Geometrical nonlinear analysis of structures using residual variables.

The capability of nonlinear analysis methods in tracing the equilibrium path depends on how to return to static status. In this paper, some residual factors existed in the iteration steps are employed. By setting the residual load parameter to zero, minimizing its factor and the residual displacement parameter, three novel constraint equations are obtained. The new formulas are proved by numerical examples. All obtained results illustrate the minimum residual load scheme's robustness in comparison with the cylindrical arc-length algorithm and other previous strategies. Moreover, the capacities of new procedures in tracing the load and displacement limit points are assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]