Amplitudes allow you to specify arbitrary time or frequency variations of load, displacement, and some interaction attributes throughout a step using step time or throughout an analysis using total time. The Amplitude toolset allows you to create and manage amplitudes in the Load module or in the Interaction module. This chapter covers the following topics:

• “Understanding the role of the Amplitude toolset,” Section 54.1

• “Understanding the amplitude editors,” Section 54.2

• “Selecting an amplitude type to define,” Section 54.3

• “Using tabular data to define an amplitude curve,” Section 54.4

• “Using equally spaced data to define an amplitude curve,” Section 54.5

• “Using periodic data to define an amplitude curve,” Section 54.6

• “Using modulated data to define an amplitude curve,” Section 54.7

• “Using exponential decay data to define an amplitude curve,” Section 54.8

• “Defining a solution-dependent amplitude curve,” Section 54.9

• “Using smooth step data to define an amplitude curve,” Section 54.10

• “Defining a user-defined amplitude curve,” Section 54.11