Loadsteps Panel

Use the Loadsteps panel to create Nastran and OptiStruct loadstep entities, which directly correspond to Nastran and OptiStruct loadstep definitions..

Location: Analysis page
Note: Only available in the Nastran or OptiStruct solver interfaces.

The Loadsteps panel allows explicit selection of bulk data information for use in a loadstep. A type selector allows you to define the type of analysis to be performed in a loadstep. Depending on the solver interface, different analysis types are available. Each analysis type presents a subset of selectors that are relevant to that type of analysis. A "generic" analysis type is also available which presents all selectors to the user.

Available References for Nastran

Reference Function
SPC (constraints) Select a loadcollector with an SPCADD card image or a loadcollector with no card image containing SPC entries.
LOAD (static loads) Select a loadcollector with a LOAD, GRAV or RFORCE card image or a loadcollector with no card image containing FORCE, MOMENT, PLOAD, PLOAD2, PLOAD4, and SPCD entries.

If "LOADTEMP = shareid" is set in the OptiStruct configuration file, then a loadcollector with a TEMPD card image or a loadcollector with no card image containing TEMP entries may also be selected here.

MPC (multi-point constraints) Select a loadcollector with an MPCADD card image or a loadcollector with no card image containing MPC entries.
SUPPORT1 (fictitious supports) Select a loadcollector with no card image containing SUPORT1 entries.
NLPARM (non-linear parameters) Select a loadcollector with an NLPARM card image.
METHOD (Eigenvalue extraction data) Select a loadcollector with an EIGRL card image.
FREQ (frequency range) Select a loadcollector with a FREQ, FREQ1, FREQ2, FREQ3, FREQ4 or FREQ5 card image.
SDAMPING (damping) Select a loadcollector with a TABDMP1
DLOAD (dynamic loads) Select a loadcollector with a DLOAD, TLOAD1, TLOAD2, RLOAD1, or RLOAD2 card image.
TSTEP (time step) Select a loadcollector with a TSTEP card image.

For the OptiStruct solver interface, you also need to choose TIME or FOURIER for TSTEP, indicating that a true transient or a fourier transform transient analysis is to be performed.

STATSUB (static sub-case) Select a linear static loadstep definition.
TEMP (thermal loading) Select a loadcollector with a TEMPD card image or a loadcollector with no card image containing TEMP entries.

If "LOADTEMP = shareid" is set in the OptiStruct configuration file then a loadcollector with a TEMPD card image or a loadcollector with no card image containing TEMP entries should be selected by the LOAD selector and not by the TEMP selector.

LOADSET (static load sequences) Select a loadcollector with an LSEQ card image.

Available References for OptiStruct

Reference Function
SPC (constraints) Select a loadcollector with an SPCADD card image or a loadcollector with no card image containing SPC entries.
LOAD (static loads) Select a loadcollector with a LOAD, GRAV or RFORCE card image or a loadcollector with no card image containing FORCE, MOMENT, PLOAD, PLOAD2, PLOAD4, and SPCD entries.

If "LOADTEMP = shareid" is set in the OptiStruct configuration file, then a loadcollector with a TEMPD card image or a loadcollector with no card image containing TEMP entries may also be selected here.

MPC (multi-point constraints) Select a loadcollector with an MPCADD card image or a loadcollector with no card image containing MPC entries.
SUPPORT1 (fictitious supports) Select a loadcollector with no card image containing SUPORT1 entries.
NLPARM (non-linear parameters) Select a loadcollector with an NLPARM card image.
METHOD (Eigenvalue extraction data) Select a loadcollector with an EIGRL card image.
FREQ (frequency range) Select a loadcollector with a FREQ, FREQ1, FREQ2, FREQ3, FREQ4 or FREQ5 card image.
SDAMPING (damping) Select a loadcollector with a TABDMP1
DLOAD (dynamic loads) Select a loadcollector with a DLOAD, TLOAD1, TLOAD2, RLOAD1, or RLOAD2 card image.
TSTEP (time step) Select a loadcollector with a TSTEP card image.

