In the course of this thesis, a lightweight solver for geometrically nonlinear truss problems
in the field of nonlinear finite elements was extended to include more extensive path follow-
ing techniques, addressing some of the main problems in path following. A benchmark of
truss models was established to evaluate extensions applied to the program. The Newton-
Raphson solver was edited to include a damping line search procedure to its first corrector
iteration, leading to a more robust solver for bad predictors. A Quasi-Newton method, namely
the Broyden rank-one update, was introduced to avoid Newton’s reoccuring derivations of the
Jacobian. Some line search procedures seeking global convergence of Broyden-like meth-
ods were applied and studied with respect to their applicability for path following methods.
The Broyden-Li method has proven in most cases to be a robust implementation for seek-
ing global convergence behaviour. The well-established and resurfacing field of automatic
differentiation with dual numbers was applied and showcased as a promising alternative to
common differentiation techniques in computer programs for deriving the Jacobian. The po-
tential of interpolating polynomials for high quality predictors was investigated. The predictors
are created by extrapolation of the interpolating polynomials of pre-solved equilibrium points.
Lagrange and Hermite polynomials were studied in their extrapolating behaviour for their ap-
péication in high order predictors. High quality predictors were achieved with polynomials up
to order three. An adaptive predictor-corrector formulation was introduced applying adaptive
changes to the predictor until several conditions deem the converged point as a viable next
equilibrium point of the residual path. Strong improvements were achieved in the coverage
quality of the resulting equilibrium path.
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In the course of this thesis, a lightweight solver for geometrically nonlinear truss problems
in the field of nonlinear finite elements was extended to include more extensive path follow-
ing techniques, addressing some of the main problems in path following. A benchmark of
truss models was established to evaluate extensions applied to the program. The Newton-
Raphson solver was edited to include a damping line search procedure to its first corrector
iteration, leading to a more robust solv...
»