WORKSHOP 9

Non-Linear Load
Balancing

2
1000#

5
2

1000#
MPC

MPC
3

Objectives:

Create 3 springs with different spring constants (K).

Implement different loadings in each subcase.

Simulate multiple boundary conditions with MPCs.

MSC.Nastran 105 Exercise Workbook

9-1

9-2

MSC.Nastran 105 Exercise Workbook

WORKSHOP 9

Non-Linear Load Balancing

Introduction
Many of the aerospace engineering challenges often involve
fabrication and assembly of the components on the ground in 1-g
environment and subsequently launching these components in space
in 0-g environment. Assembly and Launch process introduces residual
loads in the connecting components. The task at hand is made
inconvenient by the inherent nature of the process where loads,
boundary conditions and the structure itself are changing during each
step of the process. The finite element models associated with such
structure are often large which further complicates the analysis
process. Due to changing loads and boundary conditions, the
structural stiffness is changing between load cases. Moreover, the
strain energy stored in the structure in a load case is redistributed in
subsequent load case. MSC.Nastran nonlinear capability allows these
type of interaction between load cases where loads can be added and
constraints can be removed in a continuous manner allowing the
energy transfer to take place during process. This is done by
appropriately selecting load sets, single-point-constraint set and multipoint constraint set for each load case. It is important to note that in
deformed grid cannot be constrained in the deformed position in the
subsequent subcase. Constraining the deformed grid in later subcase
will force the deformation of the grid to zero. Multi-point-constraints
are linear equations connecting one degree of freedom displacement
to one or more degree of freedom displacements.

Solution Method:
MSC.Nastran nonlinear static solution sequence (SOL 106) will be
used for the problem. It continuously, accounts for modification of
loads, boundary condition and multi-point constraint equations
between subcases. (i.e. converged solution at the end of a subcase
forms an initial condition for the next subcase). Multiple subcases
provide tool for applying distinct loads and boundary conditions,
which are part of a load history for the analysis under consideration.
Within a subcase loading and boundary conditions can be subdivided
into number of increments to assist the convergence process. The
number of load increments and iteration methods are specified on the
NLPARM bulkdata entry, which is selected within each subcase.
Thus, subcases in nonlinear analysis provide partitioning of a load
history where each step of the loading history can be controlled
independently. For the present problem, response of the structure is
linear for the given loading and incremental load steps are not
required.

MSC.Nastran 105 Exercise Workbook

9-3

Demonstration of concept:
It is invaluable to illustrate and validate the analysis under
consideration prior to attempting it on an actual problem. This is done
here using simple three-spring model, which is conceptually similar to
problem under investigation that has a close form solution. In this
sample problem three co-linear springs are considered. Objective of
the analysis is to fit the middle spring between the two outer springs
and calculate the loads in the assembled structure. Two outer springs
are constrained at the opposite ends and compressed to fit the middle
spring. Subsequently, compression caused by the external forces from
the two outer springs are released and load in the middle spring is
observed. The MSC.Nastran nonlinear solution result for the problem
described in figure 1 is compared to closed form solution obtained via
principle of minimum potential energy in the following table 1.
Theoretical formulation is shown on next page and MSC.Nastran
input file is shown in appendix A.

9-4

MSC.Nastran 105 Exercise Workbook

Non-Linear Load Balancing

WORKSHOP 9

Figure 1
Subcase 1:

2
1000#

5
2

1000#
MPC

MPC
3

SPC = 1
LOAD = 10
$ Note MPCs are defined but not referenced.
Spring 1 Constant: 1000. Applied Force=-1000,0
Spring 2 Constant: 1000. Applied Force=1000.0

Subcase 2:
SPC = 2 $ Spcs at 3 and 4 removed.
MPC = 1 $ MPCs are active in this subcase.
$ Load removed

Spring 3 Constant: 2000.

End of Subcase 1

End of Subcase 2

Nastran

Theory

Nastran

Theory

-1.0

-1.0

-0.8

-0.8

1.0

1.0

0.8

0.8

1000

1000

800

800

0.0

0.0

800

800

1000

1000

800

800

Displacement A
B
Element forces 1

Table 1: Comparison of a Testcase with MSC.Nastran nonlinear solution.

