Small deformation analysis based on geometric nonlinearity is required for some applications, like analysis involving cables, arches and shells.

Many engineering applications such as metal forming, tire analysis, and medical device analysis require the use of large deformation analysis based on geometric nonlinearity. In analyses involving geometric nonlinearity, changes in geometry as the structure deforms are considered in formulating the constitutive and equilibrium equations. The source of this nonlinearity can be attributed to multiple system properties, for example, materials, geometry, nonlinear loading and constraints. Understanding the problem, the role played by these parameters and a planned and logical approach will do much to ensure a successful solution. Care should be taken to specify appropriate model and solution parameters. However, experienced skill is required to determine their validity and these analyses can easily be inappropriate. Modern analysis software makes it possible to obtain solutions to nonlinear problems. In the case study: FEA on Silicone Breast, our engineers used a non linear analyses to calculated the strength and deformation of the implants.

As a result, a different solving strategy is required for the nonlinear analysis and therefore a different solver. This is opposed to the linear static analysis, where the stiffness matrix remained constant. These effects result in a stiffness matrix which is not constant during the load application. large deformations), material nonlinearity’s (i.e. Nonlinear effects can originate from geometrical nonlinearity’s (i.e. A nonlinear analysis is an analysis where a nonlinear relation holds between applied forces and displacements.

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