Generate a Load-Displacement Plot

Load-displacement plots are commonly used as a tool to determine the global stiffness response of a structure.

They are particularly useful for progressive failure analyses since they are a simple means of determining how the structure behaves as failure initiates and progresses. To generate a load-displacement plot, data must be extracted from the output file.

1. Select Tools > XY Data > Create. In the dialog box that appears, select the ODB field output option and click Continue.
2. In the dialog box that appears, select Unique Nodal for the Position and check the RF2 and U2 check boxes. On the Elements/Nodes tab, click Node sets and select TOP_LOAD_NODE.
3. Click Save.
4. Select Tools > XY Data > Manager. In the dialog box that appears, there will be two sets of data. To write this data to a file, it must be renamed using the Rename button.
5. After the data is renamed, it can be output to a text file by selecting Report > XY.

The plot of reaction force (RF2) vs. displacement (U2) is given below. The Simulation Composite Analysis solution is in good agreement with the experimental [1] plot.