Lecture on

Fundamentals of Non-Linear Analysis

by
Dr. K.K Sangle

Professor, Structural Engineering Department

and
Dean, Infrastructures and Planning, VJTI
 Fundamentals of Non-Linear Analysis

The concept of equilibrium This concept lends itself to

path plays a central role in graphical representation in
explaining the concept of the form of response
nonlinear structural analysis. diagrams.
Equilibrium Path and Response Diagrams

The most widely used form of

equilibrium path is the load-
deflection response diagram.

Through this
representation many key
concepts can be illustrated
and interpreted in physical,
mathematical or
computational terms.
 Load-deflection Response
The gross or overall static behavior of many structures can be characterized by a
load-deflection or force-displacement response.

The response is usually drawn in two dimensions as a x-y plot as illustrated in

Figure .

In this figure a “representative” force quantity is plotted against a

“representative” displacement quantity.

If the response plot is nonlinear, the structure behavior is nonlinear.

Response diagrams:

(a) typical load-deflection diagram showing equilibrium path;

(b)diagram distinguishing fundamental (primary) from secondary

equilibrium path.
A smooth curve shown in a load-deflection diagram is called
a path. Each point in the path represents a possible
configuration or state of the structure.
The origin of the For problems involving perfect
response plot (zero structures the reference state is
load, zero deflection) unstressed and undeformed, and
is called the is also an equilibrium state. This
reference state means that an equilibrium path
because it is the passes through the reference
configuration from state, as in Figure (a).
which loads and
deflections are
measured.
The path that crosses the reference state is called the
fundamental equilibrium path, or fundamental path for short.
(Many authors also call this a primary path.)

The fundamental path Any path that is not a fundamental

extends from the path but connects with it at a critical
reference state up to point is called a secondary path.
special states called
critical points .
“Fundamental” and
“Secondary” are linked with
the relative importance of
these equilibrium paths in
design. Most structures are
designed to operate in the
fundamental path when in
service, with some sort of
safety factor against reaching
a critical point.
But knowledge of secondary paths
may be important in some aspects
of the design process, for example
in the assessment of structural
behavior under emergency
scenarios (e.g., a vehicle crash or a
building hit by an earthquake),
which may directly or indirectly
affect safety.
Special Equilibrium Points At critical points the
relation between the
Critical points given characteristic load
1. Limit points, at which the and the associated
tangent to the equilibrium path is deflection is not unique.
horizontal, i.e. parallel to the Physically, the structure
deflection axis, and becomes uncontrollable or
2. Bifurcation points, at which marginally controllable
two or more equilibrium paths there.
cross.
Failure points
Points at which a path suddenly stops or “breaks” because of physical failure
are called failure points. The phenomenon of failure may be local or global in
nature. In the first case (e.g. failure of a noncritical structure component) the
structure may regain functional equilibrium after dynamically “jumping” to
another equilibrium path. In the latter case the failure is catastrophic or
destructive and the structure does not regain functional equilibrium.
Differences between linear and nonlinear analysis

The term “stiffness” defines the fundamental difference

between linear and nonlinear analysis. Stiffness is a
property of a part or assembly that characterizes its
response to the applied load.

The tangent to an
equilibrium path may be
informally viewed as the
limit of the ratio of force
increment to the
displacement increment
Differences between linear and nonlinear analysis

This is by definition a stiffness or, more precisely, the tangent

stiffness associated with the representative force and
displacement.

The reciprocal ratio is called flexibility or compliance.

 Factors affect stiffness
Axial Stiffness= AE/L , Flexural Stiffness= 4EI/L for end
fixed and Flexural stiffness = 3EI/L for far end hinged

1. Shape: An I-beam has different stiffness from a

channel beam.
 Factors affect stiffness
Axial Stiffness= AE/L , Flexural Stiffness= 4EI/L for end
fixed and Flexural stiffness = 3EI/L for far end hinged

2. Material: An iron beam is less stiff than the same size

steel beam.
 Factors affect stiffness
Axial Stiffness= AE/L , Flexural Stiffness= 4EI/L for end
fixed and Flexural stiffness = 3EI/L for far end hinged
3. Support: A beam with a simple support is less stiff and
will deflect more than the same beam with built-in
supports
Linear Analysis

If the change in stiffness is small enough, it makes sense

to assume that neither the shape nor material
properties change at all during the deformation process.

