MSC Nastran 2025.1. This latest version of MSC Nastran brings revolutionary capabilities for topology optimization workflows with SOL 200, high-performance computing improvements, enhanced non-linear capabilities in SOL 400 NLPERF, new rotordynamics capabilities, and many other features.
Key highlights of MSC Nastran 2025.1 include:
New capabilities
- Adams .mnf file support for weakly coupled acoustics enables direct acoustic pressure recovery in Adams for large models and light fluids.
- RMS Von-Mises stress result outputs are now available in SOL 111 and SOL 200 Random Response analyses.
- MSC Nastran Modules now support PLOTEL and PLOTSURF elements for clear visualization of intermodular connections and surfaces.
- Gravity loads are now automatically embedded in external superelement and module files, enabling easy activation in assemblies with a simple GRAV entry.
- Perform gust analysis and dynamic aerodynamic response evaluations during design optimization by integrating SOL 146 dynamic aeroelasticity with SOL 200 optimization.
Performance and speed
- Adams .mnf file generation performance enhancements dramatically accelerate writing large files to disk, optimizing workflows for complex models.
- FastFR now automatically accelerates modal frequency response (SOL 111) for models with frequency-dependent elements, cutting computation times.
- GPU support accelerates the speed of the new FastFR method.
- Panel participation factor computations are accelerated, dramatically speeding up noise and vibration analysis for complex acoustic models with many panels and frequencies.
- MUMPS solver integration accelerates residual vector computations in modal solutions, cutting solid-element model solve times by over 50% while handling symmetric/unsymmetric systems.
Enhanced user experience
- Use SOL 128 non-linear harmonics’ initial conditions to restart an analysis from a previously converged state without changing the model, loads, or boundary conditions.
Assembly-level inputs for MSC Nastran Modules simplify model setup by allowing materials, coordinate systems, and loads to be defined once at the assembly level and automatically applied to relevant modules. - Optionally override consistency checks for inertia relief with external superelements to support the temporary use of older superelements.
Usability and solution enhancements
- SOL 200 NEO now supports frequency/eigenvalue constraints and automated mode tracking, improving precision in optimization workflows.
- VCCT enhancements make the new non-linear solver SOL 400 NLPERF ideal for delamination analysis.
- Additional result outputs are available when using artificial damping to foster convergence rates.
- Collapsed elements with automatic conversion support new triangle and pentahedral element formulations.
- Robustness enhancements for nonlinear static analysis in SOL 400 NLPERF ensure smoother analyses.
- Robustness enhancements for nonlinear static analysis with SOL 400 NLPERF
New capabilities
The MSC Nastran 2025.1 release introduces support for weakly coupled acoustics using Adams .mnf files to recover acoustic pressures directly within Adams. The .mnf files now contain fluid mass, stiffness, damping, and fluid-structure interface matrices, making it possible to analyze very large models and handle light fluids like air more efficiently.
Directly obtain Root Mean Square (RMS) Von-Mises stresses during Random Response analyses in both SOL 111 and SOL 200, streamlining the process of evaluating structural performance under random loading. External post-processing tools or manual calculations aren’t necessary, as results are delivered straight from the solver using the new RMSVM option in the STRESS (Case Control) command.
The MSC Nastran 2025.1 release brings support for PLOTEL and PLOTSURF elements within MSC Nastran Modules, so users can easily visualize connections and surfaces across different modules. These elements are identified by module IDs and facilitate inter-modular visualization without impacting computational results, as they are purely graphical. Output is provided in standard OP2 and H5 files, ensuring compatibility with existing post-processing tools.
In this release, you can now apply gravity loads in assembly runs that include external superelements or modules. Previously, users had to manually define and coordinate gravity loads during both the creation and assembly of these components, which could be complex and error-prone. With this update, gravity loads are automatically generated and embedded in the output files of external superelements or modules at the time of their creation. This means integrators can effortlessly activate gravity effects for components—such as those supplied by third parties—by simply adding a GRAV entry in the assembly model, greatly simplifying model setup and reducing the risk of inconsistencies.
Support for SOL 146 dynamic aeroelasticity within SOL 200 optimization workflows is also included in MSC Nastran 2025.1. Incorporate gust analysis and other dynamic aerodynamic response evaluations directly into the design optimization process. This integration extends SOL 200’s multidisciplinary capabilities to account for dynamic aeroelastic effects, providing critical insight into how structural property changes influence aerodynamic behaviour early in the design phase.
Performance and speed
The MSC Nastran 2025.1 release delivers substantial performance improvements to the ADAMSMNF capability, significantly speeding up the generation of large .mnf files used in Adams. Write large .mnf files to disk easily and streamline the workflow for handling complex models.
