Understanding Large Deformation Analysis Page 1 of 2

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Concept: Understanding Large Deformation

Analysis
Understanding Large Deformation Analysis
In linear static analysis, Simulate applies the load on the undeformed structure and analyzes the resulting
displacements and stresses. In large deformation analysis, LDA, an iterative procedure is used where the
loads are iteratively applied on the deformed structure until an equilibrium is reached. When determining
when to use this analysis the magnitude of the deformations is of a lesser importance. It is more important to
determine if the direction of the applied forces and the stress state change significantly with the load
magnitude. In Figure 1, note that the resulting force from pressure loads p changes with the surface position
and angle, since pressure always acts perpendicular to the surface. The attach points of surface forces F
also move with the surface, but opposed to pressure, the direction stays fixed with the coordinate system
used for definition.

Figure 1 – Undeformed to Deformed Structure

If you are unsure whether you have to choose linear static analysis, SDA, or large deformation static
analysis, LDA, to solve your analysis task, try both and look for the difference in the results.

In LDA, Simulate outputs true stresses and logarithmic strains. Note in SDA, just nominal engineering
values for stress and strain are used.

To activate LDA, select Nonlinear/Use Load Histories in the Static Analysis Definition dialog box. In the
Nonlinear Options section, select Calculate Large Deformations.

Review the example shown. Shown in Figure 2 is the pressurized segment model for a thin-walled structure
under high pressure loads, pressure vessel.

Figure 2 – Pressurized Segment Model

Figure 3 displays the von Mises stress results using LDA. The displacements are smaller in scale due to
stiffening under load.

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Understanding Large Deformation Analysis Page 2 of 2

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Figure 3 – Large Deformation Analysis

Figure 4 displays the results using linear static analysis, SDA. There is no stiffening. The neutral fiber stays in
the wall middle.

Figure 4 – Small Deformation Analysis

Note that the resistance of the structure against the loading must be strictly monotonically increasing,
otherwise instability of the solution appears, if you do not activate Include Snap-through in the Analysis
Definition dialog box.

LDA supports the following:

• Model Types – 3-D volumes and all 2-D idealizations: plane stress, plane strain, and axial symmetric.

• Element Types – Tets, wedges, bricks in 3-D (no support of beams, shells, and point masses), tris and
quads in 2-D, simple springs, weighted links, and rigid links.

• Convergence Methods – Single-Pass Adaptive and Quick Check, no support of MPA.

Obtaining Convergence Using the Newton-Raphson Method

Simulate solves a nonlinear matrix equation for LDA. Before convergence, Simulate calculates the residual
error corresponding to the latest solution of the displacement vector x. The residual vector r has the
dimensions of force (must be zero for system convergence). The Newton-Raphson solution then solves for
Kdx=r to determine the change in x in the next iteration.

The residual norm is the dot product r·dx. It can be thought of physically as a residual energy, which should
be zero when convergence is obtained. Simulate normalizes the residual norm with the dot product of the
total displacement and the total force vector, so the normalized residual norm becomes: (r·dx)/(x·f). This
residual norm must be smaller than the default value of 1.0E-12, the Residual Norm Tolerance, to achieve
convergence in Simulate.

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