ALTAIR SIMSOLID V2019.2.

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CH10 – STRUCTURAL NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS
Trainer’s Name Month XX, 2019
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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

CHAPTER 10 – STRUCTURAL NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS

10. Structural Non-linear Analysis

• Introduction to non-linearity in Structural Mechanics
• Non-linearity problems and solutions in Structural Mechanics
• Systems of equations and non-linearity
• Non-linear analysis on SimSolid (Separating Contact, Material, Geometric)
• Combination support
• Workflow Roadmap
• Questions & Answers

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

INTRODUCTION TO NON-LINEARITY IN STRUCTURAL MECHANICS

• When does a problem become non-linear?
• Non-linearity is defined by the inability of linear relationships to accurately model behavior.

• Do all physical structures exhibit non-linear behavior?

• The response of most structures changes in stiffness as the structure deforms.
• Often, the response of the structure can be approximated using linear behavior if its displacements are
small.

• What are the three most common types of structural non-linearity?

• Boundary/Contact.
• Material.
• Geometric.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

INTRODUCTION TO NON-LINEARITY IN STRUCTURAL MECHANICS

• Material non-linearity is used to model dependence of stress state on the existing strain state
• Different types include:
• Plasticity beyond yield
• Nonlinear elasticity (Hyperelastic, Viscoelastic etc.) – SimSolid does not simulate this.
• Cracking, Necking, etc – SimSolid does not simulate this.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

INTRODUCTION TO NON-LINEARITY IN STRUCTURAL MECHANICS

• Geometric non-linearity accounts for the current (unknown) volume of the structure:
• Update of stiffness as the structure deforms.
• Characterized by:
• Large displacement and large deformation.
• Large rotation.
• Buckling, bifurcation and collapse of the structure.

• Boundary non-linearity stems from changes in a load or constraint in response to deformation or

displacement in the structure:
• Contact problems.
• Follower forces (e.g., pressure load).

NOTE: SimSolid does not support linear buckling.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

NON-LINEARITY PROBLEMS IN STRUCTURAL MECHANICS

• Features of non-linear problems include:

1. Non-uniqueness
• For an applied load P there may be no solution, one solution, or many displacement solutions u

2. Non-scalable
• If an applied load P causes displacement u, then an applied load x times P may not cause displacement x times u.

3. No superposition
• If an applied load P causes displacement u and load F causes displacement d, then P+F may not cause
displacement u+d.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

NON-LINEARITY SOLUTIONS IN STRUCTURAL MECHANICS

• Nonlinear solutions may exhibit history-dependent behavior, depending on the type of problem:

• Consider the snap through behavior of a shallow curved plate for an applied load P at the middle.

• In a non-linear analysis, the unique solution of u at any point depends upon the load history of P up to
that point.

P
P

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

SYSTEMS OF EQUATIONS AND NONLINEARITY

• Two distinct approaches are used to solve the non-linear system of equations:

• Implicit technique
• Solves for the global set of equations (global stiffness matrix) assembled from element stiffness matrices
• Requires an incremental and iterative procedure
• Solves for discrete static equilibrium points
• Unconditionally stable (discussed later)

• Explicit technique (SimSolid does not support this)

• Solves for dynamic equilibrium
• State at the end of an increment depends on state at the beginning of that increment
• Conditionally stable such that:
• Stability of the system depends on incrementing the load in a fraction of time less than the highest possible mode shape
• In other words, load is incremented with a fraction of time less than wave speed of the material
• Not discussed further in this class

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS ON SIMSOLID

Contact Material Geometric

Total run time = 19 sec Total run time = 29 sec Total run time = 5 sec
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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS ON SIMSOLID – SEPARATING CONTACT

• Separating/closing contact with friction
• Separating/closing contact with friction is a
mechanical phenomenon which is traditionally
difficult to simulate, especially when the friction is
“dry” friction and either full separation or full sliding
in the contact may occur for a given loading.
• Dry friction is characterized by sticking-sliding
condition when sliding friction force is close to the Activate
maximum force that can be realized in the contact.
• After sliding started, the sliding friction force
remains almost constant, it does not depend on
velocity/displacement.
• This makes so called “elastic friction” models
Define
which are commonly used in traditional FEA not
well suitable for simulation.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS ON SIMSOLID – SEPARATING CONTACT

• Non Linear contact with friction
• SimSolid has a wide variety of methods to connect parts in an assembly. Four contact conditions types are available for
each connection – bonded, sliding, disabled, separating-closing or separating contact with friction.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS ON SIMSOLID – SEPARATING CONTACT

