A nonlinear or thermal analysis is based on the concept of steps, which define the history of the analysis. Multiple steps can be defined in an analysis. Steps can be introduced simply to change the output requests or to change the loads, boundary conditions, analysis procedure, etc. There is no limit on the number of steps in an analysis. The state of the model at the end of a general step provides the initial conditions for the next step, making it easy to simulate consecutive loadings of a model, such as a dynamic response following a static preload or the loading of a product during its usage following a simulation of the manufacturing process.
The following are described in this section: