What are Increments for?

[Anonymous]

I was confused regarding the use of increments in nonlinear analysis and whether they actually help in getting a more accurate solution or just a different value. I understand that increments lead to the load increasing somewhat slowly, but is that in any way related to the accuracy of the result. Every time I increase the number of increments in my analysis, the value of the result seems to go down.

[John_Holtz]

Hi @Anonymous

It is not the increment of the load that is important. It is the change of stiffness and/or the displacement change that is calculated more accurately when you have more increments. As parts deflect, the load carrying ability changes, or contact changes where the load is transferred, and so on.

I do not know what your model is, but how can it have 1.84 units of displacement with 0 load? Something seems wrong to me.