You are now able to limit the analysis cycle using a displacement limit control. These controls can be found on the Analysis/Print Commands dialog Nonlinear Analysis tab or input manually in the input command file.

The displacement limit control allows you to select a nodal displacement degree of freedom be monitored during a geometric nonlinear analysis. A target displacement is set and, if the number of load steps set is two or greater, the analysis will proceed step-by-step until the target displacement is met or exceeded. This provides you with an additional, practical means of limiting the number of steps used in a geometric nonlinear (GNL) analysis.