Solutions in Nastran

Here's a concise definition table for every solution type (SOL) in NASTRAN, focusing on commonly used ones. Each entry includes the SOL number, solution type, and a brief description.

SOL Number	Name / Type	Purpose
101	Linear Static	Static analysis (loads, constraints, displacements, stresses).
103	Normal Modes	Free-vibration eigenvalue analysis (natural frequencies, mode shapes).
104	Differential Stiffness Modes	Modes including differential stiffness (e.g., pressure-loaded structures).
105	Buckling	Linear buckling (eigenvalue buckling load factor).
106	Nonlinear Static	Large deformation or material nonlinearity (geometric/material NL).
107	Direct Complex Eigenvalues	Damping modes, aeroelastic flutter (complex eigenvalue extraction).
108	Direct Frequency Response	Frequency domain analysis (dynamic stiffness).
109	Direct Transient Response	Time-domain direct integration.
110	Modal Complex Eigenvalues	Modal representation of complex eigenvalues.
111	Modal Frequency Response	FRF using modal superposition (more efficient than SOL 108).
112	Modal Transient	Time-domain using modal reduction.
129	Nonlinear Transient	Full nonlinear time integration (geometric/material NL).
153	Heat Transfer (Static)	Steady-state heat conduction.
159	Heat Transfer (Transient)	Time-dependent thermal analysis.
200	Optimization	Topology, sizing, shape optimization.
400	Aeroelastic	Wing flutter, divergence, aero modes.
401	Nonlinear Implicit	Advanced implicit nonlinear solution (contact, large deformation).
402	Nonlinear Explicit	Explicit dynamics (impact, crash, drop test).
700–710	DMAP