Element Reference

ANSYS, Inc. Release 2022 R1

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Table of Contents
1. About This Reference .............................................................................................................................. 1
1.1. Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2. Conventions Used in This Reference .................................................................................................. 1
1.2.1. Applicable Products ................................................................................................................. 2
1.2.2. Valid Products .......................................................................................................................... 3
2. Element Classifications ........................................................................................................................... 5
2.1. Overview of Element Characteristics ................................................................................................. 5
2.1.1. Identifying Element Types ........................................................................................................ 5
2.1.2. 2-D vs. 3-D Elements ................................................................................................................. 5
2.1.3. Element Shape Characteristics .................................................................................................. 6
2.1.4. Element Degrees of Freedom and Discipline ............................................................................. 6
2.1.5. User-Defined Elements ............................................................................................................. 6
2.1.6. Forward Solving vs. Inverse Solving ........................................................................................... 6
2.2. Summary of Element Types ............................................................................................................... 7
2.3. Selecting Elements for Your Analysis ................................................................................................ 24
2.4. Older vs. Current Element Technologies ........................................................................................... 35
2.4.1. Current-Technology Elements ................................................................................................ 36
2.5. Degenerated Shape Elements ......................................................................................................... 37
2.5.1. Obtaining the Best Results from Degenerated Shape Elements ............................................... 37
2.5.2. Degenerated Triangular 2-D Solid and Shell Elements ............................................................. 37
2.5.2.1. Triangular Shell Elements Are Preferred in Some Cases ................................................... 38
2.5.3. Degenerated Triangular Prism Elements .................................................................................. 38
2.5.4. Degenerated Tetrahedral Elements ......................................................................................... 38
2.5.5. Surface Stresses on Condensed Element Faces ........................................................................ 38
2.6. Special-Purpose Elements ............................................................................................................... 39
2.6.1. Superelements ....................................................................................................................... 39
2.6.2. User-Defined Elements ........................................................................................................... 39
2.7. GUI-Inaccessible Elements .............................................................................................................. 39
3. General Element Features ..................................................................................................................... 41
3.1. Element Input ................................................................................................................................. 41
3.1.1. Element Name ....................................................................................................................... 41
3.1.2. Nodes .................................................................................................................................... 41
3.1.2.1. Internal nodes ............................................................................................................... 42
3.1.3. Degrees of Freedom ............................................................................................................... 42
3.1.3.1. Internal Degrees of Freedom .......................................................................................... 42
3.1.4. Material Properties ................................................................................................................. 42
3.1.5. Special Element Features ........................................................................................................ 43
3.1.6. Sections ................................................................................................................................. 43
3.1.7. Real Constants ....................................................................................................................... 44
3.1.8. Element Loading .................................................................................................................... 44
3.1.8.1. Surface Loads ................................................................................................................ 45
3.1.8.1.1. Applying Surface Loads ......................................................................................... 45
3.1.8.1.2. Multiple Surface Loads .......................................................................................... 46
3.1.8.1.3. Surface Load Labels and Keys ................................................................................ 46
3.1.8.1.4. Tapered Surface Load ............................................................................................ 46
3.1.8.2. Body Loads .................................................................................................................... 46
3.1.8.2.1. Applying Body loads ............................................................................................. 47
3.1.8.2.2. Temperature Body Loads ....................................................................................... 47
3.1.8.3. Inertial Loads ................................................................................................................. 47

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Element Reference

3.1.8.4. Initial Stresses ................................................................................................................ 47

3.1.8.5. Ocean Loads .................................................................................................................. 48
3.1.9. Nodal Loading ....................................................................................................................... 48
3.1.10. Element Properties and Controls (KEYOPTs) .......................................................................... 48
3.1.10.1. Element KEYOPT Defaults ............................................................................................ 48
3.1.10.1.1. Consider Automatic Element Selection ................................................................ 48
3.1.10.1.2. KEYOPT Settings May Vary Between Products ...................................................... 49
3.2. Solution Output .............................................................................................................................. 49
3.2.1. Output File Contents .............................................................................................................. 49
3.2.2. Results File and Database Contents ......................................................................................... 49
3.2.3. Element Solution .................................................................................................................... 50
3.2.3.1. The Element Output Definitions Table ............................................................................ 51
3.2.3.2. The Item and Sequence Number Table ........................................................................... 51
3.2.3.3. Surface Loads ................................................................................................................ 51
3.2.3.4. Integration Point Solution (Output Listing Only) ............................................................. 52
3.2.3.5. Centroidal Solution (Output Listing Only) ....................................................................... 52
3.2.3.6. Surface Solution ............................................................................................................ 52
3.2.3.7. Element Nodal Solution ................................................................................................. 54
3.2.3.8. Element Nodal Loads ..................................................................................................... 54
3.2.3.9. Nonlinear Solutions ....................................................................................................... 54
3.2.3.10. 2-D and Axisymmetric Solutions .................................................................................. 55
3.2.3.11. Member Force Solution ................................................................................................ 55
3.2.3.12. Failure Criteria ............................................................................................................. 55
3.2.3.13. Linearized Stresses ...................................................................................................... 56
3.2.4. Nodal-Averaged Results ......................................................................................................... 56
3.2.4.1. Using Nodal-Averaged Results ....................................................................................... 56
3.2.4.2. Postprocessing Nodal-Averaged Results ......................................................................... 58
3.2.5. Nodal Solution ....................................................................................................................... 60
3.3. Coordinate Systems ........................................................................................................................ 61
3.3.1. Understanding the Element Coordinate System ...................................................................... 61
3.3.1.1. Modifying the Element Orientation ................................................................................ 62
3.3.2. Elements That Operate in the Nodal Coordinate System .......................................................... 63
3.3.3. Solution Coordinate Systems .................................................................................................. 64
4. Element Support for Material Models .................................................................................................. 65
5. Elements for Stress Analysis ................................................................................................................. 75
5.1. Continuum Stress Elements ............................................................................................................. 75
5.1.1. Stress States in 2-D Continuum Elements ................................................................................ 76
5.1.1.1. Plane Stress ................................................................................................................... 76
5.1.1.2. Plane Strain ................................................................................................................... 76
5.1.1.3. Generalized Plane Strain ................................................................................................ 76
5.1.1.4. Axisymmetric ................................................................................................................ 76
5.1.1.5. General Axisymmetric .................................................................................................... 77
5.1.1.5.1. Alternate General Axisymmetric Method for Linear Problems ................................. 77
5.1.2. Element Technologies ............................................................................................................ 77
5.1.2.1. Technologies for Lower-Order Quad and Brick Elements ................................................. 78
5.1.2.1.1. B-Bar Method (Selective Reduced Integration) ....................................................... 78
5.1.2.1.2. Enhanced Strain Formulation ................................................................................ 78
5.1.2.1.3. Simplified Enhanced Strain Formulation ................................................................ 78
5.1.2.1.4. Uniform Reduced Integration ................................................................................ 79
5.1.2.2. Technologies for Lower-Order Tetrahedron Elements ...................................................... 79
5.1.2.3. Technologies for Higher-Order Quad or Brick Elements ................................................... 79

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5.1.2.4. Technologies for Higher-Order Triangle or Tetrahedron Elements .................................... 80

5.1.3. Mixed u-P Formulation ........................................................................................................... 80
5.1.3.1. Overview of Mixed u-P Element Technologies ................................................................ 80
5.1.3.2. Mixed u-P Element Summary ......................................................................................... 81
5.1.3.3. Applications of Mixed u-P Formulations ......................................................................... 82
5.1.3.4. Mixed u-P Models and Overconstraint or No Unique Solution ......................................... 82
5.1.4. Generalized Plane Strain Options ............................................................................................ 83
5.1.5. Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric Loads ............................................................. 84
5.1.5.1. General Axisymmetric Elements ..................................................................................... 85
5.1.5.1.1. Example: 3-D General Axisymmetric Model ............................................................ 88
5.1.5.2. Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements .................................................................................. 92
5.1.5.2.1. Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric Loads ............................ 93
5.2. Shell Elements ................................................................................................................................ 97
5.2.1. Axisymmetric Shells ............................................................................................................... 97
5.2.2. Shell Stress and Stiffness ........................................................................................................ 98
5.2.3. Membrane and Surface Stress Options ................................................................................... 98
5.2.4. Shell Shear and Warping ......................................................................................................... 98
5.2.5. Curved Shell Elements ............................................................................................................ 99
5.2.6. Shell Element Coordinate System ........................................................................................... 99
5.2.7. Shell Element Nodes .............................................................................................................. 99
5.3. Beam and Link (Truss) Elements ...................................................................................................... 99
5.4. Pipe Elements ............................................................................................................................... 100
5.5. Reinforcing Elements .................................................................................................................... 100
5.5.1. Discrete Reinforcing ............................................................................................................. 101
5.5.2. Smeared Reinforcing ............................................................................................................ 101
5.6. Surface Elements .......................................................................................................................... 101
5.7. Elements Used to Model the Truncation of an Infinite Structural Domain ........................................ 102
5.7.1. Structural Infinite Element .................................................................................................... 102
5.7.2. Perfectly Matched Layers (PML) for Structural Elements ......................................................... 103
5.7.3. Recommendations for Infinite Element vs. PML ..................................................................... 103
5.8. Automatic Selection of Element Technologies and Formulations .................................................... 104
5.9. Elements Under Linear Perturbation .............................................................................................. 107
5.9.1. Material Properties of Structural Elements in Linear Perturbation ........................................... 108
5.9.1.1. Specifying Material Behavior in Linear Perturbation ...................................................... 109
5.9.2. Interpretation of Structural Element Results After a Linear Perturbation Analysis .................... 109
5.9.3. Loads, Initial Conditions, and Other Limitations in Linear Perturbation ................................... 110
6. Elements for Multiphysics Analysis ..................................................................................................... 111
6.1. Elements for Coupled-Physics Analysis .......................................................................................... 111
6.1.1. Coupled-Field Element Classifications ................................................................................... 111
6.1.2. Selecting Elements for Coupled-Physics Analysis ................................................................... 112
6.2. Elements for Thermal Analysis ....................................................................................................... 115
6.2.1. Thermal Elements for the Structural Region .......................................................................... 116
6.2.2. Thermal Elements for the Fluid Region .................................................................................. 117
6.2.3. Thermal Loading Elements ................................................................................................... 117
6.2.3.1. Using Thermal Surface-Loading Elements ..................................................................... 117
6.2.3.2. Using Contact Elements to Load Thermal Models ......................................................... 117
6.2.4. Thermal Control Element ...................................................................................................... 118
6.2.5. Other Elements Useful in a Thermal Analysis ......................................................................... 118
6.3. Elements for Acoustic Analysis ...................................................................................................... 118
6.3.1. Acoustic Element Types ........................................................................................................ 119
6.3.2. 3-D Acoustic Element Usage ................................................................................................. 119

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Element Reference

6.3.3. 3-D Acoustic Element Input .................................................................................................. 120

6.3.4. 3-D Acoustic Element Input Summary ................................................................................... 125
6.3.5. 3-D Acoustic Element Output Data ....................................................................................... 128
6.3.6. 3-D Acoustic Element Assumptions and Restrictions ............................................................. 130
6.3.7. 3-D Acoustic Element Product Restrictions ............................................................................ 131
6.4. Elements for Electric and Magnetic Analysis ................................................................................... 131
6.5. Elements for Diffusion Analysis ...................................................................................................... 133
7. Element Library ................................................................................................................................... 135
.5. SOLID5: 3-D Coupled-Field Solid ...................................................................................................... 139
.11. LINK11: Linear Actuator ................................................................................................................. 148
.13. PLANE13: 2-D Coupled-Field Solid ................................................................................................. 151
.14. COMBIN14: Spring-Damper ........................................................................................................... 161
.21. MASS21: Structural Mass ............................................................................................................... 168
.25. PLANE25: Axisymmetric-Harmonic 4-Node Structural Solid ............................................................ 171
.27. MATRIX27: Stiffness, Damping, or Mass Matrix ................................................................................ 178
.29. FLUID29: 2-D Axisymmetric Harmonic Acoustic Fluid ..................................................................... 183
.30. FLUID30: 3-D Acoustic Fluid ........................................................................................................... 188
.31. LINK31: Radiation Link ................................................................................................................... 189
.33. LINK33: 3-D Conduction Bar .......................................................................................................... 193
.34. LINK34: Convection Link ................................................................................................................ 196
.35. PLANE35: 2-D 6-Node Triangular Thermal Solid .............................................................................. 201
.36. SOURC36: Current Source .............................................................................................................. 205
.37. COMBIN37: Control ....................................................................................................................... 209
.38. FLUID38: Dynamic Fluid Coupling .................................................................................................. 218
.39. COMBIN39: Nonlinear Spring ......................................................................................................... 221
.40. COMBIN40: Combination ............................................................................................................... 230
.47. INFIN47: 3-D Infinite Boundary ...................................................................................................... 237
.50. MATRIX50: Superelement (or Substructure) .................................................................................... 240
.55. PLANE55: 2-D Thermal Solid .......................................................................................................... 244
.61. SHELL61: Axisymmetric-Harmonic Structural Shell ......................................................................... 251
.68. LINK68: Coupled Thermal-Electric Line ........................................................................................... 265
.70. SOLID70: 3-D Thermal Solid ........................................................................................................... 269
.71. MASS71: Thermal Mass .................................................................................................................. 276
.75. PLANE75: Axisymmetric-Harmonic 4-Node Thermal Solid ............................................................... 280
.77. PLANE77: 2-D 8-Node Thermal Solid .............................................................................................. 284
.78. PLANE78: Axisymmetric-Harmonic 8-Node Thermal Solid ............................................................... 289
.83. PLANE83: Axisymmetric-Harmonic 8-Node Structural Solid ............................................................ 294
.87. SOLID87: 3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Thermal Solid ........................................................................... 301
.90. SOLID90: 3-D 20-Node Thermal Solid ............................................................................................. 306
.94. CIRCU94: Piezoelectric Circuit ........................................................................................................ 311
.96. SOLID96: 3-D Magnetic Scalar Solid ............................................................................................... 318
.98. SOLID98: Tetrahedral Coupled-Field Solid ...................................................................................... 323
.110. INFIN110: 2-D Infinite Solid .......................................................................................................... 332
.111. INFIN111: 3-D Infinite Solid .......................................................................................................... 338
.116. FLUID116: Coupled Thermal-Fluid Pipe ........................................................................................ 343
.121. PLANE121: 2-D 8-Node Electrostatic Solid .................................................................................... 355
.122. SOLID122: 3-D 20-Node Electrostatic Solid ................................................................................... 361
.123. SOLID123: 3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Electrostatic Solid ................................................................. 366
.124. CIRCU124: Electric Circuit ............................................................................................................ 372
.125. CIRCU125: Diode ......................................................................................................................... 382
.126. TRANS126: Electromechanical Transducer .................................................................................... 387

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 Element Reference

.129. FLUID129: 2-D Infinite Acoustic .................................................................................................... 396

.130. FLUID130: 3-D Infinite Acoustic .................................................................................................... 400
.131. SHELL131: 4-Node Thermal Shell .................................................................................................. 403
.132. SHELL132: 8-Node Thermal Shell .................................................................................................. 411
.136. FLUID136: 3-D Squeeze Film Fluid Element .................................................................................. 419
.138. FLUID138: 3-D Viscous Fluid Link Element .................................................................................... 430
.139. FLUID139: 3-D Slide Film Fluid Element ........................................................................................ 434
.151. SURF151: 2-D Thermal Surface Effect ........................................................................................... 439
.152. SURF152: 3-D Thermal Surface Effect ........................................................................................... 449
.153. SURF153: 2-D Structural Surface Effect ......................................................................................... 459
.154. SURF154: 3-D Structural Surface Effect ......................................................................................... 468
.155. SURF155: 3-D Thermal Surface Effect ........................................................................................... 477
.156. SURF156: 3-D Structural Surface Line Load Effect ......................................................................... 484
.157. SHELL157: Thermal-Electric Shell ................................................................................................. 489
.159. SURF159: General Axisymmetric Surface ...................................................................................... 494
.169. TARGE169: 2-D Target Segment .................................................................................................... 504
.170. TARGE170: 3-D Target Segment .................................................................................................... 516
.172. CONTA172: 2-D 3-Node Surface-to-Surface Contact ..................................................................... 531
.174. CONTA174: 3-D 8-Node Surface-to-Surface Contact ..................................................................... 557
.175. CONTA175: 2-D/3-D Node-to-Surface Contact .............................................................................. 586
.177. CONTA177: 3-D Line-to-Surface Contact ....................................................................................... 614
.178. CONTA178: 3-D Node-to-Node Contact ........................................................................................ 637
.179. PRETS179: Pretension .................................................................................................................. 662
.180. LINK180: 3-D Spar (or Truss) ......................................................................................................... 665
.181. SHELL181: 4-Node Structural Shell ............................................................................................... 673
.182. PLANE182: 2-D 4-Node Structural Solid ........................................................................................ 692
.183. PLANE183: 2-D 8-Node or 6-Node Structural Solid ........................................................................ 701
.184. MPC184: Multipoint Constraint Element ....................................................................................... 710
.184link. MPC184-Link/Beam: Multipoint Constraint Element: Rigid Link or Rigid Beam ......................... 716
.184slid. MPC184-Slider: Multipoint Constraint Element: Slider .............................................................. 722
.184revo. MPC184-Revolute: Multipoint Constraint Element: Revolute Joint .......................................... 725
.184univ. MPC184-Universal: Multipoint Constraint Element: Universal Joint ......................................... 735
.184slot. MPC184-Slot: Multipoint Constraint Element: Slot Joint ........................................................... 743
.184poin. MPC184-Point: Multipoint Constraint Element: Point-in-plane Joint ....................................... 750
.184tran. MPC184-Trans: Multipoint Constraint Element: Translational Joint .......................................... 758
.184cyl. MPC184-Cylin: Multipoint Constraint Element: Cylindrical Joint ................................................ 765
.184plan. MPC184-Planar: Multipoint Constraint Element: Planar Joint .................................................. 776
.184weld. MPC184-Weld: Multipoint Constraint Element: Weld Joint ..................................................... 787
.184orie. MPC184-Orient: Multipoint Constraint Element: Orient Joint ................................................... 792
.184sphe. MPC184-Spherical: Multipoint Constraint Element: Spherical Joint ........................................ 798
.184gen. MPC184-General: Multipoint Constraint Element: General Joint .............................................. 805
.184scr. MPC184-Screw: Multipoint Constraint Element: Screw Joint ..................................................... 815
.185. SOLID185: 3-D 8-Node Structural Solid ......................................................................................... 824
.186. SOLID186: 3-D 20-Node Structural Solid ....................................................................................... 843
.187. SOLID187: 3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Structural Solid ..................................................................... 861
.188. BEAM188: 3-D 2-Node Beam ........................................................................................................ 868
.189. BEAM189: 3-D 3-Node Beam ........................................................................................................ 890
.190. SOLSH190: 3-D 8-Node Structural Solid Shell ................................................................................ 912
.192. INTER192: 2-D 4-Node Gasket ...................................................................................................... 922
.193. INTER193: 2-D 6-Node Gasket ...................................................................................................... 926
.194. INTER194: 3-D 16-Node Gasket .................................................................................................... 931

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.195. INTER195: 3-D 8-Node Gasket ...................................................................................................... 936

.200. MESH200: Meshing Facet ............................................................................................................. 941
.201. FOLLW201: Follower Load ............................................................................................................ 949
.202. INTER202: 2-D 4-Node Cohesive ................................................................................................... 953
.203. INTER203: 2-D 6-Node Cohesive ................................................................................................... 956
.204. INTER204: 3-D 16-Node Cohesive ................................................................................................. 960
.205. INTER205: 3-D 8-Node Cohesive ................................................................................................... 963
.208. SHELL208: 2-Node Axisymmetric Shell ......................................................................................... 966
.209. SHELL209: 3-Node Axisymmetric Shell ......................................................................................... 977
.212. CPT212: 2-D 4-Node Coupled Pore-Pressure-Thermal Mechanical Solid ......................................... 988
.213. CPT213: 2-D 8-Node Coupled Pore-Pressure-Thermal Mechanical Solid ......................................... 995
.214. COMBI214: 2-D Spring-Damper Bearing ..................................................................................... 1002
.215. CPT215: 3-D 8-Node Coupled Pore-Pressure-Thermal Mechanical Solid ....................................... 1013
.216. CPT216: 3-D 20-Node Coupled Pore-Pressure-Thermal Mechanical Solid .................................... 1020
.217. CPT217: 3-D 10-Node Coupled Pore-Pressure-Thermal Mechanical Solid ..................................... 1028
.218. FLUID218: 3-D Hydrodynamic Bearing Element .......................................................................... 1034
.220. FLUID220: 3-D Acoustic Fluid 20-Node Solid Element ................................................................. 1041
.221. FLUID221: 3-D Acoustic Fluid 10-Node Solid Element ................................................................. 1041
.222. PLANE222: 2-D 4-Node Coupled-Field Solid ................................................................................ 1042
.223. PLANE223: 2-D 8-Node Coupled-Field Solid ................................................................................ 1065
.225. SOLID225: 3-D 8-Node Coupled-Field Solid ................................................................................ 1097
.226. SOLID226: 3-D 20-Node Coupled-Field Solid .............................................................................. 1122
.227. SOLID227: 3-D 10-Node Coupled-Field Solid .............................................................................. 1155
.230. PLANE230: 2-D 8-Node Electric Solid .......................................................................................... 1188
.231. SOLID231: 3-D 20-Node Electric Solid ......................................................................................... 1193
.232. SOLID232: 3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Electric Solid ....................................................................... 1197
.233. PLANE233: 2-D 8-Node Electromagnetic Solid ........................................................................... 1201
.236. SOLID236: 3-D 20-Node Electromagnetic Solid ........................................................................... 1210
.237. SOLID237: 3-D 10-Node Electromagnetic Solid ........................................................................... 1219
.238. PLANE238: 2-D 8-Node Diffusion Solid ....................................................................................... 1228
.239. SOLID239: 3-D 20-Node Diffusion Solid ...................................................................................... 1233
.240. SOLID240: 3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Diffusion Solid .................................................................... 1238
.241. HSFLD241: 2-D Hydrostatic Fluid ................................................................................................ 1242
.242. HSFLD242: 3-D Hydrostatic Fluid ................................................................................................ 1249
.250. COMBI250: Bushing ................................................................................................................... 1256
.251. SURF251: 2-D Radiosity Surface ................................................................................................. 1262
.252. SURF252: 3-D Radiosity Surface ................................................................................................. 1266
.257. INFIN257: Structural Infinite Solid ............................................................................................... 1270
.263. REINF263: 2-D Smeared Reinforcing ........................................................................................... 1276
.264. REINF264: 3-D Discrete Reinforcing ............................................................................................ 1285
.265. REINF265: 3-D Smeared Reinforcing ........................................................................................... 1294
.272. SOLID272: General Axisymmetric Solid with 4 Base Nodes .......................................................... 1304
.273. SOLID273: General Axisymmetric Solid with 8 Base Nodes .......................................................... 1312
.278. SOLID278: 3-D 8-Node Thermal Solid ......................................................................................... 1320
.279. SOLID279: 3-D 20-Node Thermal Solid ....................................................................................... 1337
.280. CABLE280: 3-D Cable ................................................................................................................. 1353
.281. SHELL281: 8-Node Structural Shell ............................................................................................. 1360
.285. SOLID285: 3-D 4-Node Tetrahedral Structural Solid ..................................................................... 1377
.288. PIPE288: 3-D 2-Node Pipe .......................................................................................................... 1383
.289. PIPE289: 3-D 3-Node Pipe ......................................................................................................... 1403
.290. ELBOW290: 3-D 3-Node Elbow ................................................................................................... 1421

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.291. SOLID291: 3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Thermal Solid ..................................................................... 1453

.292. PLANE292: 2-D 4-Node Thermal Solid ........................................................................................ 1458
.293. PLANE293: 2-D 8-Node Thermal Solid ......................................................................................... 1465
.300. USER300: User-Defined Element ................................................................................................ 1471
Bibliography ........................................................................................................................................... 1473

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List of Figures
3.1. 2x2 Mesh (4 Elements, 9 Nodes) ............................................................................................................. 56
5.1. Generalized Plane Strain Deformation ................................................................................................... 83
5.2. General Axisymmetric Elements and Their Coordinate Systems (KEYOPT(2) = 3) ...................................... 86
5.3. Axisymmetric Radial, Axial, Torsion and Moment Loadings ..................................................................... 94
5.4. Bending and Shear Loading (ISYM = 1) .................................................................................................. 95
5.5. Uniform Lateral Loadings ...................................................................................................................... 96
5.6. Bending and Shear Loading (ISYM = -1) ................................................................................................. 96
5.7. Displacement and Force Loading Associated with MODE = 2 and ISYM = 1 ............................................. 97
7.5.1. SOLID5 Geometry ............................................................................................................................ 139
7.5.2. SOLID5 Element Output ................................................................................................................... 143
7.11.1. LINK11 Geometry ........................................................................................................................... 148
7.13.1. PLANE13 Geometry ........................................................................................................................ 151
7.13.2. PLANE13 Element Output ............................................................................................................... 156
7.14.1. COMBIN14 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 161
7.14.2. COMBIN14 Stress Output ................................................................................................................ 165
7.21.1. MASS21 Geometry ......................................................................................................................... 168
7.25.1. PLANE25 Geometry ........................................................................................................................ 171
7.25.2. PLANE25 Stress Output ................................................................................................................... 175
7.27.1. MATRIX27 Schematic ...................................................................................................................... 179
7.29.1. FLUID29 Geometry ......................................................................................................................... 183
7.30.1. FLUID30 Geometry ......................................................................................................................... 188
7.31.1. LINK31 Geometry ........................................................................................................................... 189
7.33.1. LINK33 Geometry ........................................................................................................................... 193
7.34.1. LINK34 Geometry ........................................................................................................................... 196
7.35.1. PLANE35 Geometry ........................................................................................................................ 201
7.36.1. SOURC36 Geometry ....................................................................................................................... 206
7.37.1. COMBIN37 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 209
7.37.2. COMBIN37 Behavior as a Function of Control Parameter .................................................................. 215
7.38.1. FLUID38 Geometry ......................................................................................................................... 218
7.39.1. COMBIN39 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 222
7.39.2. COMBIN39 Force-Deflection Curves ................................................................................................ 227
7.40.1. COMBIN40 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 230
7.40.2. COMBIN40 Behavior ....................................................................................................................... 234
7.47.1. INFIN47 Geometry .......................................................................................................................... 237
7.50.1. MATRIX50 Schematic ...................................................................................................................... 240
7.55.1. PLANE55 Geometry ........................................................................................................................ 244
7.61.1. SHELL61 Geometry ......................................................................................................................... 251
7.61.2. SHELL61 Stress Output ................................................................................................................... 255
7.68.1. LINK68 Geometry ........................................................................................................................... 266
7.70.1. SOLID70 Geometry ......................................................................................................................... 270
7.71.1. MASS71 Geometry ......................................................................................................................... 276
7.75.1. PLANE75 Geometry ........................................................................................................................ 280
7.77.1. PLANE77 Geometry ........................................................................................................................ 285
7.78.1. PLANE78 Geometry ........................................................................................................................ 289
7.83.1. PLANE83 Geometry ........................................................................................................................ 294
7.83.2. PLANE83 Stress Output ................................................................................................................... 298
7.87.1. SOLID87 Geometry ......................................................................................................................... 301
7.90.1. SOLID90 Geometry ......................................................................................................................... 306
7.94.1. CIRCU94 Circuit Options ................................................................................................................. 312

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Element Reference

7.94.2. Load Functions and Corresponding Real Constants for Independent Current and Voltage Sources .... 315
7.96.1. SOLID96 Geometry ......................................................................................................................... 318
7.98.1. SOLID98 Geometry ......................................................................................................................... 323
7.98.2. SOLID98 Element Output ................................................................................................................ 327
7.110.1. INFIN110 Geometry ...................................................................................................................... 332
7.110.2. INFIN110 Element Output ............................................................................................................. 335
7.111.1. INFIN111 Geometry ...................................................................................................................... 338
7.116.1. FLUID116 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 343
7.121.1. PLANE121 Geometry .................................................................................................................... 355
7.121.2. PLANE121 Output ........................................................................................................................ 358
7.122.1. SOLID122 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 361
7.123.1. SOLID123 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 367
7.124.1. CIRCU124 Circuit Element Options ................................................................................................ 373
7.124.2. CIRCU124 Circuit Source Options .................................................................................................. 373
7.124.3. Load Functions and Corresponding Real Constants for Independent Current and Voltage Sources ... 377
7.125.1. CIRCU125 Element Options ........................................................................................................... 382
7.125.2. CIRCU125 I-U Characteristics ......................................................................................................... 383
7.126.1. TRANS126 Geometry .................................................................................................................... 388
7.126.2. TRANS126 Capacitance Relationship ............................................................................................. 389
7.126.3. TRANS126 Force Relationship ....................................................................................................... 389
7.126.4. TRANS126 Valid/Invalid Orientations ............................................................................................. 396
7.129.1. FLUID129 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 396
7.130.1. FLUID130 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 400
7.131.1. SHELL131 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 404
7.132.1. SHELL132 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 412
7.136.1. FLUID136 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 420
7.136.2. Moving Structure with Thin Film of FLUID136 Elements ................................................................. 425
7.136.3. Minimum Fluid and Minimum Mechanical Gaps ............................................................................ 425
7.136.4. Mechanical Penetration ................................................................................................................ 426
7.136.5. Fluid Penetration .......................................................................................................................... 426
7.138.1. FLUID138 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 430
7.139.1. FLUID139 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 435
7.151.1. SURF151 Geometry ...................................................................................................................... 439
7.152.1. SURF152 Geometry ...................................................................................................................... 449
7.153.1. SURF153 Geometry ...................................................................................................................... 460
7.153.2. Pressures ...................................................................................................................................... 460
7.154.1. SURF154 Geometry ...................................................................................................................... 468
7.154.2. Pressures ...................................................................................................................................... 469
7.155.1. SURF155 Geometry ...................................................................................................................... 478
7.156.1. SURF156 Geometry ...................................................................................................................... 484
7.156.2. Pressures ...................................................................................................................................... 485
7.157.1. SHELL157 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 490
7.159.1. SURF159 Geometry (KEYOPT(2) = 3) .............................................................................................. 495
7.159.2. SURF159 Pressures ....................................................................................................................... 497
7.169.1.TARGE169 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 504
7.169.2. TARGE169 2-D Segment Types ...................................................................................................... 507
7.169.3. Fluid Penetration Pressure Directions ............................................................................................ 509
7.170.1.TARGE170 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 516
7.170.2. TARGE170 Segment Types ............................................................................................................. 520
7.170.3. Fluid Penetration Pressure Directions ............................................................................................ 522
7.172.1. CONTA172 Geometry .................................................................................................................... 531

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 Element Reference

7.172.2. Fluid Penetration Pressure Directions ............................................................................................ 533

7.174.1. CONTA174 Geometry .................................................................................................................... 558
7.174.2. Fluid Penetration Pressure Directions ............................................................................................ 561
7.175.1. CONTA175 Geometry .................................................................................................................... 587
7.177.1. CONTA177 Geometry .................................................................................................................... 614
7.177.2. Beam Sliding Inside a Hollow Beam ............................................................................................... 615
7.177.3. Parallel Beams in Contact .............................................................................................................. 616
7.177.4. Crossing Beams in Contact ............................................................................................................ 616
7.177.5. Equivalent Circular Cross Section .................................................................................................. 618
7.178.1. CONTA178 Geometry .................................................................................................................... 638
7.178.2. CONTA178 - Cylindrical Gap .......................................................................................................... 644
7.178.3. CONTA178 - Spherical Gap ............................................................................................................ 645
7.179.1. PRETS179 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 663
7.180.1. LINK180 Geometry ....................................................................................................................... 666
7.180.2. LINK180 Stress Output .................................................................................................................. 668
7.181.1. SHELL181 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 674
7.181.2. SHELL181 Default Element Coordinate System .............................................................................. 675
7.181.3. SHELL181 User-Defined Element Coordinate System ..................................................................... 677
7.181.4. SHELL181 Layer Coordinate Systems ............................................................................................. 677
7.181.5. SHELL181 Typical Bending Applications ........................................................................................ 679
7.181.6. SHELL181 Stress Output ............................................................................................................... 686
7.182.1. PLANE182 Geometry .................................................................................................................... 692
7.182.2. PLANE182 Stress Output ............................................................................................................... 696
7.183.1. PLANE183 Geometry .................................................................................................................... 701
7.183.2. PLANE183 Stress Output ............................................................................................................... 705
7.184link.1. MPC184 Rigid Link/Beam Geometry ........................................................................................ 716
7.184slid.1. MPC184 Slider Geometry ......................................................................................................... 722
7.184revo.1. MPC184 Revolute Joint Geometry .......................................................................................... 725
7.184univ.1. MPC184 Universal Joint Geometry .......................................................................................... 735
7.184slot.1. MPC184 Slot Joint Geometry ................................................................................................... 743
7.184poin.1. MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Geometry .................................................................................. 751
7.184tran.1. MPC184 Translational Joint Geometry ..................................................................................... 758
7.184cyl.1. MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Geometry .......................................................................................... 765
7.184plan.1. MPC184 Planar Joint Geometry .............................................................................................. 776
7.184weld.1. MPC184 Weld Joint Geometry ............................................................................................... 787
7.184orie.1. MPC184 Orient Joint Geometry ............................................................................................... 793
7.184sphe.1. MPC184 Spherical Joint Geometry ......................................................................................... 798
7.184gen.1. MPC184 General Joint Geometry ............................................................................................ 805
7.184scr.1. MPC184 Screw Joint Geometry ................................................................................................. 816
7.185.1. SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid Geometry ..................................................................... 825
7.185.2. SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid Stress Output ................................................................ 829
7.185.3. SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Geometry ................................................................................ 833
7.185.4. SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Stress Output ........................................................................... 838
7.186.1. SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Geometry ..................................................................... 843
7.186.2. SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Stress Output ................................................................ 848
7.186.3. SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Geometry ................................................................................ 851
7.186.4. SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Stress Output ........................................................................... 856
7.187.1. SOLID187 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 861
7.187.2. SOLID187 Stress Output ................................................................................................................ 864
7.188.1. BEAM188 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 869
7.188.2. Transverse-Shear Deformation Estimation ..................................................................................... 869

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7.188.3. Cross-Section Cells ....................................................................................................................... 873

7.189.1. BEAM189 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 891
7.189.2. Transverse-Shear Deformation Estimation ..................................................................................... 892
7.189.3. Cross-Section Cells ....................................................................................................................... 895
7.190.1. SOLSH190 Geometry .................................................................................................................... 912
7.190.2. SOLSH190 Stress Output ............................................................................................................... 917
7.192.1. INTER192 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 923
7.192.2. INTER192 Stress Output ................................................................................................................ 925
7.193.1. INTER193 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 927
7.193.2. INTER193 Stress Output ................................................................................................................ 929
7.194.1. INTER194 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 931
7.194.2. INTER194 3-D 16-Node Degenerated Quadratic Interface .............................................................. 932
7.194.3. INTER194 Element Orientation ...................................................................................................... 933
7.194.4. INTER194 Stress Output ................................................................................................................ 935
7.195.1. INTER195 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 937
7.195.2. INTER95 Element Orientation ........................................................................................................ 938
7.195.3. INTER195 Stress Output ................................................................................................................ 940
7.200.1. MESH200 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 942
7.201.1. FOLLW201 Geometry .................................................................................................................... 949
7.202.1. INTER202 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 953
7.202.2. INTER202 Stress Output ................................................................................................................ 955
7.203.1. INTER203 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 957
7.203.2. INTER203 Stress Output ................................................................................................................ 959
7.204.1. INTER204 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 960
7.204.2. INTER204 3-D 16-Node Degenerated Quadratic Interface .............................................................. 961
7.204.3. INTER204 Stress Output ................................................................................................................ 962
7.205.1. INTER205 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 964
7.205.2. INTER205 Stress Output ................................................................................................................ 965
7.208.1. SHELL208 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 967
7.208.2. SHELL208 Element Stress Output .................................................................................................. 972
7.209.1. SHELL209 Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 978
7.209.2. SHELL209 Element Stress Output .................................................................................................. 983
7.212.1. CPT212 Geometry ........................................................................................................................ 988
7.212.2. CPT212 Stress Output ................................................................................................................... 992
7.213.1. CPT213 Geometry ........................................................................................................................ 995
7.213.2. CPT213 Stress Output ................................................................................................................... 999
7.214.1. COMBI214 Geometry for KEYOPT(1) = 0 and KEYOPT(2) = 0 .......................................................... 1003
7.214.2. COMBI214 Geometry for KEYOPT(1) > 0 and KEYOPT(2) = 0 .......................................................... 1003
7.214.3. COMBI214 Angle Definition ........................................................................................................ 1010
7.215.1. CPT215 Structural Solid Geometry .............................................................................................. 1013
7.215.2. CPT215 Stress Output ................................................................................................................. 1017
7.216.1. CPT216 Geometry ....................................................................................................................... 1020
7.216.2. CPT216 Stress Output ................................................................................................................. 1025
7.217.1. CPT217 Geometry ....................................................................................................................... 1028
7.217.2. CPT217 Stress Output ................................................................................................................. 1032
7.218.1. FLUID218 Geometry ................................................................................................................... 1035
7.218.2. FLUID218 Real Constants ............................................................................................................ 1036
7.220.1. FLUID220 Geometry ................................................................................................................... 1041
7.221.1. FLUID221 Geometry ................................................................................................................... 1042
7.222.1. PLANE222 Geometry .................................................................................................................. 1043
7.223.1. PLANE223 Geometry .................................................................................................................. 1067

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7.225.1. SOLID225 Geometry ................................................................................................................... 1099

7.226.1. SOLID226 Geometry ................................................................................................................... 1124
7.227.1. SOLID227 Geometry ................................................................................................................... 1157
7.230.1. PLANE230 Geometry .................................................................................................................. 1188
7.230.2. PLANE230 Output ....................................................................................................................... 1190
7.231.1. SOLID231 Geometry ................................................................................................................... 1193
7.232.1. SOLID232 Geometry ................................................................................................................... 1197
7.233.1. PLANE233 Geometry .................................................................................................................. 1202
7.236.1. SOLID236 Geometry ................................................................................................................... 1211
7.237.1. SOLID237 Geometry ................................................................................................................... 1220
7.238.1. PLANE238 Geometry .................................................................................................................. 1229
7.238.2. PLANE238 Output ....................................................................................................................... 1231
7.239.1. SOLID239 Geometry ................................................................................................................... 1234
7.240.1. SOLID240 Geometry ................................................................................................................... 1238
7.241.1. HSFLD241 Geometry .................................................................................................................. 1242
7.242.1. HSFLD242 Geometry .................................................................................................................. 1249
7.250.1. COMBI250 Schematic (2 nodes with KEYOPT(1) = 1) ..................................................................... 1256
7.250.2. COMBI250 Schematic (2 nodes with KEYOPT(1) = 2) ..................................................................... 1257
7.250.3. COMBI250 Schematic (3 nodes) ................................................................................................... 1257
7.251.1. SURF251 Geometry .................................................................................................................... 1262
7.251.2. SURF251 Elements Without Coincident Nodes ............................................................................. 1263
7.251.3. Net Radiation Heat Flux .............................................................................................................. 1265
7.252.1. SURF252 Geometry .................................................................................................................... 1266
7.252.2. SURF252 Elements Without Coincident Nodes ............................................................................. 1267
7.252.3. Net Radiation Heat Flux .............................................................................................................. 1269
7.257.1. Near-field vs. Far-field .................................................................................................................. 1270
7.257.2. INFIN257 Geometry .................................................................................................................... 1271
7.257.3. INFIN257 Stress Output ............................................................................................................... 1273
7.263.1. REINF263 Geometry .................................................................................................................... 1276
7.263.2. REINF263 Coordinate System ...................................................................................................... 1277
7.263.3. REINF263 Stress Output .............................................................................................................. 1281
7.264.1. REINF264 Coordinate System ...................................................................................................... 1287
7.264.2. REINF264 Structural or Thermal Output ....................................................................................... 1290
7.265.1. REINF265 Geometry .................................................................................................................... 1294
7.265.2. REINF265 Coordinate System ...................................................................................................... 1295
7.265.3. REINF265 Structural or Thermal Output ....................................................................................... 1300
7.272.1. SOLID272 Geometry (KEYOPT(2) = 3) ........................................................................................... 1305
7.272.2. SOLID272 Stress Output .............................................................................................................. 1308
7.273.1. SOLID273 Geometry (KEYOPT(2) = 3) ........................................................................................... 1313
7.273.2. SOLID273 Stress Output .............................................................................................................. 1316
7.278.1. SOLID278 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Geometry ...................................................................... 1321
7.278.2. SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Geometry ................................................................................. 1328
7.278.3. Understanding Interpolation Layers ............................................................................................ 1330
7.278.4. SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Heat Flux/Temperature Gradient Output ................................... 1334
7.279.1. SOLID279 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Geometry ...................................................................... 1338
7.279.2. SOLID279 homogeneous Thermal Solid Temperature Gradient/Heat Flux Output ......................... 1341
7.279.3. SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid Geometry ................................................................................. 1344
7.279.4. Understanding Interpolation Layers ............................................................................................ 1346
7.279.5. SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid Temperature Gradient/Heat Flux Output ................................... 1350
7.280.1. CABLE280 Geometry ................................................................................................................... 1354
7.281.1. SHELL281 Geometry ................................................................................................................... 1361

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7.281.2. SHELL281 Default Element Coordinate Systems ........................................................................... 1362

7.281.3. SHELL281 User-Defined Element Coordinate Systems .................................................................. 1364
7.281.4. SHELL281 Layer Coordinate Systems ........................................................................................... 1364
7.281.5. SHELL281 Stress Output .............................................................................................................. 1371
7.285.1. SOLID285 Geometry ................................................................................................................... 1377
7.285.2. SOLID285 Stress Output .............................................................................................................. 1380
7.288.1. PIPE288 Geometry ...................................................................................................................... 1384
7.288.2. Transverse-Shear-Deformation Estimation ................................................................................... 1385
7.288.3. Typical Cross-Section Cell ............................................................................................................ 1387
7.289.1. PIPE289 Geometry ...................................................................................................................... 1403
7.289.2. Transverse-Shear-Deformation Estimation ................................................................................... 1404
7.289.3. Typical Cross-Section Cell ............................................................................................................ 1406
7.290.1. ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Geometry ....................................................................................... 1422
7.290.2. ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Element Integration Stations ........................................................... 1431
7.290.3. ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Stress Output .................................................................................. 1432
7.290.4. ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Geometry ...................................................................................... 1438
7.290.5. ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Element Integration Stations .......................................................... 1447
7.290.6. ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Stress Output ................................................................................. 1447
7.291.1. SOLID291 Geometry ................................................................................................................... 1453
7.292.1. PLANE292 Geometry .................................................................................................................. 1458
7.293.1. PLANE293 Geometry .................................................................................................................. 1466

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List of Tables
3.1. Surface Loads Available in Each Discipline ............................................................................................. 45
3.2. Body Loads Available in Each Discipline ................................................................................................. 46
3.3. Output Available via ETABLE ................................................................................................................ 53
5.1. Number of Independent Pressure Degrees of Freedom in One Element .................................................. 81
5.2. Fourier Terms for General Axisymmetric Elements .................................................................................. 87
5.3. Infinite Element vs. PML ....................................................................................................................... 103
5.4. Recommendation Criteria for Element Technology (Linear Material) ..................................................... 104
5.5. Recommendation Criteria for Element Technology (Nonlinear Materials) .............................................. 106
5.6. Elements Supporting Linear Perturbation Analysis ............................................................................... 108
6.1. 3-D Acoustic Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................. 129
6.2. 3-D Acoustic Element Item and Sequence Numbers ............................................................................. 130
7.5.1. SOLID5 Element Output Definitions .................................................................................................. 143
7.5.2. SOLID5 Item and Sequence Numbers ............................................................................................... 146
7.11.1. LINK11 Element Output Definitions ................................................................................................ 150
7.11.2. LINK11 Item and Sequence Numbers .............................................................................................. 150
7.13.1. PLANE13 Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................. 156
7.13.2. PLANE13 Miscellaneous Element Output ........................................................................................ 158
7.13.3. PLANE13 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................... 159
7.14.1. COMBIN14 Real Constants .............................................................................................................. 164
7.14.2. COMBIN14 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 165
7.14.3. COMBIN14 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 166
7.25.1. PLANE25 Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................. 175
7.25.2. PLANE25 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................... 177
7.29.1. FLUID29 Element Output Definitions .............................................................................................. 186
7.29.2. FLUID29 Item and Sequence Numbers ............................................................................................ 187
7.31.1. LINK31 Element Output Definitions ................................................................................................ 191
7.31.2. LINK31 Item and Sequence Numbers .............................................................................................. 192
7.33.1. LINK33 Element Output Definitions ................................................................................................ 194
7.33.2. LINK33 Item and Sequence Numbers .............................................................................................. 195
7.34.1. LINK34 Element Output Definitions ................................................................................................ 199
7.34.2. LINK34 Item and Sequence Numbers .............................................................................................. 200
7.35.1. PLANE35 Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................. 203
7.35.2. PLANE35 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................... 204
7.36.1. SOURC36 Real Constants ................................................................................................................ 207
7.37.1. COMBIN37 Real Constants .............................................................................................................. 214
7.37.2. COMBIN37 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 215
7.37.3. COMBIN37 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 217
7.38.1. FLUID38 Real Constants .................................................................................................................. 220
7.39.1. COMBIN39 Real Constants .............................................................................................................. 226
7.39.2. COMBIN39 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 227
7.39.3. COMBIN39 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 228
7.40.1. COMBIN40 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 234
7.40.2. COMBIN40 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 235
7.55.1. PLANE55 Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................. 248
7.55.2. PLANE55 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................... 249
7.61.1. SHELL61 Element Output Definitions .............................................................................................. 255
7.61.2. SHELL61 Item and Sequence Numbers (KEYOPT(6) = 0 or 1) ............................................................. 256
7.61.3. SHELL61 Item and Sequence Numbers (KEYOPT(6) = 3) ................................................................... 258
7.61.4. SHELL61 Item and Sequence Numbers (KEYOPT(6) = 5) ................................................................... 260

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7.61.5. SHELL61 Item and Sequence Numbers (KEYOPT(6) = 7) ................................................................... 261

7.61.6. SHELL61 Item and Sequence Numbers (KEYOPT(6) = 9) ................................................................... 263
7.68.1. LINK68 Element Output Definitions ................................................................................................ 267
7.68.2. LINK68 Item and Sequence Numbers .............................................................................................. 268
7.70.1. SOLID70 Element Output Definitions .............................................................................................. 273
7.70.2. SOLID70 Item and Sequence Numbers ............................................................................................ 274
7.71.1. MASS71 Real Constants .................................................................................................................. 278
7.71.2. MASS71 Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................... 278
7.71.3. MASS71 Item and Sequence Numbers ............................................................................................ 279
7.75.1. PLANE75 Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................. 282
7.75.2. PLANE75 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................... 283
7.77.1. PLANE77 Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................. 287
7.77.2. PLANE77 Item and Component Labels ............................................................................................ 288
7.78.1. PLANE78 Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................. 292
7.78.2. PLANE78 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................... 293
7.83.1. PLANE83 Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................. 298
7.83.2. PLANE83 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................... 299
7.87.1. SOLID87 Element Output Definitions .............................................................................................. 303
7.87.2. SOLID87 Item and Sequence Numbers ............................................................................................ 305
7.90.1. SOLID90 Element Output Definitions .............................................................................................. 308
7.90.2. SOLID90 Item and Sequence Numbers ............................................................................................ 309
7.94.1. CIRCU94 Real Constants .................................................................................................................. 314
7.94.2. CIRCU94 Element Output Definitions .............................................................................................. 316
7.94.3. CIRCU94 Item and Sequence Numbers ............................................................................................ 317
7.96.1. SOLID96 Element Output Definitions .............................................................................................. 321
7.96.2. SOLID96 Miscellaneous Element Output ......................................................................................... 321
7.96.3. SOLID96 Item and Sequence Numbers ............................................................................................ 322
7.98.1. SOLID98 Element Output Definitions .............................................................................................. 327
7.98.2. SOLID98 Miscellaneous Element Output ......................................................................................... 329
7.98.3. SOLID98 Item and Sequence Numbers ............................................................................................ 330
7.110.1. INFIN110 Analyses ........................................................................................................................ 334
7.110.2. INFIN110 Material Properties ........................................................................................................ 335
7.110.3. Element Output Definitions .......................................................................................................... 335
7.110.4. INFIN110 Item and Sequence Numbers ......................................................................................... 336
7.111.1. INFIN111 Analyses ........................................................................................................................ 340
7.111.2. INFIN111 Material Properties ........................................................................................................ 340
7.111.3. INFIN111 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 341
7.111.4. INFIN111 Item and Sequence Numbers ......................................................................................... 342
7.116.1. FLUID116 Element Real Constants ................................................................................................. 349
7.116.2. FLUID116 Empirical Data Table (Optional) ...................................................................................... 351
7.116.3. FLUID116 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 352
7.116.4. FLUID116 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 353
7.121.1. PLANE121 Element Output Definitions .......................................................................................... 358
7.121.2. PLANE121 Miscellaneous Element Output ..................................................................................... 359
7.121.3. PLANE121 Item and Sequence Numbers ....................................................................................... 360
7.122.1. SOLID122 Element Output Definitions .......................................................................................... 364
7.122.2. SOLID122 Miscellaneous Element Output ..................................................................................... 365
7.122.3. SOLID122 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 365
7.123.1. SOLID123 Element Output Definitions .......................................................................................... 369
7.123.2. SOLID123 Miscellaneous Element Output ..................................................................................... 370
7.123.3. SOLID123 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 371

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7.124.1. CIRCU124 Real Constants .............................................................................................................. 376

7.124.2. CIRCU124 Element Output Definitions .......................................................................................... 378
7.124.3. CIRCU124 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 381
7.125.1. CIRCU125 Real Constants .............................................................................................................. 384
7.125.2. CIRCU125 Element Output Definitions .......................................................................................... 385
7.125.3. CIRCU125 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 386
7.126.1. TRANS126 Real Constants ............................................................................................................. 392
7.126.2. TRANS126 Element Output Definitions .......................................................................................... 393
7.126.3. TRANS126 Item and Sequence Numbers ....................................................................................... 394
7.129.1. FLUID129 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 398
7.129.2. FLUID129 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 399
7.130.1. FLUID130 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 402
7.130.2. FLUID130 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 402
7.131.1. SHELL131 Element Output Definitions .......................................................................................... 409
7.131.2. SHELL131 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 410
7.132.1. SHELL132 Element Output Definitions .......................................................................................... 417
7.132.2. SHELL132 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 418
7.136.1. FLUID136 Real Constants .............................................................................................................. 424
7.136.2. FLUID136 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 427
7.136.3. FLUID136 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 428
7.138.1. FLUID138 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 432
7.138.2. FLUID138 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 433
7.139.1. FLUID139 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 437
7.139.2. FLUID139 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 438
7.151.1. SURF151 Real Constants ............................................................................................................... 445
7.151.2. SURF151 Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................ 446
7.151.3. SURF151 Item and Sequence Numbers ......................................................................................... 447
7.152.1. SURF152 Real Constants ............................................................................................................... 455
7.152.2. SURF152 Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................ 456
7.152.3. SURF152 Item and Sequence Numbers ......................................................................................... 458
7.153.1. SURF153 Real Constants ............................................................................................................... 465
7.153.2. SURF153 Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................ 465
7.153.3. SURF153 Item and Sequence Numbers ......................................................................................... 467
7.154.1. SURF154 Real Constants ............................................................................................................... 473
7.154.2. SURF154 Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................ 474
7.154.3. SURF154 Item and Sequence Numbers ......................................................................................... 475
7.155.1. SURF155 Real Constants ............................................................................................................... 481
7.155.2. SURF155 Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................ 482
7.155.3. SURF155 Item and Sequence Numbers ......................................................................................... 483
7.156.1. SURF156 Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................ 488
7.156.2. SURF156 Item and Sequence Numbers ......................................................................................... 489
7.157.1. SHELL157 Element Output Definitions .......................................................................................... 492
7.157.2. SHELL157 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 493
7.159.1. SURF159 Real Constants ............................................................................................................... 501
7.159.2. SURF159 Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................ 501
7.159.3. SURF159 Item and Sequence Numbers ......................................................................................... 502
7.169.1.TARGE169 2-D Segment Types, Target Shape Codes, and Nodes ...................................................... 506
7.169.2. TARGE169 Element Output Definitions .......................................................................................... 514
7.169.3.TARGE169 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 515
7.170.1.TARGE170 3-D Segment Types, Target Shape Codes, and Nodes ...................................................... 518
7.170.2. TARGE170 Element Output Definitions .......................................................................................... 529

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7.170.3.TARGE170 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 530

7.172.1. CONTA172 Real Constants ............................................................................................................ 546
7.172.2. CONTA172 Element Output Definitions ......................................................................................... 549
7.172.3. CONTA172 Item and Sequence Numbers ....................................................................................... 553
7.174.1. CONTA174 Real Constants ............................................................................................................ 575
7.174.2. CONTA174 Element Output Definitions ......................................................................................... 578
7.174.3. CONTA174 Item and Sequence Numbers ....................................................................................... 583
7.175.1. CONTA175 Real Constants ............................................................................................................ 600
7.175.2. CONTA175 Element Output Definitions ......................................................................................... 604
7.175.3. CONTA175 (3-D) Item and Sequence Numbers .............................................................................. 608
7.175.4. CONTA175 (2-D) Item and Sequence Numbers .............................................................................. 610
7.177.1. CONTA177 Real Constants ............................................................................................................ 629
7.177.2. CONTA177 Element Output Definitions ......................................................................................... 631
7.177.3. CONTA177 (3-D) Item and Sequence Numbers .............................................................................. 634
7.178.1. CONTA178 Real Constants ............................................................................................................ 656
7.178.2. Real Constants and Corresponding Primary Variables for CONTA178 .............................................. 657
7.178.3. CONTA178 Element Output Definitions ......................................................................................... 658
7.178.4. CONTA178 Item and Sequence Numbers ....................................................................................... 660
7.180.1. LINK180 Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................. 669
7.180.2. LINK180 Item and Sequence Numbers .......................................................................................... 671
7.181.1. SHELL181 Element Output Definitions .......................................................................................... 686
7.181.2. SHELL181 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 689
7.182.1. PLANE182 Element Output Definitions .......................................................................................... 697
7.182.2. PLANE182 Item and Sequence Numbers ....................................................................................... 699
7.183.1. PLANE183 Element Output Definitions .......................................................................................... 706
7.183.2. PLANE183 Item and Sequence Numbers ....................................................................................... 708
7.184link.1. MPC184 Rigid Link/Beam Element Output Definitions .............................................................. 719
7.184link.2. MPC184 Rigid Link/Beam Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................... 719
7.184slid.1. MPC184 Slider Element Output Definitions .............................................................................. 724
7.184slid.2. MPC184 Slider Item and Sequence Numbers ............................................................................ 724
7.184revo.1. MPC184 Revolute Joint Element Output Definitions ................................................................ 729
7.184revo.2. MPC184 Revolute Joint Element - NMISC Output .................................................................... 731
7.184revo.3. MPC184 Revolute Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items ........................................ 732
7.184revo.4. MPC184 Revolute Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items ....................................... 733
7.184univ.1. MPC184 Universal Joint Element Output Definitions ............................................................... 738
7.184univ.2. MPC184 Universal Joint Element - NMISC Output .................................................................... 740
7.184univ.3. MPC184 Universal Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items ....................................... 741
7.184univ.4. MPC184 Universal Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items ....................................... 741
7.184slot.1. MPC184 Slot Joint Element Output Definitions ........................................................................ 746
7.184slot.2. MPC184 Slot Joint Element - NMISC Output ............................................................................. 747
7.184slot.3. MPC184 Slot Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items ................................................ 748
7.184slot.4. MPC184 Slot Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items ................................................ 749
7.184poin.1. MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Element Output Definitions ....................................................... 753
7.184poin.2. MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Element - NMISC Output ............................................................ 755
7.184poin.3. MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items ............................... 756
7.184poin.4. MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items .............................. 756
7.184tran.1. MPC184 Translational Joint Element Output Definitions .......................................................... 761
7.184tran.2. MPC184 Translational Joint Element - NMISC Output ............................................................... 762
7.184tran.3. MPC184 Translational Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items .................................. 763
7.184tran.4. MPC184 Translational Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items .................................. 763
7.184cyl.1. MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Element Output Definitions ............................................................... 769

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7.184cyl.2. MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Element - NMISC Output .................................................................... 772

7.184cyl.3. MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items ........................................ 773
7.184cyl.4. MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items ....................................... 774
7.184plan.1. MPC184 Planar Joint Element Output Definitions ................................................................... 780
7.184plan.2. MPC184 Planar Joint Element - NMISC Output ........................................................................ 783
7.184plan.3. MPC184 Planar Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items ........................................... 784
7.184plan.4. MPC184 Planar Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items ........................................... 786
7.184weld.1. MPC184 Weld Joint Element Output Definitions ..................................................................... 789
7.184weld.2. MPC184 Weld Joint Element - NMISC Output ......................................................................... 790
7.184weld.3. MPC184 Weld Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items ............................................. 791
7.184weld.4. MPC184 Weld Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items ............................................ 791
7.184orie.1. MPC184 Orient Joint Element Output Definitions .................................................................... 795
7.184orie.2. MPC184 Orient Joint Element - NMISC Output ......................................................................... 795
7.184orie.3. MPC184 Orient Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items ............................................ 796
7.184orie.4. MPC184 Orient Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items ............................................ 796
7.184sphe.1. MPC184 Spherical Joint Element Output Definitions .............................................................. 801
7.184sphe.2. MPC184 Spherical Joint Element - NMISC Output ................................................................... 802
7.184sphe.3. MPC184 Spherical Joint Item and Sequence Numbers -SMISC Items ....................................... 803
7.184sphe.4. MPC184 Spherical Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items ...................................... 804
7.184gen.1. MPC184 General Joint Element Output Definitions .................................................................. 810
7.184gen.2. MPC184 General Joint Element - NMISC Output ...................................................................... 811
7.184gen.3. MPC184 General Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items .......................................... 812
7.184gen.4. MPC184 General Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items ......................................... 814
7.184scr.1. MPC184 Screw Joint Element Output Definitions ...................................................................... 819
7.184scr.2. MPC184 Screw Joint Element - NMISC Output ........................................................................... 821
7.184scr.3. MPC184 Screw Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items ............................................... 822
7.184scr.4. MPC184 Screw Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items .............................................. 822
7.185.1. SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid Element Output Definitions ........................................... 830
7.185.2. SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................ 832
7.185.3. SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Element Output Definitions ..................................................... 838
7.185.4. SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Item and Sequence Numbers ................................................... 841
7.186.1. SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Element Output Definitions ........................................... 848
7.186.2. SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................ 850
7.186.3. SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Element Output Definitions ..................................................... 856
7.186.4. SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Item and Sequence Numbers ................................................... 858
7.187.1. SOLID187 Element Output Definitions .......................................................................................... 865
7.187.2. SOLID187 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 867
7.188.1. BEAM188 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 882
7.188.2. BEAM188 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 885
7.189.1. BEAM189 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 904
7.189.2. BEAM 189 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 906
7.190.1. SOLSH190 Element Output Definitions ......................................................................................... 918
7.190.2. SOLSH190 Item and Sequence Numbers ....................................................................................... 920
7.192.1. INTER192 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 925
7.193.1. INTER193 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 930
7.194.1. INTER194 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 935
7.195.1. INTER195 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 940
7.201.1. FOLLW201 Item and Sequence Numbers ....................................................................................... 952
7.202.1. INTER202 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 956
7.203.1. INTER203 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 959
7.204.1. INTER204 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 962

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7.205.1. INTER205 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 966

7.208.1. SHELL208 Element Output Definitions .......................................................................................... 973
7.208.2. SHELL208 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 975
7.209.1. SHELL209 Element Output Definitions .......................................................................................... 983
7.209.2. SHELL209 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 985
7.212.1. CPT212 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads ................................................................................ 989
7.212.2. CPT212 Element Output Definitions .............................................................................................. 992
7.212.3. CPT212 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................... 994
7.213.1. CPT213 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads ................................................................................ 996
7.213.2. CPT213 Element Output Definitions .............................................................................................. 999
7.213.3. CPT213 Item and Sequence Numbers .......................................................................................... 1001
7.214.1. COMBI214 Element Output Definitions for KEYOPT(1) = 0 ............................................................ 1008
7.214.2. COMBI214 Element Output Definitions for KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2 ..................................................... 1009
7.214.3. COMBI214 Item and Sequence Numbers for KEYOPT(1) = 0 .......................................................... 1010
7.214.4. COMBI214 Item and Sequence Numbers for KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2 ................................................... 1011
7.215.1. CPT215 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads .............................................................................. 1014
7.215.2. CPT215 Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................ 1017
7.215.3. CPT215 Item and Sequence Numbers .......................................................................................... 1019
7.216.1. CPT216 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads .............................................................................. 1021
7.216.2. CPT216 Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................ 1025
7.216.3. CPT216 Item and Sequence Numbers .......................................................................................... 1027
7.217.1. CPT217 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads .............................................................................. 1029
7.217.2. CPT217 Element Output Definitions ............................................................................................ 1032
7.217.3. CPT217 Item and Sequence Numbers .......................................................................................... 1034
7.218.1. FLUID218 Real Constants ............................................................................................................ 1037
7.218.2. FLUID218 Element Output Definitions ......................................................................................... 1038
7.218.3. FLUID218 Item and Sequence Numbers ...................................................................................... 1039
7.222.1. PLANE222 Field Keys ................................................................................................................... 1044
7.222.2. PLANE222 Coupled-Field Analysis ............................................................................................... 1044
7.222.3. Structural Material Properties ...................................................................................................... 1047
7.222.4. PLANE222 Material Properties and Material Models ..................................................................... 1047
7.222.5. PLANE222 Surface and Body Loads ............................................................................................. 1051
7.222.6. Automatic Element Technology Selection ................................................................................... 1054
7.222.7. PLANE222 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1058
7.222.8. PLANE222 Item and Sequence Numbers ..................................................................................... 1063
7.223.1. PLANE223 Field Keys ................................................................................................................... 1067
7.223.2. PLANE223 Coupled-Field Analyses .............................................................................................. 1068
7.223.3. Structural Material Properties ...................................................................................................... 1071
7.223.4. PLANE223 Material Properties and Material Models ..................................................................... 1072
7.223.5. PLANE223 Surface and Body Loads ............................................................................................. 1076
7.223.6. Automatic Element Technology Selection ................................................................................... 1081
7.223.7. PLANE223 Real Constants ........................................................................................................... 1085
7.223.8. PLANE223 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1086
7.223.9. PLANE223 Item and Sequence Numbers ..................................................................................... 1094
7.225.1. SOLID225 Field Keys ................................................................................................................... 1099
7.225.2. SOLID225 Coupled-Field Analyses ............................................................................................... 1100
7.225.3. Structural Material Properties ...................................................................................................... 1103
7.225.4. SOLID225 Material Properties and Material Models ...................................................................... 1103
7.225.5. SOLID225 Surface and Body Loads .............................................................................................. 1106
7.225.6. Automatic Element Technology Selection ................................................................................... 1110
7.225.7. SOLID225 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1114

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7.225.8. SOLID225 Item and Sequence Numbers ...................................................................................... 1120

7.226.1. SOLID226 Field Keys ................................................................................................................... 1124
7.226.2. SOLID226 Coupled-Field Analyses ............................................................................................... 1125
7.226.3. Structural Material Properties ...................................................................................................... 1128
7.226.4. SOLID226 Material Properties and Material Models ...................................................................... 1129
7.226.5. SOLID226 Surface and Body Loads .............................................................................................. 1133
7.226.6. Automatic Element Technology Selection ................................................................................... 1138
7.226.7. SOLID226 Real Constants ............................................................................................................ 1142
7.226.8. SOLID226 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1143
7.226.9. SOLID226 Item and Sequence Numbers ...................................................................................... 1152
7.227.1. SOLID227 Field Keys ................................................................................................................... 1157
7.227.2. SOLID227 Coupled-Field Analyses ............................................................................................... 1157
7.227.3. Structural Material Properties ...................................................................................................... 1161
7.227.4. SOLID227 Material Properties and Material Models ...................................................................... 1162
7.227.5. SOLID227 Surface and Body Loads .............................................................................................. 1167
7.227.6. Automatic Element Technology Selection ................................................................................... 1171
7.227.7. SOLID227 Real Constants ............................................................................................................ 1175
7.227.8. SOLID227 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1177
7.227.9. SOLID227 Item and Sequence Numbers ...................................................................................... 1185
7.230.1. PLANE230 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1190
7.230.2. PLANE230 Item and Sequence Numbers ..................................................................................... 1192
7.231.1. SOLID231 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1195
7.231.2. SOLID231 Item and Sequence Numbers ...................................................................................... 1196
7.232.1. SOLID232 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1199
7.232.2. SOLID232 Item and Sequence Numbers ...................................................................................... 1200
7.233.1. PLANE233 Real Constants ........................................................................................................... 1206
7.233.2. PLANE233 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1207
7.233.3. PLANE233 Item and Sequence Numbers ..................................................................................... 1208
7.233.4. THETA Default Values .................................................................................................................. 1209
7.236.1. SOLID 236 Real Constants ........................................................................................................... 1215
7.236.2. SOLID236 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1216
7.236.3. SOLID236 Item and Sequence Numbers ...................................................................................... 1218
7.236.4. THETA Default Values .................................................................................................................. 1218
7.237.1. SOLID 237 Real Constants ........................................................................................................... 1224
7.237.2. SOLID237 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1225
7.237.3. SOLID237 Item and Sequence Numbers ...................................................................................... 1227
7.237.4. THETA Default Values .................................................................................................................. 1228
7.238.1. PLANE238 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1232
7.238.2. PLANE238 Item and Sequence Numbers ..................................................................................... 1233
7.239.1. SOLID239 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1236
7.239.2. SOLID239 Item and Sequence Numbers ...................................................................................... 1237
7.240.1. SOLID240 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1240
7.240.2. SOLID240 Item and Sequence Numbers ...................................................................................... 1241
7.241.1. HSFLD241 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1247
7.241.2. HSFLD241 Item and Sequence Numbers ..................................................................................... 1248
7.242.1. HSFLD242 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1254
7.242.2. HSFLD242 Item and Sequence Numbers ..................................................................................... 1255
7.250.1. COMBI250 Real Constants ........................................................................................................... 1259
7.250.2. COMBI250 Element Output Definitions ....................................................................................... 1260
7.250.3. COMBI250 Item and Sequence Numbers ..................................................................................... 1261
7.251.1. SURF251 Real Constants ............................................................................................................. 1264

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7.251.2. SURF251 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 1264

7.252.1. SURF252 Real Constants ............................................................................................................. 1268
7.252.2. SURF252 Item and Sequence Numbers ........................................................................................ 1269
7.257.1. INFIN257 Element Output Definitions ......................................................................................... 1274
7.257.2. INFIN257 Item and Sequence Numbers ....................................................................................... 1275
7.263.1. REINF263 Element Output Definitions – Structural Analysis .......................................................... 1282
7.263.2. REINF263 Element Output Definitions – Thermal Analysis ............................................................ 1283
7.263.3. REINF263 Item and Sequence Numbers ....................................................................................... 1284
7.264.1. REINF264 Geometry .................................................................................................................... 1286
7.264.2. REINF264 Element Output Definitions – Structural Analysis .......................................................... 1291
7.264.3. REINF264 Element Output Definitions – Thermal Analysis ........................................................... 1292
7.264.4. REINF264 Item and Sequence Numbers ....................................................................................... 1293
7.265.1. REINF265 Element Output Definitions – Structural Analysis .......................................................... 1301
7.265.2. REINF265 Element Output Definitions – Thermal Analysis ............................................................ 1302
7.265.3. REINF265 Item and Sequence Numbers ....................................................................................... 1303
7.272.1. SOLID272 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1308
7.272.2. SOLID272 Item and Sequence Numbers ...................................................................................... 1310
7.273.1. SOLID273 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1316
7.273.2. SOLID273 Item and Sequence Numbers ...................................................................................... 1318
7.278.1. SOLID278 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Output Definitions ......................................................... 1326
7.278.2. SOLID278 homogeneous Thermal Solid Item and Sequence Numbers ......................................... 1327
7.278.3. SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Element Output Definitions ...................................................... 1334
7.278.4. SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Item and Sequence Numbers .................................................... 1336
7.279.1. SOLID279 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1341
7.279.2. SOLID279 Item and Sequence Numbers ...................................................................................... 1342
7.279.3. SOLID279 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1350
7.279.4. SOLID279 Item and Sequence Numbers ...................................................................................... 1351
7.280.1. CABLE280 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1358
7.280.2. CABLE280 Item and Sequence Numbers ...................................................................................... 1359
7.281.1. SHELL281 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1371
7.281.2. SHELL281 Item and Sequence Numbers ...................................................................................... 1374
7.285.1. SOLID285 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1380
7.285.2. SOLID285 Item and Sequence Numbers ...................................................................................... 1382
7.288.1. PIPE288 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 1395
7.288.2. PIPE288 Item and Sequence Numbers ......................................................................................... 1398
7.289.1. PIPE289 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................... 1414
7.289.2. PIPE289 Item and Sequence Numbers ......................................................................................... 1417
7.290.1. ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Output Definitions .......................................................................... 1433
7.290.2. ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Item and Sequence Numbers .......................................................... 1436
7.290.3. ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Output Definitions ......................................................................... 1449
7.290.4. ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Item and Sequence Numbers ......................................................... 1451
7.291.1. SOLID291 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1456
7.291.2. SOLID291 Item and Sequence Numbers ...................................................................................... 1457
7.292.1. PLANE292 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1463
7.292.2. PLANE292 Item and Sequence Numbers ..................................................................................... 1464
7.293.1. PLANE293 Element Output Definitions ........................................................................................ 1469
7.293.2. PLANE293 Item and Component Labels (KEYOPT(1) = 0) .............................................................. 1470
7.293.3. PLANE293 Item and Component Labels (KEYOPT(1) = 1) .............................................................. 1470

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Chapter 1: About This Reference
Welcome to the Element Reference (p. 1). The following topics are available to introduce you to Ansys,
Inc. element technology:
1.1. Overview
1.2. Conventions Used in This Reference

1.1. Overview
The purpose this reference is to help you understand, select, and use elements for your analysis.

The reference begins with a general description of the elements, focusing on common features or
properties, and including information about how elements, loads, coordinate systems, and output are
defined. See General Element Features (p. 41).

Elements are then introduced by classifications based on dimensions, application or discipline, and
elements with special properties and shapes. See Element Classifications (p. 5).

Subsequent documentation includes specific information about each element class, such as continuum
stress (p. 75), shells (p. 97), beams (p. 99), pipes (p. 100), and others. Basic assumptions, advantages,
and limitations of each element class are discussed. Common formulation and element usage techniques
are also described.

Finally, a complete library of detailed element descriptions, arranged in order by element number, is
presented. The element library is the definitive reference for element documentation. See Element
Library (p. 135).

This reference is not a primary source of conceptual or procedural information. See the appropriate
analysis guides for that information.

1.2. Conventions Used in This Reference

This reference uses the following conventions to help you identify various types of information:

Type style or Indicates

text
UPPERCASE or Uppercase indicates an element name (such as
UPPERCASE SOLID273 (p. 1312) or ELBOW290 (p. 1421)).

Bold uppercase indicates a command name (such as K or

DDELE).

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About This Reference

Type style or Indicates

text
Bold> Bold Bold text in mixed case indicates a menu path within the
graphical user interface (GUI), a series of menu options for
accessing a command from the GUI.

One or more angle brackets (>) separate menu items in a menu

path.

A command shown in the text is sometimes followed by its

GUI equivalent in parentheses, as shown in this example: *GET
command (Utility Menu> Parameters> Get Scalar Data).
ITALICS Uppercase italic letters (such as VALUE, INC, TIME) generally
indicate command arguments for numeric values.

In some cases (where indicated), non-numeric convenience

labels (such as ON, OFF and ALL) can also be specified for
these arguments.
Italics Mixed case italic letters (such as Lab or Fname) generally indicate
command arguments for alphanumeric values.
COURIER A courier font indicates command input or output.

1.2.1. Applicable Products

This document applies to the following family of products:

Ansys DesignSpace
Ansys Mechanical Pro (structural, full thermal, and vibration analysis)
Ansys Mechanical Premium (nonlinear structural, full thermal, vibration, linear dynamics
analysis)
Ansys Mechanical Enterprise (advanced nonlinear structural, full thermal, vibration, linear
dynamics and nonlinear transient dynamics, fracture, acoustics, full coupled-field, hydrodynam-
ics)
Ansys Mechanical Enterprise PrepPost
Ansys Mechanical Enterprise Solver (batch mode)

Note:

While connection capabilities and High Performance Computing are included as part
of the release distribution, they are separately licensed and separately installed
products. Contact your Support Representative if you want to install and run any of
these separately licensed products at your site.

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 Conventions Used in This Reference

1.2.2. Valid Products

Some elements are only valid in a subset of the Applicable Products (p. 2). The valid products for
each element appear (as abbreviations) in the Valid Products list, below and to the right of each
short element description.

The abbreviations correspond to the products as shown in this table:

Product Abbreviation
Ansys Mechanical Pro Pro
Ansys Mechanical Premium Premium
Ansys Mechanical Enterprise Enterprise
Ansys Mechanical Enterprise PrepPost PrepPost
Ansys Mechanical Enterprise Solver Solver
Additive Suite add-on (requires one of AS add-on
the Enterprise products)

If the abbreviation in the Valid Products list is dark bold, the element is valid in that product. If the
abbreviation is light gray ("grayed out"), the element is not valid or applicable and should not be
used in that product. For example,

Valid Products: Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on

indicates the element is valid in Ansys Mechanical Pro, Ansys Mechanical Premium, Ansys Mechanical
Enterprise, and Ansys Mechanical Enterprise Solver, but not in or Ansys Mechanical Enterprise PrepPost.
The "AS add-on" code behaves a bit differently. When this code is bold, the element is only available
in the Additive Suite, an add-on to any of the Enterprise products.

Even if an element is shown as valid in a particular product, some features of that element may be
invalid in that product. Any invalid features of an otherwise valid element are documented in the
Product Restrictions section of that element documentation.

A chart comparing the engineering capabilities available in the Applicable Products (p. 2) can be
found here.

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Chapter 2: Element Classifications
A large library of element types is available for use in your analysis. To help you select elements for
your analysis, basic characteristics of the element types are described here.

The following topics related to element types and classifications are available:
2.1. Overview of Element Characteristics
2.2. Summary of Element Types
2.3. Selecting Elements for Your Analysis
2.4. Older vs. Current Element Technologies
2.5. Degenerated Shape Elements
2.6. Special-Purpose Elements
2.7. GUI-Inaccessible Elements

Detailed descriptions for each element type are given in Element Library (p. 135).

2.1. Overview of Element Characteristics

The following element overview topics are available:
2.1.1. Identifying Element Types
2.1.2. 2-D vs. 3-D Elements
2.1.3. Element Shape Characteristics
2.1.4. Element Degrees of Freedom and Discipline
2.1.5. User-Defined Elements
2.1.6. Forward Solving vs. Inverse Solving

2.1.1. Identifying Element Types

An element type is identified by a name of up to eight characters, such as PIPE288 (p. 1383), consisting
of a group label and a unique ID number. In this example, the group label is PIPE and the number is
288.

The element descriptions in Element Library (p. 135) are arranged in order of the identification numbers.
To select an element from the library for use in your analysis, input its full name (such as pipe288)
or number (such as 288) via ET.

2.1.2. 2-D vs. 3-D Elements

Models may be either 2-D or 3-D depending upon the element types used.

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Element Classifications

A 2-D model must be defined in an X-Y plane. They are easier to set up, and run faster than equivalent
3-D models. Axisymmetric models are also considered to be 2-D.

If any 3-D element type is included in the element type (ET ) set, the model becomes 3-D. Some
element types (such as COMBIN14 (p. 161)) may be 2-D or 3-D, depending upon the KEYOPT value
selected. Other element types (such as COMBIN40 (p. 230)) have no influence in determining the
model dimensions. A 2-D element type may be used (with caution) in 3-D models.

2.1.3. Element Shape Characteristics

In general, four shapes are possible: point, line, area, or volume.

• A point element is typically defined by one node, such as a mass element.

• A line element is typically represented by a line or arc connecting two or three nodes. Examples
are beams, spars, pipes, and axisymmetric shells.

• An area element has a triangular or quadrilateral shape and may be a 2-D solid element or a shell
element.

• A volume element has a tetrahedral or brick shape and is usually a 3-D solid element.

2.1.4. Element Degrees of Freedom and Discipline

The degrees of freedom of the element determine the discipline for which the element is applicable:
structural, thermal, fluid, electric, magnetic, or coupled-field.

Select an element type with the necessary degrees of freedom characterize the model's response.

Including unnecessary degrees of freedom increases the solution memory requirements and running
time. Similarly, selecting element types with unnecessary features--for example, using an element
type with plastic capability in an elastic solution--also increases the analysis run time.

2.1.5. User-Defined Elements

You can create your own element type and use it in an analysis as a user-defined element.

User-defined elements are described in Creating a New Element in the Programmer's Reference.

2.1.6. Forward Solving vs. Inverse Solving

All elements with structural degrees of freedom support traditional forward solving. The input geometry
is undeformed, and the solution is the deformed geometry and the stresses/strains on the undeformed
input geometry.

Some elements support inverse solving. The input geometry is already deformed with applied loads,
and the solution is the undeformed reference geometry and its associated stresses/strains. For more
information, see Nonlinear Static Analysis with Inverse Solving in the Structural Analysis Guide, INVOPT,
and Inverse Formulations in the Theory Reference.

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 Summary of Element Types

2.2. Summary of Element Types

The following tables show elements listed by group label (p. 5) in numerical order, along with a de-
scription and graphical representation for each.

BEAM (p. 7) FOLLW (p. 11) MESH (p. 15) SOLID (p. 19)
CABLE (p. 7) HSFLD (p. 11) MPC (p. 15) SOLSH (p. 22)
CIRCU (p. 7) INFIN (p. 12) PIPE (p. 15) SOURC (p. 23)
COMBIN (p. 8) INTER (p. 12) PLANE (p. 15) SURF (p. 23)
CONTAC (p. 8) LINK (p. 13) PRETS (p. 18) TARGE (p. 24)
CPT (p. 9) MASS (p. 14) REINF (p. 18) TRANS (p. 24)
FLUID (p. 10) MATRIX (p. 14) SHELL (p. 18)

BEAM Elements Pictorials

BEAM188 (p. 868)
Structural 3-D 2-Node Beam
2 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ
BEAM189 (p. 890)
Structural 3-D 3-Node Beam
3 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

CABLE Elements Pictorials

CABLE280 (p. 1353)
3-D 3-Node Cable
3 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ

CIRCU Elements Pictorials

CIRCU94 (p. 311)
Coupled-Field Piezoelectric Circuit
2 or 3 nodes 2-D space
DOF: VOLT, CURR
CIRCU124 (p. 372)
Electric Circuit
2-6 nodes 3-D space
DOF: VOLT, CURR, PRES

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Element Classifications

CIRCU Elements Pictorials

CIRCU125 (p. 382)
Electric Diode
2 nodes 3-D space
DOF: VOLT

COMBIN Elements Pictorials

COMBIN14 (p. 161)
Combination Spring-Damper
2 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ
COMBIN37 (p. 209)
Combination Control
4 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ,
PRES, TEMP
COMBIN39 (p. 221)
Combination Nonlinear Spring
2 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ,
PRES, TEMP
COMBIN40 (p. 230)
Combination
2 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ,
PRES, TEMP
COMBI214 (p. 1002)
Combination Spring-Damper Bearing
2 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ
COMBI250 (p. 1256)
Bushing
2 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

CONTAC Elements Pictorials

CONTA172 (p. 531)
2-D 3-Node Surface-to-Surface Contact

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 Summary of Element Types

CONTAC Elements Pictorials

3 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY, TEMP, VOLT, AZ, PRES,
CONC
CONTA174 (p. 557)
3-D 8-Node Surface-to-Surface Contact
8 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, TTOP, TBOT,
VOLT, MAG, PRES, CONC
CONTA175 (p. 586)
2-D/3-D Node-to-Surface Contact
1 node 2-D/3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, VOLT, AZ,
MAG, PRES, CONC
CONTA177 (p. 614)
3-D Line-to-Surface Contact
3 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ
CONTA178 (p. 637)
3-D Node-to-Node Contact
2 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, VOLT

CPT Elements Pictorials

CPT212 (p. 988)
2-D 4-Node Coupled
Pore-Pressure-Thermal Mechanical Solid
4 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY, PRES, TEMP
CPT213 (p. 995)
2-D 8-Node Coupled
Pore-Pressure-Thermal Mechanical Solid
8 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY, PRES, TEMP
CPT215 (p. 1013)
3-D 8-Node Coupled
Pore-Pressure-Thermal Mechanical Solid
8 nodes 3-D space

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Element Classifications

CPT Elements Pictorials

DOF: UX, UY, UZ, PRES, TEMP
CPT216 (p. 1020)
3-D 20-Node Coupled
Pore-Pressure-Thermal Mechanical Solid
20 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, PRES, TEMP
CPT217 (p. 1028)
3-D 10-Node Coupled
Pore-Pressure-Thermal Mechanical Solid
10 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, PRES, TEMP

FLUID Elements Pictorials

FLUID29 (p. 183)
2-D Acoustic Fluid
4 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY, PRES
FLUID30 (p. 188)
3-D Acoustic Fluid
8 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, PRES, ENKE
FLUID38 (p. 218)
Dynamic Fluid Coupling
2 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ
FLUID116 (p. 343)
Coupled Thermal-Fluid Pipe
2 nodes 3-D space
DOF: PRES, TEMP
FLUID129 (p. 396)
2-D Infinite Acoustic
2 nodes 2-D space
DOF: PRES
FLUID130 (p. 400)
3-D Infinite Acoustic
4 nodes 3-D space

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 Summary of Element Types

FLUID Elements Pictorials

DOF: PRES
FLUID136 (p. 419)
3-D Squeeze Film Fluid
4, 8 nodes 3-D space
DOF: PRES
FLUID138 (p. 430)
3-D Viscous Fluid Link
2 nodes 3-D space
DOF: PRES
FLUID139 (p. 434)
3-D Slide Film Fluid
2, 32 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ
FLUID218 (p. 1034)
3-D Hydrodynamic Bearing Element
4 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, PRES
FLUID220 (p. 1041)
3-D Acoustic Fluid
20 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, PRES, ENKE, VX, VY,
VZ, TEMP
FLUID221 (p. 1041)
3-D Acoustic Fluid
10 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, PRES, ENKE, VX, VY,
VZ, TEMP

FOLLW Elements Pictorials

FOLLW201 (p. 949)
3-D Follower Load
1 node 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

HSFLD Elements Pictorials

HSFLD241 (p. 1242)

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Element Classifications

HSFLD Elements Pictorials

2-D Hydrostatic Fluid
4 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY, HDSP, PRES
HSFLD242 (p. 1249)
3-D Hydrostatic Fluid
9 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, HDSP, PRES

INFIN Elements Pictorials

INFIN47 (p. 237)
3-D Infinite Boundary
4 nodes 3-D space
DOF: MAG, TEMP
INFIN110 (p. 332)
2-D Infinite Solid

8
4 or 8 nodes 2-D space
DOF: AZ, VOLT, TEMP
INFIN111 (p. 338)
3-D Infinite Solid 8

8 or 20 nodes 3-D space

DOF: MAG, AZ, VOLT, TEMP
INFIN257 (p. 1270)
8

2-D or 3-D Structural Infinite Solid

4 or 8 nodes 2-D space (2-D) or
8

8 or 20 nodes 3-D space

DOF (2-D): UX, UY
(3-D)
DOF (3-D): UX, UY, UZ

INTER Elements Pictorials

INTER192 (p. 922)
Structural 2-D Interface 4-Node Gasket
4 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY
INTER193 (p. 926)
Structural 2-D Interface 6-Node Gasket
6 nodes 2-D space

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 Summary of Element Types

INTER Elements Pictorials

DOF: UX, UY
INTER194 (p. 931)
Structural 3-D Interface 16-Node Gasket
16 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ
INTER195 (p. 936)
Structural 3-D Interface 8-Node Gasket
8 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ
INTER202 (p. 953)
Structural 2-D Interface 4-Node
Cohesive
4 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY
INTER203 (p. 956)
Structural 2-D Interface 6-Node
Cohesive
6 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY
INTER204 (p. 960)
Structural 3-D Interface 16-Node
Cohesive
16 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ
INTER205 (p. 963)
Structural 3-D Interface 8-Node
Cohesive
8 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ

LINK Elements Pictorials

LINK11 (p. 148)
Structural 3-D Linear Actuator
2 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ
LINK31 (p. 189)

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Element Classifications

LINK Elements Pictorials

Radiation Link
2 nodes 3-D space
DOF: TEMP
LINK33 (p. 193)
Thermal 3-D Conduction Bar
2 nodes 3-D space
DOF: TEMP
LINK34 (p. 196)
Convection Link
2 nodes 3-D space
DOF: TEMP
LINK68 (p. 265)
Coupled Thermal-Electric Line
2 nodes 3-D space
DOF: TEMP, VOLT
LINK180 (p. 665)
Structural 3-D Spar (or Truss)
2 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ

MASS Elements Pictorials

MASS21 (p. 168)
Structural Mass
1 node 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ
MASS71 (p. 276)
Thermal Mass
1 node 3-D space
DOF: TEMP

MATRIX Elements Pictorials

MATRIX27 (p. 178)
Stiffness, Damping, or Mass Matrix
2 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

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 Summary of Element Types

MATRIX Elements Pictorials

MATRIX50 (p. 240)
Superelement (or Substructure)
2-D or 3-D space
DOF: Determined from included
element types

MESH Elements Pictorials

MESH200 (p. 941)
Meshing Facet
2-20 nodes 2-D/3-D space
DOF: None
KEYOPT Dependent

MPC Elements Pictorials

MPC184 (p. 710)
Structural Multipoint Constraint
2 or 3 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ
KEYOPT Dependent

PIPE Elements Pictorials

PIPE288 (p. 1383)
3-D 2-Node Pipe
2 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ
PIPE289 (p. 1403)
3-D 3-Node Pipe
3 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ
ELBOW290 (p. 1421)
3-D 3-Node Elbow
3 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

PLANE Elements Pictorials

PLANE13 (p. 151)
2-D Coupled-Field Solid

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Element Classifications

PLANE Elements Pictorials

4 nodes 2-D space
DOF: TEMP, AZ, UX, UY, VOLT
PLANE25 (p. 171)
Axisymmetric-Harmonic 4-Node
Structural Solid
4 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ
PLANE35 (p. 201)
2-D 6-Node Triangular Thermal Solid
6 nodes 2-D space
DOF: TEMP
PLANE55 (p. 244)
2-D 4-Node Thermal Solid
4 nodes 2-D space
DOF: TEMP
PLANE75 (p. 280)
2-D Axisymmetric-Harmonic 4-Node
Thermal Solid
4 nodes 2-D space
DOF: TEMP
PLANE77 (p. 284)
2-D 8-Node Thermal Solid
8 nodes 2-D space
DOF: TEMP
PLANE78 (p. 289)
2-D Axisymmetric-Harmonic 8-Node
Thermal Solid
8 nodes 2-D space
DOF: TEMP
PLANE83 (p. 294)
2-D Axisymmetric - Harmonic 8-Node
Structural Solid
8 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ
PLANE121 (p. 355)
2-D 8-Node Electrostatic Solid

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 Summary of Element Types

PLANE Elements Pictorials

8 nodes 2-D space
DOF: VOLT
PLANE182 (p. 692)
2-D 4-Node Structural Solid
4 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY
PLANE183 (p. 701)
2-D 8-Node Structural Solid
8 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY
PLANE222 (p. 1042)
2-D 4-Node Coupled-Field Solid
4 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY, TEMP, VOLT, CONC
PLANE223 (p. 1065)
2-D 8-Node Coupled-Field Solid
8 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY, TEMP, VOLT, EMF, AZ,
CONC
PLANE230 (p. 1188)
2-D 8-Node Electric Solid
8 nodes 2-D space
DOF: VOLT
PLANE233 (p. 1201)
2-D 8-Node Electromagnetic Solid
8 nodes 2-D space
DOF: AZ, VOLT
PLANE238 (p. 1228)
2-D 8-Node Diffusion Solid
8 nodes 2-D space
DOF: CONC
PLANE292 (p. 1458)
2-D 4-Node Thermal Solid
4 nodes 2-D space
DOF: TEMP

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Element Classifications

PLANE Elements Pictorials

PLANE293 (p. 1465)
2-D 8-Node Thermal Solid
8 nodes 2-D space
DOF: TEMP

PRETS Elements Pictorials

PRETS179 (p. 662)
2-D/3-D Pretension Combination
3 nodes 2-D/3-D space
DOF: UX

REINF Elements Pictorials

REINF263 (p. 1276)
2-D Smeared Reinforcing
Up to 8 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTZ
REINF264 (p. 1285)
3-D Discrete Reinforcing
Up to 20 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ ,
TEMP
REINF265 (p. 1294)
3-D Smeared Reinforcing
Up to 20 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ,
TEMP

SHELL Elements Pictorials

SHELL61 (p. 251)
2-D Axisymmetric-Harmonic Structural
Shell
2 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTZ
SHELL131 (p. 403)
4-Node Thermal Shell
4 nodes 3-D space
DOF: TBOT, TE2, TE3, TE4, . . . TTOP

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 Summary of Element Types

SHELL Elements Pictorials

SHELL132 (p. 411)
8-Node Thermal Shell
8 nodes 3-D space
DOF: TBOT, TE2, TE3, TE4, . . . TTOP
SHELL157 (p. 489)
Thermal-Electric Shell
4 nodes 3-D space
DOF: TEMP, VOLT
SHELL181 (p. 673)
4-Node Structural Shell
4 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ
SHELL208 (p. 966)
2-Node Axisymmetric Shell
2 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY, ROTZ
SHELL209 (p. 977)
3-Node Axisymmetric Shell
3 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY, ROTZ
SHELL281 (p. 1360)
8-Node Structural Shell
8 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

SOLID Elements Pictorials

SOLID5 (p. 139)
3-D Coupled-Field Solid
8 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, VOLT, MAG
SOLID70 (p. 269)
3-D Thermal Solid
8 nodes 3-D space
DOF: TEMP

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Element Classifications

SOLID Elements Pictorials

SOLID87 (p. 301)
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Thermal Solid
10 nodes 3-D space
DOF: TEMP
SOLID90 (p. 306)
3-D 20-Node Thermal Solid
20 nodes 3-D space
DOF: TEMP
SOLID96 (p. 318)
3-D Magnetic Scalar Solid
8 nodes 3-D space
DOF: MAG
SOLID98 (p. 323)
Tetrahedral Coupled-Field Solid
10 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, VOLT, MAG
SOLID122 (p. 361)
3-D 20-Node Electrostatic Solid
20 nodes 3-D space
DOF: VOLT
SOLID123 (p. 366)
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Electrostatic
Solid
10 nodes 3-D space
DOF: VOLT
SOLID185 (p. 824)
3-D 8-Node Structural Solid
8 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ
SOLID186 (p. 843)
3-D 20-Node Structural Solid
20 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ
SOLID187 (p. 861)
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Structural
Solid

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 Summary of Element Types

SOLID Elements Pictorials

10 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ
SOLID225 (p. 1097)
3-D 8-Node Coupled-Field Solid
8 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, VOLT, CONC
SOLID226 (p. 1122)
3-D 20-Node Coupled-Field Solid
20 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, VOLT, EMF, AZ,
CONC
SOLID227 (p. 1155)
3-D 10-Node Coupled-Field Solid
10 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, VOLT, EMF, AZ,
CONC
SOLID231 (p. 1193)
3-D 20-Node Electric Solid
20 nodes 3-D space
DOF: VOLT
SOLID232 (p. 1197)
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Electric Solid
10 nodes 3-D space
DOF: VOLT
SOLID236 (p. 1210)
3-D 20-Node Electromagnetic Solid
20 nodes 3-D space
DOF: AZ, VOLT
SOLID237 (p. 1219)
3-D 10-Node Electromagnetic Solid
10 nodes 3-D space
DOF: AZ, VOLT
SOLID239 (p. 1233)
3-D 20-Node Diffusion Solid
10 nodes 3-D space
DOF: CONC

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Element Classifications

SOLID Elements Pictorials

SOLID240 (p. 1238)
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Diffusion Solid
10 nodes 3-D space
DOF: CONC
SOLID272 (p. 1304)
4- to 48-Node General Axisymmetric
Solid
(KEYOPT(2) = 3)
DOF: UX, UY, UZ
SOLID273 (p. 1312)
8- to 96-Node General Axisymmetric
Solid
(KEYOPT(2) = 3)
DOF: UX, UY, UZ
SOLID278 (p. 1320)
3-D 8-Node Thermal Solid
8 nodes 3-D space
DOF: TEMP
SOLID279 (p. 1337)
3-D 20-Node Thermal Solid
20 nodes 3-D space
DOF: TEMP
SOLID285 (p. 1377)
3-D 4-Node Tetrahedral Structural Solid
with Nodal Pressure
4 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, HDSP
SOLID291 (p. 1453)
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Thermal Solid
10 nodes 3-D space
DOF: TEMP

SOLSH Elements Pictorials

SOLSH190 (p. 912)
Structural Solid Shell
8 nodes 3-D space

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 Summary of Element Types

SOLSH Elements Pictorials

DOF: UX, UY, UZ

SOURC Elements Pictorials

SOURC36 (p. 205)
Magnetic Electric Current Source
3 nodes 3-D space
DOF: None

SURF Elements Pictorials

SURF151 (p. 439)
2-D Thermal Surface Effect
2 or 4 nodes 2-D space
DOF: TEMP
SURF152 (p. 449)
3-D Thermal Surface Effect
4 to 10 nodes 3-D space
DOF: TEMP
SURF153 (p. 459)
2-D Structural Surface Effect
2 or 3 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY
SURF154 (p. 468)
3-D Structural Surface Effect
4 to 8 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ
SURF155 (p. 477)
3-D Thermal Surface Effect
2 to 4 nodes 3-D space
DOF: TEMP
SURF156 (p. 484)
3-D Structural Surface Line Load
3 to 4 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ
SURF159 (p. 494)
3-D General Axisymmetric Surface
2 to 36 nodes 3-D space

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Element Classifications

SURF Elements Pictorials

DOF: UX, UY, UZ
SURF251 (p. 1262)
2-D Radiosity Surface
2 nodes 2-D space
SURF252 (p. 1266)
3-D Thermal Radiosity Surface
3 or 4 nodes, 3-D space

TARGE Elements Pictorials

TARGE169 (p. 504)
Contact 2-D Target Segment
3 nodes 2-D space
DOF: UX, UY, TEMP, VOLT, AZ, PRES,
CONC
TARGE170 (p. 516)
Contact 3-D Target Segment
8 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, TTOP, TBOT,
VOLT, MAG, PRES, CONC

TRANS Elements Pictorials

TRANS126 (p. 387)
Electromechanical Transducer
2 nodes 3-D space
DOF: UX-VOLT, UY-VOLT, UZ-VOLT

2.3. Selecting Elements for Your Analysis

Use this list of elements sorted by application to select the best elements for your analysis. Primary
applications are as follows:

Structural (p. 25) Contact (p. 32)

Thermal (p. 27) Combination (p. 33)
Acoustic (p. 29) Matrix (p. 33)
Diffusion (p. 29) Infinite (p. 33)
Fluid (p. 30) Load (p. 34)
Magnetic Electric (p. 30) Meshing (p. 34)
Electric Circuit (p. 31) Reinforcing (p. 34)

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 Selecting Elements for Your Analysis

Coupled-Field (p. 31) User-Defined (p. 35)

Within each element category, the elements appear in order of shape function (topology). Current-
technology elements (p. 36) take precedence.

Structural
Type Dimension Element Pictorial
Structural Solid 3-D SOLID185 (p. 824) 8-Node
Structural Solid

SOLID186 (p. 843) 20-Node

Structural Solid

SOLID187 (p. 861) 10-Node

Tetrahedral Structural Solid

SOLID285 (p. 1377) 4-Node

Tetrahedral Structural Solid
with Nodal Pressures
2-D PLANE182 (p. 692) 4-Node
Structural Solid
PLANE183 (p. 701) 8-Node
Structural Solid

PLANE25 (p. 171) 4-Node

Axisymmetric-Harmonic
Structural Solid
PLANE83 (p. 294) 8-Node
Axisymmetric-Harmonic
Structural Solid
General SOLID272 (p. 1304) 4- to
Axisymmetric
48-Node General
Axisymmetric Solid

SOLID273 (p. 1312) 8- to

96-Node General
Axisymmetric Solid

Structural Solid 3-D SOLSH190 (p. 912) 8-Node

Shell Structural Solid Shell

Structural Shell 3-D SHELL181 (p. 673) 4-Node

Structural Shell

SHELL281 (p. 1360) 8-Node

Structural Shell

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Element Classifications

2-D SHELL208 (p. 966) 2-Node

Axisymmetric Shell

SHELL209 (p. 977) 3-Node

Axisymmetric Shell
SHELL61 (p. 251) 2-Node
Axisymmetric-Harmonic
Structural Shell
Structural 3-D SOLID185 (p. 824) 8-Node
Layered Layered Solid
Composite
SOLID186 (p. 843) 20-Node
Layered Structural Solid

SOLSH190 (p. 912) 8-Node

Solid Shell

The following elements can also be used for layered applications:

SHELL181 (p. 673), SHELL208 (p. 966), SHELL209 (p. 977), SHELL281 (p. 1360),
ELBOW290 (p. 1421)
Structural Beam 3-D BEAM188 (p. 868) 2-Node
Structural Beam
BEAM189 (p. 890) 3-Node
Structural Beam
Structural Pipe 3-D PIPE288 (p. 1383) 2-Node Pipe

PIPE289 (p. 1403) 3-Node Pipe

ELBOW290 (p. 1421) 3-Node

Elbow
Structural Line 3-D LINK180 (p. 665) 2-Node
Structural Spar (or Truss)
LINK11 (p. 148) 2-Node
Structural Linear Actuator

CABLE280 (p. 1353) 3-Node

Structural Cable
Structural Point 3-D MASS21 (p. 168) 1-Node
Structural Mass
Structural 3-D INTER194 (p. 931) Interface
Interface 16-Node Gasket

INTER195 (p. 936) Interface

8-Node Gasket

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 Selecting Elements for Your Analysis

INTER204 (p. 960) Interface

16-Node Cohesive

INTER205 (p. 963) Interface

8-Node Cohesive

2-D INTER192 (p. 922) Interface

4-Node Gasket
INTER193 (p. 926) Interface
6-Node Gasket
INTER202 (p. 953) Interface
4-Node Cohesive
INTER203 (p. 956) Interface
6-Node Cohesive
Structural 3-D MPC184 (p. 710)
Multipoint
Constraint MPC184-Link/Beam (p. 716)

MPC184-Slider (p. 722)

MPC184-Revolute (p. 725)

MPC184-Universal (p. 735)

MPC184-Slot (p. 743)

MPC184-Point (p. 750)

MPC184Translational (p. 758)

MPC184Cylindrical (p. 765)

MPC184-Planar (p. 776)

MPC184-Weld (p. 787)

MPC184-Orient (p. 792)

MPC184-Spherical (p. 798)

MPC184-General (p. 805)

MPC184-Screw (p. 815)

Thermal
Type Dimension Element Pictorial

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Element Classifications

Thermal Solid 3-D SOLID278 (p. 1320) 8-Node

Thermal Solid

SOLID279 (p. 1337) 20-Node

Thermal Solid

SOLID291 (p. 1453) 10-Node

Tetrahedral Thermal Solid

SOLID70 (p. 269) 8-Node

Thermal Solid

SOLID87 (p. 301) 10-Node

Tetrahedral Thermal Solid

SOLID90 (p. 306) 20-Node

Thermal Solid

2-D PLANE35 (p. 201) 6-Node

Triangular Thermal Solid

PLANE55 (p. 244) 4-Node

Thermal Solid
PLANE75 (p. 280) 4-Node
Axisymmetric-Harmonic
Thermal Solid
PLANE77 (p. 284) 8-Node
Thermal Solid

PLANE78 (p. 289) 4-Node

Axisymmetric-Harmonic
Thermal Solid
PLANE292 (p. 1458) 4-Node
Thermal Solid
PLANE293 (p. 1465) 8-Node
Thermal Solid

Thermal 3-D SOLID278 (p. 1320) 8-Node

Layered Solid Thermal Solid

SOLID279 (p. 1337) 20-Node

Thermal Solid

Thermal Shell 3-D SHELL131 (p. 403) 4-Node

Thermal Shell

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 Selecting Elements for Your Analysis

SHELL132 (p. 411) 8-Node

Thermal Shell

Thermal Line 3-D LINK31 (p. 189) 2-Node

Radiation Link
LINK33 (p. 193) 2-Node
Thermal Conduction Bar
LINK34 (p. 196) 2-Node
Convection Link
Thermal Point 3-D MASS71 (p. 276) 1-Node
Thermal Mass
Thermal Electric 3-D LINK68 (p. 265) 2-Node
Coupled Thermal-Electric
Line
SHELL157 (p. 489) 4-Node
Thermal-Electric Shell

Acoustic
Type Dimension Element Pictorial
Acoustic 3-D FLUID30 (p. 188) 8-Node
Volume Acoustic Fluid

FLUID220 (p. 1041) 20-Node

Acoustic Fluid

FLUID221 (p. 1041) 10-Node

Acoustic Fluid

2-D FLUID29 (p. 183) 4-Node

Acoustic Fluid
Acoustic Planar 3-D FLUID130 (p. 400) 4-Node
Infinite Acoustic

Acoustic Line 2-D FLUID129 (p. 396) 2-Node

Infinite Acoustic

Diffusion
Type Dimension Element Pictorial
Diffusion Solid 2-D PLANE238 (p. 1228) 8-Node
Diffusion Solid

3-D SOLID239 (p. 1233) 20-Node

Diffusion Solid

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Element Classifications

SOLID240 (p. 1238)

10-Node Tetrahedral
Diffusion Solid
Fluid
Type Dimension Element Pictorial
Fluid Volume 3-D HSFLD242 (p. 1249) 9-Node
Hydrostatic Fluid

2-D HSFLD241 (p. 1242) 4-Node

Hydrostatic Fluid
Fluid - Gap 3-D FLUID38 (p. 218) 2-Node
Dynamic Fluid Coupling

FLUID136 (p. 419) 4- or

8-Node Squeeze Film Fluid
FLUID138 (p. 430) 2-Node
Viscous Fluid Link
FLUID139 (p. 434) 2- or
32-Node Slide Film Fluid

Fluid Pipe 3-D FLUID116 (p. 343) 2-Node

Coupled Thermal-Fluid Pipe
Magnetic Electric
Type Dimension Element Pictorial
--- 3-D SOLID96 (p. 318) 8-Node
Magnetic Scalar Solid

SOLID122 (p. 361) 20-Node

Electrostatic Solid

SOLID123 (p. 366) 10-Node

Tetrahedral Electrostatic
Solid
SOLID231 (p. 1193) 20-Node
Electric Solid

SOLID232 (p. 1197) 10-Node

Tetrahedral Electric Solid

SOLID236 (p. 1210) 20-Node

Electromagnetic Solid

SOLID237 (p. 1219) 10-Node

Electromagnetic Solid

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 Selecting Elements for Your Analysis

2-D PLANE121 (p. 355) 8-Node

Electrostatic Solid

PLANE230 (p. 1188) 8-Node

Electric Solid

PLANE233 (p. 1201) 8-Node

Electromagnetic Solid

Electric Circuit
Type Dimension Element Pictorial
--- 3-D SOURC36 (p. 205) 3-Node
Magnetic Electric Current
Source
CIRCU124 (p. 372) 2- to
6-Node Electric Circuit
CIRCU125 (p. 382) 2-Node
Magnetic Electric Diode
2-D CIRCU94 (p. 311) 2- or
3-Node Coupled-Field
Piezoelectric Circuit
Coupled-Field
Type Dimension Element Pictorial
--- 3-D SOLID225 (p. 1097) 8-Node
Coupled-Field Solid

SOLID226 (p. 1122) 20-Node

Coupled-Field Solid

SOLID227 (p. 1155) 10-Node

Coupled-Field Solid

SOLID5 (p. 139) 8-Node

Coupled-Field Solid

LINK68 (p. 265)

2-Node-Coupled
Thermal-Electric Line
SOLID98 (p. 323) 10-Node
Tetrahedral Coupled-Field
Solid
SHELL157 (p. 489) 4-Node
Thermal-Electric Shell

TRANS126 (p. 387) 2-Node

Electromechanical
Transducer

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Element Classifications

CPT215 (p. 1013) 8-Node

Coupled
Pore-Pressure-Thermal
Mechanical Solid
CPT216 (p. 1020) 20-Node
Coupled
Pore-Pressure-Thermal
Mechanical Solid
CPT217 (p. 1028) 10-Node
Coupled
Pore-Pressure-Thermal
Mechanical Solid
2-D PLANE222 (p. 1042) 4-Node
Coupled-Field Solid
PLANE223 (p. 1065) 8-Node
Coupled-Field Solid

PLANE13 (p. 151) 4-Node

Coupled-Field Solid
CPT212 (p. 988) 4-Node
Coupled
Pore-Pressure-Thermal
Mechanical Solid
CPT213 (p. 995) 8-Node
Coupled
Pore-Pressure-Thermal
Mechanical Solid
Contact
Type Dimension Element Pictorial
--- 3-D TARGE170 (p. 516) 8-Node
Contact 3-D Target Segment

CONTA174 (p. 557) 8-Node

Surface-to-Surface Contact

CONTA177 (p. 614) 3-Node

Line-to-Surface Contact
CONTA178 (p. 637) 2-Node
Node-to-Node Contact

2-D/3-D CONTA175 (p. 586) 1-Node

Node-to-Surface Contact
2-D TARGE169 (p. 504) 3-Node
Contact 2-D Target Segment

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 Selecting Elements for Your Analysis

CONTA172 (p. 531) 3-Node

Surface-to-Surface Contact
Combination
Type Dimension Element Pictorial
--- 3-D COMBIN14 (p. 161) 2-Node
Combination Spring-Damper

COMBIN37 (p. 209) 4-Node

Combination Control

COMBIN39 (p. 221) 2-Node

Combination Nonlinear
Spring
COMBIN40 (p. 230) 2-Node
Combination

2-D/3-D PRETS179 (p. 662) 3-Node

Pretension Combination

2-D COMBI214 (p. 1002) 2-Node

Combination Spring-Damper
Bearing
3-D COMBI250 (p. 1256) Bushing

Matrix
Type Dimension Element Pictorial
--- 3-D MATRIX27 (p. 178) 2-Node
Stiffness, Damping, or Mass
Matrix
2-D/3-D MATRIX50 (p. 240)
Superelement (or
Substructure)
Infinite
Type Dimension Element Pictorial
--- 3-D INFIN47 (p. 237) 4-Node
Infinite Boundary

INFIN111 (p. 338) 8- or

8

20-Node Infinite Solid

2-D INFIN110 (p. 332) 4- or

8

8-Node Infinite Solid

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Element Classifications

2-D / 3-D INFIN257 (p. 1270) 4- or

8
8-node (2-D) or 8- or
20-node (3-D) Structural (2-D) or
Infinite Solid

8
(3-D)
Load
Type Dimension Element Pictorial
--- 3-D SURF152 (p. 449) 4- to
10-Node Thermal Surface
Effect
SURF154 (p. 468) 4- to
8-Node Structural Surface
Effect
SURF155 (p. 477) 2- to
4-Node Thermal Surface
Effect
SURF156 (p. 484) 3- or
4-Node Structural Surface
Line Load
SURF159 (p. 494) 2- to
36-Node General
Axisymmetric Surface

FOLLW201 (p. 949) 1-Node

Follower Load
SURF252 (p. 1266) 3- or
4-Node Thermal Radiosity
Surface
2-D SURF151 (p. 439) 2- or
4-Node Thermal Surface
Effect
SURF153 (p. 459) 2- or
3-Node Structural Surface
Effect
SURF251 (p. 1262) 2-Node
Radiosity Surface
Meshing
Type Dimension Element Pictorial
--- 2-D/3-D MESH200 (p. 941) 2- to
20-Node Meshing Facet

Reinforcing
Type Dimension Element Pictorial

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 Older vs. Current Element Technologies

--- 3-D REINF264 (p. 1285) 2- to

20-Node Discrete
Reinforcing
REINF265 (p. 1294) 2- to
20-Node Smeared
Reinforcing
2-D REINF263 (p. 1276) 2- to
8-Node Smeared Reinforcing

User-Defined
Type Dimension Element Pictorial
--- --- USER300 (p. 1471) ---

2.4. Older vs. Current Element Technologies

It is good practice to use current-technology (p. 36) elements in your analysis wherever possible.

Ansys, Inc. continues to support a few older-technology, or legacy, elements to meet the needs of
longtime users who have input files containing those elements.

Eventually, legacy elements may be moved to the Mechanical APDL Feature Archive or replaced by new
elements.

Following are the remaining legacy elements and suggested current-technology elements to use instead:

Suggested Element KEYOPT

Legacy Element Suggested Current
to Approximate Legacy
Type[a] Element Type[b]
Element Behavior[c]
SOLID5 (p. 139) SOLID226 (p. 1122) ---
PLANE13 (p. 151) PLANE223 (p. 1065) ---
[d]
PLANE25 (p. 171) SOLID272 (p. 1304) KEYOPT(6) = 0
INFIN47 (p. 237) INFIN111 (p. 338) ---
PLANE55 (p. 244) PLANE292 (p. 1458) ---
SOLID70 (p. 269) SOLID278 (p. 1320) ---
PLANE77 (p. 284) PLANE293 (p. 1465) ---
[d]
PLANE83 (p. 294) SOLID273 (p. 1312) KEYOPT(6) = 0
SOLID87 (p. 301) SOLID291 (p. 1453) ---
SOLID90 (p. 306) SOLID279 (p. 1337) ---
SOLID98 (p. 323) SOLID227 (p. 1155) ---
[a] After considering element redundancy and consistency issues, Ansys, Inc. may in future
releases move legacy element documentation to the Feature Archive or undocument those
elements altogether; however, the table does not imply that all legacy elements listed are
immediate targets for such action.
[b] The table is not a definitive listing of legacy-to-current element equivalents in terms of
either formulation or use of shape functions; for example, a suggested current element

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Element Classifications

may require a more refined mesh in some cases, or may require adaptation via appropriate
constraints for specific 2-D analyses.
[c] While a given KEYOPT setting can approximate the behavior of a legacy element, it may
not be the most desirable KEYOPT for the current element. For structural-only analyses,
consider using ETCONTROL for element and KEYOPT recommendations. For more inform-
ation, see Automatic Selection of Element Technologies and Formulations (p. 104).
[d] PLANE25 (p. 171) and PLANE83 (p. 294) are still necessary if you are performing a linear
analysis requiring a large number of circumferential modes.

2.4.1. Current-Technology Elements

As technology advances, Ansys, Inc. continues to develop robust new element types using the most
current technologies available. Current-technology elements are more advanced and feature-rich than
legacy (p. 35) elements. For example, the following capabilities are available only in applicable current-
technology elements:

• A vast array of material constitutive options (p. 65) (such as anisotropic hyperelasticity, cast iron
plasticity, enhanced Drucker-Prager plasticity, Hill and generalized Hill plasticity, hyperelasticity,
shape memory alloy, plasticity, rate-dependent plasticity, viscoelasticity, and others).

• Association of a single element with several material constitutive options (such as a combination
of hyperelasticity and viscoelasticity with Prony series expansion).

• A curve-fitting tool (TBFT) for calibrating material parameters through experimental data, which
currently supports creep, hyperelasticity, and viscoelasticity.

• Fracture mechanics parameter calculation (CINT), which uses the domain-integration approach to
calculate the J-Integrals for both linear and elastoplastic material behavior at a designated tip loc-
ation (2-D) or at specific location along the crack front (3-D) through a structure component.

• Nonlinear mesh adaptivity (NLADAPTIVE) enables automatic mesh modification during solution
based on criteria that you define.

• Rezoning for solid elements.

• Initial state conditions (INISTATE) that may exist in the structure.

• Custom user-defined material models created via the UserMat subroutine.

• 3-D smeared reinforcing, provided by elements such as REINF265 (p. 1294) when used with 3-D solid
and shell elements (referred to as the base elements) to achieve the effect of extra reinforcement
to those elements.

• Nonlinear stabilization, a viscous-based algorithm for improving convergence behavior when in-
stabilities are expected.

• Linear perturbation based on nonlinear analysis.

• Precise control of the element technologies (ETCONTROL) used in element formulation for applicable
elements.

• A layered-section option (via SECDATA and other section commands) for shell and solid elements.

• Inverse solving (INVOPT,ON).

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 Degenerated Shape Elements

In Selecting Elements for Your Analysis (p. 24), current-technology elements appear first. You can
readily identify them, as they are not typically associated with specific material types, nor do they
specify restrictions such as “linear.” Most of the elements listed are current-technology elements in
the sense that they are the best technologies that Ansys, Inc. is able to offer at the current product
release.

2.5. Degenerated Shape Elements

A degenerated element is an element whose characteristic face shape is quadrilateral, but is modeled
with at least one triangular face.

Degenerated elements are often used for modeling transition regions between fine and coarse meshes,
or for modeling irregular and warped surfaces.

The following topics concerning degenerated shape elements are available:

2.5.1. Obtaining the Best Results from Degenerated Shape Elements
2.5.2. Degenerated Triangular 2-D Solid and Shell Elements
2.5.3. Degenerated Triangular Prism Elements
2.5.4. Degenerated Tetrahedral Elements
2.5.5. Surface Stresses on Condensed Element Faces

2.5.1. Obtaining the Best Results from Degenerated Shape Elements

Use degenerated shape elements with caution.

Degenerated elements formed from quadrilateral and brick elements without midside nodes are much
less accurate than those formed from elements with midside nodes and should not be used in high-
stress gradient regions.

When using triangular elements in a rectangular array of nodes, best results are obtained from an
element pattern having alternating diagonal directions.

For shell elements, because the element coordinate system is relative to the I-J line, the stress results
are most easily interpreted if the I-J lines of the elements are all parallel.

2.5.2. Degenerated Triangular 2-D Solid and Shell Elements

Degenerated triangular 2-D solid and shell elements may be formed from 4-node quadrilateral elements
by defining duplicate node numbers for the third and fourth (K and L) node locations.

The node pattern then becomes I, J, K, K. If the L node is not input, it defaults to node K. If extra
shape functions are included in the element, they are automatically suppressed (degenerating the
element to a lower order). Element loads specified on a nodal basis should have the same loads
specified at the duplicate node locations.

When forming a degenerated triangular element by repeating node numbers, the face numbering
remains the same. Face 3, however, condenses to a point. The centroid location printed for a degen-
erated triangular element is usually at the geometric centroid of the element.

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Element Classifications

Elements should be oriented with alternating diagonals, if possible.

2.5.2.1. Triangular Shell Elements Are Preferred in Some Cases

Triangular shell elements are preferred for severely skewed or warped elements.

Quadrilateral shaped elements should not be skewed such that the included angle between two
adjacent faces is outside the range of 90° ± 45° for non-midside-node elements or 90° ± 60° for
midside-node elements.

Warping occurs when the four nodes of a quadrilateral shell element (or solid element face) are
not in the same plane, either at input or during large deflection. Warping is measured by the relative
angle between the normals to the face at the nodes. A flat face (no warping) has all normals parallel
(zero relative angle). A warning message is output if warping is beyond a small, but tolerable value.
If warping is excessive, the analysis terminates.

See the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for element warping details and other element checking
details. Triangular (or prism) elements should be used in place of a quadrilateral (or brick) element
with large warping.

2.5.3. Degenerated Triangular Prism Elements

Degenerated triangular prism elements may be formed from 8-node 3-D solid elements by defining
duplicate node numbers for the third and fourth (K and L) and the seventh and eighth (O and P)
node locations.

The node pattern then becomes I, J, K, K, M, N, O, O. When forming a degenerated prism element by
repeating node numbers, the face numbering remains the same. Face 4, however, condenses to a
line.

The centroid location printed for a degenerated element is not at the geometric centroid but is at
an average nodal location. The integration points are proportionately rearranged within the element.

Elements should be oriented with alternating diagonals, if possible. If extra shape functions are included
in the element, they are partially suppressed.

Element loads should have the same loads specified at the duplicate node locations.

2.5.4. Degenerated Tetrahedral Elements

A degenerated tetrahedral element may be formed from a triangular prism element by a further
condensation of face 6 to a point.

The input node pattern should be I, J, K, K, M, M, M, M. If extra shape functions are included in the
element, they are automatically suppressed. Element nodal loads should have the same loads specified
at the duplicate node locations.

2.5.5. Surface Stresses on Condensed Element Faces

Surface stress (or convection heat flow) printout should not be requested on a condensed face.

Pressures (or convection conditions) should not be defined on a condensed face.

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 GUI-Inaccessible Elements

2.6. Special-Purpose Elements

Two special element types are available:
2.6.1. Superelements
2.6.2. User-Defined Elements

2.6.1. Superelements
You can combine existing linear elements into a superelement (or substructure) named MAT-
RIX50 (p. 240). This capability is especially useful when you are repeating the same action many times
in the model, or using the same group of elements over a large number of load steps. In such cases,
using superelements typically results in greater solution efficiency.

For further information, see:

• Benefits of Substructuring in the Substructuring Analysis Guide to learn how to perform an analysis
using superelements

• Substructuring Analysis in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for a discussion of the substructure
matrix procedure

2.6.2. User-Defined Elements

You can create a custom element, of virtually any type, named USER300 (p. 1471).

For more information, see the documentation for the USER300 (p. 1471) element. For detailed instructions,
see Creating a New Element via the User-Defined Element API in the Programmer's Reference.

2.7. GUI-Inaccessible Elements

These elements are available via the ET family of commands only and are inaccessible from within the
GUI:

SURF251 (p. 1262)2-D Radiosity Surface

SURF252 (p. 1266)3-D Radiosity Surface
INFIN257 (p. 1270)
Structural Infinite Solid
(generated via EINFIN)
REINF263 (p. 1276)
2-D Smeared Reinforcing
REINF264 (p. 1285)
3-D Discrete Reinforcing
REINF265 (p. 1294)
3-D Smeared Reinforcing
CABLE280 (p. 1353)
3-D Cable

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Chapter 3: General Element Features
The element library offers many element formulations or types. Many features are common to all elements
in the library. The following topics address the common features:
3.1. Element Input
3.2. Solution Output
3.3. Coordinate Systems

Some element features, or even element types, may be unavailable based on the product-licensing
options in effect at your site. Any restrictions for an element are documented in the "Product Restrictions"
section for that element.

3.1. Element Input

Element Library (p. 135) includes a summary table of element input. The table usually contains information
about the following:
3.1.1. Element Name
3.1.2. Nodes
3.1.3. Degrees of Freedom
3.1.4. Material Properties
3.1.5. Special Element Features
3.1.6. Sections
3.1.7. Real Constants
3.1.8. Element Loading
3.1.9. Nodal Loading
3.1.10. Element Properties and Controls (KEYOPTs)

3.1.1. Element Name

An element type is identified by a name (eight characters maximum), such as SOLID285 (p. 1377), con-
sisting of a group label (SOLID) and a unique, identifying number (285). The element descriptions in
Element Library (p. 135) are arranged in order of these identification numbers. The element is selected
from the library for use in the analysis by inputting its name via ET. See Element Classifications (p. 5)
for a list of all available elements.

3.1.2. Nodes
The nodes associated with the element are listed as I, J, K, and so on. Elements are connected to the
nodes in the sequence and orientation shown on the input figure for each element type.

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General Element Features

Connectivity can be defined by automatic meshing, or can be input directly (E). The node numbers
must correspond to the order indicated in the "Nodes" list. The I node is the first node of the element.

The node order determines the element coordinate system orientation for some element types. See
Coordinate Systems (p. 61) for a description of the element coordinate system.

3.1.2.1. Internal nodes

The program also uses internal nodes for elements with Lagrangian multiplier in their formulations,
such as the mixed u-P formulation of PLANE182 (p. 692), MPC184 (p. 710) and Lagrangian-multiplier-
based contact elements, and other elements such as BEAM188 (p. 868), SHELL208 (p. 966) and
PIPE288 (p. 1383) with quadratic and cubic options.

Internal nodes are generated automatically during the solution phase of an analysis to make more
degrees of freedom available for the elements.

Internal nodes are inaccessible and require no input from you or any other action on your part.

3.1.3. Degrees of Freedom

Each element type has a degree-of-freedom set which constitutes the primary nodal unknowns to
be determined by the analysis. The set can consist of displacements, rotations, temperatures, pressures,
voltages, etc.

Derived results, such as stresses, heat flows, etc., are calculated from these degree-of-freedom results.
You do not explicitly define degrees of freedom on the nodes, as they are implied by the element
types attached to them. Your choice of element types (p. 24) is therefore of primary concern in any
analysis.

3.1.3.1. Internal Degrees of Freedom

In addition to the standard (external) degrees of freedom, some elements or element-formulation
options have internal degrees of freedom that are not user-accessible.

The program typically uses internal degrees of freedom to enhance the gradients of the primary
unknowns of the elements so that better element behavior can be obtained, but they may also
serve other purposes.

Internal degrees of freedom are not shared with nodes of any other elements so that they can be
condensed out at the element level during the solution phase of the analysis.

3.1.4. Material Properties

Most element types use various material properties. Typical material properties include Young's
modulus (of elasticity), density, coefficient of thermal expansion, and thermal conductivity. Each
property is referenced by a label: EX, EY, and EZ for the directional components of Young's modulus,
DENS for density, and so on. All material properties can be input as functions of temperature.

Linear Material Properties

Some properties for non-thermal analyses are called linear properties because typical solutions with
these properties require only a single iteration.

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 Element Input

Nonlinear Material Properties

Properties such as stress-strain data and B-H curves are called nonlinear because an analysis with
these properties usually requires an iterative solution.

Material Property Input

Typically, linear material properties are input via the MP family of commands.

Nonlinear material properties are input via the TB family of commands.

The TB family of commands can, however, be used for some linear material properties (such as aniso-
tropic elasticity, material structural damping, piezoelectric matrix, and piezoresistivity).

Some elements require other special data which must be input in tabular form. Such data are also
input via the TB family of commands and are described with the element in Element Library (p. 135),
or in the Material Reference if they apply to a family of elements.

Supported Material Properties for Each Element

See “Material Properties” in the documentation for each element type.

For a list of elements and the material properties supported for each, see Element Support for Mater-
ial Models (p. 65).

3.1.5. Special Element Features

The Special Features list in the documentation for each element indicates that certain additional
capabilities are available for the element. In most cases, the special features make the element non-
linear and therefore require an iterative solution.

Examples of special element features include:

Adaptive descent Linear perturbation

Birth and death Nonlinear stabilization
Debonding Ocean loading
Initial state Rezoning
Inverse solving Section definition
Large deflection Stress stiffening
Linear perturbation

3.1.6. Sections
Sections are generally used to describe the geometry in the missing direction(s) of an idealized
model. By idealizing a structure and capturing calculations that are common to many elements, sections
may significantly reduce the number of degrees of freedom and lower computational requirements.

Following are common section types:

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General Element Features

• Beam Sections -- A beam cross section defines the geometry of the beam in a plane perpendicular
to the element axial direction.

• Shell Sections -- A shell cross section defines the geometry of the shell in a plane parallel to the
shell x-y plane.

• Reinforcing Sections -- Reinforcing sections allow you to describe the reinforcing fibers collectively
within an existing structure rather than model each fiber individually.

• Axisymmetric Sections (p. 85) -- An axis of symmetry around which a plane of general axisymmetric
solid elements is revolved.

Special section types are also available. For example, rather than describing a missing dimension of
the model, a contact section corrects the geometry of a meshed circle, sphere, or cylinder.

For a complete list of available section types, see SECTYPE.

3.1.7. Real Constants

Data required for the calculation of the element matrices and load vectors, but which cannot be de-
termined by other means, are input as real constants. Typical real constants include hourglass stiffness,
contact parameters, stranded coil parameters, and plane thicknesses.

With each element type that supports them, a description of the real constants is given in the "Real
Constants" list. The real constant values that you input (R and RMORE) must correspond to the order
indicated in the list.

To learn more about how real constants are used within each element type, see the description of
each element type in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.

3.1.8. Element Loading

Element loads are surface loads, body loads, inertial loads, and ocean loads. Element loads are always
associated with a particular element (even if the input is at the nodes). Certain elements may also
have flags.

Flags are not actually loads, but are used to indicate that a certain type of calculation is to be per-
formed. For example, when the FSI (fluid-structure interaction) flag is active, a specified face of an
acoustic element is treated as an interface between a fluid portion and a structural portion of the
model. Similarly, MXWF and MVDI are flags used to trigger magnetic force (Maxwell surface) and
Jacobian force (virtual displacement) calculations, respectively, in certain magnetics elements. Details
about flags are discussed under the applicable elements in Element Library (p. 135).

Flags are associated either with a surface (FSI and MXWF) and are applied as surface loads (below),
or with an element (MVDI) and are applied as body loads (below). For the FSI and MXWF flags, values
have no meaning - these flags are simply turned on by specifying their label on the appropriate
command. For the MVDI flag, its value (which can range from zero to one) is specified, along with
the label, on the appropriate command. Because flags are always step-applied, KBC does not affect
them.

The following topics related to element loading are available:

3.1.8.1. Surface Loads

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 Element Input

3.1.8.2. Body Loads

3.1.8.3. Inertial Loads
3.1.8.4. Initial Stresses
3.1.8.5. Ocean Loads

Also see Nodal Loading (p. 48), which refers to loads defined at the nodes and are not directly related
to the elements.

3.1.8.1. Surface Loads

Some element types allow surface loads. Surface loads are typically pressures for structural element
types, convections or heat fluxes for thermal element types, and so on.

Table 3.1: Surface Loads Available in Each Discipline

Discipline Surface Load Label

Structural Pressure PRES[a][b]
Thermal Convection CONV

Heat Flux HFLUX

Infinite Surface INF

Magnetic Maxwell Surface MXWF

Infinite Surface INF

Electric Maxwell Surface MXWF

Surface Charge Density CHRGS

Infinite Surface INF

Temperature TEMP
Fluid Fluid-Structure FSI
Interface
IMPD
Impedance
All Superelement Load SELV
Vector
[a] Not to be confused with the PRES degree of freedom.
[b] Buoyancy, wave, current and other ocean loads can be applied to some line and surface
element types. For more information, see OCTYPE and related ocean commands.

3.1.8.1.1. Applying Surface Loads

Surface loads (such as pressures for structural elements and convections for thermal element)
are typically input via SF and SFE.

Surface loads may also be input in a nodal format (p. 48). For example, rather than applying
surface loading to an element face, it may be convenient to apply the loading to the face nodes

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General Element Features

of an element (which are then processed like face input). For more information, see Nodal Load-
ing (p. 48).

3.1.8.1.2. Multiple Surface Loads

Some elements allow multiple types of surface loads (as shown with the load labels listed under
Surface Loads in the input table for each element type). Also, some elements allow multiple
loads on a single element face (as indicated with the load numbers after the load labels).

Load numbers are shown on the element figures (within circles) and point in the direction of
positive load to the face upon which the load acts. A surface load applied on the edge of a shell
element is on a per-unit-length basis, not per-unit area.

3.1.8.1.3. Surface Load Labels and Keys

Surface loads are designated by a label and a key. The label indicates the type of surface load
and the key indicates where on the element the load acts.

The surface load can be defined on element faces via SFE by using a key (LKEY), the load label
(Lab), and the load value. For the PRES load label, LKEY is considered to be the face number if
you defined general surface loads on the structural solid and shell elements via SFCONTROL.

SF can define surface loads by using nodes to identify element faces.

The CONV load label on both SF and SFE requires two values, the film coefficient and the bulk
temperature.

3.1.8.1.4. Tapered Surface Load

A tapered surface load, which allows different values to be defined at the nodes of an element,
can be entered via SFE. Tapered loads are input in the same order that the face nodes are listed.

3.1.8.2. Body Loads

Some element types allow body loads. Body loads are typically temperatures for structural element
types, heat-generation rates for thermal element types, and so on.

Table 3.2: Body Loads Available in Each Discipline

Discipline Body Load Label

Structural Temperature TEMP [1]

Fluence FLUE
Thermal Heat Generation Rate HGEN
Magnetic Temperature TEMP [1]

Current Density JS

Virtual Displacement MVDI

Electric Temperature TEMP [1]

Charge Density CHRGD

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 Element Input

Discipline Body Load Label

Fluid Heat Generation Rate HGEN

Force Density FORC

1. Not to be confused with the TEMP degree of freedom

3.1.8.2.1. Applying Body loads

Body loads are designated in the "Input Summary" table of each element by a label and a list of
load values at various locations within the element.

Body loads are input via BF or BFE. The load values input on BFE must correspond to the order
indicated in the "Body Load" list.

Body loads can also be applied in a nodal format (p. 48). For more information, see Nodal Load-
ing (p. 48).

3.1.8.2.2. Temperature Body Loads

For some structural elements, the temperature does not contribute to the element load vector
but is only used for material property evaluation. For thermal elements using the diagonalized
specified heat matrix option in a transient analyses, a spatially varying heat generation rate is
averaged over the element. Heat-generation rates are input per-unit-volume unless otherwise
noted with the element. The element format is usually in terms of the element nodes but may
be in terms of fictitious corner points as described for each element. Corner point numbers are
shown on the element figures where applicable.

3.1.8.3. Inertial Loads

Inertial loads (gravity, spinning, etc.), are applicable to all elements with structural degrees of freedom
and having mass (that is, elements having mass as an input real constant or having a density (DENS)
material property).

Inertia loads are typically entered via ACEL and OMEGA.

3.1.8.4. Initial Stresses

Initial stresses can be set as constant or read in from a file for most current-technology (p. 35)
beam, link, plane, solid, and shell elements.

INISTATE sets constant initial stress for selected elements and, optionally, only for specified mater-
ials. The command also allows you to read in a file specifying the initial stresses. The stresses specified
in the input file can be applied to the element centroids or element integration points, and can be
applied to the same points for all selected elements or can be applied differently for each element.
The stresses can also be a written to an external file.

For more information about the initial state capability, see INISTATE and Initial State in the Advanced
Analysis Guide.

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General Element Features

3.1.8.5. Ocean Loads

Ocean loads can be applied to line and surface element types that support such loads. Ocean
loading includes the effects of waves, current, drag, and buoyancy. Loading occurs via the ocean
family of commands.

For more information, see Applying Ocean Loads in the Basic Analysis Guide.

3.1.9. Nodal Loading

Unlike element loads (p. 44), nodal loads are defined at the nodes and are not directly related to the
elements.

Nodal loads are associated with the degrees of freedom at the node and are typically entered via D
and F (such as nodal displacement constraints and nodal force loads).

The nodal or element loading format may be used for an element, with the element loading
format (p. 44) taking precedence.

3.1.10. Element Properties and Controls (KEYOPTs)

Elements use KEYOPTs (or key options) to control element behavior, formulation, and output for some
beam and shell elements. The KEYOPT is the most important element input and should be selected
with care.

Depending on the element type, the KEYOPTs can be used to control stress states, degrees of freedom,
element technologies, formulation options, element coordinate systems, printout, results file (.rst)
output, loads, temperatures, and so on.

A basic description of each KEYOPT is given with the detailed description of each element type. Because
KEYOPTs can be combined, a great deal of flexibility is available for refining the element type to
perfectly suit a specific problem.

KEYOPTs are identified by number, such as KEYOPT(1), KEYOPT(2), and so on. Each KEYOPT can be
set to a specific value, as follows:

• Values for the first six KEYOPTs (KEYOPT(1) through KEYOPT(6)) can be input via ET or KEYOPT.

• Values for KEYOPT(7) or greater are input via KEYOPT.

3.1.10.1. Element KEYOPT Defaults

The following topics concern element KEYOPT defaults:
3.1.10.1.1. Consider Automatic Element Selection
3.1.10.1.2. KEYOPT Settings May Vary Between Products

3.1.10.1.1. Consider Automatic Element Selection

Although element KEYOPT defaults can accommodate many problem types, and KEYOPTs can
be adjusted as needed, it is often more convenient to allow automatic selection of element

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 Solution Output

technologies via ETCONTROL. The command sets element options based on the associated
constitutive models of the element type.

For more information, see Automatic Selection of Element Technologies and Formulations (p. 104).

3.1.10.1.2. KEYOPT Settings May Vary Between Products

Exercise caution when using the same input for other Ansys, Inc. products, as some default KEYOPT
settings may vary between products. Such cases are indicated in the "Product Restrictions" section
of the affected elements. If you intend to use an input file in more than one product, it is a good
practice to explicitly input these settings, rather than letting them default; otherwise, element
behavior in the other product may differ.

3.2. Solution Output

Solution output is written to the:

• Output file (Jobname.OUT)

• Results file (Jobname.RST, Jobname.RTH, or Jobname.RMG)

• Program database (Jobname.DB)

The output file is viewable via the GUI. The database and results file data can be postprocessed.

The following solution-output topics are available:

3.2.1. Output File Contents
3.2.2. Results File and Database Contents
3.2.3. Element Solution
3.2.4. Nodal-Averaged Results
3.2.5. Nodal Solution

3.2.1. Output File Contents

The output file contains the nodal degree-of-freedom solution, nodal and reaction loads, and the
element solutions, depending on the OUTPR settings.

The element solutions are the solution values at the integration points or centroid. They are controlled
by KEYOPTs in certain elements.

3.2.2. Results File and Database Contents

The results file contains data for all requested (OUTRES) solutions, or load steps. In POST1, SET
identifies the load step that you intend to postprocess.

Results items for area and volume elements are generally retrieved from the database via standard
results-output commands (such as PRNSOL, PLNSOL, PRESOL, and PLESOL).

The labels on these commands correspond to the labels shown in the input and output description
tables for each element. For example, postprocessing the stress in the material x direction (typically

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General Element Features

labeled SX) is identified as item S and component X on the postprocessing commands. Coordinate
locations XC, YC, ZC are identified as item CENT and component X, Y, or Z.

Only items shown both on the given results command and in the element input/output tables are
available for use with that command. (An exception is EPTO, the total strain, which is available for all
structural solid and shell elements even though it is not shown in the output description tables for
those elements.)

Generic labels do not exist for some results data, such as integration point data, all derived data for
structural line elements (such as spars, beams, and pipes) and contact elements, all derived data for
thermal line elements, and layer data for layered elements. Instead, a sequence number (p. 51)
identifies those items.

3.2.3. Element Solution

The element output items (and their definitions) are shown along with the element type description.
Not all of the items shown in the output table will appear at all times for the element. Normally, items
not appearing are either not applicable to the solution or have all zero results and are suppressed to
save space. However, except for the coupled-field elements PLANE222 (p. 1042), PLANE223 (p. 1065),
SOLID225 (p. 1097), SOLID226 (p. 1122), and SOLID227 (p. 1155), coupled-field forces appear if they are
computed to be zero. The output is, in some cases, dependent on the input. For example, for thermal
elements accepting either surface convection (CONV) or nodal heat flux (HFLUX), the output will be
either in terms of convection or heat flux. Most of the output items shown appear in the element
solution listing. Some items do not appear in the solution listing but are written to the results file.

Most elements have two tables which describe the output data and ways to access that data for the
element. The tables are the "Element Output Definitions" table and the "Item and Sequence Numbers"
tables used for accessing data via ETABLE and ESOL.

Stresses and strains are two primary element solution quantities in structural elements used for stress
analysis. Current-technology (p. 35) elements output Cauchy stresses, and logarithmic strains in large
deflection analysis (NLGEOM,ON) or engineering strains in a small-deflection analysis (NLGEOM,OFF).
Stresses and strains are directly evaluated at element integrations points, and may be extrapolated
to element nodes or averaged at element centroid for output. Generalized stresses and strains, such
as linearized stresses, forces, moments, and curvature changes, are available in beam, pipe, elbow,
and shell elements.

The following element-solution topics are available:

3.2.3.1.The Element Output Definitions Table
3.2.3.2.The Item and Sequence Number Table
3.2.3.3. Surface Loads
3.2.3.4. Integration Point Solution (Output Listing Only)
3.2.3.5. Centroidal Solution (Output Listing Only)
3.2.3.6. Surface Solution
3.2.3.7. Element Nodal Solution
3.2.3.8. Element Nodal Loads
3.2.3.9. Nonlinear Solutions
3.2.3.10. 2-D and Axisymmetric Solutions

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 Solution Output

3.2.3.11. Member Force Solution

3.2.3.12. Failure Criteria
3.2.3.13. Linearized Stresses

3.2.3.1. The Element Output Definitions Table

The first table, "Element Output Definitions," describes possible output for the element. In addition,
this table outlines which data are available for solution printout (Jobname.OUT and/or display to
the terminal), and which data are available on the results file (Jobname.RST, Jobname.RTH,
Jobname.RMG, etc.). Only the data which you request with the solution commands (OUTPR and
OUTRES) are included in printout and on the results file, respectively.

As an added convenience, items in the table which are available via the Component Name method
of ETABLE are identified by special notation (:) included in the output label. ( See The General
Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide for more information.) The label portion before
the colon corresponds to the Item field on ETABLE, and the portion after the colon corresponds
to the Comp field. For example, S:EQV is defined as equivalent stress, and command for accessing
the data is:

ETABLE,ABC,S,EQV

where ABC is a user-defined label for future identification on listings and displays. Other data having
labels without colons can be accessed through the Sequence Number method, discussed with the
"Item and Sequence Number" tables below.

In some cases there is more than one label which can be used after the colon, in which case they
are listed and separated by commas. The Definition column defines each label and, in some in-
stances, also lists the label used on the printout, if different. The O column indicates those items
which are written to the output window and/or the output file. The R column indicates items which
are written to the results file and which can be obtained in postprocessing; if an item is not marked
in the R column, it cannot be stored in the "element table."

3.2.3.2. The Item and Sequence Number Table

Many elements also have a table, or set of tables, that list the Item and sequence number required
for data access using the Sequence Number method of ETABLE. (See The General Postprocessor
(POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide for an example.)

The number of columns in each table and the number of tables per element vary depending on
the type of data available and the number of locations on the element where data was calculated.

See Table 7.182.2: PLANE182 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 699) for a sample item and sequence
number table. Items listed as SMISC refer to summable miscellaneous items, while NMISC refers to
non-summable miscellaneous items.

3.2.3.3. Surface Loads

Pressure output for structural elements shows the input pressures expanded to the element's full
linearly or bilinearly varying load capability.

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General Element Features

See SF, SFE, and SFBEAM for pressure input. Beam elements which allow an offset from the node
on SFBEAM an have additional output labeled OFFST.

To save space, pressure output is often omitted when values are zero. Similarly, other surface load
items (such as convection (CONV) and heat flux (HFLUX)), and body load input items (such as
temperature (TEMP), fluence (FLUE), and heat generation (HGEN)), are often omitted when the values
are zero (or, for temperatures, when the T-TREF values are zero).

To save space, surface output is often omitted when all values are zero.

For output of ocean-loading information on supported element types, see OCTYPE and OCDATA.

3.2.3.4. Integration Point Solution (Output Listing Only)

Integration-point output is available in the output listing with most current-technology ele-
ments (p. 35). The location of the integration point is updated if large deflections are used.

See the element descriptions in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for information about integ-
ration-point locations and output. You can also issue ERESX to request integration-point data to
be written as nodal data on the results file.

3.2.3.5. Centroidal Solution (Output Listing Only)

Output (such as stress, strain, and temperature) in the output listing is given at the centroid (or
near center) of certain elements. The location of the centroid is updated if large deflections are
used.

The output quantities are calculated as the average of the integration point values. The component
output directions for vector quantities correspond to the input material directions which, in turn,
are a function of the element coordinate system. For example, the SX stress is in the same direction
as EX.

In postprocessing, ETABLE can calculate the centroidal solution of each element from its nodal
values.

3.2.3.6. Surface Solution

Surface output is available in the output on certain free surfaces of solid elements. A free surface
is a surface not connected to any other element and not having any degree-of-freedom constraint
or nodal force load on the surface.

Surface Output Limitations

The following limitations apply to surface output:

• Not valid on surfaces which are not free or for elements having nonlinear material
properties

• Not valid for layered solids

• Not valid for generalized plane strain

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 Solution Output

• Not valid for elements deactivated (EKILL) and then reactivated (EALIVE)

• Does not include large-strain effects

The surface output is automatically suppressed if the element has nonlinear material properties.
Surface calculations are of the same accuracy as the displacement calculations. Values are not ex-
trapolated to the surface from the integration points but are calculated from the nodal displacements,
face load, and the material property relationships. Transverse surface shear stresses are assumed
to be zero. The surface normal stress is set equal to the surface pressure. Surface output should
not be requested on condensed faces or on the zero-radius face (center line) of an axisymmetric
model.

For 3-D solid elements, the face coordinate system has the x-axis in the same general direction as
the first two nodes of the face, as defined with pressure loading. The exact direction of the x-axis
is on the line connecting the midside nodes or midpoints of the two opposite edges. The y-axis is
normal to the x-axis, in the plane of the face.

The following table lists output available via ETABLE using the Sequence Number method (Item
= SURF). See the appropriate table in the individual element descriptions for definitions of the
output quantities.

Table 3.3: Output Available via ETABLE

Element Dimensionality
snum 3-D 2-D Axisymm
1 FACE FACE FACE
2 AREA AREA AREA
3 TEMP TEMP TEMP
4 PRES PRES PRES
5 EPX EPPAR EPPAR
6 EPY EPPER EPPER
7 EPZ EPZ EPZ
8 EPXY 0 EPSH [1]
9 SX SPAR SPAR
10 SY SPER SPER
11 SZ SZ SZ
12 SXY 0 0
13 0 0 0
14 0 0 SSH [1]
15 S1 S1 S1
16 S2 S2 S2
17 S3 S3 S3
18 SINT SINT SINT
19 SEQV SEQV SEQV

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General Element Features

1. Harmonic Axisymmetric (p. 92) only

If an additional face has surface output requested, then snum 1-19 are repeated as snum 20-38.

3.2.3.7. Element Nodal Solution

The term element nodal means element data reported for each element at its nodes. This type of
output is available for 2-D and 3-D solid elements, shell elements, and various other elements.

Element nodal data consist of the element derived data (such as strains, stresses, fluxes, and
gradients) evaluated at each of the element's nodes. These data are usually calculated at the interior
integration points and then extrapolated to the nodes.

Exceptions occur if an element has active (nonzero) plasticity, creep, or swelling at an integration
point or if ERESX,NO is input. In such cases the nodal solution is the value at the integration point
nearest the node.

Output is usually in the element coordinate system. Averaging of the nodal data from adjacent
elements is done within the POST1 postprocessor.

3.2.3.8. Element Nodal Loads

Element nodal loads refer to an element's loads (forces) acting on each of its nodes. They are
printed out at the end of each element output in the nodal coordinate system and are labeled as
static loads.

If the problem is dynamic, the damping loads and inertia loads are also printed.

You can control the output of element nodal loads via OUTPR,NLOAD (for printed output) and
OUTRES,NLOAD (for results-file output).

Element nodal loads relate to the reaction solution in the following way: the sum of the static,
damping, and inertia loads at a particular degree of freedom, summed over all elements connected
to that degree of freedom, plus the applied nodal load (F or FK), is equal to the negative of the
reaction solution at that same degree of freedom.

3.2.3.9. Nonlinear Solutions

For information about nonlinear solutions due to material nonlinearities, see Structures with Mater-
ial Nonlinearities in the Theory Reference.

Nonlinear strain data (EPPL, EPCR, EPSW, etc.) are always the value from the nearest integration
point.

If creep is present, stresses are computed after the plasticity correction but before the creep correc-
tion.

Elastic strains are printed after any creep corrections.

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 Solution Output

3.2.3.10. 2-D and Axisymmetric Solutions

A 2-D solid analysis is based upon a per-unit-of-depth calculation, and all appropriate output data
are on a per-unit-of-depth basis. Many 2-D solids, however, allow an option to specify the depth
(thickness).

An axisymmetric analysis is based on 360°. Calculation and all appropriate output data are on a full
360° basis. In particular, the total forces for the 360° model are output for an axisymmetric structural
analysis and the total convection heat flow for the 360° model is output for an axisymmetric thermal
analysis.

For axisymmetric analyses, the X, Y, Z, and XY stresses and strains correspond to the radial, axial,
hoop, and in-plane shear stresses and strains, respectively. The global Y axis must be the axis of
symmetry, and the structure should be modeled in the +X quadrants.

3.2.3.11. Member Force Solution

Member force output is available with most structural line elements. The listing of this output is
activated via a KEYOPT described with the element and is in addition to the nodal load output.

Member forces are in the element coordinate system and the components correspond to the degrees
of freedom available with the element.

3.2.3.12. Failure Criteria

Failure criteria are commonly used for determining the damage initiation in orthotropic materials.
Based on various assumptions on the material damage mechanism, failure criteria are usually for-
mulated with functions of element solution (stresses or strains) and material strength limits.

Two types of failure criteria results are possible: those that are available during any type of analysis,
and those that are available only during a progressive failure damage analysis. Failure criteria results
are accessible via standard postprocessing output commands (PLESOL, PRESOL, PLNSOL, and
PRNSOL) and ETABLE:

• Available during any type of analysis (accessible via the FAIL item)

These failure criteria are computed on the fly when requested, using stored element strains
and stresses in the result file. This type of failure criteria are suitable for determining whether
and where the material damage may first occur. If the material is damaged, the stresses used
for this calculation are calculated from the strains and the damaged material stiffnesses.

• Available only during a progressive failure damage analysis (accessible via the PFC item)

These failure criteria are calculated from element strains and effective stresses (stresses that
would occur if the material were undamaged) during solution and stored in the result file.
They indicate whether the material damage may be expected to continue.

For more information, see Failure Criteria in the Theory Reference and Specifying Failure Criteria for
Composites in the Structural Analysis Guide.

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General Element Features

3.2.3.13. Linearized Stresses

Linearized stresses, including axial, membrane, bending, and peak stresses, are available in beam,
pipe, elbow, shell, and solid shell elements. These quantities are generally output as SMISC records
(accessible via ETABLE and ESOL).

The stress linearization procedure for the solid shell element (SOLSH190 (p. 912)) and shell elements
(SHELL181 (p. 673), SHELL281 (p. 1360), SHELL208 (p. 966), and SHELL209 (p. 977)) is defined in ASME
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (2007 Section VIII, Division 2, Annex 5.A). For the linearization pro-
cedure used for other elements, see the documentation for those individual elements.

3.2.4. Nodal-Averaged Results

By default, element-based solution quantities (see ESOL on the OUTRES command) are written to
the results file on a per element basis. Vector quantities (for example, SX, SY, SZ, SXY, SYZ, SXZ) are
stored for each node of each element.

Alternatively, you can request that nodal-averaged values be stored for certain element-based solution
items. The command OUTRES,NAR (or another supported label) causes the specified element-based
result to be stored on a per-node basis instead of storing all nodal values specific to each element.
Each stored nodal result value represents an averaged value based the contributions from all elements
attached to the node.

The main benefit of nodal-averaged results is a decreased results file size. Consider the simple 2x2
mesh shown in the below figure. Element-based results require 16 stored values (4-elements * 4-
nodes-per-element) for each vector quantity, while the nodal-averaged results require only 9 stored
values (1 per node) for each vector quantity—a 44% reduction. Savings will generally increase for 3-
D meshes, which involve more interior nodes.

Figure 3.1: 2x2 Mesh (4 Elements, 9 Nodes)

3.2.4.1. Using Nodal-Averaged Results

Since nodal-averaged results are not stored by default, you must issue the OUTRES command to
request them. The following output quantities are supported:

Item Label on Quantity

OUTRES

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 Solution Output

NAR All available nodal average results (includes

all labels listed below)
NDST Nodal-averaged stresses
NDEL Nodal-averaged elastic strains
NDPL Nodal-averaged plastic strains
NDCR Nodal-averaged creep strains
NDTH Nodal-averaged thermal and swelling strains

Important:

You should suppress the output of the related element quantities to avoid redundancy
in the output values. For example, if you issue OUTRES,NDST to request storage of
nodal-averaged stresses, you should also issue OUTRES,STRS,NONE to suppress storage
of element-based nodal stresses.)

The following element types support nodal-averaged results:

MATRIX50 (p. 240)

PLANE182 (p. 692)
PLANE183 (p. 701)
SOLID185 (p. 824)
SOLID186 (p. 843)
SOLID187 (p. 861)

Using Components to Request Nodal-Averaged Results for a Subset of Elements

In some cases, it may be advantageous to output nodal-averaged results for a subset of elements
and element-based results for the remainder of the model. For example, this may be helpful if the
model contains element types that do not support nodal-averaging. Another example is when
element-based results are needed to evaluate mesh discretization error in certain areas of the
model.

The Cname argument of OUTRES enables you to specify a component (see the CM command)
containing elements for which the OUTRES specification is active. Using components allows you
to selectively activate nodal-averaged results or element-based results for specific groups of elements.

For example, consider a model that contains BEAM188 (p. 868) elements, which do not support
nodal-averaged results. The following commands select all BEAM188 (p. 868) elements in the model
and output element-based stresses to the results file for that element type, while also outputting
nodal-averaged results for all supported element types in the model.
ALLS,ALL
OUTRES,NDST,LAST ! Request nodal-averaged stresses
OUTRES,STRS,NONE ! Suppress element nodal stresses
ESEL,S,TYPE,,1 ! Select element type 1, which is BEAM188
CM,elgroup,ELEM ! Create an element component containing BEAM188 elements
OUTRES,STRS,LAST,elgroup ! Request element nodal stresses for the BEAM188 elements only

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General Element Features

When postprocessing in POST1, you can view the output of the element solution for the beams
using PRESOL,S and the output of the nodal-averaged result solution using PRNSOL,S.

Limitations for Nodal-Averaged Results

• Nodal-averaged results are not valid for these analysis types:

– Spectrum analysis

– Cyclic symmetry analysis

3.2.4.2. Postprocessing Nodal-Averaged Results

You can print (PRNSOL) and plot (PLNSOL) nodal-averaged results in the POST1 general postpro-
cessor (/POST1).

You can also print (PRVAR) and plot (PLVAR) nodal-averaged results in the POST26 time-history
postprocessor (/POST26) after using the ANSOL command to store the results.

Nodal-averaged results are calculated during the solution phase (SOLVE) using the global Cartesian
coordinate system and all selected elements and nodes. This cannot be changed. Therefore, opera-
tions on nodal-averaged results in POST1 or POST26 are done on a per-node basis rather than on
a per-element basis. For that reason, any element-based operation performed in POST1 or POST26
has no effect on nodal-averaged results. For example, using ESEL or ESLN to select a subset of
elements for output has no effect on nodal-averaged stresses and strains.

Using POST1 to View Nodal-Averaged Results

Nodal-averaged results are not stored in the database during or at the conclusion of the solution
phase (SOLVE). They must be read into the database from the results file via the SET command in
POST1. Once in the database, the same operations can be used on nodal-averaged results as are
available for the analogous element-based results. This includes saving (SAVE) and resuming (RE-
SUME) the database, and postprocessing operations via the commands listed below.

POST1 Commands that Support Nodal-Averaged Results

APPEND /GRAPHICS (FULL and LCFILE LCZERO RESWRITE
POWER)
AVPRIN INRES LCOPER PLNSOL[a] RSPLIT
[a] [a]
DNSOL LCABS LCSEL PRNSOL SET
[b]
/EFACET LCASE LCSUM RAPPND *VGET
[b]
*GET LCDEF LCWRITE RESCOMBINE
[a] The default behavior for DNSOL, PLNSOL, and PRNSOL is to use nodal-averaged results if
they are available for the requested result item. Use the DataKey argument to change
this behavior. See the command descriptions for more information.
[b] The default behavior for *GET and *VGET when element nodal results are requested is to
use nodal-averaged results if they are available for the requested item. Use the Item2 ar-
gument to change this behavior. See the command descriptions for more information.

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 Solution Output

Using POST26 to View Nodal-Averaged Results

The time-history postprocessor does not read data from the database but instead uses the results
file. After specifying the results file you want to postprocess (FILE command), use the POST26
commands listed below to define and view time-history variables for nodal-averaged results.

POST26 Commands that Support Nodal-Averaged Results

ANSOL[a] STORE
AVPRIN
KEEP
PLVAR
PRVAR
[a] The default behavior for ANSOL is to use nodal-averaged results if they are available for
the requested result item. Use the DataKey argument to change this behavior. See the
command descriptions for more information.

When DataKey = AUTO (the default) is specified on the ANSOL command, either element-based
or nodal-averaged results may be used in the output of subsequent commands. Starting at the first
applicable time step, the availability of element-based and nodal-averaged results is evaluated. If
both are available, then nodal-averaged results are used. If only one is available, then that data
type is used. If neither are available, then the data type to be used is not determined and the
checking repeats at the next time step. Once a data type is determined, it is used for all subsequent
time steps even if data of that type is not available for a future time step. This process occurs inde-
pendently for every variable defined by ANSOL.

The following are examples of the DataKey = AUTO logic.

Example 3.1: Case 1 - DataKey = AUTO Chooses Element-Based Data

Load Step 1234

Element-Based Data X XX
Nodal-Averaged X X
Results

Example 3.2: Case 2 - DataKey = AUTO Chooses Nodal-Averaged Results Data

Load Step 1234

Element-Based Data XXX
Nodal-Averaged X X
Results

Assumptions and Restrictions

In general, the nodal-averaged output is the same as the element-based output. However, there
are some differences in data handling and other restrictions as listed below.

• POST1 commands that manipulate solution results (APPEND, LCOPER, LCABS, RSPLIT) may give
different numerical values when applied to nodal-averaged results compared to the same data
stored as element results. This can happen because:

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General Element Features

– The operation is done on a per-node basis as opposed to a per-element basis.

– The operation is applied to the nodal-averaged results after averaging, while it is applied
to the element-based results before averaging.

• The POST1 commands PRESOL and PLESOL are unaffected by the presence of nodal-averaged
results. If element-based results are on the results file, these commands work the same as usual.
If there are no element-based results on the results file, these commands show no results, regard-
less of whether nodal-average results are present on the results file.

• The following command operations are not valid when viewing nodal-averaged results in POST1
or POST26 and cause nodal-averaged results to be blocked:

– Specifying a certain layer in a layered element (LAYER, LAYERP26).

– Using the solution coordinate system (RSYS,SOLU).

– Using AVPRIN,1 to calculate the principal values at each element and averaging the ele-
ment principal values to get the nodal principal value.

• The following command operations are not valid when viewing nodal-averaged results in POST1
and cause nodal-averaged results to be blocked:

– Issuing SUMTYPE,PRIN to combine principal stresses directly in a load case combination.

Issuing this command blocks nodal-averaged stresses only. Nodal-averaged strains will
still be available.

– Issuing LCOPER with Oper = LRPIN, SQUA, SQRT, or SRSS. These command operations
erase the nodal-averaged results from the resulting load case.

Full Model Graphics vs. PowerGraphics

You can print or plot nodal-averaged results in both full model graphics and PowerGraphics
modes. When PowerGraphics is enabled (/GRAPHICS,POWER), the results are averaged at a
node using all member elements (not just the elements with faces on the surface) and with
no separation for geometric or material discontinuities. Therefore, the PowerGraphics output
is equivalent to the full model graphics output but only shows the appropriate surface nodes.
This is equivalent to viewing the element solution in PowerGraphics after issuing the
AVRES,1,FULL command. Performance improvements associated with PowerGraphics are
maintained. Nodal-averaged results support the command /EFACET,2 for plotting midside
nodes in PowerGraphics.

3.2.5. Nodal Solution

The nodal solution from an analysis consists of:

• the degree-of-freedom solution, such as nodal displacements, temperatures, and pressures

• the reaction solution calculated at constrained nodes - forces at displacement constraints, heat
flows at temperature degree-of-freedom constraints, fluid flows at pressure degree-of-freedom
constraints, and so on.

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 Coordinate Systems

The degree-of-freedom solution is calculated for all active degrees of freedom in the model, which
are determined by the union of all degree-of-freedom labels associated with all the active element
types. It is output at all degrees of freedom that have a nonzero stiffness or conductivity and can be
controlled by OUTPR,NSOL (for printed output) and OUTRES,NSOL (for results file output).

The reaction solution is calculated at all nodes that are constrained (D, DSYM, etc.). Its output can
be controlled by OUTPR,RSOL and OUTRES,RSOL.

For vector degrees of freedom and corresponding reactions, the output during solution is in the
nodal coordinate system. If a node was input with a rotated nodal coordinate system, the output
nodal solution will also be in the rotated coordinate system. For a node with the rotation θxy = 90°,
the printed UX solution will be in the nodal X direction, which in this case corresponds to the global
Y direction. Rotational displacements (ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ) are output in radians, and phase angles
from a harmonic analysis are output in degrees.

3.3. Coordinate Systems

The following coordinate system topics are available:
3.3.1. Understanding the Element Coordinate System
3.3.2. Elements That Operate in the Nodal Coordinate System
3.3.3. Solution Coordinate Systems

3.3.1. Understanding the Element Coordinate System

The element coordinate system is used for:

• Orthotropic material input

• Pressure loading input on certain faces of the surface effect elements

• Output of element quantities, such as stresses, strains, and thermal gradients

A default element coordinate system orientation is associated with each element type. In general,
these systems are described below. Elements departing from this description have their default element
coordinate system orientation described in Element Library (p. 135).

Element coordinate systems are right-handed, orthogonal systems.

• Line elements

The default orientation is generally with the x-axis along the element I-J line.

• Solid elements

The default orientation is generally parallel to the global Cartesian coordinate system.

If the program generates SOLID185 (p. 824) or SOLID186 (p. 843) elements during a 2-D to 3-D ana-
lysis (MAP2DTO3D and EEXTRUDE), the element coordinate system's third direction is in the hoop
direction about the global Y axis (axisymmetric cases) or in the global Z direction (plane strain
cases). For more information, see 2-D to 3-D Analysis in the Advanced Analysis Guide.

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General Element Features

• General axisymmetric elements

The general orientation for SOLID272 (p. 1304) and SOLID273 (p. 1312) elements is determined by the
cylindrical coordinate system, with z and the origin defined via SECTYPE and SECDATA, and θ =
0 on the master plane; the r, θ, and z directions adhere to the right-hand rule. For more information,
see General Axisymmetric Elements (p. 85).

• Shell elements

The default orientation for elements SHELL131 (p. 403), SHELL132 (p. 411), SHELL181 (p. 673),
SOLSH190 (p. 912), and SHELL281 (p. 1360) has the S1 (shell surface coordinate) axis aligned with the
first parametric direction of the element at the center of the element. For elements with edges IJ
and KL parallel (rectangular or trapezoidal elements), the default orientation (S1 axis) can be inter-
preted as being parallel to edge IJ (as used by archived elements such as SHELL63).

3.3.1.1. Modifying the Element Orientation

The element coordinate system orientation is the default orientation for that element type. You
can change the orientation via ESYS for area and volume elements, making the orientation parallel
to a previously defined local system. For some elements, a KEYOPT selection is available to change
the element orientation. If both are specified, the ESYS definition overrides.

The coordinate systems of axisymmetric elements can be rotated about the global Z axis only.
General axisymmetric elements (p. 85), however, can be rotated about any axis.

Shell elements

For shell elements, the ESYS orientation uses the projection of the local system
on the shell surface. The element x axis is determined from the projection of
the local x axis on the shell surface. If the projection is a point (or the angle
between the local x-axis and the normal to the shell is 0° (plus a tolerance of
45°)), the local y axis projection is used for the element x-axis direction. The z
and y axes are determined as described for the default orientation.

For non-midside-node shell elements, the projection is evaluated at the element

centroid and is assumed constant in direction throughout the element. For midside-
node shell elements, the projection is evaluated at each integration point and may
vary in direction throughout the element.

Axisymmetric elements

For axisymmetric elements, only rotations in the X-Y plane are valid. Some
elements also allow element coordinate system orientations to be defined by
user written subroutines. (See the Guide to User-Programmable Features in the
Programmer's Reference.)

Layered elements

Layered elements use the x axis of the element coordinate system as a base
from which to rotate each layer to the layer coordinate system. The layers are
rotated by the angles input (SECDATA or RMORE). Material properties, stresses,
and strains for layered elements are based on the layer coordinate system, not
the element coordinate system.

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 Coordinate Systems

Cohesive elements

For 3-D cohesive elements INTER204 (p. 960) and INTER205 (p. 963), the ESYS
orientation uses the projection of the local system on the element neutral sur-
face. The element normal direction is the element x axis. The element y axis is
determined from the projection of the local x axis on the neutral surface. If the
projection is a point (or the angle between the local x axis and the normal to
the element is 0° [plus a tolerance of 45°]), the local y axis projection is used
for the element y axis direction. The y and z axes are determined as described
for the default orientation. The projection is evaluated at each integration point
and may vary in direction throughout the element.

ESYS does not support 2-D interface elements INTER202 (p. 953) and INTER203 (p. 956).

All element coordinate systems shown in the element figures assume that no ESYS orientation is
specified.

The orientation of output element quantities can be adjusted. See Rotating Results to a Different
Coordinate System in the Basic Analysis Guide.

Element coordinate systems can be displayed as a triad via /PSYMB or as an ESYS number (if spe-
cified) via /PNUM. Triad displays do not include the effects of any real constant angle.

For large-deflection analyses, the element coordinate system rotates from the initial orientation
described above by the amount of rigid body rotation of the element.

2-D and axisymmetric elements operate in the global Cartesian X-Y plane. Accordingly, rotations
of the element coordinate system (and/or the coordinate system of any node used by the element)
can occur in the X-Y plane only. For example, if a Y-Z rotation is input for such an element, the
program issues an error message.

3.3.2. Elements That Operate in the Nodal Coordinate System

A few special elements operate solely within the nodal coordinate system:

COMBIN14 (p. 161) Spring-Damper with KEYOPT(2) = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6

MATRIX27 (p. 178) Stiffness, Damping, or Mass Matrix
COMBIN37 (p. 209) Control Element
FLUID38 (p. 218) Dynamic Fluid Coupling
COMBIN39 (p. 221) Nonlinear Spring with KEYOPT(4) = 0
COMBIN40 (p. 230) Combination Element
TRANS126 (p. 387) Electromechanical Transducer
COMBI214 (p. 1002) 2-D Spring-Damper Bearing

These elements, defined in the nodal coordinate system, allow for easy directional control, especially
for the case of two-node elements with coincident nodes.

If UX, UY, or UZ degrees of freedom are being used, the nodes are not coincident, and the load is
not acting parallel to the line connecting the two nodes, there is no mechanism for the element to
transfer the resulting moment load, resulting in loss of moment equilibrium. The sole exception is

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General Element Features

MATRIX27 (p. 178), which can include moment coupling when appropriate additional terms are added
to the matrix.

You cannot sum nodal force and moment contributions (FSUM) for these elements if the 1-D option
is activated and nodes are rotated (NROTAT).

If any of the nodes have been rotated (NROTAT), consider the following:

• If the nodes of elements containing more than one node are not rotated in precisely the same
way, force equilibrium may not be maintained.

• Accelerations operate normally in the global Cartesian system. Because no transformation is

done between the nodal and global systems, however, the accelerations effectively act on any
element mass in the nodal system, giving unexpected results. It is therefore good practice not
to apply accelerations when these elements use rotated nodes.

• Mass and inertia relief calculations will not be correct.

3.3.3. Solution Coordinate Systems

For homogeneous elements, element solution coordinate systems are generally identical to the
nodal or the element coordinate systems adopted by the elements.

For composite elements, solution coordinate systems can be independently defined for different
components, such as layers in a layered-shell element (SHELL181 (p. 673)) and fibers in a discrete rein-
forcing element (REINF264 (p. 1285)). The solution coordinate systems in composite elements are also
called layered coordinate systems, and are specifically identified via RSYS,LSYS.

For more information, see Rotating Results to a Different Coordinate System in the Basic Analysis
Guide.

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Chapter 4: Element Support for Material Models
Following is a list of element types that support various material constitutive properties. To take advant-
age of the many material properties available, use current-technology elements (p. 35) in your analysis.

Material models are specified via the TB,Lab command, where Lab represents the material model label
(shortcut name). For more information about each material model, see the Material Reference.

For a list of material models and the elements that support them, see Material Model Element Support
in the Material Reference.

Element Description Supported Material Properties

SOLID5 (p. 139) 3-D Coupled-Field Anisotropic elasticity, Magnetic, Piezoelectric matrix
(legacy (p. 35)) Solid
PLANE13 (p. 151) 2-D Coupled-Field Anisotropic elasticity, Magnetic, Piezoelectric matrix
(legacy (p. 35)) Solid
FLUID30 (p. 188)3-D Acoustic Fluid Perforated Media
SOLID96 (p. 318)3-D Magnetic Scalar Magnetic
Solid
SOLID98 (p. 323)Tetrahedral Anisotropic elasticity, Magnetic, Piezoelectric matrix
(legacy (p. 35)) Coupled-Field Solid
FLUID116 (p. 343)
Coupled State variables (user-defined), User-defined (KEYOPT(1) =
Thermal-Fluid Pipe 1)
CONTA172 (p. 531)
2-D 3-Node
Surface-to-Surface
Contact Cohesive zone, Coefficient of friction, User-defined friction,
CONTA174 (p. 557)
3-D 8-Node Contact interaction, Contact surface wear
Surface-to-Surface
Contact Orthotropic friction (TB,FRIC,,,,ORTHO) is not applicable
to the 2-D contact element CONTA172 (p. 531).
CONTA175 (p. 586)
2-D/3-D
Node-to-Surface Contact surface wear is not available for
Contact CONTA177 (p. 614).
CONTA177 (p. 614)
3-D Line-to-Surface
Contact
CONTA178 (p. 637)
3-D Coefficient of friction, User-defined friction, Contact
Node-to-Node interaction
Contact
Orthotropic friction (TB,FRIC,,,,ORTHO) is not applicable
to CONTA178 (p. 637).

Contact interaction for general contact definitions does

not apply to CONTA178 (p. 637).

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Element Support for Material Models

Element Description Supported Material Properties

LINK180 (p. 665)3-D Spar (or Truss) Bilinear isotropic hardening, Bilinear kinematic hardening,
Chaboche nonlinear kinematic hardening, Creep, Coefficient
of thermal expansion, Damage evolution law, Damage
initiation criteria, Density, Elasticity, Hill anisotropy, Prony
series constants for viscoelastic materials, Rate-dependent
plasticity (viscoplasticity), Rate-independent plasticity, Shift
function for viscoelastic materials, State variables
(user-defined), Three-network model, User-defined, Voce
isotropic hardening law
SHELL181 (p. 673)
4-Node Structural Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity,
Shell Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear isotropic hardening, Bilinear
kinematic hardening, Creep, Coefficient of thermal
expansion, Mullins effect, Chaboche nonlinear kinematic
hardening, Creep, Damage evolution law, Damage initiation
criteria, Density, Elasticity, Hill anisotropy, Hyperelasticity,
Material-dependent alpha and beta damping (Rayleigh
Damping), Material-dependent structural damping, Prony
series constants for viscoelastic materials, Rate-dependent
plasticity (viscoplasticity), Rate-independent plasticity, Shape
memory alloy (SMA), Shift function for viscoelastic materials,
State variables (user-defined), Swelling, Three-network
model, User-defined, Voce isotropic hardening law
PLANE182 (p. 692)
2-D 4-Node Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity,
Structural Solid Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear isotropic hardening, Bilinear
PLANE183 (p. 701)
2-D 8-Node or kinematic hardening, Cam-clay, Cast iron, Mullins effect,
6-Node Structural Crack growth fracture criterion, Chaboche nonlinear
Solid kinematic hardening, Creep, Coefficient of thermal
expansion, Damage evolution law, Damage initiation criteria,
Density, Drucker-Prager concrete, Menetrey-Willam,
Elasticity, Extended Drucker-Prager, Gurson
pressure-dependent plasticity, Hill anisotropy,
Hyperelasticity, Jointed rock, Material-dependent alpha and
beta damping (Rayleigh damping), Material-dependent
structural damping, Microplane, Mohr-Coulomb, Multilinear
elasticity (plane strain or axisymmetric), Porous elasticity,
Prony series constants for viscoelastic materials,
Rate-dependent plasticity (viscoplasticity), Rate-independent
plasticity, Shift function for viscoelastic materials, Shape
memory alloy, State variables (user-defined), Swelling,
Three-network model, Uniaxial stress-strain relation,
User-defined, Voce isotropic hardening law
MPC184 (p. 710)Multipoint Joint (linear and nonlinear elastic stiffness, linear and
Constraint nonlinear damping, and frictional behavior)
SOLID185 (p. 824)
3-D 8-Node Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity,
Structural Solid Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear isotropic hardening, Bilinear
kinematic hardening, Cam-clay, Cast iron, Mullins effect,
Crack growth fracture criterion, Chaboche nonlinear
kinematic hardening, Creep, Coefficient of thermal

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Element Description Supported Material Properties
expansion, Crystal plasticity, Damage evolution law, Damage
initiation criteria, Density, Drucker-Prager concrete,
Menetrey-Willam, Elasticity, Extended Drucker-Prager,
Gurson pressure-dependent plasticity, Hill anisotropy,
Hyperelasticity, Jointed rock, Material-dependent alpha and
beta damping (Rayleigh damping), Material-dependent
structural damping, Microplane, Mohr-Coulomb, Multilinear
elasticity, Porous elasticity, Prony series constants for
viscoelastic materials, Rate-dependent plasticity
(viscoplasticity), Rate-independent plasticity, Shift function
for viscoelastic materials, Shape memory alloy, State
variables (user-defined), Swelling, Three-network model,
Uniaxial stress-strain relation, User-defined, Voce isotropic
hardening law
SOLID186 (p. 843)
3-D 20-Node Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity,
Structural Solid Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear isotropic hardening, Bilinear
SOLID187 (p. 861)
3-D 10-Node kinematic hardening, Cast iron, Mullins effect, Cam-clay,
Tetrahedral Chaboche nonlinear kinematic hardening, Creep, Coefficient
Structural Solid of thermal expansion, Crystal plasticity, Damage evolution
law, Damage initiation criteria, Density, Drucker-Prager
concrete, Menetrey-Willam, Elasticity, Extended
Drucker-Prager, Gurson pressure-dependent plasticity, Hill
anisotropy, Hyperelasticity, Jointed rock, Material-dependent
alpha and beta damping (Rayleigh damping),
Material-dependent structural damping, Microplane,
Mohr-Coulomb, Multilinear elasticity, Porous elasticity,Porous
elasticity, Prony series constants for viscoelastic materials,
Rate-dependent plasticity (viscoplasticity), Rate-independent
plasticity, Shift function for viscoelastic materials, Shape
memory alloy, State variables (user-defined), Swelling,
Uniaxial stress-strain relation, Three-network model,
User-defined, Voce isotropic hardening law
BEAM188 (p. 868)
3-D 2-Node Beam Bilinear isotropic hardening, Bilinear kinematic hardening,
BEAM189 (p. 890)
3-D 3-Node Beam Chaboche nonlinear kinematic hardening, Creep, Coefficient
of thermal expansion, Damage evolution law, Damage
initiation criteria, Density, Elasticity, Hill anisotropy, Prony
series constants for viscoelastic materials, Rate-dependent
plasticity (viscoplasticity), Rate-independent plasticity, Shift
function for viscoelastic materials, Shape memory alloy
(SMA), State variables (user-defined), User-defined, Voce
isotropic hardening law
SOLSH190 (p. 912)
3-D 8-Node Anisotropic elasticity, Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear isotropic
Structural Solid Shell hardening, Bilinear kinematic hardening, Cast iron, Mullins
effect, Chaboche nonlinear kinematic hardening, Creep,
Coefficient of thermal expansion, Damage evolution law,
Damage initiation criteria, Density, Extended Drucker-Prager,
Elasticity, Gurson pressure-dependent plasticity, Hill
anisotropy, Hyperelasticity, Material-dependent alpha and
beta damping (Rayleigh damping), Material-dependent

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Element Support for Material Models

Element Description Supported Material Properties

structural damping, Multilinear elasticity, Prony series
constants for viscoelastic materials, Rate-dependent
plasticity (viscoplasticity), Rate-independent plasticity, Shift
function for viscoelastic materials, Shape memory alloy,
State variables (user-defined), Swelling, Three-network
model, Uniaxial stress-strain relation, User-defined, Voce
isotropic hardening law
INTER192 (p. 922)
2-D 4-Node Gasket
INTER193 (p. 926)
2-D 6-Node Gasket
Gasket
INTER194 (p. 931)
3-D 16-Node Gasket
INTER195 (p. 936)
3-D 8-Node Gasket
INTER202 (p. 953)
2-D 4-Node
Cohesive
INTER203 (p. 956)
2-D 6-Node
Cohesive
Cohesive zone
INTER204 (p. 960)
3-D 16-Node
Cohesive
INTER205 (p. 963)
3-D 8-Node
Cohesive
SHELL208 (p. 966)
2-Node Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity,
Axisymmetric Shell Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear isotropic hardening, Bilinear
kinematic hardening, Mullins effect, Chaboche nonlinear
kinematic hardening, Creep, Coefficient of thermal
expansion, Damage evolution law, Damage initiation criteria,
Density, Elasticity, Hill anisotropy, Hyperelasticity,
Material-dependent alpha and beta damping (Rayleigh
damping), Material-dependent structural damping, Prony
series constants for viscoelastic materials, Rate-dependent
plasticity (viscoplasticity), Rate-independent plasticity, Shift
function for viscoelastic materials, Shape memory alloy
(SMA), State variables (user-defined), Three-network model,
User-defined, Voce isotropic hardening law
SHELL209 (p. 977)
3-Node Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity,
Axisymmetric Shell Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear isotropic hardening, Bilinear
kinematic hardening, Mullins effect, Chaboche nonlinear
kinematic hardening, Creep, Coefficient of thermal
expansion, Damage evolution law, Damage initiation criteria,
Density, Elasticity, Hill anisotropy, Hyperelasticity,
Material-dependent alpha and beta damping (Rayleigh
damping), Material-dependent structural damping, Prony
series constants for viscoelastic materials, Rate-dependent
plasticity (viscoplasticity), Rate-independent plasticity, Shift
function for viscoelastic materials, Shape memory alloy
(SMA), State variables (user-defined), Three-network model,
User-defined, Voce isotropic hardening law

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Element Description Supported Material Properties
CPT212 (p. 988)2-D 4-Node Coupled
Pore-Pressure-Thermal
Mechanical Solid
CPT213 (p. 995)2-D 8-Node Coupled Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Bilinear isotropic hardening,
Pore-Pressure-Thermal Cam-clay, Cast iron, Chaboche nonlinear kinematic
Mechanical Solid hardening, Coupled Pore-Fluid Diffusion and Structural
CPT215 (p. 1013)
3-D 8-Node Coupled Model of Porous Media, Density, Drucker-Prager concrete,
Pore-Pressure-Thermal Menetrey-Willam, Elasticity, Extended Drucker-Prager
Mechanical Solid (excluding Cap yield surface), Gurson pressure-dependent
CPT216 (p. 1020)
3-D 20-Node plasticity, Hyperelasticity, Jointed rock, Microplane,
Coupled Mohr-Coulomb, Multilinear isotropic hardening, Nonlinear
Pore-Pressure-Thermal isotropic hardening, Regularized anisotropic damage, Porous
Mechanical Solid elasticity, Thermal, Coefficient of thermal expansion,
Three-network model
CPT217 (p. 1028)
3-D 10-Node
Coupled
Pore-Pressure-Thermal
Mechanical Solid
FLUID220 (p. 1041)
3-D Acoustic Fluid
20-Node Solid Perforated Media
Element
FLUID221 (p. 1041)
3-D Acoustic Fluid
10-Node Solid Perforated Media
Element
PLANE222 (p. 1042)
2-D 4-Node Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity, Anisotropic
Coupled-Field Solid dielectric loss tangent, Anisotropic elastic loss tangent,
Anisotropic viscosity, Anisotropic electric permittivity,
Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear isotropic hardening, Bilinear
kinematic hardening, Cast iron, Chaboche nonlinear
kinematic hardening, Creep, Extended Drucker-Prager,
Elasticity, Gurson pressure-dependent plasticity, Hill
anisotropy, Hyperelasticity, Migration model, Mullins effect,
Piezoelectric matrix, Piezoresistivity, Prony series constants
for viscoelastic materials, Rate-dependent plasticity
(viscoplasticity), Rate-independent plasticity,
Material-dependent alpha and beta damping (Rayleigh
damping), Material-dependent structural damping, Shift
function for viscoelastic materials, Shape memory alloy,
Three-network model, Uniaxial stress-strain relation, Voce
isotropic hardening law
PLANE223 (p. 1065)
2-D 8-Node Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity, Anisotropic
Coupled-Field Solid dielectric loss tangent, Anisotropic elastic loss tangent,
Anisotropic viscosity, Anisotropic electric permittivity
Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear isotropic hardening, Bilinear
kinematic hardening, Cast iron, Chaboche nonlinear
kinematic hardening, Creep, Extended Drucker-Prager,
Elasticity, Gurson pressure-dependent plasticity, Hill
anisotropy, Hyperelasticity, Magnetic, Migration model,

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Element Support for Material Models

Element Description Supported Material Properties

Mullins effect, Piezoelectric matrix, Piezoresistivity, Prony
series constants for viscoelastic materials, Rate-dependent
plasticity (viscoplasticity), Rate-independent plasticity,
Material-dependent alpha and beta damping (Rayleigh
damping), Material-dependent structural damping, Shift
function for viscoelastic materials, Shape memory alloy,
Three-network model, Uniaxial stress-strain relation, Voce
isotropic hardening law
SOLID225 (p. 1097)
3-D 8-Node Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity, Anisotropic
Coupled-Field Solid dielectric loss tangent, Anisotropic elastic loss tangent,
Anisotropic viscosity, Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear isotropic
hardening, Bilinear kinematic hardening, Cast iron,
Chaboche nonlinear kinematic hardening, Creep, Anisotropic
electric permittivity, Extended Drucker-Prager, Elasticity,
Gurson pressure-dependent plasticity, Hill anisotropy,
Hyperelasticity, Migration model, Mullins effect, Piezoelectric
matrix, Piezoresistivity, Prony series constants for viscoelastic
materials, Rate-dependent plasticity (viscoplasticity),
Rate-independent plasticity, Material-dependent alpha and
beta damping (Rayleigh damping), Material-dependent
structural damping, Shift function for viscoelastic materials,
Shape memory alloy, Uniaxial stress-strain relation, State
variables (user-defined), User-defined (structural and
thermal), Voce isotropic hardening law
SOLID226 (p. 1122)
3-D 20-Node Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity, Anisotropic
Coupled-Field Solid dielectric loss tangent, Anisotropic elastic loss tangent,
SOLID227 (p. 1155)
3-D 10-Node Anisotropic viscosity, Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear isotropic
Coupled-Field Solid hardening, Bilinear kinematic hardening, Cast iron,
Chaboche nonlinear kinematic hardening, Creep, Anisotropic
electric permittivity, Extended Drucker-Prager, Elasticity,
Gurson pressure-dependent plasticity, Hill anisotropy,
Hyperelasticity, Magnetic, Migration model, Mullins effect,
Piezoelectric matrix, Piezoresistivity, Prony series constants
for viscoelastic materials, Rate-dependent plasticity
(viscoplasticity), Rate-independent plasticity,
Material-dependent alpha and beta damping (Rayleigh
damping), Material-dependent structural damping, Shift
function for viscoelastic materials, Shape memory alloy,
Uniaxial stress-strain relation, State variables (user-defined),
Three-network model, User-defined (structural and thermal),
Voce isotropic hardening law
PLANE233 (p. 1201)
2-D 8-Node
Electromagnetic
Solid
Magnetic
SOLID236 (p. 1210)
3-D 20-Node
Electromagnetic
Solid

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Element Description Supported Material Properties
SOLID237 (p. 1219)
3-D 10-Node
Electromagnetic
Solid
HSFLD241 (p. 1242)
2-D Hydrostatic
Fluid
Fluid
HSFLD242 (p. 1249)
3-D Hydrostatic
Fluid
REINF263 (p. 1276)
2-D Smeared Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity,
Reinforcing Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear isotropic hardening, Bilinear
kinematic hardening, Chaboche nonlinear kinematic
hardening, Creep, Coefficient of thermal expansion, Density,
Damage evolution law (MPDG and CDM options), Damage
initiation criteria, Elasticity, Hill anisotropy, Hyperelasticity,
Mullins effect, Prony series constants for viscoelastic
materials, Rate-dependent plasticity (viscoplasticity),
Rate-independent plasticity, Shape memory alloy, Shift
function for viscoelastic materials, State variables
(user-defined), Three-network model, User-defined, Voce
isotropic hardening law
REINF264 (p. 1285)
3-D Discrete Structural Properties: Bilinear isotropic hardening,
Reinforcing Bilinear kinematic hardening, Chaboche nonlinear
kinematic hardening, Creep, Coefficient of thermal
expansion, Damage evolution law (MPDG option only),
Damage initiation criteria, Density, Elasticity, Hill
anisotropy, Prony series constants for viscoelastic
materials, Rate-dependent plasticity (viscoplasticity),
Rate-independent plasticity, Shift function for
viscoelastic materials, State variables (user-defined),
User-defined, Voce isotropic hardening law

Thermal Properties: State variables (user-defined),

User-defined
REINF265 (p. 1294)
3-D Smeared Structural Properties: Anisotropic hyperelasticity,
Reinforcing Anisotropic elasticity, Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear
isotropic hardening, Bilinear kinematic hardening,
Chaboche nonlinear kinematic hardening, Creep,
Coefficient of thermal expansion, Density, Damage
evolution law (MPDG and CDM options), Damage
initiation criteria, Elasticity, Hill anisotropy,
Hyperelasticity, Mullins effect, Prony series constants
for viscoelastic materials, Rate-dependent plasticity
(viscoplasticity), Rate-independent plasticity, Shape
memory alloy, Shift function for viscoelastic materials,
State variables (user-defined), Three-network model,
User-defined, Voce isotropic hardening law

Thermal Properties: State variables (user-defined),

User-defined

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Element Support for Material Models

Element Description Supported Material Properties

SOLID272 (p. 1304)
General Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity,
Axisymmetric Solid Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear isotropic hardening, Bilinear
with 4 Base Nodes kinematic hardening, Cast iron, Mullins effect, Chaboche
SOLID273 (p. 1312)
General nonlinear kinematic hardening, Creep, Coefficient of thermal
Axisymmetric Solid expansion, Damage evolution law, Damage initiation criteria,
with 8 Base Nodes Extended Drucker-Prager, Multilinear elasticity, Shape
memory alloy (SMA), Three-network model
SOLID278 (p. 1320)
3-D 8-Node Thermal Thermal properties, State variables (user-defined),
Solid User-defined
SOLID279 (p. 1337)
3-D 20-Node
Thermal Solid
CABLE280 (p. 1353)
3-D 3-Node Cable Bilinear isotropic hardening, Bilinear kinematic hardening,
Chaboche nonlinear kinematic hardening, Creep, Coefficient
of thermal expansion, Damage evolution law, Damage
initiation criteria, Density, Elasticity, Hill anisotropy, Prony
series constants for viscoelastic materials, Rate-dependent
plasticity (viscoplasticity), Rate-independent plasticity, Shift
function for viscoelastic materials, State variables
(user-defined), Voce isotropic hardening law
SHELL281 (p. 1360)
8-Node Structural Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity,
Shell Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear isotropic hardening, Bilinear
kinematic hardening, Mullins effect, Chaboche nonlinear
kinematic hardening, Creep, Coefficient of thermal
expansion, Damage evolution law, Damage initiation criteria,
Density, Elasticity, Hill anisotropy, Hyperelasticity,
Material-dependent alpha and beta damping (Rayleigh
damping), Material-dependent structural damping, Prony
series constants for viscoelastic materials, Rate-dependent
plasticity (viscoplasticity), Rate-independent plasticity, Shift
function for viscoelastic materials, Shape memory alloy
(SMA), State variables (user-defined), Swelling,
Three-network model, User-defined, Voce isotropic
hardening law
SOLID285 (p. 1377)
3-D 4-Node Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity,
Tetrahedral Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear isotropic hardening, Bilinear
Structural Solid with kinematic hardening, Cast iron, Mullins effect, Chaboche
Nodal Pressures nonlinear kinematic hardening, Creep, Coefficient of thermal
expansion, Crystal plasticity, Damage evolution law, Damage
initiation criteria, Density, Extended Drucker-Prager,
Elasticity, Hill anisotropy, Hyperelasticity, Material-dependent
alpha and beta damping (Rayleigh damping),
Material-dependent structural damping, Multilinear
elasticity, Prony series constants for viscoelastic materials,
Rate-dependent plasticity (viscoplasticity), Rate-independent
plasticity, Shift function for viscoelastic materials, Shape
memory alloy, State variables (user-defined), Swelling,
Uniaxial stress-strain relation, Three-network model,
User-defined, Voce isotropic hardening law

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Element Description Supported Material Properties
PIPE288 (p. 1383)
3-D 2-Node Pipe Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity,
PIPE289 (p. 1403)
3-D 3-Node Pipe Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear isotropic hardening, Bilinear
kinematic hardening, Cast iron, Mullins effect, Chaboche
nonlinear kinematic hardening, Creep, Coefficient of thermal
expansion, Damage evolution law, Damage initiation criteria,
Density, Extended Drucker-Prager, Elasticity, Hill anisotropy,
Hyperelasticity, Multilinear elasticity, Prony series constants
for viscoelastic materials, Rate-dependent plasticity
(viscoplasticity), Rate-independent plasticity, Shift function
for viscoelastic materials, Shape memory alloy (SMA), State
variables (user-defined), Three-network model, User-defined,
Voce isotropic hardening law
ELBOW290 (p. 1421)
3-D 3-Node Elbow Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity,
Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear isotropic hardening, Bilinear
kinematic hardening, Mullins effect, Chaboche nonlinear
kinematic hardening, Creep, Coefficient of thermal
expansion, Damage evolution law, Damage initiation criteria,
Density, Extended Drucker-Prager, Elasticity, Hill anisotropy,
Hyperelasticity, Prony series constants for viscoelastic
materials, Rate-dependent plasticity (viscoplasticity),
Rate-independent plasticity, Material structural damping,
Shift function for viscoelastic materials, State variables
(user-defined), Three-network model, User-defined, Voce
isotropic hardening law
SOLID291 (p. 1453)
3-D 10-Node Thermal properties, State variables (user-defined),
Tetrahedral Thermal User-defined
Solid
PLANE292 (p. 1458)
2-D 4-Node Thermal Thermal properties, State variables (user-defined),
Solid User-defined
PLANE293 (p. 1465)
2-D 8-Node Thermal Thermal properties, State variables (user-defined),
Solid User-defined

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 Release 2022 R1 - © ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. - Contains proprietary and confidential information
74 of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
Chapter 5: Elements for Stress Analysis
Elements for stress analysis are used primarily in mechanical and civil engineering. Various categories
of elements are available to meet the needs of many types of industries. The element categories can
be identified by how the elements represent the geometry of the structures, the basic deformation
and/or formulation assumptions, and the primary purpose of the elements.

The following related topics are available:

5.1. Continuum Stress Elements
5.2. Shell Elements
5.3. Beam and Link (Truss) Elements
5.4. Pipe Elements
5.5. Reinforcing Elements
5.6. Surface Elements
5.7. Elements Used to Model the Truncation of an Infinite Structural Domain
5.8. Automatic Selection of Element Technologies and Formulations
5.9. Elements Under Linear Perturbation

5.1. Continuum Stress Elements

Continuum stress elements represent the volume of a model used for deflection and stress analysis.
They do not include shell, surface, contact, beam, pipe or other special elements.

Continuum stress elements have few, if any, basic deformation assumptions and are the primary elements
for stress analysis, especially for solid structures.

Elements can be either 2-D or 3-D and are usually obtained by meshing areas or volumes. They can be
used for any structural analysis.

Although continuum stress elements may not be computationally efficient for structures having one
or two dimensions that are much smaller than the remaining dimension(s), they are still useful for
benchmarking purposes, or to obtain more detailed results for such structures.

The following topics related to continuum elements are available:

5.1.1. Stress States in 2-D Continuum Elements
5.1.2. Element Technologies
5.1.3. Mixed u-P Formulation
5.1.4. Generalized Plane Strain Options
5.1.5. Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric Loads

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Elements for Stress Analysis

5.1.1. Stress States in 2-D Continuum Elements

The following topics about stress states in continuum elements assumes global Cartesian directions
and applies to the PLANE182 (p. 692) and PLANE183 (p. 701) elements unless otherwise noted:
5.1.1.1. Plane Stress
5.1.1.2. Plane Strain
5.1.1.3. Generalized Plane Strain
5.1.1.4. Axisymmetric
5.1.1.5. General Axisymmetric

5.1.1.1. Plane Stress

Plane stress is a stress state that varies only in the X and Y directions. The stress in the Z direction
is always zero, as are the XZ and YZ shear stresses.

Plane stress is generally used on flat, thin structures, where the deformation is assumed to be solely
in the plane of the structure. For example, flat plates pulled in tension may be analyzed with plane
stress. Although a unit thickness is generally assumed, you can input a thickness as well.

5.1.1.2. Plane Strain

Plane strain is a stress state that varies only in the X and Y directions. The strain in the Z direction
is always zero, as are the XZ and YZ shear strains.

Plane strain is generally used on thick structures such as the cross-section of a dam.

5.1.1.3. Generalized Plane Strain

Generalized plane strain is similar to plane strain (p. 76), except that the Z direction strain is not
required to be zero. The Z direction strain may vary linearly in the X and Y directions (but not in
the Z direction), removing the implied restriction of plane strain that the model extends without
limit in the Z direction. The model in the Z direction can also have a uniform curvature.

Generalized plane strain can be used for modeling a section of cylindrical geometries, or to model
long structures with a load at the end.

For more information, see Generalized Plane Strain Options (p. 83).

5.1.1.4. Axisymmetric
Axisymmetric geometry is defined in the X-Y plane with positive X values. The geometry can be
thought of as the cross-section, which, when rotated about the global Cartesian Y axis, forms the
actual model. Unless otherwise described, therefore, the model and the loading and deformations
are constant around the circumference.

An axisymmetric analysis can be used for a nuclear containment building under internal pressure
or vertical earthquake.

Axisymmetric deformation can include the torsion about the global Cartesian Y axis.

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 Continuum Stress Elements

Besides PLANE182 (p. 692) and PLANE183 (p. 701), SHELL208 (p. 966) and SHELL209 (p. 977) support
axisymmetric analysis.

5.1.1.5. General Axisymmetric

General axisymmetric is the same as axisymmetric (p. 76) except that the deformations can be
nonaxisymmetric.

Ansys, Inc. recommends using the SOLID272 (p. 1304) and SOLID273 (p. 1312) elements to simulate
general axisymmetric characteristics. The general axisymmetric elements offer the following benefits:

• The deformations can be nonaxisymmetric.

• The deformations are modeled internally as a Fourier series, with all terms of the Fourier series
solved simultaneously.

• All nonlinearities are supported.

An example general axisymmetric application is simulating threaded pipe connections.

For more information, see General Axisymmetric Elements (p. 85).

5.1.1.5.1. Alternate General Axisymmetric Method for Linear Problems

Alternatively, general axisymmetric can be simulated with harmonic axisymmetric elements when
the problem is linear.

The deformations are modeled as a Fourier series, with each term of the Fourier series solved
separately and then combined in postprocessing, and you must perform both tasks manually.
Supported elements are PLANE25 (p. 171), PLANE83 (p. 294), and SHELL61 (p. 251).

Only linear behavior is supported.

An example axisymmetric-harmonic application is simulating a nuclear containment building

subjected to a horizontal earthquake.

For more information, see Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements (p. 92).

Due to the limitations of axisymmetric-harmonic elements, Ansys, Inc. recommends using

general axisymmetric (p. 77) elements instead. The method presented here is provided for
legacy support only.

5.1.2. Element Technologies

Traditional isoparametric continuum elements have never been sufficiently robust or accurate enough
for general stress analysis.

Even in a linear analysis, lower-order elements are prone to shear locking in bending-dominated
problems. Both lower- and higher-order elements experience volumetric locking when materials are
incompressible or nearly incompressible, yet most nonlinear materials are either nearly or fully incom-
pressible.

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Elements for Stress Analysis

Current-technology elements are available to overcome such problems. As technology advances,

Ansys, Inc. continues to develop robust new elements using the latest technologies available. Current-
technology elements are more advanced and feature-rich than legacy elements (p. 35).

The following topics concerning current element technologies for general stress analysis are available:
5.1.2.1.Technologies for Lower-Order Quad and Brick Elements
5.1.2.2.Technologies for Lower-Order Tetrahedron Elements
5.1.2.3.Technologies for Higher-Order Quad or Brick Elements
5.1.2.4.Technologies for Higher-Order Triangle or Tetrahedron Elements

5.1.2.1. Technologies for Lower-Order Quad and Brick Elements

The following current technologies are available for lower-order quad and brick elements:
5.1.2.1.1. B-Bar Method (Selective Reduced Integration)
5.1.2.1.2. Enhanced Strain Formulation
5.1.2.1.3. Simplified Enhanced Strain Formulation
5.1.2.1.4. Uniform Reduced Integration

5.1.2.1.1. B-Bar Method (Selective Reduced Integration)

The B-bar ( ) method helps to prevent volumetric locking in nearly incompressible cases. It re-
places volumetric strain at the Gauss integration point with the average volumetric strain of the
elements.

This method cannot, however, prevent any shear locking in bending-dominated problems. In
such cases, use the enhanced strain formulation of the element. If it is not clear whether the de-
formation is bending-dominated, the enhanced strain formulation is still recommended.

This technology can be used with mixed u-P formulations.

5.1.2.1.2. Enhanced Strain Formulation

The enhanced strain formulation prevents shear locking in bending-dominated problems and
volumetric locking in nearly incompressible cases. The formulation introduces certain number of
internal (and inaccessible) degrees of freedom to overcome shear locking, and an additional in-
ternal degree of freedom for volumetric locking (except for the case of plane stress in 2-D ele-
ments). All internal degrees of freedom are introduced automatically at the element level and
condensed out during the solution phase of the analysis.

Because of the extra internal degrees of freedom and static condensation, the enhanced strain
formulation option is less efficient than either the method (p. 78) (selective reduced integration)
option or the uniform reduced integration (p. 79) option.

This technology can be used with mixed u-P formulations.

5.1.2.1.3. Simplified Enhanced Strain Formulation

The simplified enhanced strain formulation prevents shear locking in bending-dominated problems.
This formulation is similar to the enhanced strain formulation (p. 78), except that it introduces

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 Continuum Stress Elements

only the internal degrees of freedom necessary to prevent shear locking. For the plane stress
state, this formulation is identical to the enhanced strain formulation.

Because there are no internal degrees of freedom to handle volumetric locking, this formulation
is not ideal when the material is nearly incompressible, except when also using the mixed u-P
formulation. When used with mixed u-P, the simplified enhanced strain formulation yields the
same results as the enhanced strain (p. 78) formulation. All internal degrees of freedom are intro-
duced automatically at the element level and condensed out during the solution phase of the
analysis.

5.1.2.1.4. Uniform Reduced Integration

The uniform reduced integration method helps to prevent shearing locking in bending-dominated
problems and volumetric locking in nearly incompressible cases. Because it has only one integration
point, this option is more efficient than the method (p. 78) (selective reduced integration) and
the enhanced strain (p. 78) formulations. Because the artificial energy introduced to control the
hourglass effect can diminish solution accuracy, however, consider this option last.

When using uniform reduced integration, verify the solution accuracy by comparing the total
energy (SENE label on ETABLE) and the artificial energy (AENE label on ETABLE) introduced by
hourglass control. If the ratio of artificial energy to total energy is less than five percent, the
solution is generally acceptable. If the ratio exceeds five percent, refine the mesh. You can also
monitor the total energy and artificial energy during the solution phase of the analysis (OUT-
PR,VENG).

5.1.2.2. Technologies for Lower-Order Tetrahedron Elements

When having hydrostatic pressure (HDSP) as degrees of freedom, linear tetrahedron elements use
mixed u-P formulation with pressure stabilization. The program achieves stabilization by enhancing
the strain field with three internal degrees of freedom (which are condensed out at the element
level). The stabilization allows for a robust and accurate element.

5.1.2.3. Technologies for Higher-Order Quad or Brick Elements

Higher-order elements (actually second-order here) do not have shear locking due to the quadratic
shape functions, but they are prone to volumetric locking if the full-integration scheme is used. To
avoid this problem, higher-order elements use uniform reduced integration (p. 79) as the default
or only option.

The hourglass effect is not an issue if the model has at least two elements for 2-D problems, or at
least two elements in each direction for 3-D problems, as it is difficult for hourglass mode to
propagate beyond one element. Hourglass control is therefore not needed.

Uniform reduced integration can be used with mixed u-P formulation.

The full integration option is used primarily for linear analysis, and for nonlinear analysis, uniform
reduced integration is the better choice. If full integration is necessary for an analysis involving
nonlinear material, use it with mixed u-P formulation to limit the risk of volumetric locking.

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Elements for Stress Analysis

5.1.2.4. Technologies for Higher-Order Triangle or Tetrahedron Elements

The second-order elements do not have shear locking, and volumetric locking is generally not an
issue. If you observe volumetric locking, used mixed u-P formulation.

5.1.3. Mixed u-P Formulation

Mixed u-P elements use both displacement and hydrostatic pressure as primary unknown variables.
Mixed u-P formulation is available in SOLID285 (p. 1377), and in most other current-technology ele-
ments (p. 35) where KEYOPT(6) > 0, such as: PLANE182 (p. 692), PLANE183 (p. 701), SOLID185 (p. 824),
SOLID186 (p. 843), SOLID187 (p. 861), SOLSH190 (p. 912), SOLID272 (p. 1304), and SOLID273 (p. 1312).

The following related topics are available:

5.1.3.1. Overview of Mixed u-P Element Technologies
5.1.3.2. Mixed u-P Element Summary
5.1.3.3. Applications of Mixed u-P Formulations
5.1.3.4. Mixed u-P Models and Overconstraint or No Unique Solution

5.1.3.1. Overview of Mixed u-P Element Technologies

Incompressible material behavior may lead to difficulties in numerical simulation, such as volumetric
locking, inaccuracy of solution, checkerboard pattern of stress distributions, or, occasionally, diver-
gence. Mixed u-P elements are intended to overcome these problems.

Lagrange multiplier based mixed u-P elements (current-technology (p. 35) solid elements with
KEYOPT(6) > 0 and SOLID285 (p. 1377)) can also be used to overcome incompressible material prob-
lems. They are designed to model material behavior with high incompressibility such as fully or
nearly incompressible hyperelastic materials and nearly incompressible elastoplastic materials (high
Poisson ratio or undergoing large plastic strain). Lagrange multipliers extend the internal virtual
work so that the volume constraint equation is included explicitly. This introduces hydrostatic
pressure (or volume change rate for nearly incompressible hyperelastic materials) as a new inde-
pendent variable. Unlike the hyperelastic elements, the hydrostatic pressure variables are not con-
densed on the element level, but are solved at the global level. For more information, see u-P For-
mulation II in the Theory Reference.

The mixed u-P formulation of the current-technology solid elements offers options for handling
incompressible material behavior. You can combine the mixed u-P formulation with other element
technologies such as the method (also known as the selective reduced integration method) and
the uniform reduced integration method. With current-technology elements, you can combine the
mixed u-P formulation with the enhanced strain formulation method. Furthermore, the mixed u-P
formulation is associated with hyperelastic models, such as Mooney-Rivlin, Neo-Hookean, Ogden,
Arruda-Boyce, polynomial form, and user-defined.

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 Continuum Stress Elements

5.1.3.2. Mixed u-P Element Summary

The number of independent hydrostatic pressure degrees of freedom depends on the element
type, element technology, and the value of KEYOPT(6), as shown in Table 5.1: Number of Independent
Pressure Degrees of Freedom in One Element (p. 81).

Table 5.1: Number of Independent Pressure Degrees of Freedom in One Element

Element Basic Element Technology KEYOPT(6) Number Interpolation

of Function
Pressure
DOFs
PLANE182 (p. 692)method (selective reduced 1 1 Constant
integration) or uniform reduced
integration
PLANE182 (p. 692)
Enhanced strain formulation 1 3 Linear
PLANE183 (p. 701)
Uniform reduced integration 1 3 Linear
(KEYOPT(1) = 0)
PLANE183 (p. 701)
3-point integration (KEYOPT(1) = 1) 1 3 Linear
SOLID185 (p. 824)method (selective reduced 1 1 Constant
integration) or uniform reduced
integration
SOLID185 (p. 824)
Enhanced strain formulation 1 4 Linear
SOLID186 (p. 843)
Uniform reduced integration 1 4 Linear
SOLID186 (p. 843)
Full integration 1 4 Linear
SOLID187 (p. 861)
4-point integration 1 1 Constant
SOLID187 (p. 861)
4-point integration 2 4 Linear
SOLSH190 (p. 912)
Enhanced strain formulation 1 4 Linear
SOLID272 (p. 1304)
Full integration in the r-z plane. 1 KEYOPT(2) Constant in
the r-z plane
and Fourier
interpolation
in the
circumferential
(θ) direction
SOLID273 (p. 1312)
Uniform integration in the r-z plane. 1 KEYOPT(2) Linear in the
x3 r-z plane and
Fourier
interpolation
in the
circumferential
(θ) direction
SOLID285 (p. 1377)
Stabilized pressure formulation --- 4 Linear

The hydrostatic pressure has an interpolation function one order lower than the one for volumetric
strain. Therefore, elastic strain only agrees with stress in an element on the average instead of point-
wise.

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Elements for Stress Analysis

For current-technology mixed u-P elements, the volume constraint equation is checked for each
element of a nonlinear analysis. The number of elements in which the constraint equation is not
satisfied is reported in the output file. The default tolerance for the volumetric compatibility or
volume constraint check is 1.0 x 10-3. You can change this value if necessary (CNVTOL).

For the SOLID285 (p. 1377) element, hydrostatic pressure is added as a degree of freedom at each
node. The incompressibility is therefore checked at each node (similar to forces). For more inform-
ation, see the documentation for CNVTOL.

The mixed u-P formulation is not needed in plane stress; the incompressibility condition is assumed,
and the thickness is adjusted based on this incompressible assumption. For 2-D elements
PLANE182 (p. 692) and PLANE183 (p. 701), using the mixed u-P formulation with either of the plane
stress options (KEYOPT(3) = 0 or 3), the program resets any KEYOPT(6) setting to 0 automatically
for pure displacement formulation.

5.1.3.3. Applications of Mixed u-P Formulations

Incompressible material behavior can be divided into two categories: fully incompressible materials
and nearly incompressible materials. Typical fully incompressible materials are hyperelastic materials.
A current-technology element with mixed u-P formulation or SOLID285 (p. 1377) is required to
model this material behavior. For element SOLID187 (p. 861), set KEYOPT(6) = 1.

Nearly incompressible materials include hyperelastic materials and elastoplastic materials. The current-
technology elements with mixed u-P formulation and SOLID285 (p. 1377) are available for nearly in-
compressible hyperelastic materials.

The best element choice varies from problem to problem, as indicated in these general guidelines:

• For material behavior with very small compressibility: Use a current-technology element
with mixed u-P formulation or SOLID285 (p. 1377).

• For moderate compressibility: Use PLANE182 (p. 692)/SOLID185 (p. 824) with (most effi-
cient), a current-technology element with mixed u-P formulation, or SOLID285 (p. 1377).

• When deformation is highly confined: Use a current-technology element with mixed u-P
formulation.

Nearly incompressible elastoplastic materials are materials with Poisson's ratio close to 0.5, or
elastoplastic materials undergoing very large plastic deformation. For such cases, especially when
the deformation is close to being fully incompressible, the mixed u-P formulation of the current-
technology elements and SOLID285 (p. 1377) is more robust, yielding better performance. Try pure
displacement formulation (KEYOPT(6) = 0) first, however, because the extra pressure degrees of
freedom are involved in mixed formulation. If you are using mixed formulation with element SOL-
ID187 (p. 861), it is good practice to specify hydrostatic pressure interpolation (KEYOPT(6) = 2).

5.1.3.4. Mixed u-P Models and Overconstraint or No Unique Solution

Avoid overconstrained models when using current-technology elements (p. 35) with mixed u-P
formulation. An overconstrained model means that globally or locally, the number of displacement
degrees of freedom without any prescribed values (Nd) is less than the number of hydrostatic
pressure degrees of freedom (Np). Np can be calculated by the number of elements times the
number of pressure degrees of freedom within each element. (See Table 5.1: Number of Independent

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 Continuum Stress Elements

Pressure Degrees of Freedom in One Element (p. 81) for the specific numbers used with the current-
technology elements.) If different type elements are included, Np is the summation of the products
over each type of mixed formulation element. The overconstrained problem can be overcome by
increasing the number of nodes without any displacement boundary conditions, or by refining the
mesh. The optimal values for Np and Nd are Nd/Np = 2 for 2-D problems and Nd/Np = 3 for 3-D
problems.

On the other hand, SOLID285 (p. 1377) is not likely to be overconstrained. At each node, it has one
pressure degree of freedom and three degrees of freedom (UX, UY, and UZ). These are the best
values for Nd/Np.

When the mixed u-P formulation of the current-technology plane and solid elements is applied to
fully incompressible hyperelastic materials, you must also avoid the "no unique solution" situation.
No unique solution occurs if all boundary nodes have prescribed displacements in each direction
and the material is fully incompressible. Since hydrostatic pressure is independent from deformation,
it should be determined by the force/pressure boundary condition. If no force/pressure boundary
condition is applied, the hydrostatic pressure cannot be determined, or the solution is not unique.
In this case, any stress field in equilibrium would be still in equilibrium and not cause any further
deformation by adding an arbitrary value of hydrostatic pressure. This problem can be solved simply
by having at least one node on the boundary in at least one direction without a prescribed displace-
ment boundary condition. This direction cannot be the tangential direction of the boundary at this
node. That means the solution is the particular one with zero force at the node in that direction
where no displacement is prescribed.

5.1.4. Generalized Plane Strain Options

The generalized plane strain feature assumes a finite deformation domain length in the Z direction,
rather than the infinite value assumed for standard plane strain. Generalized plane strain, therefore,
gives more practical results for deformation problems where the Z-direction dimension is not long
enough. It also offers a more efficient way to simulate certain 3-D deformations using 2-D element
options.

The deformation domain or structure is formed by extruding a plane area along a curve with a constant
curvature, as shown in the following figure:

Figure 5.1: Generalized Plane Strain Deformation

Y

Starting Plane

Starting Point

Ending Plane

Fiber Direction

Ending Point
Z

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Elements for Stress Analysis

The extrusion begins at the starting (or reference) plane and stops at the ending plane. The curve
direction along the extrusion path is called the fiber direction. The starting and ending planes must
be perpendicular to this fiber direction at the beginning and ending intersections.

If the boundary conditions and loads in the fiber direction do not change over the course of the
curve, and if the starting plane and ending plane remain perpendicular to the fiber direction during
deformation, then the amount of deformation of all cross sections is identical throughout the curve,
and does not vary at any curve position in the fiber direction. Any deformation, therefore, can be
represented by the deformation on the starting plane, and the 3-D deformation can be simulated by
solving the deformation problem on the starting plane. The existing plane strain and axisymmetric
options are particular cases of the generalized plane strain option.

All inputs and outputs are in the global Cartesian coordinate system. The starting plane must be the
X-Y plane, and must be meshed. The applied nodal force on the starting plane is the total force along
the fiber length. The geometry in the fiber direction is specified by the rotation about X and Y of the
ending plane and the fiber length passing through a point that you specify on the starting plane,
called the starting (or reference) point. The starting point creates an ending point on the ending
plane through the extrusion process. The boundary conditions and loads in the fiber direction are
specified by applying displacements or forces at the ending point. This ending point can be different
from regular nodes, in that it is designated by the same X-Y coordinates that are fixed in plane during
deformation.

