In some cases, nonlinear stability ends with a warning; this can be confusing for users
Instructions
Once the results of these initial state analyses (which are prior to the eigenvalue buckling analyses within the nonlinear stability calculation) are present, the NL_ST_DIAG_TOOL might be used to check the graph of convergence.
- Run NL_ST_DIAG_TOOL_v4.2.exe
There is a disclaimer upon the opening of the *.exe
Confirm by „OK“
- Fill in the SCIA Engineer version (only first 4 symbols, e.g. for 25.0.2023 type 25.0 only) – it will look through the registers where the TEMP folder is located for this version
- Upon verification of the SCIA Engineer version, click on the button „Generate base ‘TEMP‘ path“.
- Type the number of the „Project order“ – usually1.
It is the order of the investigated project (esa file) opened from all currently opened projects in the corresponding SCIA version, respecting any historical closing and opening of various projects.
e.g.: in SCIA 25.0.2023 you have opened project A, afterwards you opened project B. In this case, if you want to investigate results of project B, type 2, as this is the second opened project. Later on, you may open project C while still having A and B opened as well. C will be number 3. Afterwards, you close the project A and B. You open project D. Number for D will be again 1, etc.
Note: default is usually wanted
- Optional – You can check where in TEMP is the „Info“ folder, from which the information to fill the dropdown menu under the button „Load the Dropdown menu“ is taken from
Note: each currently opened project within the TEMP folder has its own subfolder respecting the order of opening. The number from the input above is the 4th symbol in the name of this subfolder. The tool can work with maximum of 9 opened *.esa projects.
- Set the analysis type for which you want to see graph of convergence. Two options are available: „Nonlinear stability – initial state“ and „Nonlinear analysis“.
For nonlinear stability – just keep the corresponding default option
Note: The option to check the graph for standard nonlinear analysis was added just in case the user closes the „calculation process dialogue“ after the analysis and wants to check the convergence graph again. Fur such cases, only convergence graphs of finished nonlinear analyses are provided, as will be explained later.
- Mostly not necessary – Click on the button „Load the Dropdown menu“
By default, there will be no preselected option, but the list should be updated with the list of all the „initial state“ analyses of the nonlinear stability combinations, or all the nonlinear analyses, based on the above dropdown menu selection
Note: If the dropdown menu next to the „Analysis type“ is changed, the function this button triggers is also automatically triggered, so there is no necessity to click on this button in such case.
Just click on the button if you do not change the default content in the dropdown menu of the „Analysis type“
- Upon selecting one from the list, the path to the corresponding *.GRF4 xxx xxx file is automatically generated (for nonlinear stability – initial state). This is the file, from which the data are obtained in order to generate the current graphs
- Select the entity for y-axis of the graph – either the displacement „u“ or rotation „phi“
- Plot the desired type of graph
Further notes: In cases of analyses which end with „error“, the graphs through this tool are not provided, as there are no corresponding *.GRFxxxxxxx files in the TEMP folders. In such case an error message is provided:
This is not official SCIA software and these community addons are delivered without any warranty or guarantee. So always verify the imported data. If you have any feedback, comments, requests, please feel free to contact us at our e-mail [email protected].
