 1 100 BUBBLE
$ PARAMETERS
$param post 0
PARAM LGDISP 1
NLPARM 10 2 AUTO 7 30 yes +NL10
+NL10 5 20 3
NLPARM 20 5 AUTO 1 30 yes +NL20
+NL20 5 20 3
NLPARM 30 8 AUTO 7 30 +NL30
+NL30 5 20 3
NLPARM 40 2 AUTO 1 yes
$ BOUNDARY CONDITION
SPC1 10 123456 131 132 231 232
GRDSET 100 3456
$ LOADING
LOAD 10 1. 2. 1 2. 2
LOAD 20 1. 3. 1 3. 2
LOAD 30 1. 3.8 1 3.8 2
LOAD 40 1. 3.5 1 3.5 2
PLOAD4 1 10 1000. 100
...
$ GEOMETRY AND CONNECTIVITY
CORD2S 100 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 1. +C2S1
+C2S1 1. 0. 1.
CORD2S 200 0. 0. -.32908 0. 0. 1. +C2S2
+C2S2 1. 0. 1.
GRID 1000 0. 0. 0. 123456

5-32 Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series
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 Example (NLSOLIDB.DAT)

force 2 1000 1000. 0. 0. 1.

GRID 100 200 1.16315 0. 0. 0 12456
...
CHEXA 11 1 101 103 104 102 201 203 +HX11
+HX11 204 202
...
ENDDATA

The buckling analysis is requested in Subcases 2 and 4 in the example. Notice that the KSTEP field on
each of the NLPARM entries for both Subcases 2 and 4 are set to 1 to force a stiffness matrix update
at every solution step. The PARAM,BUCKLE,2 is placed above Subcase 1, but it could be placed in the
Bulk Data Section or under the desired subcases. The buckling solutions in Subcases 2 and 4 will be
different because the nonlinear buckling solution is an approximate solution based on extrapolation of
two consecutive incremental solutions. The buckling solution tends to be more accurate when these
two consecutive incremental steps are closer to the buckling point. However, you don’t know where the
buckling point is until the analysis is performed. For this reason, you may want to divide the load into a
number of subcases and perform buckling analysis in multiple subcases.

In this example, the first subcase brings the pressure load up to 2000.0 in 2 increments. In the .f06
output, the printed load factor indicates the incremental load steps for a particular subcase. Since there
are 2 increments defined on the NLPARM for subcase 1, the load factors in the .f06 output for this
subcase are .5 and 1.0 corresponding to the loads 1000.0 and 2000.0, respectively.

The second subcase begins with the 2000.0 pressure load from subcase 1 and brings the pressure load
up to 3000.0. Since there are 5 increments defined on the NLPARM for subcase 2, the load factors in
the .f06 output for this subcase are .2, .4, .6, .8, and 1.0 corresponding to the loads 2200.0, 2400.0,
2600.0, 2800.0, and 3000.0, respectively.

At the end of the second subcase, an eigenvalue analysis is performed due to PARAM,BUCKLE,2, which
results in α = 0.3240. Since Pn = 3000.0 and Pn-1 = 2800.0, ΔP for the second subcase is 200.

The critical buckling load is calculated as:

Pcr = Pn + αΔP = 3000 + 0.3240 ∙ 200 = 3064.8

Equation 5-2.

The fourth subcase applies a pressure load of 3500 in two increments, followed by a buckling analysis.

The buckling analysis resulted in α = .06547, and the buckling load from this second eigenvalue analysis
yields

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

Pcr = Pn + αΔP = 3500 + .06547 ∙ 250 = 3516.37

Equation 5-3.

If this buckling analysis is repeated by a restart run into subcase 4 using PARAM,BUCKLE,1, the
eigenvalue analysis should give an identical solution within round-off error.

Discussion

Let us return to the example list of the input data for a review. Notice the OLOAD request for grid point
1000 that is fixed in space. However, a force of 1000 is applied to this dummy node with the same
scaling in the LOAD Bulk Data as the pressure load. This OLOAD request prints the applied load for GRID
1000 at the eigenvalue solution step under the heading LOAD VECTOR. This applied load at buckling is
identical to the critical buckling load calculated above. One can use this value as the critical buckling
load instead of performing the above calculation.

There are two more ways to estimate the critical buckling load. One method is the arc length method
that can provide solutions past the critical buckling load into the post-buckling state. Using the arc
length method, the nodal displacement of a point with the most noticeable motion should be traced
to detect the peak load. The applied load at this peak resembles the critical buckling load. Another
method is to use the Newton’s method until the solution cannot be obtained due to divergence, in
which case adaptive bisection method is activated in the vicinity of the critical buckling load and stops at
the limit load close to the critical buckling load. When the example problem was analyzed using an arc
length method (CRIS), the solution went through the peak load of 3559.2. When the same problem was
analyzed using the Newton’s method with bisection procedure, the solution traced up to the maximum
load of 3540.63 before diverging due to instability. When the model was remeshed with about 100
times more elements, the buckling analysis procedure predicted a critical buckling load at 3545.43.
In this refined model, Newton’s method with bisection converged up to 3546.88 and the arc length
method peaked at 3555.72.

Concluding Remarks

The following conclusion can be drawn from this example. More refined models generally result in more
accurate solutions as the eigenvalue analysis predicts a more accurate buckling point as the two solution
points for extrapolation approach the actual bucking point. Comparison of the results confirms that the
limit load obtained from Newton’s method with adaptive bisection process closely predicts the critical
buckling load. The arc length method tends to predict a slightly higher value for the buckling load.

Nonlinear Modal Analysis

You can request prestressed normal modes at the end of each subcase in SOL 106 by adding the
following items to the input file.

• Add METHOD=SID in the subcase of interest. A prestressed normal mode analysis will then be
performed at the end of this subcase. The METHOD command points to an EIGRL or EIGR Bulk Data
entry which then selects an eigenvalue method.