• SimSolid separating contact model
• Let us consider two solid bars in contact, one on the top of the other. Each bar’s dimensions are 10 by 1 by 1 m (L x W x H).
• The lower bar is fixed on the bottom surface and separating contact is set between the bars with a friction coefficient of
0.15. Four load cases are considered. In all load cases, the upper bar is loaded with uniformly distributed total load 2 N.
Loads at the right end of the upper bar are different for the load cases.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS ON SIMSOLID – SEPARATING CONTACT

• Load case 1, complete separation
• Total lifting load of 1 N is applied at the end of the upper bar. In this load case, the bar
can be in the equilibrium state only if total separation of contact happened and upper
bar contact lower bar in a very narrow hinge-like area at the bar’s corners. The contact
is fully released, the bar is rotating around the “hinge”, stress is distributed as if the bar
is on two supports and the reaction at the hinge is 1 N.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS ON SIMSOLID – SEPARATING CONTACT

• Load case 2, partial separation
• In the second load case, the lifting load is reduced to 0.9 N. This provides partial contact
separation. SimSolid results indicate the non-separation zone and a clear separation
area.
• The reaction force in the contact is a vertical 1.1 N which is the exact value.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS ON SIMSOLID – SEPARATING CONTACT

• Load case 3, full horizontal slippage
• Next consider a total shifting horizontal force of 0.31 N applied to the end of the upper bar. Maximum friction force is give as:
Fmax = (friction coefficient)*(Compressive load) = 0.15*2 = 0.3 N
• Therefore, this a border equilibrium state of the active shifting force being just larger than the maximum friction force. Here
the expected result is for the bar to start sliding. One can see the upper bar compresses along the contact area and the left
end begins to slip.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS ON SIMSOLID – SEPARATING CONTACT

• Load case 4, partial horizontal slippage
• Finally, the total shifting force is reduced to 0.29 N. This is below the maximum friction force limit.
• Now, one can see that there is no slip in the left side and compression along the length of the upper bar.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS ON SIMSOLID – MATERIAL

• Material non-linear
Activate
• Non-linear structural effects are specified in
Structural settings dialog.
Select NL
• At least one model material property must contain Material
a non-linear stress vs strain curve.

• For any analysis that exceed the elastic limit,

SimSolid will provide three outputs for each result
quantity (more details in next slides):
• Elasto-plastic, full load: the results at full load
assuming a non-linear stress- strain curve is used.
• Elastic, full load: the results at full load assuming a
linear (straight) stress-strain curve is used.
• After unloading: the residual results after loading has
been removed.
Stress vs strain curve

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS ON SIMSOLID – MATERIAL

• Material non-linear
• In material non-linear analysis, the stress-strain relationship is
given by a curve instead of a single value of the elasticity
modulus. This defines what happens once the load exceeds the
elastic region limit.
• In SimSolid, Henki-Nagai deformational plasticity theory is
used when simulating structures loaded beyond yielding.
Isotropic hardening is assumed and unloading results in residual
stresses and strains. This model is well suited to ductile materials
such as mild steels.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS ON SIMSOLID – MATERIAL

• How to do a material non-linear analysis in SimSolid
• All that is required is a material definition that includes a complete stress-strain curve. Open the Material Database and
look for materials with an associated stress-vs-strain curve.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS ON SIMSOLID – MATERIAL

• Results evaluation
• Once the analysis is complete, you can display result plots the usual way, but with one substantial difference:
• Elastic-plastic response under full load – Defines the structural response after all non-linear iterations are complete.
See Point #1 on the stress-strain graph below.
• Elastic under full load – Defines the response as if the material was linear at the elastic load limit (Point #2).
• After unloading – Defines the residual stresses, strains, and deformations once all loads have been removed (Point #3).

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS ON SIMSOLID – MATERIAL

• How to create custom non-linear material properties
• Custom material properties can be created in SimSolid. To do this, select
the Material database item from the main Settings menu, and select Edit
current.