MSC.Nastran 105 Exercise Workbook

9-5

Theoretical Formulation:
The potential energy of the system can be written as
2 1
2 1
2
1
U = --- k 1 x 1 + --- k 2 x 2 + --- k 3 [ ( x 1 x 1) + ( x 2 x 2' ) ]
2
2
2
Where,
x1, x2 = deformation of the outer spring prior to load release.
x1, x2 = deformation at equilibrium
k1, k2, k3 = spring stiffness of springs 1, 2, and 3.

dU- = k x ' + 0 + k ( 1 ) [ x x ' + x x ' ] = 0

--------1 1
3
1
1
2
2
dx1'
k 1 x 1' = k 3 [ x 1 + x 2 x 2' ] k 3 x 1'
k3
----------------- [ x + x 2 x 2' ]
x 1' =
k1 + k3 1
dU- = 0 + k x + k ( 1 ) [ x x ' + x x ' ] = 0
--------2 2
3
1
1
2
2
dx 2
k 2 x 2' = k 3 [ x 1 + x 2 x 2' ] k 3 x 1'
Substituting x1

k3 k3
----------------- [ x + x 2 x 2' ]
k 2 x 2' = k 3 [ x 1 + x 2 ] k 3 x 2'
k1 + k3 1
k3 k3
k3k3
-----------------x '
k 2 x 2 = k 3 ------------------ [ x 1 + x 2 ] k 3 x 2' +
k1 + k3 2
k1 + k3

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MSC.Nastran 105 Exercise Workbook

WORKSHOP 9

Non-Linear Load Balancing

k3
k3
- x 2' = k 3 ----------------- [ x 1 + x2 ]
k 2 + k ----------------3 k +k
k
+
k
1
3
1
3
k1 k3
k1 k3
- x 2' = ------------------ [ x 1 + x 2 ]
k 2 + ----------------k1 + k3
k1 + k3
k1 k3
x 2' = ------------------------------------------------ [ x 1 + x 2 ]
k1 k2 + k2 k3 + k1 k3

Results
Subcase 1: Max = 1
On Subcase 2: Max = 0.8

Verification
k1 k3
x 2 = ------------------------------------------------ [ x 1 + x 2 ]
k1 k2 + k2 k3 + k1 k3

k 1 = k 2 = 1000
k 3 = 2000

2(1 + 1) = 4
= ----------------------- = 0.8
1+2+2
5

MSC.Nastran 105 Exercise Workbook

9-7

SOL 106
CEND
OLOAD = ALL
DISP = ALL
SPCFORCE = ALL
MPCFORCE = ALL
ESE = ALL
$
SUBCASE 1
NLPARM = 1
LOAD
= 1
SPC
= 1
$
SUBCASE 2
$
$ - UNLOAD
$ - CHANGE SPC TO INCLUDE THE MIDDLE SPRING
$ - CONNECT OUTER SPRINGS TO THE MIDDLE SPRING
$
NLPARM = 2
SPC = 2
MPC = 1
BEGIN BULK
$
NLPARM,1,1
NLPARM,2,1
$
GRID,1,,0.
GRID,2,,10.
GRID,3,,10.
GRID,4,,14.
GRID,5,,14.
GRID,6,,24.
$
CELAS1,1,1,1,1,2,1
CELAS1,2,2,3,1,4,1
CELAS1,3,1,5,1,6,1
$
PELAS,1,1000.
PELAS,2,2000.
$
FORCE,1,2,,1000.,-1.
FORCE,1,5,,1000.,1.
$
$ SUBCASE1
$ FIXED BOTH ENDS
$ GRID 2 & 6 ARE FREE IN x
$
SPC1,1,1,1,6
SPC1,1,23456,1,2,5,6
$
SPC1,1,123456,3,4 $ - REMOVE FROM SOLUTION (NOT CONNECTED)
$
$ SUBCASE 2
$ FIXED BOTH ENDS
$ ALL OTHER GRIDS ARE FREE IN x
$
SPC1,2,1,1,6
SPC1,2,23456,1,2,3,4,5,6
$
MPC,1,4,1,1.,5,1,-1.
MPC,1,3,1,1.,2,1,-1.
ENDDATA

9-8

MSC.Nastran 105 Exercise Workbook

Non-Linear Load Balancing

WORKSHOP 9

Exercise Procedure:
1.

Create a new file.

File/New...
New Database Name

load_balance

OK
Click on the Node Size icon.
Node Size

2.

Create the finite elements.

Finite Elements
Action:

Create

Object:

Node

Method:

Edit

Associate with Geometry

Node Location List:

[0 0 0]

Apply
Node ID List:

Node Location List:

[10 0 0]

Apply
Node ID List:

Node Location List:

[10 0 0]

Apply
Node ID List:

Node Location List:

[14 0 0]

Apply
Node ID List:

5
MSC.Nastran 105 Exercise Workbook

9-9

Node Location List:

[14 0 0]

Apply
Node ID List:

Node Location List:

[24 0 0]

Apply
Action:

Create

Object:

Element

Method:

Edit

Shape:

Bar

Auto Execute
Element ID List:

Node 1 =

node 1

Node 2 =

node 2

Apply
Element ID List:

Node 1 =

node 3

Node 2 =

node 4

Apply
Element ID List:

Node 1 =

node 5

Node 2 =

node 6

Apply
Create the Properties.
Properties

9-10

Action:

Create

Object:

1D

Method:

Spring

Property Set Name:

spring_1

MSC.Nastran 105 Exercise Workbook

WORKSHOP 9

Non-Linear Load Balancing

Input Properties
Spring Constant:

1000

DOF at Node 1:

UX

DOF at Node 2:

UX

OK
Select Members
Click on the Beam Element icon.
Beam Element

Select Elements 1 and 3.

