Some aspects on efficient path-following

Techniques to solve non-linear algebraic equations in finite element analys is are considered. In particular, aspects which influence the computational cost of the continuation process are discussed, e.g. step length determina tion, choice of the corrector iteration, and solution of the linear equatio ns. Different parametrization techniques are also compared. Results from st ructural and heat transfer analyses are presented. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd. All rights reserved.