This assumption is the fundamental principle of linear

analysis.
 That means throughout the
entire process of
deformation, the analyzed
model retained whatever
stiffness it possessed in its
undeformed shape prior to
loading.
Regardless of how much the model
deforms, whether the load gets
applied in one step or gradually,
and no matter how high the
stresses that develop in response
to that load may be, the model
retains its initial stiffness

This assumption greatly simplifies problem formulation and solution.

[F] = [K] * [d]

where:
[F] is the known vector of nodal loads
[K] is the known stiffness matrix
[d] is the unknown vector of nodal
displacements
 Linear Response

linear structure.

1. A linear structure can sustain any

load level and undergo any
displacement magnitude.
2. There are no critical or failure points.
3. Response to different load systems
can be obtained by superposition.
4. Removing all loads returns the
structure to the reference position.
The requirements for such a linear behavior are
• Perfect linear elasticity for any deformation
• Infinite deformations
• Infinite strength

These assumptions are not only physically

unrealistic but mutually contradictory. For
example, if the deformations are to
remain infinite for any load, the body
must be rigid rather than elastic, which
contradicts the first assumption. Thus,
there are necessarily limits placed on the
validity of the linear model.
Despite these obvious limitations, the
linear response can be a good
approximation of portions of the
nonlinear response.

Because for many structures this

segment represents the operational or
service range, the linear response is
widely used in design calculations.

The key advantage of this idealization

is that the superposition-of-effects
principle applies.
 Non-Linear Analysis

When a structure deforms under a load its stiffness changes,

due to one or more of the factors listed above. If it deforms a
great deal, its shape can change. If the material reaches its
failure limit, the material properties will change.
 Sources /Types of Nonlinearities

Although the process of changing stiffness is common to all

types of nonlinear analyses, the origin of nonlinear behavior
can be different, making it logical to classify nonlinear analyses
based on the principal origin of nonlinearity.

Because it isn’t possible to point out a single cause of nonlinear

behavior in many problems, some analyses may have to
account for more than one type of nonlinearity.
 Sources /Types of Nonlinearities

•Material Nonlinearity

•Geometrical Nonlinearity

•Force Boundary Condition Nonlinearity and

•Displacement Boundary Condition Nonlinearity.

 Material Nonlinearity

If stress-strain plot of the material is non-linear it is called

Material Non-linearity
stress

strain
If changes of stiffness occur due only to changes in material
properties under operating conditions, the problem is one of
material nonlinearity.
 Material Nonlinearity
The engineering significance
of material nonlinearities
varies greatly across
disciplines. They seem to
occur most often in civil
engineering, that deals with
inherently nonlinear materials
such as concrete, soils and
low-strength steel.
In mechanical engineering
creep and plasticity are most
important, frequently occurring
in combination with strain-rate
and thermal effects.
In aerospace engineering
material nonlinearities are less
important and tend to be local
in nature (for example, cracking
and “localization” failures of
composite materials).
 Geometric Nonlinearity

Physical source: Change in geometry as the structure deforms

is taken into account in setting up the strain-displacement and
equilibrium equations.

Applications : Slender structures in aerospace, civil and

mechanical engineering applications. Tensile structures such as
cables and inflatable membranes. Metal and plastic forming.
Stability analysis of all types.
 Geometric Nonlinearity
If changes in stiffness come only from changes in shape,
nonlinear behavior is defined as geometric nonlinearity.

Such shape-caused changes in stiffness can happen when a part

has large deformations that are visible to the naked eye. A
generally accepted rule of thumb suggests conducting a
nonlinear geometry analysis if the deformations are larger than
1/20th of the part’s largest dimension.
 Geometric Nonlinearity
Another important factor to recognize is that in cases of large
deformations, the load direction can change as the model
deforms.

following (or Non Conservative) load Changes its direction

during the process of deformation and remains Normal to the
deformed beam (left). Non-following, or Conservative, load
retains its original direction(right).
Geometric Nonlinearity
Geometric Nonlinearity
Geometric Nonlinearity
 Geometric Nonlinearity
Changes in stiffness due to shape can also occur when the
deformations are small. A typical example is an initially flat
membrane deflecting under pressure

Initially, the membrane resists the pressure load only with bending stiffness.
After the pressure load has caused some curvature, the deformed membrane
exhibits stiffness additional to the original bending stiffness . Deformation
changes the membrane stiffness so that the deformed membrane is much stiffer
than the flat membrane.
 Geometric Nonlinearity

Some FEA programs use confusing terminology, calling all

analysis of geometric nonlinearities “large deformation
analysis.” This ignores the necessity to perform nonlinear
analysis for smaller deformation.
 Force BC Nonlinearity

This type of the Nonlinearity is Once a deformation has

due to the effect of applied force occurred, however
on the deformed structure small, axial force will
add to the bending
P moments and
P consequently to the
Q Q Y1 deflection and so on

a
 Force BC Nonlinearity

Stiffness in a part also changes due to applied loads. Sometimes,

loads—depending on how they are applied—can either increase
the stiffness (tension loads) or decrease it (compressive loads).

