Visualization of Multi-step Analysis Data

Nonlinear, dynamic, sequentially staged or adaptive solution is obtained by multistep analysis, while linear static one is done by one-step analysis. Data obtained by multi-step analysis have information for each step of analysis. The data of intermediate steps may or may not have important meaning, depending on the type of analysis, or user's interest in the intermediate results. For dynamic analysis, the intermediate steps correspond to time steps involved in the analysis, and thus dynamic behavior of the system is represented by the data sets obtained for time steps. Nonlinear analysis may also involve more information than linear analysis in conjunction with its intermediate steps of load increment. The nonlinear behavior of the system can be observed by examining the data obtained at various levels of load increment. As for adaptive analysis, data obtained at the intermediate steps may either show progressive behavior of the system or suggest numerical characteristics of the solution. Thus, visualization of intermediate steps may be important not only for dynamic analysis but also for nonlinear, or adaptive analysis. Additional capabilities of postprocessing are required for better treatment of multistep analysis data as described below.