For the OptiStruct user profile, you also need to choose TIME or FOURIER for TSTEP, indicating that a true transient or a fourier transform transient analysis is to be performed

STATSUB (static sub-case) Select a linear static loadstep definition.
TEMP (thermal loading) Select a loadcollector with a TEMPD card image or a loadcollector with no card image containing TEMP entries.

If "LOADTEMP = shareid" is set in the OptiStruct configuration file then a loadcollector with a TEMPD card image or a loadcollector with no card image containing TEMP entries should be selected by the LOAD selector and not by the TEMP selector.

IC (initial conditions) Select a loadcollector with TIC card image.
MBSIM (multi-body dynamics simulation) Select a loadcollector with an MBLIN, MBSIM or MBSEQ card image.
MLOAD (multi-body dynamics loads) Select a loadcollector with an MLOAD card image or a loadcollector with no card image that contains MBFRC, MBFRCC, MBMNT, or MBMNTC entries.
MOTION (multi-body dynamics motions) Select a loadcollector with a MOTION card image or a loadcollector with no card image that contains MOTNG or MOTNGC entries.
INVEL (multi-body dynamics initial velocity) Select a loadcollector with an INVELB card image.
CMSMETH (component mode synthesis) Select a loadcollector with a CMSMETH card image.

Panel Options

Other input data is automatically generated (the SUBCASE header) or may be added to the loadstep definition through the edit function (output requests, RESVEC).
Option Action
name = Specify a name for the new loadstep, or click to display a list of loadsteps, .
type: (switch) Select the loadstep type, such as linear static or heat transfer.
SPC Select a loadcollector with an SPCADD card image or a loadcollector with no card image containing SPC entries.
LOAD Select a loadcollector with a LOAD, GRAV or RFORCE card image or a loadcollector with no card image containing FORCE, MOMENT, PLOAD, PLOAD2, PLOAD4, and SPCD entries.

If "LOADTEMP = shareid" is set in the OptiStruct configuration file, then a loadcollector with a TEMPD card image or a loadcollector with no card image containing TEMP entries may also be selected here.

MPC Select a loadcollector with an MPCADD card image or a loadcollector with no card image containing MPC entries.
SUPPORT1 Select a loadcollector with no card image containing SUPORT1 entries.
NLPARM Select a loadcollector with an NLPARM card image.
METHOD Select a loadcollector with an EIGRL card image.
FREQ Select a loadcollector with a FREQ, FREQ1, FREQ2, FREQ3, FREQ4 or FREQ5 card image.
SDAMPING Select a loadcollector with a TABDMP1
DLOAD Select a loadcollector with a DLOAD, TLOAD1, TLOAD2, RLOAD1, or RLOAD2 card image.
TSTEP Select a loadcollector with a TSTEP card image.

For the OptiStruct user profile, you also need to choose TIME or FOURIER for TSTEP, indicating that a true transient or a fourier transform transient analysis is to be performed.

STATSUB Select a linear static loadstep definition.
TEMP Select a loadcollector with a TEMPD card image or a loadcollector with no card image containing TEMP entries.

If "LOADTEMP = shareid" is set in the OptiStruct configuration file then a loadcollector with a TEMPD card image or a loadcollector with card image containing TEMP entries should be selected by the LOAD selector and not by the TEMP selector.

LOADSET Select a loadcollector with an LSEQ card image.
IC Select a loadcollector with TIC card image.
MBSIM Select a loadcollector with an MBLIN, MBSIM or MBSEQ card image.
MLOAD Select a loadcollector with an MLOAD card image or a loadcollector with no card image that contains MBFRC, MBFRCC, MBMNT, or MBMNTC entries.
MOTION Select a loadcollector with a MOTION card image or a loadcollector with no card image that contains MOTNG or MOTNGC entries.
INVEL Select a loadcollector with an INVELB card image.
CMSMETH Select a loadcollector with a CMSMETH card image.

Command Buttons

Button Action
next Advance to the next page of inputs. This button becomes inactive if you are already on the final page of inputs.
prev Step back to the previous page of inputs. This button becomes inactive if you are already on the first page of inputs.
create Create a new loadstep using the specified references.
edit Open the timestep's card image in edit mode.
update Modify the currently selected loadstep to use the references you have specified.
review Open a list of existing loadsteps so that
return Exit the panel.