Structural analysis techniques can be broadly categorised into four types.

– Static linear analysis
– Dynamic linear analysis
– Static non-linear analysis
– Dynamic non-linear analysis

The static or dynamic part depends on the nature of force used for analysis.

Ideally dead load(self weight) is the only force in nature which is static in nature, that is it doesn’t change with time. Whereas other loads do.

But for simplicity of analysis live load, snow load, wind load and even seismic loads are assumed as simplified static loads.

The non-linearity part of this analysis depends on material characteristics assumed.

For linear analysis the material is assumed to be within the yield point of stress – strain curve.

Whereas for non-linear analysis the ductility parameters are taken into consideration and it is allowed to into non-linear zone.

Linear static analysis is used in most structural problems, unless there is a significant advantage for considering a more realistic case. (dynamic force or non-linearity of material)

The run time of the model also increases as you have non-linear analysis.

This is a post to describe types of analysis used. Any comments or suggestions are welcomed.