The NAFEMS Non-linear Working Group (now the CSM Working Group) has the broad remit to improve the reliability of non-linear FE analysis in industry. To that end it has embarked on a number of initiatives, including development of benchmarks, workshops, educational texts and guidance documents. This report falls into the latter category. It describes two-case-studies of non-linear analysis and aims to provide guidance which goes beyond purely technical details in order to place the analysis in a practical context.

The document is aimed at a reader who has some acquaintance with the finite element method, but who is not a non-linear specialist and has little practical experience. Nevertheless specialists with non-industrial background may find them of interest since emphasis is placed on the practical difficulties that can arise. The general theme is the conversion of a practical problem into a computational one, the organisation of the calculations and the practical interpretation and assessment of the significance of the results.

The case studies are quite independent and their presentation is varied to suit the problem described. Each is intended to be self-sufficient and hence pages, tables, figures etc. are independently numbered.

This document is intended to complement the book “Introduction to Non-linear Finite Element Analysis”.

Contents

• INTRODUCTION

• PROBLEM OUTLINE AND BACKGROUND

• PREPATORY WORK AND COSTING OF ANALYSIS

• MODELLING AND ELASTIC SURVEY

• INELASTIC SOLUTIONS AND ASSESSMENT

• DISCUSSIONS AND REMARKS

• REFERENCE

• FIGURES