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 Example (TURBINE1.DAT)

• For multiple normal mode analyses in SOL 106, the METHOD command may appear in more than one
subcase or above all subcases. In the latter case, a normal mode analysis is performed at the end of
each subcase. The stiffness used for modal analysis corresponds to the last step of the subcase. Modal
analysis cannot be performed at intermediate solution step.

• A PARAM,NMLOOP,loopid command must appear in the Case Control or Bulk Data Section to request
a normal mode analysis at the end of those subcases with a METHOD command. The actual value of
loopid is unimportant as long as it is a positive integer. This alleviates the cumbersome task of figuring
out the exact loopid.

• Add the appropriate EIGRL or EIGR entry in the Bulk Data Section of the Simcenter Nastran Quick
Reference Guide .

Example (TURBINE1.DAT)

The following example is a normal mode analysis of a prestressed turbine blade. (See Figure 5-7)
The blade is modeled with CHEXA elements and loaded with centrifugal forces (RFORCE). The default
iteration strategy is selected on the NLPARM Bulk Data entry. The software automatically updates the
stiffness matrix at the end of the subcase if a METHOD Case Control command appears in the subcase.

Figure. Prestressed Modes of a Turbine Blade

An excerpt of the input file is shown below.

SOL 106
DIAG 8
CEND
TITLE = Turbine Blade
ECHO = SORT,PUNCH
SPC = 200

Simcenter Nastran Basic Nonlinear Analysis User's Guide, Simcenter Femap 2406 Series 5-35
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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

LOAD = 300
NLPAR = 400
METHO = 500
DISP(PLOT) = ALL
ELST(PLOT) = ALL
NLSTRESS = NONE
BEGIN BULK
PSOLID 100 100
MAT1 100 1.+7 .3 1.
RFORCE 300 .5 1. 2
NLPARM 400 1 200 +N
+N 1.-6 1.-12 +B
+B 0
EIGRL 500 6
PARAM COUPMASS1
PARAM LGDISP 1
PARAM NMLOOP 1
PARAM POST 0
$
CHEXA 1 100 10000 10001 10101 10100 11000 11001
+M00000
+M00000 11101 11100
GRID 19324 44. 4.5 -.2 456
SPC1 200 123 10000 10100 10200 10300 11000 11100
+M00648
+M00648 11200 11300 12000 12100 12200 12300 13000 13100
+M00649
+M00649 13200 13300 14000 14100 14200 14300 15000 15100
+M00650
+M00650 15200 15300 16000 16100 16200 16300 17000 17100
+M00651
+M00651 17200 17300 18000 18100 18200 18300 19000 19100
+M00652
+M00652 19200 19300
$
$ PLUS THE REST OF THE MODEL
$
ENDDATA

Restarting from SOL 106 into SOL 103 or into Another Linear Solution
Sequence

For the purpose of a prestressed normal modes analysis, you can restart from a SOL 106 run into
another SOL 106 run to perform the prestressed normal modes calculation.

Restarts from SOL 106 into linear solution sequences are not recommended to the novice user because
of several limitations. The results of the linear restart are incremental values with respect to the preload,

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 Differential Stiffness and Follower Force Stiffness in Linear and Nonlinear Solution Sequences

not total values. However, some experienced users restart from SOL 106 into SOL 103 to perform
prestressed modal analysis with changing boundary conditions, or restart into another linear solution
sequence to perform a perturbed linear solution on a preloaded structure. In the SOL 106 cold start run,
KMETHOD=’ITER’ or ‘AUTO’ and KSTEP=1 must be specified on the NLPARM Bulk Data entry in order to
restart from the end of the subcase. With these parameters, all nonlinear information is stored on the
database so that the nonlinear tangent stiffness can be recovered in the linear restart run. The following
command must be included in the linear restart run:

PARAM,NMLOOP,loopid in the Case Control or

Bulk Data Section, where loopid is the load step id at
the end of a subcase from the SOL 106 cold start run.

Restarts are also allowed at intermediate steps within a subcase. The parameter INTOUT on the NLPARM
entry must be set to ‘YES’ or ‘ALL’ in the SOL 106 cold start run to store intermediate steps on the
database for restart purposes. However, the follower force stiffness may not be updated at intermediate
steps. Therefore, you should restart from the end of a subcase if the effect of follower force stiffness is
important.

Differential Stiffness and Follower Force Stiffness in Linear and Nonlinear

Solution Sequences

For prestressed normal mode analysis, it is useful to know which stiffness contributions are included.
The table below summarizes the action of the parameters LGDISP and FOLLOWK in SOL 106 as compared
to the action of FOLLOWK in linear solution sequences. In some cases, the default settings for linear
and nonlinear solution sequences are not the same. In nonlinear static analysis (SOL 106), for the
default of LGDISP=-1 (geometric linear), the parameter FOLLOWK (follower force stiffness) is ignored.
For LGDISP=1, FOLLOWK is set to YES by default. In the linear solution sequences, FOLLOWK=YES is the
default, see Case No. 3 in Table 5-16.

In theory, the follower force stiffness is unsymmetric. The linear solution sequences always symmetrize
the follower force stiffness. By default, SOL 106 uses the symmetrized follower force stiffness to improve
performance. You can use the parameter FKSYNFAC to specify unsymmetric follower force stiffness.

See Also

• “FKSYMFAC” in the Simcenter Nastran Quick Reference Guide

In general, you should use the symmetrized follower force stiffness because it gives sufficient accurate
results with substantial performance improvement.

In SOL 129, follower forces are included, however, the follower force stiffness is never calculated.