The generalized plane strain option introduces three new degrees of freedom for each element. Two
internal nodes are created automatically at the solution stage for the generalized plane strain option
to carry the extra three degrees of freedom. You can apply boundary conditions and loads and check
the results of the fiber length and rotation angle changes, and reaction forces, using the commands
GSBDATA, GSGDATA, GSSOL, and GSLIST. The results of the fiber length change, rotation angle
change, and reaction forces can also be viewed through OUTPR.

The fiber length change is positive when the fiber length increases. The sign of the rotation angle or
angle change is determined by how the fiber length changes when the coordinates of the ending
point change. If the fiber length decreases when the X coordinate of the ending point increases, the
rotation angle about Y is positive. If the fiber length increases when the Y coordinate of the ending
point increases, the rotation angle about X is positive.

In Eigenvalue analyses, such as Eigen buckling and modal analysis, the generalized plane strain option
usually reports fewer Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors than you would obtain in a 3-D analysis. Because
it reports only homogeneous deformation in the fiber direction, generalized plane strain employs
only three degrees of freedom to account for these deformations. The same 3-D analysis would incor-
porate many more degrees of freedom in the fiber direction.

Because the mass matrix terms relating to degrees of freedom in the fiber direction are approximated
for modal and transient analyses, you cannot use the lumped mass matrix for these types of analyses,
and the solution may be slightly different from regular 3-D simulations when any of the three desig-
nated degrees of freedom is not restrained.

5.1.5. Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric Loads

Axisymmetric problems should be modeled using axisymmetric elements. An axisymmetric model
greatly reduces the modeling and analysis time compared to that of an equivalent 3-D model.

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 Continuum Stress Elements

If loading is also axisymmetric, the analysis is relatively straightforward. However, loading often varies
around the circumference. Two methods are available for handling nonaxisymmetric loading:

• General Axisymmetric Elements (p. 85) -- Support any type of material or loading

• Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements (p. 92) -- Restricted to linear materials and sinusoidal loading.

5.1.5.1. General Axisymmetric Elements

Different from harmonic axisymmetric elements (p. 92), general axisymmetric elements (SOL-
ID272 (p. 1304), SOLID273 (p. 1312), and SURF159 (p. 494)) introduce the Fourier series into the interpol-
ation functions to describe the change of displacements in the circumferential (θ) direction. The
elements can therefore apply to any analysis type, including geometric nonlinear analyses, and can
support any load and deformation mode. For more information, see SOLID272 - General Axisymmetric
Solid with 4 Base Nodes and SOLID273 - General Axisymmetric Solid with 8 Base Nodes in the
Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.

The elements can have any axis as the axisymmetric axis (defined via SECTYPE and SECDATA). You
need only define base elements on a flat plane.

General Axisymmetric Element Terminology

The plane on which quadrilaterals or triangles are defined is called the master plane. The
quadrilaterals, triangles, or lines on the master plane are called base elements, and the nodes
of the quadrilaterals, triangles, and lines are called base nodes.

A nodal plane (copied from the master plane) is a radial plane of Fourier nodes. There are n
nodal planes (where KEYOPT(2) = n), equally spaced around the circumference.

An integration plane sits equally between any two adjacent nodal planes. Integration points
in the circumferential direction are located on both the nodal and integration planes. For
more information, see SOLID272 - General Axisymmetric Solid with 4 Base Nodes in the
Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.

NAXIS automatically creates a full 3-D finite-element model using the base elements, the axisym-
metric axis, and the number of Fourier nodes specified via KEYOPT(2). The axisymmetric axis must
be on the master plane, and the base elements must be on one side of the axis. A base element
or base node must be associated with one axisymmetric axis before issuing NAXIS. All generated
nodes are equally distributed circumferentially.

The default element coordinate system is a cylindrical coordinate system having the axisymmetric
axis as z, the origin defined via SECDATA, and θ = 0 at the master plane. The right-hand rule de-
termines the direction of θ, resulting in x(r), y(θ), and z from the right-hand coordinate system, as
shown:

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Elements for Stress Analysis

Figure 5.2: General Axisymmetric Elements and Their Coordinate Systems (KEYOPT(2) = 3)

The displacements in the r, θ, and z directions, however, are interpolated by

ui = hi(s,t)(c1 + a1cosθ + b1sinθ + a2cos2θ + b2sin2θ + a3cos3θ + b3sin3θ . . .)

where

i = r, θ, z

and

hi(s,t) is the standard interpolation function for 2-D elements.

The nodes can have their own coordinate systems defined in any direction, as is the case with the
nodes of any other solid element. For more detailed information, see General Axisymmetric Solids
in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.

General axisymmetric elements differ from harmonic axisymmetric elements (p. 92) in that you do
not specify the symmetric and unsymmetric terms, input peak values of loads, and solve for each
term as one load step. Instead, you apply all physical loads (forces and displacements) at the nodes
and solve the problem only once to obtain the solution.

The order of hi(s,t) is determined by the element type. (SOLID272 (p. 1304) is a lower-order element
and SOLID273 (p. 1312) is a higher-order element.) The order of Fourier terms is determined by the
number of Fourier nodes, or the number of nodes created in the circumferential direction for one
base node (including the base node itself ). This number is also the number of nodal planes in the
circumferential direction, which you input via the element's KEYOPT(2). The KEYOPT(2) setting, the
number of Fourier nodes, and the Fourier terms are shown in Table 5.2: Fourier Terms for General
Axisymmetric Elements (p. 87). Generally, each Fourier term has different coefficients except when

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 Continuum Stress Elements

KEYOPT(2) is an even number (in which case the highest terms of the sine and cosine have the
same coefficient).

Table 5.2: Fourier Terms for General Axisymmetric Elements

KEYOPT(2) Number of Fourier Terms Degrees

Value Fourier Between
Nodes (and Nodal
Nodal Planes
Planes)
1 1 c1 360
3 3 c1, a1cosθ, b1sinθ 120
4 4 c1, a1cosθ, b1sinθ, a2cos2θ, 90
a2sin2θ
5 5 c1, a1cosθ, b1sinθ, a2cos2θ, 72
b2sin2θ
6 6 c1, a1cosθ, b1sinθ, a2cos2θ, 60
b2sin2θ, a3cos3θ, a3sin3θ
7 7 c1, a1cosθ, b1sinθ, a2cos2θ, 51.43
b2sin2θ, a3cos3θ, b3sin3θ
8 8 c1, a1cosθ, b1sinθ, ... , 45
a4cos4θ, a4sin4θ
9 9 c1, a1cosθ, b1sinθ, ... , 40
a4cos4θ, b4sin4θ
10 10 c1, a1cosθ, b1sinθ, ... , 36
a5cos5θ, a5sin5θ
11 11 c1, a1cosθ, b1sinθ, ... , 32.73
a5cos5θ, b5sin5θ
12 12 c1, a1cosθ, b1sinθ, ... , 30
a6cos6θ, a6sin6θ

For KEYOPT(2) = 1, the deformation is also axisymmetric but, unlike the axisymmetric option of 2-
D elements such as PLANE182 (p. 692), the general axisymmetric elements allow torsion. If no torsion
load exists, it is more efficient to use the axisymmetric elements.

To simulate unsymmetric deformation, set KEYOPT(2) > 1. The greater the number of Fourier nodes,
the more accurate the simulation of complicated deformation modes.

Solve localized deformation problems with a greater number of Fourier nodes (higher-order Fourier
terms). Be aware that the deformation is not as localized as it would be when using standard 3-D
solid elements; with general axisymmetric elements, displacements are interpolated using Fourier
terms in the circumferential direction (rather than being interpolated piecewise using linear/quad-
ratic functions as in 3-D solid elements).

Contact is usually a local phenomenon. Generally, higher-order Fourier terms are necessary.

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Elements for Stress Analysis

The maximum allowed number of Fourier nodes is 12. If more than 12 nodes are necessary, a
general axisymmetric element may not be computationally efficient; therefore, it is better to use a
standard 3-D solid element for such cases.

5.1.5.1.1. Example: 3-D General Axisymmetric Model

The following example input file shows how to use commands and the SOLID272 (p. 1304) element
to generate a 3-D general axisymmetric model. The model represents a simple thread connection
made of two parts, a bolt and a nut, both modeled with 12 Fourier nodes (KEYOPT(2) = 12) and
the global Y axis as the axis of symmetry.
/batch,list
/title, Sample input for generating general axisymmetric solid elements
/prep7
!
et,1,272,,12 !define general axisymmetric SOLID272 with 12 nodes along circumferential direction
et,2,272,,12
!
sect,1,axis !define general axisymmetric section
secd,2,0,2 !use pattern 2 with global Cartesian coordinate system (0)and y as axis of symmetry (2)
!
mp,ex,1,2.0e5 !define elastic material properties
mp,nuxy,1,0.3
!
!
! Create 2D geometry of thread connection (bolt/nut)
!
k,1,1.0,0
k,2,4.0,0
k,3,4,1.5
k,4,5.0,2.5
k,5,5.0,3.5
k,6,4.0,4.5
k,7,4.0,5.5
k,8,5.0,6.5
k,9,5.0,7.5
k,10,4.0,8.5
k,11,4.0,10
k,12,1.0,10
k,13,7.0,0
k,14,7.0,10
!
k,15,4.0,0
k,16,4,1.5
k,17,5.0,2.5
k,18,5.0,3.5
k,19,4.0,4.5
k,20,4.0,5.5
k,21,5.0,6.5
k,22,5.0,7.5
k,23,4.0,8.5
k,24,4.0,10
!
a,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12
a,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,14,13
!
!
!Mesh 2D geometry
!
esize,0.5
type,1 !use type 1 for bolt component
mat,1
secn,1 !use general axisymmetric section
amesh,1 !generate the master plane nodes and elements for bolt component
!
esize,1 !use different mesh
type,2 !use type 2 for nut component

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 Continuum Stress Elements

mat,1
secn,1 !use general axisymmetric section
amesh,2 !generate the master plane nodes and elements for nut component
!
/PNUM,TYPE,1 !display element type numbers
/NUMBER,1 !numbering shown with colors only
eplot !visualise the 2D model
!
!
!Generate full 3D axisymmetric model of bolt and nut using 12 planes
!
naxis
!
/view,1,1,1,1 !isometric view
!
nplot !display the 12 nodal planes along circumferential direction
!
/eshape,1 !display elements with general axisymmetric shape
!
esel,s,type,,1 !display 3D axisymmetric model of bolt
eplot
!
esel,s,type,,2 !display 3D axisymmetric model of nut
eplot
!
esel,all
!
eplot !display full 3D axisymmetric model of bolt and nut
!
fini

The input listing generates the following 2-D and 3-D meshes:

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Elements for Stress Analysis

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 Continuum Stress Elements

The general axisymmetric elements representing the bolt and nut are shown separately in the
figures below:

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Elements for Stress Analysis

5.1.5.2. Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements

An axisymmetric structure can be represented by a plane (X,Y) finite-element model.

Ansys, Inc. recommends general axisymmetric elements (p. 85) SOLID272 (p. 1304) and SOL-
ID273 (p. 1312) for such applications because they can accept any type of load and can support
nonlinear analyses. However, you can also use a special class of axisymmetric elements called har-
monic elements: PLANE25 (p. 171), SHELL61 (p. 251), PLANE75 (p. 280), PLANE78 (p. 289), and
PLANE83 (p. 294). The harmonic elements allow a nonaxisymmetric load and support linear analyses.

Axisymmetric elements are modeled on a 360° basis, so all input and output nodal heat flows,
forces, moments, fluid flows, current flows, electric charges, magnetic fluxes, and magnetic current
segments must be input in this manner. Similarly, input real constants representing volumes, con-
vection areas, thermal capacitances, heat generations, spring constants, and damping coefficients
must also be input in on a 360° basis.

Unless otherwise stated, the model must be defined in the Z = 0.0 plane. The global Cartesian Y
axis is assumed to be the axis of symmetry. Further, the model is developed only in the +X quadrants.
Hence, the radial direction is in the +X direction.

The boundary conditions are described in terms of the structural elements. The forces (FX, FY, etc.)
and displacements (UX, UY, etc.) for the structural elements are input and output in the nodal co-
ordinate system. All nodes along the y axis centerline (at x = 0.0) should have the radial displace-
ments (UX if not rotated) specified as zero, unless a pinhole effect is desired. At least one value of
UY should be specified or constrained to prevent rigid body motions. Torsion, while axisymmetric,
is available only for a few element types. If an element type allows torsion, all UZ degrees of freedom

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 Continuum Stress Elements

should be set to 0.0 on the centerline, and one node with a positive X coordinate must also have
a specified or constrained value of UZ. Pressures and temperatures can be applied directly. Acceler-
ation, if any, is usually input only in the axial (Y) direction; similarly, angular velocity, if any, is usually
input only about the Y axis.

For more information, see Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric Loads (p. 93).

5.1.5.2.1. Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric Loads

An axisymmetric structure (defined with the axial direction along the global Y axis and the radial
direction parallel to the global X axis) can be represented by a plane (X, Y) finite-element model.
The use of an axisymmetric model greatly reduces the modeling and analysis time compared to
that of an equivalent 3-D model. The harmonic axisymmetric elements allow nonaxisymmetric
loads. For these elements (PLANE25 (p. 171), SHELL61 (p. 251), PLANE75 (p. 280), PLANE78 (p. 289),
and PLANE83 (p. 294)), the load is defined as a series of harmonic functions (Fourier series). For
example, a load F is given by:

F(θ) = A0 + A1 cos θ + B1 sin θ + A2 cos 2 θ + B2 sin 2 θ + A3 cos 3 θ + B3 sin 3 θ +

...

Each term of the above series must be defined as a separate load step. A term is defined by the
load coefficient (A or B ), the number of harmonic waves ( ), and the symmetry condition
(cos θ or sin θ). = 0 represents the axisymmetric term (A0). θ is the circumferential coordinate
implied in the model.

The number of harmonic waves, or the mode number, is input via MODE.

The load coefficient is determined from the standard boundary condition input (displacements,
forces, pressures, etc.). Input values for temperature, displacement, and pressure should be the
peak value. The input value for force and heat flow should be a number equal to the peak value
per unit length times the circumference. The symmetry condition is determined from the ISYM
value (also input via MODE). See the element documentation to determine which deformation
shape corresponds to the symmetry conditions.

Results of the analysis are written to the results file. The deflections and stresses are output at
the peak value of the sinusoidal function. The results may be scaled and summed at various cir-
cumferential (θ) locations with POST1. This may be done by storing results data at the desired θ
location using the ANGLE argument of SET. You can define a load case via LCWRITE. Repeat for
each set of results, then combine or scale the load cases as desired via LCOPER. Stress (and
temperature) contour displays and distorted shape displays of the combined results can also be
made.

Use caution if the harmonic elements are mixed with other, nonharmonic elements. The harmonic
elements should not be used in nonlinear analyses, such as large deflection and/or contact ana-
lyses.

The element matrices for harmonic elements are dependent upon the number of harmonic waves
(MODE) and the symmetry condition (ISYM). For this reason, neither the element matrices nor the
triangularized matrix is reused in succeeding substeps if the MODE and ISYM parameters are
changed. In addition, a superelement generated with particular MODE and ISYM values must have
the same values in the "use" pass.

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Elements for Stress Analysis

For stress stiffened (prestressed) structures, only the stress state of the most recent previous
MODE = 0 load case is used, regardless of the current value of MODE.

Loading Cases - The following cases are provided to aid you in obtaining a physical understanding
of the MODE parameter and the symmetric (ISYM=1) and antisymmetric (ISYM=-1) loading condi-
tions. The loading cases are described in terms of the structural elements. The forces (FX, FY, etc.)
and displacements (UX, UY, etc.) for the structural elements are input and output in the nodal
coordinate system. In all cases illustrated, it is assumed that the nodal coordinate system is par-
allel to the global Cartesian coordinate system. The loading description may be extended to any
number of modes. The harmonic thermal elements (PLANE75 (p. 280) and PLANE78 (p. 289)) are
treated the same as PLANE25 (p. 171) and PLANE83 (p. 294), respectively, with the following sub-
stitutions: UY to TEMP, and FY to HEAT. The effects of UX, UZ, ROTZ, FX, FZ and MZ are all ignored
for thermal elements.

Case A: (MODE = 0, ISYM not used) - This is the case of axisymmetric loading except that torsional
effects are included. Figure 5.3: Axisymmetric Radial, Axial, Torsion and Moment Loadings (p. 94)
shows the various axisymmetric loadings. Pressures and temperatures may be applied directly.
Acceleration, if any, is usually input only in the axial (Y) direction. Similarly, angular velocity, if
any, is usually input only about the Y axis.

Figure 5.3: Axisymmetric Radial, Axial, Torsion and Moment Loadings

The total force (F) acting in the axial direction due to an axial input force (FY) is:

where FY is on a full 360° basis.

The total applied moment (M) due to a tangential input force (FZ) acting about the global axis
is:

where FZ is on a full 360° basis. Calculated reaction forces are also on a full 360° basis and the
above expressions may be used to find the total force. Nodes at the centerline (X = 0.0) should

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 Continuum Stress Elements

have UX and UZ (and ROTZ, for SHELL61 (p. 251)) specified as zero, unless a pinhole effect is desired.
At least one value of UY should be specified or constrained to prevent rigid body motions. Also,
one node with a nonzero, positive X coordinate must have a specified or constrained value of
UZ if applicable. When Case A defines the stress state used in stress stiffened analyses, torsional
stress is not allowed.

Case B: (MODE = 1, ISYM=1) - An example of this case is the bending of a pipe. Figure 5.4: Bending
and Shear Loading (ISYM = 1) (p. 95) shows the corresponding forces or displacements on a
nodal circle. All functions are based on sin θ or cos θ. The input and output values of UX, FX, etc.,
represent the peak values of the displacements or forces. The peak values of UX, UY, FX and FY
(and ROTZ and MZ for SHELL61 (p. 251)) occur at θ = 0°, whereas the peak values of UZ and FZ
occur at θ = 90°. Pressures and temperatures are applied directly as their peak values at θ = 0°.
The thermal load vector is computed from Tpeak, where Tpeak is the input element or nodal tem-
perature. The reference temperature for thermal strain calculations (TREF) is internally set to zero
in the thermal strain calculation for the harmonic elements if MODE > 0. Gravity (g) acting in the
global X direction should be input (ACEL) as ACELX = g, ACELY = 0.0, and ACELZ = -g. The peak
values of σx, σ y, σz and σ xy occur at θ = 0° , whereas the peak values of σ yz and σ xz occur at
90 °.

Figure 5.4: Bending and Shear Loading (ISYM = 1)

The total applied force in the global X direction (F) due to both an input radial force (FX) and a
tangential force (FZ) is:

where FX and FZ are the peak forces on a full 360° basis. Calculated reaction forces are also the
peak values on a full 360° basis and the above expression may be used to find the total force.
These net forces are independent of radius so that they may be applied at any radius (including
X = 0.0) for the same net effect.

An applied moment (M) due to an axial input force (FY) for this case can be computed as follows:

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Elements for Stress Analysis

An additional applied moment (M) is generated based on the input moment (MZ):

If it is desired to impose a uniform lateral displacement (or force) on the cross section of a cyl-
indrical structure in the global X direction, equal magnitudes of UX and UZ (or FX and FZ) may
be combined as shown in Figure 5.5: Uniform Lateral Loadings (p. 96).

Figure 5.5: Uniform Lateral Loadings

When UX and UZ are input in this manner, the nodal circle moves in an uniform manner. When
FX and FZ are input in this manner, a uniform load is applied about the circumference, but the
resulting UX and UZ are not, in general, of the same magnitude. If it is necessary to have the
nodal circle moving in a rigid manner, it can be done via constraint equations (CE) so that UX =
-UZ.

Node points on the centerline (X = 0.0) should have UY specified as zero. Further, UX must equal
-UZ at all points along the centerline, which may be enforced with constraint equations. To prevent
rigid body motions, at least one value of UX or UZ, as well as one value of UY (not at the
centerline), or ROTZ, should be specified or constrained in some manner. For SHELL61 (p. 251), if
plane sections (Y = constant) are to remain plane, ROTZ should be related to UY by means of
constraint equations at the loaded nodes.

Case C: (MODE = 1, ISYM = -1) - This case (shown in Figure 5.6: Bending and Shear Loading (ISYM
= -1) (p. 96)) represents a pipe bending in a direction 90° to that described in Case B.

Figure 5.6: Bending and Shear Loading (ISYM = -1)

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 Shell Elements

The same description applying to Case B applies also to Case C, except that the negative signs
on UZ, FZ, and the direction cosine are changed to positive signs. Also, the location of the peak
values of various quantities are switched between the 0° and 90° locations.

Case D: (MODE = 2, ISYM = 1) - The displacement and force loadings associated with this case are
shown in Figure 5.7: Displacement and Force Loading Associated with MODE = 2 and ISYM =
1 (p. 97). All functions are based on sin 2 θ and cos 2 θ.

Figure 5.7: Displacement and Force Loading Associated with MODE = 2 and ISYM = 1

Additional Cases: There is no programmed limit to the value of MODE. Additional cases can be
defined.

5.2. Shell Elements

Use shell elements to model thin structures (where one dimension is much smaller than the other two
dimensions). Shell elements decouple the deformation on the surface and the deformation in the normal
direction, allowing for a simple and efficient simulation of a thin structure.

No firm rules exist to indicate when it is best to use shell elements. If the structure acts as a shell, you
can use shell elements.

Shell elements are usually created by meshing a surface representing the position and shape of the
structure, and associating them with section data to represent shell thickness and properties.

The following additional topics concerning shell elements are available:

5.2.1. Axisymmetric Shells
5.2.2. Shell Stress and Stiffness
5.2.3. Membrane and Surface Stress Options
5.2.4. Shell Shear and Warping
5.2.5. Curved Shell Elements
5.2.6. Shell Element Coordinate System
5.2.7. Shell Element Nodes

5.2.1. Axisymmetric Shells

In addition to 3-D shell elements, axisymmetric shell elements are available for efficiently modeling
axisymmetric shell structures in 2-D.

Axisymmetric shell elements, such as SHELL208 (p. 966) and SHELL209 (p. 977), may include out-of-
plane translational degrees of freedom to model uniform torsion about the axis.

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Elements for Stress Analysis

5.2.2. Shell Stress and Stiffness

Only plane stress state is allowed in shell elements. Normal thickness stress may be recovered in some
shell elements; however, recovered normal thickness stress is a postprocessing quantity and does not
contribute to the total element strain energy.

Shell elements withhold external load with membrane, bending, and transverse shear stiffness. The
in-plane rotational (drill) stiffness is added at the nodes for solution stability, as shell elements do not
have a true in-plane rotational stiffness; consequently, do not expect the in-plane rotational stiffness
to carry a load. For lower-order shells with uniform reduced integration, a small artificial stiffness may
be included for suppressing the hourglass modes.

5.2.3. Membrane and Surface Stress Options

Some shell elements have an option allowing them to be used as membrane elements. Such elements
allow deformation in the plane of the surface only (that is, stresses do not vary through the thickness).
Only membrane stiffness is accounted for. Shell bending, transverse shear, and drill stiffness are ex-
cluded; therefore, only translational degrees of freedom are retained. Membrane elements are suitable
for modeling extremely thin shells or composite shells with small bending stiffness. Specifying the
membrane option for these structures can generally avoid ill-conditioned systems; however, because
membrane elements are capable of multiple free-energy modes, using those elements alone is not
recommended.

A surface-stress option is available for some shell elements, which excludes all element stiffness and
mass contribution. The option allows shell elements to serve as a strain gauge for precision measure-
ment of stresses, strains, and other element solution quantities at selected locations in the model.
Similar to the membrane option, the surface-stress option requires only translational degrees of
freedom.

5.2.4. Shell Shear and Warping

The only shear on the free surfaces of a shell element is in-plane. Normals to the shell middle surface
stay straight, but not necessarily normal. As a result, the in-plane strain variation through the thickness
cannot be more complex than linear.

The assumption of linear in-plane strain variation through the thickness is invalid at the edges of
layered composite shell elements that have different material properties at each layer. For accurate
stresses in this area, consider using submodeling.

The program does not verify that the element thickness exceeds its width (or many times its width),
as such an element may be part of a fine mesh of a larger model that acts as a shell.

If the initial shape of the model is curved, then the radius/thickness ratio is important because the
strain distribution through the thickness departs from linear as the ratio decreases. With the exception
of SHELL61 (p. 251), all shell elements allow shear deformation, important for relatively thick shells.

Various shell element types tolerate a different degree of warping before their results become ques-
tionable (as described in Warping Factor in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference). Four-node shell
elements that do not have all of their nodes in the same plane are considered to be warped. Eight-
node shell elements can accept a much greater degree of warping, but unlike other midside-node
elements, their midside nodes cannot be dropped.

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 Beam and Link (Truss) Elements

5.2.5. Curved Shell Elements

Some shell elements, such as SHELL181 (p. 673) and SHELL281 (p. 1360), use an advanced element for-
mulation that accurately incorporates initial curvature effects.

The calculation for effective curvature change accounts for both shell-membrane and thickness strains.
The formulation generally offers excellent accuracy in curved-shell-structure simulations, especially
when thickness strain is significant or the material anisotropy in the thickness direction cannot be
ignored.

5.2.6. Shell Element Coordinate System

The element coordinate system (p. 61) for all shell elements has the z axis normal to the plane. The
element x axis is in the plane, with its orientation determined by one of the following:

• ESYS

• Side I-J of the element

• Real constants

5.2.7. Shell Element Nodes

Nodes are normally located on the center plane of the element. You can offset nodes from the center
plane using either of the following methods:

• SECOFFSET

• A rigid link (MPC184 (p. 710)) that connects a middle surface node to an out-of-plane node.

Use node offsets with care when modeling initially curved structures with either flat or curved elements.
For curved elements, an increased mesh density in the circumferential direction may improve the
results.

5.3. Beam and Link (Truss) Elements

Use beam or link (truss) elements to represent relatively long, thin pieces of structural continua (where
two dimensions are much smaller than the other dimension).

Beam elements assume the direct stresses in the nonaxial direction to be zero, and ignore the deform-
ations in the nonaxial directions (although cross sections can be scaled in a nonlinear analysis). For link
elements, shear stress, stress gradients, and deformation are also ignored.

Simulating beam/truss structures is relatively simple, as elements can be created by meshing lines or
curves representing the position and shape of the structure (rather than by meshing the volumes). The
elements are associated with section data to represent the beam or truss cross sections.

Although beams can be used in cases where link/truss elements suffice, they are not as computationally
efficient as link elements.

The available beam element types are:

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Elements for Stress Analysis

• BEAM188 (p. 868), a 3-D two-node beam

• BEAM189 (p. 890), a 3-D three-node beam

Both elements are based on Timoshenko beam theory which includes shear-deformation effects. The
elements can account for unrestrained warping and restrained warping of cross-sections.

Because bending resistances, element loads, or both are normally different in the y and z directions, a
beam element must be oriented about its own axis. Typically, the orientation is accomplished via an
orientation node, a node not lying on its own axis.

If bending resistance is negligible, consider using LINK180 (p. 665), a 3-D spar (or truss).

5.4. Pipe Elements

Use pipe elements to represent straight, slender to moderately stubby/thick pipe structures. The elements
are especially useful in the offshore drilling industry, as their cross-section data includes interior fluid
and outside insulation.

A pipe element is a special form of beam element (p. 99). As with beams, pipe elements are created
by meshing lines or curves, and the elements must be associated with section data. A pipe differs from
a beam in the following ways, however:

• A pipe cross-section is normally axisymmetric so that the bending resistance is the same in both
directions.

Element orientation (via an orientation node) is still necessary, however, as the element loads can
differ in the y and z directions.

• A pipe can account for both internal and external pressures.

• A pipe element has support for many nonlinear material models.

The available pipe element types are:

• PIPE288 (p. 1383), a 3-D two-node pipe

• PIPE289 (p. 1403), a 3-D three-node pipe

Both elements are based on Timoshenko beam theory which includes shear-deformation effects.

Also available is ELBOW290 (p. 1421), a special 3-D three-node pipe used for modeling curved pipes. The
element can account for cross-sectional distortion.

5.5. Reinforcing Elements

Reinforced materials are used extensively in civil engineering construction and composite structures.
Use reinforcing elements to model reinforcing in either of two forms: cable (such as steel rebar in rein-
forced concrete) or fiber (such as the carbon fiber in fiber-reinforced composites). Regardless of the
form, you can perform both a structural and a thermal analysis of the reinforcing.

Two methods are supported for modeling reinforcing cables or fibers:

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 Surface Elements

5.5.1. Discrete Reinforcing

5.5.2. Smeared Reinforcing

For more information, see Reinforcing in the Structural Analysis Guide and the documentation for the
reinforcing elements (p. 18) (REINFnnn).

5.5.1. Discrete Reinforcing

The discrete reinforcing method allows reinforcing fibers to be accounted for individually. This method
is suitable for modeling sparsely placed fibers, or fibers with nonuniform properties, such as cross-
section area, material, spacing, and orientation.

The discrete reinforcing element REINF264 (p. 1285) is used to add individual fibers to 3-D link, beam,
shell and solid elements. The element supports both structural and thermal analysis. Multiple reinforcing
fibers are allowed in a single element.

5.5.2. Smeared Reinforcing

The smeared reinforcing method is suitable for modeling clusters of reinforcing fibers appearing in
layer or sheet form. Each layer of fibers is simplified as a homogeneous membrane having unidirec-
tional stiffness.

Fibers in the same layer must have uniform cross-section, material, spacing, and orientation.

The smeared reinforcing elements are:

• REINF263 (p. 1276) -- Used with 2-D solids such as plane stress, plane strain, axisymmetric and gener-
alized plane strain, and axisymmetric shell elements. The element supports structural analysis only.

• REINF265 (p. 1294) -- Used with 3-D solid and shell elements. The element supports both structural
and thermal analysis.

5.6. Surface Elements

As its name implies, a surface element (p. 23) (SURFnnn) is normally attached to the surface of a solid
element. By using a surface element, you can include a number of specialized surface effects without
having to apply them individually to the solid elements in your model.

Examples of surface effects include:

• Hydrostatic pressure

• Ocean loading

• Directed pressure

• Radiation

• Surface mass

• Thermal connection with FLUID116 (p. 343)

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Elements for Stress Analysis

• Surface tension

• Foundation stiffness

Not all effects are available with all surface elements.

5.7. Elements Used to Model the Truncation of an Infinite Structural Do-

main
It is sometimes necessary to represent an infinite domain within a finite FEA simulation model when a
structural problem contains an infinite open domain. The structural infinite elements and the perfectly
matched layers (PML) technology offer two methods for truncating the infinite domain without affecting
the true solution. Following are the elements that correspond to these two methods.

Structural infinite domain element:

INFIN257 (p. 1270) - Structural Infinite Solid

Structural elements that support perfectly matched layers (PML):

PLANE182 (p. 692) - 2-D 4-Node Structural Solid

PLANE183 (p. 701) - 2-D 8-Node or 6-Node Structural Solid
SOLID185 (p. 824) - 3-D 8-Node Structural Solid
SOLID186 (p. 843) - 3-D 20-Node Structural Solid
SOLID187 (p. 861) - 3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Structural Solid

The following topics describe and compare the two methods of modeling an infinite domain.
5.7.1. Structural Infinite Element
5.7.2. Perfectly Matched Layers (PML) for Structural Elements
5.7.3. Recommendations for Infinite Element vs. PML

5.7.1. Structural Infinite Element

The structural infinite element, INFIN257 (p. 1270), is used to model an infinite domain. For static ana-
lysis, the element adapts the theory of the mapped element. For dynamic analysis, the element adapts
the theory of absorbing boundary. For details, see INFIN257 - Structural Infinite Solid in the Theory
Reference.

Following are advantages to using this element:

• The element can be used to model the infinite medium with a reduced model size (fewer
elements).

• With the reduced number of elements, the computation cost is cheaper than the same model
with finite elements only.

Following are limitations for this element:

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 Elements Used to Model the Truncation of an Infinite Structural Domain

• In a static analysis, the solution is sensitive to the pole position according to the application.
Therefore, you should set the pole position near the loading position, or at the center of the
loads if there are multiple loading positions.

• In a dynamic analysis, the simulation results may not be highly accurate (but are acceptable)
due to the limitation of the theory of the absorbing boundary.

See EINFIN and the INFIN257 (p. 1270) description for information about how to define and use this
element type.

5.7.2. Perfectly Matched Layers (PML) for Structural Elements

The structural PML feature is an artificial anisotropic material used to truncate the structural infinite
FEA open domain. PML are defined by the PLANE182 (p. 692), PLANE183 (p. 701), SOLID185 (p. 824),
SOLID186 (p. 843), and SOLID187 (p. 861) elements with KEYOPT(15) = 1. The PML feature is supported
for linear static and harmonic structural analyses. For the lower order elements (PLANE182 (p. 692)
and SOLID185 (p. 824)), PML is only supported with the B-bar method.

In a structural harmonic analysis, the outgoing elastic waves are absorbed by the PML without any
reflections. In a structural static analysis, the fringing displacement is attenuated rapidly in the PML
without affecting the values of displacement in the normal FEA domain.

The use of PML leads to higher accuracy, especially in harmonic analysis. Refer to Perfectly Matched
Layers (PML) in Elastic Media in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for structural PML theory.

Modeling PML requires a cubic enclosure for three-dimensional models and more than three layers.
The PML accommodate the symmetry of the model. The displacement values on the exterior surface
of structural PML must be set to zero. The structural PML feature does not support transient analysis.

Refer to Perfectly Matched Layers (PML) in the Acoustic Analysis Guide for information on how to
construct PML in your model.

5.7.3. Recommendations for Infinite Element vs. PML

The following table indicates under what circumstances the infinite element and the PML feature are
applicable.

Table 5.3: Infinite Element vs. PML

Application Domain Analysis Type Infinite Element PML

Static Yes Yes
2-D Transient Yes No
Harmonic Yes Yes
Static [1] Yes Yes
3-D Transient Yes No
Harmonic [2] Yes Yes

1. If you want to run a pole-independent (or pole-insensitive) analysis, the PML feature is recommen-
ded.

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Elements for Stress Analysis

2. The PML feature is recommended for higher accuracy.

5.8. Automatic Selection of Element Technologies and Formulations

With the variety of technologies available in many elements, choosing the best settings to solve your
problem efficiently can be challenging. Particularly in the newer structural and solid elements for stress
analysis, an element might offer two to four technologies.

The program can offer suggestions (or reset the technology settings) to help you achieve the best
solution via ETCONTROL. The command helps you to select the appropriate element technologies by
considering the stress state, the options set on the element type, and the associated constitutive
models of the element type. ETCONTROL supports all applicable current-technology elements (p. 35).

The materials associated with each element type are detected at the solution stage and are classified
as:

• Elastoplastic materials, including:

– Linear elastic materials with Poisson's ratio <= 0.49

– Linear elastic materials with Poisson's ratio > 0.49

– Anisotropic materials (not including orthotropic materials defined via MP)

– Elastoplastic materials (other nonlinear materials except hyperelastic materials)

• Hyperelastic materials, including:

– Nearly incompressible hyperelastic materials

– Fully incompressible hyperelastic materials

In practical application, one element type could be associated with more than one constitutive model,
for example, linear elastic and elastoplastic materials. For this case, the suggestions/resettings are based
on elastoplastic materials, which need more complicated element technology. The list of constitutive
models above is organized in order of complexity, with the bottom ones more difficult to solve numer-
ically. When an element type is associated with multiple constitutive models, the more complex one is
used in the automatic selection of the element technology.

When using ETCONTROL, the suggestions given or settings changed are described in the tables below.

Table 5.4: Recommendation Criteria for Element Technology (Linear Material)

Linear Materials Only

Element Stress State / Poisson's ratio (ν) <= Poisson's ratio (ν) > 0.49
Option 0.49 (or anisotropic
materials)
SHELL181 (p. 673) Default KEYOPT(3) = 2 for higher accuracy of membrane stress,
otherwise, KEYOPT(3) = 0; KEYOPT(8) = 2 for all cases
Membrane-only KEYOPT(3) = 2 for higher accuracy of stress, otherwise,
option (KEYOPT(1) = KEYOPT(3) = 0; KEYOPT(8) = 0 for all cases
1)

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 Automatic Selection of Element Technologies and Formulations

Linear Materials Only

Element Stress State / Poisson's ratio (ν) <= Poisson's ratio (ν) > 0.49
Option 0.49 (or anisotropic
materials)
SOLID272 (p. 1304) KEYOPT(6) = 0 KEYOPT(6) = 1
SOLID273 (p. 1312) No change. (Default element settings are best.)
SOLID285 (p. 1377) No change. (Default element settings are best.)
PLANE182 (p. 692) Plane stress KEYOPT(1) = 2
Not plane stress KEYOPT(1) = 3 [a] KEYOPT(1) = 2
PLANE183 (p. 701) Plane stress No change. (Default element settings are best.)
Not plane stress No change. (Default element settings are best.)
SOLID185 (p. 824) KEYOPT(2) = 3 [a] KEYOPT(2) = 2
SOLID186 (p. 843) KEYOPT(2) = 0[b]
SOLID187 (p. 861) No change. (Default element settings are best.)
SOLID285 (p. 1377) KEYOPT(1) = 0
BEAM188 (p. 868) KEYOPT(3) = 2, KEYOPT(1) = 1 [c]

BEAM189 (p. 890) KEYOPT(1) = 1 [c]

SHELL208 (p. 966) KEYOPT(8) = 2

SHELL209 (p. 977) KEYOPT(8) = 2
SHELL281 (p. 1360) No change. (Default element settings are best.)
PIPE288 (p. 1383) KEYOPT(3) = 2 KEYOPT(3) = 2
KEYOPT(4) = 2 KEYOPT(4) = 1
KEYOPT(15) = 1 KEYOPT(15) = 1
[d] [d]

PIPE289 (p. 1403) KEYOPT(4) = 2 KEYOPT(4) = 1

KEYOPT(15) = 1 KEYOPT(15) = 1
[d] [d]

[a] If the material is orthotropic, set the KEYOPT to 2 (so that the program considers the ma-
terial to be anisotropic).
[b] Full integration (KEYOPT(2)=1) will be suggested or used with SOLID186 (p. 843) when
coupled field elements PLANE222 (p. 1042), PLANE223 (p. 1065), SOLID225 (p. 1097), SOL-
ID226 (p. 1122), and SOLID227 (p. 1155) are present in the same model.
[c] Only when the element section is not circular; otherwise, KEYOPT(1) = 0.

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Elements for Stress Analysis

[d] Only when the element cross section is composite; otherwise, KEYOPT(15) = 0.

Table 5.5: Recommendation Criteria for Element Technology (Nonlinear Materials)

Nonlinear Materials
Element Stress State / Elastoplastic Hyperelastic materials only
Option materials (may also
have hyperelastic
materials)
SHELL181 (p. 673) Default KEYOPT(3) = 2 for KEYOPT(3) = 0, KEYOPT(8) = 0
higher accuracy of
membrane stress,
otherwise, KEYOPT(3)
= 0; KEYOPT(8) = 2
for all cases
Membrane-only KEYOPT(3) = 2 for KEYOPT(3) = 0, KEYOPT(8) = 0
option (KEYOPT(1) = higher accuracy of
1) stress, otherwise,
KEYOPT(3) = 0;
KEYOPT(8) = 0 for all
cases
PLANE182 (p. 692) Plane stress KEYOPT(1) = 2 KEYOPT(1) = 0
Not plane stress KEYOPT(1) = 2 [a]
KEYOPT(1) = 0 [a]

PLANE183 (p. 701) Plane stress No change. (Default element settings are best.)
Not plane stress no change (default element settings are best) [a]

SOLID185 (p. 824) KEYOPT(2) = 2 [a]

KEYOPT(2) = 0 [a]

SOLID186 (p. 843) KEYOPT(2) = 0 [a]

SOLID187 (p. 861) No change. (Default element settings are best.) [a]

SOLID272 (p. 1304) KEYOPT(6) = 1

SOLID273 (p. 1312) No change. (Default element settings are best.) [a]

SOLID285 (p. 1377) KEYOPT(1) = 0

BEAM188 (p. 868) KEYOPT(3) = 2, KEYOPT(1) = 1 [b]

BEAM189 (p. 890) KEYOPT(1) = 1 [b]

SHELL208 (p. 966) KEYOPT(8) = 2 KEYOPT(8) = 0

SHELL209 (p. 977) KEYOPT(8) = 2 KEYOPT(8) = 0
SHELL281 (p. 1360) No change. (Default element settings are best.)
PIPE288 (p. 1383) KEYOPT(3) = 2
KEYOPT(4) = 2
[c]
KEYOPT(15) = 1
PIPE289 (p. 1403) KEYOPT(4) = 2

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 Elements Under Linear Perturbation

Nonlinear Materials
Element Stress State / Elastoplastic Hyperelastic materials only
Option materials (may also
have hyperelastic
materials)
[c]
KEYOPT(15) = 1
[a] If even one of your hyperelastic materials is fully incompressible, then KEYOPT(6) = 1 is re-
quired. Therefore, Ansys, Inc. recommends using a different element type for such materials
to avoid using the more costly mixed u-P formulation where it is not needed.
[b] Only when the element section is not circular, otherwise KEYOPT(1) = 0.
[c] Only when the element cross section is composite; otherwise, KEYOPT(15) = 0

For the solid elements listed above, ETCONTROL provides suggestions or resets the KEYOPTs for the
element technology settings (such as KEYOPT(1) for PLANE182 (p. 692), KEYOPT(2) for SOLID185 (p. 824)
and SOLID186 (p. 843)). The mixed u-P formulation KEYOPT(6) (for PLANE182 (p. 692), PLANE183 (p. 701),
SOLID185 (p. 824), SOLID186 (p. 843), SOLID187 (p. 861), SOLID272 (p. 1304), SOLID273 (p. 1312)) or KEYOPT(1)
(for SOLID285 (p. 1377)) is reset when necessary (that is, when fully incompressible hyperelastic materials
are associated with non-plane stress states).

For BEAM188 (p. 868) and BEAM189 (p. 890), KEYOPT(1) is always suggested for non-circular cross section
beams and should be reset when ETCONTROL,SET,.. is issued. However, the KEYOPT setting changes
the number of degrees of freedom at each node, so it must be set before you issue D, DK, DA, or sim-
ilar commands. Because the ETCONTROL reset occurs at the beginning of solution, a message appears
indicating stating that you should change KEYOPT(1) to 1, but the change does not occur automatically.

For SHELL181 (p. 673), the setting for KEYOPT(3) depends on whether the element type is associated
with any non-hyperelastic materials. If it is, the program cannot reset it automatically, but it displays a
message with the recommended setting (even if you issued ETCONTROL,SET). Reset manually if the
defined criteria matches your problem.

For the coupled-field elements PLANE222 (p. 1042), PLANE223 (p. 1065), SOLID225 (p. 1097), SOLID226 (p. 1122),
and SOLID227 (p. 1155), see the individual element descriptions for information about ETCONTROL sug-
gestions/resettings.

If an element type is defined but not associated with any material, no suggestions or resets are done
for that element type. The stress states and options are mentioned only when they affect the suggestions
or settings. The suggestions are available in output.

All nonlinear stress/strain data should be input as true-stress/true-(logarithmic-) strain. Accordingly, all
output data is also indicated as true-stress/true-strain. For small strains, the true-stress/true-strain data
and engineering-stress/engineering-strain data are essentially identical.

5.9. Elements Under Linear Perturbation

Most current-technology elements support linear perturbation analysis.

Because linear perturbation is based on a solution at a particular time from a linear or nonlinear analysis,
known as the base (or prior) analysis, the element behaviors are based on the properties and behavior
of the base analysis, but are different from the base analysis.

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Elements for Stress Analysis

The following elements can be used in a linear perturbation analysis as well as any downstream analyses:

Table 5.6: Elements Supporting Linear Perturbation Analysis

Category Element Name(s)

[a]
Beam BEAM188 (p. 868), BEAM189 (p. 890)
Circuit CIRCU94 (p. 311), CIRCU124 (p. 372)
[b]
CMS Superelement MATRIX50 (p. 240)
(or substructure)
Contact TARGE169 (p. 504), TARGE170 (p. 516), CONTA172 (p. 531), CONTA174 (p. 557),
CONTA175 (p. 586), CONTA177 (p. 614), CONTA178 (p. 637)
Elbow ELBOW290 (p. 1421)
Hydrostatic Fluid HSFLD241 (p. 1242), HSFLD242 (p. 1249)
Interface INTER192 (p. 922), INTER193 (p. 926), INTER194 (p. 931), INTER195 (p. 936)
Pipes PIPE288 (p. 1383), PIPE289 (p. 1403)
Reinforcing REINF263 (p. 1276), REINF264 (p. 1285), REINF265 (p. 1294)
Shells SHELL181 (p. 673), SHELL208 (p. 966), SHELL209 (p. 977), SHELL281 (p. 1360)[a]
Solid (2-D) FLUID29 (p. 183), PLANE121 (p. 355), PLANE182 (p. 692), PLANE183 (p. 701),
PLANE222 (p. 1042), PLANE233 (p. 1201)
Solid (3-D) SOLID185 (p. 824), SOLID186 (p. 843), SOLID187 (p. 861), SOLID285 (p. 1377),
SOLID225 (p. 1097), SOLID226 (p. 1122), SOLID227 (p. 1155), SOLID237 (p. 1219),
FLUID30 (p. 188), FLUID220 (p. 1041), FLUID221 (p. 1041), SOLID272 (p. 1304),
SOLID273 (p. 1312)
Solid-Shell SOLSH190 (p. 912)
Spar LINK180 (p. 665)
Specialty MASS21 (p. 168), MATRIX27 (p. 178), TRANS126 (p. 387), PRETS179 (p. 662),
MPC184 (p. 710), MESH200 (p. 941), FOLLW201 (p. 949)
Spring/Damper COMBIN14 (p. 161), COMBIN39 (p. 221), COMBI214 (p. 1002), COMBI250 (p. 1256)
Surface SURF153 (p. 459), SURF154 (p. 468), SURF156 (p. 484), SURF159 (p. 494)
[a] Not supported for nonlinear general beam sections (SECTYPE,GENB) or preintegrated
general shell sections (SECTYPE,GENS).
[b] MATRIX50 (p. 240) can be used in a linear perturbation analysis the same way it is used in
a typical substructure use pass. However, MATRIX50 (p. 240) is treated as a linear element
in the linear perturbation analysis and is not prestressed.

5.9.1. Material Properties of Structural Elements in Linear Perturbation

The base analysis of the linear perturbation can be a nonlinear analysis with nonlinear materials,
geometric nonlinearity, or contact elements included in the model. In the linear perturbation analysis,
the geometric nonlinearity at the substep where linear perturbation is initiated is completely inherited
in of Equation 15.254 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference. This includes large deformation,
large rotation, and contact effects. The linear perturbation analysis can be understood as an iteration
in the nonlinear base analysis. In the linear perturbation analysis, all of the nonlinear effects are taken
into consideration and “frozen” so that the loading and deformation is linear. The nonlinear effects
are also carried to the stress expansion pass and the following downstream analysis, if any.

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 Elements Under Linear Perturbation

5.9.1.1. Specifying Material Behavior in Linear Perturbation

Any nonlinear material must behave linearly in the linear perturbation analysis. For all materials,
the same material properties used in the linear perturbation are also used in the stress-expansion
pass and in all subsequent downstream analyses, if any.

Linear Materials

For pure linear elastic materials used in the base analysis, the same properties are used in the linear
perturbation. Because the material constitutive curve is a line, the tangent is the same as the line.
The material-handling key (MatKey) specified via PERTURB is ignored.

Hyperelastic Materials

For hyperelastic materials used in the base analysis, the material properties are assumed to be linear
elastic. The program obtains the material property data (material Jacobian) based on the tangent
of the hyperelastic material's constitutive law at the point where restart or linear perturbation occurs.
The material-handling key (MatKey) specified via the PERTURB command is ignored.

Nonlinear Materials Other Than Hyperelastic Materials

For any nonlinear materials other than hyperelastic materials used in the base analysis, the material
properties are assumed to be linear elastic. The program determines the material properties based
on the material-handling key (MatKey) specified via PERTURB, as follows:

• If the default automatic material-handling behavior (MatKey = AUTO) is in effect, the program
uses the linear portion of the nonlinear materials (that is, the parts defined via MP) for the linear
perturbation.

• If the tangent option (MatKey = TANGENT) is in effect, the program uses the consistent tangent
on the material constitutive curve for the linear perturbation. The program obtains the consistent
tangent at the point where restart or linear perturbation occurs.

For most materials, the tangent option gives different material properties than those given by the
automatic option. It is possible, however, that they could be identical or very similar if a.) the ma-
terial is elasto-plastic rate-independent and is unloading (or has neutral loading) at the restart point,
or b.) the material is rate-dependent, depending on the material properties and loading conditions.

5.9.2. Interpretation of Structural Element Results After a Linear Perturbation

Analysis
After a linear perturbation analysis, the reported stress, elastic strain, and thermal strains are the values
due to the linear perturbation analysis; for example, for linear perturbation modal analysis, the stress
and elastic strain are the values due to the mode shapes. The effects of any geometric nonlinearity
are taken into consideration in the stress expansion.

Because a linear perturbation analysis can be understood as an extra iteration of a base analysis, all
history-dependent results of the base analysis are inherited in the results of the linear perturbation
analysis. Therefore, any plastic strains, creep strains, swelling strains, and contact results from the
base analysis are available in the results data of the linear perturbation analysis.

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Elements for Stress Analysis

The total strain is the sum of all strains (for example, PLNSOL,EPTO). The nonlinear solution quantities
such as equivalent stress, stress state ratio, and plastic state variable (for example, PLESOL,NL,...) are
also available. The one exception is that hydrostatic pressure is the value from the linear perturbation
analysis instead of from the base analysis.

For hyperelastic materials, the strain after the linear perturbation analysis is the elastic strain due to
the linear perturbation analysis, and the total strain is the same as the elastic strain. For plane stress
cases, the direct strain in the Z direction is calculated with the incompressible condition for hypere-
lastic materials, and with linear elastic material properties for any material other than hyperelastic
materials.

The energy densities (for example, PLESOL,SEND,...) are inherited from the base analysis, except for
the elastic energy density which is energy density calculated in the linear perturbation analysis.
However, the reported strain energy (for example, PRESOL,SENE) includes the elastic part due to linear
perturbation and others inherited from the base analysis (if any).

If the base analysis includes geometric nonlinearity, the Euler angles or the geometric nonlinear effects
of the base analysis are available in the results file. Thus, all the output quantities of the linear per-
turbation analysis are reported consistently in global, local, and rotated local coordinate systems, as
in the base analysis.

Temperatures saved in the linear perturbation results (Jobname.rstp) are the temperatures which
have been modified during the second phase of the linear perturbation procedure (that is, as the
perturbation load). This is only applicable to linear perturbation eigenvalue buckling analysis.

5.9.3. Loads, Initial Conditions, and Other Limitations in Linear Perturbation

The following restrictions apply to linear perturbation analysis:

• Perturbation loads cannot be non-mechanical loading such as initial conditions (INISTATE) or

swelling effects. These loads cannot be modified or deleted during the linear perturbation analysis.

• For a linear perturbation static or eigenvalue buckling analysis, a thermal load can be modified by
specifying a new temperature in the second phase of the linear perturbation procedure. In a linear
perturbation static or buckling analysis, assuming that the base analysis is nonlinear, the reference
temperature is the temperature from which the linear perturbation analysis is restarted (and not
the reference temperature (TREF) from the base analysis).

• If the base analysis is linear, then the reference temperature used in the linear perturbation is the
TREF temperature from the base analysis.

• Thermal loads from the base analysis are ignored in a linear perturbation modal or full harmonic
analysis. In addition, you cannot apply thermal loads in the second phase of a linear perturbation
modal or full harmonic analysis.

• No element can be activated or deactivated using the birth and death feature during the second
phase of a linear perturbation analysis; however, this is allowed in the first phase of linear perturb-
ation.

• Linear perturbation analyses do not support user-defined materials (user subroutine UserMat).

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Chapter 6: Elements for Multiphysics Analysis
Many elements are available for creating models for analyses that involve various physics and that are
not strictly structural in nature.

The following topics are available:

6.1. Elements for Coupled-Physics Analysis
6.2. Elements for Thermal Analysis
6.3. Elements for Acoustic Analysis
6.4. Elements for Electric and Magnetic Analysis
6.5. Elements for Diffusion Analysis

6.1. Elements for Coupled-Physics Analysis

Coupled-field elements are available for combining various types of physics. A coupled-field element
has all necessary degrees of freedom necessary for solving a coupled-field problem. When a coupled-
field element is used, the multiple physics are solved simultaneously (in a single analysis with a single
mesh and model).

The program handles coupling between the physics by calculating the necessary element matrices or
element load vectors.

Coupled-field elements are recommended for strongly coupled physics such as piezoelectric, thermo-
electric, and highly nonlinear coupled-field analyses that include material and geometric nonlinearities,
temperature-dependent material properties, and multiphysics contact.

The following additional topics are available:

6.1.1. Coupled-Field Element Classifications
6.1.2. Selecting Elements for Coupled-Physics Analysis

For more information, see the Coupled-Field Analysis Guide.

6.1.1. Coupled-Field Element Classifications

The following types of coupled-field elements are available:

• Continuum Elements (p. 115)

– General purpose coupled-field elements

– Coupled pore-pressure-thermal mechanical elements

– Thermal-electric link and shell elements

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Elements for Multiphysics Analysis

– Magneto-structural element

– Electromagnetic elements

– Fluid elements

• Reduced-Order Elements (p. 115)

• Contact Elements (p. 115)

6.1.2. Selecting Elements for Coupled-Physics Analysis

Continuum Elements
General-Purpose Degrees of Freedom Coupled-Physics
Coupled-Field
PLANE222 (p. 1042) -- UX, UY, TEMP, Structural-thermal
Lower-order quadrilateral VOLT, CONC
Piezoresistive
Electrostatic-structural
Piezoelectric
Thermal-electric
Structural-thermoelectric
Thermal-piezoelectric
Structural-diffusion
Thermal-diffusion
Electric-diffusion
Thermal-electric-diffusion
Structural-thermal-diffusion
Structural-electric-diffusion
Structural-thermal-electric-diffusion
PLANE223 (p. 1065) -- UX, UY, TEMP, Structural-thermal
Higher-order quadrilateral VOLT, AZ, CONC
Piezoresistive
Electrostatic-structural
Piezoelectric
Thermal-electric
Structural-thermoelectric
Thermal-piezoelectric
Thermal-magnetic
Thermal-electromagnetic
Structural-diffusion
Thermal-diffusion
Electric-diffusion

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 Elements for Coupled-Physics Analysis

Continuum Elements
Thermal-electric-diffusion
Structural-thermal-diffusion
Structural-electric-diffusion
Structural-thermal-electric-diffusion
SOLID225 (p. 1097) --Lower-order UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, Structural-thermal
hexahedral VOLT, CONC
Piezoresistive
Electrostatic-structural
Piezoelectric
Thermal-electric
Structural-thermoelectric
Thermal-piezoelectric
Structural-diffusion
Thermal-diffusion
Electric-diffusion
Thermal-electric-diffusion
Structural-thermal-diffusion
Structural-electric-diffusion
Structural-thermal-electric-diffusion
SOLID226 (p. 1122) -- UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, Structural-thermal
Higher-order hexahedral VOLT, AZ, CONC
Piezoresistive
SOLID227 (p. 1155) --
Higher-order tetrahedral Electrostatic-structural
Piezoelectric
Thermal-electric
Structural-thermoelectric
Thermal-piezoelectric
Thermal-magnetic
Thermal-electromagnetic
Structural-diffusion
Thermal-diffusion
Electric-diffusion
Thermal-electric-diffusion
Structural-thermal-diffusion
Structural-electric-diffusion
Structural-thermal-electric-diffusion
SOLID5 (p. 139) -- UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, Structural-thermo-electro-magnetic
Lower-order hexahedral VOLT, MAG
Thermo-electro-magnetic

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Elements for Multiphysics Analysis

Continuum Elements
Piezoelectric
PLANE13 (p. 151) -- UX, UY, TEMP, Structural-thermo-electro-magnetic
Lower-order quadrilateral VOLT, AZ
Piezoelectric
Electromagnetic
SOLID98 (p. 323) -- UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, Structural-thermo-electro-magnetic
Higher-order tetrahedral VOLT, MAG
Thermo-electro-magnetic
Piezoelectric
Coupled Degrees of Coupled-Physics
Pore-Pressure-Thermal Freedom
Mechanical
CPT212 (p. 988) --Lower-order UX, UY, PRES,TEMP, Structural
quadrilateral GFV1, GFV2, GFV3
Pore-fluid-diffusion
CPT213 (p. 995) --
Higher-order quadrilateral Heat-transfer
CPT215 (p. 1013) -- UX, UY, UZ, PRES,
Implicit gradient
Lower-order hexahedral TEMP, GFV1, GFV2,
regulraization
CPT216 (p. 1020) -- GFV3
Higher-order hexahedral
CPT217 (p. 1028) --
Higher-order tetrahedral
Thermal-Electric Degrees of Coupled-Physics
Freedom
LINK68 (p. 265) -- TEMP, VOLT Thermal-electric
Lower-order line
SHELL157 (p. 489) --
Lower-order shell
Electromagnetic Degrees of Coupled-Physics
Freedom
PLANE233 (p. 1201) -- AZ, VOLT, EMF Electromagnetic
Higher-order quadrilateral
Stranded coil
SOLID236 (p. 1210) --
Edge-based mixed-order
hexahedral
SOLID237 (p. 1219) --
Edge-based mixed-order
tetrahedral
Fluid Degrees of Coupled-Physics
Freedom
FLUID29 (p. 183) -- UX, UY, PRES Acoustic fluid-structure
Lower-order quadrilateral interaction
[1]

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 Elements for Thermal Analysis

Continuum Elements
FLUID30 (p. 188) -- UX, UY, UZ, PRES
Lower-order hexahedral
FLUID116 (p. 343) -- PRES, TEMP Thermal-fluid
Lower-order pipe [2]
FLUID136 (p. 419) -- UX, UY, UZ, PRES Squeeze film fluid-structure
Low-order and high-order interaction
quadrilateral
FLUID220 (p. 1041) -- UX, UY, UZ, PRES Acoustic fluid-structure
Higher-order hexahedral [1] interaction
FLUID221 (p. 1041) --
Higher-order tetrahedral [1]
Reduced-Order Elements
TRANS126 (p. 387) -- UX (UY, UZ), VOLT Reduced-order
Electromechanical electrostatic-structural
transducer
Contact Elements
CONTA172 (p. 531) -- 2-D UX, UY, TEMP, VOLT Structural-thermal
surface-to-surface contact
Structural-thermo-electric
CONTA174 (p. 557) -- 3-D UX, UY, UZ, TEMP,
surface-to-surface contact VOLT Thermal-electric
CONTA175 (p. 586) -- 2-D / UX, UY, (UZ), TEMP, Structural-electric
3-D node-to-surface VOLT
contact

Use the following table to select coupled-field elements:

1. See Elements for Acoustic Analysis (p. 118) for more information

2. See Elements for Thermal Analysis (p. 115) for more information

For related information, see Selecting Elements for Your Analysis (p. 24).

6.2. Elements for Thermal Analysis

When performing a thermal analysis, consider the dimensionality of the problem as well as the loads
required. Use the following information to select elements for modeling various regions as well as ele-
ments to apply loads:
6.2.1.Thermal Elements for the Structural Region
6.2.2.Thermal Elements for the Fluid Region
6.2.3.Thermal Loading Elements
6.2.4.Thermal Control Element
6.2.5. Other Elements Useful in a Thermal Analysis

A complex thermal model often has a combination of all or most of the element types described.

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Elements for Multiphysics Analysis

For more information, see the Thermal Analysis Guide.

6.2.1. Thermal Elements for the Structural Region

Typically, the solid region should be meshed with 2-D or 3-D continuum elements. 1-D elements serve
to couple these regions. The 0-D element can be used to represent a lumped mass (that is, a reduced-
order model of a continuum region).

Use the following table to select thermal elements for the structural region:

Continuum Application Elements

3-D Modeling homogeneous materials SOLID278 (p. 1320) -- Lower-order element
and layered solids / composites that can degenerate
SOLID279 (p. 1337) -- Higher-order element
that can degenerate
Modeling homogeneous materials SOLID291 (p. 1453) -- Higher-order
tetrahedral-only thermal solid
SOLID70 (p. 269) -- Lower-order thermal solid
that can degenerate
SOLID87 (p. 301) -- Higher-order
tetrahedral-only thermal solid
SOLID90 (p. 306) -- Higher-order, accurate
thermal solid that can degenerate
2.5-D Analyzing the in-plane temperature SHELL131 (p. 403) -- 3-D lower-order shell
distribution of thin structures such with in-plane and through-thickness thermal
as plates or shells. [1] conduction capability
SHELL132 (p. 411) -- 3-D higher-order shell
with in-plane and through-thickness thermal
conduction
2-D Modeling a plane or an PLANE292 (p. 1458) -- Thermal solid with 2-D
axisymmetric ring plane/axisymmetric thermal conduction
Modeling curved boundaries PLANE293 (p. 1465) -- Higher-order version of
PLANE292 (p. 1458)
Modeling irregular meshes PLANE35 (p. 201) -- Triangular thermal solid
(compatible with PLANE77 (p. 284))
Modeling a plane or an PLANE55 (p. 244) -- Thermal solid with 2-D
axisymmetric ring plane/axisymmetric thermal conduction
Modeling curved boundaries PLANE77 (p. 284) -- Higher-order version of
PLANE55 (p. 244)
1-D Conduction link between regions LINK33 (p. 193) -- Uniaxial 3-D conduction
bar [2]
Convection link between regions LINK34 (p. 196) -- Uniaxial convection link
[2]
Radiation link between regions LINK31 (p. 189) -- Uniaxial radiation link [2]

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 Elements for Thermal Analysis

Continuum Application Elements

0-D Representing a body having thermal MASS71 (p. 276) -- Thermal mass point
capacitance but with no significant element
temperature gradients

1. If the model containing the conducting shell element is to be analyzed structurally,

use an equivalent structural shell element (such as SHELL281 (p. 1360)) instead.

2. In most cases, contact elements can be used in place of this element.

Also see Reinforcing Elements (p. 100), as reinforcing elements REINF264 (p. 1285) and REINF265 (p. 1294)
support structural and thermal reinforcing.

For related information, see Selecting Elements for Your Analysis (p. 24).

6.2.2. Thermal Elements for the Fluid Region

For the 1-D continuum, use FLUID116 (p. 343), a reduced-order coupled thermal-fluid pipe, to represent
fluid temperature for flow-through pipes/internal channels. The element can be connected to nodes
in the structural region.

6.2.3. Thermal Loading Elements

Two methods are available for applying loads to thermal elements:
6.2.3.1. Using Thermal Surface-Loading Elements
6.2.3.2. Using Contact Elements to Load Thermal Models

6.2.3.1. Using Thermal Surface-Loading Elements

In a thermal model, the surface loads can consist of convection, heat flux, or radiation. Although
you can apply the loads directly on the continuum elements, it is more convenient to apply them
via surface-effect elements, which are overlaid onto other thermal elements.

Use these surface-effect elements to apply convection, heat flux, and radiation (to a point) on solid
regions:

• SURF151 (p. 439) -- 2-D thermal surface effect

• SURF152 (p. 449) -- 3-D thermal surface effect

Use these surface-radiosity elements to apply grey body radiation (where view factors are unknown):

• SURF251 (p. 1262) -- 2-D radiosity surface

• SURF252 (p. 1266) -- 3-D radiosity surface

6.2.3.2. Using Contact Elements to Load Thermal Models

Besides surface loads, it is also possible to load thermal models via contact elements.

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Elements for Multiphysics Analysis

When two or more structural regions are in close vicinity or contact, it is sometimes necessary to
account for convection, conduction, or radiation between the regions. Frictional forces between
the contacting surfaces can also be a source of heat generation.

Use these contact elements between solid regions:

2-D Contact Elements

• CONTA172 (p. 531) -- Surface-to-surface contact element pasted on the surface of a region

• TARGE169 (p. 504) -- Target segment, used with CONTA172 (p. 531), which must be pasted on the
target region

3-D Contact Elements

• CONTA174 (p. 557) -- Surface-to-surface contact element pasted on the surface of a region

• TARGE170 (p. 516) -- Target segment, used with CONTA174 (p. 557), which must be pasted on the
target region

A special 2-D/3-D node-to-surface contact element, CONTA175 (p. 586), is also available. You can
use it with either TARGE169 (p. 504) or TARGE170 (p. 516).

6.2.4. Thermal Control Element

Use the COMBIN37 (p. 209) control element to enable or disable heat flow between two points when
the temperature (or other control parameters) reach a specified threshold value.

6.2.5. Other Elements Useful in a Thermal Analysis

In addition to the thermal and related loading elements described here, also consider coupled-physics
elements (p. 111), which can couple thermal and other physics.

You can also create a custom element via USER300 (p. 1471) to model special physics, or combine a
group of linear thermal elements into a MATRIX50 (p. 240) superelement for greater solution efficiency.

6.3. Elements for Acoustic Analysis

The following topics related to the elements used for acoustic analyses are available:
6.3.1. Acoustic Element Types
6.3.2. 3-D Acoustic Element Usage
6.3.3. 3-D Acoustic Element Input
6.3.4. 3-D Acoustic Element Input Summary
6.3.5. 3-D Acoustic Element Output Data
6.3.6. 3-D Acoustic Element Assumptions and Restrictions
6.3.7. 3-D Acoustic Element Product Restrictions

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 Elements for Acoustic Analysis

6.3.1. Acoustic Element Types

An acoustic analysis calculates either the propagation properties of pure acoustic waves in the given
environment or the coupled acoustic structural interaction (FSI) using either the Helmholtz or con-
vective wave equation. The energy diffusion solution predicts the sound-level distribution in room
acoustics. The full linear Navier-Stokes equations (FLNS) are solved in viscous-thermal acoustics for
devices with narrow or thin acoustic paths.

Support is available for time-harmonic, modal, and transient acoustic analysis. Steady-state analysis
is also valid for room acoustics.

Use the following fluid elements to simulate 2-D acoustic or coupled acoustic problems:

• FLUID29 (p. 183) -- Axisymmetric harmonic acoustic fluid.

• FLUID129 (p. 396) -- Infinite acoustic.

This element is a companion to FLUID29 (p. 183). It is used to envelop a model made of FLU-
ID29 (p. 183) finite elements for the truncation of infinite propagating domain.

Use these fluid elements for 3-D simulation:

• FLUID30 (p. 188) -- Acoustic fluid

• FLUID130 (p. 400) -- Infinite acoustic

This element is a companion to FLUID30 (p. 188), FLUID220 (p. 1041), and FLUID221 (p. 1041). It is used
to envelop a model made of FLUID30 (p. 188), FLUID220 (p. 1041), and FLUID221 (p. 1041) finite elements
for the truncation of infinite propagating domain.

• FLUID220 (p. 1041) -- 20-node acoustic solid

• FLUID221 (p. 1041) -- 10-node acoustic tetrahedral solid

6.3.2. 3-D Acoustic Element Usage

Use FLUID30 (p. 188), FLUID220 (p. 1041) and FLUID221 (p. 1041) to model the fluid medium and the in-
terface in fluid/structure interaction problems. Typical applications include sound wave propagation
and submerged structure dynamics. The governing equation for acoustics, namely the 3-D wave
equation, has been discretized with the coupling of acoustic pressure and structural motion at the
interface. For more background information on acoustics, see Acoustics in the Mechanical APDL Theory
Reference.

The uncoupled element node has one degree of freedom per node: pressure, with no FSI interface
in the element (KEYOPT(2) = 1). The coupled element node has four degrees of freedom per node:
displacements in the nodal x, y, and z directions and pressure, with FSI interface in the element
(KEYOPT(2) = 0). The displacements are applicable only at nodes on the interface. Acceleration effects
like those in sloshing problems can be included. The mean flow effect or incompressible fluid can be
simulated.

In room acoustics, the nodal acoustic energy density (ENKE) is used for the degree of freedom (KEY-
OPT(2) = 4).

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Elements for Multiphysics Analysis

In viscous-thermal acoustics, the uncoupled element node has five degrees of freedom per node:
velocities in the nodal x, y and z directions, temperature, and pressure (auxiliary DOF), with no FSI
interface in the element (KEYOPT(2) = 6). The coupled element node has eight degrees of freedom
per node: velocities in the nodal x, y and z directions, displacements in the nodal x, y and z directions,
temperature, and pressure (auxiliary DOF), with FSI interface in the element (KEYOPT(2) = 5).

In poroelastic acoustics using mixed (u-P) formulation, the element has four degrees of freedom per
node: displacements in the nodal x, y, and z directions and pressure (KEYOPT(2) = 7).

The elements have the capability to include damping of sound-absorbing material at the interface
as well as damping within the fluid. The elements can be used with or without other 3-D structural
elements to perform symmetric, unsymmetric, or damped modal (MODOPT) analyses, as well as full,
and mode superposition harmonic (HROPT), and full transient analyses (TRNOPT). Static analysis is
supported to analyze room acoustics, and several types of spectrum analyses are supported. For details
on the supported analysis types, see Acoustic Analysis Solution Settings in the Acoustic Analysis Guide.

See FLUID30 (p. 188) in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more information about the low-order
element. See FLUID220 (p. 1041) for more information about the high-order hexahedral element and
FLUID221 (p. 1041) for more information about the high-order tetrahedral element.

6.3.3. 3-D Acoustic Element Input

The geometry, node locations, and coordinate system for each 3-D acoustic element is shown in
Figure 7.30.1: FLUID30 Geometry (p. 188), Figure 7.220.1: FLUID220 Geometry (p. 1041), and Fig-
ure 7.221.1: FLUID221 Geometry (p. 1042). The elements are defined by eight nodes (FLUID30 (p. 188)),
20 nodes (FLUID220 (p. 1041)), or 10 nodes (FLUID221 (p. 1041)), a reference pressure, and the isotropic
material properties.

The reference pressure (real constant PREF) is used to calculate the element sound pressure level
(defaults to 20x10-6 N/m2). The speed of sound ( ) in the fluid is input by MP,SONC where k is
the bulk modulus of the fluid (Force/Area) and ρo is the mean fluid density (Mass/Volume) (input as
MP,DENS). The dissipative effect due to fluid viscosity can be included (input as MP,VISC). DENS,
SONC, and VISC are evaluated at the average of the nodal temperatures.

The TB,PERF command defines the equivalent fluid of the perforated material using the Johnson-
Champoux-Allard, Delany-Bazley, Miki, impedance-propagating constant, or complex density-velocity
model. The TB,PERF command also defines the poroelastic acoustic material for mixed (u-P)
poroelasticity problems. The material properties, thermal conductivity (MP,KXX), heat coefficient at
constant volume per unit of mass (MP,CVH), the dynamic viscosity (MP,VISC), bulk viscosity (MP,BVIS),
and specific heat (MP,C) can be defined for the Prandtl number calculation (default 0.713) and the
specific heat ratio (default 1.4), if necessary. Viscosity defaults to 1.84x10-5 N•s/m2 for elements asso-
ciated with the TB,PERF command. For all other elements, the viscosity is assumed to be zero when
undefined. For the poroelastic material, the elastic moduli is input by MP,EX, the shear moduli is input
by MP,GXY and the Poisson’s ratio is input by MP,NUXY.

The TB,PERF command also defines the transfer admittance matrix for the equivalence of complex
perforated structures, including plates with hole arrays. The parameters set via the TB,PERF command
can be frequency dependent; use the TBFIELD command to define frequency as a field variable.

The TB,AFDM command, combined with the TBFIELD command, defines the frequency-dependent
acoustic materials. Both the boundary layer (SF,BLI) and the low-frequency reduced model (LRF

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 Elements for Acoustic Analysis

model defined by the TB,AFDM command) are available to simulate the interaction between an
acoustic fluid and a rigid wall in a viscous-thermal medium. For room acoustics, the TB,AFDM command
defines the diffusion properties.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). A discussion of element loads for acoustics
follows.

Fluid-structure interfaces (FSIs) can be applied by surface loads (SF, SFA, SFE) at the element faces
as shown by the circled numbers in Figure 7.30.1: FLUID30 Geometry (p. 188), Figure 7.220.1: FLUID220
Geometry (p. 1041), and Figure 7.221.1: FLUID221 Geometry (p. 1042). Use the command SFDELE, SFADELE,
or SFEDELE remove surface loads.

Available surface loads are described below.

• The fluid-structure interface can be flagged automatically by the surface load label FSI on the
acoustic elements, if acoustic elements are adjacent to solid structural elements (except for shell
elements) and FSIs have not been flagged manually on the acoustic elements. (To avoid zero-pivot
warnings, set the displacement degrees of freedom (UX, UY, and UZ) to zero at the element nodes
not on the interface in the coupled acoustic elements (KEYOPT(2) = 0 or 5).)

• Use the surface load label IMPD with a given complex impedance value to include any damping
present at a boundary with a sound absorption lining. These impedance boundary conditions can
also be applied to a flagged FSI interface. A zero IMPD value removes the damping calculation.

• The surface load label INF defines the radiation boundary condition.

• The surface load label SHLD, with a given amplitude and initial phase angle, defines a normal
particle velocity on the exterior surface in a harmonic analysis or in a transient analysis solved with
the velocity potential formulation. SHLD defines the normal particle acceleration on the exterior
surface in a transient analysis solved with the pressure formulation.

• The sloshing surface that must be parallel to the coordinate plane of the global Cartesian system
can be flagged via the surface load label FREE.

• When near- or far- field parameters are required, apply the surface load label MXWF to the equivalent
source surface. The label MXWF can be applied automatically to a PML-acoustic medium interface
or exterior surface with the label INF (if MXWF surfaces have not been flagged manually).

• The surface load label ATTN along with the absorption coefficient defines an absorbing surface.
ATTN is also used to define the transmission loss of the coupled wall in room acoustics.

• The surface load label BLI is applied on the rigid wall to introduce the boundary layer model in
viscous-thermal fluid.

• The surface load label PORT defines the network ports. When the transfer admittance matrix is
used, define a pair of ports on the opposite faces in the same element.

• In viscous-thermal acoustics, the surface load label PRES defines the pressure load on the surface.
The surface load label CONV defines the heat flux through the surface. The acoustic, viscous, and
thermal impedances can be applied by the surface load labels IMPD, VIMP, and TIMP, respectively.

• In poroelastic acoustics, the surface load label PERM defines the permeability load on the surface.

• The label RIGW flags the rigid walls.

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Elements for Multiphysics Analysis

• Surface loads with load label IMPD, ATTN and SHLD can be frequency- or time-dependent using
tabular inputs.

Temperatures can be input as element body loads at the nodes (BF,,TEMP). The node I temperature,
T(I), defaults to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to T(I). For any other input
pattern, unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

Mass source (mass/length3/time) can be defined (BF,,MASS) in a harmonic analysis or in a transient

analysis solved with the velocity potential formulation. The mass source rate (partial time derivative
of mass source in units of mass/length3/time2) can be defined (BF,,MASS) in a transient analysis solved
with the pressure formulation. For harmonic response analyses, both the amplitude and initial phase
can be applied so that the inhomogeneous Helmholtz equation is solved. In an energy diffusion
solution, the power source is also defined by the BF,,MASS command.

The impedance sheet inside a fluid can be defined (BF,,IMPD or BFA,,IMPD) in a harmonic analysis.

For a nonuniform acoustic medium, define the reference temperature T0 (TREF) and the reference
static pressure (real constant PSREF). PSREF defaults to 101325, the standard atmospheric pressure
in units of N/m2. Nodal temperatures are input via body load commands. Nodal static pressure can
also be input (BF,,SPRE).

Nonuniform velocity (BF,,VELO) can be defined in a harmonic analysis or in a transient analysis solved
with the velocity potential formulation. BF,,VELO is also used to define nonuniform acceleration in a
transient analysis solved with the pressure formulation.

Body loads with labels TEMP, MASS or VELO can be frequency- or time-dependent using tabular inputs.

The interior port is defined with BF,,PORT. You can also define the Floquet periodic boundary condition
(BF,,FPBC) in harmonic and modal analyses. The mean flow velocity is introduced by BF,,VMEN in
harmonic and modal analyses. The force potential (BF,,UFOR) represents the body force when the
convective wave equation (mean flow) is solved. In viscous-thermal acoustics and poroelastic acoustics,
the shear force on the exterior surface is defined by BF,,SFOR. The volumetric heat source can be
defined by BF,,HFLW, although the heat source is usually ignored in viscous-thermal acoustics.

The F command is used to define the volumetric body force in viscous-thermal acoustics.

In a transient room acoustics analysis, the initial condition of the acoustic energy density is defined
by the IC,,ENKE command.

The D command defines the constraints on the degrees of freedom as the Dirichlet boundary condition.
Defining the constraint on the auxiliary pressure DOF in viscous-thermal acoustics is invalid.

One-way coupling from structure to acoustics is more computationally efficient, while the acoustic
effect on the structure can be neglected. The structural solution is performed first. If a conforming
mesh is used on the FSI interface, you can flag the FSI in the structural model (SF,,FSIN) and write
the structural results on the FSI to an .asi (default) file (ASIFILE). The velocities or accelerations on
the FSI are loaded into the sequential acoustic solution with multiple frequencies or time steps cor-
responding to the previous structural solution. If a nonconforming mesh is used on the FSI, the ASI-
FILE,,,,MAP command efficiently maps the structural results on the FSI interface to the acoustic
model during the sequential acoustic solution. As an alternative to creating the .asi file during the
structural analysis solution, you can issue the ASIFILE command during postprocessing (/POST1) of

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 Elements for Acoustic Analysis

the structural analysis to write the structural results at the FSI to the .asi file. In this case, the
command SF,,FSIN,1 must be used to define the coupling interface in the acoustic model.

If you are using Ansys Workbench, you can map the structural results on the selected interfaces to
the acoustic model linking the projects in the Workbench Project Schematic, then perform an
acoustic solution.

One-way coupling from the Ansys Fluent CFD Solver to Mechanical APDL acoustics is available for
noise prediction in the enclosure modeled by acoustic and structural elements. The surface element
SURF154 (p. 468) must be generated on top of the structural solid or shell elements and flagged
(SF,,FSIN) for a one-way coupling interface. The coupled vibro-acoustic FSI interface is also flagged
(SF,,FSI). The fast Fourier transformation (FFT) data of the transient CFD solution is written to a .cgns
file with the one-sided peak complex pressure values in the CFD postprocessor. Mechanical APDL
reads the CFD result (FLUREAD) and maps the complex pressure to the one-way coupling interface,
then performs harmonic solutions at multiple FFT frequencies within the defined frequency range
(HARFRQ).

The nonlinear static analysis for the structural deformation can be performed before performing a
coupled or pure acoustic solution. Because of the structural deformation, the mesh in the acoustic
domain is morphed during the static structural solution (MORPH). The linear perturbation scheme
(ANTYPE and PERTURB) is used to perform a sequential acoustic solution with the updated mesh.
If a morphing failure occurs during mesh morphing (typically due to large deformations), automatic
time stepping will bisect the solution, if possible. The nonlinear static structural analysis is also efficiently
performed without mesh morphing in the acoustic domain if the structural deformation can be ignored
(see ANTYPE).

KEYOPT(1) specifies algorithm options:

• The default (KEYOPT(1) = 0) assumes FSI is present in the model and element matrices are
unsymmetric.

• If KEYOPT(1) = 2, specifying symmetric algorithms in the presence of FSI coupling, a symmetric

linear equation solver can be used for a full harmonic analysis. The FLUID130 (p. 400) element
is compatible with the symmetric options during the solution.

• If KEYOPT(1) = 3, the diagonalization of the damping matrix in an energy diffusion solution is

deactivated.

• If KEYOPT(1) = 4, the velocity potential formulation is used to solve a transient problem with
either the velocity or mass source excitation (instead of the default pressure formulation which
requires either acceleration or mass source rate excitation).

KEYOPT (2) controls the acoustic element type:

• KEYOPT(2) = 0 (the default) specifies a coupled (unsymmetric) problem, requiring a correspond-

ing unsymmetric eigensolver (MODOPT).

• KEYOPT(2) = 1 specifies the absence of a structure at the interface and the absence of coupling
between the fluid and a structure. Because the absence of coupling produces symmetric element
matrices, a symmetric eigensolver (MODOPT) can be used within the modal analysis.

• KEYOPT(2) = 4 specifies the energy diffusion element for room acoustics.

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• KEYOPT(2) = 5 and 6 specify the coupled and uncoupled element, respectively, for viscous-
thermal acoustics.

• KEYOPT(2) = 7 specifies the mixed (u-P) element for poroelastic acoustics.

To reduce the size of the Jobname.emat file, issue the ECPCHG command. This command converts
acoustic elements adjacent to solid structural elements (or those flagged with FSI) to coupled elements,
and converts coupled acoustic elements to uncoupled elements.

KEYOPT(4) specifies the existence of perfectly matched layers (PML) or irregular perfectly matched
layers (IPML) to absorb the outgoing sound waves. PML and IPML are supported in modal, harmonic,
and transient acoustic analyses. The pressure on the exterior enclosure of PML (KEYOPT(4) = 1 or 3)
or IPML (KEYOPT(4) = 2 or 4) must be constrained to zero, unless the pressure is on the symmetric
planes. The PML must be defined in a PML coordinate system (PSYS). The rigid walls must be flagged
(SF,,RIGW) if the zero pressure on the exterior surface of the IPML is set by the program. For more
information about using PML and IPML, see Artificially Matched Layers in the Acoustic Analysis Guide
and Artificially Matched Layers in the Theory Reference.

KEYOPT(5) = 1 specifies the non-morphed element during the static structural solution (MORPH) for
efficient meshing.

KEYOPT(6) = 1 specifies the incompressible fluid in which the sound speed equivalently tends to in-
finite.

If free surface effects are present (SF,,FREE), vertical acceleration (ACEL,,,ACEL_Z) is necessary to
specify gravity, even for a modal analysis.

A harmonic analysis can be performed over the octave band, the 1/2, 1/3, 1/6, 1/12, or 1/24 octave
bands, or the general frequency band with logarithm frequency span (HARFRQ,,,,LogOpt).

An analytic acoustic mode can be launched in the rectangular, circular, and coaxial acoustic duct
(APORT). The incident planar wave on the port can also be defined.

The mean flow effect is taken into account by solving the convective wave equation with a defined
mean flow velocity (BF,,VMEN) in a harmonic analysis or a modal analysis. The static mean flow can
be solved with the mean flow velocities defined on the inlet and outlet in an upstream static analysis
and stored in the Jobname.rmf file. The static mean flow is loaded into the model during the se-
quential harmonic or modal solution of the convective wave equation (LDREAD command). The force
potential (BF,,UFOR) represents the body force in the mean flow effect.

Use the DFSWAVE command to define a diffuse sound field consisting of an infinite number of plane
waves for random acoustics. The surface element, SURF154 (p. 468), must be defined on the top of
the structural panel meshed by structural or shell elements. The half space where the diffuse sound
field exists is not meshed, and the radiation space (receiver side) is meshed with the acoustic element
and truncated by the PML or absorbing elements. Multiple solutions at the same frequencies (MSOLVE)
are necessary to obtain a stable, average solution for the physical samplings. The transmission loss
of the structural panel is calculated and displayed by the PRAS and PLAS commands. The scattered
sound field generated by the incident diffuse sound field projecting on the objects is simulated
without the surface element SURF154 (p. 468).

The angle sweep in the harmonic analysis with the Floquet periodic boundary condition is controlled
by the MSOLVE command, and the results are displayed by the PRAS and PLAS commands.

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 Elements for Acoustic Analysis

For acoustic scattering analysis, acoustic incident waves can be specified outside of the model (AWAVE).
These incident waves can be combined with a PML or Robin boundary surface (SF,INF). Either the
total field or pure scattered field formulation can be used. When using the pure scattered formulation,
the scattered formulation is required (ASOL), and acoustic incident waves can also be specified inside
the model (AWAVE).

The acoustic near- and far-field parameters can be calculated (PRNEAR, PLNEAR, PRFAR, or PLFAR)
for the full 3-D model or the 2-D rotated extrusion model. (The axisymmetric model is simulated via
a slice of the 3-D model with rotation). The sound power data, including transmission loss, can be
calculated on the defined ports by the PRAS and PLAS commands. The following quantities can also
be calculated and displayed by these two commands:

• complex specific acoustic impedance, acoustic impedance, mechanical impedance, force,

pressure and acoustic power on the selected surface (not available for viscous-thermal acoustics);

• sound pressure level (SPL) and A-weighted SPL of the octave band at the selected nodes;

• acoustic potential energy, kinetic energy, total energy and average square of the L2 norm of
pressure on the selected elements.

The acoustic parameters can be obtained by the *GET,,ACUS command. The acoustic far-field para-
meters radiated from a structural panel are also calculated based on the Rayleigh integral principle
(PRFAR or PLFAR).

Element input for FLUID30 (p. 188), FLUID220 (p. 1041), and FLUID221 (p. 1041) is given in 3-D Acoustic
Element Input Summary (p. 125). A general description of element input is given in Element In-
put (p. 41).

6.3.4. 3-D Acoustic Element Input Summary

Nodes

FLUID30 (p. 188): I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

FLUID220 (p. 1041): I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, A, B

FLUID221 (p. 1041): I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, PRES if KEYOPT(2) = 0

PRES if KEYOPT(2) = 1
ENKE if KEYOPT(2) = 4
VX, VY, VZ, UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, PRES if KEYOPT(2) = 5 (invalid for FLUID30 (p. 188))
VX, VY, VZ, TEMP, PRES if KEYOPT(2) = 6 (invalid for FLUID30 (p. 188))
UX, UY, UZ, PRES if KEYOPT(2) = 7 (invalid for FLUID30 (p. 188))
VX, VY, VZ, PRES, ENKE if KEYOPT(4) = 3 or 4

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Elements for Multiphysics Analysis

Real Constants

PREF -- Reference pressure

PSREF -- Reference static pressure

Material Properties

DENS, SONC, VISC, KXX, C, CVH, BVIS, EX, GXY (MP command)
PERF, AFDM (TB command)

Surface Loads

Fluid-structure interface (FSI) flag; impedance (IMPD); normal speed or normal acceleration (SHLD);
sloshing surface (FREE); equivalent source surface (MXWF); Robin boundary surface (INF); absorption
coefficient (ATTN); viscous-thermal boundary layer (BLI); port (PORT); rigid wall (RIGW); viscous
impedance (VIMP); thermal impedance (TIMP); pressure (PRES); heat flux (CONV); permeability
(PERM):

FLUID30 (p. 188) and FLUID220 (p. 1041)--

face 1 (J-I-L-K), face 2 (I-J-N-M), face 3 (J-K-O-N),
face 4 (K-L-P-O), face 5 (L-I-M-P), face 6 (M-N-O-P)
FLUID221 (p. 1041) --
face 1 (J-I-K), face 2 (I-J-L), face 3 (J-K-L), face 4 (K-I-L)

Body Loads

Mass source, mass rate, or power source (MASS); static pressure (SPRE); impedance (IMPD); tem-
perature (TEMP); velocity or acceleration (VELO); interior port (PORT); Floquet periodic boundary
condition (FPBC); mean flow velocity (VMEN); force potential (UFOR); shear force (SFOR); volumetric
heat source (HFLW)

Special Features

None

KEYOPT(1)

Specific algorithm options:

0 --

FSI present in the model (unsymmetric element matrices) (default)

2 --

FSIs present in the model for full harmonic analysis (symmetric element matrix)

3 --

Deactivate the diagonalization of the damping matrix in a diffusion analysis

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 Elements for Acoustic Analysis

4 --

Activate the velocity potential formulation in a transient analysis

KEYOPT(2)

Acoustic element types:

0 --

Coupled acoustic element with FSIs

1 --

Uncoupled acoustic element without FSIs

4 --

Diffusion element for room acoustics

5 --

Coupled viscous-thermal acoustic element with FSIs (invalid for FLUID30 (p. 188))

6 --

Uncoupled viscous-thermal acoustic element without FSIs (invalid for FLUID30 (p. 188))

7 --

Poroelastic element for poroelastic acoustics (invalid for FLUID30 (p. 188))

KEYOPT(4)

Perfectly matched layers (PML) or irregular perfectly matched layers (IPML) absorbing condition:

0 --

Do not include any PML or IPML absorbing condition

1 --

Include PML absorbing condition in a modal or harmonic analysis

2 --

Include IPML absorbing condition in a modal or harmonic analysis

3 --

Include PML absorbing condition in a transient analysis

4 --

Include IPML absorbing condition in a transient analysis

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Elements for Multiphysics Analysis

KEYOPT(5)

Acoustic element morphing control:

0 --

Morphed element during the structural static solution

1 --

Non-morphed element during the structural static solution

KEYOPT(6)

Fluid property control:

0 --

Compressible fluid

1 --

Incompressible fluid

6.3.5. 3-D Acoustic Element Output Data

The solution output associated with the elements consists of the following:

• Nodal degree of freedom included in the overall nodal solution.

• Nodal sound pressure level (SPL) and A-weighted SPL.

• Nodal velocity is included in the element corner node solution and accessed via standard
output commands with Item = PG (for example, PRNSOL, PLVECT, PRESOL, and PLESOL).

• Nodal energy density flux for room acoustics is included in the element corner node solution
and accessed via standard output commands with Item = PG (for example, PRNSOL, PLVECT,
PRESOL, and PLESOL).

• Nodal sound intensity is included in the element corner node solution and accessed via
standard output commands with Item = SNDI (for example, PRNSOL, PLVECT, PRESOL, and
PLESOL).

• Additional element output as shown in Table 6.1: 3-D Acoustic Element Output Defini-
tions (p. 129).

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis
Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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 Elements for Acoustic Analysis

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 6.1: 3-D Acoustic Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
FLUID30: I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

FLUID220: I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U,
NODES Y Y
V, W, X, Y, Z, A, B

FLUID221: I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 1
FLUID30 : T(I), T(J), …, T(P)

TEMP FLUID220: T(I), T(J), …, T(B) Y Y

FLUID221: T(I), T(J), …, T(R)

Average pressure

or
PRESSURE Y Y
Average acoustic energy density in room
acoustics
Velocity components and vector sum (not
available for viscous-thermal acoustics)

PG(X, Y, Z, SUM) or Y Y

Energy density flux components and vector

sum for room acoustics
Square of the L2 norm of pressure over element
PL2 2 2
volume
DENSRE Real part of complex effective density 2 2
DENSIM Imaginary part of complex effective density 3 3
SONCRE Real part of complex effective sound velocity 2 2
Imaginary part of complex effective sound
SONCIM 3 3
velocity
POUT Output sound power 2 2
PINC Input sound power 2 2
KENE Acoustic kinetic energy Y Y
MENE Acoustic potential energy Y Y

1. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

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Elements for Multiphysics Analysis

2. Output only if ANTYPE,HARMIC or MODAL, and invalid with SET,,,,AMPL or 3.

3. Available only for equivalent fluid model, and invalid with SET,,,,AMPL or 3.

Table 6.2: 3-D Acoustic Element Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 130) lists output available through
the ETABLE command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1)
in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) of this reference for
more information. The following notation is used in Table 6.2: 3-D Acoustic Element Item and Sequence
Numbers (p. 130):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 6.1: 3-D Acoustic Element Output Definitions (p. 129)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 6.2: 3-D Acoustic Element Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Name Input
Item E
PGX SMISC 1
PGY SMISC 2
PGZ SMISC 3
PL2 SMISC 4
DENSRE SMISC 5
DENSIM SMISC 6
SONCRE SMISC 7
SONCIM SMISC 8
POUT SMISC 9
PINC SMISC 10
PRESSURE NMISC 1
PGSUM NMISC 2

6.3.6. 3-D Acoustic Element Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume.

• For FLUID30 (p. 188), element nodes can be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.30.1: FLUID30
Geometry (p. 188) or may have planes IJKL and MNOP interchanged. All elements must have
8 nodes. A prism-shaped element can be formed by defining duplicate K and L and duplicate

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 Elements for Electric and Magnetic Analysis

O and P nodes. (See Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37).) A tetrahedron or pyramid shape
is also available.

• For FLUID220 (p. 1041), the element nodes can be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.220.1: FLU-
ID220 Geometry (p. 1041) or may have planes IJKL and MNOP interchanged. All elements must
have 20 nodes. A prism-shaped element can be formed by defining duplicate L and S and
duplicate P and W nodes. (See Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37).) A pyramid shape is also
available.

• For FLUID221 (p. 1041), the element nodes can be numbered as shown in Figure 7.221.1: FLUID221
Geometry (p. 1042). All elements must have 10 nodes

• The element may not be twisted such that it has two separate volumes. Such a case typically
occurs when the element nodes are not in the correct sequence.

• The acoustic pressure in the fluid medium is determined by the wave equation with the fol-
lowing assumptions:

– The acoustic pressure is considered to be the excess pressure from the mean pressure.

– Analyses are limited to relatively small acoustic pressures so that the changes in density are
small compared with the mean density.

• The lumped mass matrix formulation (LUMPM,ON) is not valid for this element.

• The full linear Navier-Stokes (FLNS) solver for viscous-thermal acoustics does not support the
lower-order FLUID30 (p. 188) element.

6.3.7. 3-D Acoustic Element Product Restrictions

No product-specific restrictions exist for 3-D acoustic elements.

6.4. Elements for Electric and Magnetic Analysis

Elements available for modeling electromagnetic phenomena are classified as follows:

• Continuum:

Electrostatic
Electric
Magnetic
Electromagnetic
Infinite

• Source

• Circuit

• Contact

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Elements for Multiphysics Analysis

Use the following table to select an appropriate element for your application. For more details about
the elements used for electromagnetic analyses, see the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide.

Electric and Magnetic Analyses

Electrostatic Degrees of Freedom Application
PLANE121 (p. 355) -- VOLT Charge-based static and
Higher-order quadrilateral time-harmonic quasistatic
SOLID122 (p. 361) -- electric field analyses
High-order hexahedral
SOLID123 (p. 366) --
High-order tetrahedral
Electric Degrees of Application
Freedom
PLANE230 (p. 1188) -- VOLT Current-based static,
Higher-order quadrilateral time-transient and
SOLID231 (p. 1193) -- time-harmonic quasistatic
High-order hexahedral electric field analyses
SOLID232 (p. 1197) --
High-order tetrahedral
Magnetic Degrees of Application
Freedom
SOLID96 (p. 318) -- MAG Magnetostatic analysis
Low-order hexahedral
Electromagnetic Degrees of Application
Freedom
PLANE233 (p. 1201) -- AZ, VOLT, EMF Static, transient or harmonic
Higher-order quadrilateral electromagnetic and stranded
SOLID236 (p. 1210) -- coil analyses
Edge-based mixed-order
hexahedral
SOLID237 (p. 1219) --
Edge-based mixed-order
tetrahedral
Infinite Degrees of Application
Freedom
INFIN110 (p. 332) AZ, VOLT Open boundary for an
INFIN111 (p. 338) MAG, AZ, VOLT unbounded electric or
magnetic field problem
Source Degrees of Application
Freedom
SOURC36 (p. 205) --- Current source primitive (coil,
bar, arc) for magnetostatic
analysis
Circuit Degrees of Application
Freedom

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 Elements for Diffusion Analysis

CIRCU94 (p. 311) VOLT, CURR Resistor, capacitor, inductor,

current source, voltage source
for a piezoelectric-circuit and
charge-based transient and
harmonic analyses
CIRCU124 (p. 372) VOLT, CURR Resistor, capacitor, inductor,
current source, voltage source,
mutual inductor, controlled
sources for a current-based
static, transient and harmonic
analyses
CIRCU125 (p. 382) VOLT Diode for electric circuit
analysis
Contact Degrees of Application
Freedom
CONTA172 (p. 531) -- 2-D AZ, VOLT Electric and magnetic contact
surface-to-surface contact
CONTA174 (p. 557) -- 3-D MAG, VOLT
surface-to-surface contact
CONTA175 (p. 586) -- 2-D / AZ, MAG,VOLT
3-D node-to-surface
contact

6.5. Elements for Diffusion Analysis

The elements listed in this section are available for a diffusion analysis.

Use the following diffusion elements for 2-D simulation:

• PLANE238 (p. 1228) - 2-D 8-Node Diffusion Solid

Use the following diffusion elements for 3-D simulation:

• SOLID239 (p. 1233) - 3-D 20-Node Diffusion Solid

• SOLID240 (p. 1238) - 3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Diffusion Solid

For more information, see Diffusion in the Theory Reference.

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Chapter 7: Element Library
Following are descriptions of each element, which appear in numerical order.

Descriptions common to several elements appear in separate sections of General Element Features (p. 41)
and are referenced where applicable.

Read About This Reference (p. 1) and General Element Features (p. 41) before examining the element
descriptions in this chapter.

More detailed information about each element is available in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference,
which describes how the element input items (such as the real constants, material properties, KEYOPT
switches, etc.) are used to produce the element output.

The following elements are available:

SOLID5
LINK11
PLANE13
COMBIN14
MASS21
PLANE25
MATRIX27
FLUID29
FLUID30
LINK31
LINK33
LINK34
PLANE35
SOURC36
COMBIN37
FLUID38
COMBIN39
COMBIN40
INFIN47
MATRIX50
PLANE55
SHELL61
LINK68

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Element Library

SOLID70
MASS71
PLANE75
PLANE77
PLANE78
PLANE83
SOLID87
SOLID90
CIRCU94
SOLID96
SOLID98
INFIN110
INFIN111
FLUID116
PLANE121
SOLID122
SOLID123
CIRCU124
CIRCU125
TRANS126
FLUID129
FLUID130
SHELL131
SHELL132
FLUID136
FLUID138
FLUID139
SURF151
SURF152
SURF153
SURF154
SURF155
SURF156
SHELL157
SURF159
TARGE169
TARGE170
CONTA172
CONTA174

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CONTA175
CONTA177
CONTA178
PRETS179
LINK180
SHELL181
PLANE182
PLANE183
MPC184
MPC184-Link/Beam
MPC184-Slider
MPC184-Revolute
MPC184-Universal
MPC184-Slot
MPC184-Point
MPC184-Translational
MPC184-Cylindrical
MPC184-Planar
MPC184-Weld
MPC184-Orient
MPC184-Spherical
MPC184-General
MPC184-Screw
SOLID185
SOLID186
SOLID187
BEAM188
BEAM189
SOLSH190
INTER192
INTER193
INTER194
INTER195
MESH200
FOLLW201
INTER202
INTER203
INTER204
INTER205

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Element Library

SHELL208
SHELL209
CPT212
CPT213
COMBI214
CPT215
CPT216
CPT217
FLUID218
FLUID220
FLUID221
PLANE222
PLANE223
SOLID225
SOLID226
SOLID227
PLANE230
SOLID231
SOLID232
PLANE233
SOLID236
SOLID237
PLANE238
SOLID239
SOLID240
HSFLD241
HSFLD242
COMBI250
SURF251
SURF252
INFIN257
REINF263
REINF264
REINF265
SOLID272
SOLID273
SOLID278
SOLID279
CABLE280

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 SHELL281
SOLID285
PIPE288
PIPE289
ELBOW290
SOLID291
PLANE292
PLANE293
USER300

SOLID5
3-D Coupled-Field Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 148)

SOLID5 Element Description

Although this element is available for use (p. 35) in your analysis, Ansys, Inc. recommends using a
current-technology element such as SOLID226 (p. 1122).

SOLID5 has a 3-D magnetic, thermal, electric, piezoelectric, and structural field capability with limited
coupling between the fields. The element has eight nodes with up to six degrees of freedom at each
node. Scalar potential formulations (reduced RSP, difference DSP, or general GSP) are available for
modeling magnetostatic fields in a static analysis. When used in structural and piezoelectric analyses,
SOLID5 has large deflection and stress stiffening capabilities. See SOLID5 in the Mechanical APDL Theory
Reference for more details about this element. Coupled field elements with similar field capabilities are
PLANE13 (p. 151), and SOLID98 (p. 323).

Figure 7.5.1: SOLID5 Geometry

4
P M O,P
5
O N

6 I K,L

J
M
N (Prism Option)
3
L

K
Z 2

I 1
Y
X J

SOLID5 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Figure 7.5.1: SOL-
ID5 Geometry (p. 139). The element is defined by eight nodes and the material properties. The type of
units (MKS or user defined) is specified through the EMUNIT command. EMUNIT also determines the

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Element Library

value of MUZERO. The EMUNIT defaults are MKS units and MUZERO = 4 π x 10-7 Henries/meter. In ad-
dition to MUZERO, orthotropic relative permeability is specified through the MURX, MURY, and MURZ
material property labels.

MGXX, MGYY, and MGZZ represent vector components of the coercive force for permanent magnet
materials. The magnitude of the coercive force is the square root of the sum of the squares of the
components. The direction of polarization is determined by the components MGXX, MGYY, and MGZZ.
Permanent magnet polarization directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. Orthotropic
material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate system
orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Nonlinear magnetic, piezoelectric, and aniso-
tropic elastic properties are entered via the TB command. Nonlinear orthotropic magnetic properties
can be specified with a combination of a B-H curve and linear relative permeability. The B-H curve is
used in each element coordinate direction where a zero value of relative permeability is specified. Only
one B-H curve may be specified per material.

Various combinations of nodal loading are available for this element (depending upon the KEYOPT(1)
value). Nodal loads are defined with the D and the F commands. With the D command, the Lab variable
corresponds to the degree of freedom (UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, VOLT, MAG) and VALUE corresponds to the
value (displacements, temperature, voltage, scalar magnetic potential). With the F command, the Lab
variable corresponds to the force (FX, FY, FZ, HEAT, AMPS, FLUX) and VALUE corresponds to the value
(force, heat flow, current or charge, magnetic flux).

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Pressure, convection or heat flux (but not both),
radiation, and Maxwell force flags may be input on the element faces indicated by the circled numbers
in Figure 7.5.1: SOLID5 Geometry (p. 139) using the SF and SFE commands. Positive pressures act into
the element. Surfaces at which magnetic forces are to be calculated may be identified by using the
MXWF label on the surface load commands (no value is required.) A maxwell stress tensor calculation
is performed at these surfaces to obtain the magnetic forces. These forces are applied in solution as
structural loads. The surface flag should be applied to "air" elements adjacent to the body for which
forces are required. Deleting the MXWF specification removes the flag.

The body loads, temperature, heat generation rate and magnetic virtual displacement may be input
based on their value at the element's nodes or as a single element value [BF and BFE]. When the tem-
perature degree of freedom is active (KEYOPT(1) = 0,1 or 8), applied body force temperatures [BF, BFE]
are ignored. In general, unspecified nodal values of temperature and heat generation rate default to
the uniform value specified with the BFUNIF or TUNIF commands. Calculated Joule heating (JHEAT) is
applied in subsequent iterations as heat generation rate.

If the temperature degree of freedom is present, the calculated temperatures override any input nodal
temperatures.

Air elements in which Local Jacobian forces are to be calculated may be identified by using nodal values
of 1 and 0 for the MVDI label [BF]. See the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide for details.
These forces are not applied in solution as structural loads.

Current for the scalar magnetic potential options is defined with the SOURC36 (p. 205) element the
command macro RACE, or through electromagnetic coupling. The various types of scalar magnetic po-
tential solution options are defined with the MAGOPT command.

A summary of the element input is given in "SOLID5 Input Summary" (p. 141). A general description of
element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

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SOLID5 Input Summary
Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, VOLT, MAG if KEYOPT (1) = 0

TEMP, VOLT, MAG if KEYOPT (1) = 1
UX, UY, UZ if KEYOPT (1) = 2
UX, UY, UZ, VOLT if KEYOPT(1) = 3
TEMP if KEYOPT (1) = 8
VOLT if KEYOPT (1) = 9
MAG if KEYOPT (1) = 10

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, EY, EZ, (PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ),
ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ),
DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD, BETD, KXX, KYY, KZZ, C, DMPR, DMPS
ENTH, MUZERO, MURX, MURY, MURZ, RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ,
MGXX, MGYY, MGZZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ)

Surface Loads

Pressure, Convection or Heat Flux (but not both), Radiation (using Lab = RDSF), and Maxwell Force
Flags --

face 1 (J-I-L-K), face 2 (I-J-N-M), face 3 (J-K-O-N),

face 4 (K-L-P-O), face 5 (L-I-M-P), face 6 (M-N-O-P)

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P)

Heat Generations --

HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), HG(N), HG(O), HG(P)

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Element Library

Magnetic Virtual Displacements --

VD(I), VD(J), VD(K), VD(L), VD(M), VD(N), VD(O), VD(P)

Electric Field --

EFX, EFY, EFZ. See "SOLID5 Assumptions and Restrictions" (p. 147).

Special Features

Adaptive descent
Birth and death
Large deflection
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(1)

Element degrees of freedom:

0 --

UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, VOLT, MAG

1 --

TEMP, VOLT, MAG

2 --

UX, UY, UZ

3 --

UX, UY, UZ, VOLT

8 --

TEMP

9 --

VOLT

10 --

MAG

KEYOPT(3)

Extra shapes:

0 --

Include extra shapes

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 1 --

Do not include extra shapes

KEYOPT(5)

Extra element output:

0 --

Basic element printout

2 --

Nodal stress or magnetic field printout

SOLID5 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms

• Nodal degree of freedom results included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.5.1: SOLID5 Element Output Definitions (p. 143).

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.5.2: SOLID5 Element Output (p. 143). The element stress directions
are parallel to the element coordinate system. The reaction forces, heat flow, current, and magnetic
flux at the nodes can be printed with the OUTPR command. A general description of solution output
is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

Figure 7.5.2: SOLID5 Element Output

P
Z O
SZ, BZ, etc.

M N

Y
SY, BY, etc.
L
K
Z X
SX, BX, etc.
I
Y
X J

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.5.1: SOLID5 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
NODES Element nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P Y Y
MAT Element material number Y Y
VOLU: Element volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 3
PRES P1 at nodes J, I, L, K; P2 at I, J, N, M; P3 at J, K, O, N; Y Y
P4 at K, L, P, O; P5 at L, I, M, P; P6 at M, N, O, P
TEMP Input Temperatures: T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), Y Y
T(O), T(P)
HGEN Input Heat Generations: HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), Y Y
HG(M), HG(N), HG(O), HG(P)
S:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, XZ Component stresses 1 1
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses 1 1
S:INT Stress intensity 1 1
S:EQV Equivalent stress 1 1
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Elastic strains 1 1
XZ
EPEL:1, 2, 3 Principal elastic strains 1 -
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strains [4] 1 1
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Thermal strains 1 1
XZ
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strains [4] 1 1
LOC Output location (X, Y, Z) 1 1
MUX, MUY, MUZ Magnetic permeability 1 1
H: X, Y, Z Magnetic field intensity components 1 1
H:SUM Vector magnitude of H 1 1
B:X, Y, Z Magnetic flux density components 1 1
B:SUM Vector magnitude of B 1 1
FJB Lorentz magnetic force components (X, Y, Z) 1 -
FMX Maxwell magnetic force components (X, Y, Z) 1 -
FVW Virtual work force components (X, Y, Z) 1 1
FMAG:X, Y, Z Combined (FJB or FMX) force components - 1
EF:X, Y, Z Electric field components (X, Y, Z) 1 1
EF:SUM Vector magnitude of EF 1 1
JS:X, Y, Z Source current density components 1 1
JSSUM Vector magnitude of JS 1 1
JHEAT: Joule heat generation per unit volume 1 1
D:X, Y, Z Electric flux density components 1 1
D:SUM Vector magnitude of D 1 1

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 Name Definition O R
UE, UD, UM Elastic (UE), dielectric (UD), and electromechanical 1 1
coupled (UM) energies
TG:X, Y, Z Thermal gradient components 1 1
TG:SUM Vector magnitude of TG 1 1
TF:X, Y, Z Thermal flux components 1 1
TF:SUM Vector magnitude of TF (heat flow rate/unit 1 1
cross-section area)
FACE Face label 2 2
AREA Face area 2 2
NODES Face nodes 2 -
HFILM Film coefficient at each node of face 2 -
TBULK Bulk temperature at each node of face 2 -
TAVG Average face temperature 2 2
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 2 2
HEAT RATE/AREA Heat flow rate per unit area across face by 2 -
convection
HFLUX Heat flux at each node of face 2 -
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face 2 2
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 2
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate per unit area across face caused by - 2
input heat flux

1. Element solution at the centroid printed out only if calculated (based on input data).

2. Nodal stress or magnetic field solution (only if KEYOPT(5) = 2). The solution results are repeated at
each node and only if a surface load is input.

3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

4. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY).

Table 7.5.2: SOLID5 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 146) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. The following notation is used in Table 7.5.2: SOLID5
Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 146):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.5.1: SOLID5 Element Output Definitions (p. 143)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I,J,...,P

sequence number for data at nodes I,J,...,P

FCn

sequence number for solution items for element Face n

Table 7.5.2: SOLID5 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K L M N O P
Name
P1 SMISC - 2 1 4 3 - - - -
P2 SMISC - 5 6 - - 8 7 - -
P3 SMISC - - 9 10 - - 12 11 -
P4 SMISC - - - 13 14 - - 16 15
P5 SMISC - 18 - - 17 19 - - 20
P6 SMISC - - - - - 21 22 23 24
MUX NMISC 1 - - - - - - - -
MUY NMISC 2 - - - - - - - -
MUZ NMISC 3 - - - - - - - -
FVWX NMISC 4 - - - - - - - -
FVWY NMISC 5 - - - - - - - -
FVWZ NMISC 6 - - - - - - - -
FVWSUM NMISC 7 - - - - - - - -
UE NMISC 16 - - - - - - - -
UD NMISC 17 - - - - - - - -
UM NMISC 18 - - - - - - - -

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity FC1 FC2 FC3 FC4 FC5 FC6
Name Item
AREA NMISC 19 25 31 37 43 49
HFAVG NMISC 20 26 32 38 44 50
TAVG NMISC 21 27 33 39 45 51
TBAVG NMISC 22 28 34 40 46 52
HEAT RATE NMISC 23 29 35 41 47 53
HFLXAVG NMISC 24 30 36 42 48 54

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SOLID5 Assumptions and Restrictions
• The element requires an iterative solution for field coupling (displacement, temperature, electric,
magnetic, but not piezoelectric)

• When using SOLID5 with SOURC36 (p. 205) elements, the source elements must be placed so that the
resulting Hs field fulfills boundary conditions for the total field.

• The element must not have a zero volume or a zero length side. This occurs most frequently when
the element is not numbered properly.

• Elements may be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.5.1: SOLID5 Geometry (p. 139) or may have
the planes IJKL and MNOP interchanged.

• A prism shaped element may be formed by defining duplicate node numbers as described in Degen-
erated Shape Elements (p. 37).

• The difference scalar magnetic potential option is restricted to singly-connected permeable regions,
so that as μ → in these regions, the resulting field H → 0. The reduced scalar and general scalar
potential options do not have this restriction.

• At a free surface of the element (that is, not adjacent to another element and not subjected to a
boundary constraint), the normal component of magnetic flux density (B) is assumed to be zero.

• Temperatures and heat generation rates, if internally calculated, include any user defined heat gen-
eration rates.

• The thermal, electrical, magnetic, and structural terms are coupled through an iterative procedure.

• Large deflection capabilities available for KEYOPT(1) = 2 and 3 are not available for KEYOPT(1) = 0.

• Do not constrain all VOLT DOFs to the same value in a piezoelectric analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 0 or 3).
Perform a pure structural analysis instead (KEYOPT(1) = 2).

• This element may not be compatible with other elements with the VOLT degree of freedom. To be
compatible, the elements must have the same reaction solution for the VOLT DOF. Elements that
have an electric charge reaction solution must all have the same electric charge reaction sign. For
more information, see Element Compatibility in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide.

• The electric field body load is not used during solution and is applicable only to POST1 charged
particle tracing.

• In an MSP analysis, avoid using a closed domain and use an open domain, closed with natural flux
parallel boundary conditions on the MAG degree of freedom, or infinite elements. If you use a closed
domain, you may see incorrect results when the formulation is applied using SOLID5, SOLID96 (p. 318),
or SOLID98 (p. 323) elements and the boundary conditions are not satisfied by the Hs field load calcu-
lated by the Biot-Savart procedure based on SOURC36 (p. 205) current source primitive input.

• When KEYOPT(1) = 1, 8, 9, or 10:

– Stress stiffening is not available.

– Birth and death is not available.

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– KEYOPT(3) is not applicable.

SOLID5 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

LINK11
Linear Actuator
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 151)

LINK11 Element Description

LINK11 may be used to model hydraulic cylinders and other applications undergoing large rotations.
The element is a uniaxial tension-compression element with three degrees of freedom at each node:
translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions. No bending or twist loads are considered. See LINK11 in
the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.11.1: LINK11 Geometry

Lo + MSTROKE

K
I J
M/2 M/2
C

LINK11 Input Data

The geometry and node locations for the element are shown in Figure 7.11.1: LINK11 Geometry (p. 148).
The element is defined by two nodes, a stiffness, viscous damping, and mass. The element initial length
Lo and orientation are determined from the node locations.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). The stroke (length) is defined through the
surface load input using the PRES label. The stroke is relative to the zero force position of the element.
A force may be defined in the same manner as an alternate to the stroke.

A summary of the element input is given below. A general description of element input is given in
Element Input (p. 41).

LINK11 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

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Real Constants

K - Stiffness (force/length)
C - Viscous damping coefficient (force*time/length)
M - Mass (force*time2/length)

Material Properties

MP command: BETD, ALPD

Surface Loads

Pressures --

face 1 - Stroke
face 2 - Axial Force

Body Loads

None

Special Features

Birth and death

Large deflection
Stress stiffening

KEYOPTs

None

LINK11 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal displacement solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.11.1: LINK11 Element Output Definitions (p. 150).

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.11.1: LINK11 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
ILEN Initial element length Y Y
CLEN Current element length (this time step) Y Y
FORCE Axial force (spring force) Y Y
DFORCE Damping force Y Y
STROKE Applied stroke (element load) Y Y
MSTROKE Measured stroke Y Y

Table 7.11.2: LINK11 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 150) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. The following notation is used in Table 7.11.2: LINK11
Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 150):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.11.1: LINK11 Element Output Definitions (p. 150)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.11.2: LINK11 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
FORCE SMISC 1
ILEN NMISC 1
CLEN NMISC 2
STROKE NMISC 3
MSTROKE NMISC 4
DFORCE NMISC 5

LINK11 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero length.

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• The element assumes a straight line, axially loaded at the ends.

• A twist (torsion) about the element x-axis (defined from node I to node J) has no effect.

• No bending of the element is considered, as in a pin-jointed structure.

• The mass is equally divided between the nodes.

• Only the lumped mass matrix is available.

• Surface load pressure indicators are not displayed for element or node plots.

LINK11 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

PLANE13
2-D Coupled-Field Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 160)

PLANE13 Element Description

Although this element is available for use (p. 35) in your analysis, Ansys, Inc. recommends using a
current-technology element such as PLANE223 (p. 1065).

PLANE13 has a 2-D magnetic, thermal, electrical, piezoelectric, and structural field capability with limited
coupling between the fields. PLANE13 is defined by four nodes with up to four degrees of freedom per
node. The element has nonlinear magnetic capability for modeling B-H curves or permanent magnet
demagnetization curves. PLANE13 has large deflection and stress stiffening capabilities. When used in
purely structural analyses, PLANE13 also has large strain capabilities. See PLANE13 in the Mechanical
APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element. Other coupled-field elements are SOL-
ID5 (p. 139), and SOLID98 (p. 323).

Figure 7.13.1: PLANE13 Geometry

3 K K,L
L

4 I
Element coordinate
system (shown for 2 J
Y KEYOPT(4) = 1) (Triangle option - not
(or axial) recommended for structural
I
applications)
1 J
X (or radial)

PLANE13 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.13.1: PLANE13 Geometry (p. 151). The element input data includes four nodes and magnetic,
thermal, electrical, and structural material properties. The type of units (MKS or user defined) is specified

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Element Library

through the EMUNIT command. EMUNIT also determines the value of MUZERO. The EMUNIT defaults
are MKS units and MUZRO = 4 π x 10-7 henries/meter. In addition to MUZERO, orthotropic relative per-
meability is specified through the MURX and MURY material property labels.

MGXX and MGYY represent vector components of the coercive force for permanent magnet materials.
The magnitude of the coercive force is the square root of the sum of the squares of the components.
The direction of polarization is determined by the components MGXX and MGYY. Permanent magnet
polarization and orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The
element coordinate system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Nonlinear magnetic
B-H, piezoelectric, and anisotropic elastic properties are entered via the TB command. Nonlinear ortho-
tropic magnetic properties can be specified with a combination of a B-H curve and linear relative per-
meability. The B-H curve is used in each element coordinate direction where a zero value of relative
permeability is specified. Only one B-H curve may be specified per material.

Various combinations of nodal loading are available for this element (depending upon the KEYOPT(1)
value). Nodal loads are defined with the D and the F commands. Nodal forces, if any, should be input
per unit of depth for a plane analysis and on a full 360° basis for an axisymmetric analysis.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Pressure, convection or heat flux (but not both),
radiation, and Maxwell force flags may be input on the element faces indicated by the circled numbers
in Figure 7.13.1: PLANE13 Geometry (p. 151) using the SF and SFE commands. Positive pressures act into
the element. Surfaces at which magnetic forces are to be calculated are identified by using the MXWF
label on the surface load commands (no value is required). A maxwell stress tensor calculation is per-
formed at these surfaces to obtain the magnetic forces. These forces are applied in solution as structural
loads. The surface flag should be applied to "air" elements adjacent to the body for which forces are
required. Deleting the MXWF specification removes the flag.

Body loads - temperature, heat generation rate, and magnetic virtual displacement - may be input at
the element's nodes or as a single element value [BF, BFE]. Source current density loads may be applied
to an area [BFA] or input as an element value [BFE]. When the temperature degree of freedom is active
(KEYOPT(1) = 2 or 4), applied body force temperatures [BF, BFE] are ignored. In general, unspecified
nodal temperatures and heat generation rates default to the uniform value specified with the BFUNIF
or TUNIF command. Heat generation from Joule heating is applied in Solution as thermal loading for
static and transient analyses.

If the temperature degree of freedom is present, the calculated temperatures override any input nodal
temperatures.

Air elements in which local Jacobian forces are to be calculated may be identified by using nodal values
of 1 and 0 for the MVDI label [BF]. See the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide for details.
These forces are not applied in solution as structural loads.

A summary of the element input is given in "PLANE13 Input Summary" (p. 152). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41). For axisymmetric applications see Harmonic
Axisymmetric Elements (p. 92).

PLANE13 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L

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Degrees of Freedom

AZ if KEYOPT (1) = 0
TEMP if KEYOPT (1 ) = 2
UX, UY if KEYOPT (1) = 3
UX, UY, TEMP, AZ if KEYOPT (1) = 4
VOLT, AZ if KEYOPT (1) = 6
UX, UY, VOLT if KEYOPT (1) = 7

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, EY, EZ, (PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ),
ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, (or CTEX, CTEY,CTEZ or THSX, THSY,THSZ),
DENS, GXY, BETD, ALPD,
KXX, KYY, C, ENTH, MUZERO, MURX,
MURY, RSVZ, MGXX, MGYY, PERX, PERY

Surface Loads

Pressure, Convection or Heat Flux (but not both), Radiation (using Lab = RDSF), and Maxwell Force
Flags--

face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (L-K), face 4 (I-L)

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L)

Heat Generations --

HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L)

Magnetic Virtual Displacements --

VD(I), VD(J), VD(K), VD(L)

Source Current Density --

spare, spare, JSZ(I), PHASE(I), spare, spare,

JSZ(J), PHASE(J), spare, spare, JSZ(K), PHASE(K),
spare, spare, JSZ(L), PHASE(L)

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Special Features

Adaptive descent
Birth and death
Large deflection
Large strain
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(1)

Element degrees of freedom:

0 --

AZ degree of freedom

2 --

TEMP degree of freedom

3 --

UX, UY degrees of freedom

4 --

UX, UY, TEMP, AZ degrees of freedom

6 --

VOLT, AZ degrees of freedom

7 --

UX, UY, VOLT degrees of freedom

KEYOPT(2)

Extra shapes:

0 --

Include extra shapes

1 --

Do not include extra shapes

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

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 0 --

Plane strain (with structural degrees of freedom)

1 --

Axisymmetric

2 --

Plane stress (with structural degrees of freedom)

KEYOPT(4)

Element coordinate system defined:

0 --

Element coordinate system is parallel to the global coordinate system

1 --

Element coordinate system is based on the element I-J side

KEYOPT(5)

Extra element output:

0 --

Basic element printout

1 --

Repeat basic solution for all integration points

2 --

Nodal stress printout

PLANE13 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.13.1: PLANE13 Element Output Definitions (p. 156).

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.13.2: PLANE13 Element Output (p. 156). The element output dir-
ections are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of solution output is given
in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

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Element Library

Figure 7.13.2: PLANE13 Element Output

K
L
Y
SY, BY, etc. Element output
directions shown
X
Y SX, BX, etc. are for KEYOPT(4) = 0
(or axial)
I
X (or radial) J

Because of different sign conventions for Cartesian and polar coordinate systems, magnetic flux density
vectors point in opposite directions for planar (KEYOPT(3) = 0) and axisymmetric (KEYOPT(3) =1) analyses.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.13.1: PLANE13 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 3
PRES P1 at nodes J, I; P2 at K, J; P3 at L, K; P4 at I, L Y Y
TEMP Input temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L) Y Y
HGEN Input heat generations HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L) Y -
S:X, Y, Z, XY Stresses (SZ = 0.0 for plane stress elements) 1 1
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses 1 1
S:INT Stress intensity 1 1
S:EQV Equivalent stress 1 1
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY Elastic strains 1 1
EPEL:1, 2, 3 Principal elastic strains 1 -
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain [4] - 1
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY Average thermal strains 1 1
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain [4] - 1
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector sum 1 1
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux (heat flow rate/cross-sectional area) 1 1
components and vector sum
EF:X, Y Electric field components (X, Y) 1 1

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 Name Definition O R
EF:SUM Vector magnitude of EF 1 1
D:X, Y Electric flux density components (X, Y) 1 1
D:SUM Vector magnitude of D 1 1
UE, UD, UM Elastic (UE), dielectric (UD), and electromechanical 1 1
coupled (UM) energies
LOC Output location (X, Y) 1 -
MUX, MUY Magnetic permeability 1 1
H:X, Y Magnetic field intensity components 1 1
H:SUM Vector magnitude of H 1 1
B:X, Y Magnetic flux density components 1 1
B:SUM Vector magnitude of B 1 1
JSZ Source current density, available for static analysis only 1 1
JTZ Total current density 1 1
JHEAT: Joule heat generation per unit volume 1 1
FJB(X, Y) Lorentz force components 1 1
FMX(X, Y) Maxwell force components 1 1
FVW(X, Y) Virtual work force components 1 1
FMAG:X, Y Combined (FJB and FMX) force components - 1
FACE Face label 2 2
AREA Face area 2 2
NODES Face nodes 2 -
HFILM Film coefficient at each node of face 2 -
TBULK Bulk temperature at each node of face 2 -
TAVG Average face temperature 2 2
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 2 2
HEAT Heat flow rate per unit area across face by convection 2 -
RATE/AREA
HFLUX Heat flux at each node of face 2 -
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face 2 2
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 2
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate per unit area across face caused by input - 2
heat flux
TJB(Z) Lorentz torque about global Cartesian +Z axis 1 1
TMX(Z) Maxwell torque about global Cartesian +Z axis 1 1
TVW(Z) Virtual work torque about global Cartesian +Z axis 1 1

1. Solution values are output only if calculated (based on input data).

2. Available only if a surface load is input.

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3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

4. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY).

Table 7.13.2: PLANE13 Miscellaneous Element Output

Description Names of Items Output O R

Integration Pt. Solution SINT, SEQV, EPEL, S, MUX, MUY, H, HSUM, B, 1 -
BSUM
Nodal Solution SINT, SEQV, S, H, HSUM, B, BSUM 2 -

1. Output at each integration point, if KEYOPT(5) = 1.

2. Output at each node, if KEYOPT(5) = 2.

Note:

JT represents the total measurable current density in a conductor, including eddy current
effects, and velocity effects if calculated.

For axisymmetric solutions with KEYOPT(4) = 0, the X and Y directions correspond to the
radial and axial directions, respectively. The X, Y, Z, and XY stress output correspond to the
radial, axial, hoop, and in-plane shear stresses, respectively.

For harmonic analysis, joule losses (JHEAT), forces (FJB(X, Y), FMX(X, Y), FVW(X, Y)), and torque
(TJB(Z), TMX(Z), TVW(Z)) represent time-average values. The values are stored in the "Real"
data set. The macro POWERH can be used to retrieve the data.

Table 7.13.3: PLANE13 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 159) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) of the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.13.3: PLANE13 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 159):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.13.1: PLANE13 Element Output Definitions (p. 156)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I,J,K,L

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, K, L

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FCN

sequence number for solution items for element Face N

Table 7.13.3: PLANE13 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K L
Name
JSZ SMISC 1 - - - -
P1 SMISC - 4 3 - -
P2 SMISC - - 6 5 -
P3 SMISC - - - 8 7
P4 SMISC - 9 - - 10
MUX NMISC 1 - - - -
MUY NMISC 2 - - - -
FVWX NMISC 3 - - - -
FVWY NMISC 4 - - - -
FVWSUM NMISC 5 - - - -
JTZ NMISC 7 - - - -
UE NMISC 8 - - - -
UD NMISC 9 - - - -
UM NMISC 10 - - - -
TJB(Z) NMISC 35 - - - -
TMX(Z) NMISC 36 - - - -
TVW(Z) NMISC 37 - - - -

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity FC1 FC2 FC3 FC4
Name Item
AREA NMISC 11 17 23 29
HFAVG NMISC 12 18 24 30
TAVG NMISC 13 19 25 31
TBAVG NMISC 14 20 26 32
HEAT RATE NMISC 15 21 27 33
HFLXAVG NMISC 16 22 28 34

PLANE13 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element requires an iterative solution for field coupling (displacement, temperature, electric,
magnetic, but not piezoelectric)

• The area of the element must be positive.

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• The element must lie in a global X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.13.1: PLANE13 Geometry (p. 151) and
the Y-axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses.

• An axisymmetric structure should be modeled in the +X quadrants.

• For structural and piezoelectric problems, the extra displacement and VOLT shapes are automatically
deleted for triangular elements so that a constant strain element results.

• Transient magnetic analyses should be performed in a nonlinear transient dynamic analysis.

• A skin-effect analysis (where eddy current formation is permitted in conducting regions with impressed
current loading) is performed by using KEYOPT(1) = 6, specifying a resistivity, and coupling all VOLT
degrees of freedom for elements in each of such regions. This is valid for both planar and axisymmetric
models.

• Current density loading (BFE,,JS) is only valid for the AZ option (KEYOPT(1) = 0). For the VOLT, AZ
option (KEYOPT(1) = 6) use F,,AMPS.

• When this element does not have the VOLT degree of freedom (KEYOPT(1) = 4), for a harmonic or
transient analysis, its behavior depends on the applied load. For a BFE,,JS load, the element acts as
a stranded conductor. Without BFE,,JS loads, it acts as a solid conductor modeling eddy current effects.

In this respect, PLANE13 is not like the 3-D elements SOLID236 (p. 1210) and SOLID237 (p. 1219). When
SOLID236 (p. 1210) and SOLID237 (p. 1219) do not have the VOLT degree of freedom, they act as stranded
conductors.

• Do not constrain all VOLT DOFs to the same value in a piezoelectric analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 7). Perform
a pure structural analysis instead (KEYOPT(1) = 3).

• Permanent magnets are not permitted in a harmonic analysis.

• If a model has at least one element with piezoelectric degrees of freedom (displacements and VOLT)
activated, then all elements where a VOLT degree of freedom is needed must be one of the piezo-
electric types, and they must all have the piezoelectric degrees of freedom activated. If the piezoelectric
effect is not desired in any of these elements, simply define very small piezoelectric material properties
for them.

• This element may not be compatible with other elements with the VOLT degree of freedom. To be
compatible, the elements must have the same reaction solution for the VOLT DOF. Elements that
have an electric charge reaction solution must all have the same electric charge reaction sign. For
more information, see Element Compatibility in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide.

• When KEYOPT(1) = 0 or 6, the element does not allow any special features and KEYOPT(3) = 2 is not
applicable.

PLANE13 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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COMBIN14
Spring-Damper
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 167)

COMBIN14 Element Description

COMBIN14 has longitudinal or torsional capability in 1-D, 2-D, or 3-D applications. The longitudinal
spring-damper option is a uniaxial tension-compression element with up to three degrees of freedom
at each node: translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions. No bending or torsion is considered. The
torsional spring-damper option is a purely rotational element with three degrees of freedom at each
node: rotations about the nodal x, y, and z axes. No bending or axial loads are considered.

The spring-damper element has no mass. Masses can be added by using the appropriate mass element
(see MASS21 (p. 168)). The spring or the damping capability may be removed from the element. See
COMBIN14 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element. A general
spring or damper is also available in the stiffness matrix element (MATRIX27 (p. 178)). Another spring-
damper element (having its direction of action determined by the nodal coordinate directions) is
COMBIN40 (p. 230).

Figure 7.14.1: COMBIN14 Geometry

J

Cv
Torque
J
k

Z
k, Cv
I
Y
X

2-D elements must lie in a z = constant plane

COMBIN14 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Figure 7.14.1: COM-
BIN14 Geometry (p. 161). The element is defined by two nodes, a spring constant (k) and damping
coefficients (cv)1 and (cv)2. The damping capability is not used for static or undamped modal analyses.
The longitudinal spring constant should have units of Force / Length, the damping coefficient units are
Force * Time / Length. The torsional spring constant and damping coefficient have units of Force *
Length / Radian and Force * Length * Time / Radian, respectively. For a 2-D axisymmetric analysis, these
values should be on a full 360° basis.

The damping portion of the element contributes only damping coefficients to the structural damping
matrix. The damping force (F) or torque (T) is computed as:

where cv is the damping coefficient given by .

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Element Library

v is the velocity calculated in the previous substep. The second damping coefficient (cv)2 is available to
produce a nonlinear damping effect characteristic of some fluid environments. If (cv)2 is input (as real
constant CV2), KEYOPT(1) must be set to 1.

The imaginary part of the stiffness constant (kimag) contributes to the structural damping matrix. The
imaginary force (F*) or torque (T*) is computed as:

KEYOPT(2) = 1 through 6 is used for defining the element as a one-dimensional element. With these
options, the element operates in the nodal coordinate system (see Elements That Operate in the Nodal
Coordinate System (p. 63)). The KEYOPT(2) = 7 and 8 options allow the element to be used in a thermal
or pressure analysis.

A preload in the spring may be specified in one of two ways, either through an initial (force-free) length
(ILENGTH) or an initial force (IFORCE) input. Only one of the input options may be used to define the
preload. If the initial length is different than the input length defined by the nodal coordinates, a preload
is presumed to exist. If an initial force is given, a negative value indicates the spring is initially in com-
pression and a positive value indicates tension. For the 3-D torsional spring option (KEYOPT(3) = 1),
ILENGTH is interpreted as the initial number of turns (rotations) in the spring (the spring is pre-wound)
and IFORCE is the torque preload in the spring. The right-hand rule from node I to node J is used to
define positive and negative turns as well as positive and negative torque. In a nonlinear analysis, the
preload is ramped in the first load step if KBC,0 is set.

A summary of the element input is given in "COMBIN14 Input Summary" (p. 162). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

COMBIN14 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ if KEYOPT (3) = 0

ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ if KEYOPT (3) = 1
UX, UY if KEYOPT (3) = 2
see list below if KEYOPT(2) > 0

Real Constants

K, CV1, CV2, (Blank), (Blank), ILENGTH, IFORCE, KIMAG

See Table 7.14.1: COMBIN14 Real Constants (p. 164) for a description of the real constants.

In a full harmonic analysis, real constants K, CV1, and KIMAG can be defined as table parameters
using the frequency as primary variable (Var1 = FREQ on the *DIM command).

In a full transient analysis, real constants K and CV1 can be defined as table parameters using time
as the primary variable (Var1 = TIME on the *DIM command).

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 In a static analysis, real constant K can be defined as table parameters using time as the primary
variable (Var1 = TIME on the *DIM command).

Material Properties

MP command: BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None

Special Features

Birth and death

Large deflection
Linear perturbation
Nonlinearity (if CV2 is not zero)
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(1)

Solution type:

0 --

Linear Solution (default)

1 --

Nonlinear solution (required if CV2 is nonzero)

KEYOPT(2)

Degree-of-freedom selection for 1-D behavior:

0 --

Use KEYOPT(3) options

1 --

1-D longitudinal spring-damper (UX degree of freedom)

2 --

1-D longitudinal spring-damper (UY degree of freedom)

3 --

1-D longitudinal spring-damper (UZ degree of freedom)

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Element Library

4 --

1-D Torsional spring-damper (ROTX degree of freedom)

5 --

1-D Torsional spring-damper (ROTY degree of freedom)

6 --

1-D Torsional spring-damper (ROTZ degree of freedom)

7 --

Pressure degree of freedom element

8 --

Temperature degree of freedom element

Note:

KEYOPT(2) overrides KEYOPT(3)

KEYOPT(3)

Degree-of-freedom selection for 2-D and 3-D behavior:

0 --

3-D longitudinal spring-damper

1 --

3-D torsional spring-damper

2 --

2-D longitudinal spring-damper (2-D elements must lie in an X-Y plane)

Table 7.14.1: COMBIN14 Real Constants

No. Name Description

1 K Spring constant
2 CV1 Damping coefficient
3 CV2 Damping coefficient (KEYOPT(1) must be set to 1)
4, 5 (Blank) --
6 ILENGTH Initial force-free length (Initial number of turns if torsional
spring (KEYOPT(3) = 1))
7 IFORCE Initial force (or torque if torsional spring (KEYOPT(3) = 1))
8 KIMAG Imaginary part of the spring constant

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COMBIN14 Output Data
The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.14.2: COMBIN14 Element Output Definitions (p. 165).

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.14.2: COMBIN14 Stress Output (p. 165). A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

Figure 7.14.2: COMBIN14 Stress Output

J Force

Stretch

Twist
Torque
Z
J
I
Y
X

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.14.2: COMBIN14 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 1
FORC or TORQ Spring force or moment (for imaginary result Y Y
set, this is the force contribution from CV1 and
KIMAG)
STRETCH or Stretch of spring or twist of spring (radians) Y Y
TWIST
RATE Spring constant Y Y
VELOCITY Velocity (available for ANTYPE,STATIC or - Y
ANTYPE,TRANS)
DAMPING Damping force or moment (zero unless Y Y
FORCE or ANTYPE,TRANS and damping present)
TORQUE

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Element Library

1. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.14.3: COMBIN14 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 166) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) of the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.14.3: COMBIN14 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 166):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.14.2: COMBIN14 Element Output Definitions (p. 165)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.14.3: COMBIN14 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
FORC SMISC 1
STRETCH NMISC 1
VELOCITY NMISC 2
DAMPING NMISC 3
FORCE

COMBIN14 Assumptions and Restrictions

• If KEYOPT(2) is zero, the length of the spring-damper element must not be zero (that is, nodes I and
J should not be coincident, since the node locations determine the spring orientation).

• The longitudinal spring element stiffness acts only along its length. The torsion spring element stiffness
acts only about its length, as in a torsion bar.

• The element allows only a uniform stress in the spring.

• In a thermal analysis, the temperature or pressure degree of freedom acts in a manner analogous to
the displacement.

• Only the KEYOPT(2) = 0 option supports stress stiffening or large deflection. Also, if KEYOPT(3) = 1
(torsion) is used with large deflection, the coordinates will not be updated.

• The spring or the damping capability may be deleted from the element by setting the spring constant
(K) or damping coefficients (CV1 and CV2) equal to zero, respectively.

• If CV2 is not zero, the element is nonlinear and requires an iterative solution (KEYOPT(1) = 1).

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• The preload may not change after the first load step. Any changes are ignored.

• The preload is ignored in modal and harmonic analyses.

• KIMAG is only supported in modal and full harmonic analyses. In a linear perturbation modal analysis,
KIMAG must be defined using RMODIF in the first phase of the analysis (before the SOLVE,ELFORM
command). For more information, see General Procedure for Linear Perturbation Analysis in the
Structural Analysis Guide.

• Tabular input of real constants (K, CV1, and KIMAG) is not supported in modal analysis.

• The real constants (K, CV1, and KIMAG) cannot be defined as tabular parameters with respect to fre-
quency in linear perturbation analyses.

• Tabular input of real constants (K, CV1, and KIMAG) with respect to time is not supported in the
second phase of linear perturbation analyses. Their values are frozen at the end of the base analysis.

The restrictions described below only apply if KEYOPT(2) is greater than zero.

• If KEYOPT(2) is greater than zero, the element has only one degree of freedom. This degree of freedom
is specified in the nodal coordinate system and is the same for both nodes (see Elements That Operate
in the Nodal Coordinate System (p. 63)). If the nodal coordinate systems are rotated relative to each
other, the same degree of freedom may be in different directions (thereby giving possibly unexpected
results). The element, however, assumes only a 1-D action. Nodes I and J, then, may be anywhere in
space (preferably coincident).

• For noncoincident nodes and KEYOPT(2) = 1, 2, or 3, no moment effects are included. That is, if the
nodes are offset from the line of action, moment equilibrium may not be satisfied.

• The element is defined such that a positive displacement of node J relative to node I tends to stretch
the spring. If, for a given set of conditions, nodes I and J are interchanged, a positive displacement
of node J relative to node I tends to compress the spring.

COMBIN14 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

• No damping capability (CV1, CV2, and KIMAG are not allowed).

• The PRES degree of freedom (KEYOPT(2) = 7) is not allowed.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• The PRES degree of freedom (KEYOPT(2) = 7) is not allowed.

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Element Library

MASS21
Structural Mass
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 171)

MASS21 Element Description

MASS21 is a point element having up to six degrees of freedom: translations in the nodal x, y, and z
directions and rotations about the nodal x, y, and z axes. A different mass and rotary inertia may be
assigned to each coordinate direction. See MASS21 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more
details about this element.

Another element with a full mass matrix capability (off-diagonal terms) is MATRIX27 (p. 178).

Figure 7.21.1: MASS21 Geometry

z Mx, My, Mz
Ixx, Iyy, Izz
Z
x y
I
Y Element coordinate system
X shown for KEYOPT(2) = 1

MASS21 Input Data

The mass element is defined by a single node, concentrated mass components (Force*Time2/Length)
in the element coordinate directions, and rotary inertias (Force*Length*Time2) about the element co-
ordinate axes. The element coordinate system may be initially parallel to the global Cartesian coordinate
system, the nodal coordinate system, or a user-defined element coordinate system (KEYOPT(2)). The
element coordinate system rotates with the nodal coordinate rotations during a large deflection analysis.
Options are available to exclude the rotary inertia effects and to reduce the element to a 2-D capability
(KEYOPT(3)). If the element requires only one mass input, it is assumed to act in all appropriate coordinate
directions. The coordinate system for this element is shown in Figure 7.21.1: MASS21 Geometry (p. 168).

KEYOPT(1) = 1 defines the mass in volume*density form, which allows plotting of the mass using
/ESHAPE, as well as the use of a temperature-dependent density.

A summary of the element input is given in "MASS21 Input Summary" (p. 168). Element Input (p. 41)
gives a general description of element input.

MASS21 Input Summary

Nodes

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ if KEYOPT (3) = 0

UX, UY, UZ if KEYOPT (3) = 2

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 UX, UY, ROTZ if KEYOPT (3) = 3
UX, UY if KEYOPT (3) = 4
(degrees of freedom are in the nodal coordinate system)

Real Constants

MASSX, MASSY, MASSZ, IXX, IYY, IZZ, KECN if KEYOPT (3) = 0

MASS, if KEYOPT (3) = 2
MASS, IZZ, if KEYOPT (3) = 3
MASS, if KEYOPT (3) = 4
(MASSX, MASSY, and MASSZ are concentrated mass components in the element coordinate
directions. IXX, IYY, and IZZ are rotary inertias about the element coordinate axes. KECN is a
coordinate system reference number. See also KEYOPT(2)).

Material Properties

MP command: DENS (if KEYOPT(1) = 1), ALPD

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None

Special Features

Birth and death

Coriolis effect
Large deflection
Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(1)

Real constant interpretation (mass/volume or rotary inertia/density):

0 --

Interpret real constants as masses and rotary inertias

1 --

Interpret real constants as volumes and rotary inertias/density (Density must be input as a ma-
terial property)

KEYOPT(2)

Initial element coordinate system:

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Element Library

0 --

Element coordinate system is initially parallel to the global Cartesian coordinate system

1 --

Element coordinate system is initially parallel to the nodal coordinate system

4 --

Element coordinate system is initially parallel to the user-defined element coordinate system
(real constant KECN). Only supported for the 3-D mass with rotary inertia option (KEYOPT(3) =
0).

KEYOPT(3)

Rotary inertia options:

0 --

3-D mass with rotary inertia

2 --

3-D mass without rotary inertia

3 --

2-D mass with rotary inertia

4 --

2-D mass without rotary inertia

MASS21 Output Data

Nodal displacements are included in the overall displacement solution. There is no element solution
output associated with the element unless element reaction forces and/or energies are requested.

MASS21 Assumptions and Restrictions

• 2-D elements are assumed to be in a global Cartesian Z = constant plane.

• The mass element has no effect on the static analysis solution unless acceleration or rotation is
present, or inertial relief is selected [IRLF].

• The standard mass summary printout is based on the average of MASSX, MASSY, and MASSZ if
(KEYOPT(3) = 0). Only the precise mass summary includes the directional masses.

• In an inertial relief analysis, the full matrix is used. All terms are used during the analysis.

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MASS21 Product Restrictions
When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

PLANE25
Axisymmetric-Harmonic 4-Node Structural Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 178)

PLANE25 Element Description

Unless you are performing a linear analysis requiring a large number of circumferential modes, consider
using a current-technology element (p. 36) such as SOLID272 (p. 1304) (KEYOPT(6) = 0).

PLANE25 is used for 2-D modeling of axisymmetric structures with nonaxisymmetric loading. Examples
of such loading are bending, shear, or torsion. The element is defined by four nodes having three degrees
of freedom per node: translations in the nodal x, y, and z direction. For unrotated nodal coordinates,
these directions correspond to the radial, axial, and tangential directions, respectively.

See Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric Loads (p. 93) for a description of various
loading cases. See PLANE25 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.
See PLANE83 (p. 294) for a multi-node version of this element.

Figure 7.25.1: PLANE25 Geometry

L 3
K
K, L

4
2
I
J
y
(Triangular Option)
Y x
I
(or axial) 1 J

Element coordinate system

X (or radial) (shown for KEYOPT(1) = 1)

PLANE25 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.25.1: PLANE25 Geometry (p. 171). The element input data includes four nodes, the number of har-
monic waves (MODE on the MODE command), the symmetry condition (ISYM on the MODE command)
and the orthotropic material properties. The MODE and ISYM parameters are discussed in detail in
Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric Loads (p. 93).

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Element Library

The material may be orthotropic, with directions corresponding to the element coordinate directions.
The element coordinate system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Harmonically
varying nodal forces, if any, should be input on a full 360° basis.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Harmonically varying pressures may be input
as surface loads on the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Figure 7.25.1: PLANE25
Geometry (p. 171). Positive pressures act into the element.

Harmonically varying temperatures may be input as element body loads at the nodes. The node I
temperature T(I) defaults to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to T(I). For any
other input pattern, unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

KEYOPT(2) is used to include or suppress the extra displacement shapes.

KEYOPT(3) is used for temperature loading with MODE > 0 and temperature-dependent material prop-
erties. Material properties may only be evaluated at a constant (nonharmonically varying) temperature.
If MODE = 0, the material properties are always evaluated at the average element temperature. If MODE
> 0, TREF must be input as zero.

KEYOPT(4), (5), and (6) provide various element printout options (see Element Solution (p. 50)).

A summary of the element input is given in "PLANE25 Input Summary" (p. 172). Element Input (p. 41)
gives a general description of element input.

PLANE25 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

MP command: EX, EY, EZ, PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ), ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX,
CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ), DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, BETD, ALPD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressures --

face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (L-K), face 4 (I-L)

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L)

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Mode Number

Number of harmonic waves around the circumference (MODE)

Loading Condition

Symmetry condition (MODE)

Special Features

Birth and death

Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(1)

Element coordinate system:

0 --

Element coordinate system is parallel to the global coordinate system

1 --

Element coordinate system is based on the element I-J side.

KEYOPT(2)

Extra displacement shapes:

0 --

Include extra displacement shapes

1 --

Suppress extra displacement shapes

KEYOPT(3)

If MODE is greater than zero, use temperatures for:

0 --

Use temperatures only for thermal bending (evaluate material properties at TREF)

1 --

Use temperatures only for material property evaluation (thermal strains are not computed)

KEYOPT(4)

Extra stress output:

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Element Library

0 --

Basic element solution

1 --

Repeat basic solution for all integration points

2 --

Nodal Stress Solution

KEYOPT(5)

Combined stress output:

0 --

No combined stress solution

1 --

Combined stress solution at centroid and nodes

KEYOPT(6)

Include extra surface output (surface solution valid only for isotropic materials):

0 --

Basic element solution

1 --

Surface solution for face I-J also

2 --

Surface solution for both faces I-J and K-L also

PLANE25 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.25.1: PLANE25 Element Output Definitions (p. 175).

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.25.2: PLANE25 Stress Output (p. 175).

In the displacement printout, the UZ component is out-of-phase with the UX and UY components. For
example, in the MODE = 1, ISYM = 1 loading case, UX and UY are the peak values at θ = 0° and UZ is
the peak value at θ = 90°. The same occurs for the reaction forces (FX, FY, etc.). The element stress dir-
ections are parallel to the element coordinate system. We recommend that you always use the angle

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field on the SET command when postprocessing the results. For more information about harmonic
elements, see Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric Loads (p. 93)

The sign convention on the surface shears is such that for a rectangular element that is lined up parallel
to the axes with node J in the positive Y direction from node I, the shear stresses on surfaces I-J and
K-L are analogous to the centroidal SYZ in both definition and sign. Stress components which are inher-
ently zero for a load case are printed for clarity. Solution Output (p. 49) gives a general description of
solution output. See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

Figure 7.25.2: PLANE25 Stress Output

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.25.1: PLANE25 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
ISYM Loading key: 1 = symmetric, -1 = antisymmetric Y -
MODE Number of waves in loading Y -
VOLU: Volume Y Y
PRES Pressure P1 at nodes J,I; P2 at K,J; P3 at L,K; P4 at I,L Y Y
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L) Y Y
PK ANG Angle where component stresses have peak values: Y Y
0 and 90/MODE degrees. Blank if MODE = 0.
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 3
S:X, Y, Z Direct stresses (radial, axial, hoop) at PK ANG Y Y
locations

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
S:XY, YZ, XZ Shear stresses (radial-axial, axial-hoop, radial-hoop) Y Y
at PK ANG locations
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses at both PK ANG locations as well 1 1
as where extreme occurs (EXTR); if MODE = 0, only
one location is given.
S:INT Stress intensity at both PK ANG locations as well as 1 1
where extreme occurs (EXTR); if MODE = 0, only one
location is given.
S:EQV Equivalent stress at both PK ANG locations as well 1 1
as where extreme occurs (EXTR); if MODE = 0, only
one location is given.
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY Elastic strain Y Y
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain [4] - Y
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY Average thermal strains 1 1
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain [4] - 1
FACE Face label 2 2
TEMP Surface average temperature 2 2
EPEL(PAR, PER, Z, Surface strains (parallel, perpendicular, hoop, shear) 2 2
SH) at PK ANG locations and where extreme occurs
(EXTR)
S(PAR, PER, Z, SH) Surface stresses (parallel, perpendicular, hoop, shear) 2 2
at PK ANG locations and where extreme occurs
(EXTR)

1. These items are output only if KEYOPT(5) = 1.

2. These items are printed only if KEYOPT(6) is greater than zero.

3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

4. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY).

Table 7.25.2: PLANE25 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 177) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) of the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) for more information. The following
notation is used in Table 7.25.2: PLANE25 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 177):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.25.1: PLANE25 Element Output Definitions (p. 175)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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E

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I,J,K,L

sequence number for data at nodes I,J,K,L

Table 7.25.2: PLANE25 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item I J K L
Name
P1 SMISC 2 1 - -
P2 SMISC - 4 3 -
P3 SMISC - - 6 5
P4 SMISC 7 - - 8
THETA = 0
S1 NMISC 1 16 31 46
S2 NMISC 2 17 32 47
S3 NMISC 3 18 33 48
SINT NMISC 4 19 34 49
SEQV NMISC 5 20 35 50
THETA = 90/MODE
S1 NMISC 6 21 36 51
S2 NMISC 7 22 37 52
S3 NMISC 8 23 38 53
SINT NMISC 9 24 39 54
SEQV NMISC 10 25 40 55
EXTR Values
S1 NMISC 11 26 41 56
S2 NMISC 12 27 42 57
S3 NMISC 13 28 43 58
SINT NMISC 14 29 44 59
SEQV NMISC 15 30 45 60

Note:

The NMISC items (1 thru 60) in the above table represent the combined stress solution,
KEYOPT(5) = 1. If MODE = 0, their values are zero at THETA = 90/MODE and at EXTR.

See Surface Solution (p. 52) for the item and sequence numbers for surface output for the ETABLE
command.

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PLANE25 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The area of the element must be positive.

• The element must be defined in the global X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.25.1: PLANE25 Geo-
metry (p. 171) and the global X-axis must be the radial direction. Negative X coordinates should
not be used.

• The element assumes a linear elastic material. Post-analysis superposition of results is valid only
with other linear elastic solutions. The element should not be used with the large deflection
option.

• A triangular element may be formed by defining duplicate K and L node numbers (see Degener-
ated Shape Elements (p. 37)). The extra shapes are automatically deleted for triangular elements
so that a constant strain element results.

• Surface stress printout is valid only if the conditions described in Element Solution (p. 50) are
met.

• You can use only axisymmetric (MODE,0) loads without significant torsional stresses to generate
the stress state used for stress stiffened modal analyses using this element.

• This element does not support spectrum analysis.

• Modeling hint: If shear effects are important in a shell-like structure, you should use at least two
elements through the thickness.

PLANE25 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

MATRIX27
Stiffness, Damping, or Mass Matrix
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 182)

MATRIX27 Element Description

MATRIX27 represents an arbitrary element whose geometry is undefined but whose elastic kinematic
response can be specified by stiffness, damping, or mass coefficients in matrix form. The matrix is assumed
to relate two nodes, each with six degrees of freedom per node: translations in the nodal x, y, and z
directions and rotations about the nodal x, y, and z axes. See MATRIX27 in the Mechanical APDL Theory
Reference for more details about this element. Other similar, but less general, elements are the spring-
damper element (COMBIN14 (p. 161)), and the mass element (MASS21 (p. 168)).

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Figure 7.27.1: MATRIX27 Schematic

MATRIX27 Input Data

The node locations and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Figure 7.27.1: MATRIX27
Schematic (p. 179). The element is defined by two nodes and the matrix coefficients. The stiffness,
damping, or mass matrix constants are input as real constants. The units of the stiffness constants are
Force/Length or Force*Length/Radian and the damping constants, Force*Time/Length and
Force*Length*Time/Radian. The mass constants should have units of Force*Time2/Length or
Force*Time2*Length/Radian.

All matrices generated by this element are 12 by 12. The degrees of freedom are ordered as UX, UY,
UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ for node I followed by the same for node J. If one node is not used, simply let
all rows and columns relating to that node default to zero.

A structural matrix that combines the effects of many elements is normally positive or zero definite, as
are the element matrices that contribute to it. There may be unusual circumstances where an element
matrix is negative definite, and this is okay if there are other matrices connected to the same nodes
that are positive definite, resulting in a final system of equations is still positive or zero definite. A simple
example of such a circumstance is a beam element loaded with half of the buckling load. The stress
stiffness matrix is negative definite, but the combined regular and stress stiffness matrix is positive
definite.

When using MATRIX27 with symmetric element matrices (KEYOPT(2) = 0), positive or zero definite
matrices should be input using KEYOPT(1) = 0, the default. To input a negative definite element matrix,
set KEYOPT(1) = 1 so that the negative definite checking will be bypassed. However, when using an
unsymmetric or skew-symmetric element matrix, (KEYOPT(2) = 2 or 3), there are no limits on the form
of the matrix, as the unsymmetric solvers are designed to solve any system of equations, as long as it
is not singular.

The matrix constants should be input according to the matrix diagrams shown in "MATRIX27 Output
Data" (p. 181). For example, if a simple spring of stiffness K in the nodal x direction is desired, the input
constants would be C1 = C58 = K and C7 = -K for KEYOPT(2) = 0 and KEYOPT(3) = 4.

A summary of the element input is given in "MATRIX27 Input Summary" (p. 179). Element Input (p. 41)
gives a general description of element input.

MATRIX27 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

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Real Constants

C1, C2, ... C78 - Define the upper triangular portion of the symmetric matrix (if KEYOPT(2) = 0)
C1, C2, ... C144 - Define all terms of the unsymmetric matrix (if KEYOPT(2) = 2)
C1, C2, ... C66 - Define upper triangular portion (less diagonal terms) if skew symmetric (KEYOPT(2)
= 3)

Material Properties

MP command: BETD, ALPD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None

Special Features

Birth and death

Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(1)

Matrix form (only works with KEYOPT(2) = 0):

0 --

Input positive or zero definite matrices only

1 --

Input positive, zero, or negative definite matrices

KEYOPT(2)

Matrix formulation:

0 --

Symmetric matrices (78 constants required)

2 --

Unsymmetric matrices(144 constants required)

3 --

Skew symmetric matrices (66 constants required)

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KEYOPT(3)

Real constant input data:

2 --

Defines a 12 x 12 mass matrix

4 --

Defines a 12 x 12 stiffness matrix

5 --

Defines a 12 x 12 damping matrix

KEYOPT(4)

Element matrix output:

0 --

Do not print element matrix

1 --

Print element matrix at beginning of solution phase

MATRIX27 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element consists of node displacements included in the overall
nodal solution. There is no element solution output associated with the element unless element reaction
forces and/or energies are requested. KEYOPT(4) = 1 causes the element matrix to be printed (for the
first substep of the first load step only). Solution Output (p. 49) gives a general description of solution
output.

For KEYOPT(2) = 0, the symmetric matrix has the form:

For KEYOPT(2) = 2, the unsymmetric matrix has the form:

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For KEYOPT(2) = 3, the skew symmetric matrix has the form:

MATRIX27 Assumptions and Restrictions

• Nodes may be coincident or noncoincident.

• Since element matrices should normally not be negative definite, a note is printed for those
cases where this can be easily detected.

• With a lumped mass matrix [LUMPM,ON] all off-diagonal terms must be zero.

• The matrix terms are associated with the nodal degrees of freedom and are assumed to act in
the nodal coordinate directions (see Elements That Operate in the Nodal Coordinate Sys-
tem (p. 63)).

MATRIX27 Product Restrictions

There are not product-specific restrictions for this element.

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FLUID29
2-D Axisymmetric Harmonic Acoustic Fluid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 188)

FLUID29 Element Description

FLUID29 is used for modeling the fluid medium and the interface in fluid/structure interaction problems.
Typical applications include sound wave propagation and submerged structure dynamics. The governing
equation for acoustics, namely the 2-D wave equation, has been discretized taking into account the
coupling of acoustic pressure and structural motion at the interface. The element has four corner nodes
with three degrees of freedom per node: translations in the nodal x and y directions and pressure. The
translations, however, are applicable only at nodes that are on the interface. Acceleration effects, such
as in sloshing problems, may be included.

The element has the capability to include damping of sound absorbing material at the interface. The
element can be used with other 2-D structural elements to perform unsymmetric or damped modal,
full harmonic and full transient method analyses (see the description of the TRNOPT command). When
there is no structural motion, the element is also applicable to static and modal analyses. See FLUID29
in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.29.1: FLUID29 Geometry

L 3 K

K, L
4
2

Y I
(or axial) I J
1 J (Triangular Option)
X (or radial)

FLUID29 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Figure 7.29.1:
FLUID29 Geometry (p. 183). The element is defined by four nodes, the number of harmonic waves (MODE
on the MODE command), the symmetry condition (ISYM on the MODE command), a reference pressure,
and the isotropic material properties. The MODE and ISYM parameters are discussed in detail in Harmonic
Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric Loads (p. 93). The reference pressure (PREF) is used to
calculate the element sound pressure level (defaults to 20x10-6 N/m2). The speed of sound ( ) in
the fluid is input by SONC where k is the bulk modulus of the fluid (Force/Area) and ρo is the mean
fluid density (Mass/Volume) (input as DENS). The dissipative effect due to fluid viscosity is neglected,
but absorption of sound at the interface is accounted for by generating a damping matrix using the
surface area and boundary admittance at the interface. Experimentally measured values of the boundary
admittance for the sound absorbing material may be input as material property MU. We recommend
MU values from 0.0 to 1.0; however, values greater than 1.0 are allowed. MU = 0.0 represents no sound
absorption and MU = 1.0 represents full sound absorption. DENS, SONC and MU are evaluated at the
average of the nodal temperatures.

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Nodal flow rates, if any, may be specified using the F command where both the real and imaginary
components may be applied. Nodal flow rates should be input per unit of depth for a plane analysis
and on a 360° basis for an axisymmetric analysis.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Fluid-structure interfaces (FSI) can be flagged
by surface loads at the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Figure 7.29.1: FLUID29
Geometry (p. 183). Specifying the FSI label (without a value) (SF, SFA, SFE) couples the structural motion
and fluid pressure at the interface. Deleting the FSI specification (SFDELE, SFADELE, SFEDELE) removes
the flag. The flag specification should be on the fluid elements at the interface. The surface load label
IMPD with a value of unity should be used to include damping that may be present at a structural
boundary with a sound absorption lining. A zero value of IMPD removes the damping calculation. The
displacement degrees of freedom (UX and UY) at the element nodes not on the interface should be set
to zero to avoid zero-pivot warning messages.

Temperatures may be input as element body loads at the nodes. The node I temperature T(I) defaults
to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to T(I). For any other input pattern,
unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

KEYOPT(2) is used to specify the absence of a structure at the interface and, therefore, the absence of
coupling between the fluid and structure. Since the absence of coupling produces symmetric element
matrices, a symmetric eigensolver (MODOPT) may be used within the modal analysis. However, for the
coupled (unsymmetric) problem, a corresponding unsymmetric eigensolver (MODOPT) must be used.

Vertical acceleration (ACELY on the ACEL command) is needed for the gravity regardless of the value
of MODE, even for a modal analysis.

A summary of the element input is given in "FLUID29 Input Summary" (p. 184). A general description of
element input is given in Element Input (p. 41). For axisymmetric applications see Harmonic Axisymmetric
Elements (p. 92).

FLUID29 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, PRES if KEYOPT (2) = 0

PRES if KEYOPT (2) = 1

Real Constants

PREF (reference pressure)

Material Properties

MP command: DENS, SONC, MU

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Surface Loads

Fluid-structure Interface Flag --

face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (L-K), face 4 (I-L)

Impedance --

face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (L-K), face 4 (I-L)

Mode Number

Input mode number on MODE command

Loading Condition

Input for ISYM on MODE command

1 --

Symmetric loading

-1 --

Antisymmetric loading

Special Features

None

KEYOPT(2)

Structure at element interface:

0 --

Structure present at interface (unsymmetric element matrix)

1 --

No structure at interface (symmetric element matrix)

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

0 --

Planar

1 --

Axisymmetric

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2 --

Harmonic Axisymmetric

KEYOPT(7)

Free surface effect:

0 --

Do not include sloshing effect

1 --

Include sloshing effect on face of elements located on Y = 0.0 plane (elements must not have
positive Y coordinates)

FLUID29 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements and pressures included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.29.1: FLUID29 Element Output Definitions (p. 186).

Solution Output (p. 49) gives a general description of solution output. See the Basic Analysis Guide for
ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.29.1: FLUID29 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 2
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L) Y Y
PRESSURE Average pressure Y Y
PG(X, Y, SUM) Components and vector sum of pressure Y Y
gradient in a transient analysis or velocity in
other analysis types

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 Name Definition O R
SOUND Sound pressure level (in decibels) 1 1
PR.LEVEL

1. Output only if ANTYPE,HARMIC

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.29.2: FLUID29 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 187) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.29.2: FLUID29 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 187):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.29.1: FLUID29 Element Output Definitions (p. 186)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.29.2: FLUID29 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Name Input
Item E
PGX SMISC 1
PGY SMISC 2
PRESSURE NMISC 1
PGSUM NMISC 2
SOUND PR. NMISC 4
LEVEL

FLUID29 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The area of the element must be positive.

• The element must lie in a global X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.29.1: FLUID29 Geometry (p. 183).

• All elements must have 4 nodes. A triangular element may be formed by defining duplicate K
and L nodes (see Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37)).

• The acoustic pressure in the fluid medium is determined by the wave equation with the following
assumptions:

– The fluid is compressible (density changes due to pressure variations).

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Element Library

– Inviscid fluid (no dissipative effect due to viscosity).

– There is no mean flow of the fluid.

– The mean density and pressure are uniform throughout the fluid. Note that the acoustic
pressure is the excess pressure from the mean pressure.

– Analyses are limited to relatively small acoustic pressures so that the changes in density
are small compared with the mean density.

The lumped mass matrix formulation (LUMPM,ON) is not allowed for this element.

FLUID29 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

FLUID30
3-D Acoustic Fluid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 130)

FLUID30 Element Description

Use FLUID30 for modeling the fluid medium and the interface in fluid-structure interaction problems.

For detailed information about this element, see Elements for Acoustic Analysis (p. 118). For further in-
formation, see FLUID30 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.

Figure 7.30.1: FLUID30 Geometry

M,N,O,P
4
I
P
5 K,L
O
J
6 Tetrahedral Option
M
N M O,P
2 3
N
y L
I K,L
K
J
Z Wedge Option
x
I
1
Y J M,N,O,P
X
Surface Coordinate System L K
I
J
Pyramid Option

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LINK31
Radiation Link
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 192)

LINK31 Element Description

LINK31 is a uniaxial element which models the radiation heat flow rate between two points in space.
The link has a single degree of freedom, temperature, at each node. The radiation element is applicable
to a 2-D (plane or axisymmetric) or 3-D, steady-state or transient thermal analysis.

An empirical relationship allowing the form factor and area to multiply the temperatures independently
is also available. The emissivity may be temperature dependent. If the model containing the radiation
element is also to be analyzed structurally, the radiation element should be replaced by an equivalent
(or null) structural element. See LINK31 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about
this element.

Figure 7.31.1: LINK31 Geometry

Z J

Y
X I

LINK31 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this radiation element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.31.1: LINK31 Geometry (p. 189). The element is defined by two nodes, a radiating surface area, a
geometric form factor, the emissivity, and the Stefan-Boltzmann constant (SBC). For axisymmetric
problems, the radiation area should be input on a full 360° basis.

The emissivity may be constant or temperature (absolute) dependent. If it is constant, the value is input
as a real constant. If it is temperature dependent, the values are input for the material property EMIS
and the real constant value is used only to identify the material property number. In this case the MAT
value associated with element is not used. EMIS defaults to 1.0.

The standard radiation function is defined as follows:

q = σ εFA(T(I)4 - T(J)4)

where:

σ = Stefan-Boltzmann Constant (SBC)

(defaults to 0.119 x 10-10 (BTU/Hr*in2* °R4)
ε = emissivity
F = geometric form factor
A = area (Length)2
q = heat flow rate (Heat/Time)

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The nonlinear temperature equation is solved by a Newton-Raphson iterative solution based on the
form:

[(T(I)2 + T(J)2)(T(I) + T(J))]p(T(I) - T(J))

where the [ ]p term is evaluated at the temperature of the previous substep. The initial temperature
should be near the anticipated solution and should not be zero (that is, both TUNIF and TOFFST should
not be zero).

An empirical radiation function of the following form may also be selected with KEYOPT(3):

q = σ ε(FT(I)4 - AT(J)4)

where F and A are arbitrary input constants.

A summary of the element input is given in "LINK31 Input Summary" (p. 190). A general description of
element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

LINK31 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

Real Constants

AREA - Radiating surface area

FORM FACTOR - Geometric form factor
EMISSIVITY - Emissivity (If EMISSIVITY = -n, use material n for emissivity vs. temperature definition)
SBC - Stefan-Boltzmann constant

Material Properties

MP command: EMIS (required only if EMISSIVITY = -N)

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None

Special Features

Birth and death

Nonlinearity

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KEYOPT(3)

Radiation equation:

0 --

Use standard radiation equation

1 --

Use empirical radiation equation

The Stefan-Boltzmann constant (SBC) defaults to 0.1190E-10 with units of Btu, hr, in, °R (or °F if TOFFST
is used)

LINK31 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.31.1: LINK31 Element Output Definitions (p. 191)

The heat flow rate is positive from node I to node J. A general description of solution output is given
in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.31.1: LINK31 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
AREA AREA Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 1
EMIS(I, J) Emissivity - I, J Y Y
TEMP(I, J) Temperatures - I, J Y Y
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate from node I to node J Y Y

1. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

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Table 7.31.2: LINK31 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 192) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.31.2: LINK31 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 192):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.31.1: LINK31 Element Output Definitions (p. 191)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.31.2: LINK31 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
HEAT RATE SMISC 1
TEMPI SMISC 2
TEMPJ SMISC 3
EMISI NMISC 1
EMISJ NMISC 2
AREA NMISC 3
FORM NMISC 4
FACTOR

LINK31 Assumptions and Restrictions

• If the default Stefan-Boltzmann constant is used, the units associated with this element are Btu, inches,
hours and °R (or °F + TOFFST). Other data input for this analysis must be consistent with this set of
units or an appropriate conversion factor should be included in the radiation element's real constants.

• Nodes may or may not be coincident.

• An iterative solution is required with this element.

LINK31 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

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LINK33
3-D Conduction Bar
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 196)

LINK33 Element Description

LINK33 is a uniaxial element with the ability to conduct heat between its nodes. The element has a
single degree of freedom, temperature, at each node point. The conducting bar is applicable to a steady-
state or transient thermal analysis.

If the model containing the conducting bar element is also to be analyzed structurally, the bar element
should be replaced by an equivalent structural element. See LINK33 in the Mechanical APDL Theory
Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.33.1: LINK33 Geometry

J

Z x
I
Y
X

LINK33 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this conducting bar are shown in Fig-
ure 7.33.1: LINK33 Geometry (p. 193). The element is defined by two nodes, a cross-sectional area, and
the material properties. Specific heat and density are ignored for steady-state solutions. The thermal
conductivity is in the element longitudinal direction.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Heat generation rates may be input as element
body loads at the nodes. The node J heat generation rate HG(J) defaults to the node I heat generation
rate HG(I).

A summary of the element input is given in "LINK33 Input Summary" (p. 193). A general description of
element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

LINK33 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

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Element Library

Real Constants

AREA - Cross-sectional area

Material Properties

MP command: KXX, DENS, C, ENTH

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Heat Generation --

HG(I), HG(J)

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPTS

None

LINK33 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.33.1: LINK33 Element Output Definitions (p. 194)

The heat flow rate is in units of Heat/Time and is positive from node I to node J. A general description
of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view
results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.33.1: LINK33 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y

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 Name Definition O R
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 1
LENGTH Length Y Y
AREA Input area Y Y
TEMP(I, J) Temperatures - I, J Y Y
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate from node I to node J Y Y
THERMAL FLUX Thermal flux (heat flow rate/cross-sectional area) Y Y

1. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.33.2: LINK33 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 195) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.33.2: LINK33 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 195):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.33.1: LINK33 Element Output Definitions (p. 194)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.33.2: LINK33 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Name Input
Item E
HEAT RATE SMISC 1
TEMPI SMISC 2
TEMPJ SMISC 3
THERMAL FLUX SMISC 4
LENGTH NMISC 1
AREA NMISC 2

LINK33 Assumptions and Restrictions

• Heat is assumed to flow only in the longitudinal element direction.

• The element must not have a zero length, so nodes I and J must not be coincident.

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Element Library

• A free end of the element (that is, not adjacent to another element and not subjected to a boundary
constraint) is assumed to be adiabatic.

LINK33 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

LINK34
Convection Link
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 200)

LINK34 Element Description

LINK34 is a uniaxial element with the ability to convect heat between its nodes. The element has a
single degree of freedom, temperature, at each node point. The convection element is applicable to a
2-D (plane or axisymmetric) or 3-D, steady-state or transient thermal analysis.

If the model containing the convection element is also to be analyzed structurally, the convection element
should be replaced by an equivalent (or null) structural element. The element may have a nonlinear
film coefficient which may also be a function of temperature or time. See LINK34 in the Mechanical
APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.34.1: LINK34 Geometry

Z J

Y
X I

LINK34 Input Data

The geometry and node locations for this convection element are shown in Figure 7.34.1: LINK34 Geo-
metry (p. 196). The element is defined by two nodes, a convection surface area, two empirical terms,
and a film coefficient. In an axisymmetric analysis the convection area must be expressed on a full 360°
basis. The empirical terms n (input as EN) and CC determine the form of the convection equation in
conjunction with KEYOPT(3).

The convection function is defined as follows:

q = hf*A*E*(T(I) - T(J))

where:

q = heat flow rate (Heat/Time)

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 hf = film coefficient (Heat/Length2*Time*Deg)

A = area (Length2)
T = temperature (this substep) (Deg)

E = empirical convection term =

Tp = temperature (previous substep) (Deg)

n = empirical coefficient (EN)
CC = input constant

Note:

E = F if n and CC = 0.0. F = 1.0 unless KEYOPT(3) = 2. If KEYOPT(3) = 3, E equals the larger

of ITp(I) - Tp(J)In or CC/hf.

A special option obtained with KEYOPT(3) = 2 allows an alternate input for hf and an input scale factor
(F). This option uses the VAL1 field of the SFE command with KVAL = 0 for the hf value and KVAL = 2
for the F value. If the hf value is zero (or blank), the HF material property is used for hf. If the F value is
zero (or blank) or negative, a value of 1.0 is assumed for F. Note, the F value input in this field will ramp
within a load step if KBC = 0. An SFE command must be included (even if the values are left blank) for
all LINK34 elements having KEYOPT(3) = 2.

Heat generation rates may be input as element body loads at the nodes. The node J heat generation
rate HG(J) defaults to the node I heat generation rate HG(I).

A summary of the element input is given in "LINK34 Input Summary" (p. 197). A general description of
element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

LINK34 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

Real Constants

AREA - Convection surface area

EN - Empirical coefficient
CC - Input constant

Material Properties

MP command: HF

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Element Library

Surface Loads

Convections --

1 - Alternate input of HF and F if KEYOPT(3) = 2 (see text above)

Body Loads

Heat Generation --

HG(I), HG(J)

Special Features

Birth and death

Nonlinearity if real constant EN is not equal to zero or if KEYOPT(3) = 3

KEYOPT(2)

Evaluation of film coefficient:

0 --

Use average of T(I) and T(J) to evaluate HF

1 --

Use greater of T(I) or T(J) to evaluate HF

2 --

Use lesser of T(I) or T(J) to evaluate HF

3 --

Use differential |T(I) - T(J)| to evaluate HF

KEYOPT(3)

Film coefficient and scale factor:

0 --

Standard element input and empirical term

2 --

Use alternate input for HF and F (input with SFE command)

3 --

Use discontinuous empirical term

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LINK34 Output Data
The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.34.1: LINK34 Element Output Definitions (p. 199)

The heat flow rate is in units of Heat/Time and is positive from node I to node J. In an axisymmetric
analysis, the heat flow is on a full 360° basis. A general description of solution output is given in Solution
Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.34.1: LINK34 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 1
H Film coefficient (includes empirical term) Y Y
AREA Input area Y Y
TEMP Temperature at node I and node J Y Y
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate from node I to node J Y Y

1. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.34.2: LINK34 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 200) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.34.2: LINK34 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 200):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.34.1: LINK34 Element Output Definitions (p. 199)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

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Element Library

I,J

sequence number for data at nodes I and J

Table 7.34.2: LINK34 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command

Quantity Input
Name Item E I J
HEAT RATE SMISC 1 - -
TEMP SMISC - 2 3
H NMISC 1 - -
AREA NMISC 2 - -

LINK34 Assumptions and Restrictions

• If Tp(I) = Tp(J) and n are nonzero, the first term of E is defined to be zero.

• Since all unspecified nodal temperatures are initially set to the uniform temperature, a nonzero value
of n may result in no heat flowing through the element in the first substep of a thermal solution.

• Nodes may or may not be coincident.

• The element is nonlinear if n is nonzero or KEYOPT(3) = 3. However, the solver always assumes the
element is nonlinear and, therefore, always performs an iterative solution. (Only 2 iterations are per-
formed if the element is linear.)

LINK34 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

• Nonlinearity is not available (real constant EN can not equal 0 and KEYOPT(3) can not equal
3).

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PLANE35
2-D 6-Node Triangular Thermal Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 205)

PLANE35 Element Description

PLANE35 is a 6-node triangular element compatible with the 8-node PLANE77 (p. 284) element. The tri-
angular shape makes it well suited to model irregular meshes (such as produced from various CAD/CAM
systems). The element has one degree of freedom, temperature, at each node.

The 6-node thermal element is applicable to a 2-D, steady-state or transient thermal analysis. If the
model containing this element is also to be analyzed structurally, the element should be replaced by
an equivalent structural element (such as PLANE183 (p. 701)). The element may be used as a plane element
or as an axisymmetric ring element. See PLANE35 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more
details about this element.

Figure 7.35.1: PLANE35 Geometry

K

2
3
N M

Y
(or axial) L
I
1
X (or radial) J

PLANE35 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.35.1: PLANE35 Geometry (p. 201).

Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate
system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Specific heat and density are ignored
for steady-state solutions. Properties not input default as described in the Material Reference.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Convection or heat flux (but not both) and
radiation may be input as surface loads at the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Fig-
ure 7.35.1: PLANE35 Geometry (p. 201). Heat generation rates may be input as element body loads at
the nodes. If the node I heat generation rate HG(I) is input, and all others are unspecified, they default
to HG(I). If all corner node heat generation rates are specified, each midside node heat generation rate
defaults to the average heat generation rate of its adjacent corner nodes. An edge with a removed
midside node implies that the temperature varies linearly, rather than parabolically, along that edge.
See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing Guide for more information about
the use of midside nodes.

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Element Library

A summary of the element input is given in "PLANE35 Input Summary" (p. 202). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41). For axisymmetric applications see Harmonic
Axisymmetric Elements (p. 92).

PLANE35 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

MP command: KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH

Surface Loads

Convection or Heat Flux (but not both) and Radiation (using Lab = RDSF) --

face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (I-K)

Body Loads

Heat Generations --

HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), HG(N)

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT(1)

Specific heat matrix:

0 --

Consistent specific heat matrix

1 --

Diagonalized specific heat matrix

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

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 0 --

Plane

1 --

Axisymmetric

PLANE35 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.35.1: PLANE35 Element Output Definitions (p. 203)

For an axisymmetric analysis the face area and the heat flow rate are on a full 360° basis. Convection
heat flux is positive out of the element; applied heat flux is positive into the element. The element
output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of solution output
is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.35.1: PLANE35 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 2
HGEN Heat generations HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), Y -
HG(N)
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector sum at Y Y
centroid
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux (heat flow rate/cross-sectional area) Y Y
components and vector sum at centroid
FACE Face label 1 1
AREA Face area 1 1
NODES Face nodes 1 1
HFILM Film coefficient 1 1

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
TAVG Average face temperature 1 1
TBULK Fluid bulk temperature 1 -
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 1 1
HEAT Heat flow rate per unit area across face by convection 1 -
RATE/AREA
HFLUX Heat flux at each node of face 1 -
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face - 1
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 1
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate per unit area across face caused by input - 1
heat flux

1. If a surface load has been input

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.35.2: PLANE35 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 204) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.35.2: PLANE35 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 204):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.35.1: PLANE35 Element Output Definitions (p. 203)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

FCN

sequence number for solution items for element Face N

Table 7.35.2: PLANE35 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command

Quantity Input
Name Item FC1 FC2 FC3
AREA NMISC 1 7 13
HFAVG NMISC 2 8 14
TAVG NMISC 3 9 15
TBAVG NMISC 4 10 16
HEAT RATE NMISC 5 11 17
HFLXAVG NMISC 6 12 18

PLANE35 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The area of the element must be positive.

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• The element must lie in an X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.35.1: PLANE35 Geometry (p. 201) and the
Y-axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses.

• An axisymmetric structure should be modeled in the +X quadrants.

• A face with a removed midside node implies that the temperature varies linearly, rather than parabol-
ically, along that face.

• The specific heat and enthalpy are evaluated at each integration point to allow for abrupt changes
(such as melting) within a coarse grid of elements.

• A free surface of the element (that is, not adjacent to another element and not subjected to a
boundary constraint) is assumed to be adiabatic.

• Thermal transients having a fine integration time step and a severe thermal gradient at the surface
will require a fine mesh at the surface.

PLANE35 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

SOURC36
Current Source
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 208)

SOURC36 Element Description

SOURC36 is a primitive (consisting of predefined geometries) used to supply current source data to
magnetic field problems. The element represents a distribution of current in a model employing a
scalar potential formulation (degree of freedom MAG). The currents are used to calculate a source
magnetic field intensity (Hs) using a numerical integration technique involving the Biot-Savart law. The
Hs term is used in the formulation as a magnetic load on the model. See SOURC36 in the Mechanical
APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

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Element Library

Figure 7.36.1: SOURC36 Geometry

y y

x
CUR x
J
J
I
DY z
I K
K z
DY CUR
DZ

DZ
a) Type 1 - Coil b) Type 2 - Bar
y DY
CUR
J x

K
DZ z

c) Type 3 - Arc

SOURC36 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.36.1: SOURC36 Geometry (p. 206). The element input data includes three nodes and the following
real constants (see "SOURC36 Input Summary" (p. 207)):

TYPE

Source type - use 1 for Coil, 2 for Bar, 3 for Arc.

CUR

Total current flowing through source (that is, number of turns times current per turn).

DY

Characteristic y dimension for source type.

DZ

Characteristic z dimension for source type.

EPS

Convergence criterion for source field (Hs) calculations for arc and coils. Defaults to 0.001. EPS
represents the relative maximum difference in the field Hs calculated at any node during the
iterative calculation of the source field. EPS does not apply for bar sources.

Characteristic dimensions described above are in the element coordinate system. In the case of circular
sources (coils, arcs) the radius is determined from the first and third nodes (I, K). For bar sources, the
length is determined from the first two nodes (I, J).

As a modeling aid, a magnetic command macro, RACE, is available within the Mechanical APDL command
set. This macro enables you to build a racetrack conductor from SOURC36 primitives. The macro is dis-
cussed in further detail in the Command Reference and in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis
Guide.

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A summary of the element input is given in "SOURC36 Input Summary" (p. 207). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SOURC36 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K (nodes I, J and K define the characteristic length, current flow direction, and orient the source)

Degrees of Freedom

None

Real Constants

TYPE, CUR, DY, DZ, (Blank), (Blank),

(Blank), (Blank), EPS
See Table 7.36.1: SOURC36 Real Constants (p. 207) for a description of the real constants.

Material Properties

None

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None

Special Features

None

KEYOPTS

None

Table 7.36.1: SOURC36 Real Constants

No. Name Description

1 TYPE Source type
2 CUR Total current through source
3 DY Characteristic Y dimension
4 DZ Characteristic Z dimension
5 ... 8 (Blank)
9 EPS Convergence criteria for Hs calculations

As a modeling aid, a magnetic command macro, RACE, is available within the Mechanical APDL command
set. This macro enables you to build a racetrack conductor from SOURC36 primitives. The macro is dis-

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Element Library

cussed in further detail in the Command Reference and in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis
Guide.

SOURC36 Output Data

The source element has no output of its own since it is used only to supply current source data to
magnetic field problems.

SOURC36 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The source element must have characteristic DY or DZ values that are greater than zero.

• The third node must not be colinear with the first two nodes.

• The nodes for this element need not be attached to any other elements.

• For the coil and the arc (types 1 and 3), the K-I line determines the radius (and the x axis) and the J
node orients the x-y plane.

• For the arc (type 3) the subtended angle must be less than 180°. When you specify an arc using three
points, Mechanical APDL always uses the angle that is less than 180°.

• All source element nodes should be located a least 1E-6 units apart.

• Source element cannot have a zero inside radius (Radius ≠ DY/2 for types 1 and 3).

• The EPS convergence criterion is a measure of the relative difference in the calculated Hs field used
during an iterative numerical integration procedure for coil and arc source primitives. The default
value (.001) provides for good accuracy in regions outside of the source primitive location. For highly
accurate calculations within the source primitive domain, the criteria may have to be tightened (that
is, a factor of 20 increase would be represented by EPS = .00005).

• Tightening the convergence criteria will significantly increase the solution run time.

• Users concerned with accurate calculations within the coil and arc source primitive domain should
experiment with the criteria until satisfied with the degree of accuracy obtained.

• All currents for a magnetostatic model employing the scalar potential formulation must be specified.
Whereas symmetry conditions on the finite element model may be employed, no symmetry may be
employed on the current source elements.

SOURC36 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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COMBIN37
Control
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 218)

COMBIN37 Element Description

COMBIN37 is a unidirectional element with the capability of turning on and off during an analysis. The
element has one degree of freedom at each node, either a translation in a nodal coordinate direction,
rotation about a nodal coordinate axis, pressure, or temperature. Similar unidirectional elements (without
remote control capability) are COMBIN14 (p. 161), COMBIN39 (p. 221), and COMBIN40 (p. 230). The element
has many applications, such as controlling heat flow as a function of temperature (thermostat), controlling
damping as a function of velocity (mechanical snubber), controlling flow resistance as a function of
pressure (relief valve), controlling friction as a function of displacement (friction clutch), etc. See COM-
BIN37 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.37.1: COMBIN37 Geometry

COMBIN37 Input Data

The functioning of this element is shown in Figure 7.37.1: COMBIN37 Geometry (p. 209). The element is
defined by two pairs of nodes, these being active nodes (I, J) and optional control nodes (K, L). Generally
in the cases using UX, UY, or UZ as the active degrees of freedom, the active nodes should be coincident
as this eliminates the possibility of moment disequilibrium. However, for visualization purposes, it may
be useful to give node J a slightly greater coordinate value than node I. The element is defined such
that a positive displacement of node J relative to node I will stretch the spring. Thus, if nodes I and J
are interchanged, the same nodal motions will compress the spring.

Certain parameters associated with the control nodes are used to determine whether the control element
is part of the structure (on) or not (off ) and, therefore, can be used to disconnect regions of the model
during time dependent or iterative analyses. Other input values are stiffness (STIF), damping coefficient
(DAMP), concentrated nodal masses (MASI, MASJ), on/off control values (ONVAL, OFFVAL), element load
(AFORCE: positive pulls node I in the positive nodal coordinate direction, and pulls node J in the negative
nodal coordinate direction), initial on/off element status (START: -1 if explicitly off, 0 if determined from
starting value of control parameter, 1 if explicitly on), several nonlinear constants (C1, C2, C3, C4), and
a limiting sliding force (FSLIDE).

The FSLIDE value represents the absolute value of the spring force that must be exceeded before sliding
occurs. If FSLIDE is 0.0, the sliding capability of the element is removed, that is, a rigid connection is
assumed. For structural analyses, units are force/length or moment/rotation for stiffness, force*time/length

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Element Library

or moment*time/rotation for damping, force*time2/length or moment*time2/rotation for mass, and

force or moment for element load. For thermal analyses with temperature degrees of freedom, stiffness
represents conductance and has units of heat/time*degrees, mass represents thermal capacitance with
units of heat/degrees, and element load represents heat flow with units of heat/time. Also, in analyses
with pressure degrees of freedom, stiffness represents flow conductance with units of length2/time.
Stiffness, damping, mass, and element load should be defined on a full 360° basis for axisymmetric
analyses.

The active nodes (I, J) have only one degree of freedom each, selected with the KEYOPT(3) option. The
control nodes (K, L) can have the same, or a different, degree of freedom as specified with KEYOPT(2).
The KEYOPT(1) option assigns to the parameters of the control nodes either the value of the degree of
freedom, the first or second derivative of the value, the integral of the value, or time, for example:

Control nodes need not be connected to any other element. If node L is not defined, the control para-
meter is based only upon node K. If time is the control parameter (KEYOPT(1)), control nodes K and L
need not be defined.

When the element is active and used in structural analyses, the element acts like any other
spring/damper/mass element (such as COMBIN14 (p. 161), MASS21 (p. 168), and COMBIN40 (p. 230)). In
addition, the element can exhibit nonlinear behavior according to the function: RVMOD = RVAL +
C1|CPAR|C2 + C3|CPAR|C4, where RVMOD is the modified value of an input real constant value RVAL
(identified by KEYOPT(6)), C1 through C4 are other real constants, and CPAR is the control parameter
(see KEYOPT(1)). RVMOD may also be defined by user subroutine USERRC and is accessed by KEYOPT(9)
= 1. Note, FSLIDE modified to a negative value is set to zero. In a field analysis, the temperature or
pressure degree of freedom acts in a manner analogous to the displacement.

As illustrated in Figure 7.37.2: COMBIN37 Behavior as a Function of Control Parameter (p. 215), the KEY-
OPT(4) and KEYOPT(5) options, when used in combination with ONVAL and OFFVAL, set the control
behavior of the element. The element is either on or off depending on the position of the control
parameter with respect to the values of ONVAL and OFFVAL. Also, note that when KEYOPT(4) = 0 and
the control parameter (CPAR) is within the ONVAL/OFFVAL interval, the element's status depends on
the direction of the CPAR (that is, on going from on to off, and vice-versa). If ONVAL = OFFVAL = 0.0
(or blank), the on/off capability is ignored and the element is always active.

A summary of the element input is given in "COMBIN37 Input Summary" (p. 210). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

COMBIN37 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L (or I, J, K or I, J)

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Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ, PRESS, or TEMP (depending on KEYOPT(2) and KEYOPT (3) below)

Real Constants

STIF, DAMP, MASJ, ONVAL, OFFVAL, AFORCE,

MASI, START, C1, C2, C3, C4,
FSLIDE
See Table 7.37.1: COMBIN37 Real Constants (p. 214) for a description of the real constants

Material Properties

MP command: ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None

Special Features

Adaptive descent
Nonlinearity

KEYOPT(1)

Control parameter:

0, 1 --

Control on value (UK-UL) (or UK if L not defined)

2 --

Control on first derivative of value with respect to time

3 --

Control on second derivative of value with respect to time

4 --

Control on integral of value with respect to time (zero initial condition assumed)

5 --

Control on time value (KEYOPT(2) and nodes K and L ignored)

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Element Library

KEYOPT(2)

Degree of freedom for control nodes (K and L):

N --

Use degree of freedom N as listed for KEYOPT(3) (defaults to KEYOPT(3))

KEYOPT(3)

Degree of freedom for active nodes (I and J):

0, 1 --

UX (Displacement along nodal X axes)

2 --

UY (along nodal Y)

3 --

UZ (along nodal Z)

4 --

ROTX (rotation about nodal X axes)

5 --

ROTY (about nodal Y)

6 --

ROTZ (about nodal Z)

7 --

PRESS

8 --

TEMP

KEYOPT(4)

ON-OFF range behavior (see Figure 7.37.2: COMBIN37 Behavior as a Function of Control Paramet-
er (p. 215)):

0 --

Overlapping ranges

1 --

Unique ranges

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KEYOPT(5)

ON-OFF position behavior (see Figure 7.37.2: COMBIN37 Behavior as a Function of Control Paramet-
er (p. 215)):

0 --

OFF-either-ON (or OFF-ON-OFF if unique)

1 --

ON-either-OFF (or ON-OFF-ON if unique)

KEYOPT(6)

Real constants used for RVMOD function (used if C1 or C3 is not equal to zero; see "COMBIN37 Input
Data" (p. 209)):

0, 1 --

Use STIF for nonlinear function. (Both STIF and FSLIDE cannot be zero).

2 --

Use DAMP

3 --

Use MASJ

4 --

Use ONVAL

5 --

Use OFFVAL

6 --

Use AFORCE

7 --

Use MASI

8 --

Use FSLIDE

KEYOPT(7)

Element level time increment control:

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Element Library

0 --

No control

1 --

Predictions are made to achieve a reasonable time (or load) increment

KEYOPT(9)

Method to define nonlinear behavior:

0 --

Use RVMOD expression for real constant modifications

1 --

Real constants modified by user subroutine USERRC

Note:

See the Guide to User-Programmable Features in the Programmer's Reference for inform-
ation about user-written subroutines.

Table 7.37.1: COMBIN37 Real Constants

No. Name Description

1 STIF Spring stiffness
2 DAMP Damping coefficient
3 MASJ Nodal mass at node J
4 ONVAL "ON" control value
5 OFFVAL "OFF" control value
6 AFORCE Element load
7 MASI Nodal mass at node I
8 START Initial on/off element status
9 C1 First scalar in RVMOD equation
10 C2 First exponent in RVMOD equation
11 C3 Second scalar in RVMOD equation
12 C4 Second exponent in RVMOD equation
13 FSLIDE Limiting sliding force

COMBIN37 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degree of freedom results included in the overall nodal solution

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• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.37.2: COMBIN37 Element Output Definitions (p. 215).

The active nodal displacements and forces correspond to the degree of freedom selected with the
KEYOPT(3) option. For axisymmetric analysis, the element forces are expressed on a full 360° basis.

The element value STRETCH is the relative deflection at the end of the substep less the amount of
sliding (for example, UJ-UI-SLIDE). STATUS and OLDST indicate if the element is on or off at the end of
the current and previous substeps, respectively. A general description of solution output is given in
Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

Figure 7.37.2: COMBIN37 Behavior as a Function of Control Parameter

KEYOPT(4) = 0 and KEYOPT(5) = 0

ON ON
OFF ON OFF ON
OFF OFF

OFFVAL ONVAL CPAR ONVAL OFFVAL CPAR

Case of OFFVAL ONVAL Case of OFFVAL ONVAL

KEYOPT(4) = 0 and KEYOPT(5) = 1

ON ON
ON OFF ON OFF
OFF OFF

OFFVAL ONVAL CPAR ONVAL OFFVAL CPAR

Case of OFFVAL ONVAL Case of OFFVAL ONVAL

KEYOPT(4) = 1 and KEYOPT(5) = 0 KEYOPT(4) = 1 and KEYOPT(5) = 1

OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON

OFFVAL ONVAL CPAR OFFVAL ONVAL CPAR

(or ONVAL) (or OFFVAL) (or ONVAL) (or OFFVAL)

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.37.2: COMBIN37 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
ACTIVE NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
CONTROL Nodes - K, L Y Y
NODES
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 5

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
CONTROL CPAR value (see KEYOPT(1)) of the control nodes Y Y
PARAM
STAT Element status 1 1
OLDST STAT value of the previous time step 1 1
UI Displacement of node I 2 2
UJ Displacement of node J 2 2
UK Displacement of node K 2 2
UL Displacement of node L 2 2
STRETCH Relative displacement 2 2
SFORCE Spring force in element 2 2
AFORCE Applied force in the element 2 2
SLSTAT Sliding status 3 3
OLDSLS Sliding status value of the previous time step 3 3
SLIDE Amount of sliding 4 4

1. If the value of the element status is:

0 - OFF

1 - ON

2. For the thermal and fluid options, analogous items are output. Thermal option output items TEMPI,
TEMPJ, TEMPK, TEMPL, DELTEMP, SHEAT, and AHEAT and fluid option output items PRESI, PRESJ,
PRESK, PRESL, DELPRES, SFLOW, and AFLOW are respectively analogous to output items UI, UJ, UK,
UL, STRETCH, SFORCE, and AFORCE.

3. Output only if FSLIDE is greater than zero. If the value of the sliding status is:

0 - No sliding

1 - Sliding right (node J moving to right of node I)

-1- Sliding left (node J moving to left of node I)

4. If FSLIDE is greater than zero

5. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.37.3: COMBIN37 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 217) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.37.3: COMBIN37 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 217):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.37.2: COMBIN37 Element Output Definitions (p. 215)

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Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.37.3: COMBIN37 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
SFORCE SMISC 1
AFORCE SMISC 2
STAT NMISC 1
OLDST NMISC 2
SLSTAT NMISC 3
OLDSLS NMISC 4
STRETCH NMISC 5
UI NMISC 6
UJ NMISC 7
UK NMISC 8
UL NMISC 9
CPAR NMISC 10
SLIDE NMISC 11

Analogous thermal and fluid option output items use the same item and sequence numbers. See footnote
2 of Table 7.37.2: COMBIN37 Element Output Definitions (p. 215).

COMBIN37 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element may have only one degree of freedom per node which is specified in the nodal coordinate
system (see Elements That Operate in the Nodal Coordinate System (p. 63)).

• The element assumes only a one-dimensional action.

• Nodes I and J may be anywhere in space (preferably coincident).

• No moment effects are included due to noncoincident nodes. That is, if the nodes are offset from
the line of action, moment equilibrium may not be satisfied.

• The nonlinear capabilities of the element operate only in static and nonlinear transient dynamic
analyses.

• If used in other analysis types, the element maintains its initial status (on or off ), throughout the
analysis.

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Element Library

• The real constants for this element are not allowed to be changed from their initial values.

• The element can not be deactivated with the EKILL command.

• Only the lumped mass matrix is available.

COMBIN37 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

FLUID38
Dynamic Fluid Coupling
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 221)

FLUID38 Element Description

FLUID38 is used to represent a dynamic coupling between two points of a structure. The coupling is
based on the dynamic response of two points connected by a constrained mass of fluid. The points
represent the centerlines of concentric cylinders. The fluid is contained in the annular space between
the cylinders. The cylinders may be circular or have an arbitrary cross-section. The element has two
degrees of freedom per node: for example, translations in the nodal x and z directions. The axes of the
cylinders are then assumed to be in the nodal y directions. The element may be used in any structural
dynamic analysis. See FLUID38 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this
element.

Figure 7.38.1: FLUID38 Geometry

Boundary 1
Fluid Region
Boundary 2
y y
R1
R2
Y x x
I, J I, J

z z
X
Z Circular cross-section Arbitrary cross-section

FLUID38 Input Data

The node locations and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Figure 7.38.1: FLUID38
Geometry (p. 218). The element is defined by two nodes and several real constants. The real constants
are defined in Table 7.38.1: FLUID38 Real Constants (p. 220).

KEYOPT(3) is used to select the form of the fluid coupling element. The form of the element determines
the real constants required, the material properties (if any), and the matrices calculated. The density is
input as material property DENS and is evaluated at the average of the two node temperatures. The
damping matrix is calculated only if F is nonzero. KEYOPT(6) is used to select the direction of operation
for the element. If KEYOPT(6) = 1, the X and Y labels used in this description should be interchanged.
Similarly, if KEYOPT(6) = 3, interchange the Z and Y labels.

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A summary of the element input is given in "FLUID38 Input Summary" (p. 219). A general description of
element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

FLUID38 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UZ if KEYOPT(6) = 0 or 2, or
UY, UZ if KEYOPT(6) = 1, or
UX, UY if KEYOPT(6) = 3

Real Constants

If KEYOPT(3) = 0:

R2, R1, L, F, DX, DZ,

WX, WZ

If KEYOPT(3) = 2:

M2, M1, MHX, MHZ, DX, DZ,

WX, WZ, CX, CZ
See Table 7.38.1: FLUID38 Real Constants (p. 220) for a description of the real constants

Material Properties

MP command: DENS if KEYOPT (3) = 0

None if KEYOPT (3) = 2

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperature --

T(I), T(J)

Special Features

None

KEYOPT(3)

Cross-section of cylinders:

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Element Library

0 --

Concentric circular cylinders

2 --

Concentric arbitrary cylinders

KEYOPT(6)

Flow axis parallel to:

0, 2 --

Nodal Y axis (UX, UZ degrees of freedom)

1 --

Nodal X axis (UY, UZ degrees of freedom)

3 --

Flow axis parallel to nodal Z axis (UX, UY degrees of freedom)

Table 7.38.1: FLUID38 Real Constants

No. Name Description

Concentric Circular Cylinders: KEYOPT(3) = 0
1 R2 Radius of outer cylinder (length); node J refers to outer boundary
2 R1 Radius of inner cylinder (length); node I refers to inner boundary
3 L Length of cylinders
4 F Darcy friction factor for turbulent flow
5 DX Estimate of maximum relative amplitude DX
6 DZ Estimate of maximum relative amplitude DZ
7 WX Estimate of resonant X frequency (Rad/Time)
8 WZ Estimate of resonant Z frequency (Rad/Time)
Concentric Arbitrary Cylinders: KEYOPT(3) = 2
1 M2 Mass of fluid that could be contained within the outer boundary
(Boundary 2) in absence of inner boundary.
2 M1 Mass of fluid displaced by the inner boundary (Boundary 1)
3 MHX Hydrodynamic mass in X direction
4 MHZ Hydrodynamic mass in Z direction
5 DX Estimate of maximum relative amplitude DX
6 DZ Estimate of maximum relative amplitude DZ
7 WX Estimate of resonant X frequency (Rad/Time)
8 WZ Estimate of resonant Z frequency (Rad/Time)
9 CX Flow and geometry constant for X motion (mass/lenght)

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 No. Name Description
10 CZ Flow and geometry constant for Z motion (mass/length)

FLUID38 Output Data

There is no element solution output associated with the element unless element reaction forces and/or
energies are requested.

FLUID38 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element operates in the nodal coordinate system (see Elements That Operate in the Nodal Co-
ordinate System (p. 63)).

• No fluid coupling exists in the flow axis direction.

• The element has no nodal coordinate system transformation to account for nonparallel nodal coordin-
ate systems.

• Nodes I and J may be located anywhere in space (preferably coincident).

• The lumped mass option [LUMPM] is not available with this element.

FLUID38 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

COMBIN39
Nonlinear Spring
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 229)

COMBIN39 Element Description

COMBIN39 is a unidirectional element with nonlinear generalized force-deflection capability that can
be used in any analysis. The element has longitudinal or torsional capability in 1-D, 2-D, or 3-D applica-
tions. The longitudinal option is a uniaxial tension-compression element with up to three degrees of
freedom at each node: translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions. No bending or torsion is considered.
The torsional option is a purely rotational element with three degrees of freedom at each node: rotations
about the nodal x, y, and z axes. No bending or axial loads are considered.

The element has large displacement capability for which there can be two or three degrees of freedom
at each node.

See COMBIN39 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element. The element
has no mass or thermal capacitance. These can be added by using the appropriate elements
(MASS21 (p. 168) and MASS71 (p. 276)). A bilinear force-deflection element with damping and gaps is
also available (COMBIN40 (p. 230)).

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Figure 7.39.1: COMBIN39 Geometry

F

STAT 99
3 4 5
(DN, FN)
2
0
1
SLOPE
D
-1
I J -2
Z -3
-99 (D1, F1)
Y
X
If KEYOPT(4) = 0, operates in nodal coordinate system

COMBIN39 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Figure 7.39.1: COM-
BIN39 Geometry (p. 222). The element is defined by two (preferably coincident) node points and a gen-
eralized force-deflection curve. The points on this curve (D1, F1, etc.) represent force (or moment) versus
relative translation (or rotation) for structural analyses, and heat (or flow) rate versus temperature (or
pressure) difference for a thermal analyses. The loads should be defined on a full 360° basis for an
axisymmetric analysis.

Input the force-deflection curve so that deflections increase from the third (compression) to the first
(tension) quadrants. Adjacent deflections should not be nearer than 1E-7 times total input deflection
range. The last input deflection must be positive. Segments tending towards vertical should be avoided.
If the force-deflection curve is exceeded, the last defined slope is maintained, and the status remains
equal to the last segment number. If the compressive region of the force-deflection curve is explicitly
defined (and not reflected), then at least one point should also be at the origin (0,0) and one point in
the first (tension) quadrant. If KEYOPT(2) = 1 (no compressive resistance), the force-deflection curve
should not extend into the third quadrant. This tension-only behavior can cause convergence difficulties
similar to those that can be experienced by contact elements. See the Contact Technology Guide, as well
as various contact element descriptions, for guidelines on overcoming convergence difficulties. The
number of points defining the loading curve (20 points) can be effectively doubled via the reflective
option.

Slopes of segments can be either positive or negative, except that the slopes at the origin must be
positive and, if KEYOPT(1) = 1, slopes at the ends cannot be negative. Also, if KEYOPT(1) = 1, force-de-
flection points cannot be defined in the second or fourth quadrants and the slope of any segment
cannot be greater than the slope of the segment at the origin in that quadrant.

The KEYOPT(1) option allows either unloading along the same loading curve or unloading along the
line parallel to the slope at the origin of the curve. This second option allows modeling of hysteretic
effects. As illustrated in Figure 7.39.2: COMBIN39 Force-Deflection Curves (p. 227), the KEYOPT(2) option
provides several loading curve capabilities.

The KEYOPT(3) option selects one degree of freedom. This can be a translation, a rotation, a pressure
or a temperature.

Alternately, the element can have more than one type of degree of freedom (KEYOPT(4) > 0). The two
nodes defining the element should not be coincident, since the load direction is colinear with the line
joining the nodes. The longitudinal option (KEYOPT(4) = 1 or 3) creates a uniaxial tension-compression
element with two or three translational degrees of freedom at each node. No bending or torsion is

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considered. The torsional option (KEYOPT(4) = 2) creates a purely rotational element with three rotational
degrees of freedom at each node. No bending or axial loads are considered. The stress-stiffening cap-
ability is applicable when forces are applied, but not when torsional loads are applied.

The element has large displacement capability with two or three degrees of freedom for each node
when you use KEYOPT(4) = 1 or 3 in combination with NLGEOM,ON.

Convergence difficulties caused by moving through rapid changes of the slope (tangent) of the force-
deflection diagram are sometimes helped by use of line search (LNSRCH,ON).

A summary of the element input is given in "COMBIN39 Input Summary" (p. 223). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

COMBIN39 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ, PRES, or TEMP.

Make 1-D choices with KEYOPT(3).
Make limited 2- or 3-D choices with KEYOPT(4).

Real Constants

D1, F1, D2, F2, D3, F3,

D4, F4, ..., D250, F250
See Table 7.39.1: COMBIN39 Real Constants (p. 226) for a description of the real constants

Material Properties

MP command: BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None

Special Features

Inverse solving
Large displacement
Linear perturbation
Nonlinearity
Stress stiffening

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Element Library

KEYOPT(1)

Unloading path:

0 --

Unload along same loading curve

1 --

Unload along line parallel to slope at origin of loading curve

KEYOPT(2)

Element behavior under compressive load:

0 --

Compressive loading follows defined compressive curve (or reflected tensile curve if not defined)

1 --

Element offers no resistance to compressive loading

2 --

Loading initially follows tensile curve then follows compressive curve after buckling (zero or
negative stiffness)

KEYOPT(3)

Element degrees of freedom (1-D) (KEYOPT(4) overrides KEYOPT(3)):

0, 1 --

UX (Displacement along nodal X axes)

2 --

UY (Displacement along nodal Y axes)

3 --

UZ (Displacement along nodal Z axes)

4 --

ROTX (Rotation about nodal X axes)

5 --

ROTY (Rotation about nodal Y axes)

6 --

ROTZ (Rotation about nodal Z axes)

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 7 --

PRES

8 --

TEMP

KEYOPT(4)

Element degrees of freedom (2-D or 3-D):

0 --

Use any KEYOPT(3) option

1 --

3-D longitudinal element (UX, UY and UZ)

2 --

3-D torsional element (ROTX, ROTY and ROTZ)

3 --

2-D longitudinal element. (UX and UY) Element must lie in an X-Y plane

KEYOPT(6)

Element output:

0 --

Basic element printout

1 --

Also print force-deflection table for each element (only at first iteration of problem)

KEYOPT(7)

Element level time increment control:

0 --

No control

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1 --

Predictions are made to achieve a reasonable time (or load) increment

Table 7.39.1: COMBIN39 Real Constants

No. Name Description

1 D1 D value for the first point on force-deflection curve
2 F1 F value for the first point on force-deflection curve
3 D2 D value for the second point on force-deflection curve
4 F2 F value for the second point on force-deflection curve
5, ... 500 D3, F3, Continue input of D and F values up to a maximum of 250 points on
etc. the force-deflection curve

COMBIN39 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degree of freedom results included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.39.2: COMBIN39 Element Output Definitions (p. 227)

The nodal displacements and forces correspond to the degrees of freedom selected with KEYOPT(3).
For an axisymmetric analysis, the element forces are expressed on a full 360° basis. The element value
STRETCH is the relative deflection at the end of the substep (for example, UX(J) - UX(I) - UORIG, etc.).
STAT and OLDST describe the curve segment number at the end of the current and previous substeps,
respectively. STAT or OLDST = 0 indicates nonconservative unloading (KEYOPT(1) = 1). A status of 999
or -999 (as shown in Figure 7.39.1: COMBIN39 Geometry (p. 222)) indicates that the active load point on
the curve is outside of the supplied data. The slope of the last segment that is provided is simply con-
tinued beyond the last data point.

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

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Figure 7.39.2: COMBIN39 Force-Deflection Curves
F F F

(a) (b) (c)

D D D

reflected or
defined

KEYOPT(1) = 0 (conservative) KEYOPT(1) = 0 KEYOPT(1) = 0

KEYOPT(2) = 0 KEYOPT(2) = 1 KEYOPT(2) = 2

for initial
F F F loading

(a) (b) (c)

D D D
reflected

KEYOPT(1) = 1 (nonconservative) KEYOPT(1) = 1 KEYOPT(1) = 1

KEYOPT(2) = 0 KEYOPT(2) = 1 KEYOPT(2) = 2

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.39.2: COMBIN39 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 4
UORIG Origin shift upon reversed loading 1 1
FORCE Force in element Y Y
STRETCH Relative displacement (includes origin shift) Y Y
STAT Status at end of this time step 2 2
OLDST Same as STAT except status assumed at beginning of 2 2
this time step
UI Displacement of node I Y Y
UJ Displacement of node J Y Y
CRUSH Status of the force deflection curve after buckling 3 -
SLOPE Current slope Y -

1. If KEYOPT(1) = 1.

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2. If the value of STAT is:

0 -- Indicates nonconservative unloading.

1 - 250 -- Curve segment number at end of time step.
999 -- Beyond last segment (last segment is extrapolated). Negative STAT values indicate
compressive segments.

3. If KEYOPT(2) = 2 and value of CRUSH is:

0 -- Use defined tensile curve.

1 -- Use reflected compressive curve in tension (element has been compressed).

4. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.39.3: COMBIN39 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 228) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.39.3: COMBIN39 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 228):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.39.2: COMBIN39 Element Output Definitions (p. 227)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.39.3: COMBIN39 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
FORCE SMISC 1
STRETCH NMISC 1
UI NMISC 2
UJ NMISC 3
UORIG NMISC 4
STAT NMISC 5
OLDST NMISC 6

COMBIN39 Assumptions and Restrictions

• If you specify KEYOPT(4) = 0, the element has only one degree of freedom per node. This degree of
freedom defined by KEYOPT(3), is specified in the nodal coordinate system and is the same for both

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 nodes (see Elements That Operate in the Nodal Coordinate System (p. 63)). KEYOPT(3) also defines
the direction of the force. Nodes I and J can be anywhere in space (preferably coincident).

• If you specify KEYOPT(4) ≠ 0, the element has two or three displacement degrees of freedom per
node. Nodes I and J should not be coincident, since the line joining the nodes defines the direction
of the force.

• The element is defined such that a positive displacement of node J relative to node I tends to put
the element in tension.

• The element is nonlinear and requires an iterative solution.

