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Using Newton-Raphson Method in Nonlinear FEA

The document discusses the transition from linear to nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) using the Newton-Raphson method. It explains that while the stiffness matrix in linear FEA is constant, in nonlinear FEA it transforms into a tangent stiffness matrix that is updated at each iteration. The document provides a detailed example of a nonlinear spring problem to illustrate the application of the Newton-Raphson method in solving nonlinear equations.

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Arthur Freitas
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62 views3 pages

Using Newton-Raphson Method in Nonlinear FEA

The document discusses the transition from linear to nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) using the Newton-Raphson method. It explains that while the stiffness matrix in linear FEA is constant, in nonlinear FEA it transforms into a tangent stiffness matrix that is updated at each iteration. The document provides a detailed example of a nonlinear spring problem to illustrate the application of the Newton-Raphson method in solving nonlinear equations.

Uploaded by

Arthur Freitas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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From Linear FEA to Newton-Raphson Method in

Nonlinear FEA

By Dr. Iman Salehinia, NIU, April 2025

Key Question
If F = Ka in FEA, then in nonlinear FEA using Newton-Raphson, where does the stiffness
matrix go? Does it still play a role?

Short Answer
Yes — the stiffness matrix still plays a key role in nonlinear FEA. It transforms into the
tangent stiffness matrix KT (a), which depends on the current displacement. Unlike the
constant stiffness matrix in linear FEA, the tangent stiffness matrix is updated at each
Newton-Raphson iteration.

Step 1: Linear FEA


In linear finite element analysis:
Fext = Ka
• Fext is the external force vector

• K is the global stiffness matrix (constant)

• a is the nodal displacement vector


The problem is solved directly:
a = K−1 Fext

Step 2: Nonlinear FEA


In nonlinear problems (due to material or geometric nonlinearity), the internal force becomes
a nonlinear function of displacement:

R(a) = Fext − Fint (a) = 0

1
We want to solve for a such that:
Fint (a) = Fext

Step 3: Newton-Raphson Method


We apply Newton-Raphson to solve R(a) = 0:
 
(i+1) ∂R
(i)
R(a ) ≈ R(a ) + ∆a(i) = 0
∂a
Rearranged:
(i)
KT ∆a(i) = Fext − Fint (a(i) ) = R(i)
Where:
• ∆a(i) = a(i+1) − a(i)
(i)
• KT = ∂Fint
∂a a(i)
is the tangent stiffness matrix
Update rule:
a(i+1) = a(i) + ∆a(i)

Final Newton-Raphson Formula


(i)
KT ∆a(i) = Fext − Fint (a(i) )

Nonlinear Spring Example


Consider a nonlinear spring with:
Fint (u) = ku + αu3
Given:
• k = 10 N/m, α = 1 N/m3
• Fext = 20 N
Goal: Solve
ku + αu3 = Fext

Newton-Raphson Setup
R(u) = Fext − (ku + αu3 )

dFint
KT (u) = = k + 3αu2
du
R(u(i) )
∆u(i) = , u(i+1) = u(i) + ∆u(i)
KT (u(i) )

2
Sample Iterations
Iteration u(i) Fint R KT ∆u Updated u
0 1.000 11.00 9.00 13.00 0.692 1.692
1 1.692 21.75 -1.75 18.59 -0.094 1.598
2 1.598 20.06 -0.06 17.66 -0.0034 1.5946

Converged solution:
u ≈ 1.5946 m

Conclusion
• In linear FEA: F = Ka with constant K

• In nonlinear FEA: Fint (a) is nonlinear; we use KT = ∂Fint


∂a

• The stiffness matrix evolves into a tangent stiffness matrix, which is critical for Newton-
Raphson iterations

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