Frequency-dependent elements like CBUSH and CELAS are now supported using the new FastFR method. The update automatically activates the new performance-optimized FastFR method when the dependent degrees of freedom (DOFs) relative to the model’s H-size (number of eigenvalues) falls below a user-definable threshold. This dynamic approach balances accuracy and speed, particularly benefiting mechanical systems with components such as bushings, dampers, or tunable springs that exhibit frequency-dependent behaviour. Also, GPU acceleration is now available for the new, smp-only FastFR module. This upgrade leverages GPU hardware to dramatically reduce computational time in dynamic analyses.
The latest updates in performance improvements significantly accelerate panel participation factor computations, addressing a critical need for faster NVH analyses in complex applications. This enhancement optimizes performance for models involving large numbers of panels, extensive frequency ranges, multiple load cases, or numerous forcing frequencies.
MSC Nastran 2025.1 introduces the MUMPS solver (MUltifrontal Massively Parallel Sparse direct Solver) for residual vector computation in all modal solutions (SOL 103, 110, 111, 112, 200, 400). This, accelerates modal and residual vector calculations, particularly for solid element-dominated models, where performance improvements exceed 50%. The solver handles both symmetric and unsymmetric stiffness matrices (e.g., real coupled modes).
Enhanced user experience
MSC Nastran 2025.1 allows users to perform a subsequent SOL 128 nonlinear harmonic response run using the last converged solution from a previous run as initial conditions. This enhancement addresses scenarios where strong nonlinearities cause convergence issues, enabling users to update NHRMPRM and NLFREQC parameters and restart the analysis from the previously converged state without changing the model, loads, or boundary conditions. Only dynamic solution data is saved and reused, and the subsequent run can begin from a user-defined starting frequency.
In this release, new assembly-level input capabilities for MSC Nastran Modules allow users to define bulk data entries (such as materials, coordinate systems, and loads) in the main bulk data section (BEGIN MODULE 0). These entries can either serve as module default values or override existing module-specific data. This streamlines model setup by enabling shared definitions and centrally managed common data, with new data structures in HDF5 and enhanced table support for easier integration.
Finally, in MSC Nastran 2025.1, users now have the option to override consistency checks for inertia relief analysis with external superelements. While the 2024.2 release enabled inertia relief support for external superelements, it required superelements to include new data and enforced strict validation to ensure compatibility. This update allows users to bypass these checks, enabling the use of legacy superelements (created in pre-2024.2 versions) in inertia relief analyses.
Usability and solution enhancements
SOL 200 NEO, introduced in the 2024.2 release, represents a new approach to topology optimization using the advanced emendate algorithm. It enables high-resolution, efficient, and manufacturable design optimization within full assembly contexts. In this release, we have added eigenvalue constraints and mode-tracking capabilities.
The Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT) capabilities in the NLPERF solver have been extended with four new mixed-mode fracture criteria: mixed power law, Reeder mixed law, mixed power law (Mode I & II), and the Benzeggagh–Kenane (BK) law. Prior to this release, only individual fracture modes were supported.
Additionally, new output variables enhance the post-processing and interpretation of VCCT results. These include crack opening displacements at the crack front, grid point forces required to close (or maintain closure of) the crack, and the crack area. These outputs complement the previously available results, such as energy release rates and estimated crack growth direction.
New outputs are now available when dealing with artificial quasi-static damping to foster convergence when, for instance, buckling effects appear.
New global damping results can be written in the main output file (f06): incremental damping energy, incremental damping/strain energy ratio, total damping energy, and total damping/strain energy ratio.
A new case control command called element artificial damping energy requests outputs in selected elements (op2 or h5 files): damping energy, damping energy density, the ratio of damping energy versus total energy, and the ratio of damping energy versus strain energy.
In previous MSC Nastran releases, certain element types were not supported in specific use cases. The introduction of collapsed elements with automatic conversion addresses many of these limitations.
Linear and parabolic pentahedral elements are now supported for layered solid composite modelling in all linear solution sequences, as well as in nonlinear analysis using SOL400 with the NLPERF solver. These elements are also supported for gasket modelling with NLPERF only. Those are enabled through automatic conversion from collapsed hexahedral elements.
Similarly, linear and parabolic triangular elements are now supported with thick shell theory—including interlaminar shear stress calculations—for nonlinear analysis using SOL 400 and the NLPERF solver. This is made possible through automatic conversion from collapsed quadrilateral elements.
Finally, a dedicated effort has been made to ensure the robustness and reliability of the new NLPERF solver for nonlinear static analysis in MSC Nastran 2025.1. Key improvements have been implemented in areas such as MPCs, RBEs, contact handling, and time/load stepping strategies.
For example, the Lagrange Multiplier (LM) method is now the default approach for handling rigid elements (e.g., RBEs), following enhancements that improve conflict resolution between Single Point Constraints (SPCs), Multiple Point Constraints (MPCs), and rigid elements—thereby reducing the risk of numerical issues.
Over 90% of previously identified issues have been resolved, including those related to convergence failures, solver crashes, and excessive memory consumption.
