
FEATURE OVERVIEW
Capabilities for demanding
nonlinear cases
Explore the capabilities that extend standard OpenSees workflows.
Each feature addresses a specific nonlinear scenario,
from definition to interpretation of results.
Model
New Materials
Shear Wall Modeling
Contact Analysis
Simulate
Time History
Seismic Isolation
S.S.I.
Interpret
Post-processing
HDF5 Database


Contact Analysis
Model separation, impact, and interface behavior.
Simulate contact and separation between components under load using robust interaction definitions. Useful for problems where interfaces govern response and failure mechanisms.
-
Define contact interfaces suitable for nonlinear simulations
-
Study slip, separation, and localized effects
-
Interpret complex behaviors with clear visualization outputs
Best for: Interfaces, joints, geotechnical contact, and complex assemblies.
Shear Wall Modeling
Capture wall behavior with detailed nonlinear representation.
Model shear walls with a level of detail suitable for advanced analysis, including layered approaches and nonlinear behavior where needed. Ideal for complex buildings and performance-focused evaluations.
-
Represent walls with strategies suited to nonlinear response
-
Study cracking, damage patterns, and redistribution effects
-
Keep models organized and reusable across similar configurations
Best for: Performance-based assessment of RC walls and complex buildings.


Soil–Structure Interaction
Bring foundation and soil effects into nonlinear simulations.
Incorporate SSI effects to model how soil conditions influence structural response. STKO supports workflows where contact, nonlinear soil domains, and interface behavior matter.
-
Model foundations and nonlinear soil interaction mechanisms
-
Evaluate how soil properties affect response and demand
-
Visualize interaction effects with consistent post-processing
Best for: Geotechnical–structural coupling and site-specific seismic studies.

New Materials
Extend material behavior beyond standard models.
Model advanced constitutive laws and explore innovative materials for demanding nonlinear applications. From research to specialized design cases, STKO supports a flexible material workflow.
-
Work with advanced material definitions for nonlinear response
-
Validate assumptions through consistent result interpretation
-
Build reusable setups for iterative studies and parametric comparisons
Best for: Research, experimental calibration, and advanced material modeling.
Nonlinear Time
History Analysis
Capture real structural response under seismic records
Run dynamic nonlinear simulations to evaluate response, damage evolution, and stability under realistic seismic loading. Ideal when simplified assumptions are not enough.
-
Set up nonlinear dynamic analyses with clear, inspectable model definitions
-
Compare response across different input records and modeling assumptions
-
Interpret results through consistent post-processing and visualization workflows
Best for: Performance-based seismic assessment and research-grade simulations.

Seismic Isolation
Model isolators, dampers, and nonlinear bearings with confidence.
Analyze base-isolated systems and energy dissipation devices to understand decoupled structural response under earthquakes. Useful for design scenarios requiring controlled nonlinear behavior.
-
Represent isolation systems using nonlinear components and connections
-
Evaluate response reduction and displacement demands
-
Compare design options through repeatable simulation setups
Best for: Base-isolated buildings, bridges, and retrofit strategies.


Post-PROCESSING
Advanced result visualization
and interpretation
STKO offers advanced post-processing tools to explore, interpret,
and validate analysis results. Stress maps, deformation shapes,
and time-history responses help engineers gain insight
into complex nonlinear behavior.
Explicit definition of nonlinear elements
Consistent material modeling
Clear and inspectable model setup


PRE-PROCESSING
Model complex structures
with full control
STKO provides a powerful pre-processing environment
for building detailed structural models. Geometry, materials,
constraints, loads, and boundary conditions are defined
explicitly, ensuring clarity and consistency with
OpenSees formulations.
Explicit definition of nonlinear elements
Consistent material modeling
Clear and inspectable model setup


PRE-PROCESSING
Model complex structures
with full control
STKO provides a powerful pre-processing environment
for building detailed structural models. Geometry, materials,
constraints, loads, and boundary conditions are defined
explicitly, ensuring clarity and consistency with
OpenSees formulations.
Explicit definition of nonlinear elements
Consistent material modeling
Clear and inspectable model setup


PRE-PROCESSING
Model complex structures
with full control
STKO provides a powerful pre-processing environment
for building detailed structural models. Geometry, materials,
constraints, loads, and boundary conditions are defined
explicitly, ensuring clarity and consistency with
OpenSees formulations.
Explicit definition of nonlinear elements
Consistent material modeling
Clear and inspectable model setup


STKO Support
Get direct support from the STKO community and development team. Discuss modeling, pre- and post-processing workflows, and advanced analysis topics.
STKO Academy
From introductory walkthroughs to advanced modeling sessions, explore on-demand content focused on OpenSees workflows and STKO features.
Documentation
Access detailed documentation covering installation, scripting, and result interpretation.
RESOURCES & SUPPORT
Turn features
into practice
STKO features are supported by a complete ecosystem of documentation, tutorials, webinars, and community-driven support, helping you move from modeling to real-world applications.

LOOKING AHEAD
STKO is a mature platform already supporting advanced nonlinear analyses
in research and engineering practice. At the same time, it is continuously evolving to address
future challenges and professional workflows, including the upcoming STKO Professional.