• The nonlinear behavior of the element operates only in static and nonlinear transient dynamic analyses.

• As with most nonlinear elements, loading and unloading should occur gradually.

• When the element is also nonconservative, loads should be applied along the actual load history
path and in the proper sequence.

• The element can not be deactivated with the EKILL command.

• The real constants for this element can not be changed from their initial values.

• Whenever the force that the element carries changes sign, UORIG is reset, and the origin of the force-
deflection curve effectively shifts over to the point where the force changed sign. If KEYOPT(2) = 1
and the force tends to become negative, the element "breaks" and no force is transmitted until the
force tends to become positive again.

• When KEYOPT(1) = 1, the element is both nonlinear and nonconservative.

• In a thermal analysis, the temperature or pressure degree of freedom acts in a manner analogous to
the displacement.

COMBIN39 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• The PRES DOF (KEYOPT(3) = 7) is not available.

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Element Library

COMBIN40
Combination
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 236)

COMBIN40 Element Description

COMBIN40 is a combination of a spring-slider and damper in parallel, coupled to a gap in series. A mass
can be associated with one or both nodal points. The element has one degree of freedom at each node,
either a nodal translation, rotation, pressure, or temperature. The mass, springs, slider, damper, and/or
the gap may be removed from the element. The element may be used in any analysis. See COMBIN40
in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element. Other elements having
damper, slider, or gap capabilities are COMBIN14 (p. 161), MATRIX27 (p. 178), COMBIN37 (p. 209), and
COMBIN39 (p. 221).

Figure 7.40.1: COMBIN40 Geometry

K1
FSLIDE

M or M/2 K2 GAP M or M/2

Z I J

C
Y
X Operates in nodal coordinate system

COMBIN40 Input Data

The combination element is shown in Figure 7.40.1: COMBIN40 Geometry (p. 230). The element is defined
by two nodes, two spring constants K1 and K2 (Force/Length), a damping coefficient C
(Force*Time/Length), a mass M (Force*Time2/Length), a gap size GAP (Length), and a limiting sliding
force FSLIDE (Force). (Units listed here apply only to KEYOPT(3) = 0, 1, 2, or 3.)

If the element is used in an axisymmetric analysis, these values (except GAP) should be on a full 360°
basis. A spring constant of 0.0 (for either K1 or K2, but not both) or a damping coefficient of 0.0 will
remove these capabilities from the element. The mass, if any, may be applied at node I or node J or it
may be equally distributed between the nodes.

The gap size is defined by the fourth element real constant. If positive, a gap of this size exists. If neg-
ative, an initial interference of this amount exists. If GAP = 0.0, the gap capability is removed from the
element. The FSLIDE value represents the absolute value of the spring force that must be exceeded
before sliding occurs. If FSLIDE is 0.0, the sliding capability of the element is removed, that is, a rigid
connection is assumed.

A "breakaway" feature is available to allow the element stiffness (K1) to drop to zero once a limiting
force |FSLIDE| has been reached. The limit is input as -|FSLIDE| and is applicable to both tensile breaking
and compressive crushing. A "lockup" feature may be selected with KEYOPT(1). This feature removes
the gap opening capability once the gap has closed.

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The force-deflection relationship for the combination element is as shown in Figure 7.40.2: COMBIN40
Behavior (p. 234) (for no damping). If the initial gap is identically zero, the element responds as a spring-
damper-slider element having both tension and compression capability. If the gap is not initially zero,
the element responds as follows: when the spring force (F1+F2) is negative (compression), the gap re-
mains closed and the element responds as a spring-damper parallel combination. As the spring force
(F1) increases beyond the FSLIDE value, the element slides and the F1 component of the spring force
remains constant. If FSLIDE is input with a negative sign, the stiffness drops to zero and the element
moves with no resisting F1 spring force. If the spring force becomes positive (tension), the gap opens
and no force is transmitted. In a thermal analysis, the temperature or pressure degree of freedom acts
in a manner analogous to the displacement.

The element has only the degrees of freedom selected with KEYOPT(3). The KEYOPT(3) = 7 and 8 options
(pressure and temperature DOFs) allow the element to be used in a thermal analysis (with thermal
equivalent real constants).

A summary of the element input is given in "COMBIN40 Input Summary" (p. 231). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

COMBIN40 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ, PRES, or TEMP (depending on KEYOPT(3) below)

Real Constants

Units for real constants will depend on the KEYOPT(3) setting.

K1 - Spring constant
C - Damping coefficient
M - Mass
GAP - Gap size
FSLIDE - Limiting sliding force
K2 - Spring constant (par to slide)

Note:

If GAP is exactly zero, the interface cannot open. If GAP is negative, there is an initial in-
terference. If FSLIDE is exactly zero, the sliding capability is removed. If FSLIDE is negative,
the "breakaway" feature is used.

Material Properties

MP command: ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

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Element Library

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None

Special Features

Adaptive descent
Nonlinearity (unless both GAP and FSLIDE equal zero)

KEYOPT(1)

Gap behavior:

0 --

Standard gap capability

1 --

Gap remains closed after initial contact ("lockup")

KEYOPT(3)

Element degrees of freedom:

0, 1 --

UX (Displacement along nodal X axes)

2 --

UY (Displacement along nodal Y axes)

3 --

UZ (Displacement along nodal Z axes)

4 --

ROTX (Rotation about nodal X axes)

5 --

ROTY (Rotation about nodal Y axes)

6 --

ROTZ (Rotation about nodal Z axes)

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 7 --

PRES

8 --

TEMP

KEYOPT(4)

Element output:

0 --

Produce element printout for all status conditions

1 --

Suppress element printout if gap is open (STAT = 3)

KEYOPT(6)

Mass location:

0 --

Mass at node I

1 --

Mass equally distributed between nodes I and J

2 --

Mass at node J

KEYOPT(7)

Element level time increment control:

0 --

No control

1 --

Predictions are made to achieve a reasonable time (or load) increment

COMBIN40 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degree of freedom results included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Figure 7.40.2: COMBIN40 Behavior (p. 234)

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Element Library

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.40.2: COMBIN40 Behavior (p. 234). The displacement direction
corresponds to the nodal coordinate direction selected with KEYOPT(3). The value STR is the spring
displacement at the end of this substep, STR = U(J)-U(I)+GAP-SLIDE. This value is used in determining
the spring force. For an axisymmetric analysis, the element forces are expressed on a full 360° basis.
The value SLIDE is the accumulated amount of sliding at the end of this substep relative to the starting
location.

STAT describes the status of the element at the end of this substep for use in the next substep. If STAT
= 1, the gap is closed and no sliding occurs. If STAT = 3, the gap is open. If STAT = 3 at the end of a
substep, an element stiffness of zero is being used. A value of STAT = +2 indicates that node J moves
to the right of node I. STAT = -2 indicates a negative slide. A general description of solution output is
given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

Figure 7.40.2: COMBIN40 Behavior

F1

FSLIDE
If FSLIDE positive
If GAP = 0.0
If FSLIDE negative

(u)J - (u)I + GAP

k1 (for C = K2 = 0.0,
FSLIDE and initial loading)

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.40.1: COMBIN40 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 2
SLIDE Amount of sliding Y Y
F1 Force in spring 1 Y Y
STR1 Relative displacement of spring 1 Y Y
STAT Element status 1 1
OLDST STAT value of the previous time step 1 1
UI Displacement of node I Y Y
UJ Displacement of node J Y Y

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 Name Definition O R
F2 Force in spring 2 Y Y
STR2 Relative displacement of spring 2 Y Y

1. If the value of STAT is:

1 - Gap closed (no sliding)

2 - Sliding right (node J moving to right of node I)

-2 - Sliding left (node J moving to left of node I)

3 - Gap open

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.40.2: COMBIN40 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 235) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.40.2: COMBIN40 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 235):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.40.1: COMBIN40 Element Output Definitions (p. 234)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.40.2: COMBIN40 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
F1 SMISC 1
F2 SMISC 2
STAT NMISC 1
OLDST NMISC 2
STR1 NMISC 3
STR2 NMISC 4
UI NMISC 5
UJ NMISC 6
SLIDE NMISC 7

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Element Library

COMBIN40 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element has only one degree of freedom per node which is specified in the nodal coordinate
system (see Elements That Operate in the Nodal Coordinate System (p. 63)).

• The element assumes only a 1-D action.

• Nodes I and J may be anywhere in space (preferably coincident).

• The element is defined such that a positive displacement of node J relative to node I tends to open
the gap. If, for a given set of conditions, nodes I and J are interchanged, the gap element acts as a
hook element, that is, the gap closes as the nodes separate.

• The real constants for this element can not be changed from their initial values.

• The element can not be deactivated with the EKILL command.

• The nonlinear options of the element operate only in static and nonlinear transient dynamic
(TRNOPT,FULL) analyses.

• If used in other analysis types, the element maintains its initial status throughout the analysis.

• A 0.0 value for GAP or FSLIDE removes the gap or sliding capability, respectively, from the element.

• The mass, if any, is 1-D.

• The element requires an iterative solution if GAP and/or FSLIDE are nonzero.

• A stiffness (K1 or K2) must be defined if the gap capability is used. Unreasonably high stiffness values
should be avoided.

• The rate of convergence may decrease as the stiffness increases. If FSLIDE is not equal to zero, the
element is nonconservative as well as nonlinear. Nonconservative elements require that the load be
applied very gradually, along the actual load history path, and in the proper sequence (if multiple
loadings exist).

• Only the lumped mass matrix is available.

COMBIN40 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• The PRES DOF (KEYOPT(3) = 7) is not available.

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INFIN47
3-D Infinite Boundary
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 240)

INFIN47 Element Description

Although this element is available for use (p. 35) in your analysis, Ansys, Inc. recommends using a
current-technology element such as INFIN111 (p. 338).

INFIN47 is used to model an open boundary of a 3-D unbounded field problem. The element may be
a 4-node quadrilateral or a 3-node triangle with a magnetic potential or temperature degree of freedom
at each node. The enveloped (or enclosed) element types may be the SOLID5 (p. 139), SOLID96 (p. 318),
or SOLID98 (p. 323) magnetic elements or the SOLID70 (p. 269), SOLID90 (p. 306) or SOLID87 (p. 301)
thermal solid elements. With the magnetic degree of freedom the analysis may be linear or nonlinear
static. With the thermal degree of freedom steady-state or transient analyses (linear or nonlinear) may
be done. See INFIN47 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.47.1: INFIN47 Geometry

K, L

I J

K Triangular Option

Y L J
I
X
Z

INFIN47 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Figure 7.47.1: IN-
FIN47 Geometry (p. 237). The element is defined by 4 nodes, and the material properties. Nonzero ma-
terial properties must be defined. A triangular element may be formed by defining duplicate K and L
node numbers as described in Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37). The element x-axis is parallel to
the I-J side of the element.

The coefficient matrix of this boundary element is, in general, unsymmetric. The matrix is made sym-
metric by averaging the off-diagonal terms to take advantage of a symmetric solution with a slight
decrease in accuracy. KEYOPT(2) can be used to keep an unsymmetric matrix from being made symmetric.

A summary of the element input is given in "INFIN47 Input Summary" (p. 238). A general description of
element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

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Element Library

INFIN47 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L

Degrees of Freedom

MAG if KEYOPT(1) = 0
TEMP if KEYOPT(1) = 1

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

EMUNIT command: MUZERO if KEYOPT (1) = 0 (has default value for MKS units or can be set
manually), KXX if KEYOPT(1) = 1

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None

Element Printout

None

Special Features

None

KEYOPT(1)

Element degree(s) of freedom:

0 --

Magnetic option

1 --

Thermal option

KEYOPT(2)

Coefficient matrix:

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 0 --

Make the coefficient matrix symmetric

1 --

Coefficient matrix is used as generated (symmetric or unsymmetric, depending on the problem)

INFIN47 Output Data

The boundary element has no output of its own since it is used only to provide a semi-infinite boundary
condition to a model consisting of other elements.

INFIN47 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The 4 nodes defining the element should lie as close as possible to a flat plane; however, a moderate
out-of-plane tolerance is permitted so that the element may have a somewhat warped shape.

• An excessively warped element will produce a warning message. In the case of warping errors, trian-
gular elements should be used (see Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37)).

• Shell element warping is described in detail in Warping Factor in Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.

• Zero area elements are not allowed.

• The semi-infinite volume is assumed to be bound on five sides (four, if triangular) by the boundary
element and by four semi-infinite radial surfaces (three, if triangular) defined from the global coordinate
system origin through nodes I and J, J and K, K and L, and L and I (nodes I and J, J and K, and K and
I if triangular).

• The boundary element should be as normal as possible to the radial surfaces.

• Acute or wide intersection angles should be avoided by "filling-in" the model with the other elements
so that the line of boundary elements around the model is smooth and concave when viewed from
the global coordinate system origin.

• The element assumes that the degree of freedom (DOF) value at infinity is always zero (0.0). That is,
the DOF value at infinity is not affected by TUNIF, D, or other load commands.

• The boundary element must lie "against" an enclosed element (that is, share the same nodes).

• The exterior semi-infinite domain is assumed to be homogeneous, isotropic, and linear without con-
taining any sources or sinks.

• The origin of the global coordinate system must be inside the model and as centrally located as
possible.

• The surface of boundary elements should be located away from the region of interest of the enclosed
elements for better accuracy. The surface of boundary elements need not totally surround the model.

• The element may not be deactivated with the EKILL command.

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Element Library

• When used in a model with higher order elements SOLID90 (p. 306), SOLID87 (p. 301), and SOL-
ID98 (p. 323), the midside nodes of these elements must be removed at the interface with INFIN47
[EMID].

• If KEYOPT(2) = 1, the matrices are presumed to be unsymmetric.

INFIN47 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

MATRIX50
Superelement (or Substructure)
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 244)

MATRIX50 Element Description

MATRIX50 is a group of previously assembled Mechanical APDL elements that is treated as a single
element. The superelement, once generated, may be included in any Mechanical APDL model and used
in any analysis type for which it is applicable. The superelement can greatly decrease the cost of many
analyses. Once the superelement matrices have been formed, they are stored in a file and can be used
in other analyses the same way any other Mechanical APDL elements are used. Multiple load vectors
can also be stored with the superelement matrices, thereby allowing various loading options. See
MATRIX50 for more information about this element.

Figure 7.50.1: MATRIX50 Schematic

Degree of Freedom
[K], [M], [C]

Y
X

MATRIX50 Input Data

The superelement, which is a mathematical matrix representation of an arbitrary structure, has no fixed
geometrical identity and is conceptually shown in Figure 7.50.1: MATRIX50 Schematic (p. 240). Any ana-
lysis using a superelement as one of its element types is called a superelement use pass (or run). The
degrees of freedom are the master degrees of freedom specified during the generation pass.

The element name is MATRIX50 (the number 50 or the name MATRIX50 should be input for the variable
ENAME on the ET command). The SE command is used to define a superelement. SE reads the supere-
lement from Jobname.SUB (defaults to File.SUB) in the working directory. The material number
[MAT] is only used when material dependent damping (MP,ALPD, MP,BETD, MP,DMPR, or MP,DMPS)
or electrical permittivity [MP,PERX] is an input. The real constant table number [REAL] is not used.
However, the appropriate element type number [TYPE] must be entered.

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An element load vector is generated along with the element at each load step of the superelement
generation pass. Up to 1000 load vectors may be generated by default. To increase this limit, the
/CONFIG command with Lab = NUMSUBLV can be used. Load vectors may be proportionately scaled
in the use pass. The scale factor is input on the element surface load command [SFE]. The load label is
input as SELV, the load key is the load vector number, KVAL determines whether the load vector is real
or imaginary, and the load value is the scale factor. The load vector number is determined from the
load step number associated with the superelement generation. If a superelement load vector has a
zero scale factor (or is not scaled at all), this load vector is not included in the analysis. Any number of
load vector-scale factor combinations may be used in the use pass.

In a large rotation analysis (NLGEOM,ON), you can use KEYOPT(3) to specify whether the load vectors
associated with this element type rotates with the element (as you would for a pressure load) or remains
in the original (unrotated) direction (as you would for a non-follower force load); all load vectors (if
multiple load vectors) are rotated or left unrotated. You can use KEYOPT(4) to indicate that the supere-
lement was generated with constraints (D) so that it cannot translate or rotate freely in the use pass as
expected (although you can apply constraints in the use pass to the master degrees of freedom to
prevent such motion.)

The KEYOPT(1) option is for the special case where the superelement is to be used with a T4 nonlinearity,
such as for radiation. The File.SUB for this case may be constructed directly by the user or may be
generated by AUX12, the radiation matrix generator.

A summary of the element input is given in "MATRIX50 Input Summary" (p. 241). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

MATRIX50 Input Summary

Nodes

None input (supplied by element)

Degrees of Freedom

As determined from the included element types (a mixture of multi-field degrees of freedom is not
allowed)

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

MP command: ALPD, BETD, PERX, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Surface load effects may be applied through a generated load vector and scale factors. Use the SFE
command to supply scale factors with LAB = SELV, LKEY = load vector number , KVAL = real or
imaginary, and VAL1 = scale factor.

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Element Library

Body Loads

Body loads may be applied through a generated load vector and scale factors as described for surface
loads.

Special Features

Coriolis effect
Large rotation
Radiation (if KEYOPT(1) = 1)

KEYOPT(1)

Element behavior:

0 --

Normal substructure

1 --

Special radiation substructure

KEYOPT(3)

Load vector update with large rotations (NLGEOM,ON):

0 --

Load vector(s) rotate with the substructure as it rotates

1 --

Load vector(s) do not rotate and remain in their original direction

KEYOPT(4)

Constrained substructure with large rotations (NLGEOM,ON):

0 --

Substructure was unconstrained in the generation pass

1 --

Substructure was constrained in the generation pass

KEYOPT(6)

Nodal force output:

0 --

Do not print nodal forces

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 1 --

Print nodal forces

MATRIX50 Output Data

Displacements and forces may be printed for each (master) degree of freedom in a structural superele-
ment in the "use" pass. Energies are also available when requested. The nodal forces may be output if
KEYOPT(6) = 1. The stress distribution within the superelement and the expanded nodal displacements
can be obtained from a subsequent stress pass. In addition to the database and substructure files from
the generation run, File.DSUB must be saved from the superelement "use" pass and input to the
expansion pass (if an expansion pass is desired). A general description of solution output is given in
Solution Output (p. 49).

MATRIX50 Assumptions and Restrictions

• A superelement may contain elements of any type except Lagrange multiplier-based elements (such
as MPC184 (p. 710), PLANE182 (p. 692) with KEYOPT(6) = 1, and CONTA172 (p. 531) with KEYOPT(2) =
3).

• See the D command for degree of freedom field groups.

• Superelements of different field types may be mixed within the use run.

• The nonlinear portion of any element included in a superelement will be ignored and any bilinear
element will maintain its initial status throughout the analysis.

• Superelements may contain other superelements.

• The relative locations of the superelement attachment points in the nonsuperelement portion of the
model (if any) should match the initial superelement geometry.

• If the superelement contains a mass matrix, acceleration [ACEL] defined in the use run will be applied
to the superelement.

• If a load vector containing acceleration effects is also applied in the use run, both accelerations (the
ACEL command and the load vector) will be applied to the superelement.

• Similarly, if the superelement contains a damping matrix (as specified in the generation run) and α
and β damping multipliers [ALPHA and BETA] are defined in the use run, additional damping effects
will be applied to the superelement.

• You should be careful to avoid duplicating acceleration and damping effects.

• Pressure and thermal effects may be included in a superelement only through its load vectors.

• The dimensionality of the superelement corresponds to the maximum dimensionality of any element
used in its generation. A 2-D superelement should only be used in 2-D analyses, and 3-D superelements
in 3-D analyses.

• See Substructuring Analysis in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for a discussion of the substructure
matrix procedure.

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Element Library

MATRIX50 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• This element may be used as a radiation substructure only. KEYOPT(1) defaults to 1 instead
of 0 and cannot be changed.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• This element may be used as a radiation substructure only. KEYOPT(1) defaults to 1 instead
of 0 and cannot be changed.

PLANE55
2-D Thermal Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 250)

PLANE55 Element Description

Although this element is available for use (p. 35) in your analysis, Ansys, Inc. recommends using a
current-technology element such as PLANE292 (p. 1458).

PLANE55 can be used as a plane element or as an axisymmetric ring element with a 2-D thermal con-
duction capability. The element has four nodes with a single degree of freedom, temperature, at each
node.

The element is applicable to a 2-D, steady-state or transient thermal analysis. The element can also ac-
count for heat transfer by a mass flow with a prescribed velocity field (see Mass Transport (Advection)
in the Theory Reference). If the model containing the temperature element is also to be analyzed struc-
turally, the element should be replaced by an equivalent structural element (such as PLANE182 (p. 692)).

A similar element with midside node capability is PLANE77 (p. 284). A similar axisymmetric element
which accepts nonaxisymmetric loading is PLANE75 (p. 280).

An option exists that allows the element to model nonlinear steady-state fluid flow through a porous
medium. With this option the thermal parameters are interpreted as analogous fluid flow parameters.
See PLANE55 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.55.1: PLANE55 Geometry

L 3 K

K, L
4
2

Y I
(or axial) I J
1 J (Triangular Option)
X (or radial)

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PLANE55 Input Data
The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.55.1: PLANE55 Geometry (p. 244). The element is defined by four nodes and the orthotropic mater-
ial properties. Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The
element coordinate system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Specific heat and
density are ignored for steady-state solutions. Properties not input default as described in the Material
Reference.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Convection or heat flux (but not both) and
radiation may be input as surface loads at the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Fig-
ure 7.55.1: PLANE55 Geometry (p. 244).

Heat generation rates may be input as element body loads at the nodes. If the node I heat generation
rate HG(I) is input, and all others are unspecified, they default to HG(I).

A mass transport option is available with KEYOPT(8). With this option the velocities VX and VY must be
input as real constants (in the element coordinate system). Also, temperatures should be specified along
the entire inlet boundary to assure a stable solution. With mass transport, you should use specific heat
(C) and density (DENS) material properties instead of enthalpy (ENTH).

The nonlinear porous flow option is selected with KEYOPT(9) = 1. For this option, temperature is inter-
preted as pressure and the absolute permeabilities of the medium are input as material properties KXX
and KYY. Properties DENS and VISC are used for the mass density and viscosity of the fluid. See the
Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for a description of the properties C and MU, which are used in cal-
culating the coefficients of permeability, with reference to the Z terms ignored. Temperature boundary
conditions input with the D command are interpreted as pressure boundary conditions, and heat flow
boundary conditions input with the F command are interpreted as mass flow rate (mass/time).

This element can also have a Z-depth specified by KEYOPT(3) and real constant THK. Be careful when
using this option with other physics, especially radiation. Radiation view factors will be based on a unit
Z-depth (only).

A summary of the element input is given in "PLANE55 Input Summary" (p. 245). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41). For axisymmetric applications see Harmonic
Axisymmetric Elements (p. 92).

PLANE55 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

Real Constants

THK, VX, VY

THK = Thickness (used only if KEYOPT(3) = 3)

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Element Library

VX = Mass transport velocity in X (used only if KEYOPT(8) > 0)

VY = Mass transport velocity in Y (used only if KEYOPT(8) > 0)

Material Properties

MP command: KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH, VISC, MU (VISC and MU used only if KEYOPT (9) = 1.

Do not use ENTH with KEYOPT(8) = 1 or 2.

Surface Loads

Convection or Heat Flux (but not both) and Radiation (using Lab = RDSF) --

face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (L-K), face 4 (I-L)

Body Loads

Heat Generations --

HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L)

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT(1)

How to evaluate film coefficient:

0 --

Evaluate film coefficient (if any) at average film temperature, (TS + TB)/2

1 --

Evaluate at element surface temperature, TS

2 --

Evaluate at fluid bulk temperature, TB

3 --

Evaluate at differential temperature, |TS - TB|

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

0 --

Plane

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 1 --

Axisymmetric

3 --

Plane with Z-depth, specified via real constant THK.

KEYOPT(4)

Element coordinate system:

0 --

Element coordinate system is parallel to the global coordinate system

1 --

Element coordinate system is based on the element I-J side.

KEYOPT(8)

Mass transport effects:

0 --

No mass transport effects

1 --

Mass transport with VX and VY

2 --

Same as 1 but also print mass transport heat flow

KEYOPT(9)

Nonlinear fluid flow option:

0 --

Standard heat transfer element

1 --

Nonlinear steady-state fluid flow analogy element (temperature degree of freedom interpreted
as pressure)

PLANE55 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

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Element Library

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.55.1: PLANE55 Element Output Definitions (p. 248)

For an axisymmetric analysis the face area and the heat flow rate are on a full 360° basis. Convection
heat flux is positive out of the element; applied heat flux is positive into the element. If KEYOPT(9) = 1,
the standard thermal output should be interpreted as the analogous fluid flow output. The element
output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of solution output
is given in Solution Output (p. 49) and of postprocessing data in Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37).
See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.55.1: PLANE55 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 4
HGEN Heat generations HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L) Y -
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector sum at Y Y
centroid
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux (heat flow rate/cross-sectional area) Y Y
components and vector sum at centroid
FACE Face label 1 -
AREA Face area 1 1
NODES Face nodes 1 1
HFILM Film coefficient at each node of face 1 -
TBULK Bulk temperature at each node of face 1 -
TAVG Average face temperature 1 1
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 1 1
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face - 1
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 1
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate per unit area across face caused by input - 1
heat flux
HEAT Heat flow rate per unit area across face by convection 1 -
RATE/AREA
HFLUX Heat flux at each node of face 1 -

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 Name Definition O R
HEAT FLOW BY Heat flow rate across face by mass transport 2 -
MASS
TRANSPORT
PRESSURE GRAD Total pressure gradient and its X and Y components 3 -
MASS FLUX Mass flow rate per unit cross-sectional area 3 -
FLUID VELOCITY Total fluid velocity and its X and Y components 3 -

1. If a surface load is input

2. If KEYOPT(8) = 2

3. If KEYOPT(9) = 1

4. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.55.2: PLANE55 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 249) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) of this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.55.2: PLANE55 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 249):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.55.1: PLANE55 Element Output Definitions (p. 248)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

FCn

sequence number for solution items for element Face n

Table 7.55.2: PLANE55 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item FC1 FC2 FC3 FC4
Name
AREA NMISC 1 7 13 19
HFAVG NMISC 2 8 14 20
TAVG NMISC 3 9 15 21
TBAVG NMISC 4 10 16 22
HEAT RATE NMISC 5 11 17 23
HFLXAVG NMISC 6 12 18 24

PLANE55 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a negative or a zero area.

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Element Library

• The element must lie in an X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.55.1: PLANE55 Geometry (p. 244) and
the Y-axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses. An axisymmetric structure
should be modeled in the +X quadrants.

• A triangular element may be formed by defining duplicate K and L node numbers as described
in Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37).

• The specific heat and enthalpy are evaluated at each integration point to allow for abrupt changes
(such as melting) within a coarse grid of elements.

• Because the element is linear, the heat flux distribution is piecewise constant and, hence, the
accuracy is low if the mesh is too coarse. This becomes more pronounced for axisymmetric ele-
ments (KEYOPT(3) =1) in which radial variation of heat flux is expected. To obtain a more accurate
heat flux, increase the mesh density.

• If the thermal element is to be replaced by a PLANE182 (p. 692) structural element with surface
stresses requested, the thermal element should be oriented with face IJ or face KL as a free surface.
A free surface of the element (that is, not adjacent to another element and not subjected to a
boundary constraint) is assumed to be adiabatic.

• Thermal transients having a fine integration time step and a severe thermal gradient at the surface
will also require a fine mesh at the surface.

• If KEYOPT(8) > 0, unsymmetric matrices are produced.

• Mass flow (activated by KEYOPT(8)=1) is restricted to the condition that the element Peclet
number (Pe) must be less than 1:

where is the magnitude of the velocity vector, is an element length scale along the velocity
vector direction, and , , and are the density, specific heat, and equivalent thermal conduct-
ivity of the fluid. If , an error is printed, and you will have to reduce the mesh size and run
again (see Galerkin Formulation in the Thermal Analysis Guide).

Note:

Mass transport for the current-technology element PLANE292 (p. 1458) is not re-
stricted by Pe.

PLANE55 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• This element does not have the mass transport or fluid flow options. KEYOPT(8) and KEY-
OPT(9) default to 0 and cannot be changed.

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• Birth and death is not available.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• This element does not have the mass transport or fluid flow options. KEYOPT(8) and KEY-
OPT(9) default to 0 and cannot be changed.

SHELL61
Axisymmetric-Harmonic Structural Shell
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 265)

SHELL61 Element Description

SHELL61 has four degrees of freedom at each node: translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions and
a rotation about the nodal z-axis. The loading may be axisymmetric or nonaxisymmetric. Various loading
cases are described in Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric Loads (p. 93).

Extreme orientations of the conical shell element result in a cylindrical shell element or an annular disc
element. The shell element may have a linearly varying thickness. See SHELL61 in the Mechanical APDL
Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.61.1: SHELL61 Geometry

T4
J
T3
1

x
Y (axial) y

X (radial) T1
I T2

SHELL61 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.61.1: SHELL61 Geometry (p. 251). The element is defined by two nodes, two end thicknesses, the
number of harmonic waves (MODE on the MODE command), a symmetry condition (ISYM on the MODE
command), and the orthotropic material properties. The element coordinate system is shown in Fig-
ure 7.61.2: SHELL61 Stress Output (p. 255). θ is in the tangential (hoop) direction. The MODE or ISYM
parameters are discussed in detail in Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric
Loads (p. 93).

The material may be orthotropic, with nine elastic constants required for its description. The element
loading may be input as any combination of harmonically varying temperatures and pressures. Harmon-
ically varying nodal forces, if any, should be input on a full 360° basis.

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The element may have variable thickness. The thickness is assumed to vary linearly between the nodes.
If the element has a constant thickness, only TK(I) is required. Real constant ADMSUA is used to define
an added mass per unit area.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Harmonically varying pressures may be input
as surface loads on the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Figure 7.61.1: SHELL61 Geo-
metry (p. 251). Positive pressures act into the element. The pressures are applied at the surface of the
element rather than at the centroidal plane so that some thickness effects can be considered. These
include the increase or decrease in size of surface area the load is acting on and (in the case of a nonzero
Poisson's ratio) an interaction effect causing the element to grow longer or shorter under equal pressures
on both surfaces. Material properties EY, PRXY, and PRYZ (or EY, NUXY, and NUYZ) are required for this
effect.

Harmonically varying temperatures may be input as element body loads at the four corner locations
shown in Figure 7.61.1: SHELL61 Geometry (p. 251). The first corner temperature T1 defaults to TUNIF. If
all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to T1. If only T1 and T2 are input, T3 defaults to T2
and T4 defaults to T1. For any other input pattern, unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

KEYOPT(1) is used for temperature loading with MODE greater than zero and temperature-dependent
material properties. Material properties may only be evaluated at a constant (nonharmonically varying)
temperature. If MODE equals zero, the material properties are always evaluated at the average element
temperature. KEYOPT(3) is used to include or suppress the extra displacement shapes.

A summary of the element input is given in "SHELL61 Input Summary" (p. 252). A general description of
element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SHELL61 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTZ

Real Constants

TK(I) - Shell thickness at node I

TK(J) - Shell thickness at node J (TK(J) defaults to TK(I))
ADMSUA - Added mass/unit area

Material Properties

MP command: EX, EY, EZ, PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ), ALPX, ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY,
CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ), DENS, GXZ, ALPD, BETD. (X is meridional, Y is through-the-thickness,
and Z is circumferential), DMPR, DMPS

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Surface Loads

Pressures --

face 1 (I-J) (top, in -Y direction)

face 2 (I-J) (bottom, in +Y direction)

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T1, T2, T3, T4

Mode Number

Number of harmonic waves around the circumference (MODE)

Loading Condition

Symmetry condition (MODE)

Special Features

Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(1)

If MODE is greater than zero, use temperatures for:

0 --

Use temperatures only for thermal bending (evaluate material properties at TREF)

1 --

Use temperatures only for material property evaluation (thermal strains are not computed)

KEYOPT(3)

Extra displacement shapes:

0 --

Include extra displacement shapes

1 --

Suppress extra displacement shapes

KEYOPT(4)

Member force and moment output:

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0 --

No printout of member forces and moments

1 --

Print out member forces and moments in the element coordinate system

KEYOPT(6)

Location of element solution output:

0 --

Output solution at mid-length only

N --

Output solution at N equally spaced interior points and at end points (where N = 1, 3, 5, 7 or
9)

SHELL61 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.61.1: SHELL61 Element Output Definitions (p. 255)

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.61.2: SHELL61 Stress Output (p. 255). The printout may be displayed
at the centroid, at the end points and at N equally spaced interior points, where N is the KEYOPT(6)
value. For example, if N = 3, printout will be produced at end I, 1/4 length, mid-length (centroid), 3/4
length, and at end J. Printout location number 1 is always at end I. Stress components which are inher-
ently zero are printed for clarity.

In the displacement printout, the UZ components are out-of-phase with the UX and UY components.
For example, in the MODE = 1, ISYM = 1 loading case, UX and UY are the peak values at θ = 0° and UZ
is the peak value at θ = 90°. We recommend that you always use the angle field on the SET command
when postprocessing the results. For more information about harmonic elements, see Harmonic
Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric Loads (p. 93)

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

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Figure 7.61.2: SHELL61 Stress Output

SM (or z)
(Top)
J
X
SH
SH (Bot)
(Mid) SH
(Top)

SM
Y SM (Mid)
(Bot)
Z
X

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.61.1: SHELL61 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
LENGTH Distance between node I and node J Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 2
TEMP Temperatures T1, T2, T3, T4 Y Y
PRES Pressures P1 (top) at nodes I,J; P2 (bottom) at nodes I,J Y Y
MODE Number of waves in loading Y Y
ISYM Loading key: 1 = symmetric, -1 = antisymmetric Y Y
T(X, Z, XZ) In-plane element X, Z, and XZ forces at KEYOPT(6) Y Y
location(s)
M(X, Z, XZ) Out-of-plane element X, Z, and XZ moments at Y Y
KEYOPT(6) location(s)
MFOR(X, Y, Z), Member forces and member moment for each node in 1 Y
MMOMZ the element coordinate system
PK ANG Angle where stresses have peak values: 0 and Y Y
90/MODE°. Blank if MODE = 0.

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Name Definition O R
S(M, THK, H, Stresses (meridional, through-thickness, hoop, Y Y
MH) meridional-hoop) at PK ANG locations, repeated for top,
middle, and bottom of shell
EPEL(M, THK, H, Elastic strains (meridional, through-thickness, hoop, Y Y
MH) meridional-hoop) at PK ANG locations, repeated for top,
middle, and bottom of shell
EPTH(M, THK, H, Thermal strains (meridional, through-thickness, hoop, Y Y
MH) meridional-hoop) at PK ANG locations, repeated for top,
middle, and bottom of shell

1. These items are printed only if KEYOPT(4) = 1.

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.61.2: SHELL61 Item and Sequence Numbers (KEYOPT(6) = 0 or 1) (p. 256) lists output available
through the ETABLE command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor
(POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference
for more information. The following notation is used in Table 7.61.2: SHELL61 Item and Sequence
Numbers (KEYOPT(6) = 0 or 1) (p. 256):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.61.1: SHELL61 Element Output Definitions (p. 255)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

I,J

sequence number for data at nodes I and J

ILn

sequence number for data at Intermediate Location n

Table 7.61.2: SHELL61 Item and Sequence Numbers (KEYOPT(6) = 0 or 1)

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command

Quantity Input
Name Item I IL1 J
Top
SM LS 1 13 25
STHK LS 2 14 26
SH LS 3 15 27
SMH LS 4 16 28
EPELM LEPEL 1 13 25
EPELTHK LEPEL 2 14 26

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Output ETABLE and ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name Item I IL1 J
EPELH LEPEL 3 15 27
EPELMH LEPEL 4 16 28
EPTHM LEPTH 1 13 25
EPTHTHK LEPTH 2 14 26
EPTHH LEPTH 3 15 27
EPTHMH LEPTH 4 16 28
Mid
SM LS 5 17 29
STHK LS 6 18 30
SH LS 7 19 31
SMH LS 8 20 32
EPELM LEPEL 5 17 29
EPELTHK LEPEL 6 18 30
EPELH LEPEL 7 19 31
EPELMH LEPEL 8 20 32
EPTHM LEPTH 5 17 29
EPTHTHK LEPTH 6 18 30
EPTHH LEPTH 7 19 31
EPTHMH LEPTH 8 20 32
Bot
SM LS 9 21 33
STHK LS 10 22 34
SH LS 11 23 35
SMH LS 12 24 36
EPELM LEPEL 9 21 33
EPELTHK LEPEL 10 22 34
EPELH LEPEL 11 23 35
EPELMH LEPEL 12 24 36
EPTHM LEPTH 9 21 33
EPTHTHK LEPTH 10 22 34
EPTHH LEPTH 11 23 35
EPTHMH LEPTH 12 24 36
Element
MFORX SMISC 1 - 7
MFORY SMISC 2 - 8
MFORZ SMISC 3 - 9

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Output ETABLE and ESOL Command

Quantity Input
Name Item I IL1 J
MMOMZ SMISC 6 - 12
TX SMISC 13 19 25
TZ SMISC 14 20 26
TXZ SMISC 15 21 27
MX SMISC 16 22 28
MZ SMISC 17 23 29
MXZ SMISC 18 24 30
P1 SMISC 31 - 32
P2 SMISC 35 - 36

Corner Location
1 2 3 4
TEMP LBFE 1 2 3 4

Table 7.61.3: SHELL61 Item and Sequence Numbers (KEYOPT(6) = 3)

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item I IL1 IL2 IL3 J
Name
Top
SM LS 1 13 25 37 49
STHK LS 2 14 26 38 50
SH LS 3 15 27 39 51
SMH LS 4 16 28 40 52
EPELM LEPEL 1 13 25 37 49
EPELTHK LEPEL 2 14 26 38 50
EPELH LEPEL 3 15 27 39 51
EPELMH LEPEL 4 16 28 40 52
EPTHM LEPTH 1 13 25 37 49
EPTHTHK LEPTH 2 14 26 38 50
EPTHH LEPTH 3 15 27 39 51
EPTHMH LEPTH 4 16 28 40 52
Mid
SM LS 5 17 29 41 53
STHK LS 6 18 30 42 54
SH LS 7 19 31 43 55
SMH LS 8 20 32 44 56
EPELM LEPEL 5 17 29 41 53

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Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Quantity Item I IL1 IL2 IL3 J
Name
EPELTHK LEPEL 6 18 30 42 54
EPELH LEPEL 7 19 31 43 55
EPELMH LEPEL 8 20 32 44 56
EPTHM LEPTH 5 17 29 41 53
EPTHTHK LEPTH 6 18 30 42 54
EPTHH LEPTH 7 19 31 43 55
EPTHMH LEPTH 8 20 32 44 56
Bot
SM LS 9 21 33 45 57
STHK LS 10 22 34 46 58
SH LS 11 23 35 47 59
SMH LS 12 24 36 48 60
EPELM LEPEL 9 21 33 45 57
EPELTHK LEPEL 10 22 34 46 58
EPELH LEPEL 11 23 35 47 59
EPELMH LEPEL 12 24 36 48 60
EPTHM LEPTH 9 21 33 45 57
EPTHTHK LEPTH 10 22 34 46 58
EPTHH LEPTH 11 23 35 47 59
EPTHMH LEPTH 12 24 36 48 60
Element
MFORX SMISC 1 - - - 7
MFORY SMISC 2 - - - 8
MFORZ SMISC 3 - - - 9
MMOMZ SMISC 6 - - - 12
TX SMISC 13 19 25 31 37
TZ SMISC 14 20 26 32 38
TXZ SMISC 15 21 27 33 39
MX SMISC 16 22 28 34 40
MZ SMISC 17 23 29 35 41
MXZ SMISC 18 24 30 36 42
P1 SMISC 43 - - - 44
P2 SMISC 47 - - - 48

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Element Library

Corner Location
1 2 3 4
TEMP LBFE 1 2 3 4

Table 7.61.4: SHELL61 Item and Sequence Numbers (KEYOPT(6) = 5)

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item I IL1 IL2 IL3 IL4 IL5 J
Name
Top
SM LS 1 13 25 37 49 61 73
STHK LS 2 14 26 38 50 62 74
SH LS 3 15 27 39 51 63 75
SMH LS 4 16 28 40 52 64 76
EPELM LEPEL 1 13 25 37 49 61 73
EPELTHK LEPEL 2 14 26 38 50 62 74
EPELH LEPEL 3 15 27 39 51 63 75
EPELMH LEPEL 4 16 28 40 52 64 76
EPTHM LEPTH 1 13 25 37 49 61 73
EPTHTHK LEPTH 2 14 26 38 50 62 74
EPTHH LEPTH 3 15 27 39 51 63 75
EPTHMH LEPTH 4 16 28 40 52 64 76
Mid
SM LS 5 17 29 41 53 65 77
STHK LS 6 18 30 42 54 66 78
SH LS 7 19 31 43 55 67 79
SMH LS 8 20 32 44 56 68 80
EPELM LEPEL 5 17 29 41 53 65 77
EPELTHK LEPEL 6 18 30 42 54 66 78
EPELH LEPEL 7 19 31 43 55 67 79
EPELMH LEPEL 8 20 32 44 56 68 80
EPTHM LEPTH 5 17 29 41 53 65 77
EPTHTHK LEPTH 6 18 30 42 54 66 78
EPTHH LEPTH 7 19 31 43 55 67 79
EPTHMH LEPTH 8 20 32 44 56 68 80
Bot
SM LS 9 21 33 45 57 69 81
STHK LS 10 22 34 46 58 70 82
SH LS 11 23 35 47 59 71 83
SMH LS 12 24 36 48 60 72 84

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Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Quantity Item I IL1 IL2 IL3 IL4 IL5 J
Name
EPELM LEPEL 9 21 33 45 57 69 81
EPELTHK LEPEL 10 22 34 46 58 70 82
EPELH LEPEL 11 23 35 47 59 71 83
EPELMH LEPEL 12 24 36 48 60 72 84
EPTHM LEPTH 9 21 33 45 57 69 81
EPTHTHK LEPTH 10 22 34 46 58 70 82
EPTHH LEPTH 11 23 35 47 59 71 83
EPTHMH LEPTH 12 24 36 48 60 72 84
Element
MFORX SMISC 1 - - - - - 7
MFORY SMISC 2 - - - - - 8
MFORZ SMISC 3 - - - - - 9
MMOMZ SMISC 6 - - - - - 12
TX SMISC 13 19 25 31 37 43 49
TZ SMISC 14 20 26 32 38 44 50
TXZ SMISC 15 21 27 33 39 45 51
MX SMISC 16 22 28 34 40 46 52
MZ SMISC 17 23 29 35 41 47 53
MXZ SMISC 18 24 30 36 42 48 54
P1 SMISC 55 - - - - - 56
P2 SMISC 59 - - - - - 60

Corner Location
1 2 3 4
TEMP LBFE 1 2 3 4

Table 7.61.5: SHELL61 Item and Sequence Numbers (KEYOPT(6) = 7)

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item I IL1 IL2 IL3 IL4 IL5 IL6 IL7 J
Name
Top
SM LS 1 13 25 37 49 61 73 85 97
STHK LS 2 14 26 38 50 62 74 86 98
SH LS 3 15 27 39 51 63 75 87 99
SMH LS 4 16 28 40 52 64 76 88 100
EPELM LEPEL 1 13 25 37 49 61 73 85 97
EPELTHK LEPEL 2 14 26 38 50 62 74 86 98

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Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item I IL1 IL2 IL3 IL4 IL5 IL6 IL7 J
Name
EPELH LEPEL 3 15 27 39 51 63 75 87 99
EPELMH LEPEL 4 16 28 40 52 64 76 88 100
EPTHM LEPTH 1 13 25 37 49 61 73 85 97
EPTHTHK LEPTH 2 14 26 38 50 62 74 86 98
EPTHH LEPTH 3 15 27 39 51 63 75 87 99
EPTHMH LEPTH 4 16 28 40 52 64 76 88 100
Mid
SM LS 5 17 29 41 53 65 77 89 101
STHK LS 6 18 30 42 54 66 78 90 102
SH LS 7 19 31 43 55 67 79 91 103
SMH LS 8 20 32 44 56 68 80 92 104
EPELM LEPEL 5 17 29 41 53 65 77 89 101
EPELTHK LEPEL 6 18 30 42 54 66 78 90 102
EPELH LEPEL 7 19 31 43 55 67 79 91 103
EPELMH LEPEL 8 20 32 44 56 68 80 92 104
EPTHM LEPTH 5 17 29 41 53 65 77 89 101
EPTHTHK LEPTH 6 18 30 42 54 66 78 90 102
EPTHH LEPTH 7 19 31 43 55 67 79 91 103
EPTHMH LEPTH 8 20 32 44 56 68 80 92 104
Bot
SM LS 9 21 33 45 57 69 81 93 105
STHK LS 10 22 34 46 58 70 82 94 106
SH LS 11 23 35 47 59 71 83 95 107
SMH LS 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108
EPELM LEPEL 9 21 33 45 57 69 81 93 105
EPELTHK LEPEL 10 22 34 46 58 70 82 94 106
EPELH LEPEL 11 23 35 47 59 71 83 95 107
EPELMH LEPEL 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108
EPTHM LEPTH 9 21 33 45 57 69 81 93 105
EPTHTHK LEPTH 10 22 34 46 58 70 82 94 106
EPTHH LEPTH 11 23 35 47 59 71 83 95 107
EPTHMH LEPTH 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108
Element
MFORX SMISC 1 - - - - - - - 7
MFORY SMISC 2 - - - - - - - 8
MFORZ SMISC 3 - - - - - - - 9

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Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Quantity Item I IL1 IL2 IL3 IL4 IL5 IL6 IL7 J
Name
MMOMZ SMISC 6 - - - - - - - 12
TX SMISC 13 19 25 31 37 43 49 55 61
TZ SMISC 14 20 26 32 38 44 50 56 62
TXZ SMISC 15 21 27 33 39 45 51 57 63
MX SMISC 16 22 28 34 40 46 52 58 64
MZ SMISC 17 23 29 35 41 47 53 59 65
MXZ SMISC 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66
P1 SMISC 67 - - - - - - - 68
P2 SMISC 71 - - - - - - - 72

Corner Location
1 2 3 4
TEMP LBFE 1 2 3 4

Table 7.61.6: SHELL61 Item and Sequence Numbers (KEYOPT(6) = 9)

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item I IL1 IL2 IL3 IL4 IL5 IL6 IL7 IL8 IL9 J
Label
Top
SM LS 1 13 25 37 49 61 73 85 97 109 121
STHK LS 2 14 26 38 50 62 74 86 98 110 122
SH LS 3 15 27 39 51 63 75 87 99 111 123
SMH LS 4 16 28 40 52 64 76 88 100 112 124
EPELM LEPEL 1 13 25 37 49 61 73 85 97 109 121
EPELTHK LEPEL 2 14 26 38 50 62 74 86 98 110 122
EPELH LEPEL 3 15 27 39 51 63 75 87 99 111 123
EPELMH LEPEL 4 16 28 40 52 64 76 88 100 112 124
EPTHM LEPTH 1 13 25 37 49 61 73 85 97 109 121
EPTHTHK LEPTH 2 14 26 38 50 62 74 86 98 110 122
EPTHH LEPTH 3 15 27 39 51 63 75 87 99 111 123
EPTHMH LEPTH 4 16 28 40 52 64 76 88 100 112 124
Mid
SM LS 5 17 29 41 53 65 77 89 101 113 125
STHK LS 6 18 30 42 54 66 78 90 102 114 126
SH LS 7 19 31 43 55 67 79 91 103 115 127
SMH LS 8 20 32 44 56 68 80 92 104 116 128
EPELM LEPEL 5 17 29 41 53 65 77 89 101 113 125

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Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item I IL1 IL2 IL3 IL4 IL5 IL6 IL7 IL8 IL9 J
Label
EPELTHK LEPEL 6 18 30 42 54 66 78 90 102 114 126
EPELH LEPEL 7 19 31 43 55 67 79 91 103 115 127
EPELMH LEPEL 8 20 32 44 56 68 80 92 104 116 128
EPTHM LEPTH 5 17 29 41 53 65 77 89 101 113 125
EPTHTHK LEPTH 6 18 30 42 54 66 78 90 102 114 126
EPTHH LEPTH 7 19 31 43 55 67 79 91 103 115 127
EPTHMH LEPTH 8 20 32 44 56 68 80 92 104 116 128
Bot
SM LS 9 21 33 45 57 69 81 93 105 117 129
STHK LS 10 22 34 46 58 70 82 94 106 118 130
SH LS 11 23 35 47 59 71 83 95 107 119 131
SMH LS 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108 120 132
EPELM LEPEL 9 21 33 45 57 69 81 93 105 117 129
EPELTHK LEPEL 10 22 34 46 58 70 82 94 106 118 130
EPELH LEPEL 11 23 35 47 59 71 83 95 107 119 131
EPELMH LEPEL 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108 120 132
EPTHM LEPTH 9 21 33 45 57 69 81 93 105 117 129
EPTHTHK LEPTH 10 22 34 46 58 70 82 94 106 118 130
EPTHH LEPTH 11 23 35 47 59 71 83 95 107 119 131
EPTHMH LEPTH 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108 120 132
Element
MFORX SMISC 1 - - - - - - - - - 7
MFORY SMISC 2 - - - - - - - - - 8
MFORZ SMISC 3 - - - - - - - - - 9
MMOMZ SMISC 6 - - - - - - - - - 12
TX SMISC 13 19 25 31 37 43 49 55 61 67 73
TZ SMISC 14 20 26 32 38 44 50 56 62 68 74
TXZ SMISC 15 21 27 33 39 45 51 57 63 69 75
MX SMISC 16 22 28 34 40 46 52 58 64 70 76
MZ SMISC 17 23 29 35 41 47 53 59 65 71 77
MXZ SMISC 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78
P1 SMISC 79 - - - - - - - - - 80
P2 SMISC 83 - - - - - - - - - 84

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 Corner Location
1 2 3 4
TEMP LBFE 1 2 3 4

SHELL61 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The axisymmetric shell element must be defined in the global X-Y plane and must not have a zero
length. Both ends must have nonnegative X coordinate values and the element must not lie along
the global Y-axis.

• If the element has a constant thickness, only TK(I) need be defined. TK(I) must not be zero.

• The element thickness is assumed to vary linearly from node I to node J.

• The element assumes a linear elastic material.

• Post analysis superposition of results is valid only with other linear elastic solutions.

• Strain energy does not consider thermal effects.

• The element should not be used with the large deflection option.

• The element may not be deactivated with the EKILL command.

• You can use only axisymmetric (MODE,0) loads without significant torsional stresses to generate the
stress state used for stress stiffened modal analyses using this element.

SHELL61 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

LINK68
Coupled Thermal-Electric Line
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 269)

LINK68 Element Description

LINK68 is a uniaxial element in 3-D space with the ability to conduct heat and electrical current between
its nodes. Joule heat generated by the current flow is also included in the heat balance. The element
has two degrees of freedom, temperature and voltage, at each node. The thermal-electrical line element
may be used in a steady-state or transient thermal analysis, although no transient electrical capacitance
or inductance effects are included in the element.

The element is linear but requires an iterative solution to include the Joule heating effect in the thermal
solution. If no electrical effects are present, the conducting bar element (LINK33 (p. 193)) may be used.
If the model containing the thermal-electrical element is also to be analyzed structurally, the element

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Element Library

should be replaced by an equivalent structural element. See LINK68 in the Mechanical APDL Theory
Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.68.1: LINK68 Geometry

J

Z x
I
Y
X

LINK68 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this thermal-electrical line element are
shown in Figure 7.68.1: LINK68 Geometry (p. 266). The element is defined by two nodes, the cross-sec-
tional area, and the material properties. In an axisymmetric analysis the area should be input on a full
360° basis. The thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity are in the element longitudinal direction.
The specific heat and density may be assigned any values for steady-state solutions.

The electrical material property, RSVX, is the resistivity of the material. The resistance of the element is
calculated from RSVX*length/AREA. The resistivity, like any other material property, may be input as a
function of temperature. Properties not input default as described in the Material Reference.

The word VOLT should be input for the Lab variable on the D command and the voltage input for the
value. The word AMPS should be input for the Lab variable on the F command and the current into
the node input for the value.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Element body loads may be input as heat
generation rates at the nodes. The node J heat generation rate HG(J) defaults to the node I heat gener-
ation rate HG(I). This rate is in addition to the Joule heat generated by the current flow.

The current being calculated via this element can be directly coupled into a 3-D magnetostatic analysis
[BIOT].

A summary of the element input is given in "LINK68 Input Summary" (p. 266). A general description of
element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

LINK68 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP, VOLT

Real Constants

AREA - Cross-sectional area

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Material Properties

MP command: KXX, DENS, C, ENTH, RSVX

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Heat Generations --

HG(I), HG(J)

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPTS

None

LINK68 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures and voltages included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.68.1: LINK68 Element Output Definitions (p. 267)

The heat flow and the current flow into the nodes may be printed with the OUTPR command. The
Joule heat generated this substep is used to determine the temperature distribution calculated for the
next substep. A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic
Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.68.1: LINK68 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 1
HGEN Heat generations HG(I), HG(J) Y -
TG Thermal gradient at centroid Y Y
TF Thermal flux at centroid (heat Y Y
flow/cross-sectional area)
EF Electric field (voltage gradient) Y Y
JS Current density (voltage flux) Y Y
CUR Current Y Y
JHEAT: Joule heat generation per unit volume Y Y

1. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.68.2: LINK68 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 268) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.68.2: LINK68 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 268):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.68.1: LINK68 Element Output Definitions (p. 267)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.68.2: LINK68 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
TG NMISC 1
TF NMISC 2
EF NMISC 3
JS NMISC 4
CUR NMISC 5

LINK68 Assumptions and Restrictions

• Heat and current are assumed to flow only in the element longitudinal direction.

• The element must not have a zero length, that is, nodes I and J may not be coincident.

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• A free end of the element (that is, not adjacent to another element and not subjected to a boundary
constraint) is assumed to adiabatic.

• No conversion is included between electrical heat units and mechanical heat units.

• The resistivity may be divided by a conversion factor, such as 3.415 Btu/Hr per watt, to get Joule heat
in mechanical units. Current (input and output) should also be converted for consistent units.

• If a current is specified at the same node that a voltage is specified, the current is ignored.

• The electrical and thermal solutions are coupled via an iterative procedure.

• There is no conversion required when consistent units are used.

• This element may not be compatible with other elements with the VOLT degree of freedom. To be
compatible, the elements must have the same reaction force (see Element Compatibility in the Low-
Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide).

LINK68 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

SOLID70
3-D Thermal Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 275)

SOLID70 Element Description

Although this element is available for use (p. 35) in your analysis, Ansys, Inc. recommends using a
current-technology element such as SOLID278 (p. 1320).

SOLID70 has a 3-D thermal conduction capability. The element has eight nodes with a single degree
of freedom, temperature, at each node. The element is applicable to a 3-D, steady-state or transient
thermal analysis. The element can also account for heat transfer by a mass flow with a prescribed velocity
field (see Mass Transport (Advection) in the Theory Reference). If the model containing the conducting
solid element is also to be analyzed structurally, the element should be replaced by an equivalent
structural element (such as SOLID185 (p. 824)). See SOLID90 (p. 306) for a similar thermal element, with
mid-edge node capability.

An option exists that allows the element to model nonlinear steady-state fluid flow through a porous
medium. With this option, the thermal parameters are interpreted as analogous fluid flow parameters.
For example, the temperature degree of freedom becomes equivalent to a pressure degree of freedom.
See SOLID70 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

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Figure 7.70.1: SOLID70 Geometry

M O,P
N
4
P I K,L
5
O
J
Prism Option
6
M,N,O,P
M
N I
2 3 K,L
L
J
K Tetrahedral Option
Z
M,N,O,P
I
Y 1
J L K
X I
J
Pyramid Option

SOLID70 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Figure 7.70.1: SOL-
ID70 Geometry (p. 270). The element is defined by eight nodes and the orthotropic material properties.
A prism-shaped element, a tetrahedral-shaped element, and a pyramid-shaped element may also be
formed as shown in Figure 7.70.1: SOLID70 Geometry (p. 270). Orthotropic material directions correspond
to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate system orientation is as described in
Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Specific heat and density are ignored for steady-state solutions. Properties
not input default as described in the Material Reference.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Convection or heat flux (but not both) and
radiation may be input as surface loads at the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Fig-
ure 7.70.1: SOLID70 Geometry (p. 270).

Heat generation rates may be input as element body loads at the nodes. If the node I heat generation
rate HG(I) is input, and all others are unspecified, they default to HG(I).

The nonlinear porous flow option is selected with KEYOPT(7) = 1. For this option, temperature is inter-
preted as pressure and the absolute permeability of the medium are input as material properties KXX,
KYY, and KZZ. Properties DENS and VISC are used for the mass density and viscosity of the fluid. Prop-
erties C and MU are used in calculating the coefficients of permeability as described in the Mechanical
APDL Theory Reference. Temperature boundary conditions input with the D command are interpreted
as pressure boundary conditions, and heat flow boundary conditions input with the F command are
interpreted as mass flow rate (mass/time).

A mass transport option is available with KEYOPT(8). With this option the velocities VX, VY, and VZ must
be input as real constants (in the element coordinate system). Also, temperatures should be specified
along the entire inlet boundary to assure a stable solution. With mass transport, you should use specific
heat (C) and density (DENS) material properties instead of enthalpy (ENTH).

A summary of the element input is given in "SOLID70 Input Summary" (p. 271). A general description of
element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

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SOLID70 Input Summary
Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

Real Constants

Mass transport effects (KEYOPT(8) = 1):

VX - X direction of mass transport velocity
VY - Y direction of mass transport velocity
VZ - Z direction of mass transport velocity

Material Properties

MP command: KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, VISC, MU (VISC and MU used only if KEYOPT(7) = 1.

Do not use ENTH with KEYOPT(8) = 1).

Surface Loads

Convection or Heat Flux (but not both) and Radiation (using Lab = RDSF) --

face 1 (J-I-L-K), face 2 (I-J-N-M), face 3 (J-K-O-N),

face 4 (K-L-P-O), face 5 (L-I-M-P), face 6 (M-N-O-P)

Body Loads

Heat Generations --

HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), HG(N), HG(O), HG(P)

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT(2)

Evaluation of film coefficient:

0 --

Evaluate film coefficient (if any) at average film temperature, (TS + TB)/2

1 --

Evaluate at element surface temperature, TS

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2 --

Evaluate at fluid bulk temperature, TB

3 --

Evaluate at differential temperature |TS-TB|

KEYOPT(4)

Element coordinate system defined:

0 --

Element coordinate system is parallel to the global coordinate system

1 --

Element coordinate system is based on the element I-J side

KEYOPT(7)

Nonlinear fluid flow option:

0 --

Standard heat transfer element

1 --

Nonlinear steady-state fluid flow analogy element

Note:

Temperature degree of freedom interpreted as pressure.

KEYOPT(8)

Mass transport effects:

0 --

No mass transport effects

1 --

Mass transport with VX, VY, VZ

SOLID70 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

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• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.70.1: SOLID70 Element Output Definitions (p. 273)

Convection heat flux is positive out of the element; applied heat flux is positive into the element. If
KEYOPT(7) = 1, the standard thermal output should be interpreted as the analogous fluid flow output.
The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.70.1: SOLID70 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 3
HGEN Heat generations HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), Y -
HG(N), HG(O), HG(P)
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector sum at Y Y
centroid
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux (heat flow rate/cross-sectional area) Y Y
components and vector sum at centroid
FACE Face label 1 -
AREA Face area 1 1
NODES Face nodes 1 -
HFILM Film coefficient at each node of face 1 -
TBULK Bulk temperature at each node of face 1 -
TAVG Average face temperature 1 1
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 1 1
HEAT Heat flow rate per unit area across face by convection 1 -
RATE/AREA
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face - 1
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 1
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate per unit area across face caused by input - 1
heat flux
HFLUX Heat flux at each node of face 1 -

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
PRESSURE GRAD Total pressure gradient and its X, Y, and Z components 2 -
MASS FLUX Mass flow rate per unit cross-sectional area 2 -
FLUID VELOCITY Total fluid velocity and its X, Y, and Z components 2 -

1. Output if a surface load is input

2. Output if KEYOPT(7) = 1

3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.70.2: SOLID70 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 274) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.70.2: SOLID70 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 274):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.70.1: SOLID70 Element Output Definitions (p. 273)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

FCn

sequence number for solution items for element Face n

Table 7.70.2: SOLID70 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item FC1 FC2 FC3 FC4 FC5 FC6
Name
AREA NMISC 1 7 13 19 25 31
HFAVG NMISC 2 8 14 20 26 32
TAVG NMISC 3 9 15 21 27 33
TBAVG NMISC 4 10 16 22 28 34
HEAT RATE NMISC 5 11 17 23 29 35
HFLXAVG NMISC 6 12 18 24 30 36

SOLID70 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume. This occurs most frequently when the element is not
numbered properly.

• Elements may be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.70.1: SOLID70 Geometry (p. 270) or may have
the planes IJKL and MNOP interchanged.

• A prism or tetrahedron shaped element may be formed by defining duplicate node numbers as de-
scribed in Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37).

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• The specific heat and enthalpy are evaluated at each integration point to allow for abrupt changes
(such as for melting) within a coarse grid.

• Because the element is linear, the heat flux distribution is piecewise constant and, hence, the accuracy
is low if the mesh is too coarse. To obtain a more accurate heat flux, increase the mesh density.

• If the thermal element is to be replaced by a SOLID185 (p. 824) structural element with surface stresses
requested, the thermal element should be oriented such that face I-J-N-M and/or face K-L-P-O is a
free surface.

• A free surface of the element (that is, not adjacent to another element and not subjected to a
boundary constraint) is assumed to be adiabatic.

• Thermal transients having a fine integration time step and a severe thermal gradient at the surface
will also require a fine mesh at the surface.

• If KEYOPT(8) > 0, unsymmetric matrices are produced.

• Mass flow (activated by KEYOPT(8)=1) is restricted to the condition that the element Peclet number
(Pe) must be less than 1:

where is the magnitude of the velocity vector, is an element length scale along the velocity
vector direction, and , , and are the density, specific heat, and equivalent thermal conductivity
of the fluid. If , an error is printed, and you will have to reduce the mesh size and run again
(see Galerkin Formulation in the Thermal Analysis Guide).

Note:

Mass transport for the current-technology element SOLID278 (p. 1320) is not restricted
by Pe.

SOLID70 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• This element does not have the mass transport or fluid flow options. KEYOPT(7) and KEY-
OPT(8) can only be set to 0 (default).

• Birth and death is not available.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• This element does not have the mass transport or fluid flow options. KEYOPT(7) and KEY-
OPT(8) can only be set to 0 (default).

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Element Library

MASS71
Thermal Mass
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 279)

MASS71 Element Description

MASS71 is a point element having one degree of freedom, temperature, at the node. The element may
be used in a transient thermal analysis to represent a body having thermal capacitance capability but
negligible internal thermal resistance, that is, no significant temperature gradients within the body. The
element also has a temperature-dependent heat generation capability. The lumped thermal mass element
is applicable to a 1-D, 2-D, or 3-D steady-state or transient thermal analysis. See MASS71 in the Mechan-
ical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

In a steady-state solution the element acts only as a temperature-dependent heat source or sink. Other
elements having special thermal applications are the COMBIN14 (p. 161) and COMBIN40 (p. 230) elements.
These elements, which are normally used in structural models, may be used for thermally analogous
situations.

If the model containing the thermal mass element is also to be analyzed structurally, the thermal element
should be replaced by an equivalent structural element (such as MASS21 (p. 168))

Figure 7.71.1: MASS71 Geometry

Z
I

Y
X

MASS71 Input Data

The lumped thermal mass element is defined by one node (as shown in Figure 7.71.1: MASS71 Geo-
metry (p. 276)) and a thermal capacitance (Heat/Degree). When used with axisymmetric elements, the
thermal capacitance should be input on a full 360° basis. The thermal capacitance (CON1) may be input
as a real constant or calculated (KEYOPT(3)) from the real constant volume (CON1) and either the DENS
and C or ENTH material properties. KEYOPT(3) determines whether CON1 is interpreted as volume or
thermal capacitance.

The heat generation is applied directly as a nodal load and is not first multiplied by the volume. Thus,
if KEYOPT(3) = 0 (that is, when using the specific heat matrix), the heat generation must be adjusted
to account for the volume. For an axisymmetric analysis the heat generation rate should be input on
a full 360° basis. A temperature-dependent heat generation rate of the following polynomial form may
be input:

where T is the absolute temperature from the previous substep. The constants, A1 through A6, should
be entered as real constants. If any of the constants A2 through A6 are nonzero, KEYOPT(4) must be set
to 1. Also, if temperatures are not absolute, the offset conversion [TOFFST] must be specified.

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Alternately, the heat generation expression may be defined as a temperature-dependent material
property (QRATE) with the MP commands. QRATE can be input as numerical values or as tabular inputs
evaluated as a function of temperature, time, and location.

A summary of the element input is given in "MASS71 Input Summary" (p. 277). A general description of
element input is given in Element Input (p. 41). See Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements (p. 92) for more
details.

MASS71 Input Summary

Nodes

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

Real Constants

CON1, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5

A6
See Table 7.71.1: MASS71 Real Constants (p. 278) for a description of the real constants

Material Properties

MP command: QRATE, DENS, C, ENTH if KEYOPT(3) = 0 or QRATE if KEYOPT(3) = 1

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None (heat generation may be defined as a function of temperature by using real constants A1, A2,
... or by the QRATE material property definition.)

Special Features

Birth and death

Nonlinearity if heat generation is defined as a function of temperature

KEYOPT(3)

Interpretation of real constant CON1:

0 --

Interpret CON1 as volume (with either DENS and C or ENTH supplied as material properties)

1 --

Interpret CON1 as thermal capacitance (DENS*C*volume)

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Element Library

KEYOPT(4)

Temperature dependent heat generation:

0 --

No temperature-dependent heat generation (required if all real constants A2-A6 are zero)

1 --

Include temperature-dependent heat generation (required if any real constants A2-A6 are
nonzero)

Table 7.71.1: MASS71 Real Constants

No. Name Description

1 CON1 Volume or thermal capacitance (see KEYOPT(3))
2 A1 Constant for temperature function
3 A2 Constant for temperature function
4 A3 Constant for temperature function
5 A4 Constant for temperature function
6 A5 Constant for temperature function
7 A6 Constant for temperature function

MASS71 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.71.2: MASS71 Element Output Definitions (p. 278)

The heat generation is in units of Heat/Time and is positive into the node. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.71.2: MASS71 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODE Node I Y Y

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 Name Definition O R
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 1
TEMP Element (node) temperature Y Y
HEAT Heat generation rate into node Y Y

1. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.71.3: MASS71 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 279) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.71.3: MASS71 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 279):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.71.2: MASS71 Element Output Definitions (p. 278)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.71.3: MASS71 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
HEAT SMISC 1
TEMP SMISC 2

MASS71 Assumptions and Restrictions

• When using the element with a temperature-dependent heat generation in a steady-state solution,
an iterative solution is required.

• The heat generation is calculated at the uniform temperature for the first substep.

MASS71 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

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Element Library

PLANE75
Axisymmetric-Harmonic 4-Node Thermal Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 284)

PLANE75 Element Description

PLANE75 is used as an axisymmetric ring element with a 3-D thermal conduction capability. The element
has four nodes with a single degree of freedom, temperature, at each node. The element is a generaliz-
ation of the axisymmetric version of PLANE55 (p. 244) in that it allows nonaxisymmetric loading. Various
loading cases are described in Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric Loads (p. 93).

The element is applicable to an axisymmetric geometry for steady-state or transient thermal analyses.
See PLANE75 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element. If the model
containing the element is also to be analyzed structurally, the element should be replaced by the
equivalent structural element (such as PLANE25 (p. 171)). A similar thermal element with midside node
capability is PLANE78 (p. 289).

Figure 7.75.1: PLANE75 Geometry

PLANE75 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this axisymmetric thermal solid element
are shown in Figure 7.75.1: PLANE75 Geometry (p. 280). The data input is essentially the same as for
PLANE55 (p. 244) and is described in "PLANE55 Input Data" (p. 245). The element input data also includes
the number of harmonic waves (MODE) and the symmetry condition (ISYM) on the MODE command.
If MODE = 0 and ISYM = 1, the element behaves similarly to the axisymmetric case of PLANE55 (p. 244).
The MODE and ISYM parameters describe the type of temperature distribution and are discussed in
detail in Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric Loads (p. 93).

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Harmonically varying bulk temperatures or
heat fluxes (but not both) may be input as surface loads on the element faces as shown by the circled
numbers on Figure 7.75.1: PLANE75 Geometry (p. 280). Harmonically varying heat generation rates may
be input as element body loads at the nodes. If the node I heat generation rate HG(I) is input and all
others are unspecified, they default to HG(I).

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A summary of the element input is given in "PLANE75 Input Summary" (p. 281). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

PLANE75 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

MP command: KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH

Surface Loads

Convections --

face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (L-K), face 4 (I-L)

Heat Fluxes --

face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (L-K), face 4 (I-L)

Body Loads

Heat Generations --

HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L)

Mode Number

Number of harmonic waves around the circumference (MODE)

Loading Condition

Symmetry condition (MODE)

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPTS

None

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Element Library

PLANE75 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.75.1: PLANE75 Element Output Definitions (p. 282)

Convection heat flux is positive out of the element; applied heat flux is positive into the element. The
element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. The face area and the heat
flow rate are on a full 360° basis. For more information about harmonic elements, see Harmonic
Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric Loads (p. 93). A general description of solution output
is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.75.1: PLANE75 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 3
HGEN Heat generations HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L) Y -
MODE Number of waves in loading Y -
TG:X, Y, SUM, Z Thermal gradient components and vector sum (X and 1 1
Y) at centroid
TF:X, Y, SUM, Z Thermal flux (heat flow rate/cross-sectional area) 1 1
components and vector sum (X and Y) at centroid
FACE Face label 2 -
NODES Face nodes 2 -
AREA Face area 2 2
TAVG, TBULK Average of the two end nodal temperatures evaluated 2 2
at peak value, fluid bulk temperature evaluated at peak
value
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 2 2
HEAT Heat flow rate per unit area across face by convection 2 -
RATE/AREA

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 Name Definition O R
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face - 2
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 2
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate per unit area across face caused by input - 2
heat flux
HFLUX Heat flux at each node of face 2 -

1. Gradient and flux peak at THETA = 0 and THETA = 90 ÷ MODE degrees

2. Output if a surface load is input

3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.75.2: PLANE75 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 283) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.75.2: PLANE75 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 283):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.75.1: PLANE75 Element Output Definitions (p. 282)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

FCn

sequence number for solution items for element Face n

Table 7.75.2: PLANE75 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item FC1 FC2 FC3 FC4
Name
AREA NMISC 1 7 13 19
HFAVG NMISC 2 8 14 20
TAVG NMISC 3 9 15 21
TBAVG NMISC 4 10 16 22
HEAT RATE NMISC 5 11 17 23
HFLXAVG NMISC 6 12 18 24

PLANE75 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a negative or a zero area.

• The element must lie in the global X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.75.1: PLANE75 Geometry (p. 280)
and the Y-axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses.

• An axisymmetric structure should be modeled in the +X quadrants.

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Element Library

• A triangular element may be formed by defining duplicate K and L node numbers as described in
Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37).

• If the thermal element is to be replaced by the analogous structural element (PLANE25 (p. 171)) with
surface stresses requested, the thermal element should be oriented so that face I-J (and also face K-
L, if applicable) is a free surface.

• A free surface of the element (that is, not adjacent to another element and not subjected to a
boundary constraint) is assumed to be adiabatic.

• Thermal transients having a fine integration time step and a severe thermal gradient at the surface
will also require a fine mesh at the surface.

• Temperature-dependent material properties (including the film coefficient) are assumed to be

axisymmetric even if the temperature varies harmonically.

• If MODE = 0, properties are evaluated at the temperatures calculated in the previous substep (or at
TUNIF if for the first substep).

• If MODE > 0, properties are evaluated at temperatures calculated from the previous MODE = 0 substep;
if no MODE = 0 substep exists, then evaluation is done at 0.0 degrees.

PLANE75 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

PLANE77
2-D 8-Node Thermal Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 289)

PLANE77 Element Description

Although this element is available for use (p. 35) in your analysis, Ansys, Inc. recommends using a
current-technology element such as PLANE293 (p. 1465).

PLANE77 is a higher order version of the 2-D, 4-node thermal element (PLANE55 (p. 244)). The element
has one degree of freedom, temperature, at each node. The 8-node elements have compatible temper-
ature shapes and are well suited to model curved boundaries.

The 8-node thermal element is applicable to a 2-D, steady-state or transient thermal analysis. See
PLANE77 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element. If the model
containing this element is also to be analyzed structurally, the element should be replaced by an equi-
valent structural element (such as PLANE183 (p. 701)). A similar axisymmetric thermal element which
accepts nonaxisymmetric loading is PLANE78 (p. 289).

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Figure 7.77.1: PLANE77 Geometry
L
3
K K, L, O
O
4
Y P P N
(or axial) 2
N I
M J
I
X (or radial) M Tri Option
J
1

PLANE77 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.77.1: PLANE77 Geometry (p. 285). The element is defined by eight nodes and orthotropic material
properties. A triangular-shaped element may be formed by defining the same node number for nodes
K, L and O.

Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate
system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Specific heat and density are ignored
for steady-state solutions. Properties not input default as described in the Material Reference.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Convection or heat flux (but not both) and
radiation may be input as surface loads at the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Fig-
ure 7.77.1: PLANE77 Geometry (p. 285). Heat generation rates may be input as element body loads at
the nodes. If the node I heat generation rate HG(I) is input, and all others are unspecified, they default
to HG(I). If all corner node heat generation rates are specified, each midside node heat generation rate
defaults to the average heat generation rate of its adjacent corner nodes.

This element can also have a Z-depth specified by KEYOPT(3) and real constant THK. Be careful when
using this option with other physics, especially radiation. Radiation view factors will be based on a unit
Z-depth (only).

A summary of the element input is given in "PLANE77 Input Summary" (p. 285). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41). For axisymmetric applications see Harmonic
Axisymmetric Elements (p. 92).

For phase change problems (refer to Phase Change in the Thermal Analysis Guide), use KEYOPT(1) = 1
(diagonalized specific heat matrix).

PLANE77 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

Real Constants

THK = Thickness (used only if KEYOPT(3) = 3)

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Element Library

Material Properties

MP command: KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH

Surface Loads

Convection or Heat Flux (but not both) and Radiation (using Lab = RDSF) --

face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (L-K), face 4 (I-L)

Body Loads

Heat Generations --

HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), HG(N), HG(O), HG(P)

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT(1)

Specific heat matrix:

0 --

Consistent specific heat matrix

1 --

Diagonalized specific heat matrix

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

0 --

Plane

1 --

Axisymmetric

3 --

Plane with Z-depth, specified via real constant THK.

PLANE77 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.77.1: PLANE77 Element Output Definitions (p. 287)

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The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. For an axisymmetric
analysis the face area and the heat flow rate are on a full 360° basis. Convection heat flux is positive
out of the element; applied heat flux is positive into the element. A general description of solution
output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.77.1: PLANE77 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 2
HGEN Heat generations HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), Y -
HG(N), HG(O), HG(P)
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector sum at Y Y
centroid
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux (heat flow rate/cross-sectional area) Y Y
components and vector sum at centroid
FACE Face label 1 -
NODES Face nodes 1 -
AREA Face area 1 1
HFILM Film coefficient 1 -
TAVG Average face temperature 1 1
TBULK Fluid bulk temperature 1 -
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 1 1
HEAT RATE/AREA Heat flow rate per unit area across face by 1 -
convection
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face - 1
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 1
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate per unit area across face caused by - 1
input heat flux
HFLUX Heat flux at each node of face 1 -

1. Output only if a surface load is input

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Element Library

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.77.2: PLANE77 Item and Component Labels (p. 288) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.77.2: PLANE77 Item and Component Labels (p. 288):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.77.1: PLANE77 Element Output Definitions (p. 287)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

FCn

sequence number for solution items for element Face n

Table 7.77.2: PLANE77 Item and Component Labels

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item FC1 FC2 FC3 FC4
Name
AREA NMISC 1 7 13 19
HFAVG NMISC 2 8 14 20
TAVG NMISC 3 9 15 21
TBAVG NMISC 4 10 16 22
HEAT RATE NMISC 5 11 17 23
HFLXAVG NMISC 6 12 18 24

PLANE77 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The area of the element must be positive.

• The 2-D element must lie in an X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.77.1: PLANE77 Geometry (p. 285) and
the Y-axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses.

• An axisymmetric structure should be modeled in the +X quadrants.

• A face with a removed midside node implies that the temperature varies linearly, rather than parabol-
ically, along that face. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing Guide
for more information about the use of midside nodes.

• The specific heat and enthalpy are evaluated at each integration point to allow for abrupt changes
(such as melting) within a coarse grid.

• If the thermal element is to be replaced by a PLANE183 (p. 701) structural element with surface stresses
requested, the thermal element may be oriented such that face IJ and/or face KL is a free surface. A
free surface of the element (that is, not adjacent to another element and not subjected to a boundary
constraint) is assumed to be adiabatic.

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• Thermal transients having a fine integration time step and a severe thermal gradient at the surface
will require a fine mesh at the surface.

• For phase change problems, use the lower order element PLANE55 (p. 244) if at all possible.

• Plotting temperature in /POST1 is based on corner nodes only. To include midside nodes in the plot,
issue /EFACET,2 before PLNSOL,TEMP.

PLANE77 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

PLANE78
Axisymmetric-Harmonic 8-Node Thermal Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 294)

PLANE78 Element Description

PLANE78 is used as an axisymmetric ring element with a 3-D thermal conduction capability. The element
has one degree of freedom, temperature, at each node. PLANE78 is a generalization of PLANE77 (p. 284)
in that it allows nonaxisymmetric loading. Various loading cases are described in Harmonic Axisymmetric
Elements with Nonaxisymmetric Loads (p. 93).

The 8-node elements have compatible temperature shapes and are well suited to model curved
boundaries.

The element is applicable to an axisymmetric geometry for steady-state or transient thermal analyses.
See PLANE78 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element. If the model
containing the element is also to be analyzed structurally, the element should be replaced by the
equivalent structural element (such as PLANE83 (p. 294)).

Figure 7.78.1: PLANE78 Geometry

L K,L,O
4 O K

P P N

Y N 2 I
(or axial) M J
I
M Triangular Option
J
X (or radial) 1

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PLANE78 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this axisymmetric thermal solid element
are shown in Figure 7.78.1: PLANE78 Geometry (p. 289). The data input is essentially the same as for
PLANE77 (p. 284) and is described in "PLANE77 Input Data" (p. 285). The element input data also includes
the number of harmonic waves (MODE on the MODE command) and the symmetry condition (ISYM
on the MODE command). If MODE = 0 and ISYM = 1, the element behaves similarly to the axisymmetric
case of PLANE77 (p. 284). If MODE equals 1, the temperature is assumed to be 0° along an entire diameter.
The MODE and ISYM parameters describe the type of temperature distribution and are discussed in
detail in Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric Loads (p. 93).

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Harmonically varying bulk temperatures or
heat fluxes (but not both) may be input as surface loads on the element faces as shown by the circled
numbers on Figure 7.78.1: PLANE78 Geometry (p. 289). Harmonically varying heat generation rates may
be input as element body loads at the nodes. If the node I heat generation rate HG(I) is input and all
others are unspecified, they default to HG(I). If all corner node heat generation rates are specified, each
midside node heat generation rate defaults to the average heat generation rate of its adjacent corner
nodes.

A summary of the element input is given in "PLANE78 Input Summary" (p. 290). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

PLANE78 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

MP command: KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH

Surface Loads

Convections --

face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (L-K), face 4 (I-L)

Heat Fluxes --

face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (L-K), face 4 (I-L)

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Body Loads

Heat Generations --

HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), HG(N), HG(O), HG(P)

Mode Number

Number of harmonic waves around the circumference (MODE)

Special Features

Birth and death

Loading Condition

Symmetry condition (MODE)

KEYOPT(1)

Specific heat matrix:

0 --

Consistent specific heat matrix

1 --

Diagonalized specific heat matrix

PLANE78 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.78.1: PLANE78 Element Output Definitions (p. 292)

Convection heat flux is positive out of the element; applied heat flux is positive into the element. The
element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. The face area and the heat
flow rate are on a full 360° basis. For more information about harmonic elements, see Harmonic
Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric Loads (p. 93). A general description of solution output
is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.78.1: PLANE78 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
MODE Number of waves in loading Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 3
HGEN Heat generations HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), HG(N), Y -
HG(O), HG(P)
TG:X, Y, SUM, Thermal gradient components and vector sum (X and Y) at 1 1
Z centroid
TF:X, Y, SUM, Thermal flux (heat flow rate/cross-sectional area) 1 1
Z components and vector sum (X and Y) at centroid
FACE Face label 2 2
NODES Face nodes 2 2
AREA Face area 2 2
HFILM Film coefficient 2 2
TAVG, TBULK Average of the two end nodal temperatures evaluated at 2 2
peak value, fluid bulk temperature at peak value
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 2 2
HEAT Heat flow rate per unit area across face by convection 2 2
RATE/AREA
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face - 2
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 2
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate per unit area across face caused by input - 2
heat flux
HFLUX Heat flux at each node of face 2 2

1. Gradient and flux peak at THETA = 0 and THETA = 90 ÷ Mode degrees

2. Output only if a surface load is input

3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.78.2: PLANE78 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 293) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.78.2: PLANE78 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 293):

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Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.78.1: PLANE78 Element Output Definitions (p. 292)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

FCn

sequence number for solution items for element Face n

Table 7.78.2: PLANE78 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item FC1 FC2 FC3 FC4
Name
AREA NMISC 1 7 13 19
HFAVG NMISC 2 8 14 20
TAVG NMISC 3 9 15 21
TBAVG NMISC 4 10 16 22
HEAT RATE NMISC 5 11 17 23
HFLXAVG NMISC 6 12 18 24

PLANE78 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a negative or a zero area.

• The element must lie in the global X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.78.1: PLANE78 Geometry (p. 289)
and the Y-axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses.

• An axisymmetric structure should be modeled in the +X quadrants.

• A face with a removed midside node implies that the temperature varies linearly, rather than parabol-
ically, along that face. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing Guide
for more information about the use of midside nodes.

• If the thermal element is to be replaced by the analogous structural element (PLANE83 (p. 294)) with
surface stresses requested, the thermal element should be oriented so that face IJ (and also face KL,
if applicable) is a free surface. A free surface of the element (that is, not adjacent to another element
and not subjected to a boundary constraint) is assumed to be adiabatic.

• Thermal transients having a fine integration time step and a severe thermal gradient at the surface
will also require a fine mesh at the surface.

• Temperature-dependent material properties (including the film coefficient) are assumed to be

axisymmetric even if the temperature varies harmonically.

• If MODE = 0, properties are evaluated at the temperatures calculated in the previous substep (or at
TUNIF if for the first substep).

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• If MODE > 0, properties are evaluated at temperatures calculated from the previous MODE = 0 substep;
if no MODE = 0 substep exists, then evaluation is done at 0.0 degrees.

PLANE78 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

PLANE83
Axisymmetric-Harmonic 8-Node Structural Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 301)

PLANE83 Element Description

Unless you are performing a linear analysis requiring a large number of circumferential modes, consider
using a current-technology element (p. 36) such as SOLID273 (p. 1312) (KEYOPT(6) = 0).

PLANE83 is used for 2-D modeling of axisymmetric structures with nonaxisymmetric loading. Examples
of such loading are bending, shear, or torsion. The element has three degrees of freedom per node:
translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions. For unrotated nodal coordinates, these directions corres-
pond to the radial, axial, and tangential directions, respectively.

This element is a higher order version of the 2-D, four-node element (PLANE25 (p. 171)). It provides more
accurate results for mixed (quadrilateral-triangular) automatic meshes and can tolerate irregular shapes
without as much loss of accuracy. The loading need not be axisymmetric. Various loading cases are
described in Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric Loads (p. 93).

The 8-node elements have compatible displacement shapes and are well suited to model curved
boundaries. See PLANE83 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.83.1: PLANE83 Geometry

L K,L,O
4 O K

y P P N
N 2 I
x M J
I
Y M Triangular Option
(or axial) J
1
Element coordinate system
X (or radial) (shown for KEYOPT(1) = 0)

PLANE83 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.83.1: PLANE83 Geometry (p. 294). Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element co-
ordinate directions. The element coordinate system orientation is as described in Coordinate Sys-
tems (p. 61). Z-direction material properties (EZ, ALPZ, etc.) may be input. MODE and ISYM are used to

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describe the harmonic loading condition. (See Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric
Loads (p. 93) for more details.)

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Harmonically varying pressures may be input
as surface loads on the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Figure 7.83.1: PLANE83
Geometry (p. 294). Positive pressures act into the element. Harmonically varying temperatures may be
input as element body loads at the nodes. The node I temperature T(I) defaults to TUNIF. If all other
temperatures are unspecified, they default to T(I). If all corner node temperatures are specified, each
midside node temperature defaults to the average temperature of its adjacent corner nodes. For any
other input temperature pattern, unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

KEYOPT(3) is used for temperature loading with MODE > 0 and temperature-dependent material prop-
erties. Material properties may only be evaluated at a constant (nonharmonically varying) temperature.
If MODE = 0, the material properties are always evaluated at the average element temperature. If MODE
> 0, TREF must be input as zero.

KEYOPT(4), (5), and (6) provide various element printout options. (See Element Solution (p. 50).)

A summary of the element input is given in "PLANE83 Input Summary" (p. 295). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

PLANE83 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

MP command: EX, EY, EZ, PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ), ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX,
CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ), DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressures --

face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (L-K), face 4 (I-L)

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P)

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Mode Number

Number of harmonic waves around the circumference (MODE)

Loading Condition

Symmetry condition (MODE)

Special Features

Birth and death

Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(1)

Element coordinate system:

0 --

Element coordinate system is parallel to the global coordinate system

1 --

Element coordinate system is based on the element I-J side

KEYOPT(3)

If MODE is greater than zero, use temperatures for:

0 --

Use temperatures only for thermal bending (evaluate material properties at TREF)

1 --

Use temperatures only for material property evaluation (thermal strains are not computed)

KEYOPT(4)

Extra stress output:

0 --

Basic element solution (not extra output)

1 --

Repeat basic solution for all integration points

2 --

Nodal stress solution

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KEYOPT(5)

Combined stress output:

0 --

No combined stress solution

1 --

Combined stress solution at centroid and nodes

KEYOPT(6)

Extra surface output (surface solution is valid only for isotropic materials):

0 --

Basic element solution (no extra output)

1 --

Surface solution for face I-J also

2 --

Surface solution for both faces I-J and K-L also

PLANE83 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.83.1: PLANE83 Element Output Definitions (p. 298)

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.83.2: PLANE83 Stress Output (p. 298).

In the displacement printout, the UZ component is out-of-phase with the UX and UY components. For
example, in the MODE = 1, ISYM = 1 loading case, UX and UY are the peak values at θ = 0° and UZ is
the peak value at θ = 90°. The same occurs for the reaction forces (FX, FY, etc.). We recommend that
you always use the angle field on the SET command when postprocessing the results. For more inform-
ation about harmonic elements, see Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements with Nonaxisymmetric
Loads (p. 93).

The element stress directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. The sign convention on
the surface shears is such that for a rectangular element that is lined up parallel to the axes with node
J in the positive Y direction from node I, the shear stresses on surfaces I-J and K-L are analogous to the
centroidal SYZ in both definition and sign. Stress components which are inherently zero for a load case
are printed for clarity. A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See
the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

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Figure 7.83.2: PLANE83 Stress Output

SY
3

L
Y
4 O K SYZ SX
SX
P
SXZ
Y N 2
SZ
(or axial)
I
M
X (or radial) 1 J

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.83.1: PLANE83 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Corner nodes - I, J, K, L Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
ISYM Loading key: 1 = symmetric, -1 = antisymmetric Y -
MODE Number of waves in loading Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
PRES Pressures P1 at nodes J,I; P2 at K,J; P3 at L,K; P4 at Y Y
I,L
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P) Y Y
S:X, Y, Z Direct stresses (radial, axial, hoop) at PK ANG Y Y
locations
S:XY, YZ, XZ Shear stresses (radial-axial, axial-hoop, radial-hoop) Y Y
at PK ANG locations
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses at both PK ANG locations as well 1 1
as where extreme occurs (EXTR); if MODE = 0, only
one location is given.
S:INT Stress intensity at both PK ANG locations as well as 1 1
where extreme occurs (EXTR); if MODE = 0, only one
location is given.
S:EQV Equivalent stress at both PK ANG locations as well 1 1
as where extreme occurs (EXTR); if MODE = 0, only
one location is given.
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY Elastic strain Y Y

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 Name Definition O R
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain [4] - Y
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY Average thermal strains Y Y
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain [4] - Y
PK ANG Angle where stresses have peak values: 0 and Y Y
90/MODE°. Blank if MODE = 0.
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 3
FACE Face label 2 2
TEMP Surface average temperature 2 2
EPEL(PAR, PER, Z, Surface strains (parallel, perpendicular, hoop, shear) 2 2
SH) at PK ANG locations and where extreme occurs
(EXTR)
S(PAR, PER, Z, SH) Surface stresses (parallel, perpendicular, hoop, shear) 2 2
at PK ANG locations and where extreme occurs
(EXTR)

1. These items are output only if KEYOPT(5) = 1.

2. These items are printed only if KEYOPT(6) is greater than zero.

3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

4. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY).

Table 7.83.2: PLANE83 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 299) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table in the Basic Analysis
Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The
following notation is used in Table 7.83.2: PLANE83 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 299):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.83.1: PLANE83 Element Output Definitions (p. 298)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

I,J,K,L

sequence number for data at nodes I,J,K,L

Table 7.83.2: PLANE83 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item I J K L
Name
P1 SMISC 2 1 - -
P2 SMISC - 4 3 -

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Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item I J K L
Name
P3 SMISC - - 6 5
P4 SMISC 7 - - 8
THETA = 0
S1 NMISC 1 16 31 46
S2 NMISC 2 17 32 47
S3 NMISC 3 18 33 48
SINT NMISC 4 19 34 49
SEQV NMISC 5 20 35 50
THETA = 90/MODE
S1 NMISC 6 21 36 51
S2 NMISC 7 22 37 52
S3 NMISC 8 23 38 53
SINT NMISC 9 24 39 54
SEQV NMISC 10 25 40 55
EXTR Values
S1 NMISC 11 26 41 56
S2 NMISC 12 27 42 57
S3 NMISC 13 28 43 58
SINT NMISC 14 29 44 59
SEQV NMISC 15 30 45 60

The NMISC items (1 thru 60) in the above table represent the combined stress solution, KEYOPT(5) = 1.
If MODE = 0, their values are zero at THETA = 90/MODE and at EXTR.

See Surface Solution (p. 52) for the item and sequence numbers for surface output for the ETABLE
command.

PLANE83 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The area of the element must be positive.

• The element must be defined in the global X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.83.1: PLANE83 Geo-
metry (p. 294) and the Y-axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses. An axisymmetric
structure should be modeled in the +X quadrants.

• A face with a removed midside node implies that the displacement varies linearly, rather than para-
bolically, along that face. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing Guide
for more information about the use of midside nodes.

• The element assumes a linear elastic material.

• Post-analysis superposition of results is valid only with other linear elastic solutions.

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• The element should not be used with the large deflection option.

• The element may not be deactivated with the EKILL command.

• The element temperature is taken to be the average of the nodal temperatures.

• Surface stress printout is valid only if the conditions described in Element Solution (p. 50) are met.

Modeling hints:

• If shear effects are important in a shell-like structure, at least two elements through the
thickness should be used.

• You can use only axisymmetric (MODE,0) loads without significant torsional stresses to
generate the stress state used for stress stiffened modal analyses using this element.

PLANE83 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

SOLID87
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Thermal Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 305)

SOLID87 Element Description

Although this element is available for use (p. 35) in your analysis, Ansys, Inc. recommends using a
current-technology element such as SOLID291 (p. 1453).

SOLID87 is well suited to model irregular meshes (such as produced from various CAD/CAM systems).
The element has one degree of freedom, temperature, at each node.

The element is applicable to a 3-D, steady-state or transient thermal analysis. See SOLID87 in the
Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element. If the model containing this
element is also to be analyzed structurally, the element should be replaced by the equivalent structural
element (such as SOLID187 (p. 861)). A 20-node thermal solid element, SOLID90 (p. 306), is also available.

Figure 7.87.1: SOLID87 Geometry

L

4
R
P
Q 3
Y 2
O K

X I N
M
Z
1
J

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SOLID87 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Figure 7.87.1: SOL-
ID87 Geometry (p. 301).

Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate
system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Specific heat and density are ignored
for steady-state solutions. Properties not input default as described in the Material Reference.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Convection or heat flux (but not both) and
radiation may be input as surface loads at the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Fig-
ure 7.87.1: SOLID87 Geometry (p. 301). Heat generation rates may be input as element body loads at the
nodes. If the node I heat generation rate HG(I) is input, and all others are unspecified, they default to
HG(I). If all corner node heat generation rates are specified, each midside node heat generation rate
defaults to the average heat generation rate of its adjacent corner nodes.

For phase change problems (refer to Phase Change in the Thermal Analysis Guide), use KEYOPT(1) = 1
(diagonalized specific heat matrix). For convection regions with strong thermal gradients, use KEYOPT(5)
= 1 (consistent convection matrix).

A summary of the element input is given in "SOLID87 Input Summary" (p. 302). A general description of
element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SOLID87 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

MP command: KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH

Surface Loads

Convection or Heat Flux (but not both) and Radiation (using Lab = RDSF) --

face 1 (J-I-K), face 2 (I-J-L), face 3 (J-K-L), face 4 (K-I-L)

Body Loads

Heat Generations --

HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), HG(N), HG(O), HG(P), HG(Q), HG(R)

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Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT(1)

Specific heat matrix:

0 --

Consistent specific heat matrix

1 --

Diagonalized specific heat matrix

KEYOPT(5)

Surface convection matrix:

0 --

Diagonalized convection matrix

1 --

Consistent convection matrix

SOLID87 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.87.1: SOLID87 Element Output Definitions (p. 303).

Convection heat flux is positive out of the element; applied heat flux is positive into the element. The
element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.87.1: SOLID87 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 2
HGEN Heat generations HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), Y -
HG(M), HG(N), HG(O), HG(P), HG(Q), HG(R)
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector sum Y Y
at centroid
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux (heat flow rate/cross-sectional area) Y Y
components and vector sum at centroid
FACE Convection face label 1 -
NODES Convection face corner nodes 1 -
AREA Convection face area 1 1
HFILM Film coefficient 1 -
TAVG Average face temperature 1 1
TBULK Fluid bulk temperature 1 -
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 1 1
HEAT Heat flow rate per unit area across face by 1 -
RATE/AREA convection
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face - 1
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 1
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate per unit area across face caused - 1
by input heat flux
HFLUX Heat flux at each node of face 1 -

1. Output if a surface load is input

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.87.2: SOLID87 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 305) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table in the Basic Analysis
Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The
following notation is used in Table 7.87.2: SOLID87 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 305):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.87.1: SOLID87 Element Output Definitions (p. 303)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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FCn

sequence number for solution items for element Face n

Table 7.87.2: SOLID87 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity FC1 FC2 FC3 FC4
Name Item
AREA NMISC 1 7 13 19
HFAVG NMISC 2 8 14 20
TAVG NMISC 3 9 15 21
TBAVG NMISC 4 10 16 22
HEAT RATE NMISC 5 11 17 23
HFLXAVG NMISC 6 12 18 24

SOLID87 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume.

• Elements may be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.87.1: SOLID87 Geometry (p. 301) or may have
node L below the IJK plane.

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the temperature varies linearly, rather than
parabolically, along that edge.

• See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing Guide for more information
about the use of midside nodes.

• The specific heat and enthalpy are evaluated at each integration point to allow for abrupt changes
(such as melting) within a coarse grid of elements.

• A free surface of the element (that is, not adjacent to another element and not subjected to a
boundary constraint) is assumed to be adiabatic.

• For phase change problems, use the lower order element SOLID70 (p. 269) if at all possible.

• Plotting temperature in /POST1 is based on corner nodes only. To include midside nodes in the plot,
issue /EFACET,2 before PLNSOL,TEMP.

SOLID87 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

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Element Library

SOLID90
3-D 20-Node Thermal Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 310)

SOLID90 Element Description

Although this element is available for use (p. 35) in your analysis, Ansys, Inc. recommends using a
current-technology element such as SOLID279 (p. 1337).

SOLID90 is a higher order version of the 3-D eight node thermal element (SOLID70 (p. 269)). The element
has 20 nodes with a single degree of freedom, temperature, at each node. The 20-node elements have
compatible temperature shapes and are well suited to model curved boundaries.

The 20-node thermal element is applicable to a 3-D, steady-state or transient thermal analysis. See
SOLID90 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element. If the model
containing this element is also to be analyzed structurally, the element should be replaced by the
equivalent structural element (such as SOLID186 (p. 843)).

Figure 7.90.1: SOLID90 Geometry

M,N,O,P,U,V,W,X
Y A,B
Z
K,L,S
I T R
5 P 4 Q
J
W
X Tetrahedral Option
O
6 M,N,O,P,U,V,W,X
M
B V A
Y B Z
U
N T
A K
L S
Y 2 3 I
R
L S Q J
T Z Pyramid Option
K X
I O,P,W
Z M
R
Q 1 U V A,B
J Y N
Y Z
I K,L,S
X T
Q R
J
Prism Option

SOLID90 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Figure 7.90.1: SOL-
ID90 Geometry (p. 306). The element is defined by 20 node points and the material properties. A prism-
shaped element may be formed by defining duplicate K, L, and S; A and B; and O, P, and W node
numbers. A tetrahedral-shaped element and a pyramid-shaped element may also be formed as shown
in Figure 7.90.1: SOLID90 Geometry (p. 306).

Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate
system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Specific heat and density are ignored
for steady-state solutions. Properties not input default as described in the Material Reference.

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Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Convection or heat flux (but not both) and
radiation may be input as surface loads at the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Fig-
ure 7.90.1: SOLID90 Geometry (p. 306). Heat generation rates may be input as element body loads at the
nodes. If the node I heat generation rate HG(I) is input, and all others are unspecified, they default to
HG(I). If all corner node heat generation rates are specified, each midside node heat generation rate
defaults to the average heat generation rate of its adjacent corner nodes.

For phase change problems (refer to Phase Change in the Thermal Analysis Guide), use KEYOPT(1) = 1
(diagonalized specific heat matrix).

A summary of the element input is given in "SOLID90 Input Summary" (p. 307). A general description of
element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SOLID90 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, A, B

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

MP command: KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH

Surface Loads

Convection or Heat Flux (but not both) and Radiation (using Lab = RDSF) --

face 1 (J-I-L-K), face 2 (I-J-N-M), face 3 (J-K-O-N),

face 4 (K-L-P-O), face 5 (L-I-M-P), face 6 (M-N-O-P)

Body Loads

Heat Generations --

HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), HG(N), HG(O), HG(P), HG(Q), HG(R),
HG(S), HG(T), HG(U), HG(V), HG(W), HG(X), HG(Y), HG(Z), HG(A), HG(B)

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT(1)

Specific heat matrix:

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Element Library

0 --

Consistent specific heat matrix

1 --

Diagonalized specific heat matrix

SOLID90 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.90.1: SOLID90 Element Output Definitions (p. 308)

Convection heat flux is positive out of the element; applied heat flux is positive into the element. The
element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.90.1: SOLID90 Element Output Definitions

Label Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 2
HGEN Heat generations HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), Y -
HG(N), HG(O), HG(P), HG(Q), ..., HG(Z), HG(A), HG(B)
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector sum at Y Y
centroid
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux (heat flow rate/cross-sectional area) Y Y
components and vector sum at centroid
FACE Face label 1 -
NODES Corner nodes on this face 1 -
AREA Face area 1 1
HFILM Film coefficient 1 -
TAVG Average face temperature 1 1

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 Label Definition O R
TBULK Fluid bulk temperature 1 -
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 1 1
HEAT Heat flow rate per unit area across face by convection 1 -
RATE/AREA
HFLUX Heat flux at each node of face 1 -
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face - 1
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 1
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate per unit area across face caused by input - 1
heat flux

1. Output only if a surface load is input

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.90.2: SOLID90 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 309) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table in the Basic Analysis
Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The
table uses the following notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.90.1: SOLID90 Element Output Definitions (p. 308)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

FCn

sequence number for solution items for element Face n

Table 7.90.2: SOLID90 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item FC1 FC2 FC3 FC4 FC5 FC6
Name
AREA NMISC 1 7 13 19 25 31
HFAVG NMISC 2 8 14 20 26 32
TAVG NMISC 3 9 15 21 27 33
TBAVG NMISC 4 10 16 22 28 34
HEAT RATE NMISC 5 11 17 23 29 35
HFLXAVG NMISC 6 12 18 24 30 36

SOLID90 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume. This occurs most frequently when the element is not
numbered properly.

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Element Library

• Elements may be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.90.1: SOLID90 Geometry (p. 306) or may have
the planes IJKL and MNOP interchanged.

• The condensed face of a prism-shaped element should not be defined as a convection face.

• The specific heat and enthalpy are evaluated at each integration point to allow for abrupt changes
(such as melting) within a coarse grid of elements.

• If the thermal element is to be replaced by a SOLID186 (p. 843) structural element with surface stresses
requested, the thermal element should be oriented such that face IJNM and/or face KLPO is a free
surface.

• A free surface of the element (that is, not adjacent to another element and not subjected to a
boundary constraint) is assumed to be adiabatic.

• Thermal transients having a fine integration time step and a severe thermal gradient at the surface
will also require a fine mesh at the surface.

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the temperature varies linearly, rather than
parabolically, along that edge.

• See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing Guide for more information
about the use of midside nodes.

• Degeneration to the form of pyramid should be used with caution.

• The element sizes, when degenerated, should be small in order to minimize the field gradients.

• Pyramid elements are best used as filler elements or in meshing transition zones.

• For phase change problems, use the lower order element SOLID70 (p. 269) if at all possible.

• Plotting temperature in /POST1 is based on corner nodes only. To include midside nodes in the plot,
issue /EFACET,2 before PLNSOL,TEMP.

SOLID90 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

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CIRCU94
Piezoelectric Circuit
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 318)

CIRCU94 Element Description

CIRCU94 is a circuit element for use in piezoelectric-circuit analyses. The element has two or three nodes
to define the circuit component and one or two degrees of freedom to model the circuit response. The
element may interface with the following piezoelectric elements:

PLANE13 (p. 151), KEYOPT(1) = 7 coupled-field quadrilateral solid

SOLID5 (p. 139), KEYOPT(1) = 0 or 3 coupled-field brick
SOLID98 (p. 323), KEYOPT(1) = 0 or 3 coupled-field tetrahedron
PLANE222 (p. 1042), KEYOPT(1) = 1001, coupled-field 4-node quadrilateral
PLANE223 (p. 1065), KEYOPT(1) = 1001, coupled-field 8-node quadrilateral
SOLID225 (p. 1097), KEYOPT(1) = 1001, coupled-field 8-node brick
SOLID226 (p. 1122), KEYOPT(1) = 1001, coupled-field 20-node brick
SOLID227 (p. 1155), KEYOPT(1) = 1001, coupled-field 10-node tetrahedron

CIRCU94 is applicable to full harmonic and transient analyses. For these types of analyses, you can also
use CIRCU94 as a general circuit element. See CIRCU94 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for
more details about this element.

CIRCU94 Input Data

The geometry, node definition, and degree of freedom options are shown in Figure 7.94.1: CIRCU94
Circuit Options (p. 312). Active nodes I and J define the resistor, inductor, capacitor and independent
current source. They are connected to the electric circuit. Active nodes I and J and a passive node K
define the independent voltage source. The passive node is not connected to the electric circuit. It is
associated with the CURR degree of freedom (which represents electric charge for this element).

KEYOPT(1) settings and the corresponding real constants define the circuit components. Real constant
input is dependent on the element circuit option used. A summary of the element input options is
given in "CIRCU94 Input Summary" (p. 312). Real constants 15 (Graphical offset, GOFFST) and 16 (Element
identification number, ID) are created for all components.

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Element Library

Figure 7.94.1: CIRCU94 Circuit Options

Resistor Inductor Capacitor
VI VI VI

VJ VJ VJ
KEYOPT(1) = 0 KEYOPT(1) = 1 KEYOPT(1) = 2
DOF = VOLT DOF = VOLT DOF = VOLT

Independent Independent
Current Source Voltage Source
VI VI

+ -qK

VJ VJ
KEYOPT(1) = 3 KEYOPT(1) = 4
DOF = VOLT DOF = VOLT (I,J), CURR (K)

The independent current and voltage sources (KEYOPT(1) = 3 or 4) may be excited by constant load
(transient) or constant amplitude load (harmonic), sinusoidal, pulse, exponential, or piecewise linear
load functions as defined by KEYOPT(2); see Figure 7.94.2: Load Functions and Corresponding Real
Constants for Independent Current and Voltage Sources (p. 315).

The time-step size for a transient analysis is controlled by the DELTIM or NSUBST commands. The
CIRCU94 element does not respond to automatic time stepping (AUTOTS command), but AUTOTS can
be used as a mechanism for ramping the time step to its final value.

CIRCU94 is only compatible with elements having a VOLT DOF and an electric charge reaction solution.
Electric charge reactions must all be positive or negative. KEYOPT(6) sets the electric charge reaction
sign. See Element Compatibility in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide for more information.

CIRCU94 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K

Degrees of Freedom

VOLT, CURR (charge) (see Figure 7.94.1: CIRCU94 Circuit Options (p. 312))

Real Constants

Dependent on KEYOPT(1) and KEYOPT(2) settings. See Table 7.94.1: CIRCU94 Real Constants (p. 314)
for details.

Material Properties

None

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Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

See KEYOPT(2)

Special Features

This element works with the large deflection and stress stiffening capabilities of PLANE13 (p. 151),
SOLID5 (p. 139), SOLID98 (p. 323), PLANE223 (p. 1065), SOLID226 (p. 1122), and SOLID227 (p. 1155).

KEYOPT(1)

Circuit component type:

0 --

Resistor

1 --

Inductor

2 --

Capacitor

3 --

Independent Current Source

4 --

Independent Voltage Source

KEYOPT(2)

Body loads (only used for KEYOPT(1) = 3 and 4):

0 --

Constant load (transient) or constant amplitude load (harmonic)

1 --

Sinusoidal load

2 --

Pulse load

3 --

Exponential load

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Element Library

4 --

Piecewise Linear load

KEYOPT(6)

Electric charge reaction sign:

0 --

Negative

1 --

Positive

Table 7.94.1: CIRCU94 Real Constants

Circuit Component and KEYOPT(1) Real Constants

Graphics Label
Resistor (R) 0 R1 = Resistance (RES)
Inductor (L) 1 R1 = Inductance (IND)
R2 = Initial inductor current (ILO)
Capacitor (C) 2 R1 = Capacitance (CAP)
R2 = Initial Capacitor Voltage (VCO)
Independent Current Source 3 For KEYOPT(2) = 0:
(I)
R1 = Amplitude (AMPL)
R2 = Phase angle (PHAS)
For KEYOPT(2) > 0, see Figure 7.94.2: Load
Functions and Corresponding Real
Constants for Independent Current and
Voltage Sources (p. 315).
Independent Voltage Source 4 For KEYOPT(2) = 0:
(V)
R1 = Amplitude (AMPL)
R2 = Phase angle (PHAS)
For KEYOPT(2) > 0, see Figure 7.94.2: Load
Functions and Corresponding Real
Constants for Independent Current and
Voltage Sources (p. 315).

Note:

For all above Circuit options, the GOFFST and ID real constants (numbers 15 and 16) are
created by the Circuit Builder automatically:

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Figure 7.94.2: Load Functions and Corresponding Real Constants for Independent Current and
Voltage Sources

Load
(R1) VL = Low Voltage or Current
PER (R2) VH = High Voltage or Current
TW (R3) TD = Delay Time
(R4) TR = Rise Time
(R5) TF = Fall Time
VH (R6) TW = Pulse Width
(R7) PER = Period

VL Time

TD
TR TF
(b) Pulse load, KEYOPT(2) = 2

Load (R1) VL = Low Voltage or Current

(R2) VH = High Voltage or Current
(R3) TRD = Rise Delay Time
(R4) TRC = Rise Time-Constant
TRC TFC (R5) TFD = Fall Delay Time
VH (R6) TFC = Fall Time-Constant
(R7) PER = Period, defaults to
TRD + 2 (TFD-TRD)
VL Time

TRD
TFD
(c) Exponential load, KEYOPT(2) = 3

(R1) T1 = Time-point 1
(R2) V1 = Voltage or current at time-point 1
(R3) T2 = Time-point 2
Load (R4) V2 = Voltage or current at time-point 2
.
T3,V3 T4,V4 .
.
T1,V1 (R11) T 6 = Time-point 6
T2,V2 (R12) V6 = Voltage or current at time-point 6

Time

(d) Piecewise linear load, KEYOPT(2) = 4

CIRCU94 Output Data

The element output for this element is dependent on the circuit option selected. Table 7.94.2: CIRCU94
Element Output Definitions (p. 316) summarizes the element output data.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.94.2: CIRCU94 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
For KEYOPT(1) = 0: Resistor
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes-I,J Y Y
RES Resistance Y Y
VOLTAGE Voltage drop between node I and node J Y Y
CURRENT Current Y Y
POWER Power loss Y Y
For KEYOPT(1) = 1: Inductor
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes-I,J Y Y
IND Inductance Y Y
IL0 Initial current Y Y
VOLTAGE Voltage drop between node I and node J Y Y
CURRENT Current Y Y
POWER Power absorption Y Y
For KEYOPT(1) = 2: Capacitor
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes-I,J Y Y
CAP Capacitance Y Y
VC0 Initial voltage Y Y
VOLTAGE Voltage drop between node I and node J Y Y
CURRENT Current Y Y
POWER Power absorption Y Y
For KEYOPT(1) = 3: Independent Current Source
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes-I,J Y Y
CURRENT Real or imaginary component of applied current Y Y
SOURCE
VOLTAGE Voltage drop between node I and node J Y Y
CURRENT Current Y Y
POWER Power (loss if positive, output if negative) Y Y
For KEYOPT(1) = 4: Independent Voltage Source
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes-I,J,K Y Y

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 Name Definition O R
VOLTAGE Real or imaginary component of applied voltage Y Y
SOURCE
VOLTAGE Voltage drop between node I and node J Y Y
CURRENT Current at node K Y Y
POWER Power (loss if positive, output if negative) Y Y

Table 7.94.3: CIRCU94 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 317) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.94.3: CIRCU94 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 317):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.94.2: CIRCU94 Element Output Definitions (p. 316)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.94.3: CIRCU94 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output Quantity ESOL Command
Name Input
Item E
VOLTAGE SMISC 1
CURRENT SMISC 2
POWER NMISC 1
SOURCE (real) NMISC 2
SOURCE (imaginary) NMISC 3

CIRCU94 Assumptions and Restrictions

• CIRCU94 is applicable only to full harmonic and transient analyses. You cannot use CIRCU94 in a
static analysis or in a transient analysis with time integration effects turned off (TIMINT,OFF).

• Only MKS units are allowed (EMUNIT command).

• Only the sparse solver is available for problems using the independent voltage source circuit option.

• This element may not be compatible with other elements with the VOLT degree of freedom. For ex-
ample, it is not compatible with CIRCU124 (p. 372) or CIRCU125 (p. 382). To be compatible, the elements
must have the same reaction solution for the VOLT DOF. Elements that have an electric charge reaction

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Element Library

solution must all have the same electric charge reaction sign. For more information, see Element
Compatibility in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide.

CIRCU94 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

SOLID96
3-D Magnetic Scalar Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 323)

SOLID96 Element Description

SOLID96 has the capability of modeling 3-D magnetic fields. Scalar potential formulations (reduced
(RSP), difference (DSP), or general (GSP)) are available [MAGOPT] for modeling magnetic fields in a
static analysis. See SOLID96 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.96.1: SOLID96 Geometry

M,N,O,P
I
4 K,L
P
5 J
O
Tetrahedral Option
6 M O,P
N
M
N
3 I K,L
2
L J
Wedge Option
K
M,N,O,P
Z
I
1 L K
Y J I
X J
Pyramid Option

SOLID96 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Figure 7.96.1: SOL-
ID96 Geometry (p. 318). The element is defined by eight nodes and the material properties. A tetrahedral-
shaped element may be formed by defining the same node numbers for nodes M, N, O, and P; and
nodes K and L. A wedge-shaped element and a pyramid-shaped element may also be formed as shown
in Figure 7.96.1: SOLID96 Geometry (p. 318). The type of units (MKS or user defined) is specified through
the EMUNIT command. EMUNIT also determines the value of MUZRO. The EMUNIT defaults are MKS
units and MUZRO = 4π x 10-7 henries/meter. In addition to MUZRO, orthotropic relative permeability is
available and is specified through the MURX, MURY, and MURZ material options.

MGXX, MGYY, and MGZZ represent vector components of the coercive force for permanent magnet
materials. The magnitude of the coercive force is the square root of the sum of the squares of the
components. The direction of polarization is determined by the components MGXX, MGYY, and MGZZ.

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Permanent magnet polarization directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element
coordinate system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Nonlinear magnetic B-H
properties are entered via the TB command. Nonlinear orthotropic magnetic properties can be specified
with a combination of a B-H curve and linear relative permeability. The B-H curve is used in each element
coordinate direction where a zero value of relative permeability is specified. Only one B-H curve can be
specified per material.

Nodal loads are defined with the D and the F commands. With the D command, the Lab variable cor-
responds to the degree of freedom (MAG) and VALUE corresponds to the value (magnetic scalar potential).
With the F command, the Lab variable corresponds to the force (FLUX) and VALUE corresponds to the
value (magnetic flux).

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Maxwell force flags may be input on the element
faces indicated by the circled numbers in Figure 7.96.1: SOLID96 Geometry (p. 318) using the SF and SFE
commands. Surfaces at which magnetic forces are to be calculated may be identified by using the MXWF
label on the surface load commands (no value is required.) A maxwell stress tensor calculation is per-
formed at these surfaces to obtain the magnetic forces. The surface flag should be applied to "air" ele-
ments adjacent to the body for which forces are required. Deleting the MXWF specification removes
the flag. Maxwell forces may be made available for a subsequent structural analysis with companion
elements (LDREAD command).

The temperature (for material property evaluation only) and magnetic virtual displacement body loads
may be input based on their value at the element's nodes or as a single element value [BF and BFE].
In general, unspecified nodal values of temperature default to the uniform value specified with the
BFUNIF or TUNIF commands.

Air elements in which Local Jacobian forces are to be calculated may be identified by using nodal values
of 1 and 0 for the MVDI label [BF]. See the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide for details.

Current for the magnetic scalar potential options are defined with the SOURC36 (p. 205) element, the
command macro RACE, or through electromagnetic coupling. The various types of magnetic scalar po-
tential solution options are defined with the MAGOPT command.

A summary of the element input is given in "SOLID96 Input Summary" (p. 319). A general description of
element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SOLID96 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

MAG

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.

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Element Library

MP command: MUZERO, MURX, MURY, MURZ, MGXX, MGYY, MGZZ

Surface Loads

Maxwell Force Flags --

face 1 (J-I-L-K), face 2 (I-J-N-M), face 3 (J-K-O-N), face 4 (K-L-P-O), face 5 (L-I-M-P), face 6 (M-N-O-
P)

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T (M), T(N), T(O), T(P)

MVDI --

VD(I), VD(J), VD(K), VD(L), VD(M), VD(N), VD(O), VD(P)

EF --

EFX, EFY, EFZ. See "SOLID96 Assumptions and Restrictions" (p. 322).

Special Features

Adaptive descent
Birth and death

KEYOPT(5)

Extra element output:

0 --

Basic element printout

1 --

Integration point printout

2 --

Nodal magnetic field printout

SOLID96 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal potentials included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.96.1: SOLID96 Element Output Definitions (p. 321)

The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

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The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.96.1: SOLID96 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 2
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P) Y Y
LOC Output location (X, Y, Z) 1 -
MUX, MUY, MUZ Magnetic permeability 1 1
H:X, Y, Z Magnetic field intensity components 1 1
H:SUM Vector magnitude of H 1 1
B:X, Y, Z Magnetic flux density components 1 1
B:SUM Vector magnitude of B 1 1
FMX Maxwell magnetic force components (X, Y, Z) 1 -
FVW Virtual work force components (X, Y, Z) 1 1
Combined (FJB or Combined force components - 1
FMX) force
components

1. The solution value is printed only if calculated (based upon input data). The element solution is at
the centroid.

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.96.2: SOLID96 Miscellaneous Element Output

Description Names of Items Output O R

Integration Point Solution LOC, MUX, MUY, MUZ, H, HSUM, B, 1 -
BSUM
Nodal Magnetic Field Solution H, HSUM, B, BSUM 2 -

1. Output at each integration point, if KEYOPT(5) = 1

2. Output at each corner node, if KEYOPT(5) = 2

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Table 7.96.3: SOLID96 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 322) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.96.3: SOLID96 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 322):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.96.1: SOLID96 Element Output Definitions (p. 321)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.96.3: SOLID96 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
MUX NMISC 1
MUY NMISC 2
MUZ NMISC 3
FVWX NMISC 4
FVWY NMISC 5
FVWZ NMISC 6
FVWSUM NMISC 7

SOLID96 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element requires an iterative solution if nonlinear material properties are defined.

• When using SOLID96 with SOURC36 (p. 205) elements, the source elements must be placed so that
the resulting Hs field fulfills boundary conditions for the total field.

• The element must not have a zero volume or a zero length side. This occurs most frequently when
the element is not numbered properly. Elements may be numbered either as shown in Fig-
ure 7.96.1: SOLID96 Geometry (p. 318) or may have the planes IJKL and MNOP interchanged.

• The difference magnetic scalar potential option is restricted to singly-connected permeable regions,
so that as μ → in these regions, the resulting field H → 0. The reduced scalar, and general scalar
potential options do not have this restriction.

• Degeneration to the form of pyramid should be used with caution. The element sizes, when degen-
erated, should be small in order to minimize the field gradients. Pyramid elements are best used as
filler elements or in meshing transition zones.

• The solenoidal current density is required for a solution, or for any postprocessing operations.

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• The electric field body load is not used during solution and is applicable only to POST1 charged
particle tracing.

• In an MSP analysis, avoid using a closed domain and use an open domain, closed with natural flux
parallel boundary conditions on the MAG degree of freedom, or infinite elements. If you use a closed
domain, you may see incorrect results when the formulation is applied using SOLID5 (p. 139), SOLID96,
or SOLID98 (p. 323) elements and the boundary conditions are not satisfied by the Hs field load calcu-
lated by the Biot-Savart procedure based on SOURC36 (p. 205) current source primitive input.

SOLID96 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

SOLID98
Tetrahedral Coupled-Field Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 331)

SOLID98 Element Description

Although this element is available for use (p. 35) in your analysis, Ansys, Inc. recommends using a
current-technology element such as SOLID227 (p. 1155).

SOLID98 is a 10-node tetrahedral version of the 8-node SOLID5 (p. 139) element. The element has a
quadratic displacement behavior and is well suited to model irregular meshes (such as produced from
various CAD/CAM systems). When used in structural and piezoelectric analyses, SOLID98 has large de-
flection and stress stiffening capabilities.

The element is defined by ten nodes with up to six degrees of freedom at each node (see KEYOPT(1)).
See SOLID98 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element. The 3-D
magnetic, thermal, electric, piezoelectric, and structural field capability is similar to that described for
SOLID5 (p. 139).

Figure 7.98.1: SOLID98 Geometry

L

4
R
P
Q 3
Y 2
O K

X I N
M
Z
1
J

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SOLID98 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Figure 7.98.1: SOL-
ID98 Geometry (p. 323). The element input data is essentially the same as for SOLID5 (p. 139) except that
there are 10 nodes instead of 8.

Various combinations of nodal loading are available for this element (depending upon the KEYOPT(1)
value). Nodal loads are defined with the D and the F commands. With the D command, the Lab variable
corresponds to the degree of freedom (UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, VOLT, MAG) and VALUE corresponds to the
value (displacements, temperature, voltage, scalar magnetic potential). With the F command, the Lab
variable corresponds to the force (FX, FY, FZ, HEAT, AMPS, FLUX) and VALUE corresponds to the value
(force, heat flow, current or charge, magnetic flux). Nonlinear magnetic B-H, piezoelectric, and anisotropic
elastic properties are entered via the TB command. Nonlinear orthotropic magnetic properties can be
specified with a combination of a B-H curve and linear relative permeability. The B-H curve is used in
each element coordinate direction where a zero value of relative permeability is specified. Only one B-
H curve can be specified per material.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Pressure, convection or heat flux (but not both),
radiation, and Maxwell force flags may be input on the element faces indicated by the circled numbers
in Figure 7.98.1: SOLID98 Geometry (p. 323) using the SF and SFE commands. Positive pressures act into
the element. Surfaces at which magnetic forces are to be calculated may be identified by using the
MXWF label on the surface load commands (no value is required.) A Maxwell stress tensor calculation
is performed at these surfaces to obtain the magnetic forces. These forces are applied in solution as
structural loads. The surface flag should be applied to "air" elements adjacent to the body for which
forces are required. Deleting the MXWF specification removes the flag.

The body loads temperature, heat generation rate, and magnetic virtual displacement may be input
based on their value at the element's nodes or as a single element value [BF and BFE]. When the tem-
perature degree of freedom is active (KEYOPT(1) = 0, 1 or 8), applied body force temperatures [BF, BFE]
are ignored. In general, unspecified nodal values of temperatures and heat generation rate default to
the uniform value specified with the BFUNIF or TUNIF commands. Calculated Joule heating (JHEAT) is
applied in subsequent iterations as heat generation rate loading.

If the temperature degree of freedom is present, the calculated temperatures override any input nodal
temperatures.

Air elements in which Local Jacobian forces are to be calculated may be identified by using nodal values
of 1 and 0 for the MVDI label [BF]. See the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide for details.
These forces are not applied in solution as structural loads.

A summary of the element input is given in "SOLID98 Input Summary" (p. 324). A general description of
element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SOLID98 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, VOLT, MAG if KEYOPT(1) = 0

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 TEMP, VOLT, MAG if KEYOPT(1) = 1
UX, UY, UZ if KEYOPT(1) = 2
UX, UY, UZ, VOLT if KEYOPT(1) = 3
TEMP if KEYOPT(1) = 8
VOLT if KEYOPT(1) = 9
MAG if KEYOPT(1) = 10

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, EY, EZ, (PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ), ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX,
CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ), DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD, BETD, KXX, KYY, KZZ, C, NTH,
MUZERO, MURX, MURY, MURZ, RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, E, MGXX, MGYY, MGZZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ,
DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressure, Convection or Heat Flux (but not both), Radiation (using Lab = RDSF), and Maxwell Force
Flags --

face 1 (J-I-K), face 2 (I-J-L), face 3 (J-K-L), face 4 (K-I-L)

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P), T(Q), T(R)

Heat Generations --

HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), HG(N), HG(O), HG(P), HG(Q), HG(R)

MVDI --

VD(I), VD(J), VD(K), VD(L), VD(M), VD(N), VD(O), VD(P), VD(Q), VD(R)

EF --

EFX, EFY, EFZ. See "SOLID98 Assumptions and Restrictions" (p. 331).

Special Features

Adaptive descent
Birth and death
Large deflection
Stress stiffening

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KEYOPT(1)

Degree of freedom selection:

0 --

UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, VOLT, MAG

1 --

TEMP, VOLT, MAG

2 --

UX, UY, UZ

3 --

UX, UY, UZ, VOLT

8 --

TEMP

9 --

VOLT

10 --

MAG

KEYOPT(3)

Specific heat matrix:

0 --

Consistent specific heat matrix

1 --

Diagonalized specific heat matrix

KEYOPT(5)

Extra element output:

0 --

Basic element printout

2 --

Nodal stress or magnetic field printout

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SOLID98 Output Data
The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degree of freedom results included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.98.1: SOLID98 Element Output Definitions (p. 327)

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.98.2: SOLID98 Element Output (p. 327). The component output
directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. The reaction forces, heat flow, current, and
magnetic flux at the nodes can be printed with the OUTPR command. A general description of solution
output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

Figure 7.98.2: SOLID98 Element Output

L

Y
SY,BY, R
P
etc. X
Z Q SX,BX,
Z
SZ,BZ, etc. K
etc.
O
Y I N
M
X

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.98.1: SOLID98 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Corner nodes - I, J, K, L Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 3
PRES Pressures P1 at nodes J, I, K; P2 at I, J, L; P3 at J, K, Y Y
L; P4 at K, I, L
TEMP(INPUT) Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), Y Y
T(P), T(Q), T(R)
HGEN(INPUT) Heat generations HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), Y -
HG(N), HG(O), HG(P), HG(Q), HG(R)
S:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, XZ Stresses 1 1

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses 1 1
S:INT Stress intensity 1 1
S:EQV Equivalent stress 1 1
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Elastic strains 1 1
XZ
EPEL:1, 2, 3 Principal elastic strains 1 -
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strains [4] 1 1
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Thermal strains 1 1
XZ
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain [4] 1 1
LOC Output location (X, Y, Z) 1 1
MUX, MUY, MUZ Magnetic permeability 1 1
H:X, Y, Z Magnetic field intensity components 1 1
H:SUM Vector magnitude of H 1 1
B:X, Y, Z Magnetic flux density components 1 1
B:SUM Vector magnitude of B 1 1
FJB Lorentz magnetic force components (X, Y, Z) 1 -
FMX Maxwell magnetic force components (X, Y, Z) 1 -
FVW Virtual work force components (X, Y, Z) 1 1
Combined (FJB or Combined (FJB or FMX) force components - 1
FMX) force
components
EF:X, Y, Z Electric field components 1 1
EF:SUM Vector magnitude of EF 1 1
JS:X, Y, Z Source current density components 1 1
JSSUM Vector magnitude of JS 1 1
JHEAT: Joule heat generation per unit volume 1 1
D:X, Y, Z Electric flux density components 1 1
D:SUM Vector magnitude of D 1 1
U(E, D, M) Elastic (UE), dielectric (UD), and electromechanical 1 1
coupled (UM) energies
TG:X, Y, Z Thermal gradient components 1 1
TG:SUM Vector magnitude of TG 1 1
TF:X, Y, Z Thermal flux components 1 1
TF:SUM Vector magnitude of TF (Heat flow rate/unit 1 1
cross-section area)
FACE Face label 2 2
AREA Face area 2 2
NODES Face nodes 2 -

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 Name Definition O R
HFILM Film coefficient at each node of face 2 -
TBULK Bulk temperature at each node of face 2 -
TAVG Average face temperature 2 2
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 2 2
HEAT RATE/AREA Heat flow rate per unit area across face by 2 -
convection
HFLUX Heat flux at each node of face 2 -
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face 2 2
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 2
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate per unit area across face caused by - 2
input heat flux

1. The solution value is output only if calculated (based upon input data). The element solution is at
the centroid.

2. Output only if a surface load is input.

3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

4. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY).

Table 7.98.2: SOLID98 Miscellaneous Element Output

Description Names of Items Output O R

Nodal Stress Solution LOC, SINT, SEQV, EPEL(X, Y, Z, XY, 1 -
YZ, XZ), EPEL(1, 2, 3), S(X, Y, Z, XY,
YZ, XZ), S(1, 2, 3)
Nodal Magnetic Field Solution H, HSUM, B, BSUM 2 -

1. Output at each vertex node, if KEYOPT(5) = 2 and structural DOF

2. Output at each vertex node, if KEYOPT(5) = 2 and magnetic DOF

Table 7.98.3: SOLID98 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 330) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.98.3: SOLID98 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 330):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.98.1: SOLID98 Element Output Definitions (p. 327)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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Element Library

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I,J,...,L

sequence number for data at nodes I,J,...,L

FCn -

sequence number for solution items for element Face n

Table 7.98.3: SOLID98 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K L
Name
P1 SMISC - 2 1 3 -
P2 SMISC - 4 5 - 6
P3 SMISC - - 7 8 9
P4 SMISC - 11 - 10 12
MUX NMISC 1 - - - -
MUY NMISC 2 - - - -
MUZ NMISC 3 - - - -
FVWX NMISC 4 - - - -
FVWY NMISC 5 - - - -
FVWZ NMISC 6 - - - -
FVWSUM NMISC 7 - - - -
UE NMISC 16 - - - -
UD NMISC 17 - - - -
UM NMISC 18 - - - -

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item FC1 FC2 FC3 FC4
Name
AREA NMISC 19 25 31 37
HFAVG NMISC 20 26 32 38
TAVG NMISC 21 27 33 39
TBAVG NMISC 22 28 34 40
HEAT RATE NMISC 23 29 35 41
HFLXAVG NMISC 24 30 36 42

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SOLID98 Assumptions and Restrictions
• The element requires an iterative solution for field coupling (displacement, temperature, electric,
magnetic, but not piezoelectric)

• When using SOLID98 with SOURC36 (p. 205) elements, the source elements must be placed so that
the resulting Hs field fulfills boundary conditions for the total field.

• The element must not have a zero volume. Elements may be numbered either as shown in Fig-
ure 7.98.1: SOLID98 Geometry (p. 323) or may have node L below the IJK plane.

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the displacement varies linearly, rather than
parabolically, along that edge. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) for more information about
the use of midside nodes.

• The difference scalar magnetic potential option is restricted to singly-connected permeable regions,
so that as μ → in these regions, the resulting field H → 0. The reduced scalar and general scalar
potential options do not have this restriction.

• Temperatures and heat generation rates, if internally calculated, include any user defined heat gen-
eration rates.

• Large-deflection capabilities available for KEYOPT(1) = 2 and 3 are not available for KEYOPT(1) = 0.
Stress stiffening is available for KEYOPT(1) = 0, 2, and 3.

• This element may not be compatible with other elements with the VOLT degree of freedom. To be
compatible, the elements must have the same reaction solution for the VOLT DOF. Elements that
have an electric charge reaction solution must all have the same electric charge reaction sign. For
more information, see Element Compatibility in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide.

• The electric field body load is not used during solution and is applicable only to POST1 charged
particle tracing.

• In an MSP analysis, avoid using a closed domain and use an open domain, closed with natural flux
parallel boundary conditions on the MAG degree of freedom, or infinite elements. If you use a closed
domain, you may see incorrect results when the formulation is applied using SOLID5 (p. 139), SOL-
ID96 (p. 318), or SOLID98 elements and the boundary conditions are not satisfied by the Hs field load
calculated by the Biot-Savart procedure based on SOURC36 (p. 205) current source primitive input.

SOLID98 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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Element Library

INFIN110
2-D Infinite Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 337)

INFIN110 Element Description

INFIN110 models an open boundary of a 2-D unbounded field problem. A single layer of elements is
used to represent an exterior sub-domain of semi-infinite extent. The layer models the effect of far-field
decay in magnetic, electrostatic, thermal, or electric current conduction analyses. For information about
enclosed elements and analysis types, see Table 7.110.1: INFIN110 Analyses (p. 334). INFIN110 may be
used for planar and axisymmetric analyses. See INFIN110 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for
more details about this element.

Figure 7.110.1: INFIN110 Geometry

L
L
ISE Domain 4
INFIN110
(KEYOPT(2) = 1) P 3
I

I Y
O (or Axial) 1 K
M J 2

J X (or Radial) INFIN110

O
(KEYOPT(2) = 0)
K N

FE Domain

INFIN110 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for the element are shown in Figure 7.110.1: IN-
FIN110 Geometry (p. 332). KEYOPT(1) specifies the degree of freedom to be used. KEYOPT(2) specifies
whether a 4-node or 8-node element is used.

Only one layer of INFIN110 elements should be used between the finite element model and the exterior
(infinite) surface. The nodes may be input starting at any corner node, but the face opposite of the finite
element model (the exterior face) must be flagged as an infinite surface. This is usually done by selecting
the nodes at the outer surface and issuing the SF,ALL,INF command. The other faces have no meaning.
For best results, edges connecting the inner and outer surfaces of the infinite element should be radial
from the center of the model.

A summary of the element input is given in "INFIN110 Input Summary" (p. 333). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41). For axisymmetric applications see Harmonic
Axisymmetric Elements (p. 92).

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INFIN110 Input Summary
Nodes

I, J, K, L (if KEYOPT(2) = 0)
I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P (if KEYOPT(2) = 1)

Degrees of Freedom

Set by KEYOPT(1). See Table 7.110.1: INFIN110 Analyses (p. 334).

Real Constants

THK -- Thickness (plane) or fraction of the 360° basis (axisymmetric)

Material Properties

See Table 7.110.2: INFIN110 Material Properties (p. 335).

Surface Loads

Infinite Surface Flags --

face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (L-K), face 4 (I-L)

Body Loads

None

Special Features

None

KEYOPT(1)

Element degrees of freedom. See Table 7.110.1: INFIN110 Analyses (p. 334).

KEYOPT(2)

Element definition:

0 --

4-node quadrilateral

1 --

8-node quadrilateral

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

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Element Library

0 --

Plane

1 --

Axisymmetric

KEYOPT(6)

Electric charge reaction sign:

0 --

Positive

1 --

Negative

Analysis categories are shown in the following table. KEYOPT(1) specifies the element degree of freedom.

Table 7.110.1: INFIN110 Analyses

Analysis KEYOPT(1) DOF Reaction Enclosed Analysis

Category Label Solution Elements Type
Magnetic 0 AZ Magnetic PLANE13 (p. 151) Static
Current
Segment PLANE233 (p. 1201)Harmonic

(F label = Transient
CSG)
Electrostatic 1 VOLT Electric PLANE121 (p. 355) Static
Charge
Harmonic
(F label =
CHRG)
Thermal 2 TEMP Heat Flow PLANE35 (p. 201) Steady-state

(F label = PLANE55 (p. 244) Transient

HEAT)
PLANE77 (p. 284)
Electric 3 VOLT Electric PLANE230 (p. 1188)Steady-state
Current Current
Conduction Harmonic
(F label =
AMPS) Transient

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INFIN110 material properties are shown in the following table. Nonzero material properties must be
defined. Material properties are defined with the MP, MPDATA and EMUNIT commands.

Table 7.110.2: INFIN110 Material Properties

Analysis Category KEYOPT(1) Material Properties

Magnetic 0 MUZERO
Electrostatic 1 PERX, PERY, LSST, RSVX, RSVY
Thermal 2 KXX, KYY, DENS, C
Electric Current Conduction 3 RSVX, RSVY, LSST, PERX, PERY

INFIN110 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.110.3: Element Output Definitions (p. 335)

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.110.2: INFIN110 Element Output (p. 335). The element output
directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of solution output is
given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

Figure 7.110.2: INFIN110 Element Output

K
L
y

Element output directions

x
Y
(or axial)
I
J
X (or radial)

The following notation is used in Table 7.110.3: Element Output Definitions (p. 335):

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.110.3: Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L (KEYOPT(2) = 0) Y Y
Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P (KEYOPT(2) = 1)

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 4
MUZERO Magnetic permeability of free space 1 1
PERX, PERY Electric relative permittivity (element coordinates) 2 2
KXX, KYY Thermal conductivity (element coordinates) 3 3

1. If KEYOPT(1) = 0

2. If KEYOPT(1) = 1

3. If KEYOPT(1) = 2

4. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.110.4: INFIN110 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 336) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this manual for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.110.4: INFIN110 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 336):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.110.3: Element Output Definitions (p. 335)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.110.4: INFIN110 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
MUZERO NMISC 1
PERX NMISC 1
PERY NMISC 2
KXX NMISC 1
KYY NMISC 2

INFIN110 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The area of the quadrilateral infinite element must be nonzero.

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• The element cannot degenerate to a triangle.

• The exterior surface (for example, KL or KOL in Figure 7.110.1: INFIN110 Geometry (p. 332)) of the
element must be flagged using the INF option on the SF family of commands.

• Only one layer of infinite elements can be used on the exterior boundary of the finite element model.

• The lines JK and IL of the infinite element IJKL (in Figure 7.110.2: INFIN110 Element Output (p. 335))
should either be parallel or divergent from each other. That is, the enclosed surface should be convex
and the infinite domain must be represented by one layer of infinite elements without overlap or
gap. Ideally, the length OJ should equal JK, and OI should equal IL. The point "O" is the "pole" of
mapping for the infinite element. The pole is chosen arbitrarily, and may or may not coincide with
the origin of the coordinate system. For best results, the poles should be placed at the centers of
disturbances (loads). There can be multiple poles for a problem. See the Mechanical APDL Theory
Reference for more about poles.

• Although this element can have 8 nodes (KEYOPT(2) = 1), for theoretical reasons (see the Mechanical
APDL Theory Reference), only 5 nodes are included in the solution.

• The element assumes that the degree of freedom (DOF) value at infinity is always zero (0.0). That is,
the DOF value at infinity is not affected by TUNIF, D, or other load commands.

• The infinite elements are not included in solution result displays but may be viewed in element displays
[EPLOT].

• There are considerations in the application of INFIN110 that will lead to optimal performance in the
analysis of your model. These consideration are covered in detail in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic
Analysis Guide.

• When used in a model with the higher-order elements PLANE35 (p. 201), PLANE77 (p. 284),
PLANE121 (p. 355), and PLANE230 (p. 1188), use the higher-order setting for INFIN110 (KEYOPT(2) = 1).

• This element may not be compatible with other elements with the VOLT degree of freedom. To be
compatible, elements must have the same reaction solution for the VOLT DOF. Elements that have
an electric charge reaction solution must all have the same electric charge reaction sign. KEYOPT(6)
sets the electric charge reaction sign. For more information, see Element Compatibility in the Low-
Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide.

INFIN110 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• The AZ and VOLT degrees of freedom are not active. KEYOPT(1) defaults to 2 (TEMP) instead
of 0 and cannot be changed.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• The AZ and VOLT degrees of freedom are not active. KEYOPT(1) defaults to 2 (TEMP) instead
of 0 and cannot be changed.

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Element Library

INFIN111
3-D Infinite Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 342)

INFIN111 Element Description

INFIN111 models an open boundary of a 3-D unbounded field problem. A single layer of elements is
used to represent an exterior sub-domain of semi-infinite extent. The layer models the effect of far-field
decay in magnetic, electrostatic, thermal, or electric current conduction analyses. For information about
enclosed elements and analysis types, see Table 7.111.1: INFIN111 Analyses (p. 340). See INFIN111 in the
Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.111.1: INFIN111 Geometry

r r

6 O,P, W
P W O V
X N
X V
U U
N M
B A,B
5 M A 3
4 Y Z
Y Z
S 2 K,L,S R (Prism option)
L K
T
T 1 R J
I I Q
Q J

INFIN111 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for the element are shown in Figure 7.111.1: IN-
FIN111 Geometry (p. 338). KEYOPT(1) specifies the degree(s) of freedom to be used. KEYOPT(2) specifies
whether a 8-node or 20-node element is used.

Only one layer of INFIN111 elements should be used between the finite element model and the exterior
(infinite) surface. The nodes may be input starting at any corner node, but the face opposite of the finite
element model (the exterior face) must be flagged as an infinite surface. This is usually done by selecting
the nodes at the outer surface and issuing the SF,all,INF command. The other faces have no meaning.
For best results, edges connecting the inner and outer surfaces of the infinite element should be radial
from the center of the model.

A summary of the element input is given in "INFIN111 Input Summary" (p. 338). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

INFIN111 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P (if KEYOPT(2) = 0)
I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, A, B (if KEYOPT(2) = 1)

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Degrees of Freedom

Set by KEYOPT(1). See Table 7.111.1: INFIN111 Analyses (p. 340).

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

See Table 7.111.2: INFIN111 Material Properties (p. 340).

Surface Loads

Infinite Surface Flags --

face 1 (J-I-L-K), face 2 (I-J-N-M), face 3 (J-K-O-N),

face 4 (K-L-P-O), face 5 (L-I-M-P), face 6 (M-N-O-P)

Body Loads

None

Special Features

None

KEYOPT(1)

Element degree of freedom. See Table 7.111.1: INFIN111 Analyses (p. 340).

KEYOPT(2)

Element definition:

0 --

8-node brick

1 --

20-node brick

KEYOPT(6)

Electric charge reaction sign:

0 --

Negative

1 --

Positive

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Element Library

Analysis categories are shown in the following table. KEYOPT(1) specifies the element degree of freedom.

Table 7.111.1: INFIN111 Analyses

Analysis Category KEYOPT(1) DOF Reaction Enclosed Analysis

Label Solution Elements Type
Magnetic 0 MAG Magnetic SOLID5 (p. 139) Static
Flux
SOLID96 (p. 318)
(F label =
FLUX) SOLID98 (p. 323)
Electrostatic 2 VOLT Electric SOLID122 (p. 361) Static
Charge
SOLID123 (p. 366) Harmonic
(F label =
CHRG)
Thermal 3 TEMP Heat Flow SOLID70 (p. 269) Steady-state

(F label = SOLID87 (p. 301) Transient

HEAT)
SOLID90 (p. 306)
Electric Current 4 VOLT Electric SOLID231 (p. 1193) Steady-state
Conduction Current
SOLID232 (p. 1197) Harmonic
(F label =
AMPS) Transient

INFIN111 material properties are shown in the following table. Nonzero material properties must be
defined. Material properties are defined with the MP, MPDATA and EMUNIT commands.

Table 7.111.2: INFIN111 Material Properties

Analysis Category KEYOPT(1) Material Properties

Magnetic 0 MUZERO
Electrostatic 2 PERX, PERY, PERZ, LSST, RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ
Thermal 3 KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C
Electric Current Conduction 4 RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, LSST, PERX, PERY, PERZ

INFIN111 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal potentials included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.111.3: INFIN111 Element Output Definitions (p. 341)

The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

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A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.111.3: INFIN111 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P (if KEYOPT(2) = 0); Nodes - Y Y
I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, A, B (if
KEYOPT(2) = 1)
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 4
MUZERO Magnetic permeability of free space 1 1
PERX, PERY, Electric relative permittivity 2 2
PERZ
KXX, KYY, KZZ Thermal conductivity 3 3

1. If KEYOPT(1) = 0

2. If KEYOPT(1) = 2

3. If KEYOPT(1) = 3

4. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.111.4: INFIN111 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 342) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.111.4: INFIN111 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 342):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.111.3: INFIN111 Element Output Definitions (p. 341)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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Element Library

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.111.4: INFIN111 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
MUZERO NMISC 1
PERX NMISC 1
PERY NMISC 2
PERZ NMISC 3
KXX NMISC 1
KYY NMISC 2
KZZ NMISC 3

INFIN111 Assumptions and Restrictions

• Assumptions and restrictions listed for INFIN110 (p. 332) elements also apply to INFIN111 elements
(see INFIN110 Assumptions and Restrictions) (p. 336).

• There are considerations in the application of INFIN111 that will lead to optimal performance in the
analysis of your model. These consideration are covered in detail in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic
Analysis Guide.

• When used in a model with the higher-order elements SOLID87 (p. 301), SOLID90 (p. 306), SOL-
ID98 (p. 323), SOLID122 (p. 361), SOLID123 (p. 366), SOLID231 (p. 1193), and SOLID232 (p. 1197), use the
higher-order setting for INFIN111 (KEYOPT(2) = 1).

• This element may not be compatible with other elements with the VOLT degree of freedom. To be
compatible, elements must have the same reaction solution for the VOLT DOF. Elements that have
an electric charge reaction solution must all have the same electric charge reaction sign. KEYOPT(6)
sets the electric charge reaction sign. For more information, see Element Compatibility in the Low-
Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide.

INFIN111 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• The MAG, and VOLT degrees of freedom are not active. KEYOPT(1) defaults to 3 (TEMP) instead
of 0 and cannot be changed.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

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• The MAG, and VOLT degrees of freedom are not active. KEYOPT(1) defaults to 3 (TEMP) instead
of 0 and cannot be changed.

FLUID116
Coupled Thermal-Fluid Pipe
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 354)

FLUID116 Element Description

FLUID116 is a 3-D element with the ability to conduct heat and transmit fluid between its two primary
nodes. Heat flow is due to the conduction within the fluid and the mass transport of the fluid. Convection
may be accounted for either with additional nodes and convection areas or with surface elements
SURF151 (p. 439) and SURF152 (p. 449). In both cases, the film coefficient may be related to the fluid flow
rate. The element may have two different types of degrees of freedom, temperature and/or pressure.

The thermal-flow element may be used in a steady-state or transient thermal analysis. If the model
containing the thermal-flow element is also to be analyzed structurally, the element should be replaced
by an equivalent (or null) structural element. See FLUID116 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for
more details about this element.

Figure 7.116.1: FLUID116 Geometry

L (optional)

K (optional)

Z s
I
Y
X

FLUID116 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this thermal-flow pipe element are shown
in Figure 7.116.1: FLUID116 Geometry (p. 343). The element is defined by two primary nodes, two addi-
tional nodes if convection is desired, several real constants (see Table 7.116.1: FLUID116 Element Real
Constants (p. 349)), and the material properties. The length L of the element is determined from the two
primary node locations.

The material properties can be input as numerical values or as tabular inputs evaluated as a function
of pressure, temperature, velocity, time, and location. If temperature or pressure, you need to activate
the appropriate pressure or temperature degrees of freedom. Tabular material properties are calculated
before the first iteration (that is, using initial values [IC]).

The fluid mass density ρ (Mass/Length3) is input as property DENS or computed following the ideal gas
law if the real constant Rgas is present. If KEYOPT(2) = 2, 3, or 4, the convection film coefficient hf

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Element Library

(Heat/Length2*Time*Deg) is input by the options defined by KEYOPT(4). If KEYOPT(2) = 1, convection

surfaces using FLUID116 velocities and other information are stored and can be used by SURF151 (p. 439)
or SURF152 (p. 449) and optionally the user programmable feature USRSURF116 in order to determine
film coefficients and bulk temperatures as a function of velocities and other parameters. The input
tables are explained in detail in Table 7.116.2: FLUID116 Empirical Data Table (Optional) (p. 351). The
thermal conductivity kxx (Heat/Length*time*Deg) acts in the element longitudinal direction and is input
as property KXX. The specific heat cp (Heat/Mass*Deg or Heat*Length/Force*Time2*Deg) is input as
property C. The fluid viscosity μ (Mass/Length*Time) is input as property VISC. In an axisymmetric ana-
lysis, such as for annular flow, the flow area, the convection areas, and all other input should be on a
full 360° basis.

KEYOPT(2) = 3 and 4 are variations of KEYOPT(2) = 2 used to avoid an artificial reduction of the change
in temperature in the last element next to an inlet or outlet with no specified temperature. If such an
inlet or outlet is at node I, use KEYOPT(2) = 3 and if it is at node J, use KEYOPT(2) = 4. All elements of
a run of pipe should use the same KEYOPT, not just the end one. For networks where the usage of
KEYOPT(2) is not obvious and the detailed temperature distribution is important, use KEYOPT(2) = 2
with a relatively fine mesh (small elements). The effect of KEYOPT(2) = 3 and 4 could be alternatively
achieved by adjusting the convection areas (Real Constants 7 and 8) but it is not as convenient.

The coefficient of friction (input as property MU) is the starting value of the Moody friction factor (f ).
The friction factor for the first iteration is always assumed to be MU. The smooth-pipe empirical correl-
ations are a function of Reynolds number (Re) and depend on whether the flow is laminar or turbulent
(Re>2500). If a friction table is supplied (TB,FCON), the friction factor is recomputed each substep from
the table (using linear interpolation where necessary). The table is also explained in detail in
Table 7.116.2: FLUID116 Empirical Data Table (Optional) (p. 351).

The word PRES (or TEMP) should be input for the Lab variable on the D command and the pressure (or
temperature) value input for the value. If a nodal heat (or fluid) flow rate is defined with the F command,
input the word HEAT (or FLOW) for the Lab variable and input the flow rate for the value. If temperature
is the only degree of freedom, (KEYOPT(1) = 1), you can input a known flow rate in units of mass/time
via an SFE,,,HFLUX command (rather than F,,FLOW). Fluid weight effects are activated by specifying a
nonzero acceleration and/or rotation vector [ACEL and/or OMEGA].

When using the rotational speed and slip factor real constants (real constants 7-10 in
Table 7.116.1: FLUID116 Element Real Constants (p. 349)), you can specify either numerical values or
table inputs. If specifying table inputs, enclose the table name in % signs (for example, %tabname%).
Also, if using table inputs for rotational speed, either both real constants 7 and 8 should have the same
table name reference, or real constant 8 should be unspecified. Similarly, if using table inputs for slip
factor, either both real constants 9 and 10 should have the same table name reference, or real constant
10 should be unspecified. Both rotational speed and the slip factor can vary with time and location.

If tabular real constants are used, then any node in a FLUID116 network must refer to a single table
name. For correct results, at any node, the table names from different elements must all be the same,
and a table name cannot be used along with any numerical real constant from a different element.
Note that the table primary variables (for example, X, Y, Z, or ELEM) refer to the coordinates and element
numbers of attached SURF151 (p. 439) or SURF152 (p. 449) elements (KEYOPT(2) = 1).

See Steady-State Thermal Analysis in the Thermal Analysis Guide for more information on using table
inputs.

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Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Element body loads may be input as heat
generation rates at the nodes. The node J heat generation rate HG(J) defaults to the node I heat gener-
ation rate HG(I).

KEYOPT(8) is used for inputting flow losses (see Table 7.116.1: FLUID116 Element Real Constants (p. 349)).
Momentum losses in pipes due to bends, elbows, joints, valves, etc., may be represented by a fictitious
(equivalent) length of pipe La.This equivalent length may be input directly or calculated from an input
constant K, the hydraulic diameter D, and the friction factor f.

You can connect FLUID116 elements to the pressure nodes of hydrostatic fluid elements (HS-
FLD241 (p. 1242) or HSFLD242 (p. 1249)) to model the following two scenarios: fluid flow between two
fluid volumes modeled by hydrostatic fluid elements, or fluid flow through an orifice between a fluid
volume (hydrostatic fluid elements) and the environment. In either case, a single FLUID116 element
must be used. For the case of flow between two fluid volumes, the FLUID116 element uses the current
density of the fluid having a larger pressure among the two hydrostatic pressure nodes. For the case
of fluid exchange with the environment, the FLUID116 element uses the current density of the fluid
modeled by the hydrostatic fluid elements. If more than one FLUID116 elements are used, the elements
that are not directly connected to hydrostatic fluid elements use the density defined by the FLUID116
material property. For FLUID116 elements that are directly or indirectly connected to a hydrostatic fluid
element, you must set KEYOPT(1) = 3 to convert the fluid element mass flow rate to volume change
(for compatibility with the hydrostatic fluid elements).

A summary of the element input is given in "FLUID116 Input Summary" (p. 345). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

FLUID116 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J or I, J, K, L (see KEYOPT(2))

Degrees of Freedom

PRES, TEMP if KEYOPT(1) = 0

TEMP if KEYOPT(1) = 1
PRES if KEYOPT(1) = 2 or 3

Real Constants

See Table 7.116.1: FLUID116 Element Real Constants (p. 349)

Material Properties

MP command: KXX, C, DENS, MU, VISC, HF

Surface Loads

You can specify imposed mass flow via an SFE,,,HFLUX command. Valid only when KEYOPT(1) = 1.

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Body Loads

Heat Generations --

HG(I), HG(J)

Special Features

Nonlinearity

KEYOPT(1)

Pressure and temperature degrees of freedom:

0 --

PRES and TEMP degrees of freedom

1 --

TEMP degrees of freedom only

2 --

PRES degrees of freedom only. This option is not valid when FLUID116 is connected to HS-
FLD241 (p. 1242) or HSFLD242 (p. 1249).

3 --

PRES degrees of freedom only. This option is valid only when FLUID116 is directly or indirectly
connected to HSFLD241 (p. 1242) or HSFLD242 (p. 1249).

KEYOPT(2) (used only if KEYOPT(1) = 0 or 1)

0 --

2 nodes and no convection surface or convection information

1 --

2 nodes and convection information passed to SURF151 (p. 439) or SURF152 (p. 449)

2 --

4 nodes and convection surface logic included with this element, convection area shared between
nodes I and J

3 --

4 nodes and convection surface logic included with this element, convection area only at node
I

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 4 --

4 nodes and convection surface logic included with this element, convection area only at node
J

KEYOPT(4) (used only if KEYOPT(2) = 2, 3, or 4)

Film coefficient (hf) definition

0 --

Use MP,HF

1 --

Use real constants 9 thru 12 (see Table 7.116.1: FLUID116 Element Real Constants (p. 349))

2 --

Use TB,HFLM for hf as a function of temperature and average velocity

3 --

Use TB,HFLM for hf as a function of temperature and Reynold's number

4 --

Use TB,HFLM for Nu as a function of temperature and Reynold's number (hf = Kxx*Nu/diam)

5 --

Use call to User116Hf; incoming hf is a function of temperature and average velocity

KEYOPT(5) (used only if KEYOPT(4) = 0, 2, 3, 4, or 5)

Evaluation of film coefficient:

0 --

Average fluid temperature (TI + TJ)/2

1 --

Average wall temperature (TK +TL)/2

2 --

Average film temperature (TI + TJ + TK + TL)/4

3 --

Differential temperature (TI + TJ)/2 - (TK + TL)/2

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Element Library

KEYOPT(6) (used only if KEYOPT(1) = 0 or 2)

Fluid conductance coefficient definition:

0 --

Use conductance formula

1 --

Use real constant C

2 --

Use TB,FCON as a function of temperature and average velocity

3 --

Use TB,FCON as a function of temperature and Reynold's number

4 --

Use call to User116Cond

KEYOPT(7) (used only if KEYOPT(6) = 0)

Friction factor calculation:

0 --

Use smooth pipe empirical correlations

1 --

Use MP,MU

2 --

Use TB,FCON with friction factor being a function of temperature and average velocity

3 --

Use TB,FCON with friction factor being a function of temperature and Reynold's number

KEYOPT(8) (used only if KEYOPT(6) = 0)

Flow losses specified by input:

0 --

Use real constant La as the additional length

1 --

Use real constant K as loss coefficient

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KEYOPT(9)

Discretization scheme:

0 --

Upwind difference linear shape function (default). This scheme has lower order accuracy than
the other schemes.

1 --

Central difference linear shape function. This scheme has higher order accuracy but it can lead
to oscillations near bends.

2 --

Upwind difference exponential shape function. This scheme has high accuracy and does not
produce oscillations near bends.

Table 7.116.1: FLUID116 Element Real Constants

(Given in the order required for input in the real constant table)
No. Name Definition Units
1 D Hydraulic diameter. Length
2 A Flow cross-sectional area. Length2
3 Nc Number of flow channels (defaults to 1). If greater than 1,
real constants and element output are on a per channel
basis.
4-6 not currently used
7 (An ) I If KEYOPT(2) = 1, angular velocity associated with Length2
node I.
If KEYOPT(2) = 2, 3, or 4, convection area between
nodes I and K. Defaults to πDL/2 if KEYOPT(2) = 2,
defaults to πDL if KEYOPT(2) = 3
where:
L = element length
8 (An)J If KEYOPT(2) = 1, angular velocity associated with Length2
node J. Defaults to value at node I.
If KEYOPT(2) = 2, 3, or 4, convection area between
nodes J and L. Defaults to πDL/2 if KEYOPT(2) = 2,
defaults to πDL if KEYOPT(2) = 4
9 SLIPFAI If KEYOPT(2) = 1, slip factor at node I.
10 SLIPFAJ If KEYOPT(2) = 1, slip factor at node J. Defaults to value at
node I.
9-12 N1, N2, (Used if KEYOPT(4) = 1 and KEYOPT(2) = 2, 3, or 4)
N3, N4
Nu = N1 + N2 Re N3 PrN4

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Element Library

(Given in the order required for input in the real constant table)
No. Name Definition Units
where:
Re = Reynolds number (WD/ µA)
Pr = Prandtl number (Cpμ/KXX)
Cp = specific heat
For example, the Dittus-Boelter correlation for
full-developed turbulent flow in smooth pipes may
be input with N1 = 0.0, N2 = 0.023, N3 = 0.8, and
N4 = 0.4 (heating).
13 Pp Pump pressure. Force /
Length2
14 Used to compute conductance coefficient C
where:

Δp = pressure drop
Cr If KEYOPT(6) = 1, conductance coefficient is used to

calculate flow. Hence,

La If KEYOPT(6) = 0, and KEYOPT(8) = 0, additional
Length of pipe to account for flow losses (for
example, valves, orifices, etc.) Hence,

where:
ρ = DENS
F = friction coefficient
K If KEYOPT(6) = 0 and KEYOPT(8) = 1, this real constant is

the loss coefficient K. Hence,

15-18 not currently used
19 Rgas Gas constant in ideal gas law (ρ = p/(RgasTabs)), where Tabs Length2 /
is the absolute temperature and p = average pressure. If Deg * Time2
zero, use ρ as specified by the DENS material property.
20 VDF Viscous damping multiplier. Default 0.0

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 (Given in the order required for input in the real constant table)
No. Name Definition Units
21 Cver Units conversion factor for viscous damping. Default = 1.0
Qv = VDFCverFπVISC(VELOC)2L = viscous heating for element,
with F = 8.0 for laminar and 0.21420 for turbulent flow.

Note:

Real constants 7 through 12 and 20 and 21 are used only if KEYOPT(1) = 0 or 1 and real
constants 13 through 19 are used only if KEYOPT(1) = 0 or 2.

The data in Table 7.116.2: FLUID116 Empirical Data Table (Optional) (p. 351) is entered in the data table
with the TB commands. The curves are initialized by using the TB command. The temperature for the
first curve is input with the TBTEMP command, followed by TBPT commands for up to 100 points. Up
to 20 temperature-dependent curves (NTEMP = 20 maximum on the TB command) may be defined in
this manner. The constants (X, Y) entered on the TBPT command (two per command).

Table 7.116.2: FLUID116 Empirical Data Table (Optional)

Constant Meaning
Film Coefficient The film coefficient table is initialized with the TB,HFLM command. The
TBPT data are:
X Velocity (Length/Time)
Y Film Coefficient (Heat/(time*area*temp) The velocity may be replaced with the
Reynold's number, and the film coefficient may be replaced with the Nusselt
number, depending on KEYOPT(4).
Fluid Conductance/Friction Factor The fluid conductance/friction factor is initialized with
the TB,FCON command. The TBPT data are:
X Velocity (Length/Time)
Y Corresponding friction factor value (Dimensionless)
The velocity may be replaced with the Reynold's number, and the friction factor may be
replaced with the fluid conductance, depending on KEYOPT(6) and KEYOPT(7).

FLUID116 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.116.3: FLUID116 Element Output Definitions (p. 352)

The fluid flow rate is expressed in units of Mass/Time and is positive from node I to node J. In an
axisymmetric analysis these flow rates and all other output are on a full 360° basis. The fluid flow rate
and the heat flow rate at the nodes may be printed with the OUTPR command. A general description
of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view
results.

The following notation is used in Table 7.116.3: FLUID116 Element Output Definitions (p. 352):

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The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.116.3: FLUID116 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 4
VELOC Average velocity Y Y
RE Reynolds number Y Y
FLOW RATE Flow rate from node I to node J Y Y
HT COND RATE Heat flow rate from node I to node J due to 1 1
conduction
HT TRANSP RATE Heat flow rate at node I due to mass transport 1 1
CONV AREAS (I, J) Convection areas at nodes I and J 3 3
HFILM Film coefficient 3 3
NUS Nusselt number 3 3
PR Prandtl number 3 3
HT CONV RATES Heat flow rates from nodes I to K and from nodes J 3 3
(I, J) to L due to convection
HGVD Heat generation due to direct input and viscous 1 1
damping
TEMP Temperature - 1
PUMP PR Pump pressure 2 2
FRICTION Friction factor 2 2
PRES Pressure - 2

1. If KEYOPT(1) = 0 or 1

2. If KEYOPT(1) = 0 or 2

3. If KEYOPT(2) = 2, 3, or 4

4. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.116.4: FLUID116 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 353) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic

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Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.116.4: FLUID116 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 353):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.116.3: FLUID116 Element Output Definitions (p. 352)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I,J,K,L

sequence number for data at nodes I,J,K,L

Table 7.116.4: FLUID116 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Name Item E I J K L
VELOC NMISC 1 - - - -
RE NMISC 2 - - - -
FLOW RATE NMISC 3 - - - -
HEAT COND NMISC 4 - - - -
RATE
HEAT TRANSP NMISC 5 - - - -
RATE
CONV AREA NMISC - 6 7 - -
HFILM NMISC 8 - - - -
NUS NMISC 9 - - - -
PR NMISC 10 - - - -
HEAT CONV NMISC - 11 12 - -
RATE
HGVD NMISC - 13 14 - -
TEMP NMISC - 15 16 17 18
PUMP PR NMISC 19 - - - -
FRICTION NMISC 20 - - - -
PRES NMISC - 21 22 - -

FLUID116 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero length, so nodes I and J must not be coincident.

• Nodes K and L may be located anywhere in space, even coincident with I and J, respectively.

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• D must always be nonzero.

• A defaults to πD2/4.0 and is assumed to remain constant for the element.

• Compressibility and flow inertia effects of the fluid are not included in the element formulation.

• If temperatures are degrees of freedom, the resulting unsymmetric matrix requires twice as much
memory storage for the solution as other Mechanical APDL elements.

• HF must be nonzero for the four node element.

• MU and DENS must be nonzero if a flow solution is desired and KEYOPT(6) is not zero.

• If the flow is specified at a node also having a specified pressure, the flow constraint is ignored.

• In general, flow is usually specified at the inlet, pressure at the outlet.

• For problems involving pressure specification on inlets and outlets, the solution may converge too
soon (that is, the PRES degree of freedom has converged but FLOW has not due to a loose convergence
criterion). Check your results carefully. To force more iterations, you can tighten the convergence
criteria (that is, CNVTOL,FLOW,,1e-30 ), or you can specify a nonzero initial condition on pressure,
which could be an average of the specified inlet and outlet pressures (that is, IC,ALL,PRES,PAVG). You
can use both options together; however, Ansys, Inc. recommends using a nonzero initial condition.
Tightening the convergence requires that you estimate a suitable tolerance.

• More substeps are required for convergence as the flow approaches zero.

• See CNVTOL for convergence control.

• If pressure (PRES) is a degree of freedom, the element is nonlinear and requires an iterative solution.

• Because pressure (PRES) is used as a degree of freedom, the correct label to use for an independent
variable is PRESSURE.

FLUID116 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• The PRES degree of freedom (KEYOPT (1) = 0, 2) is not available.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• The PRES degree of freedom (KEYOPT (1) = 0, 2) is not available.

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PLANE121
2-D 8-Node Electrostatic Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 360)

PLANE121 Element Description

PLANE121 is a 2-D, 8-node, charge-based electric element. The element has one degree of freedom,
voltage, at each node. The 8-node elements have compatible voltage shapes and are well suited to
model curved boundaries.

This element is based on the electric scalar potential formulation, and it is applicable to 2-D electrostatic
and time-harmonic quasistatic electric field analyses. Various printout options are also available. See
PLANE121 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.121.1: PLANE121 Geometry

L
3
K K, L, O
O
4
Y P P N
(or axial) 2
N I
M J
I
X (or radial) M Tri Option
J
1

PLANE121 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.121.1: PLANE121 Geometry (p. 355). The element is defined by eight nodes and orthotropic mater-
ial properties. A triangular-shaped element may be formed by defining the same node number for
nodes K, L and O.

Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate
system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Properties not input default as described
in the Material Reference.

Nodal loads are defined with the D (Lab= VOLT) and F (Lab= CHRG) commands. The nodal forces, if
any, should be input per unit of depth for a plane analysis and on a full 360° basis for an axisymmetric
analysis.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Surface charge densities may be input as surface
loads at the element faces as shown by the circled numbers in Figure 7.121.1: PLANE121 Geometry (p. 355).
Charge densities may be input as element body loads at the nodes. If the node I charge density CHRGD(I)
is input, and all others are unspecified, they default to CHRGD(I). If all corner node charge densities are
specified, each midside node charge density defaults to the average charge density of its adjacent
corner nodes.

The temperature (for material property evaluation only) body loads may be input based on their value
at the element's nodes or as a single element value [BF, BFE]. In general, unspecified nodal values of
temperatures default to the uniform value specified with the BFUNIF or TUNIF commands.

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A summary of the element input is given in "PLANE121 Input Summary" (p. 356). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41). For axisymmetric applications see Harmonic
Axisymmetric Elements (p. 92).

PLANE121 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

VOLT

Real Constants

THK - Thickness (used only if KEYOPT(3) = 3)

Material Properties

MP command: PERX, PERY, LSST, RSVX, RSVY

EMUNIT command: EPZRO

Surface Loads

Surface charge densities --

CHRGS face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (L-K), face 4 (I-L)

Body Loads

Temperature --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P)

Volume charge densities --

CHRGD(I), CHRGD(J), CHRGD(K), CHRGD(L), CHRGD(M), CHRGD(N), CHRGD(O), CHRGD(P)

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

0 --

Plane

1 --

Axisymmetric

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 3 --

Plane with thickness input, specified via real constant THK.

KEYOPT(4)

Element coordinate system defined:

0 --

Element coordinate system is parallel to the global coordinate system

1 --

Element coordinate system is based on the element I-J side

KEYOPT(5)

Extra element output:

0 --

Basic element printout

1 --

Repeat basic solution for all integration points

2 --

Nodal fields printout

KEYOPT(6)

Electric charge reaction sign:

0 --

Positive

1 --

Negative

PLANE121 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.121.1: PLANE121 Element Output Definitions (p. 358)

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.121.2: PLANE121 Output (p. 358). The element output directions
are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of solution output is given in
Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

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Element Library

Figure 7.121.2: PLANE121 Output

L O K
y
P EY, DY
x N
EX, DX
I
Y
(or axial) J
M
Element output directions
X (or radial) shown are for KEYOPT(4) = 0

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.121.1: PLANE121 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 2
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P) Y Y
LOC Output location (X, Y) 1 1
PERX, PERY Electric relative permittivity 1 1
EF:X, Y Electric field components 1 1
EF:SUM Vector magnitude of EF 1 1
D:X, Y Electric flux density components 1 1
D:SUM Vector magnitude of D 1 1
JS:X, Y, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian 1 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [3]
JT:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components and magnitude 1 1
[3]
JHEAT: Joule heat generation rate per unit volume [4] [5] [6] 1 1
SENE: Stored electric energy [6] 1 1
FMAG:X, Y Electrostatic force [7] - 1
CHRGD Applied charge density - Y

1. The solution value is output only if calculated (based upon input data). The element solution is at
the centroid.

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2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

3. For a time-harmonic analysis, JS represents the sum of element conduction and displacement current
densities. JT represents the element conduction current density. The element displacement current
density (JD) can be derived from JS and JT as JD = JS-JT.

4. For a time-harmonic analysis, calculated Joule heat generation rate per unit volume (JHEAT) includes
conduction heating and dielectric heating due to the loss tangent.

5. Calculated Joule heat generation rate per unit volume (JHEAT) may be made available for a sub-
sequent thermal analysis with companion elements [LDREAD].

6. For a time-harmonic analysis, Joule losses (JHEAT) and stored energy (SENE) represent time-average
values. These values are stored in both the real and imaginary data sets.

7. Use the EMFT macro to calculate the force distribution over the body. See the discussion on Elec-
trostatic Forces in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide.

Table 7.121.2: PLANE121 Miscellaneous Element Output

Description Names of Items Output O R

Integration Point Solution LOC, PERX, PERY, PERZ, EF, EFSUM, D, 1 -
DSUM
Nodal Solution EF, EFSUM, D, DSUM 2 -

1. Output at each integration point, if KEYOPT(5) = 1

2. Output at each node, if KEYOPT(5) = 2

Note:

For axisymmetric solutions with KEYOPT(4) = 0, the X and Y directions correspond to the
radial and axial directions, respectively.

Table 7.121.3: PLANE121 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 360) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.121.3: PLANE121 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 360):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.121.1: PLANE121 Element Output Definitions (p. 358)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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Element Library

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.121.3: PLANE121 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
CHRGD SMISC 1
PERX NMISC 1
PERY NMISC 2
JTX NMISC 4
JTY NMISC 5
JTSUM NMISC 6

PLANE121 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The area of the element must be positive.

• The element must lie in a global X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.121.2: PLANE121 Output (p. 358), and
the Y-axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses.

• An axisymmetric structure should be modeled in the +X quadrants.

• A face with a removed midside node implies that the potential varies linearly, rather than parabolically,
along that face. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing Guide for more
information about the use of midside nodes.

• This element is only compatible with elements having a VOLT DOF and an electric charge reaction
solution. Electric charge reactions must all be positive or negative. KEYOPT(6) sets the electric charge
reaction sign. See Element Compatibility in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide for more
information.

PLANE121 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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SOLID122
3-D 20-Node Electrostatic Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 366)

SOLID122 Element Description

SOLID122 is a 3-D, 20-node, charge-based electric element. The element has one degree of freedom,
voltage, at each node. It can tolerate irregular shapes without much loss of accuracy. SOLID122 elements
have compatible voltage shapes and are well suited to model curved boundaries.

This element is applicable to 3-D electrostatic and time-harmonic quasistatic electric field analyses.
Various printout options are also available. See SOLID122 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for
more details about this element.

Figure 7.122.1: SOLID122 Geometry

M,N,O,P,U,V,W,X
Y A,B
Z
K,L,S
I T R
5 P 4 Q
J
W
X Tetrahedral Option
O
6 M,N,O,P,U,V,W,X
M
B V A
Y B Z
U
N T
A K
L S
Y 2 3 I
R
L S Q J
T Z Pyramid Option
K X
I O,P,W
Z M
R
Q 1 U V A,B
J Y N
Y Z
I K,L,S
X T
Q R
J
Prism Option

SOLID122 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.122.1: SOLID122 Geometry (p. 361). The element is defined by 20 node points and the material
properties. A prism-shaped element may be formed by defining duplicate K, L, and S; A and B; and O,
P, and W node numbers. A pyramid-shaped element and a tetrahedral-shaped element may also be
formed as shown in Figure 7.122.1: SOLID122 Geometry (p. 361).

Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate
system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Properties not input default as described
in the Material Reference. Nodal loads are defined with the D (Lab= VOLT) and F (Lab= CHRG) commands.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Surface charge densities may be input as surface
loads at the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Figure 7.122.1: SOLID122 Geometry (p. 361).
Charge density may be input as element body loads at the nodes. If the node I charge densities CHRGD(I)
is input, and all others are unspecified, they default to CHRGD(I). If all corner node charge densities are

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Element Library

specified, each midside node charge density defaults to the average charge density of its adjacent
corner nodes.

The temperature (for material property evaluation only) body loads may be input based on their value
at the element's nodes or as a single element value [BF, BFE]. In general, unspecified nodal values of
temperatures default to the uniform value specified with the BFUNIF or TUNIF commands.

A summary of the element input is given in "SOLID122 Input Summary" (p. 362). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SOLID122 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, A, B

Degrees of Freedom

VOLT

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

MP command: PERX, PERY, PERZ, LSST, RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ

EMUNIT command: EPZRO

Surface Loads

Surface charge densities --

CHRGS face 1 (J-I-L-K), face 2 (I-J-N-M), face 3 (J-K-O-N),

face 4 (K-L-P-O), face 5 (L-I-M-P), face 6 (M-N-O-P)

Body Loads

Temperature --

T(I), T(J), ..., T(Z), T(A), T(B)

Volume charge densities --

CHRGD(I), CHRGD(J), ..., CHRGD(Z), CHRGD(A), CHRGD(B)

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT(4)

Element coordinate system defined:

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 0 --

Element coordinate system is parallel to the global coordinate system

1 --

Element coordinate system is based on the element I-J side

KEYOPT(5)

Extra element output:

0 --

Basic element printout

1 --

Repeat basic solution for all integration points

2 --

Nodal fields printout

KEYOPT(6)

Electric charge reaction sign:

0 --

Positive

1 --

Negative

SOLID122 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal potentials included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.122.1: SOLID122 Element Output Definitions (p. 364)

The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.122.1: SOLID122 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 2
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), ..., T(Z), T(A), T(B) Y Y
LOC Output location (X, Y, Z) 1 1
PERX, PERY, Electric relative permittivity 1 1
PERZ
EF:X, Y, Z Electric field components 1 1
EF:SUM Vector magnitude of EF 1 1
D:X, Y, Z Electric flux density components 1 1
D:SUM Vector magnitude of D 1 1
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian 1 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [3]
JT:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components and magnitude 1 1
[3]
JHEAT: Joule heat generation rate per unit volume [4] [6] [5] 1 1
SENE: Stored electric energy [5] 1 1
FMAG:X, Y, Z Electrostatic force [7] - 1
CHRGD Applied charge density - Y

1. The solution value is output only if calculated (based upon input data). The element solution is at
the centroid.

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

3. For a time-harmonic analysis, JS represents the sum of element conduction and displacement current
densities. JT represents the element conduction current density. The element displacement current
density (JD) can be derived from JS and JT as JD=JS-JT. JS can be used as a source current density
for a subsequent magnetostatic analysis with companion elements [LDREAD].

4. For a time-harmonic analysis, calculated Joule heat generation rate per unit volume (JHEAT) includes
conduction heating and dielectric heating due to the loss tangent.

5. Calculated Joule heat generation rate per unit volume (JHEAT) may be made available for a sub-
sequent thermal analysis with companion elements [LDREAD].

6. For a time-harmonic analysis, Joule losses (JHEAT) and stored energy (SENE) represent time-average
values. These values are stored in both the real and imaginary data sets.

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7. Use the EMFT macro to calculate the force distribution over the body. See the discussion on Elec-
trostatic Forces in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide.

Table 7.122.2: SOLID122 Miscellaneous Element Output

Description Names of Items Output O R

Integration Point Solution LOC, PERX, PERY, PERZ, EF, EFSUM, 1 -
D, DSUM
Nodal Solution EF, EFSUM, D, DSUM 2 -

1. Output at each integration point, if KEYOPT(5) = 1

2. Output at each corner node, if KEYOPT(5) = 2

Table 7.122.3: SOLID122 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 365) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.122.3: SOLID122 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 365):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.122.1: SOLID122 Element Output Definitions (p. 364)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.122.3: SOLID122 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
CHRGD SMISC 1
EFX SMISC 2
EFY SMISC 3
EFZ SMISC 4
PERX NMISC 1
PERY NMISC 2
PERZ NMISC 3
JTX NMISC 5
JTY NMISC 6
JTZ NMISC 7
JTSUM NMISC 8

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SOLID122 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume or a zero length side. This occurs most frequently when
the element is not numbered properly. Elements may be numbered either as shown in Fig-
ure 7.122.1: SOLID122 Geometry (p. 361) or in an opposite fashion.

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the potential varies linearly, rather than parabol-
ically, along that edge. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing Guide
for more information on the use of midside nodes.

• Degeneration to the form of pyramid should be used with caution. The element sizes, when degen-
erated, should be small in order to minimize the field gradients. Pyramid elements are best used as
filler elements or in meshing transition zones.

• This element is only compatible with elements having a VOLT DOF and an electric charge reaction
solution. Electric charge reactions must all be positive or negative. KEYOPT(6) sets the electric charge
reaction sign. See Element Compatibility in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide for more
information.

• The solenoidal current density is required for a solution, or for any postprocessing operations.

SOLID122 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

SOLID123
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Electrostatic Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 371)

SOLID123 Element Description

SOLID123 is a 3-D, 10-node, charge-based electric element. It is well suited to model irregular meshes
(such as produced from various CAD/CAM systems). The element has one degree of freedom, voltage,
at each node.

This element is applicable to 3-D electrostatic and time-harmonic quasistatic electric field analyses.
Various printout options are also available. See SOLID123 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for
more details about this element.

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Figure 7.123.1: SOLID123 Geometry
L

4
R
P
Q 3
Y 2
O K

X I N
M
Z
1
J

SOLID123 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.123.1: SOLID123 Geometry (p. 367).

Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate
system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Properties not input default as described
in the Material Reference. Nodal loads are defined with the D (Lab = VOLT) and F (Lab = CHRG) commands.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Surface charge densities may be input as surface
loads at the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Figure 7.123.1: SOLID123 Geometry (p. 367).
Charge densities may be input as element body loads at the nodes. If the node I charge density CHRGD(I)
is input, and all others are unspecified, they default to CHRGD(I). If all corner node charge densities are
specified, each midside node charge density defaults to the average charge density of its adjacent
corner nodes.

The temperature (for material property evaluation only) body loads may be input based on their value
at the element's nodes or as a single element value [BF, BFE]. In general, unspecified nodal values of
temperatures default to the uniform value specified with the BFUNIF or TUNIF commands.

A summary of the element input is given in "SOLID123 Input Summary" (p. 367). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SOLID123 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R

Degrees of Freedom

VOLT

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

MP command: PERX, PERY, PERZ, LSST, RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ

EMUNIT command: EPZRO

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Element Library

Surface Loads

Surface charge densities --

CHRGS face 1 (J-I-K), face 2 (I-J-L), face 3 (J-K-L), face 4 (K-I-L)

Body Loads

Temperature --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P), T(Q), T(R)

Volume charge densities --

CHRGD(I), CHRGD(J), CHRGD(K), CHRGD(L), CHRGD(M),

CHRGD(N), CHRGD(O), CHRGD(P), CHRGD(Q), CHRGD(R)

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT(4)

Element coordinate system defined:

0 --

Element coordinate system is parallel to the global coordinate system

1 --

Element coordinate system is based on the element I-J side

KEYOPT(5)

Extra element output:

0 --

Basic element printout

1 --

Repeat basic solution for all integration points

2 --

Nodal fields printout

KEYOPT(6)

Electric charge reaction sign:

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 0 --

Positive

1 --

Negative

SOLID123 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal potentials included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.123.1: SOLID123 Element Output Definitions (p. 369)

The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49) in the Element Reference (p. 1). See the Basic Ana-
lysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.123.1: SOLID123 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 2
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P), Y Y
T(Q), T(R)
LOC Output location (X, Y, Z) 1 1
PERX, PERY, Electric relative permittivity 1 1
PERZ
EF:X, Y, Z Electric field components (X, Y, Z) 1 1
EF:SUM Vector magnitude of EF 1 1
D:X, Y, Z Electric flux density components 1 1
D:SUM Vector magnitude of D 1 1
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian 1 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [3]

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
JT:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components and magnitude 1 1
[3]
JHEAT: Joule heat generation rate per unit volume [4] [6] [5] 1 1
SENE: Stored electric energy [5] 1 1
FMAG:X, Y, Z Electrostatic force [7] - 1
CHRGD Applied charge density - Y

1. The solution value is output only if calculated (based upon input data). The element solution is at
the centroid.

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

3. For a time-harmonic analysis, JS represents the sum of element conduction and displacement current
densities. JT represents the element conduction current density. The element displacement current
density (JD) can be derived from JS and JT as JD=JS-JT. JS can be used as a source current density
for a subsequent magnetostatic analysis with companion elements [LDREAD].

4. For a time-harmonic analysis, calculated Joule heat generation rate per unit volume (JHEAT) includes
conduction heating and dielectric heating due to the loss tangent.

5. Calculated Joule heat generation rate per unit volume (JHEAT) may be made available for a sub-
sequent thermal analysis with companion elements [LDREAD].

6. For a time-harmonic analysis, Joule losses (JHEAT) and stored energy (SENE) represent time-average
values. These values are stored in both the real and imaginary data sets.

7. Use the EMFT macro to calculate the force distribution over the body. See the discussion on Elec-
trostatic Forces in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide.

Table 7.123.2: SOLID123 Miscellaneous Element Output

Description Names of Items Output O R

Integration Point Solution LOC, PERX, PERY, PERZ, EF, EFSUM, 1 -
D, DSUM
Nodal Solution EF, EFSUM, D, DSUM 2 -

1. Output at each integration point, if KEYOPT(5) = 1

2. Output at each corner node, if KEYOPT(5) = 2

Table 7.123.3: SOLID123 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 371) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.123.3: SOLID123 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 371):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.123.1: SOLID123 Element Output Definitions (p. 369)

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Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.123.3: SOLID123 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
CHRGD SMISC 1
EFX SMISC 2
EFY SMISC 3
EFZ SMISC 4
PERX NMISC 1
PERY NMISC 2
PERZ NMISC 3
JTX NMISC 5
JTY NMISC 6
JTZ NMISC 7
JTSUM NMISC 8

SOLID123 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume or a zero length side. This occurs most frequently when
the element is not numbered properly. Elements may be numbered either as shown in Fig-
ure 7.123.1: SOLID123 Geometry (p. 367) or in an opposite fashion.

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the potential varies linearly, rather than parabol-
ically, along that edge. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing Guide
for more information on the use of midside nodes.

• This element is only compatible with elements having a VOLT DOF and an electric charge reaction
solution. Electric charge reactions must all be positive or negative. KEYOPT(6) sets the electric charge
reaction sign. See Element Compatibility in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide for more
information.

• The solenoidal current density is required for a solution, or for any postprocessing operations.

SOLID123 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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Element Library

CIRCU124
Electric Circuit
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 381)

CIRCU124 Element Description

CIRCU124 is a general circuit element applicable to circuit simulation. The element has up to 6 nodes
to define the circuit component and one or two degrees of freedom per node to model the circuit re-
sponse.

CIRCU124 can be directly coupled to the electromagnetic or stranded coil analysis options of
PLANE233 (p. 1201), SOLID236 (p. 1210), and SOLID237 (p. 1219) through the VOLT degree of freedom. When
the pressure is analogous to the voltage in an acoustic equivalent circuit model, CIRCU124 can be directly
coupled to the acoustic elements FLUID30 (p. 188), FLUID220 (p. 1041), and FLUID221 (p. 1041) through the
PRES degree of freedom.

For electric circuit applications (KEYOPT(3) = 0), CIRCU124 is applicable to static, harmonic, and transient
analyses. For acoustic equivalent circuit applications (KEYOPT(3) = 1), CIRCU124 is applicable to harmonic
and transient analyses.

CIRCU124 Input Data

The geometry, node definition, and degree of freedom options are shown in Figure 7.124.1: CIRCU124
Circuit Element Options (p. 373) (circuit components) and Figure 7.124.2: CIRCU124 Circuit Source Op-
tions (p. 373) (circuit source options). The element is defined by active and passive circuit nodes. Active
nodes are those connected to an overall electric circuit, and passive nodes are those used internally by
the element and not connected to the circuit.

Element circuit components and sources are defined by KEYOPT(1) settings and its corresponding real
constants. Real constant input is dependent on the element circuit option used. A summary of the
element input options is given in "CIRCU124 Input Summary" (p. 374). Real constants numbers 15 and
16 are created by the GUI Circuit Builder (see the Modeling and Meshing Guide), and are not required
input for analysis purposes. The element is characterized by these degrees of freedom:

• VOLT (voltage) - KEYOPT(3) = 0

• CURR (current)

• PRES (pressure) - KEYOPT(3) = 1

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Figure 7.124.1: CIRCU124 Circuit Element Options
Resistor Inductor Capacitor Mutual Inductor
M
VI VI VI VI VK

VJ VJ VJ VJ VL

KEYOPT(1) = 0 KEYOPT(1) = 1 KEYOPT(1) = 2 KEYOPT(1) = 8

DOF = VOLT DOF = VOLT DOF = VOLT DOF = VOLT

Figure 7.124.2: CIRCU124 Circuit Source Options

Independent Voltage-controlled Current-controlled
Current Source Current Source Current Source
VI VI VK VI VL

iK iN

VJ VJ VL VJ VM
KEYOPT(1) = 3 KEYOPT(1) = 9 KEYOPT(1) = 12
DOF = VOLT DOF = VOLT DOF = VOLT (I,J,L,M),
CURR (K,N)
Independent Voltage-controlled Current-controlled
Voltage Source Voltage Source Voltage Source
VI VI VL VI VL

iK iN
± iK ± iK ±

VJ VJ VM VJ VM
KEYOPT(1) = 4 KEYOPT(1) = 10 KEYOPT(1) = 11
DOF = VOLT (I,J), DOF = VOLT (I,J,L,M) DOF = VOLT (I,J,L,M),
CURR (K) CURR (K) CURR (K,N)

Independent voltage and current sources (KEYOPT(1) = 3 or 4) may be excited by AC/DC, sinusoidal,
pulse, exponential, or piecewise linear load functions as defined by KEYOPT(2); see Figure 7.124.3: Load
Functions and Corresponding Real Constants for Independent Current and Voltage Sources (p. 377).

The time-step size for a transient analysis is controlled by the DELTIM or NSUBST commands. The
CIRCU124 element does not respond to automatic time stepping (AUTOTS command), but AUTOTS
can be used as a mechanism for ramping the time step to its final value. For coupled electromagnetic-
circuit problems, automatic time stepping may be used if controls are placed on degrees of freedom
other than VOLT or CURR, or loads associated with those degrees of freedom.

When KEYOPT(3) = 1, CIRCU124 can be directly coupled to acoustic elements FLUID30 (p. 188), FLU-
ID220 (p. 1041), and FLUID221 (p. 1041), and the pressure (PRES) degree of freedom is analogous to the
voltage (VOLT) degree of freedom in an acoustic equivalent circuit model. For more information, see
Acoustic Equivalent Circuit Analogous to Electrical Circuit in the Acoustic Analysis Guide

For problems using the CIRCU124 element, the sparse direct solver is chosen by default.

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CIRCU124 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N

Degrees of Freedom

VOLT, CURR (see Figure 7.124.1: CIRCU124 Circuit Element Options (p. 373)), PRES

Real Constants

Dependent on KEYOPT(1) and KEYOPT(2) settings. See Table 7.124.1: CIRCU124 Real Constants (p. 376)
for details.

Material Properties

None

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

See KEYOPT(2)

Special Features

None

KEYOPT(1)

Circuit component type:

0 --

Resistor

1 --

Inductor

2 --

Capacitor

3 --

Independent Current Source

4 --

Independent Voltage Source

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 8 --

Mutual Inductor

9 --

Voltage-Controlled Current Source

10 --

Voltage-Controlled Voltage Source

11 --

Current-Controlled Voltage Source

12 --

Current-Controlled Current Source

KEYOPT(2)

Body loads available if KEYOPT(1) = 3 or 4:

0 --

DC or AC Harmonic load

1 --

Sinusoidal load

2 --

Pulse load

3 --

Exponential load

4 --

Piecewise Linear load

KEYOPT(3)

Circuit type:

0 --

Electrical circuit with the VOLT degree of freedom

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Element Library

1 --

Analogous acoustic equivalent circuit with the PRES degree of freedom

Table 7.124.1: CIRCU124 Real Constants

Circuit Option and KEYOPT(1) Real Constants

Graphics Label
Resistor (R) 0 R1 = Resistance (RES)
Inductor (L) 1 R1 = Inductance (IND)
R2 = Initial inductor current (ILO)
Capacitor (C) 2 R1 = Capacitance (CAP)
R2 = Initial Capacitor Voltage (VCO)
Mutual Inductor (K) 8 R1 = Primary Inductance (IND1)
R2 = Secondary Inductance (IND2)
R3 = Coupling Coefficient (K)
Independent Current Source 3 For KEYOPT(2) = 0:
(I)
R1 = Amplitude (AMPL)
R2 = Phase angle (PHAS)
For KEYOPT(2) > 0: see Figure 7.124.3: Load
Functions and Corresponding Real
Constants for Independent Current and
Voltage Sources (p. 377).
Voltage-Controlled Current 9 R1 = Transconductance (GT)
Source (G)
Current-Controlled Current 12 R1 = Current Gain (AI)
Source (F)
Independent Voltage Source 4 For KEYOPT(2) = 0:
(V)
R1 = Amplitude (AMPL)
R2 = Phase angle (PHAS)
For KEYOPT(2) > 0: see Figure 7.124.3: Load
Functions and Corresponding Real
Constants for Independent Current and
Voltage Sources (p. 377).
Voltage-Controlled Voltage 10 R1 = Voltage Gain (AV)
Source (E)

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Circuit Option and KEYOPT(1) Real Constants
Graphics Label
Current-Controlled Voltage 11 R1 = Transresistance (RT)
Source (H)

Note:

For all above Circuit options, the GOFFST and ID real constants (numbers 15 and 16) are
created by the Circuit Builder automatically:

Figure 7.124.3: Load Functions and Corresponding Real Constants for Independent Current and
Voltage Sources

Load
(R1) VL = Low Voltage or Current
PER (R2) VH = High Voltage or Current
TW (R3) TD = Delay Time
(R4) TR = Rise Time
(R5) TF = Fall Time
VH (R6) TW = Pulse Width
(R7) PER = Period

VL Time

TD
TR TF
(b) Pulse load, KEYOPT(2) = 2

Load (R1) VL = Low Voltage or Current

(R2) VH = High Voltage or Current
(R3) TRD = Rise Delay Time
(R4) TRC = Rise Time-Constant
TRC TFC (R5) TFD = Fall Delay Time
VH (R6) TFC = Fall Time-Constant
(R7) PER = Period, defaults to
TRD + 2 (TFD-TRD)
VL Time

TRD
TFD
(c) Exponential load, KEYOPT(2) = 3

(R1) T1 = Time-point 1
(R2) V1 = Voltage or current at time-point 1
(R3) T2 = Time-point 2
Load (R4) V2 = Voltage or current at time-point 2
.
T3,V3 T4,V4 .
.
T1,V1 (R11) T 6 = Time-point 6
T2,V2 (R12) V6 = Voltage or current at time-point 6

Time

(d) Piecewise linear load, KEYOPT(2) = 4

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Element Library

CIRCU124 Output Data

The element output for this element is dependent on the circuit option selected. Table 7.124.2: CIRCU124
Element Output Definitions (p. 378) summarizes the element output data.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.124.2: CIRCU124 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
For KEYOPT(1) = 0: Resistor
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
RES Resistance Y Y
VOLTAGE Voltage drop between node I and node J Y Y
CURRENT Current Y Y
POWER Power loss Y Y
For KEYOPT(1) = 1: Inductor
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
IND Inductance Y Y
IL0 Initial current Y Y
VOLTAGE Voltage drop between node I and node J Y Y
CURRENT Current Y Y
POWER Power absorption Y Y
For KEYOPT(1) = 2: Capacitor
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
CAP Capacitance Y Y
VC0 Initial voltage Y Y
VOLTAGE Voltage drop between node I and node J Y Y
CURRENT Current Y Y
POWER Power absorption Y Y
For KEYOPT(1) = 3: Independent Current Source
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y

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 Name Definition O R
CURRENT Real or imaginary component of applied current Y Y
SOURCE
VOLTAGE Voltage drop between node I and node J Y Y
CURRENT Current Y Y
POWER Power (loss if positive, output if negative) Y Y
For KEYOPT(1) = 4: Independent Voltage Source
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K Y Y
VOLTAGE Real or imaginary component of applied voltage Y Y
SOURCE
VOLTAGE Voltage drop between node I and node J Y Y
CURRENT Current at node K Y Y
POWER Power (loss if positive, output if negative) Y Y
For KEYOPT(1) = 8: 3-D Mutual Inductor (Transformer)
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L Y Y
IND1 Primary inductance Y Y
IND2 Secondary inductance Y Y
INDM Mutual inductance Y Y
VOLTAGE Voltage drop between node I and node J Y Y
CURRENT Current in I-J branch Y Y
CONTROL VOLT Voltage drop between node K and node L Y Y
CONTROL CURR Current in K-L branch Y Y
POWER Power absorption Y Y
For KEYOPT(1) = 9: Voltage Controlled Current Source
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L Y Y
GT Transconductance Y Y
VOLTAGE Voltage drop between node I and node J Y Y
CURRENT Current in I-J branch Y Y
CONTROL VOLT Voltage drop between node K and node L Y Y
POWER Power (loss if positive, output if negative) Y Y
For KEYOPT(1) = 10: Voltage Controlled Voltage Source
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M Y Y
AV Voltage gain Y Y
VOLTAGE Voltage drop between node I and node J Y Y
CURRENT Current at node K Y Y

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
CONTROL VOLT Voltage drop between node L and node M Y Y
POWER Power (loss if positive, output if negative) Y Y
For KEYOPT(1) = 11: Current Controlled Voltage Source
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N Y Y
GT Transresistance Y Y
VOLTAGE Voltage drop between node I and node J Y Y
CURRENT Current at node K Y Y
CONTROL VOLT Voltage drop between node L and node M Y Y
CONTROL CURR Current at node N Y Y
POWER Power (loss if positive, output if negative) Y Y
For KEYOPT(1) = 12: Current Controlled Current Source
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N Y Y
AI Current gain Y Y
VOLTAGE Voltage drop between node I and node J Y Y
CURRENT Current at node K Y Y
CONTROL VOLT Voltage drop between node L and node M Y Y
CONTROL CURR Current at node N Y Y
POWER Power (loss if positive, output if negative) Y Y

Table 7.124.3: CIRCU124 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 381) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.124.3: CIRCU124 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 381):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.124.2: CIRCU124 Element Output Definitions (p. 378)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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E

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.124.3: CIRCU124 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output Quantity ESOL Command
Name Input
Item E
VOLTAGE SMISC 1
CURRENT SMISC 2
CONTROL VOLT SMISC 3
CONTROL CURR SMISC 4
POWER NMISC 1
SOURCE (real) NMISC 2
SOURCE (imaginary) NMISC 3

CIRCU124 Assumptions and Restrictions

• For static analyses, a capacitor circuit element is treated as an open-circuit and an inductor circuit
element is treated as a short-circuit.

• Only MKS units are allowed (EMUNIT command).

• The resistor, inductor, capacitor, independent current source, and mutual inductor circuit options
produce symmetric coefficient matrices while the remaining options produce unsymmetric matrices.

• The sparse solver is the default for problems using the CIRCU124 element. Even if you choose a dif-
ferent solver, Mechanical APDL switches to the sparse solver when CIRCU124 elements are present.

• This element may not be compatible with other elements with the VOLT degree of freedom. To be
compatible, the elements must have the same reaction force (see Element Compatibility in the Low-
Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide).

CIRCU124 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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Element Library

CIRCU125
Diode
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 387)

CIRCU125 Element Description

CIRCU125 is a diode element normally used in electric circuit analysis. The element may also interface
with electromagnetic and mechanical finite elements to simulate fully coupled electromechanical analyses
at the lumped parameter level. The element has 2 nodes to define the circuit component and one degree
of freedom per node to model the circuit response. The element may interface with the electric circuit
element CIRCU124 (p. 372), with the mechanical elements MASS21 (p. 168), COMBIN14 (p. 161), and
COMBIN39 (p. 221), and with the electromechanical transducer element TRANS126 (p. 387). CIRCU125 is
applicable to static analyses and transient analyses with restart.

CIRCU125 Input Data

The geometry, node definition, and degree of freedom options are shown in Figure 7.125.1: CIRCU125
Element Options (p. 382).

The diode element is defined by the KEYOPT(1) setting and its corresponding real constants. Real constant
input is dependent on the diode option used. A summary of the element input options is given in
"CIRCU125 Input Summary" (p. 383). Real constants numbers 1 and 2 are created by the GUI Circuit
Builder (see the Modeling and Meshing Guide), and are not required input for analysis purposes. The
element is characterized by one degree of freedom, VOLT (voltage).

Figure 7.125.1: CIRCU125 Element Options

Common Diode Zener Diode
I I

J J
KEYOPT (1) = 0 KEYOPT (1) = 1

The I-U characteristics of the diodes are approximated by the piecewise linear functions shown in Fig-
ure 7.125.2: CIRCU125 I-U Characteristics (p. 383). The characteristic of a common (non-Zener) diode
consists of line segments corresponding to the closed and open states. The characteristic of a Zener
diode consists of three segments corresponding to the Zener, closed, and open states. The diode
characteristic can be ideal or lossy depending on the values of the real constants.

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Figure 7.125.2: CIRCU125 I-U Characteristics

Current

Current
RESF RESF

RESB RESB
VLTZ

VLTF VOLTAGE VLTF VOLTAGE

RESZ
(a) Common Diode (b) Zener Diode

Legend
VLTF - Forward voltage
VLTZ - Zener voltage
RESF - Slope is forward resistance
RESB - Slope is blocking resistance
RESZ - Slope is Zener resistance

CIRCU125 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

VOLT

Real Constants

Dependent on KEYOPT(1) settings.

For KEYOPT(1) = 0:
GOFFST, ID, (blank), RESF, VLTF, RESB,
(blank), (blank)
For KEYOPT(1) = 1:
GOFFST, ID, (blank), RESF, VLTF, RESB,
RESZ, VLTZ
See Table 7.125.1: CIRCU125 Real Constants (p. 384).

Material Properties

None

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None

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Element Library

Special Features

None

KEYOPT(1)

Select diode options:

0 --

Common Diode

1 --

Zener Diode

KEYOPT(7)

Element level time increment control:

0 --

No control

1 --

Predictions are made to achieve a reasonable time (or load) increment

If you are using the Circuit Builder to construct your model, the real constants GOFFST and ID are
provided automatically.

Note:

The real constant default values may not be appropriate to analyze micro devices (that is,
devices with extremely small dimensions) in MKSA units.

Table 7.125.1: CIRCU125 Real Constants

Real Name Description

Constant
No.
Common Diode (D) (KEYOPT(1) = 0)
1 GOFFST Graphical offset
2 ID Element identification number
3 -- (blank)
4 RESF Forward resistance (if not entered, defaults to 1.0e-12 Ohm)
5 VLTF Forward voltage (if not entered, defaults to 0.0e0 Volt)
6 RESB Blocking resistance (if not entered, defaults to 1.0e+12 Ohm)
7, 8 -- (blank)
Zener Diode (Z) (KEYOPT(1) = 2) - use real constants 1 through 6 as above, then:

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 Real Name Description
Constant
No.
7 RESZ Zener resistance (if not entered, defaults to 1.0e+12 Ohm)
8 VLTZ Zener voltage (if not entered, defaults to 1.0e-12 Volt)

CIRCU125 Solution Considerations

CIRCU125 is a highly nonlinear element. To obtain convergence, you may have to define convergence
criteria instead of using the default values. Use CNVTOL,VOLT,,0.001,2,1.0E-6 if you need to change the
convergence criteria.

CIRCU125 Output Data

The element output for this element is dependent on the circuit option selected. Table 7.125.2: CIRCU125
Element Output Definitions (p. 385) summarizes the element output data.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.125.2: CIRCU125 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
For KEYOPT(1) = 0: Common Diode
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
REST Tangent Resistance Y Y
VOLTAGE Voltage drop between node I and node J Y Y
CURRENT Current Y Y
POWER Power loss Y Y
STAT Diode status 1 1
DYNRES Dynamic resistance at operating point Y Y
AMPGEN Norton equivalent current generator Y Y
For KEYOPT(1) = 1: Zener Diode
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
REST Tangent resistance Y Y
VOLTAGE Voltage drop between node I and node J Y Y

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
CURRENT Current Y Y
POWER Power loss Y Y
STAT Diode status 2 2
DYNRES Dynamic resistance at operating point Y Y
AMPGEN Norton equivalent current generator Y Y

1. Common Diode Status Values

1 - Forward, open

2 - Reverse, blocked

2. Zener Diode Status Values

1 - Forward, open

2 - Reverse, blocked

3 - Zener, breakdown

Table 7.125.3: CIRCU125 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 386) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.125.3: CIRCU125 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 386):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.125.2: CIRCU125 Element Output Definitions (p. 385)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.125.3: CIRCU125 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
VOLTAGE SMISC 1
CURRENT SMISC 2
POWER NMISC 1
blank NMISC 2
blank NMISC 3
DYNRES NMISC 4

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 ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
AMPGEN NMISC 5
STAT NMISC 6

CIRCU125 Assumptions and Restrictions

• If either the Zener voltage or Zener resistance is blank or very small, the Zener diode will be replaced
with a common diode and a warning will be issued.

• Only MKS units are allowed (EMUNIT command).

• If the Zener Voltage is entered as a positive number, the element will negate the entered value. If
the Forward Voltage is entered as a negative number, the element will replace it with its absolute
value. All resistance must be positive. Any negative resistance value is replaced by its absolute value.

• This element does not support harmonic analysis.

• This element does not work with the CIRCU94 (p. 311) piezoelectric element.

• This element may not be compatible with other elements with the VOLT degree of freedom. To be
compatible, the elements must have the same reaction force (see Element Compatibility in the Low-
Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide).

• This element cannot be used in a distributed solution.

CIRCU125 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

TRANS126
Electromechanical Transducer
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 396)

TRANS126 Element Description

TRANS126 represents a transducer element that converts energy from an electrostatic domain into a
structural domain (and vice versa), while also allowing for energy storage. The element fully couples
the electromechanical domains and represents a reduced-order model suitable for use in structural finite
element analysis as well as electromechanical circuit simulation. The element has up to two degrees of
freedom at each node: translation in the nodal x, y, or z direction and electric potential (VOLT). The
element is suitable for simulating the electromechanical response of micro-electromechanical devices
(MEMS) such as electrostatic comb drives, capacitive transducers, and RF switches for example.

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Element Library

The characteristics of the element are derived from electrostatic field simulations of the electromechan-
ical device using the electrostatic elements PLANE121 (p. 355), SOLID122 (p. 361), and SOLID123 (p. 366),
as well as the CMATRIX macro. The TRANS126 element represents the capacitive response of the device
to motion in one direction. Running a series of electrostatic simulations and extracting capacitance
(CMATRIX command) as a function of stroke (or deflection) provides the necessary input for this element.
The capacitance versus stroke represents a "reduced-order" characterization of the device suitable for
simulation in this transducer element. Up to three characterizations (in X, Y, or Z) can be made from
sets of electrostatic simulations to create three independent transducer elements to characterize a full
translational response of the device. See TRANS126 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more
details about this element.

Figure 7.126.1: TRANS126 Geometry

y z
= GAP + uJ - uI

GAP J J

>0

I J

y
GAP GAP GAP

x
I J
I x I x

TRANS126 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.126.1: TRANS126 Geometry (p. 388). Nodes I and J define the element. The nodes need not be co-
incident. The element may lie along any one of the three global Cartesian axes as shown in Fig-
ure 7.126.1: TRANS126 Geometry (p. 388), or it may exist in any arbitrary coordinate system as long as
the nodes are rotated into the arbitrary coordinate system in such a manner that one of the axes lies
along the element's I-J direction. Use the degree of freedom option (KEYOPT(2)) to select the appropriate
structural displacement degree of freedom (corresponding to the element's I-J direction) and electric
potential. Orientation of the element with respect to nodal displacements (node J relative to node I) is
critical. Orient the element such that a positive movement of node J relative to node I produces a
positive displacement (see Figure 7.126.1: TRANS126 Geometry (p. 388)). Figure 7.126.4: TRANS126 Val-
id/Invalid Orientations (p. 396) illustrates valid and invalid orientations of the element for a UX-VOLT
degree of freedom set.

The capacitance vs. stroke data for the element is entered through the real constant table. Use KEYOPT(3)
to select from two different methods of input. For KEYOPT(3) = 0, the real constant data (R7-R11) rep-
resent the coefficients of an equation (see Figure 7.126.2: TRANS126 Capacitance Relationship (p. 389)).
Use as many terms as are required to represent the curve. For KEYOPT(3) = 1, the real constant data
(R7-R46) represent discrete pairs of capacitance and stroke data. Up to 20 pairs of data may be input.
The minimum required is 5 data point sets. A curve is fit to the discrete data sets represented by the
equation shown in Figure 7.126.2: TRANS126 Capacitance Relationship (p. 389).

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Figure 7.126.2: TRANS126 Capacitance Relationship

The initial gap distance GAP (R3) represents the initial distance between conducting walls of the elec-
tromechanical device (that is, plates of a parallel capacitor, beams of a comb drive, etc.). The initial gap
value should fall within the range of the capacitance vs. stroke data as shown in Figure 7.126.2: TRANS126
Capacitance Relationship (p. 389). The minimum gap distance GAPMIN (R4) represents the physical loc-
ation where the gap is closed. If the gap closes to GAPMIN, the element behaves like a contact element
with a normal stiffness KN represented by real constant R5. GAP and GAPMIN default to near-zero if
not defined. Figure 7.126.3: TRANS126 Force Relationship (p. 389) illustrates the force vs. stroke for the
transducer element. The curve highlights the capacitive force (which is compressive and acts to close
the gap), and the contact force (which restrains the motion once the gap reaches GAPMIN). KN defaults
to a stiffness represented by the slope from the capacitive force at GAPMIN to the origin as shown in
Figure 7.126.3: TRANS126 Force Relationship (p. 389).

Figure 7.126.3: TRANS126 Force Relationship

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Element Library

The element supports nodal voltage and displacements (D) as well as nodal current and force (F). Use
IC to input an initial starting value of voltage or displacement for a transient analysis, or an initial guess
for a static analysis.

The element supports static, transient, prestressed harmonic, and prestressed modal analyses. The element
is nonlinear for static and transient analyses and requires an iterative solution to converge. The element
produces an unsymmetric matrix.

Prestress effects are automatically included in a linear perturbation harmonic analysis or a linear per-
turbation modal analysis (for example, a base static analysis with an applied DC voltage followed by a
linear perturbation harmonic analysis with an applied AC voltage). Alternatively, prestress effects can
be activated via the PSTRES command.

The transducer element by nature has both stable and unstable solutions. If the system stiffness is
negative, convergence problems can occur near unstable solutions. This typically occurs at small gap
distances near GAPMIN. Use KEYOPT(6) = 1 to select the augmented stiffness method if you encounter
convergence problems. In this method, the electrostatic stiffness is set to zero to guarantee a positive
system stiffness. After convergence is reached, the electrostatic stiffness is automatically reestablished
for postprocessing and subsequent analyses.

The next table summarizes the element input. Element Input (p. 41) gives a general description of ele-
ment input.

TRANS126 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

UX-VOLT, UY-VOLT, OR UZ-VOLT

Real Constants

If KEYOPT(3) = 0, then:
GOFFST, EID, GAP, GAPMIN, KN, (Blank),
C0, C1, C2, C3, C4

If KEYOPT(3) = 1, then:
GOFFST, EID, GAP, GAPMIN, KN, (Blank),
GAP1, CAP1, GAP2, CAP2, ..., GAP20, CAP20

See Table 7.126.1: TRANS126 Real Constants (p. 392) for details.

Material Properties

None

Surface Loads

None

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Body Loads

None

Special Features

Nonlinearity
Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(2)

Select degree-of-freedom set:

0,1 --

UX-VOLT

2 --

UY-VOLT

3 --

UZ-VOLT

KEYOPT(3)

Capacitance-Gap option:

0 --

Use capacitance-gap curve input coefficients: C0, C1, C2, C3, and C4

1 --

Use capacitance versus gap data points: GAP1, CAP1, GAP2, CAP2 ... GAP20, CAP20

KEYOPT(6)

Stiffness method:

0 --

Full stiffness method (default)

1 --

Augmented stiffness method

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Element Library

The first six real constants for this element are the same, whether you set KEYOPT(3) = 0 or 1. From
number 7 on, the real constants differ between the two settings, as shown in the table below.

Table 7.126.1: TRANS126 Real Constants

Number Name Description

Basic Set
1 GOFFST Graphical offset
2 EID ID number
3 GAP Initial gap
4 GAPMIN Minimal gap
5 KN Gap Normal Stiffness
6 (blank) unused
For KEYOPT(3) = 0; Capacitance (Cap) vs. gap (x) function:

Cap = C0/x + C1 + C2*x + C3*x**2 + C4*x**3

7 C0 Equation constant C0
8 C1 Equation constant C1
9 C2 Equation constant C2
10 C3 Equation constant C3
11 C4 Equation constant C4
For KEYOPT(3) = 1 (Capacitance-gap curve data)
7 GAP1 Gap 1
8 CAP1 Capacitance 1
9, ..., 46 GAP2, CAP2, ..., Gap2 and Capacitance 2 through Gap 20 and Capacitance
GAP20, CAP20 20

TRANS126 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is shown in Table 7.126.2: TRANS126 Element Output
Definitions (p. 393).