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

Table. Differential Stiffness and Follower Force Stiffness Contribution

SOL 103 Cold

Restart from SOL Start Using
Parameters SOL 106Cold Start or Restart 106 into SOL 103 STATSUB

Nonlinear
LGDISP FOLLOWK Element Force Stiffness Stiffness Stiffness

1 1 YES L+M+D+F L+M+D+F L+M+D+F L+D’+F’

2 1 NO L+M+D+F L+M+D L+M+D L+D’

3 -1 YES L+M L+M L+M+D’+F’ L+D’+F’

4 -1 NO L+M L+M L+M+D’ L+D’

5 2 YES L+M+D L+M+D+F L+M+D+F L+D’+F’

6 2 NO L+M+D L+M+D L+M+D L+D’

where:

L = linear part of element force or stiffness

M = material nonlinear part of element force or stiffness

D = differential or geometric nonlinear part of element force or stiffness

D’ = differential part of stiffness for small deformations

F = follower force part of element force or stiffness

F’ = follower force part of stiffness for small deformations

All other linear solution sequences (e.g., SOL 105, 108, etc.) have the same default as SOL 103.

Nonlinear Transient Response Analysis

The input data required for SOL 129 is a combination of direct time integration control data, similar to
SOL 109 (for direct linear transient with superelements), and nonlinear modeling data similar to SOL
106 (for nonlinear statics). The nonlinear properties and/or effects are defined by nonlinear material
data (MATS1, MATHP, and TABLES1), gap elements (GAP) or slideline contact (BCONP, BLSEG, and BFRIC)
for nonlinear interface, and PARAMeter LGDISP for geometric nonlinearity. The transient effects are
produced by time-dependent loading functions (TLOADi, DAREA, LSEQ, etc.), damping (parameters,
elements and material data), and mass properties. Massless degree-of-freedom should be avoided for
numerical stability and the small damping is also recommended.

The unique data required for SOL 129 is supplied on the TSTEPNL Bulk Data entry. The TSTEPNL entry in
itself is a combination of the TSTEP entry for direct time integration and the NLPARM entry for nonlinear

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 Case Control

iteration control. Restarts are controlled by parameters (LOOPID, STIME, SLOOPID, and SDATA) which can
be specified either in the Case Control Section or Bulk Data Section. Some optional parameters (TSTATIC,
NDAMP) are provided for additional control or capabilities.

Case Control

Each subcase defines a time interval starting from the last time step of the previous subcase and the
interval is subdivided into small time steps. The output time is labeled by the cumulative time, including
all previous subcases. There are advantages to divide the total duration of analysis into many subcases
so that each subcase does not have excessive number of time steps, e.g., not to exceed 200 steps. The
data blocks containing solutions are generated at the end of each subcase to store in the database for
output process and restarts. As such, converged solutions are apt to be saved at many intermediate steps
in case of divergence and more flexible control becomes possible with multiple subcases.

The input loading functions may be changed for each subcase or continued by repeating the same
DLOAD command. However, it is recommended to use the same TLOADi Bulk Data for all the subcases
in order to maintain the continuity between subcases, because TLOADi entries define the loading history
as a function of cumulative time. Static loads (PLOADi, FORCEi, MOMENTi) may be associated with
time-dependent functions by the LSEQ Bulk Data entry that can be selected by a Case Control command
LOADSET. However, thermal loads or enforced displacements (SPCD) are not allowed in the nonlinear
transient analysis. Nonlinear forces as function of displacements or velocities (NOLINi) may be selected
and printed by Case Control commands NONLINEAR and NLLOAD, respectively. Each subcase may have
a different time step size, time interval, and iteration control selected by the TSTEPNL request. The Case
Control commands which may not be changed after the first subcase are: SPC, MPC, DMIG, and TF.

Output requests for STRESS, SDISPLACEMENT, SVELOCITY, SACCELERATION, and NONLINEAR may be
specified within a subcase. DISPLACEMENT, VELOCITY, ACCELERATION, OLOAD, FORCE, and SPCFORCE
must be specified above the subcase level. However, FORCE output and GPSTRESS output are not
available for nonlinear elements.

Initial conditions (displacement or velocity) can be specified by the Bulk Data TIC selectable by the
Case Control command IC. If initial conditions were given, all of the nonlinear element forces and
stresses must be computed to satisfy equilibrium with the prescribed initial conditions. On the other
hand, initial conditions could be a part of the nonlinear analysis by applying static analysis for the
preload using PARAM, TSTATIC in the first subcase. Then the transient analysis can be performed in
the ensuing subcases. Associated with the adaptive time stepping method, the PARAMeter NDAMP is
used to control the stability in the ADAPT method. The parameter NDAMP represents the numerical
damping (recommended value for usual case is 0.01) which often required to improve the stability and
convergence in the contact problems.

All the superelement model generation options and matrix reduction options are allowed for the linear
portion of the structure. The component mode synthesis and Guyan reduction may be performed for
upstream superelements. The residual superelement may contain scalar degree-of-freedom representing
linear modal formulations.

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

Limitations of Nonlinear Transient Response Analysis

1. No constraint set charges are allowed between subcases or in restarts.

2. No initial preloads such as closed gaps or terminal loads are allowed in a cold start. See
PARAM,LOOPID under “Restarts” in this section.

3. Overall structure damping (PARAM,G) is not provided in nonlinear elements. Use the damping field
in the material (MATi) data entry and the PARAMeter W4 to supply damping based on the linear
properties.

4. Element forces are not computed for nonlinear elements. Output requests will be ignored.

5. When multiple subcases are specified, it is recommended that a single time function (see the
TLOADi Bulk Data entry description) be assigned to an applied load throughout the entire time span
of the solution. This time function can be used for all subcases. If different time functions are to be
used between subcases, ensure that the time functions are continuous between subcases.

6. Element stresses for nonlinear elements are computed and printed during the nonlinear iteration
phase only. They are not merged with those of the linear elements.

