Review of Nonlinear FE Methods with Substructures

Abstract

Methods of structural design sensitivity analysis are closely related to structural analysis procedures. It is critically important to thoroughly understand the analysis procedures for efficient design sensitivity analysis. This is particularly true for nonlinear finite element analysis. This paper reviews some basic solution procedures for nonlinear finite element analysis using the displacement formulation. Solution methods for nonlinear equations are also briefly reviewed. Nonlinear finite element analysis procedures that have been used for geometric as well as material nonlinearities in static and dynamic response problems are described. Use of substructuring for large‐scale problems is explained. To take advantage of favorable features of various methods, a procedure to combine them is proposed and analyzed.