The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49) in the Element Reference (p. 1). See the Basic Ana-
lysis Guide for ways to view results.

If this element is used in a harmonic analysis, all variables will be stored in two-column arrays as complex
variables. The first column will be titled real component and the second column will be titled imaginary
component. If the variable is not complex, the same value will be stored in both columns.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.126.2: TRANS126 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
EFORCE Electrostatic Force Y Y
ESTIFF Electrostatic stiffness (dEFORCE/dU) Y Y
CONDUCT Motion conductance (dCap/dU) (RELVEL) Y Y
DVDT Time rate of change of Voltage (dVOLT/dt) Y Y
RELDISP Relative displacement node I to node J Y Y
RELVEL Relative velocity node I to node J Y Y
VOLTAGE Voltage drop between node I and node J Y Y
CURRENT Current Y Y
CAP Capacitance Y Y
MECHPOWER Mechanical power, (force x velocity) Y Y
ELECPOWER Electrical power, (voltage drop x current) Y Y
CENERGY Electrostatic energy stored in capacitor Y Y
GAP Actual gap, UJ - UI + GAP (nominal) (real constant input) Y Y
KUU Coupled system stiffness, dF/dU Y Y
KUV Coupled system stiffness, dF/dV Y Y
KVU Coupled system stiffness, dI/dU Y Y
KVV Coupled system stiffness, dI/dV Y Y
DUU Coupled system damping, dF/dVEL Y Y
DUV Coupled system damping, dF/dVRATE Y Y
DVU Coupled system damping, dI/dVEL Y Y
DVV Coupled system damping, dI/dVRATE Y Y
DISPR, DISPI Real and imaginary components of displacement 1 1
FORCR, FORCI Real and imaginary components of electrostatic force 1 1
VOLTR, VOLTI Real and imaginary components of voltage drop 1 1
CURRR, CURRI Real and imaginary components of current 1 1

1. The item is only available for linear prestressed harmonic analysis.

Table 7.126.3: TRANS126 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 394) lists output available through ETABLE
using the Sequence Number method. See Element Table for Variables Identified By Sequence Number
in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more
information. The following notation is used in Table 7.126.3: TRANS126 Item and Sequence Num-
bers (p. 394):

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Element Library

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.126.3: TRANS126 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 394)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.126.3: TRANS126 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
MECHPOWER SMISC 1
ELECPOWER SMISC 2
CENERGY SMISC 3
GAP NMISC 1
RELVEL NMISC 2
EFORCE NMISC 3
VOLTAGE NMISC 4
DVDT NMISC 5
CURRENT NMISC 6
CAP NMISC 7
ESTIFF NMISC 8
UCT NMISC 9
KUU NMISC 10
KUV NMISC 11
KVU NMISC 12
KVV NMISC 13
DUU NMISC 14
DUV NMISC 15
DVU NMISC 16
DVV NMISC 17
DISPR NMISC 18
DISPI NMISC 19
FORCR NMISC 20
FORCI NMISC 21
VOLTR NMISC 22
VOLTI NMISC 23

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 ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
CURRR NMISC 24
CURRI NMISC 25

TRANS126 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The transducer element must be aligned such that the element I-J direction points along the active
structural degree of freedom in the nodal coordinate system. In addition, a positive movement in the
nodal coordinate system of node J relative to node I should act to open the gap (Stroke = GAP + Uj
- Ui). Figure 7.126.4: TRANS126 Valid/Invalid Orientations (p. 396) illustrates valid and invalid orientations
of the element for a UX-VOLT degree of freedom set.

• Nodes I and J may be coincident since the orientation is defined by the relative motion of node J to
node I. No moment effects due to noncoincident nodes are included. That is, if the nodes are offset
from a line perpendicular to the element axis, moment equilibrium may not be satisfied.

• Unreasonable high stiffness (KN) values should be avoided. The rate of convergence decreases as the
stiffness increases.

• The element may not be deactivated with EKILL.

• This element may not be compatible with other elements with the VOLT degree of freedom. To be
compatible, the elements must have the same reaction force (see Element Compatibility in the Low-
Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide).

• A minimum of two load steps must be used to obtain valid electrostatic force calculations.

• Harmonic and modal analyses are valid only after a static prestress (applied DC voltage) calculation.

• Linear perturbation is the preferred method for a prestressed harmonic or modal analysis. Alternatively,
prestress effects can be activated via the PSTRES command when TRANS126 is used with other element
types that do not support linear perturbation.

• For a linear perturbation harmonic or modal analysis, the restart point must be the last substep of
the base static analysis.

• For a linear perturbation harmonic analysis, the full stiffness method (KEYOPT(6) = 0) must be used.

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Element Library

Figure 7.126.4: TRANS126 Valid/Invalid Orientations

Valid orientations for UX,VOLT DOF set:
y y

I J I J
x x

Invalid orientations for UX,VOLT DOF set:

y y

J I J I
x x

TRANS126 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

FLUID129
2-D Infinite Acoustic
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 399)

FLUID129 Element Description

FLUID129 has been developed as a companion element to FLUID29 (p. 183). It is intended to be used
as an envelope to a model made of FLUID29 (p. 183) finite elements. It simulates the absorbing effects
of a fluid domain that extends to infinity beyond the boundary of FLUID29 (p. 183) finite element domain.
FLUID129 realizes a second-order absorbing boundary condition so that an outgoing pressure wave
reaching the boundary of the model is "absorbed" with minimal reflections back into the fluid domain.
The element can be used to model the boundary of 2-D (planar or axisymmetric) fluid regions and as
such, it is a line element; it has two nodes with one pressure degree of freedom per node. FLUID129
may be used in transient, harmonic, and modal analyses. Typical applications include structural acoustics,
noise control, underwater acoustics, etc. See FLUID129 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more
details about this element.

Figure 7.129.1: FLUID129 Geometry

I J

y
x, r
(xo, yo)

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FLUID129 Input Data
The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Figure 7.129.1: FLU-
ID129 Geometry (p. 396). The element is defined by two nodes (I, J), the material properties and the real
constants (defined in "FLUID129 Input Summary" (p. 397)). The element must be circular with radius RAD
and center located at or near the center of the structure. The radius RAD should be supplied through
the real constants.

The element is characterized by a pair of symmetric stiffness and damping matrices.

In a typical meshing procedure, you should mesh the interior fluid domain that is bounded by a circular
boundary with FLUID29 (p. 183) elements, select the nodes on the circular boundary, select the type
associated with the FLUID129 and then issue the ESURF command. The latter will automatically add
the FLUID129 elements on the boundary of the finite domain.

FLUID129 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

PRES

Real Constants

RAD - Radius
X0 - Center of enclosing circle, X value
Y0 - Center of enclosing circle, Y value

Material Properties

MP command: SONC (velocity of sound)

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None

Special Features

None

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

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Element Library

0 --

Planar

1 --

Axisymmetric

FLUID129 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.129.1: FLUID129 Element Output Definitions (p. 398)

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.129.1: FLUID129 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
LINE: Length Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 1
SONC Speed of sound Y Y

1. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.129.2: FLUID129 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 399) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.129.2: FLUID129 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 399):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.129.1: FLUID129 Element Output Definitions (p. 398)

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Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.129.2: FLUID129 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
SONC NMISC 1

FLUID129 Assumptions and Restrictions

• FLUID129 must lie on a boundary circular in shape and should completely enclose the domain meshed
with FLUID29 (p. 183) elements.

• The radius RAD of the circular boundary of the finite domain should be specified as a real constant.
If the coordinates (X0, Y0) of the center of the circle are not supplied through the real constant input,
the center will be assumed to be at the origin. The center of the circle should be as close to the
center of the model as possible.

• The enclosing circular boundary should be placed at a distance of at least 0.2*lambda from the
boundary of any structure that may be submerged in the fluid, where lambda = c/f is the dominant
wavelength of the pressure waves; c is the speed of sound (SONC) in the fluid, and f is the dominant
frequency of the pressure wave. For example, in the case of a submerged circular cylindrical shell of
diameter D, the radius of the enclosing boundary, RAD, should be at least (D/2) + 0.2*lambda.

• FLUID129 uses an extra (internal) degree of freedom, labeled XTR1, that is not available externally.
This degree of freedom is solely for Mechanical APDL's internal use, although it may appear in degree-
of-freedom listings or in program messages.

• The damped method is the only valid modal analysis method.

FLUID129 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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FLUID130
3-D Infinite Acoustic
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 403)

FLUID130 Element Description

FLUID130 has been developed as a companion element to FLUID30 (p. 188), FLUID220 (p. 1041), and
FLUID221 (p. 1041). It is intended to be used as an envelope to a model made of FLUID30 (p. 188), FLU-
ID220 (p. 1041), and FLUID221 (p. 1041) finite elements. It simulates the absorbing effects of a fluid domain
that extends to infinity beyond the boundary of the finite element domain that is made of FLU-
ID30 (p. 188), FLUID220 (p. 1041), and FLUID221 (p. 1041) elements. FLUID130 realizes a second-order absorb-
ing boundary condition so that an outgoing pressure wave reaching the boundary of the model is
"absorbed" with minimal reflections back into the fluid domain. The element can be used to model the
boundary of 3-D fluid regions and as such, it is a plane surface element; it has four nodes with one
pressure degrees of freedom per node. FLUID130 may be used in transient, harmonic, and modal analyses.
Typical applications include structural acoustics, noise control, underwater acoustics, etc. See FLU-
ID30 (p. 188), FLUID220 (p. 1041), and FLUID221 (p. 1041) in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more
details about this element.

Figure 7.130.1: FLUID130 Geometry

L
3
K K, L, O
O
4
P P N
2
N I
M J
I
M Tri Option
J
1

x
z (xo, yo, zo)

FLUID130 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Figure 7.130.1: FLU-
ID130 Geometry (p. 400). The element is defined by four nodes (I, J, K, L) or eight nodes (I, J, K, L, M, N,
O, P), the material property SONC (speed of sound), and the real constants shown in "FLUID130 Input
Summary" (p. 401). A triangular element may be formed by defining duplicate K and L node numbers.
The element must be at the spherical boundary of an acoustic fluid domain, meshed using FLU-
ID30 (p. 188), FLUID220 (p. 1041), and FLUID221 (p. 1041) elements, with radius RAD and center located at
or near the center of the structure. The radius RAD should be supplied through the real constants.

The element is characterized by a symmetric stiffness and a damping matrix.

In a typical meshing procedure you should mesh the interior fluid domain that is bounded by a spher-
ical boundary with FLUID30 (p. 188), FLUID220 (p. 1041), and FLUID221 (p. 1041) elements, select the nodes

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on the spherical boundary, select the type associated with the FLUID130 and then issue the ESURF
command. The latter will automatically add the FLUID130 elements on the boundary of the finite domain.

FLUID130 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

PRES

Real Constants

RAD - Radius
X0 - Center of enclosing circle, X value
Y0 - Center of enclosing circle, Y value
Z0 - Center of enclosing circle, Z value

Material Properties

MP command: SONC (velocity of sound), DENS (mass density)

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None

Special Features

None

KEYOPT(1)

0 --

Low-order element (on FLUID30 (p. 188) exterior surface)

2 --

High-order element (on FLUID220 (p. 1041) or FLUID221 (p. 1041) exterior surface)

FLUID130 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

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Element Library

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.130.1: FLUID130 Element Output Definitions (p. 402)

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.130.1: FLUID130 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
AREA: AREA Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 1
SONC Speed of sound Y Y

1. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.130.2: FLUID130 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 402) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.130.2: FLUID130 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 402):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.130.1: FLUID130 Element Output Definitions (p. 402)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.130.2: FLUID130 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
SONC NMISC 1

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FLUID130 Assumptions and Restrictions
• FLUID130 must lie on a boundary spherical in shape and should completely enclose the domain
meshed with FLUID30 (p. 188), FLUID220 (p. 1041), and FLUID221 (p. 1041) elements.

• The radius RAD of the spherical boundary of the finite domain should be specified as a real constant.
If the coordinates (X0, Y0, Z0) of the center of the sphere are not supplied through the real constant
input, the center will be assumed to be at the origin of the global coordinate system. The center of
the sphere should be as close to the center of the model as possible.

• The enclosing spherical boundary should be placed at a distance of at least 0.2*lambda from the
boundary of any structure that may be submerged in the fluid, where lambda = c/f is the dominant
wavelength of the pressure waves. c is the speed of sound (SONC) in the fluid and f is the dominant
frequency of the pressure wave. For example, in the case of a submerged spherical shell of diameter
D, the radius of the enclosing boundary, RAD, should be at least (D/2) + 0.2*lambda.

• FLUID130 uses extra (internal) degrees of freedom, labeled XTR1 and XTR2, that are not available
externally. These degrees of freedom are solely for Mechanical APDL's use, although they may appear
in degree-of-freedom listings or in program messages.

• The damped method is the only valid modal analysis method.

• FLUID130 assumes constant density and speed of sound values without losses in the “infinite” domain.
Consequently, the acoustic fluid elements adjacent to FLUID130 must not have viscosity (MP,VISC),
non-uniform acoustic media, or the Johnson-Champoux-Allard model defined.

FLUID130 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

SHELL131
4-Node Thermal Shell
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 411)

SHELL131 Element Description

SHELL131 is a 3-D layered shell element having in-plane and through-thickness thermal conduction
capability. The element has four nodes with up to 32 temperature degrees of freedom at each node.
The conducting shell element is applicable to a 3-D, steady-state or transient thermal analysis. SHELL131
generates temperatures that can be passed to structural shell elements in order to model thermal
bending. See SHELL131 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

If the model containing the conducting shell element is to be analyzed structurally, use an equivalent
structural shell element instead, such as SHELL181 (p. 673) or SHELL281 (p. 1360).

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Element Library

Figure 7.131.1: SHELL131 Geometry

K,L
z
o

z
5 I J
Top 2 Triangular Option
t K
L
y y x
o
6 s 4
x TTOP
o
LAYER 2 TE4
TE3 Node
Z I
J Location
LAYER 1 TE2
Y
X 3 1
Bottom TBOT

xo = element x-axis if ESYS is not supplied.

x = element x-axis if ESYS is supplied.

SHELL131 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and coordinates systems for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.131.1: SHELL131 Geometry (p. 404). The element is defined by four nodes, one thickness per layer,
a material angle for each layer, and the material properties. If the material is uniform and the analysis
has no transient effects, only one layer is needed with a linear temperature variation through the
thickness.

The cross-sectional properties are input using the SECTYPE,,SHELL and SECDATA commands. These
properties are the thickness, material number, and orientation of each layer. Tapered thicknesses may
be input using the SECFUNCTION command. The number of integration points from the SECDATA
command is not used; rather it is determined for all layers with KEYOPT(3). In the GUI, the ShellTool
provides a convenient way to define section data for this element (see Shell Analysis and Cross Sections
in the Structural Analysis Guide). Real constants are not used for this element.

Other Input

The default orientation for this element has the S1 (shell surface coordinate) axis aligned with the first
parametric direction of the element at the center of the element, which connects the midsides of edges
LI and JK and is shown as xo in Figure 7.181.1: SHELL181 Geometry (p. 674). In the most general case,
the axis can be defined as:

where:

{x}I, {x}J, {x}K, {x}L = global nodal coordinates

If edges IJ and KL are parallel (rectangular or trapezoidal elements), the default orientation is the same
as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61) (the first surface direction is aligned with the IJ side). For

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elements with nonparallel edges IJ and JK, the default orientation represents the stress state better
because the element uses a single point of quadrature (by default) in the element domain.

The first surface direction S1 can be rotated by angle θ (in degrees) for the layer via the SECDATA
command. For an element, you can specify a single value of orientation in the plane of the element.
Layer-wise orientation is supported.

You can also define element orientation via the ESYS command. See Coordinate Systems (p. 61).

Generally, the quadratic variation in temperature through each layer (KEYOPT(3) = 0) is used for transient
analysis or for strongly temperature dependent materials, and the linear variation in temperature through
each layer (KEYOPT(3) = 1) is used for steady-state analysis with materials that are either not temperature
dependent or weakly temperature dependent. Layers may be used to model the physical changes of
properties through the thickness or the effect of a through-thickness transient in greater detail.

KEYOPT(4) duplicates the number of layers input on the SECDATA commands. If KEYOPT(4) is 0 or
blank, the program will query each element during definition in PREP7 as to which section information
is being used, and then reassign the element to a different type. More element types are created as
needed. The result can be seen using ETLIST and ELIST after all elements are defined. To ensure that
the program can do this redefinition, you must define the section information before the element is
defined.

If KEYOPT(6) (also referred to as the paint option) is used, TBOT is replaced with TEMP, allowing the
element to be directly attached to an underlying solid to avoid the use of constraint equations. When
this option is used, surface loads cannot be applied to face 1.

As this is a thermal shell element, the direction of the element z-axis and the presence of the
SECOFFSET command have no effect on the solution. However, to get correct plots when using the
/ESHAPE command:

- The element z-axis should be defined with the same care as for a structural shell element.
- If KEYOPT(6) = 1 (the paint option) is set, SECOFFSET,BOT should be input.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Convection or heat flux (but not both) and
radiation (using the RDSF surface load label) may be input as surface loads at the element faces as
shown by the circled numbers on Figure 7.131.1: SHELL131 Geometry (p. 404). Because shell edge con-
vection and flux loads are input on a per-unit-length basis, per-unit-area quantities must be multiplied
by the total shell thickness. Radiation is not available on the edges. You can also generate film coefficients
and bulk temperatures using the surface effect element SURF152 (p. 449). SURF152 (p. 449) can also be
used with FLUID116 (p. 343).

Heat generation rates may be input as element body loads on a per layer basis. One heat generation
value is applied to the entire layer. If the first layer heat generation rate HG(1) is input, and all others
are unspecified, they default to HG(1). Nodal values are averaged over the entire element.

A summary of the element input is given in "SHELL131 Input Summary" (p. 406). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

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Element Library

SHELL131 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L

Degrees of Freedom

Quadratic (KEYOPT(3) = 0):

If KEYOPT(4) = 0 or 1: TBOT, TE2, TTOP

If KEYOPT(4) = 2: TBOT, TE2, TE3, TE4, TTOP
If KEYOPT(4) = 3: TBOT, TE2, TE3, TE4, TE5, TE6, TTOP
Etc.
If KEYOPT(4) = 15: TBOT, TE2, TE3, TE4, TE5, TE6, TE7, TE8, TE9, TE10, TE11, TE12, TE13, TE14,
TE15, TE16, TE17, TE18, TE19, TE20, TE21, TE22, TE23, TE24, TE25, TE26, TE27, TE28, TE29, TE30,
TTOP

Linear (KEYOPT(3) = 1):

If KEYOPT(4) = 0 or 1: TBOT, TTOP

If KEYOPT(4) = 2: TBOT, TE2, TTOP
If KEYOPT(4) = 3: TBOT, TE2, TE3, TTOP
Etc.
If KEYOPT(4) = 31: TBOT, TE2, TE3, TE4, TE5, TE6, TE7, TE8, TE9, TE10, TE11, TE12, TE13, TE14,
TE15, TE16, TE17, TE18, TE19, TE20, TE21, TE22, TE23, TE24, TE25, TE26, TE27, TE28, TE29, TE30,
TE31, TTOP

Constant (KEYOPT(3) = 2):

TEMP (one layer only)

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

MP command: KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH

Surface Loads

Convections --

Face 1 (I-J-K-L) (bottom, -z side)

Face 2 (I-J-K-L) (top, +z side)
Face 3 (J-I), Face 4 (K-J), Face 5 (L-K), Face 6 (I-L)

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 Heat Fluxes --

Face 1 (I-J-K-L) (bottom, -z side)

Face 2 (I-J-K-L) (top, +z side)
Face 3 (J-I), Face 4 (K-J), Face 5 (L-K), Face 6 (I-L)

Radiation --

Face 1 (I-J-K-L) (bottom, -z side)

Face 2 (I-J-K-L) (top, +z side)

Body Loads

Heat Generations --

HG(1), HG(2), HG(3), . . . ., HG(KEYOPT(4))

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT(2)

Film coefficient evaluation (if any):

0 --

Evaluate at an average film temperature, (TS+TB)/2

1 --

Evaluate at element surface temperature, TS

2 --

Evaluate at fluid bulk temperature, TB

3 --

Evaluate at differential temperature, |TS-TB|

KEYOPT(3)

Temperature variation through layer:

0 --

Quadratic temperature variation through-layer (maximum number of layers = 15)

1 --

Linear temperature variation through-layer (maximum number of layers = 31)

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Element Library

2 --

No temperature variation through-layer (number of layers = 1)

KEYOPT(4)

Number of layers (input a value to match SECDATA commands, or leave blank to default). Maximum
number of layers allowed depends on KEYOPT(3) setting (see above).

KEYOPT(6)

Application:

0 --

Thermal shell application

1 --

Paint application

SHELL131 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output shown in Table 7.131.1: SHELL131 Element Output Definitions (p. 409)

Output temperatures may be read by structural shell elements via the LDREAD,TEMP command.

If the structural shell element uses two temperatures through the thickness, such as for SHELL181 (p. 673)
(with only one layer) or SHELL281 (p. 1360) (with only one layer), only TBOT and TTOP are used and any
internal temperatures such as TE2 are ignored.

If the structural shell element uses more than two temperatures through the thickness, such as for
SHELL181 (p. 673) (with multiple layers), all temperatures are transferred over. In this case, the corner
nodes of each SHELL131 element must have identical temperature degrees of freedom.

The number of temperature points at a node generated in the thermal shell must match the number
of temperature points at a node needed by the structural shell. For example, a two-layer SHELL181 (p. 673)
element using the same material and thickness for both layers can get its temperatures from a SHELL131
element using either two layers with KEYOPT(3) = 1 (linear variation) or one layer with KEYOPT(3) = 0
(quadratic variation). Temperatures passed from this element to the stress analysis via LDREAD,TEMP
can be viewed using BFELIST, as opposed to the usual BFLIST.

Heat flowing out of the element is considered to be positive. Heat flows are labeled HBOT, HE2, . . .
HTOP, similar to the temperature labels. Gradient and flux information is provided at the midthickness
of each layer. The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general
description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways
to view results.

To see the temperature distribution through the thickness for this element as well as all other thermal
elements, use /GRAPHICS,POWER and /ESHAPE,1 followed by PLNSOL,TEMP.

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The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.131.1: SHELL131 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L Y Y
MAT Element material number (from MAT command) Y Y
AREA Area of element Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 2
HGEN Heat generations: HG(1), HG(2), HG(3), . . . Y -
TG:X, Y, Z Thermal gradient components at midlayer Y Y
TF:X, Y, Z Thermal flux components at midlayer Y Y
FACE Face label 1 1
AREA Face area (same as element area) 1 1
NODES Face nodes (same as element nodes) 1 1
HFILM Face film coefficient 1 1
TAVG Average face temperature 1 1
TBULK Fluid bulk temperature 1 -
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 1 1
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face - 1
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 1
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate per unit area across face caused by - 1
input heat flux
HEAT RATE/AREA Heat flow rate per unit area across face by convection 1 -
HEAT FLUX Heat flux at each node of the face 1 -

1. If a surface load is input.

2. Available only at the centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.131.2: SHELL131 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 410) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.131.2: SHELL131 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 410):

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Element Library

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.131.1: SHELL131 Element Output Definitions (p. 409)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

Table 7.131.2: SHELL131 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output Face 1 Face 2 I J K L

Quantity Item Bottom Top Corners
Name
AREA NMISC 1 7 -- -- -- --
HFAVG NMISC 2 8 -- -- -- --
[a] [a]
TAVG NMISC 3 9 -- -- -- --
TBAVG NMISC 4 10 -- -- -- --
HEAT RATE NMISC 5 11 -- -- -- --
[b] [b]
HFLXAVG NMISC 6 12 -- -- -- --
THICKNESS NMISC -- -- 37 38 39 40
[a] TAVG is only available if a convection load was applied on the face.
[b] HFLXAVG is only available if a heat flux load was applied on the face.

SHELL131 Assumptions and Restrictions

• Zero area elements are not allowed. This occurs most frequently when the element is not numbered
properly.

• Zero thickness layers are not allowed.

• A triangular element may be formed by defining duplicate K and L node numbers as described in
Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37).

• The cut boundary interpolation command (CBDOF) does not work with this element.

• When using thermal contact with this element, care must be taken to ensure appropriate degrees of
freedom have been activated on the contact and SHELL131 elements. For example, CONTA175 (p. 586)
uses the TEMP degree of freedom only, so you must activate the TEMP degree of freedom for SHELL131
(KEYOPT(3) = 2 or KEYOPT(6) = 1). However, CONTA174 (p. 557) can use a combination of TEMP, TTOP,
and TBOT (see KEYOPT(13) of the contact element), so you must ensure that similar degrees of freedom
have been activated for SHELL131.

• There should not be a large variation in the ratio of through-thickness conductivity (KZZ) to layer
thickness for all layers within the element. If the highest and lowest values for this ratio differ by a
large factor (for example, 1e5), then the results for the element may be unreliable.

• No check is made to ensure either that the number of layers between adjacent elements match or
that the effective location of a degree of freedom (for example, TE7 from a 10 layer element) between
elements sharing the same node is the same to a tolerance. If this is a concern, study the area using
the /ESHAPE command. For cases where the layering intentionally changes, such as at a joint or at

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 the runout of a tapered layer, use constraint equations (CE family of commands) with or without
double nodes to connect the two sides.

• The program removes all imposed degrees of freedom and nodal loads (that is, internally issues
DDELE,ALL,ALL and FDELE,ALL,ALL commands) when elements that use TTOP, TBOT, etc. as degrees
of freedom:

– are defined or redefined using the ET or KEYOPT commands.

– are changed (or deleted) using the ET, ETCHG, or ETDELE command to an element type that does
not use these degrees of freedom.

If your model contained SHELL131 elements with D and F loads, and you deleted these elements
via ETDELE, the D and F loads will automatically be deleted and reapplied to the new DOF list.
You do, however, need to check other loads and verify if they need to be deleted and reapplied.

• The program does not delete or reapply any other load types when SHELL131 is defined or redefined
(ET, KEYOPT , ETCHG, or ETDELE command). It is your responsibility to delete or reapply loads which
are DOF sensitive (for example, constraints).

• When using the radiosity solver method, the Axis = ZEXT and CEXT extrusion options on the RSYMM
command do not work with this element.

SHELL131 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

SHELL132
8-Node Thermal Shell
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 419)

SHELL132 Element Description

SHELL132 is a 3-D layered shell element having in-plane and through-thickness thermal conduction
capability. The element has eight nodes with up to 32 temperature degrees of freedom at each node.
The conducting shell element is applicable to a 3-D, steady-state or transient thermal analysis. SHELL132
generates temperatures that can be passed to structural shell elements in order to model thermal
bending. See SHELL132 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

If the model containing the conducting shell element is to be analyzed structurally, use an equivalent
structural shell element instead, such as SHELL281 (p. 1360).

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Element Library

Figure 7.132.1: SHELL132 Geometry

K,L,O

z
o N
P
z
2 8 5
J
I M
L O
Triangular Option
4 t
y x 7
y o
P K
6 3
x s
o
TTOP
N
5 M 4 LAYER 2 TE4
I 6 TE3 Node
Z
1 J Location
2 LAYER 1 TE2
3
Y 1
X TBOT

xo = element x-axis if ESYS is not supplied.

x = element x-axis if ESYS is supplied.

SHELL132 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and coordinates systems for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.132.1: SHELL132 Geometry (p. 412). The element is defined by four/eight nodes, one thickness per
layer, a material angle for each layer, and the material properties. If the material is uniform and the
analysis has no transient effects, only one layer is needed with a linear temperature variation through
the thickness.

The cross-sectional properties are input using the SECTYPE,,SHELL and SECDATA commands. These
properties are the thickness, material number, and orientation of each layer. Tapered thicknesses may
be input using the SECFUNCTION command. The number of integration points from the SECDATA
command is not used; rather it is determined for all layers with KEYOPT(3). In the GUI, the ShellTool
provides a convenient way to define section data for this element (see Shell Analysis and Cross Sections
in the Structural Analysis Guide). Real constants are not used for this element.

Other Input

The default orientation for this element has the S1 (shell surface coordinate) axis aligned with the first
parametric direction of the element at the four in-plane integration points:

Where element geometry {x} is given as follows:

(s,r) = two isoparametric element coordinates

hI (s,r) = shape functions associated with eight element nodes.
{x}i = global coordinates of eight element nodes

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The first surface direction S1 can be rotated by angle θ (in degrees) for the layer via the SECDATA
command. For an element, you can specify a single value of orientation in the plane of the element.
Layer-wise orientation is supported.

Generally, the quadratic variation in temperature through each layer (KEYOPT(3) = 0) is used for transient
analysis or for strongly temperature dependent materials, and the linear variation in temperature through
each layer (KEYOPT(3) = 1) is used for steady-state analysis with materials that are either not temperature
dependent or weakly temperature dependent. Layers may be used to model the physical changes of
properties through the thickness or the effect of a thru-thickness transient in greater detail.

KEYOPT(4) duplicates the number of layers input on the SECDATA commands. If KEYOPT(4) is 0 or
blank, the program will query each element during definition in PREP7 as to which section information
is being used, and then reassign the element to a different type. More element types are created as
needed. The result can be seen using ETLIST and ELIST after all elements are defined. To ensure that
the program can do this redefinition, you must define the section information before the element is
defined.

If KEYOPT(6) (also referred to as the paint option) is used, TBOT is replaced with TEMP, allowing the
element to be directly attached to an underlying solid to avoid the use of constraint equations. When
this option is used, surface loads cannot be applied to face 1.

As this is a thermal shell element, the direction of the element z-axis and the presence of the
SECOFFSET command have no effect on the solution. However, to get correct plots when using the
/ESHAPE command:

- The element z-axis should be defined with the same care as for a structural shell element.
- If KEYOPT(6) = 1 (the paint option) is set, SECOFFSET,BOT should be input.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Convection or heat flux (but not both) and
radiation (using the RDSF surface load label) may be input as surface loads at the element faces as
shown by the circled numbers on Figure 7.132.1: SHELL132 Geometry (p. 412). Because shell edge con-
vection and flux loads are input on a per-unit-length basis, per-unit-area quantities must be multiplied
by the total shell thickness. Radiation is not available on the edges. You can also generate film coefficients
and bulk temperatures using the surface effect element SURF152 (p. 449). SURF152 (p. 449) can also be
used with FLUID116 (p. 343).

Heat generation rates may be input as element body loads on a per layer basis. One heat generation
value is applied to the entire layer. If the first layer heat generation rate HG(1) is input, and all others
are unspecified, they default to HG(1). Nodal values are averaged over the entire element.

A summary of the element input is given in "SHELL132 Input Summary" (p. 413). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SHELL132 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

Quadratic (KEYOPT(3) = 0):

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Element Library

If KEYOPT(4) = 0 or 1: TBOT, TE2, TTOP

If KEYOPT(4) = 2: TBOT, TE2, TE3, TE4, TTOP
If KEYOPT(4) = 3: TBOT, TE2, TE3, TE4, TE5, TE6, TTOP
Etc.
If KEYOPT(4) = 15: TBOT, TE2, TE3, TE4, TE5, TE6, TE7, TE8, TE9, TE10, TE11, TE12, TE13, TE14,
TE15, TE16, TE17, TE18, TE19, TE20, TE21, TE22, TE23, TE24, TE25, TE26, TE27, TE28, TE29, TE30,
TTOP

Linear (KEYOPT(3) = 1):

If KEYOPT(4) = 0 or 1: TBOT, TTOP

If KEYOPT(4) = 2: TBOT, TE2, TTOP
If KEYOPT(4) = 3: TBOT, TE2, TE3, TTOP
Etc.
If KEYOPT(4) = 31: TBOT, TE2, TE3, TE4, TE5, TE6, TE7, TE8, TE9, TE10, TE11, TE12, TE13, TE14,
TE15, TE16, TE17, TE18, TE19, TE20, TE21, TE22, TE23, TE24, TE25, TE26, TE27, TE28, TE29, TE30,
TE31, TTOP

Constant (KEYOPT(3) = 2):

TEMP (one layer only)

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

MP command: KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH

Surface Loads

Convections --

Face 1 (I-J-K-L) (bottom, -z side)

Face 2 (I-J-K-L) (top, +z side)
Face 3 (J-I), Face 4 (K-J), Face 5 (L-K), Face 6 (I-L)

Heat Fluxes --

Face 1 (I-J-K-L) (bottom, -z side)

Face 2 (I-J-K-L) (top, +z side)
Face 3 (J-I), Face 4 (K-J), Face 5 (L-K), Face 6 (I-L)

Radiation --

Face 1 (I-J-K-L) (bottom, -z side)

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 Face 2 (I-J-K-L) (top, +z side)

Body Loads

Heat Generations --

HG(1), HG(2), HG(3), ..., HG(KEYOPT(4))

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT(2)

Film coefficient evaluation (if any):

0 --

Evaluate at an average film temperature, (TS+TB)/2

1 --

Evaluate at element surface temperature, TS

2 --

Evaluate at fluid bulk temperature, TB

3 --

Evaluate at differential temperature, |TS-TB|

KEYOPT(3)

Temperature variation through layer:

0 --

Quadratic temperature variation through layer (maximum number of layers = 15)

1 --

Linear temperature variation through layer (maximum number of layers = 31)

2 --

No temperature variation through layer (number of layers = 1)

KEYOPT(4)

Number of layers (input a value to match SECDATA commands, or leave blank to default). Maximum
number of layers allowed depends on KEYOPT(3) setting (see above).

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Element Library

KEYOPT(6)

Application:

0 --

Thermal shell application

1 --

Paint application

SHELL132 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.132.1: SHELL132 Element Output Definitions (p. 417).

Output nodal temperatures may be read by structural shell elements (such as SHELL281 (p. 1360)) using
the LDREAD,TEMP capability. If the structural shell element uses two temperatures through the thickness,
only TBOT and TTOP are used, and any internal temperatures such as TE2 are ignored. If the structural
shell element uses more than two temperatures through the thickness, all temperatures are transferred
over. In this case, the corner nodes of each SHELL132 element must have identical temperature degrees
of freedom. Also, the number of temperature points at a node generated in the thermal shell must
match the number of temperature points at a node needed by the structural shell. For example, a two
layer shell element using the same material and thickness for both layers can get its temperatures from
a SHELL132 element using either two layers with KEYOPT(3) = 1 (linear variation) or one layer with
KEYOPT(3) = 0 (quadratic variation). Temperatures passed from this element to the stress analysis via
LDREAD,TEMP can be viewed using BFELIST, as opposed to the usual BFLIST.

Heat flowing out of the element is considered to be positive. Heat flows are labeled HBOT, HE2, . . .
HTOP, similar to the temperature labels. Gradient and flux information is provided at the midthickness
of each layer. The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general
description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways
to view results.

To see the temperature distribution thru the thickness for this element as well as all other thermal ele-
ments, use /GRAPHICS,POWER and /ESHAPE,1 followed by PLNSOLL,TEMP.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.132.1: SHELL132 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L Y Y
MAT Element material number (from MAT command) Y Y
AREA Area of element Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 2
HGEN Heat generations: HG(1), HG(2), HG(3), . . . Y -
TG:X, Y, Z Thermal gradient components at midlayer Y Y
TF:X, Y, Z Thermal flux components at midlayer Y Y
FACE Face label 1 1
AREA Face area (same as element area) 1 1
NODES Face nodes (same as element nodes) 1 1
HFILM Face film coefficient 1 1
TAVG Average face temperature 1 1
TBULK Fluid bulk temperature 1 -
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 1 1
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face - 1
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 1
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate per unit area across face caused by - 1
input heat flux
HEAT RATE/AREA Heat flow rate per unit area across face by convection 1 -
HEAT FLUX Heat flux at each node of the face 1 -

1. If a surface load is input.

2. Available only at the centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.132.2: SHELL132 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 418) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.132.2: SHELL132 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 418):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.132.1: SHELL132 Element Output Definitions (p. 417)

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Element Library

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

Table 7.132.2: SHELL132 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output Face 1 Face 2 I J K L

Quantity Item Bottom Top Corners
Name
AREA NMISC 1 7 -- -- -- --
HFAVG NMISC 2 8 -- -- -- --
[a] [a]
TAVG NMISC 3 9 -- -- -- --
TBAVG NMISC 4 10 -- -- -- --
HEAT RATE NMISC 5 11 -- -- -- --
[b] [b]
HFLXAVG NMISC 6 12 -- -- -- --
THICKNESS NMISC -- -- 37 38 39 40
[a] TAVG is only available if a convection load was applied on the face.
[b] HFLXAVG is only available if a heat flux load was applied on the face.

SHELL132 Assumptions and Restrictions

• Zero area elements are not allowed. This occurs most frequently when the element is not numbered
properly.

• Zero thickness layers are not allowed.

• A triangular element may be formed by defining duplicate K, L, and O node numbers as described
in Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37).

• Midside nodes may not be dropped.

• The cut boundary interpolation command (CBDOF) does not work with this element.

• When using thermal contact with this element, care must be taken to ensure appropriate degrees of
freedom have been activated on the contact and SHELL132 elements. For example, CONTA175 (p. 586)
uses the TEMP degree of freedom only, so you must activate the TEMP degree of freedom for SHELL132
(KEYOPT(3) = 2 or KEYOPT(6) = 1). However, CONTA174 (p. 557) can use a combination of TEMP, TTOP,
and TBOT (see KEYOPT(13) of the contact element), so you must ensure that similar degrees of freedom
have been activated for SHELL132.

• There should not be a large variation in the ratio of through-thickness conductivity (KZZ) to layer
thickness for all layers within the element. If the highest and lowest values for this ratio differ by a
large factor (for example, 1e5), then the results for the element may be unreliable.

• No check is made to ensure either that the number of layers between adjacent elements match or
that the effective location of a degree of freedom (for example, TE7 from a 10 layer element) between
elements sharing the same node is the same to a tolerance. If this is a concern, study the area using
the /ESHAPE command. For cases where the layering intentionally changes, such as at a joint or at
the runout of a tapered layer, use constraint equations (CE family of commands) with or without
double nodes to connect the two sides.

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• This element may not be used with the /EFACET command for PowerGraphics displays.

• The program removes all imposed degrees of freedom and nodal loads (that is, internally issues
DDELE,ALL,ALL and FDELE,ALL,ALL commands) when elements that use TTOP, TBOT, etc. as degrees
of freedom:

– are defined or redefined using the ET or KEYOPT commands.

– are changed (or deleted) using the ET, ETCHG, or ETDELE commands to an element type that does
not use these degrees of freedom.

If your model contained SHELL132 elements with D and F loads, and you deleted these elements
via ETDELE, the D and F loads will automatically be deleted and reapplied to the new DOF list.
You do, however, need to check other loads and verify if they need to be deleted and reapplied.

• The program does not delete or reapply any other load types when SHELL132 is defined or redefined
(ET, KEYOPT , ETCHG, or ETDELE command). It is your responsibility to delete or reapply loads which
are DOF sensitive (for example, constraints).

• When using the radiosity solver method, the Axis = ZEXT and CEXT extrusion options on the RSYMM
command do not work with this element.

SHELL132 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

FLUID136
3-D Squeeze Film Fluid Element
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 429)

FLUID136 Element Description

FLUID136 models viscous fluid flow behavior in small gaps between fixed surfaces and structures
moving perpendicular to the fixed surfaces. The element behavior is based on the Reynolds squeeze
film theory and the theory of rarefied gases. As such, it is limited to structures with lateral dimensions
much greater than the gap size. In addition, the pressure change must be small relative to the ambient
pressure, and any viscous heating is neglected. FLUID136 is particularly applicable to modeling squeeze-
film effects in microstructures. However, it can also model thin-film fluid behavior in macrostructures.

As a fluid-only element (PRES dof ), the element can be used to determine the stiffening and damping
effects that a fluid exerts on a moving structure by applying a known normal velocity. The velocity
normal to the element surface is specified as a body force. If the velocity of the moving surface is not
known, FLUID136 can determine the fluid response from the eigenmodes of the structure using the
Modal Projection Method.

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FLUID136 is applicable to static, harmonic, and transient analyses. A static analysis is used to determine
the damping effects for low operating frequencies where fluid stiffening effects are negligible. A har-
monic analysis is used to determine the fluid stiffening and damping effects for high operating frequen-
cies where fluid stiffening effects are not negligible. A transient analysis is used to determine the fluid
stiffening and damping effects for non-harmonic loadings. The Modal Projection Method can also be
used to extract frequency-dependent damping ratios for use with the MDAMP and DMPRAT commands;
and Alpha and Beta damping parameters for use with the ALPHAD and BETAD commands.

As a fluid-structure element (PRES, UX, UY, UZ), the element can be combined with solid structural
elements in a coupled-field solution where pressure effects are computed from the structure's motion.
In this mode, the element is applicable to a static or transient analysis. Compressibility options are
available when considering large displacements and/or large pressure changes. Contact options are
also available when the structural degrees of freedom are active in order to model opening and closing
contact conditions.

FLUID136 can be used to model three different flow regimes: continuum theory, high Knudsen number,
and high Knudsen number with accommodation factors.

See FLUID136 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

FLUID136 Input Data

The element is defined by four corner nodes with an option to include mid-side nodes (KEYOPT(2) =
1). The element should be oriented such that the element normal is pointing toward the fluid domain.
If solid elements are used for the structural domain, the fluid element normal vector is automatically
computed. If necessary, the fluid element normal vector can be flipped using ENSYM.

Figure 7.136.1: FLUID136 Geometry

KEYOPT(2) = 0 KEYOPT(2) = 1
L L
O
P

K K
I N
I K, L M J K, L, O
J
Z
P N
I J
Y
I J
X M

KEYOPT (1) specifies the flow regime. The Knudsen number can be calculated from the mean free fluid
path at a reference pressure, the operating or absolute pressure, and the gap.

For a PRES degree of freedom (KEYOPT(3) = 0) and a linearized Reynolds equation (KEYOPT(4) = 0 or
2),

Kn = (MFP*PREF) / (PAMB*GAP)

For PRES, UX, UY, UZ degrees of freedom (KEYOPT(3) = 1 or 2) and a nonlinear Reynolds equation
(KEYOPT(4) = 1),

Kn = (MFP*PREF) / (Pabs*GAP) if Pabs > minpabs

Kn = (MFP*PREF) / (minpabs*GAP) if Pabs < minpabs

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where:

Pabs = PAMB + PRES

minpabs = minimum absolute pressure determined by real constant MINPABSF

For continuum theory to be valid (KEYOPT(1) = 0), the Knudsen number should be less than 0.01. If the
Knudsen number is greater than 0.01 (KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2), the dynamic viscosity is adjusted to account
for the slip flow boundary. See Flow Regime Considerations in the Fluids Analysis Guide for a complete
discussion of flow regimes and calculation of the Knudsen number.

The type of reflection of the gas molecules at the wall interface is specified using accommodation
factors. Squeeze film models assume diffuse reflection of the gas molecules at the wall interface (accom-
modation factor = 1). This assumption is valid for most metals, but is less accurate for micromachined
surfaces, particularly those fabricated from silicon. Materials, such as silicon, cause specular reflection.
Typical accommodation factors for silicon are between 0.80 and 0.90.

KEYOPT (3) sets the element degrees of freedom. Setting KEYOPT (3) to 1 or 2 activates the displacement
degrees of freedom. When displacement DOFs are active both fluidic and mechanical contact pressures
can be generated. FLUID136 can only be used for static and transient analyses when the displacement
DOFs are activated.

If KEYOPT(5) = 2, the element is ignored from a fluid pressure standpoint when the fluid gap goes below
a specified minimum fluid gap (fluid_mingap). If KEYOPT(6) = 1 or 2, mechanical contact pressure is
applied to a structure if the fluid height goes below a specified minimum mechanical gap (mech_mingap).

For the fluid-only option (PRES dof ), the fluid velocity normal to the surface may be specified using
nodal or element loading with the FLUE body load label on the BF or BFE commands. If FLUID136 is
used in conjunction with the Modal Projection Method, the fluid velocities are obtained from the
modal displacements and applied using the DMPEXT command.

FLUID136 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L (KEYOPT(2) = 0)

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P (KEYOPT(2) = 1)

Degrees of Freedom

See KEYOPT(3)

Real Constants

See Table 7.136.1: FLUID136 Real Constants (p. 424).

Material Properties

MP command: VISC (dynamic viscosity)

Surface Loads

None

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Body Loads

FLUE (velocity) (For KEYOPT(3) = 0 only)

Special Features

None

KEYOPT(1)

Continuous flow options

0 --

Continuum theory

1 --

High Knudsen numbers (greater than 0.01)

2 --

High Knudsen numbers and accommodation factors

KEYOPT(2)

Element geometry

0 --

Four node element

1 --

Eight node element (not available if KEYOPT(3) = 1 or 2)

KEYOPT(3)

Degrees of Freedom

0 --

PRES (Valid for static, harmonic, and transient analyses.)

1 --

PRES, UX, UY, UZ - explicit treatment of cross-coupling terms. Produces a symmetric matrix.
Valid for static and transient analyses only. Convergence issues may be experienced if the fluid
gap approaches zero.

2 --

PRES, UX, UY, UZ - implicit treatment of cross-coupling terms. Produces an unsymmetric matrix.
Valid for static and transient analyses only.

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KEYOPT(4)

Compressibility. If PRES is the only degree of freedom (KEYOPT(3) = 0), the compressible linearized
Reynold equation is used (KEYOPT(4) = 0). The following are valid when degrees of freedom are
PRES, UX, UY, and UZ (KEYOPT(3) = 1 or 2).

0 --

Compressible linearized Reynolds equation. (large displacement and small pressure changes)

1 --

Compressible nonlinear Reynolds equation. (large displacement and large pressure changes)

2 --

Incompressible linearized Reynolds equation. (large displacement and small pressure changes)

For more information on the linearized Reynolds equation, refer to Flow Between Flat Surfaces in
the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.

KEYOPT(5)

If the element gap goes below fluid_mingap:

0 --

Trap it as an error.

1 --

Reset it to fluid_mingap.

2 --

Ignore this element from a fluid pressure standpoint. This element is considered dead from a
fluids standpoint. However, for postprocessing, a fluid pressure can be specified. See real constants
PENP and SPRES.

For KEYOPT(5) = 1 or 2, mechanical contact may be included by KEYOPT(6) or TARGE170 (p. 516)
and CONTA174 (p. 557) elements.

If the element gap is above fluid_mingap, fluid pressure is applied on the structure.

KEYOPT(6)

If the element gap goes below mech_mingap:

0 --

Do not apply mechanical contact pressure on the structure. This element is considered mechan-
ically dead.

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1 --

Apply mechanical contact pressure on the structure using the penalty method. Specify a stiffness
parameter (real constant STIFFP). Damping is input by real constant DAMPP and it defaults to
zero.

2 --

Apply mechanical contact pressure on the structure using the augmented Lagrangian method.
Specify an initial stiffness (real constant STIFFP) and a penetration tolerance (real constant MPTF).
Damping is input by real constant DAMPP and it defaults to zero.

The fluid environment is defined by the following set of real constants.

Table 7.136.1: FLUID136 Real Constants

No. Name Description

1 GAP Element gap separation
2 blank —
3 blank —
4 PAMB Ambient (that is, surrounding) pressure
5 ACF1 Accommodation factor for top moving
surface.
6 ACF2 Accommodation factor for bottom fixed
surface.
7 PREF Reference pressure for the mean free fluid
path
8 MFP Mean free fluid path at reference pressure
PREF
9 GAPX Gap vector global Cartesian component X
10 GAPY Gap vector global Cartesian component Y
11 GAPZ Gap vector global Cartesian component Z
12 MMGF mech_mingapf (minimum mechanical gap
as a fraction of GAP)
13 FMGF fluid_mingapf (minimum fluid gap as a
fraction of GAP)
14 PENP Penalty parameter for fluid dead element
(KEYOPT(5) = 2)
15 SPRES Specified pressure for fluid dead element
(KEYOPT(5) = 2)
16 STIFFP Stiffness parameter for mechanical contact
(KEYOPT(6) = 1 or 2)
17 DAMPP Damping parameter for mechanical contact
(KEYOPT(6) = 1 or 2)

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 No. Name Description
18 MPTF mech_pen_tolf (KEYOPT(6) = 2) (mechanical
penetration tolerance as a fraction of
mech_mingap)
19 MINPABSF minpabsf (minimum absolute pressure as a
fraction of Pamb)

For continuum theory (KEYOPT(1) = 1), GAP and PAMB must be specified.

For high Knudsen numbers (KEYOPT(1) = 1), GAP, PAMB, PREF, and MFP must be specified. PREF and
MFP are used to adjust the dynamic viscosity. ACF1 and ACF2 are assumed to be 1.

For high Knudsen numbers with accommodation factors (KEYOPT(1) = 2), GAP, PAMB, PREF, MFP, ACF1,
and ACF2 must be specified. Different accommodation factors may be specified for each surface.

For small deflections, GAP is assumed to be constant. For the fluid-only option (PRES dof ) and large
deflections, GAP can be updated using SETFGAP.

Real constants GAPX, GAPY, and GAPZ are the unit vector components of the normal gap vector g in
the global Cartesian system (see figure below).

Figure 7.136.2: Moving Structure with Thin Film of FLUID136 Elements

Underlying solid

FLUID136 elements

do z
g
x

Real constants FMGF and MMGF determine the minimum fluid gap (fluid_mingap) and minimum
mechanical gap (mech_mingap) as shown below:

Figure 7.136.3: Minimum Fluid and Minimum Mechanical Gaps

mech_velocity

Moving surface

gap

mech_mingap
fluid_mingap
Fixed surface

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Element Library

Real constant MPTF determines the mechanical penetration tolerance as shown below:

Figure 7.136.4: Mechanical Penetration

Mechanical penetration
mech_pen_tol
mech_mingap

Figure 7.136.5: Fluid Penetration

Fluid penetration

fluid_mingap

Real constant MINPABSFA determines the minimum absolute pressure as shown below. The minimum
absolute pressure is used in the definition of Knudson number.

Stiffness is input by real constant STIFFP and it is typically large. Damping is input by real constant
DAMPP and it is typically zero.

FLUID136 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.136.2: FLUID136 Element Output Definitions (p. 427)

A general description of solution output is given in Table 7.136.2: FLUID136 Element Output Defini-
tions (p. 427). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.136.2: FLUID136 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
PRES Pressure change with regard to ambient temperature Y
PG (X, Y, Z) Mid-surface fluid velocity Y Y
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
AREA: Area Y Y
FLUE Velocity (normal to surface) Y Y
SNORMAL(YX, Y, Components of unit surface normal n - -
Z)Y
VELC(X, Y, Z) Components of mechanical velocity at centroid - -
DISPC(X, Y, Z) Components of displacement at centroid - -
PRESC Fluid pressure at centroid - -
GAPDIR(X, Y, Z) Components of gap vector g - -
FLUIDDEAD Fluid alive or dead (1 = alive; 0 = dead) - -
FLUIDPEN Fluid penetration - -
MECHDEAD Mechanical alive or dead (1 = alive; 0 = dead) - -
MECHPEN Mechanical penetration at centroid - -
STIFF Element stiffness - -
CONTPRES Contact pressure at centroid - -
KN Knudsen number - -

Contact pressure is computed as an element centroidal quantity:

CONTPRES= STIFFP*mech_penetration + DAMPP*mech_velocity

Table 7.136.3: FLUID136 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 428) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.136.3: FLUID136 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 428):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.136.2: FLUID136 Element Output Definitions (p. 427)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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Element Library

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.136.3: FLUID136 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output Quantity ESOL Command
Name Input
Item E
Effective viscosity NMISC 1
GAP NMISC 2
KEYOPT(3) = 1 or 2
AREA NMISC 3
SNORMALX NMISC 4
SNORMALY NMISC 5
SNORMALZ NMISC 6
VELCX NMISC 7
VELCX NMISC 8
VELCX NMISC 9
DISPCX NMISC 10
DISPCY NMISC 11
DISPCZ NMISC 12
PRESC NMISC 13

(Zero if
KEYOPT(5) = 2)
GAPDIRCX NMISC 14
GAPDIRCY NMISC 15
GAPDIRCZ NMISC 16
FLUIDDEAD NMISC 17

(0 if KEYOPT(5) =
2)

(1 if KEYOPT(5) ≠
2)
FLUIDPEN NMISC 18

(0 if KEYOPT(5) ≠
2)
MECHDEAD NMISC 19

(0 if KEYOPT(6) =
0)

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 ETABLE and
Output Quantity ESOL Command
Name Input
Item E
(1 if KEYOPT(6) ≠
0)
MECHPEN NMISC 20

(0 if KEYOPT(6) =
0)
STIFF NMISC 21

(0 if KEYOPT(6) =
0)
CONTPRES NMISC 22

(0 if KEYOPT(6) =
0)
KN NMISC 23

FLUID136 Assumptions and Restrictions

• Knudsen numbers larger than 880 are not supported.

• The gas flow is assumed to be isothermal.

• The fluid gap is small compared to the lateral width of the underlying structure.

• The element assumes isothermal viscous flow. All the fluid properties are at a constant temperature
(TUNIF) within a load step, even if you specify material properties with temperature dependencies
(using MP). See Squeeze Film in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more information on the
governing equations.

• This element cannot be used in a distributed solution.

FLUID136 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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Element Library

FLUID138
3-D Viscous Fluid Link Element
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 434)

FLUID138 Element Description

FLUID138 models the viscous fluid flow behavior through short channels (that is, holes) in microstructures
moving perpendicular to fixed surfaces. FLUID138 can be used in conjunction with FLUID136 (p. 419)
elements to determine the stiffening and damping effects that the fluid exerts on the moving perforated
microstructure.

FLUID138 assumes isothermal flow at low Reynolds numbers. The channel length must be small relative
to the acoustic wave length, and the pressure change must be small relative to the ambient pressure.
FLUID138 accounts for gas rarefaction effects and fringe effects due to the short channel length.

As with FLUID136 (p. 419), FLUID138 is applicable to static, harmonic, and transient analyses. FLUID138
can be used to model two different flow regimes: continuum theory and high Knudsen number.

In contrast to FLUID116 (p. 343), this element is more accurate for channels of rectangular cross section,
allows channel dimensions to be small compared to the mean free path, allows modeling of evacuated
systems, and considers fringe effects at the inlet and outlet. These effects can considerably increase the
damping force in the case of short channel length. See FLUID138 - 3-D Viscous Fluid Link Element in
the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

FLUID138 Input Data

The element is defined by two nodes. The I node is located at the center of the cross-section of the
hole region on the same plane as the nodes used to model the squeeze film fluid region (FLUID136 (p. 419)
elements). The J node is located at the opposite face of the structure through the channel depth.

Figure 7.138.1: FLUID138 Geometry

J KEYOPT(3) = 0 KEYOPT(3) = 1

DIM1
DIM2
I

Y DIM1

X
Z

KEYOPT(1) specifies the flow regime. The Knudsen number can be calculated from the mean free fluid
path at a reference pressure, the operating pressure, and the lateral dimensions.

Kn = (MFP*PREF) / (PAMB*DIM)

For rectangular channels, DIM is the smallest lateral dimension. For circular channels, DIM is the radius.

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For continuum theory to be valid (KEYOPT(1) = 0), the Knudsen number should be less than 0.01. If the
Knudsen number is greater than 0.01 (KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2), the dynamic viscosity is adjusted to account
for the slip flow boundary.

The fluid environment is defined by a set of real constants:

For rectangular channels, DIM1 and DIM2 specify the lateral dimensions of the channel. For circular
channels, DIM1 specifies the radius of the channel and DIM2 is not used, PAMB specifies the ambient
(that is, surrounding) pressure, PREF specifies the reference pressure for the mean free fluid path, and
MFP specifies the mean free fluid path at reference pressure PREF.

For continuum theory (KEYOPT(1) = 1), DIM1, DIM2 (if rectangular channel), and PAMB must be specified.

For high Knudsen numbers (KEYOPT(1) = 1), DIM1, DIM2 (if rectangular channel), PAMB, PREF and MFP
must be specified. PREF and MFP are used to adjust the dynamic viscosity.

FLUID138 does not support any loadings. To preserve the pressure drop through the hole, the PRES
degree of freedom for the nodes of the FLUID136 (p. 419) elements at the periphery of the hole must
be coupled to the PRES degree of freedom for node I of the FLUID138 element representing the hole,
and the pressure degree of freedom for node J must be set to the surrounding ambient pressure.

FLUID138 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

PRES

Real Constants

DIM1, DIM2, (blank), PAMB, (blank), (blank),

PREF, MFP

Material Properties

MP command: VISC (dynamic viscosity)

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None

Special Features

None

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KEYOPT(1)

Continuous flow options

0 --

Continuum theory

1 --

High Knudsen numbers

KEYOPT(3)

Cross section definition

0 --

Circular cross section

1 --

Rectangular cross section

FLUID138 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.129.1: FLUID129 Element Output Definitions (p. 398)

A general description of solution output is given in Table 7.136.2: FLUID136 Element Output Defini-
tions (p. 427). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.138.1: FLUID138 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
PRES Pressure change with regard to ambient pressure Y
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y

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 Name Definition O R
VOL Volume Y Y
FLUE Fluences Y Y
LENGTH Channel Length Y Y
AREA Area Y Y
PRES (I, J) P1 at node I, P2 at node J Y Y
FLOW Flow rate Y
VELOCITY Average velocity Y

Table 7.138.2: FLUID138 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 433) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.129.2: FLUID129 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 399):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.129.1: FLUID129 Element Output Definitions (p. 398)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.138.2: FLUID138 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output Quantity ESOL Command
Name Input
Item E
Effective viscosity NMISC 1
Effective length NMISC 2
Fluid resistance NMISC 3
Cross sectional area NMISC 4

FLUID138 Assumptions and Restrictions

• Knudsen numbers larger than 880 are not supported.

• The gas flow is assumed to be isothermal.

• The pressure change must be small compared to ambient pressure.

• The element assumes isothermal viscous flow. All the fluid properties are at a constant temperature
(TUNIF) within a load step, even if you specify material properties with temperature dependencies
(using MP). See Squeeze Film in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more information on the
governing equations.

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Element Library

FLUID138 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

FLUID139
3-D Slide Film Fluid Element
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 438)

FLUID139 Element Description

FLUID139 is a uniaxial element which models the fluid behavior between a sliding surface and a fixed
wall. The viscous flow between surfaces is represented by a series connection of mass-damper elements
whereby each node corresponds to a local fluid layer. The element has applications for modeling the
fluid damping effects in microsystems such as comb drive fingers, large horizontally moving plates in
seismic devices, etc. The element can be used in conjunction with other elements to model complete
structural-fluid damping interaction, or stand-alone to add damping effects in a lumped sense to a
structure. For low frequency applications, Couette flow assumptions is used. At higher frequencies where
inertial effects become important, Stokes flow theory is used. First and second order slip flow models
can be activated for systems which operate at high Knudsen numbers. The element is applicable to
large deflection cases where the surface area exposed to a fixed wall changes with displacement (such
as in comb fingers). See FLUID139 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this
element.

FLUID139 Input Data

The element is defined by two nodes. The I node is connected to the first "wall" and the J (or I+32)
node is attached to the second "wall". Either wall may be constrained from moving, or both walls may
move with respect to one another.

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Figure 7.139.1: FLUID139 Geometry

The 2-node option (KEYOPT(2) = 0) is recommended for systems which operate at frequencies below
the cut-off frequency.

The 32-node option (KEYOPT(2) = 1) is necessary for Stokes flow models where only a small fluid layer
at the wall is accelerated due to fluid inertia. For the 32 node option (KEYOPT(2) = 1), the first node is
node I, and the 32nd node is node J. The intermediate node numbers (2-31) must be defined, but their
location may be arbitrary. The geometric location of node I and J is not important as their separation
distance is computed from the real constant gap separation GAP.

The fluid environment is defined by the real constants.

Gap is the local gap separation (that is, width of fluid domain). AREA is the surface area. DADU is the
change in the overlap area with respect to the surface displacement. That is, DADU is the first derivative
of AREA with respect to displacement. If the surface area is constant, then DADU is the width of the
overlap surface. PAMB is the ambient (that is, surrounding) pressure. PREF is the reference pressure for
which the mean free path of the fluid is defined. MFP is the mean free path of the fluid at PREF.

FLUID139 can be used to model continuous flow or slip flow boundary conditions. If the Knudsen
number is less than 0.01, then continuous flow boundary conditions are valid. If the Knudsen number
is greater than 0.01, but not near 1, then first order slip flow boundary conditions are valid. If the
Knudsen number is near 1, then extended slip flow boundary conditions are valid. KEYOPT(3) is used
to specify fluid blow boundary conditions. KEYOPT(3) = 0 specifies continuous flow. KEYOPT(3) = 1
specifies first order slip flow boundary conditions. KEYOPT(3) = 2 specifies extended slip flow boundary
conditions. See Flow Regime Considerations in the Fluids Analysis Guide for a complete discussion of
flow regimes and calculation of the Knudsen number.

FLUID139 can be loaded by nodal displacements at the interface nodes using the D command or by
nodal forces using the F command. A combination of FLUID139 and structural elements allows a simul-
taneous fluid-structure domain simulation.

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FLUID139 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J (KEYOPT(2) = 0)

I, J, node 32 (KEYOPT(2) = 1)

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ (Depending on KEYOPT(1))

Real Constants

GAP, AREA, DADU, PAMB, (blank), (blank)

PREF, MFP

Material Properties

MP command: DENS (density), VISC (dynamic viscosity)

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None

Special Features

None

KEYOPT(1)

Operating Directions

0,1 --

x-direction (UX DOF)

2 --

y-direction (UY DOF)

3 --

z-direction (UZ DOF)

KEYOPT(2)

Flow model

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 0 --

2-node element (Couette flow)

1 --

32-node element (Stokes flow)

KEYOPT(3)

Continuous flow options

0 --

Continuum theory

1 --

First order slip flow

2 --

Extended slip flow theory

FLUID139 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.129.1: FLUID129 Element Output Definitions (p. 398)

A general description of solution output is given in Table 7.136.2: FLUID136 Element Output Defini-
tions (p. 427). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.139.1: FLUID139 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOL Volume Y Y

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
GAP Gap separation Y Y
AREA Area Y Y
PRES (I, J) P1 at node I, P2 at node J Y Y

Table 7.138.2: FLUID138 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 433) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.129.2: FLUID129 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 399):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.129.1: FLUID129 Element Output Definitions (p. 398)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.139.2: FLUID139 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output Quantity ESOL Command
Name Input
Item E
Effective viscosity NMISC 1
GAP NMISC 2
AREA NMISC 3

FLUID139 Assumptions and Restrictions

The element assumes isothermal viscous flow. All the fluid properties are at a constant temperature
(TUNIF) within a load step, even if you specify material properties with temperature dependencies
(using MP). See Slide Film in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more information on the governing
equations.

This element cannot be used in a distributed solution.

FLUID139 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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SURF151
2-D Thermal Surface Effect
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 448)

SURF151 Element Description

SURF151 may be used for various load and surface effect applications. It may be overlaid onto a face
of any 2-D thermal solid element (except axisymmetric harmonic elements PLANE75 (p. 280) and
PLANE78 (p. 289)). The element is applicable to 2-D thermal analyses. Various loads and surface effects
may exist simultaneously. See SURF151 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about
this element.

Figure 7.151.1: SURF151 Geometry

(Extra nodes, optional) (Extra nodes, optional)
K L L M
J
J 1
K
1
y x
Y
(or axial) x y
I I

X (or radial)

SURF151 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.151.1: SURF151 Geometry (p. 439). The element is defined by two to five node points and by the
material properties. The nodes for this element must share the nodes of the underlying solid element.
An extra node (away from the base element) may be used for convection or radiation effects. Two extra
nodes (away from the base element) may be used to more accurately capture convection effects.

The mass, volume, and heat generation calculations use the in-plane element thicknesses at nodes I
and J (real constants TKI and TKJ, respectively). Thickness TKI defaults to 0.0, and thickness TKJ defaults
to TKI. If KEYOPT(3) = 3, the out-of-plane thickness is input as the real constant TKPS (defaults to 1.0).
The mass calculation uses the density (material property DENS).

See Element Loading (p. 44) for a description of element loads. Convections or heat fluxes may be input
as surface loads on the element.

The convection surface conductivity matrix calculation uses the film coefficient (input on the SFE
command with KVAL = 0 and CONV as the label). If the extra node option is used, its temperature becomes
the bulk temperature. If the extra node is not used, the CONV value input with KVAL = 2 becomes the
bulk temperature. The convection surface heat flow vector calculation uses the bulk temperature. On
a given face, either a heat flux or a convection may be specified, but not both simultaneously.

For the extra node option (KEYOPT(5) = 1), film effectiveness and free stream temperatures may also
be input for convection surface loads (input on the SFE command with the CONV label and KVAL = 3
and 4, respectively). If film effectiveness is input, bulk temperature is ignored.

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Element Library

Setting KEYOPT(7) = 1 multiplies the evaluated film coefficient by the empirical term ITS-TBIn, where
TS is the element surface temperature, TB is the fluid bulk temperature, and n is an empirical coefficient
(real constant ENN).

Convections and heat fluxes are multiplied by an area to obtain the heat flows. KEYOPT(12) determines
whether the current area or the original area is selected for the calculation.

If KEYOPT(5) = 1 and flow information is available from FLUID116 (p. 343) with KEYOPT(2) = 1, the bulk
temperature may be adjusted to the adiabatic wall temperature using KEYOPT(6) = 1, real constants
OMEG (rotational speed) and NRF (recovery factor), and the logic described in the Mechanical APDL
Theory Reference. For this adjustment, the global Y Cartesian coordinate axis is used as the axis of rotation
(KEYOPT(3) = 1). When using the OMEG real constant, you can specify either numerical values or table
inputs. If specifying table inputs, enclose the table name in % signs (for example, %tabname%). Rota-
tional speed (OMEG) can vary with time and location. Use the *DIM command to dimension the table
and identify the variables. For more information and examples on using table inputs, see Array Parameters
of the Ansys Parametric Design Language Guide, Applying Loads Using TABLE Type Array Parameters in
the Basic Analysis Guide and Doing a Thermal Analysis Using Tabular Boundary Conditions in the Thermal
Analysis Guide, as well as the description of *DIM in the Command Reference.

A film coefficient specified by the SFE command may be modified by activating the user subroutine
USERCV with the USRCAL command. USERCV may be used to modify the film coefficient of a surface
element with or without an extra node. It may be used if the film coefficient is a function of temperature
and/or location.

If the surface element has an extra node (KEYOPT(5) = 1 or 2), the bulk temperature and/or the film
coefficient may be redefined in a general way by user programmable routine USRSURF116. USRSURF116
may be used if the bulk temperature and/or the film coefficient is a function of fluid properties, velocity
and/or wall temperature. If a bulk temperature is determined by USRSURF116, it overrides any value
specified by SFE or according to KEYOPT(6). Also, if a film coefficient is determined by USRSURF116, it
overrides any values specified by SFE or USRCAL, USERCV. USRSURF116 calculation are activated by
modifying the USRSURF116 subroutine and creating a customized version of Mechanical APDL; there
will be no change in functionality without modifying USRSURF116. For more information, see User-
Programmable Features (UPFs) in the Advanced Analysis Guide.

Heat generation rates are input on a per unit volume basis and may be input as an element body load
at the nodes, using the BFE command. Element body loads are not applied to other elements connected
at the same nodes. The node I heat generation HG(I) defaults to zero. The node J heat generation defaults
to HG(I). The heat generation load vector calculation uses the heat generation rate values.

As an alternative to using the BFE command, you can specify heat generation rates directly at the nodes
using the BF command. For more information on body loads, see Body Loads in the Basic Analysis Guide.

SURF151 allows for radiation between the surface and the extra node. The emissivity of the surface
(input as material property EMIS for the material number of the element) is used for the radiation surface
conductivity matrix. The form factor FORMF and the Stefan-Boltzmann constant SBCONST are also used
for the radiation surface conductivity matrix. The form factor can be either input as a real constant
(defaults to 1) using KEYOPT(9) = 1 or it can be calculated automatically as a cosine effect using KEYOPT(9)
= 2 or 3. For information on how the cosine effect depends on basic element orientation and the extra
node location, see the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference. There is no distance effect included in the
cosine effect. For axisymmetric analyses, the automatic form factor calculation is used only with the
extra node on the Y-axis. The Stefan-Boltzmann constant defaults to 0.119x10-10 (Btu/hr*in2* °R4).

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When KEYOPT(4) = 0, an edge with a removed midside node implies that the temperature varies linearly,
rather than parabolically, along that edge. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and
Meshing Guide for more information about the use of midside nodes.

If a single PLANE element lies beneath SURF151, you can automatically set the element behavior (plane
stress, axisymmetric, or plane stress with thickness [including TKPS if applicable]) to that of the under-
lying solid element using KEYOPT(3) =10. This option is valid only when a single PLANE element lies
beneath the SURF element. For example, if you apply a SURF151 element over a PLANE77 (p. 284)
(thermal) element whose nodes are also used in the definition of a PLANE183 (p. 701) (structural) element,
a warning appears and the load is not applied to the element.

A summary of the element input is given in "SURF151 Input Summary" (p. 441). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41). For axisymmetric applications see Harmonic
Axisymmetric Elements (p. 92).

SURF151 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J if KEYOPT (4) = 1, and KEYOPT (5) = 0

I, J, K if KEYOPT (4) = 1, and KEYOPT(5) = 1
I, J, K, L if KEYOPT (4) = 1, and KEYOPT(5) = 2
I, J, K if KEYOPT (4) = 0, and KEYOPT(5) = 0
I, J, K, L if KEYOPT (4) = 0, and KEYOPT(5) = 1
I, J, K, L, M if KEYOPT (4) = 0, and KEYOPT(5) = 2

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

Real Constants

FORMF, SBCONST, (Blank), OMEG, NRF, VABS,

TKI, TKJ, (Blank), (Blank), (Blank), TKPS,
ENN, GC, JC
See Table 7.151.1: SURF151 Real Constants (p. 445) for a description of the real constants

Material Properties

MP command: DENS (density), EMIS (emissivity) if KEYOPT(9) > 0)

Surface Loads

Convections --

face 1 (I-J) if KEYOPT(8) > 1

Heat Fluxes --

face 1 (I-J) if KEYOPT(8) = 1

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Element Library

Body Loads

Heat Generation --

HG(I), HG(J); also HG(K) if KEYOPT(4) = 0

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT(1)

Adiabatic wall temperature option:

0, 1, 2 --

See Adiabatic Wall Temperature as Bulk Temperature for information on these options.

KEYOPT(2)

Recovery factor (FR) option:

0, 1, or 2 --

See Adiabatic Wall Temperature as Bulk Temperature for information on these options.

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

0 --

Plane

1 --

Axisymmetric

3 --

Plane with thickness input (TKPS)

10 --

Use the element behavior--plane, axisymmetric, or plane with thickness input (including TKPS
if applicable)--of the underlying solid element.

KEYOPT(4)

Midside nodes:

0 --

Has midside node

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 1 --

No midside node

KEYOPT(5)

Extra node for radiation and/or convection calculations:

0 --

No extra nodes

1 --

Has extra node (optional if KEYOPT(8) > 1; required if KEYOPT(9) > 0)

2 --

Two extra nodes (optional if KEYOPT (8) > 1). Valid only for convection calculations using FLU-
ID116 (p. 343). Use this option if the bulk temperature is unknown. The extra nodes get bulk
temperatures from the two nodes of a FLUID116 (p. 343) element. This is generally more accurate
than the one extra node option.

KEYOPT(6) (used only if KEYOPT(5) = 1 and KEYOPT(8) > 1)

Use of bulk temperatures:

0 --

Extra node temperature used as bulk temperature

1 --

Adiabatic wall temperature used as bulk temperature

KEYOPT(7)

Empirical term:

0 --

Do not multiply film coefficient by empirical term.

1 --

Multiply film coefficient by empirical term |TS-TB|n.

KEYOPT(8)

Heat flux and convection loads:

0 --

Ignore heat flux and convection surface loads (if any)

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Element Library

1 --

Include heat flux, ignore convection

Use the following to include convection (ignore heat flux):

2 --

Evaluate film coefficient hf (if any) at average film temperature, (TS +TB)/2

3 --

Evaluate hf at element surface temperature, TS

4 --

Evaluate hf at fluid bulk temperature, TB

5 --

Evaluate hf at differential temperature, | TS - TB |

KEYOPT(9)

Radiation form factor calculation:

0 --

Do not include radiation

1 --

Use radiation with the form factor real constant

2 --

Use radiation with cosine effect computed as an absolute value (ignore real constant)

3 --

Use radiation with cosine effect computed as zero if negative (ignore real constant)

KEYOPT(12)

Area to use for the heat-flow calculation:

0 --

Current area (default)

1 --

Original area

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KEYOPT(13)

Film coefficient matrix key:

0 --

Program determines whether to use diagonal or consistent film coefficient matrix (default).

1 --

Use a diagonal film coefficient matrix.

2 --

Use a consistent matrix for the film coefficient.

Table 7.151.1: SURF151 Real Constants

No. Name Description

1 FORMF Form factor
2 SBCONT Stefan-Boltzmann constant
3 (Blank) --
4 OMEGA Angular velocity
5 NRF Recovery factor
6 VABS Absolute value of fluid velocity (KEYOPT(1) = 0)
7 TKI In-plane thickness at node I
8 TKJ In-plane thickness at node J (defaults to TKI)
9-11 (Blank) --
12 TKPS Out-of-plane thickness (if KEYOPT(3) = 3)
13 ENN Empirical coefficient
14 GC Gravitational constant used for units consistency
15 JC Joule constant used to convert work units to heat units

SURF151 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degree of freedom results included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.151.2: SURF151 Element Output Definitions (p. 446)

Convection heat flux is positive out of the element; applied heat flux is positive into the element. A
general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

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A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.151.2: SURF151 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
SURFACE NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
EXTRA NODE Extra node (if present) Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
AREA Surface area Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 7
VN(X, Y) Components of unit vector normal to center of - Y
element
DENSITY Density - 1
MASS Mass of Element - 1
HGEN Heat generations HG(I), HG(J), HG(K) 2 -
HEAT GEN. RATE Heat generation rate over entire element (HGTOT) 2 2
HFLUX Input heat flux at nodes I, J 3 -
HEAT FLOW RATE Input heat flux heat flow rate over element surface 3 3
area (HFCTOT)
HFILM Film coefficient at each face node 4 4
TBULK Bulk temperature at each face node or temperature 4 4
of extra node
TAVG Average surface temperature 4 4
TAW Adiabatic wall temperature 5 5
RELVEL Relative velocity 5 5
SPHTFL Specific heat of the fluid 5 5
RECFAC Recovery factor 5 5
CONV. HEAT RATE Convection heat flow rate over element surface area 4 4
(HFCTOT)
CONV. HEAT Average convection heat flow rate per unit area 4 -
RATE/AREA
EMISSUR Average emissivity of surface (for element material 6 6
number)
EMISEXT Emissivity of extra node 6 6
TEMPSUR Average temperature of surface 6 6

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 Name Definition O R
TEMPEXT Temperature of extra node 6 6
FORM FACTOR Average form factor of element 6 6
RAD. HEAT RATE Radiation heat flow rate over entire element (HRTOT) 6 6
RAD. HEAT Average radiation heat flow rate per unit area 6 -
RATE/AREA

1. If dens > 0

2. If heat generation load is present

3. If KEYOPT(8) = 1

4. If KEYOPT(8) > 1

5. If KEYOPT(6) = 1 and KEYOPT(8) > 1

6. If KEYOPT(9) > 0

7. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.151.3: SURF151 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 447) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.151.3: SURF151 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 447):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.151.2: SURF151 Element Output Definitions (p. 446)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I,J

sequence number for data at nodes I and J

Table 7.151.3: SURF151 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
HGTOT SMISC 1
HFCTOT SMISC 2
HRTOT SMISC 3

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Element Library

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
AREA NMISC 1
VNX NMISC 2
VNY NMISC 3
HFILM NMISC 5
TAVG NMISC 6
TBULK NMISC 7
TAW NMISC 8
RELVEL NMSC 9
SPHTFL NMSC 10
RECFAC NMSC 11
EMISSUR NMISC 12
EMISEXT NMISC 13
TEMPSUR NMISC 14
TEMPEXT NMISC 15
FORM NMISC 16
FACTOR
DENS NMISC 17
MASS NMISC 18

SURF151 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero length.

• If KEYOPT(9) > 0 (radiation is used):

– element is nonlinear and requires an iterative solution

– extra node must be present.

– if KEYOPT(4) = 0, midside nodes may not be dropped.

• If real constants TKI, TKJ (in-plane thicknesses), and TKPS (out-of-plane thickness) are defined for the
element, the element volume is greater than zero. If you issue BF, BFE, or BFUNIF under this circum-
stance, heat-generation loads are activated; however, the damping matrix is not activated even though
the element volume is greater than zero.

SURF151 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

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Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

SURF152
3-D Thermal Surface Effect
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 459)

SURF152 Element Description

SURF152 may be used for various load and surface effect applications. It may be overlaid onto an area
face of any 3-D thermal element. The element is applicable to 3-D thermal analyses. Various loads and
surface effects may exist simultaneously. See SURF152 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more
details about this element.

Figure 7.152.1: SURF152 Geometry

(Extra nodes, optional) (Extra nodes, optional)
Q R M N
1 1
L
O
L
K
P z K
z
y
y
N
I
x
I
Z J
x

M J
Y
X

SURF152 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.152.1: SURF152 Geometry (p. 449). The element is defined by four to ten nodes and by the mater-
ial properties. The nodes for this element must share the nodes of the underlying solid element. An
extra node (away from the base element) may be used for convection or radiation effects. Two extra
nodes (away from the base element) may be used to more accurately capture convection effects. A
triangular element may be formed by defining duplicate K and L node numbers as described in Degen-
erated Shape Elements (p. 37). The element x-axis is parallel to the I-J side of the element.

The mass, volume, and heat-generation calculations use the element thicknesses at node I, J, K, and L
(real constants TKI, TKJ, TKK, and TKL, respectively). Thickness TKI defaults to 0.0, and thicknesses TKJ,
TKK, and TKL default to TKI. The mass calculation uses the density (material property DENS).

See Element Loading (p. 44) for a description of element loads. Convections or heat fluxes may be input
as surface loads on the element.

The convection surface conductivity matrix calculation uses the film coefficient (input on the SFE
command with KVAL = 0 and CONV as the label). If the extra node is used, its temperature becomes

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Element Library

the bulk temperature. If the extra node is not used, the CONV value input with KVAL = 2 becomes the
bulk temperature. The convection surface heat flow vector calculation uses the bulk temperature. On
a given face, either a heat flux or a convection may be specified, but not both simultaneously.

For the extra node option (KEYOPT(5) = 1), film effectiveness and free stream temperatures may also
be input for convection surface loads (input on the SFE command with the CONV label and KVAL = 3
and 4, respectively). If film effectiveness is input, bulk temperature is ignored.

Setting KEYOPT(7) = 1 multiplies the evaluated film coefficient by the empirical term ITS - TBIn, where
TS is the element surface temperature, TB is the fluid bulk temperature, and n is an empirical coefficient
(real constant ENN).

Convections and heat fluxes are multiplied by an area to obtain the heat flows. KEYOPT(12) determines
whether the current area or the original area is selected for the calculation.

If KEYOPT(5) = 1 and flow information is available from FLUID116 (p. 343) with KEYOPT(2) = 1, the bulk
temperature may be adjusted to the adiabatic wall temperature using KEYOPT(6) = 1, real constants
OMEG (rotational speed) and NRF (recovery factor), and the logic described in the Mechanical APDL
Theory Reference. For this adjustment, the axis of rotation may be defined as the global Cartesian X, Y
or Z coordinate axis (KEYOPT(3)). When using the OMEG real constant, you can specify either numerical
values or table inputs. If specifying table inputs, enclose the table name in % signs (for example,
%tabname%). Rotational speed (OMEG) can vary with time and location. Use the *DIM command to
dimension the table and identify the variables. For more information and examples on using table inputs,
see Array Parameters of the Ansys Parametric Design Language Guide, Applying Loads Using TABLE Type
Array Parameters in the Basic Analysis Guide, and Doing a Thermal Analysis Using Tabular Boundary
Conditions in the Thermal Analysis Guide, as well as the description of the *DIM command in the Com-
mand Reference.

A film coefficient specified by the SFE command may be modified by activating the user subroutine
USERCV with the USRCAL command. USERCV may be used to modify the film coefficient of a surface
element with or without an extra node. It may be used if the film coefficient is a function of temperature
and/or location.

If the surface element has an extra node (KEYOPT(5) = 1 or 2), the bulk temperature and/or the film
coefficient may be redefined in a general way by user programmable routine USRSURF116. USRSURF116
may be used if the bulk temperature and/or the film coefficient is a function of fluid properties, velocity
and/or wall temperature. If a bulk temperature is determined by USRSURF116, it overrides any value
specified by SFE or according to KEYOPT(6). Also, if a film coefficient is determined by USRSURF116, it
overrides any values specified by SFE or USRCAL, USERCV. USRSURF116 calculation are activated by
modifying the USRSURF116 subroutine and creating a custom version of Mechanical APDL; there will
be no change in functionality without modifying USRSURF116. For more information, see User-Program-
mable Features (UPFs) in the Advanced Analysis Guide.

Heat generation rates are input on a per unit volume basis and may be input as an element body load
at the nodes, using the BFE command. Element body loads are not applied to other elements connected
at the same nodes. The node I heat generation HG(I) defaults to zero. If all other heat generations are
unspecified, they default to HG(I). If all corner node heat generations are specified, each midside node
heat generation defaults to the average heat generation of its adjacent corner nodes. For any other
input heat generation pattern, unspecified heat generations default to zero. The heat generation load
vector calculation uses the heat generation rate values.

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As an alternative to using the BFE command, you can specify heat generation rates directly at the nodes
using the BF command. For more information on body loads, see Body Loads in the Basic Analysis Guide.

SURF152 allows for radiation between the surface and the extra node. The emissivity of the surface
(input as material property EMIS for the material number of the element) is used for the radiation surface
conductivity matrix. The form factor FORMF and the Stefan-Boltzmann constant SBCONST are also used
for the radiation surface conductivity matrix. The form factor can be either input as a real constant
(defaults to 1) using KEYOPT(9) = 1 or it can be calculated automatically as a cosine effect using KEYOPT(9)
= 2 or 3. For information on how the cosine effect depends on basic element orientation and the extra
node location, see the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference. There is no distance effect included in the
cosine effect. The Stefan-Boltzmann constant defaults to 0.119x10-10 (Btu/hr*in2* °R4)).

When KEYOPT(4) = 0, an edge with a removed midside node implies that the temperature varies linearly,
rather than parabolically, along that edge. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and
Meshing Guide for more information about the use of midside nodes.

A summary of the element input is given in "SURF152 Input Summary" (p. 451). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SURF152 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L if KEYOPT (4) = 1 and KEYOPT (5) = 0

I, J, K, L, M if KEYOPT (4) = 1 and KEYOPT (5) = 1
I, J, K, L, M, N if KEYOPT (4) = 1 and KEYOPT (5) = 2
I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P if KEYOPT (4) = 0 and KEYOPT (5) = 0
I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q if KEYOPT (4) = 0 and KEYOPT (5) = 1
I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R if KEYOPT (4) = 0 and KEYOPT (5) = 2

Degrees of Freedom

KEYOPT(11) DOF for all nodes except DOF for extra node(s)
Setting extra node(s) (KEYOPT(5) = 1 or 2)
0 TEMP TEMP
1 TTOP TEMP
2 TBOT TEMP

Real Constants

FORMF, SBCONST, (Blank), OMEG, NRF, VABS,

TKI, TKJ, TKK, TKL, (Blank), (Blank),
ENN, GC, JC
See Table 7.152.1: SURF152 Real Constants (p. 455) for a description of the real constants

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Element Library

Material Properties

MP command: DENS (density), EMIS (emissivity) if KEYOPT(9) > 0)

Surface Loads

Convections --

face 1 (I-J-K-L) if KEYOPT(8) > 1

Heat Fluxes --

face 1 (I-J-K-L) if KEYOPT(8) = 1

Body Loads

Heat Generation --

HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), and, if KEYOPT(4) = 0, HG(M), HG(N), HG(O), HG(P)

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT(1)

Adiabatic wall temperature option:

0, 1, 2 --

See Adiabatic Wall Temperature as Bulk Temperature for information on these options.

KEYOPT(2)

Recovery factor (FR) option:

0, 1, or 2 --

See Adiabatic Wall Temperature as Bulk Temperature for information on these options.

KEYOPT(3)

Axis of symmetry:

0 --

OMEG used about global Cartesian X-axis

1 --

OMEG used about global Cartesian Y-axis

2 --

OMEG used about global Cartesian Z-axis

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KEYOPT(4)

Midside nodes:

0 --

Has midside nodes

1 --

No midside nodes

KEYOPT(5)

Extra nodes:

0 --

No extra nodes. Use this option if the bulk temperature is known.

1 --

One extra node (optional if KEYOPT (8) > 1; required if KEYOPT (9) > 0). Valid for convection and
radiation calculations. Use this option if the bulk temperature is unknown. The extra node gets
the bulk temperature from a FLUID116 (p. 343) element.

2 --

Two extra nodes (optional if KEYOPT (8) > 1). Only valid for convection calculations. Use this
option if the bulk temperature is unknown. The extra nodes get bulk temperatures from the
two nodes of a FLUID116 (p. 343) element. This is generally more accurate than the one extra
node option.

KEYOPT(6) (used only if KEYOPT(5) = 1 and KEYOPT(8) > 1)

Use of bulk temperature:

0 --

Extra node temperature used as bulk temperature

1 --

Adiabatic wall temperature used as bulk temperature

KEYOPT(7)

Empirical term:

0 --

Do not multiply film coefficient by empirical term.

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Element Library

1 --

Multiply film coefficient by empirical term |TS-TB|n.

KEYOPT(8)

Heat flux and convection loads:

0 --

Ignore heat flux and convection surface loads (if any)

1 --

Include heat flux, ignore convection

Use the following to include convection (ignore heat flux):

2 --

Evaluate film coefficient hf (if any) at average film temperature, (TS +TB)/2

3 --

Evaluate hf at element surface temperature, TS

4 --

Evaluate hf at fluid bulk temperature, TB

5 --

Evaluate hf at differential temperature, | TS - TB |

KEYOPT(9)

Radiation form factor calculation:

0 --

Do not include radiation

1 --

Use radiation with the form factor real constant

2 --

Use radiation with cosine effect calculated as an absolute value (ignore real constant)

3 --

Use radiation with cosine effect calculated as zero if negative (ignore real constant)

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KEYOPT(11)

Label used for all nodal degrees of freedom (except for the extra node):

0 --

TEMP

1 --

TTOP

2 --

TBOT

The extra nodes, if requested with KEYOPT(5) > 0, are always TEMP.

KEYOPT(12)

Area to use for the heat-flow calculation:

0 --

Current area (default)

1 --

Original area

KEYOPT(13)

Film coefficient matrix key:

0 --

Program determines whether to use diagonal or consistent film coefficient matrix (default).

1 --

Use a diagonal film coefficient matrix.

2 --

Use a consistent matrix for the film coefficient.

Table 7.152.1: SURF152 Real Constants

No. Name Description

1 FORMF Form factor
2 SBCONT Stefan-Boltzmann constant
3 (Blank) --
4 OMEGA Angular velocity (KEYOPT(6) = 1)
5 NRF Recovery factor

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No. Name Description

6 VABS Absolute value of fluid velocity (KEYOPT(1) = 0)
7 TKI Thickness at node I
8 TKJ Thickness at node J (defaults to TKI)
9 TKK Thickness at node K (defaults to TKI)
10 TKL Thickness at node L (defaults to TKI)
11-12 (Blank) --
13 ENN Empirical coefficient
14 GC Gravitational constant used for units consistency
15 JC Joule constant used to convert work units to heat units

SURF152 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degree of freedom results included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.152.2: SURF152 Element Output Definitions (p. 456)

Convection heat flux is positive out of the element; applied heat flux is positive into the element. A
general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.152.2: SURF152 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
SURFACE NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L Y Y
EXTRA NODE Extra node (if present) Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
AREA Surface area Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 7
VN(X, Y, Z) Components of unit vector normal to center of - Y
element
DENSITY Density - 1

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 Name Definition O R
MASS Mass of element - 1
HGEN Heat generations HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), 2 -
HG(N), HG(O), HG(P)
HEAT GEN. RATE Heat generation rate over entire element (HGTOT) 2 2
HFLUX Input heat flux at nodes I, J, K, L 3 -
HEAT FLOW RATE Input heat flux heat flow rate over element surface 3 3
area (HFCTOT)
HFILM Film coefficient at each face node 4 4
TBULK Bulk temperature at each face node or temperature 4 4
of extra node
TAVG Average surface temperature 4 4
TAW Adiabatic wall temperature 5 5
RELVEL Relative velocity 5 5
SPHTFL Specific heat of the fluid 5 5
RECFAC Recovery factor 5 5
CONV. HEAT RATE Convection heat flow rate over element surface area 4 4
(HFCTOT)
CONV. HEAT Average convection heat flow rate per unit area 4 -
RATE/AREA
EMISSUR Average emissivity of surface (for element material 6 6
number)
EMISEXT Emissivity of extra node 6 6
TEMPSUR Average temperature of surface 6 6
TEMPEXT Temperature of extra node 6 6
FORM FACTOR Average form factor of element 6 6
RAD. HEAT RATE Radiation heat flow rate over entire element (HRTOT) 6 6
RAD. HEAT Average radiation heat flow rate per unit area 6 -
RATE/AREA

1. If dens > 0

2. If heat generation load is present

3. If KEYOPT(8) = 1

4. If KEYOPT(8) > 1

5. If KEYOPT(6) = 1 and KEYOPT(8) > 1

6. If KEYOPT(9) > 0

7. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.152.3: SURF152 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 458) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic

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Element Library

Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.152.3: SURF152 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 458):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.152.2: SURF152 Element Output Definitions (p. 456)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I,J,K,L

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, K, L

Table 7.152.3: SURF152 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
HGTOT SMISC 1
HFCTOT SMISC 2
HRTOT SMISC 3
AREA NMISC 1
VNX NMISC 2
VNY NMISC 3
VNZ NMISC 4
HFILM NMISC 5
TAVG NMISC 6
TBULK NMISC 7
TAW NMISC 8
RELVEL NMISC 9
SPHTFL NMISC 10
RECFAC NMISC 11
EMISSUR NMISC 12
EMISEXT NMISC 13
TEMPSUR NMISC 14
TEMPEXT NMISC 15
FORM NMISC 16
FACTOR
DENS NMISC 17

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 ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
MASS NMISC 18

SURF152 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero area.

• If KEYOPT(9) > 0 (radiation is used):

– element is nonlinear and requires an iterative solution

– extra node must be present.

– if KEYOPT(4) = 0, midside nodes may not be dropped.

• If real constants TKI, TKJ, TKK, TKL (in-plane thicknesses), and TKPS (out-of-plane thickness) are defined
for the element, the element volume is greater than zero. If BF, BFE, or BFUNIF commands are issued
under this circumstance, heat generation loads are activated. However, the damping matrix is not
activated even though the element volume is greater than zero.

SURF152 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

SURF153
2-D Structural Surface Effect
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 468)

SURF153 Element Description

SURF153 may be used for various load and surface effect applications. It may be overlaid onto a face
of any 2-D structural solid element (except axisymmetric harmonic elements PLANE25 (p. 171) and
PLANE83 (p. 294)). The element is applicable to structural analyses, but for 3-D structural analyses, it
must be laid on any global Cartesian Z = constant plane. See SURF153 in the Mechanical APDL Theory
Reference for more details about this element.

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Element Library

Figure 7.153.1: SURF153 Geometry

J
J
K
y
x
Y
x
(or axial) y
I I
X (or radial)

SURF153 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.153.1: SURF153 Geometry (p. 460). The element is defined by two or three node points and the
material properties. The nodes for this element must share the nodes of the underlying solid element.
The element x-axis is along to the I-J line of the element.

The mass and volume calculations use the in-plane element thicknesses at nodes I and J (real constants
TKI and TKJ, respectively). Thickness TKI defaults to 0.0, and thickness TKJ defaults to TKI. If KEYOPT(3)
= 3, the out-of-plane thickness is input as the real constant TKPS (defaults to 1.0). The mass calculation
uses the density (material property DENS, mass per unit volume) and the real constant ADMSUA, the
added mass per unit area.

The stress stiffness matrix and load vector calculations use the in-plane force-per-unit length (input as
real constant SURT). The elastic foundation stiffness (input as real constant EFS) uses pressure-per-length
(or force-per-length-cubed) units. The foundation stiffness can be damped, either by using the material
property BETD as a multiplier on the stiffness or by directly using the material property VISC.

See Element Loading (p. 44) for a description of element loads. Pressures may be input as surface loads
as force-per-length-squared on the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Figure 7.153.2: Pres-
sures (p. 460). SURF153 allows complex pressure loads.

Figure 7.153.2: Pressures

Faces 1 and 2 [KEYOPT(2) = 0]

Positive values of pressure on the first two faces act in the positive element coordinate directions
(except for the normal pressure which acts in the negative y direction). For face 1, positive or

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negative values may be removed as requested with KEYOPT(6) to simulate the discontinuity at the
free surface of a contained fluid.

Faces 1 and 2 [KEYOPT(2) = 1]

Pressure loads are applied to the element faces according to the local coordinate system as follows:
face 1 in the local x direction and face 2 in the local y direction. A local coordinate system must
be defined, and the element must be set to that coordinate system via the ESYS command; however,
the loads specified in that local coordinate system do not follow the large displacements and/or
rotations of the element. KEYOPT(6) does not apply.

Face 3

The magnitude of the pressure at each integration point is PI + XPJ + YPK, where PI through PK are
input as VAL1 through VAL3 on the SFE command, and X and Y are the global Cartesian coordinates
at the current location of the point. No input values can be blank. The SFFUN and SFGRAD com-
mands do not work with face 3.

Face 4

The magnitude of the pressure is PI, and the direction is where i and j are
unit vectors in the global Cartesian directions. The load magnitude can be adjusted with KEYOPTs(11)
and (12). No input values can be blank. When using the SFFUN or SFGRAD commands, the load
direction is not altered, but the load magnitude is the average of the computed corner node
magnitudes. SFCUM,ADD should be used with caution, as this command also causes the load dir-
ection components to be added.

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element for real pressure on
face 1 if KEYOPT(2) = 0 or on face 3. If an unsymmetric matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects,
use NROPT,UNSYM.

Temperatures may be input as element body loads at the nodes. Element body load temperatures are
not applied to other elements connected at the same nodes. The node I temperature T(I) defaults to
TUNIF. The node J temperature defaults to T(I). Temperatures are used for material property evaluation
only.

When KEYOPT(4) = 0, a removed midside node implies that the displacement varies linearly, rather than
parabolically. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing Guide for more in-
formation about the use of midside nodes.

If a single PLANE element lies beneath SURF153, you can automatically set the element behavior (plane
stress, axisymmetric, or plane stress with thickness [including TKPS if applicable]) to that of the under-
lying solid element using KEYOPT(3) =10. This option is valid only when a single PLANE element lies
beneath the SURF element. For example, if you apply a SURF153 element over a PLANE77 (p. 284)
(thermal) element whose nodes are also used in the definition of a PLANE183 (p. 701) (structural) element,
a warning appears and the load is not applied to the element.

KEYOPT(7) = 1 is useful when the element is used to represent a force. When KEYOPT(7) = 0, the force
is input as a pressure times an area; however, if the area changes due to large deflections, the force
also changes. When KEYOPT(7) = 1, the force remains unchanged even if the area changes.

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A summary of the element input is given in "SURF153 Input Summary" (p. 462). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41). For axisymmetric applications see Harmonic
Axisymmetric Elements (p. 92).

SURF153 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J if KEYOPT (4) = 1,
I, J, K if KEYOPT(4) = 0

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY

Real Constants

(Blank), (Blank), (Blank), EFS, SURT, ADMSUA,

TKI, TKJ, (Blank), (Blank), (Blank), TKPS
See Table 7.153.1: SURF153 Real Constants (p. 465) for a description of the real constants

Material Properties

MP command: DENS, VISC, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressures --

face 1 (I-J) (in -y normal direction if KEYOPT(2) = 0; in local coordinate x direction if KEYOPT(2)
= 1)
face 2 (I-J) (in +x tangential direction if KEYOPT(2) = 0; in local coordinate y direction if
KEYOPT(2) = 1)
face 3 (I-J) (in -y normal direction, global taper)
face 4 (I-J) (oriented by input vector)

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J); also T(K) if KEYOPT(4) = 0

Special Features

Birth and death

Large deflection
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear adaptivity
Rezoning

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 Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(2)

Pressure applied to faces 1 and 2 according to coordinate system:

0 --

Apply face loads in the element coordinate system

1 --

Apply face loads in the local coordinate system

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

0 --

Plane stress

1 --

Axisymmetric

2 --

Plane strain

3 --

Plane stress with thickness input (TKPS)

5 --

Generalized plane strain

10 --

Use the element behavior--plane stress, axisymmetric, plain strain, plane stress with thickness
input (including TKPS if applicable), or generalized plane strain--of the underlying solid element.

KEYOPT(4)

Midside nodes:

0 --

Has midside node

1 --

No midside node

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KEYOPT(6)

Applicable only to normal direction pressure (faces 1 and 3):

0 --

Use pressures as calculated (positive and negative)

1 --

Use positive pressures only (negative set to zero)

2 --

Use negative pressures only (positive set to zero)

KEYOPT(7)

Loaded area during large-deflection analyses:

0 --

Use new area

1 --

Use original area

KEYOPT(11)

Pressure applied by vector orientation (face 4):

0 --

On projected area and includes tangential component

1 --

On projected area and does not include tangential component

2 --

On full area and includes the tangential component

KEYOPT(12)

Effect of the direction of the element normal (element y-axis) on vector-oriented (face 4) pressure:

0 --

Pressure load is applied regardless of the element normal orientation

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 1 --

Pressure load is not used if the element normal is oriented in the same general direction as the
pressure vector

Table 7.153.1: SURF153 Real Constants

No. Name Description

1 ... 3 (Blank) --
4 EFS Foundation stiffness
5 SURT Surface tension
6 ADMSUA Added mass/unit area
7 TKI In-plane thickness at node I
8 TKJ In-plane thickness at node J (defaults to TKI)
9 ... 11 (Blank) --
12 TKPS Out-of-plane thickness if KEYOPT(3) = 3 (defaults to 1.0)

SURF153 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degree of freedom results included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.153.2: SURF153 Element Output Definitions (p. 465)

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.153.2: SURF153 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
SURFACE NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
EXTRA NODE Extra node (if present) Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
AREA Surface area Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 6

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Name Definition O R
VN(X, Y) Components of unit vector normal to center of element - Y
PRESSURES(F/L2) Pressures P1, P2, P3, P4 at nodes I, J (Face indicated by 1 -
PRES LOAD KEY)
PY, PX Pressures at nodes in element coordinate system (P4 - 1
uses an average element coordinate system)
AVG. FACE PRESSURE Average normal pressure (P1AVG), Average tangential 1 1
pressure (P2AVG), Average tapered normal pressure
(P3AVG), Effective value of vector oriented pressure
(P4EFF)
DVX, DVY Direction vector of pressure P4 1 1
TEMP Surface temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K) 2 2
DENSITY Density (input as DENS) 3 3
MASS Mass of Element 3 3
FOUNDATION STIFFNESS Foundation Stiffness (input as EFS) 4 4
FOUNDATION PRESSURE Foundation Pressure 4 4
SURFACE TENSION Surface Tension (input as SURT) 5 5

1. If pressure load

2. If temperature load

3. If DENS > 0

4. If EFS > 0

5. If SURT > 0

6. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.153.3: SURF153 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 467) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.153.3: SURF153 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 467):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.153.2: SURF153 Element Output Definitions (p. 465)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

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I,J

sequence number for data at nodes I and J

Table 7.153.3: SURF153 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and ESOL Command

Output Input
Quantity Name
Item E I J
PY (real) SMISC - 1 2
PX (real) SMISC - 3 4
PY (imaginary) SMISC 27 28
PX (imaginary) SMISC 29 30
P1AVG (real) SMISC 13 - -
P2AVG (real) SMISC 14 - -
P3AVG (real) SMISC 15 - -
P4EFF (real) SMISC 16 - -
P1AVG SMISC 39 - -
(imaginary)
P2AVG SMISC 40 - -
(imaginary)
P3AVG SMISC 41 - -
(imaginary)
P4EFF SMISC 42 - -
(imaginary)
FOUNDATION SMISC 21 - -
PRESSURE
AREA NMISC 1 - -
VNX NMISC 2 - -
VNY NMISC 3 - -
EFS NMISC 5 - -
SURT NMISC 6 - -
DENS NMISC 7 - -
MASS NMISC 8 - -
DVX NMISC 9 - -
DVY NMISC 10 - -

SURF153 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero length.

• The surface tension load vector acts along the line connecting nodes I and J as a force applied to
the nodes seeking to minimize the length of the line. If the nodes of the element are not coplanar
when using surface tension, equilibrium may be lost.

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• For structural large deflection analyses, the loads are applied to the current size of the element, not
the initial size.

• Surface printout and foundation stiffness are not valid for elements deactivated [EKILL] and then
reactivated [EALIVE]. Surface printout does not include large strain effects.

• For rezoning, only normal and tangential pressures applied on SURF153 are supported. (That is,
rezoning support is available only for pressure on faces 1 and 2.)

SURF153 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

• Rezoning is not available.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• Rezoning is not available.

SURF154
3-D Structural Surface Effect
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 477)

SURF154 Element Description

SURF154 is used for various load and surface effect applications in 3-D structural analyses. It can be
overlaid onto an area face of any 3-D element. Various loads and surface effects may exist simultaneously.
See SURF154 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.154.1: SURF154 Geometry

L

zij K
z
P L
y K
yij zij
z
N y
yij
Z x
I
x
I
Y xij
J xij J
X

SURF154 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.154.1: SURF154 Geometry (p. 468). The element is defined by four to eight nodes and the material

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properties. A triangular element may be formed by defining duplicate K and L node numbers as described
in Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37). The default element x-axis is parallel to the I-J side of the ele-
ment.

The mass and volume calculations use the element thicknesses at nodes I, J, K, and L (real constants
TKI, TKJ, TKK, and TKL, respectively). Thickness TKI defaults to 0.0, and thicknesses TKJ, TKK, and TKL
default to TKI. The mass calculation uses the density (material property DENS, mass per unit volume)
and the real constant ADMSUA, the added mass per unit area.

The stress stiffness matrix and load vector calculations use the in-plane force-per-unit length (input as
real constant SURT). The elastic foundation stiffness (input as real constant EFS) uses pressure-per-length
(or force-per-length-cubed) units. The foundation stiffness can be damped, either by using the material
property BETD as a multiplier on the stiffness or by directly using the material property VISC.

See Element Loading (p. 44) for a description of element loads. Pressures may be input as surface loads
on the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Figure 7.154.2: Pressures (p. 469). SURF154
allows complex pressure loads.

Faces 1, 2, and 3 [KEYOPT(2) = 0]

Positive values of pressure on the first three faces act in the positive element coordinate directions
(except for the normal pressure which acts in the negative z direction). For face 1, positive or
negative values may be removed as requested with KEYOPT(6) to simulate the discontinuity at the
free surface of a contained fluid. For faces 2 and 3, the direction of the load is controlled by the
element coordinate system; therefore, ESYS is normally needed. The loads specified in the element
coordinate system follow the large displacements and/or rotations of the element.

Faces 1, 2, and 3 [KEYOPT(2) = 1]

Pressure loads are applied to the element faces according to the local coordinate system, as follows:
face 1 in the local x direction, face 2 in the local y direction, and face 3 in the local z direction. A
local coordinate system must be defined, and the element must be set to that coordinate system
via the ESYS command; however, the loads specified in that local coordinate system do not follow
the large displacements and/or rotations of the element. KEYOPT(6) does not apply.

Figure 7.154.2: Pressures

y x
1
L 4
K Local coordinate system
z
z L
3
y 2 K
2 4
1
x
I 5

J I 3
5
Element coordinate system
J

KEYOPT(2) = 0 KEYOPT(2) = 1

Face 4

The direction is normal to the element and the magnitude of the pressure at each integration point
is PI + XPJ + YPK + ZPL, where PI through PL are input as VAL1 through VAL4 on the SFE command,
and X, Y, Z are the global Cartesian coordinates at the current location of the point. No input values
can be blank. Face 4 can be used to apply hydrostatic ocean loading, with PL = -(vertical acceleration)

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* (water density). Positive or negative values may be removed as requested with KEYOPT(6) to
simulate the discontinuity at the free surface of a contained fluid. The SFFUN and SFGRAD com-
mands do not work with face 4. The load follows the large displacements and/or rotations of the
element.

Face 5

The magnitude of the pressure is PI, and the direction is where

i, j, and k are unit vectors in the global Cartesian directions. The load magnitude may be adjusted
with KEYOPT(11) and KEYOPT(12). No input values can be blank. When using the SFFUN or SFGRAD
commands, the load direction is not altered but the load magnitude is the average of the computed
corner node magnitudes. SFCUM,ADD should be used with caution, as this command also causes
the load direction components to be added. The load does not follow the large displacements
and/or rotations of the element.

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element for real pressure on
face 1 if KEYOPT(2) = 0 or on face 4. If an unsymmetric matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects,
issue a NROPT,UNSYM command.

Temperatures may be input as element body loads at the nodes. Element body load temperatures are
not applied to other elements connected at the same nodes. The node I temperature T(I) defaults to
TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to T(I). If all corner node temperatures are
specified, each midside node temperature defaults to the average temperature of its adjacent corner
nodes. For any other input temperature pattern, unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF. Temperatures
are used for material property evaluation only.

When KEYOPT(4) = 0, an edge with a removed midside node implies that the displacement varies linearly,
rather than parabolically, along that edge. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and
Meshing Guide for more information about the use of midside nodes.

KEYOPT(7) = 1 is useful when the element is used to represent a force. When KEYOPT(7) = 0, the force
is input as a pressure times an area; however, if the area changes due to large deflections, the force
also changes. When KEYOPT(7) = 1, the force remains unchanged even if the area changes.

KEYOPT(8) > 0 applies ocean loading on the element.

A summary of the element input is given in "SURF154 Input Summary" (p. 470). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SURF154 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L if KEYOPT (4) = 1
I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P if KEYOPT (4) = 0

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

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Real Constants

(Blank), (Blank), (Blank), EFS, SURT, ADMSUA,

TKI, TKJ, TKK, TKL
See Table 7.154.1: SURF154 Real Constants (p. 473) for a description of the real constants

Material Properties

MP command: DENS, VISC, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressures --

face 1 (I-J-K-L) (in -z normal direction if KEYOPT(2) = 0; in local coordinate x direction if

KEYOPT(2) = 1)
face 2 (I-J-K-L) (in tangential +x direction if KEYOPT(2) = 0; in local coordinate y direction if
KEYOPT(2) = 1)
face 3 (I-J-K-L) (in tangential +y direction if KEYOPT(2) = 0; in local coordinate z direction if
KEYOPT(2) = 1)
face 4 (I-J-K-L) (in -z normal direction, global taper)
face 5 (I-J-K-L) (oriented by input vector)

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L); also T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P) if KEYOPT(4) = 0

Special Features

Birth and death

Large deflection
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear adaptivity
Ocean loading
Rezoning
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(2)

Pressure applied to faces 1, 2, and 3 according to coordinate system:

0 --

Apply face loads in the element coordinate system

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1 --

Apply face loads in the local coordinate system

KEYOPT(4)

Midside nodes:

0 --

Has midside nodes (that match the adjacent solid element)

1 --

Does not have midside nodes

KEYOPT(6)

Applicable only to normal direction pressure (faces 1 and 4). This KEYOPT is valid only when KEYOPT(2)
= 0.

0 --

Use pressures as calculated (positive and negative)

1 --

Use positive pressures only (negative set to zero)

2 --

Use negative pressures only (positive set to zero)

KEYOPT(7)

Loaded area during large-deflection analyses:

0 --

Use new area

1 --

Use original area

KEYOPT(8)

Specifies whether ocean loading is applied:

0 --

No ocean loading (default). This option applies even if the ocean-loading data is defined.

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 1 --

Ocean loading is applied if the ocean-loading data is defined. This option is valid when KWAVE
= 8 or 101+ on the OCDATA command. For KWAVE = 101+, ocean loading is applied based on
user subroutine userPanelHydFor computations.

KEYOPT(11)

Pressure applied by vector orientation (face 5):

0 --

On projected area and includes tangential component

1 --

On projected area and does not include tangential component

2 --

On full area and includes the tangential component

KEYOPT(12)

Effect of the direction of the element normal (element z-axis) on vector oriented (face 5) pressure:

0 --

Pressure load is applied regardless of the element normal orientation

1 --

Pressure load is not used if the element normal is oriented in the same general direction as the
pressure vector.

Table 7.154.1: SURF154 Real Constants

No. Name Description

1 ... 3 (Blank) --
4 EFS Foundation stiffness
5 SURT Surface tension
6 ADMSUA Added mass/unit area
7 TKI Thickness at node I
8 TKJ Thickness at node J (defaults to TKI)
9 TKK Thickness at node K (defaults to TKI)
10 TKL Thickness at node L (defaults to TKI)

SURF154 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

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• Nodal degree of freedom results included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.154.2: SURF154 Element Output Definitions (p. 474)

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.154.2: SURF154 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
SURFACE NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L Y Y
EXTRA NODE Extra node (if present) Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
AREA Surface area Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 1
VN(X, Y, Z) Components of unit vector normal to center of element - Y
PRESSURES(F/L2) Pressures P1 (includes hydrodynamic pressure), P2, P3, 2 -
P4, and P5 at nodes I, J, K, L (Face indicated by PRES
LOAD KEY)
PZ, PX, PY Pressures at nodes in element coordinate system (P5 - 2
uses an average element coordinate system)
DVX, DVY, DVZ Direction vector of pressure P5 2 2
AVERAGE FACE - Average normal pressure (P1AVG), including 2 2
PRESSURES hydrodynamic ocean pressure when KEYOPT(8) >
1

- Average tangential-X pressure (P2AVG)

- Average tangential-Y pressure (P3AVG)

- Average tapered normal pressure (P4AVG)

- Effective value of vector oriented pressure (P5EFF)

AVERAGE OCEAN Average normal hydrodynamic ocean pressure 3 3
PRESSURE
TEMP Surface temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), 4 4
T(P)

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 Name Definition O R
DENSITY Density 5 5
MASS Mass of element 5 5
FOUNDATION STIFFNESS Foundation Stiffness (input as EFS) 6 6
FOUNDATION Foundation Pressures 6 6
PRESSURES
SURFACE TENSION Surface Tension (input as SURT) 7 7

1. Available only at centroid as a *GET item

2. If pressure load

3. Only if KEYOPT(8) > 0

4. If temperature load

5. If dens > 0

6. If EFS > 0

7. If SURT > 0

Table 7.154.3: SURF154 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 475) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (/POST1) of the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.154.3: SURF154 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 475):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.154.2: SURF154 Element Output Definitions (p. 474)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I,J,K,L

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, K, L

Table 7.154.3: SURF154 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Name Item E I J K L
PZ (real) SMISC - 1 2 3 4
PX (real) SMISC - 5 6 7 8
PY (real) SMISC - 9 10 11 12
PZ (imaginary) SMISC - 27 28 29 30

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Element Library

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Name Item E I J K L
PX (imaginary) SMISC - 31 32 33 34
PY (imaginary) SMISC - 35 36 37 38
P1AVG (real) SMISC 13 - - - -
P2AVG (real) SMISC 14 - - - -
P3AVG (real) SMISC 15 - - - -
P4AVG (real) SMISC 16 - - - -
P5EFF (real) SMISC 17 - - - -
OCEAN PRESS SMISC 18 - - - -
(real)
P1AVG SMISC 39 - - - -
(imaginary)
P2AVG SMISC 40 - - - -
(imaginary)
P3AVG SMISC 41 - - - -
(imaginary)
P4AVG SMISC 42 - - - -
(imaginary)
P5EFF SMISC 43 - - - -
(imaginary)
OCEAN PRESS SMISC 44 - - - -
(imaginary)
FOUNDATION SMISC 21 - - - -
PRESSURES
AREA NMISC 1 - - - -
VNX NMISC 2 - - - -
VNY NMISC 3 - - - -
VNZ NMISC 4 - - - -
EFS NMISC 5 - - - -
SURT NMISC 6 - - - -
DENS NMISC 7 - - - -
MASS NMISC 8 - - - -
DVX NMISC 9 - - - -
DVY NMISC 10 - - - -
DVZ NMISC 11 - - - -

SURF154 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero area.

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• The surface-tension load vector acts in the plane of the element as a constant force applied to the
nodes seeking to minimize the area of the surface. If the nodes of the element are not coplanar when
using surface tension, equilibrium may be lost.

• For structural large-deflection analyses, the loads are applied to the current size of the element, not
the initial size.

• Surface printout and foundation stiffness are not valid for elements deactivated (EKILL) and then
reactivated (EALIVE). Surface printout does not include large strain effects.

• Nodal hydrodynamic pressure output is not available.

• For rezoning, only normal and tangential pressures applied on SURF154 are supported. (That is,
rezoning support is available only for pressure on faces 1, 2 and 3.)

SURF154 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

• Ocean loading is not available.

• Rezoning is not available.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• Rezoning is not available.

SURF155
3-D Thermal Surface Effect
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 448)

SURF155 Element Description

SURF155 can be used for various load and surface-effect applications. The element is applicable to 3-D
thermal analyses. It can be overlaid onto an edge of any 3-D thermal solid element. Various loads and
surface effects can exist simultaneously.

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Figure 7.155.1: SURF155 Geometry

SURF155 Input Data

The element is defined by two to four node points and by the material properties. The nodes for this
element must share the nodes of the underlying solid element. An extra node (away from the base
element) can be used for convection effects.

See Element Loading (p. 44) for a description of element loads. Convections or heat fluxes can be input
as surface loads on the element.

The convection surface conductivity matrix calculation uses the film coefficient (input on the SFE
command with KVAL = 0 and CONV as the label). If the extra node option is used, its temperature becomes
the bulk temperature. If the extra node is not used, the CONV value input with KVAL = 2 becomes the
bulk temperature. The convection surface heat flow vector calculation uses the bulk temperature. On
a given face, either a heat flux or a convection can be specified, but not both simultaneously.

Setting KEYOPT(7) = 1 multiplies the evaluated film coefficient by the empirical term |TS-TB|n, where
TS is the element surface temperature, TB is the fluid bulk temperature, and n is an empirical coefficient
(real constant ENN).

Convections and heat fluxes are multiplied by an area to obtain the heat flows. KEYOPT(12) determines
whether the current area or the original area is selected for the calculation.

A film coefficient specified by the SFE command can be modified by activating the user subroutine
USERCV with the USRCAL command. USERCV can be used to modify the film coefficient of a surface
element with or without an extra node. It can be used if the film coefficient is a function of temperature
and/or location.

Heat generation rates are input on a per unit volume basis and can be input as an element body load
at the nodes, using the BFE command. Element body loads are not applied to other elements connected
at the same nodes. The node I heat generation HG(I) defaults to zero. The node J heat generation defaults
to HG(I). The heat generation load vector calculation uses the heat generation rate values.

As an alternative to using the BFE command, you can specify heat generation rates directly at the nodes
using the BF command. For more information on body loads, see Body Loads in the Basic Analysis Guide.

When KEYOPT(4) = 0, an edge with a removed midside node implies that the temperature varies linearly,
rather than parabolically, along that edge. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and
Meshing Guide for more information about the use of midside nodes.

Following is a summary of the element input. A general description of element input is given in Element
Input (p. 41). For axisymmetric applications see Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements (p. 92).

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SURF155 Input Summary
Nodes

I, J if KEYOPT (4) = 1, and KEYOPT (5) = 0

I, J, K if KEYOPT (4) = 1, and KEYOPT(5) = 1
I, J, K if KEYOPT (4) = 0, and KEYOPT(5) = 0
I, J, K, L if KEYOPT (4) = 0, and KEYOPT(5) = 1

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

Real Constants

(Blank),
AREA,
ENN
See Table 7.155.1: SURF155 Real Constants (p. 481) for more information.

Material Properties

MP command: DENS, C, ENTH

Surface Loads

Convections --

face 1 (I-J) if KEYOPT(8) > 1

Heat Fluxes --

face 1 (I-J) if KEYOPT(8) = 1

Body Loads

Heat Generation --

HG(I), HG(J); also HG(K) if KEYOPT(4) = 0

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT(4)

Midside nodes:

0 --

Has midside node

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Element Library

1 --

No midside node

KEYOPT(5)

Extra node for convection calculations:

0 --

No extra nodes

1 --

Has extra node (optional if KEYOPT(8) > 1)

KEYOPT(6) (used only if KEYOPT(5) = 1 and KEYOPT(8) > 1)

Use of bulk temperatures:

0 --

Extra node temperature used as bulk temperature

1 --

Adiabatic wall temperature used as bulk temperature

KEYOPT(7)

Empirical term:

0 --

Do not multiply film coefficient by empirical term.

1 --

Multiply film coefficient by empirical term |TS-TB|n.

KEYOPT(8)

Heat flux and convection loads:

0 --

Ignore heat flux and convection surface loads (if any)

1 --

Include heat flux, ignore convection

Use the following to include convection (ignore heat flux):

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 2 --

Evaluate film coefficient hf (if any) at average film temperature, (TS +TB)/2

3 --

Evaluate hf at element surface temperature, TS

4 --

Evaluate hf at fluid bulk temperature, TB

5 --

Evaluate hf at differential temperature, | TS - TB |

KEYOPT(13)

Film coefficient matrix key:

0 --

Program determines whether to use diagonal or consistent film coefficient matrix (default).

1 --

Use a diagonal film coefficient matrix.

2 --

Use a consistent matrix for the film coefficient.

Table 7.155.1: SURF155 Real Constants

No. Name Description

1-6 (Blank) --
7 AREA Area
8 - 12 (Blank) --
13 ENN Empirical coefficient
14 - 15 (Blank) --

SURF155 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degree of freedom results included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.155.2: SURF155 Element Output Definitions (p. 482)

Convection heat flux is positive out of the element; applied heat flux is positive into the element. A
general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

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The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.155.2: SURF155 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
SURFACE NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
EXTRA NODE Extra node (if present) Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
LENGTH Length Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 6
VN(X, Y) Components of unit vector normal to center of - Y
element
DENSITY Density - 1
MASS Mass of Element - 1
HGEN Heat generations HG(I), HG(J), HG(K) 2 -
HEAT GEN. RATE Heat generation rate over entire element (HGTOT) 2 2
HFLUX Input heat flux at nodes I, J 3 -
HEAT FLOW RATE Input heat flux heat flow rate over element surface 3 3
area (HFCTOT)
HFILM Film coefficient at each face node 4 4
TBULK Bulk temperature at each face node or temperature 4 4
of extra node
TAVG Average surface temperature 4 4
CONV. HEAT RATE Convection heat flow rate over element surface area 4 4
(HFCTOT)
CONV. HEAT Average convection heat flow rate per unit area 4 -
RATE/AREA

1. If dens > 0

2. If heat generation load is present

3. If KEYOPT(8) = 1

4. If KEYOPT(8) > 1

5. If KEYOPT(6) = 1 and KEYOPT(8) > 1

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6. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.155.3: SURF155 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 483) lists output available via the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. (See The General Postprocessor (POST1) and The Item
and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) for more information.) The following notation is used in the table:

Name

output quantity

Item

predetermined Item label for the ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I,J

sequence number for data at nodes I and J

Table 7.155.3: SURF155 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
HGTOT SMISC 1
HFCTOT SMISC 2
HRTOT SMISC 3
AREA NMISC 1
HFILM NMISC 5
TAVG NMISC 6
TBULK NMISC 7
DENS NMISC 17
MASS NMISC 18

SURF155 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero length.

• If real constant AREA is defined for the element, the element volume is greater than zero. If BF, BFE,
or BFUNIF commands are issued under this circumstance, heat generation loads are activated, and
the damping matrix is activated based on the density and specific heat of the element. In order to
have heat generation but no damping from the element, set density and specific heat to small values.

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SURF155 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

SURF156
3-D Structural Surface Line Load Effect
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 489)

SURF156 Element Description

SURF156 can be used to apply line pressure loads on structures. It may be overlaid onto the edge of
any 3-D element. The element is applicable to 3-D structural analyses. Various loads and surface effects
may exist simultaneously. See SURF156 - 3-D Structural Surface Line Load Effect in the Mechanical APDL
Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.156.1: SURF156 Geometry

J x J
y
K
y

x K
L
I
I
z z

SURF156 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.156.1: SURF156 Geometry (p. 484). The element is defined by two to four nodes (KEYOPT(4) = 0 or
1). The orientation node lies in the element x-z plane and is required for orientation of the element
loads. The element x-axis is parallel to the line connecting nodes I and J of the element.

The elastic foundation stiffness (input as real constants EFSY and EFSZ) uses pressure (or force-per-
length-squared) units. The foundation stiffness can be damped, either by using the material property
BETD as a multiplier on the stiffness or by directly using the material property VISC.

The mass calculation uses the real constant ADDMAS, the (added) mass per unit length.

See Element Loading (p. 44) for a description of element loads. Pressures may be input as surface loads
on the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Figure 7.156.2: Pressures (p. 485). SURF156
allows complex pressure loads. The input units are force per length.

Faces 1, 2, and 3 [KEYOPT(2) = 0]

Positive values of pressure on the first three faces act in the positive element coordinate directions.
For faces 2 and 3, the direction of the load is controlled by the element coordinate system which

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is oriented via the orientation node; therefore, the ESYS command has no effect. When using large
deflection (NLGEOM,ON), the orientation of the loads may change based on the new location of
the nodes. If the orientation node is on another element that moves, the orientation node will
move with it. If the orientation node is not on another element, the node cannot move.

Faces 1, 2, and 3 [KEYOPT(2) = 1]

Pressure loads are applied to the element faces according to the local coordinate system, as follows:
face 1 in the x direction, face 2 in the local y direction, and face 3 in the local z direction. A local
coordinate system must be defined, and the element must be set to that coordinate system via
the ESYS command. When using large deflection (NLGEOM,ON), the orientation of the loads does
not change.

Figure 7.156.2: Pressures

y x
Local
2 coordinate
6 system 6
Element J z 1 J
coordinate 2
1
system y
4 4

x
I 3 3
I K
K
z
5 5
KEYOPT(2) = 0 KEYOPT(2) = 1

Face 4

The magnitude of the pressure PI and the direction where i, j,

and k are unit vectors in the global Cartesian directions. When specifying a varying surface load
(SFFUN) or a gradient (slope) for surface loads (SFGRAD), the load direction is not altered, but the
load magnitude is the average of the calculated corner node magnitudes. Use caution if accumu-
lating surface loads by adding subsequent values to the previous values (SFCUM,ADD), as doing
so also adds the load-direction components.

Face 5

The magnitude of the pressure is PI, the load point is node I, and the direction is the element x-
axis.

Face 6

The magnitude of the pressure is PI, the load point is node J, and the direction is the element
negative x-axis.

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element for real pressure on
faces 2 and 3 if KEYOPT(2) = 0. If an unsymmetric matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects,
issue a NROPT,UNSYM command.

KEYOPT(7) = 1 is useful when the element is used to represent a force. When KEYOPT(7) = 0, the force
is input as a pressure times a unit length; however, if the length changes due to large deflections, the
force also changes. When KEYOPT(7) = 1, the force remains unchanged even if the length changes.

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Element Library

A summary of the element input is given in "SURF156 Input Summary" (p. 486). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SURF156 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, if KEYOPT (4) = 0 and KEYOPT(5) = 0

I, J, K, if KEYOPT (4) = 1 and KEYOPT(5) = 0, or if KEYOPT(4) = 0 and KEYOPT(5) = 1
I, J, if KEYOPT(4) = 1 and KEYOPT(5) = 1

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

Real Constants

EFSY - Foundation stiffness in the element y direction

EFSZ - Foundation stiffness in the element z direction

ADDMAS - Added mass per unit length

Material Properties

MP command: VISC, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressures --

face 1 (in element x direction if KEYOPT(2) = 0; in local coordinate x direction if KEYOPT(2)

= 1)
face 2 (in element y direction if KEYOPT(2) = 0; in local coordinate y direction if KEYOPT(2)
= 1)
face 3 (in element z direction if KEYOPT(2) = 0; in local coordinate z direction if KEYOPT(2)
= 1)
face 4 (oriented by input vector)
face 5 (parallel to x direction)
face 6 (parallel to x direction)

Body Loads

None

Special Features

Large deflection
Linear perturbation
Stress stiffening

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KEYOPT(2)

Pressure applied to faces 1, 2, and 3 according to coordinate system:

0 --

Apply face loads in the element coordinate system

1 --

Apply face loads in the local coordinate system

KEYOPT(4)

Midside node:

0 --

Has a midside node

1 --

Does not have a midside node

KEYOPT(5)

Orientation node:

0 --

Has an orientation node

1 --

Does not have an orientation node. Use only for load on face 1 or face 4, or if KEYOPT(2) = 1.

KEYOPT(7)

Loaded area during large-deflection analyses:

0 --

Use new area

1 --

Use original area

SURF156 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degree of freedom results included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.156.1: SURF156 Element Output Definitions (p. 488)

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Element Library

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.156.1: SURF156 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K Y Y
ORIENTATION NODE Orientation node Y Y
PRESSURES Pressures P1, P2, P3, P4 at nodes I, J 1 -
VECTOR DIRECTION Direction vector of pressure P4 1 1
MASS Mass of Element 2 2
FOUNDATION STIFFNESS Foundation Stiffness (input as EFSY, EFSZ) 3 3
FOUNDATION PRESSURE Foundation Pressure 3 3

1. If pressure load.

2. If ADDMAS > 0.

3. If EFSY > 0 or EFSZ > 0.

Table 7.156.2: SURF156 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 489) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (/POST1) of the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.156.2: SURF156 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 489):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.156.1: SURF156 Element Output Definitions (p. 488)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

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I, J

sequence number for data at nodes I, J

Table 7.156.2: SURF156 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and ESOL Command

Output Quantity Name Input
Item E I J
P1 (real) SMISC - 1 2
P2 (real) SMISC - 3 4
P3 (real) SMISC - 5 6
P4 (real) SMISC 7 - -
P1 (imaginary) SMISC - 8 9
P2 (imaginary) SMISC - 10 11
P3 (imaginary) SMISC - 12 13
P4 (imaginary) SMISC 14 - -
FOUNDATION PRESSURE SMISC 15-16 - -
P4 (real) VECTOR NMISC 1-3 - -
DIRECTION
P4 (imaginary) VECTOR NMISC 4-6 - -
DIRECTION
EFSY NMISC 7 - -
EFSZ NMISC 8 - -
MASS NMISC 9 - -

SURF156 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero length, and the orientation node (when used) cannot be colinear
with nodes I and J.

SURF156 Product Restrictions

None.

SHELL157
Thermal-Electric Shell
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 494)

SHELL157 Element Description

SHELL157 is a 3-D element having in-plane thermal and electrical conduction capability. The element
has four nodes with two degrees of freedom, temperature and voltage, at each node. The element applies

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Element Library

to a 3-D, steady-state or transient thermal analysis, although the element includes no transient electrical
capacitance or inductance effects. The element requires an iterative solution to include the Joule heating
effect in the thermal solution. See SHELL157 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details
about this element. If no electrical effects are present, the 3-D thermal shell (SHELL131 (p. 403)) may be
used.

If the model containing the thermal-electrical element is also to be analyzed structurally, replace the
element with an equivalent structural element (such as SHELL181 (p. 673)). If both in-plane and transverse
thermal-electric conduction are needed, use a thermal-electric solid element (SOLID226 (p. 1122) with
KEYOPT(1) = 110).

Figure 7.157.1: SHELL157 Geometry

zIJ

2 5

K
L
y yIJ

6
4 K,L

Z x
I
J
Y xIJ I J
X 3 1 Triangular Option

SHELL157 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and coordinate systems for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.157.1: SHELL157 Geometry (p. 490). The element is defined by four nodes, four thicknesses, a ma-
terial direction angle, and the orthotropic material properties.

The element may have variable thickness. The thickness is assumed to vary smoothly over the area of
the element, with the thickness input at the four nodes. If the element has a constant thickness, you
need to specify only TK(I). If the thickness is not constant, you must specify all four thicknesses.

Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate
system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). The element x-axis may be rotated by
an angle THETA (in degrees). You can assign the specific heat and density any values for steady-state
solutions. The electrical material property, RSV_, is the resistivity of the material. You can specify the
resistivity, like any other material property, as a function of temperature. Properties not specified default
as described in the Material Reference.

Specify the word VOLT for the Lab variable on the D command and the voltage input for the value.
Specify the word AMPS for the Lab variable on the F command and the current into the node input for
the value.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Convection or heat flux (but not both) and
radiation may be specified as surface loads at the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on
Figure 7.157.1: SHELL157 Geometry (p. 490). Because shell edge convection and flux loads are input on
a per-unit-length basis, per-unit-area quantities must be multiplied by the shell thickness.

Heat generation rates may be specified as element body loads at the nodes. If the node I heat generation
rate HG(I) is input, and all others are unspecified, they default to HG(I). This rate is in addition to the
Joule heat generated by the current flow.

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"SHELL157 Input Summary" (p. 491) summarizes the element input. A general description of element
input appears in Element Input (p. 41).

SHELL157 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP, VOLT

Real Constants

TK(I) - Shell thickness at node I

TK(J) - Shell thickness at node J; defaults to TK(I)
TK(K) - Shell thickness at node K; defaults to TK(I)
TK(L) - Shell thickness at node L; defaults to TK(I)
THETA - Element X-axis rotation

Material Properties

MP command: KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH, RSVX, RSVY

Surface Loads

Convection or Heat Flux (but not both) and Radiation (using Lab = RDSF)--

face 1 (I-J-K-L) (bottom, -Z side), face 2 (I-J-K-L) (top, +Z side),

face 3 (J-I), face 4 (K-J), face 5 (L-K), face 6 (I-L)

Body Loads

Heat Generations --

HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L)

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT(2)

Evaluation of film coefficient:

0 --

Evaluate film coefficient (if any) at average film temperature, (TS + TB)/2

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1 --

Evaluate at element surface temperature, TS

2 --

Evaluate at fluid bulk temperature, TB

3 --

Evaluate at differential temperature, |TS - TB|

SHELL157 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures and voltages included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.157.1: SHELL157 Element Output Definitions (p. 492)

Heat flowing out of the element is considered to be positive. The element output directions are parallel
to the element coordinate system. The heat flow and the current flow into the nodes may be printed
with the OUTPR command. The Joule heat generated this substep is used in the temperature distribution
calculated for the next substep. A general description of solution output is given in Solution Out-
put (p. 49). See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.157.1: SHELL157 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
AREA Convection face area Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 2
HGEN Heat generations HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L) Y -
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector sum Y Y
at centroid
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux (heat flow rate/cross-sectional area) Y Y
components and vector sum at centroid
EF:X, Y, SUM Component electric fields and vector sum Y Y

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 Name Definition O R
JS:X, Y Component current densities Y Y
JSSUM Component current density vector sum Y -
JHEAT: Joule heat generation per unit volume Y Y
FACE Face label 1 1
AREA Face area 1 1
NODES Face nodes 1 1
HFILM Film coefficient 1 1
TAVG Average face temperature 1 1
TBULK Fluid bulk temperature 1 -
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 1 1
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face - 1
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 1
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate across face caused by input heat - 1
flux
HEAT Heat flow rate/area across face by convection 1 -
RATE/AREA
HEAT FLUX Heat flux at each node of face 1 -

1. If a surface load is input

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.157.2: SHELL157 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 493) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.157.2: SHELL157 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 493):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.157.1: SHELL157 Element Output Definitions (p. 492)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

Table 7.157.2: SHELL157 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output
Quantity Item FACE FACE FACE FACE FACE FACE
Name 1 2 3 (J-I) 4 5 6 (I-L)
(BOT) (TOP) (K-J) (L-K)
AREA NMISC 1 7 13 19 25 31
HFAVG NMISC 2 8 14 20 26 32
TAVG NMISC 3 9 15 21 27 33
TBAVG NMISC 4 10 16 22 28 34

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Element Library

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output
Quantity Item FACE FACE FACE FACE FACE FACE
Name 1 2 3 (J-I) 4 5 6 (I-L)
(BOT) (TOP) (K-J) (L-K)
HEAT NMISC 5 11 17 23 29 35
RATE
HFLXAVG NMISC 6 12 18 24 30 36

SHELL157 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element requires an iterative solution for electrical-thermal coupling.

• Zero area elements are not allowed. This occurs most frequently when the elements are not numbered
properly. The element must not taper down to a zero thickness at any corner. A triangular element
may be formed by defining duplicate K and L node numbers as described in Degenerated Shape
Elements (p. 37). The specific heat and enthalpy are evaluated at each integration point to allow for
abrupt changes (such as for melting) within a coarse grid. If a current is specified at the same node
that a voltage is specified, the current is ignored. The electrical and the thermal solutions are coupled
through an iterative procedure.

• No conversion is included between electrical heat units and mechanical heat units. The resistivity
may be divided by a conversion factor, such as 3.415 BTU/Hr per watt, to get Joule heat in mechan-
ical units. Current (input and output) should also be converted for consistent units.

• This element may not be compatible with other elements with the VOLT degree of freedom. To be
compatible, the elements must have the same reaction force (see Element Compatibility in the Low-
Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide).

SHELL157 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

SURF159
General Axisymmetric Surface
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 504)

SURF159 Element Description

Use SURF159 to model axisymmetric solid surface loads acting on general axisymmetric solid elements
(SOLID272 (p. 1304) or SOLID273 (p. 1312)). The element has linear or quadratic displacement behavior on
the master plane (p. 85) and is well suited to modeling irregular meshes on the master plane. It is
defined by two or three nodes on the master plane, and nodes created automatically in the circumfer-
ential direction based on the master plane nodes. The total number of nodes depends on the number
of nodal planes (KEYOPT(2)). The element area between nodal planes is called a facet. Each node has
three degrees of freedom: translations in the nodal x, y and z directions. Various loads and surface effects
can exist simultaneously.

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In addition to the SURF159 element information provided here, the following topics are available in the
Mechanical APDL Theory Reference:

• SURF159 - General Axisymmetric Surface with 2 or 3 Nodes

• General Axisymmetric Surfaces

For related information (concerning the elements used with SURF159), see General Axisymmetric Ele-
ments (p. 85) in this document.

Figure 7.159.1: SURF159 Geometry (KEYOPT(2) = 3)

Z

J2

J1
K2

J3

I2
y
z
K3
x

I3

SURF159 Input Data

The geometry and node locations for this element (when KEYOPT(2) = 3) are shown in Fig-
ure 7.159.1: SURF159 Geometry (KEYOPT(2) = 3) (p. 495). The element input data includes nodes, real
constants, and the material properties. The total number of nodes is the two or three base nodes times
the number of nodal planes. (For information about how Fourier nodes are generated, see the NAXIS
command documentation.) SURF159 elements can be generated via the ESURF command before gen-
erating nodes for general axisymmetric element sections (NAXIS).

The element has the x-axis as normal to the element surface, the y-axis in the meridional direction, and
the z-axis in the circumferential direction.

The mass and volume calculations use the element thicknesses (real constants TKI, and TKJ). Thickness
TKJ defaults to TKI. The mass calculation uses the density (material property DENS, mass per unit volume)
and the real constant ADMSUA, the added mass per unit area.

The stress stiffness matrix and load vector calculations use the in-plane force per unit length (input as
real constant SURT) and the elastic foundation stiffness (input as real constant EFS); the EFS uses pressure-
per-length (or force-per-length-cubed) units. The foundation stiffness can be damped, either by using
the material property BETD as a multiplier on the stiffness or by directly using the material property
VISC.

"SURF159 Input Summary" (p. 498) contains a summary of the element input. See Element Input (p. 41)
for a general description of element input.

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Pressure Loads
Pressures must be input as element surface loads (as force-per-length squared) on the element faces
as shown by the circled numbers in Figure 7.159.2: SURF159 Pressures (p. 497). For SURF159, applying
surface loads to the element (SFE) or nodes (SF) is very different in comparison to the SOLID272 (p. 1304)
and SOLID273 (p. 1312) elements. An SF command, if issued, applies loads to faces 1 through K only
(where K = KEYOPT(2), the number of nodal planes).

SURF159 allows complex loads.

Defaults for Pressures on Faces 1 through 3K

If the first pressure for a face is specified (SFE) and the other three remain blank, the other three
pressures default to the first.

If values are specified (and perhaps supplemented by the aforementioned default) to the first face
of each of the three face families (1 through K, K+1 through 2K, or 2K+1 to 3K), the same values
are assigned to all other faces around the circumference. (The SFELIST command does not reflect
this defaulting behavior.)

Example 1

To obtain a uniform pressure across the element and around the circumference, only one
specified pressure is necessary on the first face of the face family.

Example 2

To obtain a pressure that tapers in the radial direction and is constant around the circumfer-
ence, all four values must be specified on the first face of the face family.

Faces 1 through 3K [KEYOPT(3) = 0]

Positive values of pressure on these faces act in the positive element coordinate directions, as follows:
faces 1 through K in the element x (normal) direction, faces K+1 through 2K in the element y
(tangent, meridional) direction, and faces 2K+1 through 3K in the element z (tangent, circumferential)
direction. For faces 1 through K, positive or negative values may be removed as requested via
KEYOPT(6) to simulate the discontinuity at the free surface of a contained fluid. For faces K+1
through 3K, the direction of the load is controlled by the element coordinate system; therefore,
the ESYS command may be needed.

Faces 1 through 3K [KEYOPT(3) = 1]

Pressure loads are applied to the element faces according to the local coordinate system, as follows:
faces 1 through K in the local x direction, faces K+1 through 2K in the local y direction, and faces
2K+1 through 3K in the local z direction. A local coordinate system must be defined, and the element
must be set to that coordinate system via the ESYS command. KEYOPT(6) does not apply.

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Figure 7.159.2: SURF159 Pressures

Face 3K+1

The direction is normal to the element and the magnitude of the pressure at each integration point
is PI + XPJ + YPK + ZPL, where PI through PL are input as VAL1 through VAL4 on the SFE command,
and X, Y, Z are the global Cartesian coordinates at the current location of the integration point.
No input values can be blank. Positive or negative values may be removed as requested with
KEYOPT(6) to simulate the discontinuity at the free surface of a contained fluid. The SFFUN and
SFGRAD commands do not work with face 3K+1.

Face 3K+2

The magnitude of the pressure is PI, and the direction is where

i, j, and k are unit vectors in the global Cartesian directions. The load magnitude may be adjusted
with KEYOPT(11) and KEYOPT(12). No input values can be blank.

Temperatures may be input as element body loads at the nodes. For the nodes on the master plane,
the node I1 temperature T(I1) defaults to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default
to T(I1). If both corner node temperatures are specified, the midside node temperature defaults to the
average temperature of the adjacent corner nodes. For any other input pattern, unspecified temperatures
default to TUNIF. For the nodes generated in the circumferential direction based on the master node,
if all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to the value of their base nodes (T(I1), T(J1), and
T(K1), depending on their location). For any other input pattern, unspecified temperatures default to
TUNIF.

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element. If an unsymmetric
matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, issue a NROPT,UNSYM command. For a geometric
nonlinear analysis when convergence is an issue, use an unsymmetric matrix.

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SURF159 Input Summary

Nodes

I1, J1, K1, I2, J2, K2, . . . , In, Jn, Kn (where n = KEYOPT(2), the number of nodal planes)

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

Real Constants (p. 501)

(Blank), (Blank), (Blank), EFS, SURT, ADMSUA,

TKI, TKJ

Material Properties

MP command: DENS, VISC, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressures --

In the following table, K represents the number of nodal planes (specified via KEYOPT(2)):

Pressure Nodes Pressure Load Type

Face KEYOPT(3) = 0 KEYOPT(3) = 1
face 1 J1, I1, I2, J2
face 2 J2, I2, I3, J3
Normal x direction per ESYS
... ...
face K JK, IK, I1, J1
face K+1 J1, I1, I2, J2
face K+2 J2, I2, I3, J3
Meridional tangent y direction per ESYS
... ...
face 2K JK, IK, I1, J1
face 2K+1 J1, I1, I2, J2
face 2K+2 J2, I2, I3, J3 Circumferential
z direction per ESYS
... ... tangent
face 3K JK, IK, I1, J1
face 3K+1 All Global taper
face 3K+2 All Oriented vector

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Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I1), T(J1), T(K1), T(I2), T(J2), T(K2), . . . , T(In), T(Jn), T(Kn)

Special Features

Birth and death

Large deflection
Linear perturbation
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(2)

Number of Fourier nodes in the circumferential direction (that is, the number of nodal planes):

1 --

Axisymmetric deformation (with or without torsion).

3 - 12 --

General 3-D deformation.

This KEYOPT has no default. You must specify a valid value. (0 is not valid.) The value must match
the KEYOPT(2) value of the underlying SOLID272 (p. 1304) or SOLID273 (p. 1312) element.

For information about specifying the number Fourier nodes, see General Axisymmetric Ele-
ments (p. 85) in this document.

For information about how Fourier nodes are generated, see the NAXIS command documentation.

KEYOPT(3)

Pressure applied to faces 1 through 3K (3 x KEYOPT(2)), according to the coordinate system:

0 --

Apply face loads in the default element coordinate system (for example, the first K faces act
normal to the surface).

1 --

Apply face loads in the specified element coordinate system (for example, the first K faces act
in the x direction as defined via the ESYS command).

KEYOPT(4)

Midside nodes:

0 --

Has midside nodes. Use with SOLID273 (p. 1312). This value is the default.

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Element Library

1 --

No midside nodes. Use with SOLID272 (p. 1304).

KEYOPT(6)

Applicable only to normal direction pressure (faces 1 through K and 3K+1):

0 --

Use pressures as calculated (positive and negative).

1 --

Use positive pressures only (negative set to zero).

2 --

Use negative pressures only (positive set to zero).

To use KEYOPT(6), KEYOPT(3) must be set to 0.

KEYOPT(7)

Loaded area during large-deflection analyses:

0 --

Use new area.

1 --

Use original area.

KEYOPT(11)

Pressure applied by vector orientation (face 3K+2):

0 --

On projected area and includes tangential component.

1 --

On projected area and does not include tangential component.

2 --

On full area and includes the tangential component.

KEYOPT(12)

Effect of the direction of the element normal (element x-axis) on vector oriented (face 3K+2) pressure:

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 0 --

Pressure load is applied regardless of the element normal orientation.

1 --

Pressure load is not used if the element normal is oriented in the same general direction as the
pressure vector.

Table 7.159.1: SURF159 Real Constants

No. Name Description

1 ... 3 (Blank) --
4 EFS Foundation stiffness
5 SURT Surface tension
6 ADMSUA Added mass/unit area
7 TKI In-plane thickness at node I
8 TKJ In-plane thickness at node J (defaults to TKI)

SURF159 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.159.2: SURF159 Element Output Definitions (p. 501)

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

To view 3-D mode shapes for a modal or eigenvalue buckling analysis, expand the modes with element
results calculation active (via the MXPAND command's Elcalc = YES option).

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.159.2: SURF159 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
ELEMID Element number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, . . . , K (nodes in master plane) Y Y
NNP Number of nodal planes Y Y
AREA Total area Y Y

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
VOLU Total volume Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
DENS Density Y Y
ADMSUA Added mass per unit area Y Y
MASS Element mass Y Y
EFS Elastic foundation stiffness Y Y
SURT Surface tension Y Y
PRES Pressures Y Y

Table 7.159.3: SURF159 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 502) lists output available through ETABLE using
the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item
and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more information. The following notation is
used in the output table:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.159.2: SURF159 Element Output Definitions (p. 501)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

I1, J1, I2, J2, . . .

sequence number for data at nodes I1, J1, I2, J2, . . .

Table 7.159.3: SURF159 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input (K = KEYOPT(2))

Quantity Item E I1 J1 I2 J2 I3 J3 ... IK JK
Name
P1 SMISC - 2 1 3 4 - - ... - -
P2 SMISC - - - 6 5 7 8 ... - -
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
PK SMISC - 4K-1 4K - - - - ... 4K-2 4K-3
PK+1 SMISC - 4K+2 4K+1 4K+3 4K+4 - - ... - -
PK+2 SMISC - - - 4K+6 4K+5 4K+7 4K+8 ... - -
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
P2K SMISC - 8K-1 8K - - - - ... 8K-2 8K-3
P2K+1 SMISC - 8K+2 8K+1 8K+3 8K+4 - - ... - -
P2K+2 SMISC - - - 8K+6 8K+5 8K+7 8K+8 ... - -
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
P3K SMISC - 12K-1 12K - - - - ... 12K-2 12K-3

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 Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input (K = KEYOPT(2))
Quantity Item E I1 J1 I2 J2 I3 J3 ... IK JK
Name
P3K+1 SMISC 12K+1 - - - - - - ... - -
(magnitude)
X gradient SMISC 12K+2 - - - - - - ... - -
Y gradient SMISC 12K+3 - - - - - - ... - -
Z gradient SMISC 12K+4 - - - - - - ... - -
P3K+2 SMISC 12K+5 - - - - - - ... - -
(magnitude)
X SMISC 12K+6 - - - - - - ... - -
component
Y SMISC 12K+7 - - - - - - ... - -
component
Z SMISC 12K+8 - - - - - - ... - -
component

The item and sequence numbers shown are for real pressures. Imaginary pressures are
represented in the same way but have 12K+8 added to them.

SURF159 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The length of the base element must be nonzero.

• The base element must lie on one side of the axisymmetric axis, and the axisymmetric axis must
be on the same plane as the base element (master plane).

• A base element or base node must be associated with one axisymmetric axis (defined via SECTYPE
and SECDATA commands) before generating nodes for general axisymmetric element sections
(NAXIS) or defining an element by node connectivity (E).

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the displacement varies linearly, rather than
parabolically, along that edge. For more information about the use of midside nodes, see
Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing Guide.

• You cannot apply a pressure load by applying a surface load to selected areas (SFA).

• The contribution of the element to the mass moment inertia of the whole model is calculated
by element mass multiplied by the square of the coordinates of the elemental centroid. The
moment of inertia may therefore be inaccurate.

• The element does not support the expansion pass of a superelement with large rotation.

• Issuing an /ESHAPE,1 command while PowerGraphics is active causes the program to plot the
elements in 3-D and the results on both nodal planes and all integration planes (p. 85) in the
circumferential direction; otherwise, the program plots the elements in 2-D and the results on
the master plane.

• You cannot display surface load symbols (/PSF) for this element.

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Element Library

• When listing the surface loads for elements (SFELIST), only information for the first facet is re-
turned.

• When plotting contour values via /ESHAPE,1, expanded SURF159 elements are assigned zeroes;
you should therefore deselect SURF159 elements when plotting results such as stresses and
strains.

• In postprocessing, print commands return the nodal plane results only.

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Prestress

effects can be activated via the PSTRES command.

SURF159 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

TARGE169
2-D Target Segment
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 516)

TARGE169 Element Description

TARGE169 is used to represent various 2-D "target" surfaces for the associated contact elements (CON-
TA172 (p. 531) and CONTA175 (p. 586)). The contact elements themselves overlay the solid elements
describing the boundary of a deformable body and are potentially in contact with the target surface,
defined by TARGE169.

You can impose translational or rotational displacement, temperature, voltage, magnetic potential, pore
pressure, and concentration on the target segment element. You can also impose forces and moments
on target elements. See TARGE169 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this
element. To represent 3-D target surfaces, use TARGE170 (p. 516), a 3-D target segment element.

For rigid targets, these elements can easily model complex target shapes. For flexible targets, these
elements will overlay the solid elements describing the boundary of the deformable target body.

Figure 7.169.1: TARGE169 Geometry

Target Segment

Parabola

I J I J
n K K
n n

M N L M

Y Surface-to-Surface Node-to-Surface
Contact Element Contact Element
CONTA172 CONTA175
X

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TARGE169 Input Data
The target surface is modeled through a set of target segments. Typically, several target segments make
up one target surface.

Figure 7.169.2: TARGE169 2-D Segment Types (p. 507) shows the available segment types for TARGE169.

For any target surface definition, the node ordering of the target segment element is critical for proper
detection of contact. The nodes must be ordered so that, for a 2-D surface, the associated contact ele-
ments (CONTA172 (p. 531) or CONTA175 (p. 586)) must lie to the right of the target surface when moving
from target node I to target node J. For a rigid 2-D complete circle, contact must occur on the outside
of the circle; internal contacting is not allowed.

Pair-Based Contact versus General Contact

There are two methods to define a contact interaction: the pair-based contact definition and the gen-
eral contact definition. Both contact definitions can exist in the same model. TARGE169 can be used in
either type of contact definition.

Pair-Based Contact

In a pair-based contact definition, the 2-D contact elements (CONTA172 (p. 531) or CONTA175 (p. 586))
are associated with 2-D target segment elements (TARGE169) via a shared real constant set. The program
looks for contact interaction only between surfaces with the same real constant set ID (which is greater
than zero). The material ID associated with the contact element is used to specify interaction properties
(such as friction coefficient) defined by MP or TB commands.

The target surface can be either rigid or deformable. For rigid-flexible contact, the rigid surface must
be represented by a target surface. For flexible-flexible contact, one of the deformable surfaces must
be overlaid by a target surface. See Designating Contact and Target Surfaces in the Contact Technology
Guide for more information.

Each target surface can be associated with only one contact surface, and vice-versa. However, several
contact elements could make up the contact surface and therefore come in contact with the same target
surface. Likewise, several target elements could make up the target surface and thus come in contact
with the same contact surface. For either the target or contact surfaces, you can put many elements in
a single target or contact surface, or you can localize the contact and target surfaces by splitting the
large surfaces into smaller target and contact surfaces, each of which contain fewer elements.

If a contact surface may contact more than one target surface, you must define duplicate contact surfaces
that share the same geometry but relate to separate targets, that is, have separate real constant set
numbers.

General Contact

In a general contact definition, the general contact surfaces are generated automatically by the GCGEN
command based on physical parts and geometric shapes in the model. The program overlays contact
surface elements (CONTA172 (p. 531)) on 2-D deformable bodies (on both lower- and higher-order ele-
ments). The general contact definition may also contain target elements (TARGE169) overlaid on the
surfaces of standalone rigid bodies.

The GCGEN command automatically assigns section IDs and element type IDs for each general contact
surface. As a result, each general contact surface consists of contact or target elements that are easily

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Element Library

identified by a unique section ID number. The real constant ID and material ID are always set to zero
for contact and target elements in the general contact definition.

The program looks for contact interaction among all surfaces and within each surface. You can further
control contact interactions between specific surfaces that could potentially be in contact by using the
GCDEF command. The material ID and real constant ID input on GCDEF identify interface properties
(defined by MP or TB commands) and contact control parameters (defined by the R command) for a
specific contact interaction. Unlike a pair-based contact definition, the contact and target elements in
the general contact definition are not associated with these material and real constant ID numbers.

Considerations for Rigid Targets

Each target segment is a single element with a specific shape, or segment type. The program supports
seven 2-D segment types, as described in Table 7.169.1: TARGE169 2-D Segment Types, Target Shape
Codes, and Nodes (p. 506). The segment types are defined by one, two, or three nodes and a target
shape code (TSHAP command) which indicates the geometry (shape) of the element. The segment
location is determined by the nodes.

A radius value is required for the circle segment type. For pair-based contact, the radius is specified by
real constant (R1). For a general contact definition, the radius is specified by section data (the SEC-
TYPE,,CONTACT,RADIUS command with the radius entered on the SECDATA command).

Table 7.169.1: TARGE169 2-D Segment Types, Target Shape Codes, and Nodes

TSHAP Segment Type Node1 Node 2 Node 3 R1 R2

(DOF) (DOF)[1 (p. 507)] (DOF)
LINE Straight line 1st corner pt 2nd corner None None None
(UX, UY) pt (UX, UY)
(TEMP) (TEMP)
(VOLT) (AZ) (VOLT) (AZ)
ARC Arc, clockwise 1st corner pt 2nd corner Circle center None None
(UX, UY) pt (UX, UY) pt (UX, UY)
(TEMP) (TEMP) (TEMP)
(VOLT) (AZ) (VOLT) (AZ) (VOLT) (AZ)
CARC Arc, counter- 1st corner pt 2nd corner Circle center None None
clockwise (UX, UY) pt (UX, UY) pt (UX, UY)
(TEMP) (TEMP) (TEMP)
(VOLT) (AZ) (VOLT) (AZ) (VOLT) (AZ)
PARA Parabola 1st corner pt 2nd corner Midside pt None None
(UX, UY) pt (UX, UY) (UX, UY)
(TEMP) (TEMP) (TEMP)
(VOLT) (AZ) (VOLT) (AZ) (VOLT) (AZ)
CIRC Circle[2 (p. 507)][4 (p. 507)] Circle center None None Radius None
pt (UX, UY)
(TEMP)
(VOLT) (AZ)
PILO Pilot node 1st point None None None None
(UX, UY,
ROTZ)

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TSHAP Segment Type Node1 Node 2 Node 3 R1 R2
(DOF) (DOF)[1 (p. 507)] (DOF)
(TEMP)
(VOLT) (AZ)
POINT Point[3 (p. 507)] 1st point None None None None
(UX, UY)

1. The DOF available depends on the setting of KEYOPT(1) for the associated contact element. For
more information, see the element documentation for CONTA172 (p. 531) or CONTA175 (p. 586).

2. When using the direct generation modeling method to create a circle target segment, specify the
R1 value (define the real constant set for pair-based contact; or define the RADIUS section data for
general contact) before creating the element.

3. Rigid surface node. This segment type is only used to apply boundary conditions to rigid target
surfaces.

4. The surface projection contact method (KEYOPT(4) = 3 on the contact element) does not support
primitive target segments.

Figure 7.169.2: TARGE169 2-D Segment Types

For simple rigid target surfaces, you can define the target segment elements individually by direct
generation. You must first specify the SHAPE argument for the TSHAP command. When creating circles
through direct generation, you must also define the radius value before creating the element (specify

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Element Library

real constant R1 for pair-based contact, or specify the RADIUS section type via SECTYPE and SECDATA
commands for general contact).

For general 2-D rigid surfaces, target segment elements can be defined by line meshing (LMESH). You
can also use keypoint meshing (KMESH) to generate the pilot node.

If the TARGE169 elements are created via automatic meshing (LMESH or KMESH), then the TSHAP
command is ignored and the program chooses the correct shape automatically.

For rigid-to-flexible contact, by default, the program automatically fixes the structural degree of freedom
for rigid target nodes if they aren't explicitly constrained (KEYOPT(2) = 0). If you wish, you can override
the automatic boundary condition settings by setting KEYOPT(2) = 1 for the target elements. For flexible-
to-flexible contact, no special boundary conditions treatment is performed, and the KEYOPT(2) = 0 setting
should be used.

You can assign only one pilot node to an entire rigid target surface (or none if it is not needed). In a
pair-based contact definition, the target element associated with the pilot node has the same real
constant ID as the other target elements in the pair. In a general contact definition, the target element
associated with the pilot node has the same section ID, but it has a zero real constant ID, as do the
other target elements of each rigid surface in the general contact definition.

The pilot node, unlike the other segment types, is used to define the degrees of freedom for the entire
target surface. This node can be any of the target surface nodes, but it does not have to be. All possible
rigid motions of the target surface will be a combination of a translation and a rotation around the pilot
node. The pilot node provides a convenient and powerful way to assign boundary conditions such as
rotations, translations, moments, temperature, voltage, magnetic potential, pore pressure, and concen-
tration on an entire rigid target surface. By default (KEYOPT(2) = 0), you can assign the boundary con-
ditions only to the pilot node, eliminating the need to assign boundary conditions to individual target
nodes, thus reducing the chance of errors. The program also automatically fixes the structural degrees
of freedom on the pilot node if they aren't explicitly constrained.

By setting KEYOPT(2) = 1 for the target elements, you can apply boundary conditions on any rigid target
nodes rather than only on the pilot node. It is your responsibility to make sure the rigid target surface
is not under-constrained or over-constrained. It is still recommended that you apply all boundary con-
ditions on the pilot node, even when KEYOPT(2) = 1.

Considerations for Deformable Target Surfaces

For general deformable surfaces, you will normally use the ESURF command to overlay the target ele-
ments on the boundary of the existing mesh. Note that the segment types (TSHAP command) should
not be used for this case.

Considerations for Geometry Correction

In general, curved contact and target surfaces can be well approximated by linear or quadratic contact
and target elements when the mesh is sufficiently refined. However, in certain circumstances (for example,
when linear elements are used or when the midside nodes of quadratic elements do not lie exactly on
the initial curved geometry because a third party mesh generator was used), using a straight line in
place of the true curved geometry can significantly affect the accuracy of contact stresses. An optional
geometric correction can be used for a circular (or nearly circular) arc via SECTYPE and SECDATA section
commands. The defined geometry correction can be applied to specific contact elements via a section

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ID (SECNUM command). For details, see Geometry Correction for Contact and Target Surfaces in the
Contact Technology Guide.

Considerations for Fluid Penetration Loading

To model the fluid penetration loads shown in Figure 7.169.3: Fluid Penetration Pressure Directions (p. 509),
use the SFE command to specify the fluid pressures in the normal (LKEY = 1) and tangential directions
(LKEY = 3) in the element coordinate system (ESYS) and the fluid penetration starting points (LKEY =
2). For more information, see Applying Fluid Pressure-Penetration Loads in the Contact Technology Guide.

Figure 7.169.3: Fluid Penetration Pressure Directions

Considerations for Thermal Contact Analysis

By default, the temperature is set to the value of TUNIF. If TUNIF has no explicit value, the temperature
is set to zero.

For thermal contact analysis, such as convection and radiation modeling, the behavior of a thermal
contact surface (whether near-field or free surface) is usually based on the contact status. By default,
contact status affects the behavior of the contact surface as follows:

• If the contact surface is outside the pinball region, its behavior is as a far-field or free surface. In this
instance, convection/radiation occurs with the ambient temperature.

• If the contact surface is inside the pinball region, the behavior is as a near-field surface.

You can change this behavior by setting a non-default value for KEYOPT(3):

• If KEYOPT(3) = 1 is set, the contact surface status is ignored and the surface is always treated as a
free surface.

• If KEYOPT(3) = 2 is set, convection and radiation to the environment are ignored when the contact
surface status is far-field. Near-field convection/radiation are still considered.

For more information, see Thermal Contact Behavior vs. Contact Status in the Contact Technology Guide.

A summary of the element input is given in "TARGE169 Input Summary" (p. 509). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

TARGE169 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K (J and K are not required for all segment types)

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Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, TEMP, VOLT, AZ, PRES (determined by the associated 2-D contact elements: CONTA172 (p. 531)
or CONTA175 (p. 586))

ROTZ is also valid, but only for the pilot node associated with a surface-based constraint or a rigid
target surface

Real Constants

R1, R2, (the others are defined through the associated CONTA172 (p. 531) or CONTA175 (p. 586) ele-
ment)

Note:

In a general contact definition, R1 and R2 are specified by a section definition (SECTYPE

and SECDATA commands) instead of real constants.

Material Properties

None

Surface Loads

Pressure, Face 1 (I-J) (opposite to contact normal direction); used for fluid pressure penetration
loading. On the SFE command use LKEY = 1 to specify the normal pressure values and LKEY = 2
to specify starting and penetrating points. Use LKEY = 3 to specify the tangential pressure values.

Body Loads

None

Special Features

Birth and death

Fluid pressure penetration
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear adaptivity
Nonlinearity
Rezoning
Section definition for geometry correction of spherical and revolute surfaces

KEYOPT(2)

Boundary conditions for rigid target nodes:

0 --

Automatically constrained by the program. This option is valid only for static and full transient
analyses. You should apply constraints manually for downstream analyses.

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 1 --

Specified by user.

KEYOPT(3)

Behavior of thermal contact surface:

0 --

Based on contact status.

1 --

Treated as a free-surface regardless of the contact status.

2 --

Treated as an insulated thermal condition (no convection/radiation to the environment) when

the contact status is far-field. Near-field convection/radiation are considered.

KEYOPT(4)

DOF set to be constrained on the dependent or independent DOF for internally-generated multipoint
constraints (MPCs). This option is used for these situations: solid-solid and shell-shell assemblies;
surface-based constraints that use a single pilot node for the target element; and rigid target surfaces
that use the KEYOPT(2) = 1 setting.

n --

Enter a three digit value that represents the DOF set to be constrained. The first to third digits
represent ROTZ, UY, UX, respectively. The number 1 (one) indicates the DOF is active, and the
number 0 (zero) indicates the DOF is not active. For example, 011 means that UX and UY will
be used in the multipoint constraint. Leading zeros may be omitted; for example, you can enter
1 to indicate that UX is the only active DOF. If KEYOPT(4) = 0 (which is the default) or 111, all
DOF are constrained.

Note:

KEYOPT(4) is not supported for target elements used in a general contact definition.

Note:

KEYOPT(4) is not supported for Lagrange Multiplier based force-distributed constraints.

KEYOPT(6)

Symmetry condition of a constrained surface. This option is only used for a force-distributed constraint
that uses a single pilot node for the target element:

0 --

No symmetry on the constrained surface (default).

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Element Library

1 --

The constrained surface has a symmetry condition with respect to the y axis of the nodal co-
ordinate system of the pilot node.

10 --

The constrained surface has a symmetry condition with respect to the x axis of the nodal co-
ordinate system of the pilot node.

Note:

Keep the following points in mind when using this symmetry condition:

• When a symmetry condition is used, the pilot node must be defined on the sym-
metry axis.

• KEYOPT(6) = 11 is not valid input.

• When the constrained surface is defined on a 2-D axisymmetric model and the
pilot node is located on the y axis of the nodal coordinate system, KEYOPT(6) =
1 will be set internally. In this case, do not set KEYOPT(6) = 10; otherwise, the initial
constraint equations will be redundant and the solution will be invalid.

Note:

KEYOPT(6) is not supported for target elements used in a general contact definition.

KEYOPT(7)

Weighting factor control key. This option is only used for a force-distributed constraint that uses a
single pilot node for the target element.

0 --

Weighting factors are calculated internally based on the contact area of each contact node.

1 --

The weighting factor for each contact node is 1.

2 --

A user-defined weighting factor is used based on tabular input specified as real constant FKN.

KEYOPT(10)

Stress stiffening effects for a force-distributed constraint or a rigid surface constraint (see Surface-
Based Constraints in the Contact Technology Guide) defined using the MPC approach (KEYOPT(2) =
2):

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 0 --

Do not include stress stiffening.

1 --

Include stress stiffening.

KEYOPT(11)

Relaxation method applied to force-distributed constraints and rigid surface constraints defined
using the MPC approach (KEYOPT(2) = 2 on the contact element), and to rigid bodies:

0 --

Do not use relaxation method.

1 --

Use relaxation method.

Note:

When relaxation in enabled (KEYOPT(11) = 1), the following contact element real constants
are used: FKN and FKT are translational and rotational relaxation coefficients, respectively;
FTOLN and TNOP are translational and rotational relaxation tolerances, respectively.

Note:

KEYOPT(11) is not supported for target elements used in a general contact definition.

KEYOPT(12)

Thermal expansion effect applied to rigid surface constraints defined using the MPC approach or
the Lagrange Multiplier method (KEYOPT(2) = 2 or 3 on the contact element), and to rigid bodies:

0 --

Do not include thermal expansion.

1 --

Include thermal expansion

Note:

KEYOPT(12) is not supported for target elements used in a general contact definition.

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TARGE169 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is shown in Table 7.169.2: TARGE169 Element Output
Definitions (p. 514). The following notation is used:

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.169.2: TARGE169 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes I, J, and K Y Y
ITRGET Target surface number (assigned by the Y Y
program)
TSHAP Segment shape type Y Y
ISEG Segment numbering 1 1
CONT:FPRS Actual applied fluid penetration pressure Y Y
(magnitude of normal and tangential)
FPRSN Actual applied fluid penetration normal pressure - Y
FPTP Actual applied fluid penetration tangential - Y
pressure

1. An internal segment number determined by the program. ISEG for the target element has a different
meaning than ISEG reported for the contact element.

You can display or list the actual fluid pressure applied to the target element through several POST1
postprocessing commands, as shown below:
PLESOL,CONT,FPRS
PLNSOL,CONT,FPRS
PRESOL,CONT
PRNSOL,CONT

Note that only the FPRS (fluid penetration pressure) output item is meaningful when the PRESOL and
PRNSOL commands are used for target elements.

Table 7.169.3: TARGE169 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 515) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table in the Basic Analysis
Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The
following notation is used in Table 7.169.3: TARGE169 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 515):

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Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.169.2: TARGE169 Element Output Definitions (p. 514)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I,J

sequence number for data at nodes I, J

Table 7.169.3: TARGE169 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command

Quantity Input
Name Item E I J
FPRSN SMISC 3 1 2
FPTP SMISC 4 5

TARGE169 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The 2-D segment element must be defined in the global X-Y plane.

• For each pilot node, the program automatically defines an internal node and an internal constraint
equation. The rotational DOF of the pilot node is connected to the translational DOF of the internal
node by the internal constraint equation. Ansys, Inc. recommends against using external constraint
equations or coupling on pilot nodes; if you do, conflicts may occur, yielding incorrect results.

• For circular arcs, the third node defines the actual center of the circle and must be defined accurately
when the element is generated and must be moved consistently with the other nodes during the
deformation process. If the third node is not moved consistently with the other nodes, the arc shape
will change with that node's movement. To ensure the correct behavior, apply all boundary conditions
to a pilot node.

• For parabolic segments, the third point must lie at the middle of the parabola.

• Generally speaking, you should not change the R1 real constant between load steps or during restart
stages; otherwise Mechanical APDL assumes that the radius of the circle varies between the load
steps. When using direct generation, the real constant R1 for circles may be defined before the input
of the element nodes. If multiple rigid circles are defined, each having a different radius, they must
be defined by different target surfaces.

• For rotation of a rigid body constrained only by a bonded, rigid-flexible contact pair with a pilot
node, use the MPC algorithm or a surface-based constraint as described in Multipoint Constraints
and Assemblies in the Contact Technology Guide. Penalty-based algorithms can create undesirable
rotational energies in this situation.

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TARGE169 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

TARGE170
3-D Target Segment
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 530)

TARGE170 Element Description

TARGE170 is used to represent various 3-D "target" surfaces for the associated contact elements (CON-
TA174 (p. 557), CONTA175 (p. 586), and CONTA177 (p. 614)). The contact elements themselves overlay the
solid, shell, or line elements describing the boundary of a deformable body and are potentially in contact
with the target surface, defined by TARGE170.

You can impose translational or rotational displacement, temperature, voltage, magnetic potential, pore
pressure, and concentration on the target segment element. You can also impose forces and moments
on target elements. See TARGE170 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this
element. To represent 2-D target surfaces, use TARGE169 (p. 504), a 2-D target segment element.

For rigid target surfaces, these elements can easily model complex target shapes. For flexible targets,
these elements will overlay the solid, shell, or line elements describing the boundary of the deformable
target body.

Figure 7.170.1: TARGE170 Geometry

Target Segment Element
K TARGE170 K

I J I J

n n n

Y
X
Node-to-Surface
Contact Element
Surface-to-Surface CONTA175
Contact Element
CONTA174
TARGE170 K

I K I J

n
3-D Line-to-Surface
Contact Element 3-D Line-to-Surface
CONTA177 Contact Element
CONTA177

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TARGE170 Input Data
The target surface is modeled through a set of target segments. Typically, several target segments make
up one target surface.

Figure 7.170.2: TARGE170 Segment Types (p. 520) shows the available segment types for TARGE170. The
general 3-D surface segments (3-node and 6-node triangles, and 4-node and 8-node quadrilaterals) and
the primitive segments (cylinder, cone, and sphere) can be paired with the 3-D surface-to-surface contact
element, CONTA174 (p. 557), the 3-D node-to-surface contact element, CONTA175 (p. 586), and the 3-D
line-to-surface contact element, CONTA177 (p. 614). The line segments (2-node line and 3-node parabola)
can be paired with the 3-D line-to-surface element, CONTA177 (p. 614), to model 3-D beam-to-beam
contact.

For any target surface definition, the node ordering of the target segment element is critical for proper
detection of contact. For the general 3-D surface segments (triangle and quadrilateral segment types),
the nodes must be ordered so that the outward normal to the target surface is defined by the right
hand rule (see Figure 7.170.2: TARGE170 Segment Types (p. 520)). Therefore, for the surface target seg-
ments, the outward normal by the right hand rule is consistent to the external normal. For 3-D line
segments (straight line and parabolic line), the nodes must be entered in a sequence that defines a
continuous line. For a rigid cylinder, cone, or sphere, contact must occur on the outside of the elements;
internal contacting of these segments is not allowed.

Pair-Based Contact versus General Contact

There are two methods to define a contact interaction: the pair-based contact definition and the gen-
eral contact definition. Both contact definitions can exist in the same model. TARGE170 can be used in
either type of contact definition.

Pair-Based Contact

In a pair-based contact definition, the 3-D contact elements (CONTA174 (p. 557), CONTA175 (p. 586), and
CONTA177 (p. 614)) are associated with 3-D target segment elements (TARGE170) via a shared real
constant set. The program looks for contact interaction only between surfaces with the same real constant
set ID (which is greater than zero). The material ID associated with the contact element is used to specify
interaction properties (such as friction coefficient) defined by MP or TB commands.

The target surface can be either rigid or deformable. For rigid-flexible contact, the rigid surface must
be represented by a target surface. For flexible-flexible contact, one of the deformable surfaces must
be overlayed by a target surface. See Designating Contact and Target Surfaces in the Contact Technology
Guide for more information.

Each target surface can be associated with only one contact surface, and vice-versa. However, several
contact elements could make up the contact surface and therefore come in contact with the same target
surface. Likewise, several target elements could make up the target surface and thus come in contact
with the same contact surface. For either the target or contact surfaces, you can put many elements in
a single target or contact surface, or you can localize the contact and target surfaces by splitting the
large surfaces into smaller target and contact surfaces, each of which contain fewer elements.

If a contact surface may contact more than one target surface, you must define duplicate contact surfaces
that share the same geometry but relate to separate targets, that is, that have separate real constant
set numbers.

General Contact

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In a general contact definition, the general contact surfaces are generated automatically by the GCGEN
command based on physical parts and geometric shapes in the model. The program overlays contact
surface elements (CONTA174 (p. 557)) on 3-D deformable bodies (on both lower- and higher-order ele-
ments) and 3-D contact line elements (CONTA177 (p. 614)) on 3-D beams, on feature edges of 3-D de-
formable bodies, and on perimeter edges of shell structures. The general contact definition may also
contain target elements (TARGE170) overlaid on the surfaces of standalone rigid bodies.

The GCGEN command automatically assigns section IDs and element type IDs for each general contact
surface. As a result, each general contact surface consists of contact or target elements that are easily
identified by a unique section ID number. The real constant ID and material ID are always set to zero
for contact and target elements in the general contact definition.

The program looks for contact interaction among all surfaces and within each surface. You can further
control contact interactions between specific surfaces that could potentially be in contact by using the
GCDEF command. The material ID and real constant ID input on GCDEF identify interface properties
(defined by MP or TB commands) and contact control parameters (defined by the R command) for a
specific contact interaction. Unlike a pair-based contact definition, the contact and target elements in
the general contact definition are not associated with these material and real constant ID numbers.

Considerations for Rigid Target Surfaces

Each target segment of a rigid surface is a single element with a specific shape, or segment type. The
program supports eleven 3-D segment types, as described in Table 7.170.1: TARGE170 3-D Segment
Types, Target Shape Codes, and Nodes (p. 518). The segment types are defined by several nodes and a
target shape code (TSHAP) which indicates the geometry (shape) of the element. The segment location
is determined by the nodes.

Some segment types require radii as part of their definition. For pair-based contact, the segment radii
are specified by real constants (R1 and R2). For a general contact definition, the radii are specified by
section data (the SECTYPE,,CONTACT,RADIUS command with radii entered on the SECDATA command).

Table 7.170.1: TARGE170 3-D Segment Types, Target Shape Codes, and Nodes

TSHAP Segment Type Nodes (DOF)[1 (p. 519)] R1 R2

TRIA 3-node triangle 1st - 3rd nodes are corner points (UX, None None
UY, UZ) (TEMP) (VOLT) (MAG)
QUAD 4-node quadrilateral 1st - 4th nodes are corner points (UX, None None
UY, UZ) (TEMP) (VOLT) (MAG)
TRI6 6-node triangle 1st - 3rd nodes are corner points, 4th - None None
6th are midside nodes (UX, UY, UZ)
(TEMP) (VOLT) (MAG)
QUA8 8-node quadrilateral 1st - 4th nodes are corner points, 5th - None None
8th are midside nodes (UX, UY, UZ)
(TEMP) (VOLT) (MAG)
LINE 2-node straight 1st - 2nd nodes are line end points (UX, Target Contact
line[2 (p. 519)] UY, UZ) Radius [4 (p. 519)]
Radius[5 (p. 519)]
PARA 3-node 1st - 2nd nodes are line end points, 3rd Target Contact
parabola[2 (p. 519)] is a midside node (UX, UY, UZ) Radius[4 (p. 519)]
Radius[5 (p. 519)]
CYLI Cylinder[2 (p. 519)][7 (p. 519)]
1st - 2nd nodes are axial end points (UX, Radius None
UY, UZ) (TEMP) (VOLT) (MAG)

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TSHAP Segment Type Nodes (DOF)[1 (p. 519)] R1 R2
[2 (p. 519)][7 (p. 519)]
CONE Cone 1st - 2nd nodes are axial end points (UX, Radius Radius
UY, UZ) (TEMP) (VOLT) (MAG) at node at node
1 2
SPHE Sphere[2 (p. 519)][7 (p. 519)]Sphere center point (UX, UY, UZ) (TEMP) Radius None
(VOLT) (MAG)
PILO Pilot node[3 (p. 519)] 1st point: (UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, None None
ROTZ) (TEMP) (VOLT) (MAG)
POINT Point[6] (p. 519) 1st point: (UX, UY, UZ) None None

1. The DOF available depends on the setting of KEYOPT(1) of the associated contact element. Refer to
the element documentation for CONTA174 (p. 557) or CONTA175 (p. 586) for more details.

2. When using the direct generation modeling method to create this target segment, specify the required
radius values (define the real constant set for pair-based contact; or define the RADIUS section data
for general contact) before creating the element

3. Only pilot nodes have rotational degrees of freedom (ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ).

4. When TARGE170 is paired with the CONTA177 (p. 614) line-to-surface element, input a positive target
radius for both external and internal beam-to-beam contact. Set KEYOPT(9) of TARGE170 to indicate
whether the beam contact is external or internal.

5. Input a positive contact radius for all types of 3-D beam-to-beam contact.

6. Rigid surface node. This segment type is only used to apply boundary conditions to rigid target
surfaces.

7. The surface projection contact method (KEYOPT(4) = 3 on the contact element) does not support
primitive target segments.

Figure 7.170.2: TARGE170 Segment Types (p. 520) shows the 3-D segment shapes.

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Figure 7.170.2: TARGE170 Segment Types

K J
L K
3-Node Triangle
TSHAP,TRIA 4-Node Quadrilateral
I TSHAP,QUAD
Cylinder
I J TSHAP,CYLI
R1 = Radius I J
K
Cone
I J TSHAP,CONE
R1 = Radius(I) N M
R2 = Radius (J) 6-Node Triangle
I TSHAP,TRI6
L

Sphere J
I O
TSHAP,SPHE
R1 = Radius L K

P N 8-Node Quadrilateral
Pilot node TSHAP,QUA8
I TSHAP,PILO

I M
J

Line Parabola
I J TSHAP,LINE K TSHAP,PARA
I J

Point
TSHAP,POINT

For simple rigid target surfaces (including line segments), you can define the target segment elements
individually by direct generation. You must first specify the SHAPE argument on the TSHAP command.
If the target segment requires radius values, you must also define the radius (or radii) before creating
the element (specify real constants R1 and R2 for pair-based contact, or specify the RADIUS section type
via SECTYPE and SECDATA commands for general contact).

For general 3-D rigid surfaces, target segment elements can be defined by area meshing (AMESH). Set
KEYOPT(1) = 0 (the default) to generate low order target elements (3-node triangles and/or 4-node
quadrilaterals) for rigid surfaces. Set KEYOPT(1) = 1 to generate target elements with midside nodes (6-
node triangles and/or 8-node quadrilaterals).

For 3-D rigid lines, target segment elements can be defined by line meshing (LMESH). Set KEYOPT(1)
= 0 (the default) to generate low order target elements (2-node straight lines). Set KEYOPT(1) = 1 to
generate target elements with midside nodes (3-node parabolas).

You can also use keypoint meshing (KMESH) to generate the pilot node.

If the TARGE170 elements are created via automatic meshing (AMESH, LMESH, or KMESH commands),
then the TSHAP command is ignored and the program chooses the correct shape automatically.

For rigid-to-flexible contact, by default, the program automatically fixes the structural degree of freedom
for rigid target nodes if they aren't explicitly constrained (KEYOPT(2) = 0). If you wish, you can override
the automatic boundary condition settings by setting KEYOPT(2) = 1 for the target elements. For flexible-
to-flexible contact, no special boundary conditions treatment is performed, and the KEYOPT(2) = 0 setting
should be used.

You can assign only one pilot node to an entire rigid target surface (or none if it is not needed). In a
pair-based contact definition, the target element associated with the pilot node has the same real

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constant ID as the other target elements in the pair. In a general contact definition, the target element
associated with the pilot node has the same section ID, but it has a zero real constant ID, as do the
other target elements of each rigid surface in the general contact definition.

The pilot node, unlike the other segment types, is used to define the degrees of freedom for the entire
target surface. This node can be any of the target surface nodes, but it does not have to be. All possible
rigid motions of the target surface will be a combination of a translation and a rotation around the pilot
node. The pilot node provides a convenient and powerful way to assign boundary conditions such as
rotations, translations, moments, temperature, voltage, magnetic potential, pore pressure, and concen-
tration on an entire rigid target surface. By default (KEYOPT(2) = 0), you can assign the boundary con-
ditions only to the pilot node, eliminating the need to assign boundary conditions to individual target
nodes, thus reducing the chance of errors. The program also automatically fixes the structural degrees
of freedom on the pilot node if they aren't explicitly constrained.

By setting KEYOPT(2) = 1 for the target elements, you can apply boundary conditions on any rigid target
nodes rather than only on the pilot node. It is your responsibility to make sure the rigid target surface
is not under-constrained or over-constrained. It is still recommended that you apply all boundary con-
ditions on the pilot node, even when KEYOPT(2) = 1.

Considerations for Deformable Target Surfaces

For general deformable surfaces, use the ESURF command to overlay the target elements on the
boundary of the existing mesh. By default, the command generates a target element with an external
surface that has the same shape as the underlying element. You can issue ESURF,,,LINE to generate 3-
D line or parabola segments on an exterior of selected 3-D elements (for example, shell edges). Segment
types (TSHAP command) should not be used prior to ESURF when generating target elements on de-
formable target surfaces.

The cylinder, cone, sphere, point, and pilot node target segments should not be used for deformable
target surfaces. However, you can use geometry correction (see below) for deformable target surfaces
that represent (or approximately represent) a sphere, cylinder, or cone.

Considerations for Geometry Correction

In general, curved contact and target surfaces can be well approximated by linear or quadratic contact
and target elements when the mesh is sufficiently refined. However, in certain circumstances (for example,
when linear elements are used or when the midside nodes of quadratic elements do not lie exactly on
the initial curved geometry because a third party mesh generator was used), using a faceted surface in
place of the true curved geometry can significantly affect the accuracy of contact stresses. An optional
geometric correction can be used for two types of curved surfaces (spherical and revolute) via SECTYPE
and SECDATA section commands. The defined geometry correction can be applied to specific contact
elements via a section ID (SECNUM command). For details, see Geometry Correction for Contact and
Target Surfaces in the Contact Technology Guide.

Considerations for Fluid Penetration Loading

To model the fluid penetration loads shown in Figure 7.170.3: Fluid Penetration Pressure Directions (p. 522),
use the SFE command to specify the fluid pressure values in the normal (LKEY = 1) and tangential
directions (LKEY = 3 and 4) in the element coordinate system (ESYS) and the fluid penetration starting
points (LKEY = 2). For more information, see Applying Fluid Pressure-Penetration Loads in the Contact
Technology Guide.

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Figure 7.170.3: Fluid Penetration Pressure Directions

Considerations for Thermal Contact Analysis

By default, the temperature is set to the value of TUNIF. If TUNIF has no explicit value, the temperature
is set to zero.

For thermal contact analysis, such as convection and radiation modeling, the behavior of a thermal
contact surface (whether near-field or free surface) is usually based on the contact status. By default,
contact status affects the behavior of the contact surface as follows:

• If the contact surface is outside the pinball region, its behavior is as a far-field or free surface. In this
instance, convection/radiation occurs with the ambient temperature.

• If the contact surface is inside the pinball region, the behavior is as a near-field surface.

You can change this behavior by setting a non-default value for KEYOPT(3):

• If KEYOPT(3) = 1 is set, the contact surface status is ignored and the surface is always treated as a
free surface.

• If KEYOPT(3) = 2 is set, convection and radiation to the environment are ignored when the contact
surface status is far-field. Near-field convection/radiation are still considered.

For more information, see Thermal Contact Behavior vs. Contact Status in the Contact Technology Guide.

A summary of the element input is given in "TARGE170 Input Summary" (p. 522). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

TARGE170 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P (J - P are not required for all segment types)

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, VOLT, MAG, PRES, TTOP, TBOT (determined by the associated 3-D contact elements:
CONTA174 (p. 557), CONTA175 (p. 586), or CONTA177 (p. 614))

ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ are also valid, but only for the pilot node associated with a surface-based constraint
or a rigid target surface

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Real Constants

R1, R2, (the others are defined through the associated CONTA174 (p. 557), CONTA175 (p. 586), or
CONTA177 (p. 614) elements)

Note:

In a general contact definition, R1 and R2 are specified by a section definition (SECTYPE

and SECDATA commands) instead of real constants.

Material Properties

None

Surface Loads

Pressure, Face 1 (I-J-K-L) (opposite to target normal direction); used for fluid pressure penetration
loading. On the SFE command use LKEY = 1 to specify the normal pressure values and LKEY = 2
to specify starting and penetrating points. Use LKEY = 3, 4 to specify the tangential pressure values
along the x and y direction of the element coordinate system (ESYS).

Body Loads

None

Special Features

Birth and death

Fluid pressure penetration
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear adaptivity
Nonlinearity
Rezoning
Section definition for geometry correction of spherical and revolute surfaces

KEYOPT(1)

Element order (used by AMESH and LMESH commands only):

0 --

Low order elements

1 --

High order elements

KEYOPT(2)

Boundary conditions for rigid target nodes:

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0 --

Automatically constrained by the program. This option is valid only for static and full transient
analyses. You should apply constraints manually for downstream analyses.

1 --

Specified by user

KEYOPT(3)

Behavior of thermal contact surface:

0 --

Based on contact status

1 --

Treated as a free-surface regardless of the contact status

2 --

Treated as an insulated thermal condition (no convection/radiation to the environment) when

the contact status is far-field. Near-field convection/radiation are considered.

KEYOPT(4)

DOF set to be constrained on the dependent or independent DOF for internally-generated multipoint
constraints (MPCs). This option is used for these situations: solid-solid and shell-shell assemblies;
surface-based constraints that use a single pilot node for the target element; and rigid target surfaces
that use the KEYOPT(2) = 1 setting.

n --

Enter a six digit value that represents the DOF set to be constrained. The first to sixth digits
represent ROTZ, ROTY, ROTX, UZ, UY, UX, respectively. The number 1 (one) indicates the DOF
is active, and the number 0 (zero) indicates the DOF is not active. For example, 100011 means
that UX, UY, and ROTZ will be used in the multipoint constraint. Leading zeros may be omitted;
for example, you can enter 11 to indicate that UX and UY are the only active DOF. If KEYOPT(4)
= 0 (which is the default) or 111111, all DOF are constrained.

Note:

KEYOPT(4) is not supported for target elements used in a general contact definition.

Note:

KEYOPT(4) is not supported for Lagrange Multiplier based force-distributed constraints.

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KEYOPT(5)

DOF set to be used in internally-generated multipoint constraints (MPCs) with the MPC algorithm
and no separation or bonded behavior (KEYOPT(2) = 2 and KEYOPT(12) = 4, 5, or 6 on the contact
element). Note that this key option is not used for surface-based constraints. (See Controlling Degrees
of Freedom Used in the MPC Constraint in the Contact Technology Guide for more information):

0 --

Automatic constraint type detection. The default option internally sets KEYOPT(5) to the appro-
priate value for each contact constraint:

• For a solid-solid assembly, the program sets KEYOPT(5) = 1 if the initial gap/penetration
is smaller than 0.1*pinball; otherwise it sets KEYOPT(5) = 3.

• For a shell-shell assembly, the program sets KEYOPT(5) = 2 if the initial gap/penetration
is smaller than 0.1*pinball; otherwise it sets KEYOPT(5) = 3.

• For a shell-solid assembly, the program always sets KEYOPT(5) = 3.

1 --

Projected constraint if an intersection is found from the contact normal to the target surface.
Only translational DOFs are included in the constraint set.

2 --

Projected constraint if an intersection is found from the contact normal to the target surface.
Both translational DOFs and rotational DOFs are included in the constraint set in an uncoupled
manner.

Also used with a penalty-based shell-shell assembly (KEYOPT(2) = 0 or 1 and KEYOPT(12) = 5 or

6 on the contact element); see Bonded Contact for Shell-Shell Assemblies in the Contact Techno-
logy Guide for more information.

3 --

Force-distributed constraint - normal projection only. Both translational DOFs and rotational
DOFs are included in the constraint set in a coupled manner if an intersection is found from
the contact normal to the target surface. (Only translational DOFs from the target surface are
included in the constraint set.)

4 --

Force-distributed constraint - all directions. This option acts the same as KEYOPT(5) = 3 if an
intersection is found from the contact normal to the target surface. Otherwise, constraint
equations are still built as long as contact nodes and target segments are inside the pinball region.

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5 --

Force-distributed constraint - anywhere inside the pinball region. Constraint equations are always
built as long as contact nodes and target segments are inside the pinball region, regardless of
whether an intersection exists between the contact normal and the target surface.

Note:

When the no separation option (KEYOPT(12) = 4 on the contact element) is used with
the MPC approach, only the KEYOPT(5) = 0 and 1 options (auto detection or projected
constraint with translational DOFs only) described above are valid.

Note:

KEYOPT(5) is not supported for target elements used in a general contact definition.

KEYOPT(6)

Symmetry condition of a constrained surface. This option is only used for a force-distributed constraint
that uses a single pilot node for the target element:

n --

Enter a three digit value that represents the symmetry conditions on the constrained surface.
Symmetry is defined with respect to the nodal coordinate system of the pilot node. The first,
second, and third digits represent a symmetry condition with respect to the xy, xz, and yz planes,
respectively. The number 1 (one) indicates a symmetry condition, and the number 0 (zero) in-
dicates no symmetry condition. For example, KEYOPT(6) = 110 means the force distributed
constraint is built on a surface or edge that has symmetry about the xy and xz planes. Leading
zeros may be omitted (for example, KEYOPT(6) = 10 indicates symmetry about the xz plane
only).

Note:

Keep the following points in mind when using this symmetry condition:

• When a symmetry condition is used, the pilot node must be defined on the sym-
metry plane/edge.

• KEYOPT(6) = 111 is not valid input.

Note:

KEYOPT(6) is not supported for target elements used in a general contact definition.

KEYOPT(7)

Weighting factor control key. This option is only used for a force-distributed constraint that uses a
single pilot node for the target element.

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 0 --

Weighting factors are calculated internally based on the contact area of each contact node.

1 --

The weighting factor for each contact node is 1.

2 --

A user-defined weighting factor is used based on tabular input specified as real constant FKN.

KEYOPT(9)

Beam-to-beam contact type. This option is only used for modeling beam-to-beam contact with the
CONTA177 (p. 614) element:

0 --

External beam-to-beam contact

1 --

Internal beam-to-beam contact

Note:

KEYOPT(9) is not supported for target elements used in a general contact definition.

KEYOPT(10)

Stress stiffening effects for a force-distributed constraint or a rigid surface constraint (see Surface-
Based Constraints in the Contact Technology Guide) defined using the MPC approach (KEYOPT(2) =
2):

0 --

Do not include stress stiffening

1 --

Include stress stiffening

KEYOPT(11)

Relaxation method applied to force-distributed constraints and rigid surface constraints defined
using the MPC approach (KEYOPT(2) = 2 on the contact element), and to rigid bodies:

0 --

Do not use relaxation method.

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1 --

Use relaxation method.

Note:

When relaxation in enabled (KEYOPT(11) = 1), the following contact element real constants
are used: FKN and FKT are translational and rotational relaxation coefficients, respectively;
FTOLN and TNOP are translational and rotational relaxation tolerances, respectively.

Note:

KEYOPT(11) is not supported for target elements used in a general contact definition.

KEYOPT(12)

Thermal expansion effect applied to rigid surface constraints defined using the MPC approach or
the Lagrange Multiplier method (KEYOPT(2) = 2 or 3 on the contact element), and to rigid bodies:

0 --

Do not include thermal expansion.

1 --

Include thermal expansion

Note:

KEYOPT(12) is not supported for target elements used in a general contact definition.

TARGE170 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is shown in Table 7.170.2: TARGE170 Element Output
Definitions (p. 529).

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.170.2: TARGE170 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes I, J, and K Y Y
ITRGET Target surface number (assigned by the program) Y Y
TSHAP Segment shape type Y Y
ISEG Segment numbering 1 1
CONT:FPRS Actual applied fluid penetration pressure (magnitude Y Y
of normal and tangential)
FPRSN Actual applied fluid penetration normal pressure - Y
FPTR, FPTS Actual applied fluid penetration tangential pressure in - Y
R and S directions (x and y directions of ESYS)

1. An internal segment number determined by the program. ISEG for the target element has a different
meaning than ISEG reported for the contact element.

You can display or list the actual fluid pressure applied to the target element through several POST1
postprocessing commands, as shown below:
PLESOL,CONT,FPRS
PLNSOL,CONT,FPRS
PRESOL,CONT
PRNSOL,CONT

Note that only the FPRS (fluid penetration pressure) output item is meaningful when the PRESOL and
PRNSOL commands are used for target elements.

Table 7.170.3: TARGE170 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 530) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table in the Basic Analysis
Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The
following notation is used in Table 7.170.3: TARGE170 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 530):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.170.2: TARGE170 Element Output Definitions (p. 529)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

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Element Library

I,J,K,L

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, K, L

Table 7.170.3: TARGE170 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K L
Name
FPRSN SMISC 5 1 2 3 4
FPTR SMISC 6 7 8 9
FPTS SMISC 10 11 12 13

TARGE170 Assumptions and Restrictions

• Generally speaking, you should not change real constants R1 or R2, either between load steps or
during restart stages; otherwise the program assumes the radii of the primitive segments varies
between the load steps. When using direct generation, the real constants for cylinders, cones, and
spheres may be defined before the input of the element nodes. If multiple rigid primitives are defined,
each having different radii, they must be defined by different target surfaces.

• For each pilot node, the program automatically defines an internal node and an internal constraint
equation. The rotational DOF of the pilot node is connected to the translational DOF of the internal
node by the internal constraint equation. Ansys, Inc. recommends against using external constraint
equations or coupling on pilot nodes; if you do, conflicts may occur, yielding incorrect results.

• For rotation of a rigid body constrained only by a bonded, rigid-flexible contact pair with a pilot
node, use the MPC algorithm or a surface-based constraint as described in Multipoint Constraints
and Assemblies in the Contact Technology Guide. Penalty-based algorithms can create undesirable
rotational energies in this situation.

• When using deformable TARGE170 elements overlaid on SOLID285 (p. 1377) elements, make sure that
KEYOPT(1) = 0 (the default) if you plan to use CDWRITE/CDREAD commands to write out model data
and later read it back in. Otherwise, the TARGE170 elements will not be generated correctly after the
CDREAD operation.

TARGE170 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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CONTA172
2-D 3-Node Surface-to-Surface Contact
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 557)

CONTA172 Element Description

CONTA172 is used to represent contact and sliding between 2-D target surfaces (TARGE169 (p. 504))
and a deformable surface, defined by this element. The element is applicable to 2-D structural and
coupled-field contact analyses. It can be used for both pair-based contact and general contact.

In the case of pair-based contact, the target surface is defined by the 2-D target element type,
TARGE169 (p. 504). In the case of general contact, the target surface can be defined by CONTA172 ele-
ments (for deformable surfaces) or TARGE169 (p. 504) elements (for rigid bodies only).

This element is located on the surfaces of 2-D solid or shell elements with or without midside nodes
(for example, PLANE182 (p. 692), PLANE183 (p. 701), INTER193 (p. 926), SHELL208 (p. 966), SHELL209 (p. 977),
PLANE223 (p. 1065), CPT213 (p. 995), MATRIX50 (p. 240)).

The element has the same geometric characteristics as the solid element face with which it is connected
(see Figure 7.172.1: CONTA172 Geometry (p. 531)). Contact occurs when the element surface penetrates
an associated target surface.

Coulomb friction, shear stress friction, user-defined friction with the USERFRIC subroutine, and user-
defined contact interaction with the USERINTER subroutine are allowed. This element also allows
separation of bonded contact to simulate interface delamination.

See CONTA172 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element. A 3-D
surface-to-surface contact element (CONTA174 (p. 557)) is also available.

Figure 7.172.1: CONTA172 Geometry

Associated Target Surface

Contact normal Contact Element

Surface of Solid Element

J I
Y

CONTA172 Input Data

The geometry and node locations are shown in Figure 7.172.1: CONTA172 Geometry (p. 531). The element
is defined by three nodes if the underlying elements have midside nodes, or two nodes if the underlying
elements do not have midside nodes. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and
Meshing Guide for more information on the use of midside nodes.

The element x-axis is along the I-J line of the element. The correct node ordering of the contact element
is critical for proper detection of contact. The nodes must be ordered such that the target lies to the
right side of the contact element when moving from the first contact element node to the second
contact element node as in Figure 7.172.1: CONTA172 Geometry (p. 531).

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Pair-Based Contact versus General Contact

There are two methods to define a contact interaction: the pair-based contact definition and the gen-
eral contact definition. Both contact definitions can exist in the same model. CONTA172 can be used
in either type of contact definition.

The pair-based contact definition is usually more efficient and more robust than the general contact
definition; it supports more options and specific contact features.

Pair-Based Contact

In a pair-based contact definition, the 2-D contact surface elements (CONTA172) are associated with
the 2-D target segment elements (TARGE169 (p. 504)) via a shared real constant set. The program looks
for contact only between surfaces with the same real constant set ID (which is greater than zero). The
material ID associated with the contact element is used to specify interaction properties (such as friction
coefficient) defined by MP or TB commands.

If more than one target surface will make contact with the same boundary of solid elements, you must
define several contact elements that share the same geometry but relate to separate targets (targets
with different real constant numbers). Alternatively, you can combine several target surfaces into one
(that is, multiple targets sharing the same real constant number). See Identifying Contact Pairs in the
Contact Technology Guide for more information.

For either rigid-flexible or flexible-flexible contact, one of the deformable surfaces must be represented
by a contact surface. See Designating Contact and Target Surfaces in the Contact Technology Guide for
more information.

See Generating Contact Elements in the Contact Technology Guide for information on generating elements
automatically using the ESURF command.

General Contact

In a general contact definition, the general contact surfaces are generated automatically by the GCGEN
command based on physical parts and geometric shapes in the model. The program overlays contact
surface elements (CONTA172) on 2-D deformable bodies (on both lower- and higher-order elements)
and vertex-to-surface elements (CONTA175 (p. 586)) on convex corners of 2-D solid bodies and/or shell
structures. The general contact definition may also contain target elements (TARGE169 (p. 504)) overlaid
on the surfaces of standalone rigid bodies.

The GCGEN command automatically assigns section IDs and element type IDs for each general contact
surface. As a result, each general contact surface consists of contact or target elements that are easily
identified by a unique section ID number. The real constant ID and material ID are always set to zero
for contact and target elements in the general contact definition.

The program looks for contact interaction among all surfaces and within each surface. You can further
control contact interactions between specific surfaces that could potentially be in contact by using the
GCDEF command. The material ID and real constant ID input on GCDEF identify interface properties
(defined by MP or TB commands) and contact control parameters (defined by the R command) for a
specific contact interaction. Unlike a pair-based contact definition, the contact and target elements in
the general contact definition are not associated with these material and real constant ID numbers.

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If both pair-based contact and general contact are defined in a model, the pair-based contact definitions
are preserved, and the general contact definition automatically excludes overlapping interactions
wherever pair-based contact exists.

Some element key options are not used or are set automatically for general contact. See the individual
KEYOPT descriptions in "CONTA172 Input Summary" (p. 534) for details.

Friction
To model isotropic friction, use the TB,FRIC,,,,ISO command. You can define a coefficient of friction that
is dependent on temperature, time, normal pressure, sliding distance, or sliding relative velocity by using
the TBFIELD command along with TB,FRIC,,,,ISO. See Contact Friction in the Material Reference for more
information.

To implement a user-defined friction model, use the TB,FRIC command with TBOPT = USER to specify
friction properties and write a USERFRIC subroutine to compute friction forces. See Writing Your Own
Friction Law (USERFRIC) in the Contact Technology Guide for more information on how to use this
feature. See also the Guide to User-Programmable Features in the Programmer's Reference for a detailed
description of the USERFRIC subroutine.

Other Input
The contact interaction subroutine USERINTER is available for user-defined interface interactions, in-
cluding interactions in the normal and tangential directions as well as coupled-field interactions. See
Defining Your Own Contact Interaction (USERINTER) in the Contact Technology Guide for more inform-
ation on how to use this feature. See also the Guide to User-Programmable Features in the Programmer's
Reference for a detailed description of the USERINTER subroutine.

To model the fluid penetration loads shown in Figure 7.172.2: Fluid Penetration Pressure Directions (p. 533),
use the SFE command to specify the fluid pressure values in the normal (LKEY = 1) and tangential
directions (LKEY = 3) in the element coordinate system (ESYS) and the fluid penetration starting points
(LKEY = 2). For more information, see Applying Fluid Pressure-Penetration Loads in the Contact Techno-
logy Guide.

Figure 7.172.2: Fluid Penetration Pressure Directions

To model proper momentum transfer and energy balance between contact and target surfaces, impact
constraints should be used in transient dynamic analysis. See the description of KEYOPT(7) below and
the contact element discussion in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for details.

To model separation of bonded contact with KEYOPT(12) = 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, use the TB command with
the CZM label. See Debonding in the Contact Technology Guide for more information.

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To model wear at the contact surface, use the TB command with the WEAR label. See Contact Surface
Wear in the Contact Technology Guide for more information.

This element supports various 2-D stress states, including plane stress, plane strain, and axisymmetric
states. The stress state is automatically detected according to the stress state of the underlying element.
However, if the underlying element is a superelement, you must use KEYOPT(3) to specify the stress
state.

Two types of geometry correction are available for this element: surface smoothing and bolt thread
modeling. Surface smoothing is a geometry correction technique that eliminates inaccuracies introduced
by linear elements on a curved (circular or nearly circular) contact surface. Bolt thread modeling provides
a method for simulating contact between a threaded bolt and bolt hole without having to model the
detailed thread geometry. Both of these geometry correction techniques are implemented through
section definitions (SECTYPE, SECDATA, and SECNUM commands). For more information, see Geometry
Correction for Contact and Target Surfaces in the Contact Technology Guide.

A summary of the element input is given in "CONTA172 Input Summary" (p. 534). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

Using CONTA172 to Define a Result Section

A result section is a user-defined surface comprised of CONTA172 elements that is used to output and
monitor section forces, moments, and other output quantities. See Monitoring Result Section Data
During Solution in the Structural Analysis Guide for more information. When this element is used to
define a result section, KEYOPT(4) = 1 and 2 are the only applicable key option settings, and no real
constants are used. For this special case, the CONTA172 element does not represent contact interaction.

CONTA172 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K

Degrees of Freedom

Set by KEYOPT(1)

Real Constants

R1, R2, FKN, FTOLN, ICONT, PINB,

PZER, CZER, TAUMAX, CNOF, FKOP, FKT,
COHE, TCC, FHTG, SBCT, RDVF, FWGT,
ECC, FHEG, FACT, DC, SLTO, TNOP,
TOLS, , PPCN, FPAT, COR, STRM,
FDMN, FDMT, (Blank), (Blank), TBND, WBID
PCC, PSEE, ABPP, FPFT, FPWT, DCC,
DCON, ABDC, BSRL, KSYM, TFOR, TEND
See Table 7.172.1: CONTA172 Real Constants (p. 546) for descriptions of the real constants.

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Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: MU, EMIS, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressure, Face 1 (I-J) (opposite to contact normal direction); used for fluid pressure penetration
loading. On the SFE command use LKEY = 1 to specify the normal pressure values, and use
LKEY = 2 to specify starting and penetrating points. Use LKEY = 3 to specify the tangential
pressure values.
Convection, Face 1 (I-J-K)
Heat Flux, Face 1 (I-J-K)

Special Features

Birth and death

Debonding
Fluid pressure penetration
Isotropic friction
Large deflection
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear adaptivity
Nonlinearity
Rezoning
Section definition for geometry correction of spherical and revolute surfaces
User-defined contact interaction
User-defined friction
Result Section

KEYOPTs

Presented below is a list of KEYOPTS available for this element. Included are links to sections in the
Contact Technology Guide where more information is available on a particular topic.

KEYOPT(1)

Selects degrees of freedom:

0 --

UX, UY

1 --

UX, UY, TEMP

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Element Library

2 --

TEMP

3 --

UX, UY, TEMP, VOLT

4 --

TEMP, VOLT

5 --

UX, UY, VOLT

6 --

VOLT

7 --

AZ

8 --

UX, UY, PRES

9 --

UX, UY, PRES, TEMP

10 --

PRES

11 --

UX, UY, CONC, TEMP

12 --

UX, UY, CONC, TEMP, VOLT

13 --

UX, UY, CONC

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 14 --

CONC

Note:

For KEYOPT(1) = 8, 9, and 10, the pore pressure (PRES) degree of freedom is ignored at
midside nodes if the underlying element is the higher-order 2-D coupled pore-pressure
mechanical solid (CPT213 (p. 995)).

Note:

For general contact, the GCGEN command automatically sets KEYOPT(1) based on the
degrees of freedom of the underlying solid or shell elements.

KEYOPT(2)

Contact algorithm:

0 --

Augmented Lagrangian (default)

1 --

Penalty function

2 --

Multipoint constraint (MPC); see Multipoint Constraints and Assemblies in the Contact Technology
Guide for more information

3 --

Lagrange multiplier on contact normal and penalty on tangent

4 --

Pure Lagrange multiplier on contact normal and tangent

Note:

For general contact, the GCGEN command automatically sets KEYOPT(2) = 1 (penalty
function).

KEYOPT(3)

Units of normal contact stiffness:

0 --

FORCE/LENGTH3 (default)

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1 --

FORCE/LENGTH

Note:

KEYOPT(3) = 1 is valid only when a penalty-based algorithm is used (KEYOPT(2) = 0 or

1) and the absolute normal contact stiffness value is explicitly specified (that is, a negative
value input for real constant FKN).

Note:

KEYOPT(3) is not supported for contact elements used in a general contact definition.

If superelements are present in a 2-D model, KEYOPT(3) does not control units of normal contact
stiffness. Instead, KEYOPT(3) specifies the stress state as follows: KEYOPT(3) = 1 for axisymmetric;
KEYOPT(3) = 2 for plane stress/plane strain with unit thickness; KEYOPT(3) = 3 for plane stress with
thickness input. (KEYOPT(3) = 0 indicates no superelements.)

KEYOPT(4)

Standard KEYOPT(4) Usage

Location of contact detection point:

0 --

On Gauss point (for general cases)

1 --

On nodal point - normal from contact surface

2 --

On nodal point - normal to target surface

3 --

On nodal point - normal from contact surface (standard projection-based method)

4 --

On nodal point - normal from contact surface (dual shape function projection-based method)

Note:

Certain restrictions apply when the surface projection-based method (KEYOPT(4) = 3 or

4) is defined. For more information, see Using the Surface Projection-Based Contact
Method (KEYOPT(4) = 3 or 4) in the Contact Technology Guide.

Alternate KEYOPT(4) Usage with Surface-Based Constraints

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 To define a surface-based constraint, set KEYOPT(4) as follows:

1 --

Defines a force-distributed constraint. The force-distributed constraint can be based on

either the MPC approach (KEYOPT(2) = 2) or the Lagrange multiplier method (KEYOPT(2)
= 3).

2 --

Defines a rigid surface constraint. The rigid surface constraint can be based on either the
MPC approach (KEYOPT(2) = 2) or the Lagrange multiplier method (KEYOPT(2) = 3).

3 --

Defines a coupling constraint. The MPC approach (KEYOPT(2) = 2) must be used.

For more information, see Surface-Based Constraints in the Contact Technology Guide.

Alternate KEYOPT(4) Usage with Result Sections

When CONTA172 is used to define a result section, KEYOPT(4) determines how motion of the result
section is accounted for in a large deflection analysis:

1 --

The anchor point moves and the local coordinate system rotates with the average rigid
body motion of the contact elements used to define the result section.

2 --

The anchor point moves and the local coordinate system rotates with the average rigid
body motion of the underlying elements.
For more information, see Monitoring Result Section Data During Solution in the Structural Analysis
Guide.

KEYOPT(5)

CNOF/ICONT Automated adjustment:

0 --

No automated adjustment

(There is an exception when KEYOPT(12) = 6 is set for bonded initial contact; in this case, auto
ICONT is applied by default. See Selecting Surface Interaction Models for more information.)

1 --

Close gap with auto CNOF

2 --

Reduce penetration with auto CNOF

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3 --

Close gap/reduce penetration with auto CNOF

4 --

Auto ICONT

KEYOPT(6)

Contact stiffness variation (used to enhance stiffness updating when KEYOPT(10) ≠ 1):

0 --

Use default range for stiffness updating

1 --

Make a nominal refinement to the allowable stiffness range

2 --

Make an aggressive refinement to the allowable stiffness range

3 --

Use an exponential pressure-penetration relationship

KEYOPT(7)

Element level time incrementation control / impact constraints:

0 --

No control

1 --

Automatic bisection of increment

2 --

Change in contact predictions made to maintain a reasonable time/load increment

3 --

Change in contact predictions made to achieve the minimum time/load increment whenever a
change in contact status occurs

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 4 --

Use impact constraints for standard or rough contact (KEYOPT(12) = 0 or 1) in a transient dynamic
analysis with automatic adjustment of time increment

Note:

KEYOPT(7) = 4 is not supported for contact elements used in a general contact definition.

KEYOPT(8)

Symmetric contact behavior:

0 --

Both symmetric pairs are active. However, each pair has its own contact characteristics.

1 --

Both symmetric pairs are active and have the same contact characteristics.

2 --

The program internally selects which asymmetric contact pair is used at the solution stage (used
only when symmetric contact is defined). However, the contact stiffness of the active contact
pair is influenced by the underlying element stiffness of the inactive pair.

3 --

The program internally selects which asymmetric contact pair is used at the solution stage (used
only when symmetric contact is defined). The contact characteristics of the active contact pair
are completely independent of the inactive pair.

Note:

KEYOPT(8) settings are ignored for asymmetric contact pairs and rigid-to-rigid contact
pairs.

Note:

KEYOPT(8) is ignored for contact elements used in a general contact definition. Instead,
use the command GCDEF,AUTO to enable auto-asymmetric pairing logic.