Direct Time Integration

If the effects of inertia and damping forces are to be included in the nonlinear analysis, the nonlinear
transient response is analyzed by a step-by-step integration of an equation of motion, i.e.,

Equation 5-4.

By direct numerical integration, the equilibrium of Eq. 5-4 is satisfied at discrete time steps with an
interval of Δt . The equilibrium is ensured by iterations until the solution converges to the preset error
tolerance.

Procedures, such as the quasi-Newton update and line search process, provide users with additional
options to adjust incremental and iterative processes in search of more efficient and effective strategy for
obtaining solutions. A self-adaptive time stepping method that adjusts time step automatically during
analysis is available.

Newmark's direct time integration method is implemented using the two-point recurrence (or one-step)
formula as a foundation of this self-adaptive time stepping algorithm. The optimal time step size, which
is required for accuracy and efficiency, changes continuously in the transient dynamic environment.
The primary concept of automatic time step adjustment is that the proper size of the time step can

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 Implicit Integration Control: TSTEPNL Data Entry

be predicted based on the dominant frequency in the incremental deformation pattern at the previous
time step. This concept presents a deficiency of time lag involved in the prediction process. Furthermore,
changes in nonlinearity cannot be predicted from the deformation pattern at the previous time step.
This deficiency is overcome by the bisection process, which is activated when any difficulties arise in
terms of convergence during the iteration.

Frequent decomposition of the dynamic stiffness matrix is inevitable in adaptive time stepping using
the implicit integration method. Efforts have been made to minimize the thrashing in the algorithm
(e.g., too frequent or repetitive adjustment of the time step size) and yet to provide a solution reliably
to any type of problem. The iteration process for the equilibrium employs expeditious methods such
as BFGS updates and line searches as well as an adaptive stiffness matrix update strategy. The present
self-adaptive time stepping algorithm for the nonlinear transient analysis is proving to be a robust and
practical method, aimed at efficiency, effectiveness, and user friendliness.

The transient response analysis capability is provided in the self-contained solution sequence SOL 129.
SOL 129 is a structured DMAP. Although this solution sequence is developed for nonlinear transient
response analysis, linear transient response analysis can be performed in this solution sequence in order
to take advantage of the automatic time stepping and restart capabilities. The core parts of SOL 129 are
the nonlinear modules (NLTRD2 and NLTRD) which perform the incremental and iterative processes for
implicit direct time integration.

Implicit Integration Control: TSTEPNL Data Entry

The input fields of the TSTEPNL Bulk Data entry specify the time step size, the number of steps, and the
output interval as well as the nonlinear iteration options. The TSTEPNL Bulk Data is selectable by the
Case Control command TSTEPNL. Although the same TSTEPNL Bulk Data may be selected by more than
one subcase, it is recommended to select different TSTEPNL entry for each subcase in preparation for
changes in the restarts.

The choice of time step size is determined primarily by the frequency content of the input load and
the highest frequency mode-of-interest. A general guideline is that seven or more steps per cycle be
provided for reasonable accuracy. Modes with shorter periods (higher frequency) will be attenuated
by the numerical process. Highly nonlinear problems may require smaller step size. However, the
adaptive time stepping capability is the vital part of 129 and is recommended for any problem (linear or
nonlinear). Nevertheless, you should use these principles to estimate the initial time step size.

A caution is necessary in using the automatic time step adjustment if the forcing function is a short
duration pulse. Since the automatic time step adjustment algorithm does not consider the loading
history, short pulses could be skipped if the time step is automatically adjusted to a larger value than the
pulse duration. It is advised that a drastic change in the time step size between subcases be avoided. The
drastic change, e.g., a ratio exceeding 1000, could cause a loss of accuracy upon subcase switch. In such
case, an intermediate subcase should be provided for a transition period of short interval to reduce the
ratio.

The parameters for controlling the accuracy and stability of the incremental and iterative process can
be specified in the TSTEPNL Bulk Data entry. The controls are applicable to the automatic time step
adjustment and bisection process in addition to stiffness matrix updates, BFGS updates and line searches
similar to those on the NLPARM Bulk Data entry. Since default values are resulted from numerous test

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

runs, the analysis should be started with the default setting and changed if necessary. The TSTEPNL data
format is shown below with default values:

Format:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
TSTEPNL ID NDT DT NO KSTEP MAXITER CONV
EPSU EPSP EPSW MAXDIV MAXQN MAXLS FSTRESS
MAXBIS ADJUST MSTEP RB MAXR UTOL RTOLB

Example With Defaults:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
TSTEPNL 250 100 .01 1 2 10 PW
1.E-2 1.E-3 1.E-6 2 10 2 0.2
5 5 0.75 16.0 0.1 20.

The TSTEPNL Bulk Data entry is selected using ID by the Case Control command TSTEPNL. Each subcase
(residual superelement solutions only) requires a TSTEPNL entry. Multiple subcases are assumed to occur
sequentially in time. Therefore, the initial conditions of each subcase are defined by the end conditions
of the previous subcase.

The NDT field specifies the number of time steps with DT as the size of each time step. The total duration
for the subcase can be assessed by multiplying NDT with DT (i.e., NDT · DT). The time increment (Δ,t)
remains constant during the analysis in AUTO and TSTEP options, and is equal to DT. However, the time
increment (Δ,t) changes during the analysis in the ADAPT option and the actual number of time steps
will not be equal to NDT. In ADAPT option DT is used as an initial value for Δ,t.

The NO field specifies the time step interval for output, i.e., every NOth step solution is saved for output.
The data will be output at steps 0, NO, ..., etc., and the last converged step for printing and plotting
purposes. The Case Control command OTIME may also be used to control the output points.

The program automatically adjusts the incremental time and uses the bisection algorithm in case of
divergence. During the bisection process the stiffness is updated at every KSTEPth successful bisection.
The stiffness matrix is always updated for a new subcase or restart, irrespective of the option selected.

