Numerically generated tangent stiffness matrices for nonlinear structural analysis Original Research Article

Accurate tangent stiffness matrices are essential for the solution of nonlinear structural problems via Newton-like methods. The present paper presents an accurate numerical procedure for the generation of tangent stiffness matrices from the internal force generation modules. The present procedure is attractive for problems that require complex constitutive relations and/or kinematic nonlinearities whose models are difficult to linearize and for incorporating Newton-like solution strategies into vectorial-based nonlinear structural analysis codes.