KEYOPT(9)

Effect of initial penetration or gap:

0 --

Include both initial geometrical penetration or gap and offset

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1 --

Exclude both initial geometrical penetration or gap and offset

2 --

Include both initial geometrical penetration or gap and offset, but with ramped effects

3 --

Include offset only (exclude initial geometrical penetration or gap)

4 --

Include offset only (exclude initial geometrical penetration or gap), but with ramped effects

5 --

Include offset only (exclude initial geometrical penetration or gap) regardless of the initial contact
status (near-field or closed)

6 --

Include offset only (exclude initial geometrical penetration or gap), but with ramped effects re-
gardless of the initial contact status (near-field or closed)

Note:

The effects of KEYOPT(9) are dependent on settings for other KEYOPTs. The indicated
initial gap effect is considered only if KEYOPT(12) = 4 or 5. See the discussion on using
KEYOPT(9) in the Contact Technology Guide for more information.

Note:

KEYOPT(9) is not supported for contact elements used in a general contact definition.
Instead, use the command TBDATA,,C1 in conjunction with TB,INTER to specify the effect
of initial penetration or gap. If TBDATA,,C1 is not specified, the default for general contact
is to exclude initial penetration/gap and offset. For more information, see Interaction
Options for General Contact Definitions in the Material Reference.

KEYOPT(10)

Contact stiffness update:

0 --

Each iteration based on the current mean stress of underlying elements. The actual elastic slip
never exceeds the maximum allowable limit (SLTO) during the entire solution.

1 --

Each load step if FKN is redefined during the load step.

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 2 --

Each iteration based on the current mean stress of underlying elements. The actual elastic slip
does not exceed the maximum allowable limit (SLTO) within a substep.

Note:

For general contact, the GCGEN command automatically sets KEYOPT(10) = 0.

KEYOPT(11)

Beam/Shell thickness effect:

0 --

Exclude

1 --

Include

Note:

For general contact, the GCGEN command automatically sets KEYOPT(11) = 1.

KEYOPT(12)

Behavior of contact surface:

0 --

Standard

1 --

Rough

2 --

No separation (sliding permitted)

3 --

Bonded

4 --

No separation (always)

5 --

Bonded (always)

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6 --

Bonded (initial contact)

Note:

When KEYOPT(12) = 5 or 6 is used with the MPC algorithm to model surface-based con-
straints, the KEYOPT(12) setting will have an effect on the local coordinate system of the
contact element nodes. See Specifying a Local Coordinate System in the Contact Techno-
logy Guide for more information.

Note:

KEYOPT(12) is not supported for contact elements used in a general contact definition.
Instead, use the command TB,INTER with the appropriate TBOPT label to specify the
behavior at the contact surface. For more information, see Interaction Options for General
Contact Definitions in the Material Reference.

KEYOPT(14)

Behavior of fluid pressure penetration load. KEYOPT(14) is valid only if a fluid pressure penetration
load (SFE,,,PRES) is applied to the contact element:

0 --

Fluid pressure penetration load is applied based on the contact status of the current iteration.
Any contact detection point which was previously exposed to the fluid pressure remains in the
condition of “penetrating” (default).

1 --

Fluid pressure penetration load is applied based on the contact status of the last converged
substep. Any contact detection point which was previously exposed to the fluid pressure remains
in the condition of “penetrating”.

2 --

Fluid pressure penetration load is applied based on the contact status of the current iteration.
At each iteration, the fluid pressure penetration load is newly applied from the initial starting
points.

3 --

Fluid pressure penetration load is applied based on the contact status of the last converged
substep. At each iteration, the fluid pressure penetration load is newly applied from the initial
starting points.

Note:

KEYOPT(14) is not supported for contact elements used in a general contact definition.

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KEYOPT(15)

Effect of contact stabilization damping:

0 --

Damping is activated only in the first load step (default).

1 --

Deactivate automatic damping.

2 --

Damping is activated for all load steps.

3 --

Damping is activated at all times regardless of the contact status of previous substeps.

Note:

Normal stabilization damping is only applied to the contact element when the current
contact status of the contact detection point is near-field. When KEYOPT(15) = 0, 1, or 2,
normal stabilization damping is not applied in the current substep if any contact detection
point has a closed status. However, when KEYOPT(15) = 3, normal stabilization damping
is always applied as long as the current contact status of the contact detection point is
near-field. Tangential stabilization damping is automatically activated when normal
damping is activated. Tangential damping can also be applied independent of normal
damping for sliding contact. See Applying Contact Stabilization Damping in the Contact
Technology Guide for more information.

KEYOPT(18)

Sliding behavior:

0 --

Finite sliding (default). The contacting interface can undergo separation, relative large sliding,
and arbitrary rotation.

1 --

Small sliding. The contacting interface can undergo only small sliding during the entire solution;
arbitrary rotation is permitted.

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2 --

Adaptive small sliding. The contact interface can undergo either small sliding or finite sliding
within each substep based on the contact status at the beginning of the substep. If the contact
status is closed, small sliding is used.

Table 7.172.1: CONTA172 Real Constants

No. Name Description For more information, see

this section in the Contact
Technology Guide . . .
1 R1 Target circle radius Defining the Target
Surface
2 R2 Superelement thickness Defining the Target
Surface
3 FKN Normal penalty stiffness factor [1] [2] Determining Contact
[3] [5] Stiffness and
Penetration
4 FTOLN Penetration tolerance factor [5] Determining Contact
Stiffness and
Penetration
5 ICONT Initial contact closure Adjusting Initial
Contact Conditions
6 PINB Pinball region Determining Contact
Status and the Pinball
Region
or

Defining Influence
Range (PINB)
7 PZER Pressure at zero penetration [1] [2] Exponential
Pressure-Penetration
Relationship (KEYOPT(6) =
3)
8 CZER Initial contact clearance Exponential
Pressure-Penetration
Relationship (KEYOPT(6) =
3)
9 TAUMAX Maximum friction stress [1] [2] Choosing a Friction
Model
10 CNOF Contact surface offset [1] [2] Adjusting Initial
Contact Conditions
11 FKOP Contact opening stiffness [1] [2] Selecting Surface
Interaction Models
12 FKT Tangent penalty stiffness factor [1] [2] Determining Contact
[5] Stiffness
13 COHE Contact cohesion Choosing a Friction
Model

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No. Name Description For more information, see
this section in the Contact
Technology Guide . . .
14 TCC Thermal contact conductance [1] [2] Modeling Conduction
15 FHTG Frictional heating factor Modeling Heat
Generation Due to
Friction
16 SBCT Stefan-Boltzmann constant Modeling Radiation
17 RDVF Radiation view factor [1] [2] Modeling Radiation
18 FWGT Heat distribution weighing factor Modeling Heat
Generation Due to
Friction (thermal)
or

Heat Generation Due to

Electric Current
(electric)
19 ECC Electric contact conductance or electric Modeling Surface
contact capacitance [1] [2] [4] Interaction
20 FHEG Joule dissipation weight factor Heat Generation Due to
Electric Current
21 FACT Static/dynamic ratio Static and Dynamic
Friction Coefficients
22 DC Exponential decay coefficient Static and Dynamic
Friction Coefficients
23 SLTO Allowable elastic slip Using FKT and SLTO
24 TNOP Maximum allowable tensile contact Chattering Control
pressure [5] Parameters
25 TOLS Target edge extension factor Selecting Location of
Contact Detection
27 PPCN Pressure penetration criterion [1] [2] Specifying a Pressure
Penetration Criterion
28 FPAT Fluid penetration acting time Specifying a Fluid
Penetration Acting
Time
29 COR Coefficient of restitution Impact Between Rigid
Bodies
30 STRM Load step number for ramping Modeling Interference
penetration Fit

or

Starting time for contact stiffness

ramping
31 FDMN Normal stabilization damping factor [1] [2] Applying Contact
Stabilization Damping

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No. Name Description For more information, see

this section in the Contact
Technology Guide . . .
32 FDMT Tangential stabilization damping factor [1] Applying Contact
[2] Stabilization Damping
35 TBND Critical bonding temperature [1] [2] Using TBND
36 WBID Internal contact pair ID (used by Ansys
Workbench)
37 PCC Pore fluid contact permeability coefficient Modeling Pore Fluid
[1] [2] Flow at the Contact
Interface
38 PSEE Pore fluid seepage coefficient [1] [2] Modeling Pore Fluid
Flow at the Contact
Interface
39 ABPP Ambient pore pressure [1] [2] Modeling Pore Fluid
Flow at the Contact
Interface
40 FPFT Gap pore fluid flow participation factor [1] Modeling Pore Fluid
[2] Flow at the Contact
Interface
41 FPWT Gap pore fluid flow distribution weighting Modeling Pore Fluid
factor Flow at the Contact
Interface
42 DCC Contact diffusivity coefficient [1] [2] Modeling Diffusion
Flow at the Contact
Interface
43 DCON Diffusive convection coefficient [1] [2] Modeling Diffusion
Flow at the Contact
Interface
44 ABDC Ambient concentration [1] [2] Modeling Diffusion
Flow at the Contact
Interface
45 BSRL Original contact pair real constant set ID Real Constant Set IDs for
(after contact splitting) Split Pairs
46 KSYM Real constant set ID of the associated Real Constant Set IDs for
companion pair for symmetric contact or Split Pairs
self contact (after contact splitting)
47 TFOR Pair-based force tolerance Checking Contact Pair-Based
Force Convergence
48 TEND Ending time for ramping contact stiffness Modeling Interference Fit

1. This real constant can be defined as a function of certain primary variables.

2. This real constant can be defined by the user subroutine USERCNPROP.F.

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3. When CONTA172 is used as part of a forced-distributed constraint and KEYOPT(7) = 2 on the
TARGE169 (p. 504) element, FKN is used to define weighting factors in tabular format with node
number as the primary variable.

4. ECC is electric contact conductance per unit area in a current-based electric analysis, or electric
contact capacitance per unit area in a charge-based electric analysis (see Modeling Surface Interaction).

5. When the relaxation option is enabled (KEYOPT(11) = 1 on the TARGE169 (p. 504) element), FKN and
FKT are translational relaxation coefficient and rotational relaxation coefficient, respectively, and
tabular input is not supported. In addition, FTOLN and TNOP are translational tolerance and rotational
tolerance, respectively.

CONTA172 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.172.2: CONTA172 Element Output Defini-
tions (p. 549)

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.172.2: CONTA172 Element Output Definitions (p. 549) gives element output. In the results file,
the nodal results are obtained from its closest integration point.

Table 7.172.2: CONTA172 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes I, J Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 5
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J) Y Y
LENGTH Element length Y -
VOLU AREA Y Y
NPI Number of integration points Y -
ITRGET Target surface number (assigned by the program) Y -
ISOLID Underlying solid, shell, or beam element number Y -
CONT:STAT Current contact statuses 1 1

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Name Definition O R
OLDST Old contact statuses 1 1
NX, NY Surface normal vector components Y -
ISEG Current contacting target element number Y Y
OLDSEG Underlying old target number Y -
CONT:PENE Current penetration (gap = 0; penetration = positive value) Y Y
CONT:GAP Current gap (gap = negative value; penetration = 0) Y Y
NGAP New or current gap at current converged substep (gap = Y -
negative value; penetration = positive value)
OGAP Old gap at previously converged substep (gap = negative value; Y -
penetration = positive value)
IGAP Initial gap at start of current substep (gap = negative value; Y Y
penetration = positive value)
GGAP Geometric gap at current converged substep (gap = negative - Y
value; penetration = positive value)
CONT:PRES Normal contact pressure Y Y
CONT:SFRIC Tangential contact stress Y Y
3
KN Current normal contact stiffness (Force/Length ) Y Y
3
KT Current tangent contact stiffness (Force/Length ) Y Y
MU Friction coefficient Y Y
CONT:SLIDE Total accumulated sliding (algebraic sum) 3 3
ASLIDE Total accumulated sliding (absolute sum) 3 3
TOLN Penetration tolerance Y Y
CONT:STOTAL Total stress, SQRT (PRES**2+SFRIC**2) Y Y
FDDIS Frictional energy dissipation rate 6 6
ELSI Total elastic slip distance - Y
PLSI Total accumulated plastic slip due to frictional sliding - Y
GSLID Algebraic sum sliding - 7
VREL Sliding velocity (slip rate) - Y
DBA Penetration variation Y Y
PINB Pinball Region - Y
CONT:CNOS Total number of contact status changes during substep Y Y
TNOP Maximum allowable tensile contact pressure Y Y
SLTO Allowable elastic slip Y Y
CAREA Contacting area - Y
CONT:FPRS Actual applied fluid penetration pressure (magnitude of normal - Y
and tangential)
FPRSN Actual applied fluid penetration normal pressure - Y
FPTP Actual applied fluid penetration tangential pressure - Y
FSTART Fluid penetration starting time - Y

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 Name Definition O R
DTSTART Load step time during debonding Y Y
DPARAM Debonding parameter Y Y
DENERI [10] Energy released due to separation in normal direction - mode Y Y
I debonding
DENERII [10] Energy released due to separation in tangential direction - Y Y
mode II debonding
DENER [11] Total energy released due to debonding Y Y
CNFX [8] Contact element force - X component - 4
CNFY [8] Contact element force - Y component - 4
CNTX [9] Contact element force due to tangential stresses - X component - 4
CNTY [9] Contact element force due to tangential stresses - Y component - 4
SDAMP Stabilization damping coefficient - Y
WEARX, WEARY Wear correction - X and Y components - Y
VWEAR [12] Volume lost due to wear - Y
CONV Convection coefficient Y Y
RAC Radiation coefficient Y Y
TCC Conductance coefficient Y Y
TEMPS Temperature at contact point Y Y
TEMPT Temperature at target surface Y Y
FXCV Heat flux due to convection Y Y
FXRD Heat flux due to radiation Y Y
FXCD Heat flux due to conductance Y Y
CONT:FLUX Total heat flux at contact surface Y Y
FXNP Flux input - Y
CNFH Contact element heat flow - Y
JCONT Contact current density (Current/Unit Area) Y Y
CCONT Contact charge density (Charge/Unit Area) Y Y
HJOU Contact power/area Y Y
ECURT Current per contact element - Y
ECHAR Charge per contact element - Y
ECC Electric contact conductance (for electric current DOF), or Y Y
electric contact capacitance per unit area (for piezoelectric or
electrostatic DOFs)
VOLTS Voltage on contact nodes Y Y
VOLTT Voltage on associated target Y Y
PCC Pore fluid contact permeability coefficient Y Y
PSEE Pore fluid seepage coefficient Y Y
PRESS Pore pressure on contact nodes Y Y
PREST Pore pressure on associated target Y Y

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Name Definition O R
PFLUX Pore volume flux density per unit area flow into contact surface Y Y
EPELX Pore volume flux per contact element - Y
DCC Contact diffusivity coefficient Y Y
DCON Diffusive convection coefficient Y Y
CONCS Concentration on contact nodes Y Y
CONCT Concentration on associated target Y Y
DFLUX Diffusion flux density per unit area flow into contact surface Y Y
EDELX Diffusion flux per contact element - Y

1. The possible values of STAT and OLDST are:

0 = Open and not near contact

1 = Open but near contact
2 = Closed and sliding
3 = Closed and sticking

2. The program will evaluate model to detect initial conditions.

3. Only accumulates the sliding for sliding and closed contact (STAT = 2,3).

4. Contact element forces are defined in the global Cartesian system.

5. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

6. FDDIS = (contact friction stress)*(sliding distance of substep)/(time increment of substep)

7. Accumulated sliding distance for near-field, sliding, and closed contact (STAT = 1,2,3).

8. The contact element force values (CNFX, CNFY) are calculated based on the individual contact element
plus the surrounding contact elements. Therefore, the contact force values may not equal the contact
element area times the contact pressure (CAREA * PRES).

9. CNTX and CNTY report the total contact element forces due to tangential stresses. Since CNFX and
CNFY report the total contact element forces, the contact element forces due to normal pressure
are (CNFX-CNTX) and (CNFY-CNTY).

10. DENERI and DENERII are available only when one of the following material models is used:
TB,CZM,,,,CBDD or TB,CZM,,,,CBDE.

11. DENER is available only when one of the following material models is used: TB,CZM,,,,BILI or
TB,CZM,,,,EXPO.

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12. The wear volume lost (VWEAR) is calculated based on the individual contact element plus the sur-
rounding contact elements. Therefore, the wear volume may not equal the contact element area
times the wear amount in the contact normal direction (CAREA * Wear).

Note:

If ETABLE is used for the CONT items, the reported data is averaged across the element.

Note:

Contact results (including all element results) are generally not reported for elements that
have a status of "open and not near contact" (far-field).

Table 7.172.3: CONTA172 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 553) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table in the Basic Analysis
Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The
following notation is used:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.172.2: CONTA172 Element Output Definitions (p. 549)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I, J

sequence number for data at nodes I, J

Table 7.172.3: CONTA172 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command

Quantity Input
Name Item E I J
PRES SMISC 5 1 2
SFRIC SMISC - 3 4
FLUX [3] SMISC - 6 7
FDDIS SMISC - 8 9
[3]
FXCV [3] SMISC - 10 11
FXRD [3] SMISC - 12 13
FXCD [3] SMISC - 14 15
FXNP SMISC - 16 17

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Output ETABLE and ESOL Command

Quantity Input
Name Item E I J
JCONT/CCONT/PFLUX
SMISC - 18 19
[3]
HJOU SMISC - 20 21
DFLUX SMISC - 22 23
[3]
STAT [1] NMISC 19 1 2
OLDST NMISC - 3 4
PENE [2] NMISC - 5 6
DBA NMISC - 7 8
SLIDE NMISC - 9 10
KN NMISC - 11 12
KT NMISC - 13 14
TOLN NMISC - 15 16
IGAP NMISC - 17 18
PINB NMISC 20 - -
CNFX NMISC 21 - -
CNFY NMISC 22 - -
CNTX NMISC 91 - -
CNTY NMISC 92 - -
ISEG [4] NMISC - 23 24
ASLIDE NMISC - 25 26
CAREA NMISC 27 28 89
MU NMISC - 29 30
DTSTART NMISC - 31 32
DPARAM NMISC - 33 34
FPRSN NMISC - 35 36
TEMPS NMISC - 37 38
TEMPT NMISC - 39 40
CONV NMISC - 41 42
RAC NMISC - 43 44
TCC NMISC - 45 46
CNFH NMISC 47 - -
ECURT/ECHAR/EPELX
NMISC 48 - -
ECC/PCC/PSEE
NMISC - 49 50
VOLTS/PRESSNMISC - 51 52
VOLTT/PRESTNMISC - 53 54

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Output ETABLE and ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name Item E I J
CNOS NMISC - 55 56
TNOP NMISC - 57 58
SLTO NMISC - 59 60
DCC NMISC - 61 62
CONCS NMISC - 63 64
CONCT NMISC - 65 66
ELSI NMISC - 67 68
DENERI NMISC - 69 70
or
DENER
DENERII NMISC - 71 72
FSTART NMISC - 73 74
GGAP NMISC - 75 76
VREL NMISC - 77 78
SDAMP NMISC - 79 80
PLSI NMISC - 81 82
GSLID NMISC - 83 84
WEARX NMISC - 85 86
WEARY NMISC - 87 88
VWEAR NMISC 93 - -
EDELX NMISC 90 - -
FPTP NMISC - 94 95

1. Element Status = highest value of status of integration points within the element

2. Penetration = positive value, gap = negative value

3. A positive value of flux corresponds to flow into the contact surface.

4. The floating point output format for large integers may lead to incorrect ISEG values. You should
verify the NMISC values via the *GET command. For example, *GET,Par,ELEM,N,NMISC,23 returns
the ISEG value for node I of element N.

You can display or list contact results through several POST1 postprocessor commands. The contact
specific items for the PLNSOL, PLESOL, PRNSOL, and PRESOL commands are listed below:

STAT Contact status

PENE Contact penetration
PRES Contact pressure
SFRIC Contact friction stress

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STOT Contact total stress (pressure plus friction)

SLIDE Contact sliding distance
GAP Contact gap distance
FLUX Total heat flux at contact surface
CNOS Total number of contact status changes during
substep
FPRS Actual applied fluid penetration pressure

CONTA172 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The 2-D contact element must be defined in the global X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.172.1: CONTA172
Geometry (p. 531), and the Y-axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses.

• An axisymmetric structure should be modeled in the +X quadrants.

• This 2-D contact element works with any 3-D elements in your model.

• Do not use this element in any model that contains axisymmetric harmonic elements.

• Node numbering must coincide with the external surface of the underlying solid element or with the
original elements comprising the superelement.

• This element is nonlinear and requires a full Newton iterative solution, regardless of whether large
or small deflections are specified. An exception to this is when MPC bonded contact is specified
(KEYOPT(2) = 2 and KEYOPT(12) = 5 or 6).

• The normal contact stiffness factor (FKN) must not be so large as to cause numerical instability.

• FTOLN, PINB, and FKOP can be changed between load steps or during restart stages.

• You can use this element in nonlinear static or nonlinear full transient analyses. In addition, you can
use it in modal analyses, eigenvalue buckling analyses, and harmonic analyses. For these analysis
types, the program assumes that the initial status of the element (that is, the status at the completion
of the static prestress analysis, if any) does not change.

• When nodal detection is used and the contact node is on the axis of symmetry in an axisymmetric
analysis, the contact pressure on that node is not accurate since the area of the node is zero. The
contact force is accurate in this situation.

• It is possible for the midside node of the contact element to be in contact while the end nodes (I
and J) are not in contact. Because the program reports contact results only for the end nodes, the
element may have a closed contact status even though the reported contact pressure is zero. To
verify the contact status for contact elements in this situation, list the following ETABLE quantities:
SMISC,5 (PRES); NMISC,19 (STAT); NMISC,21 (CNFX); and NMISC,22 (CNFY).

• Certain contact features are not supported when this element is used in a general contact definition.
For details, see General Contact in the Contact Technology Guide.

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CONTA172 Product Restrictions
When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• The AZ DOF (KEYOPT(1) = 7) is not available.

• Birth and death is not available.

• Debonding is not available.

• User-defined contact is not available.

• User-defined friction is not available.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• The AZ DOF (KEYOPT(1) = 7) is not available.

• Debonding is not available.

• User-defined contact is not available.

• User-defined friction is not available.

CONTA174
3-D 8-Node Surface-to-Surface Contact
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 586)

CONTA174 Element Description

CONTA174 is used to represent contact and sliding between 3-D target surfaces and a deformable surface
defined by this element. The element is applicable to 3-D structural and coupled-field contact analyses.
It can be used for both pair-based contact and general contact.

In the case of pair-based contact, the target surface is defined by the 3-D target element type,
TARGE170 (p. 516). In the case of general contact, the target surface can be defined by CONTA174 ele-
ments (for deformable surfaces) or TARGE170 (p. 516) elements (for rigid bodies only).

The element is located on the surfaces of 3-D solid or shell elements with or without midside nodes
(for example, SOLID185 (p. 824), SOLID186 (p. 843), SOLID187 (p. 861), SHELL281 (p. 1360), SOLID225 (p. 1097),
SOLID226 (p. 1122), SOLID279 (p. 1337), SOLID285 (p. 1377), CPT216 (p. 1020), MATRIX50 (p. 240)).

The element has the same geometric characteristics as the solid or shell element face with which it is
connected (see Figure 7.174.1: CONTA174 Geometry (p. 558)). Contact occurs when the element surface
penetrates an associated target surface.

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Element Library

Coulomb friction, shear stress friction, user-defined friction with the USERFRIC subroutine, and user-
defined contact interaction with the USERINTER subroutine are allowed. The element also allows
separation of bonded contact to simulate interface delamination.

See CONTA174 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element. A 2-D
surface-to-surface contact element (CONTA172 (p. 531)) is also available.

Figure 7.174.1: CONTA174 Geometry

Associated Target Surfaces

Contact Elements
L
O
P S
y P K,L,O
K N
I xo R
x yo N I
M
Z M J
J
Y
X Surface of Solid/Shell Element

R = Element x-axis for isotropic friction

xo = Element axis for orthotropic friction if ESYS is not supplied (parallel to global X-
axis)

x = Element axis for orthotropic friction if ESYS is supplied

CONTA174 Input Data

The geometry and node locations are shown in Figure 7.174.1: CONTA174 Geometry (p. 558). The element
is defined by eight nodes (if the underlying solid or shell element has midside nodes). It can degenerate
to a six node element depending on the shape of the underlying solid or shell elements. If the underlying
solid or shell elements do not have midside nodes, you may still use CONTA174 but the midside nodes
will be dropped. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing Guide for more
information on the use of midside nodes.

The node ordering is consistent with the node ordering for the underlying solid or shell element. The
positive normal is given by the right-hand rule going around the nodes of the element and is identical
to the external normal direction of the underlying solid or shell element surface. For shell elements,
the same nodal ordering between shell and contact elements defines upper surface contact; otherwise,
it represents bottom surface contact. The contact surface's outward normal should point toward the
target surface.

Pair-Based Contact versus General Contact

There are two methods to define a contact interaction: the pair-based contact definition and the gen-
eral contact definition. Both contact definitions can exist in the same model. CONTA174 can be used
in either type of contact definition.

The pair-based contact definition is usually more efficient and more robust than the general contact
definition; it supports more options and specific contact features.

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Pair-Based Contact

In a pair-based contact definition, the 3-D contact surface elements (CONTA174) are associated with 3-
D target segment elements (TARGE170 (p. 516)) via a shared real constant set. The program looks for
contact interaction only between surfaces with the same real constant set ID (which is greater than
zero). The material ID associated with the contact element is used to specify interaction properties (such
as friction coefficient) defined by MP or TB commands.

If more than one target surface will make contact with the same boundary of solid elements, you must
define several contact elements that share the same geometry but relate to separate targets (targets
which have different real constant numbers). Alternatively, you can combine several target surfaces into
one (that is, multiple targets sharing the same real constant numbers). See Identifying Contact Pairs in
the Contact Technology Guide for more information.

For rigid-flexible and flexible-flexible contact, one of the deformable surfaces must be represented by
a contact surface. See Designating Contact and Target Surfaces in the Contact Technology Guide for
more information.

See Generating Contact Elements in the Contact Technology Guide for information on generating elements
automatically using the ESURF command.

General Contact

In a general contact definition, the general contact surfaces are generated automatically by the GCGEN
command based on physical parts and geometric shapes in the model. The program overlays contact
surface elements (CONTA174) on 3-D deformable bodies (on both lower- and higher-order elements);
3-D contact line elements (CONTA177 (p. 614)) on 3-D beams, on feature edges of 3-D deformable
bodies, and on perimeter edges of shell structures; and vertex-to-surface elements (CONTA175 (p. 586))
on convex corners of 3-D solid bodies and/or shell structures. The general contact definition may also
contain target elements (TARGE170 (p. 516)) overlaid on the surfaces of standalone rigid bodies.

The GCGEN command automatically assigns section IDs and element type IDs for each general contact
surface. As a result, each general contact surface consists of contact or target elements that are easily
identified by a unique section ID number. The real constant ID and material ID are always set to zero
for contact and target elements in the general contact definition.

The program looks for contact interaction among all surfaces and within each surface. You can further
control contact interactions between specific surfaces that could potentially be in contact by using the
GCDEF command. The material ID and real constant ID input on GCDEF identify interface properties
(defined by MP or TB commands) and contact control parameters (defined by the R command) for a
specific contact interaction. Unlike a pair-based contact definition, the contact and target elements in
the general contact definition are not associated with these material and real constant ID numbers.

If both pair-based contact and general contact are defined in a model, the pair-based contact definitions
are preserved, and the general contact definition automatically excludes overlapping interactions
wherever pair-based contact exists.

Some element key options are not used or are set automatically for general contact. See the individual
KEYOPT descriptions in "CONTA174 Input Summary" (p. 561) for details.

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Friction
CONTA174 supports isotropic and orthotropic Coulomb friction. For isotropic friction, specify a single
coefficient of friction, MU, using either TB command input (recommended) or the MP command. For
orthotropic friction, specify two coefficients of friction, MU1 and MU2, in two principal directions using
TB command input. (See Contact Friction in the Material Reference for more information.)

For isotropic friction, the applicable coordinate system is the default element coordinate system (noted
by the R and S axes in the above figure).

For orthotropic friction, the principal directions are determined as follows. The global coordinate system
is used by default, or you may define a local element coordinate system with the ESYS command.
(These are depicted by the xo and x axes in the above figure.) The first principal direction is defined by
projecting the first direction of the chosen coordinate system onto the contact surface. The second
principal direction is defined by taking a cross product of the first principal direction and the contact
normal. These directions also follow the rigid body rotation of the contact element to correctly model
the directional dependence of friction. Be careful to choose the coordinate system (global or local) so
that only the z-direction parallels (or is nearly parallel to) the surface normal.

If you want to set the coordinate directions for isotropic friction (to the global Cartesian system or an-
other system via ESYS), you can define orthotropic friction and set MU1 = MU2.

To define a coefficient of friction for isotropic or orthotropic friction that is dependent on temperature,
time, normal pressure, sliding distance, or sliding relative velocity, use the TBFIELD command along
with TB,FRIC. See Contact Friction in the Material Reference for more information.

To implement a user-defined friction model, use the TB,FRIC command with TBOPT = USER to specify
friction properties and write a USERFRIC subroutine to compute friction forces. See Writing Your Own
Friction Law (USERFRIC) in the Contact Technology Guide for more information on how to use this
feature. See also the Guide to User-Programmable Features in the Programmer's Reference for a detailed
description of the USERFRIC subroutine.

Other Input
The contact interaction subroutine USERINTER is available for user-defined interface interactions, in-
cluding interactions in the normal and tangential directions as well as coupled-field interactions. See
Defining Your Own Contact Interaction (USERINTER) in the Contact Technology Guide for more inform-
ation on how to use this feature. See also the Guide to User-Programmable Features in the Programmer's
Reference for a detailed description of the USERINTER subroutine.

To model the fluid penetration loads shown in Figure 7.174.2: Fluid Penetration Pressure Directions (p. 561),
use the SFE command to specify the fluid pressure values in the normal (LKEY = 1) and tangential
directions (LKEY = 3 and 4) in the element coordinate system (ESYS) and the fluid penetration starting
points (LKEY = 2). For more information, see Applying Fluid Pressure-Penetration Loads in the Contact
Technology Guide.

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Figure 7.174.2: Fluid Penetration Pressure Directions

To model proper momentum transfer and energy balance between contact and target surfaces, impact
constraints should be used in transient dynamic analysis. See the description of KEYOPT(7) below and
the contact element discussion in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for details.

To model separation of bonded contact with KEYOPT(12) = 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, use the TB command with
the CZM label. See Debonding in the Contact Technology Guide for more information.

To model wear at the contact surface, use the TB command with the WEAR label. See Contact Surface
Wear in the Contact Technology Guide for more information.

Two types of geometry correction are available for this element: surface smoothing and bolt thread
modeling. Surface smoothing is a geometry correction technique that eliminates inaccuracies introduced
by faceted elements on a curved (spherical or revolute) contact surface. Bolt thread modeling provides
a method for simulating contact between a threaded bolt and bolt hole without having to model the
detailed thread geometry. Both of these geometry correction techniques are implemented through
section definitions (SECTYPE, SECDATA, and SECNUM commands). For more information, see Geometry
Correction for Contact and Target Surfaces in the Contact Technology Guide.

A summary of the element input is given in "CONTA174 Input Summary" (p. 561). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41). For axisymmetric applications see Harmonic
Axisymmetric Elements (p. 92).

Using CONTA174 to Define a Result Section

A result section is a user-defined surface comprised of CONTA174 elements that is used to output and
monitor section forces, moments, and other output quantities. See Monitoring Result Section Data
During Solution in the Structural Analysis Guide for more information. When this element is used to
define a result section, KEYOPT(4) = 1 and 2 are the only applicable key option settings, and no real
constants are used. For this special case, the CONTA174 element does not represent contact interaction.

CONTA174 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

Set by KEYOPT(1)

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Element Library

Real Constants

R1, R2, FKN, FTOLN, ICONT, PINB,

PZER, CZER, TAUMAX, CNOF, FKOP, FKT,
COHE, TCC, FHTG, SBCT, RDVF, FWGT,
ECC, FHEG, FACT, DC, SLTO, TNOP,
TOLS, MCC, PPCN, FPAT, COR, STRM,
FDMN, FDMT, FDMD, FDMS, TBND, WBID,
PCC, PSEE, ABPP, FPFT, FPWT, DCC,
DCON, ABDC, BSRL, KSYM, TFOR, TEND
See Table 7.174.1: CONTA174 Real Constants (p. 575) for descriptions of the real constants.

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: MU, EMIS, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressure, Face 1 (I-J-K-L) (opposite to contact normal direction); used for fluid pressure penetration
loading. On the SFE command use LKEY = 1 to specify the normal pressure values, and use
LKEY = 2 to specify starting points and penetrating points. Use LKEY = 3, 4 to specify the
tangential pressure values along the x and y direction of the element coordinate system (ESYS)
Convection, Face 1 (I-J-K-L)
Heat Flux, Face 1 (I-J-K-L)

Special Features

Birth and death

Debonding
Fluid pressure penetration
Isotropic friction
Large deflection
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear adaptivity
Nonlinearity
Rezoning
Orthotropic friction
Section definition for geometry correction of spherical and revolute surfaces
User-defined contact interaction
User-defined friction
Result Section

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KEYOPTs

Presented below is a list of KEYOPTS available for this element. Included are links to sections in the
Contact Technology Guide where more information is available on a particular topic.

KEYOPT(1)

Selects degrees of freedom:

0 --

UX, UY, UZ

1 --

UX, UY, UZ, TEMP

2 --

TEMP (or a combination of TBOT, TTOP, and TEMP set by KEYOPT(13))

3 --

UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, VOLT

4 --

TEMP, VOLT

5 --

UX, UY, UZ, VOLT

6 --

VOLT

7 --

MAG

8 --

UX, UY, UZ, PRES

9 --

UX, UY, UZ, PRES, TEMP

10 --

PRES

11 --

UX, UY, UZ, CONC, TEMP

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Element Library

12 --

UX, UY, UZ, CONC, TEMP, VOLT

13 --

UX, UY, UZ, CONC

14 --

CONC

Note:

For KEYOPT(1) = 8, 9, and 10, the pore pressure (PRES) degree of freedom is ignored at
midside nodes if the underlying element is a higher-order 3-D coupled pore-pressure
mechanical solid (CPT216 (p. 1020), CPT217 (p. 1028)).

Note:

For general contact, the GCGEN command automatically sets KEYOPT(1) based on the
degrees of freedom of the underlying solid or shell elements.

KEYOPT(2)

Contact algorithm:

0 --

Augmented Lagrangian (default)

1 --

Penalty function

2 --

Multipoint constraint (MPC); see Multipoint Constraints and Assemblies in the Contact Technology
Guide for more information

3 --

Lagrange multiplier on contact normal and penalty on tangent

4 --

Pure Lagrange multiplier on contact normal and tangent

Note:

For general contact, the GCGEN command automatically sets KEYOPT(2) = 1 (penalty
function).

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KEYOPT(3)

Units of normal contact stiffness:

0 --

FORCE/LENGTH3 (default)

1 --

FORCE/LENGTH

Note:

KEYOPT(3) = 1 is valid only when a penalty-based algorithm is used (KEYOPT(2) = 0 or

1) and the absolute normal contact stiffness value is explicitly specified (that is, a negative
value input for real constant FKN). It is not recommended in conjunction with using
nodal detection options (KEYOPT(4) = 1 or 2) if any midside nodes exist for the contact
element.

Note:

KEYOPT(3) is not supported for contact elements used in a general contact definition.

KEYOPT(4)

Standard KEYOPT(4) Usage

Location of contact detection point:

0 --

On Gauss point (for general cases)

1 --

On nodal point - normal from contact surface

2 --

On nodal point - normal to target surface

3 --

On nodal point - normal from contact surface (standard projection-based method)

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Element Library

4 --

On nodal point - normal from contact surface (dual shape function projection-based method)

Note:

Certain restrictions apply when the surface projection-based method (KEYOPT(4) = 3 or

4) is defined. For more information, see Using the Surface Projection-Based Contact
Method (KEYOPT(4) = 3 or 4) in the Contact Technology Guide.

Alternate KEYOPT(4) Usage with Surface-Based Constraints

To define a surface-based constraint, set KEYOPT(4) as follows:

1 --

Defines a force-distributed constraint. The force-distributed constraint can be based on

either the MPC approach (KEYOPT(2) = 2) or the Lagrange multiplier method (KEYOPT(2)
= 3).

2 --

Defines a rigid surface constraint. The rigid surface constraint can be based on either the
MPC approach (KEYOPT(2) = 2) or the Lagrange multiplier method (KEYOPT(2) = 3).

3 --

Defines a coupling constraint. The MPC approach (KEYOPT(2) = 2) must be used.

For more information, see Surface-Based Constraints in the Contact Technology Guide.

Alternate KEYOPT(4) Usage with Result Sections

When CONTA174 is used to define a result section, KEYOPT(4) determines how motion of the result
section is accounted for in a large deflection analysis:

1 --

The anchor point moves and the local coordinate system rotates with the average rigid
body motion of the contact elements used to define the result section.

2 --

The anchor point moves and the local coordinate system rotates with the average rigid
body motion of the underlying elements.
For more information, see Monitoring Result Section Data During Solution in the Structural Analysis
Guide.

KEYOPT(5)

CNOF/ICONT Automated adjustment:

0 --

No automated adjustment

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 (There is an exception when KEYOPT(12) = 6 is set for bonded initial contact; in this case, auto
ICONT is applied by default. See Selecting Surface Interaction Models for more information.)

1 --

Close gap with auto CNOF

2 --

Reduce penetration with auto CNOF

3 --

Close gap/reduce penetration with auto CNOF

4 --

Auto ICONT

KEYOPT(6)

Contact stiffness variation (used to enhance stiffness updating when KEYOPT(10) ≠ 1):

0 --

Use default range for stiffness updating

1 --

Make a nominal refinement to the allowable stiffness range

2 --

Make an aggressive refinement to the allowable stiffness range

3 --

Use an exponential pressure-penetration relationship

KEYOPT(7)

Element level time incrementation control / impact constraints:

0 --

No control

1 --

Automatic bisection of increment

2 --

Change in contact predictions made to maintain a reasonable time/load increment

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3 --

Change in contact predictions made to achieve the minimum time/load increment whenever a
change in contact status occurs

4 --

Use impact constraints for standard or rough contact (KEYOPT(12) = 0 or 1) in a transient dynamic
analysis with automatic adjustment of time increment

Note:

KEYOPT(7) = 4 is not supported for contact elements used in a general contact definition.

KEYOPT(8)

Symmetric contact behavior:

0 --

Both symmetric pairs are active. However, each pair has its own contact characteristics.

1 --

Both symmetric pairs are active and have the same contact characteristics.

2 --

The program internally selects which asymmetric contact pair is used at the solution stage (used
only when symmetric contact is defined). However, the contact stiffness of the active contact
pair is influenced by the underlying element stiffness of the inactive pair.

3 --

The program internally selects which asymmetric contact pair is used at the solution stage (used
only when symmetric contact is defined). The contact characteristics of the active contact pair
are completely independent of the inactive pair.

Note:

KEYOPT(8) settings are ignored for asymmetric contact pairs and rigid-to-rigid contact
pairs.

Note:

KEYOPT(8) is ignored for contact elements used in a general contact definition. Instead,
use the command GCDEF,AUTO to enable auto-asymmetric pairing logic.

KEYOPT(9)

Effect of initial penetration or gap:

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 0 --

Include both initial geometrical penetration or gap and offset

1 --

Exclude both initial geometrical penetration or gap and offset

2 --

Include both initial geometrical penetration or gap and offset, but with ramped effects

3 --

Include offset only (exclude initial geometrical penetration or gap)

4 --

Include offset only (exclude initial geometrical penetration or gap), but with ramped effects

5 --

Include offset only (exclude initial geometrical penetration or gap) regardless of the initial contact
status (near-field or closed)

6 --

Include offset only (exclude initial geometrical penetration or gap), but with ramped effects re-
gardless of the initial contact status (near-field or closed)

Note:

The effects of KEYOPT(9) are dependent on settings for other KEYOPTs. The indicated
initial gap effect is considered only if KEYOPT(12) = 4 or 5. See the discussion on using
KEYOPT(9) in the Contact Technology Guide for more information.

Note:

KEYOPT(9) is not supported for contact elements used in a general contact definition.
Instead, use the command TBDATA,,C1 in conjunction with TB,INTER to specify the effect
of initial penetration or gap. If TBDATA,,C1 is not specified, the default for general contact
is to exclude initial penetration/gap and offset. For more information, see Interaction
Options for General Contact Definitions in the Material Reference.

KEYOPT(10)

Contact stiffness update:

0 --

Each iteration based on the current mean stress of underlying elements. The actual elastic slip
never exceeds the maximum allowable limit (SLTO) during the entire solution.

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Element Library

1 --

Each load step if FKN is redefined during the load step.

2 --

Each iteration based on the current mean stress of underlying elements. The actual elastic slip
does not exceed the maximum allowable limit (SLTO) within a substep.

Note:

For general contact, the GCGEN command automatically sets KEYOPT(10) = 0.

KEYOPT(11)

Shell thickness effect:

0 --

Exclude

1 --

Include

Note:

KEYOPT(11) = 1 is not valid when the underlying elements are part of a pre-integrated
shell section (SECTYPE,,GENS).

Note:

For general contact, the GCGEN command automatically sets KEYOPT(11) = 1.

KEYOPT(12)

Behavior of contact surface:

0 --

Standard

1 --

Rough

2 --

No separation (sliding permitted)

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 3 --

Bonded

4 --

No separation (always)

5 --

Bonded (always)

6 --

Bonded (initial contact)

Note:

When KEYOPT(12) = 5 or 6 is used with the MPC algorithm to model surface-based con-
straints, the KEYOPT(12) setting will have an impact on the local coordinate system of
the contact element nodes. See Specifying a Local Coordinate System in the Contact
Technology Guide for more information.

Note:

KEYOPT(12) is not supported for contact elements used in a general contact definition.
Instead, use the command TB,INTER with the appropriate TBOPT label to specify the
behavior at the contact surface. For more information, see Interaction Options for General
Contact Definitions in the Material Reference.

KEYOPT(13)

Degree-of-freedom control for contact involving thermal shells:

0 --

TEMP for contact surface

TEMP for target surface

1 --

TBOT for contact surface

TBOT for target surface

2 --

TTOP for contact surface

TTOP for target surface

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3 --

TBOT for contact surface

TEMP for target surface

4 --

TEMP for contact surface

TBOT for target surface

5 --

TTOP for contact surface

TEMP for target surface

6 --

TEMP for contact surface

TTOP for target surface

7 --

TBOT for contact surface

TTOP for target surface

8 --

TTOP for contact surface

TBOT for target surface

Note:

KEYOPT(13) is only used when the pure thermal contact option is set (KEYOPT(1) = 2)
and the element is being used to model thermal transfer between thermal shells
(SHELL131 (p. 403), SHELL132 (p. 411)) or between thermal shells and thermal solids.

Note:

KEYOPT(13) is not supported for contact elements used in a general contact definition.

KEYOPT(14)

Behavior of fluid pressure penetration load. KEYOPT(14) is valid only if a fluid pressure penetration
load (SFE,,,PRES) is applied to the contact element:

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 0 --

Fluid pressure penetration load is applied based on the contact status of the current iteration.
Any contact detection point which was previously exposed to the fluid pressure remains in the
condition of "penetrating" (default).

1 --

Fluid pressure penetration load is applied based on the contact status of the last converged
substep. Any contact detection point which was previously exposed to the fluid pressure remains
in the condition of "penetrating".

2 --

Fluid pressure penetration load is applied based on the contact status of the current iteration.
At each iteration, the fluid pressure penetration load is newly applied from the initial starting
points.

3 --

Fluid pressure penetration load is applied based on the contact status of the last converged
substep. At each iteration, the fluid pressure penetration load is newly applied from the initial
starting points.

Note:

KEYOPT(14) is not supported for contact elements used in a general contact definition.

KEYOPT(15)

Effect of contact stabilization damping:

0 --

Damping is activated only in the first load step (default).

1 --

Deactivate automatic damping.

2 --

Damping is activated for all load steps.

3 --

Damping is activated at all times regardless of the contact status of previous substeps.

Note:

Normal stabilization damping is only applied to the contact element when the current
contact status of the contact detection point is near-field. When KEYOPT(15) = 0, 1, or 2,
normal stabilization damping is not applied in the current substep if any contact detection

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Element Library

point has a closed status. However, when KEYOPT(15) = 3, normal stabilization damping
is always applied as long as the current contact status of the contact detection point is
near-field. Tangential stabilization damping is automatically activated when normal
damping is activated. Tangential damping can also be applied independent of normal
damping for sliding contact. See Applying Contact Stabilization Damping in the Contact
Technology Guide for more information.

KEYOPT(16)

Squeal damping controls for interpretation of real constants FDMD and FDMS:

0 --

FDMD and FDMS are scaling factors for destabilizing and stabilizing damping (default).

1 --

FDMD is a constant friction-sliding velocity gradient. FDMS is the stabilization damping coefficient.

2 --

FDMD and FDMS are the destabilizing and stabilization damping coefficients.

Note:

KEYOPT(16) is not supported for contact elements used in a general contact definition.

KEYOPT(18)

Sliding behavior:

0 --

Finite sliding (default). The contacting interface can undergo separation, relative large sliding,
and arbitrary rotation.

1 --

Small sliding. The contacting interface can undergo only small sliding during the entire solution;
arbitrary rotation is permitted.

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 2 --

Adaptive small sliding. The contact interface can undergo either small sliding or finite sliding
within each substep based on the contact status at the beginning of the substep. If the contact
status is closed, small sliding is used.

Table 7.174.1: CONTA174 Real Constants

No. Name Description For more information, see

this section in the Contact
Technology Guide . . .
1 R1 Target radius for cylinder, cone, or Defining the Target
sphere Surface
2 R2 Target radius at second node of cone Defining the Target
Surface
3 FKN Normal penalty stiffness factor [1] [2] Determining Contact
[3] [5] Stiffness and
Penetration
4 FTOLN Penetration tolerance factor [5] Determining Contact
Stiffness and
Penetration
5 ICONT Initial contact closure Adjusting Initial Contact
Conditions
6 PINB Pinball region Determining Contact
Status and the Pinball
Region
or

Defining Influence
Range (PINB)
7 PZER Pressure at zero penetration [1] [2] Exponential
Pressure-Penetration
Relationship (KEYOPT(6) = 3)
8 CZER Initial contact clearance Exponential
Pressure-Penetration
Relationship (KEYOPT(6) = 3)
9 TAUMAX Maximum friction stress [1] [2] Choosing a Friction
Model
10 CNOF Contact surface offset [1] [2] Adjusting Initial Contact
Conditions
11 FKOP Contact opening stiffness [1] [2] Selecting Surface
Interaction Models
12 FKT Tangent penalty stiffness factor [1] [2] Determining Contact
[5] Stiffness
13 COHE Contact cohesion Choosing a Friction
Model
14 TCC Thermal contact conductance [1] [2] Modeling Conduction

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No. Name Description For more information, see

this section in the Contact
Technology Guide . . .
15 FHTG Frictional heating factor Modeling Heat
Generation Due to
Friction
16 SBCT Stefan-Boltzmann constant Modeling Radiation
17 RDVF Radiation view factor [1] [2] Modeling Radiation
18 FWGT Heat distribution weighing factor Modeling Heat
Generation Due to
Friction (thermal)
or

Heat Generation Due to

Electric Current (electric)
19 ECC Electric contact conductance or electric Modeling Surface
contact capacitance [1] [2] [4] Interaction
20 FHEG Joule dissipation weight factor Heat Generation Due to
Electric Current
21 FACT Static/dynamic ratio Static and Dynamic
Friction Coefficients
22 DC Exponential decay coefficient Static and Dynamic
Friction Coefficients
23 SLTO Allowable elastic slip Using FKT and SLTO
24 TNOP Maximum allowable tensile contact Chattering Control
pressure [5] Parameters
25 TOLS Target edge extension factor Selecting Location of
Contact Detection
26 MCC Magnetic contact permeance [1] [2] Modeling Magnetic
Contact
27 PPCN Pressure penetration criterion [1] [2] Specifying a Pressure
Penetration Criterion
28 FPAT Fluid penetration acting time Specifying a Fluid
Penetration Acting Time
29 COR Coefficient of restitution Impact Between Rigid
Bodies
30 STRM Load step number for ramping Modeling Interference
penetration Fit

or

Starting time for contact stiffness

ramping
31 FDMN Normal stabilization damping factor [1] [2] Applying Contact
Stabilization Damping

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No. Name Description For more information, see
this section in the Contact
Technology Guide . . .
32 FDMT Tangential stabilization damping factor [1] Applying Contact
[2] Stabilization Damping
33 FDMD Destabilization squeal damping factor Forced Frictional Sliding
Using Velocity Input
34 FDMS Stabilization squeal damping factor Forced Frictional Sliding
Using Velocity Input
35 TBND Critical bonding temperature [1] [2] Using TBND
36 WBID Internal contact pair ID (used by Ansys
Workbench)
37 PCC Pore fluid contact permeability coefficient Modeling Pore Fluid
[1] [2] Flow at the Contact
Interface
38 PSEE Pore fluid seepage coefficient [1] [2] Modeling Pore Fluid
Flow at the Contact
Interface
39 ABPP Ambient pore pressure [1] [2] Modeling Pore Fluid
Flow at the Contact
Interface
40 FPFT Gap pore fluid flow participation factor [1] Modeling Pore Fluid
[2] Flow at the Contact
Interface
41 FPWT Gap pore fluid flow distribution weighting Modeling Pore Fluid
factor Flow at the Contact
Interface
42 DCC Contact diffusivity coefficient [1] [2] Modeling Diffusion Flow
at the Contact Interface
43 DCON Diffusive convection coefficient [1] [2] Modeling Diffusion Flow
at the Contact Interface
44 ABDC Ambient concentration [1] [2] Modeling Diffusion Flow
at the Contact Interface
45 BSRL Original contact pair real constant ID (after Real Constant Set IDs for
contact splitting) Split Pairs
46 KSYM Real constant ID of the associated Real Constant Set IDs for
companion pair for symmetric contact or Split Pairs
self contact (after contact splitting)
47 TFOR Pair-based force tolerance Checking Contact Pair-Based
Force Convergence
48 TEND Ending time for ramping contact stiffness Modeling Interference Fit

1. This real constant can be defined as a function of certain primary variables.

2. This real constant can be defined by the user subroutine USERCNPROP.F.

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3. When CONTA174 is used as part of a forced-distributed constraint and KEYOPT(7) = 2 on the

TARGE170 (p. 516) element, FKN is used to define weighting factors in tabular format with node
number as the primary variable.

4. ECC is electric contact conductance per unit area in a current-based electric analysis, or electric
contact capacitance per unit area in a charge-based electric analysis (see Modeling Surface Interaction).

5. When the relaxation option is enabled (KEYOPT(11) = 1 on the TARGE170 (p. 516) element), FKN and
FKT are translational relaxation coefficient and rotational relaxation coefficient, respectively, and
tabular input is not supported. In addition, FTOLN and TNOP are translational tolerance and rotational
tolerance, respectively.

CONTA174 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.174.2: CONTA174 Element Output Defini-
tions (p. 578)

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.174.2: CONTA174 Element Output Definitions (p. 578) gives element output. In the results file,
the nodal results are obtained from its closest integration point.

Table 7.174.2: CONTA174 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 5
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P) Y Y
VOLU AREA Y Y
NPI Number of integration points Y -
ITRGET Target surface number (assigned by the program) Y -
ISOLID Underlying solid or shell element number Y -
CONT:STAT Current contact statuses 1 1
OLDST Old contact statuses 1 1

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 Name Definition O R
ISEG Current contacting target element number Y Y
OLDSEG Underlying old target number Y -
CONT:PENE Current penetration (gap = 0; penetration = positive value) Y Y
CONT:GAP Current gap (gap = negative value; penetration = 0) Y Y
NGAP New or current gap at current converged substep (gap = Y -
negative value; penetration = positive value)
OGAP Old gap from previously converged substep (gap = negative Y -
value; penetration = positive value)
IGAP Initial gap at start of current substep (gap = negative value; Y Y
penetration = positive value)
GGAP Geometric gap at current converged substep (gap = negative - Y
value; penetration = positive value)
CONT:PRES Normal contact pressure Y Y
TAUR/TAUS [7] Tangential contact stresses Y Y
3
KN Current normal contact stiffness (Force/Length ) Y Y
3
KT Current tangent contact stiffness (Force/Length ) Y Y
MU [8] Friction coefficient Y Y
TASS/TASR [7] Total (algebraic sum) sliding in S and R directions 3 3
AASS/AASR [7] Total (absolute sum) sliding in S and R directions 3 3
TOLN Penetration tolerance Y Y
CONT:SFRIC Frictional stress, SQRT (TAUR**2+TAUS**2) Y Y
CONT:STOTAL Total stress, SQRT (PRES**2+TAUR**2+TAUS**2) Y Y
CONT:SLIDE Amplitude of total accumulated sliding, SQRT (TASS**2 + 3 3
TASR**2)
FDDIS Frictional energy dissipation rate 6 6
ELSI Total equivalent elastic slip distance - Y
PLSI Total (accumulated) equivalent plastic slip due to frictional - Y
sliding
GSLID Amplitude of total accumulated sliding (including near-field) - 9
VREL Equivalent sliding velocity (slip rate) - Y
DBA Penetration variation Y Y
PINB Pinball Region - Y
CONT:CNOS Total number of contact status changes during substep Y Y
TNOP Maximum allowable tensile contact pressure Y Y
SLTO Allowable elastic slip Y Y
CAREA Contacting area - Y
CONT:FPRS Actual applied fluid penetration pressure (magnitude of normal - Y
and tangential)
FPRSN Actual applied fluid penetration normal pressure - Y

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Name Definition O R
FPTR, FPTS Actual applied fluid penetration tangential pressure in R and - Y
S directions (x and y directions of ESYS)
FSTART Fluid penetration starting time - Y
DTSTART Load step time during debonding Y Y
DPARAM Debonding parameter Y Y
DENERI [12] Energy released due to separation in normal direction - mode Y Y
I debonding
DENERII [12] Energy released due to separation in tangential direction - Y Y
mode II debonding
DENER [13] Total energy released due to debonding Y Y
CNFX [10] Contact element force-X component - 4
CNFY [10] Contact element force-Y component - 4
CNFZ [10] Contact element force-Z component - 4
CNTX [11] Contact element force due to tangential stresses - X component - 4
CNTY [11] Contact element force due to tangential stresses - Y component - 4
CNTZ [11] Contact element force due to tangential stresses - Z component - 4
SDAMP Squeal damping coefficient / Stabilization damping coefficient - Y
WEARX, WEARY, Wear correction - X, Y, and Z components - Y
WEARZ
VWEAR [14] Volume lost due to wear - Y
CONV Convection coefficient Y Y
RAC Radiation coefficient Y Y
TCC Conductance coefficient Y Y
TEMPS Temperature at contact point Y Y
TEMPT Temperature at target surface Y Y
FXCV Heat flux due to convection Y Y
FXRD Heat flux due to radiation Y Y
FXCD Heat flux due to conductance Y Y
CONT:FLUX Total heat flux at contact surface Y Y
FXNP Flux input - Y
CNFH Contact element heat flow - Y
JCONT Contact current density (Current/Unit Area) Y Y
CCONT Contact charge density (Charge/Unit Area) Y Y
HJOU Contact power/area Y Y
ECURT Current per contact element - Y
ECHAR Charge per contact element - Y
ECC Electric contact conductance (for electric current DOF), or Y Y
electric contact capacitance per unit area (for piezoelectric or
electrostatic DOFs)

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 Name Definition O R
VOLTS Voltage on contact nodes Y Y
VOLTT Voltage on associated target Y Y
MCC Magnetic contact permeance Y Y
MFLUX Magnetic flux density Y Y
MAGS Magnetic potential on contact node Y Y
MAGT Magnetic potential on associated target Y Y
PCC Pore fluid contact permeability coefficient Y Y
PSEE Pore fluid seepage coefficient Y Y
PRESS Pore pressure on contact nodes Y Y
PREST Pore pressure on associated target Y Y
PFLUX Pore volume flux density per unit area flow into contact surface Y Y
EPELX Pore volume flux per contact element - Y
DCC Contact diffusivity coefficient Y Y
DCON Diffusive convection coefficient Y Y
CONCS Concentration on contact nodes Y Y
CONCT Concentration on associated target Y Y
DFLUX Diffusion flux density per unit area flow into contact surface Y Y
EDELX Diffusion flux per contact element - Y

1. The possible values of STAT and OLDST are:

0 = Open and not near contact

1 = Open but near contact
2 = Closed and sliding
3 = Closed and sticking

2. The program will evaluate model to detect initial conditions.

3. Only accumulates the sliding for sliding and closed contact (STAT = 2,3).

4. Contact element forces are defined in the global Cartesian system.

5. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

6. FDDIS = (contact friction stress)*(sliding distance of substep)/(time increment of substep)

7. For the case of orthotropic friction, components are defined in the global Cartesian system (default)
or in the local element coordinate system specified by ESYS.

8. For orthotropic friction, an equivalent coefficient of friction is output.

9. Accumulated sliding distance for near-field, sliding, and closed contact (STAT = 1,2,3).

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10. The contact element force values (CNFX, CNFY, CNFZ) are calculated based on the individual contact
element plus the surrounding contact elements. Therefore, the contact force values may not equal
the contact element area times the contact pressure (CAREA * PRES).

11. CNTX, CNTY, and CNTZ report the total contact element forces due to tangential stresses. Since
CNFX, CNFY, and CNFZ report the total contact element forces, the contact element forces due to
normal pressure are (CNFX-CNTX), (CNFY-CNTY), and (CNFZ-CNTZ).

12. DENERI and DENERII are available only when one of the following material models is used:
TB,CZM,,,,CBDD or TB,CZM,,,,CBDE.

13. DENER is available only when one of the following material models is used: TB,CZM,,,,BILI or
TB,CZM,,,,EXPO.

14. The wear volume lost (VWEAR) is calculated based on the individual contact element plus the sur-
rounding contact elements. Therefore, the wear volume may not equal the contact element area
times the wear amount in the contact normal direction (CAREA * Wear).

Note:

If ETABLE is used for the CONT items, the reported data is averaged across the element.

Note:

Contact results (including all element results) are generally not reported for elements that
have a status of "open and not near contact" (far-field).

Table 7.174.3: CONTA174 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 583) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table in the Basic Analysis
Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The
following notation is used:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.174.2: CONTA174 Element Output Definitions (p. 578)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

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I, J, K, L

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, K, L

Table 7.174.3: CONTA174 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K L
Name
PRES SMISC 13 1 2 3 4
TAUR SMISC - 5 6 7 8
TAUS SMISC - 9 10 11 12
FLUX [3] SMISC - 14 15 16 17
FDDIS SMISC - 18 19 20 21
[3]
FXCV [3] SMISC 22 23 24 25
FXRD [3] SMISC - 26 27 28 29
FXCD [3] SMISC - 30 31 32 33
FXNP SMISC - 34 35 36 37
JCONT/CCONT/PFLUX
SMISC - 38 39 40 41
[3]
HJOU SMISC - 42 43 44 45
MFLUX/DFLUX
SMISC - 46 47 48 49
[3]
STAT [1] NMISC 41 1 2 3 4
OLDST NMISC - 5 6 7 8
PENE [2] NMISC - 9 10 11 12
DBA NMISC - 13 14 15 16
TASR NMISC - 17 18 19 20
TASS NMISC - 21 22 23 24
KN NMISC - 25 26 27 28
KT NMISC - 29 30 31 32
TOLN NMISC - 33 34 35 36
IGAP NMISC - 37 38 39 40
PINB NMISC 42 - - - -
CNFX NMISC 43 - - - -
CNFY NMISC 44 - - - -
CNFZ NMISC 45 - - - -
CNTX NMISC 186 - - - -
CNTY NMISC 187 - - - -
CNTZ NMISC 188 - - - -
ISEG [4] NMISC - 46 47 48 49

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Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K L
Name
AASR NMISC - 50 51 52 53
AASS NMISC - 54 55 56 57
CAREA NMISC 58 59 60 61 184
MU NMISC - 62 63 64 65
DTSTART NMISC - 66 67 68 69
DPARAM NMISC - 70 71 72 73
FPRSN NMISC - 74 75 76 77
TEMPS NMISC - 78 79 80 81
TEMPT NMISC - 82 83 84 85
CONV NMISC - 86 87 88 89
RAC NMISC - 90 91 92 93
TCC NMISC - 94 95 96 97
CNFH NMISC 98 - - - -
ECURT/ECHAR/EPELX
NMISC 99 - - - -
ECC/PCC/PSEE
NMISC - 100 101 102 103
VOLTS/PRESSNMISC - 104 105 106 107
VOLTT/PRESTNMISC - 108 109 110 111
CNOS NMISC - 112 113 114 115
TNOP NMISC - 116 117 118 119
SLTO NMISC - 120 121 122 123
MCC/DCC NMISC - 124 125 126 127
MAGS/CONCS
NMISC - 128 129 130 131
MAGT/CONCT
NMISC - 132 133 134 135
ELSI NMISC - 136 137 138 139
DENERI NMISC - 140 141 142 143
or
DENER
DENERII NMISC - 144 145 146 147
FSTART NMISC - 148 149 150 151
GGAP NMISC - 152 153 154 155
VREL NMISC - 156 157 158 159
SDAMP NMISC - 160 161 162 163
PLSI NMISC - 164 165 166 167
GSLID NMISC - 168 169 170 171
WEARX NMISC - 172 173 174 175
WEARY NMISC - 176 177 178 179
WEARZ NMISC - 180 181 182 183

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Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Quantity Item E I J K L
Name
VWEAR NMISC 189 - - - -
EDELX NMISC 185 - - - -
FPTR NMISC - 190 191 192 193
FPTS NMISC - 194 195 196 197

1. Element Status = highest value of status of integration points within the element

2. Penetration = positive value, gap = negative value

3. A positive value of flux corresponds to flow into the contact surface.

4. The floating point output format for large integers may lead to incorrect ISEG values. You should
verify the NMISC values via the *GET command. For example, *GET,Par,ELEM,N,NMISC,46 returns
the ISEG value for node I of element N.

You can display or list contact results through several POST1 postprocessor commands. The contact
specific items for the PLNSOL, PLESOL, PRNSOL, and PRESOL commands are listed below:

STAT Contact status

PENE Contact penetration
PRES Contact pressure
SFRIC Contact friction stress
STOT Contact total stress (pressure plus friction)
SLIDE Contact sliding distance
GAP Contact gap distance
FLUX Total heat flux at contact surface
CNOS Total number of contact status changes during
substep
FPRS Actual applied fluid penetration pressure

CONTA174 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The 3-D contact element must coincide with the external surface of the underlying solid or shell
element.

• This element is nonlinear and requires a full Newton iterative solution, regardless of whether large
or small deflections are specified. An exception to this is when MPC bonded contact is specified
(KEYOPT(2) = 2 and KEYOPT(12) = 5 or 6).

• The normal contact stiffness factor (FKN) must not be so large as to cause numerical instability.

• FTOLN, PINB, and FKOP can be changed between load steps or during restart stages.

• You can use this element in nonlinear static or nonlinear full transient analyses.

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• In addition, you can use it in modal analyses, eigenvalue buckling analyses, and harmonic analyses.
For these analysis types, the program assumes that the initial status of the element (that is, the status
at the completion of the static prestress analysis, if any) does not change.

• It is possible for at least one midside node of the contact element to be in contact while the corner
nodes are not in contact. Because the program reports contact results only for the corner nodes, the
element may have a closed contact status even though the reported contact pressure is zero. To
verify the contact status for contact elements in this situation, list the following ETABLE quantities:
SMISC,13 (PRES); NMISC,41 (STAT); NMISC,43 (CNFX); NMISC,44 (CNFY); and NIMSC,45 (CNFZ).

• Certain contact features are not supported when this element is used in a general contact definition.
For details, see General Contact in the Contact Technology Guide.

CONTA174 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• The MAG DOF (KEYOPT(1) = 7) is not available.

• Birth and death is not available.

• Debonding is not available.

• User-defined contact is not available.

• User-defined friction is not available.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• The MAG DOF (KEYOPT(1) = 7) is not available.

• Debonding is not available.

• User-defined contact is not available.

• User-defined friction is not available.

CONTA175
2-D/3-D Node-to-Surface Contact
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 613)

CONTA175 Element Description

CONTA175 may be used to represent contact and sliding between two surfaces (or between a node
and a surface, or between a line and a surface) in 2-D or 3-D. It can be used for both pair-based contact
and general contact.

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The element is applicable to 2-D or 3-D structural and coupled field contact analyses. This element is
located on the surfaces of solid, beam, and shell elements. 3-D solid and shell elements with midside
nodes are supported for bonded and no separation contact. For other contact types, lower order solid
and shell elements are recommended.

Contact occurs when the element surface penetrates one of the target elements on a specified target
surface. In the case of pair-based contact, the target surface is defined by a 2-D or 3-D target element
type, TARGE169 (p. 504) or TARGE170 (p. 516). In the case of general contact, the target surface can be
defined by contact elements CONTA172 (p. 531) or CONTA174 (p. 557) for deformable surfaces, or by
target elements TARGE169 (p. 504) or TARGE170 (p. 516) for rigid bodies.

Coulomb friction, shear stress friction, user-defined friction with the USERFRIC subroutine, and user-
defined contact interaction with the USERINTER subroutine are allowed. This element also allows
separation of bonded contact to simulate interface delamination. See CONTA175 in the Mechanical
APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.175.1: CONTA175 Geometry

Y Y
I
CONTA175
X I X
CONTA175 Z
target normal target normal

2-D associated target 3-D associated target

surface (TARGE169) surface (TARGE170)

CONTA175 Input Data

The geometry is shown in Figure 7.175.1: CONTA175 Geometry (p. 587). The element is defined by one
node. The underlying elements can be 2-D or 3-D solid, shell, or beam elements. CONTA175 represents
2-D or 3-D contact depending on whether the associated 2-D or 3-D target segments are used. Contact
can occur only when the outward normal direction of the 2-D or 3-D target surface points to the contact
surface. See Generating Contact Elements in the Contact Technology Guide for more information on
controlling the outward normal directions via the ESURF command.

Pair-Based Contact versus General Contact

There are two methods to define a contact interaction: the pair-based contact definition and the gen-
eral contact definition. Both contact definitions can exist in the same model. CONTA175 can be used
in either type of contact definition.

The pair-based contact definition is usually more efficient and more robust than the general contact
definition; it supports more options and specific contact features.

Pair-Based Contact

In a pair-based contact definition, the node-to-surface contact elements (CONTA175) are associated
with target segment elements (TARGE169 (p. 504) or TARGE170 (p. 516)) via a shared real constant set.
The program looks for contact interaction only between surfaces with the same real constant set ID
(which is greater than zero). The material ID associated with the contact element is used to specify in-
teraction properties (such as friction coefficient) defined by MP or TB commands.

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If more than one target surface will make contact with the same boundary of solid elements, you must
define several contact elements that share the same geometry but relate to separate targets (targets
which have different real constant numbers). Alternatively, you can combine several target surfaces into
one (that is, multiple targets sharing the same real constant numbers). See Identifying Contact Pairs in
the Contact Technology Guide for more information.

For rigid-flexible and flexible-flexible contact, one of the deformable surfaces must be represented by
a contact surface. See Designating Contact and Target Surfaces in the Contact Technology Guide for
more information.

See Generating Contact Elements in the Contact Technology Guide for information on generating elements
automatically using the ESURF command.

General Contact

In a general contact definition, the general contact surfaces are generated automatically by the GCGEN
command based on physical parts and geometric shapes in the model. The program overlays contact
surface elements (CONTA172 (p. 531) for 2-D or CONTA174 (p. 557) for 3-D) on deformable bodies (on
both lower- and higher-order elements); 3-D contact line elements (CONTA177 (p. 614)) on 3-D beams,
on feature edges of 3-D deformable bodies, and on perimeter edges of shell structures; and vertex-to-
surface elements (CONTA175) on convex corners of 2-D or 3-D solid bodies and/or shell structures. The
general contact definition may also contain target elements (TARGE169 (p. 504) or TARGE170 (p. 516))
overlaid on the surfaces of standalone rigid bodies.

The GCGEN command automatically assigns section IDs and element type IDs for each general contact
surface. As a result, each general contact surface consists of contact or target elements that are easily
identified by a unique section ID number. The real constant ID and material ID are always set to zero
for contact and target elements in the general contact definition.

The program looks for contact interaction among all surfaces and within each surface. You can further
control contact interactions between specific surfaces that could potentially be in contact by using the
GCDEF command. The material ID and real constant ID input on GCDEF identify interface properties
(defined by MP or TB commands) and contact control parameters (defined by the R command) for a
specific contact interaction. Unlike a pair-based contact definition, the contact and target elements in
the general contact definition are not associated with these material and real constant ID numbers.

Some element key options are not used or are set automatically for general contact. See the individual
KEYOPT descriptions in "CONTAC175 Input Summary" (p. 590) for details.

Friction
CONTA175 supports isotropic and orthotropic Coulomb friction. For isotropic friction, specify a single
coefficient of friction, MU, using either TB command input (recommended) or the MP command. For
orthotropic friction, specify two coefficients of friction, MU1 and MU2, in two principal directions using
TB command input. (See Contact Friction in the Material Reference for more information.)

For isotropic friction, the default element coordinate system (based on node connectivity of the under-
lying elements) is used. For orthotropic friction, the global coordinate system is used by default, or you
may define a local element coordinate system with the ESYS command. The principal directions are
computed on the target surface and then projected onto the contact element (node). The first principal
direction is defined by projecting the first direction of the chosen coordinate system onto the target
surface. The second principal direction is defined by taking a cross product of the first principal direction

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and the target normal. These directions also follow the rigid body rotation of the contact element to
correctly model the directional dependence of friction. Be careful to choose the coordinate system
(global or local) so that only the z-direction parallels (or is nearly parallel to) the surface normal.

If you want to set the coordinate directions for isotropic friction (to the global Cartesian system or an-
other system via ESYS), you can define orthotropic friction and set MU1 = MU2.

To define a coefficient of friction for isotropic or orthotropic friction that is dependent on temperature,
time, normal pressure, sliding distance, or sliding relative velocity, use the TBFIELD command along
with TB,FRIC. See Contact Friction in the Material Reference for more information.

To implement a user-defined friction model, use the TB,FRIC command with TBOPT = USER to specify
friction properties and write a USERFRIC subroutine to compute friction forces. See Writing Your Own
Friction Law (USERFRIC) in the Contact Technology Guide for more information on how to use this
feature. See also the Guide to User-Programmable Features in the Programmer's Reference for a detailed
description of the USERFRIC subroutine.

Other Input
The contact interaction subroutine USERINTER is available for user-defined interface interactions, in-
cluding interactions in the normal and tangential directions as well coupled-field interactions. See De-
fining Your Own Contact Interaction (USERINTER) in the Contact Technology Guide for more information
on how to use this feature. See also the Guide to User-Programmable Features in the Programmer's
Reference for a detailed description of the USERINTER subroutine.

To model proper momentum transfer and energy balance between contact and target surfaces, impact
constraints should be used in transient dynamic analysis. See the description of KEYOPT(7) below and
the contact element discussion in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for details.

To model separation of bonded contact with KEYOPT(12) = 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, use the TB command with
the CZM label. See Debonding in the Contact Technology Guide for more information.

To model wear at the contact surface, use the TB command with the WEAR label. See Contact Surface
Wear in the Contact Technology Guide for more information.

KEYOPT(3) allows you to choose between a contact force-based model (KEYOPT(3) = 0, default) and a
contact traction-based model (KEYOPT(3) = 1). The units for certain real constants (FKN, FKT, TNOP, and
so on) and postprocessing items (PRES, TAUR, TAUS, SFRIC, and so on) vary by a factor of AREA, depending
on which model is specified. (For details, see the real constant table (p. 600) and output definitions
table (p. 604).) For more information on using KEYOPT(3) with CONTA175, see KEYOPT(3) in the Contact
Technology Guide.

This element supports a bolt thread modeling technique that simulates contact between a threaded
bolt and bolt hole without having to model the detailed thread geometry. Bolt thread modeling is
available for 3-D models and 2-D axisymmetric models and is implemented through section definitions
(SECTYPE, SECDATA, and SECNUM commands). For more information, see Simplified Bolt Thread
Modeling in the Contact Technology Guide.

See the Contact Technology Guide for a detailed discussion about contact and using the contact elements.
Node-to-Surface Contact discusses CONTA175 specifically, including the use of real constants and KEY-
OPTs.

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A summary of the element input is given in "CONTAC175 Input Summary" (p. 590). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

CONTAC175 Input Summary

Nodes

Degrees of Freedom

Set by KEYOPT(1)

Real Constants

R1, R2, FKN, FTOLN, ICONT, PINB,

PZER, CZER, TAUMAX, CNOF, FKOP, FKT,
COHE, TCC, FHTG, SBCT, RDVF, FWGT,
ECC, FHEG, FACT, DC, SLTO, TNOP,
TOLS, MCC, (Blank), (Blank), COR, STRM,
FDMN, FDMT, FDMD, FDMS, TBND, WBID,
PCC, PSEE, ABPP, FPFT, FPWT, DCC,
DCON, ABDC, , , TFOR, TEND
See Table 7.175.1: CONTA175 Real Constants (p. 600) for descriptions of the real constants.

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: MU, EMIS, DMPR, DMPS

Special Features

Birth and death

Debonding
Isotropic friction
Large deflection
Linear perturbation
Nonlinearity
Orthotropic friction
User-defined contact interaction
User-defined friction

KEYOPTs

Presented below is a list of KEYOPTS available for this element. Included are links to sections in the
Contact Technology Guide where more information is available on a particular topic.

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KEYOPT(1)

Selects degrees of freedom:

0 --

UX, UY, UZ

1 --

UX, UY, UZ, TEMP

2 --

TEMP

3 --

UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, VOLT

4 --

TEMP, VOLT

5 --

UX, UY, UZ, VOLT

6 --

VOLT

7 --

AZ (2-D) or MAG (3-D)

8 --

UX, UY, UZ, PRES

9 --

UX, UY, UZ, PRES, TEMP

10 --

PRES

11 --

UX, UY, CONC, TEMP

12 --

UX, UY, CONC, TEMP, VOLT

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13 --

UX, UY, CONC

14 --

CONC

Note:

Only KEYOPT(1) = 0 is supported for CONTA175 elements used in a general contact

definition.

KEYOPT(2)

Contact algorithm:

0 --

Augmented Lagrangian (default)

1 --

Penalty function

2 --

Multipoint constraint (MPC); see Multipoint Constraints and Assemblies in the Contact Technology
Guide for more information

3 --

Lagrange multiplier on contact normal and penalty on tangent

4 --

Pure Lagrange multiplier on contact normal and tangent

Note:

For general contact, the GCGEN command automatically sets KEYOPT(2) = 1 (penalty
function).

KEYOPT(3)

Contact model:

0 --

Contact force-based model (default)

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 1 --

Contact traction-based model

Note:

The traction-based model (KEYOPT(3) = 1) should not be used if the underlying elements
are 3-D beam or pipe elements.

Note:

For general contact, the GCGEN command automatically sets KEYOPT(3) = 1 (traction-
based model).

KEYOPT(4)

Standard KEYOPT(4) Usage

Contact normal direction:

0 --

Normal to target surface (default)

1 --

Normal from contact nodes

2 --

Normal from contact nodes (used for shell/beam bottom surface contact when shell/beam
thickness is accounted for; KEYOPT(11) = 1)

3 --

Normal to target surface (used for shell/beam bottom surface contact when shell/beam thickness
is accounted for; KEYOPT(11) = 1)

Alternate KEYOPT(4) Usage with Surface-Based Constraints

To define a surface-based constraint, set KEYOPT(4) as follows:

0 --

Rigid surface constraint. The rigid surface constraint can be based on either the MPC ap-
proach (KEYOPT(2) = 2) or the Lagrange multiplier method (KEYOPT(2) = 3).

1 --

Force-distributed constraint. The force-distributed constraint can be based on either the

MPC approach (KEYOPT(2) = 2) or the Lagrange multiplier method (KEYOPT(2) = 3).

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3 --

Coupling constraint
For more information, see Surface-Based Constraints in the Contact Technology Guide.

KEYOPT(5)

CNOF/ICONT Automated adjustment:

0 --

No automated adjustment

(There is an exception when KEYOPT(12) = 6 is set for bonded initial contact; in this case, auto
ICONT is applied by default. See Selecting Surface Interaction Models for more information.)

1 --

Close gap with auto CNOF

2 --

Reduce penetration with auto CNOF

3 --

Close gap/reduce penetration with auto CNOF

4 --

Auto ICONT

KEYOPT(6)

Contact stiffness variation (used to enhance stiffness updating when KEYOPT(10) ≠ 1):

0 --

Use default range for stiffness updating

1 --

Make a nominal refinement to the allowable stiffness range

2 --

Make an aggressive refinement to the allowable stiffness range

3 --

Use an exponential pressure-penetration relationship

KEYOPT(7)

Element level time incrementation control / impact constraints:

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 0 --

No control

1 --

Automatic bisection of increment

2 --

Change in contact predictions are made to maintain a reasonable time/load increment

3 --

Change in contact predictions made to achieve the minimum time/load increment whenever a
change in contact status occurs

4 --

Use impact constraints for standard or rough contact (KEYOPT(12) = 0 or 1) in a transient dynamic
analysis with automatic adjustment of time increment

Note:

KEYOPT(7) = 4 is not supported for contact elements used in a general contact definition.

KEYOPT(8)

Symmetric contact behavior:

0 --

Both symmetric pairs are active. However, each pair has its own contact characteristics.

1 --

Both symmetric pairs are active and have the same contact characteristics.

2 --

The program internally selects which asymmetric contact pair is used at the solution stage (used
only when symmetric contact is defined). However, the contact stiffness of the active contact
pair is influenced by the underlying element stiffness of the inactive pair.

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3 --

The program internally selects which asymmetric contact pair is used at the solution stage (used
only when symmetric contact is defined). The contact characteristics of the active contact pair
are completely independent of the inactive pair.

Note:

KEYOPT(8) settings are ignored for asymmetric contact pairs and rigid-to-rigid contact
pairs.

Note:

KEYOPT(8) is ignored for contact elements used in a general contact definition. Instead,
use the command GCDEF,AUTO to enable auto-asymmetric pairing logic.

KEYOPT(9)

Effect of initial penetration or gap:

0 --

Include both initial geometrical penetration or gap and offset

1 --

Exclude both initial geometrical penetration or gap and offset

2 --

Include both initial geometrical penetration or gap and offset, but with ramped effects

3 --

Include offset only (exclude initial geometrical penetration or gap)

4 --

Include offset only (exclude initial geometrical penetration or gap), but with ramped effects

5 --

Include offset only (exclude initial geometrical penetration or gap) regardless of the initial contact
status (near-field or closed)

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 6 --

Include offset only (exclude initial geometrical penetration or gap), but with ramped effects re-
gardless of the initial contact status (near-field or closed)

Note:

The effects of KEYOPT(9) are dependent on settings for other KEYOPTs. The indicated
initial gap effect is considered only if KEYOPT(12) = 4 or 5. See the discussion on using
KEYOPT(9) in the Contact Technology Guide for more information.

Note:

KEYOPT(9) is not supported for contact elements used in a general contact definition.
Instead, use the command TBDATA,,C1 in conjunction with TB,INTER to specify the effect
of initial penetration or gap. If TBDATA,,C1 is not specified, the default for general contact
is to exclude initial penetration/gap and offset. For more information, see Interaction
Options for General Contact Definitions in the Material Reference.

KEYOPT(10)

Contact Stiffness Update:

0 --

Each iteration based on the current mean stress of underlying elements. The actual elastic slip
never exceeds the maximum allowable limit (SLTO) during the entire solution.

1 --

Each load step if FKN is redefined during the load step.

2 --

Each iteration based on the current mean stress of underlying elements. The actual elastic slip
does not exceed the maximum allowable limit (SLTO) within a substep.

Note:

For general contact, the GCGEN command automatically sets KEYOPT(10) = 0.

KEYOPT(11)

Shell Thickness Effect:

0 --

Exclude

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1 --

Include

Note:

KEYOPT(11) is applicable to shell elements whose thickness is defined through real con-
stant input or section properties. However, KEYOPT(11) = 1 is not valid when the under-
lying elements are part of a pre-integrated shell section (SECTYPE,,GENS).

KEYOPT(11) is applicable to beam elements whose thickness is defined through real

constant input. However, KEYOPT(11) = 1 is not valid if the thickness of 2-D/3-D beams
is defined through section properties.

KEYOPT(12)

Behavior of contact surface:

0 --

Standard

1 --

Rough

2 --

No separation (sliding permitted)

3 --

Bonded

4 --

No separation (always)

5 --

Bonded (always)

6 --

Bonded (initial contact)

Note:

When KEYOPT(12) = 5 or 6 is used with the MPC algorithm to model surface-based con-
straints, the KEYOPT(12) setting will have an affect on the local coordinate system of the

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 contact element nodes. See Specifying a Local Coordinate System in the Contact Techno-
logy Guide for more information.

Note:

KEYOPT(12) is not supported for contact elements used in a general contact definition.
Instead, use the command TB,INTER with the appropriate TBOPT label to specify the
behavior at the contact surface. For more information, see Interaction Options for General
Contact Definitions in the Material Reference.

KEYOPT(15)

Effect of contact stabilization damping:

0 --

Damping is activated only in the first load step (default).

1 --

Deactivate automatic damping.

2 --

Damping is activated for all load steps.

3 --

Damping is activated at all times regardless of the contact status of previous substeps.

Note:

Normal stabilization damping is only applied to the contact element when the current
contact status of the contact detection point is near-field. When KEYOPT(15) = 0, 1, or 2,
normal stabilization damping is not applied in the current substep if any contact detection
point has a closed status. However, when KEYOPT(15) = 3, normal stabilization damping
is always applied as long as the current contact status of the contact detection point is
near-field. Tangential stabilization damping is automatically activated when normal
damping is activated. Tangential damping can also be applied independent of normal
damping for sliding contact. See Applying Contact Stabilization Damping in the Contact
Technology Guide for more information.

KEYOPT(16)

Squeal damping controls for interpretation of real constants FDMD and FDMS:

0 --

FDMD and FDMS are scaling factors for destabilizing and stabilizing damping (default).

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1 --

FDMD is a constant friction-sliding velocity gradient. FDMS is the stabilization damping coefficient.

2 --

FDMD and FDMS are the destabilizing and stabilization damping coefficients.

Note:

KEYOPT(16) is not supported for contact elements used in a general contact definition.

KEYOPT(18)

Sliding behavior:

0 --

Finite sliding (default). The contacting interface can undergo separation, relative large sliding,
and arbitrary rotation.

1 --

Small sliding. The contacting interface can undergo only small sliding during the entire solution;
arbitrary rotation is permitted.

2 --

Adaptive small sliding. The contact interface can undergo either small sliding or finite sliding
within each substep based on the contact status at the beginning of the substep. If the contact
status is closed, small sliding is used.

Table 7.175.1: CONTA175 Real Constants

No. Name Description For more information, see

this section in the Contact
Technology Guide . . .
1 R1 Target radius for cylinder, cone, or Defining the Target
sphere Surface
2 R2 Target radius at second node of cone Defining the Target
Surface
3 FKN[5] Normal penalty stiffness factor [1] [2] Determining Contact
[3] [7] Stiffness and
Penetration
4 FTOLN Penetration tolerance factor [7] Determining Contact
Stiffness and
Penetration
5 ICONT Initial contact closure Adjusting Initial
Contact Conditions

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No. Name Description For more information, see
this section in the Contact
Technology Guide . . .
6 PINB Pinball region Determining Contact
Status and the Pinball
Region
or

Defining Influence
Range (PINB)
7 PZER Pressure at zero penetration [1] [2] Exponential
Pressure-Penetration
Relationship (KEYOPT(6) =
3)
8 CZER Initial contact clearance Exponential
Pressure-Penetration
Relationship (KEYOPT(6) =
3)
9 TAUMAX Maximum friction stress [1] [2] Choosing a Friction
Model
10 CNOF Contact surface offset [1] [2] Adjusting Initial
Contact Conditions
11 FKOP Contact opening stiffness [1] [2] Selecting Surface
Interaction Models
12 FKT[5] Tangent penalty stiffness factor [1] [2] Determining Contact
[7] Stiffness
13 COHE Contact cohesion Choosing a Friction
Model
14 TCC[5] Thermal contact conductance [1] [2] Modeling Conduction
15 FHTG Frictional heating factor Modeling Heat
Generation Due to
Friction
16 SBCT Stefan-Boltzmann constant Modeling Radiation
17 RDVF Radiation view factor [1] [2] Modeling Radiation
18 FWGT Heat distribution weighing factor Modeling Heat
Generation Due to
Friction (thermal)
or

Heat Generation Due to

Electric Current
(electric)
19 ECC[5] Electric contact conductance or electric Modeling Surface
contact capacitance [1] [2] [6] Interaction
20 FHEG Joule dissipation weight factor Heat Generation Due to
Electric Current

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No. Name Description For more information, see

this section in the Contact
Technology Guide . . .
21 FACT Static/dynamic ratio Static and Dynamic
Friction Coefficients
22 DC Exponential decay coefficient Static and Dynamic
Friction Coefficients
23 SLTO Allowable elastic slip Using FKT and SLTO
24 TNOP Maximum allowable tensile contact Chattering Control
force/pressure [4] [7] Parameters
25 TOLS Target edge extension factor Selecting Location of
Contact Detection
26 MCC[5] Magnetic contact permeance [1] [2] Modeling Magnetic
Contact
29 COR Coefficient of restitution Impact Between Rigid
Bodies
30 STRM Load step number for ramping Modeling Interference
penetration Fit

or

Starting time for contact stiffness

ramping
31 FDMN Normal stabilization damping factor [1] [2] Applying Contact
Stabilization Damping
32 FDMT Tangential stabilization damping factor [1] Applying Contact
[2] Stabilization Damping
33 FDMD Destabilization squeal damping factor Forced Frictional
Sliding Using Velocity
Input
34 FDMS Stabilization squeal damping factor Forced Frictional
Sliding Using Velocity
Input
35 TBND Critical bonding temperature [1] [2] Using TBND
36 WBID Internal contact pair ID (used by Ansys
Workbench)
37 PCC[5] Pore fluid contact permeability coefficient Modeling Pore Fluid
[1] [2] Flow at the Contact
Interface
38 PSEE[5] Pore fluid seepage coefficient [1] [2] Modeling Pore Fluid
Flow at the Contact
Interface
39 ABPP Ambient pore pressure [1] [2] Modeling Pore Fluid
Flow at the Contact
Interface

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No. Name Description For more information, see
this section in the Contact
Technology Guide . . .
40 FPFT Gap pore fluid flow participation factor [1] Modeling Pore Fluid
[2] Flow at the Contact
Interface
41 FPWT Gap pore fluid flow distribution weighting Modeling Pore Fluid
factor Flow at the Contact
Interface
42 DCC[5] Contact diffusivity coefficient [1] [2] Modeling Diffusion
Flow at the Contact
Interface
43 DCON[5] Diffusive convection coefficient [1] [2] Modeling Diffusion
Flow at the Contact
Interface
44 ABDC Ambient concentration [1] [2] Modeling Diffusion
Flow at the Contact
Interface
47 TFOR Pair-based force tolerance Checking Contact
Pair-Based Force
Convergence
48 TEND Ending time for ramping contact stiffness Modeling Interference Fit

1. This real constant can be defined as a function of certain primary variables.

2. This real constant can be defined by the user subroutine USERCNPROP.F.

3. When CONTA175 is used as part of a forced-distributed constraint and KEYOPT(7) = 2 on the target
element (TARGE169 (p. 504) or TARGE170 (p. 516)), FKN is used to define weighting factors in tabular
format with node number as the primary variable.

4. For the contact force-based model (KEYOPT(3) = 0), TNOP is the allowable tensile contact force. For
the contact traction-based model (KEYOPT(3) = 1), TNOP is the allowable tensile contact pressure.

5. For the contact force-based model (KEYOPT(3) = 0), the units of this real constant has a factor of
AREA with respect to those used in the surface-to-surface contact elements. See Performing a Node-
to-Surface Contact Analysis for more information.

6. ECC is electric contact conductance in a current-based electric analysis, or electric contact capacitance
in a charge-based electric analysis (see Modeling Surface Interaction).

7. When the relaxation option is enabled (KEYOPT(11) = 1 on the TARGE169 (p. 504) or TARGE170 (p. 516)
element), FKN and FKT are translational relaxation coefficient and rotational relaxation coefficient,
respectively, and tabular input is not supported. In addition, FTOLN and TNOP are translational tol-
erance and rotational tolerance, respectively.

CONTA175 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

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• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.175.2: CONTA175 Element Output Defini-
tions (p. 604).

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.175.2: CONTA175 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes I Y Y
XC, YC, (ZC) Location where results are reported (same as nodal location) Y Y
TEMP Temperature T(I) Y Y
VOLU AREA for 3-D, Length for 2-D Y Y
NPI Number of integration points Y -
ITRGET Target surface number (assigned by Mechanical APDL) Y -
ISOLID Underlying solid or shell element number Y -
CONT:STAT Current contact statuses 1 1
OLDST Old contact statuses 1 1
ISEG Current contacting target element number Y Y
OLDSEG Underlying old target number Y -
CONT:PENE Current penetration (gap = 0; penetration = positive value) Y Y
CONT:GAP Current gap (gap = negative value; penetration = 0) Y Y
NGAP New or current gap at current converged substep (gap = Y -
negative value; penetration = positive value)
OGAP Old gap at previously converged substep (gap = negative value; Y -
penetration = positive value)
IGAP Initial gap at start of current substep (gap = negative value; Y Y
penetration = positive value)
GGAP Geometric gap at current converged substep (gap = negative - Y
value; penetration = positive value)
CONT:PRES Normal contact force/pressure 2 2
TAUR/TAUS [8] Tangential contact forces/stresses 2 2

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 Name Definition O R
KN Current normal contact stiffness (units: Force/Length for contact 5 5
force-based model, Force/Length3 for contract traction-based
model)
KT Current tangent contact stiffness (same units as KN) 5 5
MU [9] Friction coefficient Y Y
TASS/TASR [8] Total (algebraic sum) sliding in S and R directions (3-D only) 3 3
AASS/AASR [8] Total (absolute sum) sliding in S and R directions (3-D only) 3 3
TOLN Penetration tolerance Y Y
CONT:SFRIC Frictional force/stress, SQRT (TAUR**2+TAUS**2) (3-D only) 2 2
CONT:STOTAL Total force/stress, SQRT (PRES**2+TAUR**2+TAUS**2) (3-D only) 2 2
CONT:SLIDE Amplitude of total accumulated sliding, SQRT 3 3
(TASS**2+TASR**2) (3-D only)
NX, NY Surface normal vector components (2-D only) Y -
CONT:SFRIC Tangential contact force/stress (2-D only) 2 2
CONT:SLIDE Total accumulated sliding (algebraic sum) (2-D only) 3 3
ASLIDE Total accumulated sliding (absolute sum) (2-D only) 3 3
FDDIS Frictional energy dissipation rate 7 7
ELSI Total equivalent elastic slip distance - Y
PLSI Total (accumulated) equivalent plastic slip due to frictional - Y
sliding
GSLID Amplitude of total accumulated sliding (including near-field) - 10
VREL Equivalent sliding velocity (slip rate) - Y
DBA Penetration variation Y Y
PINB Pinball Region - Y
CONT:CNOS Total number of contact status changes during substep Y Y
TNOP Maximum allowable tensile contact force/pressure 2 2
SLTO Allowable elastic slip Y Y
CAREA Contacting area - Y
DTSTART Load step time during debonding Y Y
DPARAM Debonding parameter Y Y
DENERI [13] Energy released due to separation in normal direction - mode Y Y
I debonding
DENERII [13] Energy released due to separation in tangential direction - Y Y
mode II debonding
DENER [14] Total energy released due to debonding Y Y
CNFX [11] Contact element force-X component - 4
CNFY [11] Contact element force-Y component - 4
CNFZ [11] Contact element force-Z component (3-D only) - 4
CNTX [12] Contact element force due to tangential stresses - X component - 4

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Name Definition O R
CNTY [12] Contact element force due to tangential stresses - Y component - 4
CNTZ [12] Contact element force due to tangential stresses - Z component - 4
SDAMP Squeal damping coefficient (3-D only) / Stabilization damping - Y
coefficient (2-D and 3-D)
WEARX, WEARY, Wear correction - X, Y, and Z components - Y
WEARZ
VWEAR Volume lost due to wear - Y
CONV Convection coefficient Y Y
RAC Radiation coefficient Y Y
TCC Conductance coefficient 6 6
TEMPS Temperature at contact point Y Y
TEMPT Temperature at target surface Y Y
FXCV Heat flux due to convection Y Y
FXRD Heat flux due to radiation Y Y
FXCD Heat flux due to conductance Y Y
CONT:FLUX Total heat flux at contact surface Y Y
FXNP Flux input - Y
CNFH Contact element heat flow - Y
JCONT Contact current density (Current/Unit Area) Y Y
CCONT Contact charge density (Charge/Unit Area) Y Y
HJOU Contact power/area Y Y
ECURT Current per contact element - Y
ECHAR Charge per contact element - Y
ECC Electric contact conductance (for electric current DOF), or 6 6
electric contact capacitance per unit area (for piezoelectric or
electrostatic DOFs)
VOLTS Voltage on contact nodes Y Y
VOLTT Voltage on associated target Y Y
MCC Magnetic contact permeance 6 6
MFLUX Magnetic flux density Y Y
AZS/MAGS 2-D/3-D Magnetic potential on contact node Y Y
AZT/MAGT 2-D/3-D Magnetic potential on associated target Y Y
PCC Pore fluid contact permeability coefficient 6 6
PSEE Pore fluid seepage coefficient 6 6
PRESS Pore pressure on contact nodes Y Y
PREST Pore pressure on associated target Y Y
PFLUX Pore volume flux density per unit area flow into contact surface Y Y
EPELX Pore volume flux per contact element - Y
DCC Contact diffusivity coefficient 6 6

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 Name Definition O R
DCON Diffusive convection coefficient 6 6
CONCS Concentration on contact nodes Y Y
CONCT Concentration on associated target Y Y
DFLUX Diffusion flux density per unit area flow into contact surface Y Y
EDELX Diffusion flux per contact element - Y

1. The possible values of STAT and OLDST are:

0 = Open and not near contact

1 = Open but near contact
2 = Closed and sliding
3 = Closed and sticking

2. For the force-based model (KEYOPT(3) = 0), the unit of this quantity is FORCE. For the traction-based
model (KEYOPT(3) = 1), the unit is FORCE/AREA.

3. Only accumulates the sliding for sliding and closed contact (STAT = 2,3).

4. Contact element forces are defined in the global Cartesian system

5. For the force-based model, the unit of stiffness is FORCE/LENGTH. For the traction-based model, the
unit is FORCE/LENGTH3.

6. For the traction-based model, the units of TCC, ECC, MCC, PCC, PSEE, DCC, and DCON are the units
used for the force-based model per area.

7. FDDIS = (contact friction stress)*(sliding distance of substep)/(time increment of substep)

8. For the case of orthotropic friction, components are defined in the global Cartesian system (default)
or in the local element coordinate system specified by ESYS.

9. For orthotropic friction, an equivalent coefficient of friction is output.

10. Accumulated sliding distance for near-field, sliding, and closed contact (STAT = 1,2,3).

11. The contact element force values (CNFX, CNFY, CNFZ) are calculated based on the individual contact
element plus the surrounding contact elements. Therefore, the contact force values may not equal
the contact element area times the contact pressure (CAREA * PRES).

12. CNTX, CNTY, and CNTZ report the total contact element forces due to tangential stresses. Since
CNFX, CNFY, and CNFZ report the total contact element forces, the contact element forces due to
normal pressure are (CNFX-CNTX), (CNFY-CNTY), and (CNFZ-CNTZ).

13. DENERI and DENERII are available only when one of the following material models is used:
TB,CZM,,,,CBDD or TB,CZM,,,,CBDE.

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14. DENER is available only when one of the following material models is used: TB,CZM,,,,BILI or
TB,CZM,,,,EXPO.

Note:

Contact results (including all element results) are generally not reported for elements that
have a status of "open and not near contact" (far-field).

Table 7.175.3: CONTA175 (3-D) Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 608) and Table 7.175.4: CONTA175 (2-D)
Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 610) list outputs available through the ETABLE command using the
Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and
Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The following notation is used
in the tables below:

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.175.2: CONTA175 Element Output Definitions (p. 604)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

sequence number for data at nodes I

Table 7.175.3: CONTA175 (3-D) Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL

Quantity Command Input
Name Item E I
PRES SMISC 13 1
TAUR SMISC - 5
TAUS SMISC - 9
FLUX [3] SMISC - 14
FDDIS SMISC - 18
[3]
FXCV [3] SMISC 22
FXRD [3] SMISC - 26
FXCD [3] SMISC - 30
FXNP SMISC - 34
JCONT/CCONT/PFLUX
SMISC - 38
[3]
HJOU SMISC - 42

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Output ETABLE and ESOL
Quantity Command Input
Name Item E I
MFLUX/DFLUX
SMISC - 46
[3]
STAT[1] NMISC 41 1
OLDST NMISC - 5
PENE[2] NMISC - 9
DBA NMISC - 13
TASR NMISC - 17
TASS NMISC - 21
KN NMISC - 25
KT NMISC - 29
TOLN NMISC - 33
IGAP NMISC - 37
PINB NMISC 42 -
CNFX NMISC 43 -
CNFY NMISC 44 -
CNFZ NMISC 45 -
CNTX NMISC 186 -
CNTY NMISC 187 -
CNTZ NMISC 188 -
ISEG [4] NMISC - 46
AASR NMISC - 50
AASS NMISC - 54
CAREA NMISC 58 -
MU NMISC - 62
DTSTART NMISC - 66
DPARAM NMISC - 70
TEMPS NMISC - 78
TEMPT NMISC - 82
CONV NMISC - 86
RAC NMISC - 90
TCC NMISC - 94
CNFH NMISC 98 -
ECURT/ECHAR/EPELX
NMISC 99 -
ECC/PCC/PSEE
NMISC - 100
VOLTS/PRESSNMISC - 104
VOLTT/PRESTNMISC - 108

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Output ETABLE and ESOL

Quantity Command Input
Name Item E I
CNOS NMISC - 112
TNOP NMISC - 116
SLTO NMISC - 120
MCC/DCC NMISC - 124
MAGS/CONCS
NMISC - 128
MAGT/CONCT
NMISC - 132
ELSI NMISC - 136
DENERI NMISC - 140
or
DENER
DENERII NMISC - 144
GGAP NMISC - 152
VREL NMISC - 156
SDAMP NMISC - 160
PLSI NMISC - 164
GSLID NMISC - 168
WEARX NMISC - 172
WEARY NMISC - 176
WEARZ NMISC - 180
VWEAR NMISC 189 -
EDELX NMISC 185 -

Table 7.175.4: CONTA175 (2-D) Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL

Quantity Command Input
Name Item E I
PRES SMISC 5 1
SFRIC SMISC - 3
FLUX [3] SMISC - 6
FDDIS SMISC - 8
[3]
FXCV [3] SMISC - 10
FXRD [3] SMISC - 12
FXCD [3] SMISC - 14
FXNP SMISC - 16
JCONT/CCONT/PFLUX
SMISC - 18
[3]

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Output ETABLE and ESOL
Quantity Command Input
Name Item E I
HJOU SMISC - 20
DFLUX SMISC - 22
[3]
STAT [1] NMISC 19 1
OLDST NMISC - 3
PENE [2] NMISC - 5
DBA NMISC - 7
SLIDE NMISC - 9
KN NMISC - 11
KT NMISC - 13
TOLN NMISC - 15
IPENE NMISC - 17
PINB NMISC 20 -
CNFX NMISC 21 -
CNFY NMISC 22 -
CNTX NMISC 91 -
CNTY NMISC 92 -
ISEG [4] NMISC - 23
CAREA NMISC 27 -
MU NMISC - 29
DTSTART NMISC - 31
DPARAM NMISC - 33
TEMPS NMISC - 37
TEMPT NMISC - 39
CONV NMISC - 41
RAC NMISC - 43
TCC NMISC - 45
CNFH NMISC 47 -
ECURT/ECHAR/EPELX
NMISC 48 -
ECC/PCC/PSEE
NMISC - 49
VOLTS/PRESSNMISC - 51
VOLTT/PRESTNMISC - 53
CNOS NMISC - 55
TNOP NMISC - 57
SLTO NMISC - 59
DCC NMISC - 61

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Output ETABLE and ESOL

Quantity Command Input
Name Item E I
CONCS NMISC - 63
CONCT NMISC - 65
ELSI NMISC - 67
DENERI NMISC - 69
DENERII NMISC - 71
GGAP NMISC - 75
VREL NMISC - 77
SDAMP NMISC - 79
PLSI NMISC - 81
GSLID NMISC - 83
WEARX NMISC - 85
WEARY NMISC - 87
VWEAR NMISC 93 -
EDELX NMISC 90 -

1. Element Status = highest value of status of integration points within the element

2. Penetration = positive value, gap = negative value

3. A positive value of flux corresponds to flow into the contact surface.

4. The floating point output format for large integers may lead to incorrect ISEG values. You should
verify the NMISC values via the *GET command. For example, *GET,Par,ELEM,N,NMISC,46 (for the
3-D element) returns the ISEG value for node I of element N.

You can display or list contact results through several POST1 postprocessor commands. The contact
specific items for the PLETAB, PRNSOL, and PRESOL commands are listed below:

STAT Contact status

PENE Contact penetration
PRES Contact pressure for the traction-based model.
Contact normal force for the force-based model.
SFRIC Contact friction stress for the traction-based model.
Friction force for the force-based model.
STOT Contact total stress (pressure plus friction) for the
traction-based model. Total contact force for the
force-based model.
SLIDE Contact sliding distance
GAP Contact gap distance
CNOS Total number of contact status changes during
substep

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CONTA175 Assumptions and Restrictions
• This element is nonlinear and requires a full Newton iterative solution, regardless of whether large
or small deflections are specified. An exception to this is when MPC bonded contact is specified
(KEYOPT(2) = 2 and KEYOPT(12) = 5 or 6).

• The normal contact stiffness factor (FKN) must not be so large as to cause numerical instability.

• FTOLN, PINB, and FKOP can be changed between load steps or during restart stages.

• You can use this element in nonlinear static or nonlinear full transient analyses.

• In addition, you can use it in modal analyses, eigenvalue buckling analyses, and harmonic analyses.
For these analysis types, the program assumes that the initial status of the element (that is, the status
at the completion of the static prestress analysis, if any) does not change.

• When the contact node is on the axis of symmetry in an axisymmetric analysis, the contact pressure
on that node is not accurate since the area of the node is zero. The contact force is accurate in this
situation.

• Certain contact features are not supported when this element is used in a general contact definition.
For details, see General Contact in the Contact Technology Guide.

CONTA175 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• The AZ (2-D) and MAG (3-D) DOFs (KEYOPT(1) = 7) are not available.

• Birth and death is not available.

• Debonding is not available.

• User-defined contact is not available.

• User-defined friction is not available.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• The AZ (2-D) and MAG (3-D) DOFs (KEYOPT(1) = 7) are not available.

• Debonding is not available.

• User-defined contact is not available.

• User-defined friction is not available.

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CONTA177
3-D Line-to-Surface Contact
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 637)

CONTA177 Element Description

Use CONTA177 to represent contact and sliding between 3-D target surfaces and a deformable line
segment, defined by this element. The element is applicable to 3-D beam-to-surface, 3-D shell edge-to-
surface, and 3-D beam-to-beam (or edge-to-edge) structural contact analyses. It supports pair-based
contact and general contact.

This element is located on the surfaces of 3-D beam or pipe elements with or without midside nodes
(such as BEAM188 (p. 868), BEAM189 (p. 890), PIPE288 (p. 1383), PIPE289 (p. 1403), and ELBOW290 (p. 1421)).
It can also be located on feature edges of 3-D solid elements and perimeter edges of 3-D shell elements,
with or without midside nodes (such as SHELL181 (p. 673) and SHELL281 (p. 1360)). Contact occurs when
the element surface penetrates an associated target surface.

For pair-based contact, the target surface is defined by the 3-D target element type, TARGE170 (p. 516).
In the case of general contact, the target surface can be defined by CONTA174 (p. 557) elements (for
deformable surfaces), CONTA177 elements (for 3-D beams and 3-D edges), or TARGE170 (p. 516) elements
(for rigid bodies only).

Coulomb friction, shear stress friction, user-defined friction with the USERFRIC subroutine, and user-
defined contact interaction with the USERINTER subroutine are allowed. This element also allows
separation of bonded contact to simulate interface delamination.

See CONTA177 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.177.1: CONTA177 Geometry

CONTA177
X CONTA177
Z J
J
K
K
I
I

I K J
CONTA177 Edge of 3-D target
shell elements line segment
3-D target surface

CONTA177 Input Data

The geometry and node locations are shown in Figure 7.177.1: CONTA177 Geometry (p. 614). The element
is defined by two nodes (if the underlying beam or shell element does not have a midside node) or
three nodes (if the underlying beam or shell element has a midside node). The element x axis is along
the I-J line of the element. Correct node ordering of the contact element is critical for proper detection
of contact. The nodes must be ordered in a sequence that defines a continuous line.

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Four different scenarios can be modeled by CONTA177:

1. Contact between one beam (or edge) and the surface of a solid or shell

2. Internal contact where one beam (or pipe) slides inside another hollow beam (or pipe); see
Figure 7.177.2: Beam Sliding Inside a Hollow Beam (p. 615)

3. External contact between two beams (or edges) that lie next to each other and are roughly
parallel; see Figure 7.177.3: Parallel Beams in Contact (p. 616)

4. External or internal contact between two beams (or edges) that cross; see Figure 7.177.4: Crossing
Beams in Contact (p. 616)

KEYOPT(3) controls which of the above scenarios are allowed for the element type, and also controls
the contact model used (force-based or traction-based):

• Use KEYOPT(3) = 0 for the first three scenarios. The contact condition is only checked at contact
nodes. The program reports contact force (contact force-based model).

• Use KEYOPT(3) = 1 for the first three scenarios. The contact condition is only checked at contact
nodes. The program reports contact pressure (contact traction-based model).

• Use KEYOPT(3) = 2 for all scenarios. The contact condition is only checked at contact nodes for
the first three scenarios, and on an intersection along the beams for the fourth scenario. The
program reports contact pressure (contact traction-based model).

• Use KEYOPT(3) = 3 for the fourth scenario. The contact condition is only checked on an intersection
along the beams. The program reports contact pressure (contact traction-based model).

• Use KEYOPT(3) = 4 for the fourth scenario. The contact condition is only checked on an intersection
along the beams. The program reports contact force (contact force-based model).

The units for certain real constants (FKN, FKT, TNOP) and postprocessing items (PRES, TAUR, TAUS, SFRIC,
and so on) vary by a factor of AREA, depending on whether the contact force-based model (KEYOPT(3)
= 0 or 4) or the contact traction-based model (KEYOPT(3) = 1, 2, or 3) is specified. See the real constant
table (p. 629) and output definitions table (p. 631) for details. For more information, see KEYOPT(3) in the
Contact Technology Guide.

Figure 7.177.2: Beam Sliding Inside a Hollow Beam

TARGE170 rt

n
rc

CONTA177

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Element Library

Figure 7.177.3: Parallel Beams in Contact

CONTA177

Figure 7.177.4: Crossing Beams in Contact

n

CONTA177

rc

rt

TARGE170

Pair-Based Contact versus General Contact

There are two methods to define a contact interaction: the pair-based contact definition and the gen-
eral contact definition. Both contact definitions can exist in the same model. CONTA177 can be used
in either type of contact definition.

The pair-based contact definition is usually more efficient and more robust than the general contact
definition; it supports more options and specific contact features.

Pair-Based Contact

In a pair-based contact definition, the 3-D line contact elements (CONTA177) are associated with 3-D
target segment elements (TARGE170 (p. 516)) via a shared real constant set. The program looks for
contact only between contact and target surfaces with the same real constant set ID (which is greater
than zero). The material ID associated with the contact element is used to specify interaction properties
(such as friction coefficient) defined via the MP or TB command.

If more than one target surface will make contact with the same boundary of line elements, you must
define several contact elements that share the same geometry but relate to separate targets (targets
which have different real constant numbers). Alternatively, you can combine several target surfaces into
one (that is, multiple targets sharing the same real constant numbers). See Identifying Contact Pairs in
the Contact Technology Guide for more information.

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For rigid-flexible and flexible-flexible contact, one of the deformable surfaces (beam or shell edge) must
be represented by a contact surface. See Designating Contact and Target Surfaces in the Contact Tech-
nology Guide for more information.

See Generating Contact Elements in the Contact Technology Guide for more information on generating
elements automatically via the ESURF command.

General Contact

In a general contact definition, the general contact surfaces are generated automatically by the GCGEN
command based on physical parts and geometric shapes in the model. The program overlays contact
surface elements (CONTA174 (p. 557)) on 3-D deformable bodies (on both lower- and higher-order ele-
ments); 3-D contact line elements (CONTA177) on 3-D beams, on feature edges of 3-D deformable
bodies, and on the perimeter edges of shell structures; and vertex-to-surface elements (CONTA175 (p. 586))
on convex corners of 3-D solid bodies and/or shell structures. The general contact definition may also
contain target elements (TARGE170 (p. 516)) overlaid on the surfaces of standalone rigid bodies.

GCGEN automatically assigns section IDs and element type IDs for each general contact surface. As a
result, each general contact surface consists of contact or target elements that are easily identified by
a unique section ID number. The real constant ID and material ID are always set to zero for contact and
target elements in the general contact definition.

The program looks for contact interaction among all surfaces and within each surface. You can further
control contact interactions between specific surfaces that could potentially be in contact via the GCDEF
command. The material ID and real constant ID input on GCDEF identify interface properties (defined
via MP or TB) and contact control parameters (defined via the R command) for a specific contact inter-
action. Unlike a pair-based contact definition, the contact and target elements in the general contact
definition are not associated with these material and real constant ID numbers.

If both pair-based contact and general contact are defined in a model, the pair-based contact definitions
are preserved, and the general contact definition automatically excludes overlapping interactions
wherever pair-based contact exists.

Some element key options are not used or are set automatically for general contact. See the individual
KEYOPT descriptions in "CONTA177 Input Summary" (p. 620) for details.

Contact Radius and Target Radius

To model beam-to-beam or edge-to-edge contact, the contact/target surface is assumed to be the
surface of a cylinder. For a general beam cross section other than the circular section, you need to es-
timate an equivalent circular radius. Follow these guidelines to define the equivalent radius:

• Determine the smallest cross section along the beam axis.

• Determine the largest circle embedded in that cross section.

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Figure 7.177.5: Equivalent Circular Cross Section

Actual beam

Contact surface

By default, the program models contact between exterior surfaces of two cylindrical beams for both
pair-based and general contact. However, defining contact and target radii differs for the two contact
methods.

In a pair-based contact definition, the associated TARGE170 (p. 516) target segment elements are either
LINE or PARA segment types. Use the first real constant, R1, to define the equivalent radius on the target
side, and use the second real constant, R2, to define the equivalent radius on the contact side. To specify
internal beam-to-beam contact (a beam sliding inside a hollow beam, or pipe sliding inside another
pipe), set KEYOPT(9) = 1 for the associated TARGE170 (p. 516) element type and input R1 as the inner
radius of the outer beam (see Figure 7.177.2: Beam Sliding Inside a Hollow Beam (p. 615)).

In a general contact definition, the equivalent beam radius is specified via SECTYPE and SECDATA
commands, as shown:
SECTYPE,SECID,CONTACT,RADIUS ! Set Type = CONTACT and Subtype = RADIUS for user-defined contact radius
SECDATA,VAL1,VAL2,VAL3 ! VAL1 = equivalent outer radius (external beam-to-beam contact)
! VAL2 = equivalent inner radius; also set VAL3 = 1 for internal beam-to-beam

To model internal beam-to-beam contact in a general contact definition, specify VAL3 = 1 and input
VAL2 equal to the inner radius of the outer beam.

For the case of internal contact, the inner beam should usually be considered the contact surface and
the outer beam should be the target surface. The inner beam can be considered as the target surface
only when the inner beam is much stiffer than the outer beam.

Contact is detected when two circular beams touch or overlap each other. The non-penetration condition
for beams with a circular cross section can be defined as follows.

For internal contact:

and for external contact:

where rc and rt are the radii of the cross sections of the beams on the contact and target sides, respect-
ively; and d is the minimal distance between the two beams which also determines the contact normal
direction (see Figure 7.177.4: Crossing Beams in Contact (p. 616)).[1] Contact occurs for negative values
of g.

For beam-to-beam contact modeled with either pair-based contact or general contact, if the contact
radius and/or target radius are not defined, the program automatically calculates the equivalent radius

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for each individual contact/target element based on the associated geometry of underlying elements.
As a result, the equivalent radius may vary within a contact pair or within a general contact surface.

For rigid targets, the program cannot compute the target radius since underlying elements do not exist.
In this case you must explicitly specify the target radius.

1. For line-to-surface contact, the contact normal is perpendicular to the target surface.

Friction
CONTA177 supports isotropic and orthotropic Coulomb friction. For isotropic friction, specify a single
coefficient of friction, MU, using either TB,FRIC (recommended) or MP. For orthotropic friction, specify
two coefficients of friction, MU1 and MU2, in two principal directions using TB,FRIC. (See Contact Friction
in the Material Reference for more information.)

For isotropic friction, local element coordinates based on the nodal connectivity are used as principal
directions. In the case of two crossing beams in contact, the first principal direction is defined by 1/2(t1
+ t2 ). The first vector, t1 , points from the first contact node to the second contact node, and the second
vector, t2 , points from the first target node to the second target node. In all other cases, the first prin-
cipal direction points from node I to node J, and the second principal direction is defined by taking a
cross product of the first principal direction and the contact normal.

For orthotropic friction, the principal directions are determined as follows. The global coordinate system
is used by default, or you can define a local element coordinate system via the ESYS command. The
first principal direction is defined by projecting the first direction of the chosen coordinate system onto
the contact element. The second principal direction is defined by taking a cross product of the first
principal direction and the contact normal. These directions also follow the rigid body rotation of the
contact element to correctly model the directional dependence of friction. Be careful to choose the
coordinate system (global or local) so that only the z direction parallels (or is nearly parallel to) the
surface normal.

If you want to set the coordinate directions for isotropic friction (to the global Cartesian system or an-
other system via ESYS), you can define orthotropic friction and set MU1 = MU2.

To define a coefficient of friction for isotropic or orthotropic friction that is dependent on temperature,
time, normal pressure, sliding distance, or sliding relative velocity, use the TBFIELD command with
TB,FRIC. See Contact Friction in the Material Reference for more information.

To implement a user-defined friction model, issue TB,FRIC with TBOPT = USER to specify friction
properties and write a USERFRIC subroutine to calculate friction forces. (See Writing Your Own Friction
Law (USERFRIC) in the Contact Technology Guide for more information. See also the Guide to User-
Programmable Features in the Programmer's Reference for a detailed description of USERFRIC.)

Other Input
The contact interaction subroutine USERINTER is available for user-defined interface interactions, in-
cluding interactions in the normal and tangential directions. See Defining Your Own Contact Interaction
(USERINTER) in the Contact Technology Guide for more information on how to use this feature. See
also the Guide to User-Programmable Features in the Programmer's Reference for a detailed description
of the USERINTER subroutine.

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To model proper momentum transfer and energy balance between contact and target surfaces, impact
constraints should be used in transient dynamic analysis. See the description of KEYOPT(7) below and
the contact element discussion in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for details.

To model separation of bonded contact with KEYOPT(12) = 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, use TB,CZM. See Debonding
in the Contact Technology Guide for more information.

See the Contact Technology Guide for a detailed discussion on contact and using the contact elements.
3-D Beam-to-Beam Contact (Pair-Based) and Line-to-Surface Contact (Pair-Based) discuss CONTA177
specifically, including the use of real constants and KEYOPTs.

The following table summarizes the element input. Element Input (p. 41) gives a general description
of element input.

CONTA177 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, (K)

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

Real Constants

R1, R2, FKN, FTOLN, ICONT, PINB,

(Blank), (Blank), TAUMAX, CNOF, FKOP, FKT,
COHE, (Blank), (Blank), (Blank), (Blank), (Blank),
PZER, CZER, FACT, DC, SLTO, TNOP,
TOLS, (Blank), (Blank), (Blank), COR, STRM
FDMN, FDMT, (Blank), (Blank), TBND, (Blank)
(Blank), (Blank), (Blank), (Blank), (Blank), (Blank),
(Blank), (Blank), BSRL, KSYM, TFOR, TEND
See Table 7.177.1: CONTA177 Real Constants (p. 629) for descriptions of the real constants.

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: MU, DMPR, DMPS

Special Features

Birth and death

Debonding
Isotropic friction
Large deflection

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 Linear perturbation
Nonlinearity
Orthotropic friction
User-defined contact interaction
User-defined friction
Section definition for the equivalent beam/edge radius.

KEYOPTs

Presented below is a list of KEYOPTS available for this element. Included are links to sections in the
Contact Technology Guide where more information is available on a particular topic.

KEYOPT(1)

Selects degrees of freedom. Currently, the default (UX, UY, UZ) is the only valid option:

0 --

UX, UY, UZ

KEYOPT(2)

Contact algorithm:

0 --

Augmented Lagrangian (default)

1 --

Penalty function

2 --

Multipoint constraint (MPC); see Multipoint Constraints and Assemblies in the Contact Technology
Guide for more information

3 --

Lagrange multiplier on contact normal and penalty on tangent

4 --

Pure Lagrange multiplier on contact normal and tangent

For general contact, GCGEN sets KEYOPT(2) = 1 (penalty function) automatically.

KEYOPT(3)

Contact model:

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0 --

Exclude crossing beam-to-beam contact (contact force-based model) (default)

1 --

Exclude crossing beam-to-beam contact (contact traction-based model)

2 --

Include all scenarios: beam/edge to surface contact, parallel beam-to-beam contact, and crossing
beam-to-beam contact (contact traction-based model)

3 --

Crossing beam-to-beam contact (contact traction-based model)

4 --

Crossing beam-to-beam contact (contact force-based model)

Note:

For general contact, GCGEN sets KEYOPT(3) = 2 automatically.

KEYOPT(4)

Standard KEYOPT(4) Usage (line-to-surface contact only)

Location of contact detection point:

0 --

On nodal point - normal to target surface

3 --

On nodal point - normal to target surface (standard projection-based method)

4 --

On nodal point - normal from contact surface (dual shape function projection-based method)

Note:

Some restrictions apply when the surface-projection-based method (KEYOPT(4) = 3 or 4)

is defined. See KEYOPT(4) for more information.

Alternate KEYOPT(4) Usage with Surface-Based Constraints

To define a surface-based constraint, set KEYOPT(4) as follows:

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 0 --

Rigid surface constraint. The rigid surface constraint can be based on either the MPC approach
(KEYOPT(2) = 2) or the Lagrange multiplier method (KEYOPT(2) = 3).

1 --

Force-distributed constraint. The force-distributed constraint can be based on either the MPC
approach (KEYOPT(2) = 2) or the Lagrange multiplier method (KEYOPT(2) = 3).

3 --

Coupling constraint

For more information, see Surface-Based Constraints in the Contact Technology Guide.

KEYOPT(5)

CNOF/ICONT Automated adjustment:

0 --

No automated adjustment

(There is an exception when KEYOPT(12) = 6 is set for bonded initial contact; in this case, auto
ICONT is applied by default. See Selecting Surface Interaction Models for more information.)

1 --

Close gap with auto CNOF

2 --

Reduce penetration with auto CNOF

3 --

Close gap/reduce penetration with auto CNOF

4 --

Auto ICONT

KEYOPT(6)

Contact stiffness variation (used to enhance stiffness updating when KEYOPT(10) ≠ 1):

0 --

Use default range for stiffness updating

1 --

Make a nominal refinement to the allowable stiffness range

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2 --

Make an aggressive refinement to the allowable stiffness range

3 --

Use an exponential pressure-penetration relationship

KEYOPT(7)

Element level time incrementation control / impact constraints:

0 --

No control

1 --

Automatic bisection of increment

2 --

Change in contact predictions are made to maintain a reasonable time/load increment

3 --

Change in contact predictions made to achieve the minimum time/load increment whenever a
change in contact status occurs

4 --

Use impact constraints for standard or rough contact (KEYOPT(12) = 0 or 1) in a transient dynamic
analysis with automatic adjustment of time increment

Note:

KEYOPT(7) = 4 is not supported for contact elements used in a general contact definition.

KEYOPT(8)

Symmetric contact behavior:

0 --

Both symmetric pairs are active. However, each pair has its own contact characteristics.

1 --

Both symmetric pairs are active and have the same contact characteristics.

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 2 --

The program internally selects which asymmetric contact pair is used at the solution stage (used
only when symmetric contact is defined). However, the contact stiffness of the active contact
pair is influenced by the underlying element stiffness of the inactive pair.

3 --

The program internally selects which asymmetric contact pair is used at the solution stage (used
only when symmetric contact is defined). The contact characteristics of the active contact pair
are completely independent of the inactive pair.

KEYOPT(8) settings are ignored for asymmetric contact pairs and rigid-to-rigid contact pairs.

KEYOPT(8) is ignored for contact elements used in a general contact definition. Instead, issue
GCDEF,AUTO to enable auto-asymmetric pairing logic.

KEYOPT(9)

Effect of initial penetration or gap:

0 --

Include both initial geometrical penetration or gap and offset

1 --

Exclude both initial geometrical penetration or gap and offset

2 --

Include both initial geometrical penetration or gap and offset, but with ramped effects

3 --

Include offset only (exclude initial geometrical penetration or gap)

4 --

Include offset only (exclude initial geometrical penetration or gap), but with ramped effects

5 --

Include offset only (exclude initial geometrical penetration or gap) regardless of the initial contact
status (near-field or closed)

6 --

Include offset only (exclude initial geometrical penetration or gap), but with ramped effects re-
gardless of the initial contact status (near-field or closed)

The effects of KEYOPT(9) are dependent on settings for other KEYOPTs. The indicated initial gap
effect is considered only if KEYOPT(12) = 4 or 5. See the discussion on using KEYOPT(9) in the Contact
Technology Guide for more information.

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KEYOPT(9) is not supported for contact elements used in a general contact definition. Instead, use
TB,INTER and TBDATA,,C1 to specify the effect of initial penetration or gap. If TBDATA,,C1 is not
specified, the default for general contact is to exclude initial penetration/gap and offset. For more
information, see Interaction Options for General Contact Definitions in the Material Reference.

KEYOPT(10)

Contact Stiffness Update:

0 --

Each iteration based on the current mean stress of underlying elements. The actual elastic slip
never exceeds the maximum allowable limit (SLTO) during the entire solution.

1 --

Each load step if FKN is redefined during the load step.

2 --

Each iteration based on the current mean stress of underlying elements. The actual elastic slip
does not exceed the maximum allowable limit (SLTO) within a substep.

For general contact, GCGEN sets KEYOPT(10) = 0 automatically.

KEYOPT(11)

Shell/beam thickness effect (line-to-surface contact only):

0 --

Exclude

1 --

Include

Note:

KEYOPT(11) = 1 is not valid when the underlying elements are part of a pre-integrated
shell section (SECTYPE,,GENS).

Note:

In the case of general contact, GCGEN sets KEYOPT(11) = 1 automatically for beam-to-
surface contact.

KEYOPT(12)

Behavior of contact surface:

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 0 --

Standard

1 --

Rough

2 --

No separation (sliding permitted)

3 --

Bonded

4 --

No separation (always)

5 --

Bonded (always)

6 --

Bonded (initial contact)

When KEYOPT(12) = 5 or 6 is used with the MPC algorithm to model surface-based constraints, the
KEYOPT(12) setting will have an affect on the local coordinate system of the contact element nodes.
See Specifying a Local Coordinate System in the Contact Technology Guide for more information.

KEYOPT(12) is not supported for contact elements used in a general contact definition. Instead, issue
TB,INTER with the appropriate TBOPT label to specify the behavior at the contact surface. For more
information, see Interaction Options for General Contact Definitions in the Material Reference.

KEYOPT(14)

Number of target segments interacting with each contact detection point:

0 --

Only one target segment

1 --

Up to four target segments

2 --

Up to eight target segments

In the case of general contact, GCGEN sets KEYOPT(14) = 1 automatically for beam-to-beam contact.

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KEYOPT(15)

Effect of contact stabilization damping:

0 --

Damping is activated only in the first load step (default).

1 --

Deactivate automatic damping.

2 --

Damping is activated for all load steps.

3 --

Damping is activated at all times regardless of the contact status of previous substeps.

Note:

Normal stabilization damping is only applied to the contact element when the current
contact status of the contact detection point is near-field. When KEYOPT(15) = 0, 1, or 2,
normal stabilization damping is not applied in the current substep if any contact detection
point has a closed status. However, when KEYOPT(15) = 3, normal stabilization damping
is always applied as long as the current contact status of the contact detection point is
near-field. Tangential stabilization damping is automatically activated when normal
damping is activated. Tangential damping can also be applied independent of normal
damping for sliding contact. See Applying Contact Stabilization Damping in the Contact
Technology Guide for more information.

KEYOPT(18)

Sliding behavior:

0 --

Finite sliding (default). The contacting interface can undergo separation, relative large sliding,
and arbitrary rotation.

1 --

Small sliding. The contacting interface can undergo only small sliding during the entire solution;
arbitrary rotation is permitted.

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 2 --

Adaptive small sliding. The contact interface can undergo either small sliding or finite sliding
within each substep based on the contact status at the beginning of the substep. If the contact
status is closed, small sliding is used.

Table 7.177.1: CONTA177 Real Constants

No. Name Description For more information, see

this section in the Contact
Technology Guide . . .
1 R1 Target radius for cylinder, cone, or Defining the Target
sphere, used for line-to-surface contact Surface
(rigid target)
Target radius for beam-to-beam contact Real constants R1, R2
2 R2 Target radius at second node of cone, Defining the Target
used for line-to-surface contact (rigid Surface
target)
Contact radius for beam-to-beam contact Real constants R1, R2
3 FKN[1] Normal penalty stiffness factor [2] [3] Determining Contact
[5] [6] Stiffness and
Penetration
4 FTOLN Penetration tolerance factor [6] Determining Contact
Stiffness and
Penetration
5 ICONT Initial contact closure Adjusting Initial
Contact Conditions
6 PINB Pinball region Determining Contact
Status and the Pinball
Region
or

Defining Influence
Range (PINB)
7 PZER Pressure at zero penetration [2] [3] Exponential
Pressure-Penetration
Relationship (KEYOPT(6) =
3)
8 CZER Initial contact clearance Exponential
Pressure-Penetration
Relationship (KEYOPT(6) =
3)
9 TAUMAX Maximum friction stress [2] [3] Choosing a Friction
Model
10 CNOF Contact surface offset [2] [3] Accounting for
Thickness Effect (CNOF
and KEYOPT(11))

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No. Name Description For more information, see

this section in the Contact
Technology Guide . . .
11 FKOP Contact opening stiffness [2] [3] Selecting Surface
Interaction Models
12 FKT[1] Tangent penalty stiffness factor [2] [3] Determining Contact
[6] Stiffness
13 COHE Contact cohesion Choosing a Friction
Model
21 FACT Static/dynamic ratio Static and Dynamic
Friction Coefficients
22 DC Exponential decay coefficient Static and Dynamic
Friction Coefficients
23 SLTO Allowable elastic slip Using FKT and SLTO
24 TNOP Maximum allowable tensile contact Chattering Control
force/pressure [4] [6] Parameters
25 TOLS Target edge extension factor Real Constant TOLS
29 COR Coefficient of restitution Impact Between Rigid
Bodies
30 STRM Load step number for ramping Modeling Interference
penetration Fit

or

Starting time for contact stiffness

ramping
31 FDMN Normal stabilization damping factor [2] [3] Applying Contact
Stabilization Damping
32 FDMT Tangential stabilization damping factor [2] Applying Contact
[3] Stabilization Damping
35 TBND Critical bonding temperature [2] [3] Using TBND
45 BSRL Original contact pair real constant ID (after Real Constant Set IDs for
contact splitting) Split Pairs
46 KSYM Real constant ID of the associated Real Constant Set IDs for
companion pair for symmetric contact or Split Pairs
self contact (after contact splitting)
47 TFOR Pair-based force tolerance Checking Contact
Pair-Based Force
Convergence
48 TEND Ending time for ramping contact stiffness Modeling Interference Fit

1. For the contact force-based model (KEYOPT(3) = 0 or 4), the units of real constants FKN and FKT
have a factor of AREA with respect to those used in the surface-to-surface contact elements. See
Performing a 3-D Line-to-Surface Contact Analysis for more information.

2. This real constant can be defined as a function of certain primary variables.

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3. This real constant can be defined by the user subroutine USERCNPROP.F.

4. For the contact force-based model (KEYOPT(3) = 0 or 4), TNOP is the allowable tensile contact force.
For the contact traction-based model (KEYOPT(3) = 1, 2, or 3), TNOP is the allowable tensile contact
pressure.

5. When CONTA177 is used as part of a forced-distributed constraint and KEYOPT(7) = 2 on the

TARGE170 (p. 516) element, FKN is used to define weighting factors in tabular format with node
number as the primary variable.

6. When the relaxation option is enabled (KEYOPT(11) = 1 on the TARGE170 (p. 516) element), FKN and
FKT are translational relaxation coefficient and rotational relaxation coefficient, respectively, and
tabular input is not supported. In addition, FTOLN and TNOP are translational tolerance and rotational
tolerance, respectively.

CONTA177 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.177.2: CONTA177 Element Output Defini-
tions (p. 631).

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.177.2: CONTA177 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes I, J, K Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported (same as nodal location) Y Y
TEMP Temperature T(I) Y Y
VOLU Length Y Y
NPI Number of integration points Y -
ITRGET Target surface number (assigned by the program) Y -
ISOLID Underlying beam or shell element number Y -
CONT:STAT Current contact statuses 1 1
OLDST Old contact statuses 1 1

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Name Definition O R
ISEG Current contacting target element number Y Y
OLDSEG Underlying old target number Y -
CONT:PENE Current penetration (gap = 0; penetration = positive value) Y Y
CONT:GAP Current gap (gap = negative value; penetration = 0) Y Y
NGAP New or current gap at current converged substep (gap = Y -
negative value; penetration = positive value)
OGAP Old gap at previously converged substep (gap = negative value; Y -
penetration = positive value)
IGAP Initial gap at start of current substep (gap = negative value; Y Y
penetration = positive value)
GGAP Geometric gap at current converged substep (gap = negative - Y
value; penetration = positive value)
CONT:PRES Normal contact force/pressure 2 2
TAUR/TAUS [7] Tangential contact forces/stresses 2 2
KN Current normal contact stiffness (units: FORCE/LENGTH for 5 5
contact force model, FORCE/LENGTH3 for contact traction
model)
KT Current tangent contact stiffness (same units as KN) 5 5
MU [8] Friction coefficient Y Y
TASS/TASR [7] Total (algebraic sum) sliding in S and R directions 3 3
AASS/AASR [7] Total (absolute sum) sliding in S and R directions 3 3
TOLN Penetration tolerance Y Y
CONT:SFRIC Frictional force/stress, SQRT (TAUR**2+TAUS**2) 2 2
CONT:STOTAL Total force/stress, SQRT (PRES**2+TAUR**2+TAUS**2) 2 2
CONT:SLIDE Amplitude of total accumulated sliding, SQRT 3 3
(TASS**2+TASR**2)
FDDIS Frictional energy dissipation rate 6 6
ELSI Total equivalent elastic slip distance - Y
PLSI Total (accumulated) equivalent plastic slip due to frictional - Y
sliding
GSLID Amplitude of total accumulated sliding (including near-field) - 9
VREL Equivalent sliding velocity (slip rate) - Y
DBA Penetration variation Y Y
PINB Pinball Region - Y
CONT:CNOS Total number of contact status changes during substep Y Y
TNOP Maximum allowable tensile contact force/pressure 2 2
SLTO Allowable elastic slip Y Y
CAREA Contacting area - Y
R1 Target radius for beam-to-beam contact - Y
R2 Contact radius for beam-to-beam contact - Y

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 Name Definition O R
DTSTART Load step time during debonding Y Y
DPARAM Debonding parameter Y Y
DENERI [12] Energy released due to separation in normal direction - mode Y Y
I debonding
DENERII [12] Energy released due to separation in tangential direction - Y Y
mode II debonding
DENER [13] Total energy released due to debonding Y Y
CNFX [10] Contact element force - X component - 4
CNFY [10] Contact element force - Y component - 4
CNFZ [10] Contact element force - Z component - 4
CNTX [11] Contact element force due to tangential stresses - X component - 4
CNTY [11] Contact element force due to tangential stresses - Y component - 4
CNTZ [11] Contact element force due to tangential stresses - Z component - 4
SDAMP Stabilization damping coefficient - Y

1. The possible values of STAT and OLDST are:

0 = Open and not near contact

1 = Open but near contact
2 = Closed and sliding
3 = Closed and sticking

2. For the force-based model (KEYOPT(3) = 0 or 4), the unit of this quantity is FORCE. For the traction-
based model (KEYOPT(3) = 1, 2, 3), the unit is FORCE/AREA.

3. Only accumulates the sliding for sliding and closed contact (STAT = 2,3).

4. Contact element forces are defined in the global Cartesian system

5. For the force-based model (KEYOPT(3) = 0 or 4), the unit of stiffness is FORCE/LENGTH. For the
traction-based model (KEYOPT(3) = 1, 2, 3), the unit is FORCE/LENGTH3.

6. FDDIS = (contact friction stress)*(sliding distance of substep)/(time increment of substep)

7. For the case of orthotropic friction in contact between beams (or shell edges) and a 3-D surface,
components are defined in the global Cartesian system.

8. For orthotropic friction, an equivalent coefficient of friction is output.

9. Accumulated sliding distance for near-field, sliding, and closed contact (STAT = 1,2,3).

10. The contact element force values (CNFX, CNFY, CNFZ) are calculated based on the individual contact
element plus the surrounding contact elements. Therefore, the contact force values may not equal
the contact element area times the contact pressure (CAREA * PRES).

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11. CNTX, CNTY, and CNTZ report the total contact element forces due to tangential stresses. Since
CNFX, CNFY, and CNFZ report the total contact element forces, the contact element forces due to
normal pressure are (CNFX-CNTX), (CNFY-CNTY), and (CNFZ-CNTZ).

12. DENERI and DENERII are available only when one of the following material models is used:
TB,CZM,,,,CBDD or TB,CZM,,,,CBDE.

13. DENER is available only when one of the following material models is used: TB,CZM,,,,BILI or
TB,CZM,,,,EXPO.

Contact results (including all element results) are generally not reported for elements that have a status
of "open and not near contact" (far-field).

Table 7.177.3: CONTA177 (3-D) Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 634) lists output available via the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table in the Basic Analysis
Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The
following notation is used:

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.177.2: CONTA177 Element Output Definitions (p. 631)

Item

predetermined item label for ETABLE

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I, J, K

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, K (contact results for line-to-surface and parallel beams in
contact)

IP

sequence number for data of crossing beams in contact (contact results at intersection point)

Table 7.177.3: CONTA177 (3-D) Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K IP
Name
PRES SMISC 13 1 2 3 4
TAUR SMISC - 5 6 7 8
TAUS SMISC - 9 10 11 12
FDDIS SMISC - 18 19 20 21
STAT [1] NMISC 41 1 2 3 4
OLDST NMISC - 5 6 7 8
PENE [2] NMISC - 9 10 11 12

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Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Quantity Item E I J K IP
Name
DBA NMISC - 13 14 15 16
TASR NMISC - 17 18 19 20
TASS NMISC - 21 22 23 24
KN NMISC - 25 26 27 28
KT NMISC - 29 30 31 32
TOLN NMISC - 33 34 35 36
IGAP NMISC - 37 38 39 40
PINB NMISC 42 - - -
CNFX NMISC 43 - - -
CNFY NMISC 44 - - -
CNFZ NMISC 45 - - -
CNTX NMISC 186 - - - -
CNTY NMISC 187 - - - -
CNTZ NMISC 188 - - - -
ISEG [3] NMISC - 46 47 48 49
AASR NMISC - 50 51 52 53
AASS NMISC - 54 55 56 57
CAREA NMISC 58 - - -
MU NMISC - 62 63 64 65
DTSTART NMISC - 66 67 68 69
DPARAM NMISC - 70 71 72 73
CNOS NMISC - 112 113 114 115
TNOP NMISC - 116 117 118 119
SLTO NMISC - 120 121 122 123
ELSI NMISC - 136 137 138 139
DENERI NMISC - 140 141 142 143
or
DENER
DENERII NMISC - 144 145 146 147
GGAP NMISC - 152 153 154 155
VREL NMISC - 156 157 158 159
SDAMP NMISC - 160 161 162 163
PLSI NMISC - 164 165 166 167
GSLID NMISC - 168 169 170 171
R1 NMISC - 172 173 174 175
R2 NMISC - 176 177 178 179

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1. Element Status = highest value of status of integration points within the element

2. Penetration = positive value, gap = negative value

3. The floating point output format for large integers may lead to incorrect ISEG values. It is good
practice to verify the NMISC values via the *GET command. For example, *GET,Par,ELEM,N,NMISC,46
returns the ISEG value for node I of element N.

You can display or list contact results through several POST1 postprocessor commands. The contact-
specific items for PLNSOL, PLESOL, PRNSOL, and PRESOL are:

STAT Contact status

PENE Contact penetration
PRES Contact pressure for the traction-based model.
Contact normal force for the force-based model.
SFRIC Contact friction stress for the traction-based model.
Friction force for the force-based model.
STOT Contact total stress (pressure plus friction) for the
traction-based model. Total contact force for the
force-based model.
SLIDE Contact sliding distance
GAP Contact gap distance
CNOS Total number of contact status changes during
substep

Contact results (I, J, K columns in Table 7.177.3: CONTA177 (3-D) Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 634))
are reported at contact nodes for 3-D beam-to-surface and parallel beam-to-beam contact. Contact
results from crossing beam-to-beam contact (IP column in Table 7.177.3: CONTA177 (3-D) Item and Se-
quence Numbers (p. 634)) are reported at an intersection point of two crossing beams. When contact
from crossing beams is detected, the associated contact pressure (PRES), the contact frictional stress
(SFRIC), and the total stress (STOT) are superimposed on each nodes. Maximum values are reported for
other contact results (STAT, PENE, SLIDE, GAP, CNOS).

CONTA177 Assumptions and Restrictions

• For line-to-surface contact, the thickness effects of underlying beam elements on the contact
side and underlying shell elements on the target side can be taken into account by setting
KEYOPT(11) = 1.

• This element is nonlinear and requires a full Newton iterative solution, regardless of whether
large or small deflections are specified. An exception to this is when MPC bonded contact is
specified (KEYOPT(2) = 2 and KEYOPT(12) = 5 or 6).

• The normal contact stiffness factor (FKN) must not be so large as to cause numerical instability.

• FTOLN, PINB, and FKOP can be changed between load steps or during restart stages.

• You can use this element in nonlinear static or nonlinear full transient analyses.

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• In addition, you can use it in modal analyses, eigenvalue buckling analyses, and harmonic analyses.
For these analysis types, the program assumes that the initial status of the element (that is, the
status at the completion of the static prestress analysis, if any) does not change.

• In a distributed-memory parallel processing run, multiple target segments can interact with this
element's contact detection points (KEYOPT(14) > 0) only when the pure mesh-based domain
decomposition method or the frequency-based domain composition method is used. KEYOPT(14)
> 0 is not supported when both the frequency-based and mesh-based domain decomposition
methods are used together in a harmonic analysis (for example, DDOPTION,FREQ,2). See
DDOPTION for more information about the domain decomposition methods of Distributed Ansys.

• Certain contact features are not supported when this element is used in a general contact
definition. For details, see General Contact in the Contact Technology Guide.

CONTA177 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

• Debonding is not available.

• User-defined contact is not available.

• User-defined friction is not available.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• Debonding is not available.

• User-defined contact is not available.

• User-defined friction is not available.

CONTA178
3-D Node-to-Node Contact
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 662)

CONTA178 Element Description

CONTA178 represents contact and sliding between any two nodes of any types of elements. The element
has two nodes with three degrees of freedom at each node with translations in the X, Y, and Z directions.
It can also be used in 2-D and axisymmetric models by constraining the UZ degree of freedom. The
element is capable of supporting compression in the contact normal direction and Coulomb friction in
the tangential direction. User-defined friction with the USERFRIC subroutine and user-defined interaction
with the USERINTER subroutine are also allowed. The element may be initially preloaded in the normal

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direction or it may be given a gap specification. A longitudinal damper option can also be included.
See CONTA178 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element. Other
contact elements, such as COMBIN40 (p. 230), are also available.

Figure 7.178.1: CONTA178 Geometry

x
z x
z
y
y
Gap J

Y z
X y
I
z x

y
x

CONTA178 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in the CONTA178
figure above. The element is defined by two nodes, an initial gap or interference (GAP), an initial element
status (START), and damping coefficients CV1 and CV2. The orientation of the interface is defined by
the node locations (I and J) or by a user specified contact normal direction. The interface is assumed
to be perpendicular to the I-J line or to the specified gap direction. The element coordinate system has
its origin at node I and the x-axis is directed toward node J or in the user specified gap direction. The
interface is parallel to the element y-z plane. See Generating Contact Elements in the Contact Technology
Guide for more information on generating elements automatically using the EINTF command.

To model proper momentum transfer and energy balance between contact and target surfaces, impact
constraints should be used in transient dynamic analysis. See the description of KEYOPT(7) in the Input
Summary (p. 651) and the contact element discussion in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for details.

Contact Algorithms
Four different contact algorithms can be selected:

• Pure Lagrange multiplier method (KEYOPT(2) = 4)

• Lagrange multiplier on contact normal and penalty on frictional (tangential) direction (KEYOPT(2) =
3)

• Augmented Lagrange method (KEYOPT(2) = 0)

• Pure Penalty method (KEYOPT(2) = 1)

The following sections outline these four algorithms.

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Pure Lagrange Multiplier
The pure Lagrange multiplier method does not require contact stiffness FKN, FKS. Instead it requires
chattering control parameters TOLN, FTOL, by which Mechanical APDL assumes that the contact status
remains unchanged. TOLN is the maximum allowable penetration and FTOL is the maximum allowable
tensile contact force.

Note:

A negative contact force occurs when the contact status is closed. A tensile contact force
(positive) refers to a separation between the contact surfaces, but not necessarily an open
contact status.

The behavior can be described as follows:

• If the contact status from the previous iteration is open and the current calculated penetration is
smaller than TOLN, then contact remains open. Otherwise the contact status switches to closed and
another iteration is processed.

• If the contact status from the previous iteration is closed and the current calculated contact force is
positive, but smaller than FTOL, then contact remains closed. If the tensile contact force is larger than
FTOL, then the contact status changes from closed to open and Mechanical APDL continues to the
next iteration.

The program provides reasonable defaults for TOLN and FTOL. Consider the following when providing
values for TOLN and FTOL:

• A positive value is a scaling factor applied to the default values.

• A negative value is used as an absolute value (which overrides the default).

The objective of TOLN and FTOL is to provide stability to models which exhibit contact chattering due
to changing contact status. If the values you use for these tolerances are too small, the solution will
require more iterations. However, if the values are too big it will affect the accuracy of the solution,
since a certain amount of penetration or tensile contact force are allowed.

Theoretically, the pure Lagrange multiplier method enforces zero penetration when contact is closed
and "zero slip" when sticking contact occurs. However the pure Lagrange multiplier method adds addi-
tional degrees of freedom to the model and requires additional iterations to stabilize contact conditions.
This will increase the computational cost and may even lead to solution divergence if many contact
points are oscillating between sticking and sliding conditions during iterations.

Lagrange Multiplier on Normal and Penalty on Tangent Plane

An alternative algorithm is the Lagrange multiplier method applied on the contact normal and the
penalty method (tangential contact stiffness) on the frictional plane. This method only allows a very
small amount of slip for a sticking contact condition. It requires chattering control parameters TOLN,
FTOL as well as the maximum allowable elastic slip parameter SLTOL. Again, Mechanical APDL provides
default tolerance values which work well in most cases. You can override the default value for SLTOL
by defining a scaling factor (positive value) or an absolute value (negative value). Based on the tolerance,
current normal contact force, and friction coefficient, the tangential contact stiffness FKS can be obtained
automatically. In a few cases, you can override FKS by defining a scaling factor (positive input) or absolute

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value (negative input). Use care when specifying values for SLTOL and FKS. If the value for SLTOL is too
large and the value for FKS too small, too much elastic slip can occur. If the value for SLTOL is too small
or the value for FKS too large, the problem may not converge.

Augmented Lagrange Method

The third contact algorithm is the augmented Lagrange method, which is basically the penalty method
with additional penetration control. This method requires contact normal stiffness FKN, maximum allow-
able penetration TOLN, and maximum allowable slip SLTOL. FKS can be derived based on the maximum
allowable slip SLTOL and the current normal contact force. Mechanical APDL provides a default normal
contact stiffness FKN which is based on the Young's modulus E and the size of the underlying elements.
If Young's modulus E is not found, E = 1x109 will be assumed.

You can override the default normal contact stiffness FKN by defining a scaling factor (positive input)
or absolute value (negative input with unit force/length). If you specify a large value for TOLN, the
augmented Lagrange method works as the penalty method. Use care when specifying values for FKN
and TOLN. If the value for FKN is too small and the value for TOLN too large, too much penetration can
occur. If the value for FKN is too large or the value for TOLN too small, the problem may not converge.

Penalty Method
The last algorithm is the pure penalty method. This method requires both contact normal and tangential
stiffness values FKN, FKS. Real constants TOLN, FTOLN, and SLTOL are not used and penetration is no
longer controlled in this method. Default FKN is provided as the one used in the augmented Lagrange
method. The default FKS is given by MU x FKN. You can override the default values for FKN and FKS by
inputting a scaling factor (positive input) or absolute value (negative input) for these real constants.

Contact Normal Definition

The contact normal direction is of primary importance in a contact analysis. By default [KEYOPT(5) = 0
and NX, NY, NZ = 0], Mechanical APDL calculates the contact normal direction based on the initial pos-
itions of the I and J nodes, such that a positive displacement (in the element coordinate system) of
node J relative to node I opens the gap. However, you must specify the contact normal direction for
any of the following conditions:

• If nodes I and J have the same initial coordinates.

• If the model has an initial interference condition in which the underlying elements' geometry overlaps.

• If the initial open gap distance is very small.

In the above cases, the ordering of nodes I and J is critical. The correct contact normal usually points
from node I toward node J unless contact is initially overlapped.

You can specify the contact normal by means of real constants NX, NY, NZ (direction cosines related to
the global Cartesian system) or element KEYOPT(5). The following lists the various options for KEYOPT(5):

KEYOPT(5) = 0

The contact normal is either based on the real constant values of NX, NY, NZ or on node locations
when NX, NY, NZ are not defined. For 2-D contact, NZ = 0.

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KEYOPT(5) = 1 (2,3)

The contact normal points in a direction which averages the direction cosines of the X (Y, Z) axis
of the nodal coordinates on both nodes I and J. The direction cosines on nodes I and J should be
very close. This option may be supported by the NORA and NORL commands, which rotate the X
axis of the nodal coordinate system to point to the surface normal of solid models.

KEYOPT(5) = 4 (5,6)

The contact normal points to X (Y, Z) of the element coordinate system issued by the ESYS command.
If you use this option, make sure that the element coordinate system specified by ESYS is the
Cartesian system. Otherwise, the global Cartesian system is assumed.

Note that the above discussion pertains to the unidirectional gap option (KEYOPT(1) = 0). For the
definition of the contact normal for other gap options, see "Cylindrical Gap and Nonlinear Radial
Gap" (p. 644) and "Spherical Gap" (p. 645).

Contact Status
The initial gap defines the gap size (if positive) or the displacement interference (if negative). If KEYOPT(4)
= 0, the default, the gap size can be automatically calculated from the GAP real constant and the node
locations (projection of vector points from node I to J on the contact normal), that is, the gap size is
determined from the additive effect of the geometric gap and the value of GAP.

If KEYOPT(4) = 1, the initial gap size is only based on real constant GAP (node locations are ignored).

By default KEYOPT(9) is set to 0, which means the initial gap size is applied in the first load step. To
ramp the initial gap size with the first load step (to model initial interference problems, for example),
set KEYOPT(9) = 1 and do not specify any external loads over the first load step.

The force deflection relationships for the contact element can be separated into the normal and tangential
(sliding) directions. In the normal direction, when the normal force (FN) is negative, the contact status
remains closed (STAT = 3 or 2). In the tangential direction, for FN < 0 and the absolute value of the
tangential force (FS) less than μ|FN|, contact "sticks" (STAT = 3). For FN < 0 and FS = μ|FN|, sliding occurs
(STAT = 2). As FN becomes positive, contact is broken (STAT = 1) and no force is transmitted (FN = 0,
FS = 0).

The contact condition at the beginning of the first substep can be determined from the START parameter.
The initial element status (START) is used to define the "previous" condition of the interface at the start
of the first substep. This value overrides the condition implied by the interference specification and can
be useful in anticipating the final interface configuration and reducing the number of iterations required
for convergence. However, specifying unrealistic START values can sometimes degrade the convergence
behavior.

If START = 0.0 or blank, the initial status of the element is determined from either the GAP value or the
KEYOPT(4) setting. If START = 3.0, contact is initially closed and not sliding (μ ≠ 0), or sliding (if μ = 0.0).
If START = 2.0, contact is initially closed and sliding. If START = 1.0, contact is initially open.

Friction
The only structural material property used is the interface coefficient of friction μ (MU). A zero value
should be used for frictionless surfaces. Temperatures may be specified at the element nodes (via the

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BF command in a structural analysis or the D command in a coupled thermal-structural analysis). The

coefficient of friction μ is evaluated at the average of the two node temperatures. The node I temperature
T(I) defaults to TUNIF. The node J temperature defaults to T(I).

For analyses involving friction, using NROPT,UNSYM is useful (and, in fact, sometimes required if the
coefficient of friction μ is > 0.2) for problems where the normal and tangential (sliding) motions are
strongly coupled.

To define a coefficient of friction for isotropic friction that is dependent on temperature, time, normal
pressure, sliding distance, or sliding relative velocity, use the TBFIELD command along with TB,FRIC.
See Contact Friction in the Material Reference for more information.

Rigid Coulomb friction can be modeled with KEYOPT(10) = 7. In penalty-based methods, there is some
elastic sliding present based on FKS. With the rigid Coulomb friction option, no sliding stiffness is used,
so the element is always in a sliding state. See Rigid Coulomb Friction for details.

This element also supports user-defined friction. To implement a user-defined friction model, use the
TB,FRIC command with TBOPT = USER to specify friction properties and write a USERFRIC subroutine
to compute friction forces. See Writing Your Own Friction Law (USERFRIC) in the Contact Technology
Guide for more information on how to use this feature. See also the Guide to User-Programmable Features
in the Programmer's Reference for a detailed description of the USERFRIC subroutine.

In addition to the user-defined friction subroutine, the contact interaction subroutine USERINTER is
available for user-defined interface interactions, including interactions in the normal and tangential
directions as well coupled-field interactions. See Defining Your Own Contact Interaction (USERINTER)
in the Contact Technology Guide for more information on how to use this feature. See also the Guide
to User-Programmable Features in the Programmer's Reference for a detailed description of the USER-
INTER subroutine.

Cross-sectional Area
You may specify the contact area (defaults to 1.0) associated with this element by specifying real constant
AREA. This area is used to compute the normal pressure and the tangential stress values. For axisym-
metric problems, the area should be input on a full 360° basis.

Weak Spring
KEYOPT(3) can be used to specify a "weak spring" across an open or free sliding interface, which is
useful for preventing rigid body motion that could occur in a static analysis. The weak spring stiffness
is computed by multiplying the normal stiffness KN by a reduction factor if the real constant REDFACT
is positive (which defaults to 1 x 10-6). The weak spring stiffness can be overridden if REDFACT has a
negative value. Set KEYOPT(3) = 1 to add weak spring stiffness only to the contact normal direction
when contact is open. Set KEYOPT(3) = 2 to add weak spring stiffness to the contact normal direction
for open contact and tangent plane for frictionless or open contact.

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The weak spring only contributes to global stiffness, which prevents a "singularity" condition from oc-
curring during the solution phase if KEYOPT(3) = 1,2. By setting KEYOPT(3) = 3,4, the weak spring will
contribute both to the global stiffness and the internal nodal force which holds two separated nodes.

Note:

The weak spring option should never be used in conjunction with either the no-separation
or bonded contact options defined by KEYOPT(10).

Contact Behavior
Use KEYOPT(10) to model the following different contact surface behaviors:

KEYOPT(10) = 0

Models standard unilateral contact; that is, normal pressure equals zero if separation occurs.

KEYOPT(10) = 1

Models rough frictional contact where there is no sliding. This case corresponds to an infinite
friction coefficient and ignores the material property input MU.

KEYOPT(10) = 2

Models no separation contact, in which two gap nodes are tied (although sliding is permitted)
for the remainder of the analysis once contact is established.

KEYOPT(10) = 3

Models bonded contact, in which two gap nodes are bonded in all directions (once contact is
established) for the remainder of the analysis.

KEYOPT(10) = 4

Models no separation contact, in which two gap nodes are always tied (sliding is permitted)
throughout the analysis.

KEYOPT(10) = 5

Models bonded contact, in which two gap nodes are bonded in all directions throughout the
analysis.

KEYOPT(10) = 6

Models bonded contact, in which two gap nodes that are initially in a closed state will remain
closed and two gap nodes that are initially in an open state will remain open throughout the
analysis.

KEYOPT(10) = 7

Models rigid Coulomb frictional contact in which sliding always occurs regardless of the mag-
nitude of the normal contact force and the friction coefficient. Sticking contact never occurs

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and FKS is not used in this case. This option is useful for displacement-controlled problems or
for certain dynamic problems where sliding dominates.

Cylindrical Gap and Nonlinear Radial Gap

The cylindrical gap option (KEYOPT(1) = 1) and the radial gap option (KEYOPT(1) = 3) apply to cases
where the final contact normal is not fixed during the analysis, such as in the interaction between
concentric pipes. With these options, you define the real constants NX, NY, NZ as the direction cosines
of the cylindrical axis ( ) in the global Cartesian coordinate system. The contact normal direction lies
in a cross section that is perpendicular to the cylindrical axis. The program measures the relative distance
|XJ - XI| between the current position of node I and the current position of node J projected onto the
cross section. (NX, NY, NZ) defaults to (0,0,1), which is the case for a 2-D circular gap.

For both the cylindrical gap and nonlinear radial gap, KEYOPT(4) and KEYOPT(5) are ignored, and node
ordering can be arbitrary. Real constant GAP is not an initial gap size, but is interpreted as described
below. A zero GAP value is not allowed, and the sign of the GAP value determines the cylinder config-
uration.

Figure 7.178.2: CONTA178 - Cylindrical Gap

• A positive GAP value models contact between one smaller cylinder inside another parallel, larger
cylinder. GAP is equal to the difference between the radii of the cylinders (|RJ - RI|), and it represents
the maximum allowable distance projected on the cross-section. The contact constraint condition
can be written as :

• A negative GAP value models external contact between two parallel cylinders. GAP is equal to the
sum of the radii of the cylinders (|RJ + RI|), and it represents the minimum allowable distance projected
on the cross-section. The contact constraint condition can be written as:

If friction is defined, the cylindrical and nonlinear radial gaps include traction forces in both the hoop
and axial directions. The nonlinear radial gap can also simulate frictional moments resulting from those
tractions if a radius at node I and a radius at node J are defined via real constants RI and RJ. A typical
application for the nonlinear radial gap would be to model interactions between rotating disks and a
housing in a rotordynamics analysis.

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Following are requirements and limitations of the nonlinear radial gap:

• Supported contact algorithms are pure penalty (KEYOPT(2) = 1), Lagrange multiplier on normal
and penalty on tangent (KETYOP(2) = 3), and pure Lagrange multiplier method (KEYOPT(2) = 4).

• Week springs (KEYOPT(3) > 0) are not supported.

• Only structural degrees of freedom are supported (KEYOP(6) = 0).

• Element level time incremental control/impact control (KEYOPT(7) > 0) is not supported.

• Only standard contact surface behavior (KEYOPT(10) = 0) is supported.

• Large deflection effects must be turned on (NLGEOM,ON).

Spherical Gap
The spherical gap option (KEYOPT(1) = 2) is useful when the final contact normal is not fixed during
the analysis, such as in the interaction between two rigid spheres. With this spherical gap option, KEY-
OPT(4), KEYOPT(5), and real constants NX, NY, NZ are ignored. In addition, node ordering can be arbitrary.
Real constant GAP is not an initial gap size, but is interpreted as described below. A zero GAP value is
not allowed.

Figure 7.178.3: CONTA178 - Spherical Gap

The following explanation defines the model based on the sign of the GAP value:

• A positive GAP value models contact when one smaller sphere is inside another large sphere. GAP is
equal to the difference between the radii of the spheres (|RJ - RI|) and it represents the maximum
allowable distance. The contact constraint condition can be written as:

• A negative GAP value models external contact between two spheres. GAP is equal to the sum of the
radii of the spheres (|RJ + RI|) and it represents the minimum allowable distance. The contact constraint
condition can be written as:

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Damper
The damping capability is only used for modal and transient analyses. By default, the damping capability
is removed from the element. Damping is only active in the contact normal direction when contact is
closed. The damping coefficient units are Force (Time/Length). For a 2-D axisymmetric analysis, the
coefficient should be on a full 360° basis. The damping force is computed as , where Cv is
the damping coefficient given by Cv = Cv1 + Cv2xV. V is the velocity calculated in the previous substep.
The second damping coefficient (Cv2) is available to produce a nonlinear damping effect.

Modeling Thermal Contact

You can use the node-to-node contact element, in combination with thermal-structural coupled field
solid elements or thermal elements, to model heat transfer that occurs between two contact nodes. To
activate both the structural and thermal DOFs, set KEYOPT(6) = 1. To activate the thermal DOF only, set
KEYOPT(6) = 2.

The contact normal direction (p. 640) must be specified, even in a purely thermal analysis (KEYOPT(6) =
2).

In the discussions below, note that the contacting area (AREA) is input as a real constant; it is not
automatically calculated by the program.

Modeling Conduction
To take into account the conductive heat transfer between two contacting nodes, you need to specify
the thermal contact conductance coefficient, which is real constant TCC.

The conduction function is defined as follows:

q(I) = -q(J) = TCC * AREA * (T(I) - T(J))

where:

q(I) = heat flow to node I (Heat/Time)

q(J) = heat flow to node J (Heat/Time)
AREA = cross sectional area (Length2) (defaults to 1)
TCC = thermal contact conductance coefficient (Heat/Length2 * Time * Deg)
T(I) = temperature at node I (Deg)
T(J) = temperature at node J (Deg)

The TCC value is input through a real constant, which can be made a function of temperature [(T(I) +
T(J))/2], pressure, time, penetration (positive input with GAP as a table parameter), and location by using
the %tabname% option. If contact occurs, a small value of TCC yields a measured amount of imperfect
contact and a temperature discontinuity across the two contacting nodes. For large values of TCC, the
resulting temperature discontinuity tends to vanish, and perfect thermal contact is approached. When
not in contact, however, it is assumed that no heat is transferred across the interface. To model contact
conduction between two surfaces where a small gap exists, use KEYOPT(10) = 4 or 5 to define either
the “bonded contact” or “no-separation contact” option.

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Modeling Convection
The standard convection function is defined as follows:

q(I) = -q(J) = -CONV * AREA * (T(I) - T(J))

where:

CONV = Heat convection coefficient (Heat/Length2 * Time * Deg))

To model convective heat transfer between two opening nodes, you must specify the heat convection
coefficient CONV using the SFE command (with KVAL = 1 and CONV as a table parameter). CONV can
be a constant value (only uniform is allowed) or a function of temperature [T(I) + T(J))/2], time, or location
as specified through tabular input. If CONV is not defined through the SFE command, real constant
TCC will be used instead only if tabular input or a user subroutine is used. TCC can be made a function
of temperature [(T(I) + T(J))/2], pressure, time, gap (negative value input with GAP as a table parameter),
and location by using the %tabname% option.

Modeling Radiation
The standard radiation function is defined as follows:

q(I) = -q(J) = -RDVF * EMIS * SBCT * AREA* [(T(I) + TOFFST)4 - (T(J)) + TOFFST)4]

where:

TOFFST = the temperature offset from absolute zero to zero (defined through the TOFFST
command)
EMIS = surface emissivity (input as a material property)
SBCT = The Stefan-Boltzmann constant (input as a real constant). There is no default for SBCT;
if it is not defined, the radiation effect is excluded. (BTU/Hr * in2 * R4)
RDVF = The radiation view factor input as a real constant (defaults to 1). RDVF can be defined
as a function of temperature, gap distance (negative value input with GAP as a table parameter),
time, and location by using the %tabname% option.

Modeling Heat Generation Due to Friction

The standard frictional heat function is defined as follows:

q(I) = FHTG * FWGT * FDDIS

q(J) = FHTG * (1.0 - FWGT) * FDDIS

where:

FHTG = the fraction of frictionally dissipated energy converted into heat (defaults to 1.0). For
an input of true zero, you must enter a very small value (for example, 1E-8). If you enter 0, the
program interprets this input as the default value.
FWGT = the weight factor for the distribution of heat between node I and node J (defaults to
0.5)

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FDDIS = frictional energy dissipation rate (Heat/Time)

In order to model heat generation due to frictionally dissipated energy, you would typically perform a
coupled transient thermal-structural analysis. If inertia effects are negligible, you can turn off transient
effects on structural DOFs by using the command TIMINT,STRUC,OFF. However, you should generally
include transient effects on the thermal DOF.

In a steady-state coupled thermal-structural analysis, the friction-induced heat is still accounted for. The
program computes the frictional energy dissipation as follows:

FDDIS = (total accumulated frictional energy)/(total time of the current load step)

In this case, the time of the current load step cannot be described as arbitrary. If you wish to neglect
the friction-induced heat generation in the steady-state coupled thermal-structural analysis, use FHTG
to specify a very small fraction of the frictionally dissipated energy (for example, FHTG = 1E-8).

Modeling External Heat Flux

You can apply an external flux through the SFE command. Only a uniform flux can be applied. The
node J heat flux, HFLUX(J), defaults to the node I heat flux, HFLUX(I). The external heat flux is active
only for opening contact.

The heat flow is defined as follows:

q(I) = q(J) = FLUX * AREA

where:

FLUX = applied heat flux, HFLUX(I)

Modeling Electric Contact

You can use the node-to-node contact element, in combination with thermal-electric elements and
solid coupled field elements, to model electric current conduction between the two contacting nodes.
You can also use the node-to-node contact element, in combination with piezoelectric and electrostatic
elements, to model electric charge between the two contacting nodes.

KEYOPT(6) provides degree of freedom options for modeling electric contact. For combined structur-
al/thermal/electric contact, set KEYOPT(6) = 3 to activate the structural, thermal, and electric current
DOFs. For pure thermal/electric contact, set KEYOPT(6) = 4 to activate the thermal and electric current
DOFs. For piezoelectric contact, set KEYOPT(6) = 5 to activate the structural and piezoelectric DOFs. For
electrostatic contact, set KEYOPT(6) = 6 to activate the electrostatic DOF.

The contact normal direction (p. 640) must be specified, even in a purely electrical analysis (KEYOPT(6)
= 6).

In the discussions below, note that the contacting area (AREA) is input as a real constant; it is not
automatically calculated by the program.

Modeling Electric Conduction

To take into account the surface interaction for electric contact, you need to specify the electric contact
conductance if you are using the electric current degree of freedom, or the electric contact capacitance

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if you are using the piezoelectric or electrostatic degrees of freedom. For either case, this parameter is
specified through a real constant ECC.

The interaction between the two contacting surfaces is defined by:

J = ECC * AREA * (V(I) - V(J))

where:

J = current density for the electric potential (VOLT) degree of freedom (KEYOPT(6) = 3 or 4), or
the electric charge density (KEYOPT(6) = 5, or 6)
V(I) and V(J) = voltages at node I and node J
ECC = electric contact conductance for the electric potential (VOLT) degree of freedom (KEY-
OPT(6) = 3 or 4), or the electric contact capacitance per unit area for (KEYOPT(6) = 5, or 6)

The ECC value is input through a real constant, which can be a function of temperature [(T(I) + T(J))/2],
pressure (PRESSURE as a table parameter), penetration (positive value input with GAP as a table para-
meter), gap (negative value input with GAP as a table parameter), and time by using the %tabname%
option. For the current conduction option, the electric contact conductance ECC has units of electric
conductivity/length. For the piezoelectric and electrostatic options, the electric contact capacitance ECC
has units of capacitance per unit area. If the “bonded contact” or “no-separation contact” option is set,
contact interaction can occur between two nodes separated by a narrow gap.

Modeling Heat Dissipation Due to Electric Current

For electric current field analyses (KEYOPT(6) = 3 or 4), the heat dissipation at node I and node J due
to electric current is given by:

q(I) = FHEG * FWGT * J * (V(I) - V(J))

q(J) = FHEG * (1.0 - FWGT) * J * (V(I) - V(J))

where:

FHEG = the fraction of electrically dissipated energy converted into heat (Joule heating). This
value defaults to 1 and can be input as a real constant. For an input of true zero, you must
enter a very small value (for example, 1E-8). If you enter 0, the program interprets this input
as the default value.
J = the current density
FWGT = the weight factor for the contact heat dissipation between node I and node J (input
as a real constant). FWGT is the same real constant used for frictional heat generation. By default,
FWGT = 0.5. For an input of true zero, you must enter a very small value (for example, 1E-8). If
you enter 0, the program interprets this input as the default value.

Defining Real Constants in Tabular Format

For certain real constants, you can define the real constants as a function of primary variables by using
tabular input. Table 7.178.2: Real Constants and Corresponding Primary Variables for CONTA178 (p. 657)
lists real constants that allow tabular input and their associated primary variables.

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Element Library

Use the *DIM command to dimension the table and identify the variables. You should follow the positive
and negative convention for the real constant values. The possible primary variables used in tabular
input are:

Time (TIME)
X location (X) in local/global coordinates
Y location (Y) in local/global coordinates
Z location (Z) in local/global coordinates
Temperature (TEMP degree of freedom)
Contact normal force (PRESSURE); specify positive index values for compression, negative index
values for tension
Geometric contact gap/penetration (GAP); specify positive index values for penetration, negative
index values for an open gap

Note that the primary variables X, Y, and Z represent the coordinates of the contact detection points.
Coordinate system applicability is determined by the *DIM command.

When defining the tables, the primary variables must be in ascending order in the table indices (as in
any table array).

When defining real constants via the R, RMORE, or RMODIF command, enclose the table name in %
signs (for example, %tabname%). For example, given a table named CNREAL1 that contains normal
contact stiffness (FKN) values, you would issue a command similar to the following:
RMODIF,NSET,1,%CNREAL1% ! NSET is the real constant set ID associated with the contact pair

For more information and examples of using table inputs, see Tabular Input via Table Array Parameters
in the Ansys Parametric Design Language Guide; Applying Loads Using Tabular Input in the Basic Analysis
Guide; and the *DIM command in the Command Reference.

Defining Real Constants via a User Subroutine

You can write a USERCNPROP subroutine to define your own real constants. The real constants that
can be defined via this user subroutine are noted in Table 7.178.1: CONTA178 Real Constants (p. 656).
For additional details, see Defining Your Own Real Constant (USERCNPROP) in the Contact Technology
Guide, and the description of USERCNPROP in the Programmer's Reference.

Monitoring Contact Status

By default, the program will not print out contact status and contact stiffness for each individual element.
Use KEYOPT(12) = 1 to print out such information, which may help in solving problems that are difficult
to converge.

See the Contact Technology Guide for a detailed discussion on contact and using the contact elements.
Node-to-Node Contact discusses CONTA178 specifically, including the use of real constants and KEYOPTs.

A summary of the element input is given in "CONTA178 Input Summary" (p. 651). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

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CONTA178 Input Summary
Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ (if KEYOPT(6) = 0)

UX, UY, UZ, TEMP (if KEYOPT(6) = 1)
TEMP (if KEYOPT(6) = 2)
UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, VOLT (if KEYOPT(6) = 3)
TEMP, VOLT (if KEYOPT(6) = 4)
UX, UY, UZ, VOLT (if KEYOPT(6) = 5)
VOLT (if KEYOPT(6) = 6)

Real Constants

FKN, GAP, START, FKS, REDFACT, NX,

NY, NZ, TOLN, FTOL, SLTOL, CV1,
CV2, COR, AREA, TCC, FHTG, SBCT
RDVF, FWGT, ECC, FHEG, RI, RJ
See Table 7.178.1: CONTA178 Real Constants (p. 656) for a description of the real constants

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: MU, EMIS, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Convection, Face 1 (input with SFE command)

Heat Flux, Face 1 (I-J) (input with SFE command)

Body Loads

Temperatures - T(I), T(J)

Special Features

Isotropic friction
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear gap type
User-defined contact interaction
User-defined friction

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KEYOPT(1)

Gap type:

0 --

Unidirectional gap

1 --

Cylindrical gap

2 --

Spherical gap

3 --

Nonlinear radial gap

KEYOPT(2)

Contact algorithm:

0 --

Augmented Lagrange method (default)

1 --

Pure Penalty method

3 --

Lagrange multiplier on contact normal and penalty on tangent (uses U/P formulation for normal
contact, non-U/P formulation for tangential contact)

4 --

Lagrange multiplier method

KEYOPT(3)

Weak Spring:

0 --

Not used

1 --

Acts across an open contact (only contributes to stiffness)

2 --

Acts across an open contact or free sliding plane (only contributes to stiffness)

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 3 --

Acts across an open contact (contributes to stiffness and internal force)

4 --

Acts across an open contact or free sliding plane (contributes to stiffness and force)

KEYOPT(4)

Gap size:

0 --

Gap size based on real constant GAP + initial node locations

1 --

Gap size based on real constant GAP (ignore node locations)

KEYOPT(5)

Basis for contact normal:

0 --

Node locations or real constants NX, NY, NZ

1 --

X - component of nodal coordinate system (averaging on two contact nodes)

2 --

Y - component of nodal coordinate system (averaging on two contact nodes)

3 --

Z - component of nodal coordinate system (averaging on two contact nodes)

4 --

X - component of defined element coordinate system (ESYS)

5 --

Y - component of defined element coordinate system (ESYS)

6 --

Z - component of defined element coordinate system (ESYS)

KEYOPT(6)

Selects degrees of freedom:

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0 --

UX, UY, UZ

1 --

UX, UY, UZ, TEMP

2 --

TEMP

3 --

UX, UY, UZ, TEMP, VOLT

4 --

TEMP, VOLT

5 --

UX, UY, UZ, VOLT

6 --

VOLT

KEYOPT(7)

Element level time incrementation control / impact control:

0 --

No control

1 --

Change in contact predictions are made to maintain a reasonable time/load increment

2 --

Change in contact predictions are made to achieve the minimum time/load increment
whenever a change in contact status occurs

4 --

Use impact constraints for standard or rough contact (KEYOPT(12) = 0 or 1) in a transient dynamic
analysis with automatic adjustment of the time increment

KEYOPT(9)

Initial gap step size application:

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 0 --

Initial gap size is step applied

1 --

Initial gap size is ramped in the first load step

KEYOPT(10)

Behavior of contact surface:

0 --

Standard

1 --

Rough

2 --

No separation (sliding permitted)

3 --

Bonded

4 --

No separation (always)

5 --

Bonded (always)

6 --

Bonded (initial)

7 --

Rigid Coulomb friction (resisting force only if MU > 0.0)

KEYOPT(12)

Contact Status:

0 --

Does not print contact status

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1 --

Monitor and print contact status, contact stiffness

Table 7.178.1: CONTA178 Real Constants

No. Name Description

1 FKN Normal stiffness [1] [2]
2 GAP Initial gap size [1]
3 START Initial contact status
4 FKS Sticking stiffness [1] [2]
5 REDFACT KN/KS reduction factor
6 NX Defined gap normal - X component
7 NY Defined gap normal - Y component
8 NZ Defined gap normal - Z component
9 TOLN Penetration tolerance
10 FTOL Maximum tensile contact force
11 SLTOL Maximum elastic slip
12 CV1 Damping coefficient
13 CV2 Nonlinear damping coefficient
14 COR Coefficient of restitution
15 AREA Cross-sectional area (defaults to 1.0)
16 TCC Thermal contact conductance [1] [2]
17 FHTG Fraction of frictionally dissipation energy converted into heat
18 SBCT Stefan-Boltzmann constant. There is no default for SBCT. If this real
constant is not defined, the radiation effect is excluded. The
Stefan-Boltzmann constant should correspond to the units of the
FE model to be solved (for example, 0.1190E-10 Btu/hr-in2-R4;
5.67E-8 W/m2-K4)
19 RDVF Radiation view factor [1] [2]
20 FWGT Heat distribution weighing factor
21 ECC Electric contact conductance [1] [2]
22 FHEG The fraction of Joule dissipation energy converted into heat
23 RI Radius at node I (used for the radial gap option, KEYOPT(1) = 3)
24 RJ Radius at node J (used for the radial gap option, KEYOPT(1) = 3)

1. This real constant can be defined as a function of certain primary variables.

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2. This real constant can be defined by the user subroutine USERCNPROP.F.

Table 7.178.2: Real Constants and Corresponding Primary Variables for CONTA178

Real Constants TIME Location TEMP PRESSURE [1] GAP [2] %_CNPROP%
(X,Y,Z) [4]
Number Name
1 FKN x x x x [3] x x
2 GAP x x x x x x
4 FKS x x x x x x
12 CV1 x x x x x x
13 CV2 x x x x x x
16 TCC x x x x x x
19 RDVF x x x x x
21 ECC x x x x x x

1. Contact normal force via the primary variable PRESSURE. For PRESSURE index values, specify positive
values for compression, negative value for tension.

2. Geometric contact gap/penetration via the primary variable GAP. For GAP index values, specify
positive values for penetration, negative values for an open gap.

3. Contact normal force at the end of the previous iteration, if it exists.

4. Real constant can be defined via the user subroutine USERCNPROP.

CONTA178 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution.

• Additional element output as shown in Element Output Definitions.

The value of USEP is determined from the normal displacement (UN), in the element x-direction, between
the contact nodes at the end of a substep. This value is used in determining the normal force, FN. The
values represented by UT(Y, Z) are the total translational displacements in the element y and z directions.
The maximum value printed for the sliding force, FS, is μ|FN|. Sliding may occur in both the element y
and z directions. STAT describes the status of the element at the end of a substep.

• If STAT = 3, contact is closed and no sliding occurs

• If STAT = 1, contact is open

• If STAT = 2, node J slides relative to node I

For a frictionless surface (μ = 0.0), the converged element status is either STAT = 2 or 1.

The element coordinate system orientation angles α and β (shown in Figure 7.178.1: CONTA178 Geo-
metry (p. 638)) are computed by the program from the node locations. These values are printed as ALPHA

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and BETA respectively. α ranges from 0° to 360° and β from -90° to +90°. Elements lying along the Z-
axis are assigned values of α = 0°, β = ± 90°, respectively. Elements lying off the Z-axis have their co-
ordinate system oriented as shown for the general α, β position.

Note:

For α = 90°, β → 90°, the element coordinate system flips 90° about the Z-axis. The value of
ANGLE represents the principal angle of the friction force in the element y-z plane. A general
description of solution output is given in Element Solution (p. 50). See the Basic Analysis
Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.178.3: CONTA178 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 3
TEMP T(I), T(J) Y Y
USEP Gap size (gap = negative value; penetration = positive value) Y Y
FN Normal force (along I-J line) Y Y
STAT Element status 1 1
OLDST Old contact status 1 1
ALPHA, BETA Element orientation angles Y Y
MU Coefficient of friction 2 2
UT(Y, Z) Displacement (node J - node I) in element y and z directions 2 2
FS(Y, Z) Tangential (friction) force in element y and z directions 2 2
ANGLE Principal angle of friction force in element y-z plane 2 2
AREA Cross-sectional area Y Y
VELOC Normal velocity used for damping calculation Y Y
DAMPF Damping force Y Y
AUTY Total sliding in y direction Y
AUTZ Total sliding in z direction Y
ELSI Total equivalent elastic slip distance Y
PLSI Total (accumulated) equivalent plastic slip due to frictional Y
sliding

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 Name Definition O R
TEMP1 Temperature at node I Y Y
TEMP2 Temperature at node J Y Y
TCC Conductance coefficient Y Y
CONV Convection coefficient Y Y
RAC Radiation coefficient Y Y
HFLUX1 Applied heat flux at node I Y Y
HFLUX2 Applied heat flux at node J Y Y
FLUX1 Total heat flow at node I Y Y
FLUX2 Total heat flow at node J Y Y
FDDIS Frictional energy dissipation rate Y Y
FXCV Heat flow due to convection Y Y
FXRD Heat flow due to radiation Y Y
FXCD Heat flow due to conductance Y Y
ECC Electric contact conductance (for electric current DOF), or Y Y
electric contact capacitance per unit area (for piezoelectric or
electrostatic DOF)
VOLT1 Voltage at node I Y Y
VOLT2 Voltage at node J Y Y
HJOU Contact power/area Y Y
CCONT Contact charge density (charge/area) Y Y
JCONT Contact current density (current/area) Y Y

1. If the value of STAT is:

1 - Open contact

2 - Sliding contact

3 - Sticking contact (no sliding)

2. If MU>0.0

3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.178.4: CONTA178 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 660) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide for more information. The following notation is used in Table 7.178.4: CONTA178 Item
and Sequence Numbers (p. 660) :

Name

output quantity as defined in the Element Output Definition

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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Element Library

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.178.4: CONTA178 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
FN SMISC 1
FSY SMISC 2
FSZ SMISC 3
FLUX1 SMISC 4
FLUX2 SMISC 5
FDDIS SMISC 6
HFLUX1 SMISC 7
HFLUX2 SMISC 8
FXCV SMISC 9
FXRD SMISC 10
FXCD SMISC 11
HJOU SMISC 12
CCONT SMISC 13
JCONT SMISC 13
STAT NMISC 1
OLDST NMISC 2
USEP NMISC 3
ALPHA NMISC 4
BETA NMISC 5
UTY NMISC 6
UTZ NMISC 7
MU NMISC 8
ANGLE NMISC 9
KN NMISC 10
KS NMISC 11
TOLN NMISC 12
FTOL NMISC 13
SLTOL NMISC 14
ELSI NMISC 15
PLSI NMISC 16
AREA NMISC 17

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 ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
VELOC NMISC 18
DAMPF NMISC 19
AUTY NMISC 20
AUTZ NMISC 21
TEMP1 NMISC 22
TEMP2 NMISC 23
CONV NMISC 24
RAC NMISC 25
TCC NMISC 26
ECC NMISC 27
VOLT1 NMISC 28
VOLT2 NMISC 29

You can list contact results through several POST1 postprocessor commands. The contact specific items
for the PRNSOL and PRESOL commands are listed below:

STAT Contact status

PENE Contact penetration
PRES Contact force
SFRIC Contact tangential force
STOT Total contact tangential force
SLIDE Contact sliding distance
GAP Contact gap distance
FLUX Total heat flow at contact node

CONTA178 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element operates bilinearly only in static and nonlinear transient dynamic analyses. If used in
other analysis types, the element maintains its initial status throughout the analysis.

• The element is nonlinear and requires an iterative solution.

• Nonconverged substeps are not in equilibrium.

• Unless the contact normal direction is specified by (NX, NY, NZ) or KEYOPT(5), nodes I and J must
not be coincident or overlapped since the nodal locations define the interface orientation. In this
case the node ordering is not an issue. On the other hand, if the contact normal is not defined by
nodal locations, the node ordering is critical. Use /PSYMB, ESYS to verify the contact normal and use
EINTF,,,REVE to reverse the normal if wrong ordering is detected. To determine which side of the in-
terface contains the nodes, use ESEL,,ENAM,,178 and then NSLE,,POS,1.

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• The element maintains its original orientation in either a small or a large deflection analysis unless
the cylindrical gap or radial gap option is used.

• For real constants FKN, REDFACT, TOLN, FTOL, SLTOL and FKS, you can specify either a positive or
negative value. Mechanical APDL interprets a positive value as a scaling factor and interprets a neg-
ative value as the absolute value. These real constants can be changed between load steps or during
restart stages.

• The Lagrange multiplier methods introduce zero diagonal terms in the stiffness matrix. The PCG
solver may encounter precondition matrix singularity. The Lagrange multiplier methods often over-
constrain the model if boundary conditions, coupling, and constraint equations applied on the contact
nodes overlay the contact constraints. Chattering is most likely to occur due to change of contact
status, typically for contact impact problems. The Lagrange multipliers also introduce more degrees
of freedom which may result in spurious modes for modal and linear eigenvalue bucking analysis.
Therefore, the augmented Lagrange method option is the best choice for: PCG iterative solver, tran-
sient analysis for impact problems, modal, and eigenvalue bucking analysis.

• The element cannot be deactivated via EKILL.

CONTA178 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• User-defined contact is not available.

• User-defined friction is not available.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• User-defined contact is not available.

• User-defined friction is not available.

PRETS179
Pretension
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 665)

PRETS179 Element Description

PRETS179 is used to define a 2-D or 3-D pretension section within a meshed structure. The structure
can be built from any 2-D or 3-D structural elements (solid, beam, shell, pipe, or link). The PRETS179
element has one translation degree of freedom, UX. (UX represents the defined pretension direction.
Mechanical APDL transforms the geometry of the problem so that, internally, the pretension force is
applied in the specified pretension load direction, regardless of how the model is defined.) Loads can
be applied using the SLOAD command. These loads will overwrite any F or D command specifications
on the same nodes at solution time. Only tension loads can be applied; bending or torsion loads are

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ignored. See PRETS179 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about the element.
See Defining Pretension in a Joint Fastener in the Basic Analysis Guide for a discussion of how to generate
PRETS179 elements automatically using the PSMESH command. When creating the PRETS179 elements,
the pretension load direction is specified relative to surface A. (For backward compatibility, it is also
possible to generate such elements using the EINTF command.)

Figure 7.179.1: PRETS179 Geometry

Before Adjustment
Pretension
load direction
K

Z J
I surface B

Y
(surfaces A and B are coincident;
X
nodes I and J are coincident)
surface A

After Adjustment

I
surface A
J

surface B

PRETS179 Input Data

The pretension section is modeled by a set of pretension elements. The geometry, node locations, and
the coordinate system for the pretension element are shown in Figure 7.179.1: PRETS179 Geometry (p. 663).
The pretension element is defined by three nodes I, J, K and the section data NX, NY, NZ which define
the pretension load direction relative to surface A. The pretension load direction is constant and is not
updated for large displacements. Although it is not recommended, the pretension load direction can
be changed between load steps by changing the section data. For large-deflection problems, you could
track the deflection and change the pretension load direction accordingly.

Nodes I and J are initially coincident and they should be defined in the same nodal coordinate system.
No boundary conditions apply on node J. For each pretension section, the node ordering of the preten-
sion elements is critical. The I and J nodes must be ordered so that all nodes I are on surface A and all
nodes J are on surface B.

Node K is the pretension node. This pretension node provides a convenient way to assign boundary
conditions on an entire pretension section. Node K can be anywhere in space; however, its nodal co-
ordinate system must be global Cartesian. Each pretension section has only one pretension node asso-
ciated with it. Node K should only connect to pretension elements that use the same section number.

The pretension node K has only one translation degree of freedom UX, which defines the relative dis-
placement between the two sections A and B in the pretension load direction. Sliding motion is prevented
automatically. If the pretension node and the bolted structure are not well constrained, rigid body
motion can occur. Therefore, in the beginning of each load step, you should verify the boundary condi-
tions for bolt structures carefully.

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The following table summarizes the element input. Element Input (p. 41) gives a general description
of element input.

PRETS179 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K

Degrees of Freedom

UX (tightening adjustment of the pretension section)

Real Constants

None

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None

Special Features

Linear perturbation
Nonlinearity

KEYOPTs

None

PRETS179 Output Data

Nodal displacements are included in the overall displacement solution. There is no printed or post ele-
ment data output for the pretension element. Mechanical APDL determines the deformations of the
bolt structure automatically. The underlying elements connected to both sides of cutting surfaces appear
overlap under the pretension load. The displacement of the pretension node gives the adjustment of
the pretension. Use PRNSOL to list the adjustment. The reaction force on the pretension node provides
the total normal force across the pretension section. Use PRRSOL or PRRFOR command to list the
tension force. The stress distribution of underlying elements provides a good estimation of the stress
across the pretension section.

PRETS179 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The nodal coordinate system of the pretension node K must be global Cartesian.

• You cannot apply any constraint equations (or coupling) on any pretension element nodes.

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• The NROTAT command can not be applied on pretension node K. NROTAT can be applied to the
other nodes I and J in such way that they are rotated into the same nodal coordinate system. If K
has been mistakenly rotated into another coordinate system, Mechanical APDL issues a warning and
automatically rotates it back into the global Cartesian system. Similarly, if I and J are rotated into
different coordinate systems, the program issues a warning and rotates J to be consistent with I.

• The pretension normal NX, NY, NZ must be specified through section data. You should not change
section data either between load steps or during restart stages; otherwise, the program assumes that
the pretension normal varies between the load steps.

• The pretension force is actually applied in the direction of the pretension section normal. However,
the pretension force is always specified and displayed in the global X direction since the element has
only one degree of freedom, UX.

• The structure can be composed of superelements. However, all the pretension nodes must remain
as the master nodes.

• The element may not be deactivated with the EKILL command.

• Use of this element is limited to structural analyses only.

PRETS179 Product Restrictions

None.

LINK180
3-D Spar (or Truss)
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 673)

LINK180 Element Description

LINK180 is a 3-D spar useful in a variety of engineering applications. The element can be used to model
trusses, sagging cables, links, springs, and so on. The element is a uniaxial tension-compression element
with three degrees of freedom at each node: translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions. Tension-
only (cable) and compression-only (gap) options are supported. As in a pin-jointed structure, no bending
of the element is considered. Plasticity, creep, rotation, large deflection, and large strain capabilities are
included.

By default, LINK180 includes stress-stiffness terms in any analysis that includes large-deflection effects.
Elasticity, isotropic hardening plasticity, kinematic hardening plasticity, Hill anisotropic plasticity, Chaboche
nonlinear hardening plasticity, and creep are supported. To simulate the tension-/compression-only
options, a nonlinear iterative solution approach is necessary. Added mass, hydrodynamic added mass
and loading, and buoyant loading are available.

See LINK180 for more information about this element.

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Figure 7.180.1: LINK180 Geometry

J

Z
x

Y I
X

LINK180 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.180.1: LINK180 Geometry (p. 666). The element is defined by two nodes, the cross-sectional area
(A) input via the SECTYPE and SECDATA commands, added mass per unit length (ADDMAS) input via
the SECCONTROL command, and the material properties.

The element x axis is oriented along the length of the element from node I toward node J. If ocean
loading is present, the global origin is normally at the mean sea level, with the global Z axis pointing
away from the center of the earth; however, the vertical location can be adjusted via Zmsl (Val6) on
the OCDATA command (following the OCTYPE,BASIC command).

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Temperatures can be input as element body
loads at the nodes. The node I temperature T(I) defaults to TUNIF. The node J temperature T(J) defaults
to T(I).

By default, the element allows the cross-sectional area to change as a function of axial elongation;
therefore, the volume of the element is preserved even after deformation. The default behavior is suitable
for elastoplastic applications. (You can also maintain a constant or rigid cross-section via KEYOPT(2) =
1.)

LINK180 offers compression-and-tension, tension-only, and compression-only options (SECCONTROL).

Damping
The damping portion of the element contributes only damping coefficients to the structural damping
matrix. The damping force is given by:

where is the damping coefficient given by , where is the velocity calculated in

the previous substep.

The second damping coefficient is available to produce a nonlinear damping effect characteristic
of some fluid environments. The damping coefficient have units of (Force * Length * Time) / Radian.

Input damping coefficients via SECCONTROL,,,CV1,CV2.

Ocean Loading
For ocean loading, hydrodynamic added mass and loading, and buoyant loading, are available via the
OCDATA and OCTABLE commands.

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When ocean loading is applied, the loading is nonlinear (that is, based on the square of the relative
velocity between the structure and the water). Accordingly, the full Newton-Raphson option (NROPT,FULL)
may be necessary to achieve optimal results. (Full Newton-Raphson is applied automatically in an ana-
lysis involving large-deflection effects [NLGEOM,ON].)

Initial State
You can apply an initial stress state to this element (INISTATE). For more information, see Initial State
in the Advanced Analysis Guide.

LINK180 Input Summary

For a general description of element input, see Element Input (p. 41).

Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.

MP command: EX, (PRXY or NUXY), ALPX (or CTEX or THSX), DENS, GXY, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J)

Special Features

Birth and death

Initial state
Inverse solving
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear stabilization
Ocean loading
Stress stiffening

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Element Library

KEYOPT(2)

Cross-section scaling (applies only when large-deflection effects [NLGEOM,ON] are specified):

0 --

Enforce incompressibility; cross section is scaled as a function of axial stretch (default).

1 --

Section is assumed to be rigid.

KEYOPT(12)

Hydrodynamic output (not available in harmonic analyses that include ocean wave effects
(HROCEAN)):

0 --

None (default)

1 --

Additional hydrodynamic printout

LINK180 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.180.1: LINK180 Element Output Definitions (p. 669).

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.180.2: LINK180 Stress Output (p. 668). A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). Element results can be viewed in POST1 via
PRESOL,ELEM.

Figure 7.180.2: LINK180 Stress Output

S(AXL)

EPEL(AXL)
EPPL(AXL)
Z EPTH(AXL)
I
EPCR(AXL)
Y EPSW(AXL)
X

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.180.1: LINK180 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
SECID Section number Y -
XC, YC, ZC Center location Y 1
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J) Y Y
AREA Cross-sectional area Y Y
FORCE Member force in the element coordinate system Y Y
Sxx Axial stress Y Y
EPELxx Axial elastic strain Y Y
EPTOxx Total strain Y Y
EPEQ Plastic equivalent strain 2 2
Cur.Yld.Flag Current yield flag 2 2
Plwk Plastic strain energy density 2 2
Pressure Hydrostatic pressure 2 2
Creq Creep equivalent strain 2 2
Crwk_Creep Creep strain energy density 2 2
EPPLxx Axial plastic strain 2 2
EPCRxx Axial creep strain 2 2
EPTHxx Axial thermal strain 3 3
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress - 4
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not - 4
yeilding)
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure - 4
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain - 4
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain - 4
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume - 4
EXT PRESS External pressure at integration point 5 5
EFFECTIVE TENS Effective tension on link 5 5
The following values apply to ocean loading only: [5]
GLOBAL COORD Element centroid location 6 Y
VR, VZ Radial and vertical fluid particle velocities (VR 6 Y
is always > 0)
AR, AZ Radial and vertical fluid particle accelerations 6 Y

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
PHDYN Dynamic fluid pressure head 6 Y
ETA Wave amplitude over integration point 6 Y
TFLUID Fluid temperature (printed if VISC is nonzero) 6 Y
VISC Viscosity (output if VISC is nonzero) 6 Y
REN, RET Normal and tangential Reynolds numbers (if 6 Y
VISC is nonzero)
CT Input tangential drag coefficients evaluated at 6 Y
Reynolds numbers
CDY, CDZ Input normal drag coefficients evaluated at 6 Y
Reynolds numbers
CMY, CMZ Input inertia coefficients evaluated at Reynolds 6 Y
numbers
URT, URN Tangential (parallel to element axis) and normal 6 Y
relative velocities
ABURN Vector sum of normal (URN) velocities 6 Y
AN Accelerations normal to element 6 Y
FX, FY, FZ Hydrodynamic tangential and normal forces in 6 Y
element coordinates
ARGU Effective position of wave (radians) 6 Y

1. Available only at the centroid as a *GET item.

2. Available only if the element has an appropriate nonlinear material.

3. Available only if the element temperatures differ from the reference temperature.

4. Available if the element has a nonlinear material.

5. Values are given as the average of the hydrodynamic integration points, which are distributed along
the wetted portion of the element.

6. See KEYOPT(12) description.

The element printout also includes 'INT, SEC PTS' (which are always '1, Y Z' where Y and Z both have
values of 0.0). These values are printed to maintain formatting consistency with the output printouts
of the BEAM188 (p. 868), BEAM189 (p. 890), PIPE288 (p. 1383), and PIPE289 (p. 1403) elements.

Table 7.180.2: LINK180 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 671) lists output available through ETABLE using
the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) and The Item and Sequence
Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The following notation is used in
Table 7.180.2: LINK180 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 671):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.180.1: LINK180 Element Output Definitions (p. 669)

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Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE and

ESOL

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I,J

sequence number for data at nodes I and J

Table 7.180.2: LINK180 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and ESOL Command

Output Quantity Name Input
Item E I J
Sxx LS - 1 2
EPELxx LEPEL - 1 2
EPTOxx LEPTO - 1 2
[1]
EPTHxx LEPTH - 1 2
EPPLxx LEPPL - 1 2
EPCRxx LEPCR - 1 2
NL:SEPL NLIN 1 - -
NL:SRAT NLIN 2 - -
NL:HPRES NLIN 3 - -
NL:EPEQ NLIN 4 - -
NL:CREQ NLIN 5 - -
NL:PLWK NLIN 6 - -
FORCE SMISC 1 - -
EXT PRESS [2] SMISC 3 - -
EFFECTIVE TENS [2] SMISC 4 - -
TEMP LBFE - 1 2
AREA NMISC 29 - -
The following output quantities are valid for ocean
loading only and are averaged values for the element:
[3]
GLOBAL COORD NMISC 1, 2, -- --
3
VR, VZ NMISC 4, 5 -- --
AR, AZ NMISC 6, 7 -- --
[4]

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Element Library

ETABLE and ESOL Command

Output Quantity Name Input
Item E I J
PHDYN NMISC 8 [4] -- --
ETA NMISC 9 [4] -- --
TFLUID NMISC 10 -- --
VISC NMISC 11 -- --
REN, RET NMISC 12, -- --
13
[5]
CT NMISC 14 -- --
CDY, CDZ NMISC 15, -- --
16
CMY, CMZ NMISC 17, -- --
18
[4]
URT, URN NMISC 19, -- --
20,
21
ABURN NMISC 22 -- --
[4]
AN NMISC 23, -- --
24
[4]
FX, FY, FZ NMISC 25, -- --
26,
27
ARGU NMISC 28 -- --
[4]

1. This item is not available via the ESOL command.

2. External pressure (EXT PRESS) and effective tension (EFFECTIVE TENS) occur at mid-
length.

3. Values are given as the average of the hydrodynamic integration points, which are
distributed along the wetted portion of the element.

4. See KEYOPT(12) description.

5. These quantities are output only if a Reynold's number dependency is used.

LINK180 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The spar element assumes a straight bar, axially loaded at its ends, and of uniform properties from
end to end.

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• The length of the spar must be greater than zero, so nodes I and J must not be coincident.

• The cross-sectional area must be greater than zero.

• The temperature is assumed to vary linearly along the length of the spar.

• The displacement shape function implies a uniform stress in the spar.

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Prestress effects
can be activated by the PSTRES command.

• To simulate the tension-/compression-only options, a nonlinear iterative solution approach is necessary.

• When the element is used in an ocean environment:

– Hydrodynamic output via KEYOPT(12) is not available in harmonic analyses that include ocean
wave effects (HROCEAN).

– The three-dimensional effect of water pressure on the element is adjusted, as the element has only
one direct stress. For more information, see Hydrostatic Loads in the Mechanical APDL Theory Refer-
ence.

– The output axial force may not be exact when using ocean loading with nonlinear materials.

LINK180 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

• Initial state is not available.

• Ocean loading is not available.

SHELL181
4-Node Structural Shell
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 691)

SHELL181 Element Description

SHELL181 is suitable for analyzing thin to moderately-thick shell structures. It is a four-node element
with six degrees of freedom at each node: translations in the x, y, and z directions, and rotations about
the x, y, and z-axes. (If the membrane option is used, the element has translational degrees of freedom
only). The degenerate triangular option should only be used as filler elements in mesh generation.

The element is well-suited for linear, large rotation, and/or large strain nonlinear applications. Change
in shell thickness is accounted for in nonlinear analyses. In the element domain, both full and reduced

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Element Library

integration schemes are supported. SHELL181 accounts for follower (load stiffness) effects of distributed
pressures.

The element can be used with layered applications for modeling composite shells or sandwich construc-
tion. The accuracy in modeling composite shells is governed by the first-order shear-deformation theory
(usually referred to as Mindlin-Reissner shell theory).

The element formulation is based on logarithmic strain and true stress measures. The element kinematics
allow for finite membrane strains (stretching). However, the curvature changes within a time increment
are assumed to be small.

See SHELL181 for more information about this element.

SHELL181 Input Data

The following figure shows the geometry, node locations, normal direction, and multilayer construction
for this element. The element is defined by shell section information and by four nodes (I, J, K, and L).
A triangular-shaped element (not recommended) is formed by defining the same node number for
nodes K and L.

Figure 7.181.1: SHELL181 Geometry

Single-Layer Definition

To define the thickness (and other information), use section definition, as follows:

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 SECTYPE,,SHELL
SECDATA,THICKNESS, ...

A single-layer shell section definition provides flexible options. For example, you can specify the number
of integration points used and the material orientation.

Multilayer Definition

The shell section commands allow for layered shell definition. Options are available for specifying the
thickness, material, orientation, and number of integration points through the thickness of the layers.

You can designate the number of integration points (1, 3, 5, 7, or 9) located through the thickness of
each layer when using section input. When only one, the point is always located midway between the
top and bottom surfaces. If three or more points, two points are located on the top and bottom surfaces
respectively and the remaining points are distributed equal distance between the two points. The default
number of integration points for each layer is three; however, when a single layer is defined and plasticity
is present, the number of integration points is changed to a minimum of five during solution.

The following additional capabilities are available when defining shell layers:

• SHELL181 accepts the preintegrated shell section type (SECTYPE,,GENS).

When the element is associated with the GENS section type, thickness or material definitions are
not required.

• You can use the function tool to define thickness as a function of global/local coordinates or
node numbers (SECFUNCTION).

• You can specify offsets (SECOFFSET).

The layers are stacked from the shell bottom surface in the direction of shell normal N. The shell normal
N is aligned with the third element coordinate axis e3. The definition of e3 is described below.

Element and Layer Coordinate Systems

SHELL181 has one single element coordinate system (e1-e2-e3) at the center of element:

Figure 7.181.2: SHELL181 Default Element Coordinate System

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Element Library

When KEYOPT(11) = 0, the default first element coordinate axis e1 is aligned with the first parametric
direction S1 of the element at the center of the element. S1 and the second parametric direction S2
can be defined respectively as:

where the geometry is given as:

where:
= two isoparametric element coordinates

= shape functions associated with four element nodes

= global nodal coordinates of the four element nodes

If edges IJ and KL are parallel (rectangular or trapezoidal elements), the default orientation is the same
as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61) (where e1 is aligned with the IJ side). For elements with
nonparallel edges IJ and JK, this default orientation represents the stress state better because the element
uses a single point of quadrature (by default) in the element domain.

With KEYOPT(11) = 1, the default first element coordinate axis e1 is always directed from node I to node
J.

The default third element coordinate axis e3 is normal to the element surface, and the default second
element coordinate axis e2 is perpendicular to the e1 and e3 axes. Coordinate axes e3 and e2 are ob-
tained respectively as follows:

As shown in the following figure, you can also define element orientation (p. 61) via ESYS. The user-
defined element coordinate system (e1-e2-e3) is obtained by projecting a local coordinate system (x-y-
z) to the shell surface. When KEYOPT(4) = 0, the user-defined third element coordinate axis e3 is always
aligned with the default e3. When KEYOPT(4) = 1, the user-defined e3 is set to the opposite of default
e3 if local coordinate axis z and default e3 are in the opposite directions.

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Figure 7.181.3: SHELL181 User-Defined Element Coordinate System

The layer coordinate systems (L1-L2-L3) as shown in the following figure are identical to the element
coordinate system if no layer orientation angles are specified; otherwise, the layer coordinate system
can be generated by rotating the element coordinate system about e3. (For the definition of layer ori-
entation angles θ, see SECDATA.) Material properties are defined in the layer systems; therefore, the
layer system is also called the material coordinate system.

Figure 7.181.4: SHELL181 Layer Coordinate Systems

Other Input

The element supports degeneration into a triangular form; however, use of the triangular form is not
recommended, except when used as mesh filler elements or with the membrane option (KEYOPT(1) =
1). The triangle form is generally more robust when using the membrane option with large deflections.

To evaluate stresses and strains on exterior surfaces, use KEYOPT(1) = 2. When used as overlaid elements
on the faces of 3-D elements, this option is similar to the surface stress option, but is more general and
applicable to nonlinear analysis. The element used with this option provides no stiffness, mass, or load
contributions. Use this option in single-layer shells only. Irrespective of other settings, SHELL181 provides
stress and strain output at the center of the layer. When KEYOPT(1) = 2, the program sets the integration
option KEYOPT(3) = 0.

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Element Library

SHELL181 uses a penalty method to relate the independent rotational degrees of freedom about the
normal (to the shell surface) with the in-plane components of displacements. The program chooses an
appropriate penalty stiffness by default. A drill-stiffness factor can be specified via SECCONTROL.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Pressures can be input as surface loads on the
element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Figure 7.181.1: SHELL181 Geometry (p. 674). Positive
pressures act into the element. Because shell edge pressures are input on a per-unit-length basis, per-
unit-area quantities must be multiplied by the shell thickness.

Temperatures can be input as element body loads at the corners of the outside faces of the element
and at the corners of the interfaces between layers. The first corner temperature T1 defaults to TUNIF.
If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to T1. If KEYOPT(1) = 0 and if exactly NL+1 tem-
peratures are input, one temperature is used for the four bottom corners of each layer, and the last
temperature is used for the four top corner temperatures of the top layer. If KEYOPT(1) = 1 and if exactly
NL temperatures are input, one temperature is used for the four corners of each layer. That is, T1 is
used for T1, T2, T3, and T4; T2 (as input) is used for T5, T6, T7, and T8, etc. For any other input pattern,
unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

Using KEYOPT(3), SHELL181 supports uniform reduced integration and full integration with incompatible
modes. By default, this element uses the uniform reduced integration for performance reasons in non-
linear applications.

Using reduced integration with hourglass control creates some usage restrictions, although minimal.
For example, to capture the in-plane bending of a cantilever or a stiffener (as shown in see Fig-
ure 7.181.5: SHELL181 Typical Bending Applications (p. 679)), a number of elements through the thickness
direction is necessary. The performance gains achieved by using uniform reduced integration are signi-
ficant enough to offset the need to use more elements. In relatively well-refined meshes, hourglassing
issues are largely irrelevant.

When the reduced integration option is used, you can check the accuracy of the solution by comparing
the total energy (SENE label in ETABLE) and the artificial energy (AENE label in ETABLE) introduced by
hourglass control. If the ratio of artificial energy to total energy is less than 5%, the solution is generally
acceptable. The total energy and artificial energy can also be monitored by using OUTPR,VENG in the
solution phase.

Bilinear elements, when fully integrated, are too stiff in in-plane bending.SHELL181 uses the method
of incompatible modes to enhance the accuracy in bending-dominated problems. This approach is also
called "extra shapes" or "bubble" modes approach. SHELL181 uses the formulation that ensures satisfaction
of the patch test (J. C. Simo and F. Armero, "Geometrically nonlinear enhanced strain mixed methods
and the method of incompatible modes," IJNME, Vol. 33, pp. 1413-1449, 1992).

When including incompatible modes in the analysis, you must use full integration. KEYOPT(3) = 2 implies
the inclusion of incompatible modes and the use of full (2x2) quadrature.

SHELL181, with KEYOPT(3) = 2 specified, does not have any spurious energy mechanisms. This specific
form of SHELL181 is highly accurate, even with coarse meshes. Use KEYOPT(3) = 2 if you encounter any
hourglass-related difficulties with the default options. KEYOPT(3) = 2 is also necessary if the mesh is
coarse and in-plane bending of the elements dominate the response. We recommend this option with
all layered applications.

KEYOPT(3) = 2 imposes the fewest usage restrictions. You can always choose this option. However, you
can improve element performance by choosing the best option for your problem. Consider the problems
illustrated in Figure 7.181.5: SHELL181 Typical Bending Applications (p. 679)

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Figure 7.181.5: SHELL181 Typical Bending Applications

KEYOPT(3) = 2 required for

in-plane bending if only one
element through thickness
is used.

KEYOPT(3) = 0 may be used for

in-plane bending if at least four
elements through thickness
are used.

Use KEYOPT(3) = 0 for out-of-plane bending

Beam cross-section
Use KEYOPT(3) = 2 for
stiffener (in-plane) modeling

The cantilever beam and the beam cross-section to be modeled with shells are typical examples of in-
plane bending-dominated problems. The use of KEYOPT(3) = 2 is the most effective choice in these
circumstances. Reduced integration would require refined meshes. For example, reduced integration
for the cantilever beam problem requires four elements through the thickness, whereas the full integ-
ration with incompatible modes only requires one element through the thickness.

For the stiffened shell, the most effective choice is to use KEYOPT(3) = 0 for the shell and KEYOPT(3) =
2 for the stiffener.

When KEYOPT(3) = 0 is specified, SHELL181 uses an hourglass control method for membrane and
bending modes. By default, SHELL181 calculates the hourglass parameters for both metal and hypere-
lastic applications. To specify the hourglass-stiffness scaling factors, issue SECCONTROL.

When KEYOPT(5) = 1, the element uses an advanced formulation that incorporates initial curvature effects.
The calculation for effective shell curvature change accounts for both shell-membrane and thickness
strains. The formulation generally offers improved accuracy in curved shell structure simulations, especially
when thickness strain is significant or the material anisotropy in the thickness direction cannot be ignored,
or in thick shell structures with unbalanced laminate construction or with shell offsets. The initial
curvature of each element is calculated from the nodal shell normals. The shell normal at each node is
obtained by averaging the shell normals from the surrounding SHELL181 elements. A coarse or highly
distorted shell mesh can lead to significant error in the recovered element curvature; therefore, this
option should be used with a smooth, adequately refined mesh only. To ensure proper representation
of the original mesh, a nodal normal is replaced by the element shell normal in the curvature calculation
if the subtended angle between these two is greater than 25 degrees.

When KEYOPT(5) = 2, a simplified curved-shell formulation is adopted. Unlike the advanced curved-shell
formulation (KEYOPT(5) =1), the curvature effects in the shell offset handling are ignored. The simplified
formulation generally leads to more robust nonlinear convergence.

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The curved-shell formulation is automatically disabled for excessively thick and curved structures with
an r / t ratio below 5 / 6, where r is the radius of curvature measured at shell mid-plane and t is the
total shell thickness.

SHELL181 includes the linear effects of transverse shear deformation. An assumed shear strain formulation
of Bathe-Dvorkin is used to alleviate shear locking. The transverse shear stiffness of the element is a 2
x 2 matrix as shown below:

Transverse shear effects are not included in the normal material constitutive modeling for this element.

To define transverse shear stiffness values, issue SECCONTROL.

Transverse shear-correction factors k are calculated once at the start of the analysis for each section.
The material properties used to evaluate the transverse shear correction factors are at the current refer-
ence temperature during solution. User-field variables and frequency are all set to zero when evaluating
the material properties used to calculate the transverse shear correction factors.

For a single-layer shell with isotropic material, default transverse shear stiffnesses are:

where shear-correction factor k = 5/6, G = shear modulus, and h = thickness of the shell.