• Then, right mouse button select a material group and pick Add material.
• To create a new stress-strain curve, pick the Stress-strain curve button at
the bottom of the dialog.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS ON SIMSOLID – MATERIAL

• How to create custom non-linear material properties
• Stress-strain curves can be created in a number of ways. Individual rows of strain and stress point values can be added
one at a time. Select the Add row button, then enter the appropriate engineering strain and stress value. At a minimum, 3
points are required.
• Here are two typical stress-strain curves. The first defines an elastic-perfectly plastic material, the second an
elastic-plastic material with linear hardening.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS ON SIMSOLID – MATERIAL

• How to create custom material properties
• Stress-strain curves can also be read from an external comma separated variable (CSV) files. The format of the file has a
header of “strain, stress” and corresponding row of values. Here is an example of one typical file’s contents.
• Strain,stress
• 0,0
• 0.005,5.30e8
• 0.4,5.83e8
• Finally, curves can be created using a K-n power law function. To do this select the Create by n-value button, then
specify K and n. Some sample K-n values for typical materials are given in the pull-down menu.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS ON SIMSOLID – GEOMETRIC Activate

• Geometric non-linear
• In geometric non-linear analysis, changes in geometry as the
structure deforms are taken into account when iteratively solving the
strain-displacement and equilibrium equations.
• Follower loads can be optionally defined.
• Typical applications include slender structures, sheet metal and
stability analysis of all types.
• Results are processed in the usual manner.
• One additional consideration for geometric non-linear analyses is to
Select here to activate
examine deformations in true scale. To do this, show a deformed follower load
shape plot in the normal manner, then select the Change max
deformation button.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

COMBINATION SUPPORT
• Non-linear structural effects are specified in Structural analysis settings dialog.
• It is possible to combine two different non linear structural effects:
• Separating/closing contact with Material non-linear.

• Material non-linear with Geometric non-linear.

• It is NOT possible to combine Geometric non-linear with Separating/closing contact.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

WORKFLOW ROADMAP
• Workflow Roadmap
1. Run linear static analysis
1. Identify local deformations, thin curved solids, parts of interest for stresses
2. Create local groups for identified parts and organize them based on part scale
1. Apply relevant solution settings (refinement level, adapt to features, adapt to thin solids)
3. Increase contact resolution
1. Applicable only for interfaces where stresses are important

4. Increase the number of adaptive solutions to 4-5-6

1. Until convergence is achieved
5. Perform nonlinear analysis after achieving accurate linear solution

NOTE: It is recommended not to use more than 6 adaptive passes as it can create noise around the connections.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

EXERCISE 10A - STRUCTURAL NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS

File Name and Location
…\STUDENT-EXERCISE\CH10\10A-Hanger_beam.ssp

Exercise Goals
1. Open project file
2. Set Structural non-linear Analysis
3. Run analyses and compare results

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

EXERCISE 10A - STRUCTURAL NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS

Step 1: Open project file
a) Open project file from …\STUDENT-EXERCISE\CH10\10A-Hanger_beam.ssp

b) Click on Open.

c) Note that we are going to use the final file of Exercise 7A of CH 7. You can also open that project file from
…\STUDENT-EXERCISE-SOLVED\CH7\7A-Hanger_beam-FINAL.ssp

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

EXERCISE 10A - STRUCTURAL NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS

Step 2: Set Structural non-linear Analysis

a) Copy Structural 1 to Structural 2.

b) To make non-linear this new analysis, double click on Settings and flag Separating
contact.

c) From Project tree, double click on Connection 67 to change the contact conditions
from Bonded to Separating-closing with Friction coefficient set to 0.1.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

EXERCISE 10A - STRUCTURAL NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS

Step 2: Set Structural non-linear Analysis

d) Repeat Step 2.c with Connection 68. Now, we

can simulate non-linear contact behaviour.

e) Click on to define some kind of pretension of

bolts.

f) In the Nut tightening window, select the eight

bolts shown in the blue box, set 0.1 mm as
Thread pitch, and choose a Torque of 50 N*m
with a Friction coefficient of 0.1.

NOTE: If you are not able to select the bolts, right click
on the graphics area and click on Show all
hidden parts in all design studies.
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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

EXERCISE 10A - STRUCTURAL NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS

Step 3: Run analyses and compare results

a) Click on Structural 2 in Project tree.

b) Make sure that your Project tree appears similar to the one in the
picture.

c) Click on Solve to start the analysis.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

EXERCISE 10A - STRUCTURAL NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS

Step 3: Run analyses and compare results

d) See the results near the bolts to appreciate the effect of the non-linear contact.