The number of iterations for a time step is limited to MAXITER. If the solution does not converge in
MAXITER iterations, the process is treated as a divergent process, i.e., either a bisection or stiffness
matrix update takes place based on the value of MAXBIS. The sign of MAXITER provides a control over
the ultimate recourse (reiteration) in case of failure in convergence or bisection. If the MAXITER is
negative, the analysis is terminated when the divergence condition is encountered twice during the
same time step or the solution diverges for five consecutive time steps. If MAXITER is positive, the
program computes the best attainable solution and continues the analysis on second divergence.

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 Implicit Integration Control: TSTEPNL Data Entry

The convergence test is controlled by convergence test flags (U for displacement error test, P for load
equilibrium error test, W for work error test) and the error tolerances (EPSU, EPSP and EPSW) which
define the convergence criteria. All requested criteria (combination of U, P, and/or W) are satisfied upon
convergence. It should be noted that at least two iterations are necessary to check the displacement
convergence criterion.

The MAXDIV field provides control over diverging solutions. Depending on the rate of divergence, the
number of diverging solutions (NDIV) is incremented by 1 or 2. The solution is assumed to be divergent
when NDIV reaches MAXDIV during the iteration. If the bisection option is used, the time step is bisected
upon divergence. Otherwise, the solution for the time step is repeated with a new stiffness based on the
converged state at the beginning of the time step. If NDIV reaches MAXDIV twice within the same time
step, the analysis is terminated with a fatal message.

The BEGS quasi-Newton updates and the line search process work in the way as in static analysis except
for the default setting. The MAXQN field defines the maximum number of quasi-Newton vectors to
be saved on the database and the MAXLS defines the number of line searches allowed per iteration.
Nonzero values of MAXQN and MAXLS activate the quasi-Newton update and the line search process,
respectively.

The FSTRESS field defines a fraction of the effective stress ( ) which is used to limit the subincrement
size in the material routine. The number of subincrements in the material routines is determined such
that the subincrement size is approximately FSTRESS · σ (equivalent stress). FSTRESS is also used to
establish a tolerance for error correction in the elasto-plastic material, i.e.,

Equation 5-5.

If the limit is exceeded at the converging state, the program will exit with a fatal error message.
Otherwise, the stress state is adjusted to the current yield surface.

MAXBIS is the maximum number of bisections allowed for each time step (−9 ≤ MAXBIS ≤ 9). The
bisection process is activated when divergence occurs and MAXBIS ≠ 0. The number of bisections for
a time increment is limited to |MAXBIS|. If MAXBIS is positive and the solution does not converge after
MAXBIS bisections, the best solution is computed and the analysis is continued to the next time step. If
MAXBIS is negative and the solution does not converge in |MAXBIS| bisection, the analysis is terminated.

The parameter ADJUST lets you control the automatic time stepping in the ADAPT option. A value of
zero for ADJUST turns off the automatic adjustment completely. If ADJUST is positive, the time increment
is continually adjusted for the first few steps until a good value of Δt is obtained. After this initial
adjustment, the time increment is adjusted every ADJUST time steps only. A value of ADJUST an order
greater than NDT will turn off adjustment after the initial adjustment. Since the automatic time step
adjustment is based on the mode of response and not on the loading pattern, it may be necessary to
limit the adjustable step size when the period of the forcing function is much shorter than the period of
dominant response frequency of the structure. It is your responsibility to ensure that the loading history

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

is properly traced with ADJUST option. The ADJUST option should be suppressed for the duration of
short pulse loading. If unsure, start with DT which is much smaller than the pulse duration in order to
properly represent the loading pattern.

MSTEP defines the desired number of time steps to obtain the dominant period response accurately (10
≤ Integer ≤ 200). RB defines bounds for maintaining the same time step for the stepping function in the
automatic time step adjustment method (0.1 ≤ Real ≤ 1.0). Parameters MSTEP and RB are used to adjust
the time increment during the analysis in the ADAPT option. The adjustment is based on the number
of time steps desired to capture the dominant frequency, ωn, in the incremental deformation. The
dominant frequency is estimated by the software at every converged time step using the displacement
increment and the internal forces by

where {ΔUn} = {Un - Un-1} is the change in the displacements, and {Fn - Fn-1} is the change in the internal
forces.

Then the time increment is adjusted as follows:

Equation 5-6.

where:

r =

with:

f = 0.25 for r < 0.5 · RB

f = 0.5 for 0.5 · RB < r < RB

f = 1.0 for RB < r < 2

f = 2.0 for 2. ≤ r < 3./RB

f = 4.0 for r > 3./RB

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 Iteration Related Output Data

The recommended value of MSTEP for nearly linear problems is 20. A larger value (e.g., 40) is required
for highly nonlinear problems. In the default option, the program automatically computes the value of
MSTEP based on the changes in the stiffness.

The MAXR field defines the maximum ratio for the adjusted incremental time relative to DT allowed
for time step adjustment (1.0 ≤ Real ≤ 32.0). MAXR is used to define the upper and lower bounds for
adjusted time step size, i.e.,

Equation 5-7.

The UTOL field defines the tolerance on displacement increment below which there is no time step
adjustment (0.001 < Real ≤ 1.0). UTOL is used to filter undesirable time step adjustment, i.e., no time
step adjustment is performed if

Equation 5-8.

The RTOLB field defines the maximum value of incremental rotation (in degrees) allowed per iteration
to activate bisection (Real > 2.0). The bisection is activated if the incremental rotation for any degree-of-
freedom (Δθx, Δθy or Δθz) exceeds the value specified for RTOLB. This bisection strategy based on the
incremental rotation is controlled by MAXBIS field.

