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. This chapter covers the following topics:

• “Understanding the role of the Amplitude toolset,” Section 57.1

• “Understanding the amplitude editors,” Section 57.2

• “Selecting an amplitude type to define,” Section 57.3

• “Using tabular data to define an amplitude curve,” Section 57.4

• “Using equally spaced data to define an amplitude curve,” Section 57.5

• “Using periodic data to define an amplitude curve,” Section 57.6

• “Using modulated data to define an amplitude curve,” Section 57.7

• “Using exponential decay data to define an amplitude curve,” Section 57.8

• “Defining a solution-dependent amplitude curve,” Section 57.9

• “Using smooth step data to define an amplitude curve,” Section 57.10

• “Defining a spectrum,” Section 57.11

• “Defining a user-defined amplitude curve,” Section 57.12

• “Defining a PSD definition,” Section 57.13