The bending stiffness is defined by either a standard or preintegrated shell section (SECTYPE,,SHELL
or GENS, respectively). Further bending-stiffness scaling is available via a user-specified factor (BENSTIF
on SECCONTROL). For a standard shell section, Mechanical APDL rebalances the element stresses to
reflect the change in bending stiffness.

SHELL181 can be associated with linear elastic, elastoplastic, creep, or hyperelastic material properties.
Only isotropic, anisotropic, and orthotropic linear elastic properties can be input for elasticity. The von
Mises isotropic hardening plasticity models can be invoked with BISO (bilinear isotropic hardening),
and NLISO (nonlinear isotropic hardening) options. The kinematic hardening plasticity models can be
invoked with BKIN (bilinear kinematic hardening), and CHABOCHE (nonlinear kinematic hardening). In-
voking plasticity assumes that the elastic properties are isotropic (that is, if orthotropic elasticity is used
with plasticity, the program assumes the isotropic elastic modulus = EX and Poisson's ratio = NUXY).

Hyperelastic material properties (2, 3, 5, or 9 parameter Mooney-Rivlin material model, Neo-Hookean

model, Polynomial form model, Arruda-Boyce model, and user-defined model) can be used with this
element. Poisson's ratio is used to specify the compressibility of the material. If less than 0, Poisson's
ratio is set to 0; if greater than or equal to 0.5, Poisson's ratio is set to 0.5 (fully incompressible).

Both isotropic and orthotropic thermal expansion coefficients can be input using MP,ALPX. When used
with hyperelasticity, isotropic expansion is assumed.

Issue TREF to specify the global value of reference temperature. If MP,REFT is defined for the material
number of the element, it is used for the element instead of the value specified via TREF. If MP,REFT
is defined for the material number of the layer, however, it is used instead of either the global or element
value.

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With reduced integration and hourglass control (KEYOPT(3) = 0), low-frequency spurious modes can
appear if the mass matrix used is not consistent with the quadrature rule. SHELL181 uses a projection
scheme that effectively filters out the inertia contributions to the hourglass modes of the element. To
be effective, use a consistent mass matrix (LUMPM,OFF). The lumped mass option (LUMPM,ON) can,
however, be used with the full integration options (KEYOPT(3) = 2).

KEYOPT(8) = 2 stores midsurface results in the results file for single or multi-layer shell elements. If you
use SHELL,MID, you will see these calculated values, rather than the average of the TOP and BOTTOM
results. You should use this option to access these correct midsurface results (membrane results) for
those analyses where averaging TOP and BOTTOM results is inappropriate; examples include midsurface
stresses and strains with nonlinear material behavior, and midsurface results after mode combinations
that involve squaring operations such as in spectrum analyses.

KEYOPT(9) = 1 reads initial thickness data from a user subroutine.

KEYOPT(10) = 1 outputs normal stress component Sz, where z is shell normal direction. The element
uses a plane-stress formulation that always leads to zero thickness normal stress. With KEYOPT(10) = 1,
Sz is independently recovered during the element solution output from the applied pressure load. The
pressure must be applied directly to the shell, and not via surface elements (SURFnnn).

You can apply an initial stress state (INISTATE) to this element. For more information, see Initial State
in the Advanced Analysis Guide.

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element. If an unsymmetric
matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, use NROPT,UNSYM.

A summary of the element input is given in "SHELL181 Input Summary" (p. 681). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SHELL181 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ if KEYOPT(1) = 0

UX, UY, UZ if KEYOPT(1) = 1

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, EY, EZ, (PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ, or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ),
ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ),
DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD
Specify BETD, ALPD, DMPR, or DMPS for the element (all layers) by issuing MAT to assign the
material property set.
REFT can be specified once for the element, or it can be assigned on a per-layer basis. See the
discussion in "SHELL181 Input Summary" (p. 681) for more information.

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Surface Loads

Pressures --

face 1 (I-J-K-L) (bottom, in +N direction),

face 2 (I-J-K-L) (top, in -N direction),
face 3 (J-I), face 4 (K-J), face 5 (L-K), face 6 (I-L)
To define general surface loads (or surface tractions) on the faces, issue SFCONTROL.

Equivalent source surface flag --

MXWF (input via SF)

Body Loads

Temperatures --

For KEYOPT(1) = 0 (Bending and membrane stiffness):

T1, T2, T3, T4 (at bottom of layer 1), T5, T6, T7, T8 (between layers 1-2); similarly for between
next layers, ending with temperatures at top of layer NL(4*(NL+1) maximum). Hence, for one-
layer elements, 8 temperatures are used.

For KEYOPT(1) = 1 (Membrane stiffness only):

T1, T2, T3, T4 for layer 1, T5, T6, T7, T8 for layer 2, similarly for all layers (4*NL maximum). Hence,
for one-layer elements, 4 temperatures are used.

Special Features

Birth and death

Coriolis effect
Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Initial state
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear stabilization
Section definition for layered shells and preintegrated general shell sections for input of homo-
geneous section stiffnesses
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(1)

Element stiffness:

0 --

Bending and membrane stiffness (default)

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 1 --

Membrane stiffness only

2 --

Stress/strain evaluation only

KEYOPT(3)

Integration option:

0 --

Reduced integration with hourglass control (default)

2 --

Full integration with incompatible modes

KEYOPT(4)

Shell normal orientation option:

0 --

Calculated from element connectivity (default)

1 --

Controlled by the z coordinate direction of a local coordinate system

KEYOPT(5)

Curved shell formulation:

0 --

Standard shell formulation (default)

1 --

Advanced curved-shell formation

2 --

Simplified curved-shell formation

KEYOPT(8)

Specify layer data storage:

0 --

For multi-layer elements, store data for bottom of bottom layer and top of top layer. For single-
layer elements, store data for TOP and BOTTOM. (Default)

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1 --

Store data for TOP and BOTTOM, for all layers (multi-layer elements)

Note:

Volume of data may be excessive.

2 --

Store data for TOP, BOTTOM, and MID for all layers; applies to single- and multi-layer elements

KEYOPT(9)

User thickness option:

0 --

No user subroutine to provide initial thickness (default)

1 --

Read initial thickness data from user-defined subroutine UTHICK

See the Guide to User-Programmable Features in the Programmer's Reference for user-defined
subroutines

KEYOPT(10)

Thickness normal stress (Sz) output option:

0 --

Sz not modified (default, Sz = 0)

1 --

Recover and output Sz from applied pressure load

KEYOPT(11)

Default element x axis (x0) orientation:

0 --

First parametric direction at the element centroid (default)

1 --

Pointing from element node I to element node J

SHELL181 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

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• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.181.1: SHELL181 Element Output Definitions (p. 686)

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.181.6: SHELL181 Stress Output (p. 686).

KEYOPT(8) controls the amount of data output to the results file for processing via LAYER. Interlaminar
shear stress is available as SYZ and SXZ evaluated at the layer interfaces. KEYOPT(8) must be set to
either 1 or 2 to output these stresses in POST1. A general description of solution output is given in
Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to review results.

The element stress resultants (N11, M11, Q13, etc.) are parallel to the element coordinate system, as
are the membrane strains and curvatures of the element. Such generalized strains are available through
the SMISC option at the element centroid only. The transverse shear forces Q13, Q23 are available only
in resultant form: that is, use SMISC,7 (or 8). Likewise, the transverse shear strains, γ13 and γ23, are constant
through the thickness and are only available as SMISC items (SMISC,15 and SMISC,16, respectively).

The program calculates moments (M11, M22, M12) with respect to the shell reference plane. By default,
Mechanical APDL adopts the shell midplane as the reference plane. To offset the reference plane to
any other specified location, issue SECOFFSET. When there is a nonzero offset (L) from the reference
plane to the midplane, moments with respect to the midplane ( ) can be recovered from
stress resultants with respect to the reference plane as follows:

SHELL181 does not support extensive basic element printout. POST1 provides more comprehensive
output processing tools; therefore, Ansys, Inc. suggests using OUTRES to ensure that the required results
are stored in the database.

SHELL181 allows for transformation of stresses and strains to other coordinate systems in postprocessing
(RSYS). By default, the element stresses and strains are displayed or listed in the global Cartesian co-
ordinate system.

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Figure 7.181.6: SHELL181 Stress Output

x0 = Element x axis if element orientation (ESYS) is not specified. (See KEYOPT(11).)

x = Element x axis if element orientation is specified.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.181.1: SHELL181 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number and name Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L - Y
MAT Material number - Y
THICK Average thickness - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y

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 Name Definition O R
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported - 4
PRES Pressures P1 at nodes I, J, K, L; P2 at I, J, K, L; P3 at - Y
J,I; P4 at K,J; P5 at L,K; P6 at I,L
TEMP T1, T2, T3, T4 at bottom of layer 1, T5, T6, T7, T8 - Y
between layers 1-2, similarly for between next layers,
ending with temperatures at top of layer
NL(4*(NL+1) maximum)
LOC TOP, MID, BOT, or integration point location - 1
S:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, XZ Stresses 3 1
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - 1
S:INT Stress intensity - 1
S:EQV Equivalent stress - 1
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY Elastic strains 3 1
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strains [7] - 1
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY Thermal strains 3 1
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strains [7] - 1
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY Average plastic strains 3 2
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strains [7] - 2
EPCR:X, Y, Z, XY Average creep strains 3 2
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strains [7] - 2
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) 3 -
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + - -
EPCR)
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress - 2
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain - 2
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain - 2
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not - 2
yielding)
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume - 2
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure - 2
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - 2
PLASTIC, CREEP,
ENTO
N11, N22, N12 In-plane forces (per unit length) - Y
M11, M22, M12 Out-of-plane moments (per unit length) - 8
Q13, Q23 Transverse shear forces (per unit length) - 8
ε11, ε22, ε12 Membrane strains - Y
k11, k22, k12 Curvatures - 8
γ13, γ23 Transverse shear strains - 8
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 5

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Name Definition O R
SVAR:1, 2, ... , N State variables - 6
ILSXZ SXZ interlaminar shear stress - Y
ILSYZ SYZ interlaminar shear stress - Y
ILSUM Magnitude of the interlaminar shear stress vector - Y
ILANG Angle of interlaminar shear stress vector (measured - Y
from the element x axis toward the element y axis
in degrees)
Sm: 11, 22, 12 Membrane stresses - Y
Sb: 11, 22, 12 Bending stresses - Y
Sp: 11, 22, 12 Peak stresses - Y
St: 13, 23 Averaged transverse shear stresses - Y

1. The following stress solution repeats for top, middle, and bottom surfaces.

2. Nonlinear solution output for top, middle, and bottom surfaces, if the element has a nonlinear ma-
terial, or if large-deflection effects are enabled (NLGEOM,ON) for SEND.

3. Stresses, total strains, plastic strains, elastic strains, creep strains, and thermal strains in the element
coordinate system are available for output (at all section points through thickness). If layers are in
use, the results are in the layer coordinate system.

4. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

5. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is used.

6. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and TB,STATE are used.

7. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep this value is set at 0.5.

8. Not available if the membrane element option is used (KEYOPT(1) = 1).

Table 7.181.2: SHELL181 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 689) lists output available through ETABLE
using the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table and The Item and Sequence
Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The following notation is used in
Table 7.181.2: SHELL181 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 689):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.181.1: SHELL181 Element Output Definitions (p. 686)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

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I,J,K,L

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, K, L

Table 7.181.2: SHELL181 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K L
Name
N11 SMISC 1 - - - -
N22 SMISC 2 - - - -
N12 SMISC 3 - - - -
M11 SMISC 4 - - - -
M22 SMISC 5 - - - -
M12 SMISC 6 - - - -
Q13 SMISC 7 - - - -
Q23 SMISC 8 - - - -
ε11 SMISC 9 - - - -
ε22 SMISC 10 - - - -
ε12 SMISC 11 - - - -
k11 SMISC 12 - - - -
k22 SMISC 13 - - - -
k12 SMISC 14 - - - -
γ13 SMISC 15 - - - -
γ23 SMISC 16 - - - -
THICK SMISC 17 - - - -
P1 SMISC - 18 19 20 21
P2 SMISC - 22 23 24 25
P3 SMISC - 27 26 - -
P4 SMISC - - 29 28 -
P5 SMISC - - - 31 30
P6 SMISC - 32 - - 33
Sm: 11 SMISC 34 - - - -
Sm: 22 SMISC 35 - - - -
Sm: 12 SMISC 36 - - - -
Sb: 11 SMISC 37 - - - -
Sb: 22 SMISC 38 - - - -
Sb: 12 SMISC 39 - - - -
Sp: 11 SMISC 40 - - - -
(at shell
bottom)

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Element Library

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K L
Name
Sp: 22 SMISC 41 - - - -
(at shell
bottom)
Sp: 12 SMISC 42 - - - -
(at shell
bottom)
Sp: 11 SMISC 43 - - - -
(at shell
top)
Sp: 22 SMISC 44 - - - -
(at shell
top)
Sp: 12 SMISC 45 - - - -
(at shell
top)
St: 13 SMISC 46 - - - -
St: 23 SMISC 47 - - - -

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item Bottom of Top of Layer i
Name Layer i
ILSXZ SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 51 8 * (i - 1) + 52
ILSYZ SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 53 8 * (i - 1) + 54
ILSUM SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 55 8 * (i - 1) + 56
ILANG SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 57 8 * (i - 1) + 58

SHELL181 Assumptions and Restrictions

• Ansys, Inc. recommends against using this element in triangular form, except as a filler element. Avoid
triangular form especially in areas with high stress gradients.

• Zero-area elements are not allowed. (Zero-area elements occur most often whenever the elements
are numbered improperly.)

• Zero thickness elements or elements tapering down to a zero thickness at any corner are not allowed
(but zero thickness layers are allowed).

• If multiple load steps are used, the number of layers cannot change between load steps.

• When the element is associated with preintegrated shell sections (SECTYPE,,GENS), additional restric-
tions apply. For more information, see Considerations for Using Preintegrated Shell Sections in the
Structural Analysis Guide.

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• If reduced integration is used (KEYOPT(3) = 0) SHELL181 ignores rotary inertia effects when an unbal-
anced laminate construction is used, and all inertial effects are assumed to be in the nodal plane
(that is, an unbalanced laminate construction and offsets have no effect on the mass properties of
the element).

• For most composite analyses, Ansys, Inc. recommends setting KEYOPT(3) = 2 (necessary to capture
the stress gradients).

• No slippage is assumed between the element layers. Shear deflections are included in the element;
however, normals to the center plane before deformation are assumed to remain straight after de-
formation.

• Transverse shear stiffness of the shell section is estimated by an energy equivalence procedure (of
the generalized section forces and strains vs. the material point stresses and strains). The accuracy
of this calculation may be adversely affected if the ratio of material stiffnesses (Young's moduli)
between adjacent layers is very high.

• The calculation of interlaminar shear stresses is based on simplifying assumptions of unidirectional,

uncoupled bending in each direction. If accurate edge interlaminar shear stresses are required, shell-
to-solid submodeling should be used.

• The section definition permits use of hyperelastic material models and elastoplastic material models
in laminate definition; however, the accuracy of the solution is primarily governed by fundamental
assumptions of shell theory. The applicability of shell theory in such cases is best understood by using
a comparable solid model.

• The layer orientation angle has no effect if the material of the layer is hyperelastic.

• Before using this element in a simulation containing curved thick shell structures with unbalanced
laminate construction or shell offsets, validate the usage via full 3-D modeling with a solid element
in a simpler representative model. The element may underestimate the curved thick shell stiffness,
particularly when the offset is large and the structure is under torsional load. Consider using curved-
shell formulation (KEYOPT(5) = 1).

• The through-thickness stress, SZ, is always zero.

• This element works best with the full Newton-Raphson solution scheme (NROPT,FULL,,ON).

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Prestress effects
can be activated via PSTRES.

• In a nonlinear analysis, the solution process terminates if the thickness at any integration point that
was defined with a nonzero thickness vanishes (within a small numerical tolerance).

• If a shell section has only one layer and the number of section integration points is equal to one, or
if KEYOPT(1) = 1, then the shell has no bending stiffness, a condition that can result in solver and
convergence problems.

SHELL181 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

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Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

• Initial state is not available.

• Section definition for layered shells in not available.

PLANE182
2-D 4-Node Structural Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 700)

PLANE182 Element Description

PLANE182 is used to model 2-D solid structures. It can be used as either a plane element (plane stress,
plane strain or generalized plane strain) or an axisymmetric element with or without torsion. In most
cases, the element is defined by four nodes with two degrees of freedom at each node: translations in
the nodal x and y directions. For the axisymmetric option with torsion, it is still defined by four nodes,
but with three degrees of freedom at each node: translations in the nodal x and y directions, and rotation
in the nodal y direction. The element has plasticity, hyperelasticity, stress stiffening, large deflection,
and large strain capabilities. It has a mixed-formulation capability for simulating deformations of nearly
incompressible elastoplastic materials, and fully incompressible hyperelastic materials.

See PLANE182 for more details about this element.

Figure 7.182.1: PLANE182 Geometry

L 3 K

K, L
4
2

Y I
(or axial) I J
1 J (Triangular Option -
X (or radial) not recommended)

PLANE182 Input Data

The geometry and node locations for this element are shown in Figure 7.182.1: PLANE182 Geo-
metry (p. 692). The element input data includes four nodes, a thickness (for the plane stress option only),
and the orthotropic material properties. The default element coordinate system is along global directions.
You can define an element coordinate system (ESYS), which forms the basis for orthotropic material
directions.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Pressures can be input as surface loads on the
element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Figure 7.182.1: PLANE182 Geometry (p. 692). Positive
pressures act into the element. Temperatures can be input as element body loads at the nodes. The
node I temperature T(I) defaults to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to T(I).
For any other input pattern, unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

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Input the nodal forces (if any) per unit of depth for a plane analysis (except for KEYOPT(3) = 3 or KEY-
OPT(3) = 5) and on a full 360° basis for an axisymmetric analysis. The input torque (if any) for an
axisymmetric analysis with torsion is on a full 360° basis.

KEYOPT(3) = 5 enables generalized plane strain. (Surface output is suppressed.) For more information
about the generalized plane strain option, see Generalized Plane Strain (p. 76).

KEYOPT(6) = 1 sets the element for using mixed formulation. For more information about mixed formu-
lation, see Applications of Mixed u-P Formulations (p. 82).

KEYOPT(15) = 1 sets the element for perfectly matched layers (PML). For more information, see Perfectly
Matched Layers (PML) in Elastic Media in the Theory Reference.

For extra surface output, KEYOPT(17) = 4 activates surface solution for faces with nonzero pressure. For
more information, see Surface Solution (p. 52).

You can apply an initial stress state to this element via the INISTATE command. For more information,
see Initial State in the Advanced Analysis Guide.

As described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61), you can use ESYS to orient the material properties and
strain/stress output. Use RSYS to select output that follows the material coordinate system or the
global coordinate system.

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element. If an unsymmetric
matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, use NROPT,UNSYM.

"PLANE182 Input Summary" (p. 693) contains a summary of the element input. For a general description
of element input, see Element Input (p. 41). For axisymmetric applications see Harmonic Axisymmetric
Elements (p. 92).

PLANE182 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY (KEYOPT(3) ≠ 6)

UX, UY and ROTY (KEYOPT(3) = 6)

Real Constants

THK - Thickness (used only if KEYOPT(3) = 3)

HGSTF - Hourglass stiffness scaling factor (used only if KEYOPT(1) = 1); default is 1.0 (if you input
0.0, the default value is used)

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, EY, EZ, PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ),

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Element Library

ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ),
DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressures --

face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (L-K), face 4 (I-L)

To define general surface loads (or surface tractions) on the faces, issue SFCONTROL.

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L)

Body force densities --

The element values in the global X and Y directions. For analyses supporting complex loading,
imaginary X and Y values are supported (see the BFE command for details).

Special Features --

Birth and death

Coriolis effect
Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Fracture parameter calculation
Initial state
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Material force evaluation
Nonlinear adaptivity
Nonlinear stabilization
Rezoning
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(1)

Element technology:

0 --

Full integration with method

1 --

Uniform reduced integration with hourglass control

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 2 --

Enhanced strain formulation

3 --

Simplified enhanced strain formulation

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

0 --

Plane stress

1 --

Axisymmetric

2 --

Plane strain (Z strain = 0.0)

3 --

Plane stress with thickness input

5 --

Generalized plane strain (surface output suppressed)

6 --

Axisymmetric with torsion (KEYOPT(1) = 0 only)

KEYOPT(6)

Element formulation:

0 --

Use pure displacement formulation (default)

1 --

Use mixed u-P formulation (not valid with plane stress)

KEYOPT(15)

PML absorbing condition:

0 --

Do not include PML absorbing condition (default)

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Element Library

1 --

Include PML absorbing condition

KEYOPT(17)

Extra surface output:

0 --

Basic element solution (default)

4 --

Surface solution for faces with nonzero pressure

PLANE182 Element Technology

PLANE182 uses the full-integration B ¯ method (p. 78) (also known as the selective reduced integration
method), enhanced strain formulation (p. 78), simplified enhanced strain formulation (p. 78), or uniform
reduced integration (p. 79). For the axisymmetric with torsion option (KEYOPT(3) = 6), only the full-in-
tegration method (KEYOPT(1) = 0) is available.

When enhanced strain formulation (KEYOPT(1) = 2) is selected, the element introduces four internal
(user-inaccessible) degrees of freedom to handle shear locking, and one internal degree of freedom to
handle volumetric locking.

For more information, see Element Technologies (p. 77).

PLANE182 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.182.1: PLANE182 Element Output Definitions (p. 697)

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.182.2: PLANE182 Stress Output (p. 696).

The element stress directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

Figure 7.182.2: PLANE182 Stress Output

L 3 K

SY
4
SX 2
Y
(or axial)
I
X (or radial) 1 J

Stress directions are shown for Global.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

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A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.182.1: PLANE182 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number - Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L - Y
MAT Material number - Y
THICK Thickness - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 3
PRES Pressures P1 at nodes J,I; P2 at K,J; P3 at L,K; P4 at - Y
I,L
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L) - Y
S:X, Y, Z, XY [8] Stresses (SZ = 0.0 for plane stress elements) Y Y
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - Y
S:INT Stress intensity - Y
S:EQV Equivalent stress Y Y
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY [8] Elastic strains Y Y
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain [6] Y Y
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY [8] Thermal strains 2 2
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain [6] 2 2
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY [8] Plastic strains[7] 1 1
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strain [6] 1 1
EPCR:X, Y, Z, XY [8] Creep strains 1 1
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strains [6] 1 1
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY [8] Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) Y -
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + Y -
EPCR)
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress 1 1
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain 1 1
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain 1 1
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not 1 1
yielding)
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume 1 1
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure 1 1

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Name Definition O R
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - 1
PLASTIC, CREEP,
ENTO
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 4
SVAR:1, 2, ... , N State variables - 5
YSIDX:TENS,SHEA Yield surface activity status for Mohr-Coloumb, soil, - Y
concrete, and joint rock material models: 1 for
yielded and 0 for not yielded.
FPIDX: TF01,SF01, Failure plane surface activity status for concrete and - Y
TF02,SF02, joint rock material models: 1 for yielded and 0 for
TF03,SF03, not yielded. Tension and shear failure status are
TF04,SF04 available for all four sets of failure planes.

1. Nonlinear solution, output only if the element has a nonlinear material, or if large-deflection effects
are enabled (NLGEOM,ON) for SEND.

2. Output only if element has a thermal load.

3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

4. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is used.

5. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and TB,STATE command are used.

6. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep this value is set at 0.5.

7. For the shape memory alloy material model, transformation strains are reported as plasticity strain
EPPL.

8. YZ and XZ when used with the axisymmetric with torsion option.

Axisymmetric Solution Without Torsion

In a global coordinate system, the X, Y, Z, and XY stress and strain outputs correspond to the radial,
axial, hoop, and in-plane shear stresses and strains, respectively.

Axisymmetric Solution With Torsion

Stress/strain outputs have six components with the same meanings as the 3-D solid element outputs.
The results are on the 2-D plane even when the applied torque or rotation causes the plane to be
twisted after large deformation. The plane is both the modeling plane and the result plane, so it repres-
ents both the initial configuration and the deformed configuration. (Think of it as the plane cut by the
global Cartesian XOY plane through the deformed 3-D body, or as the Eulerian plane in finite deforma-
tion.)

To better understand the solution results, you can plot them in 3-D space (/ESHAPE,1) when Power-
Graphics is enabled (/GRAPHICS,POWER). The results are plotted in either the global coordinate system
(RSYS,0) or the solution coordinate system (RSYS,SOLU).

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When the output is on the 2-D plane, you can think of the solution in terms of the axisymmetric option
without torsion by imagining the global Cartesian X and Y as radial and axial directions, and global
Cartesian Z as the reverse of the hoop direction.

PLANE182 Item and Sequence Numbers

Table 7.182.2: PLANE182 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 699) lists output available via ETABLE using
the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table and The Item and Sequence Number
Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The following notation is used in
Table 7.182.2: PLANE182 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 699):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.182.1: PLANE182 Element Output Definitions (p. 697)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I,J,K,L

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, K, L

Table 7.182.2: PLANE182 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K L
Name
P1 SMISC - 2 1 - -
P2 SMISC - - 4 3 -
P3 SMISC - - - 6 5
P4 SMISC - 7 - - 8
THICK NMISC 1 - - - -

See Surface Solution (p. 52) for the item and sequence numbers for surface output (KEYOPT(17) = 4)
for the ETABLE command

PLANE182 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The area of the element must be nonzero.

• The element must lie in a global X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.182.1: PLANE182 Geometry (p. 692)
and the Y-axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses. An axisymmetric structure
should be modeled in the +X quadrants.

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Element Library

• You can form a triangular element by defining duplicate K and L node numbers. (See Degenerated
Shape Elements (p. 37).) For triangular elements where the or enhanced strain formulations are
specified, degenerated shape functions and a conventional integration scheme are used.

• If you use the mixed formulation (KEYOPT(6) = 1), you must use the sparse solver.

• For modal cyclic symmetry analyses, Ansys, Inc. recommends using enhanced strain formulation.

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Prestress effects
can be activated by the PSTRES command.

• For the axisymmetric with torsion option (KEYOPT(3) = 6), only the full-integration method (KEYOPT(1)
= 0) is available; however, it can be used with mixed u-P formulation (KEYOPT(6) =1). The option can
be used only with surface element SURF153 (p. 459) with KEYOPT(3) = 1. When used with contact
elements, the friction in the global Cartesian Z (hoop direction) is not taken into account. Rezoning
and nonlinear adaptivity are not supported.

PLANE182 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

• Fracture parameter calculation is not available.

• Initial state is not available.

• Material force evaluation is not available.

• Rezoning is not available.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• Fracture parameter calculation is not available.

• Material force evaluation is not available.

• Rezoning is not available.

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PLANE183
2-D 8-Node or 6-Node Structural Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 709)

PLANE183 Element Description

PLANE183 is a higher order 2-D, 8-node or 6-node element. PLANE183 has quadratic displacement be-
havior and is well suited to modeling irregular meshes (such as those produced by various CAD/CAM
systems).

This element is defined by eight nodes or six nodes. It can be used as a plane element (plane stress,
plane strain and generalized plane strain) or as an axisymmetric element (with or without torsion). In
most cases, the element has two degrees of freedom at each node: translations in the nodal x and y
directions. For the axisymmetric with torsion option, however, the element has three degrees of freedom
at each node: translations in the nodal x and y directions and rotation in the nodal y direction.

The element has plasticity, hyperelasticity, creep, stress stiffening, large deflection, and large strain
capabilities. It also has mixed formulation capability for simulating deformations of nearly incompressible
elastoplastic materials, and fully incompressible hyperelastic materials. Initial state is supported. Various
printout options are also available. See PLANE183 for more details about this element.

Figure 7.183.1: PLANE183 Geometry

K
L
3
K
O 2
K, L, O
4 3
P N M
2
N P N
I I L
M J
M I
J
1 Degenerated 1
Y triangle J
(or axial) KEYOPT(1) = 0 KEYOPT(1) = 1

X (or radial)

PLANE183 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.183.1: PLANE183 Geometry (p. 701).

Although a degenerated triangular-shaped element may be formed by defining the same node number
for nodes K, L and O when KEYOPT(1) = 1, it is better to use KEYOPT(1) = 1 for triangular shaped elements.
In addition to the nodes, the element input data includes a thickness (TK) (for the plane stress option
only) and the orthotropic material properties. Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element
coordinate directions. The element coordinate system orientation is described in Coordinate Sys-
tems (p. 61).

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Pressures may be input as surface loads on
the element faces as shown by the circled numbers in Figure 7.183.1: PLANE183 Geometry (p. 701).

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Element Library

Positive pressures act into the element. Temperatures may be input as element body loads at the nodes.
The node I temperature T(I) defaults to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to
T(I). If all corner node temperatures are specified, each midside node temperature defaults to the average
temperature of its adjacent corner nodes. For any other input temperature pattern, unspecified temper-
atures default to TUNIF.

The nodal forces, if any, should be input per unit of depth for a plane analysis (except for KEYOPT(3) =
3 or KEYOPT(3) = 5) and on a full 360° basis for an axisymmetric analysis. The input torque (if any) for
an axisymmetric analysis with torsion is on a full 360° basis.

KEYOPT(3) = 5 enables generalized plane strain. (Surface output is suppressed.) For more information
about the generalized plane strain option, see Generalized Plane Strain (p. 76).

KEYOPT(6) = 1 sets the element for using mixed formulation. For details on the use of mixed formulation,
see Applications of Mixed u-P Formulations (p. 82) .

KEYOPT(15) = 1 sets the element for perfectly matched layers (PML). For more information, see Perfectly
Matched Layers (PML) in Elastic Media in the Theory Reference.

For extra surface output, KEYOPT(17) = 4 activates surface solution for faces with nonzero pressure. For
more information, see Surface Solution (p. 52).

You can apply an initial stress state to this element via the INISTATE command. For more information,
see Initial State in the Advanced Analysis Guide.

As described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61), you can use ESYS to orient the material properties and
stress/strain output. Use ESYS to select output that follows the material coordinate system or the
global coordinate system.

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element. If an unsymmetric
matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, use NROPT,UNSYM.

The next table summarizes the element input. Element Input (p. 41) gives a general description of ele-
ment input. For axisymmetric applications see Harmonic Axisymmetric Elements (p. 92).

PLANE183 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P when KEYOPT(1) = 0

I, J, K, L, M, N when KEYOPT(1) = 1)

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY (KEYOPT(3) ≠ 6)

UX, UY and ROTY (KEYOPT(3) = 6)

Real Constants

None, if KEYOPT (3) = 0, 1, or 2

THK - Thickness if KEYOPT (3) = 3

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Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, EY, EZ, PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ),
ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ),
DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressures --

face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (L-K), face 4 (I-L) when KEYOPT(1) = 0

face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (I-K) when KEYOPT(1) = 1

To define general surface loads (or surface tractions) on the faces, issue SFCONTROL.

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P) when KEYOPT(1) = 0

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N) when KEYOPT(1) = 1

Body force densities --

The element values in the global X and Y directions. For analyses supporting complex loading,
imaginary X and Y values are supported (see the BFE command for details).

Special Features

Birth and death

Coriolis effect
Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Fracture parameter calculation
Initial state
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Material force evaluation
Nonlinear adaptivity
Nonlinear stabilization
Rezoning
Stress stiffening

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Element Library

KEYOPT(1)

Element shape:

0 --

8-node quadrilateral

1 --

6-node triangle

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

0 --

Plane stress

1 --

Axisymmetric

2 --

Plane strain (Z strain = 0.0)

3 --

Plane stress with thickness (TK) real constant input

5 --

Generalized plane strain (surface output suppressed)

6 --

Axisymmetric with torsion

KEYOPT(6)

Element formulation:

0 --

Use pure displacement formulation (default)

1 --

Use mixed u-P formulation (not valid with plane stress)

KEYOPT(15)

PML absorbing condition:

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 0 --

Do not include PML absorbing condition (default)

1 --

Include PML absorbing condition

KEYOPT(17)

Extra surface output:

0 --

Basic element solution (default)

4 --

Surface solution for faces with nonzero pressure

PLANE183 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.183.1: PLANE183 Element Output Definitions (p. 706).

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.183.2: PLANE183 Stress Output (p. 705).

The element stress directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

Figure 7.183.2: PLANE183 Stress Output

L O K

SY
P

Y SX N
(or axial)
I

X (or radial) J
M

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.183.1: PLANE183 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number - Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L (for KEYOPT(1) = 0 and I, J, K (for - Y
KEYOPT(1) = 1)
MAT Material number - Y
THICK Thickness - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 4
PRES Pressures P1 at nodes J, I; P2 at K, J; P3 at L, K; P4 at - Y
I, L (P4 only for KEYOPT(1) = 0
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L) - Y

(T(L) only when KEYOPT(1) = 0)

S:X, Y, Z, XY [9] Stresses (SZ = 0.0 for plane stress elements) Y Y
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - Y
S: INT Stress intensity - Y
S:EQV Equivalent stress - Y
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY [9] Elastic strains Y Y
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain [7] - Y
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY [9] Thermal strains 3 3
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain [7] - 3
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY [9] Plastic strains[8] 1 1
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strain [7] - 1
EPCR:X, Y, Z, XY [9] Creep strains 2 2
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strains [7] 2 2
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY [9] Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) Y -
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + Y -
EPCR)
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress 1 1
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain 1 1
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain 1 1
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not 1 1
yielding)
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume 1 1
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure 1 1

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 Name Definition O R
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - 1
PLASTIC, CREEP,
ENTO
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 5
SVAR:1, 2, ... , N State variables - 6
YSIDX:TENS,SHEA Yield surface activity status for Mohr-Coloumb, soil, - Y
concrete, and joint rock material models: 1 for
yielded and 0 for not yielded.
FPIDX: TF01,SF01, Failure plane surface activity status for concrete and - Y
TF02,SF02, joint rock material models: 1 for yielded and 0 for
TF03,SF03, not yielded. Tension and shear failure status are
TF04,SF04 available for all four sets of failure planes.

1. Nonlinear solution, output only if the element has a nonlinear material, or if large-deflection effects
are enabled (NLGEOM,ON) for SEND.

2. Output only if element has a creep load.

3. Output only if element has a thermal load.

4. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

5. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is used.

6. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and TB,STATE command are used.

7. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep this value is set at 0.5.

8. For the shape memory alloy material model, transformation strains are reported as plasticity strain
EPPL.

9. YZ and XZ when used with the axisymmetric with torsion option.

Axisymmetric Solution Without Torsion

In a global coordinate system, the X, Y, Z, and XY stress and strain outputs correspond to the radial,
axial, hoop, and in-plane shear stresses and strains, respectively.

Axisymmetric Solution With Torsion

Stress/strain outputs have six components with the same meanings as the 3-D solid element outputs.
The results are on the 2-D plane even when the applied torque or rotation causes the plane to be
twisted after large deformation. The plane is both the modeling plane and the result plane, so it repres-
ents both the initial configuration and the deformed configuration. (Think of it as the plane cut by the
global Cartesian XOY plane through the deformed 3-D body, or as the Eulerian plane in finite deforma-
tion.)

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To better understand the solution results, you can plot them in 3-D space (/ESHAPE,1) when Power-
Graphics is enabled (/GRAPHICS,POWER). The results are plotted in either the global coordinate system
(RSYS,0) or the solution coordinate system (RSYS,SOLU). Support is not available for increasing the
number of planar facets per element edge (/EFACET).

When the output is on the 2-D plane, you can think of the solution in terms of the axisymmetric option
without torsion by imagining the global Cartesian X and Y as radial and axial directions, and global
Cartesian Z as the reverse of the hoop direction.

PLANE183 Item and Sequence Numbers

Table 7.183.2: PLANE183 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 708) lists output available through ETABLE
using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) and The Item and Sequence
Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The following notation is used in
Table 7.183.2: PLANE183 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 708):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.183.1: PLANE183 Element Output Definitions (p. 706)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I,J,...,P

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, ..., P

Table 7.183.2: PLANE183 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K L M N O P
Name
P1 SMISC - 2 1 - - - - - -
P2 SMISC - - 4 3 - - - - -
P3 SMISC - - - 6 5 - - - -
P4[1] SMISC - 7 - - 8 - - - -
THICK NMISC 1 - - - - - - - -

1. P4 is only for KEYOPT(1) = 0

See Surface Solution (p. 52) for the item and sequence numbers for surface output (KEYOPT(17) = 4)
for the ETABLE command

PLANE183 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The area of the element must be positive.

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• The element must lie in a global X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.183.1: PLANE183 Geometry (p. 701)
and the Y-axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses. An axisymmetric structure
should be modeled in the +X quadrants.

• A face with a removed midside node implies that the displacement varies linearly, rather than para-
bolically, along that face. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) for more information about the
use of midside nodes.

• Use at least two elements to avoid hourglass mode for KEYOPT(1) = 0.

• A triangular element may be formed by defining duplicate K-L-O node numbers. (See Degenerated
Shape Elements (p. 37).) For these degenerated elements, the triangular shape function is used and
the solution is the same as for the regular triangular 6-node elements, but might be slightly less effi-
cient for KEYOPT(1) = 0. Since these degenerated elements are less efficient, the triangle shape option
(KEYOPT(1) = 1) is suggested for this case.

• When mixed formulation is used (KEYOPT(6) = 1), no midside nodes can be missed. If you use the
mixed formulation (KEYOPT(6) = 1), you must use the sparse solver (default).

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Prestress effects
can be activated by the PSTRES command.

• The axisymmetric with torsion option (KEYOPT(3) = 6) can be used only with surface element
SURF153 (p. 459) with KEYOPT(3) = 1. When used with contact elements, the friction in the global
Cartesian Z (hoop direction) is not taken into account. Rezoning and nonlinear adaptivity are not
supported.

PLANE183 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

• Fracture parameter calculation is not available.

• Initial state is not available.

• Material force evaluation is not available.

• Rezoning is not available.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• Fracture parameter calculation is not available.

• Material force evaluation is not available.

• Rezoning is not available.

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Element Library

MPC184
Multipoint Constraint Element
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 715)

MPC184 Element Description

MPC184 represents a general class of multipoint constraint elements that apply kinematic constraints
between nodes. The elements are loosely classified here as "constraint elements" (rigid link, rigid beam,
etc.) and "joint elements" (revolute, universal, etc.). The constraint may be as simple as that of identical
displacements between nodes. Constraints can also be more complicated, such as those modeling rigid
parts, or those transmitting motion between flexible bodies in a particular way. For example, a structure
may consist of rigid parts and moving parts connected together by rotational or sliding connections.
The rigid part of the structure may be modeled with the MPC184 link/beam elements, while the moving
parts may be connected with any of the MPC184 joint elements.

The kinematic constraints are imposed using one of the following methods:

• The direct elimination method, wherein the kinematic constraints are imposed by internally generated
constraint equations. The degrees of freedom of a dependent node in the equations are eliminated
in favor of an independent node.

– The dependent degrees of freedom are eliminated. Therefore, the constraint forces and moments
are not available from the element output table (ETABLE) for output purposes. However, the
global constraint reaction forces are available at independent nodes in the results file, Jobname.rst
(PRRSOL command, etc.).

– The direct elimination method should be used whenever it is available since the degrees of freedom
at the dependent nodes are eliminated, thereby reducing the problem size and solution time.

• The Lagrange multiplier method, wherein the kinematic constraints are imposed using Lagrange
multipliers. In this case, all the participating degrees of freedom are retained.

– The Lagrange multiplier method should be used when the direct elimination method is not available
or not suitable for the analysis purposes.

– In this method, the constraint forces and moments are available from the element output table
(ETABLE).

– The disadvantage of the Lagrange multiplier method is that the Lagrange multipliers are additional
solution variables and, hence, the problem size and solution time become larger when compared
with the direct elimination method.

• The penalty-based method, wherein the kinematic constraints are imposed using penalty stiffness
factors. As in the Lagrange multiplier method, all the participating degrees of freedom are retained.

– In this method, the constraint forces and moments are available from the element output table
(ETABLE).

– The penalty-based method does not add any additional solution variables.

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 – The disadvantage of this method lies in the choice of the penalty factors. If the penalty factors are
too high, then the system of equations becomes ill-conditioned. Low-value penalty factors can
result in violation of constraint conditions.

Currently, the MPC184 rigid link/beam (p. 716) elements can use the direct elimination method or the
Lagrange multiplier method. All other MPC184 element options use the Lagrange multiplier method
or the penalty-based method.

Constraint Elements
The following types of constraint elements are available:

Rigid link/beam (p. 716)

Slider (p. 722)

Joint Elements
Numerical simulations often involve modeling of joints between two parts. These joints or connections
may need simple kinematic constraints such as identical displacements between the two parts at the
junction or more complicated kinematic constraints that allow for transmission of motion between two
flexible bodies. These complex joints may also include some sort of control mechanism like limits or
stops, and locks on the components of relative motion between the two bodies. In many instances,
these joints may also have stiffness, damping, or friction forces based on the unconstrained components
of relative motion between the two bodies. For detailed information on how to use joint elements, see
Connecting Multibody Components with Joint Elements in the Multibody Analysis Guide.

The following types of joint elements are available:

x-axis Revolute joint (p. 725)

z-axis Revolute joint (p. 725)
Universal joint (p. 735)
Slot joint (p. 743)
Point-in-plane joint (p. 750)
Translational joint (p. 758)
x-axis Cylindrical joint (p. 765)
z-axis Cylindrical joint (p. 765)
x-axis Planar joint (p. 776)
z-axis Planar joint (p. 776)
Weld joint (p. 787)
Orient joint (p. 792)
Spherical joint (p. 798)
General joint (p. 805)
Screw joint (p. 815)

These elements are well suited for linear, large rotation, and/or large strain nonlinear applications. If finite
rotations and/or large strain effects are to be considered, the NLGEOM,ON command must be used;

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Element Library

otherwise, linear behavior is assumed. For example, if a revolute joint element is used in an analysis
and NLGEOM,ON is not set, the calculations are carried out in the original configuration and the end
result may not reflect the expected deformed configuration. However, if the NLGEOM,ON command is
used, the calculations will take into account the rotation of the revolute joint element.

Two nodes define these joint elements. Depending on the joint to be defined, the kinematic constraints
are imposed on some of the quantities that define the relative motion between the two nodes. These
kinematic constraints are applied using Lagrange multipliers. In some instances, one of the nodes is
required to be "grounded" or attached to "ground" or some other reference location that is not moving.
In such cases, only one of the two nodes may be specified. The specified node and the "grounded"
node are assumed to be coincident in the element calculations.

The joint element has six degrees of freedom at each node, defining six components of relative motion:
three relative displacements and three relative rotations. These six components of relative motion are
of primary interest in simulations that involve joint elements. Some of these components may be con-
strained by the kinematic constraints relevant to a particular joint element, while the other components
are "free" or "unconstrained". For example, in the case of universal and revolute joint elements the two
nodes are assumed to be connected, and therefore the relative displacements are zero. For the revolute
joint only one rotational component of the relative motion (rotation about the revolute axis) is uncon-
strained, while for the universal joint two such components are available.

The capabilities of these elements include certain control features such as stops, locks, and actuating
loads/boundary conditions that can be imposed on the components of relative motion between the
two nodes of the element. For example, in a revolute joint, stops can be specified for the rotation about
the revolute axis. This limits the rotation around the revolute axis to be within a certain range. Displace-
ment, force, velocity, and acceleration boundary conditions may be imposed on the components of
relative motion between the two nodes allowing for "actuation" of the joints. The driving force or dis-
placements arise from the actuating mechanisms like an electric or hydraulic system that drives these
joints.

You can impose linear and nonlinear elastic stiffness and damping behavior or hysteretic friction beha-
vior on the available components of relative motion of a joint element. The properties can be made
temperature dependent if necessary.

In addition to the existing output options available in Mechanical APDL, outputs related to the compon-
ents of relative motion are available for joint elements.

Joint Input Data

Certain input requirements are common to most MPC184 joint elements. Any specific requirements for
individual joint elements are highlighted in the description for that element.

The following types of input data should be considered:

• Element Connectivity Definition - A joint element is typically defined by specifying two nodes, I and
J. One of these nodes may be a "grounded" node.

• Section Definition - Each joint element must have an associated section definition (SECTYPE command).

• Local Coordinate System Specification - Local coordinate systems at the nodes are often required to
define the kinematic constraints of a joint element (SECJOINT command).

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• Stops or Limits - You can impose stops or limits on the available components of relative motion
between the two nodes of a joint element (SECSTOP command).

• Locks - Locking limits may also be imposed on the available components of relative motion between
the two nodes of a joint element to "freeze" the joint in a desired configuration (SECLOCK command).

• Material Behavior - The JOIN material option on the TB command allows you to impose linear and
nonlinear elastic stiffness and damping behavior or hysteretic friction behavior on the available
components of relative motion of a joint element.

• Reference Lengths and Angles - These correspond to the free relative degrees of freedom in a joint
element for which constitutive calculations are performed and are used when stiffness, damping, or
hysteretic friction are specified for the joint elements (SECDATA command).

• Boundary Conditions - You can impose boundary conditions (DJ command) or apply concentrated
forces (FJ command) on the available components of relative motion of the joint element.

MPC184 Input Data

Use KEYOPT(1) to specify the type of MPC184 constraint or joint element you want to use.

Use KEYOPT(2) to specify the constraint imposition method.

The remaining input data varies depending on the type of constraint or joint element specified. The
individual MPC184 element descriptions each contain an input summary that applies only to that par-
ticular element. You should review these element-specific input summaries after you determine which
constraint or joint element you will be using.

KEYOPT(1)

Element behavior:

0 --

Rigid link (p. 716) (default)

1 --

Rigid beam (p. 716)

3 --

Slider element (p. 722)

6 --

x-axis or z-axis revolute joint element (p. 725)

7 --

Universal joint element (p. 735)

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Element Library

8 --

Slot joint element (p. 743)

9 --

Point-in-plane joint element (p. 750)

10 --

Translational joint element (p. 758)

11 --

x-axis or z-axis cylindrical joint element (p. 765)

12 --

x-axis or z-axis planar joint element (p. 776)

13 --

Weld joint element (p. 787)

14 --

Orient joint element (p. 792)

15 --

Spherical joint element (p. 798)

16 --

General joint element (p. 805)

17 --

Screw joint element (p. 815)

KEYOPT(2)

The constraint imposition method. Values depend on the joint type.

For Rigid link/beams (p. 716) (KEYOPT(1) = 0 or 1), KEYOPT(2) settings are:

0 --

Direct elimination method (default)

1 --

Lagrange multiplier method

For all other MPC184 elements, KEYOPT(2) settings are:

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 0 --

Lagrange multiplier method (default)

1 --

Penalty-based method

MPC184 Output Data

The solution output associated with the constraint and joint elements is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution.

• Additional element output as shown in the individual constraint and joint element descriptions. This
output is available via the ETABLE command using the Sequence Number method.

Refer to the individual element descriptions for complete listings of the output for each element.

MPC184 Assumptions and Restrictions

The following restrictions apply to all forms of the MPC184 constraint and joint element:

• The element coordinate system (/PSYMB,ESYS) is not relevant.

• Rayleigh damping is not supported.

Additional assumptions and restrictions apply to each form of the MPC184 constraint and joint element.
For details, see the Assumptions and Restrictions section in the documentation for each of the MPC184
element forms.

MPC184 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

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Element Library

MPC184-Link/Beam
Multipoint Constraint Element: Rigid Link or Rigid Beam
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 721)

MPC184 Rigid Link/Beam Element Description

The MPC184 (p. 710) rigid link/beam element can be used to model a rigid constraint between two de-
formable bodies or as a rigid component used to transmit forces and moments in engineering applica-
tions. This element is well suited for linear, large rotation, and/or large strain nonlinear applications.

The kinematic constraints are imposed using one of the following two methods:

• The direct elimination method, wherein the kinematic constraints are imposed by internally generated
MPC (multipoint constraint) equations. The degrees of freedom of a dependent node in the MPC
equations are eliminated in favor of an independent node.

• The Lagrange multiplier method, wherein the kinematic constraints are imposed using Lagrange
multipliers. In this case, all the participating degrees of freedom are retained.

Figure 7.184link.1: MPC184 Rigid Link/Beam Geometry

z

y
I

Y
x
J
X
Z

MPC184 Rigid Link/Beam Input Data

Figure 7.184link.1: MPC184 Rigid Link/Beam Geometry (p. 716) shows the geometry, node locations, and
the coordinate system for this element. Two nodes define the element. The element x-axis is oriented
from node I toward node J. The cross-sectional area of the element is assumed to be one unit. Mechan-
ical APDL selects the cross-section coordinate system automatically. The cross-section coordinate system
is relevant only for the output of bending moments when the element is used as a rigid beam.

If KEYOPT(1) = 0 (default), the element is a rigid link with two nodes and three degrees of freedom at
each node (UX, UY, UZ). If KEYOPT(1) = 1, the element is a rigid beam with two nodes and six degrees
of freedom at each node (UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ).

If KEYOPT(2) = 0 (default), the constraints are implemented using the direct elimination method. If
KEYOPT(2) = 1, the Lagrange multiplier method is used to impose the constraints. KEYOPT(2) = 1 can
also be used in applications that call for thermal expansion on an otherwise rigid structure (although
the direct-elimination method cannot be used for thermal expansion problems).

For rigid beams with KEYOPT(5) = 0 (default), geometric stress-stiffness effects are taken into account
in a nonlinear analysis. To exclude geometric stress-stiffness effects from the stiffness matrix, set KEY-
OPT(5) = 1.

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Because the element models a rigid constraint or a rigid component, material stiffness properties are
not required. When thermal expansion effects are desired, the coefficient of thermal expansion must
be specified. Density must be specified if the mass of the rigid element is to be accounted for in the
analysis. If density is specified, the program calculates a lumped mass matrix for the element. The cross-
sectional area is always assumed to be 1 (irrespective of the unit system used); therefore, the density
should be suitably specified to account for the proper mass of the rigid link or beam in the appropriate
unit system.

The element supports the birth and death options using EALIVE and EKILL.

Element Loading (p. 44) describes element loads. You can input temperatures as element body loads
at the nodes. The node I temperature T(I) defaults to TUNIF. The node J temperature defaults to T(I).

MPC184 Rigid Link/Beam Input Summary

This input summary applies to the rigid link and rigid beam options of MPC184 (p. 710): KEYOPT(1) = 0
and 1.

Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ if KEYOPT(1) = 0

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ if KEYOPT(1) = 1

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

ALPX (or CTEX or THSX), DENS

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J)

Element Loads

None

Special Features

Birth and death

Large deflection

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Element Library

Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(1)

Element behavior:

0 --

Rigid link (default)

1 --

Rigid beam

KEYOPT(2)

Element constraint imposition method:

0 --

Direct elimination (default)

1 --

Lagrange multiplier

KEYOPT(5)

Geometric stress-stiffness contributions for rigid beams:

0 --

Include geometric stress-stiffness contributions (default)

1 --

Exclude geometric stress-stiffness contributions

MPC184 Rigid Link/Beam Output Data

The solution output associated with the element has two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.184link.1: MPC184 Rigid Link/Beam Element Output
Definitions (p. 719).

Table 7.184link.1: MPC184 Rigid Link/Beam Element Output Definitions (p. 719) uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates the item can be accessed by the Component Name method
[ETABLE, ESOL]. The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and a - indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.184link.1: MPC184 Rigid Link/Beam Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
Link/Beam Elements (KEYOPT(1) = 0 or 1, and KEYOPT(2) = 0 or 1)
EL Element number - Y
NODES Element node numbers (I and J) - Y
Link/Beam Elements (KEYOPT(1) = 0 or 1, and KEYOPT(2) = 1)
MAT Material number for the element - Y
TEMP Temperature at nodes I and J - Y
FX Axial force - Y
MY, MZ Bending moments - Y
SF:Y, Z Section shear forces - Y
MX Torsional moment - Y

Table 7.184link.2: MPC184 Rigid Link/Beam Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 719) lists output available
via the ETABLE command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1)
in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) for further information.
The table uses the following notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Element Output Definitions table.

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.184link.2: MPC184 Rigid Link/Beam Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
Link/Beam Constraint (with KEYOPT(2) = 1)
FX SMISC 1
MY SMISC 2
MZ SMISC 3
MX SMISC 4
SFZ SMISC 5
SFY SMISC 6

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Element Library

MPC184 Rigid Link/Beam Assumptions and Restrictions

The following restrictions apply to both the direct elimination method and the Lagrange multiplier
method (KEYOPT(2) = 0 and 1):

• A finite element model cannot be made up of only rigid elements in a static analysis. At a minimum,
a deformable element (or elements) must be connected to one of the end nodes of a rigid element.

• The cross-sectional area of the element is assumed to be unity.

• The element coordinate system (/PSYMB,ESYS) is not relevant.

• In rare cases, convergence difficulties may occur due to geometric stress-stiffness effects. Excluding
geometric stress-stiffness contributions from the overall stiffness matrix may help with convergence.
For proper eigenvalue evaluation in prestressed linear perturbation analyses, however, the geometric
stress-stiffness effects must be included.

Direct-Elimination Method (KEYOPT(2) = 0)

These additional restrictions apply to the direct elimination method:

• The MPC184 (p. 710) rigid link/beam using the direct elimination method can be used in static, transient,
modal, and buckling analyses.

• This element cannot be used in a distributed solution when the direct elimination method is used.

• Displacement boundary conditions on the nodes of rigid link/beams must be applied prudently. In
a rigid linkage (structure) made of a number of rigid link/beam elements, if displacement boundary
conditions are applied at more than one location, ANSYS usesMechanical APDL the first encountered
displacement boundary condition to constrain the entire rigid linkage according to rigid kinematic
conditions. In some cases where the applied displacements may be redundant or self-contradictory,
the program issues warning or error messages.

• The direct elimination method cannot be used in problems involving thermal expansion. Use the
Lagrange Multiplier method instead.

• Reaction forces at the constrained nodes of a rigid link/beam may not always be available since the
dependent and independent nodes are determined by Mechanical APDL internally. Check the interface
nodes which connect rigid and deformable elements, as reaction forces are available on these nodes.

• The nodes of a rigid link/beam using the direct elimination method should not be linked with a node
of an element implemented via the Lagrange multiplier method. For example, a rigid beam imple-
mented using the direct elimination method (KEYOPT(2) = 0) should not be linked to a rigid beam
implemented via the Lagrange multiplier method (KEYOPT(2) = 1). Or, a rigid beam implemented via
the direct elimination method should not be linked to a node of a contact element that is implemented
via the Lagrange multiplier method (KEYOPT(2) = 2 on the contact element).

• Coupling constraints (CP) cannot be applied to nodes of rigid links/beams using the direct elimination
method.

• Nodes of rigid links/beams cannot be part of the retained nodes (nodes specified via M) in a substruc-
ture. However, the rigid links/beams can be entirely within the substructure.

• Do not use rigid links/beams in cyclic symmetry analyses.

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• When spiderweb mesh constructs are set up using MPC184 (p. 710) rigid link/beam elements, the
node common to all MPC184 (p. 710) rigid link/beam elements in the setup must be made the inde-
pendent node.

• In a linear perturbation analysis, if nodal constraints are applied on MPC184 (p. 710) rigid link/beam
nodes in the base analysis, then these nodal constraints should be retained in the subsequent linear
perturbation step as well. Removing these nodal constraints via the PERTURB,,,,NOKEEP command
or the DDELE command is not allowed.

Lagrange Multiplier Method (KEYOPT(2) = 1)

These additional restrictions apply to the Lagrange Multiplier method:

• To employ this feature successfully, use as few of these elements as possible. For example, it may be
sufficient to overlay rigid line elements on a perimeter of a rigid region modeled with shell elements,
as opposed to overlaying rigid line elements along each element boundary of the interior.

• Modeling that avoids overconstraining the problem is necessary. Overconstrained models may result
in trivial solutions, zero pivot messages (in a properly restrained system), or nonlinear convergence
difficulties.

• The temperature is assumed to vary linearly along the spar of the rigid link or rigid beam element.

• If constraint equations are specified for the degrees of freedom of a rigid element, it may be an
overconstrained system. Similarly, prescribed displacements on both ends of the element is an indic-
ation of overconstraint.

• When used as a link element, exercise the same precautions that you would when using a truss element
(for example, LINK180 (p. 665)).

• The equation solver (EQSLV) must be the sparse solver or the PCG solver.

• The element is valid for static and transient analyses (linear and nonlinear), and rigid beam is valid
for harmonic analyses. The element is not supported for buckling analyses.

MPC184 Rigid Link/Beam Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

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Element Library

MPC184-Slider
Multipoint Constraint Element: Slider
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 725)

MPC184 Slider Element Description

The MPC184 (p. 710) slider element can be used to model a slider constraint. The element has three
nodes with three degrees of freedom (translations in X, Y, and Z) at each node. The slider element imposes
a kinematic constraint such that a "dependent" node (I) must always lie on a line joining two other
"independent" nodes (J and K). The I node is allowed to slide on the line joining J and K nodes. The
kinematic constraints are imposed using the Lagrange multiplier method.

Figure 7.184slid.1: MPC184 Slider Geometry

K

Y J

X
Z

MPC184 Slider Input Data

Set KEYOPT(1) = 3 to define a three-node slider element.

Figure 7.184slid.1: MPC184 Slider Geometry (p. 722) shows the geometry and node locations for this
element. Three nodes (I, J, and K) define the element. The node I is expected to lie initially on the line
joining the nodes J and K.

Material stiffness properties are not required for this element. The element currently does not support
birth or death options.

MPC184 Slider Input Summary

This input summary applies to the slider element option of MPC184 (p. 710): KEYOPT(1) = 3.

Nodes

I, J, K

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

Real Constants

None

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Material Properties

None

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None

Element Loads

None

Special Features

Large deflection
Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(1)

Element behavior:

3 --

Slider element

KEYOPT(2)

Element constraint imposition method:

0 --

Lagrange multiplier method (default)

1 --

Penalty-based method

MPC184 Slider Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.184slid.1: MPC184 Slider Element Output Defini-
tions (p. 724).

Table 7.184slid.1: MPC184 Slider Element Output Definitions (p. 724) uses the following notation:

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Element Library

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates the item can be accessed by the Component Name method
[ETABLE, ESOL]. The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and a - indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.184slid.1: MPC184 Slider Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Element node numbers (I, J, K) - Y
FY Constraint Force 1 - Y
FZ Constraint Force 2 - Y

Table 7.184slid.2: MPC184 Slider Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 724) lists output available via the
ETABLE command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the
Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) for further information. The table
uses the following notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Element Output Definitions table.

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.184slid.2: MPC184 Slider Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
FY SMISC 1
FZ SMISC 2

MPC184 Slider Assumptions and Restrictions

• The distance between nodes I and J must be greater than zero.

• Node I must initially lie between the J and K nodes.

• Displacement boundary conditions cannot be applied on the nodes forming the slider element.

• The element currently does not support birth or death options.

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• For the Lagrange multiplier element formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 0) and the penalty-based element
formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 1), the equation solver (EQSLV) must be the sparse or the PCG solver.

• Lagrange multiplier-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2) = 0) and penalty-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2)
= 1) cannot be connected to each other.

• The element coordinate system (/PSYMB,ESYS) is not relevant.

MPC184 Slider Product Restrictions

None.

MPC184-Revolute
Multipoint Constraint Element: Revolute Joint
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 734)

MPC184 Revolute Joint Element Description

The MPC184 (p. 710) revolute joint is a two-node element that has only one primary degree of freedom,
the relative rotation about the revolute (or hinge) axis. This element imposes kinematic constraints such
that the nodes forming the element have the same displacements. Additionally, only a relative rotation
is allowed about the revolute axis, while the rotations about the other two directions are fixed.

Figure 7.184revo.1: MPC184 Revolute Joint Geometry

e J2
eJ
1
e J1
eI J
J eJ
2 e3 3
I
J J
eI eI e2
1 1 I
eI eI
3 3
Z
eI
2
Y
I, J - Coincident nodes
X
Local x-axis as axis of revolute Local z-axis as axis of revolute

MPC184 Revolute Joint Input Data

Set KEYOPT(1) = 6 to define a two-node revolute joint element.

Figure 7.184revo.1: MPC184 Revolute Joint Geometry (p. 725) shows the geometry and node locations
for this element. Two nodes (I and J) define the element. The two nodes are expected to have identical
spatial coordinates initially.

If KEYOPT(4) = 0, then element is an x-axis revolute joint with the local e1 axis as the revolute axis.

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Element Library

If KEYOPT(4) = 1, then element is a z-axis revolute joint with the local e3 axis as the revolute axis.

A local Cartesian coordinate system must be specified at the first node, I, of the element. The specification
of the second local coordinate system at node J is optional. If the local coordinate system is not specified
at node J, then the local coordinate system at node J is assumed to be the same as that at node I.

Either the local e1 or local e3 direction may be specified as the axis of rotation at the nodes. The spe-
cification of the other two local directions is not critical, but it will be used to determine the relative
rotation between the two nodes during the course of deformation. The orientation of local directions
must follow the convention specified in Figure 7.184revo.1: MPC184 Revolute Joint Geometry (p. 725).
These local coordinate systems evolve with the rotations at the respective nodes (if any). Use the SEC-
JOINT command to specify the identifiers of the local coordinate systems.

The constraints imposed in a revolute joint element with the local e1 axis as the revolute axis are de-
scribed below. Similar constraint conditions are set up when the local e3 axis is the revolute axis.

Consider the two local coordinate systems (Cartesian) attached to node I and node J (see Fig-
ure 7.184revo.1: MPC184 Revolute Joint Geometry (p. 725)). At any given instant of time, the constraints
imposed in a revolute joint are as described below.

Displacement constraints:

uI = uJ

Where, uI is the displacement vector at node I and uJ is the displacement vector at node J.

Rotation constraints:

If the revolute axes and are not aligned at the start of the analysis, then the angle between the
two is held fixed at the starting value.

The relative position of the local coordinate system at node I with respect to node J is characterized
by the first Cardan (or Bryant) angle given by:

The change in the relative angular position between the two local coordinate system is given by:

Where, ϕ0 is the initial angular offset (the first Cardan (or Bryant ) angle measured in the reference
configuration) between the two coordinate systems and m is an integer accounting for multiple rotations
about the revolute axis.

The constitutive calculations use the following definition of the joint rotation:

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Where is the reference angle, angle1, specified on the SECDATA command. If this value is not
specified, then ϕ0 is used in place of .

Other input data that are common to all joint elements (material behavior, stops and limits, locks, etc.)
are described in "Joint Input Data" (p. 712) in the MPC184 (p. 710) element description.

MPC184 Revolute Joint Input Summary

This input summary applies to the revolute joint element option of MPC184 (p. 710): KEYOPT(1) = 6.

Nodes

I, J

Note:

For a grounded joint element, specify either node I or node J in the element definition
and leave the other node (the grounded node) blank.

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

Use the JOIN label on the TB command to define stiffness, damping, and Coulomb friction behavior.
(See MPC184 Joint in the Material Reference for detailed information on defining joint materials.)

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J)

Element Loads

Rotations --

ROTX (KEYOPT(4) = 0)
ROTZ (KEYOPT(4) = 1)

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Element Library

Angular velocities --

OMGX (KEYOPT(4) = 0)
OMGZ (KEYOPT(4) = 1)

Angular accelerations --

DMGX (KEYOPT(4) = 0)
DMGZ (KEYOPT(4) = 1)

Moments --

MX (KEYOPT(4) = 0)
MZ (KEYOPT(4) = 1)

Special Features

Large deflection
Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(1)

Element behavior:

6 --

Revolute joint element

KEYOPT(2)

Element constraint imposition method:

0 --

Lagrange multiplier method (default)

1 --

Penalty-based method

KEYOPT(4)

Element configuration:

0 --

x-axis revolute joint with local 1 direction as the revolute axis.

1 --

z-axis revolute joint with local 3 direction as the revolute axis.

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MPC184 Revolute Joint Output Data
The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.184revo.1: MPC184 Revolute Joint Element Output
Definitions (p. 729) and Table 7.184revo.2: MPC184 Revolute Joint Element - NMISC Output (p. 731).

These tables use the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates the item can be accessed by the Component Name method
[ETABLE, ESOL]. The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and a - indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.184revo.1: MPC184 Revolute Joint Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
x-axis Revolute Joint (KEYOPT(4) = 0)
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Element node numbers (I, J) - Y
FX Constraint Force in X direction - Y
FY Constraint Force in Y direction - Y
FZ Constraint Force in Z direction - Y
MY Constraint Moment in Y direction - Y
MZ Constraint Moment in Z direction - Y
CSTOP4 Constraint moment if stop is specified on DOF - Y
4
CLOCK4 Constraint moment if lock is specified on DOF - Y
4
CSST4 Constraint stop status[1] - Y
CLST4 Constraint lock status[2] - Y
JRP4 Joint relative position - Y
JCD4 Joint constitutive rotation - Y
JEF4 Joint elastic moment - Y
JDF4 Joint damping moment - Y
JFF4 Joint friction moment - Y
JRU4 Joint relative rotation - Y
JRV4 Joint relative velocity - Y
JRA4 Joint relative acceleration - Y
JTEMP Average temperature in the element[3] - Y

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Name Definition O R
JFST4 Stick/slip status when friction is specified[4] - Y
JFNF4 Normal moment in friction calculations - Y
z-axis Revolute Joint (KEYOPT(4) = 1)
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Element node numbers (I, J) - Y
FX Constraint Force in X direction - Y
FY Constraint Force in Y direction - Y
FZ Constraint Force in Z direction - Y
MX Constraint Moment in X direction - Y
MY Constraint Moment in Y direction - Y
CSTOP6 Constraint moment if stop is specified on DOF - Y
6
CLOCK6 Constraint moment if lock is specified on DOF - Y
6
CSST6 Constraint stop status[1] - Y
CLST6 Constraint lock status[2] - Y
JRP6 Joint relative position - Y
JCD6 Joint constitutive rotation - Y
JEF6 Joint elastic moment - Y
JDF6 Joint damping moment - Y
JFF6 Joint friction moment - Y
JRU6 Joint relative rotation - Y
JRV6 Joint relative velocity - Y
JRA6 Joint relative acceleration - Y
JTEMP Average temperature in the element[3] - Y
JFST6 Slip/stick status when friction is specified[4] - Y
JFNF6 Normal moment in friction calculations - Y

1. Constraint stop status:

0 = stop not active, or deactivated

1 = stopped at minimum value
2 = stopped at maximum value

2. Constraint lock status:

0 = lock not active

1 = locked at minimum value
2 = locked at maximum value

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3. Average temperature in the element when temperatures are applied on the nodes of the element
using the BF command, or when temperature are applied on the element using the BFE command.

4. Stick/slip status when friction is active:

0 = friction is not activated

1 = sticking
2 = slipping or sliding

The following table shows additional non-summable miscellaneous (NMISC) output available for all
forms of the revolute joint element.

Note:

This output is intended for use in the Ansys Workbench program to track the evolution of
local coordinate systems specified at the nodes of joint elements.

Table 7.184revo.2: MPC184 Revolute Joint Element - NMISC Output

Name Definition O R
The following output is available for all revolute joint elements (KEYOPT(4) =
0 and 1)
E1X-I, E1Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-I node I
E2X-I, E2Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-I node I
E3X-I, E3Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-I node I
E1X-J, E1Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-J node J
E2X-J, E2Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-J node J
E3X-J, E3Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-J node J
JFX, JFY, JFZ Constraint forces expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I
JMX, JMY, JMZ Constraint moments expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I

Table 7.184revo.3: MPC184 Revolute Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items (p. 732) and
Table 7.184revo.4: MPC184 Revolute Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items (p. 733) list output
available via the ETABLE command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor
(POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) for further inform-
ation. The table uses the following notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Element Output Definitions table.

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Element Library

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.184revo.3: MPC184 Revolute Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
x-axis Revolute Joint (KEYOPT(4) = 0)
FX SMISC 1
FY SMISC 2
FZ SMISC 3
MY SMISC 5
MZ SMISC 6
CSTOP4 SMISC 10
CLOCK4 SMISC 16
CSST4 SMISC 22
CLST4 SMISC 28
JRP4 SMISC 34
JCD4 SMISC 40
JEF4 SMISC 46
JDF4 SMISC 52
JFF4 SMISC 58
JRU4 SMISC 64
JRV4 SMISC 70
JRA4 SMISC 76
JTEMP SMISC 79
JFST4 SMISC 80
JFNF4 SMISC 84
z-axis Revolute Joint (KEYOPT(4) = 1)
FX SMISC 1
FY SMISC 2
FZ SMISC 3
MX SMISC 4
MY SMISC 5
CSTOP6 SMISC 12
CLOCK6 SMISC 18
CSST6 SMISC 24

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 ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Output Quantity Name
Item E
CLST6 SMISC 30
JRP6 SMISC 36
JCD6 SMISC 42
JEF6 SMISC 48
JDF6 SMISC 54
JFF6 SMISC 60
JRU6 SMISC 66
JRV6 SMISC 72
JRA6 SMISC 78
JTEMP SMISC 79
JFST6 SMISC 82
JFNF6 SMISC 86

Table 7.184revo.4: MPC184 Revolute Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
The following output is available for all revolute joint elements (KEYOPT(4) = 0 and
1)
E1X-I NMISC 1
E1Y-I NMISC 2
E1Z-I NMISC 3
E2X-I NMISC 4
E2Y-I NMISC 5
E2Z-I NMISC 6
E3X-I NMISC 7
E3Y-I NMISC 8
E3Z-I NMISC 9
E1X-J NMISC 10
E1Y-J NMISC 11
E1Z-J NMISC 12
E2X-J NMISC 13
E2Y-J NMISC 14
E2Z-J NMISC 15
E3X-J NMISC 16
E3Y-J NMISC 17
E3Z-J NMISC 18
JFX NMISC 19

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ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
JFY NMISC 20
JFZ NMISC 21
JMX NMISC 22
JMY NMISC 23
JMZ NMISC 24

MPC184 Revolute Joint Assumptions and Restrictions

• The nodes I and J must be coincident.

• The local coordinate systems at the nodes must be specified such that the revolute axis is well defined.
Otherwise, it is possible that the rotational motion might not be what is expected.

• Boundary conditions cannot be applied on the nodes forming the revolute joint.

• Rotational degrees of freedom are activated at the nodes forming the element. When these elements
are used in conjunction with solid elements, the rotational degrees of freedom must be suitably
constrained. Since boundary conditions cannot be applied to the nodes of the Revolute Joint, a beam
or shell element with very weak stiffness may be used with the underlying solid elements at the
nodes forming the joint element to avoid any rigid body modes.

• If both stops and locks are specified, then lock specification takes precedence. That is, if the degree
of freedom is locked at a given value, then it will remain locked for the rest of the analysis.

• In a nonlinear analysis, the component of relative motion (rotation around the revolute axis) is accu-
mulated over all the substeps. It is essential that the substep size be restricted such that this rotation
in a given substep is less than π for the values to be accumulated correctly.

• The element currently does not support birth or death options.

• For the Lagrange multiplier element formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 0) and the penalty-based element
formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 1), the equation solver (EQSLV) must be the sparse or the PCG solver.

• Lagrange multiplier-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2) = 0) and penalty-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2)
= 1) cannot be connected to each other.

• The element coordinate system (/PSYMB,ESYS) is not relevant.

MPC184 Revolute Joint Product Restrictions

None.

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MPC184-Universal
Multipoint Constraint Element: Universal Joint
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 743)

MPC184 Universal Joint Element Description

The MPC184 (p. 710) universal joint element is a two-node element that has two free relative rotational
degrees of freedom. The two nodes forming the element must have identical spatial coordinates.

Figure 7.184univ.1: MPC184 Universal Joint Geometry

eI
1

J
e3

eI
2

e J2

eI e J1
1

eI
3 J
e3
eI
2

I
Z J
e J2

Y
X I, J - Coincident nodes

eI e J1
1

eI J
I 3 e3
J
eI
2

e J2

MPC184 Universal Joint Input Data

Set KEYOPT(1) = 7 to define a two-node universal joint element.

Figure 7.184univ.1: MPC184 Universal Joint Geometry (p. 735) shows the geometry and node locations
for this element. Two nodes (I and J) define the element. The two nodes are expected to have identical
spatial coordinates.

A local Cartesian coordinate system must be specified at the first node, I, of the element. The specification
of the second local coordinate system at node J is optional. If the local coordinate system is not specified
at node J, then the local coordinate system at node J is assumed to be the same as that at node I. The
local 2 direction is usually aligned along the shaft axes of the universal joint. The orientation of local
directions must follow the convention specified in Figure 7.184univ.1: MPC184 Universal Joint Geo-

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Element Library

metry (p. 735). These local coordinate systems evolve with the rotations at the respective nodes (if any).
Use the SECJOINT command to specify the identifiers of the local coordinate systems.

The constraints imposed in a universal joint element are easily described by considering the two local
coordinate systems (Cartesian) attached to node I and node J (Figure 7.184univ.1: MPC184 Universal
Joint Geometry (p. 735)). At any given instant of time, the constraints imposed in a universal joint are
as described below.

Displacement constraints:

uI = uJ

Where, uI is the displacement vector at node I, and uJ is the displacement vector at node J.

Rotation constraints:

If the axes and are not aligned at the start of the analysis, then the angle between the two is held
fixed at the initial value.

The relative position of the local coordinate system at node I with respect to node J is characterized
by the first and the third Cardan (or Bryant) angles as:

The change in the relative angular position between the two local coordinate system is given by

ur4 = ϕ - ϕ0

ur6 = ψ - ψ0

Where, ϕ0 and ψ0 are the initial angular offsets between the two coordinate systems (that is, the first
and third Cardan (or Bryant) angles measured in the reference configuration).

The constitutive calculations use the following definition of the joint rotation:

Where, , are the reference angles, angle1 and angle3, specified on the SECDATA command.
If these values are not specified, then ϕ0 and ψ0 are used in place of and , respectively.

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Other input data that are common to all joint elements (material behavior, stops and limits, locks, etc.)
are described in "Joint Input Data" (p. 712) in the MPC184 (p. 710) element description.

MPC184 Universal Joint Input Summary

This input summary applies to the universal joint element option of MPC184 (p. 710): KEYOPT(1) = 7.

Nodes

I, J

Note:

For a grounded joint element, specify either node I or node J in the element definition
and leave the other node (the grounded node) blank.

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

Use the JOIN label on the TB command to define stiffness and damping behavior. (See MPC184
Joint in the Material Reference for detailed information on defining joint materials.)

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J)

Element Loads

Rotations --

ROTX, ROTZ

Moments --

MX, MZ

Special Features

Large deflection
Linear perturbation

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KEYOPT(1)

Element behavior:

7 --

Universal joint element

KEYOPT(2)

Element constraint imposition method:

0 --

Lagrange multiplier method (default)

1 --

Penalty-based method

MPC184 Universal Joint Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.184univ.1: MPC184 Universal Joint Element Output
Definitions (p. 738) and Table 7.184univ.2: MPC184 Universal Joint Element - NMISC Output (p. 740).

These tables use the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates the item can be accessed by the Component Name method
[ETABLE, ESOL]. The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and a - indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.184univ.1: MPC184 Universal Joint Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Element node numbers (I, J) - Y
FX Constraint force in X direction - Y
FY Constraint force in Y direction - Y
FZ Constraint force in Z direction - Y
MY Constraint moment in Y direction - Y
CSTOP4 Constraint moment if stop is specified on DOF - Y
4

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 Name Definition O R
CSTOP6 Constraint moment if stop is specified on DOF - Y
6
CLOCK4 Constraint moment if lock is specified on DOF - Y
4
CLOCK6 Constraint moment if lock is specified on DOF - Y
6
CSST4 Constraint stop status on DOF 4[1] - Y
CLST4 Constraint lock status on DOF 4[2] - Y
CSST6 Constraint stop status on DOF 6[1] - Y
CLST6 Constraint lock status on DOF 6[2] - Y
JRP4 Joint relative position of DOF4 - Y
JRP6 Joint relative position of DOF6 - Y
JCD4 Joint constitutive rotation on DOF4 - Y
JCD6 Joint constitutive rotation on DOF6 - Y
JEF4 Joint elastic moment in direction -4 - Y
JEF6 Joint elastic moment in direction -6 - Y
JDF4 Joint damping moment in direction -4 - Y
JDF6 Joint damping moment in direction -6 - Y
JRU4 Joint relative rotation of DOF4 - Y
JRU6 Joint relative rotation of DOF6 - Y
JRV4 Joint relative rotational velocity of DOF4 - Y
JRV6 Joint relative rotational velocity of DOF6 - Y
JRA4 Joint relative rotational acceleration of DOF4 - Y
JRA6 Joint relative rotational acceleration of DOF6 - Y
JTEMP Average temperature in the element[3] - Y

1. Constraint stop status:

0 = stop not active, or deactivated

1 = stopped at minimum value
2 = stopped at maximum value

2. Constraint lock status:

0 = lock not active

1 = locked at minimum value
2 = locked at maximum value

3. Average temperature in the element when temperatures are applied on the nodes of the element
using the BF command, or when temperature are applied on the element using the BFE command.

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The following table shows additional non-summable miscellaneous (NMISC) output available for the
universal joint element.

Note:

This output is intended for use in the Ansys Workbench program to track the evolution of
local coordinate systems specified at the nodes of joint elements.

Table 7.184univ.2: MPC184 Universal Joint Element - NMISC Output

Name Definition O R
E1X-I, E1Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-I node I
E2X-I, E2Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-I node I
E3X-I, E3Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-I node I
E1X-J, E1Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-J node J
E2X-J, E2Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-J node J
E3X-J, E3Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-J node J
JFX, JFY, JFZ Constraint forces expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I
JMX, JMY, JMZ Constraint moments expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I

Table 7.184univ.3: MPC184 Universal Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items (p. 741) and
Table 7.184univ.4: MPC184 Universal Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items (p. 741) list output
available via the ETABLE command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor
(POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) for further inform-
ation. The table uses the following notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Element Output Definitions table.

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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E

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.184univ.3: MPC184 Universal Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
FX SMISC 1
FY SMISC 2
FZ SMISC 3
MY SMISC 5
CSTOP4 SMISC 10
CSTOP6 SMISC 12
CLOCK4 SMISC 16
CLOCK6 SMISC 18
CSST4 SMISC 22
CLST4 SMISC 28
CSST6 SMISC 24
CLST6 SMISC 30
JRP4 SMISC 34
JRP6 SMISC 36
JCD4 SMISC 40
JCD6 SMISC 42
JEF4 SMISC 46
JEF6 SMISC 48
JDF4 SMISC 52
JDF6 SMISC 54
JRU4 SMISC 64
JRU6 SMISC 66
JRV4 SMISC 70
JRV6 SMISC 72
JRA4 SMISC 76
JRA6 SMISC 78
JTEMP SMISC 79

Table 7.184univ.4: MPC184 Universal Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
E1X-I NMISC 1
E1Y-I NMISC 2

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Element Library

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
E1Z-I NMISC 3
E2X-I NMISC 4
E2Y-I NMISC 5
E2Z-I NMISC 6
E3X-I NMISC 7
E3Y-I NMISC 8
E3Z-I NMISC 9
E1X-J NMISC 10
E1Y-J NMISC 11
E1Z-J NMISC 12
E2X-J NMISC 13
E2Y-J NMISC 14
E2Z-J NMISC 15
E3X-J NMISC 16
E3Y-J NMISC 17
E3Z-J NMISC 18
JFX NMISC 19
JFY NMISC 20
JFZ NMISC 21
JMX NMISC 22
JMY NMISC 23
JMZ NMISC 24

MPC184 Universal Joint Assumptions and Restrictions

• The nodes I and J must be coincident.

• The local coordinate systems at the nodes must be specified such that the axes of rotation are well
defined. Otherwise, it is possible that the rotational motion might not be what is expected.

• Boundary conditions cannot be applied on the nodes forming the universal joint.

• Rotational degrees of freedom are activated at the nodes forming the element. When these elements
are used in conjunction with solid elements, the rotational degrees of freedom must be suitably
constrained. Since boundary conditions cannot be applied to the nodes of the universal joint, a beam
or shell element with very weak stiffness may be used with the underlying solid elements at the
nodes forming the joint element to avoid any rigid body modes.

• If both stops and locks are specified, then lock specification takes precedence. That is, if the degree
of freedom is locked at a given value, then it will remain locked for the rest of the analysis.

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• In a nonlinear analysis, the components of relative motion are accumulated over all the substeps. It
is essential that the substep size be restricted such that these rotations in a given substep are less
than π for the values to be accumulated correctly.

• The element currently does not support birth or death options.

• For the Lagrange multiplier element formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 0) and the penalty-based element
formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 1), the equation solver (EQSLV) must be the sparse or the PCG solver.

• Lagrange multiplier-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2) = 0) and penalty-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2)
= 1) cannot be connected to each other.

• The element coordinate system (/PSYMB,ESYS) is not relevant.

MPC184 Universal Joint Product Restrictions

None.

MPC184-Slot
Multipoint Constraint Element: Slot Joint
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 750)

MPC184 Slot Joint Element Description

The MPC184 (p. 710) slot joint element is a two-node element that has one relative displacement degree
of freedom. The rotational degrees of freedom at nodes I and J are left free.

Figure 7.184slot.1: MPC184 Slot Joint Geometry

J J

eI
2

I I eI
1

eI
3

MPC184 Slot Joint Input Data

Set KEYOPT(1) = 8 to define a two-node slot joint element.

Figure 7.184slot.1: MPC184 Slot Joint Geometry (p. 743) shows the geometry and node locations for this
element. Two nodes (I and J) define the element.

A local Cartesian coordinate system must be specified at the first node, I, of the element. The second
node, J, is constrained to move on the local e 1 axis specified at node I. The local coordinate system

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Element Library

specified at node I evolves with the rotations at node I. Use the SECJOINT command to specify the
identifiers of the local coordinate systems.

The constraints imposed on a slot joint element are easily described by referring to Fig-
ure 7.184slot.1: MPC184 Slot Joint Geometry (p. 743). At any given instant of time, the constraints imposed
in a 3-D slot joint are as follows:

Where, x I and x J are the position vectors of nodes I and J in the current configuration, and X I and X
J
are the position vectors of nodes I and J in the reference configuration. Essentially these constraints
force the node J to move along the e 1 axis of the local coordinate system specified at node I. e I are
in the current configuration, while E I are specified in the initial configuration.

The change in the relative position of the nodes I and J is given by:

Where u is the initial offset computed based on the initial configuration and the local coordinate system
associated with node I, and

The constitutive calculations use the following definition of the joint displacement:

where:

= reference length, length1, specified on SECDATA command.

If the reference length is not specified, the initial offset is used.

Other input data that are common to all joint elements (material behavior, stops and limits, locks, etc.)
are described in "Joint Input Data" (p. 712) in the MPC184 (p. 710) element description.

MPC184 Slot Joint Input Summary

This input summary applies to the slot joint element option of MPC184 (p. 710): KEYOPT(1) = 8.

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Nodes

I, J

Note:

For a grounded joint element, specify either node I or node J in the element definition
and leave the other node (the grounded node) blank.

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

Use the JOIN label on the TB command to define stiffness, damping, and Coulomb friction behavior.
(See MPC184 Joint in the Material Reference for detailed information on defining joint materials.)

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J)

Element Loads

Displacements --

UX

Forces --

FX

Special Features

Large deflection
Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(1)

Element behavior:

8 --

Slot joint element

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Element Library

KEYOPT(2)

Element constraint imposition method:

0 --

Lagrange multiplier method (default)

1 --

Penalty-based method

MPC184 Slot Joint Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.184slot.1: MPC184 Slot Joint Element Output Defini-
tions (p. 746) and Table 7.184slot.2: MPC184 Slot Joint Element - NMISC Output (p. 747).

These tables use the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates the item can be accessed by the Component Name method
[ETABLE, ESOL]. The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and a - indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.184slot.1: MPC184 Slot Joint Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Element node numbers (I, J) - Y
FY Constraint force in Y direction - Y
FZ Constraint force in Z direction - Y
CSTOP1 Constraint force if stop is specified on DOF 1 - Y
CLOCK1 Constraint force if lock is specified on DOF 1 - Y
CSST1 Constraint stop status[1] - Y
CLST1 Constraint lock status[2] - Y
JRP1 Joint relative position - Y
JCD1 Joint constitutive displacement - Y
JEF1 Joint elastic force - Y
JDF1 Joint damping force - Y
JFF1 Joint friction force - Y
JRU1 Joint relative displacement - Y

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 Name Definition O R
JRA1 Joint relative acceleration - Y
JRV1 Joint relative velocity - Y
JTEMP Average temperature in the element[3] - Y
JFST1 Slip/stick status when friction is specified[4] - Y
JFNF1 Normal moment in friction calculations - Y

1. Constraint stop status:

0 = stop not active, or deactivated

1 = stopped at minimum value
2 = stopped at maximum value

2. Constraint lock status:

0 = lock not active

1 = locked at minimum value
2 = locked at maximum value

3. Average temperature in the element when temperatures are applied on the nodes of the element
using the BF command, or when temperature are applied on the element using the BFE command.

4. Stick/slip status when friction is active:

0 = friction is not activated

1 = sticking
2 = slipping or sliding

The following table shows additional non-summable miscellaneous (NMISC) output available for the
slot joint element.

Note:

This output is intended for use in the Ansys Workbench program to track the evolution of
local coordinate systems specified at the nodes of joint elements.

Table 7.184slot.2: MPC184 Slot Joint Element - NMISC Output

Name Definition O R
E1X-I, E1Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-I node I
E2X-I, E2Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-I node I
E3X-I, E3Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-I node I

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
E1X-J, E1Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-J node J
E2X-J, E2Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-J node J
E3X-J, E3Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-J node J
JFX, JFY, JFZ Constraint forces expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I
JMX, JMY, JMZ Constraint moments expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I

Table 7.184slot.3: MPC184 Slot Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items (p. 748) and
Table 7.184slot.4: MPC184 Slot Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items (p. 749) list output
available via the ETABLE command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor
(POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) for further inform-
ation. The table uses the following notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Element Output Definitions table.

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.184slot.3: MPC184 Slot Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
FY SMISC 2
FZ SMISC 3
CSTOP1 SMISC 7
CLOCK1 SMISC 13
CSST1 SMISC 19
CLST1 SMISC 25
JRP1 SMISC 31
JCD1 SMISC 37
JEF1 SMISC 43
JDF1 SMISC 49
JFF1 SMISC 55
JRU1 SMISC 61

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 ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Output Quantity Name
Item E
JRV1 SMISC 67
JRA1 SMISC 73
JTEMP SMISC 79
JFST1 SMISC 80
JFNF1 SMISC 81

Table 7.184slot.4: MPC184 Slot Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
E1X-I NMISC 1
E1Y-I NMISC 2
E1Z-I NMISC 3
E2X-I NMISC 4
E2Y-I NMISC 5
E2Z-I NMISC 6
E3X-I NMISC 7
E3Y-I NMISC 8
E3Z-I NMISC 9
E1X-J NMISC 10
E1Y-J NMISC 11
E1Z-J NMISC 12
E2X-J NMISC 13
E2Y-J NMISC 14
E2Z-J NMISC 15
E3X-J NMISC 16
E3Y-J NMISC 17
E3Z-J NMISC 18
JFX NMISC 19
JFY NMISC 20
JFZ NMISC 21
JMX NMISC 22
JMY NMISC 23
JMZ NMISC 24

MPC184 Slot Joint Assumptions and Restrictions

• Boundary conditions cannot be applied on the nodes forming the slot joint.

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• Rotational degrees of freedom are activated at the nodes forming the element. When these elements
are used in conjunction with solid elements, the rotational degrees of freedom must be suitably
constrained. Since boundary conditions cannot be applied to the nodes of the slot joint, a beam or
shell element with very weak stiffness may be used with the underlying solid elements at the nodes
forming the joint element to avoid any rigid body modes.

• Stops (SECSTOP) and locks (SECLOCK) can only be applied on the relative x-direction. These are not
applicable to the rotational degrees of freedom.

• If both stops and locks are specified, then lock specification takes precedence. That is, if the degree
of freedom is locked at a given value, then it will remain locked for the rest of the analysis.

• In a nonlinear analysis, the components of relative motion are accumulated over all the substeps. It
is essential that the substep size be restricted such that these rotations in a given substep are less
than π for the values to be accumulated correctly.

• The element currently does not support birth or death options.

• For the Lagrange multiplier element formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 0), the equation solver (EQSLV) must
be the sparse solver. Either the sparse or the PCG solver can be used with penalty-based element
formulation (KEYOPT(2)=1).

• Lagrange multiplier-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2) = 0) and penalty-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2)
= 1) cannot be connected to each other.

• The element coordinate system (/PSYMB,ESYS) is not relevant.

MPC184 Slot Joint Product Restrictions

None.

MPC184-Point
Multipoint Constraint Element: Point-in-plane Joint
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 758)

MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Element Description

The MPC184 (p. 710) point-in-plane joint element is a two-node element that has two relative displacement
degrees of freedom. The relative rotational degrees of freedom are not considered and cannot be
controlled.

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Figure 7.184poin.1: MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Geometry

MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Input Data

Set KEYOPT(1) = 9 to define a two-node point-in-plane joint element.

Figure 7.184poin.1: MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Geometry (p. 751) shows the geometry and node locations
for this element. Two nodes (I and J) define the element.

A local Cartesian coordinate system must be specified at the first node, I, of the element. The second
node, J, is constrained such that it remains on a plane defined by the local and axes. The normal
distance from this plane containing node J to node I is held fixed. The local coordinate system specified
at node I evolves with the rotations at node I. Use the SECJOINT command to specify the identifiers
of the local coordinate systems.

The constraints imposed on a point-in-plane joint element are easily described by referring to Fig-
ure 7.184poin.1: MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Geometry (p. 751). At any given instant of time, the constraint
imposed is as follows:

Where, xI and xJ are the positional vectors of nodes I and J in the current configuration, and XI and XJ
are the position vectors of nodes I and J in the reference configuration. eI are in the current configuration,
while EI are specified in the initial configuration.

The changes in the relative position of the nodes I and J are given by:

The constitutive calculations use the following definition of the joint displacement:

where:

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Element Library

= reference length specified on the SECDATA command

= reference length specified on the SECDATA command

If the reference lengths are not specified, the initial offsets are used.

Other input data that are common to all joint elements (material behavior, stops and limits, locks, etc.)
are described in "Joint Input Data" (p. 712) in the MPC184 (p. 710) element description.

MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Input Summary

This input summary applies to the point-in-plane joint element option of MPC184 (p. 710): KEYOPT(1) =
9.

Nodes

I, J

Note:

For a grounded joint element, specify either node I or node J in the element definition
and leave the other node (the grounded node) blank.

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

Use the JOIN label on the TB command to define stiffness and damping behavior. (See MPC184
Joint in the Material Reference for detailed information on defining joint materials.)

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J)

Element Loads

None

Special Features

Large deflection

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 Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(1)

Element behavior:

9 --

Point-in-plane joint element

KEYOPT(2)

Element constraint imposition method:

0 --

Lagrange multiplier method (default)

1 --

Penalty-based method

MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.184poin.1: MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Element
Output Definitions (p. 753) and Table 7.184poin.2: MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Element - NMISC Out-
put (p. 755).

These tables use the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates the item can be accessed by the Component Name method
[ETABLE, ESOL]. The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and a - indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.184poin.1: MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Element node numbers (I, J) - Y
FX Constraint Force in X direction - Y
CSTOP2 Constraint force if stop is specified on DOF 2 - Y
CSTOP3 Constraint force if stop is specified on DOF 3 - Y
CLOCK2 Constraint force if lock is specified on DOF 2 - Y

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
CLOCK3 Constraint force if lock is specified on DOF 3 - Y
CSST2 Constraint stop status on DOF 2[1] - Y
CLST2 Constraint lock status on DOF 2[2] - Y
CSST3 Constraint stop status on DOF 3[1] - Y
CLST3 Constraint lock status on DOF 3[2] - Y
JRP2 Joint relative position of DOF2 - Y
JRP3 Joint relative position of DOF3 - Y
JCD2 Joint constitutive displacement on DOF2 - Y
JCD3 Joint constitutive displacement on DOF3 - Y
JEF2 Joint elastic force in direction -2 - Y
JEF3 Joint elastic force in direction -3 - Y
JDF2 Joint damping force in direction -2 - Y
JDF3 Joint damping force in direction -3 - Y
JRU2 Joint relative displacement in direction -2 - Y
JRU3 Joint relative displacement in direction -3 - Y
JRV2 Joint relative velocity in direction -2 - Y
JRV3 Joint relative velocity in direction -3 - Y
JRA2 Joint relative acceleration in direction -2 - Y
JRA3 Joint relative acceleration in direction -3 - Y
JTEMP Average temperature in the element[3] - Y

1. Constraint stop status:

0 = stop not active, or deactivated

1 = stopped at minimum value
2 = stopped at maximum value

2. Constraint lock status:

0 = lock not active

1 = locked at minimum value
2 = locked at maximum value

3. Average temperature in the element when temperatures are applied on the nodes of the element
using the BF command, or when temperature are applied on the element using the BFE command.

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The following table shows additional non-summable miscellaneous (NMISC) output available for the
point-in-plane joint element.

Note:

This output is intended for use in the Ansys Workbench program to track the evolution of
local coordinate systems specified at the nodes of joint elements.

Table 7.184poin.2: MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Element - NMISC Output

Name Definition O R
E1X-I, E1Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-I node I
E2X-I, E2Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-I node I
E3X-I, E3Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-I node I
E1X-J, E1Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-J node J
E2X-J, E2Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-J node J
E3X-J, E3Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-J node J
JFX, JFY, JFZ Constraint forces expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I
JMX, JMY, JMZ Constraint moments expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I

Table 7.184poin.3: MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items (p. 756) and
Table 7.184poin.4: MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items (p. 756) list
output available via the ETABLE command using the Sequence Number method. See The General
Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) for
further information. The table uses the following notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Element Output Definitions table.

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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Element Library

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.184poin.3: MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
FX SMISC 1
CSTOP2 SMISC 8
CSTOP3 SMISC 9
CLOCK2 SMISC 14
CLOCK3 SMISC 15
CSST2 SMISC 20
CLST2 SMISC 26
CSST3 SMISC 21
CLST3 SMISC 27
JRP2 SMISC 32
JRP3 SMISC 33
JCD2 SMISC 38
JCD3 SMISC 39
JEF2 SMISC 44
JEF3 SMISC 45
JDF2 SMISC 50
JDF3 SMISC 51
JRU2 SMISC 62
JRU3 SMISC 63
JRV2 SMISC 68
JRV3 SMISC 69
JRA2 SMISC 74
JRA3 SMISC 75
JTEMP SMISC 79

Table 7.184poin.4: MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
E1X-I NMISC 1
E1Y-I NMISC 2
E1Z-I NMISC 3
E2X-I NMISC 4
E2Y-I NMISC 5

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 ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Output Quantity Name
Item E
E2Z-I NMISC 6
E3X-I NMISC 7
E3Y-I NMISC 8
E3Z-I NMISC 9
E1X-J NMISC 10
E1Y-J NMISC 11
E1Z-J NMISC 12
E2X-J NMISC 13
E2Y-J NMISC 14
E2Z-J NMISC 15
E3X-J NMISC 16
E3Y-J NMISC 17
E3Z-J NMISC 18
JFX NMISC 19
JFY NMISC 20
JFZ NMISC 21
JMX NMISC 22
JMY NMISC 23
JMZ NMISC 24

MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Assumptions and Restrictions

• Boundary conditions cannot be applied on the nodes forming the point-in-plane joint.

• Rotational degrees of freedom are activated at the nodes forming the element. When these elements
are used in conjunction with solid elements, the rotational degrees of freedom must be suitably
constrained. Since boundary conditions cannot be applied to the nodes of the point-in-plane joint,
a beam or shell element with very weak stiffness may be used with the underlying solid elements at
the nodes forming the joint element to avoid any rigid body modes.

• If both stops and locks are specified, then lock specification takes precedence. That is, if the degree
of freedom is locked at a given value, then it will remain locked for the rest of the analysis.

• In a nonlinear analysis, the components of relative motion are accumulated over all the substeps. It
is essential that the substep size be restricted such that these rotations in a given substep are less
than π for the values to be accumulated correctly.

• The element currently does not support birth or death options.

• For the Lagrange multiplier element formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 0), the equation solver (EQSLV) must
be the sparse solver. Either the sparse or the PCG solver can be used with penalty based element
formulation (KEYOPT(2)=1).

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• Lagrange multiplier-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2) = 0) and penalty-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2)
= 1) cannot be connected to each other.

• The element coordinate system (/PSYMB,ESYS) is not relevant.

MPC184 Point-in-plane Joint Product Restrictions

None.

MPC184-Trans
Multipoint Constraint Element: Translational Joint
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 765)

MPC184 Translational Joint Element Description

The MPC184 (p. 710) translational joint element is a two-node element that has one relative displacement
degree of freedom. All other relative degrees of freedom are fixed.

Figure 7.184tran.1: MPC184 Translational Joint Geometry

e J2

eI eJ
2 J 1

eI J J
I 1 e3

eI I
3

MPC184 Translational Joint Input Data

Set KEYOPT(1) = 10 to define a two-node translational joint element.

Figure 7.184tran.1: MPC184 Translational Joint Geometry (p. 758) shows the geometry and node locations
for this element. Two nodes (I and J) define the element.

A local Cartesian coordinate system must be specified at the first node, I, of the element. The local co-
ordinate system specification at the second node is optional. The second node J is constrained to move
along the e1 axis specified at node I. The local coordinate system specified at node I evolves with the
rotations at node I. Use the SECJOINT command to specify the identifiers of the local coordinate systems.

The constraints imposed on a translational joint element are easily described by referring to Fig-
ure 7.184tran.1: MPC184 Translational Joint Geometry (p. 758). At any given instant of time, the constraints
imposed are as follows:

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Where, xI and xJ are the positional vectors of nodes I and J in the current configuration, and XI and XJ
are the position vectors of nodes I and J in the reference configuration. Essentially these constraints
force the node J to move along the e1 axis of the local coordinate system specified at node I. eI are in
the current configuration, while EI are specified in the initial configuration.

The change in the relative position of the nodes I and J is given by:

The constitutive calculations use the following definition of the joint displacement:

where:

= reference length, length1, specified on SECDATA command

If the reference length is not specified, the initial offset is used.

Other input data that are common to all joint elements (material behavior, stops and limits, locks, etc.)
are described in "Joint Input Data" (p. 712) in the MPC184 (p. 710) element description.

MPC184 Translational Joint Input Summary

This input summary applies to the translational joint element option of MPC184 (p. 710): KEYOPT(1) =
10.

Nodes

I, J

Note:

For a grounded joint element, specify either node I or node J in the element definition
and leave the other node (the grounded node) blank.

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

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Real Constants

None

Material Properties

Use the JOIN label on the TB command to define stiffness, damping, and Coulomb friction behavior.
(See MPC184 Joint in the Material Reference for detailed information on defining joint materials.)

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J)

Element Loads

None

Special Features

Large deflection
Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(1)

Element behavior:

10 --

Translational joint element

KEYOPT(2)

Element constraint imposition method:

0 --

Lagrange multiplier method (default)

1 --

Penalty-based method

MPC184 Translational Joint Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

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• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.184tran.1: MPC184 Translational Joint Element Output
Definitions (p. 761) and Table 7.184tran.2: MPC184 Translational Joint Element - NMISC Output (p. 762).

These tables use the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates the item can be accessed by the Component Name method
[ETABLE, ESOL]. The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and a - indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.184tran.1: MPC184 Translational Joint Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number - Y
NODES Element node numbers (I, J) - Y
FY Constraint force in Y direction - Y
FZ Constraint force in Z direction - Y
MX Constraint moment in X direction - Y
MY Constraint moment in Y direction - Y
MZ Constraint moment in Z direction - Y
CSTOP1 Constraint force if stop is specified on DOF 1 - Y
CLOCK1 Constraint force if lock is specified on DOF 1 - Y
CSST1 Constraint stop status[1] - Y
CLST1 Constraint lock status[2] - Y
JRP1 Joint relative position - Y
JCD1 Joint constitutive displacement - Y
JEF1 Joint elastic force - Y
JDF1 Joint damping force - Y
JFF1 Joint friction force - Y
JRU1 Joint relative displacement - Y
JRV1 Joint relative velocity - Y
JRA1 Joint relative acceleration - Y
JTEMP Average temperature in the element[3] - Y
JFST1 Slip/stick status when friction is specified[4] - Y
JFNF1 Normal moment in friction calculations - Y

1. Constraint stop status:

0 = stop not active, or deactivated

1 = stopped at minimum value
2 = stopped at maximum value

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2. Constraint lock status:

0 = lock not active

1 = locked at minimum value
2 = locked at maximum value

3. Average temperature in the element when temperatures are applied on the nodes of the element
using the BF command, or when temperature are applied on the element using the BFE command.

4. Stick/slip status when friction is active:

0 = friction is not activated

1 = sticking
2 = slipping or sliding

The following table shows additional non-summable miscellaneous (NMISC) output available for the
translational joint element.

Note:

This output is intended for use in the Ansys Workbench program to track the evolution of
local coordinate systems specified at the nodes of joint elements.

Table 7.184tran.2: MPC184 Translational Joint Element - NMISC Output

Name Definition O R
E1X-I, E1Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-I node I
E2X-I, E2Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-I node I
E3X-I, E3Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-I node I
E1X-J, E1Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-J node J
E2X-J, E2Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-J node J
E3X-J, E3Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-J node J
JFX, JFY, JFZ Constraint forces expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I
JMX, JMY, JMZ Constraint moments expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I

Table 7.184tran.3: MPC184 Translational Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items (p. 763) and
Table 7.184tran.4: MPC184 Translational Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items (p. 763) list
output available via the ETABLE command using the Sequence Number method. See The General

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Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) for
further information. The table uses the following notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Element Output Definitions table.

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.184tran.3: MPC184 Translational Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
FY SMISC 2
FZ SMISC 3
MX SMISC 4
MY SMISC 5
MZ SMISC 6
CSTOP1 SMISC 7
CLOCK1 SMISC 13
CSST1 SMISC 19
CLST1 SMISC 25
JRP1 SMISC 31
JCD1 SMISC 37
JEF1 SMISC 43
JDF1 SMISC 49
JFF1 SMISC 55
JRU1 SMISC 61
JRV1 SMISC 67
JRA1 SMISC 73
JTEMP SMISC 79
JFST1 SMISC 80
JFNF1 SMISC 81

Table 7.184tran.4: MPC184 Translational Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
E1X-I NMISC 1

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ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
E1Y-I NMISC 2
E1Z-I NMISC 3
E2X-I NMISC 4
E2Y-I NMISC 5
E2Z-I NMISC 6
E3X-I NMISC 7
E3Y-I NMISC 8
E3Z-I NMISC 9
E1X-J NMISC 10
E1Y-J NMISC 11
E1Z-J NMISC 12
E2X-J NMISC 13
E2Y-J NMISC 14
E2Z-J NMISC 15
E3X-J NMISC 16
E3Y-J NMISC 17
E3Z-J NMISC 18
JFX NMISC 19
JFY NMISC 20
JFZ NMISC 21
JMX NMISC 22
JMY NMISC 23
JMZ NMISC 24

MPC184 Translational Joint Assumptions and Restrictions

• Boundary conditions cannot be applied on the nodes forming the translational joint.

• Rotational degrees of freedom are activated at the nodes forming the element. When these elements
are used in conjunction with solid elements, the rotational degrees of freedom must be suitably
constrained. Since boundary conditions cannot be applied to the nodes of the translational joint, a
beam or shell element with very weak stiffness may be used with the underlying solid elements at
the nodes forming the joint element to avoid any rigid body modes.

• If both stops and locks are specified, then lock specification takes precedence. That is, if the degree
of freedom is locked at a given value, then it will remain locked for the rest of the analysis.

• In a nonlinear analysis, the components of relative motion are accumulated over all the substeps. It
is essential that the substep size be restricted such that these rotations in a given substep are less
than π for the values to be accumulated correctly.

• The element currently does not support birth or death options.

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• For the Lagrange multiplier element formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 0) and the penalty-based element
formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 1), the equation solver (EQSLV) must be the sparse or the PCG solver.

• Lagrange multiplier-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2) = 0) and penalty-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2)
= 1) cannot be connected to each other.

• The element coordinate system (/PSYMB,ESYS) is not relevant.

MPC184 Translational Joint Product Restrictions

None.

MPC184-Cylin
Multipoint Constraint Element: Cylindrical Joint
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 776)

MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Element Description

The MPC184 (p. 710) cylindrical joint element is a two-node element that has one free relative displace-
ment degree of freedom and one free relative rotational degree of freedom (around the cylindrical or
revolute axis). All other relative degrees of freedom are fixed.

Figure 7.184cyl.1: MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Geometry

e J2

eI eJ
2 J 1 J

eI J
I 1 e3 I

eI
3
Local x-axis as the axis
of cylindrical joint
eJ
1
eI eJ
1 J 3

J
e2
eI
I 3

Local z-axis as the axis

eI of cylindrical joint
2

MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Input Data

Set KEYOPT(1) = 11 to define a two-node cylindrical joint element.

Figure 7.184cyl.1: MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Geometry (p. 765) shows the geometry and node locations
for this element. Two nodes (I and J) define the element.

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Element Library

If KEYOPT(4) = 0, then the element is an x-axis cylindrical joint element with the local e1 axis as the
cylindrical or revolute axis. Translational motion along this axis is also allowed.

If KEYOPT(4) = 1, then the element is a z-axis cylindrical joint element with the local e3 axis as the cyl-
indrical or revolute axis. Translational motion along this axis is also allowed.

A local Cartesian coordinate system must be specified at the first node, I, of the element. The local co-
ordinate system specification at the second node is optional. The local coordinate systems specified at
node I and J evolve with the rotations at the respective nodes. Use the SECJOINT command to specify
the identifiers of the local coordinate systems.

The constraints imposed in a cylindrical joint element with local e1 axis as the cylindrical or revolute
axis are described below. Similar constraint conditions are set up when the local e3 axis is the cylindrical
or revolute axis. Referring to Figure 7.184cyl.1: MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Geometry (p. 765), with local
coordinate systems specified at nodes I and J, the constraints imposed at any given time are as follows:

The change in the relative position of the nodes I and J is given by:

where:

The relative rotation between nodes I and J is given by:

The change in the relative angular position between the two local coordinate systems is given by

ur = ϕ - ϕ0 + mπ

where ϕ0 is the initial angular offset between the two coordinate systems and m is an integer accounting
for multiple rotations about the cylindrical axis.

The constitutive calculations use the following definition of the joint displacement:

where:

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 = reference length specified on SECDATA command.

The constitutive calculations use the following definition of the joint rotation:

where:

= reference angle, angle1, specified on the SECDATA command. If this value is not specified,
then Φ0 is used in place of

Other input data that are common to all joint elements (material behavior, stops and limits, locks, etc.)
are described in "Joint Input Data" (p. 712) in the MPC184 (p. 710) element description.

MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Input Summary

This input summary applies to the cylindrical joint element option of MPC184 (p. 710): KEYOPT(1) = 11.

Nodes

I, J

Note:

For a grounded joint element, specify either node I or node J in the element definition
and leave the other node (the grounded node) blank.

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

Use the JOIN label on the TB command to define stiffness, and damping behavior. (See MPC184
Joint in the Material Reference for detailed information on defining joint materials.)

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J)

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Element Library

Element Loads when KEYOPT(4) = 0:

Displacements/Rotations --

UX, ROTX

Velocities --

VELX, OMGX

Accelerations --

ACCX, DMGX

Force/Moments --

FX, MX

Element Loads when KEYOPT(4) = 1:

Displacements/Rotations --

UZ, ROTZ

Velocities --

VELZ, OMGZ

Accelerations --

ACCZ, DMGZ

Force/Moments --

FZ, MZ

Special Features

Large deflection
Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(1)

Element behavior:

11 --

Cylindrical joint element

KEYOPT(2)

Element constraint imposition method:

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 0 --

Lagrange multiplier method (default)

1 --

Penalty-based method

KEYOPT(4)

Element configuration:

0 --

x-axis Cylindrical joint with local 1 direction as the cylindrical axis.

1 --

z-axis Cylindrical joint with local 3 direction as the cylindrical axis.

MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.184cyl.1: MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Element Output
Definitions (p. 769) and Table 7.184cyl.2: MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Element - NMISC Output (p. 772).

These tables use the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates the item can be accessed by the Component Name method
[ETABLE, ESOL]. The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and a - indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.184cyl.1: MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
x-axis Cylindrical Joint Element (KEYOPT(4) = 0)
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Element node numbers (I, J) - Y
FY Constraint Force in Y direction - Y
FZ Constraint Force in Z direction - Y
MY Constraint Moment in Y direction - Y
MZ Constraint Moment in Z direction - Y
CSTOP1 Constraint force if stop is specified on DOF 1 - Y

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
CSTOP4 Constraint moment if stop is specified on DOF - Y
4
CLOCK1 Constraint force if lock is specified on DOF 1 - Y
CLOCK4 Constraint moment if lock is specified on DOF - Y
4
CSST1 Constraint stop status on DOF 1[1] - Y
CLST1 Constraint lock status on DOF 1[2] - Y
CSST4 Constraint stop status on DOF 4[1] - Y
CLST4 Constraint lock status on DOF 4[2] - Y
JRP1 Joint relative position of DOF 1 - Y
JRP4 Joint relative position of DOF 4 - Y
JCD1 Joint constitutive displacement on DOF 1 - Y
JCD4 Joint constitutive rotation on DOF 4 - Y
JEF1 Joint elastic force in direction -1 - Y
JEF4 Joint elastic moment in direction -4 - Y
JDF1 Joint damping force in direction -1 - Y
JDF4 Joint damping moment in direction -4 - Y
JRU1 Joint relative displacement of DOF 1 - Y
JRU4 Joint relative rotation of DOF 4 - Y
JRV1 Joint relative velocity of DOF 1 - Y
JRV4 Joint relative rotational velocity of DOF 4 - Y
JRA1 Joint relative acceleration of DOF 1 - Y
JRA4 Joint relative rotational acceleration of DOF 4 - Y
JTEMP Average temperature in the element[3] - Y
z-axis Cylindrical Joint Element (KEYOPT(4) = 1)
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Element node numbers (I, J) - Y
FX Constraint Force in X direction - Y
FY Constraint Force in Y direction - Y
MX Constraint Moment in X direction - Y
MY Constraint Moment in Y direction - Y
CSTOP3 Constraint force if stop is specified on DOF 3 - Y
CSTOP6 Constraint moment if stop is specified on DOF - Y
6
CLOCK3 Constraint force if lock is specified on DOF 3 - Y
CLOCK6 Constraint moment if lock is specified on DOF - Y
6
CSST3 Constraint stop status on DOF 3[1] - Y
CLST3 Constraint lock status on DOF 3[2] - Y

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 Name Definition O R
CSST6 Constraint stop status on DOF 6[1] - Y
CLST6 Constraint lock status on DOF 6[2] - Y
JRP3 Joint relative position of DOF 3 - Y
JRP6 Joint relative position of DOF 6 - Y
JCD3 Joint constitutive displacement on DOF 3 - Y
JCD6 Joint constitutive rotation on DOF 6 - Y
JEF3 Joint elastic force in direction -3 - Y
JEF6 Joint elastic moment in direction -6 - Y
JDF3 Joint damping force in direction -3 - Y
JDF6 Joint damping moment in direction -6 - Y
JRU3 Joint relative displacement of DOF 3 - Y
JRU6 Joint relative rotation of DOF 6 - Y
JRV3 Joint relative velocity of DOF 3 - Y
JRV6 Joint relative rotational velocity of DOF 6 - Y
JRA3 Joint relative acceleration of DOF 3 - Y
JRA6 Joint relative rotational acceleration of DOF 6 - Y
JTEMP Average temperature in the element[3] - Y

1. Constraint stop status:

0 = stop not active, or deactivated

1 = stopped at minimum value
2 = stopped at maximum value

2. Constraint lock status:

0 = lock not active

1 = locked at minimum value
2 = locked at maximum value

3. Average temperature in the element when temperatures are applied on the nodes of the element
using the BF command, or when temperature are applied on the element using the BFE command.

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The following table shows additional non-summable miscellaneous (NMISC) output available for all
forms of the cylindrical joint element.

Note:

This output is intended for use in the Ansys Workbench program to track the evolution of
local coordinate systems specified at the nodes of joint elements.

Table 7.184cyl.2: MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Element - NMISC Output

Name Definition O R
The following output is available for all cylindrical joint elements (KEYOPT(4)
= 0 and 1)
E1X-I, E1Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-I node I
E2X-I, E2Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-I node I
E3X-I, E3Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-I node I
E1X-J, E1Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-J node J
E2X-J, E2Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-J node J
E3X-J, E3Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-J node J
JFX, JFY, JFZ Constraint forces expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I
JMX, JMY, JMZ Constraint moments expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I

Table 7.184cyl.3: MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items (p. 773) and
Table 7.184cyl.4: MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items (p. 774) list output
available via the ETABLE command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor
(POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) for further inform-
ation. The table uses the following notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Element Output Definitions table.

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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E

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.184cyl.3: MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
x-axis Cylindrical Joint Element (KEYOPT(4) = 0)
FY SMISC 2
FZ SMISC 3
MY SMISC 5
MZ SMISC 6
CSTOP1 SMISC 7
CSTOP4 SMISC 10
CLOCK1 SMISC 13
CLOCK4 SMISC 16
CSST1 SMISC 19
CSST4 SMISC 22
CLST1 SMISC 25
CLST4 SMISC 28
JRP1 SMISC 31
JRP4 SMISC 34
JCD1 SMISC 37
JCD4 SMISC 40
JEF1 SMISC 43
JEF4 SMISC 46
JDF1 SMISC 49
JDF4 SMISC 52
JRU1 SMISC 61
JRU4 SMISC 64
JRV1 SMISC 67
JRV4 SMISC 70
JRA1 SMISC 73
JRA4 SMISC 76
JTEMP SMISC 79
z-axis Cylindrical Joint Element (KEYOPT(4) = 1)
FX SMISC 1
FY SMISC 2
MX SMISC 4
MY SMISC 5

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Element Library

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
CSTOP3 SMISC 9
CSTOP6 SMISC 12
CLOCK3 SMISC 15
CLOCK6 SMISC 18
CSST3 SMISC 21
CSST6 SMISC 24
CLST3 SMISC 27
CLST6 SMISC 30
JRP3 SMISC 33
JRP6 SMISC 36
JCD3 SMISC 39
JCD6 SMISC 42
JEF3 SMISC 45
JEF6 SMISC 48
JDF3 SMISC 51
JDF6 SMISC 54
JRU3 SMISC 63
JRU6 SMISC 66
JRV3 SMISC 69
JRV6 SMISC 72
JRA3 SMISC 75
JRA6 SMISC 78
JTEMP SMISC 79

Table 7.184cyl.4: MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
The following output is available for all cylindrical joint elements (KEYOPT(4) = 0
and 1)
E1X-I NMISC 1
E1Y-I NMISC 2
E1Z-I NMISC 3
E2X-I NMISC 4
E2Y-I NMISC 5
E2Z-I NMISC 6
E3X-I NMISC 7
E3Y-I NMISC 8

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 ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Output Quantity Name
Item E
E3Z-I NMISC 9
E1X-J NMISC 10
E1Y-J NMISC 11
E1Z-J NMISC 12
E2X-J NMISC 13
E2Y-J NMISC 14
E2Z-J NMISC 15
E3X-J NMISC 16
E3Y-J NMISC 17
E3Z-J NMISC 18
JFX NMISC 19
JFY NMISC 20
JFZ NMISC 21
JMX NMISC 22
JMY NMISC 23
JMZ NMISC 24

MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Assumptions and Restrictions

• Boundary conditions cannot be applied on the nodes forming the cylindrical joint.

• Rotational degrees of freedom are activated at the nodes forming the element. When these elements
are used in conjunction with solid elements, the rotational degrees of freedom must be suitably
constrained. Since boundary conditions cannot be applied to the nodes of the cylindrical joint, a
beam or shell element with very weak stiffness may be used with the underlying solid elements at
the nodes forming the joint element to avoid any rigid body modes.

• If both stops and locks are specified, then lock specification takes precedence. That is, if the degree
of freedom is locked at a given value, then it will remain locked for the rest of the analysis.

• In a nonlinear analysis, the components of relative motion are accumulated over all the substeps. It
is essential that the substep size be restricted such that these rotations in a given substep are less
than π for the values to be accumulated correctly.

• The element currently does not support birth or death options.

• For the Lagrange multiplier element formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 0) and the penalty-based element
formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 1), the equation solver (EQSLV) must be the sparse or the PCG solver.

• Lagrange multiplier-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2) = 0) and penalty-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2)
= 1) cannot be connected to each other.

• The element coordinate system (/PSYMB,ESYS) is not relevant.

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Element Library

MPC184 Cylindrical Joint Product Restrictions

None.

MPC184-Planar
Multipoint Constraint Element: Planar Joint
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 787)

MPC184 Planar Joint Element Description

The MPC184 (p. 710) planar joint element is a two-node element that has two relative displacement
degrees of freedom and one relative rotational degree of freedom. All other relative degrees of freedom
are fixed.

Figure 7.184plan.1: MPC184 Planar Joint Geometry

MPC184 Planar Joint Input Data

Set KEYOPT(1) = 12 to define a two-node planar joint element.

Figure 7.184plan.1: MPC184 Planar Joint Geometry (p. 776) shows the geometry and node locations for
this element. Two nodes (I and J) define the element.

If KEYOPT(4) = 0, the element is an x-axis planar joint element with the local e1 axis as the rotation axis
and also the axis along which the distance is fixed.

If KEYOPT(4) = 1, the element is a z-axis planar joint element with the local e3 axis as the rotation axis
and also the axis along which the distance is fixed.

A local Cartesian coordinate system must be specified at the first node, I, of the element. The local co-
ordinate system specification at the second node is optional. The local coordinate systems specified at
node I and J evolve with the rotations at the respective nodes. Use the SECJOINT command to specify
the identifiers of the local coordinate systems.

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The constraints imposed on a planar joint element with local e1 axis as the axis of rotation are described
below. Similar constraint conditions are set up when the local e3 axis is the axis of rotation. Referring
to Figure 7.184plan.1: MPC184 Planar Joint Geometry (p. 776), the constraints imposed at any given time
are as follows:

The changes in the relative position of the nodes I and J are given by:

The change in the relative angular position between the two local coordinate systems is given by:

ur = ϕ - ϕ0 + mπ

The constitutive calculations use the following definition of the joint displacement:

where:

and = reference lengths, length2 and length3, specified on the SECDATA command.

The constitutive calculations use the following definition of the joint rotation:

where:

= reference angle, angle1, specified on the SECDATA command. If this value is not specified,
then ϕ0 is used in place of .

Other input data that are common to all joint elements (material behavior, stops and limits, locks, etc.)
are described in "Joint Input Data" (p. 712) in the MPC184 (p. 710) element description.

MPC184 Planar Joint Input Summary

This input summary applies to the planar joint element option of MPC184 (p. 710): KEYOPT(1) = 12.

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Element Library

Nodes

I, J

Note:

For a grounded joint element, specify either node I or node J in the element definition
and leave the other node (the grounded node) blank.

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

Use the JOIN label on the TB command to define stiffness and damping behavior. (See MPC184
Joint in the Material Reference for detailed information on defining joint materials.)

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J)

Element Loads when KEYOPT(4) = 0

Displacements/Rotations --

UY, UZ, ROTX

Velocities --

VELY, VELZ, OMGX

Accelerations --

ACCY, ACCZ, DMGX

Element Loads when KEYOPT(4) = 1

Displacements/Rotations --

UX, UY, ROTZ

Velocities --

VELX, VELY, OMGZ

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 Accelerations --

ACCX, ACCY, DMGZ

Special Features

Large deflection
Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(1)

Element behavior:

12 --

Planar joint element

KEYOPT(2)

Element constraint imposition method:

0 --

Lagrange multiplier method (default)

1 --

Penalty-based method

KEYOPT(4)

Element configuration:

0 --

x-axis Planar joint with local 1 direction as the rotation axis.

1 --

z-axis Planar joint with local 3 direction as the rotation axis.

MPC184 Planar Joint Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.184plan.1: MPC184 Planar Joint Element Output
Definitions (p. 780) and Table 7.184plan.2: MPC184 Planar Joint Element - NMISC Output (p. 783).

These tables use the following notation:

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Element Library

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates the item can be accessed by the Component Name method
[ETABLE, ESOL]. The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and a - indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.184plan.1: MPC184 Planar Joint Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
x-axis Planar Joint Element (KEYOPT(4) = 0)
EL Element number - Y
NODES Element node numbers (I, J) - Y
FX Constraint force in X direction - Y
MY Constraint moment in Y direction - Y
MZ Constraint moment in Z direction - Y
CSTOP2 Constraint force if stop is specified on DOF 2 - Y
CSTOP3 Constraint force if stop is specified on DOF 3 - Y
CSTOP4 Constraint moment if stop is specified on DOF - Y
4
CLOCK2 Constraint force if lock is specified on DOF 2 - Y
CLOCK3 Constraint force if lock is specified on DOF 3 - Y
CLOCK4 Constraint moment if lock is specified on DOF - Y
4
CSST2 Constraint stop status on DOF 2[1] - Y
CLST2 Constraint lock status on DOF 2[2] - Y
CSST3 Constraint stop status on DOF 3[1] - Y
CLST3 Constraint lock status on DOF 3[2] - Y
CSST4 Constraint stop status on DOF 4[1] - Y
CLST4 Constraint lock status on DOF 4[2] - Y
JRP2 Joint relative position of DOF 2 - Y
JRP3 Joint relative position of DOF 3 - Y
JRP4 Joint relative position of DOF 4 - Y
JCD2 Joint constitutive displacement on DOF 2 - Y
JCD3 Joint constitutive displacement on DOF 3 - Y
JCD4 Joint constitutive rotation on DOF 4 - Y
JEF2 Joint elastic force in direction -2 - Y
JEF3 Joint elastic force in direction -3 - Y
JEF4 Joint elastic moment in direction -4 - Y
JDF2 Joint damping force in direction -2 - Y
JDF3 Joint damping force in direction -3 - Y

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 Name Definition O R
JDF4 Joint damping moment in direction -4 - Y
JRU2 Joint relative displacement of DOF 2 - Y
JRU3 Joint relative displacement of DOF 3 - Y
JRU4 Joint relative rotation of DOF 4 - Y
JRV2 Joint relative velocity of DOF 2 - Y
JRV3 Joint relative velocity of DOF 3 - Y
JRV4 Joint relative rotational velocity of DOF 4 - Y
JRA2 Joint relative acceleration of DOF 2 - Y
JRA3 Joint relative acceleration of DOF 3 - Y
JRA4 Joint relative rotational acceleration of DOF 4 - Y
JTEMP Average temperature in the element[3] - Y
z-axis Planar Joint Element (KEYOPT(4) = 1)
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Element node numbers (I, J) - Y
FZ Constraint Force in Z direction - Y
MX Constraint Moment in X direction - Y
MY Constraint Moment in Y direction - Y
CSTOP1 Constraint force if stop is specified on DOF 1 - Y
CSTOP2 Constraint force if stop is specified on DOF 2 - Y
CSTOP6 Constraint moment if stop is specified on DOF - Y
6
CLOCK1 Constraint force if lock is specified on DOF 1 - Y
CLOCK2 Constraint force if lock is specified on DOF 2 - Y
CLOCK6 Constraint moment if lock is specified on DOF - Y
6
CSST1 Constraint stop status on DOF 1[1] - Y
CLST1 Constraint lock status on DOF 1[2] - Y
CSST2 Constraint stop status on DOF 2[1] - Y
CLST2 Constraint lock status on DOF 2[2] - Y
CSST6 Constraint stop status on DOF 6[1] - Y
CLST6 Constraint lock status on DOF 6[2] - Y
JRP1 Joint relative position of DOF 1 - Y
JRP2 Joint relative position of DOF 2 - Y
JRP6 Joint relative position of DOF 6 - Y
JCD1 Joint constitutive displacement on DOF 1 - Y
JCD2 Joint constitutive displacement on DOF 2 - Y
JCD6 Joint constitutive rotation on DOF 6 - Y
JEF1 Joint elastic force in direction -1 - Y

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
JEF2 Joint elastic force in direction -2 - Y
JEF6 Joint elastic moment in direction -6 - Y
JDF1 Joint damping force in direction -1 - Y
JDF2 Joint damping force in direction -2 - Y
JDF6 Joint damping moment in direction -6 - Y
JRU1 Joint relative displacement of DOF 1 - Y
JRU2 Joint relative displacement of DOF 2 - Y
JRU6 Joint relative rotation of DOF 6 - Y
JRV1 Joint relative velocity of DOF 1 - Y
JRV2 Joint relative velocity of DOF 2 - Y
JRV6 Joint relative rotational velocity of DOF 6 - Y
JRA1 Joint relative acceleration of DOF 1 - Y
JRA2 Joint relative acceleration of DOF 2 - Y
JRA6 Joint relative rotational acceleration of DOF 6 - Y
JTEMP Average temperature in the element[3] - Y

1. Constraint stop status:

0 = stop not active, or deactivated

1 = stopped at minimum value
2 = stopped at maximum value

2. Constraint lock status:

0 = lock not active

1 = locked at minimum value
2 = locked at maximum value

3. Average temperature in the element when temperatures are applied on the nodes of the element
using the BF command, or when temperature are applied on the element using the BFE command.

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The following table shows additional non-summable miscellaneous (NMISC) output available for all
forms of the planar joint element.

Note:

This output is intended for use in the Ansys Workbench program to track the evolution of
local coordinate systems specified at the nodes of joint elements.

Table 7.184plan.2: MPC184 Planar Joint Element - NMISC Output

Name Definition O R
The following output is available for all planar joint elements (KEYOPT(4) = 0
and 1)
E1X-I, E1Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-I node I
E2X-I, E2Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-I node I
E3X-I, E3Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-I node I
E1X-J, E1Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-J node J
E2X-J, E2Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-J node J
E3X-J, E3Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-J node J
JFX, JFY, JFZ Constraint forces expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I
JMX, JMY, JMZ Constraint moments expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I

Table 7.184plan.3: MPC184 Planar Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items (p. 784) and
Table 7.184plan.4: MPC184 Planar Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items (p. 786) list output
available via the ETABLE command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor
(POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) for further inform-
ation. The table uses the following notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Element Output Definitions table.

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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Element Library

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.184plan.3: MPC184 Planar Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
x-axis Planar Joint Element (KEYOPT(4) = 0)
FX SMISC 1
MY SMISC 5
MZ SMISC 6
CSTOP2 SMISC 8
CSTOP3 SMISC 9
CSTOP4 SMISC 10
CLOCK2 SMISC 14
CLOCK3 SMISC 15
CLOCK4 SMISC 16
CSST2 SMISC 20
CSST3 SMISC 21
CSST4 SMISC 22
CLST2 SMISC 26
CLST3 SMISC 27
CLST4 SMISC 28
JRP2 SMISC 32
JRP3 SMISC 33
JRP4 SMISC 34
JCD2 SMISC 38
JCD3 SMISC 39
JCD4 SMISC 40
JEF2 SMISC 44
JEF3 SMISC 45
JEF4 SMISC 46
JDF2 SMISC 50
JDF3 SMISC 51
JDF4 SMISC 52
JRU2 SMISC 62
JRU3 SMISC 63
JRU4 SMISC 64
JRV2 SMISC 68
JRV3 SMISC 69

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 ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Output Quantity Name
Item E
JRV4 SMISC 70
JRA2 SMISC 74
JRA3 SMISC 75
JRA4 SMISC 76
JTEMP SMISC 79
z-axis Planar Joint Element (KEYOPT(4) = 1)
FZ SMISC 3
MX SMISC 4
MY SMISC 5
CSTOP1 SMISC 7
CSTOP2 SMISC 8
CSTOP6 SMISC 12
CLOCK1 SMISC 13
CLOCK2 SMISC 14
CLOCK6 SMISC 18
CSST1 SMISC 19
CSST2 SMISC 20
CSST6 SMISC 24
CLST1 SMISC 25
CLST2 SMISC 26
CLST6 SMISC 30
JRP1 SMISC 31
JRP2 SMISC 32
JRP6 SMISC 36
JCD1 SMISC 37
JCD2 SMISC 38
JCD6 SMISC 42
JEF1 SMISC 43
JEF2 SMISC 44
JEF6 SMISC 48
JDF1 SMISC 49
JDF2 SMISC 50
JDF6 SMISC 54
JRU1 SMISC 61
JRU2 SMISC 62
JRU6 SMISC 66
JRV1 SMISC 67

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Element Library

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
JRV2 SMISC 68
JRV6 SMISC 72
JRA1 SMISC 73
JRA2 SMISC 74
JRA6 SMISC 78
JTEMP SMISC 79

Table 7.184plan.4: MPC184 Planar Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
The following output is available for all planar joint elements (KEYOPT(4) = 0 and 1)
E1X-I NMISC 1
E1Y-I NMISC 2
E1Z-I NMISC 3
E2X-I NMISC 4
E2Y-I NMISC 5
E2Z-I NMISC 6
E3X-I NMISC 7
E3Y-I NMISC 8
E3Z-I NMISC 9
E1X-J NMISC 10
E1Y-J NMISC 11
E1Z-J NMISC 12
E2X-J NMISC 13
E2Y-J NMISC 14
E2Z-J NMISC 15
E3X-J NMISC 16
E3Y-J NMISC 17
E3Z-J NMISC 18
JFX NMISC 19
JFY NMISC 20
JFZ NMISC 21
JMX NMISC 22
JMY NMISC 23
JMZ NMISC 24

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MPC184 Planar Joint Assumptions and Restrictions
• Boundary conditions cannot be applied on the nodes forming the planar joint.

• Rotational degrees of freedom are activated at the nodes forming the element. When these elements
are used in conjunction with solid elements, the rotational degrees of freedom must be suitably
constrained. Since boundary conditions cannot be applied to the nodes of the planar joint, a beam
or shell element with very weak stiffness may be used with the underlying solid elements at the
nodes forming the joint element to avoid any rigid body modes.

• If both stops and locks are specified, then lock specification takes precedence. That is, if the degree
of freedom is locked at a given value, then it will remain locked for the rest of the analysis.

• In a nonlinear analysis, the components of relative motion are accumulated over all the substeps. It
is essential that the substep size be restricted such that these rotations in a given substep are less
than π for the values to be accumulated correctly.

• The element currently does not support birth or death options.

• The equation solver (EQSLV) must be the sparse solver.

• For the Lagrange multiplier element formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 0), the equation solver (EQSLV) must
be the sparse solver. Either the sparse or the PCG solver can be used with penalty-based element
formulation (KEYOPT(2)=1).

• The element coordinate system (/PSYMB,ESYS) is not relevant.

MPC184 Planar Joint Product Restrictions

None.

MPC184-Weld
Multipoint Constraint Element: Weld Joint
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 792)

MPC184 Weld Joint Element Description

The MPC184 (p. 710) weld joint element is a two-node element that has all relative degrees of freedom
fixed.

Figure 7.184weld.1: MPC184 Weld Joint Geometry

eI eJ
2 2

I eI J eJ I J
1 1
eI eJ
3 3

Weld Joint

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MPC184 Weld Joint Input Data

Set KEYOPT(1) = 13 to define a two-node weld joint element.

Figure 7.184weld.1: MPC184 Weld Joint Geometry (p. 787) shows the geometry and node locations for
this element. Two nodes (I and J) define the element.

A local Cartesian coordinate system must be specified at the first node, I, of the element. The local co-
ordinate system specification at the second node is optional. The local coordinate systems specified at
node I and J evolve with the rotations at the respective nodes. Use the SECJOINT command to specify
the identifiers of the local coordinate systems.

Other input data that are common to all joint elements (material behavior, etc.) are described in "Joint
Input Data" (p. 712) in the MPC184 (p. 710) element description.

Note:

The weld joint may also be simulated by using the CE command. See the CE command de-
scription for additional details.

MPC184 Weld Joint Input Summary

This input summary applies to the weld joint element option of MPC184 (p. 710): KEYOPT(1) = 13.

Nodes

I, J

Note:

For a grounded joint element, specify either node I or node J in the element definition
and leave the other node (the grounded node) blank.

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

None

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None

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Element Loads

None

Special Features

Large deflection
Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(1)

Element behavior:

13 --

Weld joint element

KEYOPT(2)

Element constraint imposition method:

0 --

Lagrange multiplier method (default)

1 --

Penalty-based method

MPC184 Weld Joint Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.184weld.1: MPC184 Weld Joint Element Output
Definitions (p. 789) and Table 7.184weld.2: MPC184 Weld Joint Element - NMISC Output (p. 790).

These tables use the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates the item can be accessed by the Component Name method
[ETABLE, ESOL]. The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and a - indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.184weld.1: MPC184 Weld Joint Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number - Y
NODES Element node numbers (I, J) - Y

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
FX Constraint force in X direction - Y
FY Constraint force in Y direction - Y
FZ Constraint force in Z direction - Y
MX Constraint moment in X direction - Y
MY Constraint moment in Y direction - Y
MZ Constraint moment in Z direction - Y

The following table shows additional non-summable miscellaneous (NMISC) output available for the
weld joint element.

Note:

This output is intended for use in the Ansys Workbench program to track the evolution of
local coordinate systems specified at the nodes of joint elements.

Table 7.184weld.2: MPC184 Weld Joint Element - NMISC Output

Name Definition O R
E1X-I, E1Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-I node I
E2X-I, E2Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-I node I
E3X-I, E3Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-I node I
E1X-J, E1Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-J node J
E2X-J, E2Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-J node J
E3X-J, E3Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-J node J
JFX, JFY, JFZ Constraint forces expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I
JMX, JMY, JMZ Constraint moments expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I

Table 7.184weld.3: MPC184 Weld Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items (p. 791) and
Table 7.184weld.4: MPC184 Weld Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items (p. 791) list output
available via the ETABLE command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor
(POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) for further inform-
ation. The table uses the following notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Element Output Definitions table.

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Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.184weld.3: MPC184 Weld Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
FX SMISC 1
FY SMISC 2
FZ SMISC 3
MX SMISC 4
MY SMISC 5
MZ SMISC 6

Table 7.184weld.4: MPC184 Weld Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
E1X-I NMISC 1
E1Y-I NMISC 2
E1Z-I NMISC 3
E2X-I NMISC 4
E2Y-I NMISC 5
E2Z-I NMISC 6
E3X-I NMISC 7
E3Y-I NMISC 8
E3Z-I NMISC 9
E1X-J NMISC 10
E1Y-J NMISC 11
E1Z-J NMISC 12
E2X-J NMISC 13
E2Y-J NMISC 14
E2Z-J NMISC 15
E3X-J NMISC 16
E3Y-J NMISC 17
E3Z-J NMISC 18
JFX NMISC 19
JFY NMISC 20

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Element Library

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
JFZ NMISC 21
JMX NMISC 22
JMY NMISC 23
JMZ NMISC 24

MPC184 Weld Joint Assumptions and Restrictions

• Boundary conditions cannot be applied on the nodes forming the weld joint.

• Rotational degrees of freedom are activated at the nodes forming the element. When these elements
are used in conjunction with solid elements, the rotational degrees of freedom must be suitably
constrained. Since boundary conditions cannot be applied to the nodes of the weld joint, a beam or
shell element with very weak stiffness may be used with the underlying solid elements at the nodes
forming the joint element to avoid any rigid body modes.

• Stops (SECSTOP) and locks (SECLOCK) are not applicable to this element.

• In a nonlinear analysis, the components of relative motion are accumulated over all the substeps. It
is essential that the substep size be restricted such that these rotations in a given substep are less
than π for the values to be accumulated correctly.

• The element currently does not support birth or death options.

• For the Lagrange multiplier element formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 0) and the penalty-based element
formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 1), the equation solver (EQSLV) must be the sparse or the PCG solver.

• Lagrange multiplier-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2) = 0) and penalty-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2)
= 1) cannot be connected to each other.

• The element coordinate system (/PSYMB,ESYS) is not relevant.

MPC184 Weld Joint Product Restrictions

None.

MPC184-Orient
Multipoint Constraint Element: Orient Joint
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 797)

MPC184 Orient Joint Element Description

The MPC184 (p. 710) orient joint is a two-node element. In this joint, the relative rotational degrees of
freedom are fixed while the displacement degrees of freedom are left free.

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Figure 7.184orie.1: MPC184 Orient Joint Geometry
e J2

eJ
1
J
eI J
2 e3
eI
1

I
{
Motion unconstrained in
local x, y, and z directions.
I Angles are fixed.
e3

MPC184 Orient Joint Input Data

Set KEYOPT(1) = 14 to define a two-node orient joint element.

Figure 7.184orie.1: MPC184 Orient Joint Geometry (p. 793) shows the geometry and node locations for
this element. Two nodes (I and J) define the element.

A local Cartesian coordinate system must be specified at the first node, I, of the element. The local co-
ordinate system specification at the second node is optional. The local coordinate systems specified at
node I and J evolve with the rotations at the respective nodes. Use the SECJOINT command to specify
the identifiers of the local coordinate systems.

The constraints imposed on an orient joint element are easily described by referring to Fig-
ure 7.184orie.1: MPC184 Orient Joint Geometry (p. 793). At any given instant of time, the constraints
imposed are as follows:

Other input data that are common to all joint elements (material behavior, etc.) are described in "Joint
Input Data" (p. 712) in the MPC184 (p. 710) element description.

MPC184 Orient Joint Input Summary

This input summary applies to the orient joint element option of MPC184 (p. 710): KEYOPT(1) = 14.

Nodes

I, J

Note:

For a grounded joint element, specify either node I or node J in the element definition
and leave the other node (the grounded node) blank.

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Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

None

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None

Element Loads

None

Special Features

Large deflection
Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(1)

Element behavior:

14 --

Orient joint element

KEYOPT(2)

Element constraint imposition method:

0 --

Lagrange multiplier method (default)

1 --

Penalty-based method

MPC184 Orient Joint Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

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• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.184orie.1: MPC184 Orient Joint Element Output
Definitions (p. 795) and Table 7.184orie.2: MPC184 Orient Joint Element - NMISC Output (p. 795).

These tables use the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates the item can be accessed by the Component Name method
[ETABLE, ESOL]. The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and a - indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.184orie.1: MPC184 Orient Joint Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number - Y
NODES Element node numbers (I, J) - Y
MX Constraint moment in X direction - Y
MY Constraint moment in Y direction - Y
MZ Constraint moment in Z direction - Y

The following table shows additional non-summable miscellaneous (NMISC) output available for the
orient joint element.

Note:

This output is intended for use in the Ansys Workbench program to track the evolution of
local coordinate systems specified at the nodes of joint elements.

Table 7.184orie.2: MPC184 Orient Joint Element - NMISC Output

Name Definition O R
E1X-I, E1Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-I node I
E2X-I, E2Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-I node I
E3X-I, E3Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-I node I
E1X-J, E1Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-J node J
E2X-J, E2Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-J node J
E3X-J, E3Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-J node J
JFX, JFY, JFZ Constraint forces expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
JMX, JMY, JMZ Constraint moments expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I

Table 7.184orie.3: MPC184 Orient Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items (p. 796) and
Table 7.184orie.4: MPC184 Orient Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items (p. 796) list output
available via the ETABLE command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor
(POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) for further inform-
ation. The table uses the following notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Element Output Definitions table.

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.184orie.3: MPC184 Orient Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
MX SMISC 4
MY SMISC 5
MZ SMISC 6

Table 7.184orie.4: MPC184 Orient Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
E1X-I NMISC 1
E1Y-I NMISC 2
E1Z-I NMISC 3
E2X-I NMISC 4
E2Y-I NMISC 5
E2Z-I NMISC 6
E3X-I NMISC 7
E3Y-I NMISC 8
E3Z-I NMISC 9
E1X-J NMISC 10
E1Y-J NMISC 11
E1Z-J NMISC 12
E2X-J NMISC 13

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 ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Output Quantity Name
Item E
E2Y-J NMISC 14
E2Z-J NMISC 15
E3X-J NMISC 16
E3Y-J NMISC 17
E3Z-J NMISC 18
JFX NMISC 19
JFY NMISC 20
JFZ NMISC 21
JMX NMISC 22
JMY NMISC 23
JMZ NMISC 24

MPC184 Orient Joint Assumptions and Restrictions

• Boundary conditions cannot be applied on the nodes forming the orient joint.

• Rotational degrees of freedom are activated at the nodes forming the element. When these elements
are used in conjunction with solid elements, the rotational degrees of freedom must be suitably
constrained. Since boundary conditions cannot be applied to the nodes of the orient joint, a beam
or shell element with very weak stiffness may be used with the underlying solid elements at the
nodes forming the joint element to avoid any rigid body modes.

• Stops (SECSTOP) and locks (SECLOCK) are not applicable to this element.

• In a nonlinear analysis, the components of relative motion are accumulated over all the substeps. It
is essential that the substep size be restricted such that these rotations in a given substep are less
than π for the values to be accumulated correctly.

• The element currently does not support birth or death options.

• For the Lagrange multiplier element formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 0), the equation solver (EQSLV) must
be the sparse solver. Either the sparse or the PCG solver can be used with penalty-based element
formulation (KEYOPT(2)=1).

• Lagrange multiplier-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2) = 0) and penalty-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2)
= 1) cannot be connected to each other.

• The element coordinate system (/PSYMB,ESYS) is not relevant.

MPC184 Orient Joint Product Restrictions

None.

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Element Library

MPC184-Spherical
Multipoint Constraint Element: Spherical Joint
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 805)

MPC184 Spherical Joint Element Description

The MPC184 (p. 710) spherical joint element is a two-node element with the relative displacement degrees
of freedom constrained. The relative rotational degrees of freedom are left unconstrained. These rotations
cannot be controlled. The kinematic constraints are imposed using the Lagrange multiplier method.

Figure 7.184sphe.1: MPC184 Spherical Joint Geometry

J
e2

e J1
J eI
eJ 2
3 I
eI
1
eI
3
Y

X
Z

MPC184 Spherical Joint Input Data

Set KEYOPT(1) = 15 to define a two-node spherical joint element.

Figure 7.184sphe.1: MPC184 Spherical Joint Geometry (p. 798) shows the geometry and node locations
for this element. Two nodes define the element. The two nodes (I and J) are expected to have identical
spatial locations initially. If the two nodes are not coincident, the relative positions of the two nodes
are maintained.

A local Cartesian coordinate system should be specified at the first node, I, of the element. The specific-
ation of the second local coordinate system at node J is optional. If the local coordinate system is not
specified at node J, the local coordinate system at node J is assumed to be the same as that at node I.
Use the SECJOINT command to specify the identifiers of the local coordinate systems.

The constraints imposed in a spherical joint element are described below. Referring to Fig-
ure 7.184sphe.1: MPC184 Spherical Joint Geometry (p. 798), the constraints imposed at any given time
are as follows:

The relative rotations between nodes I and J are characterized by the Cardan (or Bryant) angles as follows:

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The following definitions are for relative rotations:

where:

, , and = reference angle specifications, angle1, angle2, and angle3 on the SECDATA
command

Since the output of relative rotations is characterized by the Cardan (or Bryant) angles, the rotation
around the local e2 axis is limited to between -PI/2 to +PI/2 (see the expression for Φ above). When this
rotation value reaches |PI/2|, the other two angles become indeterminate. Therefore, if the accumulated
angles around an axis of rotation is greater than |PI/2|, the axis of rotation should typically be specified
as the local e1 or e3 axis.

Other input data that are common to all joint elements (material behavior, stops and limits, locks, etc.)
are described in "Joint Input Data" (p. 712) in the MPC184 (p. 710) element description.

MPC184 Spherical Joint Input Summary

This input summary applies to the spherical joint element option of MPC184 (p. 710): KEYOPT(1) = 15.

Nodes

I, J,

Note:

For a grounded spherical joint element, specify either node I or node J in the element
definition and leave the other node (the grounded node) blank.

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

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Element Library

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

Use the JOIN label on the TB command to define stiffness, damping, and Coulomb friction behavior.
(See MPC184 Joint in the Material Reference for detailed information on defining joint materials.)

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J)

Element Loads

Rotations --

ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

Forces/Moments --

MX, MY, MZ

Special Features

Large deflection
Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(1)

Element behavior:

15 --

Spherical joint element

KEYOPT(2)

Element constraint imposition method:

0 --

Lagrange multiplier method (default)

1 --

Penalty-based method

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MPC184 Spherical Joint Output Data
The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.184sphe.1: MPC184 Spherical Joint Element Output
Definitions (p. 801) and Table 7.184sphe.2: MPC184 Spherical Joint Element - NMISC Output (p. 802).

These tables use the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates the item can be accessed by the Component Name method
[ETABLE, ESOL]. The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and a - indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.184sphe.1: MPC184 Spherical Joint Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number - Y
NODES Element node numbers (I, J) - Y
FX Constraint force in X direction - Y
FY Constraint force in Y direction - Y
FZ Constraint force in Z direction - Y
CSTOP4-6 Constraint force if stop is specified on DOFs 4-6 - Y
CLOCK4-6 Constraint force if lock is specified on DOFs 4-6 - Y
CSST4-6 Constraint stop status on relative DOFs 4-6 [1] - Y
CLST4-6 Constraint lock status on relative DOFs 4-6 [2] - Y
JRP4-6 Joint relative position of DOFs 4-6 - Y
JCD4-6 Joint constitutive displacement/rotation of DOFs - Y
4-6
JEF4-6 Joint elastic force/moment 4-6 - Y
JDF4-6 Joint damping force/moment 4-6 - Y
JFF4-6 Components of joint friction moment - Y
JRU4-6 Joint relative rotation of DOFs 4-6 - Y
JRV4-6 Joint relative rotational velocity of DOFs 4-6 - Y
JRA4-6 Joint relative rotational acceleration of DOFs - Y
4-6
JTEMP Average temperature in the element [3] - Y
JFST6 Stick/slip status when friction is specified [4] - Y
JFNF6 Normal moment in friction calculations - Y

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Name Definition O R
JFEQ Equivalent friction moment around spherical - Y
axis

1. Constraint stop status:

0 = stop not active, or deactivated

1 = stopped at minimum value
2 = stopped at maximum value

2. Constraint lock status:

0 = lock not active

1 = locked at minimum value
2 = locked at maximum value

3. Average temperature in the element when temperatures are applied on the nodes of the element
using the BF command, or when temperature are applied on the element using the BFE command.

4. Stick/slip status when friction is active:

0 = friction is not activated

1 = sticking
2 = slipping or sliding

The following table shows additional non-summable miscellaneous (NMISC) output available for the
spherical joint element.

Note:

This output is intended for use in the Ansys Workbench program to track the evolution of
local coordinate systems specified at the nodes of joint elements.

Table 7.184sphe.2: MPC184 Spherical Joint Element - NMISC Output

Name Definition O R
E1X-I, E1Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-I node I
E2X-I, E2Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-I node I
E3X-I, E3Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-I node I
E1X-J, E1Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-J node J
E2X-J, E2Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-J node J

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 Name Definition O R
E3X-J, E3Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-J node J
JFX, JFY, JFZ Constraint forces expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I
JMX, JMY, JMZ Constraint moments expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I

Table 7.184sphe.3: MPC184 Spherical Joint Item and Sequence Numbers -SMISC Items (p. 803) and
Table 7.184sphe.4: MPC184 Spherical Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items (p. 804) list output
available via the ETABLE command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor
(POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) for further inform-
ation. The table uses the following notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Element Output Definitions table.

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.184sphe.3: MPC184 Spherical Joint Item and Sequence Numbers -SMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
FX SMISC 1
FY SMISC 2
FZ SMISC 3
CSTOP4-6 SMISC 10-12
CLOCK4-6 SMISC 16-18
CSST4-6 SMISC 22-24
CLST4-6 SMISC 28-30
JRP4-6 SMISC 34-36
JCD4-6 SMISC 40-42
JEF4-6 SMISC 46-48
JDF4-6 SMISC 52-54
JFF4-6 SMISC 58-60
JRU4-6 SMISC 64-66
JRV4-6 SMISC 70-72
JRA4-6 SMISC 76-78
JTEMP SMISC 79

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ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
JFST6 SMISC 82
JFNF6 SMISC 86
JFEQ SMISC 87

Table 7.184sphe.4: MPC184 Spherical Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
E1X-I NMISC 1
E1Y-I NMISC 2
E1Z-I NMISC 3
E2X-I NMISC 4
E2Y-I NMISC 5
E2Z-I NMISC 6
E3X-I NMISC 7
E3Y-I NMISC 8
E3Z-I NMISC 9
E1X-J NMISC 10
E1Y-J NMISC 11
E1Z-J NMISC 12
E2X-J NMISC 13
E2Y-J NMISC 14
E2Z-J NMISC 15
E3X-J NMISC 16
E3Y-J NMISC 17
E3Z-J NMISC 18
JFX NMISC 19
JFY NMISC 20
JFZ NMISC 21
JMX NMISC 22
JMY NMISC 23
JMZ NMISC 24

MPC184 Spherical Joint Assumptions and Restrictions

• The nodes I and J should be coincident. If the nodes are not coincident, the relative positions between
the two nodes are maintained.

• Boundary conditions cannot be applied on the nodes forming the spherical element.

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• Rotational degrees of freedom are activated at the nodes forming the element. When these elements
are used in conjunction with solid elements, the rotational degrees of freedom must be suitably
constrained. Since boundary conditions cannot be applied to the nodes of the spherical joint, a beam
or shell element with very weak stiffness may be used with the underlying solid elements at the
nodes forming the joint element to avoid any rigid body modes.

• In a nonlinear analysis, the components of relative motion are accumulated over all the substeps. For
the values to be accumulated correctly, it is essential that the substep size be restricted such that
the rotation in a given substep is less than π.

• The element currently does not support birth or death options.

• Frictional calculations may be indicated as active even when the relative motion is zero due to stops
or locks. The frictional calculations are carried out on the axis of rotation of the spherical joint,
whereas the stops and locks are imposed on the relative rotation degrees of freedom of the joint.

• For the Lagrange multiplier element formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 0) and the penalty-based element
formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 1), the equation solver (EQSLV) must be the sparse or the PCG solver.

• Lagrange multiplier-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2) = 0) and penalty-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2)
= 1) cannot be connected to each other.

• The element coordinate system (/PSYMB,ESYS) is not relevant.

MPC184 Spherical Joint Product Restrictions

None.

MPC184-General
Multipoint Constraint Element: General Joint
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 815)

MPC184 General Joint Element Description

The MPC184 (p. 710) general joint is a two-node element. By default, no relative degrees of freedom are
fixed. However, you can specify which relative degrees of freedom need to be constrained. By specifying
as many relative degrees of freedom to be constrained as needed, you can simulate different joint ele-
ments.

Figure 7.184gen.1: MPC184 General Joint Geometry

eI
2

eJ
2
I eI
1
eI
3
J eJ
1
eJ
3

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By default, a general joint has both displacement and rotational degrees of freedom activated at the
nodes of the element. In some cases only displacement degrees of freedom are needed (as in a model
consisting of only continuum elements). In such cases, you can specify a general joint with only displace-
ment degrees of freedom activated by setting KEYOPT(4) = 1.

MPC184 General Joint Input Data

Set KEYOPT(1) = 16 to define a two-node general joint element.

Use KEYOPT(4) to specify the active degree-of-freedom set:

KEYOPT(4) = 0 (default) - both displacement and rotational degrees of freedom are activated.
KEYOPT(4) = 1 - only displacement degrees of freedom are activated.

For this element, you can specify which relative degrees of freedom need to be constrained. First, define
the section type (SECTYPE command) for this joint. Then define the SECJOINT command as follows:
SECJ,LSYS,local cs1,local cs2 ! Defines the local coordinate systems for the joints.
SECJ,RDOF,dof1,dof2,…,dof6 ! Defines the relative DOFs to be constrained.

Note that the SECJOINT command is issued twice when the general joint is used with some degrees
of freedom constrained. The first SECJOINT command defines the local coordinate systems for the joint.
In the second SECJOINT command, specify as many relative degrees of freedom as needed (a maximum
of 6 may be specified). The general joint element allows you to simulate different joint elements by
specifying different relative degrees of freedom to be constrained. The following examples highlight
the different joint elements that can be simulated:
SECJ,RDOF,dof1,dof2,dof3,dof5,dof6 ! Simulates a revolute joint with local e_1 axis as the axis of revolute.

SECJ,RDOF,dof2,dof3,dof5,dof6 ! Simulates a cylindrical joint with local e_1 axis as the axis of rotation.

SECJ,RDOF,dof1,dof2,dof3,dof4,dof5,dof6 ! Simulates a weld joint.

When KEYOPT(4) = 1, the local coordinate systems specified at nodes I and J remain fixed in their initial
orientation. The rotation at the nodes, if any, is ignored.

When KEYOPT(4) = 0, the local coordinate systems specified at nodes I and J are assumed to evolve
with the rotations at the nodes.

For an unconstrained general joint (KEYOPT(4) = 0 or 1), the relative displacements between nodes I
and J are as follows:

The relative rotations between nodes I and J are characterized by the Cardan (or Bryant) angles as follows
(only if KEYOPT(4) = 0):

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The relative displacements and rotations are suitably constrained when some or all of the relative degrees
of freedom are fixed.

Note that the relative angular positions for the general joint are characterized by the Cardan (or Bryant)
angles. This requires that the rotations about the local e2 axis be restricted between –PI/2 to +PI/2.
Thus, the local e2 axis should not be used to simulate the axis of rotation.

For an unconstrained general joint, the constitutive calculations use the following definitions for relative
displacement:

where:

, , and = reference lengths, length1, length2, and length3, specified on the SECDATA
command.

The following definitions are for relative rotations:

where:

, , and = reference angle specifications, angle1, angle2, and angle3 on the SECDATA
command.

Other input data that are common to all joint elements (material behavior, stops and limits, locks, etc.)
are described in "Joint Input Data" (p. 712) in the MPC184 (p. 710) element description.

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MPC184 General Joint Input Summary

This input summary applies to the general joint element option of MPC184 (p. 710): KEYOPT(1) = 16.

Nodes

I, J

Note:

For a grounded joint element, specify either node I or node J in the element definition
and leave the other node (the grounded node) blank.

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ (KEYOPT(4) = 0)

UX, UY, UZ (KEYOPT(4) = 1)

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

Use the JOIN label on the TB command to define stiffness and damping behavior. (See MPC184
Joint in the Material Reference for detailed information on defining joint materials.)

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J)

Element Loads

For an unconstrained general joint:

Displacement (KEYOPT(4) = 0 or 1) --

UX, UY, UZ

Rotation (KEYOPT(4) = 0) --

ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

For a constrained general joint, loads are based on the free relative degrees of freedom in the joint.

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Special Features

Large deflection
Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(1)

Element behavior:

16 --

General joint element

KEYOPT(2)

Element constraint imposition method:

0 --

Lagrange multiplier method (default)

1 --

Penalty-based method

KEYOPT(4)

Element configuration:

0 --

General joint with both displacement and rotational degrees of freedom activated.

1 --

General joint with only displacement degrees of freedom activated.

MPC184 General Joint Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.184gen.1: MPC184 General Joint Element Output
Definitions (p. 810) and Table 7.184gen.2: MPC184 General Joint Element - NMISC Output (p. 811).

These tables use the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates the item can be accessed by the Component Name method
[ETABLE, ESOL]. The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and a - indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.184gen.1: MPC184 General Joint Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
General joint with displacement and rotation DOF (KEYOPT(4) = 0)
EL Element number - Y
NODES Element node numbers (I, J) - Y
The constraint force and moment output depends on which of the relative DOFs
are constrained.
FX Constraint force in X direction - Y
FY Constraint force in Y direction - Y
FZ Constraint force in Z direction - Y
MX Constraint moment in X direction - Y
MY Constraint moment in Y direction - Y
MZ Constraint moment in Z direction - Y
The following output depends on which of the relative DOFs are unconstrained.
CSTOP1-6 Constraint force/moment if stop is specified on - Y
DOFs 1-6
CLOCK1-6 Constraint force/moment if lock is specified on - Y
DOFs 1-6
CSST1-6 Constraint stop status on relative DOFs 1-6[1] - Y
CLST1-6 Constraint lock status on relative DOFs 1-6[2] - Y
JRP1-6 Joint relative position of DOFs 1-6 - Y
JCD1-6 Joint constitutive displacement/rotation of DOFs - Y
1-6
JEF1-6 Joint elastic force/moment 1-6 - Y
JDF1-6 Joint damping force/moment 1-6 - Y
JRU1-6 Joint relative displacement/rotation 1-6 - Y
JRV1-6 Joint relative velocity (or rotational velocity) 1-6 - Y
JRA1-6 Joint relative acceleration (or rotational - Y
acceleration) 1-6
JTEMP Average temperature in the element[3] - Y
General joint with displacement DOF (KEYOPT(4) =1)
EL Element number - Y
NODES Element node numbers (I, J) - Y
The constraint force and moment output depends on which of the relative DOFs
are constrained.
FX Constraint force in X direction - Y
FY Constraint force in Y direction - Y

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 Name Definition O R
FZ Constraint force in Z direction - Y
The following output depends on which of the relative DOFs are unconstrained.
CSTOP1-3 Constraint force if stop is specified on DOFs 1-3 - Y
CLOCK1-3 Constraint force if lock is specified on DOFs 1-3 - Y
CSST1-3 Constraint stop status on relative DOFs 1-3[1] - Y
CLST1-3 Constraint lock status on relative DOFs 1-3[2] - Y
JRP1-3 Joint relative position of DOFs 1-3 - Y
JCD1-3 Joint constitutive displacement of DOFs 1-3 - Y
JEF1-3 Joint elastic force 1-3 - Y
JDF1-3 Joint damping force 1-3 - Y
JRU1-3 Joint relative displacement 1-3 - Y
JRV1-3 Joint relative velocity 1-3 - Y
JRA1-3 Joint relative acceleration 1-3 - Y
JTEMP Average temperature in the element[3] - Y

1. Constraint stop status:

0 = stop not active, or deactivated

1 = stopped at minimum value
2 = stopped at maximum value

2. Constraint lock status:

0 = lock not active

1 = locked at minimum value
2 = locked at maximum value

3. Average temperature in the element when temperatures are applied on the nodes of the element
using the BF command, or when temperature are applied on the element using the BFE command.

The following table shows additional non-summable miscellaneous (NMISC) output available for all
forms of the general joint element.

Note:

This output is intended for use in the Ansys Workbench program to track the evolution of
local coordinate systems specified at the nodes of joint elements.

Table 7.184gen.2: MPC184 General Joint Element - NMISC Output

Name Definition O R
The following output is available for all general joint elements (KEYOPT(4) =
0 and 1)

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Name Definition O R
E1X-I, E1Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-I node I
E2X-I, E2Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-I node I
E3X-I, E3Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-I node I
E1X-J, E1Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-J node J
E2X-J, E2Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-J node J
E3X-J, E3Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-J node J
JFX, JFY, JFZ Constraint forces expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I
JMX, JMY, JMZ Constraint moments expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I

Table 7.184gen.3: MPC184 General Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items (p. 812) and
Table 7.184gen.4: MPC184 General Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items (p. 814) list output
available via the ETABLE command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor
(POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) for further inform-
ation. The tables use the following notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Element Output Definitions table.

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.184gen.3: MPC184 General Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E

General joint with displacement and rotation DOF (KEYOPT(4) = 0)

(Some of these values may be zero depending on which relative degrees of freedom are constrained.)

FX SMISC 1
FY SMISC 2
FZ SMISC 3
MX SMISC 4

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 ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Output Quantity Name
Item E
MY SMISC 5
MZ SMISC 6
CSTOP1-6 SMISC 7-12
CLOCK1-6 SMISC 13-18
CSST1-6 SMISC 19-24
CLST1-6 SMISC 25-30
JRP1-6 SMISC 31-36
JCD1-6 SMISC 37-42
JEF1-6 SMISC 43-48
JDF1-6 SMISC 49-54
JRU1-6 SMISC 61-66
JRV1-6 SMISC 67-72
JRA1-6 SMISC 73-78
JTEMP SMISC 79

General joint with displacement DOF (KEYOPT(4) = 1)

(Some of these values may be zero depending on which relative degrees of freedom are constrained.)

FX SMISC 1
FY SMISC 2
FZ SMISC 3
CSTOP1-3 SMISC 7-9
CLOCK1-3 SMISC 13-15
CSST1-3 SMISC 19–21
CLST1-3 SMISC 25-27
JRP1-3 SMISC 31-33
JCD1-3 SMISC 37-39
JEF1-3 SMISC 43-45
JDF1-3 SMISC 49-51
JRU1-3 SMISC 61-63
JRV1-3 SMISC 67-69
JRA1-3 SMISC 73-78

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ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
JTEMP SMISC 79

Table 7.184gen.4: MPC184 General Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
The following output is available for all general joint elements (KEYOPT(4) = 0 and
1)
E1X-I NMISC 1
E1Y-I NMISC 2
E1Z-I NMISC 3
E2X-I NMISC 4
E2Y-I NMISC 5
E2Z-I NMISC 6
E3X-I NMISC 7
E3Y-I NMISC 8
E3Z-I NMISC 9
E1X-J NMISC 10
E1Y-J NMISC 11
E1Z-J NMISC 12
E2X-J NMISC 13
E2Y-J NMISC 14
E2Z-J NMISC 15
E3X-J NMISC 16
E3Y-J NMISC 17
E3Z-J NMISC 18
JFX NMISC 19
JFY NMISC 20
JFZ NMISC 21
JMX NMISC 22
JMY NMISC 23
JMZ NMISC 24

MPC184 General Joint Assumptions and Restrictions

• Boundary conditions cannot be applied on the nodes forming the general joint.

• Rotational degrees of freedom are activated at the nodes forming the element. When these elements
are used in conjunction with solid elements, the rotational degrees of freedom must be suitably
constrained. Since boundary conditions cannot be applied to the nodes of the general joint, a beam

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 or shell element with very weak stiffness may be used with the underlying solid elements at the
nodes forming the joint element to avoid any rigid body modes.

• If both stops and locks are specified, then lock specification takes precedence. That is, if the degree
of freedom is locked at a given value, then it will remain locked for the rest of the analysis.

• In a nonlinear analysis, the components of relative motion are accumulated over all the substeps. It
is essential that the substep size be restricted such that these rotations in a given substep are less
than π for the values to be accumulated correctly.

• The element currently does not support birth or death options.

• For the Lagrange multiplier element formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 0) and the penalty-based element
formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 1), the equation solver (EQSLV) must be the sparse or the PCG solver.

• Lagrange multiplier-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2) = 0) and penalty-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2)
= 1) cannot be connected to each other.

• The element coordinate system (/PSYMB,ESYS) is not relevant.

MPC184 General Joint Product Restrictions

None.

MPC184-Screw
Multipoint Constraint Element: Screw Joint
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 824)

MPC184 Screw Joint Element Description

The MPC184 (p. 710) screw joint element is a two-node element which is very similar to the cylindrical
joint element in construction. Whereas the cylindrical Joint element has two free relative degrees of
freedom, the screw Joint has only one. In a screw joint, the "pitch" of the screw relates the relative ro-
tation angle (around the cylindrical or screw axis) to the relative translational displacement along the
axis of the screw. All other relative degrees of freedom are fixed.

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Figure 7.184scr.1: MPC184 Screw Joint Geometry

P
e J1

eJ
eI J 3
1

I eI J
e2
3

eI Local z-axis as the axis

2
of cylindrical joint

MPC184 Screw Joint Input Data

Set KEYOPT(1) = 17 to define a two-node screw joint element.

Figure 7.184scr.1: MPC184 Screw Joint Geometry (p. 816) shows the geometry and node locations for
this element. Two nodes (I and J) define the element.

A local Cartesian coordinate system must be specified at the first node, I, of the element. The local co-
ordinate system specification at the second node is optional. The local coordinate systems specified at
nodes I and J evolve with the rotations at the respective nodes. Use the SECJOINT command to specify
the identifiers of the local coordinate systems. The e3 axes of the local coordinate systems specified at
the nodes must align to form the axis of the screw joint.

Note that the SECJOINT command is issued twice for the screw joint element. The first SECJOINT
command defines the local coordinate systems for the joint. The second SECJOINT command specifies
the screw pitch that relates the relative rotation angle to the relative translational displacement along
the axis of the screw.

The basic constraints imposed in a screw joint element are described below:

The constraint relating the relative rotational angle to the relative translational displacement along the
axis is given by:

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where p is the pitch of the screw defined as the ratio of relative axial displacement (length units) to
the relative rotation (in radians) , ϕ is defined as:

and ϕ0 is defined in the reference configuration with the same expression given above.

The change in the relative position of the nodes I and J is given by:

where:

and is computed in the reference configuration using the same expression above.

The relative rotation between nodes I and J is given by:

The change in the relative angular position between the two local coordinate systems is given by:

where ϕ 0 is the initial angular offset between the two coordinate systems and m is an integer accounting
for multiple rotations about the screw axis.

The constitutive calculations use the following definition of the joint displacement:

where:

= reference length specified on SECDATA command.

The constitutive calculations use the following definition of the joint rotation:

where:

= reference angle, angle3, specified on the SECDATA command. If this value is not specified,
then Φ 0 is used in place of

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Other input data that are common to all joint elements (material behavior, stops and limits, locks, etc.)
are described in "Joint Input Data" (p. 712) in the MPC184 (p. 710) element description.

MPC184 Screw Joint Input Summary

This input summary applies to the screw joint element option of MPC184 (p. 710): KEYOPT(1) = 17.

Nodes

I, J

Note:

For a grounded joint element, specify either node I or node J in the element definition
and leave the other node (the grounded node) blank.

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

Use the JOIN label on the TB command to define stiffness and damping. (See MPC184 Joint in the
Material Reference for detailed information on defining joint materials.)

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J)

Element Loads:

Displacements/Rotations --

UZ, ROTZ

Velocities --

VELZ, OMGZ

Accelerations --

ACCZ, DMGZ

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 Force/Moments --

FZ, MZ

Special Features

Large deflection
Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(1)

Element behavior:

17 --

Screw joint element

KEYOPT(2)

Element constraint imposition method:

0 --

Lagrange multiplier method (default)

1 --

Penalty-based method

MPC184 Screw Joint Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.184scr.1: MPC184 Screw Joint Element Output Defini-
tions (p. 819) and Table 7.184scr.2: MPC184 Screw Joint Element - NMISC Output (p. 821).

These tables use the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates the item can be accessed by the Component Name method
[ETABLE, ESOL]. The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and a - indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.184scr.1: MPC184 Screw Joint Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Element node numbers (I, J) - Y

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
FX Constraint Force in X direction - Y
FY Constraint Force in Y direction - Y
MX Constraint Moment in X direction - Y
MY Constraint Moment in Y direction - Y
CSTOP3 Constraint force if stop is specified on DOF 3 - Y
CSTOP6 Constraint moment if stop is specified on DOF - Y
6
CLOCK3 Constraint force if lock is specified on DOF 3 - Y
CLOCK6 Constraint moment if lock is specified on DOF - Y
6
CSST3 Constraint stop status on DOF 3[1] - Y
CLST3 Constraint lock status on DOF 3[2] - Y
CSST6 Constraint stop status on DOF 6[1] - Y
CLST6 Constraint lock status on DOF 6[2] - Y
JRP3 Joint relative position of DOF 3 - Y
JRP6 Joint relative position of DOF 6 - Y
JCD3 Joint constitutive displacement on DOF 3 - Y
JCD6 Joint constitutive rotation on DOF 6 - Y
JEF3 Joint elastic force in direction -3 - Y
JEF6 Joint elastic moment in direction -6 - Y
JDF3 Joint damping force in direction -3 - Y
JDF6 Joint damping moment in direction -6 - Y
JRU3 Joint relative displacement of DOF 3 - Y
JRU6 Joint relative rotation of DOF 6 - Y
JRV3 Joint relative velocity of DOF 3 - Y
JRV6 Joint relative rotational velocity of DOF 6 - Y
JRA3 Joint relative acceleration of DOF 3 - Y
JRA6 Joint relative rotational acceleration of DOF 6 - Y
JTEMP Average temperature in the element[3] - Y

1. Constraint stop status:

0 = stop not active, or deactivated

1 = stopped at minimum value
2 = stopped at maximum value

2. Constraint lock status:

0 = lock not active

1 = locked at minimum value

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 2 = locked at maximum value

3. Average temperature in the element when temperatures are applied on the nodes of the element
using the BF command, or when temperature are applied on the element using the BFE command.

The following table shows additional non-summable miscellaneous (NMISC) output available for all
forms of the screw joint element.

Note:

This output is intended for use in the Ansys Workbench program to track the evolution of
local coordinate systems specified at the nodes of joint elements.

Table 7.184scr.2: MPC184 Screw Joint Element - NMISC Output

Name Definition O R
The following output is available for all screw joint elements (KEYOPT(4) = 0
and 1)
E1X-I, E1Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-I node I
E2X-I, E2Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-I node I
E3X-I, E3Y-I, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-I node I
E1X-J, E1Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e1 axis at - Y
E1Z-J node J
E2X-J, E2Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e2 axis at - Y
E2Z-J node J
E3X-J, E3Y-J, X, Y, Z components of the evolved e3 axis at - Y
E3Z-J node J
JFX, JFY, JFZ Constraint forces expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I
JMX, JMY, JMZ Constraint moments expressed in the evolved - Y
coordinate system specified at node I

Table 7.184scr.3: MPC184 Screw Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items (p. 822) and
Table 7.184scr.4: MPC184 Screw Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items (p. 822) list output
available via the ETABLE command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor
(POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) for further inform-
ation. The table uses the following notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Element Output Definitions table.

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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Element Library

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.184scr.3: MPC184 Screw Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - SMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
FX SMISC 1
FY SMISC 2
MX SMISC 4
MY SMISC 5
CSTOP3 SMISC 9
CSTOP6 SMISC 12
CLOCK3 SMISC 15
CLOCK6 SMISC 18
CSST3 SMISC 21
CSST6 SMISC 24
CLST3 SMISC 27
CLST6 SMISC 30
JRP3 SMISC 33
JRP6 SMISC 36
JCD3 SMISC 39
JCD6 SMISC 42
JEF3 SMISC 45
JEF6 SMISC 48
JDF3 SMISC 51
JDF6 SMISC 54
JRU3 SMISC 63
JRU6 SMISC 66
JRV3 SMISC 69
JRV6 SMISC 72
JRA3 SMISC 75
JRA6 SMISC 78
JTEMP SMISC 79

Table 7.184scr.4: MPC184 Screw Joint Item and Sequence Numbers - NMISC Items

ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
E1X-I NMISC 1
E1Y-I NMISC 2

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 ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Output Quantity Name
Item E
E1Z-I NMISC 3
E2X-I NMISC 4
E2Y-I NMISC 5
E2Z-I NMISC 6
E3X-I NMISC 7
E3Y-I NMISC 8
E3Z-I NMISC 9
E1X-J NMISC 10
E1Y-J NMISC 11
E1Z-J NMISC 12
E2X-J NMISC 13
E2Y-J NMISC 14
E2Z-J NMISC 15
E3X-J NMISC 16
E3Y-J NMISC 17
E3Z-J NMISC 18
JFX NMISC 19
JFY NMISC 20
JFZ NMISC 21
JMX NMISC 22
JMY NMISC 23
JMZ NMISC 24

MPC184 Screw Joint Assumptions and Restrictions

• Boundary conditions cannot be applied on the nodes forming the screw joint.

• Rotational degrees of freedom are activated at the nodes forming the element. When these elements
are used in conjunction with solid elements, the rotational degrees of freedom must be suitably
constrained. Since boundary conditions cannot be applied to the nodes of the screw joint, a beam
or shell element with very weak stiffness may be used with the underlying solid elements at the
nodes forming the joint element to avoid any rigid body modes.

• The pitch of the screw joint is defined as the ratio of relative axial displacement (length units) to rel-
ative rotation (in radians). The relative rotation is expressed in radians and not as number of revolutions;
therefore, the Mechanical APDL definition for the pitch of a screw joint differs from some commonly
used definitions for pitch.

• If both stops and locks are specified, then lock specification takes precedence; that is, if the degree
of freedom is locked at a given value, then it will remain locked for the rest of the analysis.

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• In a nonlinear analysis, the components of relative motion are accumulated over all the substeps. It
is essential that the substep size be restricted such that these rotations in a given substep are less
than π for the values to be accumulated correctly.

• The relative rotation and relative translation degrees of freedom for this joint are not independent.
Loads or boundary conditions (applied with the FJ or DJ command) can be specified on only one of
these two relative degrees of freedom, while the other relative degree of freedom is automatically
defined via the constraint equations of the element.

• The element currently does not support birth or death options.

• For the Lagrange multiplier element formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 0), the equation solver (EQSLV) must
be the sparse solver. Either the sparse or the PCG solver can be used with penalty-based element
formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 1).

• Lagrange multiplier-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2) = 0) and penalty-based joint elements (KEYOPT(2)
= 1) cannot be connected to each other.

• The element coordinate system (/PSYMB,ESYS) is not relevant.

MPC184 Screw Joint Product Restrictions

None.

SOLID185
3-D 8-Node Structural Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 842)

SOLID185 Element Description

SOLID185 is used for 3-D modeling of solid structures. It is defined by eight nodes having three degrees
of freedom at each node: translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions. The element has plasticity,
hyperelasticity, stress stiffening, creep, large deflection, and large strain capabilities. It also has mixed
formulation capability for simulating deformations of nearly incompressible elastoplastic materials, and
fully incompressible hyperelastic materials.

SOLID185 is available in two forms:

• Homogeneous Structural Solid (KEYOPT(3) = 0, the default) -- See "SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural
Solid Element Description" (p. 825).

• Layered Structural Solid (KEYOPT(3) = 1) -- See "SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Element Descrip-
tion" (p. 833).

See SOLID185 for more details about this element.

A higher-order version of the SOLID185 element is SOLID186 (p. 843).

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SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid Element Description
SOLID185 Structural Solid is suitable for modeling general 3-D solid structures. It allows for prism, tetra-
hedral, and pyramid degenerations when used in irregular regions. Various element technologies such
as B-bar, uniformly reduced integration, and enhanced strains are supported.

Figure 7.185.1: SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid Geometry

4 M O,P
P
5 N
O
I K,L
6
J
M Prism Option
N
3 M,N,O,P
2
L I
K,L
K
J
Z Tetrahedral Option -
I not recommended
1
Y J
M,N,O,P
X

L K
I
J
Pyramid Option -
not recommended

SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid Input Data

The geometry and node locations for this element are shown in Figure 7.185.1: SOLID185 Homogeneous
Structural Solid Geometry (p. 825). The element is defined by eight nodes and the orthotropic material
properties. The default element coordinate system is along global directions. You may define an element
coordinate system using ESYS, which forms the basis for orthotropic material directions.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Pressures may be input as surface loads on
the element faces as shown by the circled numbers in Figure 7.185.1: SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural
Solid Geometry (p. 825). Positive pressures act into the element. Temperatures may be input as element
body loads at the nodes. The node I temperature T(I) defaults to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are
unspecified, they default to T(I). For any other input temperature pattern, unspecified temperatures
default to TUNIF. Similar defaults occurs for fluence except that zero is used instead of TUNIF.

KEYOPT(6) = 1 sets the element for using mixed formulation. For details on the use of mixed formulation,
see Applications of Mixed u-P Formulations (p. 82).

KEYOPT(15) = 1 sets the element for perfectly matched layers (PML). For more information, see Perfectly
Matched Layers (PML) in Elastic Media in the Theory Reference.

KEYOPT(16) = 1 activates steady-state analysis (defined via SSTATE). For more information, see Steady-
State Rolling in the Theory Reference. For a steady-state analysis, elements must be numbered as shown
in Figure 7.185.1: SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid Geometry (p. 825).

For extra surface output, KEYOPT(17) = 4 activates surface solution for faces with nonzero pressure. For
more information, see Surface Solution in the Element Reference (p. 52).

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Element Library

You can apply an initial stress state to this element (INISTATE). For more information, see Initial State
in the Advanced Analysis Guide.

As described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61), you can use ESYS to orient the material properties and
strain/stress output. Use RSYS to choose output that follows the material coordinate system or the
global coordinate system.

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element. If an unsymmetrical
matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, use NROPT,UNSYM.

"SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid Input Summary" (p. 826) contains a summary of element input.
For a general description of element input, see Element Input (p. 41).

SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

Real Constants

None, if KEYOPT(2) = 0,
HGSTF - Hourglass Stiffness Scaling factor if KEYOPT(2) = 1 (Default is 1.0; any positive number
is valid. If set to 0.0, value is automatically reset to 1.0.)

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, EY, EZ, PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ), GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPX, ALPY,
ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ), DENS, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressures --

face 1 (J-I-L-K), face 2 (I-J-N-M), face 3 (J-K-O-N),

face 4 (K-L-P-O), face 5 (L-I-M-P), face 6 (M-N-O-P)
To define general surface loads (or surface tractions) on the faces, issue SFCONTROL.

Equivalent source surface flag --

MXWF (input on the SF command)

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P)

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 Body force densities --

The element values in the global X, Y, and Z directions. For analyses supporting complex loading,
imaginary X, Y, and Z values are supported (see the BFE command for details).

Special Features

Birth and death

Coriolis effect
Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Fracture parameter calculation
Inverse solving
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Material force evaluation
Nonlinear stabilization
Rezoning
Steady state
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(2)

Element technology:

0 --

Full integration with method (default)

1 --

Uniform reduced integration with hourglass control

2 --

Enhanced strain formulation

3 --

Simplified enhanced strain formulation

KEYOPT(3)

Layer construction:

0 --

Structural Solid (default) -- nonlayered

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Element Library

1 --

Layered Solid (p. 833) (not applicable to SOLID185 Structural Solid)

KEYOPT(6)

Element formulation:

0 --

Use pure displacement formulation (default)

1 --

Use mixed u-P formulation

KEYOPT(15)

PML absorbing condition:

0 --

Do not include PML absorbing condition (default)

1 --

Include PML absorbing condition

KEYOPT(16)

Steady-state analysis flag:

0 --

Steady-state analysis disabled (default)

1 --

Enable steady-state analysis

KEYOPT(17)

Extra surface output:

0 --

Basic element solution (default)

4 --

Surface solution for faces with nonzero pressure

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SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid Element Technology

SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid uses the full-integration method (p. 78) (also known as the
selective reduced integration method), enhanced strain formulation (p. 78), simplified enhanced strain
formulation (p. 78), or uniform reduced integration (p. 79).

When enhanced strain formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 2) is selected, the element introduces nine internal
(user-inaccessible) degrees of freedom to handle shear locking, and four internal degrees of freedom
to handle volumetric locking.

For more information, see Element Technologies (p. 77).

SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.185.1: SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid
Element Output Definitions (p. 830)

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.185.2: SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid Stress Out-
put (p. 829). See Element Table for Variables Identified By Sequence Number and The Item and Sequence
Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more information.

Figure 7.185.2: SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid Stress Output

P
O
SZ

M N
SY
SX
L
K
Z

I
Y
X J

Stress directions shown are for global directions.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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Element Library

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.185.1: SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P - Y
MAT Material number - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 3
PRES Pressures P1 at nodes J, I, L, K; P2 at I, J, N, M; P3 at - Y
J, K, O, N; P4 at K, L, P, O; P5 at L, I, M, P; P6 at M, N,
O, P
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P) - Y
S:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, XZ Stresses Y Y
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - Y
S:INT Stress intensity - Y
S:EQV Equivalent stress - Y
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Elastic strains Y Y
XZ
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strains [6] - Y
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Thermal strains 2 2
XZ
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strains [6] 2 2
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Plastic strains [7] 1 1
XZ
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strains [6] 1 1
EPCR:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Creep strains 1 1
XZ
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strains [6] 1 1
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) Y -
XZ
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + Y -
EPCR)
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress 1 1
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain 1 1
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain 1 1
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not 1 1
yielding)
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume 1 1
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure 1 1

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 Name Definition O R
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - 1
PLASTIC, CREEP,
ENTO
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 4
SVAR:1, 2, ... , N State variables - 5
YSIDX:TENS,SHEA Yield surface activity status for Mohr-Coloumb, soil, - Y
concrete, and joint rock material models: 1 for
yielded and 0 for not yielded.
FPIDX: TF01,SF01, Failure plane surface activity status for concrete and - Y
TF02,SF02, joint rock material models: 1 for yielded and 0 for
TF03,SF03, not yielded. Tension and shear failure status are
TF04,SF04 available for all four sets of failure planes.

1. Nonlinear solution, output only if the element has a nonlinear material, or if large-deflection effects
are enabled (NLGEOM,ON) for SEND.

2. Output only if element has a thermal load.

3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

4. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is used.

5. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and TB,STATE command are used.

6. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep this value is set at 0.5.

7. For the shape memory alloy material model, transformation strains are reported as plasticity strain
EPPL.

Table 7.185.2: SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 832) lists output
available via ETABLE using the Sequence Number method. See Element Table for Variables Identified
By Sequence Number and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more
information. The following notation is used in Table 7.185.2: SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid
Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 832):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.185.1: SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid Element
Output Definitions (p. 830)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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Element Library

I,J,...,P

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, ..., P

Table 7.185.2: SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item I J K L M N O P
Name
P1 SMISC 2 1 4 3 - - - -
P2 SMISC 5 6 - - 8 7 - -
P3 SMISC - 9 10 - - 12 11 -
P4 SMISC - - 13 14 - - 16 15
P5 SMISC 18 - - 17 19 - - 20
P6 SMISC - - - - 21 22 23 24

See Surface Solution (p. 52) for the item and sequence numbers for surface output (KEYOPT(17) = 4)
for the ETABLE command

SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid Assumptions and Restrictions

• Zero-volume elements are not allowed.

• Elements may be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.185.1: SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural
Solid Geometry (p. 825), or may have the planes IJKL and MNOP interchanged (except when
KEYOPT(16) = 1). The element may not be twisted such that the element has two separate
volumes (which occurs most frequently when the elements are not numbered properly).

• For a steady-state analysis (KEYOPT(16) = 1), elements must be numbered as shown in Fig-
ure 7.185.1: SOLID185 Homogeneous Structural Solid Geometry (p. 825).

• All elements must have eight nodes. You can form a prism-shaped element by defining duplicate
K and L and duplicate O and P node numbers. (See Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37).) Pyr-
amid and tetrahedral shapes are also available.

• For the degenerated shape elements where the or enhanced strain formulations are specified,
degenerated shape functions and a conventional integration scheme are used.

• If you use the mixed formulation (KEYOPT(6) = 1), the damped eigensolver is not supported. You
must use the sparse solver (default).

• For modal cyclic symmetry analyses, Ansys, Inc. recommends using enhanced strain formulation.

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Prestress

effects can be activated by the PSTRES command.

This element has a layered option (KEYOPT(3) = 1). See "SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Assumptions
and Restrictions" (p. 841) for additional information.

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SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Element Description
Use SOLID185 Layered Solid to model layered thick shells or solids. The layered section definition is
specified via section (SECxxx) commands. A prism degeneration option is also available.

Figure 7.185.3: SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Geometry

TOP 4
P zo
5 O z yo y
6
x
M 3 xo
N

M N O,P
L
I K,L
K
2 J
Z 1 (Prism Option)
I

Y J BOTTOM
X

xo = Element x-axis if ESYS is not supplied.

x = Element x-axis if ESYS is supplied.

SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Input Data

The geometry and node locations for this element are shown in Figure 7.185.3: SOLID185 Layered
Structural Solid Geometry (p. 833). The element is defined by eight nodes. A prism-shaped element may
be formed by defining the same node numbers for nodes K and L, and O and P.

In addition to the nodes, the element input data includes the anisotropic material properties. Anisotropic
material directions correspond to the layer coordinate directions which are based on the element co-
ordinate system. The element coordinate system follows the shell convention where the z axis is normal
to the surface of the shell. The nodal ordering must follow the convention that I-J-K-L and M-N-O-P
element faces represent the bottom and top shell surfaces, respectively. You can change the orientation
within the plane of the layers via the ESYS command in the same way that you would for shell elements
(as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61)). To achieve the correct nodal ordering for a volume mapped
(hexahedron) mesh, you can use the VEORIENT command to specify the desired volume orientation
before executing the VMESH command. Alternatively, you can use the EORIENT command after auto-
matic meshing to reorient the elements to be in line with the orientation of another element, or to be
as parallel as possible to a defined ESYS axis.

Layered Section Definition Using Section Commands

You can associate SOLID185 Layered Solid with a shell section (SECTYPE). The layered composite spe-
cifications (including layer thickness, material, orientation, and number of integration points through
the thickness of the layer) are specified via shell section (SECxxx) commands. You can use the shell
section commands even with a single-layered element. The program obtains the actual layer thicknesses
used for element calculations by scaling the input layer thickness so that they are consistent with the
thickness between the nodes.

You can designate the number of integration points (1, 3, 5, 7, or 9) located through the thickness of
each layer. Two points are located on the top and bottom surfaces respectively and the remaining

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Element Library

points are distributed equal distance between the two points. The element requires at least two points
through the entire thickness. When no shell section definition is provided, the element is treated as
single-layered and uses two integration points through the thickness.

SOLID185 Layered Solid does not support real constant input for defining layer sections.

Other Input

The default orientation for this element has the S1 (shell surface coordinate) axis aligned with the first
parametric direction of the element at the center of the element and is shown as xo in Figure 7.185.3: SOL-
ID185 Layered Structural Solid Geometry (p. 833).

The default first surface direction S1 can be reoriented in the element reference plane (as shown in
Figure 7.185.3: SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Geometry (p. 833)) via the ESYS command. You can
further rotate S1 by angle THETA (in degrees) for each layer via the SECDATA command to create layer-
wise coordinate systems. See Coordinate Systems (p. 61) for details.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Pressures may be input as surface loads on
the element faces as shown by the circled numbers in Figure 7.185.3: SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid
Geometry (p. 833). Positive pressures act into the element.

If you specify no element body load for defining temperatures--that is, if you define temperatures with
commands other than BFE--SOLID185 Layered Solid adopts an element-wise temperature pattern and
requires only eight temperatures for the eight element corner nodes. The node I temperature T(I) defaults
to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to T(I). `For any other input temperature
pattern, unspecified nodal temperatures default to TUNIF. Mechanical APDL calculates all layer interface
temperatures by interpolating nodal temperatures.

Alternatively, you can input temperatures as element body loads at the corners of the outside faces of
the element and at the corners of the interfaces between layers. In such a case, the element uses a
layer-wise pattern. Temperatures T1, T2, T3, T4 are used for the bottom of layer 1, temperatures T5, T6,
T7, T8 are used for interface corners between layers 1 and 2, and so on between successive layers,
ending with temperatures at the top layer NLayer. If you input exactly NLayer+1 temperatures, one
temperature is used for the four bottom corners of each layer, and the last temperature is used for the
four top corner temperatures of the top layer. The first corner temperature T1 defaults to TUNIF. If all
other corner temperatures are unspecified, they default to T1. For any other input pattern, unspecified
temperatures default to TUNIF.

KEYOPT(6) = 1 sets the element for using mixed formulation. For details on the use of mixed formulation,
see Applications of Mixed u-P Formulations (p. 82).

KEYOPT(16) = 1 activates steady-state analysis (defined via SSTATE). For more information, see Steady-
State Rolling in the Theory Reference. For a steady-state analysis, elements must be numbered as shown
in Figure 7.185.3: SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Geometry (p. 833).

You can apply an initial stress state to this element (INISTATE). For more information, see Initial State
in the Advanced Analysis Guide.

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element. If an unsymmetrical
matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, use NROPT,UNSYM.

The following table summarizes the element input. Element Input (p. 41) provides a general description
of element input.

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SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Input Summary
Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, EY, EZ, PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ),
ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ),
DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD, BETD

Surface Loads

Pressures --

face 1 (J-I-L-K), face 2 (I-J-N-M), face 3 (J-K-O-N),

face 4 (K-L-P-O), face 5 (L-I-M-P), face 6 (M-N-O-P)

Equivalent source surface flag --

MXWF (input on the SF command)

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T1, T2, T3, T4 at bottom of layer 1; T5, T6, T7, T8 between layers 1-2; similarly for between suc-
cessive layers, ending with temperatures at top of layer NLayer (4 * (NLayer + 1) maximum)

Body force densities --

The element values in the global X, Y, and Z directions. For analyses supporting complex loading,
imaginary X, Y, and Z values are supported (see the BFE command for details).

Special Features

Birth and death

Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Fracture parameter calculation
Large deflection

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Element Library

Large strain
Linear perturbation
Material force evaluation
Nonlinear stabilization
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(2)

Element technology:

2 --

Enhanced strain formulation

3 --

Simplified enhanced strain formulation (default)

KEYOPT(3)

Layer construction:

0 --

Structural Solid (p. 825) (not applicable to SOLID185 Layered Solid)

1 --

Layered Solid

KEYOPT(6)

Element formulation:

0 --

Use pure displacement formulation (default)

1 --

Use mixed formulation

KEYOPT(8)

Layer data storage:

0 --

For multi-layer elements, store data for bottom of bottom layer and top of top layer. For single-
layer elements, store data for TOP and BOTTOM. (Default)

1 --

Store top and bottom data for all layers. (The volume of data may be considerable.)

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KEYOPT(16)

Steady-state analysis flag:

0 --

Steady-state analysis disabled (default)

1 --

Enable steady-state analysis

SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Element Technology

SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid uses enhanced strain formulation (p. 78) or simplified enhanced
strain formulation (p. 78).

When enhanced strain formulation (KEYOPT(2) = 2) is selected, the element introduces nine internal
(user-inaccessible) degrees of freedom to handle shear locking, and four internal degrees of freedom
to handle volumetric locking.

For more information, see Element Technologies (p. 77).

SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.185.3: SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Element
Output Definitions (p. 838)

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.185.4: SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Stress Output (p. 838).
See Filling the Element Table for Variables Identified By Sequence Number in the Basic Analysis Guide
and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more information.

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Element Library

Figure 7.185.4: SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Stress Output

Stresses are in Layer

Coordinate System

SY
P
SX SX(TOP
SX(BOT)
O
M
Reference Plane
N

K x'
I x

J
Element and Layer Coordinate Systems shown for KEYOPT(4) = 0*
x - Element Coordinate System
x' - Layer Coordinate System with > 0

*Note: Layer Coordinate System x-y plane is parallel to the reference plane (KREF)

The element stress directions are parallel to the layer coordinate system.

KEYOPT(8) controls the amount of data output to the results file for processing with the LAYER command.
Interlaminar shear stress is available as SYZ and SXZ evaluated at the layer interfaces. KEYOPT(8) must
be set to 1 to output these stresses in POST1. A general description of solution output is given in
Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.185.3: SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P - Y
MAT Material number - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 3
PRES Pressures P1 at nodes J, I, L, K; P2 at I, J, N, M; P3 at - Y
J, K, O, N; P4 at K, L, P, O; P5 at L, I, M, P; P6 at M,
N, O, P
TEMP T1, T2, T3, T4 at bottom of layer 1; T5, T6, T7, T8 - Y
between layers 1-2; similarly for between successive

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 Name Definition O R
layers, ending with temperatures at top of layer NL
(4 * (NL + 1) maximum)
S:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, XZ Stresses Y Y
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - Y
S:INT Stress intensity - Y
S:EQV Equivalent stress - Y
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Elastic strains Y Y
XZ
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strains [6] - Y
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Thermal strains 2 2
XZ
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strains [6] 2 2
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Plastic strains [7] 1 1
XZ
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strains [6] 1 1
EPCR:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Creep strains 1 1
XZ
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strains [6] 1 1
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) Y -
XZ
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + Y -
EPCR)
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress 1 1
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain 1 1
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain 1 1
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not 1 1
yielding)
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume 1 1
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure 1 1
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - 1
PLASTIC, CREEP,
ENTO
N11, N22, N12 In-plane forces (per unit length) - Y
M11, M22, M12 Out-of-plane moments (per unit length) - Y
Q13, Q23 Transverse-shear forces (per unit length) - Y
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 4
SVAR:1, 2, ... , N State variables - 5
ILSXZ SXZ interlaminar shear stress - 9
ILSYZ SYZ interlaminar shear stress - 9

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
ILSUM Magnitude of the interlaminar shear stress vector - 8,
9
ILANG Angle of interlaminar shear stress vector (measured - 9
from the element x-axis toward the element y-axis
in degrees)
YSIDX:TENS,SHEA Yield surface activity status for Mohr-Coloumb, soil, - Y
concrete, and joint rock material models: 1 for
yielded and 0 for not yielded.
FPIDX: TF01,SF01, Failure plane surface activity status for concrete and - Y
TF02,SF02, joint rock material models: 1 for yielded and 0 for
TF03,SF03, not yielded. Tension and shear failure status are
TF04,SF04 available for all four sets of failure planes.

1. Nonlinear solution, output only if the element has a nonlinear material, or if large-deflection effects
are enabled (NLGEOM,ON) for SEND.

2. Output only if element has a thermal load.

3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

4. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is used.

5. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and TB,STATE command are used.

6. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep this value is set at 0.5.

7. For the shape memory alloy material model, transformation strains are reported as plasticity strain
EPPL.

8. The components are combined as and the largest value of σil is output as the
maximum interlaminar shear stress.

9. Available only if a valid shell section (SECTYPE,,SHELL) is defined for the element.

Table 7.185.4: SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 841) lists output
available via ETABLE using the Sequence Number method. See Element Table for Variables Identified
By Sequence Number and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more
information. The following notation is used in Table 7.185.4: SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Item
and Sequence Numbers (p. 841):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.185.3: SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Element Output
Definitions (p. 838)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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I,J,...,P

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, ..., P

Table 7.185.4: SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity E I J K L M N O P
Name Item
P1 SMISC - 2 1 4 3 - - - -
P2 SMISC - 5 6 - - 8 7 - -
P3 SMISC - - 9 10 - - 12 11 -
P4 SMISC - - - 13 14 - - 16 15
P5 SMISC - 18 - - 17 19 - - 20
P6 SMISC - - - - - 21 22 23 24
THICK SMISC 27 - - - - - - - -
N11 SMISC 28 - - - - - - - -
N22 SMISC 29 - - - - - - - -
N12 SMISC 30 - - - - - - - -
M11 SMISC 31 - - - - - - - -
M22 SMISC 32 - - - - - - - -
M12 SMISC 33 - - - - - - - -
Q13 SMISC 34 - - - - - - - -
Q23 SMISC 35 - - - - - - - -
Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Quantity Item Bottom of Layer i Top of Layer NL
Name
ILSXZ SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 41 8 * (NL - 1) + 42
ILSYZ SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 43 8 * (NL - 1) + 44
ILSUM SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 45 8 * (NL - 1) + 46
ILANG SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 47 8 * (NL - 1) + 48

SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Assumptions and Restrictions

• Zero-volume elements are not allowed.

• Elements can be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.185.3: SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid
Geometry (p. 833), or may have the planes IJKL and MNOP interchanged (except when KEYOPT(16)
= 1). The element may not be twisted such that the element has two separate volumes (which
occurs most frequently when the elements are not numbered properly).

• For a steady-state analysis (KEYOPT(16) = 1), elements must be numbered as shown in Fig-
ure 7.185.3: SOLID185 Layered Structural Solid Geometry (p. 833).

• All elements must have eight nodes. You can form a prism-shaped element by defining duplicate
K and L and duplicate O and P node numbers. (See Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37).)

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Element Library

• This element is primarily intended for conveniently modeling the in-plane effects in layered thick
shells or solids. The in-plane stiffness is the average of the individual layer stiffnesses. For com-
plicated through-thickness behaviors, consider using multiple layers of homogeneous (non-
layered) SOLID185 elements.

• If you use the mixed formulation (KEYOPT(6) = 1), the damped eigensolver is not supported. Use
the default sparse solver.

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). It is ignored

in geometrically linear analyses (NLGEOM,OFF). Prestress effects can be activated via the PSTRES
command.

• If the material of a layer is hyperelastic, the layer orientation angle has no effect.

• To obtain more accurate transverse shear results, use multiple elements through the thickness.

SOLID185 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Layered solid (KEYOPT(3) = 1) is not available.

• Birth and death is not available.

• Fracture parameter calculation is not available.

• Initial state is not available.

• Material force evaluation is not available.

• Rezoning is not available.

• Steady state is not available.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• Fracture parameter calculation is not available.

• Material force evaluation is not available.

• Rezoning is not available.

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SOLID186
3-D 20-Node Structural Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 860)

SOLID186 Element Description

SOLID186 is a higher order 3-D 20-node solid element that exhibits quadratic displacement behavior.
The element is defined by 20 nodes having three degrees of freedom per node: translations in the
nodal x, y, and z directions. The element supports plasticity, hyperelasticity, creep, stress stiffening, large
deflection, and large strain capabilities. It also has mixed formulation capability for simulating deform-
ations of nearly incompressible elastoplastic materials, and fully incompressible hyperelastic materials.

SOLID186 is available in two forms:

• Homogeneous Structural Solid (KEYOPT(3) = 0, the default) -- See "SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural
Solid Element Description" (p. 843).

• Layered Structural Solid (KEYOPT(3) = 1) -- See "SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Element Descrip-
tion" (p. 851).

A lower-order version of the SOLID186 element is SOLID185 (p. 824).

SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Element Description

SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid is well suited to modeling irregular meshes (such as those
produced by various CAD/CAM systems). The element may have any spatial orientation.

Various printout options are available. See SOLID186 for more details.

Figure 7.186.1: SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Geometry

M,N,O,P,U,V,W,X
Y A,B
Z
K,L,S
I T R
5 P 4 Q J
W
X Tetrahedral Option
O
6 M,N,O,P,U,V,W,X
M
B V A
Y B Z
U
N T
A L K
2 3 I S
Y R
L S Q J
T Z Pyramid Option
K X
I O,P,W
Z M
R
Q 1 U V A,B
J Y N
Y Z
I K,L,S
X T
Q R
J
Prism Option

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Element Library

SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the element coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.186.1: SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Geometry (p. 843). A prism-shaped element may
be formed by defining the same node numbers for nodes K, L, and S; nodes A and B; and nodes O, P,
and W. A tetrahedral-shaped element and a pyramid-shaped element may also be formed as shown in
Figure 7.186.1: SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Geometry (p. 843). SOLID187 (p. 861) is a similar,
but 10-node tetrahedron element.

In addition to the nodes, the element input data includes the anisotropic material properties. Anisotropic
material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate system
orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61).

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Pressures may be input as surface loads on
the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Figure 7.186.1: SOLID186 Homogeneous Struc-
tural Solid Geometry (p. 843). Positive pressures act into the element. Temperatures may be input as
element body loads at the nodes. The node I temperature T(I) defaults to TUNIF. If all other temperatures
are unspecified, they default to T(I). If all corner node temperatures are specified, each midside node
temperature defaults to the average temperature of its adjacent corner nodes. For any other input
temperature pattern, unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

As described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61), you can use ESYS to orient the material properties and
strain/stress output. Use RSYS to choose output that follows the material coordinate system or the
global coordinate system.

KEYOPT(6) = 1 sets the element for using mixed formulation. For details on the use of mixed formulation,
see Applications of Mixed u-P Formulations (p. 82).

KEYOPT(15) = 1 sets the element for perfectly matched layers (PML). For more information, see Perfectly
Matched Layers (PML) in Elastic Media in the Theory Reference.

KEYOPT(16) = 1 activates steady-state analysis (defined via SSTATE). For more information, see Steady-
State Rolling in the Theory Reference. For a steady-state analysis, elements must be numbered as shown
in Figure 7.186.1: SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Geometry (p. 843).

For extra surface output, KEYOPT(17) = 4 activates surface solution for faces with nonzero pressure. For
more information, see Surface Solution in the Element Reference (p. 52).

You can apply an initial stress state to this element (INISTATE). For more information, see Initial State
in the Advanced Analysis Guide.

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element. If an unsymmetric
matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, use NROPT,UNSYM.

The following table summarizes the element input. Element Input (p. 41) provides a general description
of element input.

SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, A, B

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Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, EY, EZ, ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY, CTEZ or THSX,THSY, THSZ), PRXY,
PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ), DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressures --

face 1 (J-I-L-K), face 2 (I-J-N-M), face 3 (J-K-O-N),

face 4 (K-L-P-O), face 5 (L-I-M-P), face 6 (M-N-O-P)

To define general surface loads (or surface tractions) on the faces, issue SFCONTROL.

Equivalent source surface flag --

MXWF (input on the SF command)

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J),T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P), T(Q), T(R), T(S), T(T), T(U), T(V), T(W), T(X), T(Y), T(Z), T(A),
T(B)

Body force densities --

The element values in the global X, Y, and Z directions. For analyses supporting complex loading,
imaginary X, Y, and Z values are supported (see BFE for details).

Special Features

Birth and death

Coriolis effect
Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Fracture parameter calculation
Inverse solving
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Material force evaluation

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Element Library

Nonlinear stabilization
Rezoning
Steady state
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(2)

Element technology:

0 --

Uniform reduced integration (default)

1 --

Full integration

KEYOPT(3)

Layer construction:

0 --

Homogeneous Structural Solid (default) -- nonlayered

1 --

Layered Structural Solid (p. 851) (not applicable to SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid)

KEYOPT(6)

Element formulation:

0 --

Use pure displacement formulation (default)

1 --

Use mixed u-P formulation

KEYOPT(15)

PML absorbing condition:

0 --

Do not include PML absorbing condition (default)

1 --

Include PML absorbing condition

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KEYOPT(16)

Steady-state analysis flag:

0 --

Steady-state analysis disabled (default)

1 --

Enable steady-state analysis

KEYOPT(17)

Extra surface output:

0 --

Basic element solution (default)

4 --

Surface solution for faces with nonzero pressure

SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Element Technology

SOLID186 uses the uniform reduced integration method or the full integration method, as follows:

• Uniform reduced integration method

Helps to prevent volumetric mesh locking in nearly incompressible cases. However, hourglass mode
might propagate in the model if there are not at least two layers of elements in each direction.

• Full integration

The full integration method does not cause hourglass mode, but can cause volumetric locking in
nearly incompressible cases. This method is used primarily for purely linear analyses, or when the
model has only one layer of elements in each direction.

SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.186.1: SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid
Element Output Definitions (p. 848)

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Element Library

Figure 7.186.2: SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Stress Output

5 P 4
W
X
O
SZ 6
M V y
B
y
U N x
A
Y 2 SY 3
L SX
S
x Z
T K
I
Z R
Q 1
J
Y Surface Coordinate System
X

The element stress directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.186.1: SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number and name - Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P - Y
MAT Material number - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 3
PRES Pressures P1 at nodes J, I, L, K; P2 at I, J, N, M; P3 at - Y
J, K, O, N; P4 at K, L, P, O; P5 at L, I, M, P; P6 at M,
N, O, P
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P) - Y
S:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, XZ Stresses Y Y
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - Y
S:INT Stress intensity - Y
S:EQV Equivalent stress - Y
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Elastic strains Y Y
XZ
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strains [6] Y Y
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Thermal strains 2 2
XZ
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strains [6] 2 2

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 Name Definition O R
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Plastic strains [7] 1 1
XZ
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strains [6] 1 1
EPCR:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Creep strains 1 1
XZ
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strains [6] 1 1
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) Y -
XZ
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + Y -
EPCR)
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress 1 1
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain 1 1
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain 1 1
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not 1 1
yielding)
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume 1 1
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure 1 1
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy density - 1
PLASTIC, CREEP,
ENTO
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 4
SVAR:1, 2, ... , N State variables - 5
YSIDX:TENS,SHEA Yield surface activity status for Mohr-Coloumb, soil, - Y
concrete, and joint rock material models: 1 for
yielded and 0 for not yielded.
FPIDX: TF01,SF01, Failure plane surface activity status for concrete and - Y
TF02,SF02, joint rock material models: 1 for yielded and 0 for
TF03,SF03, not yielded. Tension and shear failure status are
TF04,SF04 available for all four sets of failure planes.

1. Nonlinear solution, output only if the element has a nonlinear material, or if large-deflection effects
are enabled (NLGEOM,ON) for SEND.

2. Output only if element has a thermal load

3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

4. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is used.

5. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and TB,STATE command are used.

6. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep this value is set at 0.5.

7. For the shape memory alloy material model, transformation strains are reported as plasticity strain
EPPL.

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Table 7.186.2: SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 850) lists output
available through ETABLE using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1)
and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more information. The following
notation is used in Table 7.186.2: SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Item and Sequence Num-
bers (p. 850):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.186.1: SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Element
Output Definitions (p. 848)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

I,J,...,B

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, ..., B

Table 7.186.2: SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item I J K L M N O P Q,...,B
Name
P1 SMISC 2 1 4 3 - - - - -
P2 SMISC 5 6 - - 8 7 - - -
P3 SMISC - 9 10 - - 12 11 - -
P4 SMISC - - 13 14 - - 16 15 -
P5 SMISC 18 - - 17 19 - - 20 -
P6 SMISC - - - - 21 22 23 24 -

See Surface Solution (p. 52) for the item and sequence numbers for surface output (KEYOPT(17) = 4)
for the ETABLE command

SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume. Also, the element may not be twisted such that the
element has two separate volumes (which occurs most frequently when the element is not
numbered properly). Elements can be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.186.1: SOLID186
Homogeneous Structural Solid Geometry (p. 843), or may have the planes IJKL and MNOP inter-
changed (except when KEYOPT(16) = 1).

• For a steady-state analysis (KEYOPT(16) = 1), elements must be numbered as shown in Fig-
ure 7.186.1: SOLID186 Homogeneous Structural Solid Geometry (p. 843).

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the displacement varies linearly, rather than
parabolically, along that edge. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) for more information
about using midside nodes.

• Use at least two elements in each direction to avoid hourglass mode if uniform reduced integration
is used (KEYOPT(2) = 0).

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• When degenerated into a tetrahedron, wedge, or pyramid element shape (see Degenerated
Shape Elements (p. 37)), the corresponding degenerated shape functions are used. Degeneration
to a pyramidal form should be used with caution. The element sizes, when degenerated, should
be small to minimize the stress gradients. Pyramid elements are best used as filler elements or
in meshing transition zones.

• For mixed formulation (KEYOPT(6) = 1), no midside node drop-off and no degenerated shapes
are recommended. If you use the mixed formulation, you must use the sparse solver (default).

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Prestress

effects can be activated via the PSTRES command.

This element has a layered option (KEYOPT(3) = 1). See "SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Assumptions
and Restrictions" (p. 859) for additional information.

SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Element Description

Use SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid to model layered thick shells or solids. The layered section
definition is specified via section (SECxxx) commands. A prism degeneration option is also available.

Figure 7.186.3: SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Geometry

TOP
P W 4 zo
X
5 O z yo
6 y
M V
x
U B N xo

3 X
A M O,P,W
Y U NV
L A,B
Y
Z Z
S T
T I K,L,S
2 K
Z I Q R
R 1 J
Q (Prism Option)
Y J BOTTOM
X

xo = Element x-axis if ESYS is not supplied.

x = Element x-axis if ESYS is supplied.

SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the element coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.186.3: SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Geometry (p. 851). A prism-shaped element may be formed
by defining the same node numbers for nodes K, L, and S; nodes A and B; and nodes O, P, and W.

In addition to the nodes, the element input data includes the anisotropic material properties. Anisotropic
material directions correspond to the layer coordinate directions which are based on the element co-
ordinate system. The element coordinate system follows the shell convention where the z axis is normal
to the surface of the shell. The nodal ordering must follow the convention that I-J-K-L and M-N-O-P
element faces represent the bottom and top shell surfaces, respectively. You can change the orientation
within the plane of the layers via the ESYS command in the same way that you would for shell elements
(as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61)). To achieve the correct nodal ordering for a volume mapped
(hexahedron) mesh, you can use the VEORIENT command to specify the desired volume orientation

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Element Library

before executing the VMESH command. Alternatively, you can use the EORIENT command after auto-
matic meshing to reorient the elements to be in line with the orientation of another element, or to be
as parallel as possible to a defined ESYS axis.

Layered Section Definition Using Section Commands

You can associate SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid with a shell section (SECTYPE). The layered com-
posite specifications (including layer thickness, material, orientation, and number of integration points
through the thickness of the layer) are specified via shell section (SECxxx) commands. You can use the
shell section commands even with a single-layered element. Mechanical APDL obtains the actual layer
thicknesses used for element calculations by scaling the input layer thickness so that they are consistent
with the thickness between the nodes.

You can designate the number of integration points (1, 3, 5, 7, or 9) located through the thickness of
each layer. Two points are located on the top and bottom surfaces respectively and the remaining
points are distributed equal distance between the two points. The element requires at least two points
through the entire thickness. When no shell section definition is provided, the element is treated as
single-layered and uses two integration points through the thickness.

SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid does not support real constant input for defining layer sections.

Other Input

The default orientation for this element has the S1 (shell surface coordinate) axis aligned with the first
parametric direction of the element at the center of the element and is shown as xo in Figure 7.186.3: SOL-
ID186 Layered Structural Solid Geometry (p. 851).

The default first surface direction S1 can be reoriented in the element reference plane (as shown in
Figure 7.186.3: SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Geometry (p. 851)) via the ESYS command. You can
further rotate S1 by angle THETA (in degrees) for each layer via the SECDATA command to create layer-
wise coordinate systems. See Coordinate Systems (p. 61) for details.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Pressures may be input as surface loads on
the element faces as shown by the circled numbers in Figure 7.186.3: SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid
Geometry (p. 851). Positive pressures act into the element.

If you specify no element body load for defining temperatures--that is, if you define temperatures with
commands other than BFE--SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid adopts an element-wise temperature
pattern and requires only eight temperatures for the eight element corner nodes. The node I temperature
T(I) defaults to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to T(I). If all corner node
temperatures are specified, each midside node temperature defaults to the average temperature of its
adjacent corner nodes. For any other input temperature pattern, unspecified nodal temperatures default
to TUNIF. Mechanical APDL calculates all layer interface temperatures by interpolating nodal temperatures.

Alternatively, you can input temperatures as element body loads at the corners of the outside faces of
the element and at the corners of the interfaces between layers. In such a case, the element uses a
layer-wise pattern. Temperatures T1, T2, T3, T4 are used for the bottom of layer 1, temperatures T5, T6,
T7, T8 are used for interface corners between layers 1 and 2, and so on between successive layers,
ending with temperatures at the top layer NLayer. If you input exactly NLayer+1 temperatures, one
temperature is used for the four bottom corners of each layer, and the last temperature is used for the
four top corner temperatures of the top layer. The first corner temperature T1 defaults to TUNIF. If all
other corner temperatures are unspecified, they default to T1. For any other input pattern, unspecified
temperatures default to TUNIF.

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As described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61), you can use the ESYS command to orient the material
properties and strain/stress output. Use RSYS to choose output that follows the material coordinate
system or the global coordinate system.

KEYOPT(6) = 1 sets the element for using u-P mixed formulation. For details about the use of mixed
formulation, see Applications of Mixed u-P Formulations (p. 82).

KEYOPT(16) = 1 activates steady-state analysis (defined via SSTATE). For more information, see Steady-
State Rolling in the Theory Reference. For a steady-state analysis, elements must be numbered as shown
in Figure 7.186.3: SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Geometry (p. 851).

You can apply an initial stress state to this element (INISTATE). For more information, see Initial State
in the Advanced Analysis Guide.

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element. If an unsymmetric
matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, use NROPT,UNSYM.

The following table summarizes the element input. Element Input (p. 41) provides a general description
of element input.

SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, A, B

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, EY, EZ, ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY, CTEZ or THSX,THSY, THSZ), PRXY,
PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ), DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD, BETD

Surface Loads

Pressures --

face 1 (J-I-L-K), face 2 (I-J-N-M), face 3 (J-K-O-N),

face 4 (K-L-P-O), face 5 (L-I-M-P), face 6 (M-N-O-P)

Equivalent source surface flag --

MXWF (input on the SF command)

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Body Loads

Temperatures --

T1, T2, T3, T4 at bottom of layer 1; T5, T6, T7, T8 between layers 1-2; similarly for between suc-
cessive layers, ending with temperatures at top of layer NLayer (4 * (NLayer + 1) maximum)

Body force densities --

The element values in the global X, Y, and Z directions. For analyses supporting complex loading,
imaginary X, Y, and Z values are supported (see the BFE command for details).

Special Features

Birth and death

Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Fracture parameter calculation
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Material force evaluation
Nonlinear stabilization
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(2)

Element technology:

0 --

Uniform reduced integration (default)

KEYOPT(3)

Layer construction:

0 --

Homogeneous Structural Solid (p. 843) (not applicable to SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid)

1 --

Layered Structural Solid

KEYOPT(6)

Element formulation:

0 --

Use pure displacement formulation (default)

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 1 --

Use mixed formulation

KEYOPT(8)

Layer data storage:

0 --

For multi-layer elements, store data for bottom of bottom layer and top of top layer. For single-
layer elements, store data for TOP and BOTTOM. (Default)

1 --

Store top and bottom data for all layers. (The volume of data may be excessive.)

KEYOPT(16)

Steady-state analysis flag:

0 --

Steady-state analysis disabled (default)

1 --

Enable steady-state analysis

SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Element Technology

SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid supports only the uniform reduced integration method (KEYOPT(2)
= 0), which helps to prevent volumetric mesh locking in nearly incompressible cases. However, hourglass
mode might propagate in the model if there are not at least two layers of elements in each direction.

SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.186.3: SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Element
Output Definitions (p. 856)

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Figure 7.186.4: SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Stress Output

The element stress directions are parallel to the layer coordinate system.

KEYOPT(8) controls the amount of data output to the results file for processing with the LAYER command.
Interlaminar shear stress is available as SYZ and SXZ evaluated at the layer interfaces. KEYOPT(8) must
be set to 1 to output these stresses in POST1. A general description of solution output is given in
Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.186.3: SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number and name - Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P - Y
MAT Material number - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 3
PRES Pressures P1 at nodes J, I, L, K; P2 at I, J, N, M; P3 at - Y
J, K, O, N; P4 at K, L, P, O; P5 at L, I, M, P; P6 at M, N,
O, P
TEMP T1, T2, T3, T4 at bottom of layer 1; T5, T6, T7, T8 - Y
between layers 1-2; similarly for between successive
layers, ending with temperatures at top of layer NL
(4 * (NL + 1) maximum)
S:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, XZ Stresses Y Y
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - Y
S:INT Stress intensity - Y

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 Name Definition O R
S:EQV Equivalent stress - Y
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Elastic strains Y Y
XZ
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strains [6] Y Y
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Thermal strains 2 2
XZ
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strains [6] 2 2
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Plastic strains [7] 1 1
XZ
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strains [6] 1 1
EPCR:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Creep strains 1 1
XZ
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strains [6] 1 1
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) Y -
XZ
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + Y -
EPCR)
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress 1 1
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain 1 1
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain 1 1
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not 1 1
yielding)
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume 1 1
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure 1 1
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy density - 1
PLASTIC, CREEP,
ENTO
N11, N22, N12 In-plane forces (per unit length) - Y
M11, M22, M12 Out-of-plane moments (per unit length) - Y
Q13, Q23 Transverse-shear forces (per unit length) - Y
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 4
SVAR:1, 2, ... , N State variables - 5
ILSXZ SXZ interlaminar shear stress - 8
ILSYZ SYZ interlaminar shear stress - 8
ILSUM Interlaminar shear stress vector sum - 8
ILANG Angle of interlaminar shear stress vector (measured - 8
from the element x-axis toward the element y-axis
in degrees)
YSIDX:TENS,SHEA Yield surface activity status for Mohr-Coloumb, soil, - Y
concrete, and joint rock material models: 1 for
yielded and 0 for not yielded.

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Name Definition O R
FPIDX: TF01,SF01, Failure plane surface activity status for concrete and - Y
TF02,SF02, joint rock material models: 1 for yielded and 0 for
TF03,SF03, not yielded. Tension and shear failure status are
TF04,SF04 available for all four sets of failure planes.

1. Nonlinear solution, output only if the element has a nonlinear material, or if large-deflection effects
are enabled (NLGEOM,ON) for SEND.

2. Output only if element has a thermal load.

3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

4. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is used.

5. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and TB,STATE command are used.

6. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep this value is set at 0.5.

7. For the shape memory alloy material model, transformation strains are reported as plasticity strain
EPPL.

8. Available only if a valid shell section (SECTYPE,,SHELL) is defined for the element.

Table 7.186.4: SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 858) lists output
available via ETABLE using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) and
The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more information. The following
notation is used in Table 7.186.4: SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 858):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.186.3: SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Element Output
Definitions (p. 856)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

I,J,...,B

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, ..., B

Table 7.186.4: SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K L M N O P Q,...,B
Name
P1 SMISC - 2 1 4 3 - - - - -
P2 SMISC - 5 6 - - 8 7 - - -
P3 SMISC - - 9 10 - - 12 11 - -
P4 SMISC - - - 13 14 - - 16 15 -

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Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Quantity Item E I J K L M N O P Q,...,B
Name
P5 SMISC - 18 - - 17 19 - - 20 -
P6 SMISC - - - - - 21 22 23 24 -
THICK SMISC 27 - - - - - - - - -
N11 SMISC 28 - - - - - - - - -
N22 SMISC 29 - - - - - - - - -
N12 SMISC 30 - - - - - - - - -
M11 SMISC 31 - - - - - - - - -
M22 SMISC 32 - - - - - - - - -
M12 SMISC 33 - - - - - - - - -
Q13 SMISC 34 - - - - - - - - -
Q23 SMISC 35 - - - - - - - - -
Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Quantity Item Bottom of Layer i Top of Layer i
Name
ILSXZ SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 41 8 * (i - 1) + 42
ILSYZ SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 43 8 * (i - 1) + 44
ILSUM SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 45 8 * (i - 1) + 46
ILANG SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 47 8 * (i - 1) + 48

SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume. Also, the element may not be twisted such that the
element has two separate volumes (which occurs most frequently when the element is not
numbered properly). Elements may be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.186.3: SOLID186
Layered Structural Solid Geometry (p. 851), or may have the planes IJKL and MNOP interchanged
(except when KEYOPT(16) = 1).

• For a steady-state analysis (KEYOPT(16) = 1), elements must be numbered as shown in Fig-
ure 7.186.3: SOLID186 Layered Structural Solid Geometry (p. 851).

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the displacement varies linearly, rather than
parabolically, along that edge. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) for more information
about using midside nodes.

• This element is primarily intended for conveniently modeling the in-plane effects in layered thick
shells or solids. The in-plane stiffness is the average of the individual layer stiffnesses. For com-
plicated through-thickness behaviors, consider using multiple layers of homogeneous (non-
layered) SOLID186 elements.

• Use at least two elements in each direction to avoid hourglass mode.

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• When degenerated into a wedge element shape (see Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37)), the
corresponding degenerated shape functions are used. The element sizes, when degenerated,
should be small to minimize the stress gradients.

• For mixed formulation (KEYOPT(6) = 1), no midside node drop-off and no degenerated shapes
are recommended. If using the mixed formulation, use the default sparse solver.

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). It is ignored

in geometrically linear analyses (NLGEOM,OFF). Prestress effects can be activated via the PSTRES
command.

• If the material of a layer is hyperelastic, the layer orientation angle has no effect.

• To obtain more accurate transverse shear results, use multiple elements through the thickness.

SOLID186 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Layered solid (KEYOPT(3) = 1) is not available.

• Birth-and-death is not available.

• Fracture parameter calculation is not available.

• Initial state is not available.

• Material force evaluation is not available.

• Rezoning is not available.

• Steady state is not available.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• Fracture parameter calculation is not available.

• Material force evaluation is not available.

• Rezoning is not available.

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SOLID187
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Structural Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 867)

SOLID187 Element Description

SOLID187 element is a high-order 3-D, 10-node element. The element has a quadratic displacement
behavior and is well suited to modeling irregular meshes (such as those produced from various CAD/CAM
systems).

The element is defined by 10 nodes having three degrees of freedom at each node: translations in the
nodal x, y, and z directions. The element has plasticity, hyperelasticity, creep, stress stiffening, large
deflection, and large strain capabilities. It also has mixed formulation capability for simulating deform-
ations of nearly incompressible elastoplastic materials, and fully incompressible hyperelastic materials.
See SOLID187 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.187.1: SOLID187 Geometry

L

4
R
P
Q 3
Y 2
O K

X I N
M
Z
1
J

SOLID187 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.187.1: SOLID187 Geometry (p. 861).

In addition to the nodes, the element input data includes the orthotropic or anisotropic material prop-
erties. Orthotropic and anisotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions.
The element coordinate system orientation is as described in the Material Reference.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Pressures may be input as surface loads on
the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Figure 7.187.1: SOLID187 Geometry (p. 861).
Positive pressures act into the element. Temperatures may be input as element body loads at the nodes.
The node I temperature T(I) defaults to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to
T(I). If all corner node temperatures are specified, each midside node temperature defaults to the average
temperature of its adjacent corner nodes. For any other input temperature pattern, unspecified temper-
atures default to TUNIF.

As described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61), you can use ESYS to orient the material properties and
strain/stress output. Use RSYS to choose output that follows the material coordinate system or the
global coordinate system.

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KEYOPT(6) = 1 or 2 sets the element for using mixed formulation. For details on the use of mixed for-
mulation, see (p. 82).

KEYOPT(15) = 1 sets the element for perfectly matched layers (PML). For more information, see Perfectly
Matched Layers (PML) in Elastic Media in the Theory Reference.

KEYOPT(16) = 1 activates steady-state analysis (defined via SSTATE). For more information, see Steady-
State Rolling in the Theory Reference. For a steady-state analysis, elements must be numbered as shown
in Figure 7.187.1: SOLID187 Geometry (p. 861).

For extra surface output, KEYOPT(17) = 4 activates surface solution for faces with nonzero pressure. For
more information, see Surface Solution in the Element Reference (p. 52).

You can apply an initial stress state to this element (INISTATE). For more information, see Initial State
Loading in the Basic Analysis Guide.

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element. If an unsymmetric
matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, use NROPT,UNSYM.

The next table summarizes the element input. Element Input (p. 41) gives a general description of ele-
ment input.

SOLID187 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, EY, EZ, ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ), PRXY,
PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ), DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressures --

face 1 (J-I-K), face 2 (I-J-L), face 3 (J-K-L), face 4 (K-I-L)

To define general surface loads (or surface tractions) on the faces, issue SFCONTROL.

Equivalent source surface flag --

MXWF (input on the SF command)

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Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P), T(Q), T(R)

Body force densities --

The element values in the global X, Y, and Z directions. For analyses supporting complex loading,
imaginary X, Y, and Z values are supported (see the BFE command for details).

Special Features

Birth and death

Coriolis effect
Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Fracture parameter calculation
Inverse solving
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Material force evaluation
Nonlinear adaptivity
Nonlinear stabilization
Rezoning
Steady state
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(6)

Element formulation:

0 --

Use pure displacement formulation (default)

1 --

Use mixed u-P formulation, hydrostatic pressure is constant in an element (recommended for
hyperelastic materials)

2 --

Use mixed u-P formulation, hydrostatic pressure is interpolated linearly in an element (recom-
mended for nearly incompressible elastoplastic materials)

KEYOPT(15)

PML absorbing condition:

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Element Library

0 --

Do not include PML absorbing condition (default)

1 --

Include PML absorbing condition

KEYOPT(16)

Steady-state analysis flag:

0 --

Steady-state analysis disabled (default)

1 --

Enable steady-state analysis

KEYOPT(17)

Extra surface output:

0 --

Basic element solution (default)

4 --

Surface solution for faces with nonzero pressure

SOLID187 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.187.1: SOLID187 Element Output Definitions (p. 865)

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.187.2: SOLID187 Stress Output (p. 864). The element stress direc-
tions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of solution output is given
in The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

Figure 7.187.2: SOLID187 Stress Output

L

SY
R
P
Y SX
Q
SZ O K
X
I x y N
Z
M
Surface Coordinate System
J

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The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.187.1: SOLID187 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L - Y
MAT Material number - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 3
PRES Pressures P1 at nodes J, I, K; P2 at I, J, L; P3 at J, K, - Y
L; P4 at K, I, L
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L) - Y
S:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, XZ Stresses Y Y
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - Y
S:INT Stress intensity - Y
S:EQV Equivalent stress - Y
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Elastic strains Y Y
XZ
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strains [6] - Y
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Thermal strains 1 1
XZ
EPTH: EQV Equivalent thermal strains [6] 1 1
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Plastic strains [7] 1 1
XZ
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strains [6] 1 1
EPCR:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Creep strains 1 1
XZ
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strains [6] 1 1
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) Y -
XZ
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + Y -
EPCR)
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress 1 1
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain 1 1
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain 1 1

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not 1 1
yielding)
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure 1 1
SEND: ELASTIC, Strain energy density - 1
PLASTIC, CREEP,
ENTO
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 4
SVAR:1, 2, ... , N State variables - 5
YSIDX:TENS,SHEA Yield surface activity status for Mohr-Coloumb, soil, - Y
concrete, and joint rock material models: 1 for
yielded and 0 for not yielded.
FPIDX: TF01,SF01, Failure plane surface activity status for concrete and - Y
TF02,SF02, joint rock material models: 1 for yielded and 0 for
TF03,SF03, not yielded. Tension and shear failure status are
TF04,SF04 available for all four sets of failure planes.

1. Nonlinear solution, output only if the element has a nonlinear material, or if large-deflection effects
are enabled (NLGEOM,ON) for SEND.

2. Output only if element has a thermal load

3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

4. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is used.

5. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and TB,STATE command are used.

6. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep this value is set at 0.5.

7. For the shape memory alloy material model, transformation strains are reported as plasticity strain
EPPL.

Table 7.187.2: SOLID187 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 867) lists output available through ETABLE
using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide
and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The following
notation is used in Table 7.187.2: SOLID187 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 867):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.187.1: SOLID187 Element Output Definitions (p. 865)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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I,J,...,R

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, ..., R

Table 7.187.2: SOLID187 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item I J K L M,...,R
Name
P1 SMISC 2 1 3 - -
P2 SMISC 4 5 - 6 -
P3 SMISC - 7 8 9 -
P4 SMISC 11 - 10 12 -

See Surface Solution (p. 52) for the item and sequence numbers for surface output (KEYOPT(17) = 4)
for the ETABLE command

SOLID187 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume.

• Elements may be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.187.1: SOLID187 Geometry (p. 861), or
may have node L below the I, J, K plane (except when KEYOPT(16) = 1).

• For a steady-state analysis (KEYOPT(16) = 1), elements must be numbered as shown in Fig-
ure 7.187.1: SOLID187 Geometry (p. 861).

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the displacement varies linearly, rather than
parabolically, along that edge. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and
Meshing Guide for information about using midside nodes.

• When mixed formulation is used (KEYOPT(6) = 1 or 2), no midside node drop-off is recommended.

• If you use the mixed formulation (KEYOPT(6) = 1 or 2), the damped eigensolver is not supported.
You must use the sparse solver (default).

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Prestress

effects can be activated by the PSTRES command.

SOLID187 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth-and-death is not available.

• Fracture parameter calculation is not available.

• Initial state is not available.

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Element Library

• Material force evaluation is not available.

• Rezoning is not available.

• Nonlinear adaptivity is not available.

• Steady state is not available.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• Fracture parameter calculation is not available.

• Material force evaluation is not available.

• Rezoning is not available.

• Nonlinear adaptivity is not available.

BEAM188
3-D 2-Node Beam
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 890)

BEAM188 Element Description

BEAM188 is suitable for analyzing slender to moderately stubby/thick beam structures. The element is
based on Timoshenko beam theory which includes shear-deformation effects. The element provides
options for unrestrained warping and restrained warping of cross-sections.

The element is a linear, quadratic, or cubic two-node beam element in 3-D. BEAM188 has six or seven
degrees of freedom at each node; these include translations in the x, y, and z directions and rotations
about the x, y, and z directions. A seventh degree of freedom (warping magnitude) is optional. This
element is well-suited for linear, large rotation, and/or large strain nonlinear applications.

The element includes stress stiffness terms, by default, in any analysis with large deflection. The provided
stress-stiffness terms enable the elements to analyze flexural, lateral, and torsional stability problems
(using eigenvalue buckling, or collapse studies with arc length methods or nonlinear stabilization).

Elasticity, plasticity, creep and other nonlinear material models are supported. A cross-section associated
with this element type can be a built-up section referencing more than one material. Added mass, hy-
drodynamic added mass and loading, and buoyant loading are available.

For more detailed information about this element, see BEAM188 - 3-D 2-Node Beam in the Theory Ref-
erence.

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Figure 7.188.1: BEAM188 Geometry
z
1
4 K
2
I 3

y
Y 188

x
X
Z J 5

BEAM188 Element Technology and Usage Recommendations

BEAM188 is based on Timoshenko beam theory, which is a first-order shear-deformation theory: trans-
verse-shear strain is constant through the cross-section (that is, cross-sections remain plane and undis-
torted after deformation).

The element can be used for slender or stout beams. Due to the limitations of first-order shear-deform-
ation theory, slender to moderately thick beams can be analyzed. Use the slenderness ratio of a beam
structure (GAL2 / (EI) ) to judge the applicability of the element, where:

Shear modulus

Area of the cross-section

Length of the member (not the element length)

EI

Flexural rigidity

Calculate the ratio using some global distance measures, rather than basing it upon individual element
dimensions. The following illustration shows an estimate of transverse-shear deformation in a cantilever
beam subjected to a tip load. Although the results cannot be extrapolated to any other application,
the example serves well as a general guideline. A slenderness ratio greater than 30 is recommended.

Figure 7.188.2: Transverse-Shear Deformation Estimation

L P

Slenderness Ratio δ Timoshenko / δ

(GAL2/(EI)) Euler-Bernoulli
25 1.120
50 1.060

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Element Library

Slenderness Ratio δ Timoshenko / δ

(GAL2/(EI)) Euler-Bernoulli
100 1.030
1000 1.003

The element supports an elastic relationship between transverse-shear forces and transverse-shear
strains. You can override default values of transverse-shear stiffnesses (SECCONTROL).

BEAM188 does not use higher-order theories to account for variation in distribution of shear stresses.
Use solid elements if such effects must be considered.

When KEYOPT(5) = 1, BEAM188 deforms in the XY plane only. It has three degrees of freedom at each
node (translations in the x and y directions, and rotation about the z direction).

BEAM188 in 3-D space (KEYOPT(5) = 0) supports restrained-warping analysis by making available a

seventh degree of freedom at each beam node. By default, BEAM188 elements assume that the warping
of a cross-section is small enough that it can be ignored (KEYOPT(1) = 0). You can activate the warping
degree of freedom by using KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2. With the warping degree of freedom activated, each
node has seven degrees of freedom: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ, and WARP. When KEYOPT(1) = 1
or 2, bimoment and bicurvature are output. BEAM188 in the XY plane (KEYOPT(5) = 1) does not support
restrained-warping analysis.

When KEYOPT(3) = 0 (linear, default), BEAM188 is based on linear shape functions. It uses one point of
integration along the length; therefore, all element solution quantities are constant along the length.
For example, when SMISC quantities are requested at nodes I and J, the centroidal values are reported
for both end nodes. This option is recommended if the element is used as stiffener and it is necessary
to maintain compatibility with a first-order shell element (such as SHELL181 (p. 673)). Only constant
bending moments can be represented exactly with this option. Mesh refinement is generally required
in typical applications.

When KEYOPT(3) = 2 (quadratic), BEAM188 has an internal node in the interpolation scheme, effectively
making this a beam element based on quadratic shape functions. Two points of integration are used,
resulting in linear variation of element solution quantities along the length. Linearly varying bending
moments are represented exactly.

When KEYOPT(3) = 3 (cubic), BEAM188 has two internal nodes and adopts cubic shape functions.
Quadratically varying bending moments are represented exactly. Three points of integration along the
length are used, resulting in quadratic variation of element solution quantities along the length. Unlike
typical cubic (Hermitian) formulations, cubic interpolation is used for all displacements and rotations.

Quadratic and cubic options are recommended when higher-order element interpolations are desired
in situations where:

• The element is associated with tapered cross-sections.

• Nonuniform loads (including tapered distributed loads) exist within the element; in this case,
the cubic option gives superior results over the quadratic option.

(For partially distributed loads and non-nodal point loads, only the cubic option is valid.)

• The element may undergo highly nonuniform deformation (for example, when individual frame
members in civil engineering structures are modeled with single elements).

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In practice, when two elements with restrained warping come together at a sharp angle, you must
couple the displacements and rotations but leave the out-of-plane warping decoupled (typically by
having two nodes at a physical location and using appropriate constraints). The process is made easier
or automatic, as follows:

• If KEYOPT(1) = 1, issue ENDRELEASE to decouple the out-of-plane warping for any adjacent
elements with cross-sections intersecting at an angle > 20 degrees (default). Other ENDRELEASE
options are also available.

• If KEYOPT(1) = 2, the program performs pre-solution checks automatically (after issuing SOLVE)
and decouples the out-of-plane warping for any adjacent elements as necessary. For more in-
formation, see BEAM188 Pre-Solution Checks when KEYOPT(1) = 2 (p. 881).

BEAM188 allows change in cross-sectional inertia properties as a function of axial elongation. By default,
the cross-sectional area changes such that the volume of the element is preserved after deformation.
The default is suitable for elastoplastic applications. By using KEYOPT(2), you can choose to keep the
cross-section constant or rigid. Scaling is not an option for nonlinear general beam sections (SEC-
TYPE,,GENB).

Two limitations are associated with the quadratic and cubic options in BEAM188:

• Although the elements employ higher-order interpolations, the initial geometry of BEAM188 is
treated as straight.

• Because the internal nodes are inaccessible, no boundary/loading/initial conditions are allowed
on these internal nodes.

As a result of the limitations associated with the quadratic and cubic options, you will notice discrepancies
in the results between BEAM189 (p. 890) and the quadratic option of BEAM188 if the midside nodes of
the BEAM189 (p. 890) model have specified boundary/loading/initial conditions and/or the midside
nodes are not located exactly at the element midpoint. Similarly, the cubic option of BEAM188 may not
be identical to a traditional cubic (Hermitian) beam element.

For the mass matrix and evaluation of consistent load vectors, a higher order integration rule than that
used for stiffness matrix is employed. The elements support both consistent and lumped mass matrices.
Issue LUMPM,ON to activate lumped mass matrix. Consistent mass matrix is used by default. You can
add mass per unit length via the SECCONTROL command's ADDMAS values. See "BEAM188 Input
Summary" (p. 876).

When ocean loading is applied, the loading is nonlinear (that is, based on the square of the relative
velocity between the structure and the water). Accordingly, the full Newton-Raphson option (NROPT,FULL)
may be necessary to achieve optimal results. (Full Newton-Raphson is applied automatically in an ana-
lysis involving large-deflection effects [NLGEOM,ON].)

The St. Venant warping functions for torsional behavior are determined in the undeformed state, and
are used to define shear strain even after yielding. No options are available for recalculating in deformed
configuration the torsional shear distribution on cross-sections during the analysis and possible partial
plastic yielding of cross-sections. As such, large inelastic deformation due to torsional loading should
be treated and verified with caution. Under such circumstances, alternative modeling using solid or
shell elements is recommended.

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Element Library

BEAM188 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, coordinate system, and pressure directions for this element are shown
in Figure 7.188.1: BEAM188 Geometry (p. 869). BEAM188 is defined by nodes I and J in the global coordin-
ate system.

Node K is a preferred way to define the orientation of the element in 3-D space. For information about
orientation nodes and beam meshing, see Generating a Beam Mesh With Orientation Nodes in the
Modeling and Meshing Guide. See LMESH and LATT for information about generating the K node auto-
matically.

BEAM188 in 3-D space can also be defined without the orientation node K. In this case, the element x
axis is oriented from node I (end 1) toward node J (end 2). If no orientation node is used, the default
orientation of the element y axis is automatically calculated to be parallel to the global X-Y plane. For
the case where the element is parallel to the global Z axis (or within a 0.01 percent slope of it), the
element y axis is oriented parallel to the global Y axis (as shown). To control the element orientation
about the element x axis, use the orientation-node option. If both are defined, the orientation-node
option takes precedence. The orientation node K, if used, defines a plane (with I and J) containing the
element x and z axes (as shown). If using this element in a large-deflection analysis, be aware that the
location of the orientation node K is used only to initially orient the element.

The orientation of BEAM188 in the XY plane (KEYOPT(5) = 1) is determined by the location of nodes I
and J. The element x axis is oriented from node I (end 1) toward node J (end 2). The element y axis is
oriented along the negative global Z axis. Orientation node K is not needed.

The number of degrees of freedom depends on the value of KEYOPT(1). When KEYOPT(1) = 0 (default),
six degrees of freedom occur at each node; these include translations in the x, y, and z directions and
rotations about the x, y, and z directions. When KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2, a seventh degree of freedom
(warping magnitude) is also considered. Warping is not supported for BEAM188 in the XY plane (KEY-
OPT(5) = 1).

The beam element is a one-dimensional line element in space. The cross-section details are provided
separately via the SECTYPE and SECDATA commands. (See Beam and Pipe Cross Sections in the
Structural Analysis Guide for details.) A section is associated with the beam elements by specifying the
section ID number (SECNUM). A section number is an independent element attribute. In addition to a
constant cross-section, you can also define a tapered cross-section by using the TAPER option on the
SECTYPE command. (See Defining a Tapered Beam or Pipe in the Structural Analysis Guide.)

BEAM188 ignores any real constant data. See the SECCONTROL command for defining the transverse-
shear stiffness and added mass.

A summary of the element input is given in "BEAM188 Input Summary" (p. 876).

BEAM188 Cross-Sections
BEAM188 can be associated with these cross-section types (SECTYPE,,Type):

• Standard library section types or user meshes which define the geometry of the beam cross-section
(SECTYPE,,BEAM). The material of the beam is defined either as an element attribute (MAT), or as
part of section buildup (for multi-material cross-sections). BEAM188 in the XY plane (KEYOPT(5) = 1)
supports only section types that are symmetric about the XY plane.

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• Generalized beam cross-section (SECTYPE,,GENB), where the relationships of generalized stresses to
generalized strains are input directly. Not available for BEAM188 in the XY plane (KEYOPT(5) = 1) and
ocean loading.

• Tapered beam cross-section (SECTYPE,,TAPER), where a standard library section or user mesh defines
each end of the beam. Not available for ocean loading.

• Preintegrated composite beam cross section (SECTYPE,,COMB,MATRIX), abstract cross section type
for defining a fully populated but symmetrical cross-section stiffness and mass matrix directly. Not
available for ocean loading.

Standard Library Sections

BEAM188 elements are provided with section-relevant quantities (area of integration, position, etc.)
automatically at a number of section points using SECTYPE and SECDATA. Each section is assumed to
be an assembly of a predetermined number of nine-node cells. Each cross-section cell has four integration
points and each can be associated with an independent material type.

Figure 7.188.3: Cross-Section Cells

+ + + + + +
+ + + +
+ + + + + +
+
+
+
+

+ + + +
+
+

+ + + +
+
+

+ + + + + +
+ + + +
+ + + + + +

(a) Rectangular section (b) Channel section

Section Nodes
Section Corner Nodes
+ Section Integration Points

The number of cells in the cross-sections influences the accuracy of section properties and ability to
model nonlinear stress-strain relationship through the cross-section. The element has a nested structure
of integration (along the length and in the cross-section).

When the material associated with the elements has inelastic behavior or when the temperature varies
across the section, constitutive calculations are performed at the section integration points. For more
common elastic applications, the element uses precalculated properties of the section at the element
integration points; however, the stresses and strains are calculated in the output pass at the section
integration points. Element output is available at the integration points, as well as values extrapolated
to the element and section nodes.

If the section is assigned the subtype ASEC, only the generalized stresses and strains (axial force,
bending moments, transverse shears, curvatures, and shear strains) are available for output. 3-D contour
plots and deformed shapes are not available. The ASEC subtype is displayed only as a thin rectangle to
verify beam orientation.

BEAM188 is helpful for analyzing built-up beams (that is, those fabricated of two or more pieces of
material joined together to form a single, solid beam). The pieces are assumed to be perfectly bonded
together; therefore, the beam behaves as a single member.

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Element Library

The multi-material cross-section capability is applicable only where the assumption of beam behavior
(Timoshenko or Bernoulli-Euler beam theory) holds.

Therefore, the element models a simple extension of a conventional Timoshenko beam and can be
used in applications such as:

• Bimetallic strips

• Beams with metallic reinforcement

• Sensors where layers of a different material has been deposited

BEAM188 does not account for coupling of bending and twisting at the section stiffness level. The
transverse shears are also treated in an uncoupled manner. This can have a significant effect on layered
composite and sandwich beams if the lay-up is unbalanced.

Always validate the application of BEAM188, either with experiments or other numerical analysis. Use
the restrained warping option with built-up sections after due verification.

KEYOPT(15) specifies the format of the .rst results file. For KEYOPT(15) = 0, the format gives only one
averaged result at each section corner node; therefore, this option typically applies to homogeneous
sections. For KEYOPT(15) = 1, the format gives one result for each section integration point; therefore,
this option typically applies to built-up sections with multiple materials (and generates a larger results
file).

Generalized Beam Cross-Sections

When using nonlinear general beam sections, neither the geometric properties nor the material is ex-
plicitly specified. Generalized stress implies the axial force, bending moments, torque, and transverse-
shear forces. Similarly, generalized strain implies the axial strain, bending curvatures, twisting curvature,
and transverse-shear strains. (For more information, see Using Nonlinear General Beam Sections in the
Structural Analysis Guide.) This is an abstract method for representing cross-section behavior; therefore,
input often consists of experimental data or the results of other analyses.

Generally, BEAM188 supports an elastic relationship between transverse-shear forces and transverse-
shear strains. You can override default values of transverse-shear stiffnesses via the SECCONTROL
command.

When the beam element is associated with a generalized beam (SECTYPE,,GENB) cross-section type,
the relationship of transverse-shear force to the transverse-shear strain can be nonlinear elastic or plastic,
an especially useful capability when flexible spot welds are modeled. In such a case, the SECCONTROL
command does not apply.

Tapered Beam Cross-Sections

A linearly tapered beam is defined by specifying a standard library section or user mesh at each end
of the beam. The section geometries are specified at global coordinates, then linear interpolated and
evaluated at the element. The sections at the end points must be topologically identical. (For more in-
formation, see Defining a Tapered Beam or Pipe in the Structural Analysis Guide.)

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BEAM188 Loads
Forces are applied at the nodes (which also define the element x axis). If the centroidal axis is not colinear
with the element x axis, applied axial forces will cause bending. Applied shear forces cause torsional
strains and moment if the centroid and shear center of the cross-section are different. The nodes should
therefore be located at the desired points where you want to apply the forces. Use the OFFSETY and
OFFSETZ arguments of the SECOFFSET command appropriately. By default, the program uses the
centroid as the reference axis for the beam elements.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Pressures can be input as surface loads on the
element faces as shown by the circled numbers in Figure 7.188.1: BEAM188 Geometry (p. 869). Positive
normal pressures act into the element. Lateral pressures are input as force per unit length. End "pressures"
are input as forces.

At both ends of the element, temperatures can be input at these locations:

• At the element x axis (T(0,0))

• At one unit from the x axis in the element y direction (T(1,0)) (not supported for (KEYOPT(5) =
1)

• At one unit from the x axis in the element z direction (T(0,1))

Element locations (T(y,z)) are given according to the convention used in Figure 7.188.1: BEAM188 Geo-
metry (p. 869).

For beam elements, element body load commands (BFE) accept an element number and a list of values,
1 through 6 for temperatures TI(0,0), TI(1,0), TI(0,1), TJ(0,0), TJ(1,0), and TJ(0,1). This input can be used to
specify temperature gradients that vary linearly both over the cross section and along the length of the
element.

The following defaults apply to element temperature input:

• If all temperatures after the first are unspecified, they default to the first. This pattern applies a
uniform temperature over the entire element. (The first coordinate temperature, if unspecified,
defaults to TUNIF.)

• If all three temperatures at node I are input, and all temperatures at node J are unspecified, the
node J temperatures default to the corresponding node I temperatures. This pattern applies a
temperature gradient that varies linearly over the cross section but remains constant along the
length of the element.

• For any other input pattern, unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

Alternatively, temperatures at nodes I and J can be defined using nodal body loads (BF,NODE,TEMP,VAL1).
When using a nodal body load to define a temperature, a uniform temperature is applied over the cross
section at the specified node.

Temperature gradients across the cross-section are not allowed when the beam section has an arbitrary
(ASEC) subtype, where the integrated cross-section inertia properties are user-defined (SEC-
TYPE,,BEAM,ASEC).

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You can apply an initial stress state to this element via the INISTATE command. Initial state is not
available for beam sections of subtype ASEC (SECDATA,BEAM,ASEC).

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element. If an unsymmetric
matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, use NROPT,UNSYM.

Ocean Loading
Hydrodynamic added mass and loading, and buoyant loading, are available (OCDATA and OCTABLE).

The global origin is normally at the mean sea level, with the global Z axis pointing away from the center
of the earth; however, the vertical location can be adjusted via Zmsl (Val6) on OCDATA (following
OCTYPE,BASIC).

BEAM188 in the XY plane (KEYOPT(5) = 1) does not support ocean loading.

For more information, see Applying Ocean Loads in the Basic Analysis Guide.

BEAM188 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, and K (an optional but recommended orientation node) if KEYOPT(5) = 0

I, J if KEYOPT(5) = 1

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ if KEYOPT(1) = 0 and KEYOPT(5) = 0

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ, WARP if KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2 and KEYOPT(5) = 0
UX, UY, ROTZ if KEYOPT(5) = 1

Section Controls

TXZ, TXY, ADDMAS (See SECCONTROL)

(TXZ and TXY default to A*GXZ and A*GXY, respectively, where A = cross-sectional area)

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.

MP command: EX, (PRXY,or NUXY), GXY, GXZ, ALPX, (or CTEX, or THSX), DENS, ALPD, BETD, DMPR,
DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressure --

face 1 (I-J) (-z normal direction)

face 2 (I-J) (-y normal direction) (not applicable if KEYOPT(5) = 1)
face 3 (I-J) (+x tangential direction)

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 face 4 (I) (+x axial direction)
face 5 (J) (-x axial direction)
---
I and J denote the end nodes.
Use a negative value for loading in the opposite direction.
Issue the SFBEAM command to specify surface loads.
For faces 1, 2, and 3, offsets apply only if you are using the cubic option (KEYOPT(3) = 3).

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(0,0), T(1,0), T(0,1) at each end node

Special Features

Birth and death (requires KEYOPT(11) = 1)

Coriolis effect
Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Generalized cross-section
Initial state
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear stabilization
Ocean loading
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(1)

Warping degree of freedom:

0 --

Six degrees of freedom per node, unrestrained warping (default)

1 --

Seven degrees of freedom per node (including warping). Bimoment and bicurvature are output.

2 --

Seven degrees of freedom per node (including warping), but with automatic pre-solution checks.
(See BEAM188 Pre-Solution Checks when KEYOPT(1) = 2 (p. 881).) Bimoment and bicurvature are
output.

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KEYOPT(2)

Cross-section scaling, applies only if NLGEOM,ON has been invoked:

0 --

Cross-section is scaled as a function of axial stretch (default)

1 --

Section is assumed to be rigid (classical beam theory)

KEYOPT(3)

Shape functions along the length:

0 --

Linear (default)

2 --

Quadratic

3 --

Cubic

KEYOPT(4)

Shear stress output:

0 --

Output only torsion-related shear stresses (default)

1 --

Output only flexure-related transverse-shear stresses

2 --

Output a combined state of the previous two types

KEYOPT(5)

Deformation occurs in 3-D space or XY plane:

0 --

3-D space (default)

1 --

XY plane

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KEYOPT(6), KEYOPT(7), and KEYOPT(9)

active only when OUTPR,ESOL is active:

KEYOPT(6)

Output control for section forces/moments and strains/curvatures:

0 --

Output section forces/moments and strains/curvatures at integration points along the length
(default)

1 --

Same as KEYOPT(6) = 0 plus current section area

2 --

Same as KEYOPT(6) = 1 plus element basis directions (X,Y,Z)

3 --

Output section forces/moments and strains/curvatures extrapolated to the element nodes

KEYOPT(7)

Output control at integration points (not available when section subtype = ASEC):

0 --

None (default)

1 --

Maximum and minimum stresses/strains

2 --

Same as KEYOPT(7) = 1 plus stresses and strains at each section point

KEYOPT(9)

Output control for values extrapolated to the element and section nodes (not available when section
subtype = ASEC):

0 --

None (default)

1 --

Maximum and minimum stresses/strains

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Element Library

2 --

Same as KEYOPT(9) = 1 plus stresses and strains along the exterior boundary of the cross-section

3 --

Same as KEYOPT(9) = 1 plus stresses and strains at all section nodes

KEYOPT(11)

Set section properties:

0 --

Automatically determine if preintegrated section properties can be used (default)

1 --

Use numerical integration of section

KEYOPT(12)

Tapered section treatment:

0 --

Linear tapered section analysis; cross-section properties are evaluated at each Gauss point (de-
fault). This is more accurate, but computationally intensive.

1 --

Average cross-section analysis; for elements with tapered sections, cross-section properties are
evaluated at the centroid only. This is an approximation of the order of the mesh size; however,
it is faster.

KEYOPT(13)

Hydrodynamic output (not available in harmonic analyses that include ocean wave effects
(HROCEAN)):

0 --

None (default)

1 --

Additional hydrodynamic printout

KEYOPT(15)

Results file format:

0 --

Store averaged results at each section corner node (default).

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 1 --

Store non-averaged results at each section integration point. (The volume of data may be ex-
cessive. This option is typically useful for built-up sections with multiple materials only.)

BEAM188 Pre-Solution Checks when KEYOPT(1) = 2

When KEYOPT(1) = 2, the following automatic pre-solution checks occur after issuing SOLVE:

• For beam elements using an open cross-section only (for example, section subtype CHAN, I, Z, L, T,
HATS, ASEC, or MESH), the program ensures that the warping degree of freedom has been added.

If a beam element with a closed cross-section is found (for example, section subtype RECT, QUAD,
CSOLID, CTUBE, or HREC), the program assigns it a new element type with KEYOPT(1) = 0. (All other
KEYOPT settings are retained from the original element type.)

• For beam elements confirmed to have open cross-sections, the program determines whether the
warping degree of freedom needs to be decoupled at any selected nodes. The warping is decoupled
for the connected elements in the following cases:

– If elements intersect at an angle > 20 degrees.

– If the difference in any of the cross-section properties is > 20 percent.

The automatic check is equivalent to issuing ENDRELEASE,,,WARP,,,,,1, excluding the offsets and
cross-section orientation checks.

BEAM188 Output Data

The solution output associated with these elements is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements and reactions included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as described in Table 7.188.1: BEAM188 Element Output Defini-
tions (p. 882)

To view 3-D deformed shapes for BEAM188, issue an OUTRES,MISC or OUTRES,ALL command for static
or transient analyses. To view 3-D mode shapes for a modal or eigenvalue buckling analysis, you must
expand the modes with element results calculation active (via the MXPAND command's Elcalc = YES
option).

Linearized Stress

It is customary in beam design to employ components of axial stress that contribute to axial loads and
bending in each direction separately; therefore, BEAM188 provides a linearized stress output as part of
its SMISC output record, as indicated in the following definitions:

SDIR is the stress component due to axial load.

SDIR = Fx/A, where Fx is the axial load (SMISC quantities 1 and 14) and A is the area of the cross-section.

SByT and SByB are bending-stress components.

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Element Library

SByT = -Mz * ymax / Izz

SByB = -Mz * ymin / Izz
SBzT = My * zmax / Iyy
SBzB = My * zmin / Iyy

where My, Mz are bending moments in the beam coordinate system (SMISC quantities 2,15,3,16), as
shown in Figure 7.188.1: BEAM188 Geometry (p. 869). Coordinates ymax, ymin, zmax, and zmin are the
maximum and minimum y, z coordinates in the cross-section measured from the centroid. Values Iyy
and Izz are moments of inertia of the cross-section. Except for the ASEC type of beam cross-section,
the program uses the maximum and minimum cross-section dimensions. For the ASEC type of cross-
section, the maximum and minimum in each of y and y direction is assumed to be +0.5 to -0.5, respect-
ively.

Corresponding definitions for the component strains are:

EPELDIR = Ex
EPELByT = -Kz * ymax
EPELByB = -Kz * ymin
EPELBzT = Ky * zmax
EPELBzB = Ky * zmin

where Ex, Ky, and Kz are generalized strains and curvatures (SMISC quantities 7,8,9, 20,21 and 22).

The reported linearized stresses are strictly valid only for elastic behavior of members. BEAM188 always
employs combined stresses in order to support nonlinear material behavior. When the elements are
associated with nonlinear materials, the component stresses can at best be regarded as linearized ap-
proximations and should be interpreted with caution.

When using KEYOPT(7) with the cubic option (KEYOPT(3) = 3), the integration point at the middle of
the element is reported last in the integration-point printout.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

In the table below, the O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The
R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.188.1: BEAM188 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number Y Y
NODES Element connectivity Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
C.G.:X, Y, Z Element center of gravity Y 1

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 Name Definition O R
Area Area of cross-section 2 Y
SF:y, z Section shear forces 2 Y
SE:y, z Section shear strains 2 Y
S:xx, xy, xz Section point stresses 3 Y
EPEL:xx, xy, xz Elastic strains 3 Y
EPTO:xx, xy, xz Section point total mechanical strains (EPEL + 3 Y
EPPL + EPCR)
EPTT:xx, xy, xz Section point total strains (EPEL + EPPL + 3 Y
EPCR+EPTH)
EPPL:xx, xy, xz Section point plastic strains 3 Y
EPCR:xx, xy, xz Section point creep strains 3 Y
EPTH:xx Section point thermal strains 3 Y
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress - 4
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not - 4
yielding)
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure - 4
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain - 4
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain - 4
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume - 4
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - 4
PLASTIC, CREEP
TQ Torsional moment Y Y
TE Torsional strain Y Y
Ky, Kz Curvature Y Y
Ex Axial strain Y Y
Fx Axial force Y Y
My, Mz Bending moments Y Y
BM Warping bimoment 6 6
BK Warping bicurvature 6 6
EXT PRESS External pressure at integration point 5 5
EFFECTIVE TENS Effective tension on beam 5 5
SDIR Axial direct stress - 2
SByT Bending stress on the element +Y side of the - Y
beam
SByB Bending stress on the element -Y side of the - Y
beam
SBzT Bending stress on the element +Z side of the - Y
beam
SBzB Bending stress on the element -Z side of the - Y
beam

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Name Definition O R
EPELDIR Axial strain at the end - Y
EPELByT Bending strain on the element +Y side of the - Y
beam.
EPELByB Bending strain on the element -Y side of the - Y
beam.
EPELBzT Bending strain on the element +Z side of the - Y
beam.
EPELBzB Bending strain on the element -Z side of the - Y
beam.
TEMP Temperatures at all section corner nodes. - Y
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 7
SVAR:1, 2, ... , N State variables - 8
The following values apply to ocean loading only: [9]
GLOBAL COORD Element centroid location 10 Y
VXY, VZ Horizontal and vertical fluid particle velocities 10, Y
(VXY is always > 0) 11
AR, AZ Radial and vertical fluid particle accelerations 10 Y
PHDYN Dynamic fluid pressure head 10 Y
ETA Wave amplitude over center of element 10 Y
TFLUID Fluid temperature (printed if VISC is nonzero) 10 Y
VISC Viscosity (output if VISC is nonzero) 10 Y
REN, RET Normal and tangential Reynolds numbers (if 10 Y
VISC is nonzero)
CT Input tangential drag coefficients evaluated at 10 Y
Reynolds numbers
CDY, CDZ Input normal drag coefficients evaluated at 10 Y
Reynolds numbers
CMY, CMZ Input inertia coefficients evaluated at Reynolds 10 Y
numbers
URT, URN Tangential (parallel to element axis) and normal 10 Y
relative velocities
ABURN Vector sum of normal (URN) velocities 10 Y
ARN Relative accelerations normal to element 10 Y
FX, FY, FZ Hydrodynamic tangential and normal forces per 10 Y
unit length in element coordinates
ARGU Effective position of wave (radians) 10 Y

1. Available only at the centroid as a *GET item.

2. See KEYOPT(6) description.

3. See KEYOPT(7) and KEYOPT(9) descriptions.

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 4. Available if the element has a nonlinear material.

5. Available only if ocean loading is present.

6. See KEYOPT(1) description.

7. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI command is used.

8. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and TB,STATE command are used.

9. Values are given as the average of the hydrodynamic integration points, which are
distributed along the wetted portion of the element.

10. Applies to ocean loading only.

11. Vector sum of wave and current velocities.

More output is described via the PRESOL and *GET,,SECR commands in POST1.

Table 7.188.2: BEAM188 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 885) lists output available via the ETABLE and
ESOL commands using the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The table uses the following notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.188.1: BEAM188 Element Output Definitions (p. 882)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

I,J

sequence number for data at nodes I and J

Table 7.188.2: BEAM188 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output Quantity ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Name Item E I J
Fx SMISC -- 1 14
My SMISC -- 2 15
Mz SMISC -- 3 16
TQ SMISC -- 4 17
SFz SMISC -- 5 18
SFy SMISC -- 6 19
Ex SMISC -- 7 20
Ky SMISC -- 8 21
Kz SMISC -- 9 22
TE SMISC -- 10 23

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Output Quantity ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Name Item E I J
SEz SMISC -- 11 24
SEy SMISC -- 12 25
BM SMISC -- 27 29
BK SMISC -- 28 30
SDIR SMISC -- 31 36
SByT SMISC -- 32 37
SByB SMISC -- 33 38
SBzT SMISC -- 34 39
SBzB SMISC -- 35 40
EPELDIR SMISC -- 41 46
EPELByT SMISC -- 42 47
EPELByB SMISC -- 43 48
EPELBzT SMISC -- 44 49
EPELBzB SMISC -- 45 50
TEMP SMISC -- 51-53 54-56
EXT PRESS [9] SMISC -- 62 66
EFFECTIVE TENS [9] SMISC -- 63 67
S:xx, xy, xz LS -- CI[1], DI[2] CJ[1], DJ[2]
EPEL:xx, xy, xz LEPEL -- CI[1], DI[2] CJ[1], DJ[2]
EPTH:xx LEPTH -- AI[3], BI[4] AJ[3], BJ[4]
EPPL:xx, xy, xz LEPPL -- CI[1], DI[2] CJ[1], DJ[2]
EPCR:xx, xy, xz LEPCR -- CI[1], DI[2] CJ[1], DJ[2]
EPTO:xx, xy, xz LEPTO -- CI[1], DI[2] CJ[1], DJ[2]
EPTT:xx, xy, xz LEPTT -- CI[1], DI[2] CJ[1], DJ[2]
NL: SEPL, SRAT, NLIN -- EI[5], FI[6] EJ[5], FJ[6]
HPRES, EPEQ, CREQ,
PLWK
Area NMISC -- 29 30
The following output quantities are valid for ocean loading only and are averaged values
for the element: [10]
GLOBAL COORD NMISC 1, 2, 3 -- --
VXY, VZ NMISC 4, 5 -- --
AR, AZ NMISC 6, 7 [7] -- --
PHDYN NMISC 8 [7] -- --
ETA NMISC 9 [7] -- --
TFLUID NMISC 10 -- --
VISC NMISC 11 -- --

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Output Quantity ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Name Item E I J
REN, RET NMISC 12, 13 [8] -- --
CT NMISC 14 -- --
CDY, CDZ NMISC 15, 16 -- --
CMY, CMZ NMISC 17, 18 [7] -- --
URT, URN NMISC 19, 20, 21 -- --
ABURN NMISC 22 [7] -- --
ARN NMISC 23, 24 [7] -- --
FX, FY, FZ NMISC 25, 26, 27 -- --
ARGU NMISC 28 [7] -- --

1. CI and CJ are the sequence numbers for accessing the averaged line element solution
quantities (LS, LEPEL, LEPPL, LEPCR, LEPTO, and LEPTT) at RST section nodes (section
corner nodes where results are available), at element Node I and J respectively. CI
and CJ are applicable only when KEYOPT(15) = 0. For a given section corner node
nn, CI and CJ are given as follows:

CI = (nn - 1) * 3+ COMP

CJ = (nnMax + nn - 1) * 3+ COMP

Where nnMax is the total number of RST section nodes, and COMP is the stress or
strain component (1 - xx, 2 - xy, 3 - xz). Locations of RST section nodes can be visu-
alized with SECPLOT,,6.

2. DI and DJ are the sequence numbers for accessing the non-averaged line element
solution quantities (LS, LEPEL, LEPPL, LEPCR, LEPTO, and LEPTT) at RST section integ-
ration points (section integration points where results are available), at element Node
I and J respectively. DI and DJ are applicable only when KEYOPT(15) = 1. For the ith
integration point (i = 1, 2, 3, or 4) in section cell nc, DI and DJ are given as follows:

DI = (nc - 1) * 12 + (i - 1) * 3 + COMP

DJ = (ncMax + nc - 1) * 12 + (i - 1) * 3 + COMP

Where ncMax is the total number of RST section cells, and COMP is the stress or
strain component (1 - xx, 2 - xy, 3 - xz). Locations of RST section cells can be visualized
with SECPLOT,,7.

3. AI and AJ are the sequence numbers for accessing the averaged line element thermal
strain quantities LEPTH at RST section nodes (section corner nodes where results are
available), at element Node I and J respectively. AI and AJ are applicable only when
KEYOPT(15) = 0. For a given section corner node nn, AI and AJ are given as follows:

AI = nn

AJ = nnMax + nn

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Where nnMax is the total number of RST section nodes. Locations of RST section
nodes can be visualized with SECPLOT,,6.

4. BI and BJ are the sequence numbers for accessing the non-averaged line element
thermal strain quantities LEPTH at RST section integration points (section integration
points where results are available), at element Node I and J respectively. BI and BJ
are applicable only when KEYOPT(15) = 1. For the ith integration point (i = 1, 2, 3,
or 4) in section cell nc, BI and BJ are given as follows:

BI = (nc - 1) * 4 + i

BJ = (ncMax + nc - 1) * 4 + i

Where ncMax is the total number of RST section cells. Locations of RST section cells
can be visualized with SECPLOT,,7.

5. EI and EJ are the sequence numbers for accessing the averaged line element nonlinear
solution quantities (NLIN) at RST section nodes (section corner nodes where results
are available), at element Node I and J, respectively. EI and EJ are applicable only
when KEYOPT(15) = 0. For a given section corner node nn, EI and EJ are given as
follows:

EI = (nn - 1) * 10 + COMP

EJ = (nnMax + nn - 1) * 10 + COMP

where nnMax is the total number of RST section nodes, and COMP is the nonlinear
element solution component (1 - SEPL, 2 - SRAT, 3 - HPRES, 4 -EPEQ, 5 - CREQ, 6 -
PLWK). Locations of RST section nodes can be visualized via SECPLOT,,6.

6. FI and FJ are the sequence numbers for accessing the nonaveraged line element
nonlinear solution quantities (NLIN) at RST section integration points (section integ-
ration points where results are available), at element Node I and J, respectively. FI
and FJ are applicable only when KEYOPT(15) = 1. For a given section integration
point nc, FI and FJ are given as follows:

FI = (nc - 1) * 10 + COMP

FJ = (ncMax + nc - 1) * 10 + COMP

where ncMax is the total number of RST section cells and COMP is the nonlinear
element solution component (1 - SEPL, 2 - SRAT, 3 - HPRES, 4 - EPEQ, 5 - CREQ, 6 -
PLWK). Locations of RST section cells can be visualized via SECPLOT,,7.

7. Applies to ocean loading only.

8. These quantities are output only if a Reynold's number dependency is used.

9. External pressure (EXT PRESS) and effective tension (EFFECTIVE TENS) occur at integ-
ration points, and not at end nodes.

10. Values are given as the average of the hydrodynamic integration points, which are
distributed along the wetted portion of the element.

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 Transverse-Shear Stress Output
The BEAM188 formulation is based on three stress components:

• one axial

• two shear stress

The shear stresses are caused by torsional and transverse loads. BEAM188 is based on first-order shear-
deformation theory, also popularly known as Timoshenko beam theory. The transverse-shear strain is
constant for the cross-section; therefore, the shear energy is based on a transverse-shear force. The
shear force is redistributed by predetermined shear-stress distribution coefficients across the beam
cross-section, and made available for output purposes. By default, the program outputs only the shear
stresses caused by torsional loading. Use KEYOPT(4) to activate output of shear stresses caused by
flexure or transverse loading.

The accuracy of transverse-shear distribution is directly proportional to the mesh density of cross-section
modeling (for determination of warping, shear center and other section geometric properties). The
traction-free state at the edges of a cross-section is met only in a well-refined model of the cross-section.

By default, the program uses a mesh density (for cross-section modeling) that provides accurate results
for torsional rigidity, warping rigidity, inertia properties, and shear-center determination. The default
mesh employed is also appropriate for nonlinear material calculations; however, more refined cross-
section models may be necessary if the shear stress distribution due to transverse loads must be captured
very accurately. Increasing cross-section mesh size does not imply larger computational cost if the cross-
section is homogeneous and the associated material is linear. Use the SECTYPE and SECDATA commands
to adjust cross-section mesh density.

The transverse-shear distribution calculation ignores the effects of Poisson's ratio. The Poisson's ratio
affects the shear-correction factor and shear-stress distribution slightly, and this effect is ignored.

BEAM188 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The beam must not have zero length.

• By default (KEYOPT(1) = 0), the effect of warping restraint is assumed to be negligible.

• Cross-section failure or folding is not accounted for.

• Initial state is not available for beam sections of subtype ASEC (SECDATA,BEAM,ASEC).

• The element works best with the full Newton-Raphson solution scheme (that is, the default
choice in solution control).

• Only moderately "thick" beams can be analyzed. See "BEAM188 Element Technology and Usage
Recommendations" (p. 869) for more information.

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Prestress

effects can be activated by the PSTRES command.

• When the element is associated with nonlinear general beam sections (SECTYPE,,GENB), addi-
tional restrictions apply. For more information, see Considerations for Using Nonlinear General
Beam Sections in the Structural Analysis Guide.

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• For a random vibration (PSD) analysis, equivalent stress is not calculated.

• When the element is used in an ocean environment:

– For subtype ASEC, the calculated perimeter is two times the sum of the input maximum height
and width.

– Hydrodynamic output via KEYOPT(13) is not available in harmonic analyses that include ocean
wave effects (HROCEAN).

– The three-dimensional effect of water pressure on the element is adjusted, as the element has
only one direct stress. For more information, see Hydrostatic Loads in the Theory Reference.

– Enclosed spaces used by subtypes CTUBE or HREC are assumed to have the same pressure
and internal fluid density as the surrounding ocean (that is, as if the flooding option used with
PIPE288 (p. 1383) or PIPE289 (p. 1403) is always enabled).

– Generally, it is better to use a pipe element (PIPE288 (p. 1383) or PIPE289 (p. 1403)) rather than
beam subtype CTUBE, as the pipe element has a degree of freedom to account for cross-sec-
tional compression and can also have an independent internal pressure applied.

– The output axial force may not be exact when using ocean loading with nonlinear materials.

BEAM188 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

• Initial state is not available.

• Ocean loading is not available.

BEAM189
3-D 3-Node Beam
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 911)

BEAM189 Element Description

The BEAM189 element is suitable for analyzing slender to moderately stubby/thick beam structures.
The element is based on Timoshenko beam theory which includes shear-deformation effects. The element
provides options for unrestrained warping and restrained warping of cross-sections.

The element is a quadratic three-node beam element in 3-D. With default settings, six degrees of freedom
occur at each node; these include translations in the x, y, and z directions and rotations about the x, y,

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and z directions. An optional seventh degree of freedom (warping magnitude) is available. The element
is well-suited for linear, large rotation, and/or large-strain nonlinear applications.

The element includes stress stiffness terms, by default, in any analysis with NLGEOM,ON. The provided
stress-stiffness terms enable the elements to analyze flexural, lateral, and torsional stability problems
(using eigenvalue buckling, or collapse studies with arc length methods or nonlinear stabilization).

Elasticity, plasticity, creep and other nonlinear material models are supported. A cross-section associated
with this element type can be a built-up section referencing more than one material. Added mass, hy-
drodynamic added mass and loading, and buoyant loading are available.

For more detailed information about this element, see BEAM189 - 3-D 3-Node Beam in the Theory Ref-
erence.

Figure 7.189.1: BEAM189 Geometry

z
1
4 L
2
I 3

y
Y 189
K
x
X
Z J 5

BEAM189 Element Technology and Usage Recommendations

BEAM189 is based on Timoshenko beam theory, which is a first-order shear-deformation theory: trans-
verse-shear strain is constant through the cross-section (that is, cross-sections remain plane and undis-
torted after deformation).

The element can be used for slender or stout beams. Due to the limitations of first-order shear-deform-
ation theory, slender to moderately thick beams can be analyzed. Use the slenderness ratio of a beam
structure (GAL2/(EI)) to judge the applicability of the element, where:

Shear modulus

Area of the cross-section

Length of the member (not the element length)

EI

Flexural rigidity

Calculate the ratio using some global distance measures, rather than basing it upon individual element
dimensions. The following illustration shows an estimate of transverse-shear deformation in a cantilever

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Element Library

beam subjected to a tip load. Although the results cannot be extrapolated to any other application,
the example serves well as a general guideline. A slenderness ratio greater than 30 is recommended.

Figure 7.189.2: Transverse-Shear Deformation Estimation

L P

Slenderness Ratio δ Timoshenko / δ

(GAL2/(EI)) Euler-Bernoulli
25 1.120
50 1.060
100 1.030
1000 1.003

These elements support an elastic relationship between transverse-shear forces and transverse-shear
strains. You can override default values of transverse-shear stiffnesses (SECCONTROL).

BEAM189 does not use higher-order theories to account for variation in distribution of shear stresses.
Use solid elements if such effects must be considered.

When KEYOPT(5) = 1, BEAM189 deforms in the XY plane only. It has three degrees of freedom at each
node (translations in the x and y directions, and rotation about the z direction).

BEAM189 in 3-D space (KEYOPT(5) = 0) supports restrained-warping analysis by making available a

seventh degree of freedom at each beam node. By default, BEAM189 elements assume that the warping
of a cross-section is small enough that it can be ignored (KEYOPT(1) = 0). You can activate the warping
degree of freedom by using KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2. With the warping degree of freedom activated, each
node has seven degrees of freedom: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ, and WARP. When KEYOPT(1) = 1
or 2, bimoment and bicurvature are output. BEAM189 in the XY plane (KEYOPT(5) = 1) does not support
restrained-warping analysis.

Unlike other cubic (Hermitian) polynomial-based elements, BEAM189 is based on quadratic polynomials;
therefore, offsets in specification of distributed pressure loads are not allowed.BEAM189 has linear
bending-moment variation. Refinement of the mesh is recommended in order to accommodate such
loading. BEAM189 is computationally efficient and has super-convergence properties with respect to
mesh refinement. For example, the quadratic beam with a two point Gaussian integration is known to
be of same accuracy as a Hermitian element.

In practice, when two elements with restrained warping come together at a sharp angle, you must
couple the displacements and rotations but leave the out-of-plane warping decoupled (typically by
having two nodes at a physical location and using appropriate constraints). The process is made easier
or automatic, as follows:

• If KEYOPT(1) = 1, issue ENDRELEASE to decouple the out-of-plane warping for any adjacent
elements with cross-sections intersecting at an angle > 20 degrees (default). Other ENDRELEASE
options are also available.

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• If KEYOPT(1) = 2, the program performs pre-solution checks automatically (after issuing SOLVE)
and decouples the out-of-plane warping for any adjacent elements as necessary. For more in-
formation, see BEAM189 Pre-Solution Checks when KEYOPT(1) = 2 (p. 902).

BEAM189 allows change in cross-sectional inertia properties as a function of axial elongation. By default,
the cross-sectional area changes such that the volume of the element is preserved after deformation.
The default is suitable for elastoplastic applications. By using KEYOPT(2), you can choose to keep the
cross-section constant or rigid. Scaling is not an option for nonlinear general beam sections (SEC-
TYPE,,GENB).

For the mass matrix and evaluation of consistent load vectors, a higher order integration rule than that
used for stiffness matrix is employed. The elements support both consistent and lumped mass matrices.
Avoid using LUMPM,ON as BEAM189 is a higher-order element. Consistent mass matrix is used by default.
You can add mass per unit length via the SECCONTROL command's ADDMAS values. See "BEAM189
Input Summary" (p. 897).

When ocean loading is applied, the loading is nonlinear (that is, based on the square of the relative
velocity between the structure and the water). Accordingly, the full Newton-Raphson option (NROPT,FULL)
may be necessary to achieve optimal results. (Full Newton-Raphson is applied automatically in an ana-
lysis involving large-deflection effects [NLGEOM,ON].)

The St. Venant warping functions for torsional behavior are determined in the undeformed state, and
are used to define shear strain even after yielding. No options are available for recalculating in deformed
configuration the torsional shear distribution on cross-sections during the analysis and possible partial
plastic yielding of cross-sections. As such, large inelastic deformation due to torsional loading should
be treated and verified with caution. Under such circumstances, alternative modeling using solid or
shell elements is recommended.

BEAM189 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, coordinate system, and pressure directions for this element are shown
in Figure 7.189.1: BEAM189 Geometry (p. 891). BEAM189 is defined by nodes I, J, and K in the global co-
ordinate system.

Node L is a preferred way to define the orientation of the element in 3-D space. For information about
orientation nodes and beam meshing, see Generating a Beam Mesh With Orientation Nodes in the
Modeling and Meshing Guide. Also, see Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the same manual for the
use of midside nodes. See LMESH and LATT for details about generating the L node automatically. For
information about the low-order beam, see BEAM188 (p. 868).

BEAM189 in 3-D space can also be defined without the orientation node L. In this case, the element x
axis is oriented from node I (end 1) toward node J (end 2). When no orientation node is used, the default
orientation of the element y axis is automatically calculated to be parallel to the global XY plane. For
the case where the element is parallel to the global Z axis (or within a 0.01 percent slope of it), the
element y axis is oriented parallel to the global Y axis (as shown). For user control of the element ori-
entation about the element x axis, use the L node option. If both are defined, the orientation node
option takes precedence. The orientation node L, if used, defines a plane (with I and J) containing the
element x and z axes (as shown). If using this element in a large-deflection analysis, be aware that the
location of the orientation node L is used only to initially orient the element.

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The orientation of BEAM189 in the XY plane (KEYOPT(5) = 1) is determined by the location of nodes I
and J. The element x axis is oriented from node I (end 1) toward node J (end 2). The element y axis is
oriented along the negative global Z axis. Orientation node K is not needed.

The number of degrees of freedom depends on the value of KEYOPT(1). When KEYOPT(1) = 0 (default),
six degrees of freedom occur at each node; these include translations in the x, y, and z directions and
rotations about the x, y, and z directions. When KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2, a seventh degree of freedom
(warping magnitude) is also considered. Warping is not supported for BEAM189 in XY plane (KEYOPT(5)
= 1).

The element is a one-dimensional line element in space. The cross-section details are provided separately
via the SECTYPE and SECDATA commands. (See Beam Analysis and Cross-Sections in the Structural
Analysis Guide for details.) A section is associated with the beam elements by specifying the section ID
number (SECNUM). A section number is an independent attribute. In addition to a constant cross-section,
you can also define a tapered cross-section by using the TAPER option on the SECTYPE command. (For
more information, see Defining a Tapered Beam or Pipe.)

BEAM189 ignores any real constant data beginning with Release 6.0. See SECCONTROL command for
defining the transverse-shear stiffness, and added mass.

A summary of the element input follows in "BEAM189 Input Summary" (p. 897).

BEAM189 Cross-Sections
BEAM189 can be associated with these cross-section types (SECTYPE,,Type):

• Standard library section types or user meshes which define the geometry of the beam cross-section
(SECTYPE,,BEAM). The material of the beam is defined either as an element attribute (MAT), or as
part of section buildup (for multi-material cross-sections). BEAM189 in the XY plane (KEYOPT(5) = 1)
supports only section types that are symmetric about the XY plane.

• Generalized beam cross-section (SECTYPE,,GENB), where the relationships of generalized stresses to

generalized strains are input directly. Not available for BEAM189 in the XY plane (KEYOPT(5) = 1) and
ocean loading.

• Tapered beam cross-section (SECTYPE,,TAPER), where a standard library section or user mesh defines
each end of the beam. Not available for ocean loading.

• Preintegrated composite beam cross section (SECTYPE,,COMB,MATRIX), abstract cross section type
for defining a fully populated but symmetrical cross-section stiffness and mass matrix directly. Not
available for ocean loading.

Standard Library Sections

BEAM189 is provided with section-relevant quantities (area of integration, position, etc.) automatically
at a number of section points using SECTYPE and SECDATA. Each section is assumed to be an assembly
of a predetermined number of nine-node cells. Each cross-section cell has four integration points and
each can be associated with an independent material type.

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Figure 7.189.3: Cross-Section Cells
+ + + + + +
+ + + +
+ + + + + +

+
+
+
+
+ + + +

+
+
+ + + +

+
+
+ + + + + +
+ + + +
+ + + + + +

(a) Rectangular section (b) Channel section

Section Nodes
Section Corner Nodes
+ Section Integration Points

The number of cells in the cross-sections influences the accuracy of section properties and ability to
model nonlinear stress-strain relationship through the cross-section. The element has a nested structure
of integration (along the length and in the cross-section).

When the material associated with the elements has inelastic behavior or when the temperature varies
across the section, constitutive calculations are performed at the section integration points. For more
common elastic applications, the element uses precalculated properties of the section at the element
integration points. However, the stresses and strains are calculated in the output pass at the section
nodes.

If the section is assigned the subtype ASEC, only the generalized stresses and strains (axial force,
bending moments, transverse shears, curvatures, and shear strains) are available for output. 3-D contour
plots and deformed shapes are not available. The ASEC subtype is displayed only as a thin rectangle to
verify beam orientation. BEAM189 treats ASEC as a section type with just one cross-section integration
point.

BEAM189 is helpful for analyzing built-up beams, (that is, those fabricated of two or more pieces of
material joined together to form a single, solid beam). The pieces are assumed to be perfectly bonded
together; therefore, the beam behaves as a single member.

The multi-material cross-section capability is applicable only where the assumption of beam behavior
(Timoshenko or Bernoulli-Euler beam theory) holds.

Therefore, the element models a simple extension of a conventional Timoshenko beam and can be
used in applications such as:

• bimetallic strips

• beams with metallic reinforcement

• sensors where layers of a different material has been deposited

BEAM189 does not account for coupling of bending and twisting at the section stiffness level. The
transverse shears are also treated in an uncoupled manner. This may have a significant effect on layered
composite and sandwich beams if the lay-up is unbalanced.

Always validate the application of BEAM189, either with experiments or other numerical analysis. Use
the restrained warping option with built-up sections after due verification.

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KEYOPT(15) specifies the format of the .rst results file. For KEYOPT(15) = 0, the format gives only one
averaged result at each section corner node; therefore, this option typically applies to homogeneous
sections. For KEYOPT(15) = 1, the format gives one result for each section integration point; therefore,
this option typically applies to built-up sections with multiple materials (and generates a larger results
file).

Generalized Beam Cross-Sections

When using nonlinear general beam sections, neither the geometric properties nor the material is ex-
plicitly specified. Generalized stress implies the axial force, bending moments, torque, and transverse-
shear forces. Similarly, generalized strain implies the axial strain, bending curvatures, twisting curvature,
and transverse-shear strains. (For more information, see nonlinear general beam sections.) This is an
abstract method for representing cross-section behavior; therefore, input often consists of experimental
data or the results of other analyses.

Generally, BEAM189 supports an elastic relationship between transverse-shear forces and transverse-
shear strains. You can override default values of transverse-shear stiffnesses via the SECCONTROL
command.

When the beam element is associated with a generalized beam (SECTYPE,,GENB) cross-section type,
the relationship of transverse-shear force to the transverse-shear strain can be nonlinear elastic or plastic,
an especially useful capability when flexible spot welds are modeled. In such a case, the SECCONTROL
command does not apply.

Tapered Beam Cross-Sections

A linearly tapered beam is defined by specifying a standard library section or user mesh at each end
of the beam. The section geometries are specified at global coordinates, then linear interpolated and
evaluated at the element. The sections at the end points must be topologically identical. (For more in-
formation, see Defining a Tapered Beam or Pipe.)

BEAM189 Loads
Forces are applied at the nodes (which also define the element x axis). If the centroidal axis is not colinear
with the element x axis, applied axial forces will cause bending. Applied shear forces will cause torsional
strains and moment if the centroid and shear center of the cross-section are different. The nodes should
therefore be located at the points where you want to apply the forces. Use the OFFSETY and OFFSETZ
arguments of the SECOFFSET command appropriately.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Pressures may be input as surface loads on
the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Figure 7.189.1: BEAM189 Geometry (p. 891).
Positive normal pressures act into the element. Lateral pressures are input as force per unit length. End
"pressures" are input as forces.

At both ends of the element, temperatures can be input at these locations:

• At the element x axis (T(0,0))

• At one unit from the x axis in the element y direction (T(1,0)) (not supported for (KEYOPT(5) =
1)

• At one unit from the x axis in the element z direction (T(0,1))

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Element locations (T(y,z)) are given according to the convention used in Figure 7.189.1: BEAM189 Geo-
metry (p. 891).

For beam elements, element body load commands (BFE) accept an element number and a list of values,
1 through 6 for temperatures TI(0,0), TI(1,0), TI(0,1), TJ(0,0), TJ(1,0), and TJ(0,1). This input can be used to
specify temperature gradients that vary linearly both over the cross section and along the length of the
element.

The following defaults apply to element temperature input:

• If all temperatures after the first are unspecified, they default to the first. This pattern applies a
uniform temperature over the entire element. (The first coordinate temperature, if unspecified,
defaults to TUNIF.)

• If all three temperatures at node I are input, and all temperatures at node J are unspecified, the
node J temperatures default to the corresponding node I temperatures. This pattern applies a
temperature gradient that varies linearly over the cross section but remains constant along the
length of the element.

• For any other input pattern, unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

Alternatively, temperatures at nodes I and J can be defined using nodal body loads (BF,NODE,TEMP,VAL1).
When using a nodal body load to define a temperature, a uniform temperature is applied over the cross
section at the specified node. (BF command input is not accepted at node K.)

Temperature gradients across the cross-section are not allowed when the beam section has an arbitrary
(ASEC) subtype, where the integrated cross-section inertia properties are user-defined (SEC-
TYPE,,BEAM,ASEC).

You can apply an initial stress state to this element via the INISTATE command. Initial state is not
available for beam sections of subtype ASEC (SECDATA,BEAM,ASEC).

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element. If an unsymmetric
matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, use NROPT,UNSYM.

Ocean Loading
Hydrodynamic added mass and loading, and buoyant loading, are available (OCDATA and OCTABLE).

The global origin is normally at the mean sea level, with the global Z axis pointing away from the center
of the earth; however, the vertical location can be adjusted via Zmsl (Val6) on OCDATA (following
OCTYPE,BASIC).

BEAM189 in the XY plane (KEYOPT(5) = 1) does not support ocean loading.

For more information, see Applying Ocean Loads.

BEAM189 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, and L (an optional but recommended orientation node) if KEYOPT(5) = 0

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I, J, K if KEYOPT(5) = 1

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ if KEYOPT(1) = 0 and KEYOPT(5) = 0

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ, WARP if KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2 and KEYOPT(5) = 0
UX, UY, ROTZ if KEYOPT(5) = 1

Section Controls

TXZ, TXY, ADDMAS (see SECCONTROL)

(TXZ and TXY default to A*GXZ and A*GXY, respectively, where A = cross-sectional area)

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.

MP command: EX, (PRXY,or NUXY), GXY, GXZ, ALPX, (or CTEX, or THSX), DENS, ALPD, BETD, DMPR,
DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressure --

face 1 (I-J) (-z normal direction)

face 2 (I-J) (-y normal direction) (not applicable if KEYOPT(5) = 1)
face 3 (I-J) (+x tangential direction)
face 4 (I) (+x axial direction)
face 5 (J) (-x axial direction)
---
I and J denote the end nodes.
Use a negative value for loading in the opposite direction.
Issue the SFBEAM command to specify surface loads.
Distributed pressure offsets are not available for faces 1, 2, and 3.

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(0,0), T(1,0), T(0,1) at each end node

Special Features

Birth and death (requires KEYOPT(11) = 1)

Coriolis effect
Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Generalized cross-section

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 Initial state
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear stabilization
Ocean loading
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(1)

Warping degree of freedom:

0 --

Six degrees of freedom per node, unrestrained warping (default)

1 --

Seven degrees of freedom per node (including warping). Bimoment and bicurvature are output.

2 --

Seven degrees of freedom per node (including warping), but with automatic pre-solution checks.
(See BEAM189 Pre-Solution Checks when KEYOPT(1) = 2 (p. 902).) Bimoment and bicurvature are
output.

KEYOPT(2)

Cross-section scaling:

0 --

Cross-section is scaled as a function of axial stretch (default); applies only if NLGEOM,ON has
been invoked

1 --

Section is assumed to be rigid (classical beam theory)

KEYOPT(4)

Shear stress output:

0 --

Output only torsion-related shear stresses (default)

1 --

Output only flexure-related transverse-shear stresses

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2 --

Output a combined state of the previous two types.

KEYOPT(5)

Deformation occurs in 3-D space or XY plane:

0 --

3-D space (default)

1 --

XY plane

KEYOPT(6), KEYOPT(7), and KEYOPT(9)

Active only when OUTPR,ESOL is active:

KEYOPT(6)

Output control for section forces/moments and strains/curvatures:

0 --

Output section forces/moments and strains/curvatures at integration points along the length
(default)

1 --

Same as KEYOPT(6) = 0 plus current section area

2 --

Same as KEYOPT(6) = 1 plus element basis directions (X,Y,Z)

3 --

Output section forces/moments and strains/curvatures extrapolated to the element nodes

KEYOPT(7)

Output control at section integration point (not available when section subtype = ASEC):

0 --

None (default)

1 --

Maximum and minimum stresses/strains

2 --

Same as KEYOPT(7) = 1 plus stresses and strains at each section point

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KEYOPT(9)

Output control for values extrapolated to the element and section nodes (not available when section
subtype = ASEC):

0 --

None (default)

1 --

Maximum and minimum stresses/strains

2 --

Same as KEYOPT(9) = 1 plus stresses and strains along the exterior boundary of the cross-section

3 --

Same as KEYOPT(9) = 1 plus stresses and strains at all section nodes

KEYOPT(11)

Set section properties:

0 --

Automatically determine if preintegrated section properties can be used (default)

1 --

Use numerical integration of section

KEYOPT(12)

Tapered section treatment:

0 --

Linear tapered section analysis; cross-section properties are evaluated at each Gauss point (de-
fault). This is more accurate, but computationally intensive.

1 --

Average cross-section analysis; for elements with tapered sections, cross-section properties are
evaluated at the centroid only. This is an approximation of the order of the mesh size; however,
it is faster.

KEYOPT(13)

Hydrodynamic output (not available in harmonic analyses that include ocean wave effects
(HROCEAN)):

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0 --

None (default)

1 --

Additional centroidal hydrodynamic printout

KEYOPT(15)

Results file format:

0 --

Store averaged results at each section corner node (default).

1 --

Store non-averaged results at each section integration point. (The volume of data may be ex-
cessive. This option is typically useful for built-up sections with multiple materials only.)

BEAM189 Pre-Solution Checks when KEYOPT(1) = 2

When KEYOPT(1) = 2, the following automatic pre-solution checks occur after issuing SOLVE:

• For beam elements using an open cross-section only (for example, section subtype CHAN, I, Z, L, T,
HATS, ASEC, or MESH), the program ensures that the warping degree of freedom has been added.

If a beam element with a closed cross-section is found (for example, section subtype RECT, QUAD,
CSOLID, CTUBE, or HREC), the program assigns it a new element type with KEYOPT(1) = 0. (All other
KEYOPT settings are retained from the original element type.)

• For beam elements confirmed to have open cross-sections, the program determines whether the
warping degree of freedom needs to be decoupled at any selected nodes. The warping is decoupled
for the connected elements in the following cases:

– If elements intersect at an angle > 20 degrees.

– If the difference in any of the cross-section properties is > 20 percent.

The automatic check is equivalent to issuing ENDRELEASE,,,WARP,,,,,1, excluding the offsets and
cross-section orientation checks.

BEAM189 Output Data

The solution output associated with these elements is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements and reactions included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as described in Table 7.189.1: BEAM189 Element Output Defini-
tions (p. 904)

To view 3-D deformed shapes for BEAM189, issue an OUTRES,MISC or OUTRES,ALL command for static
or transient analyses. To view 3-D mode shapes for a modal or eigenvalue buckling analysis, you must

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expand the modes with element results calculation active (via the MXPAND command's Elcalc = YES
option).

Linearized Stress

It is customary in beam design to employ components of axial stress that contribute to axial loads and
bending in each direction separately; therefore, BEAM189 provides a linearized stress output as part of
its SMISC output record, as indicated in the following definitions:

SDIR is the stress component due to axial load.

SDIR = Fx/A, where Fx is the axial load (SMISC quantities 1 and 14) and A is the area of the cross-section.

SByT and SByB are bending stress components.

SByT = -Mz * ymax / Izz

SByB = -Mz * ymin / Izz
SBzT = My * zmax / Iyy
SBzB = My * zmin / Iyy

where My, Mz are bending moments (SMISC quantities 2,15,3,16). Coordinates ymax, ymin, zmax, and zmin
are the maximum and minimum y, z coordinates in the cross-section measured from the centroid. Values
Iyy and Izz are moments of inertia of the cross-section. Except for the ASEC type of beam cross-section,
the program uses the maximum and minimum cross-section dimensions. For the ASEC type of cross-
section, the maximum and minimum in each of y and z direction is assumed to be +0.5 to -0.5, respect-
ively.

Corresponding definitions for the component strains are:

EPELDIR = Ex
EPELBYT = -Kz * ymax
EPELBYB = -Kz * ymin
EPELBZT = Ky * zmax
EPELBZB = Ky * zmin

where Ex, Ky, and Kz are generalized strains and curvatures (SMISC quantities 7,8,9, 20,21 and 22).

The reported linearized stresses are strictly valid only for elastic behavior of members. BEAM189 always
employs combined stresses in order to support nonlinear material behavior. When the elements are
associated with nonlinear materials, the component stresses may at best be regarded as linearized ap-
proximations and should be interpreted with caution.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

In the table below, the O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The
R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.189.1: BEAM189 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number Y Y
NODES Element connectivity Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
C.G.:X, Y, Z Element center of gravity Y Y
Area Area of cross-section 1 Y
SF:y, z Section shear forces 1 Y
SE:y, z Section shear strains 1 Y
S:xx, xy, xz Section point stresses 2 Y
EPEL:xx, xy, xz Elastic strains 2 Y
EPTO:xx, xy, xz Section point total mechanical strains (EPEL + 2 Y
EPPL + EPCR)
EPTT:xx, xy, xz Section point total strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR 2 Y
+ EPTH)
EPPL:xx, xy, xz Section point plastic strains 2 Y
EPCR:xx, xy, xz Section point creep strains 2 Y
EPTH:xx Section point thermal strains 2 Y
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress - 3
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not - 3
yielding)
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure - 3
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain - 3
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain - 3
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume - 3
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - 3
PLASTIC, CREEP
TQ Torsional moment Y Y
TE Torsional strain Y Y
Ky, Kz Curvature Y Y
Ex Axial strain Y Y
Fx Axial force Y Y
My, Mz Bending moments Y Y
BM Warping bimoment 4 4
BK Warping bicurvature 4 4
EXT PRESS External pressure at integration point 5 5
EFFECTIVE TENS Effective tension on beam 5 5

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 Name Definition O R
SDIR Axial direct stress - 1
SByT Bending stress on the element +Y side of the - Y
beam
SByB Bending stress on the element -Y side of the - Y
beam
SBzT Bending stress on the element +Z side of the - Y
beam
SBzB Bending stress on the element -Z side of the - Y
beam
EPELDIR Axial strain at the end - Y
EPELByT Bending strain on the element +Y side of the - Y
beam.
EPELByB Bending strain on the element -Y side of the - Y
beam.
EPELBzT Bending strain on the element +Z side of the - Y
beam.
EPELBzB Bending strain on the element -Z side of the - Y
beam.
TEMP Temperatures at all section corner nodes. - Y
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 6
SVAR:1, 2, ... , N State variables - 7
The following values apply to ocean loading only: [8]
GLOBAL COORD Element centroid location 9 Y
VXY, VZ Horizontal and vertical fluid particle velocities 9, 10 Y
(VXY is always > 0)
AR, AZ Radial and vertical fluid particle accelerations 9 Y
PHDYN Dynamic fluid pressure head 9 Y
ETA Wave amplitude over center of element 9 Y
TFLUID Fluid temperature (printed if VISC is nonzero) 9 Y
VISC Viscosity (output if VISC is nonzero) 9 Y
REN, RET Normal and tangential Reynolds numbers (if 9 Y
VISC is nonzero)
CT Input tangential drag coefficients evaluated at 9 Y
Reynolds numbers
CDY, CDZ Input normal drag coefficients evaluated at 9 Y
Reynolds numbers
CMY, CMZ Input inertia coefficients evaluated at Reynolds 9 Y
numbers
URT, URN Tangential (parallel to element axis) and normal 9 Y
relative velocities
ABURN Vector sum of normal (URN) velocities 9 Y

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Name Definition O R
ARN Relative accelerations normal to element 9 Y
FX, FY, FZ Hydrodynamic tangential and normal forces per 9 Y
unit length in element coordinates
ARGU Effective position of wave (radians) 9 Y

1. See KEYOPT(6) description

2. See KEYOPT(7) and KEYOPT(9) descriptions

3. Available if the element has a nonlinear material.

4. See KEYOPT(1) description

5. Available only if ocean loading is present.

6. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI command is used.

7. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and TB,STATE command are used.

8. Values are given as the average of the hydrodynamic integration points, which are
distributed along the wetted portion of the element.

9. Applies to ocean loading only.

10. Vector sum of wave and current velocities.

More output is described via the PRESOL and *GET,,SECR commands in POST1.

Table 7.189.2: BEAM 189 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 906) lists output available via the ETABLE and
ESOL commands using the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The table uses the following notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.189.1: BEAM189 Element Output Definitions (p. 904)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

I,J

sequence number for data at nodes I and J

Table 7.189.2: BEAM 189 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output Quantity ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Name Item E I J
Fx SMISC -- 1 14
My SMISC -- 2 15

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Output Quantity ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Name Item E I J
Mz SMISC -- 3 16
TQ SMISC -- 4 17
SFz SMISC -- 5 18
SFy SMISC -- 6 19
Ex SMISC -- 7 20
Ky SMISC -- 8 21
Kz SMISC -- 9 22
TE SMISC -- 10 23
SEz SMISC -- 11 24
SEy SMISC -- 12 25
BM SMISC -- 27 29
BK SMISC -- 28 30
SDIR SMISC -- 31 36
SByT SMISC -- 32 37
SByB SMISC -- 33 38
SBzT SMISC -- 34 39
SBzB SMISC -- 35 40
EPELDIR SMISC -- 41 46
EPELByT SMISC -- 42 47
EPELByB SMISC -- 43 48
EPELBzT SMISC -- 44 49
EPELBzB SMISC -- 45 50
TEMP SMISC -- 51-53 54-56
EXT PRESS [1] SMISC -- 62 66
EFFECTIVE TENS [1] SMISC -- 63 67
S:xx, xy, xz LS -- CI[2], DI[3] CJ[2], DJ[3]
EPEL:xx,xz,xy LEPEL -- CI[2], DI[3] CJ[2], DJ[3]
EPTH:xx LEPTH -- AI[4], BI[7] AJ[4], BJ[7]
EPPL:xx,xz,xy LEPPL -- CI[2], DI[3] CJ[2], DJ[3]
EPCR:xx,xz,xy LEPCR -- CI[2], DI[3] CJ[2], DJ[3]
EPTO:xx, xy, xz LEPTO -- CI[2], DI[3] CJ[2], DJ[3]
EPTT:xx, xy, xz LEPTT -- CI[2], DI[3] CJ[2], DJ[3]
NL: SEPL, SRAT, NLIN -- EI[5], FI[6] EJ[5], FJ[6]
HPRES, EPEQ, CREQ,
PLWK
Area NMISC -- 29 30

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Output Quantity ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Name Item E I J
The following output quantities are valid for ocean loading only and are averaged values
for the element: [10]
GLOBAL COORD NMISC 1, 2, 3 -- --
VXY, VZ NMISC 4, 5 -- --
AR, AZ NMISC 6, 7 [8] -- --
PHDYN NMISC 8 [8] -- --
ETA NMISC 9 [8] -- --
TFLUID NMISC 10 -- --
VISC NMISC 11 -- --
REN, RET NMISC 12, 13 [9] -- --
CT NMISC 14 -- --
CDY, CDZ NMISC 15, 16 -- --
CMY, CMZ NMISC 17, 18 [8] -- --
URT, URN NMISC 19, 20, 21 -- --
ABURN NMISC 22 [8] -- --
ARN NMISC 23, 24 [8] -- --
FX, FY, FZ NMISC 25, 26, 27 -- --
ARGU NMISC 28 [8] -- --

1. External pressure (EXT PRESS) and effective tension (EFFECTIVE TENS) occur at integ-
ration points, and not at end nodes.

2. CI and CJ are the sequence numbers for accessing the averaged line element solution
quantities (LS, LEPEL, LEPPL, LEPCR, LEPTO, and LEPTT) at RST section nodes (section
corner nodes where results are available), at element Node I and J respectively. CI
and CJ are applicable only when KEYOPT(15) = 0. For a given section corner node
nn, CI and CJ are given as follows:

CI = (nn - 1) * 3+ COMP

CJ = (nnMax + nn - 1) * 3 + COMP

Where nnMax is the total number of RST section nodes, and COMP is the stress or
strain component (1 - xx, 2 - xy, 3 - xz). Locations of RST section nodes can be visu-
alized with SECPLOT,,6.

3. DI and DJ are the sequence numbers for accessing the non-averaged line element
solution quantities (LS, LEPEL, LEPPL, LEPCR, LEPTO, and LEPTT) at RST section integ-
ration points (section integration points where results are available), respectively at
element Node I and J. DI and DJ are applicable only when KEYOPT(15) = 1. For the
ith integration point (i = 1, 2, 3, or 4) in section cell nc, DI and DJ are given as follows:

DI = (nc - 1) * 12 + (i - 1) * 3 + COMP

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 DJ = (ncMax + nc - 1) * 12 + (i - 1) * 3 + COMP

Where ncMax is the total number of RST section cells, and COMP is the stress or
strain component (1 - xx, 2 - xy, 3 - xz). Locations of RST section cells can be visualized
with SECPLOT,,7.

4. AI and AJ are the sequence numbers for accessing the averaged line element thermal
strain quantities LEPTH at RST section nodes (section corner nodes where results are
available), at element Node I and J respectively. AI and AJ are applicable only when
KEYOPT(15) = 0. For a given section corner node nn, AI and AJ are given as follows:

AI = nn

AJ = nnMax + nn

Where nnMax is the total number of RST section nodes. Locations of RST section
nodes can be visualized with SECPLOT,,6.

5. EI and EJ are the sequence numbers for accessing the averaged line element nonlinear
solution quantities (NLIN) at RST section nodes (section corner nodes where results
are available), at element Node I and J, respectively. EI and EJ are applicable only
when KEYOPT(15) = 0. For a given section corner node nn, EI and EJ are given as
follows:

EI = (nn - 1) * 10 + COMP

EJ = (nnMax + nn - 1) * 10 + COMP

where nnMax is the total number of RST section nodes, and COMP is the nonlinear
element solution component (1 - SEPL, 2 - SRAT, 3 - HPRES, 4 -EPEQ, 5 - CREQ, 6 -
PLWK). Locations of RST section nodes can be visualized via SECPLOT,,6.

6. FI and FJ are the sequence numbers for accessing the nonaveraged line element
nonlinear solution quantities (NLIN) at RST section integration points (section integ-
ration points where results are available), at element Node I and J, respectively. FI
and FJ are applicable only when KEYOPT(15) = 1. For a given section integration
point nc, FI and FJ are given as follows:

FI = (nc - 1) * 10 + COMP

FJ = (ncMax + nc - 1) * 10 + COMP

where ncMax is the total number of RST section cells and COMP is the nonlinear
element solution component (1 - SEPL, 2 - SRAT, 3 - HPRES, 4 - EPEQ, 5 - CREQ, 6 -
PLWK). Locations of RST section cells can be visualized via SECPLOT,,7.

7. BI and BJ are the sequence numbers for accessing the non-averaged line element
thermal strain quantities LEPTH at RST section integration points (section integration
points where results are available), at element Node I and J respectively. BI and BJ
are applicable only when KEYOPT(15) = 1. For the ith integration point (i = 1, 2, 3,
or 4) in section cell nc, BI and BJ are given as follows:

BI = (nc - 1) * 4 + i

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Element Library

BJ = (ncMax + nc - 1) * 4 + i

Where ncMax is the total number of RST section cells. Locations of RST section cells
can be visualized with SECPLOT,,7.

8. Applies to ocean loading only.

9. These quantities are output only if a Reynold's number dependency is used.

10. Values are given as the average of the hydrodynamic integration points, which are
distributed along the wetted portion of the element.

For more usage details, see Plot and Review the Section Results and Example: Problem with Cantilever
Beams.

Transverse-Shear Stress Output

The BEAM189 formulation is based on three stress components:

• one axial

• two shear stress

The shear stresses are caused by torsional and transverse loads. BEAM189 is based on first-order shear-
deformation theory, also popularly known as Timoshenko beam theory. The transverse-shear strain is
constant for the cross-section; therefore, the shear energy is based on a transverse-shear force. The
shear force is redistributed by predetermined shear-stress distribution coefficients across the beam
cross-section, and made available for output purposes. By default, the program outputs only the shear
stresses caused by torsional loading. Use KEYOPT(4) to activate output of shear stresses caused by
flexure or transverse loading.

The accuracy of transverse-shear distribution is directly proportional to the mesh density of cross-section
modeling (for determination of warping, shear center and other section geometric properties). The
traction-free state at the edges of a cross-section is met only in a well-refined model of the cross-section.

By default, the program uses a mesh density (for cross-section modeling) that provides accurate results
for torsional rigidity, warping rigidity, inertia properties, and shear-center determination. The default
mesh employed is also appropriate for nonlinear material calculations; however, more refined cross-
section models may be necessary if the shear stress distribution due to transverse loads must be captured
very accurately. Increasing cross-section mesh size does not imply larger computational cost if the cross-
section is homogeneous and the associated material is linear. Use the SECTYPE and SECDATA commands
to adjust cross-section mesh density.

The transverse-shear distribution calculation ignores the effects of Poisson's ratio. The Poisson's ratio
affects the shear-correction factor and shear-stress distribution slightly, and this effect is ignored.

BEAM189 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The beam must not have zero length.

• By default (KEYOPT(1) = 0), the effect of warping restraint is assumed to be negligible.

• Cross-section failure or folding is not accounted for.

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• Initial state is not available for beam sections of subtype ASEC (SECDATA,BEAM,ASEC).

• The element allows curved member definition and linear-bending-moment variation. However,
if a cubic representation for lateral displacement is necessary and the members are initially
straight, Ansys, Inc. recommends using BEAM188 (p. 868) with the cubic option (KEYOPT(3) = 3).

• The element includes the effects of transverse shear and accounts for the initial curvature of the
beams.

• The element works best with the full Newton-Raphson solution scheme (that is, the default
choice in solution control).

• Only moderately "thick" beams can be analyzed. See the "BEAM189 Element Technology and
Usage Recommendations" (p. 891) section for more information.

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Prestress

effects can be activated by the PSTRES command.

• When the element is associated with nonlinear general beam sections (SECTYPE,,GENB), addi-
tional restrictions apply. For more information, see Considerations for Using Nonlinear General
Beam Sections in the Structural Analysis Guide.

• For a random vibration (PSD) analysis, equivalent stress is not calculated.

• When the element is used in an ocean environment:

– For subtype ASEC, the calculated perimeter is two times the sum of the input maximum height
and width.

– Hydrodynamic output via KEYOPT(13) is not available in harmonic analyses that include ocean
wave effects (HROCEAN).

– The three-dimensional effect of water pressure on the element is adjusted, as the element has
only one direct stress. For more information, see Hydrostatic Loads in the Theory Reference.

– Enclosed spaces used by subtypes CTUBE or HREC are assumed to have the same pressure
and internal fluid density as the surrounding ocean (that is, as if the flooding option used with
PIPE288 (p. 1383) or PIPE289 (p. 1403) is always enabled).

– Generally, it is better to use a pipe element (PIPE288 (p. 1383) or PIPE289 (p. 1403)) rather than
beam subtype CTUBE, as the pipe element has a degree of freedom to account for cross-sec-
tional compression and can also have an independent internal pressure applied.

– The output axial force may not be exact when using ocean loading with nonlinear materials.

BEAM189 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

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Element Library

• Initial state is not available.

• Ocean loading is not available.

SOLSH190
3-D 8-Node Structural Solid Shell
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 922)

SOLSH190 Element Description

SOLSH190 is used for simulating shell structures with a wide range of thickness (from thin to moderately
thick). The element possesses the continuum solid element topology and features eight-node connectivity
with three degrees of freedom at each node: translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions. Thus, con-
necting SOLSH190 with other continuum elements requires no extra effort. A degenerate prism option
is available, but should only be used as filler elements in mesh generation. The element has plasticity,
hyperelasticity, stress stiffening, creep, large deflection, and large strain capabilities. It also has mixed
u-P formulation capability for simulating deformations of nearly incompressible elastoplastic materials,
and fully incompressible hyperelastic materials. The element formulation is based on logarithmic strain
and true stress measures.

You can use SOLSH190 for layered applications such as modeling laminated shells or sandwich construc-
tion. The layered section definition is given by section (SECxxx) commands. Accuracy in modeling
composite shells is governed by the first-order shear-deformation theory (also known as Mindlin-Reissner
shell theory).

See SOLSH190 for more information about this element.

Figure 7.190.1: SOLSH190 Geometry

P zo 4
5
z
O M O, P
L I K, L
y yo K N
x
6 xo
M
1 J
I N
Prism Option
Z

2 3
J
X Y

xo = Element x-axis if ESYS is not supplied.

x = Element x-axis if ESYS is supplied.

SOLSH190 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the element coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.190.1: SOLSH190 Geometry (p. 912). The element is defined by eight nodes. The element coordinate
system follows the shell convention where the z axis is normal to the surface of the shell. The node

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ordering must follow the convention that the I-J-K-L and M-N-O-P element faces represent the bottom
and top shell surfaces, respectively. You can change the orientation within the plane of the layers via
the ESYS command as you would for shell elements (as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61)). To
achieve the correct nodal ordering for a volume mapped (hexahedron) mesh, you can use the VEORIENT
command to specify the desired volume orientation before executing the VMESH command. Alternatively,
you can use the EORIENT command after automatic meshing to reorient the elements to be in line
with the orientation of another element, or to be as parallel as possible to a defined ESYS axis.

Layered Section Definition Using Section Commands

You can associate SOLSH190 with a shell section (SECTYPE). The layered composite specifications (in-
cluding layer thickness, material, orientation, and number of integration points through the thickness
of the layer) are specified via shell section (SECxxx) commands. You can use the shell section commands
even with a single-layered SOLSH190 element. The program obtains the actual layer thicknesses used
for element calculations by scaling the input layer thickness so that they are consistent with the thickness
between the nodes.

You can designate the number of integration points (1, 3, 5, 7, or 9) located through the thickness of
each layer. Two points are located on the top and bottom surfaces respectively and the remaining
points are distributed equal distance between the two points. The element requires at least two points
through the entire thickness. When no shell section definition is provided, the element is treated as
single-layered and uses two integration points through the thickness.

SOLSH190 does not support real constant input for defining layer sections.

Other Input

The default orientation for this element has the S1 (shell surface coordinate) axis aligned with the first
parametric direction of the element at the center of the element and is shown as xo in Fig-
ure 7.190.1: SOLSH190 Geometry (p. 912). The axis can be defined as shown:

where:

{x}I, {x}J, . . . , {x}P = global nodal coordinates

If edges IJ and KL are parallel (rectangular or trapezoidal elements), the default orientation is the same
as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61) (the first surface direction is aligned with the IJ side). For
elements with nonparallel edges IJ and JK, the default orientation represents the stress state better
because the element uses a single point of quadrature (by default) in the element domain.

You can reorient the default first surface direction S1 in the element reference plane via the ESYS
command. You can further rotate S1 by angle THETA (in degrees) for each layer via the SECDATA
command to create layer-wise coordinate systems. See Coordinate Systems (p. 61) for details.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Pressures may be input as surface loads on
the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Figure 7.190.1: SOLSH190 Geometry (p. 912).
Positive pressures act into the element.

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If you specify no element body load for defining temperatures--that is, you define temperatures with
commands other than BFE--SOLSH190 adopts an element-wise temperature pattern and requires only
eight temperatures for the eight element nodes. Unspecified nodal temperatures default to the assigned
uniform temperature (TUNIF). The program calculates all layer interface temperatures by interpolating
nodal temperatures T1 ~ T8.

Alternatively, you can input temperatures as element body loads at the corners of the outside faces of
the element and at the corners of the interfaces between layers. In such a case, the element uses a
layer-wise pattern. Temperatures T1, T2, T3, T4 are used for the bottom of layer 1, temperatures T5, T6,
T7, T8 are used for interface corners between layers 1 and 2, and so on between successive layers,
ending with temperatures at the top layer NL. If you input exactly NL + 1 temperatures, one temperature
is used for the four bottom corners of each layer, and the last temperature is used for the four top
corner temperatures of the top layer. The first corner temperature T1 defaults to TUNIF. If all other
corner temperatures are unspecified, they default to T1. For any other input pattern, unspecified tem-
peratures default to TUNIF.

You can use the MP command to define the isotropic or orthotropic elastic material properties and the
TB,ANEL command to define anisotropic elastic material properties. Other material properties include
density, damping ratios, and coefficients of thermal expansion. You may also use the TB command to
define nonlinear material behavior such as plasticity, hyperelasticity, viscoelasticity, creep, and viscoplas-
ticity.

KEYOPT(2) = 1 activates the internal strain enhancements to the element transverse-shear strains. With
this option, the element is capable of quadratic transverse-shear strain distributions through the entire
thickness of the element. At least three integration points through the thickness are required for this
option. Use a shell section to define more integration points through the thickness.

KEYOPT(6) = 1 sets the element for using u-P mixed formulation. For details on the use of mixed formu-
lation, see Applications of Mixed u-P Formulations (p. 82).

KEYOPT(16) = 1 activates steady-state analysis (defined via SSTATE). For more information, see Steady-
State Rolling in the Theory Reference. For a steady-state analysis, elements must be numbered as shown
in Figure 7.190.1: SOLSH190 Geometry (p. 912).

You can apply an initial stress state to this element via the INISTATE command. For more information,
see Initial State in the Advanced Analysis Guide.

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element. If an unsymmetric
matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, use NROPT,UNSYM.

"SOLSH190 Input Summary" (p. 914) contains a summary of element input. For a general description of
element input, see Element Input (p. 41).

SOLSH190 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

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Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, EY, EZ, PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ),
ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ),
DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressures --

face 1 (J-I-L-K), face 2 (I-J-N-M), face 3 (J-K-O-N),

face 4 (K-L-P-O), face 5 (L-I-M-P), face 6 (M-N-O-P)
To define general surface loads (or surface tractions) on the faces, issue SFCONTROL.

Equivalent source surface flag --

MXWF (input on the SF command)

Body Loads

Temperatures --

Element-wise pattern (no element body load command issued): T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7,
T8 for 8 element nodes. Temperatures at layer interface corners are computed by interpol-
ating nodal temperatures.
Layer-wise pattern (element body load command issued): T1, T2, T3, T4 (at bottom of layer
1), T5, T6, T7, T8 (between layers 1-2); similarly for temperatures between subsequent layers,
ending with temperatures at top of layer NL (4 * (NL + 1) maximum). For a one-layer element,
therefore, 8 temperatures are used.

Body force densities --

The element values in the global X, Y, and Z directions.

Special Features

Birth and death

Coriolis effect
Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Generalized cross-section
Initial state
Large deflection
Large strain

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Element Library

Linear perturbation
Nonlinear stabilization
Steady state (except for the degenerated shape [prism] option)
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(2)

Enhanced transverse-shear strains:

0 --

No enhanced transverse-shear strains (default).

1 --

Include enhanced transverse-shear strains.

KEYOPT(6)

Element formulation:

0 --

Use pure displacement formulation (default).

1 --

Use mixed u-P formulation.

KEYOPT(8)

Storage of layer data:

0 --

For multi-layer elements, store data for bottom of bottom layer and top of top layer. For single-
layer elements, store data for TOP and BOTTOM. (Default)

1 --

For multilayer elements, store data for top and bottom for all layers. (Before using this option,
be aware that the amount of data involved can be very large.)

KEYOPT(16)

Steady-state analysis flag:

0 --

Steady-state analysis disabled (default)

1 --

Enable steady-state analysis

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SOLSH190 Element Technology
SOLSH190 employs incompatible modes to enhance the accuracy in in-plane bending situations. The
satisfaction of the in-plane patch test is ensured. A separate set of incompatible modes is adopted to
overcome the thickness locking in bending dominant problems. The incompatible modes introduce
seven internal DOFs that are inaccessible to users and condensed out at the element level.

SOLSH190 utilizes a suite of special kinematic formulations to avoid locking when the shell thickness
becomes extremely small. However, due to its shell-like behavior, SOLSH190 fails to pass the patch test
if the element is distorted in the thickness direction.

SOLSH190 is fully compatible with 3-D constitutive relations. Compared to classical shell elements that
are based on plane stress assumptions, SOLSH190 usually gives more accurate predictions when the
shell is thick.

SOLSH190 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.190.1: SOLSH190 Element Output Definitions (p. 918)

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.190.2: SOLSH190 Stress Output (p. 917). See Element Table for
Variables Identified By Sequence Number and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this
reference for more information.

Figure 7.190.2: SOLSH190 Stress Output

Sz Sy
Sx
P

zo

M K z

N
y yo
x
I
xo

xo = Element x-axis if ESYS is not supplied.

x = Element x-axis if ESYS is supplied.

KEYOPT(8) controls the amount of data output to the results file for processing with the LAYER command.
Interlaminar shear stress is available as SYZ and SXZ evaluated at the layer interfaces. KEYOPT(8) must
be set to 1 to output these stresses in POST1. A general description of solution output is given in
Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

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Element Library

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.190.1: SOLSH190 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P - Y
MAT Material number - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 2
PRES Pressures P1 at nodes J, I, L, K; P2 at I, J, N, M; P3 at - Y
J, K, O, N; P4 at K, L, P, O; P5 at L, I, M, P; P6 at M, N,
O, P
TEMP T1, T2, T3, T4 at bottom of layer 1; T5, T6, T7, T8 - Y
between layers 1-2; similarly for between successive
layers, ending with temperatures at top of layer NL
(4 * (NL + 1) maximum)
S:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, XZ Stresses Y Y
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - Y
S:INT Stress intensity - Y
S:EQV Equivalent stress - Y
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Elastic strains Y Y
XZ
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strains [5] - Y
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Thermal strains Y Y
XZ
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strains [5] - Y
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Plastic strains [6] 1 1
XZ
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strains [5] - 1
EPCR:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Creep strains 1 1
XZ
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strains [5] - 1
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) Y -
XZ
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + - -
EPCR)

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 Name Definition O R
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress 1 1
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain 1 1
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain 1 1
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not 1 1
yielding)
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure 1 1
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - 1
PLASTIC, CREEP,
ENTO
N11, N22, N12 In-plane forces (per unit length) - Y
M11, M22, M12 Out-of-plane moments (per unit length) - Y
Q13, Q23 Transverse-shear forces (per unit length) - Y
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 3
SVAR:1, 2, ... , N State variables - 4
ILSXZ SXZ interlaminar shear stress - 7
ILSYZ SYZ interlaminar shear stress - 7
ILSUM Magnitude of the interlaminar shear stress vector - 7
ILANG Angle of interlaminar shear stress vector (measured - 7
from the element x-axis toward the element y-axis
in degrees)
Sm: 11, 22, 12 Membrane stresses - Y
Sb: 11, 22, 12 Bending stresses - Y
Sp: 11, 22, 12 Peak stresses - Y
St: 13, 23 Averaged transverse-shear stresses - Y

1. Nonlinear solution, output only if the element has a nonlinear material, or if large-deflection effects
are enabled (NLGEOM,ON) for SEND.

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

3. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is used.

4. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and TB,STATE command are used.

5. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,NUXY); for plastic and creep this value is set at 0.5.

6. For the shape memory alloy material model, transformation strains are reported as plasticity strain
EPPL.

7. Available only if a valid shell section (SECTYPE,,SHELL) is defined for the element.

Table 7.190.2: SOLSH190 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 920) lists output available through ETABLE
using the Sequence Number method. See Element Table for Variables Identified By Sequence Number

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Element Library

and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The following
notation is used in Table 7.190.2: SOLSH190 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 920):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.190.1: SOLSH190 Element Output Definitions (p. 918)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

I,J,...,P

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, ..., P

Table 7.190.2: SOLSH190 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K L M N O P
Name
P1 SMISC - 2 1 4 3 - - - -
P2 SMISC - 5 6 - - 8 7 - -
P3 SMISC - - 9 10 - - 12 11 -
P4 SMISC - - - 13 14 - - 16 15
P5 SMISC - 18 - - 17 19 - - 20
P6 SMISC - - - - - 21 22 23 24
THICK SMISC 27 - - - - - - - -
N11 SMISC 28 - - - - - - - -
N22 SMISC 29 - - - - - - - -
N12 SMISC 30 - - - - - - - -
M11 SMISC 31 - - - - - - - -
M22 SMISC 32 - - - - - - - -
M12 SMISC 33 - - - - - - - -
Q13 SMISC 34 - - - - - - - -
Q23 SMISC 35 - - - - - - - -
Sm: 11 SMISC 36 - - - - - - - -
Sm: 22 SMISC 37 - - - - - - - -
Sm: 12 SMISC 38 - - - - - - - -
Sb: 11 SMISC 39 - - - - - - - -
Sb: 22 SMISC 40 - - - - - - - -
Sb: 12 SMISC 41 - - - - - - - -
Sp: 11 SMISC 42 - - - - - - - -
(at
bottom
face)

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Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Quantity Item E I J K L M N O P
Name
Sp: 22 SMISC 43 - - - - - - - -
(at
bottom
face)
Sp: 12 SMISC 44 - - - - - - - -
(at
bottom
face)
Sp: 11 SMISC 45 - - - - - - - -
(at top
face)
Sp: 22 SMISC 46 - - - - - - - -
(at top
face)
Sp: 12 SMISC 47 - - - - - - - -
(at top
face)
St: 13 SMISC 48 - - - - - - - -
St: 23 SMISC 49 - - - - - - - -

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item Bottom of Layer i Top of Layer NL
Name
ILSXZ SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 51 8 * (NL - 1) + 52
ILSYZ SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 53 8 * (NL - 1) + 54
ILSUM SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 55 8 * (NL - 1) + 56
ILANG SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 57 8 * (NL - 1) + 58

SOLSH190 Assumptions and Restrictions

• Zero-volume elements are not allowed.

• Elements may be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.190.1: SOLSH190 Geometry (p. 912), or
may have the planes IJKL and MNOP interchanged (except when KEYOPT(16) = 1). The element
may not be twisted such that the element has two separate volumes (which occurs most fre-
quently when the elements are not numbered properly).

• For a steady-state analysis (KEYOPT(16) = 1), elements must be numbered as shown in Fig-
ure 7.190.1: SOLSH190 Geometry (p. 912).

• All elements must have eight nodes. You can form a prism-shaped element by defining duplicate
K and L and duplicate O and P node numbers. (See Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37).)

• If you use the mixed u-P formulation (KEYOPT(6) = 1), the damped eigensolver is not supported.
You must use the sparse solver (default).

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Element Library

• If the material of a layer is hyperelastic, the layer orientation angle has no effect.

• Using both hyperelastic and elastoplastic layers in the same element can produce unpredictable
results and is not recommended.

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Prestress

effects can be activated by the PSTRES command.

• To obtain more accurate transverse shear results, use multiple elements though the thickness.

• For sandwich plates or shells, analyze the face and core of the sandwich using stacked layers of
SOLSH190 elements. Doing so accounts for the large variation in face and core material properties,
and the distortion through-the-thickness. (Sandwich modeling can yield excessively stiff results
if SOLSH190 is used as a single element through-the-thickness.) Generally, it is good practice to
use additional elements through-the-thickness when the material properties between layers vary
significantly.

SOLSH190 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

• Initial state is not available.

• Supports only one layer for shell sections.

INTER192
2-D 4-Node Gasket
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 926)

INTER192 Element Description

INTER192 is a 2-D four-node linear interface element used for 2-D structural assembly modeling. When
used with 2-D linear structural elements (such as PLANE182 (p. 692)), INTER192 simulates gasket joints.
The element can be used either as a plane element (plane stress or plane strain) or as an axisymmetric
element. It is defined by four nodes having two degrees of freedom at each node: translations in the
nodal x and y directions.

See Gasket Material and INTER192 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this
element.

Also see Gasket Joints Simulation in the Structural Analysis Guide for more information about the gasket
capability in Mechanical APDL.

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Figure 7.192.1: INTER192 Geometry
L

I
x

Y y
K
X J

INTER192 Input Data

The element geometry, node locations, connectivity, and the nodal coordinate system are shown in
Figure 7.192.1: INTER192 Geometry (p. 923). The element geometry is defined by 4 nodes, which form
bottom and top lines of the element. The bottom line is defined by nodes I, J; and the top line is defined
by nodes K, L. The element connectivity is defined as I, J, K, L. This element has 2 integration points.
The Gauss integration scheme is used for the numerical integration.

Temperatures may be input as element body loads at the nodes. The node I temperature T(I), defaults
to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to T(I). For any other input pattern,
unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

Input the nodal forces, if any, per unit of depth for a plane analysis (except for KEYOPT(3) = 3) and on
a full 360° basis for an axisymmetric analysis.

By default, the element is capable of both through-thickness and transverse shear deformations (KEY-
OPT(2) = 1). The inclusion of transverse shear stiffness is generally required when the interfaces between
the gasket and the mating parts are modeled as sliding contact. However, if the interfaces are modeled
with a matching mesh method (that is, with coincident nodes), Ansys, Inc. recommends using through-
thickness deformation only (KEYOPT(2) = 0) to avoid unnecessary in-plane interaction between the
gasket and the mating parts.

The following table summarizes the element input. See the Element Input (p. 41) section in the Element
Reference (p. 1) for a general description of element input.

INTER192 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY

Real Constants

None, if KEYOPT(3) = 0, 1, or 2
THK - Plane stress with thickness, if KEYOPT(3) = 3

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Element Library

Material Properties

TB command: Gasket material

MP command: ALPX (or CTEX or THSX), BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L)

Special Features

Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(2)

Element deformation:

0 --

Through-thickness deformation only

1 --

Through-thickness and transverse shear deformation (default)

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

0 --

Plane stress

1 --

Axisymmetric

2 --

Plane strain (Z strain = 0.0)

3 --

Plane stress with thickness (THK) real constant input

KEYOPT(8)

Element component quantity output:

0 --

Gasket quantities are output (GKD, GKD, GKI, and GKTH) (default)

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 1 --

Standard stresses and strains are output (including S, EPEL, and EPTH )

INTER192 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal items such as nodal displacements are included in the overall nodal solution.

• Element items such as stresses and closures are element outputs as shown in
Table 7.192.1: INTER192 Element Output Definitions (p. 925).

The output directions for element items are parallel to the local element coordinate system based on
the element midplane as illustrated in Figure 7.192.2: INTER192 Stress Output (p. 925). See Gasket Mater-
ial in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for details.

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to review results.

Figure 7.192.2: INTER192 Stress Output

L

I
x

Y y
K
X J

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.192.1: INTER192 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number - Y
NODES Node connectivity - I, J, K, L - Y
MAT Material number - Y
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L) - Y
GKS:X, (XY) X - Normal stress (also gasket pressure) Y Y

XY - Transverse shear stress

GKD:X, (XY) X - Total closure Y Y

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
XY - Relative transverse shear deformation
( , where is the transverse shear
strain, and is the gasket thickness.
GKDI:X, (XY) Total inelastic closure Y Y
GKTH:X, (XY) Thermal closure Y Y
S:X, Y, Z, XY Stresses (SZ = 0.0 for plane stress elements) - 1
S:INT Stress intensity - 1
S:EQV Equivalent stress - 1
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY Elastic strains - 1
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain - 1
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY Thermal strains - 1
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain - 1
SEND:ELASTIC Strain energy densities - 1

1. To save these results to the .rst file, set KEYOPT(8) = 1.

INTER192 Assumptions and Restrictions

• This element is not supported for initial stress.

• Pressure as a type of surface load on element faces is not supported by this element.

• This element is based on the local coordinate system; therefore, setting an element coordinate system
attribute pointer (ESYS) is not supported.

INTER192 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

INTER193
2-D 6-Node Gasket
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 931)

INTER193 Element Description

INTER193 is a 2-D 6-node quadratic interface element used for 2-D structural assembly modeling. When
used in conjunction with 2-D quadratic structural elements (such as PLANE183 (p. 701)), INTER193 is
used to simulate gasket joints. The element can be used either as a plane element (plane stress or plane
strain) or as an axisymmetric element. It is defined by six nodes having two degrees of freedom at each
node: translations in the nodal x and y directions.

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See Gasket Material and INTER193 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this
element.

Also see Gasket Joints Simulation in the Structural Analysis Guide for more details on the gasket capab-
ility in Mechanical APDL.

Figure 7.193.1: INTER193 Geometry

L
I

x
O

M y
Y
K

X J

INTER193 Input Data

The element geometry, node locations, connectivity, and the nodal coordinate system are shown in
Figure 7.193.1: INTER193 Geometry (p. 927). The element geometry is defined by 6 nodes, which form
bottom and top lines of the element. The bottom line is defined by nodes I, J, M; and the top line is
defined by nodes K, L, O. The element connectivity is defined as I, J, K, L, M, O. This element has 2 in-
tegration points. Dropping mid side nodes M or O is not permitted.

Temperatures may be input as element body loads at the nodes. The node I temperature T(I), defaults
to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to T(I). For any other input pattern,
unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

Input the nodal forces, if any, per unit of depth for a plane analysis (except for KEYOPT(3) = 3) and on
a full 360° basis for an axisymmetric analysis.

By default, the element adopts a full-integration scheme (KEYOPT(4) = 2), and is capable of both through-
thickness and transverse shear deformations (KEYOPT(2) = 1). The full-integration scheme and the inclu-
sion of transverse shear stiffness are generally required when the interfaces between the gasket and
the mating parts are modeled as sliding contact. However, if the interfaces are modeled with a matching
mesh method (that is, with coincident nodes), Ansys, Inc. recommends using the reduced integration
scheme (KEYOPT(4) = 0) and through-thickness deformation only (KEYOPT(2) = 0) to achieve better ef-
ficiency and to avoid unnecessary in-plane interaction between the gasket and the mating parts.

The next table summarizes the element input. See Element Input (p. 41) in the Element Reference (p. 1)
for a general description of element input.

INTER193 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, , O

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY

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Element Library

Real Constants

None, if KEYOPT(3) = 0, 1, or 2
THK - Plane stress with thickness, if KEYOPT(3) = 3

Material Properties

TB command: Gasket material

MP command: BETD, ALPX (or CTEX or THSX), DMPR, DMPS

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(O)

Special Features

Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(2)

Element deformation:

0 --

Through-thickness deformation only

1 --

Through-thickness and transverse shear deformation (default)

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

0 --

Plane stress

1 --

Axisymmetric

2 --

Plane strain (Z strain = 0.0)

3 --

Plane stress with thickness (THK) real constant input

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KEYOPT(4)

Element technology:

0 --

Uniform reduced integration

2 --

Full integration (default)

KEYOPT(8)

Element component quantity output:

0 --

Gasket quantities are output (GKD, GKD, GKI, and GKTH) (default)

1 --

Standard stresses and strains are output (including S, EPEL, and EPTH )

INTER193 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal items such as nodal displacements are included in the overall nodal solution.

• Element items such as stresses and closures are element outputs as shown in
Table 7.193.1: INTER193 Element Output Definitions (p. 930).

The output directions for element items are parallel to the local element coordinate system based on
the element midplane as illustrated in Figure 7.193.2: INTER193 Stress Output (p. 929). See Gasket Mater-
ial in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for details.

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to review results.

Figure 7.193.2: INTER193 Stress Output

L
I

x
O

M y
Y
K

X J

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

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Element Library

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.193.1: INTER193 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number - Y
NODES Node connectivity - I, J, K, L, M, O - Y
MAT Material number - Y
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(O) - Y
GKS:X, (XY) X - Normal stress (also gasket pressure) Y Y

XY - Transverse shear stress

GKD:X, (XY) X - Total closure Y Y

XY - Relative transverse shear deformation

( , where is the transverse shear
strain, and is the gasket thickness.
GKDI:X, (XY) Total inelastic closure Y Y
GKTH:X, (XY) Thermal closure Y Y
S:X, Y, Z, XY Stresses (SZ = 0.0 for plane stress elements) - 1
S:INT Stress intensity - 1
S:EQV Equivalent stress - 1
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY Elastic strains - 1
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain - 1
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY Thermal strains - 1
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain - 1
SEND:ELASTIC Strain energy densities - 1

1. To save these results to the .rst file, set KEYOPT(8) = 1.

INTER193 Assumptions and Restrictions

• This element is not supported for initial stress.

• Pressure as a type of surface load on element faces is not supported by this element.

• This element is based on the local coordinate system; therefore, setting an element coordinate system
attribute pointer (ESYS) is not supported.

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INTER193 Product Restrictions
There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

INTER194
3-D 16-Node Gasket
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 936)

INTER194 Element Description

INTER194 is a 3-D 16-node quadratic interface element. When used with 3-D quadratic structural elements
(SOLID96 (p. 318), SOLID186 (p. 843), and SOLID187 (p. 861)), INTER194 simulates gasket joints. It is defined
by 16 nodes having three degrees of freedom at each node: translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions.

See Gasket Material and INTER194 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this
element.

Also see Gasket Joints Simulation in the Structural Analysis Guide for more details about gasket simulation.

Figure 7.194.1: INTER194 Geometry

P

X
L
M T W
x
z S
I

U y
O
Z V K
Q N

R
X Y J

INTER194 Input Data

The element geometry, node locations, connectivity, and the nodal coordinate system are shown in
Figure 7.194.1: INTER194 Geometry (p. 931). The element geometry is defined by 16 nodes, which form
bottom and top surfaces of the element. The bottom surface is defined by nodes, I, J, K, L, Q, R, S, T;
and the top surface is defined by nodes, M, N, O, P, U, V, W, X. As shown, the element connectivity is
defined as I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X. The element is degenerated to a wedge (prism)
element, when K=L=S and O=P=W, as shown in Figure 7.194.2: INTER194 3-D 16-Node Degenerated
Quadratic Interface (p. 932).

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Element Library

Figure 7.194.2: INTER194 3-D 16-Node Degenerated Quadratic Interface

O, P, W

K, L, S

X V
x
y
T R
z
Z
M U N

I J
X Y
Q

For the degenerated element, 3 integration points are used for numerical integration. The degenerated
element can be used in conjunction with 10-node solid tetrahedral elements (such as SOLID187 (p. 861)).
Dropping any or some of midside nodes, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X is not permitted.

Temperatures may be input as element body loads at the nodes. The node I temperature T(I), defaults
to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to T(I). For any other input pattern,
unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

By default, the element adopts a full-integration scheme (KEYOPT(4) = 2) and is capable of both through-
thickness and transverse shear deformations (KEYOPT(2) =1). The full-integration scheme and the inclusion
of transverse shear stiffness are generally required when the interfaces between the gasket and the
mating parts are modeled as sliding contact. However, if the interfaces are modeled with a matching
mesh method (that is, with coincident nodes), Ansys, Inc. recommends using the reduced-integration
scheme (KEYOPT(4) = 0) and through-thickness deformation only (KEYOPT(2) = 0) to achieve better ef-
ficiency and to avoid unnecessary in-plane interaction between the gasket and the mating parts.

You can define element orientation (ESYS) as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). If you do so, the
program compares the x axis of the local Cartesian coordinate system with the element normal direction.
Proceed as follows:

• If their angles are less than or equal to 45 degrees, the projection of the local y axis (onto the
gasket top and bottom plane) is used as the new element y axis.

• If their angles are greater than 45 degrees, check the angle between the local y axis and the
element normal. If the new angle is within 45 degrees, use the projection of the local z axis (onto
the gasket top and bottom plane) as the new element y axis.

• If the angle between the local y axis and the element normal is still greater than 45 degree,
check the angle between the local z axis and the element normal. If the new angle is within 45
degrees, use the projection of the local x axis (onto the gasket top and bottom plane) as the
new element y axis.

The new element z axis is obtained by the cross product of the element normal and the new element
y axis according to the right-hand rule.

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Figure 7.194.3: INTER194 Element Orientation

The following table summarizes the element input. See Element Input (p. 41) in the Element Refer-
ence (p. 1) for a general description of element input.

INTER194 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: Gasket material

MP command: BETD, ALPX (or CTEX or THSX), DMPR, DMPS

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Element Library

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L) T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P), T(Q), T(R), T(S), T(T), T(U), T(V), T(W), T(X)

Special Features

Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(2)

Element deformation:

0 --

Through-thickness deformation only

1 --

Through-thickness and transverse shear deformation (default)

KEYOPT(4)

Element technology:

0 --

Uniform reduced integration

2 --

Full integration (default)

KEYOPT(8)

Element component quantity output:

0 --

Gasket quantities are output (GKD, GKD, GKI, and GKTH) (default)

1 --

Standard stresses and strains are output (including S, EPEL, and EPTH )

INTER194 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal items such as nodal displacements are included in the overall nodal solution.

• Element items such as stresses and closures are element outputs as shown in
Table 7.194.1: INTER194 Element Output Definitions (p. 935).

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The output directions for element items are parallel to the local element coordinate system based on
the element midplane as illustrated in Figure 7.194.4: INTER194 Stress Output (p. 935). See Gasket Mater-
ial in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for details.

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to review results.

Figure 7.194.4: INTER194 Stress Output

P

X
L
M T W
x
z S
I

U y
O
Z V K
Q N

R
X Y J

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.194.1: INTER194 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number - Y
NODES Node connectivity - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, - Y
T, U, V, W, X
MAT Material number - Y
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), - Y
T(P), T(Q), T(R), T(S), T(T), T(U), T(V), T(W), T(X)
GKS:X, (XY) X - Normal stress (also gasket pressure) Y Y

XY - Transverse shear stress

GKD:X, (XY) X - Total closure Y Y

XY - Relative transverse shear deformation

( , where is the transverse shear
strain, and is the gasket thickness.
GKDI:X, (XY, XZ) Total inelastic closure Y Y
GKTH:X, (XY, XZ) Thermal closure Y Y
S:X, Y, Z, XY Stresses - 1
S:INT Stress intensity - 1

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
S:EQV Equivalent stress - 1
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY Elastic strains - 1
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain - 1
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY Thermal strains - 1
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain - 1
SEND:ELASTIC Strain energy densities - 1

1. To save these results to the .rst file, set KEYOPT(8) = 1.

INTER194 Assumptions and Restrictions

• This element is not supported for initial stress.

• Pressure as a type of surface load on element faces is not supported by this element.

INTER194 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

INTER195
3-D 8-Node Gasket
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 941)

INTER195 Element Description

INTER195 is a 3-D 8-node linear interface element. When used with 3-D linear structural elements
(SOLID185 (p. 824), SOLSH190 (p. 912), SOLID272 (p. 1304), SOLID273 (p. 1312), and SOLID285 (p. 1377)), INTER195
simulates gasket joints. It is defined by eight nodes having three degrees of freedom at each node:
translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions.

See Gasket Material and INTER195 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more information about
this element.

Also see Gasket Joints Simulation.

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Figure 7.195.1: INTER195 Geometry
P

M
x
I
z
y
O
Z
N K

X Y J

INTER195 Input Data

The element geometry, node locations, connectivity, and the nodal coordinate system are shown in
Figure 7.195.1: INTER195 Geometry (p. 937). The element geometry is defined by 8 nodes, which form
bottom and top surfaces of the element. The bottom surface is defined by nodes, I, J, K, L; and the top
surface is defined by nodes, M, N, O, P. As shown, the element connectivity is defined as I, J, K, L, M, N,
O, P.

Temperatures may be input as element body loads at the nodes. The node I temperature T(I), defaults
to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to T(I). For any other input pattern,
unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

By default, the element is capable of both through-thickness and transverse shear deformations (KEY-
OPT(2) = 1). The inclusion of transverse shear stiffness is generally required when the interfaces between
the gasket and the mating parts are modeled as sliding contact. However, if the interfaces are modeled
with a matching mesh method (that is, with coincident nodes), Ansys, Inc. recommends using through-
thickness deformation only (KEYOPT(2) = 0) to avoid unnecessary in-plane interaction between the
gasket and the mating parts.

You can define element orientation (ESYS) as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). If you do so, the
program compares the x axis of the local Cartesian coordinate system with the element normal direction.
Proceed as follows:

• If their angles are less than or equal to 45 degrees, the projection of the local y axis (onto the
gasket top and bottom plane) is used as the new element y axis.

• If their angles are greater than 45 degrees, check the angle between the local y axis and the
element normal. If the new angle is within 45 degrees, use the projection of the local z axis (onto
the gasket top and bottom plane) as the new element y axis.

• If the angle between the local y axis and the element normal is still greater than 45 degree,
check the angle between the local z axis and the element normal. If the new angle is within 45
degrees, use the projection of the local x axis (onto the gasket top and bottom plane) as the
new element y axis.

The new element z axis is obtained by the cross product of the element normal and the new element
y axis according to the right-hand rule.

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Element Library

Figure 7.195.2: INTER95 Element Orientation

The next table summarizes the element input. See Element Input (p. 41) in the Element Reference (p. 1)
for a general description of element input.

INTER195 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: Gasket material

MP command: BETD, ALPX (or CTEX or THSX), DMPR, DMPS

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Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P)

Special Features

Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(2)

Element deformation:

0 --

Through-thickness deformation only

1 --

Through-thickness and transverse shear deformation (default)

KEYOPT(8)

Element component quantity output:

0 --

Gasket quantities are output (GKD, GKD, GKI, and GKTH) (default)

1 --

Regular stresses and strains are output (including S, EPEL, and EPTH )

INTER195 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal items such as nodal displacements are included in the overall nodal solution.

• Element items such as stresses and closures are element outputs as shown in
Table 7.195.1: INTER195 Element Output Definitions (p. 940).

The output directions for element items are parallel to the local element coordinate system based on
the element midplane as illustrated in Figure 7.195.3: INTER195 Stress Output (p. 940). See Gasket Mater-
ial in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for details.

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to review results.

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Element Library

Figure 7.195.3: INTER195 Stress Output

P

M
x
I
z
y
O
Z
N K

X Y J

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.195.1: INTER195 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number - Y
NODES Node connectivity - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P - Y
MAT Material number - Y
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), - Y
T(P)
GKS:X, (XY) X - Normal stress (also gasket pressure) Y Y

XY - Transverse shear stress

GKD:X, (XY) X - Total closure Y Y

XY - Relative transverse shear deformation

( , where is the transverse shear
strain, and is the gasket thickness.
GKDI:X, (XY, XZ) Total inelastic closure Y Y
GKTH:X, (XY, XZ) Thermal closure Y Y
S:X, Y, Z, XY Stresses - 1
S:INT Stress intensity - 1
S:EQV Equivalent stress - 1
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY Elastic strains - 1
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain - 1
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY Thermal strains - 1
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain - 1
SEND:ELASTIC Strain energy densities - 1

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1. To save these results to the .rst file, set KEYOPT(8) = 1.

INTER195 Assumptions and Restrictions

• This element is not supported for initial stress.

• Pressure as a type of surface load on element faces is not supported by this element.

INTER195 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

MESH200
Meshing Facet
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 949)

MESH200 Element Description

MESH200 is a special mesh-only element, contributing nothing to the solution. The element can be
used for the following types of operations:

• Multistep meshing operations, such as extrusion, that require a lower dimensionality mesh be
used for the creation of a higher dimensionality mesh

• Line-meshing in 2-D or 3-D space with or without midside nodes,

• Area-meshing or volume-meshing in 3-D space with triangles, quadrilaterals, tetrahedra, or bricks,

with or without midside nodes.

• Temporary storage of elements when the analysis physics has not yet been specified.

• Temporary representation of discrete reinforcing fibers and smeared reinforcing layers, including
their geometry, material, and orientation. The following element options are available for rein-
forcing modeling:

– 2-D lines with two or three nodes for smeared reinforcing in 2-D

– 3-D Lines with two or three nodes for discrete reinforcing in 3-D

– 3-D triangle with three or six nodes, or quadrilateral with four or eight nodes, for smeared
reinforcing in 3-D

For more information about modeling reinforcing structural members with MESH200 elements,
see Reinforcing in the Structural Analysis Guide.

MESH200 can be used with any other element type. After it is no longer needed, it can be deleted
(cleared), or can be left in place. Its presence does not affect solution results.

MESH200 elements can be changed into other element types via EMODIF.

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Element Library

In a reinforcing analysis using the mesh-independent method, you can:

• Apply an initial state to the MESH200 elements. Mechanical APDL then transfers the initial state
to all newly created REINF263 (p. 1276), REINF264 (p. 1285), or REINF265 (p. 1294) reinforcing elements
automatically.

• Apply heat-generation loading to the MESH200 elements in a thermal reinforcing analysis.

Mechanical APDL then maps the heat-generation loads to the newly generated REINF264 (p. 1285)
or REINF265 (p. 1294) reinforcing elements automatically.

Figure 7.200.1: MESH200 Geometry

J J
Y
K

X
I
I
KEYOPT (1) = 0 KEYOPT (1) = 1
2-D line with 2 nodes 2-D line with 3 nodes
Y

X J
J
Z K

I I
KEYOPT (1) = 2 KEYOPT (1) = 3
3-D line with 2 nodes 3-D line with 3 nodes
K K

N M

I I
J L J
KEYOPT (1) = 4 KEYOPT (1) = 5
3-D triangle with 3 nodes 3-D triangle with 6 nodes
L
L O
P
K
I K
I
N
J M
J
KEYOPT (1) = 6 KEYOPT (1) = 7
3-D quadrilateral with 4 nodes 3-D quadrilateral with 8 nodes
L L

P R
Q
K K
I O
I
N
M
J J
KEYOPT (1) = 8 KEYOPT (1) = 9
tetrahedron with 4 nodes tetrahedron with 10 nodes
P
O P W
X
O
M U B
M N N V A
Y T S
K Z
L I L K
I
J Q R
J
KEYOPT (1) = 10 KEYOPT (1) = 11
brick with 8 nodes brick with 20 nodes

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MESH200 Input Data
The geometry and node locations supported for this element are shown in Figure 7.200.1: MESH200
Geometry (p. 942). The element is defined by two to twenty nodes. It has no degrees of freedom, mater-
ial properties, real constants, or loadings. When the element is used for reinforcing modeling, you can
assign material properties by specifying a material ID (SECDATA,MAT).

"MESH200 Input Summary" (p. 943) summarizes the element input. See Element Input (p. 41) in the
Element Reference (p. 1) for a general description of element input.

MESH200 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J if KEYOPT (1) = 0, 2-D line with 2 nodes

I, J, K if KEYOPT (1) = 1, 2-D line with 3 nodes
I, J if KEYOPT (1) = 2, 3-D line with 2 nodes
I, J, K if KEYOPT (1) = 3, 3-D line with 3 nodes
I, J, K if KEYOPT (1) = 4, 3-D triangle with 3 nodes
I, J, K, L, M, N if KEYOPT (1) = 5, 3-D triangle with 6 nodes
I, J, K, L if KEYOPT (1) = 6, 3-D quadrilateral with 4 nodes
I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P if KEYOPT (1) = 7, 3-D quadrilateral with 8 nodes
I, J, K, L if KEYOPT (1) = 8, tetrahedron with 4 nodes [1]
I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R if KEYOPT (1) = 9, tetrahedron with 10 nodes [1]
I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P if KEYOPT (1) = 10, brick with 8 nodes [1]
I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, A, B if KEYOPT (1) = 11, brick with 20 nodes [1]

1. Not used for reinforcing modeling.

Degrees of Freedom

None

Real Constants

None

Section

When used for reinforcing modeling:

Reinforcing section to define the material ID, fiber cross-section area, fiber spacing (smeared),
and fiber orientation (smeared). See SECTYPE and SECDATA.

When used for other applications:

None

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Element Library

Material Properties

When used for reinforcing modeling:

All materials supported by reinforcing elements (REINF263 (p. 1276), REINF264 (p. 1285), and RE-
INF265 (p. 1294)). The element material ID is recognized only when the material ID value (MAT)
on the SECDATA command is blank.

When used for other applications:

None

Element Coordinate System

When used for reinforcing modeling:

The default orientation is defined by the first parametric direction S1. The x axis indicates the
fiber orientation, expressed as:

where:

When generating 2-D and 3-D smeared reinforcing elements, you can reorient the element co-
ordinate system by:
- Defining a local coordinate reference number (KCN on ESYS or SECDATA)
- Defining the orientation angle (THETA on SECDATA)
- Combining the above two methods.

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X,Y,Z: Global coordinate system
x0, y0, z0: Default element coordinate system
x, y, z: Element coordinates when element orientation (KCN and/or THETA) is specified.
θ: Orientation angle defined by KCN and/or THETA

X,Y,Z: Global coordinate system

x0: Default element coordinate system
(For 3-D line elements, KCN and THETA are not used for generating reinforcing elements.)

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Element Library

X,Y,Z: Global coordinate system

x0, y0, z0: Default element coordinate system
x, y, z: Element coordinates when element orientation (KCN and/or THETA) is specified.
θ: Orientation angle defined by KCN and/or THETA

X,Y,Z: Global coordinate system

x0, y0, z0: Default element coordinate system
x, y, z: Element coordinates when element orientation (KCN and/or THETA) is specified.
θ: Orientation angle defined by KCN and/or THETA

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 When used for other applications:
None

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

When used for reinforcing modeling:

Heat Generations –
HG(I), HG(J) – KEYOPT(1) = 0, 1, 2, 3, 2-D / 3-D line
HG(I), HG(J), HG(K) – KEYOPT(1) = 4, 5, 3-D triangle
HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L) – KEYOPT(1) = 6 ,7, 3-D quadrilateral
When using the mesh-independent method for defining reinforcing (where the MESH200 elements
are used to generate the reinforcing elements), you can apply heat generation on the MESH200
elements via BFE (element body-force loading) or BF (nodal body-force loading).

Body-Force Density –
The element values in the global X and Y directions -- KEYOPT(1) = 0, 1, 2-D
The element values in the global X, Y, and Z directions -- KEYOPT(1) = 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 3-D
When using the mesh-independent method for defining reinforcing (where the MESH200 elements
are used to generate the reinforcing elements), you can apply body-force density on the MESH200
elements via BFE (element body-force loading).

When used for other applications:

None

Special Features

Initial state

Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(1)

Element shape and number of nodes:

0 --

2-D line with 2 nodes

1 --

2-D line with 3 nodes

2 --

3-D line with 2 nodes

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Element Library

3 --

3-D line with 3 nodes

4 --

3-D triangle with 3 nodes

5 --

3-D triangle with 6 nodes

6 --

3-D quadrilateral with 4 nodes

7 --

3-D quadrilateral with 8 nodes

8 --

Tetrahedron with 4 nodes

9 --

Tetrahedron with 10 nodes

10 --

Brick with 8 nodes

11 --

Brick with 20 nodes

KEYOPT(2)

Element shape testing:

0 --

Shape testing is done (default)

1 --

No shape testing is done for this element

MESH200 Output Data

This element has no output data.

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MESH200 Assumptions and Restrictions
• When this element is a triangle or quadrilateral, it is shape-tested in the same manner as an equivalent
"non-structural shell". When it is a tetrahedron or brick, it is shape-tested like a SOLID185 (p. 824). This
is so that meshing will work to create well-shaped elements. If KEYOPT(2) = 1, no shape testing is
done for this element type.

• MESH200 elements may not be active during result contour plotting (/POST1, PLNSOL, or PLESOL).
The elements are automatically unselected during either operation.

MESH200 Product Restrictions

None.

FOLLW201
Follower Load
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 952)

FOLLW201 Element Description

FOLLW201 is a one-node 3-D element that can be overlaid onto an existing node with physical rotation
degrees of freedom. The element specifies external forces and moments which follow the deformation
of a structure in a nonlinear analysis. FOLLW201 contributes follower load stiffness terms in a geomet-
rically nonlinear analysis (NLGEOM,ON).

Figure 7.201.1: FOLLW201 Geometry

Y
X

Y
X

FOLLW201 overlaid on a node shared by shell or beam elements. The element has two
faces: face 1 for specifying magnitude of force and face 2 for specifying magnitude of
moment.

FOLLW201 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.201.1: FOLLW201 Geometry (p. 949). The element is defined by a single node. The node has three
translational and rotational degrees of freedom each. The element may be defined only at those nodes
which are associated with structural elements having three translational and rotational degrees of
freedom; a singularity will result if the element is used in any other way.

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Element Library

Real constants of the element specify the direction of the force/moment vectors, and the element load
command SFE specifies the magnitude of force/moment.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). The vectors defined by real constants will
evolve with deformation (follow the displacements) in a geometrically nonlinear analysis.

KEYOPT(1) = 1 provides a means of specifying complex (real and imaginary) point loads via an element
specification. You can consider it as a nodal point equivalent of surface-effect elements (such as
SURF154 (p. 468)). When KEYOPT(1) = 1 (intended primarily for use in the Ansys Workbench interface),
the direction of the load is not updated for geometrically nonlinear analyses, and the element is renamed
to (and appears in the output as) CLOAD201. In this case, the applied load is the same as that generated
via the F command, except that loads can be simultaneously applied in multiple directions to one node.
The KEYOPT(2) = 1 setting, which can only be used with KEYOPT(1) = 1, enables use of the CLOAD201
element on nodes that may or may not have active rotational degrees of freedom.

With the exception of follower load effects, the element contributes nothing to the stiffness matrix. By
default, follower (pressure) load stiffness effects are included in a geometrically nonlinear analysis. The
stiffness contribution is usually unsymmetrical and may require an unsymmetrical solution option
(NROPT,UNSYM).

"FOLLW201 Input Summary" (p. 950) contains a summary of the element input. See Element Input (p. 41)
in the Element Reference (p. 1) for a general description of element input.

FOLLW201 Input Summary

Nodes

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

Real Constants

FX - Cosine of the angle between force vector and global X direction

FY - Cosine of the angle between force vector and global Y direction
FZ - Cosine of the angle between force vector and global Z direction
MX - Cosine of the angle between moment vector and global X direction
MY - Cosine of the angle between moment vector and global Y direction
MZ - Cosine of the angle between moment vector and global Z direction

Material Properties

None

Surface Loads

face 1 (force magnitude)

face 2 (moment magnitude)

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Body Loads

None

Special Features

Birth and death

Large deflection
Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(1)

Direction load:

0 --

Updated direction load (default)

1 --

Constant direction load (intended primarily for use in the Ansys Workbench interface)

KEYOPT(2)

Degrees of freedom control:

0 --

Use all (UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ) degrees of freedom (default)

1 --

Use UX, UY, and UZ degrees of freedom only (valid only when KEYOPT(1) = 1)

FOLLW201 Output Data

The Element Outputs consist of updated direction cosines of the force/moment vectors as Miscellaneous
quantities (SMISC). No other output is provided.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

The following table lists output available via the ETABLE command using the Sequence Number
method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence
Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.

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Element Library

Name

output quantity as defined above

Item

predetermined item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for data at node I

Table 7.201.1: FOLLW201 Item and Sequence Numbers

Name Item Location

FX SMISC 1
FY SMISC 2
FZ SMISC 3
MX SMISC 4
MY SMISC 5
MZ SMISC 6

FOLLW201 Assumptions and Restrictions

• Follower load stiffening is ignored in geometrically linear analyses (NLGEOM,OFF), which is
equivalent to the normal specification of forces and moments (F).

• The element must be overlaid on a node having existing physical stiffness contributions (from
other shell or beam elements).

• Follower load effects are nonconservative. They often introduce dynamics instability issues (such
as flutter) which may cause convergence difficulties.

FOLLW201 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

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INTER202
2-D 4-Node Cohesive
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 956)

INTER202 Element Description

INTER202 is a 2-D 4-node linear interface element used for 2-D structural assembly modeling. When
used with 2-D linear structural elements (such as PLANE182 (p. 692)), INTER202 simulates the interface
surfaces and the subsequent delamination process, where the separation is represented by an increasing
displacement between nodes, within the interface element itself, that are initially coincident. The element
can be used as either a plane element (plane stress or plane strain) or as an axisymmetric element. It
is defined by four nodes having two degrees of freedom at each node: translations in the nodal x and
y directions.

See Cohesive Zone Material (CZM) Model and INTER202 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for
more information about this element. Also see Cohesive Material Law in the Material Reference.

For more information about the interface failure/delamination capability, see Interface Delamination
and Failure Simulation.

Figure 7.202.1: INTER202 Geometry

L
I
x

y
Y

K
X J

INTER202 Input Data

The element geometry, node locations, connectivity, and the nodal coordinate system are shown in
Figure 7.202.1: INTER202 Geometry (p. 953). The element geometry is defined by 4 nodes, which form
bottom and top lines of the element. The bottom line is defined by nodes I, J; and the top line is defined
by nodes K, L. The element connectivity is defined as I, J, K, L. This element has 2 integration points.
The Gauss integration scheme is used for the numerical integration.

INTER202 is used to simulate interfacial decohesion with the cohesive zone model along an interface
defined by this element. At the outset of the simulation, nodes I,L and J,K are coincident, both with
each other and with the corresponding nodes in the adjacent structural elements. The subsequent
separation of the adjacent elements (usually defined contiguously as components) is represented by
an increasing displacement between the nodes within this element.

INTER202 can also be used to simulate interfacial delamination of laminate composite and general crack
growth with VCCT. For more information, see VCCT-Based Crack-Growth Simulation in the Fracture
Analysis Guide.

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Element Library

Temperatures may be input as element body loads at the nodes. The node I temperature T(I), defaults
to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to T(I). For any other input pattern,
unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

Input the nodal forces, if any, per unit of depth for a plane analysis (except for KEYOPT(3) = 3) and on
a full 360° basis for an axisymmetric analysis.

The next table summarizes the element input. See the Element Input (p. 41) section in the Element
Reference (p. 1) for a general description of element input.

INTER202 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY

Real Constants

None, if KEYOPT(3) = 0, 1, or 2
THK - Plane stress with thickness, if KEYOPT(3) = 3

Material Properties

TB command: Cohesive zone material

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L)

The temperature is used only to evaluate the material properties.

Special Features

None

KEYOPT(2)

Element option:

0 --

Used with cohesive zone material (TB,CZM)

1 --

Multipoint constraint (MPC) option, used for crack-growth simulation with VCCT technology.

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KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

0 --

Plane stress

1 --

Axisymmetric

2 --

Plane strain (Z strain = 0.0)

3 --

Plane stress with thickness (THK) real constant input

INTER202 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal items such as nodal displacements are included in the overall nodal solution.

• Element items such as tractions and separations are element outputs as shown in
Table 7.202.1: INTER202 Element Output Definitions (p. 956).

The output directions for element items are parallel to the local element coordinate system based on
the element midplane, as illustrated in Figure 7.202.2: INTER202 Stress Output (p. 955). See Cohesive
Zone Model in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for details.

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to review results.

Figure 7.202.2: INTER202 Stress Output

L
I
x

y
Y

K
X J

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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Element Library

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.202.1: INTER202 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number - Y
NODES Node connectivity - I, J, K, L - Y
MAT Material number - Y
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L) - Y
SS:X, (XY) Interface Traction (stress) Y Y
SD:X, (XY) Interface Separation (displacement) Y Y
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - Y
DAMAGE, VREG,
ENTO

INTER202 Assumptions and Restrictions

• This element is not supported for initial stress.

• Pressure as a type of surface load on element faces is not supported by this element.

• This element is based on the local coordinate system. ESYS is not permitted.

• This element is only available for static analyses.

INTER202 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

INTER203
2-D 6-Node Cohesive
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 959)

INTER203 Element Description

INTER203 is a 2-D 6-node quadratic interface element used for 2-D structural assembly modeling. When
used with 2-D quadratic structural elements (such as PLANE183 (p. 701)), INTER203 simulates the interface
surfaces and the subsequent delamination process, where the separation is represented by an increasing
displacement between nodes, within the interface element itself, that are initially coincident. The element
can be used either as a plane element (plane stress or plane strain) or as an axisymmetric element. It
is defined by six nodes having two degrees of freedom at each node: translations in the nodal x and y
directions.

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See Cohesive Zone Material Model and INTER203 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more
details about this element.

Also see Crack-Initiation and -Growth Simulation, Interface Delamination, and Fatigue Crack Growth in
the Fracture Analysis Guide for more information about the interface failure/delamination capability in
Mechanical APDL.

Figure 7.203.1: INTER203 Geometry

L
I

x
O

Y M y
K
X J

INTER203 Input Data

The element geometry, node locations, connectivity, and the nodal coordinate system are shown in
Figure 7.203.1: INTER203 Geometry (p. 957). The element geometry is defined by 6 nodes, which form
bottom and top lines of the element. The bottom line is defined by nodes I, J, M; and the top line is
defined by nodes K, L, O. This element has 2 integration points. Dropping mid side nodes M or O is not
permitted.

INTER203 is used to simulate a separation along an interface defined by this element. At the outset of
your simulation, nodes I,L, nodes M,O and nodes J,K are coincident, with each other, and with the cor-
responding nodes in the adjacent structural elements. The subsequent separation of the adjacent ele-
ments (usually defined contiguously as components) is represented by an increasing displacement
between the initially coincident nodes within this element.

Temperatures may be input as element body loads at the nodes. The node I temperature T(I), defaults
to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to T(I). For any other input pattern,
unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

Input the nodal forces, if any, per unit of depth for a plane analysis (except for KEYOPT(3) = 3) and on
a full 360° basis for an axisymmetric analysis.

The next table summarizes the element input. See Element Input (p. 41) in the Element Reference (p. 1)
for a general description of element input.

INTER203 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, , O

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY

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Element Library

Real Constants

None, if KEYOPT(3) = 0, 1, or 2
THK - Plane stress with thickness, if KEYOPT(3) = 3

Material Properties

TB command: Cohesive zone material

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(O)

Temperature is used only to evaluate the material properties.

Special Features

None

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

0 --

Plane stress

1 --

Axisymmetric

2 --

Plane strain (Z strain = 0.0)

3 --

Plane stress with thickness (THK) real constant input

INTER203 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal items such as nodal displacements are included in the overall nodal solution.

• Element items such as tractions and separations are element outputs as shown in
Table 7.203.1: INTER203 Element Output Definitions (p. 959).

The output directions for element items are parallel to the local element coordinate system based on
the element midplane as illustrated in Figure 7.203.2: INTER203 Stress Output (p. 959). See Cohesive Zone
Material Model and INTER203 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for details.

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A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to review results.

Figure 7.203.2: INTER203 Stress Output

L
I

x
O

Y M y
K
X J

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.203.1: INTER203 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number - Y
NODES Node connectivity - I, J, K, L, M, O - Y
MAT Material number - Y
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(O) - Y
SS:X, (XY) Interface Traction (Stress) Y Y
SD:X, (XY) Interface Separation Y Y
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - Y
DAMAGE,
VREG,ENTO

INTER203 Assumptions and Restrictions

• This element is not supported for initial stress.

• Pressure as a type of surface load on element faces is not supported by this element.

• This element is based on the local coordinate system. ESYS is not permitted.

• This element is only available for static analyses.

INTER203 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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Element Library

INTER204
3-D 16-Node Cohesive
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 963)

INTER204 Element Description

INTER204 is a 3-D 16-node quadratic interface element. When used with 3-D quadratic structural elements
(SOLID186 (p. 843), and SOLID187 (p. 861)), INTER204 simulates an interface between two surfaces and
the subsequent delamination process, where the separation is represented by an increasing displacement
between nodes, within the interface element itself. The nodes are initially coincident.

INTER204 is defined by 16 nodes having three degrees of freedom at each node: translations in the
nodal x, y, and z directions.

See Cohesive Zone Material Model and INTER204 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more
details about this element.

Also see Crack-Initiation and -Growth Simulation, Interface Delamination, and Fatigue Crack Growth in
the Fracture Analysis Guide for more details about the interface failure/delamination capability.

Figure 7.204.1: INTER204 Geometry

P

L
X
T x
M W
z S
I

y
U
O
Q V K
N
Z
R
J

X Y

INTER204 Input Data

The element geometry, node locations, connectivity, and the nodal coordinate system are shown in
Figure 7.204.1: INTER204 Geometry (p. 960). The element geometry is defined by 16 nodes, which form
bottom and top surfaces of the element. The bottom surface is defined by nodes, I, J, K, L, Q, R, S, T;
and the top surface is defined by nodes, M, N, O, P, U, V, W, X. The element may be degenerated to a
wedge (prism) element, by setting nodes K=L=S and O=P=W, as shown in Figure 7.204.2: INTER204 3-
D 16-Node Degenerated Quadratic Interface (p. 961).

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Figure 7.204.2: INTER204 3-D 16-Node Degenerated Quadratic Interface
O, P, W
K, L, S

x V
X y
T R
z

Z
M N
U
I J

X Y Q

For the degenerated element, 3 integration points are used for numerical integration. The degenerated
element can be used in conjunction with 10-node solid tetrahedral elements (SOLID187 (p. 861)). Dropping
any or some of the midside nodes, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X is not permitted.

Temperatures may be input as element body loads at the nodes. The node I temperature T(I), defaults
to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to T(I). For any other input pattern,
unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

The next table summarizes the element input. See Element Input (p. 41) in the Element Reference (p. 1)
for a general description of element input.

INTER204 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: Cohesive zone material

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L) T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P), T(Q), T(R), T(S), T(T), T(U), T(V), T(W), T(X)

Special Features

None

KEYOPTS

None

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Element Library

INTER204 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal items such as nodal displacements are included in the overall nodal solution.

• Element items such as tractions and separations are element outputs as shown in
Table 7.204.1: INTER204 Element Output Definitions (p. 962).

The output directions for element items are parallel to the local element coordinate system based on
the element midplane as illustrated in Figure 7.204.3: INTER204 Stress Output (p. 962). See Cohesive Zone
Material in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for details.

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to review results.

Figure 7.204.3: INTER204 Stress Output

P

L
X
T x
M W
z S
I

y
U
O
Q V K
N
Z
R
J

X Y

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.204.1: INTER204 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number - Y
NODES Node connectivity - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, - Y
T, U, V, W, X
MAT Material number - Y
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), - Y
T(P), T(Q), T(R), T(S), T(T), T(U), T(V), T(W), T(X)
SS:X, (XY, XZ) Interface traction (stress) Y Y
SD:X, (XY, XZ) Interface Separation Y Y

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 Name Definition O R
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - Y
DAMAGE,
VREG,ENTO

INTER204 Assumptions and Restrictions

• This element is not supported for initial stress.

• Pressure as a type of surface load on element faces is not supported by this element.

• This element is available for static analyses only.

INTER204 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

INTER205
3-D 8-Node Cohesive
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 966)

INTER205 Element Description

INTER205 is a 3-D 8-node linear interface element. When used with 3-D linear structural elements
(SOLID185 (p. 824), SOLSH190 (p. 912), SOLID272 (p. 1304), SOLID273 (p. 1312), and SOLID285 (p. 1377)), INTER205
simulates an interface between two surfaces and the subsequent delamination process, where the
separation is represented by an increasing displacement between nodes, within the interface element
itself. The nodes are initially coincident.

The element is defined by eight nodes having three degrees of freedom at each node: translations in
the nodal x, y, and z directions.

See Cohesive Zone Material (CZM) Model and INTER205 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for
more information about this element. Also see Cohesive Material Law in the Material Reference.

For more information about the interface failure/delamination capability, see Crack-Initiation and -Growth
Simulation, Interface Delamination, and Fatigue Crack Growth in the Fracture Analysis Guide.

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Element Library

Figure 7.205.1: INTER205 Geometry

P

M
x
I
z
y
O
Z K
N

Y J
X

INTER205 Input Data

The element geometry, node locations, connectivity, and the nodal coordinate system are shown in
Figure 7.205.1: INTER205 Geometry (p. 964). The element geometry is defined by 8 nodes, which form
bottom and top surfaces of the element. The bottom surface is defined by nodes, I, J, K, L; and the top
surface is defined by nodes, M, N, O, P.

INTER205 is used to simulate interfacial decohesion with the cohesive zone model along an interface
defined by this element. At the outset of the simulation, nodes pairs I and M, J and N, K and O, and L
and P are coincident, both with each other and with the corresponding nodes in the adjacent structural
elements. The subsequent separation of the adjacent elements (usually defined contiguously as com-
ponents) is represented by an increasing displacement between the nodes within this element.

INTER205 can also be used to simulate interfacial delamination of laminate composite and general crack
growth with VCCT. For more information, see VCCT-Based Crack-Growth Simulation in the Fracture
Analysis Guide.

Temperatures may be input as element body loads at the nodes. The node I temperature T(I), defaults
to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to T(I). For any other input pattern,
unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

The next table summarizes the element input. See Element Input (p. 41) in the Element Reference (p. 1)
for a general description of element input.

INTER205 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: Cohesive zone material

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Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P)

The temperature is used only to evaluate the material properties.

Special Features

None

KEYOPT(2)

Element option:

0 --

Used with cohesive zone material (TB,CZM)

1 --

Multipoint constraint (MPC) option, used for crack-growth simulation with VCCT technology.

INTER205 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal items such as nodal displacements are included in the overall nodal solution.

• Element items such as tractions and separations are element outputs as shown in
Table 7.205.1: INTER205 Element Output Definitions (p. 966).

The output directions for element items are parallel to the local element coordinate system based on
the element midplane as illustrated in Figure 7.205.2: INTER205 Stress Output (p. 965). See Gasket Mater-
ial in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for details.

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to review results.

Figure 7.205.2: INTER205 Stress Output

P

M
x
I
z
y
O
Z K
N

Y J
X

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

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Element Library

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.205.1: INTER205 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number - Y
NODES Node connectivity - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P - Y
MAT Material number - Y
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), - Y
T(P)
SS:X, (XY, XZ) Interface traction (stress) Y Y
SD:X, (XY, XZ) Interface separation Y Y
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - Y
DAMAGE,
VREG,ENTO

INTER205 Assumptions and Restrictions

• This element is not supported for initial stress.

• Pressure as a type of surface load on element faces is not supported by this element.

• This element is available for static analyses only.

INTER205 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions on this element.

SHELL208
2-Node Axisymmetric Shell
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 977)

SHELL208 Element Description

The SHELL208 element is suitable for modeling thin to moderately thick axisymmetric shell structures,
such as oil tanks, pipes, and cooling towers. It is a two-node element with three degrees of freedom at
each node: translations in the x, and y directions, and rotation about the z-axis. A fourth translational
degree of freedom in z direction can be included to model uniform torsion (KEYOPT(2) = 1). When the

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membrane option is used, the rotational degree of freedom is excluded. An extra internal node is
available via KEYOPT(3) = 2. (SHELL209 (p. 977) incorporates this extra node by default.)

SHELL208 allows you to account for large strain effects, transverse shear deformation, hyperelasticity
and layers in your models. The element is intended to model finite strain with pure axisymmetric dis-
placements; transverse shear strains are assumed to be small.

SHELL208 can be used for layered applications for modeling laminated composite shells or sandwich
construction. See SHELL208 for more details about this element.

Figure 7.208.1: SHELL208 Geometry

KEYOPT(3) = 0 KEYOPT(3) = 2
J J

Integration points

2
internal node
x x
1
Y
z z
I I
X

SHELL208 Input Data

Figure 7.208.1: SHELL208 Geometry (p. 967) shows the geometry, node locations, and element coordinate
system for SHELL208. The element is defined by two nodes. For material property labels, the local x-
direction corresponds to the meridional direction of the shell element. The local y-direction is the cir-
cumferential. The local z-direction corresponds to the through-the-thickness direction. Element formu-
lation is based on logarithmic strain and true stress measures. Element kinematics allows for finite
membrane strains (stretching). However, the curvature changes within an increment are assumed to
be small.

The shell thickness and more general properties (such as material and number of integration points
through the thickness) are specified via section commands (SECTYPE, SECDATA and SECCONTROL).
Shell section commands allow for both single-layered and composite shell definitions. You can designate
the number of integration points (1, 3, 5, 7, or 9) located through the thickness of each layer. If only
one, the integration point is always located midway between the top and the bottom surfaces. If three
or more, two points are located on the top and the bottom surfaces respectively and the remaining
points are distributed evenly between these two points. The default for each layer is three integration
points. The element can have variable thickness, as a tabular function of global/local coordinates or
node numbers (SECFUNCTION).

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Pressure may be input as surface loads on the
element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Figure 7.208.1: SHELL208 Geometry (p. 967). Positive
pressures act into the element.

Temperatures may be input as element body loads at the corners of the outside faces of the element
and the corners of the interfaces between layers. The first corner temperature T1 defaults to TUNIF. If
all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to T1. If KEYOPT(1) = 0 and exactly NL+1 (where
NL is the number of layers in the shell section) temperatures are input, one temperature is used for the
bottom corners of each layer, and the last temperature is for the top corners of the top layer. If KEYOPT(1)
= 1 and if exactly NL temperatures are input, one temperature is used for the two corners of each layer;

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Element Library

that is, T1 is used for T1 and T2; T2 (as input) is used for T3 and T4, etc. For any other input patterns,
unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

Nodal forces, if any, should be input on a full 360° basis.

KEYOPT(1) is the membrane option. When KEYOPT(1) = 1, the element uses one integration point
through-the-thickness and accounts for only membrane stiffness (that is, the bending and transverse
shear stiffness are ignored).

To evaluate stresses and strains on exterior surfaces, set KEYOPT(1) = 2. When used as overlaid elements
on the faces of 2-D axisymmetric elements, this option is similar to the surface stress option, but is more
general and applicable to nonlinear analysis. The element used with this option provides no stiffness,
mass, or load contributions. Use this option in single-layer shells only. Irrespective of other settings,
SHELL208 provides stress and strain output at the center of the layer.

KEYOPT(2) controls the torsion capability. When KEYOPT(2) = 1, the element allows constant torsion by
allowing a translational degree of freedom UZ in the circumferential direction.

KEYOPT(3) is used to include or suppress internal nodes. When KEYOPT(3) = 2, the element contains an
extra internal node and adopts a two-point integration rule. By default, the element uses one-point in-
tegration scheme. (See Figure 7.208.1: SHELL208 Geometry (p. 967).) Internal nodes are not accessible
to users. Therefore, boundary conditions/loading can not be specified on those nodes.

SHELL208 includes the effects of transverse shear deformation. The transverse shear stiffness E11 can
be specified using SECCONTROL. For a single-layered shell with isotropic material, default transverse
shear stiffness is kGh, in which k = 5/6, G is the shear modulus, and h is the thickness of the shell.

SHELL208 can be associated with linear elastic, elastoplastic, creep, or hyperelastic material properties.

Set KEYOPT(8) = 2 to store midsurface results in the results file for single- or multi-layer shell elements.
If you use SHELL,MID, you will see these calculated values, rather than the average of the TOP and
BOTTOM results. You should use this option to access these correct midsurface results (membrane results)
for those analyses where averaging TOP and BOTTOM results is inappropriate. Examples include midsur-
face stresses and strains with nonlinear material behavior, and midsurface results after mode combinations
that involve squaring operations such as in spectrum analyses.

Set KEYOPT(9) = 1 to read initial thickness data from a user subroutine.

KEYOPT(10) = 1 outputs normal stress component Sz, where z is shell normal direction. The element
uses a plane-stress formulation that always leads to zero thickness normal stress. With KEYOPT(10) = 1,
Sz is independently recovered during the element solution output from the applied pressure load.

You can apply an initial stress state to this element via INISTATE. For more information, see Initial State
in the Advanced Analysis Guide.

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element. If an unsymmetric
matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, use NROPT,UNSYM.

The element supports both consistent and lumped mass matrices. Use LUMPM,ON to activate a lumped
mass matrix. A consistent mass matrix is used by default.

A summary of the element input is given in "SHELL208 Input Summary" (p. 969). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

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SHELL208 Input Summary
Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, ROTZ -- If KEYOPT(1) = 0 and KEYOPT(2) = 0

UX, UY -- If KEYOPT(1) = 1 and KEYOPT(2) = 0
UX, UY, UZ, ROTZ -- If KEYOPT(1) = 0 and KEYOPT(2) = 1
UX, UY, UZ -- If KEYOPT(1) = 1 and KEYOPT(2) = 1

Real Constants

None

Section Controls

E11, ADMSUA

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, EY, EZ, PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ),
ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ),
DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressures --

face 1 (I-J) (top, in -N direction),

face 2 (I-J) (bottom, in +N direction)
To define general surface loads (or surface tractions) on the faces, issue SFCONTROL.

Body Loads

Temperatures --

For KEYOPT(1) = 0:
T1, T2 (corresponding to nodes I and J) at bottom of layer 1, and T3, T4 (corresponding
to nodes I and J) between layers 1-2. A similar relationship exists for all layers, ending
with temperatures at the top of layer NL. Hence, for one-layer elements, four temperat-
ures are used.
For KEYOPT(1) = 1:
T1, T2 for layer 1; T3, T4 for layer 2; similarly for all layers (2 * NL maximum). Hence, for
one-layer elements, two temperatures are used.

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Special Features

Birth and death

Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Initial state
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear stabilization
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(1)

Element stiffness:

0 --

Bending and membrane stiffness (default).

1 --

Membrane stiffness only.

2 --

Stress/strain evaluation only.

KEYOPT(2)

Torsion capability:

0 --

Excluded (default).

1 --

Included.

KEYOPT(3)

Extra internal node option:

0 --

Suppress extra internal node (default).

2 --

Include extra internal node.

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KEYOPT(8)

Storage of layer data:

0 --

For multi-layer elements, store data for bottom of bottom layer and top of top layer. For single-
layer elements, store data for TOP and BOTTOM. (Default)

1 --

Store data for TOP and BOTTOM for all layers.

2 --

Store data for TOP, BOTTOM, and MID for all layers. (The volume of data may be excessive.)

KEYOPT(9)

User-defined thickness:

0 --

No user subroutine to provide initial thickness (default).

1 --

Read initial thickness data from user subroutine UTHICK

See the Guide to User-Programmable Features in the Programmer's Reference for information
about user-written subroutines

KEYOPT(10)

Thickness normal stress (Sz) output option:

0 --

Sz not modified (default, Sz = 0)

1 --

Recover and output Sz from applied pressure load

SHELL208 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution.

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.208.1: SHELL208 Element Output Definitions (p. 973)

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.208.2: SHELL208 Element Stress Output (p. 972).

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Element Library

KEYOPT(8) controls the amount of data output on the result file for processing with LAYER. Interlaminar
shear stress is available at the layer interfaces. Setting KEYOPT(8) = 1 or 2 is necessary for these stresses
to be output in POST1. A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See
the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The element stress resultants (N11, M11, Q13, etc.) are parallel to the element coordinate system, as
are the membrane strains and curvatures of the element. Such generalized strains are available through
the SMISC option at the element centroid only. The transverse shear force Q13 is available only in res-
ultant form: that is, use SMISC,5. Likewise, the transverse shear strain γ13 is constant through the
thickness and only available as a SMISC item (SMISC,10).

Mechanical APDL calculates moments (M11, M22) with respect to the shell reference plane. By default,
the program adopts the shell midplane as the reference plane. To offset the reference plane to any
other specified location, issue SECOFFSET. When there is a nonzero offset (L) from the reference plane
to the midplane, moments with respect to the midplane ( ) can be recovered from stress
resultants with respect to the reference plane as follows:

SHELL208 does not support extensive basic element printout. POST1 provides more comprehensive
output processing tools; therefore, consider issuing OUTRES to ensure that the required results are
stored in the database.

Figure 7.208.2: SHELL208 Element Stress Output

SY
SX (TOP)
SX SX (MID)
SX (BOT)

M11

N11
x

z y M22
I
x J
N22

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.208.1: SHELL208 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J - Y
MAT Material number - Y
THICK Average thickness - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 4
PRES Pressures P1 (top) at NODES I, J; P2 (bottom) at NODES - Y
I, J
TEMP Temperatures T1, T2 at bottom of layer 1, T3, T4 - Y
between layers 1-2, similarly for between next layers,
ending with temperatures at top of layer NL (2*(NL+1)
maximum)
LOC TOP, MID, BOT, or integration point location - 1
S:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Stresses 3 1
XZ
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - 1
S:INT Stress intensity - 1
S:EQV Equivalent stress - 1
EPEL:X, Y, Z, Elastic strains 3 1
XY,YZ,XZ
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain - 1
EPTH:X, Y, Z, Thermal strains 3 1
XY,YZ,XZ
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain - 1
EPPL:X, Y, Z, Average plastic strains 3 2
XY,YZ,XZ
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strain - 2
EPCR:X, Y, Z, XY Average creep strains 3 2
,YZ,XZ
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strain - 2
EPTO:X, Y, Z Total mechanical strains (EPEL+EPPL+EPCR) 3 -
,XY,YZ,XZ
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strains - -
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain - 2
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain - 2
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not yielding) - 2

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume - 2
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure - 2
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - 2
PLASTIC,
CREEP,ENTO
N11, N22, N12 In-plane forces (per unit length) - Y
M11, M22 Out-of-plane moments (per unit length) - Y
Q13 Transverse shear forces (per unit length) - Y
E11, E22, E12 Membrane strains - Y
K11, K22 Curvatures - Y
γ13 Transverse shear strain - Y
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 5
SVAR:1, 2, ... , N State variables - 6
ILSXZ SXZ interlaminar shear stress - Y
ILSYZ SYZ interlaminar shear stress - Y
ILSUM Magnitude of the interlaminar shear stress vector - Y
ILANG Angle of interlaminar shear stress vector (measured - Y
from the element x-axis toward the element y-axis in
degrees)
Sm: 11, 22, 12 Membrane stresses - Y
Sb: 11, 22 Bending stresses - Y
Sp: 11, 22, 12 Peak stresses - Y
St: 13 Averaged transverse shear stresses - Y

1. The following stress solution repeats for top, middle, and bottom surfaces.

2. Nonlinear solution output for top, middle, and bottom surfaces, if the element has a nonlinear ma-
terial, or if large-deflection effects are enabled (NLGEOM,ON) for SEND.

3. Stresses, total strains, plastic strains, elastic strains, creep strains, and thermal strains in the element
coordinate system are available for output (at all section points through thickness). If layers are in
use, the results are in the layer coordinate system.

4. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

5. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is used.

6. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and TB,STATE are used.

Table 7.208.2: SHELL208 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 975) lists output available via ETABLE using
the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) and The Item and Sequence
Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The following notation is used in
Table 7.208.2: SHELL208 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 975):

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Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.208.1: SHELL208 Element Output Definitions (p. 973)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I, J

sequence number for data at nodes I, J.

Table 7.208.2: SHELL208 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Input

Quantity Item E I J
Name
N11 SMISC 1 - -
N22 SMISC 2 - -
N12 SMISC 3 - -
M11 SMISC 4 - -
M22 SMISC 5 - -
Q13 SMISC 6 - -
ε11 SMISC 7 - -
ε22 SMISC 8 - -
ε12 SMISC 9 - -
k11 SMISC 10 - -
k22 SMISC 11 - -
γ13 SMISC 12 - -
THICK SMISC 13 - -
P1 SMISC - 14 15
P2 SMISC - 16 17
Sm: 11 SMISC 18 - -
Sm: 22 SMISC 19 - -
Sm: 12 SMISC 20 - -
Sb: 11 SMISC 21 - -
Sb: 22 SMISC 22 - -
Sp: 11 (at SMISC 23 - -
shell
bottom)

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Element Library

Output ETABLE and ESOL Input

Quantity Item E I J
Name
Sp: 22 (at SMISC 24 - -
shell
bottom)
Sp: 12 (at SMISC 25 - -
shell
bottom)
Sp: 11 (at SMISC 26 - -
shell top)
Sp: 22 (at SMISC 27 - -
shell top)
Sp: 12 (at SMISC 28 - -
shell top)
St: 13 SMISC 29 - -
Output ETABLE and ESOL Input
Quantity Item Bottom of Layer i Top of Layer NL
Name
ILSXZ SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 31 8 * (NL - 1) + 32
ILSYZ SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 33 8 * (NL - 1) + 34
ILSUM SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 35 8 * (NL - 1) + 36
ILANG SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 37 8 * (NL - 1) + 38

SHELL208 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The axisymmetric shell element must be defined in the global X-Y plane with the Y-axis the axis
of symmetry.

• The element cannot have a zero length.

• Zero thickness elements, or elements tapering down to a zero thickness at any corner, are not
allowed (but zero thickness layers are allowed).

• If multiple load steps are used, the number of layers may not change between load steps.

• No slippage is assumed between the element layers. Shear deflections are included in the element;
however, normals to the center plane before deformation are assumed to remain straight after
deformation.

• Transverse shear stiffness of the shell section is estimated by an energy equivalence procedure
(of the generalized section forces & strains vs. the material point stresses and strains). The accuracy
of this calculation may be adversely affected if the ratio of material stiffnesses (Young's moduli)
between adjacent layers is very high.

• The calculation of interlaminar shear stresses is based on simplifying assumptions of unidirectional,

uncoupled bending in each direction. If accurate edge interlaminar shear stresses are required,
shell-to-solid submodeling should be used.

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• The section definition permits use of hyperelastic material models and elastoplastic material
models in laminate definition. However, the accuracy of the solution is primarily governed by
fundamental assumptions of shell theory. The applicability of shell theory in such cases is best
understood by using a comparable solid model.

• For nonlinear applications, this element works best with full Newton-Raphson solution scheme
(NROPT,FULL,ON).

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Prestress

effects can be activated via PSTRES.

• In a nonlinear analysis, the solution process terminates if the thickness at any integration point
that was defined with a nonzero thickness vanishes (within a small numerical tolerance).

• SHELL208 with an internal node cannot be used in substructures.

SHELL208 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

• Initial state is not available.

SHELL209
3-Node Axisymmetric Shell
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 987)

SHELL209 Element Description

The SHELL209 element is suitable for analyzing thin to moderately thick axisymmetric shell structures.
It is a three-node element with three degrees of freedom at each node: translations in the X, Y directions,
and a rotation about the Z-axis. A fourth translational degree of freedom in z direction can be included
to model uniform torsion (KEYOPT(2) = 1). When the membrane option is used, the rotational degree
of freedom is excluded. (For higher efficiency, the two-node element SHELL208 (p. 966) may be more
suitable.)

The element is well suited for linear, large rotation, and/or large strain nonlinear applications. Changes
in shell thickness and follower effects of distributed pressures are accounted for in nonlinear analyses,
and it can be used for layered applications for modeling laminated composite shells or sandwich con-
struction. See SHELL209 for more details about this element.

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Figure 7.209.1: SHELL209 Geometry

J

1 Integration points

2
K

Y
Integration points
x
z
X I

SHELL209 Input Data

Figure 7.209.1: SHELL209 Geometry (p. 978) shows the geometry, node locations, and element coordinate
system for this element. The element is defined by three nodes. For material property labels, the local
x-direction corresponds to the meridional direction of the shell element. The local y-direction is the
circumferential. The local z-direction corresponds to the through-the-thickness direction. Element for-
mulation is based on logarithmic strain and true stress measures. Element kinematics allows for finite
membrane strains (stretching). However, the curvature changes within an increment are assumed to
be small.

The shell thickness and more general properties (such as material and number of integration points
through the thickness) are specified via section commands (SECTYPE, SECDATA and SECCONTROL).
Shell section commands allow for both single-layered and composite shell definitions. You can designate
the number of integration points (1, 3, 5, 7, or 9) located through the thickness of each layer. If only
one, the integration point is always located midway between the top and the bottom surfaces. If three
or more, two points are located on the top and the bottom surfaces respectively and the remaining
points are distributed evenly between these two points. The default for each layer is three integration
points. The element can have variable thickness, as a tabular function of global/local coordinates or
node numbers (SECFUNCTION).

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Pressure may be input as surface loads on the
element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Figure 7.209.1: SHELL209 Geometry (p. 978). Positive
pressures act into the element.

Temperatures can be input as element body loads at the corners of the outside faces of the element
and the corners of the interfaces between layers. The first corner temperature T1 defaults to TUNIF. If
all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to T1. If KEYOPT(1) = 0 and exactly NL+1 (where
NL is the number of layers in the shell section) temperatures are input, one temperature is used for the
bottom corners of each layer, and the last temperature is for the top corners of the top layer. If KEYOPT(1)
= 1 and if exactly NL temperatures are input, one temperature is used for the two corners of each layer.
That is, T1 is used for T1, T2, and T3; T2 (as input) is used for T4, T5, and T6, etc. For any other input
patterns, unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

Nodal forces, if any, should be input on a full 360° basis.

KEYOPT(1) is the membrane option. When KEYOPT(1) = 1, the element uses one integration point
through-the-thickness and accounts for only membrane stiffness (that is, the bending and transverse
shear stiffness are ignored).

To evaluate stresses and strains on exterior surfaces, set KEYOPT(1) = 2. When used as overlaid elements
on the faces of 2-D axisymmetric elements, this option is similar to the surface stress option, but is more

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general and applicable to nonlinear analysis. The element used with this option provides no stiffness,
mass, or load contributions. Use this option in single-layer shells only. Irrespective of other settings,
SHELL208 (p. 966) provides stress and strain output at the center of the layer.

KEYOPT(2) controls the torsion capability. When KEYOPT(2) = 1, the element allows constant torsion by
allowing a translational degree of freedom UZ in the circumferential direction.

SHELL209 includes the effects of transverse shear deformation. The transverse shear stiffness E11 can
be specified with SECCONTROL. For a single-layered shell with isotropic material, default transverse
shear stiffness is kGh, in which k = 5/6, G is the shear modulus, and h is the thickness of the shell.

SHELL209 can be associated with linear elastic, elastoplastic, creep, or hyperelastic material properties.

Set KEYOPT(8) = 2 to store midsurface results in the results file for single or multi-layer shell elements.
If you use SHELL,MID, you will see these calculated values, rather than the average of the TOP and
BOTTOM results. You should use this option to access these correct midsurface results (membrane results)
for those analyses where averaging TOP and BOTTOM results is inappropriate. Examples include midsur-
face stresses and strains with nonlinear material behavior, and midsurface results after mode combinations
that involve squaring operations such as in spectrum analyses.

Set KEYOPT(9) = 1 to read initial thickness data from a user subroutine.

KEYOPT(10) = 1 outputs normal stress component Sz, where z is shell normal direction. The element
uses a plane-stress formulation that always leads to zero thickness normal stress. With KEYOPT(10) = 1,
Sz is independently recovered during the element solution output from the applied pressure load.

You can apply an initial stress state to this element via INISTATE. For more information, see Initial State
in the Advanced Analysis Guide.

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element. If an unsymmetric
matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, use NROPT,UNSYM.

The element supports both consistent and lumped mass matrices. Issue LUMPM,ON to activate a lumped
mass matrix. A consistent mass matrix is used by default.

"SHELL209 Input Summary" (p. 979) gives a summary of the element input. A general description of
element input is given in Element Input (p. 41)

SHELL209 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, ROTZ -- If KEYOPT(1) = 0 and KEYOPT(2) = 0

UX, UY -- If KEYOPT(1) = 1 and KEYOPT(2) = 0
UX, UY, UZ, ROTZ -- If KEYOPT(1) = 0 and KEYOPT(2) = 1
UX, UY, UZ -- If KEYOPT(1) = 1 and KEYOPT(2) = 1

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Real Constants

None

Section Controls

E11, ADMSUA

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, EY, EZ, PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ),
ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ),
DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressures --

face 1 (I-J-K) (top, in -N direction),

face 2 (I-J-K) (bottom, in +N direction)
To define general surface loads (or surface tractions) on the faces, issue SFCONTROL.

Body Loads

Temperatures --

For KEYOPT(1) = 0:
T1, T2 T3 (corresponding to nodes I, J, and K) at bottom of layer 1, and T4, T5, T6 (cor-
responding to nodes I, J, and K) between layers 1-2. A similar relationship exists for all
layers, ending with temperatures at the top of layer NL. For one-layer elements, therefore,
six temperatures are used.
For KEYOPT(1) = 1:
T1, T2, T3 for layer 1; T4, T5, T6 for layer 2; similarly for all layers (3 * NL maximum).
Hence, for one-layer elements, three temperatures are used.

Special Features

Birth and death

Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Initial state
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear stabilization
Stress stiffening

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KEYOPT(1)

Element stiffness:

0 --

Bending and membrane stiffness (default).

1 --

Membrane stiffness only.

2 --

Stress/strain evaluation only.

KEYOPT(2)

Torsion capability:

0 --

Excluded (default).

1 --

Included.

KEYOPT(8)

Storage of layer data:

0 --

For multi-layer elements, store data for bottom of bottom layer and top of top layer. For single-
layer elements, store data for TOP and BOTTOM. (Default)

1 --

Store data for TOP and BOTTOM for all layers.

2 --

Store data for TOP, BOTTOM, and MID for all layers. (The volume of data may be excessive.)

KEYOPT(9)

User-defined thickness:

0 --

No user subroutine to provide initial thickness (default).

1 --

Read initial thickness data from user subroutine UTHICK

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Element Library

See the Guide to User-Programmable Features in the Programmer's Reference for information
about user-written subroutines.

KEYOPT(10)

Thickness normal stress (Sz) output option:

0 --

Sz not modified (default, Sz = 0)

1 --

Recover and output Sz from applied pressure load

SHELL209 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution.

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.209.1: SHELL209 Element Output Definitions (p. 983)

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.209.2: SHELL209 Element Stress Output (p. 983).

KEYOPT(8) controls the amount of data output on the result file for processing with LAYER. Interlaminar
shear stress is available at the layer interfaces. Setting KEYOPT(8) = 1 or 2 is necessary for these stresses
to be output in POST1. A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See
the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The element stress resultants (N11, M11, Q13, etc.) are parallel to the element coordinate system, as
are the membrane strains and curvatures of the element. Such generalized strains are available through
the SMISC option at the element centroid only. The transverse shear force Q13 are available only in
resultant form: that is, use SMISC,5. Likewise, the transverse shear strain.

γ13 is constant through the thickness and only available as a SMISC item (SMISC,10).

Mechanical APDL calculates moments (M11, M22) with respect to the shell reference plane. By default,
the program adopts the shell midplane as the reference plane. To offset the reference plane to any
other specified location, issue SECOFFSET. When there is a nonzero offset (L) from the reference plane
to the midplane, moments with respect to the midplane ( ) can be recovered from stress
resultants with respect to the reference plane as follows:

SHELL209 does not support extensive basic element printout. POST1 provides more comprehensive
output processing tools; therefore, consider issuing OUTRES to ensure that the required results are
stored in the database.

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Figure 7.209.2: SHELL209 Element Stress Output

SY
SX (TOP)
SX SX (MID)
SX (BOT)

M11

N11
x
z y M22
I K
x J
N22

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.209.1: SHELL209 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K - Y
MAT Material number - Y
THICK Average thickness - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 4
PRES Pressures P1 (top) at NODES I, J; P2 (bottom) at NODES - Y
I, J
TEMP Temperatures T1, T2 at bottom of layer 1, T3, T4 - Y
between layers 1-2, similarly for between next layers,
ending with temperatures at top of layer NL (2*(NL+1)
maximum)
LOC TOP, MID, BOT, or integration point location - 1
S:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Stresses 3 1
XZ
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - 1
S:INT Stress intensity - 1
S:EQV Equivalent stress - 1

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
EPEL:X, Y, Z, Elastic strains 3 1
XY,YZ,XZ
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain - 1
EPTH:X, Y, Z, Thermal strains 3 1
XY,YZ,XZ
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain - 1
EPPL:X, Y, Z, Average plastic strains 3 2
XY,YZ,XZ
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strain - 2
EPCR:X, Y, Z, Average creep strains 3 2
XY,YZ,XZ
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strain - 2
EPTO:X, Y, Z Total mechanical strains (EPEL+EPPL+EPCR) 3 -
,XY,YZ,XZ
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strains - -
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain - 2
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain - 2
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not yielding) - 2
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume - 2
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure - 2
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - 2
PLASTIC, CREEP,
ENTO
N11, N22, N12 In-plane forces (per unit length) - Y
M11, M22 Out-of-plane moments (per unit length) - Y
Q13 Transverse shear forces (per unit length) - Y
E11, E22, E12 Membrane strains - Y
K11, K22 Curvatures - Y
γ13 Transverse shear strain - Y
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 5
SVAR:1, 2, ... , N State variables - 6
ILSXZ SXZ interlaminar shear stress - Y
ILSYZ SYZ interlaminar shear stress - Y
ILSUM Magnitude of the interlaminar shear stress vector - Y
ILANG Angle of interlaminar shear stress vector (measured - Y
from the element x-axis toward the element y-axis in
degrees)
Sm: 11, 22, 12 Membrane stresses - Y
Sb: 11, 22 Bending stresses - Y
Sp: 11, 22, 12 Peak stresses - Y

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 Name Definition O R
St: 13 Averaged transverse shear stresses - Y

1. The following stress solution repeats for top, middle, and bottom surfaces.

2. Nonlinear solution output for top, middle, and bottom surfaces, if the element has a nonlinear ma-
terial, or if large-deflection effects are enabled (NLGEOM,ON) for SEND.

3. Stresses, total strains, plastic strains, elastic strains, creep strains, and thermal strains in the element
coordinate system are available for output (at all section points through thickness). If layers are in
use, the results are in the layer coordinate system.

4. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

5. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is issued.

6. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and TB,STATE are used.

Table 7.209.2: SHELL209 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 985) lists output available via ETABLE using
the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) and The Item and Sequence
Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The following notation is used in
Table 7.209.2: SHELL209 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 985):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.208.1: SHELL208 Element Output Definitions (p. 973)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I, J, K

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, K.

Table 7.209.2: SHELL209 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K
Name
N11 SMISC 1 - - -
N22 SMISC 2 - - -
N12 SMISC 3 - - -
M11 SMISC 4 - - -
M22 SMISC 5 - - -
Q13 SMISC 6 - - -
ε11 SMISC 7 - - -

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Element Library

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K
Name
ε22 SMISC 8 - - -
ε12 SMISC 9 - - -
k11 SMISC 10 - - -
k22 SMISC 11 - - -
γ13 SMISC 12 - - -
THICK SMISC 13 - - -
P1 SMISC - 14 15 16
P2 SMISC - 17 18 19
Sm: 11 SMISC 18 - - -
Sm: 22 SMISC 19 - - -
Sm: 12 SMISC 20 - - -
Sb: 11 SMISC 21 - - -
Sb: 22 SMISC 22 - - -
Sp: 11 (at SMISC 23 - - -
shell
bottom)
Sp: 22 (at SMISC 24 - - -
shell
bottom)
Sp: 12 (at SMISC 25 - - -
shell
bottom)
Sp: 11 (at SMISC 26 - - -
shell top)
Sp: 22 (at SMISC 27 - - -
shell top)
Sp: 12 (at SMISC 28 - - -
shell top)
St: 13 SMISC 29 - - -

Output ETABLE and ESOL Input

Quantity Item Bottom of Layer i Top of Layer NL
Name
ILSXZ SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 31 8 * (NL - 1) + 32
ILSYZ SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 33 8 * (NL - 1) + 34
ILSUM SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 35 8 * (NL - 1) + 36
ILANG SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 37 8 * (NL - 1) + 38

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SHELL209 Assumptions and Restrictions
• The axisymmetric shell element must be defined in the global X-Y plane with the Y-axis the axis
of symmetry.

• The element cannot have a zero length.

• Zero thickness elements, or elements tapering down to a zero thickness at any corner, are not
allowed (but zero thickness layers are allowed).

• If multiple load steps are used, the number of layers may not change between load steps.

• No slippage is assumed between the element layers. Shear deflections are included in the element;
however, normals to the center plane before deformation are assumed to remain straight after
deformation.

• Transverse shear stiffness of the shell section is estimated by an energy equivalence procedure
(of the generalized section forces & strains vs. the material point stresses and strains). The accuracy
of this calculation may be adversely affected if the ratio of material stiffnesses (Young's moduli)
between adjacent layers is very high.

• The calculation of interlaminar shear stresses is based on simplifying assumptions of unidirectional,

uncoupled bending in each direction. If accurate edge interlaminar shear stresses are required,
shell-to-solid submodeling should be used.

• The section definition permits use of hyperelastic material models and elastoplastic material
models in laminate definition. However, the accuracy of the solution is primarily governed by
fundamental assumptions of shell theory. The applicability of shell theory in such cases is best
understood by using a comparable solid model.

• For nonlinear applications, this element works best with the full Newton-Raphson solution scheme
(NROPT,FULL,ON).

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Prestress

effects can be activated via PSTRES.

• In a nonlinear analysis, the solution process terminates if the thickness at any integration point
that was defined with a nonzero thickness vanishes (within a small numerical tolerance).

SHELL209 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

• Initial state is not available.

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Element Library

CPT212
2-D 4-Node Coupled Pore-Pressure-Thermal Mechanical Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 994)

CPT212 Element Description

CPT212 is a 2-D four-node coupled physics solid element capable of modeling coupled physics phenom-
ena such as structural-pore-fluid-diffusion-thermal analysis and structural implicit gradient regularization
using a nonlocal field. The element is defined by four nodes and can have the following degrees of
freedom at each node:

• Translations in the nodal x and y directions

• Pore-pressure (PRES)

• Temperature (TEMP)

• Nonlocal field values (GFV1, GFV2, GFV3)

CPT212 can be used as a plane strain or axisymmetric element. The element has stress stiffening, large
deflection, and large strain capabilities. Various output options are also available.

See CPT212 for more details about this element.

Figure 7.212.1: CPT212 Geometry

L 3 K

K, L
4
2

Y I
(or axial) I J
1 J (Triangular Option -
X (or radial) not recommended)

CPT212 Input Data

The geometry and node locations for this element are shown in Figure 7.212.1: CPT212 Geometry (p. 988).

A degenerated triangular-shaped element can be formed by defining the same node number for nodes
K and L. In addition to the nodes, for structural-pore-fluid-diffusion-thermal analysis, the element input
data includes the orthotropic material properties. Orthotropic material directions correspond to the
element coordinate directions. (The element coordinate system orientation is described in Coordinate
Systems (p. 61).)

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Loads can be input (SF and SFE) on the element
faces indicated by the circled numbers in Figure 7.212.1: CPT212 Geometry (p. 988). Positive pressures
act into the element. Body loads may be input (BF and BFE) at the element nodes or as a single element
value. Nodal forces can be applied to the nodes directly (F).

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CPT212 surface, body, and nodal force loads are given in Table 7.212.1: CPT212 Surface, Body, and
Nodal Force Loads (p. 989). Also see Loading Types in the Coupled-Field Analysis Guide.

Most loads can be defined as a function of primary variables by using tabular input. For more information,
see Applying Loads Using Tabular Input in the Basic Analysis Guide and the descriptions of individual
loading commands in the Command Reference.

Table 7.212.1: CPT212 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads

Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT Load Load Command

Type Label
Structural-thermal KEYOPT(11) Surface Structural surface PRES
=1 pressure
Heat flux HFLUX
Body Heat generation HGEN
Nodal Heat flow HEAT
Force
Structural-pore-fluid-diffusion KEYOPT(12) Surface Structural surface PRES
=1 pressure
Surface flow flux FFLX
Body Flow source FSOU
Temperature TEMP
Nodal Fluid flow FLOW
Force
Structural-pore-fluid-diffusion-thermal KEYOPT(11) Surface Structural surface PRES
= 1 and pressure
KEYOPT(12) Heat flux HFLUX
=1
Surface flow flux FFLX
Body Heat generation HGEN
Flow source FSOU
Nodal Heat flow HEAT
Force Fluid flow FLOW
Structural implicit gradient KEYOPT(18) Surface Structural surface PRES
regularization = 1, 2, or pressure
3 Body Temperature TEMP

Input the nodal forces, if any, per unit of depth for a plane analysis and on a full 360° basis for an
axisymmetric analysis.

As described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61), you can use ESYS to orient the material properties and
strain/stress output. Issue RSYS to choose output that follows the material coordinate system or the
global coordinate system.

The element generally produces an unsymmetric matrix. To avoid convergence difficulty, use the un-
symmetric solver (NROPT,UNSYM).

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Element Library

The following table summarizes the element input. For a general description of element input, see
Element Input (p. 41).

CPT212 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, PRES, TEMP, GFV1, GFV2, GFV3

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

See Table 7.212.1: CPT212 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads (p. 989).

Surface Loads

See Table 7.212.1: CPT212 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads (p. 989).

Body Loads

See Table 7.212.1: CPT212 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads (p. 989).

Special Features --

Initial state
Large deflection
Large strain
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

1 --

Axisymmetric

2 --

Plane strain (Z strain = 0.0) (default)

KEYOPT(6)

Element formulation in coupled-field analyses with structural degrees of freedom:

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 0 --

Pure displacement formulation (default)

1 --

Mixed u-P formulation

KEYOPT(11)

Temperature degree of freedom:

0 --

Disabled (default)

1 --

Enabled

KEYOPT(12)

Pressure degree of freedom:

0 --

Disabled (default)

1 --

Enabled

KEYOPT(18)

Nonlocal degree of freedom:

0 --

Disabled (default)

1 --

Enabled (adds one extra degree of freedom per node)

2 --

Enabled (adds two extra degrees of freedom per node)

3 --

Enabled (adds three extra degrees of freedom per node)

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Element Library

CPT212 Technology
CPT212 uses the method (also known as selective reduced integration). This approach helps to prevent
volumetric mesh locking in nearly incompressible cases. It replaces volumetric strain at the Gauss integ-
ration point with the average volumetric strain of the elements.

CPT212 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.212.2: CPT212 Element Output Definitions (p. 992)

By default, the integration point results are copied to the nodes (ERESX).

The element stress directions are parallel to the element coordinate system, as shown in Fig-
ure 7.212.2: CPT212 Stress Output (p. 992). A general description of solution output is given in Solution
Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

Figure 7.212.2: CPT212 Stress Output

L 3 K

SY
4
SX 2
Y
(or axial)
I
X (or radial) 1 J

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and - indicates that the item is not
available. All output is available only if calculated (based on input values).

Table 7.212.2: CPT212 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
ALL ANALYSES
EL Element number - Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L - Y
MAT Material number - Y
THICK Thickness - Y
VOLU Volume - Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 1
ALL ANALYSES WITH A STRUCTURAL FIELD

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 Name Definition O R
S:X, Y, Z, XY Stresses Y Y
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - Y
S:INT Stress intensity - Y
S:EQV Equivalent stress Y Y
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY Elastic strains Y Y
EPEL:1, 2, 3 Principal elastic strains - Y
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain [2] Y Y
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY Thermal strains Y Y
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain [2] - Y
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY Plastic strains - Y
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strain [2] - Y
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL) - Y
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strain (EPEL + - Y
EPPL)
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L) - Y
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR ANALYSES WITH A TEMPERATURE FIELD
TG:X, Y Thermal gradient components - Y
TF:X, Y Thermal flux components - Y
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR ANALYSES WITH A PORE-PRESSURE FIELD
ESIG:X, Y, Z, XY Effective stresses - Y
FGRA:X, Y Fluid pore-pressure gradient components - Y
FFLX:X, Y Fluid flow flux components - Y
PMSV:VRAT,PPRE,DSAT,RPER Void volume ratio, pore pressure, degree of - Y
saturation, and relative permeability
EPFR Free strain - Y
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR ANALYSES WITH A NONLOCAL FIELD
MPDP:TOTA,TENS,COMP,RW Microplane homogenized total, tension, and - Y
compression damages (TOTA, TENS, COMP),
and split weight factor (RW).
DAMAGE: 1,2,3,MAX Damage in directions 1, 2, 3 (1, 2, 3) and - Y
the maximum damage (MAX).

1. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

2. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is user-spe-
cified (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep, this value is set at 0.5.

For axisymmetric solutions in a global coordinate system, the X, Y, XY, and Z stress and strain outputs
correspond to the radial, axial, in-plane shear, and hoop stresses and strains, respectively.

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Element Library

Table 7.212.3: CPT212 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 994) lists output available via the ETABLE command
using the Sequence Number method. For more information, see Creating an Element Table and The
Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this document. The table uses the following notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.212.2: CPT212 Element Output Definitions (p. 992)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I,J,K,L

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, K, L

Table 7.212.3: CPT212 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K L M N O P
Name
P1 SMISC - 2 1 - - - - - -
P2 SMISC - - 4 3 - - - - -
P3 SMISC - - - 6 5 - - - -
P4 SMISC - 7 - - 8 - - - -

CPT212 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The area of the element must be positive.

• The element must lie in a global X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.212.1: CPT212 Geometry (p. 988) and
the Y-axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses. An axisymmetric structure should
be modeled in the +X quadrants.

• You can form a triangular element by defining duplicate K and L node numbers. (For more information,
see Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37).)

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). It is ignored

in geometrically linear analyses (NLGEOM,OFF). Prestress effects can be activated by the PSTRES
command.

CPT212 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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CPT213
2-D 8-Node Coupled Pore-Pressure-Thermal Mechanical Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1002)

CPT213 Element Description

CPT213 is a higher-order 2-D eight-node coupled physics solid element capable of modeling coupled
physics phenomena such as structural-pore-fluid-diffusion-thermal analysis and structural implicit
gradient regularization using a nonlocal field. The element has quadratic displacement behavior and is
well suited to modeling curved boundaries.

The element is defined by eight nodes and can have the following degrees of freedom at each corner
node:

• Translations in the nodal x and y directions

• Pore-pressure (PRES)

• Temperature (TEMP)

• Nonlocal field values (GFV1, GFV2, GFV3)

and two degrees of freedom at midside nodes:

• Translations in the nodal x and y directions

CPT213 can be used as a plane strain or axisymmetric element. The element has stress stiffening, large
deflection, and large strain capabilities. Various printout options are also available. See CPT213 for more
details about this element.

Figure 7.213.1: CPT213 Geometry

L
3
K
O
K, L, O
4
P
2
N P N
I I
M J
M
J
1 Degenerated
Y triangle
(or axial) KEYOPT(1) = 0

X (or radial)

A higher-order version of this element is CPT217 (p. 1028).

CPT213 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.213.1: CPT213 Geometry (p. 995).

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Element Library

A degenerated triangular-shaped element can be formed by defining the same node number for nodes
K, L and O. In addition to the nodes, In addition to the nodes, for structural-pore-fluid-diffusion-thermal
analysis, the element input data includes the orthotropic material properties. Orthotropic material dir-
ections correspond to the element coordinate directions. (The element coordinate system orientation
is described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61).)

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Loads can be input (SF and SFE) on the element
faces indicated by the circled numbers in Figure 7.213.1: CPT213 Geometry (p. 995). Positive pressures
act into the element. Positive pressures act into the element. Body loads may be input (BF and BFE) at
the element nodes or as a single element value. Nodal forces can be applied to the nodes directly (F).

CPT213 surface, body, and nodal force loads are given in Table 7.213.1: CPT213 Surface, Body, and
Nodal Force Loads (p. 996). Also see Loading Types in the Coupled-Field Analysis Guide.

Most loads can be defined as a function of primary variables by using tabular input. For more information,
see Applying Loads Using Tabular Input in the Basic Analysis Guide and the descriptions of individual
loading commands in the Command Reference.

Table 7.213.1: CPT213 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads

Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT Load Load Command

Type Label
Structural-thermal KEYOPT(11) Surface Structural surface PRES
=1 pressure
Heat flux HFLUX
Body Heat generation HGEN
Nodal Heat flow HEAT
Force
Structural-pore-fluid-diffusion KEYOPT(12) Surface Structural surface PRES
=1 pressure
Surface flow flux FFLX
Body Flow source FSOU
Temperature TEMP
Nodal Fluid flow FLOW
Force
Structural-pore-fluid-diffusion-thermal KEYOPT(11) Surface Structural surface PRES
= 1 and pressure
KEYOPT(12) Heat flux HFLUX
=1
Surface flow flux FFLX
Body Heat generation HGEN
Flow source FSOU
Nodal Heat flow HEAT
Force Fluid flow FLOW
Structural implicit gradient KEYOPT(18) Surface Structural surface PRES
regularization = 1, 2, or pressure
3 Body Temperature TEMP

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For problems that do not consider the optional temperature degrees of freedom, temperatures can be
input as element body loads at the nodes. The node I temperature T(I) defaults to TUNIF. If all other
temperatures are unspecified, they default to T(I). If all corner node temperatures are specified, each
midside node temperature defaults to the average temperature of its adjacent corner nodes. For any
other input temperature pattern, unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

The nodal forces, if any, should be input per unit of depth for a plane analysis and on a full 360° basis
for an axisymmetric analysis.

As described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61), you can use the ESYS command to orient the material
properties and strain/stress output. Use ESYS to choose output that follows the material coordinate
system or the global coordinate system.

The element generally produces an unsymmetric matrix. To avoid convergence difficulty, use the un-
symmetric solver (NROPT,UNSYM).

The following table summarizes the element input. Element Input (p. 41) gives a general description
of element input.

CPT213 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, PRES, TEMP, GFV1, GFV2, GFV3

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

See Table 7.213.1: CPT213 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads (p. 996).

Surface Loads

See Table 7.213.1: CPT213 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads (p. 996).

Body Loads

See Table 7.213.1: CPT213 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads (p. 996).

Special Features

Initial state
Large deflection
Large strain
Stress stiffening

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Element Library

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

1 --

Axisymmetric

2 --

Plane strain (Z strain = 0.0) (default)

KEYOPT(6)

Element formulation in coupled-field analyses with structural degrees of freedom:

0 --

Pure displacement formulation (default)

1 --

Mixed u-P formulation

KEYOPT(11)

Temperature degree of freedom:

0 --

Disabled (default)

1 --

Enabled

KEYOPT(12)

Pressure degree of freedom:

0 --

Disabled (default)

1 --

Enabled

KEYOPT(18)

Nonlocal degree of freedom:

0 --

Disabled (default)

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 1 --

Enabled (adds one extra degree of freedom per node)

2 --

Enabled (adds two extra degrees of freedom per node)

3 --

Enabled (adds three extra degrees of freedom per node)

CPT213 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.213.2: CPT213 Element Output Definitions (p. 999)

By default, the integration point results are copied to the nodes (ERESX).

As illustrated in Figure 7.213.2: CPT213 Stress Output (p. 999), the element stress directions are parallel
to the element coordinate system. A general description of solution output is given in Solution Out-
put (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

Figure 7.213.2: CPT213 Stress Output

L O K

SY
P

Y SX N
(or axial)
I

X (or radial) J
M

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and - indicates that the item is not
available. All output is available only if calculated (based on input values).

Table 7.213.2: CPT213 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
ALL ANALYSES
EL Element number - Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L - Y
MAT Material number - Y

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Name Definition O R
THICK Thickness - Y
VOLU Volume - Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 1
ALL ANALYSES WITH A STRUCTURAL FIELD
S:X, Y, Z, XY Stresses Y Y
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - Y
S:INT Stress intensity - Y
S:EQV Equivalent stress Y Y
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY Elastic strains Y Y
EPEL:1, 2, 3 Principal elastic strains - Y
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain [2] Y Y
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY Thermal strains Y Y
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain [2] - Y
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY Plastic strains - Y
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strain [2] - Y
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL) - Y
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strain (EPEL + - Y
EPPL)
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L) - Y
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR ANALYSES WITH A TEMPERATURE FIELD
TG:X, Y Thermal gradient components - Y
TF:X, Y Thermal flux components - Y
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR ANALYSES WITH A PORE-PRESSURE FIELD
ESIG:X, Y, Z, XY Effective stresses - Y
FGRA:X, Y Fluid pore-pressure gradient components - Y
FFLX:X, Y Fluid flow flux components - Y
PMSV:VRAT,PPRE,DSAT,RPER Void volume ratio, pore pressure, degree of - Y
saturation, and relative permeability
EPFR Free strain - Y
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR ANALYSES WITH A NONLOCAL FIELD
MPDP:TOTA,TENS,COMP,RW Microplane homogenized total, tension, and - Y
compression damages (TOTA, TENS, COMP),
and split weight factor (RW).
DAMAGE: 1,2,3,MAX Damage in directions 1, 2, 3 (1, 2, 3) and - Y
the maximum damage (MAX).

1. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

2. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is user-spe-
cified (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep this value is set at 0.5.

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For axisymmetric solutions, the X, Y, XY, and Z stress and strain outputs correspond to the radial, axial,
in-plane shear, and hoop stresses and strains.

Table 7.213.3: CPT213 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1001) lists output available via the ETABLE command
using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide
and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more information. The following
notation is used in Table 7.213.3: CPT213 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1001):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.213.2: CPT213 Element Output Definitions (p. 999)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I,J,...,P

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, ..., P

Table 7.213.3: CPT213 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K L M N O P
Name
P1 SMISC - 2 1 - - - - - -
P2 SMISC - - 4 3 - - - - -
P3 SMISC - - - 6 5 - - - -
P4 SMISC - 7 - - 8 - - - -

CPT213 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The area of the element must be positive.

• The element must lie in a global X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.213.1: CPT213 Geometry (p. 995)
and the Y-axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses. An axisymmetric structure
should be modeled in the +X quadrants.

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the displacement varies linearly, rather than
parabolically, along that face. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and
Meshing Guide in the Modeling and Meshing Guide for more information about the use of midside
nodes.

• A triangular element can be formed by defining duplicate K-L-O node numbers. (See Degenerated
Shape Elements (p. 37).) For these degenerated elements, the triangular shape function is used
and the solution is the same as for the regular triangular 6-node elements.

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• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). It is ignored

in geometrically linear analyses (NLGEOM,OFF). Prestress effects can be activated via the PSTRES
command.

CPT213 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

COMBI214
2-D Spring-Damper Bearing
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1012)

COMBI214 Element Description

COMBI214 has longitudinal as well as cross-coupling capability in 2-D applications. It is a tension-com-
pression element with up to two degrees of freedom at each node: translations in any two nodal direc-
tions (x, y, or z). The element has two nodes plus one optional orientation node. No bending or torsion
is considered.

For user-defined characteristics (KEYOPT(1) = 0), the spring, damping, or mass capability may be removed
from the element.

When used as a cylindrical journal bearing or squeeze film damper (KEYOPT(1) ≠ 0), the fluid film
pressure forces based on finite length assumption are calculated. Only static and nonlinear transient
analyses are supported. Static analysis can be used to determine pressure forces at a known equilibrium
position. Stiffness/damping characteristics can also be obtained by specifying a perturbation increment
in the element real constants.

A longitudinal spring/damper with torsion capabilities is available via the COMBIN14 (p. 161) element.
A general spring or damper is also available in the stiffness, damping or mass matrix element MAT-
RIX27 (p. 178). Another spring-damper element having its direction of action determined by the nodal
coordinate directions is COMBIN40 (p. 230).

For more information about this element, see COMBI214 - 2-D Spring-Damper Bearing in the Mechanical
APDL Theory Reference.

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Figure 7.214.1: COMBI214 Geometry for KEYOPT(1) = 0 and KEYOPT(2) = 0

K21
Bearing
C21

Rotor
K11

I J

C11

K12

C12

Y K22 C22

I and J can be coincident.

Figure 7.214.2: COMBI214 Geometry for KEYOPT(1) > 0 and KEYOPT(2) = 0

L
Bearing Journal

Fluid

Rotor

I,J I,J

Y Y

X Z

I is attached to the bearing journal.

J is attached to the rotor.

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COMBI214 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.214.1: COMBI214 Geometry for KEYOPT(1) = 0 and KEYOPT(2) = 0 (p. 1003). The element is defined
by two nodes.