Iteration Related Output Data

During the incremental and iterative computation, the process information consisting of iteration data is
printed at the end of each iteration or time step. They are printed under the following heading:

TIME Cumulative time for the duration of the analysis.

ITER Iteration count for each time step.

DISP Relative error in terms of displacements defined as

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

Equation 5-9.

Equation 5-10.

where umax = max(||u1||, ||u2||, ...,||un||)

LOAD Relative error in terms of load vectors defined as

Equation 5-11.

Equation 5-12.

where and are three-point average values for internal and external forces,
respectively.

WORK Relative error in terms of work defined as

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 Iteration Related Output Data

Equation 5-13.

LAMBDA(I) Rate of Convergence in iteration where

Equation 5-14.

LAMBDA(T) Ratio of the load error for two consecutive time steps computed only for AUTO or
TSTEP method

Equation 5-15.

LAMBDA-BAR Average of LAMBDA(T) over the last 3 steps, computed only for AUTO or TSTEP
method.

DLMAG Absolute norm of the load vector, ||R||. The absolute convergence is defined using
DLMAG by ||R|| < 10−12.

FACTOR Final value of the line search parameter.

E-FIRST Divergence rate, error before line search.

E-FINAL Error at the end of line search.

NQNV Number of quasi-Newton vectors appended.

NLS Number of line searches performed during the iteration.

ITR DIV Number of occurrences of divergence detected during the adaptive iteration by
the iteration module NLTRD2.

MAT DIV Number of occurrences of bisection conditions in the material routine (excessive
stress increment) or in the rotation angle (excessive rotation) during the iteration
using the ADAPT method.

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

NO. BIS Number of bisections executed for the current time interval.

ADJUST Ratio of time step adjustment relative to DT within a subcase.

Restarts

Since SOL 106 and SOL 129 share the same database storage for nonlinear tables and matrices, the
restart system for transient analysis can use either a previous static or transient nonlinear analysis as its
initial conditions. A restart from SOL 129 into SOL 106 is not available.

Restarting from SOL 106 into SOL 129

The options for a restart from SOL 106 into SOL 129 are static to static and static to dynamic analysis.
For a restart from a previous static analysis, only the first subcase is affected. Simply provide a database
created in SOL 106 (or 129) and specify the parameter PARAM,SLOOPID,N where N is the printed value
of LOOPID for the desired static solution. The initial transient load should be identical to static loads at
the restart state. Constraint sets, direct input matrices, mass, and damping may be changed.

Restarting within SOL 129

Restarting within SOL 129 allows static to static, static to dynamic, and dynamic to dynamic analysis.
Restarts from a previous nonlinear transient execution are available for a number of cases. If the same
model is to be re-executed, only the residual superelement needs to be reassembled. If the final results
from the previous transient run are to be used as the initial conditions at t = 0, add N dummy SUBCASE
commands to start the residual Case Control execution and STIME = 0.

The normal restart for a transient run is to be continued from the last step of a previous subcase with
different loads and/or TSTEPNL data. For the normal restart provide the following parameters:

LOOPID = N : Start from the Nth subcase

STIME = t : Start from time t

Note that constraint sets should not be changed to avoid incompatible matrix sizes. The values of
LOOPID and STIME, which are printed with the iteration information for each subcase, can be directly
read from the printout of the previous run. If the adaptive time stepping algorithm is not activated, the
value of t may also be calculated by the following equation:

Equation 5-16.

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 Restarts

where NDTi and DTi are the number of time steps and the time increment of the i-th subcase,
respectively.

If a SOL 129 run is terminated abnormally in the middle of a subcase, it may or may not be restartable
depending upon the cause of the abnormal exit. If the job is stopped due to a diverging solution, it
can be restarted either from the end of a previous subcase or from the last saved solution step. The
restart procedure for the former is identical to that for the normal restart as described in the preceding
paragraph. The latter case also requires parameters LOOPID and STIME, however, the input value for
STIME differs depending on the value of METHOD specified on the TSTEPNL entry. If METHOD = AUTO
or TSTEP (the NLTRD module), STIME is the time corresponding to the last output step which may be
calculated based on the output skip factor (i.e., the NO on the TSTEPNL entry). If METHOD = ADAPT
(NLTRD2 module) the last converged solution is treated as an output step and is always saved for the
restart so that STIME can be the time of the last converged step. The values of STIME and LOOPID
can also be found in the printout, if the ADAPT method is used. Once STIME and LOOPID are known,
determine the number of remaining time steps in the subcase and create a new TSTEPNL entry for the
remaining time. Insert a new subcase which references the new TSTEPNL entry prior to the remaining
subcases in the Case Control Section.

A solution may be terminated in the middle of a subcase due to insufficient CPU time: (1) the CPU time
specified in the Executive Control Section is insufficient so the run is forced to exit by the program, or (2)
the CPU time exceeds the limit specified in the computer system which leads to a sudden job abortion by
the system. In the first case, Simcenter Nastran is able to detect the specified CPU time in the Executive
Control Section and automatically activate the wrapping-up procedure before time expiration. When
completed, the solution can be restarted from the termination point as in the solution diverging case. In
the second case the solution can only be restarted from the end of a subcase.

Restarts may also be performed solely for data recovery by providing the following parameters:

SDATA = –1 : Recover data without running the solution module LOOPID = N : from the 1st through the
N-th subcases.

Note that solution sets DISP, VELO, ACCE, OLOAD, SPCF (printout and plotting) and NLLOAD (plotting
only) are recoverable while STRESS, SDISP, SVELO and SACCE sets are not.

Example

A simply supported elastic beam is subjected to a single cycle of a sinusoidal forcing function at the
quarter span as illustrated in Figure 5-8. The beam is modeled using 20 linear CBEAM elements. A
stopper (snubber) is present underneath the center of the beam with a clearance of 0.02 inches. This
gap is simulated by a displacement dependent force which is active only when the beam is in contact
with the snubber. The problem is linear except for the effect of the stopper. The input data for this
problem is given in Listing 5-2.

