The Nonlinear dialog box includes four tabs: Solution, Advanced Options, Flow/thermal Effects, and Remarks. The Solution and Advanced tabs set options and parameters related to the numerical procedures to be used in solving the problem. The Flow/Thermal Effects and Remarks tabs are similar to those in the static study properties dialog box.

For nonlinear static analysis, the time is a pseudo variable. It describes at what load levels the solution is sought. For nonlinear dynamic analysis, the time is a real value.

For static studies, you can only select linear isotropic and linear orthotropic materials. For nonlinear studies, you can define the following material models, in addition:

• Nonlinear Elastic

• von Mises Plasticity (kinematic & isotropic)

• Tresca Plasticity (kinematic & isotropic)

• Drucker Prager Plasticity

• Mooney Rivlin Hyperelastic

• Ogden Hyperelastic

• Blatz Ko Hyperelastic

• Viscoelastic

When the force control method is used, restraints and loads are defined as functions of time. For visco-elasticity and creep problems, as well as nonlinear dynamic analysis, time is real. For other problems, time is a pseudo variable that specifies the load level at different solution steps.

Displacement control uses the curve that is associated with the controlling DOF only. The Arc Length control method does not use any time curves.

The solution of nonlinear studies involves calculating the results at different solution steps (load and restraint levels). The numerical procedures are more complex than the solution of linear static studies. In seeking convergence to the correct solution at a solution step, the program performs a number of iterations. For these reasons, the solution of nonlinear studies is much more time consuming and resource demanding than the solution of linear static studies.

Although the program calculates results at different solution steps, it only preserves the results at the last solution step by default. You can select certain locations and solution steps at which results are preserved as part of defining properties of the study.

Results are available as functions of time. For example, stresses are available at different solution steps. In addition to viewing the results at the last solution step, you can view results at other solution steps requested in the properties of the study for the solution. For locations selected in the properties of the study, you can graph results as function of pseudo time (load history).

Contact is a common source of nonlinearity. Static studies allow the solution of contact problems with small and large displacements. The following are limitations on using static studies to solve contact problems:

• If you use large displacements, the results are available only at the last solution step. In nonlinear studies, you can get results at every solution step.

• If a nonlinearity other than that caused by contact is present, you cannot use static studies. This can be due to nonlinear material properties, changed loads, or restraints, or any other nonlinearity.

• When using static studies to solve contact problems with large displacements, the program does not update the load directions as the model deforms. In nonlinear studies, the program updates the directions of pressure loading based on the deformed shape at each solution step if the Update load direction with deflection is checked in the properties of the study.

• In nonlinear studies, you have control over the solution steps. In static studies using large displacements, the program sets the solution steps internally.

Click here for guidelines on using contact conditions in nonlinear studies.