For example, a tight rope can take an acrobat’s weight. A loose

one, however, will make him fall.

In cases of compressive load, if the changes in stiffness are

sufficient to cause the structure’s stiffness to drop to zero, buckling
occurs and the structure experiences a rapid deformation.
 Displacement BC Nonlinearity

Displacement boundary conditions depend on the deformation

of the structure.

The most important application is the contact problem, in which

no-interpenetration conditions are enforced on flexible bodies
while the extent of the contact area is unknown.
 Displacement BC Nonlinearity
Figure shows an example of nonlinear supports. The effective
beam length and its consequent stiffness depend on the amount
of beam deformation. When the beam contacts the support, its
stiffness increases because of the drop in its active length.

This support (when activated) changes the effective length of

beam. Consequently, beam stiffness changes and the problem
requires nonlinear analysis.
Engineering Applications of Nonlinear Structural Analysis

Strength analysis :- How much load can the structure support

before global failure occurs?

Deflection analysis :- When deflection control is of primary

importance

Stability analysis :- Finding critical points (limit points or

bifurcation points) closest to operational range

•Service configuration analysis :- Finding the “operational”

equilibrium form of certain slender structures when the
fabrication and service configurations are quite different (e.g.
cables, inflatable structures, helicoids)
Engineering Applications of Nonlinear Structural
Analysis

Reserve strength analysis:- Finding the load carrying capacity

beyond critical points to assess safety under abnormal conditions.

Progressive failure analysis:- A variant of stability and strength

analysis in which progressive deterioration (e.g. cracking) is
considered.

Envelope analysis :-A combination of previous analyses in which

multiple parameters are varied.
Plastic Analysis Method

Actual Stress –Strain Diagram of steel

Idealized Stress –Strain Diagram of steel and Moment

Curvature Diagram

Concept of Plastic Hinge

Concept of Shape Factor

Concept of Equal Area axis

Concept of Redistribution of moment and forces

Plastic Analysis Method

Concept of Mechanism

Different Theorems

Calculation of collapse load

Plastic hinges in RCC Structures.

Statically admissible:-
General, there will exist many distribution of bending moment
throughout a given redundant frame, which satisfy all the
condition of statically equilibrium with prescribed set of
external loads. Greenberg and Pruger have termed distribution
of this kind statically admissible.

Safe:-
A distribution of bending moment in which the fully
plastic moment is not exceeded any where in the frame
is described as safe.
STATIC THEOREM: - LOWER BOUND THEOREMS:
for a given frame and loading, if there exists any distribution of bending
moment throughout the frame which is both safe and statically admissible with a
set of loads W, the value of W must be less than or equal to the collapse load
Wc.

Corollary of this theorem is that it for a given set of loads W it can

be shown that no distribution of bending moment exists which is
both safe and statically admissible, this value of W must be greater
than the collapse load Wc.
Set of load W:
Suppose that given frame is subjected to several load being applied at a given
point in specified direction. Let one of the loads denoted by ‘W’ and let each of
the other loads be some given multiple of ‘W’. Then the set of the load is
specified completely by the value of W, and so can be referred collectively as
the set of the loads ‘W’.
The set of loads which would cause plastic collapse if applied to the frame is
denoted by ‘Wc’, this value of ‘W’ being termed the collapse load
Kinematic theorem – upper bound theorem:
For a given frame subjected to set of loads W, the value of W
which is found to correspond to any assumed mechanism
must be either greater than or equal to the collapse load Wc.

If value of W The value of collapse load

corresponding to all
possible collapse
mechanism is found,
the actual collapse load
Wc will be the smallest
of these values.
can be found by equating
the work done by the loads
during a small motion of
the collapse mechanism to
the work.
 σu

STRESS σL

STRAIN(%)
 σu
250

σL

STRESS

0.5 1.0 2.0

STRAIN(%)
 σL= σy
σL

STRESS

STRAIN(%)