One subcase with 100 time steps and an initial time step size of 0.1 msec was analyzed in the cold start
run. Since the adaptive time stepping algorithm was activated, the job ran to completion at 9.7 msec
instead of the specified time span, 100 x 0.1 = 10 msec. A new subcase with 600 time steps was added
in the first restart run to extend the time span for another 30 msec. The adaptive time stepping method
was turned off and the execution time was specified to be 0.8 min. As expected, the run was aborted at

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

36 msec due to insufficient time. In the second restart run, the execution time was changed to 5.0 min.
and another subcase with 164 time steps and a time increment of 0.1 msec was added to extend the
analysis time span up to 40 msec. The third restart was simply to recover the DISP, VELO, ACCE, OLOAD,
NLLOAD and SPC output. The response at the loading point of the beam is shown in Figure 5-9.

Figure. Simply Supported Beam With a Restrained Motion

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 Restarts

Figure. Simply Supported Beam: Loading Point Response

$RESTART $ ***added for the restart runs

ID TNOLIN, V66 $ SSH 7/10/91
TIME $ $
SOL 99 $ NONLINEAR TRANSIENT ANALYSIS
DIAG 8,50 $ PRINT MATRIX TRAILERS AND ITERATIONS
CEND
TITLE = DYNAMICS HANDBOOK DEMONSTRATION PROBLEM D9918
SUBTITLE = DIRECT TRANSIENT RESPONSE, NONLINEAR FORCE
LABEL = NOLIN IN SOL 99
SEALL = ALL
ECHO = UNSORT
SET 1 = 10005
SET 2 = 10010
SET 3 = 10000
SPC = 1002

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

$----------------------
$PARAM,LOOPID,1 *** used for the 1st restart
$PARAM,STIME,0.0093
$----------------------
$PARAM,LOOPID,2 *** used for the 2nd restart
$PARAM,STIME,0.0236
$----------------------
$ DISPL=2
$ VELO=2 *** used for the 3rd restart
$ ACCEL=2
$ OLOAD=1
$ NLLOAD=2
$ SPCF=3
$PARAM,LOOPID,3
$PARAM,SDATA,-1
$----------------------
SUBCASE 1
DLOAD = 30
TSTEPNL = 10
NONLINEAR = 13 $ SELECT NONLINEAR FORCE
SUBCASE 2
DLOAD = 30
TSTEPNL = 20
NONLINEAR = 13 $ SELECT NONLINEAR FORCE
SUBCASE 3
DLOAD = 30
TSTEPNL = 30
NONLINEAR = 13 $ SELECT NONLINEAR FORCE
BEGIN BULK
$ MODELING INFORMATION FOR BEAM ONLY
CBAR 101 100 10000 10001 0. 0. 1.
CBAR 102 100 10001 10002 0. 0. 1.
CBAR 103 100 10002 10003 0. 0. 1.
CBAR 104 100 10003 10004 0. 0. 1.
CBAR 105 100 10004 10005 0. 0. 1:
CBAR 106 100 10005 10006 0. 0. 1.
CBAR 107 100 10006 10007 0. 0. 1.
CBAR 108 100 10007 10008 0. 0. 1.
CBAR 109 100 10008 10009 0. 0. 1.
CBAR 110 100 10009 10010 0. 0. 1.
CBAR 111 100 10010 10011 0. 0. 1.
CBAR 112 100 10011 10012 0. 0. 1.
CBAR 113 100 10012 10013 0. 0. 1.
CBAR 114 100 10013 10014 0. 0. 1.
CBAR 115 100 10014 10015 0. 0. 1.
CBAR 116 100 10015 10016 0. 0. 1.
CBAR 117 100 10016 10017 0. 0. 1.
CBAR 118 100 10017 10018 0. 0. 1.
CBAR 119 100 10018 10019 0. 0. 1.

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 Restarts

CBAR 120 100 10019 10020 0. 0. 1.

CONM2 12 10010 .1
GRID 10 50. -1.
GRID 10000 0. 0. 0. 1246
GRID 10001 5. 0. 0. 1246
GRID 10002 10. 0. 0. 1246
GRID 10003 15. 0. 0. 1246
GRID 10004 20. 0. 0. 1246
GRID 10005 25. 0. 0. 1246
GRID 10006 30. 0. 0. 1246
GRID 10007 35. 0. 0. 1246
GRID 10008 40. 0. 0. 1246
GRID 10009 45. 0. 0. 1246
GRID 10010 50. 0. 0. 1246
GRID 10011 55. 0. 0. 1246
GRID 10012 60. 0. 0. 1246
GRID 10013 65. 0. 0. 1246
GRID 10014 70. 0. 0. 1246
GRID 10015 75. 0. 0. 1246
GRID 10016 80. 0. 0. 1246
GRID 10017 85. 0. 0. 1246
GRID 10018 90. 0. 0. 1246
GRID 10019 95. 0. 0. 1246
GRID 10020 100. 0. 0. 1246
MATl 1000 3.+7 .3 .3
PARAM GRDPNT 10010
PARAM WTMASS .002588
PBAR 100 1000 .31416 .15708 +PBl
+PBl 1. 0.
SPC 1002 10 123456
SPC 1002 10020 3 10000 3
$
$ MODELING INFORMATION FOR CENTER SPRING
CROD 10 10 10 10010
MATl 10 10. 0.
PROD 10 10 1.
MATSl 10 PLASTIC 0. 1 1 3.+8
$ LOADING AND SOLUTION INFORMATION
TLOAD2 30 33 0. .011451 87.33 -90.
DAREA 33 10005 3 47.2
TSTEPNL 10 100 .0001 1 ADAPT
TSTEPNL 20 600 .00005 1 ADAPT +T521
+T521 +T522
+T522 0
TSTEPNL 30 164 .00010 1 ADAPT +T531
+T531 +T532
+T532 0
$
$ MODELING INFORMATION FOR NONLINEAR SPRING

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

NOLINl 13 10010 3 1. 10010 3 13

TABLEDl 13 +TAB
+TAB -2.5-2 4.95 -2.0-2 0. 0. 0. ENDT
$
ENDDATA
Listing 5-2. Input Data Listing for Simply Supported Beam

Nonlinear Analysis With Superelements

In nonlinear analysis with superelements, the nonlinear model must be in the residual model
(Superelement = 0). All basic superelement rules apply with the exception that a nonlinear element
can not have any of its degrees-of-freedom in the “o-set”.