Add
Apply
Property Set Name:

spring_2

Input Properties
Spring Constant:

2000

DOF at Node 1:

UX

DOF at Node 2:

UX

OK
Select Members
Select Element 2.
Add
Apply
Create loads and boundary conditions.
Loads/BC
Action:

Create
MSC.Nastran 105 Exercise Workbook

9-11

Object:

Force

Type:

nodal

New Set Name:

force_1

Input Data
Force <F1 F2 F3>:

<-1000 0 0>

OK
Select Application Region
Geometry Filter:
Select Nodes:

FEM
node 2

Add
OK
Apply
New Set Name:

force_2

Input Data
Force <F1 F2 F3>:

<1000 0 0>

OK
Select Application Region
Geometry Filter:
Select Nodes:

FEM
node 5

Add
OK
Apply
Action:

Create

Object:

Displacement

Type:

nodal

New Set Name:

outside

Input Data

9-12

Translations <T1 T2 T3>:

<0 0 0>

Rotations <R1 R2 R3>:

<0 0 0>

MSC.Nastran 105 Exercise Workbook

Non-Linear Load Balancing

WORKSHOP 9

OK
Select Application Region
Geometry Filter:
Select Nodes:

FEM
node 1 6

Add
OK
Apply
New Set Name:

inside

Input Data
Translations <T1 T2 T3>:

<0 0 0>

Rotations <R1 R2 R3>:

<0 0 0>

OK
Select Application Region
Geometry Filter:
Select Nodes:

FEM
node 3 4

Add
OK
Apply

Finite Elements
Action:

Create

Object:

MPC

Type:

Explicit

MPC ID:

Define Terms
Auto Execute
Create Dependent
MSC.Nastran 105 Exercise Workbook

9-13

Node List:
DOFs:

node 3
UX

Apply
Create Independent
Coefficient

1.0

Node List:

node 2

DOFs:

UX

Apply
Apply
MPC ID:

Create Dependent
Node List:
DOFs:

node 4
UX

Apply
Create Independent
Coefficient

1.0

Node List:

node 5

DOFs:

UX

Apply
Apply
Create Load Cases.
Load Cases
Action:

Create

Load Case Name:

case_1

Assign/Prioritize Loads/BCs
Select from menu.
Select Individual Loads/BCs:

Displ_inside
Displ_outside

9-14

MSC.Nastran 105 Exercise Workbook

WORKSHOP 9

Non-Linear Load Balancing

Force_force_1
Force_force_2

OK
Apply
Load Case Name:

case_2

Assign/Prioritize Loads/BCs
Select from menu.
Select Individual Loads/BCs:

Displ_outside

OK
Apply
Do the Analysis.
Analysis
Action:

Analyze

Object:

Entire Model

Method:

Analysis Deck

Solution Type
Nonlinear Static
OK
Subcase Select
Under Subcases For Solution Sequence, click on case 1 and case 2
and they should come up under Subcases Selected. Then deselect
Default under Subcases Selected by clicking on it.
OK
Apply

MSC.Nastran 105 Exercise Workbook

9-15

Now we need to modify the input decks.

1) Delete MPC = 3 in Case Control section
2) Add MPC = 3 under Subcase 2

9-16

MSC.Nastran 105 Exercise Workbook

LOAD STEP =

POINT ID.
1
2
3
4
5
6

LOAD STEP =

POINT ID.
1
2
3
4
5
6

T1
0.0
-1.000000E+00
0.0
0.0
1.000000E+00
0.0

T1
0.0
-8.000000E-01
2.000000E-01
-2.000000E-01
8.000000E-01
0.0

1.00000E+00

TYPE
G
G
G
G
G
G

2.00000E+00

TYPE
G
G
G
G
G
G

0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

T3

T2
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

T3

D I S P L A C E M E N T

T2

D I S P L A C E M E N T
R1

JUNE

0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

R1

JUNE

V E C T O R

0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

V E C T O R

SUBCASE 1

R2
R3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
9, 1999 MSC/NASTRAN 6/25/98

SUBCASE 2

R2
R3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
9, 1999 MSC/NASTRAN 6/25/98

PAGE

PAGE

13

12

WORKSHOP 9

Non-Linear Load Balancing

MSC.Nastran 105 Exercise Workbook

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MSC.Nastran 105 Exercise Workbook