CAENDKOELSCH

Learn on the go

Home About Us Get in touch Blog

Blog Posts
Difference between Implicit and Structural Dynamics
Basics Post 1/2
Explicit analysis Modal Analysis in
Simple terms
Equivalent Elements for
Whenever I tried using a FEA software for solving a problem, a lot of Quicker Simulations
options pop up in front of me confusing my mind to a whole new level. Difference between Implicit
and Explicit analysis
Understanding these options would make us quick and enormously
Topology Optimization of a
efficient. It is always good to know how a software solves your bridge using ABAQUS
problem so that you can make sense out of the results it spits out. Structural Intensity
Even worse, when we work with deadlines and the FEA software Calculation

keeps putting up error messages, or if our solution converges slowly,

what do we do? Swear the solver? Yes, of course, but still as
engineers, we are supposed to deliver. So let us take small but steady
steps towards knowing the backend as we all tend to become the
quick and efficient engineer one day.

There are two approaches of FE analysis, namely implicit and explicit.

This blog post is intended to throw some light on the differences
between an implicit and explicit analysis. If one is able to appreciate
the distinction between the two different numerical approaches, it
becomes easy to solve nonlinear finite element problems as similar
methodologies are used there too. Only a basic level treatment is dealt
here as a thorough analysis would take a lot of time and other
resources. As is the case with our other posts, we have also resorted
to an example for easy understanding.

Before we move further, its good to know the following.

Classification of Nonlinear Analyses [1]:

Materially Nonlinear Analysis

The material is governed by a nonlinear stress strain relationship

(constitutive equation). The displacements and the strains are
infinitesimal.

Large displacements / Large rotations but small strains

The stress-strain relations may be linear or nonlinear.

Large displacements/ Large rotations and large strains

Stress strain relation would be probably nonlinear

Nonlinearities in boundary conditions

Contact problems for example.

Anticipating these nonlinearities, an incremental approach is always

used which is measured in terms of load steps or time steps. At the
end of each of these steps, the stiffness matrix gets updated. In both
explicit and implicit analysis, the stiffness matrix keeps getting updated
after every step. So what would be the difference?

The enforcement of equilibrium. i.e. the externally applied forces and

the internal forces are enforced to be in equilibrium in the case of
implicit analysis by adding certain corrections. This is done by resorting
to Newton Raphson method. Whereas, in the case of explicit analysis,
the external and the internal forces are not in equilibrium. The
implications, that the equilibrium enforcement has, on different factors
like solution convergence, time and accuracy will be discussed with the
help of an example further.

This is a nonlinear static problem. First the problem is solved using

explicit method and then with implicit method and the results are plotted
and compared for a clear understanding.

Lets get it started with a simple bar in tension.

Figure 1: Simple bar in tension

Note : All the calculations are done manually and are approximate.

The force acting in this bar is a nonlinear function of the displacement

and follows the equation

So we can see from the last coloumn of the above table the internal
and external forces are coming to equilibrium.

Plot of Results
For visualizing the difference, the results of explicit and implicit analysis
are plotted in Figure 2. We can see that explicit deviates from the
exact solution. This deviation is mainly attributed to the lack of
equilibrium between internal and external forces. But this deviation can
be reduced by increasing the number of increments. See figure 3,
where 20 increments are used in solving the same problem with explicit
analysis scheme. In the case of implicit analysis, the Newton Raphson
iterations correct the increments so that based on user specified
tolerance the solutions are provided which match the exact results in
just three increments. So, once satisfactory equilibrium conditions are
achieved, the new load increment is applied to advance towards the
solution and this process is iterated.

Figure 2: Comparison of exact results with implicit and explicit analysis

results

Figure 3: Explicit analysis with 20 increments

We have tried to explain the difference mathematically with a simple

example. Hope it makes sense. Please do let us know about what you
think of this post. Prost !

Special Note of Thanks:

We would like to sincerely acknowledge and thank Mr. Louie.L. Yaw
for his material on non linear static explicit and implicit analysis based
on which this blog post is written.

Other References:

[1] http://ocw.mit.edu/resources/res-2-002-finite-element-procedures-
for-solids-and-structures-spring-2010/nonlinear/lecture-
1/MITRES2_002S10_lec01.pdf

Share this:

Twitter Facebook Google

Posted on May 7, 2016 by caendkoelsch This entry was posted in ABAQUS,

Explicit Analysis,, Implicit Analysis and tagged ABAQUS, Explicit, FEA,
Implicit. Bookmark the permalink.

Topology Optimization of a Equivalent Elements for

bridge using ABAQUS Quicker Simulations

2 thoughts on Difference between Implicit and

Explicit analysis

Varun Shitole SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 AT 2:31 PM

Hello sekar ,
It is very helpful material,
Looking forward to reading your all the blogs and get all
the concept thoroughly clear.

Thank-you

Reply

caendkoelsch
SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 AT 7:26 AM
Thank you.

Reply

Leave a Reply
Enter your comment here...

Blog at WordPress.com.