Displacement Magnitude Von Mises Stress

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

EXERCISE 10B - MATERIAL NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS

File Name and Location
…\STUDENT-EXERCISE\CH10\EX10B\Grapple.ssp
…\STUDENT-EXERCISE\CH10\EX10B\Stress_strain_curve.csv

Exercise Goals
1. Open project file
2. Create new Design study
3. Set Material Nonlinear Analysis
4. Run analyses and compare results

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

EXERCISE 10B - MATERIAL NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS

Step 1: Open project file
a) Open project file from …\STUDENT-EXERCISE\CH10\EX10B\Grapple.ssp

b) Click on Open. This file contains a first study (Design study 1) already set and ran for you.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

EXERCISE 10B - MATERIAL NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS

Step 2: Create new Design study

a) Since we are going to use only Structural 2, we can delete

Structural 1 from Design study 1, BASELINE.

b) Rename Structural 2 to Structural 1.

c) Double click on Load/Disp. 1.

d) In order to reach plastic range, change the total load along axis X
from -1000 N to -40000 N.

e) In order to set a Material Nonlinear Analysis in the same Project

tree, right click on Design study 1, BASELINE and click on Copy
to create Design study 2.

f) Make sure your Project tree appears like in the picture.

NOTE: After Step 2.c, Result field will appear RED. This is because
you changed the load value and so SimSolid remembers you
that results need to be updated.
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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

EXERCISE 10B - MATERIAL NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS

Step 3: Set Material Nonlinear Analysis

a) To make non-linear this analysis, double click on Settings under Structural 1 of

Design study 2 and flag Material non-linear.

b) To set the non-linear material, go to Settings > Material database.

c) Click on Edit current.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

EXERCISE 10B - MATERIAL NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS

Step 3: Set Material Nonlinear Analysis

d) Right click on Sample non-linear materials and select Add material.

e) To import Stress-strain material curve, click on Stress-strain curve.

f) Click on Import CSV.

g) Select .csv file from

…\STUDENT-EXERCISE\CH10\EX10B\Stress_strain_curve.csv

h) Click on Open.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

EXERCISE 10B - MATERIAL NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS

Step 3: Set Material Nonlinear Analysis

i) Look at the Stress-strain curve and then click OK to upload the new
non-linear material.

j) The material’s label is Material 1 and now it appears in your Material

database, under Sample non-linear materials.

k) Right click on Material 1 and click on Edit.

l) Set the material coefficient as shown in the picture and click on Save
material and then click OK.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

EXERCISE 10B - MATERIAL NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS

Step 3: Set Material Nonlinear Analysis
m) Click on Assembly in Project Tree > Design study 2.

n) Select Apply material.

o) Choose Material 1 as Material and then click on Apply to all parts.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

EXERCISE 10B - MATERIAL NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS

Step 4: Run analyses and compare results

a) Click on Project: Grapple in Project tree.

b) Make sure that your Project tree appears similar to the one in the picture.

c) Click on Run all analyses.

d) For both analyses, plot and compare the Displacement Magnitude and
the Von Mises Stress results (see next slides). You should create
bookmarks to easily compare results between different Design studies.

NOTE: For non-linear analysis (Design study 2), if you switch to ‘Elastic,
full load’ results, you should obtain the same results of linear
analysis (Design study 1), since you are using the same material
in the elastic range and, in particular, the same Elasticity modulus.

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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

EXERCISE 10B - MATERIAL NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS

Step 4: Run analyses and compare results – Displacement Magnitude
Structural Linear Analysis Structural Non-Linear Analysis

NOTE: From Results window, you can select different kind of result plots for material non-linear analysis
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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

EXERCISE 10B - MATERIAL NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS

Step 4: Run analyses and compare results – Displacement Magnitude
Structural Linear Analysis Structural Non-Linear Analysis

NOTE: From Results window, you can select different kind of result plots for material non-linear analysis
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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

EXERCISE 10B - MATERIAL NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS

Step 4: Run analyses and compare results – Von Mises Stress
Structural Linear Analysis Structural Non-Linear Analysis

NOTE: From Results window, you can select different kind of result plots for material non-linear analysis
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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

EXERCISE 10B - MATERIAL NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS

Step 4: Run analyses and compare results – Von Mises Stress
Structural Linear Analysis Structural Non-Linear Analysis

NOTE: From Results window, you can select different kind of result plots for material non-linear analysis
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Altair SimSolid, v2019.2.1

CH10 - QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1. Does SimSolid support non-linear contacts?
• Yes, SimSolid does support non-linear contacts that can open and close. It currently only
supports small sliding; large sliding is not yet supported.

2. Does SimSolid support material plasticity?

• Yes, SimSolid uses deformable theroy of plasticity to evaluate small strain plasticity in
materials. You can define an elastplastic behaviour using stress-strain curve or K-n
power law function.

3. Is SimSolid capable to solve path dependent problems with multiple non-

linear steps?
• All the solutions run in SimSolid are independent of each other. Multistep non-linear
analysis is currently under development.

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