Is it possible to control the incremental SumMstage for calculation steps?

Question

Hello, I would like to know what are the main parameters that affect the magnitude of the incrementally added sumMstage at each step, and if it's possible to control it. In another way, is it possible to obtain the same plot of Mstage vs IuI but with a larger number of steps? This in return should improve the accuracy of the calculation.

Dennis Waterman · Accepted Answer

Dear Mohamad, 
 A possibility is to limit the maximum step size PLAXIS can take is to set the "maximum load fraction per step" option in the Phase settings under Numerical control parameters. If you would set this value to for instance 0.01, then PLAXIS has to take at least 100 steps because SumMstage can only increase with 0.01 per step. 
 With kind regards, 
 Dennis Waterman

Dennis Waterman · Answer

Dear Mohamad, 
 It's not really related, because taking smaller load steps does not necessarily lead to higher accuracy and a smaller tolerated error by definition gives a more accurate results. For instance, see picture below of a load-displacement curve using only few larger load steps compared to many small load steps: So the results of the larger load steps match the results of the small loads steps: the accuracy is the same, just smaller load steps give a nicer curve. With kind regards, Dennis Waterman

Is it possible to control the incremental SumMstage for calculation steps?

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