The unique feature pertaining to load application for superelements are listed in “Performing a 3-D
Slide Line Contact Analysis”

Grid Point Force Balance and Element Strain Energy in Nonlinear

Static Analysis
In nonlinear analysis, the strain energy, E, for an element is defined by integrating the specific energy
rate, the inner product of strain rate and stress, over element volume and time

Equation 5-17.

where:

σ = stress tensor

= strain rate

V = element volume

t = actual time in the load history

The integration over time leads to the following recursive formula using the trapezoidal rule

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 Grid Point Force Balance and Element Strain Energy in Nonlinear Static Analysis

Equation 5-18.

where:

n+1 = current load step

n = previous load step

ΔE = strain energy increment

Δϵ = strain-increment

The steps n and n + 1 are converged solution steps.

By integrating Eq. 5-18 over the element volume, we get

Equation 5-19.

where:

f = internal element forces

Δu = displacement increment from n to n + 1

For computational convenience, Simcenter Nastran uses Eq. 5-19 to calculate the element strain energy.
The internal element forces are readily available in every step because they are needed for the force
equilibrium. Note that temperature effects are included in the internal element forces.

When loads from temperature differences or element deformation are present, the default definition of
element strain energy for linear elements differ from the definition for nonlinear elements. For linear
elements, the element strain energy is defined as

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

Equation 5-20.

where Pet is the element load vector for temperature loads and element deformation. Eq. 5-20 assumes
that the temperatures are constant within a subcase. For nonlinear elements, the definition of Eq. 5-17
is used. In the case of linear material and geometry, Eq. 5-17 becomes

Equation 5-21.

Eq. 5-21 assumes that the temperature varies linearly within a subcase. You may request the definition
of Eq. 5-21 to be applied to linear elements by adding PARAM,XFLAG,2 to the input file.

User Input

The output of grid point force balance and strain energy in nonlinear analysis is requested with the
existing GPFORCE and ESE Case Control commands, respectively. The Case Control commands remain
unchanged.

Printed Output

The output is the same as in linear analysis. An example appears below.

Example

The following Nastran input deck represents a simplified model of a mechanical clutch that consists of
springs, beams, rigid elements, and gap elements. A geometric nonlinear analysis is performed. Both
GPFORCE and ESE output requests are applied above all subcases. This is a good example to show the
grid point force balance with both linear and nonlinear elements, that includes:

• applied loads

• element forces

• SPC forces

• MPC forces.

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 Grid Point Force Balance and Element Strain Energy in Nonlinear Static Analysis

The model is shown in Figure 5-10. For clarity, only the elements are displayed.

Figure.

The dashed lines represent rigid elements, the rest are gap and beam elements. Spring elements are
located at the intersection point of all dashed lines and are not visible in the figure because their
connection points are coincident.

Grid Point Force Output

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 5. Nonlinear Analysis Types

Element Strain Energy Output

Remarks

• Linear and nonlinear elements can be mixed. The output for grid point force and element strain
energy in nonlinear analysis follow the same format as in linear analysis.

• The reference system for the grid point force output is the grid point global coordinate system. You
can’t specify another output coordinate system. In nonlinear, the grid point forces are not aligned with
element edges. Therefore, PARAM,NOELOF and PARAM,NOELOP are ignored in nonlinear analysis.

• In nonlinear analysis, the element strain energy must be calculated for each intermediate load step
even if the output is requested only in the last load step. To save computations, the element strain
energy is only calculated upon user request. The Case Control commands, GPFORCE or ESE must be
present to activate grid point force output or element strain energy calculations and output. If you
want to save the grid point forces and element strain energy on the database and want an output
later in an eventual restart run, you must specify the Case Control commands, GPFORCE(PLOT) or
ESE(PLOT) in the cold start run.

• By default, if GPFORCE or ESE is present, then the output of grid point forces or element strain energy
is only available at the end of each subcase. For output of intermediate steps, the parameter INTOUT
on the NLPARM Bulk Data entry must be set to YES or ALL.

• For a model with superelements, the grid point force balance is not in equilibrium along the boundary
of the residual and upstream superelements. This is because the applied load in the residual does
not include the load contributed from upstream superelements when the grid point force balance is
computed. The same situation also occurs in each upstream superelement whose applied load does
not include the contribution from other superelements and the residual. When the total of the grid
force balances of all superelements is added together, equilibrium is reached.

For example, grid point 123 is located at the boundary between the residual (superelement ID = 0)
and an upstream superelement (ID = 10) and is connected to two QUAD4 elements (ID 22 and 21).
The output of the grid point force balance is shown below.

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 Grid Point Force Balance and Element Strain Energy in Nonlinear Static Analysis

Listing 5-3.

Obviously, neither the residual nor the upstream superelement has the balanced grid point force.
However, if both sides are added together, the balance will be reached.

• Computational time and memory requirement increase when grid point force balance or element
strain energy output is requested. For a large nonlinear model, allocation of sufficient memory is
important. Spill logic is built in the code, but it may increase the overall computational time.

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