Depending on the element technology (KEYOPT(1)) specified, the inputs involve stiffness characteristics
K11, K22, K12 and K21, damping characteristics C11, C22, C12 and C21, and mass characteristics M11, M22,
M12, and M21 or bearing geometry data.

KEYOPT(2) = 0 through 2 options define the element plane. The element operates in the nodal coordinate
system (p. 63). The nodal coordinate systems of nodes I and J must be the same. (1) and (2) indicate
the first and second axis of the element plane defined by KEYOPT(2). For example, if KEYOPT(2) = 0 and
there is no nodal coordinate system defined for nodes I and J, then (1) is the global X-axis and (2) is
the global Y-axis.

A summary of the element input is given in "COMBI214 Input Summary" (p. 1005). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

User-Defined Stiffness/Damping Characteristics (KEYOPT(1) = 0)

The stiffness coefficients should have units of Force/Length, and the damping coefficient units are
Force*Time/Length. The damping capability is not used for static or undamped modal analyses. The
mass coefficients should have units of Force*Time2/Length.

For stiffness, damping, and mass real constants, either numerical values or tabular array inputs can be
specified. If specifying tabular inputs, enclose the table name within % characters (%tabname%).

These real constants can vary with the amplitude of the rotational velocity vector (defined via the
OMEGA or CMOMEGA command). Use the *DIM command and the primary variable OMEGS to dimension
the table and identify the variable. Because the amplitude of the rotational velocity vector is an absolute
value, only positive values of OMEGS in the table parameter are valid.

Stiffness and damping real constants can also vary with the eccentricity (the position of the center line
of the rotor) and/or the phase shift between the displacements in the two nodal directions. Use the
*DIM command and the primary variable ECCENT and/or THETA to dimension the table and identify
the variables. The phase shift values unit (THETA) is the degree. ECCENT and THETA only apply to non-
linear analyses.

For more information about using tabular inputs, see Array Parameters in the Ansys Parametric Design
Language Guide, Applying Loads Using Tabular Input in the Basic Analysis Guide, and Performing a
Thermal Analysis Using Tabular Boundary Conditions in the Thermal Analysis Guide.

The KEYOPT(3) = 0 and 1 options specify whether or not the element is symmetric. When symmetric,
cross-coupling terms in stiffness, damping, and mass coefficients are equal (that is, K12 = K21, C12 = C21,
and M12 = M21).

In a full nonlinear transient analysis (NROPT,FULL), if the stiffness or damping properties are not isotropic,
periodic terms are generated (for details, see The Case of Rotating Reference Frame Dynamics in the
Theory Reference).

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 Reynolds Equation Integration (KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2)
Calculating all element results (KEYOPT(1) = 2) may be computationally expensive. KEYOPT(1) = 1 can
be used to calculate a limited number of element outputs. See Table 7.214.2: COMBI214 Element Output
Definitions for KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2 (p. 1009).

The bearing geometry is defined by real constants: radial clearance (C), length (L), and rotor radius (R).

In a static analysis, the location of the rotor center is specified using degree of freedom constraints (D
command) and the translational velocities of the rotor are defined by real constants (Veloc1 and Veloc2).
To obtain the stiffness and damping characteristics, the non-dimensional perturbation increment (real
constant PertInc) must be specified along with KEYOPT(1) = 2.

The integration of Reynolds equations is performed with a circumferential step of 2 degrees. It can be
modified using real constant ThetaInc.

In the particular case of a squeeze film damper in synchronous precession (when the rotor center de-
scribes an orbit having the same frequency as the rotational velocity), the real constant OmgPrec is
used.

COMBI214 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY (KEYOPT (2) = 0)

UY, UZ (KEYOPT (2) = 1)
UX, UZ (KEYOPT (2) = 2)

Real Constants

For user-input stiffness, damping, and mass characteristics (KEYOPT(1) = 0):

K11, K22, K12, K21 , C11, C22, C12, C21, M11, M22, M12, M21
Kij - (i=1,2 j=1,2) Stiffness coefficients
Cij - (i=1,2 j=1,2) Damping coefficients
Mij - (i=1,2 j=1,2) Mass coefficients. See KEYOPT(6) for mass location.

Note:

All real constants may be defined as table parameters function of the rotational velocity
(using primary variable OMEGS). The stiffness and damping real constants may be defined
as table parameters function of the eccentricity (using primary variable ECCENT), and/or
the phase shift (using primary variable THETA). If the rotational velocity is the only para-
meter, the stiffness and damping characteristics can be imported directly from an ASCII

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text file using the APDL macro importbearing1.mac. See Selecting Parts and Bearings
for more details.

For integration of Reynolds equations (KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2):

C, L, R, Veloc1, Veloc2, PertInc, ThetaInc, OmgPrec

See "COMBI214 Input Data (KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2)" (p. 1008) for a detailed description of these real
constants.

Material Properties

None for KEYOPT(1) = 0

MP, VISC for KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None

Special Features

Birth and death

Large deflection
Linear perturbation
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(1)

Type of element technology:

0 --

User-defined characteristics. The value option is the default.

1 --

Cylindrical journal bearing - integration of Reynolds equation to calculate the pressure forces.

2 --

Cylindrical journal bearing - integration of Reynolds equation to calculate the fluid film thickness,
pressure, and pressure forces.

KEYOPT(2)

Degrees of freedom selection:

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 0 --

Element lies in a plane parallel to the XY plane. The degrees of freedom are UX and UY. This
value option is the default.

1 --

Element lies in a plane parallel to the YZ plane. The degrees of freedom are UY and UZ.

2 --

Element lies in a plane parallel to the XZ plane. The degrees of freedom are UX and UZ.

KEYOPT(3)

Symmetry for user-input characteristics (KEYOPT(1) = 0):

0 --

Element is symmetric: K12 = K21, C12 = C21, and M12 = M21. This option is the default.

1 --

Element is not symmetric.

KEYOPT(4)

Element matrices output for user-input characteristics (KEYOPT(1) = 0):

0 --

Do not print element matrices.

1 --

Print element matrices at beginning of solution phase.

KEYOPT(6)

Mass location (KEYOPT(1) = 0):

0 --

No mass.

1 --

Mass at node J.

2 --

Mass equally distributed between nodes I and J.

3 --

Mass at node I.

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COMBI214 Input Data (KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2)

No. Name Description
1 C Radial clearance
2 L Bearing length
3 R Radius of the rotor
4 Veloc1 Velocity along direction (1) - used in static analysis only
(ANTYPE,STATIC).
5 Veloc2 Velocity along direction (2) - used in static analysis only
(ANTYPE,STATIC).
6 PertInc Nondimensional perturbation increment for stiffness and
damping characteristics calculation. The actual increment
is PertInc * C. Defaults to 0 and the characteristics are not
calculated.
7 ThetaInc Theta increment in degrees for pressure integration.
Defaults to 2 degrees.
8 OmgPrec Synchronous precession rotational velocity for the
calculation of the squeeze film damper characteristics. If
nonzero, the rotational velocity must be zero, Veloc1 and
Veloc2 are ignored, and PertInc must be nonzero.

COMBI214 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.214.1: COMBI214 Element Output Definitions for
KEYOPT(1) = 0 (p. 1008).

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates the item can be accessed by the Component Name method
[ETABLE, ESOL]. The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and a - indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.214.1: COMBI214 Element Output Definitions for KEYOPT(1) = 0

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 1 (p. 1009)
FORC1 Spring force along direction (1) Y Y

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 Name Definition O R
FORC2 Spring force along direction (2) Y Y
STRETCH1 Stretch of spring along direction (1) Y Y
STRETCH2 Stretch of spring along direction (2) Y Y
VELOCITY1 Velocity along direction (1) - Y
VELOCITY2 Velocity along direction (2) - Y
DAMPING FORCE1 Damping force along direction (1) -- Zero unless this Y Y
is a transient analysis (ANTYPE,TRANS) and damping
is present
DAMPING FORCE2 Damping force along direction (2) -- Zero unless this Y Y
is a transient analysis (ANTYPE,TRANS) and damping
is present

Table 7.214.2: COMBI214 Element Output Definitions for KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2

Name Definition O R
EL Element number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 1 (p. 1009)
FORC1 [2] Pressure force along direction (1) Y Y
FORC2 [2] Pressure force along direction (2) Y Y
THETA1 Starting angle for positive pressures Y Y
THETA2 Ending angle for positive pressures Y Y
MOFP [3] Maximum of fluid pressure Y Y
THETAP [3] Angle of maximum fluid pressure Y Y
MOFT [3] Minimum of fluid thickness Y Y
THETAT [3] Angle of minimum fluid thickness Y Y
K11 [4] Stiffness coefficient Y Y
K22 [4] Stiffness coefficient Y Y
K12 [4] Stiffness coefficient Y Y
K21 [4] Stiffness coefficient Y Y
C11 [4] Damping coefficient Y Y
C22 [4] Damping coefficient Y Y
C12 [4] Damping coefficient Y Y
C21 [4] Damping coefficient Y Y

1. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

2. Forces are opposite to the fluid forces acting on the rotor.

3. Available for KEYOPT(1) = 2 only.

4. Available for KEYOPT(1) = 2 only when the perturbation increment (PertInc) is nonzero.

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Figure 7.214.3: COMBI214 Angle Definition

y

cavitation region

THETA2 THETAP

positive
pressure THETAT
region x

lin THETA1
e
of
ce bearing
nt
er
s

shaft

MOFT

MOFP

Table 7.214.3: COMBI214 Item and Sequence Numbers for KEYOPT(1) = 0 (p. 1010) lists output available
via the ETABLE command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1)
in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more
information. The following notation is used in Table 7.214.3: COMBI214 Item and Sequence Numbers
for KEYOPT(1) = 0 (p. 1010):

Name

Output quantity as defined in Table 7.214.1: COMBI214 Element Output Definitions for KEYOPT(1)
= 0 (p. 1008)

Item

Predetermined Item label for the ETABLE command

Sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Output data for COMBI214 consists of the following:

Table 7.214.3: COMBI214 Item and Sequence Numbers for KEYOPT(1) = 0

Output Quantity Name ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Item E
FORC1 SMISC 1
FORC2 SMISC 2
STRETCH1 NMISC 1
STRETCH2 NMISC 2

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 Output Quantity Name ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Item E
VELOCITY1 NMISC 3
VELOCITY2 NMISC 4
DAMPING FORCE1 NMISC 5
DAMPING FORCE2 NMISC 6

Table 7.214.4: COMBI214 Item and Sequence Numbers for KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2

Output Quantity Name ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Item E
FORC1 SMISC 1
FORC2 SMISC 2
THETA1 NMISC 1
THETA2 NMISC 2
MOFP NMISC 3
THETAP NMISC 4
MOFT NMISC 5
THETAT NMISC 6
K11 NMISC 7
K22 NMISC 8
K12 NMISC 9
K21 NMISC 10
C11 NMISC 11
C22 NMISC 12
C12 NMISC 13
C21 NMISC 14

COMBI214 Assumptions and Restrictions

• Nodes must lie in the plane defined by KEYOPT(2).

• The element allows only a uniform stress in the springs.

• When KEYOPT(1) = 0:

– K11 and K22 must be non-zero to activate the spring capability.

– C11 and C22 must be non-zero to activate the damper capability.

– M11 or M22 must be non-zero to activate the mass capability.

– The following applies when KEYOPT(3) = 0 (symmetric):

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→ If K12 is non-zero and K21 is zero, then K21 is set to K12.

→ If C12 is non-zero and C21 is zero, then C21 is set to C12.

→ If M12 is non-zero and M21 is zero, then M21 is set to M12,

– The spring, damping, or mass capability may be deleted from the element by setting all Kij (i=1,2
j=1,2), all Cij (i=1,2 j=1,2), or all Mij (i=1,2 j=1,2) equal to zero, respectively.

– Rotating damping effect (RotDamp = ON in the CORIOLIS command) is taken into account if the
diagonal damping characteristics (C11 and C22) are equal and non-zero and cross-terms (C12 and
C21) are zero.

– Rotating damping effect is ignored if the element has a real constant input as a table array.

• The degrees of freedom are specified in the nodal coordinate system and are the same for both
nodes. (For more information, see Elements That Operate in the Nodal Coordinate System (p. 63).) If
the nodal coordinate systems are rotated relative to each other, the same degree of freedom may
be in different directions (thereby giving possibly unexpected results).

• No moment effects are included; that is, if the nodes are offset from the lines of action, moment
equilibrium may not be satisfied.

• The element is defined such that a positive displacement of node J relative to node I tends to stretch
the spring. If, for a given set of conditions, nodes I and J are interchanged, a positive displacement
of node J relative to node I tends to compress the spring.

COMBI214 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• KEYOPT(1) is set to 0 and cannot be changed.

• Real constants Veloc2, PertInc, ThetaInc, OmgPrec default to 0 and cannot be changed.

• Damping is not available (real constants C11, C22, C12, C21 default to 0 and cannot be
changed).

• Birth and death is not available.

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CPT215
3-D 8-Node Coupled Pore-Pressure-Thermal Mechanical Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1019)

CPT215 Element Description

CPT215 is a 3-D eight-node coupled physics solid element capable of modeling coupled physics phe-
nomena such as structural-pore-fluid-diffusion-thermal analysis and structural implicit gradient regular-
ization using a nonlocal field. The element is defined by eight nodes and can have the following degrees
of freedom at each node:

• Translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions

• Pore-pressure (PRES)

• Temperature (TEMP)

• Nonlocal field values (GFV1, GFV2, GFV3)

CPT215 has elasticity, stress stiffening, large deflection, and large strain capabilities. Various printout
options are available.

For more details about this element, see CPT215 .

Figure 7.215.1: CPT215 Structural Solid Geometry

4 M O,P
P
5 N
O
I K,L
6
J
M Prism Option
N
3 M,N,O,P
2
L I
K,L
K
J
Z Tetrahedral Option -
I not recommended
1
Y J
X

A higher-order version of this element is CPT216 (p. 1020).

CPT215 Input Data

The geometry and node locations for this element are shown in Figure 7.215.1: CPT215 Structural Solid
Geometry (p. 1013). A prism-shaped element can be formed by defining the same node numbers for
nodes K and L, and nodes O and P. A tetrahedral-shaped element and a pyramid-shaped element can
also be formed, as shown in the illustration. (CPT217 (p. 1028) is a similar element, but is a 10-node tetra-
hedron.)

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In addition to the nodes, for structural-pore-fluid-diffusion-thermal analysis, the element input data in-
cludes the orthotropic material properties. Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element
coordinate directions. The element coordinate system orientation is described in Coordinate Sys-
tems (p. 61).

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Loads can be input (SF and SFE) on the element
faces indicated by the circled numbers in Figure 7.215.1: CPT215 Structural Solid Geometry (p. 1013).
Positive pressures act into the element. Positive pressures act into the element. Body loads may be input
(BF and BFE) at the element nodes or as a single element value. Nodal forces can be applied to the
nodes directly (F).

CPT215 surface, body, and nodal force loads are given in Table 7.215.1: CPT215 Surface, Body, and
Nodal Force Loads (p. 1014). Also see Loading Types in the Coupled-Field Analysis Guide.

Most loads can be defined as a function of primary variables by using tabular input. For more information,
see Applying Loads Using Tabular Input in the Basic Analysis Guide and the descriptions of individual
loading commands in the Command Reference.

Table 7.215.1: CPT215 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads

Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT Load Load Command

Type Label
Structural-thermal KEYOPT(11) Surface Structural surface PRES
=1 pressure
Heat flux HFLUX
Body Heat generation HGEN
Nodal Heat flow HEAT
Force
Structural-pore-fluid-diffusion KEYOPT(12) Surface Structural surface PRES
=1 pressure
Surface flow flux FFLX
Body Flow source FSOU
Temperature TEMP
Nodal Fluid flow FLOW
Force
Structural-pore-fluid-diffusion-thermal KEYOPT(11) Surface Structural surface PRES
= 1 and pressure
KEYOPT(12) Heat flux HFLUX
=1
Surface flow flux FFLX
Body Heat generation HGEN
Flow source FSOU
Nodal Heat flow HEAT
Force Fluid flow FLOW
Structural implicit gradient KEYOPT(18) Surface Structural surface PRES
regularization = 1, 2, or pressure
3 Body Temperature TEMP

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For problems that do not consider the optional temperature degrees of freedom, temperatures can be
input as element body loads at the nodes. The node I temperature T(I) defaults to TUNIF. If all other
temperatures are unspecified, they default to T(I). For any other input temperature pattern, unspecified
temperatures default to TUNIF.

As described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61), you can use the ESYS command to orient the material
properties and strain/stress output. Use the RSYS command to choose output that follows the material
coordinate system or the global coordinate system.

The element generally produces an unsymmetric matrix. To avoid convergence difficulty, use the un-
symmetric solver (NROPT,UNSYM).

"CPT215 Input Summary" (p. 1015) contains a summary of element input. For a general description of
element input, see Element Input (p. 41).

CPT215 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, PRES, TEMP, GFV1, GFV2, GFV3

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

See Table 7.215.1: CPT215 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads (p. 1014).

Surface Loads

See Table 7.215.1: CPT215 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads (p. 1014).

Body Loads

See Table 7.215.1: CPT215 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads (p. 1014).

Special Features

Initial state
Large deflection
Large strain
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(6)

Element formulation in coupled-field analyses with structural degrees of freedom:

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Element Library

0 --

Pure displacement formulation (default)

1 --

Mixed u-P formulation

KEYOPT(11)

Temperature degree of freedom:

0 --

Disabled (default)

1 --

Enabled

KEYOPT(12)

Pressure degree of freedom:

0 --

Disabled (default)

1 --

Enabled

KEYOPT(18)

Nonlocal degree of freedom:

0 --

Disabled (default)

1 --

Enabled (adds one extra degree of freedom per node)

2 --

Enabled (adds two extra degrees of freedom per node)

3 --

Enabled (adds three extra degrees of freedom per node)

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CPT215 Technology

CPT215 uses the method (also known as selective reduced integration). This approach helps to prevent
volumetric mesh locking in nearly incompressible cases. It replaces volumetric strain at the Gauss integ-
ration point with the average volumetric strain of the elements.

CPT215 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.215.2: CPT215 Element Output Definitions (p. 1017)

By default, the integration point results are copied to the nodes (ERESX).

The element stress directions are parallel to the element coordinate system, as shown in Fig-
ure 7.215.2: CPT215 Stress Output (p. 1017). A general description of solution output is given in The Item
and Sequence Number Table (p. 51). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

Figure 7.215.2: CPT215 Stress Output

P
O
SZ

M N
SY
SX
L
K
Z

I
Y
X J

The element stress directions are parallel to the global coordinate system.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and - indicates that the item is not
available. All output is available only if calculated (based on input values).

Table 7.215.2: CPT215 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
ALL ANALYSES
EL Element number - Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L - Y
MAT Material number - Y

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
THICK Thickness - Y
VOLU Volume - Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 1
ALL ANALYSES WITH A STRUCTURAL FIELD
S:X, Y, Z, XY Stresses Y Y
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - Y
S:INT Stress intensity - Y
S:EQV Equivalent stress Y Y
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY Elastic strains Y Y
EPEL:1, 2, 3 Principal elastic strains - Y
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain [2] Y Y
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY Thermal strains Y Y
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain [2] - Y
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY Plastic strains - Y
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strain [2] - Y
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL) - Y
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strain (EPEL + - Y
EPPL)
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L) - Y
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR ANALYSES WITH A TEMPERATURE FIELD
TG:X, Y Thermal gradient components - Y
TF:X, Y Thermal flux components - Y
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR ANALYSES WITH A PORE-PRESSURE FIELD
ESIG:X, Y, Z, XY Effective stresses - Y
FGRA:X, Y Fluid pore-pressure gradient components - Y
FFLX:X, Y Fluid flow flux components - Y
PMSV:VRAT,PPRE,DSAT,RPER Void volume ratio, pore pressure, degree of - Y
saturation, and relative permeability
EPFR Free strain - Y
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR ANALYSES WITH A NONLOCAL FIELD
MPDP:TOTA,TENS,COMP,RW Microplane homogenized total, tension, and - Y
compression damages (TOTA, TENS, COMP),
and split weight factor (RW).
DAMAGE: 1,2,3,MAX Damage in directions 1, 2, 3 (1, 2, 3) and - Y
the maximum damage (MAX).

1. Available only at centroid as a *GET item

2. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep this value is set at 0.5.

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Table 7.215.3: CPT215 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1019) lists output available via ETABLE using the
Sequence Number method. See Element Table for Variables Identified By Sequence Number and The
Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more information. The following notation
is used in Table 7.215.3: CPT215 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1019):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.215.2: CPT215 Element Output Definitions (p. 1017)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

I,J,...,P

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, ..., P

Table 7.215.3: CPT215 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item I J K L M N O P
Name
P1 SMISC 2 1 4 3 - - - -
P2 SMISC 5 6 - - 8 7 - -
P3 SMISC - 9 10 - - 12 11 -
P4 SMISC - - 13 14 - - 16 15
P5 SMISC 18 - - 17 19 - - 20
P6 SMISC - - - - 21 22 23 24

CPT215 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume. Also, the element may not be twisted such that the
element has two separate volumes (which occurs most frequently when the element is numbered
improperly). Elements may be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.215.1: CPT215 Structural
Solid Geometry (p. 1013) or may have the planes IJKL and MNOP interchanged.

• When degenerated into a tetrahedron, wedge, or pyramid element shape (described in Degen-
erated Shape Elements (p. 37)), the corresponding degenerated shape functions are used. De-
generation to a pyramidal form should be used with caution. The element sizes, when degener-
ated, should be small to minimize the stress gradients. Pyramid elements are best used as filler
elements or in meshing transition zones.

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). It is ignored

in geometrically linear analyses (NLGEOM,OFF). Prestress effects can be activated by the PSTRES
command.

CPT215 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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Element Library

CPT216
3-D 20-Node Coupled Pore-Pressure-Thermal Mechanical Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1027)

CPT216 Element Description

CPT216 is a higher-order 3-D 20-node coupled physics solid element capable of modeling coupled
physics phenomena such as structural-pore-fluid-diffusion-thermal analysis and structural implicit
gradient regularization using a nonlocal field. The element exhibits quadratic displacement behavior
and is well suited to modeling irregular meshes.

The element is defined by 20 nodes and can have the following degrees of freedom at each corner
node:

• Translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions

• Pore-pressure (PRES)

• Temperature (TEMP)

• Nonlocal field values (GFV1, GFV2, GFV3)

and three degrees of freedom at midside nodes:

• Translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions

CPT216 has elasticity, stress stiffening, large deflection, and large strain capabilities. The element can
have any spatial orientation. Various printout options are available.

See CPT216 for more details about this element.

Figure 7.216.1: CPT216 Geometry

M,N,O,P,U,V,W,X
Y A,B
Z
K,L,S
I T R
5 P 4 Q J
W
X Tetrahedral Option
O
6 M,N,O,P,U,V,W,X
M
B V A
Y B Z
U
N T
A L K
2 3 I S
Y R
L S Q J
T Z Pyramid Option
K X
I O,P,W
Z M
R
Q 1 U V A,B
J Y N
Y Z
I K,L,S
X T
Q R
J
Prism Option

A lower-order version of this element is CPT215 (p. 1013).

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CPT216 Input Data
The geometry, node locations, and the element coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.216.1: CPT216 Geometry (p. 1020). A prism-shaped element may be formed by defining the same
node numbers for nodes K, L, and S; nodes A and B; and nodes O, P, and W. A tetrahedral-shaped element
and a pyramid-shaped element may also be formed as shown in Figure 7.186.1: SOLID186 Homogeneous
Structural Solid Geometry (p. 843). (CPT217 (p. 1028) is similar, but is a 10-node tetrahedral element.)

In addition to the nodes, for structural-pore-fluid-diffusion-thermal analysis, the element input data in-
cludes the orthotropic material properties. Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element
coordinate directions. The element coordinate system orientation is as described in Coordinate Sys-
tems (p. 61).

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Loads can be input (SF and SFE) on the element
faces indicated by the circled numbers in Figure 7.216.1: CPT216 Geometry (p. 1020). Positive pressures
act into the element. Positive pressures act into the element. Body loads may be input (BF and BFE) at
the element nodes or as a single element value. Nodal forces can be applied to the nodes directly (F).

CPT216 surface, body, and nodal force loads are given in Table 7.216.1: CPT216 Surface, Body, and
Nodal Force Loads (p. 1021). Also see Loading Types in the Coupled-Field Analysis Guide.

Most loads can be defined as a function of primary variables by using tabular input. For more information,
see Applying Loads Using Tabular Input in the Basic Analysis Guide and the descriptions of individual
loading commands in the Command Reference.

Table 7.216.1: CPT216 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads

Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT Load Load Command

Type Label
Structural-thermal KEYOPT(11) Surface Structural surface PRES
=1 pressure
Heat flux HFLUX
Body Heat generation HGEN
Nodal Heat flow HEAT
Force
Structural-pore-fluid-diffusion KEYOPT(12) Surface Structural surface PRES
=1 pressure
Surface flow flux FFLX
Body Flow source FSOU
Temperature TEMP
Nodal Fluid flow FLOW
Force
Structural-pore-fluid-diffusion-thermal KEYOPT(11) Surface Structural surface PRES
= 1 and pressure
KEYOPT(12) Heat flux HFLUX
=1
Surface flow flux FFLX
Body Heat generation HGEN
Flow source FSOU

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Element Library

Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT Load Load Command

Type Label
Nodal Heat flow HEAT
Force Fluid flow FLOW
Structural implicit gradient KEYOPT(18) Surface Structural surface PRES
regularization = 1, 2, or pressure
3 Body Temperature TEMP

For problems that do not consider the optional temperature degrees of freedom, temperatures may
be input as element body loads at the nodes. The node I temperature T(I) defaults to TUNIF. If all other
temperatures are unspecified, they default to T(I). If all corner node temperatures are specified, each
midside node temperature defaults to the average temperature of its adjacent corner nodes. For any
other input temperature pattern, unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

As described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61), you can use the ESYS command to orient the material
properties and strain/stress output. Use the RSYS command to choose output that follows the material
coordinate system or the global coordinate system.

The element generally produces an unsymmetric matrix. To avoid convergence difficulty, use the un-
symmetric solver (NROPT,UNSYM).

The following table summarizes the element input. Element Input (p. 41) provides a general description
of element input.

CPT216 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, A, B

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, PRES, TEMP, GFV1, GFV2, GFV3

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

See Table 7.216.1: CPT216 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads (p. 1021).

Surface Loads

See Table 7.216.1: CPT216 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads (p. 1021).

Body Loads

See Table 7.216.1: CPT216 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads (p. 1021).

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Special Features

Initial state
Large deflection
Large strain
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(2)

Element technology:

0 --

Uniform reduced integration (default)

1 --

Full integration

KEYOPT(6)

Element formulation in coupled-field analyses with structural degrees of freedom:

0 --

Pure displacement formulation (default)

1 --

Mixed u-P formulation

KEYOPT(11)

Temperature degree of freedom:

0 --

Disabled (default)

1 --

Enabled

KEYOPT(12)

Pressure degree of freedom:

0 --

Disabled (default)

1 --

Enabled

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Element Library

KEYOPT(18)

Nonlocal degree of freedom:

0 --

Disabled (default)

1 --

Enabled (adds one extra degree of freedom per node)

2 --

Enabled (adds two extra degrees of freedom per node)

3 --

Enabled (adds three extra degrees of freedom per node)

CPT216 Element Technology

CPT216 uses the uniform reduced integration method or the full integration method, as follows:

• Uniform reduced integration method

Helps to prevent volumetric mesh locking in nearly incompressible cases. However, hourglass mode
might propagate in the model if there are not at least two layers of elements in each direction.

• Full integration

The full integration method does not cause hourglass mode, but can cause volumetric locking in
nearly incompressible cases. This method is used primarily for purely linear analyses, or when the
model has only one layer of elements in each direction.

CPT216 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.216.2: CPT216 Element Output Definitions (p. 1025)

By default, the integration point results are copied to the nodes (ERESX).

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Figure 7.216.2: CPT216 Stress Output
5 P 4
W
X
O
SZ 6
M V y
B
y
U N x
A
Y 2 SY 3
L SX
S
x Z
T K
I
Z R
Q 1
J
Y Surface Coordinate System
X

The element stress directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and - indicates that the item is not
available. All output is available only if calculated (based on input values).

Table 7.216.2: CPT216 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
ALL ANALYSES
EL Element number - Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L - Y
MAT Material number - Y
THICK Thickness - Y
VOLU Volume - Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 1
ALL ANALYSES WITH A STRUCTURAL FIELD
S:X, Y, Z, XY Stresses Y Y
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - Y
S:INT Stress intensity - Y
S:EQV Equivalent stress Y Y
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY Elastic strains Y Y
EPEL:1, 2, 3 Principal elastic strains - Y
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain [2] Y Y
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY Thermal strains Y Y
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain [2] - Y
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY Plastic strains - Y

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strain [2] - Y
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL) - Y
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strain (EPEL + - Y
EPPL)
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L) - Y
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR ANALYSES WITH A TEMPERATURE FIELD
TG:X, Y Thermal gradient components - Y
TF:X, Y Thermal flux components - Y
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR ANALYSES WITH A PORE-PRESSURE FIELD
ESIG:X, Y, Z, XY Effective stresses - Y
FGRA:X, Y Fluid pore-pressure gradient components - Y
FFLX:X, Y Fluid flow flux components - Y
PMSV:VRAT,PPRE,DSAT,RPER Void volume ratio, pore pressure, degree of - Y
saturation, and relative permeability
EPFR Free strain - Y
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR ANALYSES WITH A NONLOCAL FIELD
MPDP:TOTA,TENS,COMP,RW Microplane homogenized total, tension, and - Y
compression damages (TOTA, TENS, COMP),
and split weight factor (RW).
DAMAGE: 1,2,3,MAX Damage in directions 1, 2, 3 (1, 2, 3) and - Y
the maximum damage (MAX).

1. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

2. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep this value is set at 0.5.

Table 7.216.3: CPT216 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1027) lists output available via the ETABLE command
using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) and The Item and Sequence
Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more information. The following notation is used in
Table 7.216.3: CPT216 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1027):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.216.2: CPT216 Element Output Definitions (p. 1025)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

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I,J,...,B

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, ..., B

Table 7.216.3: CPT216 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item I J K L M N O P Q,...,B
Name
P1 SMISC 2 1 4 3 - - - - -
P2 SMISC 5 6 - - 8 7 - -
P3 SMISC - 9 10 - - 12 11 - -
P4 SMISC - - 13 14 - - 16 15 -
P5 SMISC 18 - - 17 19 - - 20 -
P6 SMISC - - - - 21 22 23 24 -

CPT216 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume. Also, the element may not be twisted such that the
element has two separate volumes (which occurs most frequently when the element is numbered
improperly). Elements may be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.216.1: CPT216 Geo-
metry (p. 1020) or may have the planes IJKL and MNOP interchanged.

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the displacement varies linearly, rather than
parabolically, along that edge. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) for more information on
the use of midside nodes.

• Use at least two elements in each direction to avoid the hourglass effect when using reduced
integration (KEYOPT(2) = 0).

• When degenerated into a tetrahedron, wedge, or pyramid element shape (described in Degen-
erated Shape Elements (p. 37)), the corresponding degenerated shape functions are used. De-
generation to a pyramidal form should be used with caution. The element sizes, when degener-
ated, should be small to minimize the stress gradients. Pyramid elements are best used as filler
elements or in meshing transition zones.

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). It is ignored

in geometrically linear analyses (NLGEOM,OFF). Prestress effects can be activated via the PSTRES
command.

CPT216 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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Element Library

CPT217
3-D 10-Node Coupled Pore-Pressure-Thermal Mechanical Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1034)

CPT217 Element Description

CPT217 is a higher-order 3-D 10-node coupled physics solid element capable of modeling coupled
physics phenomena such as structural-pore-fluid-diffusion-thermal analysis and structural implicit
gradient regularization using a nonlocal field. The element has a quadratic displacement, and linear
pore-pressure and temperature behavior.

The element is defined by 10 nodes and can have the following degrees of freedom at each corner
node:

• Translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions

• Pore-pressure (PRES)

• Temperature (TEMP)

• Nonlocal field values (GFV1, GFV2, GFV3)

and three degrees of freedom at midside nodes:

• Translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions

CPT217 has elasticity, stress stiffening, large deflection, and large strain capabilities. See CPT217 for
more details about this element.

Figure 7.217.1: CPT217 Geometry

L

4
R
P
Q 3
Y 2
O K

X I N
M
Z
1
J

CPT217 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.217.1: CPT217 Geometry (p. 1028).

In addition to the nodes, for structural-pore-fluid-diffusion-thermal analysis, the element input data in-
cludes the orthotropic material properties. Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element
coordinate directions. The element coordinate system orientation is as described in the Material Reference.

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Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Loads can be input (SF and SFE) on the element
faces indicated by the circled numbers in Figure 7.217.1: CPT217 Geometry (p. 1028). Positive pressures
act into the element. Positive pressures act into the element. Body loads may be input (BF and BFE) at
the element nodes or as a single element value. Nodal forces can be applied to the nodes directly (F).

CPT217 surface, body, and nodal force loads are given in Table 7.217.1: CPT217 Surface, Body, and
Nodal Force Loads (p. 1029). Also see Loading Types in the Coupled-Field Analysis Guide.

Most loads can be defined as a function of primary variables by using tabular input. For more information,
see Applying Loads Using Tabular Input in the Basic Analysis Guide and the descriptions of individual
loading commands in the Command Reference.

Table 7.217.1: CPT217 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads

Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT Load Load Command

Type Label
Structural-thermal KEYOPT(11) Surface Structural surface PRES
=1 pressure
Heat flux HFLUX
Body Heat generation HGEN
Nodal Heat flow HEAT
Force
Structural-pore-fluid-diffusion KEYOPT(12) Surface Structural surface PRES
=1 pressure
Surface flow flux FFLX
Body Flow source FSOU
Temperature TEMP
Nodal Fluid flow FLOW
Force
Structural-pore-fluid-diffusion-thermal KEYOPT(11) Surface Structural surface PRES
= 1 and pressure
KEYOPT(12) Heat flux HFLUX
=1
Surface flow flux FFLX
Body Heat generation HGEN
Flow source FSOU
Nodal Heat flow HEAT
Force Fluid flow FLOW
Structural implicit gradient KEYOPT(18) Surface Structural surface PRES
regularization = 1, 2, or pressure
3 Body Temperature TEMP

As described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61), you can use the ESYS command to orient the material
properties and strain/stress output. Issue the RSYS command to choose output that follows the mater-
ial coordinate system or the global coordinate system.

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Element Library

The element generally produces an unsymmetric matrix. To avoid convergence difficulty, use the un-
symmetric solver (NROPT,UNSYM).

The following table summarizes the element input. Element Input (p. 41) gives a general input description.

CPT217 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, PRES, TEMP, GFV1, GFV2, GFV3

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

See Table 7.217.1: CPT217 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads (p. 1029).

Surface Loads

See Table 7.217.1: CPT217 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads (p. 1029).

Body Loads

See Table 7.217.1: CPT217 Surface, Body, and Nodal Force Loads (p. 1029).

Special Features

Initial state
Large deflection
Large strain
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(6)

Element formulation in coupled-field analyses with structural degrees of freedom:

0 --

Pure displacement formulation (default)

1 --

Mixed u-P formulation

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KEYOPT(11)

Temperature degree of freedom:

0 --

Disabled (default)

1 --

Enabled

KEYOPT(12)

Pressure degree of freedom:

0 --

Disabled (default)

1 --

Enabled

KEYOPT(18)

Nonlocal degree of freedom:

0 --

Disabled (default)

1 --

Enabled (adds one extra degree of freedom per node)

2 --

Enabled (adds two extra degrees of freedom per node)

3 --

Enabled (adds three extra degrees of freedom per node)

CPT217 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.217.2: CPT217 Element Output Definitions (p. 1032)

By default, the integration point results are copied to the nodes (ERESX).

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Element Library

The element stress directions are parallel to the element coordinate system, as shown in Fig-
ure 7.217.2: CPT217 Stress Output (p. 1032). A general description of solution output is given in The Item
and Sequence Number Table (p. 51). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

Figure 7.217.2: CPT217 Stress Output

L

SY
R
P
Y SX
Q
SZ O K
X
I x y N
Z
M
Surface Coordinate System
J

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and - indicates that the item is not
available. All output is available only if calculated (based on input values).

Table 7.217.2: CPT217 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
ALL ANALYSES
EL Element number - Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L - Y
MAT Material number - Y
THICK Thickness - Y
VOLU Volume - Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 1
ALL ANALYSES WITH A STRUCTURAL FIELD
S:X, Y, Z, XY Stresses Y Y
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - Y
S:INT Stress intensity - Y
S:EQV Equivalent stress Y Y
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY Elastic strains Y Y
EPEL:1, 2, 3 Principal elastic strains - Y
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain [2] Y Y
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY Thermal strains Y Y
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain [2] - Y
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY Plastic strains - Y

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 Name Definition O R
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strain [2] - Y
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL) - Y
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strain (EPEL + - Y
EPPL)
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L) - Y
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR ANALYSES WITH A TEMPERATURE FIELD
TG:X, Y Thermal gradient components - Y
TF:X, Y Thermal flux components - Y
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR ANALYSES WITH A PORE-PRESSURE FIELD
ESIG:X, Y, Z, XY Effective stresses - Y
FGRA:X, Y Fluid pore-pressure gradient components - Y
FFLX:X, Y Fluid flow flux components - Y
PMSV:VRAT,PPRE,DSAT,RPER Void volume ratio, pore pressure, degree of - Y
saturation, and relative permeability
EPFR Free strain - Y
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR ANALYSES WITH A NONLOCAL FIELD
MPDP:TOTA,TENS,COMP,RW Microplane homogenized total, tension, and - Y
compression damages (TOTA, TENS, COMP),
and split weight factor (RW).
DAMAGE: 1,2,3,MAX Damage in directions 1, 2, 3 (1, 2, 3) and - Y
the maximum damage (MAX).

1. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

2. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep this value is set at 0.5.

Table 7.217.3: CPT217 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1034) lists output available via the ETABLE command
using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide
and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more information. The following
notation is used in the table:

Name

Output quantity as defined in Table 7.217.2: CPT217 Element Output Definitions (p. 1032)

Item

Predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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Element Library

I,J,...,R

Sequence number for data at nodes I, J, ..., R

Table 7.217.3: CPT217 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item I J K L M,...,R
Name
P1 SMISC 2 1 3 - -
P2 SMISC 4 5 - 6 -
P3 SMISC - 7 8 9 -
P4 SMISC 11 - 10 12 -

CPT217 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume.

• Elements may be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.217.1: CPT217 Geometry (p. 1028) or may
have node L below the I, J, K plane.

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the displacement varies linearly, rather than
parabolically, along that edge. For information about using midside nodes, see Quadratic Elements
(Midside Nodes).

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). It is ignored

in geometrically linear analyses (NLGEOM,OFF). Prestress effects can be activated via the PSTRES
command.

CPT217 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

FLUID218
3-D Hydrodynamic Bearing Element
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1040)

FLUID218 Element Description

FLUID218 is a 3-D element for modeling viscous fluid flow located between a cylindrical rotating part
(the shaft or bearing journal) and a larger cylindrical stationary part (the bearing sleeve). It can be used
to determine the pressure distribution in a cylindrical journal hydrodynamic bearing or squeeze film
damper, or to perform a transient simulation of a rotor-bearing model.

The element behavior is based on the Reynolds equation. The following assumptions apply:

• The flow is laminar and continuous.

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• The fluid-inertia effects are negligible.

• The thickness of the fluid is very small compared to other dimensions of the fluid domain.

• No slipping exists between the fluid film and the walls.

The fluid is typically incompressible, but density variation with respect to pressure, temperature, or
location can be included. Also, the fluid is generally Newtonian, but viscosity variation with respect to
pressure, temperature, or location can be included.

As a fluid-only element (PRES degree of freedom), FLUID218 can be used in a static analysis only. Pressure
distribution is calculated based on the equilibrium position of the shaft center given by the real constants
(displacements and velocities). If the viscosity or density is variable with the pressure, the analysis is
nonlinear and the full Newton-Raphson solution method (NROPT,FULL) is necessary.

As a coupled-field element (PRES and U degrees of freedom), FLUID218 can be used in a nonlinear
large-deflection (NLGEOM,ON) transient analysis only. Pressure distribution is calculated based on the
instantaneous position of the shaft. Pressure forces are applied to the underlying structural part.

For more information, see FLUID218 - 3-D Hydrodynamic Bearing Element in the Theory Reference.

FLUID218 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this fluid element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.218.1: FLUID218 Geometry (p. 1035). The element is defined by four corner nodes. As the length of
the bearing is along the global Z-axis, the element should be oriented such that the element normal
(z-axis) is parallel to the global XY plane and its direction is outward of the shaft. The global Z-axis is
referred to as the axial direction of the bearing and is coincident with the element y-axis. The element
x-axis is the direction tangential to the bearing. It is in the element plane.

The element represents the whole fluid film so the mesh must consist of only one element across the
film fluid thickness.

Figure 7.218.1: FLUID218 Geometry

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Element Library

Figure 7.218.2: FLUID218 Real Constants

The material properties can be input as numerical values or as tabular inputs evaluated as a function
of pressure, temperature, and location. Temperature-dependent tabular material properties are calculated
before the first iteration using initial values (IC).

Boundary conditions in pressure are input using the D command with Lab = PRES. Constraint equations
(CE) can be used to define seal-type conditions on the pressure derivatives at the bearing edges.

The direction of the rotational velocity of the shaft must be along the global Z direction. In a static
analysis, it is specified through the CMOMEGA or OMEGA command. In a transient analysis, it is defined
using the D command with Lab = OMGZ.

For temperature-dependent viscosity or density material properties, the temperatures may be input as
element body loads at the nodes. The node I temperature T(I), defaults to TUNIF. If all other temperatures
are unspecified, they default to T(I). For any other input pattern, unspecified temperatures default to
TUNIF.

A summary of the element input is given in "FLUID218 Input Summary" (p. 1036). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

FLUID218 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L

Degrees of Freedom

PRES if KEYOPT(1) = 0

UX, UY, UZ, PRES if KEYOPT(1) = 1

Real Constants

See Table 7.218.1: FLUID218 Real Constants (p. 1037).

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Material Properties

MP command: VISC (dynamic viscosity) and DENS (density). Material properties can be tabular
parameters.

Body Loads

Temperatures

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L)

Note:

Used for tabular viscosity or density material properties (primary variable TEMP on
the *DIM command).

KEYOPT(1)

Degree of freedom selection:

0 --

PRES (default)

1 --

UX, UY, UZ, PRES

The element is defined by the real constants represented in Figure 7.218.2: FLUID218 Real Con-
stants (p. 1036) and listed in Table 7.218.1: FLUID218 Real Constants (p. 1037).

Table 7.218.1: FLUID218 Real Constants

No. Name Description

1 C Constant radial clearance. If zero,
node-based radial clearance is
used (CI to CL)
2 R Radius of the shaft
3 UXS Shaft center X location (static
analysis only)
4 UYS Shaft center Y location (static
analysis only)
5 VXS Shaft center X velocity (static
analysis only)
6 VYS Shaft center Y velocity (static
analysis only)
7 ZEDGE Z location of bearing edge. Used
for moments calculation.
8 CI Radial clearance at node I
9 CJ Radial clearance at node J

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Element Library

No. Name Description

10 CK Radial clearance at node K
11 CL Radial clearance at node L

UXS, UYS, VXS, and VYS define the shaft center equilibrium position in the XY plane.

FLUID218 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.218.2: FLUID218 Element Output Definitions (p. 1038)

A general description of solution output is given in Table 7.218.2: FLUID218 Element Output Defini-
tions (p. 1038). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.218.2: FLUID218 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
AREA Area Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 1
PG (x, y, z) Fluid velocity at mid-thickness in element coordinate Y Y
system
H Fluid film thickness at nodes Y Y
HDOT Fluid film thickness time derivative at nodes Y Y
HC Fluid film thickness at centroid Y Y
PC Fluid pressure at centroid Y Y
F (X, Y) Forces (opposite to fluid forces acting on the shaft). Y Y
Zero if pressure at centroid is negative.
M (X, Y) Moments (opposite to fluid moments acting on the Y Y
shaft). Zero if pressure at centroid is negative.
MUC Dynamic viscosity at centroid Y Y
DENSC Density at centroid Y Y

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Name Definition O R
TEMPC Temperature at centroid Y Y
VELC (T, TT, A) Fluid velocities at mid-thickness at centroid: Y Y
Tangential (squeeze term only), Total Tangential,
Axial
TORQC (S, B, SA) Shear torques at centroid: on Shaft, on Bearing, on Y Y
Shaft with Adjustment (reduced to the squeeze term
if the pressure is negative)

1. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.218.3: FLUID218 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1039) lists output available via ETABLE using
the Sequence Number method. For more information, see The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the
Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference. The following
notation applies:

Name

Output quantity as defined in Table 7.218.2: FLUID218 Element Output Definitions (p. 1038).

Item

Predetermined Item label for ETABLE command.

Sequence number for single-valued or constant element data.

I, J, K, L

Sequence number for data at nodes I, J, K, L.

Table 7.218.3: FLUID218 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K L
Name
H NMISC - 1 2 3 4
HDOT NMISC - 5 6 7 8
HC NMISC 9 - - - -
PC NMISC 10 - - - -
FX NMISC 11 - - - -
FY NMISC 12 - - - -
MX NMISC 13 - - - -
MY NMISC 14 - - - -
MUC NMISC 15 - - - -
DENSC NMISC 16 - - - -
TEMPC NMISC 17 - - - -

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Element Library

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K L
Name
VEL-T NMISC 18 - - - -
VEL-TT NMISC 19 - - - -
VEL-A NMISC 20 - - - -
TORQC-S NMISC 21 - - - -
TORQC-B NMISC 22 - - - -
TORQC-SA NMISC 23 - - - -

FLUID218 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The bearing axis and the rotational velocity of the shaft must be along the global Z axis.

• The fluid film thickness at a node is calculated based on the node location, the bearing clearance,
and the shaft position. It must always be positive.

• This element is based on the local coordinate system. Ensure that the element is oriented as described
in "FLUID218 Input Data" (p. 1035). (ESYS settings are ignored.)

• Fluid velocity (PG) must be output in the element coordinate system (RSYS,SOLU). Consequently,
output in any other coordinate system (for example, RSYS,0) is not supported, and vector display
(PLVECT) is also not supported.

• MU must be nonzero.

• For problems involving variable viscosity (or density), the solution is nonlinear and may not converge
easily if the parameters show large variations. The solution may also converge too soon due to a
loose convergence criterion. Check results carefully.

To force more iterations, you can:

– Specify a nonzero initial condition on pressure, which can be calculated with constant viscosity
(or density). Ansys, Inc. recommends this option.

– Tighten the convergence criteria (CNVTOL) using an estimated suitable tolerance.

– Try both options simultaneously.

• Node-based radial clearance definition is supported for the fluid-only element (KEYOPT(1) = 0).

FLUID218 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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FLUID220
3-D Acoustic Fluid 20-Node Solid Element
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 130)

FLUID220 Element Description

FLUID220 is a higher order 3-D 20-node solid element that exhibits quadratic pressure behavior. Use it
for modeling the fluid medium and the interface in fluid-structure interaction problems.

For detailed information about this element, see Elements for Acoustic Analysis (p. 118).

Figure 7.220.1: FLUID220 Geometry

M,N,O,P,U,V,W,X
A
5 P 4 Y B Z
W T
X K
L S
O I
6 R
M Q J
B V Pyramid Option
U
N
A
Y 2 3
L X
S M O,P,W
T Z
Y U V A,B
K N
I Z
Z R I K,L,S
T
Q 1 Q R
J
J
Y Prism Option
X

FLUID221
3-D Acoustic Fluid 10-Node Solid Element
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 130)

FLUID221 Element Description

FLUID221 is a higher order 3-D 10-node solid element that exhibits quadratic pressure behavior. Use it
for modeling the fluid medium and the interface in fluid-structure interaction problems.

For detailed information about this element, see Elements for Acoustic Analysis (p. 118).

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Element Library

Figure 7.221.1: FLUID221 Geometry

L

4
R
P
Q 3
Y 2
O K

X I N
M
Z
1
J

PLANE222
2-D 4-Node Coupled-Field Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1065)

PLANE222 Element Description

PLANE222 supports the following physics combinations:

• Structural-Thermal

• Piezoresistive

• Electrostatic-Structural

• Piezoelectric

• Thermal-Electric

• Structural-Thermoelectric

• Thermal-Piezoelectric

• Structural-Diffusion

• Thermal-Diffusion

• Electric-Diffusion

• Thermal-Electric-Diffusion

• Structural-Thermal-Diffusion

• Structural-Electric-Diffusion

• Structural-Thermal-Electric-Diffusion

The element has four nodes with up to five degrees of freedom per node. The element can be used as
either a plane element or an axisymmetric element.

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Structural capabilities include elasticity, plasticity, hyperelasticity, viscoelasticity, viscoplasticity, creep,
large strain, large deflection, and stress-stiffening. It also has mixed formulation capability for simulating
deformations of nearly incompressible elastoplastic materials, and fully incompressible hyperelastic
materials.

Piezoresistive capabilities include the piezoresistive effect. Piezoelectric capabilities include direct and
converse piezoelectric effects. Electrostatic-structural capabilities include electrostatic force coupling.
Thermoelectric capabilities include Seebeck, Peltier, and Thomson effects, as well as Joule heating. In
addition to thermal expansion, structural-thermal capabilities include the piezocaloric effect in dynamic
analyses. The Coriolis effect is available for analyses with structural degrees of freedom. The thermoplastic
and viscoelastic heating effects are available for analyses with structural and thermal degrees of freedom.

The diffusion expansion effect is available for analyses with structural and diffusion degrees of freedom.
The thermo-migration effect (Soret effect) and the temperature-dependent saturated concentration effect
is available for analyses with thermal and diffusion degrees of freedom. The electro-migration effect is
available for analyses with electrical and diffusion degrees of freedom.

For coupled-field analyses with structural degrees of freedoms (DOFs), PLANE222 uses by default the
full-integration method (also known as the selective reduced integration method). For more inform-
ation and limitations on this method, see B-Bar Method (Selective Reduced Integration) (p. 78). Enhanced
Strain Formulation (p. 78) is also supported for PLANE222 and accessed by setting KEYOPT(6) = 2 for
structural-thermal analysis. When enhanced strain formulation is selected, the element introduces addi-
tional internal (user-inaccessible) structural degrees of freedom to prevent shear locking and volumetric
locking. For more information on additional DOFs, see Element Technologies (p. 77).

The specific heat matrix is diagonalized as described in Lumped Matrices.

See PLANE222 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.222.1: PLANE222 Geometry

L 3 K

K, L
4
2

Y I
(or axial) I J
1 J (Triangular Option -
X (or radial) not recommended)

PLANE222 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.222.1: PLANE222 Geometry (p. 1043). The element input data includes four nodes and structural and
thermal material properties. For the plane or plane stress case, you can also specify the element thickness
(Z depth) by setting KEYOPT(3) to 3 and inputting the real constant THK. The default element coordinate
system is along global directions. You may define an element coordinate system using ESYS, which
forms the basis for orthotropic material directions.

KEYOPT(1) determines the element DOF set and the corresponding force labels and reaction solution.
KEYOPT(1) is set equal to the sum of the field keys shown in Table 7.222.1: PLANE222 Field Keys (p. 1044).
KEYOPT(1) is set to 11 for a structural-thermal analysis (structural field key + thermal field key = 1 + 10).

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Element Library

For a structural-thermal analysis, UX, UY, and TEMP are the DOF labels, and force and heat flow are the
reaction solution.

Table 7.222.1: PLANE222 Field Keys

Field Field Key DOF Label Force Label Reaction Solution

[a]
Structural 1 UX, UY FX, FY Force
Thermal 10 TEMP HEAT Heat Flow
Electric 100 VOLT AMPS Electric Current
Conduction
Electrostatic 1000 VOLT CHRG Electric Charge
Diffusion 100000 CONC RATE Diffusion Flow
Rate
[a] When KEYOPT(3) is set to 6 for analyses with structural DOFs, ROTY is added to the set of
degrees of freedom.

The coupled-field analysis KEYOPT(1) settings, DOF labels, force labels, reaction solutions, and analysis
types are shown in the following table.

Table 7.222.2: PLANE222 Coupled-Field Analysis

Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) DOF Label Force Label Reaction Analysis Type

Analysis Solution
Structural-Thermal[a], [b] 11 UX, UY, TEMP FX, FY, HEAT Force, Static,

Heat Full
Flow Harmonic,

Full
Transient
Piezoresistive 101 UX, UY, VOLT FX, FY, AMPS Force, Static,

Electric Full
Current Transient
Electrostatic-Structural 1001[c] UX, UY, VOLT FX, FY, CHRG Force, Electric Static,
Charge
(negative) Full
Transient,

Linear
Perturbation
Static,

Linear
Perturbation
Harmonic,

Linear
Perturbation
Modal

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Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) DOF Label Force Label Reaction Analysis Type
Analysis Solution
Piezoelectric 1001[c] UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Static,
(Charge-Based)
VOLT CHRG Electric Modal,
Charge
(negative) Linear
Perturbation
Modal,

Full,
Linear
Perturbation,
or Mode
Superposition
Harmonic,

Full or
Mode
Superposition
Transient
Piezoelectric 101 UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Full Harmonic,
(Current-Based)
VOLT AMPS Electric Full
Current Transient
Thermal-Electric 110 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Flow, Static,

VOLT AMPS Electric Full

Current Transient
Structural-Thermoelectric[a] 111 UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Static,

TEMP, HEAT, Heat Full

Flow, Transient
VOLT AMPS
Electric
Current
Thermal-Piezoelectric[a], 1011 UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Static,
[b]
TEMP, HEAT, Heat Full
Flow, Harmonic,
VOLT CHRG
Electric Full
Charge Transient,
(negative)
Structural-Diffusion[a] 100001 UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Static,

CONC RATE Diffusion Full

Flow Rate Transient

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Element Library

Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) DOF Label Force Label Reaction Analysis Type

Analysis Solution
Thermal-Diffusion[a] 100010 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Flow, Static,

CONC RATE Diffusion Full

Flow Rate Transient
Electric-Diffusion[a] 100100 VOLT, AMPS, Electric Static,
Current,
CONC, RATE Full
Diffusion Transient
Flow Rate
Thermal-Electric-Diffusion[a] 100110 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Flow, Static,

VOLT, AMPS, Electric Full

Current, Transient
CONC RATE
Diffusion
Flow Rate
Structural-Thermal-Diffusion[a]
100011 UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Static,

TEMP, HEAT, Heat Full

Flow, Transient
CONC RATE
Diffusion
Flow Rate
Structural-Electric-Diffusion[a]100101 UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Static,

VOLT, AMPS, Electric Full

Current, Transient
CONC RATE
Diffusion
Flow
Rate,
100111 [a] UX, UY,
Structural-Thermal-Electric-Diffusion FX, FY, Force, Static,

TEMP, HEAT, Heat Full

Flow, Transient
VOLT, AMPS,
Electric
CONC RATE Current,

Diffusion
Flow Rate
[a] For static and full transient analyses, KEYOPT(2) can specify a strong (matrix) or weak (load
vector) structural-thermal, structural-diffusion, thermal-diffusion, and electric diffusion
coupling.
[b] For harmonic analyses, only strong coupling (KEYOPT(2) = 0) applies.
[c] The electrostatic-structural analysis available with KEYOPT(1) = 1001 defaults to electrostatic
force coupling unless a piezoelectric matrix is specified on TB,PIEZ.

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As shown in the following tables, material property requirements consist of those required for the indi-
vidual fields (structural, thermal, electric conduction, electrostatic, or diffusion) and those required for
field coupling. Individual material properties are defined via MP and MPDATA. Nonlinear and multiphysics
material models are defined via the TB command.

Table 7.222.3: Structural Material Properties

Field Field Material Properties and Material Models

Key
Structural 1 EX, EY, EZ, PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ), GXY,
GYZ, GXZ, DENS, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY, CTEZ, or THSX, THSY, THSZ),
REFT

---

Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity,

Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear isotropic hardening, Bilinear
kinematic hardening, Cast iron, Chaboche nonlinear kinematic
hardening, Creep, Elasticity, Extended Drucker-Prager, Gurson
pressure-dependent plasticity, Hill anisotropy, Hyperelasticity,
Mullins effect, Voce isotropic hardening law, Plasticity, Prony
series constants for viscoelastic materials, Rate-dependent
plasticity (viscoplasticity), Rate-independent plasticity,
Material-dependent alpha and beta damping (Rayleigh
damping), Material-dependent structural damping, Shift
function for viscoelastic materials, Shape memory alloy,
Uniaxial stress-strain relation

Table 7.222.4: PLANE222 Material Properties and Material Models

Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models

Structural-Thermal 11 Structural See Table 7.222.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1047)
Thermal KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT, QRATE
[a]
Piezoresistive 101 Structural See Table 7.222.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1047)
Electric RSVX, RSVY, PERX, PERY
Coupling Piezoresistivity
Electrostatic-Structural 1001 Structural See Table 7.222.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1047)
Electric PERX, PERY

---

Anisotropic electric permittivity

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Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models

Piezoelectric 1001 Structural See Table 7.222.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1047) [b]
(Charge-Based)
---
101
Anisotropic viscosity
(Current-Based)
---

Anisotropic elastic loss tangent

Electric PERX, PERY, LSST (and/or RSVX, RSVY)

---

Anisotropic electric permittivity

---

Anisotropic dielectric loss tangent

Coupling Piezoelectric matrix
[a]
Thermal-Electric 110 Thermal KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric RSVX, RSVY, PERX, PERY
Coupling SBKX, SBKY
Structural-Thermoelectric 111 Structural See Table 7.222.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1047)
Thermal KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric RSVX, RSVY, PERX, PERY
Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT, QRATE

---

SBKX, SBKY

---

Piezoresistivity
Thermal-Piezoelectric 1011 Structural See Table 7.222.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1047) [b]
Thermal KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric PERX, PERY, LSST (and/or RSVX, RSVY)

---

Anisotropic electric permittivity

Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT

---

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Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models
Piezoelectric matrix
[a]
Structural-Diffusion 100001 Structural See Table 7.222.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1047)
Diffusion DXX, DYY, CSAT
Coupling BETX, BETY, CREF
[a]
Thermal-Diffusion 100010 Thermal KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Diffusion DXX, DYY, CSAT
Coupling Temperature-dependent CSAT

---

Migration Model
[a]
Electric-Diffusion 100100 Electric RSVX, RSVY, PERX, PERY
Diffusion DXX, DYY, CSAT
Coupling Migration Model
[a]
Thermal-Electric-Diffusion 100110 Thermal KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric RSVX, RSVY, PERX, PERY
Diffusion DXX, DYY, CSAT
Coupling SBKX, SBKY

---

Temperature-dependent CSAT

---

Migration Model
[a]
Structural-Thermal-Diffusion 100011 Structural See Table 7.222.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1047)
Thermal KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Diffusion DXX, DYY, CSAT
Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT, QRATE

---

BETX, BETY, CREF

---

Temperature-dependent CSAT

---

Migration Model
[a]
Structural-Electric-Diffusion 100101 Structural See Table 7.222.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1047)

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Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models

Electric RSVX, RSVY, PERX, PERY
Diffusion DXX, DYY, CSAT
Coupling BETX, BETY, CREF

---

Migration Model
[a]
Structural-Thermal-Electric-Diffusion
100111 Structural See Table 7.222.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1047)
Thermal KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric RSVX, RSVY, PERX, PERY
Diffusion DXX, DYY, CSAT
Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT, QRATE

---

BETX, BETY, CREF

---

SBKX, SBKY

---

Temperature-dependent CSAT

---

Migration Model
[a] For this analysis type, some of the material properties can be defined as a function of
primary variables by using tabular input on the MP command. For more information, see
Defining Linear Material Properties Using Tabular Input in the Material Reference.
[b] For piezoelectric and thermal-piezoelectric analyses (KEYOPT(1) = 101, 1001, or 1011 with
TB,PIEZ), only elastic material properties and material models are valid.

Various combinations of nodal loading are available for this element (depending on the KEYOPT(1)
value). Nodal loads are defined with D and F. Nodal forces, if any, should be input per unit of depth
for a plane analysis and on a full 360° basis for an axisymmetric analysis.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Surface loads may be input on the element
faces indicated by the circled numbers in Figure 7.222.1: PLANE222 Geometry (p. 1043) using SF and SFE.
Positive pressures act into the element. Body loads may be input at the element's nodes or as a single
element value using BF and BFE.

PLANE222 surface and body loads are given in the following table.

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Most surface and body loads can be defined as a function of primary variables by using tabular input.
For more information, see Applying Loads Using Tabular Input in the Basic Analysis Guide and the indi-
vidual surface or body load command description in the Command Reference.

Table 7.222.5: PLANE222 Surface and Body Loads

Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label

Analysis Type
Structural-Thermal 11 Surface Pressure PRES
Convection CONV

Heat Flux HFLUX

Radiation RDSF
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- Nodes I HGEN
through L
Piezoresistive 101 Surface Pressure PRES
and Body Force Density FORC
Piezoelectric
(Current-Based) Temperature -- Nodes I TEMP
through L
Electrostatic-Structural
1001 Surface Pressure PRES
and
Piezoelectric Surface Charge Density CHRGS[a]
(Charge-Based) Body Force Density FORC
Temperature -- Nodes I TEMP
through L
Volume Charge Density -- CHRGD[a]
Nodes I through L
Thermal-Electric 110 Surface Convection CONV

Heat Flux HFLUX

Radiation RDSF
Body Heat Generation -- Nodes I HGEN
through L
Structural-Thermoelectric
111 Surface Pressure PRES
Convection CONV

Heat Flux HFLUX

Radiation RDSF
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- Nodes I HGEN
through L

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Element Library

Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label

Analysis Type
Thermal-Piezoelectric1011 Surface Pressure PRES

Surface Charge Density CHRGS[a]

Convection CONV

Heat Flux HFLUX

Radiation RDSF
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- Nodes I HGEN
through L
Volume Charge Density -- CHRGD[a]
Nodes I through L
Structural-Diffusion
100001 Surface Pressure PRES
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Force Density FORC
Temperature -- Nodes I TEMP
through L
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --Nodes I
through L
Thermal-Diffusion 100010 Surface Convection CONV

Heat Flux HFLUX

Radiation RDSF
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Heat Generation -- Nodes I HGEN
through L
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation – Nodes I
through L
Electric-Diffusion 100100 Surface Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation – Nodes I
through L
Temperature -- Nodes I TEMP
through L
Thermal-Electric-Diffusion
100110 Surface Convection CONV

Heat Flux HFLUX

Radiation RDSF
Diffusion Flux DFLUX

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Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label
Analysis Type
Body Heat Generation – Nodes I HGEN
through L
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation – Nodes I
through L
Structural-Thermal-Diffusion
100011 Surface Pressure PRES
Convection CONV

Heat Flux HFLUX

Radiation RDSF
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- Nodes I HGEN
through L
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation – Nodes I
through L
Structural-Electric-Diffusion
100101 Surface Pressure PRES
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Force Density FORC
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation – Nodes I
through L
Temperature -- Nodes I TEMP
through L
Structural-Thermal-Electric-Diffusion
100111 Surface Pressure PRES
Convection CONV

Heat Flux HFLUX

Radiation RDSF
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation – Nodes I HGEN
through L
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --Nodes I
through L
[a] CHRGS and CHRGD are interpreted as negative surface charge density and negative volume
charge density, respectively.1. CHRGS and CHRGD are interpreted as negative surface charge
density and negative volume charge density, respectively.

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Element Library

Automatic element technology selections are given in the following table.

Table 7.222.6: Automatic Element Technology Selection

Coupled-Field Analysis ETCONTROL Command

Suggestions/Resettings
Structural-Thermal KEYOPT(2) = 1 for nonlinear
(KEYOPT(1) = 11) inelastic materials

Structural-Thermoelectric
(KEYOPT(1) = 111)

A summary of the element input is given in "PLANE222 Input Summary" (p. 1054). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41). For axisymmetric applications, see Harmonic
Axisymmetric Elements (p. 92).

PLANE222 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L

Degrees of Freedom

Set by KEYOPT(1). See Table 7.222.2: PLANE222 Coupled-Field Analysis (p. 1044).

Real Constants

THK - Thickness if KEYOPT (3) = 3

Material Properties

See Table 7.222.4: PLANE222 Material Properties and Material Models (p. 1047).

Surface Loads

See Table 7.222.5: PLANE222 Surface and Body Loads (p. 1051).

Body Loads

See Table 7.222.5: PLANE222 Surface and Body Loads (p. 1051).

Special Features

Birth and death

Coriolis effect
Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation (see Note below)
Nonlinear stabilization

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 Stress stiffening

Note:

Linear perturbation is available for the following coupled analyses: electrostatic-structural

and piezoelectric analyses (KEYOPT(1) = 1001).

KEYOPT(1)

Element degrees of freedom. See Table 7.222.2: PLANE222 Coupled-Field Analysis (p. 1044).

KEYOPT(2)

Coupling method between the DOFs for the following types of coupling: structural-thermal, struc-
tural-diffusion, thermal-diffusion, and electric-diffusion:

0 --

Strong (matrix) coupling. May produce an unsymmetric matrix. In a linear analysis, a coupled
response is achieved after one iteration.

1 --

Weak (load vector) coupling. Produces a symmetric matrix and requires at least two iterations
to achieve a coupled response.

Note:

The weak coupling option (KEYOPT(2) = 1) can be used in a coupled electrostatic-struc-

tural analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 1001) to produce legacy element behavior. In this case, the
reaction solution for the VOLT degree of freedom is positive charge (CHRG), and the
analysis types are limited to static and full transient analyses. Linear perturbation analyses
are not supported.

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

0 --

Plane or plane stress

1 --

Axisymmetric

2 --

Plane strain

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Element Library

3 --

Plane or plane stress with thickness input

6 --

Axisymmetric with torsion

Note:

For the plane/plane stress options (KEYOPT(3) = 0 or 3), the element behavior is plane
stress for analyses with structural DOFs. The plane strain (KEYOPT(3) = 2) and axisymmetric
with torsion (KEYOPT(3) = 6) options are valid only for analyses with structural DOFs.

KEYOPT(4)

Electrostatic force in electrostatic-structural analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 1001):

0 --

Applied to every element node.

1 --

Applied to the air-structure interface or to element nodes that have constrained structural degrees
of freedom.

2 --

Not applied.

For more information, see Electrostatic-Structural Analysis in the Coupled-Field Analysis Guide.

KEYOPT(6)

Element technology:

0 --

Full integration with method (default).

2 --

Enhanced strain formulation.

Note:

The enhanced strain formulation is available for a structural-thermal analysis (KEY-

OPT(1)=11) with thermoelastic damping turned off (KEYOPT(9)=1).

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KEYOPT(9)

Thermoelastic damping (piezocaloric effect) in coupled-field analyses having structural and thermal
DOFs. Applicable to harmonic and transient analyses only.

0 --

Active

1 --

Suppressed (required for frictional heating analyses)

KEYOPT(10)

Damping matrix in coupled-field analyses having the diffusion DOF (CONC).

0 --

Consistent

1 --

Diagonalized

KEYOPT(11)

Element formulation in coupled-field analyses with structural DOFs:

0 --

Pure displacement formulation (default)

1 --

Mixed u-P formulation (not valid with plane stress)

KEYOPT(15)

Perfectly matched layers (PML) absorbing condition in a harmonic piezoelectric analysis (KEYOPT(1)
= 1001):

0 --

Do not include the PML absorbing condition (default)

1 --

Include the PML absorbing condition

PLANE222 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

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Element Library

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.222.7: PLANE222 Element Output Definitions (p. 1058)

The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.222.7: PLANE222 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition
ALL ANALYSES
EL Element Number
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L
MAT Material number
VOLU: Volume
XC, YC Location where results are reported
ALL ANALYSES WITH A STRUCTURAL FIELD
THICK Thickness
[b]
S:X, Y, Z, XY Stresses (SZ = 0.0 for plane stress elements)
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses
S:EQV Equivalent stress
[b]
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY Elastic strains
[b]
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY Thermal strains
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain[d]
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY[b] Plastic strains
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strain[d]
EPCR:X, Y, Z, XY[b] Creep strains
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strain[d]
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY[b] Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR)
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strain (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR)
[b]
EPTT:X, Y, Z, XY Total mechanical, thermal, and diffusion strains (EPEL + EPPL + EP
EPDI)
EPTT:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strain (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR + EPTH +
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress[e]
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain[e]
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain[e]

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 Name Definition
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not yielding)[e]
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure[e]
SENE: Elastic strain energy
[f ]
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-THERMAL ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 11)
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude
UE Elastic strain energy[g]
UT Total strain energy[h]
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume
[f ]
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR PIEZORESISTIVE ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 101)
TEMP Input temperatures
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components (X, Y) and vector magnitude
JC:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components (X, Y) and vector magni
JS:X, Y, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian coordinate
and vector magnitude[i]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume[j]
[f ]
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR ELECTROSTATIC-STRUCTURAL ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1001)
TEMP Input temperatures
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components (X, Y) and vector magnitude
D:X, Y, SUM Electric flux density components (X, Y) and vector magnitude
FMAG:X, Y, SUM Electrostatic force components (X, Y) and vector magnitude
UE, UD Stored elastic and dielectric energies
[f ]
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR PIEZOELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1001 and 101)
TEMP Input temperatures
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components (X, Y) and vector magnitude
D:X, Y, SUM Electric flux density components (X, Y) and vector magnitude; ava
charge-based analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 1001)
JC:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components (X, Y) and vector magni
only for current-based analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 101)
JS:X, Y, SUM Element current density components (X, Y) in the global Cartesia
system and vector magnitude[i]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume[j], [k]
UE, UM, UD Elastic, mutual, and dielectric energies[g]
UT Total strain energy[h]
SENE Sum of elastic and dielectric energies (UE + UD)[g]
DENE Damping energy[g]
KENE Kinetic energy[g]
P:X, Y, SUM Element Poynting vector components (X, Y) and vector magnitud

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Name Definition
THERMAL-ELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 110)
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude
JC:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components and vector magnitude
JS:X, Y, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian coordinate
vector magnitude[i]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume[j], [k]
[f
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-THERMOELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 111)
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude
JC:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components and vector magnitude
JS:X, Y, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian coordinate
vector magnitude [i]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [j], [k]
UE Elastic strain energy
[h]
UT Total strain energy
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume
[f ]
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR THERMAL-PIEZOELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1011)
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude
D:X, Y, SUM Electric flux density components and vector magnitude
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume[j], [k]
[g]
UE, UM, UD Elastic, mutual, and dielectric energies
[h]
UT Total strain energy
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume
[f ]
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100001)
TEMP Input temperatures
EPDI:X, Y, Z, XY Diffusion strains
CG:X, Y, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector magnitude
DF:X, Y, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude
[l]
CONC Element concentration
THERMAL-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100010)
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude

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 Name Definition
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude
CG:X, Y, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector magnitude
DF:X, Y, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude
CONC Element concentration[l]
ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100100)
TEMP Input temperatures
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude
JC:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components and vector magnitude
JS:X, Y, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian coordinate
vector magnitude [i]
CG:X, Y, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector magnitude
DF:X, Y, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude
CONC Element concentration[l]
THERMAL-ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100110)
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude
JC:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components and vector magnitude
JS:X, Y, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian coordinate
vector magnitude[i]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume[j], [k]
CG:X, Y, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector magnitude
DF:X, Y, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude
CONC Element concentration[l]Co
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100101
TEMP Input temperatures
EPDI:X, Y, Z, XY Diffusion strains
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude
JC:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components and vector magnitude
JS:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components and vector magnitude
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume[j], [k]
CG:X, Y, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector magnitude
DF:X, Y, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude
CONC Element concentration[l]
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-THERMAL-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 10001
EPDI:X, Y, Z, XY Diffusion strains
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude

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Name Definition
CG:X, Y, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector magnitude
DF:X, Y, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude
CONC Element concentration[l]
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-THERMAL-ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1
EPDI:X, Y, Z, XY Diffusion strains
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude
JC:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components and vector magnitude
JS:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components and vector magnitude
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [j], [k]
CG:X, Y, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector magnitude
DF:X, Y, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude
CONC Element concentration[l]
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume
[a] Available only at centroid as a *GET item.
[b] Also YZ and XZ when used with the axisymmetric with torsion option (KEYOPT(3) = 6).
Stress/strain outputs have six components with the same meanings as the 3-D solid element
outputs. To better understand the solution results, you can plot them in 3-D space
(/ESHAPE,1) when PowerGraphics is enabled (/GRAPHICS,POWER).
[c] Solution values are output only if calculated (based on input values).
[d] The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is
set by the user (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep this value is set at 0.5.
[e] Nonlinear solution, output only if the element has a nonlinear material, or if large-deflection
effects are enabled (NLGEOM,ON).
[f ] Output listed for this coupled analysis is in addition to the structural field output at the
beginning of this table.
[g] For time-harmonic and modal analyses, the following values are time-averaged: elastic (UE),
mutual (UM), and dielectric (UD) energies, the sum of elastic and dielectric energies (SENE),
damping energy (DENE), kinetic energy (KENE), and the Poynting vector (P). The real part
of the UE, UM, UD, and SENE records represents the average energy, while the imaginary
part represents the average energy loss. The real part of the Poynting vector represents
the average power flow. For more information, see Piezoelectrics in the Mechanical APDL
Theory Reference.
[h] For a time-harmonic analysis, total strain (UT) energy is time-averaged. The real part repres-
ents the average energy, while the imaginary part represents the average energy loss. For
more information, see Thermoelasticity in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.
[i] JS represents the sum of element conduction and displacement current densities.
[j] Calculated Joule heat generation rate per unit volume (JHEAT) may be made available for
a subsequent thermal analysis with companion thermal elements. For a piezoelectric ana-
lysis, the heat generation rate output as JHEAT is produced by both the structural and
electrical losses.
[k] For a time-harmonic analysis, Joule losses (JHEAT) are time-averaged. These values are
stored in both the real and imaginary data sets. For more information, see Quasistatic
Electric Analysis in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.

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[l] With the normalized concentration approach, CONC is the actual concentration obtained
by multiplying the saturated concentration (MP,CSAT) and the normalized concentration
evaluated at the element centroid. For more information, see Normalized Concentration
Approach in the Theory Reference.

Table 7.222.8: PLANE222 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1063) lists output available through ETABLE
using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide
and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The following
notation is used in Table 7.222.8: PLANE222 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1063):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.222.7: PLANE222 Element Output Definitions (p. 1058)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.222.8: PLANE222 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
Analyses that include DIFFUSION (KEYOPT(1) = 100001, 100010, 100100, 100110, 100011, 100101,
and 100111)
CONC SMISC 1
STRUCTURAL-THERMAL ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 11)
UE NMISC 1
UT NMISC 4
PHEAT NMISC 5
VHEAT NMISC 6
ELECTROSTATIC-STRUCTURAL ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1001)
UE NMISC 1
UD NMISC 2
PIEZOELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1001 and 101)
UE NMISC 1
UD NMISC 2
UM NMISC 3
UT NMISC 4
PX NMISC 5
PY NMISC 6
PSUM NMISC 8
STRUCTURAL-THERMOELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 111)
UT NMISC 4

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Element Library

ETABLE Command Input

Output Quantity Name
Item E
PHEAT NMISC 5
VHEAT NMISC 6
THERMAL-PIEZOELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1011)
UE NMISC 1
UD NMISC 2
UM NMISC 3
UT NMISC 4
PHEAT NMISC 5
VHEAT NMISC 6
Analyses that include a STRUCTURAL field
(KEYOPT(1) = 11, 111, 1001, 100001, 100011, 100101, and 100111)
THICK NMISC 9

PLANE222 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element assumes a unit thickness for plane strain (KEYOPT(3) = 2) calculations.

• The element uses 2 x 2 and one point integration rules for the quad and triangle geometries, respect-
ively. For triangle-degenerated elements, the following exceptions apply:

– For axisymmetric coupled-field analyses with no structural degrees of freedom, a three point integ-
ration rule is used.

– When the (KEYOPT(6) = 0) or enhanced strain (KEYOPT(6) = 2) formulations are specified in

coupled-field analyses with structural degrees of freedom, a conventional one point integration
rule is used.

• In a piezoelectric or electrostatic-structural analysis, electric charge loading is interpreted as negative

electric charge or negative charge density.

• Optimized nonlinear solution defaults are applied in coupled-field analyses with structural degrees
of freedom using this element.

• The element must lie in a global X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.222.1: PLANE222 Geometry (p. 1043)
and the Y-axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses.

• An axisymmetric structure should be modeled in the +X quadrants.

• This element may not be compatible with other elements with the VOLT degree of freedom. To be
compatible, the elements must have the same reaction solution for the VOLT DOF. Elements that
have an electric charge reaction solution must all have the same electric charge reaction sign. For
more information, see Element Compatibility in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide.

• When using mixed formulation (KEYOPT(11) = 1), use the sparse solver (default).

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• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear (NLGEOM,ON) coupled-field analyses
with structural degrees of freedom. Prestress effects can be activated via the PSTRES command.

• Graphical Solution Tracking (/GST) is not supported with the coupled-diffusion analyses (KEYOPT(1)
= 100001, 100010, and 100011).

• Reaction forces are not available for electrostatic-structural (KEYOPT(1) = 1001) analyses with the
elastic air option (KEYOPT(4) = 1).

• In a plane stress piezoelectric analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 1001 and KEYOPT(3) = 0) with anisotropic struc-
tural damping (TB,AVIS or TB,ELST), the plane stress state is approximated by setting both the elastic
and viscous (or imaginary) components of out-of-plane stress to zero.

• The following are true for the axisymmetric with torsion option (KEYOPT(3) = 6):

– It can be used only with surface element SURF153 (p. 459) with KEYOPT(3) = 1. When used with
contact elements, the friction in the global Cartesian Z (hoop direction) is not taken into account.

– Rezoning and nonlinear adaptivity are not supported.

– Results of analyses using the axisymmetric with torsion option can be displayed using the /ESHAPE
command.

– Enhanced strain formulation is not supported.

• The stress-migration effect (specified using TB,MIGR) is not supported in an analysis with structural
and diffusion degrees of freedom.

PLANE222 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

PLANE223
2-D 8-Node Coupled-Field Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1097)

PLANE223 Element Description

PLANE223 supports the following physics combinations:

• Structural-Thermal

• Piezoresistive

• Electrostatic-Structural

• Piezoelectric

• Thermal-Electric

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Element Library

• Structural-Thermoelectric

• Thermal-Piezoelectric

• Structural-Magnetic

• Structural-Electromagnetic

• Structural-Stranded Coil

• Thermal-Magnetic

• Thermal-Electromagnetic

• Structural-Diffusion

• Thermal-Diffusion

• Electric-Diffusion

• Thermal-Electric-Diffusion

• Structural-Thermal-Diffusion

• Structural-Electric-Diffusion

• Structural-Thermal-Electric-Diffusion

The element has eight nodes with up to six degrees of freedom per node.

Structural capabilities include elasticity, plasticity, hyperelasticity, viscoelasticity, viscoplasticity, creep,

large strain, large deflection, and stress stiffening effects. It also has mixed formulation capability for
simulating deformations of nearly incompressible elastoplastic materials, and fully incompressible hy-
perelastic materials.

Piezoresistive capabilities include the piezoresistive effect. Piezoelectric capabilities include direct and
converse piezoelectric effects. Electrostatic-structural capabilities include electrostatic force coupling.
Thermoelectric capabilities include Seebeck, Peltier, and Thomson effects, as well as Joule heating. In
addition to thermal expansion, structural-thermal capabilities include the piezocaloric effect in dynamic
analyses. The Coriolis effect is available for analyses with structural degrees of freedom. The thermoplastic
and viscoelastic heating effects are available for analyses with structural and thermal degrees of freedom.

Structural-magnetic capabilities include magnetic force coupling. Structural-electromagnetic capabilities

include magnetic force coupling, and eddy current and velocity effects in a transient analysis.

Thermal-magnetic and thermal-electromagnetic capabilities include Joule heating. In addition, thermal-

electromagnetic capabilities include eddy current effects in a transient analysis, and velocity effects in
a static or transient analysis.

The diffusion expansion and hydrostatic stress-migration effects are available for analyses with structural
and diffusion degrees of freedom. The thermo-migration effect (Soret effect) and the temperature-de-
pendent saturated concentration effect is available for analyses with thermal and diffusion degrees of
freedom. The electro-migration effect is available for analyses with electrical and diffusion degrees of
freedom.

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See PLANE223 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.223.1: PLANE223 Geometry

L
3
K K, L, O
O
4
Y P P N
(or axial) 2
N I
M J
I
X (or radial) M Tri Option
J
1

PLANE223 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.223.1: PLANE223 Geometry (p. 1067). The element input data includes eight nodes and structural,
thermal, electrical, magnetic, and diffusion material properties. For the plane or plane stress case, you
can also specify the element thickness (Z depth) by setting KEYOPT(3) to 3 and inputting the real constant
THK.

The type of units (MKS or user defined) for electromagnetic problems is specified through the EMUNIT
command. EMUNIT also determines the value of free-space permittivity, EPZRO, and free-space per-
meability, MUZRO.

KEYOPT(1) determines the element DOF set and the corresponding force labels and reaction solution.
KEYOPT(1) is set equal to the sum of the field keys shown in Table 7.223.1: PLANE223 Field Keys (p. 1067).
For example, KEYOPT(1) is set to 11 for a structural-thermal analysis (structural field key + thermal field
key = 1 + 10). For a structural-thermal analysis, UX, UY, and TEMP are the DOF labels and force and heat
flow are the reaction solution.

Table 7.223.1: PLANE223 Field Keys

Field Field DOF Label Force Label Reaction Solution

Key
Structural 1 UX, UY[a] FX, FY Force
Thermal 10 TEMP HEAT Heat Flow
Electric Conduction 100 VOLT AMPS Electric Current
Electromagnetic 200 EMF CURT Current
Induction
Electrostatic 1000 VOLT CHRG Electric Charge
Magnetic 10000 AZ CSGZ Magnetic Current Segment
Diffusion 100000 CONC RATE Diffusion Flow Rate
[a] When KEYOPT(3) is set to 6 for analyses with structural DOFs, ROTY is added to the set of
degrees of freedom.

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Element Library

The coupled-field analysis KEYOPT(1) settings, DOF labels, force labels, reaction solutions, and analysis
types are shown in the following table.

Table 7.223.2: PLANE223 Coupled-Field Analyses

Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) DOF Label Force Label Reaction Analysis

Analysis Solution Type
Structural-Thermal [1], 11 UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Static
[2]
TEMP HEAT Heat Full
Flow Harmonic

Full
Transient
Piezoresistive 101 UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Static

VOLT AMPS Electric Full

Current Transient
Electrostatic-Structural 1001 [3] UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Static

VOLT CHRG Electric Full

Charge Transient
(negative)
Linear
Perturbation
Static

Linear
Perturbation
Harmonic

Linear
Perturbation
Modal
Piezoelectric 1001 [3] UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Static
(Charge-Based)
VOLT CHRG Electric Modal
Charge
(negative) Linear
Perturbation
Modal

Full,
Linear
Perturbation,
or Mode
Superposition
Harmonic

Full or
Mode

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 Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) DOF Label Force Label Reaction Analysis
Analysis Solution Type
Superposition
Transient
Piezoelectric 101 UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Full
(Current-Based) Harmonic
VOLT AMPS Electric
Current Full
Transient
Thermal-Electric 110 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Static
Flow,
VOLT AMPS Full
Electric Transient
Current
Structural-Thermoelectric 111 UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Static
[1]
TEMP, HEAT, Heat Full
Flow, Transient
VOLT AMPS
Electric
Current
Thermal-Piezoelectric 1011 UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Static
[1], [2]
TEMP, HEAT, Heat Full
Flow, Harmonic
VOLT CHRG
Electric Full
Charge Transient
(negative)
Structural-Magnetic 10001 UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Static

AZ, CSGZ Magnetic Full

Current Transient
Segment
Structural-Electromagnetic 10101 UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Static

AZ, CSGZ, Magnetic Full

Current Transient
VOLT AMPS Segment,

Electric
Current
Structural-Stranded 10201 UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Static
Coil
AZ, CSGZ, Magnetic Full
Current Transient
VOLT, AMPS, Segment,

EMF CURT Electric

Current,

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Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) DOF Label Force Label Reaction Analysis

Analysis Solution Type
Current
Flow
Thermal-Magnetic 10010 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Static
Flow,
AZ CSGZ Full
Magnetic Transient
Current
Segment
Thermal-Electromagnetic 10110 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Static
Flow,
VOLT, AMPS Full
Electric Transient
AZ CSGZ Current

Magnetic
Current
Segment
Structural-Diffusion [1] 100001 UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Static

CONC RATE Diffusion Full

Flow Transient
Rate
Thermal-Diffusion [1] 100010 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Static
Flow,
CONC RATE Full
Diffusion Transient
Flow
Rate
Electric-Diffusion [1] 100100 VOLT, AMPS, Electric Static
Current,
CONC, RATE Full
Diffusion Transient
Flow
Rate
Thermal-Electric-Diffusion 100110 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Static
[1] Flow,
VOLT, AMPS, Full
Electric Transient
CONC RATE Current,

Diffusion
Flow
Rate
Structural-Thermal-Diffusion 100011 UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Static
[1]
TEMP, HEAT, Heat Full
Flow, Transient
CONC RATE

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 Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) DOF Label Force Label Reaction Analysis
Analysis Solution Type
Diffusion
Flow
Rate
Structural-Electric-Diffusion 100101 UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Static,
[1]
VOLT, AMPS, Electric Full
Current, Transient
CONC RATE
Diffusion
Flow
Rate,
Structural-Thermal-Electric-Diffusion
100111 UX, UY, FX, FY, Force, Static
[1]
TEMP, HEAT, Heat Full
Flow, Transient
VOLT, AMPS,
Electric
CONC RATE Current,

Diffusion
Flow
Rate

1. For static and full transient analyses, KEYOPT(2) can specify a strong (matrix) or weak (load vector)
structural-thermal, structural-diffusion, thermal-diffusion, and electric diffusion coupling.

2. For harmonic analyses, only strong coupling (KEYOPT(2) = 0) applies.

3. The electrostatic-structural analysis available with KEYOPT(1) = 1001 defaults to electrostatic force
coupling unless a piezoelectric matrix is specified on TB,PIEZ.

As shown in the following tables, material property requirements consist of those required for the indi-
vidual fields (structural, thermal, electric conduction, electrostatic, magnetic, or diffusion) and those
required for field coupling. Individual material properties are defined via the MP and MPDATA commands.
Nonlinear and multiphysics material models are defined via the TB command.

Table 7.223.3: Structural Material Properties

Field Field Material Properties and Material Models

Key
Structural 1 EX, EY, EZ, PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ), GXY,
GYZ, GXZ, DENS, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY, CTEZ, or THSX, THSY, THSZ),
REFT

---

Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity,

Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear isotropic hardening, Bilinear

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Field Field Material Properties and Material Models

Key
kinematic hardening, Cast iron, Chaboche nonlinear kinematic
hardening, Creep, Elasticity, Extended Drucker-Prager, Gurson
pressure-dependent plasticity, Hill anisotropy, Hyperelasticity,
Mullins effect, Voce isotropic hardening law, Plasticity, Prony
series constants for viscoelastic materials, Rate-dependent
plasticity (viscoplasticity), Rate-independent plasticity,
Material-dependent alpha and beta damping (Rayleigh
damping), Material-dependent structural damping, Shift
function for viscoelastic materials, Shape memory alloy,
Uniaxial stress-strain relation

Table 7.223.4: PLANE223 Material Properties and Material Models

Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models

Structural-Thermal 11 Structural See Table 7.223.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1071)
Thermal KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT, QRATE
Piezoresistive [1] 101 Structural See Table 7.223.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1071)
Electric RSVX, RSVY, PERX, PERY
Coupling Piezoresistivity
Electrostatic-Structural 1001 Structural See Table 7.223.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1071)
Electric PERX, PERY

---

Anisotropic electric permittivity

Piezoelectric 1001 Structural See Table 7.223.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1071) [2]
(Charge-Based)
---
101
Anisotropic viscosity
(Current-Based)
---

Anisotropic elastic loss tangent

Electric PERX, PERY, LSST (and/or RSVX, RSVY)

---

Anisotropic electric permittivity

---

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Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models
Anisotropic dielectric loss tangent
Coupling Piezoelectric matrix
Thermal-Electric [1] 110 Thermal KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric RSVX, RSVY, PERX, PERY
Coupling SBKX, SBKY
Structural-Thermoelectric 111 Structural See Table 7.223.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1071)
Thermal KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric RSVX, RSVY, PERX, PERY
Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT, QRATE

---

SBKX, SBKY

---

Piezoresistivity
Thermal-Piezoelectric 1011 Structural See Table 7.223.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1071) [2]
Thermal KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric PERX, PERY, LSST (and/or RSVX, RSVY)

---

Anisotropic electric permittivity

Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT

---

Piezoelectric matrix
Structural-Magnetic 10001 Structural See Table 7.223.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1071)
Magnetic MURX, MURY, MGXX, MGYY

---

Magnetism
Electric RSVZ [3]
Structural-Electromagnetic 10101 Structural See Table 7.223.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1071)
Magnetic MURX, MURY, MGXX, MGYY

---

Magnetism

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Element Library

Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models

Electric RSVZ
Coupling RSVZ
Structural-Stranded Coil 10201 Structural See Table 7.223.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1071)
Magnetic MURX, MURY, MGXX, MGYY

---

Magnetism
Electric RSVX [3]
Thermal-Magnetic 10010 Thermal KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH
Magnetic MURX, MURY, MGXX, MGYY

---

Magnetism
Coupling RSVZ
Thermal-Electromagnetic 10110 Thermal KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH
Electric RSVZ
Magnetic MURX, MURY, MGXX, MGYY

---

Magnetism
Coupling RSVZ
Structural-Diffusion [1] 100001 Structural See Table 7.223.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1071)
Diffusion DXX, DYY, CSAT
Coupling BETX, BETY, CREF

---

Migration Model
Thermal-Diffusion [1] 100010 Thermal KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Diffusion DXX, DYY, CSAT
Coupling Temperature-dependent CSAT

---

Migration Model
Electric-Diffusion [1] 100100 Electric RSVX, RSVY, PERX, PERY
Diffusion DXX, DYY, CSAT
Coupling Migration Model
Thermal-Electric-Diffusion 100110 Thermal KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
[1]

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Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models
Electric RSVX, RSVY, PERX, PERY
Diffusion DXX, DYY, CSAT
Coupling SBKX, SBKY

---

Temperature-dependent CSAT

---

Migration Model
Structural-Thermal-Diffusion 100011 Structural See Table 7.223.3: Structural Material
[1] Properties (p. 1071)
Thermal KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Diffusion DXX, DYY, CSAT
Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT, QRATE

---

BETX, BETY, CREF

---

Temperature-dependent CSAT

---

Migration Model
Structural-Electric-Diffusion 100101 Structural See Table 7.223.3: Structural Material
[1] Properties (p. 1071)
Electric RSVX, RSVY, PERX, PERY
Diffusion DXX, DYY, CSAT
Coupling BETX, BETY, CREF

---

Migration Model
Structural-Thermal-Electric-Diffusion
100111 Structural See Table 7.223.3: Structural Material
[1] Properties (p. 1071)
Thermal KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric RSVX, RSVY, PERX, PERY
Diffusion DXX, DYY, CSAT
Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT, QRATE

---

BETX, BETY, CREF

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Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models

---

SBKX, SBKY

---

Temperature-dependent CSAT

---

Migration Model

1. For this analysis type, some of the material properties can be defined as a function of primary variables
by using tabular input on the MP command. For more information, see Defining Linear Material
Properties Using Tabular Input in the Material Reference.

2. For piezoelectric and thermal-piezoelectric analyses (KEYOPT(1) = 101, 1001, or 1011 with TB,PIEZ),
only elastic material properties and material models are valid.

3. For this coupled analysis type, the specified electrical resistivity (RSVX or RSVZ) is used only for the
Joule heat calculation.

Various combinations of nodal loading are available for this element (depending upon the KEYOPT(1)
value). Nodal loads are defined with the D and the F commands. Nodal forces, if any, should be input
per unit of depth for a plane analysis and on a full 360° basis for an axisymmetric analysis.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Surface loads may be input on the element
faces indicated by the circled numbers in Figure 7.223.1: PLANE223 Geometry (p. 1067) using the SF and
SFE commands. Positive pressures act into the element. Body loads may be input at the element's nodes
or as a single element value using the BF and BFE commands.

PLANE223 surface and body loads are given in the following table.

Most surface and body loads can be defined as a function of primary variables by using tabular input.
For more information, see Applying Loads Using Tabular Input in the Basic Analysis Guide and the indi-
vidual surface or body load command description in the Command Reference.

Table 7.223.5: PLANE223 Surface and Body Loads

Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label

Analysis Type
Structural-Thermal 11 Surface Pressure PRES
Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I through P

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Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label
Analysis Type
Piezoresistive 101 Surface Pressure PRES
and
Piezoelectric Body Force Density FORC
(Current-Based)
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I through P
Electrostatic-Structural
1001 Surface Pressure PRES
and
Piezoelectric Surface Charge CHRGS[1]
(Charge-Based) Density
Body Force Density FORC
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I through P
Volume Charge CHRGD[1]
Density -- Nodes I
through P
Thermal-Electric 110 Surface Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Body Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I through P
Structural-Thermoelectric
111 Surface Pressure PRES
Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I through P
Thermal-Piezoelectric1011 Surface Pressure PRES
Surface Charge CHRGS[1]
Density
Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I through P

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Element Library

Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label

Analysis Type
Volume Charge CHRGD[1]
Density -- Nodes I
through P
Structural-Magnetic10001 Surface Pressure PRES
Body Force Density FORC
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I through P
Source Current JS
Density -- Nodes I
through P
Structural-Electromagnetic
10101 Surface Pressure PRES
Body Force Density FORC
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I through P
Structural-Stranded10201 Surface Pressure PRES
Coil
Body Force Density FORC
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I through P
Thermal-Magnetic 10010 Surface Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Body Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I through P
Source Current JS
Density -- Nodes I
through P
Thermal-Electromagnetic
10110 Surface Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Body Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I through P
Velocity -- Nodes I VELO
through P
Structural-Diffusion
100001 Surface Pressure PRES
Diffusion Flux DFLUX

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Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label
Analysis Type
Body Force Density FORC
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I through P
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I through P
Thermal-Diffusion 100010 Surface Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I through P
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I through P
Electric-Diffusion 100100 Surface Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I through P
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I through P
Thermal-Electric-Diffusion
100110 Surface Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I through P
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I through P
Structural-Thermal-Diffusion
100011 Surface Pressure PRES
Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF

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Element Library

Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label

Analysis Type
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I through P
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I through P
Structural-Electric-Diffusion
100101 Surface Pressure PRES
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Force Density FORC
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I through P
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I through P
Structural-Thermal-Electric-Diffusion
100111 Surface Pressure PRES
Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I through P
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I through P

1. CHRGS and CHRGD are interpreted as negative surface charge density and negative volume charge
density, respectively.

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Automatic element technology selections are given in the following table.

Table 7.223.6: Automatic Element Technology Selection

Coupled-Field Analysis ETCONTROL Command

Suggestions/Resettings
Structural-Thermal KEYOPT(2) = 1 for nonlinear
(KEYOPT(1) = 11) inelastic materials

Structural-Thermoelectric
(KEYOPT(1) = 111)

A summary of the element input is given in "PLANE223 Input Summary" (p. 1081). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41). For axisymmetric applications see Harmonic
Axisymmetric Elements (p. 92).

PLANE223 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

Set by KEYOPT(1). See Table 7.223.2: PLANE223 Coupled-Field Analyses (p. 1068).

Real Constants

THK - Thickness if KEYOPT (3) = 3

The following are the real constants for the structural-stranded coil analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 10201):

THK, SC, NC, RAD, TZ, R, SYM

See Table 7.223.7: PLANE223 Real Constants (p. 1085) for more information.

Material Properties

See Table 7.223.4: PLANE223 Material Properties and Material Models (p. 1072).

Surface Loads

See Table 7.223.5: PLANE223 Surface and Body Loads (p. 1076).

Body Loads

See Table 7.223.5: PLANE223 Surface and Body Loads (p. 1076).

Special Features

Birth and death

Coriolis effect
Element technology autoselect (p. 104)

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Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation (see Note below)
Nonlinear stabilization
Stress stiffening

Note:

Linear perturbation is available for the following coupled analyses: electrostatic-structural

and piezoelectric analyses (KEYOPT(1) = 1001).

KEYOPT(1)

Element degrees of freedom. See Table 7.223.2: PLANE223 Coupled-Field Analyses (p. 1068).

KEYOPT(2)

Coupling method between the DOFs for the following types of coupling: structural-thermal, struc-
tural-diffusion, thermal-diffusion, and electric-diffusion:

0 --

Strong (matrix) coupling. May produce an unsymmetric matrix. In a linear analysis, a coupled
response is achieved after one iteration.

1 --

Weak (load vector) coupling. Produces a symmetric matrix and requires at least two iterations
to achieve a coupled response.

Note:

The weak coupling option (KEYOPT(2) = 1) can be used in a coupled electrostatic-struc-

tural analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 1001) to produce legacy element behavior. In this case, the
reaction solution for the VOLT degree of freedom is positive charge (CHRG), and the
analysis types are limited to static and full transient analyses. Linear perturbation analyses
are not supported.

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

0 --

Plane or plane stress

1 --

Axisymmetric

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 2 --

Plane strain

3 --

Plane or plane stress with thickness input

6 --

Axisymmetric with torsion

Note:

For the plane/plane stress options (KEYOPT(3) = 0 or 3), the element behavior is plane
stress for analyses with structural DOFs. The plane strain (KEYOPT(3) = 2) and axisymmetric
with torsion (KEYOPT(3) = 6) options are valid only for analyses with structural DOFs.

KEYOPT(4)

Electrostatic force in electrostatic-structural analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 1001); or electromagnetic force

in structural-magnetic (KEYOPT(1) = 10001), structural-electromagnetic (KEYOPT(1) = 10101), and
structural-stranded coil (KEYOPT(1) = 10201) analyses:

0 --

Applied to every element node.

1 --

Applied to the air-structure interface or to element nodes that have constrained structural degrees
of freedom.

2 --

Not applied.

For more information, see Electrostatic-Structural Analysis and Magneto-Structural Analysis in the
Coupled-Field Analysis Guide.

KEYOPT(5)

Eddy or velocity currents in structural-electromagnetic (KEYOPT(1) = 10101) analyses:

0 --

Eddy and velocity currents are active

1 --

Eddy currents are suppressed, velocity currents are active

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2 --

Velocity currents are suppressed, eddy currents are active

3 --

Eddy and velocity currents are suppressed

KEYOPT(7)

Electromagnetic force output (FMAG) location for coupled-field analyses with magnetic DOFs:

0 --

At each element node (corner and midside)

1 --

At element corner nodes only (midside node forces are condensed to the corner nodes)

Note:

For analyses that include structural and magnetic DOFs, KEYOPT(7) = 1 does not apply;
electromagnetic force is always reported at each element node (corner and midside).

KEYOPT(8)

Electromagnetic force calculation in coupled-field analyses with magnetic DOFs:

0 --

Maxwell

1 --

Lorentz

Note:

You cannot intermix the Maxwell and Lorentz force calculation options in adjacent
magnetic domains. For more information, see Performing a Magneto-Structural Analysis
in the Coupled-Field Analysis Guide.

KEYOPT(9)

Thermoelastic damping (piezocaloric effect) in coupled-field analyses having structural and thermal
DOFs. Applicable to harmonic and transient analyses only.

0 --

Active

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 1 --

Suppressed (required for frictional heating analyses)

KEYOPT(10)

Specific heat matrix in coupled-field analyses having the thermal DOF (TEMP), or damping matrix
in coupled-field analyses having the diffusion DOF (CONC).

0 --

Consistent

1 --

Diagonalized

2 --

Diagonalized. Temperature-dependent specific heat or enthalpy is evaluated at the element

centroid.

KEYOPT(11)

Element formulation in coupled-field analyses with structural DOFs:

0 --

Pure displacement formulation (default)

1 --

Mixed u-P formulation (not valid with plane stress)

KEYOPT(15)

Perfectly matched layers (PML) absorbing condition in a harmonic piezoelectric analysis (KEYOPT(1)
= 1001):

0 --

Do not include the PML absorbing condition (default)

1 --

Include the PML absorbing condition

Table 7.223.7: PLANE223 Real Constants

No. Name Description Default Definition

1 THK Thickness 1 Used with KEYOPT(3) = 3
The following real constants are for the structural-stranded coil analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 10201)
2 SC Coil cross-sectional none True physical cross-section of the coil regardless of
area symmetry modeling considerations. It includes the

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No. Name Description Default Definition

cross-sectional area of the wire and the
non-conducting material filling the space between
the winding.
3 NC Number of coil turns 1 Total number of winding turns in a coil regardless
of any symmetry modeling considerations.
4 RAD Mean radius of the none Mean radius of the axisymmetric coil model. If the
coil (axisymmetric) mean radius is not known, input VC/((2π)(SC)) ,
where VC is the full symmetry true physical volume
of the coil. VC includes the volume occupied by the
wire and the non-conducting material filling the
space between the winding.
5 TZ Current polarity 1 (plane) The current flow direction (1 or -1) with respect to
Z-axis
-1
(axisymmetric)
6 R Coil resistance none Total coil DC resistance regardless of any symmetry
modeling considerations.
7 SYM Coil symmetry factor 1 Ratio of the full symmetry coil cross-sectional area
(SC) to the modeled coil area. The input should be
equal to or greater than 1.

PLANE223 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.223.8: PLANE223 Element Output Definitions (p. 1086).

The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.223.8: PLANE223 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition
ALL ANALYSES
EL Element Number
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

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 Name Definition
MAT Material number
VOLU: Volume
XC, YC Location where results are reported
ALL ANALYSES WITH A STRUCTURAL FIELD
THICK Thickness
S:X, Y, Z, XY [13] Stresses (SZ = 0.0 for plane stress elements)
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses
S:EQV Equivalent stress
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY [13] Elastic strains
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY [13] Thermal strains
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain [3]
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY [13] Plastic strains
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strain [3]
EPCR:X, Y, Z, XY [13] Creep strains
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strain [3]
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY [13] Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR)
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strain (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR)
EPTT:X, Y, Z, XY [13] Total mechanical, thermal, and diffusion strains (EPEL + EPPL + EP
EPDI)
EPTT:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strain (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR + EPTH +
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress [10]
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain [10]
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain [10]
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not yielding) [10]
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure [10]
SENE: Elastic strain energy
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-THERMAL ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 11) [11]
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude
UE Elastic strain energy [7]
UT Total strain energy [8]
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR PIEZORESISTIVE ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 101) [11]
TEMP Input temperatures
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components (X, Y) and vector magnitude
JC:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components (X, Y) and vector magni

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Name Definition
JS:X, Y, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian coordinate
and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5]
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR ELECTROSTATIC-STRUCTURAL ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1001) [11
TEMP Input temperatures
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components (X, Y) and vector magnitude
D:X, Y, SUM Electric flux density components (X, Y) and vector magnitude
FMAG:X, Y, SUM Electrostatic force components (X, Y) and vector magnitude
UE, UD Stored elastic and dielectric energies
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR PIEZOELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1001 and 101) [11]
TEMP Input temperatures
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components (X, Y) and vector magnitude
D:X, Y, SUM Electric flux density components (X, Y) and vector magnitude; ava
charge-based analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 1001)
JC:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components (X, Y) and vector magni
only for current-based analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 101)
JS:X, Y, SUM Element current density components (X, Y) in the global Cartesia
system and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6]
UE, UM, UD Elastic, mutual, and dielectric energies [7]
UT Total strain energy [8]
SENE Sum of elastic and dielectric energies (UE + UD) [7]
DENE Damping energy [7]
KENE Kinetic energy [7]
P:X, Y, SUM Element Poynting vector components (X, Y) and vector magnitud
THERMAL-ELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 110)
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude
JC:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components and vector magnitude
JS:X, Y, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian coordinate
vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6]
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-THERMOELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 111) [11
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude
JC:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components and vector magnitude

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 Name Definition
JS:X, Y, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian coordinate
vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6]
UE Elastic strain energy
UT Total strain energy [8]
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR THERMAL-PIEZOELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1011) [11]
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude
D:X, Y, SUM Electric flux density components and vector magnitude
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6]
UE, UM, UD Elastic, mutual, and dielectric energies [7]
UT Total strain energy [8]
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-MAGNETIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 10001) [11]
B: X, Y, SUM Magnetic flux density components and vector magnitude
H: X, Y, SUM Magnetic field intensity components and vector magnitude
FMAG: X, Y, SUM Electromagnetic force components and magnitude
JT: Z, SUM Element conduction current density components (in the global C
coordinate system) and vector magnitude
JHEAT Joule heat generation rate per unit volume [5], [6]
UE Elastic strain energy
UMAG Magnetic energy
COEN Magnetic co-energy
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-ELECTROMAGNETIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 10101)
B: X, Y, SUM Magnetic flux density components and vector magnitude
H: X, Y, SUM Magnetic field intensity components and vector magnitude
EF: Z, SUM Electric field intensity components and magnitude
JC: Z, SUM Nodal conduction current density components and magnitude
FMAG: X, Y, SUM Electromagnetic force components and magnitude
JT: Z, SUM Element conduction current density components (in the global C
coordinate system) and vector magnitude
JS: Z, SUM Element current density components (in the global Cartesian coo
and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation rate per unit volume [5], [6]
UE Elastic strain energy

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Name Definition
UMAG Magnetic energy
COEN Magnetic co-energy
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-STRANDED COIL ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 10201) [1
B: X, Y, SUM Magnetic flux density components and vector magnitude
H: X, Y, SUM Magnetic field intensity components and vector magnitude
FMAG: X, Y, SUM Electromagnetic force components and magnitude
JT: Z, SUM Element conduction current density components (in the global C
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [12]
JS: Z, SUM Element current density components (in the global Cartesian coo
and vector magnitude [4], [12]
JHEAT Joule heat generation rate per unit volume [5], [6], [12]
UE Elastic strain energy
UMAG Magnetic energy
COEN Magnetic co-energy
THERMAL-MAGNETIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 10010)
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude
B:X, Y, SUM Magnetic flux density components and vector magnitude
H:X, Y, SUM Magnetic field intensity components and vector magnitude
FMAG:X, Y, SUM Electromagnetic force components and magnitude
JT:Z, SUM Conduction current density Z component (in the global Cartesian
system) and vector magnitude
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume
THERMAL-ELECTROMAGNETIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 10110)
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude
EF:Z, SUM Electric field intensity Z component and vector magnitude
JC:Z, SUM Conduction current density Z component and vector magnitude
B:X, Y, SUM Magnetic flux density components and vector magnitude
H:X, Y, SUM Magnetic field intensity components and vector magnitude
FMAG:X, Y, SUM Electromagnetic force components and magnitude
JT:Z, SUM Conduction current density Z component (in the global Cartesian
system) and vector magnitude
JS:Z, SUM Current density Z component (in the global Cartesian coordinate
vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100001) [11]
TEMP Input temperatures
EPDI:X, Y, Z, XY Diffusion strains

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 Name Definition
CG:X, Y, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector magnitude
DF:X, Y, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude
CONC Element concentration [9]
THERMAL-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100010)
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude
CG:X, Y, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector magnitude
DF:X, Y, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude
CONC Element concentration [9]
ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100100)
TEMP Input temperatures
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude
JC:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components and vector magnitude
JS:X, Y, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian coordinate
vector magnitude [4]
CG:X, Y, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector magnitude
DF:X, Y, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude
CONC Element concentration [9]
THERMAL-ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100110)
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude
JC:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components and vector magnitude
JS:X, Y, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian coordinate
vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6]
CG:X, Y, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector magnitude
DF:X, Y, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude
CONC Element concentration [9]
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100101
TEMP Input temperatures
EPDI:X, Y, Z, XY Diffusion strains
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude
JC:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components and vector magnitude
JS:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components and vector magnitude
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6]
CG:X, Y, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector magnitude
DF:X, Y, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude

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Name Definition
CONC Element concentration [9]
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-THERMAL-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100011
EPDI:X, Y, Z, XY Diffusion strains
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude
CG:X, Y, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector magnitude
DF:X, Y, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude
CONC Element concentration [9]
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-THERMAL-ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 10
EPDI:X, Y, Z, XY Diffusion strains
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude
JC:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components and vector magnitude
JS:X, Y, SUM Conduction current density components and vector magnitude
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6]
CG:X, Y, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector magnitude
DF:X, Y, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude
CONC Element concentration [9]
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume

1. Solution values are output only if calculated (based on input values).

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

3. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep this value is set at 0.5.

4. JS represents the sum of element conduction and displacement current densities.

5. Calculated Joule heat generation rate per unit volume (JHEAT) may be made available for a sub-
sequent thermal analysis with companion thermal elements. For a piezoelectric analysis, the heat
generation rate output as JHEAT is produced by both the structural and electrical losses.

6. For a time-harmonic analysis, Joule losses (JHEAT) are time-averaged. These values are stored in
both the real and imaginary data sets. For more information, see Quasistatic Electric Analysis in the
Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.

7. For time-harmonic and modal analyses, the following values are time-averaged: elastic (UE), mutual
(UM), and dielectric (UD) energies, the sum of elastic and dielectric energies (SENE), damping energy
(DENE), kinetic energy (KENE), and the Poynting vector (P). The real part of the UE, UM, UD, and
SENE records represents the average energy, while the imaginary part represents the average energy

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 loss. The real part of the Poynting vector represents the average power flow. For more information,
see Piezoelectrics in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.

8. For a time-harmonic analysis, total strain (UT) energy is time-averaged. The real part represents the
average energy, while the imaginary part represents the average energy loss. For more information,
see Thermoelasticity in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.

9. With the normalized concentration approach, CONC is the actual concentration obtained by mul-
tiplying the saturated concentration (MP,CSAT) and the normalized concentration evaluated at the
element centroid. For more information, see Normalized Concentration Approach in the Theory
Reference.

10. Nonlinear solution, output only if the element has a nonlinear material, or if large-deflection effects
are enabled (NLGEOM,ON).

11. Output listed for this coupled analysis is in addition to the structural field output at the beginning
of this table.

12. For the structural-stranded coil analysis option (KEYOPT(1) = 10201), JT and JS are the effective
current densities as they are calculated based on the coil cross-sectional area (SC) that includes the
wire and the non-conducting material filling the space between the winding. JHEAT represents the
effective Joule heat generation rate per unit volume as it is calculated based on the modeled coil
volume that includes the wire and the non-conducting material filling the space between the
winding.

13. Also YZ and XZ when used with the axisymmetric with torsion option (KEYOPT(3) = 6). Stress/strain
outputs have six components with the same meanings as the 3-D solid element outputs. To better
understand the solution results, you can plot them in 3-D space (/ESHAPE,1) when PowerGraphics
is enabled (/GRAPHICS,POWER).

Table 7.223.9: PLANE223 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1094) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) of the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.223.9: PLANE223 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1094):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.223.8: PLANE223 Element Output Definitions (p. 1086)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.223.9: PLANE223 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE
Output Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
Analyses that include
DIFFUSION (KEYOPT(1) =
100001, 100010, 100100,
100110, 100011, 100101, and
100111)
CONC SMISC 1
STRUCTURAL-THERMAL
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 11)
UE NMISC 1
UT NMISC 4
PHEAT NMISC 5
VHEAT NMISC 6
ELECTROSTATIC-STRUCTURAL
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1001)
UE NMISC 1
UD NMISC 2
PIEZOELECTRIC ANALYSES
(KEYOPT(1) = 1001 and 101)
UE NMISC 1
UD NMISC 2
UM NMISC 3
UT NMISC 4
PX NMISC 5
PY NMISC 6
PSUM NMISC 8
STRUCTURAL-THERMOELECTRIC
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 111)
UT NMISC 4
PHEAT NMISC 5
VHEAT NMISC 6
THERMAL-PIEZOELECTRIC
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1011)
UE NMISC 1

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 ETABLE
Output Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
UD NMISC 2
UM NMISC 3
UT NMISC 4
PHEAT NMISC 5
VHEAT NMISC 6
STRUCTURAL-MAGNETIC
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 10001)
STRUCTURAL-ELECTROMAGNETIC
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 10101)
STRUCTURAL-STRANDED
COIL ANALYSES
(KEYOPT(1) = 10201)
UE NMISC 1
UMAG NMISC 2
JTZ NMISC 6
THERMAL-MAGNETIC
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 10010)
THERMAL-ELECTROMAGNETIC
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 10110)
JTZ NMISC 1
STRUCTURAL-THERMAL-DIFFUSION
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 100011)
STRUCTURAL-THERMAL-ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 100111)
PHEAT NMISC 5
VHEAT NMISC 6
Analyses that include
a STRUCTURAL field
(KEYOPT(1) = 11, 111,
1001, 10001, 10101,
10201, 100001,
100011, 100101, and
100111)

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Element Library

ETABLE
Output Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
THICK NMISC 9

PLANE223 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element assumes a unit thickness for plane strain (KEYOPT(3) = 2) calculations.

• The element uses 2 x 2 and three point integration rules to calculate the element matrices and load
vectors for the quad and triangle geometries, respectively.

• In a piezoelectric or electrostatic-structural analysis, electric charge loading is interpreted as negative

electric charge or negative charge density.

• In a coupled-field analysis with structural degrees of freedom, the model should have at least two
elements in each direction to avoid the hourglass mode.

• Optimized nonlinear solution defaults are applied in coupled-field analyses with structural degrees
of freedom using this element.

• The element must lie in a global X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.223.1: PLANE223 Geometry (p. 1067)
and the Y-axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses.

• An axisymmetric structure should be modeled in the +X quadrants.

• A face with a removed midside node implies that the degrees-of-freedom vary linearly, rather than
parabolically, along that face. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing
Guide for more information about the use of midside nodes.

• In an analysis with structural and diffusion degrees of freedom coupled by the stress migration effect
(specified using TB,MIGR), the following are not supported:

– Removing midside nodes

– The weak coupling option (KEYOPT(2) = 1)

• In a coupled-field electromagnetic analysis, all VOLT degrees of freedom must be coupled (CP).

• For a structural-stranded coil analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 10201), all VOLT and EMF degrees of freedom
must be coupled (CP).

• This element may not be compatible with other elements with the VOLT degree of freedom. To be
compatible, the elements must have the same reaction solution for the VOLT DOF. Elements that
have an electric charge reaction solution must all have the same electric charge reaction sign. For
more information, see Element Compatibility in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide.

• When a coupled-field analysis with structural degrees of freedom uses mixed u-P formulation (KEY-
OPT(11) = 1), no midside nodes can be dropped. When using mixed formulation (KEYOPT(11) = 1),
use the sparse solver (default).

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• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear (NLGEOM,ON) coupled-field analyses
with structural degrees of freedom. Prestress effects can be activated via the PSTRES command.

• Graphical Solution Tracking (/GST) is not supported with the coupled-diffusion analyses (KEYOPT(1)
= 100001, 100010, and 100011).

• Reaction forces are not available for electrostatic-structural (KEYOPT(1) = 1001) or magneto-structural
(KEYOPT(1) = 10001) analyses with the elastic air option (KEYOPT(4) = 1).

• The weak coupling option (KEYOPT(2) = 1) is not recommended in a transient coupled-electromag-

netic analysis with eddy currents or in a transient stranded coil analysis because multiple iterations
may be required to achieve convergence.

• In a plane stress piezoelectric analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 1001 and KEYOPT(3) = 0) with anisotropic struc-
tural damping (TB,AVIS or TB,ELST), the plane stress state is approximated by setting both the elastic
and viscous (or imaginary) components of out-of-plane stress to zero.

• The following are true for the axisymmetric with torsion option (KEYOPT(3) = 6):

– It can be used only with surface element SURF153 (p. 459) with KEYOPT(3) = 1. When used with
contact elements, the friction in the global Cartesian Z (hoop direction) is not taken into account.

– Rezoning and nonlinear adaptivity are not supported.

– Results of analyses using the axisymmetric with torsion option can be displayed using the /ESHAPE
command.

PLANE223 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

SOLID225
3-D 8-Node Coupled-Field Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1122)

SOLID225 Element Description

SOLID225 supports the following physics combinations:

• Structural-Thermal

• Piezoresistive

• Electrostatic-Structural

• Piezoelectric

• Thermal-Electric

• Structural-Thermoelectric

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Element Library

• Thermal-Piezoelectric

• Structural-Diffusion

• Thermal-Diffusion

• Electric-Diffusion

• Thermal-Electric-Diffusion

• Structural-Thermal-Diffusion

• Structural-Electric-Diffusion

• Structural-Thermal-Electric-Diffusion

The element has eight nodes with up to six degrees of freedom per node.

Structural capabilities include elasticity, plasticity, hyperelasticity, viscoelasticity, viscoplasticity, creep,

large strain, large deflection, and stress stiffening effects. It also has mixed formulation capability for
simulating deformations of nearly incompressible elastoplastic materials, and fully incompressible hy-
perelastic materials.

For coupled-field analyses with structural degrees of freedoms (DOFs), SOLID225 uses the full-integration
method (also known as the selective reduced integration method). For more information and limitations
on this method, see B-Bar Method (Selective Reduced Integration) (p. 78). Enhanced Strain Formula-
tion (p. 78) is also supported for SOLID225 and accessed by setting KEYOPT(6) = 2 for structural-thermal
analysis. When enhanced strain formulation is selected, the element introduces additional internal (user-
inaccessible) structural degrees of freedom to prevent shear locking and volumetric locking. For more
information on additional DOFs, see Element Technologies (p. 77).

Piezoresistive capabilities include the piezoresistive effect. Piezoelectric capabilities include direct and
converse piezoelectric effects. Electrostatic-structural capabilities include electrostatic force coupling.
Thermoelectric capabilities include Seebeck, Peltier, and Thomson effects, as well as Joule heating. In
addition to thermal expansion, structural-thermal capabilities include the piezocaloric effect in dynamic
analyses. The Coriolis effect is available for analyses with structural degrees of freedom. The thermoplastic
and viscoelastic heating effects are available for analyses with structural and thermal degrees of freedom.

The diffusion expansion is available for analyses with structural and diffusion degrees of freedom. The
thermo-migration effect (Soret effect) and the temperature-dependent saturated concentration effect
are available for analyses with thermal and diffusion degrees of freedom. The electro-migration effect
is available for analyses with electrical and diffusion degrees of freedom.

You can customize structural and thermal material behavior via the UserMat and UserMatTh sub-
routines, respectively, in coupled-field analyses with structural and thermal degrees of freedom.

See SOLID225 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

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Figure 7.225.1: SOLID225 Geometry
4 M O,P
P
5 N
O
I K,L
6
J
M Prism Option
N
3 M,N,O,P
2
L I
K,L
K
J
Z Tetrahedral Option -
I not recommended
1
Y J
M,N,O,P
X

L K
I
J
Pyramid Option -
not recommended

SOLID225 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.225.1: SOLID225 Geometry (p. 1099). The element input data includes eight nodes and structural,
thermal, electrical, and diffusion material properties.

KEYOPT(1) determines the element DOF set and the corresponding force labels and reaction solution.
KEYOPT(1) is set equal to the sum of the field keys shown in Table 7.225.1: SOLID225 Field Keys (p. 1099).
For example, KEYOPT(1) is set to 11 for a structural-thermal analysis (structural field key + thermal field
key = 1 + 10). For a structural-thermal analysis, UX, UY, and TEMP are the DOF labels and force and heat
flow are the reaction solution.

Table 7.225.1: SOLID225 Field Keys

Field Field DOF Label Force Label Reaction Solution

Key
Structural 1 UX, UY, UZ FX, FY, FZ Force
Thermal 10 TEMP HEAT Heat Flow
Electric Conduction 100 VOLT AMPS Electric Current
Electrostatic 1000 VOLT CHRG Electric Charge
Diffusion 100000 CONC RATE Diffusion Flow Rate

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Element Library

The coupled-field analysis KEYOPT(1) settings, DOF labels, force labels, reaction solutions, and analysis
types are shown in the following table.

Table 7.225.2: SOLID225 Coupled-Field Analyses

Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) DOF Label Force Reaction Analysis

Label Solution Type
Structural-Thermal [1], [2] 11 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Heat Full
Flow Harmonic
TEMP HEAT
Full
Transient
Piezoresistive 101 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Electric Full
Current Transient
VOLT AMPS
Electrostatic-Structural 1001 [3] UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Electric Full
Charge Transient
VOLT CHRG (negative)
Linear
Perturbation
Static

Linear
Perturbation
Harmonic

Linear
Perturbation
Modal
Piezoelectric (Charge-Based) 1001 [3] UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Electric Modal
Charge
VOLT CHRG (negative) Linear
Perturbation
Modal

Full,
Linear
Perturbation,
or
Mode
Superposition
Harmonic

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 Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) DOF Label Force Reaction Analysis
Label Solution Type
Full or
Mode
Superposition
Transient
Piezoelectric (Current-Based) 101 UX, FX, Force, Full
UY, FY, Harmonic
UZ, FZ, Electric
Current Full
VOLT AMPS Transient
Thermal-Electric 110 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Static
Flow,
VOLT AMPS Full
Electric Transient
Current
Structural-Thermoelectric [1] 111 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Heat Full
Flow, Transient
TEMP, HEAT,
Electric
VOLT AMPS Current
Thermal-Piezoelectric [1], [2] 1011 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Heat Full
Flow, Harmonic
TEMP, HEAT,
Electric Full
VOLT CHRG Charge Transient
(negative)
Structural-Diffusion [1] 100001 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Diffusion Full
Flow Transient
CONC RATE Rate
Thermal-Diffusion [1] 100010 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Static
Flow,
CONC RATE Full
Diffusion Transient
Flow
Rate
Electric-Diffusion [1] 100100 VOLT, AMP, Electric Static
Current,
CONC RATE Full
Diffusion Transient
Flow
Rate

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Element Library

Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) DOF Label Force Reaction Analysis

Label Solution Type
Thermal-Electric Diffusion [1] 100110 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Static
Flow,
VOLT, AMP, Full
Electric Transient
CONC RATE Current,

Diffusion
Flow
Rate
Structural-Thermal-Diffusion [1] 100011 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Heat Full
Flow, Transient
TEMP, HEAT,
Diffusion
CONC RATE Flow
Rate
Structural-Electric-Diffusion [1] 100101 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Electric Full
Current, Transient
VOLT, AMPS,
Diffusion
CONC RATE Flow
Rate
Structural-Thermal-Electric-Diffusion 100111 UX, FX, Force, Static
[1] UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Heat Full
Flow, Transient
TEMP, HEAT,
Electric
VOLT, AMPS, Current,

CONC RATE Diffusion

Flow
Rate

1. For static and full transient analyses, KEYOPT(2) can specify a strong (matrix) or weak (load vector)
structural-thermal, structural-diffusion, thermal-diffusion, and electric-diffusion coupling.

2. For harmonic analyses, only strong coupling (KEYOPT(2) = 0) applies.

3. The electrostatic-structural analysis available with KEYOPT(1) = 1001 defaults to electrostatic force
coupling, unless a piezoelectric matrix is specified on TB,PIEZ.

As shown in the following tables, material property requirements consist of those required for the indi-
vidual fields (structural, thermal, electric conduction, electrostatic, or diffusion) and those required for

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field coupling. Individual material properties are defined via the MP and MPDATA commands. Nonlinear
and multiphysics material models are defined via the TB command.

Table 7.225.3: Structural Material Properties

Field Field Material Properties and Material Models

Key
Structural 1 EX, EY, EZ, PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ), GXY, GYZ, GXZ,
DENS, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY, CTEZ, or THSX, THSY, THSZ), REFT

---

Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity, Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear

isotropic hardening, Bilinear kinematic hardening, Cast iron, Chaboche
nonlinear kinematic hardening, Creep, Elasticity, Extended Drucker-Prager,
Gurson pressure-dependent plasticity, Hill anisotropy, Hyperelasticity,
Mullins effect, Voce isotropic hardening law, Plasticity, Prony series
constants for viscoelastic materials, Rate-dependent plasticity
(viscoplasticity), Rate-independent plasticity, Material-dependent alpha
and beta damping (Rayleigh damping), Material-dependent structural
damping, Shift function for viscoelastic materials, Shape memory alloy,
State variables (user-defined), User-defined (structural and thermal), Uniaxial
stress-strain relation

Table 7.225.4: SOLID225 Material Properties and Material Models

Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models

Analysis
Structural-Thermal 11 Structural See Table 7.225.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1103)
Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF, State variables
(user-defined), User-defined (structural and
thermal)
Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT, QRATE
Piezoresistive [1] 101 Structural See Table 7.225.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1103)
Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ
Coupling Piezoresistivity
Electrostatic-structural 1001 Structural See Table 7.225.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1103)
Electric PERX, PERY, PERZ

---

Anisotropic electric permittivity

Piezoelectric 1001 Structural See Table 7.225.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1103) [2]
(Charge-Based)
---
101
Anisotropic viscosity

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Element Library

Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models

Analysis
(Current-Based) ---

Anisotropic elastic loss tangent

Electric PERX, PERY, PERZ, LSST (and/or RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ)

---

Anisotropic electric permittivity

---

Anisotropic dielectric loss tangent

Coupling Piezoelectric matrix
Thermal-Electric [1] 110 Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ
Coupling SBKX, SBKY, SBKZ
Structural-Thermoelectric 111 Structural See Table 7.225.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1103)
Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ
Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT, QRATE

---

SBKX, SBKY, SBKZ

---

Piezoresistivity
Thermal-Piezoelectric 1011 Structural See Table 7.225.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1103)
[2]
Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric PERX, PERY, PERZ, LSST (and/or RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ)

---

Anisotropic electric permittivity

Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT

---

Piezoelectric matrix
Structural-Diffusion [1] 100001 Structural See Table 7.225.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1103)
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling BETX, BETY, BETZ, CREF
Thermal-Diffusion [1] 100010 Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF

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 Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models
Analysis
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling Temperature-dependent CSAT

---

Migration Model
Electric-Diffusion [1] 100100 Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling Migration Model
Thermal-Electric 100110 Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Diffusion [1] Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling SBKX, SBKY, SBKZ

---

Temperature-dependent CSAT

---

Migration Model
Structural-Thermal-Diffusion 100011 Structural See Table 7.225.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1103)
[1] Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT, QRATE

---

BETX, BETY, BETZ, CREF

---

Temperature-dependent CSAT

---

Migration Model
Structural-Electric-Diffusion 100101 Structural See Table 7.225.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1103)
[1] Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling BETX, BETY, BETZ, CREF

---

Migration Model

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Element Library

Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models

Analysis
Structural-Thermal-Electric-Diffusion
100111 Structural See Table 7.225.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1103)
[1] Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT, QRATE

---

BETX, BETY, BETZ, CREF

---

SBKX, SBKY, SBKZ

---

Temperature-dependent CSAT

---

Migration Model

1. For this analysis type, some of the material properties can be defined as a function of primary variables
by using tabular input on the MP command. For more information, see Defining Linear Material
Properties Using Tabular Input in the Material Reference.

2. For piezoelectric and thermal-piezoelectric analyses (KEYOPT(1) = 101, 1001, or 1011 with TB,PIEZ),
only elastic material properties and material models are valid.

Various combinations of nodal loading are available for this element (depending upon the KEYOPT(1)
value). Nodal loads are defined with the D and the F commands.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Loads may be input on the element faces in-
dicated by the circled numbers in Figure 7.225.1: SOLID225 Geometry (p. 1099) using the SF and SFE
commands. Positive pressures act into the element. Body loads may be input at the element's nodes
or as a single element value using the BF and BFE commands.

SOLID225 surface and body loads are given in the following table. CHRGS and CHRGD are interpreted
as negative surface charge density and negative volume charge density, respectively.

Most surface and body loads can be defined as a function of primary variables by using tabular input.
For more information, see Applying Loads Using Tabular Input in the Basic Analysis Guide and the indi-
vidual surface or body load command description in the Command Reference.

Table 7.225.5: SOLID225 Surface and Body Loads

Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label

Analysis Type
Structural-Thermal 11 Surface Pressure PRES

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 Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label
Analysis Type
Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I, J, ..., O, P
Piezoresistive and 101 Surface Pressure PRES
Piezoelectric
(Current-Based) Body Force Density FORC
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I, J, ..., O, P
Electrostatic-Structural 1001 Surface Pressure PRES
and Piezoelectric
(Charge-Based) Surface Charge CHRGS[1]
Density
Body Force Density FORC
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I, J, ..., O, P
Volume Charge CHRGD[1]
Density --
Nodes I, J, ..., O, P
Thermal-Electric 110 Surface Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Body Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I, J, ..., O,P
Structural-Thermoelectric 111 Surface Pressure PRES
Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I, J, ..., O, P
Thermal-Piezoelectric 1011 Surface Pressure PRES

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Element Library

Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label

Analysis Type
Surface Charge CHRGS[1]
Density
Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I, J, ..., O,P
Volume Charge CHRGD[1]
Density --
Nodes I, J, ..., O,P
Structural-Diffusion 100001 Surface Pressure PRES
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Force Density FORC
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I, J, ..., O,P
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I, J, ..., O,P
Thermal-Diffusion 100010 Surface Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I, J, ..., O,P
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I, J, ..., O,P
Electric-Diffusion 100100 Surface Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I, J, ..., O,P
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I, J, ..., O,P

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 Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label
Analysis Type
Thermal-Electric-Diffusion100110 Surface Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I, J, ..., O,P
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I, J, ..., O,P
Structural-Thermal-Diffusion
100011 Surface Pressure PRES
Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I, J, ..., O,P
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I, J, ..., O,P
Structural-Electric-Diffusion
100101 Surface Pressure PRES
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Force Density FORC
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I, J, ..., O,P
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I, J, ..., O,P
Structural-Thermal-Electric-Diffusion
100111 Surface Pressure PRES
Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Diffusion Flux DFLUX

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Element Library

Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label

Analysis Type
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I, J, ..., O,P
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I, J, ..., O,P

1. CHRGS and CHRGD are interpreted as negative surface charge density and negative volume charge
density, respectively.

Automatic element technology selections are given in the following table.

Table 7.225.6: Automatic Element Technology Selection

Coupled-Field Analysis ETCONTROL Command

Suggestions/Resettings
Structural-Thermal KEYOPT(2) =1 for nonlinear
(KEYOPT(1) = 11) inelastic materials

Structural-Thermoelectric
(KEYOPT(1) = 111)

A summary of the element input is given in "SOLID225 Input Summary" (p. 1110). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SOLID225 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

Set by KEYOPT(1). See Table 7.225.2: SOLID225 Coupled-Field Analyses (p. 1100).

Real Constants

none

Material Properties

See Table 7.225.4: SOLID225 Material Properties and Material Models (p. 1103).

Surface Loads

See Table 7.225.5: SOLID225 Surface and Body Loads (p. 1106).

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Body Loads

See Table 7.225.5: SOLID225 Surface and Body Loads (p. 1106).

Special Features

Birth and death

Coriolis effect
Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation (see Note below)
Nonlinear stabilization
Stress stiffening

Note:

Linear perturbation is available for the following coupled analyses: electrostatic-structural

and piezoelectric analyses (KEYOPT(1) = 1001).

KEYOPT(1)

Element degrees of freedom. See Table 7.225.2: SOLID225 Coupled-Field Analyses (p. 1100).

KEYOPT(2)

Coupling method between the DOFs for the following types of coupling: structural-thermal, struc-
tural-diffusion, thermal-diffusion, and electric-diffusion:

0 --

Strong (matrix) coupling. May produce an unsymmetric matrix. In a linear analysis, a coupled
response is achieved after one iteration.

1 --

Weak (load vector) coupling. Produces a symmetric matrix and requires at least two iterations
to achieve a coupled response.

Note:

The weak coupling option (KEYOPT(2) = 1) can be used in a coupled electrostatic-struc-

tural analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 1001) to produce legacy element behavior. In this case, the
reaction solution for the VOLT degree of freedom is positive charge (CHRG), and the
analysis types are limited to static and full transient analyses. Linear perturbation analyses
are not supported.

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Element Library

KEYOPT(4)

Electrostatic force in electrostatic-structural analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 1001):

0 --

Applied to every element node.

1 --

Applied to the air-structure interface or to element nodes that have constrained structural degrees
of freedom.

2 --

Not applied.

For more information, see Electrostatic-Structural Analysis in the Coupled-Field Analysis Guide.

KEYOPT(6)

Element technology:

0 --

Full integration with method (default).

2 --

Enhanced strain formulation.

Note:

The enhanced strain formulation is available for a structural-thermal analysis (KEY-

OPT(1)=11) with thermoelastic damping turned off (KEYOPT(9)=1).

KEYOPT(9)

Thermoelastic damping (piezocaloric effect) in coupled-field analyses having structural and thermal
DOFs. Applicable to harmonic and transient analyses only.

0 --

Active

1 --

Suppressed (required for frictional heating analyses)

KEYOPT(10)

Damping matrix in coupled-field analyses having the diffusion DOF (CONC).

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 0 --

Consistent

1 --

Diagonalized

KEYOPT(11)

Element formulation in coupled-field analyses with structural DOFs:

0 --

Pure displacement formulation (default)

1 --

Mixed u-P formulation

KEYOPT(15)

Perfectly matched layers (PML) absorbing condition in a harmonic piezoelectric analysis (KEYOPT(1)
= 1001):

0 --

Do not include the PML absorbing condition (default)

1 --

Include the PML absorbing condition

SOLID225 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.225.7: SOLID225 Element Output Definitions (p. 1114).

The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.225.7: SOLID225 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
ALL ANALYSES
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P - Y
MAT Material number - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported - 2
ALL ANALYSES WITH A STRUCTURAL FIELD
S:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Stresses (SZ = 0.0 for plane stress elements) - 1
XZ
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - 1
S:EQV Equivalent stress - 1
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY, Elastic strains - 1
YZ, XZ
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain [3] - 1
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY, Thermal strains - 1
YZ, XZ
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain [3] - 1
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY, Plastic strains - 1
YZ, XZ
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strain [3] - 1
EPCR:X, Y, Z, XY, Creep strains - 1
YZ, XZ
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strain [3] - 1
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY, Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) Y -
YZ, XZ
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strain (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) - -
EPTT:X, Y, Z, XY, Total mechanical, thermal, and diffusion strains (EPEL - -
YZ, XZ + EPPL + EPCR + EPTH + EPDI)
EPTT:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strain (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR - -
+ EPTH + EPDI)
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress [10] - Y
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain [10] - Y
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain [10] - Y
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not yielding) - Y
[10]
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure [10] - Y

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 Name Definition O R
SENE: Elastic strain energy - Y
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-THERMAL ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 11) [11]
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
UE Elastic strain energy [7] - 1
UT Total strain energy [8] - 1
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR PIEZORESISTIVE ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 101) [11]
TEMP Input temperatures - Y
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components (X, Y, Z) and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components (X, Y, Z) and - 1
vector magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components - 1

(in the global Cartesian coordinate system)

and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5] - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR ELECTROSTATIC-STRUCTURAL ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1001) [11]
TEMP Input temperatures - Y
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components (X, Y, Z) and vector magnitude - 1
D:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric flux density components (X, Y, Z) and vector - 1
magnitude
FMAG:X, Y, Z, Electrostatic force components (X, Y, Z) and vector - 1
SUM magnitude
UE, UD Stored elastic and dielectric energies - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR PIEZOELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1001 and KEYOPT(1) =
101) [11]
TEMP Input temperatures - Y
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components (X, Y, Z) and vector magnitude - 1
D:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric flux density components (X, Y, Z) and vector - 1
magnitude; available only for charge-based analysis
(KEYOPT(1) = 1001)
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components (X, Y, Z) and - 1
vector magnitude; available only for current-based
analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 101)
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Element current density components (X, Y, Z) in the - 1
global Cartesian coordinate system and vector
magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
UE, UM, UD Elastic, mutual, and dielectric energies [7] - 1

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Name Definition O R
UT Total strain energy [8] - 1
SENE Sum of elastic and dielectric energies (UE+UD) [7] - 1
DENE Damping energy [7] - 1
KEND Kinetic energy [7] - 1
P:X, Y, Z, SUM Element Poynting vector components (X, Y, Z) and - 1
vector magnitude [7]
THERMAL-ELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 110)
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components and vector - 1
magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components - 1

(in the global Cartesian coordinate system)

and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-THERMOELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 111) [11]
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components and vector - 1
magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components - 1

components (in the global Cartesian coordinate

system)
and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
UE Elastic strain energy - 1
UT Total strain energy [8] - 1
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR THERMAL-PIEZOELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1011) [11]
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
D:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric flux density components and vector magnitude - 1
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
UE, UM, UD Elastic, mutual, and dielectric energies [7] - 1

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 Name Definition O R
UT Total strain energy [8] - 1
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)=100001) [11]
TEMP Input temperatures - Y
EPDI:X, Y, Z, XY, Diffusion strains - 1
YZ, XZ
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1
THERMAL-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100010)
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1
ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100100)
TEMP Input temperatures - Y
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components and vector - 1
magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian - 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1
THERMAL-ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100110)
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components and vector - 1
magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian - 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude

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Name Definition O R
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100101)
[11]
TEMP Input temperatures - Y
EPDI:X, Y, Z, XY, Diffusion strains - 1
YZ, XZ
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components and vector - 1
magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian - 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-THERMAL-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100011)
[11]
EPDI:X, Y, Z, XY, Diffusion strains - 1
YZ, XZ
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-THERMAL-ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 100111) [11]
EPDI:X, Y, Z, XY, Diffusion strains - 1
YZ, XZ
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components and vector - 1
magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian - 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1

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 Name Definition O R
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1

1. Solution values are output only if calculated (based on input values).

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

3. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep this value is set at 0.5.

4. JS represents the sum of element conduction and displacement current densities.

5. Calculated Joule heat generation rate per unit volume (JHEAT) may be made available for a sub-
sequent thermal analysis with companion thermal elements. For a piezoelectric analysis, the heat
generation rate output as JHEAT is produced by both the structural and electrical losses.

6. For a time-harmonic analysis, Joule losses (JHEAT) are time-averaged. These values are stored in
both the real and imaginary data sets. For more information, see Quasistatic Electric Analysis in the
Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.

7. For time-harmonic and modal analyses the following values are time-averaged: elastic (UE), mutual
(UM), and dielectric (UD) energies, the sum of elastic and dielectric energies (SENE), damping energy
(DENE), kinetic energy (KENE), and the Poynting vector (P). The real part of the UE, UM, UD, and
SENE records represents the average energy, while the imaginary part represents the average energy
loss. The real part of the Poynting vector represents the average power flow. For more information,
see Piezoelectrics in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.

8. For a time-harmonic analysis, total strain (UT) energy is time-averaged. The real part represents the
average energy, while the imaginary part represents the average energy loss. For more information,
see Thermoelasticity in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.

9. With the normalized concentration approach, CONC is the actual concentration obtained by mul-
tiplying the saturated concentration (MP,CSAT) and the normalized concentration evaluated at the
element centroid. For more information, see Normalized Concentration Approach in the Theory
Reference.

10. Nonlinear solution, output only if the element has a nonlinear material, or if large-deflection effects
are enabled (NLGEOM,ON).

11. Output listed for this coupled analysis is in addition to the structural field output at the beginning
of this table.

Table 7.225.7: SOLID225 Element Output Definitions (p. 1114) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) of the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) of this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.225.8: SOLID225 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1120):

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Element Library

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.225.7: SOLID225 Element Output Definitions (p. 1114)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.225.8: SOLID225 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE
Output Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
Analyses that include
DIFFUSION (KEYOPT(1) =
100001, 100010, 100100,
100110, 100011, 100101, and
100111)
CONC SMISC 1
STRUCTURAL-THERMAL
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 11)
UE NMISC 1
UT NMISC 4
PHEAT NMISC 5
VHEAT NMISC 6
ELECTROSTATIC-STRUCTURAL
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1001)
UE NMISC 1
UD NMISC 2
PIEZOELECTRIC ANALYSES:
(KEYOPT(1) = 1001 and 101)
UE NMISC 1
UD NMISC 2
UM NMISC 3
UT NMISC 4
PX NMISC 5
PY NMISC 6
PZ NMISC 7
PSUM NMISC 8
STRUCTURAL-THERMOELECTRIC
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 111)

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 ETABLE
Output Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
UE NMISC 1
UT NMISC 4
PHEAT NMISC 5
VHEAT NMISC 6
THERMAL-PIEZOELECTRIC
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1011)
UE NMISC 1
UD NMISC 2
UM NMISC 3
UT NMISC 4
PHEAT NMISC 5
VHEAT NMISC 6
STRUCTURAL-THERMAL-DIFFUSION
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 100011)
STRUCTURAL-THERMAL-ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 100111)
PHEAT NMISC 5
VHEAT NMISC 6

SOLID225 Assumptions and Restrictions

• In a piezoelectric or electrostatic-structural analysis, electric charge loading is interpreted as negative
electric charge or negative charge density.

• Optimized nonlinear solution defaults are applied in coupled-field analyses with structural degrees
of freedom using this element.

• This element may not be compatible with other elements with the VOLT degree of freedom. To be
compatible, the elements must have the same reaction solution for the VOLT DOF. Elements that
have an electric charge reaction solution must all have the same electric charge reaction sign. For
more information, see Element Compatibility in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide.

• When using mixed formulation (KEYOPT(11) = 1), use the sparse solver (default).

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear (NLGEOM,ON) coupled-field analyses

with structural degrees of freedom. Prestress effects can be activated via the PSTRES command.

• Graphical Solution Tracking (/GST) is not supported with coupled-diffusion analyses (KEYOPT(1)=100001,
100010, and 100011).

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• Reaction forces are not available for electrostatic-structural (KEYOPT(1) = 1001) analyses with the
elastic air option (KEYOPT(4) = 1).

• The stress-migration effect (specified using TB,MIGR) is not supported in an analysis with structural
and diffusion degrees of freedom.

• For the degenerated shape elements with the B-bar (KEYOPT(6) = 0) or enhanced strain (KEYOPT(6)
= 2) formulations specified in coupled-field analyses with structural degrees of freedom, a conven-
tional full (prisms and pyramids) or reduced (tetrahedrons) integration scheme is used.

SOLID225 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

SOLID226
3-D 20-Node Coupled-Field Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1155)

SOLID226 Element Description

SOLID226 supports the following physics combinations:

• Structural-Thermal

• Piezoresistive

• Electrostatic-Structural

• Piezoelectric

• Thermal-Electric

• Structural-Thermoelectric

• Thermal-Piezoelectric

• Structural-Magnetic

• Structural-Electromagnetic

• Structural-Stranded Coil

• Thermal-Magnetic

• Thermal-Electromagnetic

• Structural-Diffusion

• Thermal-Diffusion

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• Electric-Diffusion

• Thermal-Electric-Diffusion

• Structural-Thermal-Diffusion

• Structural-Electric-Diffusion

• Structural-Thermal-Electric-Diffusion

The element has twenty nodes with up to six degrees of freedom per node.

Structural capabilities include elasticity, plasticity, hyperelasticity, viscoelasticity, viscoplasticity, creep,

large strain, large deflection, and stress stiffening effects. It also has mixed formulation capability for
simulating deformations of nearly incompressible elastoplastic materials, and fully incompressible hy-
perelastic materials.

Piezoresistive capabilities include the piezoresistive effect. Piezoelectric capabilities include direct and
converse piezoelectric effects. Electrostatic-structural capabilities include electrostatic force coupling.
Thermoelectric capabilities include Seebeck, Peltier, and Thomson effects, as well as Joule heating. In
addition to thermal expansion, structural-thermal capabilities include the piezocaloric effect in dynamic
analyses. The Coriolis effect is available for analyses with structural degrees of freedom. The thermoplastic
and viscoelastic heating effects are available for analyses with structural and thermal degrees of freedom.

Structural-magnetic capabilities include magnetic force coupling. Structural-electromagnetic capabilities

include magnetic force coupling, and eddy current and velocity effects in a transient analysis.

Thermal-magnetic and thermal-electromagnetic capabilities include Joule heating. In addition, thermal-

electromagnetic capabilities include eddy current effects in a transient analysis, and velocity effects in
a static or transient analysis.

The diffusion expansion and hydrostatic stress-migration effects are available for analyses with structural
and diffusion degrees of freedom. The thermo-migration effect (Soret effect) and the temperature-de-
pendent saturated concentration effect are available for analyses with thermal and diffusion degrees
of freedom. The electro-migration effect is available for analyses with electrical and diffusion degrees
of freedom.

The element also allows you to customize structural and thermal material behavior using the UserMat
and UserMatTh subroutines, respectively, in coupled-field analyses with structural and thermal degrees
of freedom.

See SOLID226 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

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Figure 7.226.1: SOLID226 Geometry

M,N,O,P,U,V,W,X
Y A,B
Z
K,L,S
I T R
5 P 4 Q J
W
X Tetrahedral Option
O
6 M,N,O,P,U,V,W,X
M
B V A
Y B Z
U
N T
A K
L S
Y 2 3 I
R
L S Q J
T Z Pyramid Option
K X
I O,P,W
Z M
R
Q 1 U V A,B
J Y N
Y Z
I K,L,S
X T
Q R
J
Prism Option

SOLID226 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.226.1: SOLID226 Geometry (p. 1124). The element input data includes twenty nodes and structural,
thermal, electrical, magnetic, and diffusion material properties.

The type of units (MKS or user defined) for electromagnetic problems is specified through the EMUNIT
command. EMUNIT also determines the value of free-space permittivity EPZRO, and free-space permeab-
ility, MUZRO.

KEYOPT(1) determines the element DOF set and the corresponding force labels and reaction solution.
KEYOPT(1) is set equal to the sum of the field keys shown in Table 7.226.1: SOLID226 Field Keys (p. 1124).
For example, KEYOPT(1) is set to 11 for a structural-thermal analysis (structural field key + thermal field
key = 1 + 10). For a structural-thermal analysis, UX, UY, and TEMP are the DOF labels and force and heat
flow are the reaction solution.

Table 7.226.1: SOLID226 Field Keys

Field Field DOF Label Force Label Reaction Solution

Key
Structural 1 UX, UY, UZ FX, FY, FZ Force
Thermal 10 TEMP HEAT Heat Flow
Electric Conduction 100 VOLT AMPS Electric Current
Electromagnetic 200 EMF CURT Current
Induction
Electrostatic 1000 VOLT CHRG Electric Charge
Magnetic 10000 AZ CSGZ Magnetic Current Segment
Diffusion 100000 CONC RATE Diffusion Flow Rate

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The coupled-field analysis KEYOPT(1) settings, DOF labels, force labels, reaction solutions, and analysis
types are shown in the following table.

Table 7.226.2: SOLID226 Coupled-Field Analyses

Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) DOF Label Force Reaction Analysis

Label Solution Type
Structural-Thermal [1], [2] 11 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Heat Full
Flow Harmonic
TEMP HEAT
Full
Transient
Piezoresistive 101 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Electric Full
Current Transient
VOLT AMPS
Electrostatic-Structural 1001 [3] UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Electric Full
Charge Transient
VOLT CHRG (negative)
Linear
Perturbation
Static

Linear
Perturbation
Harmonic

Linear
Perturbation
Modal
Piezoelectric (Charge-Based) 1001 [3] UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Electric Modal
Charge
VOLT CHRG (negative) Linear
Perturbation
Modal

Full,
Linear
Perturbation,
or
Mode
Superposition
Harmonic

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Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) DOF Label Force Reaction Analysis

Label Solution Type
Full or
Mode
Superposition
Transient
Piezoelectric (Current-Based) 101 UX, FX, Force, Full
UY, FY, Harmonic
UZ, FZ, Electric
Current Full
VOLT AMPS Transient
Thermal-Electric 110 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Static
Flow,
VOLT AMPS Full
Electric Transient
Current
Structural-Thermoelectric [1] 111 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Heat Full
Flow, Transient
TEMP, HEAT,
Electric
VOLT AMPS Current
Thermal-Piezoelectric [1], [2] 1011 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Heat Full
Flow, Harmonic
TEMP, HEAT,
Electric Full
VOLT CHRG Charge Transient
(negative)
Structural-Magnetic 10001 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Magnetic Full
Current Transient
AZ CSGZ Segment
Structural-Electromagnetic 10101 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Magnetic Full
Current Transient
AZ, CSGZ, Segment,

VOLT AMPS Electric

Current
Structural-Stranded Coil 10201 UX, FX, Force Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Magnetic Full
Current Transient
AZ, CSGZ, Segment,

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 Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) DOF Label Force Reaction Analysis
Label Solution Type
VOLT, AMPS, Electric
Current,
EMF CURT
Current
Flow
Thermal-Magnetic 10010 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Static
Flow,
AZ CSGZ Full
Magnetic Transient
Current
Segment
Thermal-Electromagnetic 10110 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Static
Flow,
VOLT, AMPS Full
Electric Transient
AZ CSGZ Current

Magnetic
Current
Segment
Structural-Diffusion [1] 100001 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Diffusion Full
Flow Transient
CONC RATE Rate
Thermal-Diffusion [1] 100010 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Static
Flow,
CONC RATE Full
Diffusion Transient
Flow
Rate
Electric-Diffusion [1] 100100 VOLT, AMP, Electric Static
Current,
CONC RATE Full
Diffusion Transient
Flow
Rate
Thermal-Electric Diffusion [1] 100110 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Static
Flow,
VOLT, AMP, Full
Electric Transient
CONC RATE Current,

Diffusion
Flow
Rate

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Element Library

Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) DOF Label Force Reaction Analysis

Label Solution Type
Structural-Thermal-Diffusion [1] 100011 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Heat Full
Flow, Transient
TEMP, HEAT,
Diffusion
CONC RATE Flow
Rate
Structural-Electric-Diffusion [1] 100101 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Electric Full
Current, Transient
VOLT, AMPS,
Diffusion
CONC RATE Flow
Rate
Structural-Thermal-Electric-Diffusion 100111 UX, FX, Force, Static
[1] UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Heat Full
Flow, Transient
TEMP, HEAT,
Electric
VOLT, AMPS, Current,

CONC RATE Diffusion

Flow
Rate

1. For static and full transient analyses, KEYOPT(2) can specify a strong (matrix) or weak (load vector)
structural-thermal, structural-diffusion, thermal-diffusion, and electric-diffusion coupling.

2. For harmonic analyses, only strong coupling (KEYOPT(2) = 0) applies.

3. The electrostatic-structural analysis available with KEYOPT(1) = 1001 defaults to electrostatic force
coupling, unless a piezoelectric matrix is specified on TB,PIEZ.

As shown in the following tables, material property requirements consist of those required for the indi-
vidual fields (structural, thermal, electric conduction, electrostatic, magnetic, or diffusion) and those
required for field coupling. Individual material properties are defined via the MP and MPDATA commands.
Nonlinear and multiphysics material models are defined via the TB command.

Table 7.226.3: Structural Material Properties

Field Field Material Properties and Material Models

Key
Structural 1 EX, EY, EZ, PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ), GXY, GYZ, GXZ,
DENS, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY, CTEZ, or THSX, THSY, THSZ), REFT

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 Field Field Material Properties and Material Models
Key
---

Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity, Bergstrom-Boyce, Bilinear

isotropic hardening, Bilinear kinematic hardening, Cast iron, Chaboche
nonlinear kinematic hardening, Creep, Elasticity, Extended Drucker-Prager,
Gurson pressure-dependent plasticity, Hill anisotropy, Hyperelasticity,
Mullins effect, Voce isotropic hardening law, Plasticity, Prony series
constants for viscoelastic materials, Rate-dependent plasticity
(viscoplasticity), Rate-independent plasticity, Material-dependent alpha
and beta damping (Rayleigh damping), Material-dependent structural
damping, Shift function for viscoelastic materials, Shape memory alloy,
State variables (user-defined), User-defined (structural and thermal), Uniaxial
stress-strain relation

Table 7.226.4: SOLID226 Material Properties and Material Models

Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models

Analysis
Structural-Thermal 11 Structural See Table 7.226.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1128)
Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF, State variables
(user-defined), User-defined (structural and
thermal)
Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT, QRATE
Piezoresistive [1] 101 Structural See Table 7.226.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1128)
Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ
Coupling Piezoresistivity
Electrostatic-structural 1001 Structural See Table 7.226.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1128)
Electric PERX, PERY, PERZ

---

Anisotropic electric permittivity

Piezoelectric 1001 Structural See Table 7.226.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1128) [2]
(Charge-Based)
---
101
Anisotropic viscosity
(Current-Based)
---

Anisotropic elastic loss tangent

Electric PERX, PERY, PERZ, LSST (and/or RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ)

---

Anisotropic electric permittivity

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Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models

Analysis
---

Anisotropic dielectric loss tangent

Coupling Piezoelectric matrix
Thermal-Electric [1] 110 Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ
Coupling SBKX, SBKY, SBKZ
Structural-Thermoelectric 111 Structural See Table 7.226.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1128)
Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ
Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT, QRATE

---

SBKX, SBKY, SBKZ

---

Piezoresistivity
Thermal-Piezoelectric 1011 Structural See Table 7.226.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1128)
[2]
Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric PERX, PERY, PERZ, LSST (and/or RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ)

---

Anisotropic electric permittivity

Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT

---

Piezoelectric matrix
Structural-Magnetic 10001 Structural See Table 7.226.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1128)
Magnetic MURX, MURY, MURZ, MGXX, MGYY, MGZZ

---

Magnetism
Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ [3]
Structural-Electromagnetic 10101 Structural See Table 7.226.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1128)
Magnetic MURX, MURY, MURZ, MGXX, MGYY, MGZZ

---

Magnetism

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 Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models
Analysis
Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ
Coupling RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ
Structural-Stranded Coil 10201 Structural See Table 7.226.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1128)
Magnetic MURX, MURY, MURZ, MGXX, MGYY, MGZZ

---

Magnetism
Electric RSVX [3]
Thermal-Magnetic 10010 Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH
Magnetic MURX, MURY, MURZ, MGXX, MGYY, MGZZ

---

Magnetism
Coupling RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ
Thermal-Electromagnetic 10110 Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH
Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ
Magnetic MURX, MURY, MURZ, MGXX, MGYY, MGZZ

---

Magnetism
Coupling RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ
Structural-Diffusion [1] 100001 Structural See Table 7.226.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1128)
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling BETX, BETY, BETZ, CREF

---

Migration Model
Thermal-Diffusion [1] 100010 Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling Temperature-dependent CSAT

---

Migration Model
Electric-Diffusion [1] 100100 Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling Migration Model
Thermal-Electric 100110 Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Diffusion [1] Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ

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Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models

Analysis
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling SBKX, SBKY, SBKZ

---

Temperature-dependent CSAT

---

Migration Model
Structural-Thermal-Diffusion 100011 Structural See Table 7.226.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1128)
[1] Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT, QRATE

---

BETX, BETY, BETZ, CREF

---

Temperature-dependent CSAT

---

Migration Model
Structural-Electric-Diffusion 100101 Structural See Table 7.226.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1128)
[1] Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling BETX, BETY, BETZ, CREF

---

Migration Model
Structural-Thermal-Electric-Diffusion
100111 Structural See Table 7.226.3: Structural Material Properties (p. 1128)
[1] Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT, QRATE

---

BETX, BETY, BETZ, CREF

---

SBKX, SBKY, SBKZ

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 Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models
Analysis
---

Temperature-dependent CSAT

---

Migration Model

1. For this analysis type, some of the material properties can be defined as a function of primary variables
by using tabular input on the MP command. For more information, see Defining Linear Material
Properties Using Tabular Input in the Material Reference.

2. For piezoelectric and thermal-piezoelectric analyses (KEYOPT(1) = 101, 1001, or 1011 with TB,PIEZ),
only elastic material properties and material models are valid.

3. For this coupled analysis type, the specified electrical resistivity (RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ) is used only for
the Joule heat calculation.

Various combinations of nodal loading are available for this element (depending upon the KEYOPT(1)
value). Nodal loads are defined with the D and the F commands.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Loads may be input on the element faces in-
dicated by the circled numbers in Figure 7.226.1: SOLID226 Geometry (p. 1124) using the SF and SFE
commands. Positive pressures act into the element. Body loads may be input at the element's nodes
or as a single element value using the BF and BFE commands.

SOLID226 surface and body loads are given in the following table. CHRGS and CHRGD are interpreted
as negative surface charge density and negative volume charge density, respectively.

Most surface and body loads can be defined as a function of primary variables by using tabular input.
For more information, see Applying Loads Using Tabular Input in the Basic Analysis Guide and the indi-
vidual surface or body load command description in the Command Reference.

Table 7.226.5: SOLID226 Surface and Body Loads

Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label

Analysis Type
Structural-Thermal 11 Surface Pressure PRES
Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Piezoresistive and 101 Surface Pressure PRES
Piezoelectric
(Current-Based) Body Force Density FORC

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Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label

Analysis Type
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Electrostatic-Structural 1001 Surface Pressure PRES
and Piezoelectric
(Charge-Based) Surface Charge CHRGS[1]
Density
Body Force Density FORC
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Volume Charge CHRGD[1]
Density --
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Thermal-Electric 110 Surface Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Body Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Structural-Thermoelectric 111 Surface Pressure PRES
Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Thermal-Piezoelectric 1011 Surface Pressure PRES
Surface Charge CHRGS[1]
Density
Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Volume Charge CHRGD[1]
Density --

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 Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label
Analysis Type
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Structural-Magnetic 10001 Surface Pressure PRES
Body Force Density FORC
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Source Current JS
Density --
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Structural-Electromagnetic 10101 Surface Pressure PRES
Body Force Density FORC
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Structural-Stranded 10201 Surface Pressure PRES
Coil
Body Force Density FORC
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Thermal-Magnetic 10010 Surface Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Body Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Source Current JS
Density --
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Thermal-Electromagnetic 10110 Surface Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Body Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Velocity -- VELO
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Structural-Diffusion 100001 Surface Pressure PRES

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Element Library

Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label

Analysis Type
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Force Density FORC
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Thermal-Diffusion 100010 Surface Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Electric-Diffusion 100100 Surface Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Thermal-Electric-Diffusion100110 Surface Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Structural-Thermal-Diffusion
100011 Surface Pressure PRES
Convection CONV

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 Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label
Analysis Type
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Structural-Electric-Diffusion
100101 Surface Pressure PRES
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Force Density FORC
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Structural-Thermal-Electric-Diffusion
100111 Surface Pressure PRES
Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B
Diffusing Substance DGEN
Generation --
Nodes I, J, ..., A, B

1. CHRGS and CHRGD are interpreted as negative surface charge density and negative volume charge
density, respectively.

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Element Library

Automatic element technology selections are given in the following table.

Table 7.226.6: Automatic Element Technology Selection

Coupled-Field Analysis ETCONTROL Command

Suggestions/Resettings
Structural-Thermal KEYOPT(2) =1 for nonlinear
(KEYOPT(1) = 11) inelastic materials

Structural-Thermoelectric
(KEYOPT(1) = 111)
All analyses with a structural KEYOPT(6) =1 for linear
field elastic materials with
Poisson's ratio >0.49 or
nonlinear inelastic materials

A summary of the element input is given in "SOLID226 Input Summary" (p. 1138). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SOLID226 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, A, B

Degrees of Freedom

Set by KEYOPT(1). See Table 7.226.2: SOLID226 Coupled-Field Analyses (p. 1125).

Real Constants

The following real constants are for structural-stranded coil analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 10201):

SC, NC, VC, TX, TY, TZ

R, SYM

See Table 7.226.7: SOLID226 Real Constants (p. 1142) for more information.

Material Properties

See Table 7.226.4: SOLID226 Material Properties and Material Models (p. 1129).

Surface Loads

See Table 7.226.5: SOLID226 Surface and Body Loads (p. 1133).

Body Loads

See Table 7.226.5: SOLID226 Surface and Body Loads (p. 1133).

Special Features

Birth and death

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 Coriolis effect
Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation (see Note below)
Nonlinear stabilization
Stress stiffening

Note:

Linear perturbation is available for the following coupled analyses:

electrostatic-structural and piezoelectric analyses (KEYOPT(1) = 1001)

KEYOPT(1)

Element degrees of freedom. See Table 7.226.2: SOLID226 Coupled-Field Analyses (p. 1125).

KEYOPT(2)

Coupling method between the DOFs for the following types of coupling: structural-thermal, struc-
tural-diffusion, thermal-diffusion, and electric-diffusion:

0 --

Strong (matrix) coupling. May produce an unsymmetric matrix. In a linear analysis, a coupled
response is achieved after one iteration.

1 --

Weak (load vector) coupling. Produces a symmetric matrix and requires at least two iterations
to achieve a coupled response.

Note:

The weak coupling option (KEYOPT(2) = 1) can be used in a coupled electrostatic-struc-

tural analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 1001) to produce legacy element behavior. In this case, the
reaction solution for the VOLT degree of freedom is positive charge (CHRG), and the
analysis types are limited to static and full transient analyses. Linear perturbation analyses
are not supported.

KEYOPT(4)

Electrostatic force in electrostatic-structural analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 1001); or electromagnetic force

in structural-magnetic (KEYOPT(1) = 10001), structural-electromagnetic (KEYOPT(1) = 10101), and
structural-stranded coil (KEYOPT(1) = 10201) analyses:

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Element Library

0 --

Applied to every element node.

1 --

Applied to the air-structure interface or to element nodes that have constrained structural degrees
of freedom.

2 --

Not applied.

For more information, see Electrostatic-Structural Analysis and Magneto-Structural Analysis in the
Coupled-Field Analysis Guide.

KEYOPT(5)

Eddy or velocity currents in structural-electromagnetic (KEYOPT(1) = 10101) analyses:

0 --

Eddy and velocity currents are active

1 --

Eddy currents are suppressed, velocity currents are active

2 --

Velocity currents are suppressed, eddy currents are active

3 --

Eddy and velocity currents are suppressed

KEYOPT(6)

Integration method (applicable to the brick-shaped elements with structural DOFs).

0 --

Full integration - uses 14 integrations points. This method can cause volumetric locking in the
models with nearly incompressible materials. It is primary employed for purely linear analyses.

1 --

Uniform reduced integration - uses a 2 x 2 x 2 integration scheme. This method helps prevent
volumetric mesh locking in the models with nearly incompressible materials. It is recommended
for analyses with structural nonlinearities. To avoid the propagation of hourglass mode associated
with the reduced integration, the model must have at least two layers of elements in each dir-
ection.

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KEYOPT(7)

Electromagnetic force output (FMAG) location for coupled-field analyses with magnetic DOFs:

0 --

At each element node (corner and midside)

1 --

At element corner nodes only (midside node forces are condensed to the corner nodes)

Note:

For analyses that include structural and magnetic DOFs, KEYOPT(7) = 1 does not apply;
electromagnetic force is always reported at each element node (corner and midside).

KEYOPT(8)

Electromagnetic force calculation in coupled-field analyses with magnetic DOFs:

0 --

Maxwell

1 --

Lorentz

Note:

You cannot intermix the Maxwell and Lorentz force calculation options in adjacent
magnetic domains. For more information, see Performing a Magneto-Structural Analysis
in the Coupled-Field Analysis Guide.

KEYOPT(9)

Thermoelastic damping (piezocaloric effect) in coupled-field analyses having structural and thermal
DOFs. Applicable to harmonic and transient analyses only.

0 --

Active

1 --

Suppressed (required for frictional heating analyses)

KEYOPT(10)

Specific heat matrix in coupled-field analyses having the thermal DOF (TEMP), or damping matrix
in coupled-field analyses having the diffusion DOF (CONC).

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0 --

Consistent

1 --

Diagonalized

2 --

Diagonalized. Temperature-dependent specific heat or enthalpy is evaluated at the element

centroid.

KEYOPT(11)

Element formulation in coupled-field analyses with structural DOFs:

0 --

Pure displacement formulation (default)

1 --

Mixed u-P formulation

KEYOPT(15)

Perfectly matched layers (PML) absorbing condition in a harmonic piezoelectric analysis (KEYOPT(1)
= 1001):

0 --

Do not include the PML absorbing condition (default)

1 --

Include the PML absorbing condition

Table 7.226.7: SOLID226 Real Constants

No. Name Description Default Definition

1 SC Coil cross-sectional area none True physical cross-section of
the coil regardless of symmetry
modeling considerations. It
includes the cross-sectional area
of the wire and the
non-conducting material filling
the space between the winding.
2 NC Number of coil turns 1 Total number of winding turns
in a coil regardless of any
symmetry modeling
considerations.

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 No. Name Description Default Definition
3 VC Coil volume none True physical volume of the coil
regardless of symmetry
modeling considerations. It
includes the volume occupied
by the wire and the
non-conducting material filling
the space between the winding.
4 TX Coil winding X-directional 0 The coil direction vector T = {TX,
cosine TY, TZ}T is a unit vector tangent
5 TY Coil winding Y-directional 1 to the coil winding. It
cosine designates the current flow
direction.
6 TZ Coil winding Z-directional 0
cosine
7 R Coil resistance none Total coil DC resistance
regardless of any symmetry
modeling considerations.
8 SYM Coil symmetry factor 1 Ratio of the true physical
volume of the coil (real constant
VC) to the modeled coil volume.
The input should be greater or
equal to 1.

SOLID226 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.226.8: SOLID226 Element Output Definitions (p. 1143).

The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.226.8: SOLID226 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
ALL ANALYSES
EL Element Number - Y

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, - Y
A, B
MAT Material number - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported - 2
ALL ANALYSES WITH A STRUCTURAL FIELD
S:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Stresses (SZ = 0.0 for plane stress elements) - 1
XZ
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - 1
S:EQV Equivalent stress - 1
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY, Elastic strains - 1
YZ, XZ
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain [3] - 1
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY, Thermal strains - 1
YZ, XZ
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain [3] - 1
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY, Plastic strains - 1
YZ, XZ
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strain [3] - 1
EPCR:X, Y, Z, XY, Creep strains - 1
YZ, XZ
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strain [3] - 1
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY, Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) Y -
YZ, XZ
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strain (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) - -
EPTT:X, Y, Z, XY, Total mechanical, thermal, and diffusion strains (EPEL - -
YZ, XZ + EPPL + EPCR + EPTH + EPDI)
EPTT:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strain (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR - -
+ EPTH + EPDI)
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress [10] - Y
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain [10] - Y
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain [10] - Y
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not yielding) - Y
[10]
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure [10] - Y
SENE: Elastic strain energy - Y
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-THERMAL ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 11) [11]
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
UE Elastic strain energy [7] - 1

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 Name Definition O R
UT Total strain energy [8] - 1
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR PIEZORESISTIVE ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 101) [11]
TEMP Input temperatures - Y
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components (X, Y, Z) and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components (X, Y, Z) and - 1
vector magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components - 1

(in the global Cartesian coordinate system)

and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5] - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR ELECTROSTATIC-STRUCTURAL ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1001) [11]
TEMP Input temperatures - Y
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components (X, Y, Z) and vector magnitude - 1
D:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric flux density components (X, Y, Z) and vector - 1
magnitude
FMAG:X, Y, Z, Electrostatic force components (X, Y, Z) and vector - 1
SUM magnitude
UE, UD Stored elastic and dielectric energies - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR PIEZOELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1001 and KEYOPT(1) =
101) [11]
TEMP Input temperatures - Y
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components (X, Y, Z) and vector magnitude - 1
D:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric flux density components (X, Y, Z) and vector - 1
magnitude; available only for charge-based analysis
(KEYOPT(1) = 1001)
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components (X, Y, Z) and - 1
vector magnitude; available only for current-based
analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 101)
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Element current density components (X, Y, Z) in the - 1
global Cartesian coordinate system and vector
magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
UE, UM, UD Elastic, mutual, and dielectric energies [7] - 1
UT Total strain energy [8] - 1
SENE Sum of elastic and dielectric energies (UE+UD) [7] - 1
DENE Damping energy [7] - 1
KEND Kinetic energy [7] - 1

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Name Definition O R
P:X, Y, Z, SUM Element Poynting vector components (X, Y, Z) and - 1
vector magnitude [7]
THERMAL-ELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 110)
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components and vector - 1
magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components - 1

(in the global Cartesian coordinate system)

and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-THERMOELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 111) [11]
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components and vector - 1
magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components - 1

components (in the global Cartesian coordinate

system)
and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
UE Elastic strain energy - 1
UT Total strain energy [8] - 1
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR THERMAL-PIEZOELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1011) [11]
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
D:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric flux density components and vector magnitude - 1
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
UE, UM, UD Elastic, mutual, and dielectric energies [7] - 1
UT Total strain energy [8] - 1
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-MAGNETIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 10001) [11]

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 Name Definition O R
B: X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic flux density components and vector - 1
magnitude
H: X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic field intensity components and vector - 1
magnitude
FMAG: X, Y, Z, Electromagnetic force components and magnitude - 1
SUM
JT: X, Y, Z, SUM Element conduction current density components (in - 1
the global Cartesian coordinate system) and vector
magnitude
JHEAT Joule heat generation rate per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
UE Elastic strain energy - 1
UMAG Magnetic energy - 1
COEN Magnetic co-energy - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-ELECTROMAGNETIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 10101)
[11]
B: X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic flux density components and vector - 1
magnitude
H: X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic field intensity components and vector - 1
magnitude
EF: X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field intensity components and magnitude - 1
JC: X, Y, Z, SUM Nodal conduction current density components and - 1
magnitude
FMAG: X, Y, Z, Electromagnetic force components and magnitude - 1
SUM
JT: X, Y, Z, SUM Element conduction current density components (in - 1
the global Cartesian coordinate system) and vector
magnitude
JS: X, Y, Z, SUM Element current density components (in the global - 1
Cartesian coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation rate per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
UE Elastic strain energy - 1
UMAG Magnetic energy - 1
COEN Magnetic co-energy - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-STRANDED COIL ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 10201) [11]
B: X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic flux density components and vector - 1
magnitude
H: X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic field intensity components and vector - 1
magnitude
FMAG: X, Y, Z, Electromagnetic force components and magnitude - 1
SUM

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Name Definition O R
JT: X, Y, Z, SUM Element conduction current density components (in - 1
the global Cartesian coordinate system) and vector
magnitude [12]
JS: X, Y, Z, SUM Element current density components (in the global - 1
Cartesian coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4],
[12]
JHEAT Joule heat generation rate per unit volume [5], [6], [12] - 1
UE Elastic strain energy - 1
UMAG Magnetic energy - 1
COEN Magnetic co-energy - 1
THERMAL-MAGNETIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 10010)
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
B:X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic flux density components and vector - 1
magnitude
H:X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic field intensity components and vector - 1
magnitude
FMAG:X, Y, Z, Electromagnetic force components and magnitude - 1
SUM
JT:X, Y, Z, SUM Element conduction current density components (in - 1
the global Cartesian coordinate system) and vector
magnitude
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume - 1
THERMAL-ELECTROMAGNETIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 10110)
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field intensity components and vector - 1
magnitude
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Nodal conduction current density components and - 1
vector magnitude
B:X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic flux density components and vector - 1
magnitude
H:X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic field intensity components and vector - 1
magnitude
FMAG:X, Y, Z, Electromagnetic force components and magnitude - 1
SUM
JT:X, Y, Z, SUM Element conduction current density components (in - 1
the global Cartesian coordinate system) and vector
magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Element current density components (in the global - 1
Cartesian coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume - 1

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 Name Definition O R
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)=100001) [11]
TEMP Input temperatures - Y
EPDI:X, Y, Z, XY, Diffusion strains - 1
YZ, XZ
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1
THERMAL-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100010)
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1
ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100100)
TEMP Input temperatures - Y
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components and vector - 1
magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian - 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1
THERMAL-ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100110)
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components and vector - 1
magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian - 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1

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Name Definition O R
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100101)
[11]
TEMP Input temperatures - Y
EPDI:X, Y, Z, XY, Diffusion strains - 1
YZ, XZ
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components and vector - 1
magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian - 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-THERMAL-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100011)
[11]
EPDI:X, Y, Z, XY, Diffusion strains - 1
YZ, XZ
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-THERMAL-ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 100111) [11]
EPDI:X, Y, Z, XY, Diffusion strains - 1
YZ, XZ
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components and vector - 1
magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian - 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude

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 Name Definition O R
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1

1. Solution values are output only if calculated (based on input values).

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

3. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep this value is set at 0.5.

4. JS represents the sum of element conduction and displacement current densities.

5. Calculated Joule heat generation rate per unit volume (JHEAT) may be made available for a sub-
sequent thermal analysis with companion thermal elements. For a piezoelectric analysis, the heat
generation rate output as JHEAT is produced by both the structural and electrical losses.

6. For a time-harmonic analysis, Joule losses (JHEAT) are time-averaged. These values are stored in
both the real and imaginary data sets. For more information, see Quasistatic Electric Analysis in the
Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.

7. For time-harmonic and modal analyses the following values are time-averaged: elastic (UE), mutual
(UM), and dielectric (UD) energies, the sum of elastic and dielectric energies (SENE), damping energy
(DENE), kinetic energy (KENE), and the Poynting vector (P). The real part of the UE, UM, UD, and
SENE records represents the average energy, while the imaginary part represents the average energy
loss. The real part of the Poynting vector represents the average power flow. For more information,
see Piezoelectrics in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.

8. For a time-harmonic analysis, total strain (UT) energy is time-averaged. The real part represents the
average energy, while the imaginary part represents the average energy loss. For more information,
see Thermoelasticity in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.

9. With the normalized concentration approach, CONC is the actual concentration obtained by mul-
tiplying the saturated concentration (MP,CSAT) and the normalized concentration evaluated at the
element centroid. For more information, see Normalized Concentration Approach in the Theory
Reference.

10. Nonlinear solution, output only if the element has a nonlinear material, or if large-deflection effects
are enabled (NLGEOM,ON).

11. Output listed for this coupled analysis is in addition to the structural field output at the beginning
of this table.

12. For the structural-stranded coil analysis option (KEYOPT(1) = 10201), JT and JS are the effective
current densities as they are calculated based on the coil cross-sectional area (SC) that includes the
wire and the non-conducting material filling the space between the winding. JHEAT represents the
effective Joule heat generation rate per unit volume as it is calculated based on the modeled coil
volume that includes the wire and the non-conducting material filling the space between the
winding.

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Table 7.226.8: SOLID226 Element Output Definitions (p. 1143) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) of the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) of this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.226.9: SOLID226 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1152):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.226.8: SOLID226 Element Output Definitions (p. 1143)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.226.9: SOLID226 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE
Output Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
Analyses that include
DIFFUSION (KEYOPT(1) =
100001, 100010, 100100,
100110, 100011, 100101, and
100111)
CONC SMISC 1
STRUCTURAL-THERMAL
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 11)
UE NMISC 1
UT NMISC 4
PHEAT NMISC 5
VHEAT NMISC 6
ELECTROSTATIC-STRUCTURAL
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1001)
UE NMISC 1
UD NMISC 2
PIEZOELECTRIC ANALYSES:
(KEYOPT(1) = 1001 and 101)
UE NMISC 1
UD NMISC 2
UM NMISC 3
UT NMISC 4
PX NMISC 5
PY NMISC 6

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 ETABLE
Output Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
PZ NMISC 7
PSUM NMISC 8
STRUCTURAL-THERMOELECTRIC
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 111)
UE NMISC 1
UT NMISC 4
PHEAT NMISC 5
VHEAT NMISC 6
THERMAL-PIEZOELECTRIC
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1011)
UE NMISC 1
UD NMISC 2
UM NMISC 3
UT NMISC 4
PHEAT NMISC 5
VHEAT NMISC 6
STRUCTURAL-MAGNETIC
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 10001)
STRUCTURAL-ELECTROMAGNETIC
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 10101)
STRUCTURAL-STRANDED
COIL ANALYSES
(KEYOPT(1) = 10201)
UE NMISC 1
UMAG NMISC 2
JTX NMISC 6
JTY NMISC 7
JTZ NMISC 8
JTSUM NMISC 9
THERMAL-MAGNETIC
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 10010)
THERMAL-ELECTROMAGNETIC
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 10110)
JTX NMISC 1

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Element Library

ETABLE
Output Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
JTY NMISC 2
JTZ NMISC 3
JTSUM NMISC 4
STRUCTURAL-THERMAL-DIFFUSION
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 100011)
STRUCTURAL-THERMAL-ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 100111)
PHEAT NMISC 5
VHEAT NMISC 6

SOLID226 Assumptions and Restrictions

• In a piezoelectric or electrostatic-structural analysis, electric charge loading is interpreted as negative
electric charge or negative charge density.

• Optimized nonlinear solution defaults are applied in coupled-field analyses with structural degrees
of freedom using this element.

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the degrees-of-freedom vary linearly, rather than
parabolically, along that edge. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing
Guide for more information about the use of midside nodes. For coupled-field analyses that include
magnetic DOFs, the midside nodes may not be removed and should lie on straight edges. For curved
boundaries, issue MSHMID,1 to place the midside nodes such that the element edges are straight.

• In an analysis with structural and diffusion degrees of freedom coupled by the stress migration effect
(specified using TB,MIGR), the following are not supported:

– Removing midside nodes

– The weak coupling option (KEYOPT(2) = 1)

• This element may not be compatible with other elements with the VOLT degree of freedom. To be
compatible, the elements must have the same reaction solution for the VOLT DOF. Elements that
have an electric charge reaction solution must all have the same electric charge reaction sign. For
more information, see Element Compatibility in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide.

• The model should have at least two layers of elements in each direction when uniform reduced in-
tegration (KEYOPT(6) = 1) is used.

• When a coupled-field analysis with structural degrees of freedom uses mixed u-P formulation (KEY-
OPT(11) = 1), no midside nodes can be dropped. When using mixed formulation (KEYOPT(11) = 1),
use the sparse solver (default). No midside node drop-off is recommended.

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• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear (NLGEOM,ON) coupled-field analyses
with structural degrees of freedom. Prestress effects can be activated via the PSTRES command.

• Graphical Solution Tracking (/GST) is not supported with coupled-diffusion analyses (KEYOPT(1)=100001,
100010, and 100011).

• Reaction forces are not available for electrostatic-structural (KEYOPT(1) = 1001) or magneto-structural
(KEYOPT(1) = 10001) analyses with the elastic air option (KEYOPT(4) = 1).

• The structural-magnetic (KEYOPT(1) = 10001) and thermal-magnetic (KEYOPT(1) = 10010) analysis

options require that the source current density specified via the BFE,,JS command is solenoidal.

• For a structural-stranded coil analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 10201), the winding direction vector T = {TX, TY,
TZ}T must be specified in the element coordinate system, and all VOLT and EMF degrees of freedom
must be coupled (CP command).

• For coupled-field analyses with magnetic DOFs, highly distorted hexahedral-shaped elements may
produce inaccurate results and should be avoided.

• Avoid using pyramid SOLID226 degenerations in a structural-electromagnetic analysis (KEYOPT(1) =

10101) with eddy currents.

SOLID226 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

SOLID227
3-D 10-Node Coupled-Field Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1188)

SOLID227 Element Description

SOLID227 supports the following physics combinations:

• Structural-Thermal

• Piezoresistive

• Electrostatic-Structural

• Piezoelectric

• Thermal-Electric

• Structural-Thermoelectric

• Thermal-Piezoelectric

• Structural-Magnetic

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• Structural-Electromagnetic

• Structural-Stranded Coil

• Thermal-Magnetic

• Thermal-Electromagnetic

• Structural-Diffusion

• Thermal-Diffusion

• Electric-Diffusion

• Thermal-Electric-Diffusion

• Structural-Thermal-Diffusion

• Structural-Electric-Diffusion

• Structural-Thermal-Electric-Diffusion

The element has ten nodes with up to six degrees of freedom per node.

Structural capabilities include elasticity, plasticity, hyperelasticity, viscoelasticity, viscoplasticity, creep,

large strain, large deflection, and stress stiffening effects. It also has mixed formulation capability for
simulating deformations of nearly incompressible elastoplastic materials, and fully incompressible hy-
perelastic materials.

Piezoresistive capabilities include the piezoresistive effect. Piezoelectric capabilities include direct and
converse piezoelectric effects. Electrostatic-structural capabilities include electrostatic force coupling.
Thermoelectric capabilities include Seebeck, Peltier, and Thomson effects, as well as Joule heating. In
addition to thermal expansion, structural-thermal capabilities include the piezocaloric effect in dynamic
analyses. The Coriolis effect is available for analyses with structural degrees of freedom. The thermoplastic
and viscoelastic heating effects are available for analyses with structural and thermal degrees of freedom.

Structural-magnetic capabilities include magnetic force coupling. Structural-electromagnetic capabilities

include magnetic force coupling, and eddy current and velocity effects in a transient analysis.

Thermal-magnetic and thermal-electromagnetic capabilities include Joule heating. In addition, thermal-

electromagnetic capabilities include eddy current effects in a transient analysis, and velocity effects in
a static or transient analysis.

The diffusion expansion and hydrostatic stress-migration effects are available for analyses with structural
and diffusion degrees of freedom. The thermo-migration effect (Soret effect) and the temperature-de-
pendent saturated concentration effect are available for analyses with thermal and diffusion degrees
of freedom. The electro-migration effect is available for analyses with electrical and diffusion degrees
of freedom.

The element also allows you to customize structural and thermal material behavior using the UserMat
and UserMatTh subroutines, respectively, in coupled-field analyses with structural and thermal degrees
of freedom.

See SOLID227 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

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Figure 7.227.1: SOLID227 Geometry
L

4
R
P
Q 3
Y 2
O K

X I N
M
Z
1
J

SOLID227 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.227.1: SOLID227 Geometry (p. 1157). The element input data includes ten nodes and structural,
thermal, electrical, magnetic, and diffusion material properties.

The type of units (MKS or user defined) for electromagnetic problems is specified through the EMUNIT
command. EMUNIT also determines the value of free-space permittivity EPZRO, and free-space permeab-
ility, MUZRO.

KEYOPT(1) determines the element DOF set and the corresponding force labels and reaction solution.
KEYOPT(1) is set equal to the sum of the field keys shown in Table 7.227.1: SOLID227 Field Keys (p. 1157).
For example, KEYOPT(1) is set to 11 for a structural-thermal analysis (structural field key + thermal field
key = 1 + 10). For a structural-thermal analysis, UX, UY, and TEMP are the DOF labels and force and heat
flow are the reaction solution.

Table 7.227.1: SOLID227 Field Keys

Field Field DOF Label Force Label Reaction Solution

Key
Structural 1 UX, UY, UZ FX, FY, FZ Force
Thermal 10 TEMP HEAT Heat Flow
Electric Conduction 100 VOLT AMPS Electric Current
Electromagnetic 200 EMF CURT Current
Induction
Electrostatic 1000 VOLT CHRG Electric Charge
Magnetic 10000 AZ CSGZ Magnetic Current Segment
Diffusion 100000 CONC RATE Diffusion Flow Rate

The coupled-field analysis KEYOPT(1) settings, DOF labels, force labels, reaction solutions, and analysis
types are shown in the following table.

Table 7.227.2: SOLID227 Coupled-Field Analyses

Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) DOF Label Force Reaction Analysis

Label Solution Type
Structural-Thermal [1], [2] 11 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ,

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Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) DOF Label Force Reaction Analysis

Label Solution Type
TEMP HEAT Heat Full
Flow Harmonic

Full
Transient
Piezoresistive 101 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Electric Full
Current Transient
VOLT AMPS
Electrostatic-Structural 1001 [3] UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Electric Full
Charge Transient
VOLT CHRG (negative)
Linear
Perturbation
Static

Linear
Perturbation
Harmonic

Linear
Perturbation
Modal
Piezoelectric (Charge-Based) 1001 [3] UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Electric Modal
Charge
VOLT CHRG (negative) Linear
Perturbation
Modal

Full,
Linear
Perturbation,
or
Mode
Superposition
Harmonic

Full or
Mode
Superposition
Transient

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 Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) DOF Label Force Reaction Analysis
Label Solution Type
Piezoelectric (Current-Based) 101 UX, FX, Force, Full
UY, FY, Harmonic
UZ, FZ, Electric
Current Full
VOLT AMPS Transient
Thermal-Electric 110 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Static
Flow,
VOLT AMPS Full
Electric Transient
Current
Structural-Thermoelectric [1] 111 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Heat Full
Flow, Transient
TEMP, HEAT,
Electric
VOLT AMPS Current
Thermal-Piezoelectric [1], [2] 1011 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Heat Full
Flow, Harmonic
TEMP, HEAT,
Electric Full
VOLT CHRG Charge Transient
(negative)
Structural-Magnetic 10001 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Magnetic Full
Current Transient
AZ CSGZ Segment
Structural-Electromagnetic 10101 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Magnetic Full
Current Transient
AZ, CSGZ, Segment,

VOLT AMPS Electric

Current
Structural-Stranded Coil 10201 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Magnetic Full
Current Transient
AZ, CSGZ, Segment,

VOLT, AMPS, Electric

Current,
EMF CURT
Current
Flow

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Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) DOF Label Force Reaction Analysis

Label Solution Type
Thermal-Magnetic 10010 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Static
Flow,
AZ CSGZ Full
Magnetic Transient
Current
Segment
Thermal-Electromagnetic 10110 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Static
Flow,
VOLT, AMPS Full
Electric Transient
AZ CSGZ Current

Magnetic
Current
Segment
Structural-Diffusion [1] 100001 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Diffusion Full
Flow Transient
CONC RATE Rate
Thermal-Diffusion [1] 100010 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Static
Flow,
CONC RATE Full
Diffusion Transient
Flow
Rate
Electric-Diffusion [1] 100100 VOLT, AMP, Electric Static
Current,
CONC RATE Full
Diffusion Transient
Flow
Rate
Thermal-Electric-Diffusion [1] 100110 TEMP, HEAT, Heat Static
Flow,
VOLT, AMP, Full
Electric Transient
CONC RATE Current,

Diffusion
Flow
Rate
Structural-Thermal-Diffusion [1] 100011 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Heat Full
Flow, Transient
TEMP, HEAT,

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 Coupled-Field Analysis KEYOPT(1) DOF Label Force Reaction Analysis
Label Solution Type
CONC RATE Diffusion
Flow
Rate
Structural-Electric Diffusion [1] 100101 UX, FX, Force, Static
UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Electric Full
Current, Transient
VOLT, AMPS,
Diffusion
CONC RATE Flow
Rate
Structural-Thermal-Electric-Diffusion 100111 UX, FX, Force, Static
[1] UY, FY,
UZ, FZ, Heat Full
Flow, Transient
TEMP, HEAT,
Electric
VOLT, AMPS, Current,

CONC RATE Diffusion

Flow
Rate

1. For static and full transient analyses, KEYOPT(2) can specify a strong (matrix) or weak (load vector)
structural-thermal, structural-diffusion, thermal diffusion, and electric-diffusion coupling.

2. For harmonic analyses, only strong coupling (KEYOPT(2) = 0) applies.

3. The electrostatic-structural analysis available with KEYOPT(1) = 1001 defaults to electrostatic force
coupling, unless a piezoelectric matrix is specified on TB,PIEZ.

As shown in the following tables, material property requirements consist of those required for the indi-
vidual fields (structural, thermal, electric conduction, electrostatic, magnetic, or diffusion) and those
required for field coupling. Individual material properties are defined via the MP and MPDATA commands.
Nonlinear and multiphysics material models are defined via the TB command.

Table 7.227.3: Structural Material Properties

Field Field Material Properties and Materal Models

Key
Structural 1 EX, EY, EZ, PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ), GXY, GYZ,
GXZ, DENS, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY, CTEZ, or THSX, THSY, THSZ), REFT

---

Anisotropic hyperelasticity, Anisotropic elasticity, Bergstrom-Boyce,

Bilinear isotropic hardening, Bilinear kinematic hardening, Cast
iron, Chaboche nonlinear kinematic hardening, Creep, Elasticity,

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Field Field Material Properties and Materal Models

Key
Extended Drucker-Prager, Gurson pressure-dependent plasticity,
Hill anisotropy, Hyperelasticity, Mullins effect, Voce isotropic
hardening law, Plasticity, Prony series constants for viscoelastic
materials, Rate-dependent plasticity (viscoplasticity),
Rate-independent plasticity, Material-dependent alpha and beta
damping (Rayleigh damping), Material-dependent structural
damping, Shift function for viscoelastic materials, Shape memory
alloy, State variables (user-defined), User-defined (structural and
thermal), Uniaxial stress-strain relation

Table 7.227.4: SOLID227 Material Properties and Material Models

Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models

Analysis
Structural-Thermal 11 Structural See Table 7.227.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1161)
Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF,
State variables (user-defined),
User-defined (structural and
thermal)
Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT, QRATE
Piezoresistive [1] 101 Structural See Table 7.227.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1161)
Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ
Coupling Piezoresistivity
Electrostatic-Structural 1001 Structural See Table 7.227.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1161)
Electric PERX, PERY, PERZ

---

Anisotropic electric permittivity

Piezoelectric 1001 Structural See Table 7.227.3: Structural
Material Properties (p. 1161) [2]
(Charge-Based)
---
101
Anisotropic viscosity
(Current-Based)
---

Anisotropic elastic loss tangent

Electric PERX, PERY, PERZ, LSST (and/or
RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ)

---

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 Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models
Analysis
Anisotropic electric permittivity

---

Anisotropic dielectric loss tangent

Coupling Piezoelectric matrix
Thermal-Electric [1] 110 Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ
Coupling SBKX, SBKY, SBKZ
Structural-Thermoelectric 111 Structural See Table 7.227.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1161)
Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ
Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT, QRATE

---

SBKX, SBKY, SBKZ

---

Piezoresistivity
Thermal-Piezoelectric 1011 Structural See Table 7.227.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1161) 2
Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric PERX, PERY, PERZ, LSST (and/or
RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ)

---

Anisotropic electric permittivity

Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT

---

Piezoelectric matrix
Structural-Magnetic 10001 Structural See Table 7.227.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1161)
Magnetic MURX, MURY, MURZ, MGXX, MGYY,
MGZZ

---

Magnetism
Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ [3]

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Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models

Analysis
Structural-Electromagnetic 10101 Structural See Table 7.227.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1161)
Magnetic MURX, MURY, MURZ, MGXX, MGYY,
MGZZ

---

Magnetism
Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ
Coupling RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ
Structural-Stranded 10201 Structural See Table 7.227.3: Structural Material
Coil Properties (p. 1161)
Magnetic MURX, MURY, MURZ, MGXX, MGYY,
MGZZ

---

Magnetism
Electric RSVX [3]
Thermal-Magnetic 10010 Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH
Magnetic MURX, MURY, MURZ, MGXX, MGYY,
MGZZ

---

Magnetism
Coupling RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ
Thermal-Electromagnetic 10110 Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH
Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ
Magnetic MURX, MURY, MURZ, MGXX, MGYY,
MGZZ

---

Magnetism
Coupling RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ
Structural-Diffusion [1] 100001 Structural See Table 7.227.3: Structural Material
Properties (p. 1161)
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling BETX, BETY, BETZ, CREF

---

Migration Model
Thermal-Diffusion [1] 100010 Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF

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 Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models
Analysis
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling Temperature-dependent CSAT

---

Migration Model
Electric-Diffusion [1] 100100 Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling Migration Model
Thermal-Electric-Diffusion 100110 Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
[1] Electric RSVY, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling SBKX, SBKY, SBKZ

---

Temperature-dependent CSAT

---

Migration Model
Structural-Thermal-Diffusion 100011 Structural See Table 7.227.3: Structural Material
[1] Properties (p. 1161)
Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT, QRATE

---

BETX, BETY, BETZ, CREF

---

Temperature-dependent CSAT

---

Migration Model
Structural-Electric-Diffusion 100101 Structural See Table 7.227.3: Structural Material
[1] Properties (p. 1161)
Electric RSVY, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling BETX, BETY, BETZ, CREF

---

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Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Material Properties and Material Models

Analysis
Migration Model
Structural-Thermal-Electric-Diffusion
100111 Structural See Table 7.227.3: Structural Material
[1] Properties (p. 1161)
Thermal KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH, HF
Electric RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ
Diffusion DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT
Coupling ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ, REFT, QRATE

---

BETX, BETY, BETZ, CREF

---

SBKX, SBKY, SBKZ

---

Temperature-dependent CSAT

---
Migration Model

1. For this analysis type, some of the material properties can be defined as a function of primary variables
by using tabular input on the MP command. For more information, see Defining Linear Material
Properties Using Tabular Input in the Material Reference.

2. For piezoelectric and thermal-piezoelectric analyses (KEYOPT(1) = 101, 1001 or 1011 with TB,PIEZ),
only elastic material properties and material models are valid.

3. For this coupled analysis type, the specified electrical resistivity (RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ) is used only for
the Joule heat calculation.

Various combinations of nodal loading are available for this element (depending upon the KEYOPT(1)
value). Nodal loads are defined with the D and the F commands.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Loads may be input on the element faces in-
dicated by the circled numbers in Figure 7.227.1: SOLID227 Geometry (p. 1157) using the SF and SFE
commands. Positive pressures act into the element. Body loads may be input at the element's nodes
or as a single element value using the BF and BFE commands.

SOLID227 surface and body loads are given in the following table.

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Most surface and body loads can be defined as a function of primary variables by using tabular input.
For more information, see Applying Loads Using Tabular Input in the Basic Analysis Guide and the indi-
vidual surface or body load command description in the Command Reference.

Table 7.227.5: SOLID227 Surface and Body Loads

Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label

Analysis Type
Structural-Thermal 11 Surface Pressure PRES
Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I through R
Piezoresistive and 101 Surface Pressure PRES
Piezoelectric
(Current-Based) Body Force Density FORC
Temperatures -- TEMP
Nodes I through R
Electrostatic-Structural 1001 Surface Pressure PRES
and Piezoelectric
(Charge-Based) Surface Charge CHRGS [1]
Density
Body Force Density FORC
Temperatures -- TEMP
Nodes I through R
Volume Charge CHRGD [1]
Density --
Nodes I through R
Thermal-Electric 110 Surface Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Body Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I through R
Structural-Thermoelectric 111 Surface Pressure PRES
Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF

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Element Library

Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label

Analysis Type
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I through R
Thermal-Piezoelectric 1011 Surface Pressure PRES
Surface Charge CHRGS [1]
Density
Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I through R
Volume Charge CHRGD [1]
Density --
Nodes I through R
Structural-Magnetic 10001 Surface Pressure PRES
Body Force Density FORC
Temperatures -- TEMP
Nodes I through R
Source Current JS
Density --
Nodes I through R
Structural-Electromagnetic 10101 Surface Pressure PRES
Body Force Density FORC
Temperatures -- TEMP
Nodes I through R
Structural-Stranded 10201 Surface Pressure PRES
Coil
Body Force Density FORC
Temperatures -- TEMP
Nodes I through R
Thermal-Magnetic 10010 Surface Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF

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 Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label
Analysis Type
Body Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I through R
Source Current JS
Density --
Nodes I through R
Thermal-Electromagnetic 10110 Surface Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Body Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I through R
Velocity -- VELO
Nodes I through R
Structural-Diffusion 100001 Surface Pressure PRES
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Force Density FORC
Temperature -- TEMP
Nodes I through R
Diffusing DGEN
Substance
Generation --
Nodes I through R
Thermal-Diffusion 100010 Surface Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I through R
Diffusing DGEN
Substance
Generation --
Nodes I through R
Electric-Diffusion 100100 Surface Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Diffusing DGEN
Substance
Generation --

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Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label

Analysis Type
Nodes I through R
Temperature -- TEMP

Nodes I through R
Thermal-Electric-Diffusion100110 Surface Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Heat Generation -- HGEN

Nodes I through R
Diffusing DGEN
Substance
Generation --
Nodes I through R
Structural-Thermal-Diffusion
100011 Surface Pressure PRES
Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- HGEN
Nodes I through R
Diffusing DGEN
Substance
Generation --
Nodes I through R
Structural-Electric-Diffusion
100101 Surface Pressure PRES
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Force Density FORC
Diffusion DGEN
Substance
Generation --
Nodes I through R
Temperature -- TEMP

Nodes I through R
Structural-Thermal-Electric-Diffusion
100111 Surface Pressure PRES

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 Coupled-Field KEYOPT(1) Load Load Command Label
Analysis Type
Convection CONV
Heat Flux HFLUX
Radiation RDSF
Diffusion Flux DFLUX
Body Force Density FORC
Heat Generation -- HGEN

Nodes I through R
Diffusing DGEN
Substance
Generation --
Nodes I through R

1. CHRGS and CHRGD are interpreted as negative surface charge density and negative volume charge
density, respectively.

Automatic element technology selections are given in the following table.

Table 7.227.6: Automatic Element Technology Selection

Coupled-Field Analysis ETCONTROL Command

Suggestions/Resettings
Structural-Thermal KEYOPT(2) =1 for nonlinear
(KEYOPT(1) = 11) inelastic materials

Structural-Thermoelectric
(KEYOPT(1) = 111)

A summary of the element input is given in "SOLID227 Input Summary" (p. 1171). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SOLID227 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R

Degrees of Freedom

Set by KEYOPT(1). See Table 7.227.2: SOLID227 Coupled-Field Analyses (p. 1157).

Real Constants

The following real constants are for structural-stranded coil analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 10201):

SC, NC, VC, TX, TY, TZ

R, SYM

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Element Library

See Table 7.227.7: SOLID227 Real Constants (p. 1175) for more information.

Material Properties

See Table 7.227.4: SOLID227 Material Properties and Material Models (p. 1162).

Surface Loads

See Table 7.227.5: SOLID227 Surface and Body Loads (p. 1167).

Body Loads

See Table 7.227.5: SOLID227 Surface and Body Loads (p. 1167).

Special Features

Birth and death

Coriolis effect
Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation (see Note below)
Nonlinear adaptivity
Nonlinear stabilization
Stress stiffening

Note:

Linear perturbation is available for the following coupled analyses:

electrostatic-structural and piezoelectric analyses (KEYOPT(1) = 1001)

KEYOPT(1)

Element degrees of freedom. See Table 7.227.2: SOLID227 Coupled-Field Analyses (p. 1157).

KEYOPT(2)

Coupling method between the DOFs for the following types of coupling: structural-thermal, struc-
tural-diffusion, thermal-diffusion, and electric-diffusion:

0 --

Strong (matrix) coupling. May produce an unsymmetric matrix. In a linear analysis, a coupled
response is achieved after one iteration.

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 1 --

Weak (load vector) coupling. Produces a symmetric matrix and requires at least two iterations
to achieve a coupled response.

Note:

The weak coupling option (KEYOPT(2) = 1) can be used in a coupled electrostatic-struc-

tural analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 1001) to produce legacy element behavior. In this case, the
reaction solution for the VOLT degree of freedom is positive charge (CHRG), and the
analysis types are limited to static and full transient analyses. Linear perturbation analyses
are not supported.

KEYOPT(4)

Electrostatic force in electrostatic-structural analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 1001); or electromagnetic force

in structural-magnetic (KEYOPT(1) = 10001), structural-electromagnetic (KEYOPT(1) = 10101), and
structural-stranded coil (KEYOPT(1) = 10201) analyses:

0 --

Applied to every element node.

1 --

Applied to the air-structure interface or to element nodes that have constrained structural degrees
of freedom.

2 --

Not applied.

For more information, see Electrostatic-Structural Analysis and Magneto-Structural Analysis in the
Coupled-Field Analysis Guide.

KEYOPT(5)

Eddy or velocity currents in structural-electromagnetic (KEYOPT(1) = 10101) analyses:

0 --

Eddy and velocity currents are active

1 --

Eddy currents are suppressed, velocity currents are active

2 --

Velocity currents are suppressed, eddy currents are active

3 --

Eddy and velocity currents are suppressed

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KEYOPT(7)

Electromagnetic force output (FMAG) location for coupled-field analyses with magnetic DOFs:

0 --

At each element node (corner and midside)

1 --

At element corner nodes only (midside node forces are condensed to the corner nodes)

Note:

For analyses that include structural and magnetic DOFs, KEYOPT(7) = 1 does not apply;
electromagnetic force is always reported at each element node (corner and midside).

KEYOPT(8)

Electromagnetic force calculation in coupled-field analyses with magnetic DOFs:

0 --

Maxwell

1 --

Lorentz

Note:

You cannot intermix the Maxwell and Lorentz force calculation options in adjacent
magnetic domains. For more information, see Performing a Magneto-Structural Analysis
in the Coupled-Field Analysis Guide.

KEYOPT(9)

Thermoelastic damping (piezocaloric effect) in coupled-field analyses having structural and thermal
DOFs. Applicable to harmonic and transient analyses only.

0 --

Active

1 --

Suppressed (required for frictional heating analyses)

KEYOPT(10)

Specific heat matrix in coupled-field analyses having the thermal DOF (TEMP), or damping matrix
in coupled-field analyses having the diffusion DOF (CONC).

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 0 --

Consistent

1 --

Diagonalized

2 --

Diagonalized. Temperature-dependent specific heat or enthalpy is evaluated at the element

centroid.

KEYOPT(11)

Element formulation in coupled-field analyses with structural DOFs:

0 --

Pure displacement formulation (default)

1 --

Mixed u-P formulation, hydrostatic pressure P is constant in an element (recommended for hy-
perelastic materials)

2 --

Mixed u-P formulation, hydrostatic pressure P is interpolated linearly in an element (recommended

for nearly incompressible elastoplastic materials)

KEYOPT(15)

Perfectly matched layers (PML) absorbing condition in a harmonic piezoelectric analysis (KEYOPT(1)
= 1001):

0 --

Do not include the PML absorbing condition (default)

1 --

Include the PML absorbing condition

Table 7.227.7: SOLID227 Real Constants

No. Name Description Default Definition

1 SC Coil cross-sectional area none True physical cross-section of
the coil regardless of symmetry
modeling considerations. It
includes the cross-sectional area
of the wire and the
non-conducting material filling
the space between the winding.

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No. Name Description Default Definition

2 NC Number of coil turns 1 Total number of winding turns
in a coil regardless of any
symmetry modeling
considerations.
3 VC Coil volume none True physical volume of the coil
regardless of symmetry
modeling considerations. It
includes the volume occupied
by the wire and the
non-conducting material filling
the space between the winding.
4 TX Coil winding X-directional 0 The coil direction vector T = {TX,
cosine TY, TZ}T is a unit vector tangent
5 TY Coil winding Y-directional 1 to the coil winding. It
cosine designates the current flow
direction.
6 TZ Coil winding Z-directional 0
cosine
7 R Coil resistance none Total coil DC resistance
regardless of any symmetry
modeling considerations.
8 SYM Coil symmetry factor 1 Ratio of the true physical
volume of the coil (real constant
VC) to the modeled coil volume.
The input should be greater or
equal to 1.

SOLID227 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.227.8: SOLID227 Element Output Definitions (p. 1177).

The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.227.8: SOLID227 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
ALL ANALYSES
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R - Y
MAT Material number - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported - 2
ALL ANALYSES WITH A STRUCTURAL FIELD
S:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Stresses (SZ = 0.0 for plane stress elements) - 1
XZ
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - 1
S:EQV Equivalent stress - 1
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY, Elastic strains - 1
YZ, XZ
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain [3] - 1
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY, Thermal strains - 1
YZ, XZ
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain [3] - 1
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY, Plastic strains - 1
YZ, XZ
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strain [3] - 1
EPCR:X, Y, Z, XY, Creep strains - 1
YZ, XZ
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strain [3] - 1
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY, Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) Y -
YZ, XZ
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strain (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) - -
EPTT:X, Y, Z, XY, Total mechanical, thermal, and diffusion strains (EPEL - -
YZ, XZ + EPPL + EPCR + EPTH + EPDI)
EPTT:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strain (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR - -
+ EPTH + EPDI)
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress [10] - Y
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain [10] - Y
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain [10] - Y
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not yielding) - Y
[10]
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure [10] - Y

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Name Definition O R
SENE: Elastic strain energy - Y
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-THERMAL ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 11) [11]
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
UE Electric strain energy [7] - 1
UT Total strain energy [8] - 1
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR PIEZORESISTIVE ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 101) [11]
TEMP Input temperatures - Y
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components (X, Y, Z) and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components (X, Y, Z) and - 1
vector magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian - 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5] - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR ELECTROSTATIC-STRUCTURAL ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1001) [11]
TEMP Input temperatures - Y
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components (X, Y, Z) and vector magnitude - 1
D:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric flux density components (X, Y, Z) and vector - 1
magnitude
FMAG:X, Y, Z, Electrostatic force components (X, Y, Z) and vector - 1
SUM magnitude
UE, UD Stored elastic and dielectric energies - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR PIEZOELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1001 and KEYOPT(1) = 101)
[11]
TEMP Input temperatures - Y
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components (X, Y, Z) and vector magnitude - 1
D:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric flux density components (X, Y, Z) and vector - 1
magnitude; available only for charge-based analysis
(KEYOPT(1) = 1001)
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components (X, Y, Z) and - 1
vector magnitude; available only for current-based
analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 101)
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Element current density components (X, Y, Z) in the - 1
global Cartesian coordinate system and vector
magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
UE, UM, UD Elastic, mutual, and dielectric energies [7] - 1
UT Total strain energy [8] - 1

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 Name Definition O R
SENE Sum of elastic and dielectric energies (UE+UD) [7] - 1
DENE Damping energy [7] - 1
KEND Kinetic energy [7] - 1
P:X, Y, Z, SUM Element Poynting vector components (X, Y, Z) and - 1
vector magnitude [7]
THERMAL-ELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 110)
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components and vector - 1
magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian - 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-THERMOELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 111) [11]
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components and vector - 1
magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian - 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
UE Elastic strain energy - 1
UT Total strain energy [8] - 1
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR THERMAL-PIEZOELECTRIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1011) [11]
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
D:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric flux density components and vector magnitude - 1
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
UE, UM, UD Elastic, mutual, and dielectric energies [7] - 1
UT Total strain energy [8] - 1
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-MAGNETIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 10001) [11]

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Name Definition O R
B: X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic flux density components and vector - 1
magnitude
H: X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic field intensity components and vector - 1
magnitude
FMAG: X, Y, Z, Electromagnetic force components and magnitude - 1
SUM
JT: X, Y, Z, SUM Element conduction current density components (in - 1
the global Cartesian coordinate system) and vector
magnitude
JHEAT Joule heat generation rate per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
UE Elastic strain energy - 1
UMAG Magnetic energy - 1
COEN Magnetic co-energy - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-ELECTROMAGNETIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 10101) [11]
B: X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic flux density components and vector - 1
magnitude
H: X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic field intensity components and vector - 1
magnitude
EF: X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field intensity components and magnitude - 1
JC: X, Y, Z, SUM Nodal conduction current density components and - 1
magnitude
FMAG: X, Y, Z, Electromagnetic force components and magnitude - 1
SUM
JT: X, Y, Z, SUM Element conduction current density components (in - 1
the global Cartesian coordinate system) and vector
magnitude
JS: X, Y, Z, SUM Element current density components (in the global - 1
Cartesian coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation rate per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
UE Elastic strain energy - 1
UMAG Magnetic energy - 1
COEN Magnetic co-energy - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-STRANDED COIL ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 10201) [11]
B: X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic flux density components and vector - 1
magnitude
H: X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic field intensity components and vector - 1
magnitude
FMAG: X, Y, Z, Electromagnetic force components and magnitude - 1
SUM
JT: X, Y, Z, SUM Element conduction current density components (in - 1
the global Cartesian coordinate system) and vector
magnitude [12]

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 Name Definition O R
JS: X, Y, Z, SUM Element current density components (in the global - 1
Cartesian coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4],
[12]
JHEAT Joule heat generation rate per unit volume [5], [6], [12] - 1
UE Elastic strain energy - 1
UMAG Magnetic energy - 1
COEN Magnetic co-energy - 1
THERMAL-MAGNETIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 10010)
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
B:X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic flux density components and vector - 1
magnitude
H:X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic field intensity components and vector - 1
magnitude
FMAG:X, Y, Z, Electromagnetic force components and magnitude - 1
SUM
JT:X, Y, Z, SUM Element conduction current density components (in - 1
the global Cartesian coordinate system) and vector
magnitude
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume - 1
THERMAL-ELECTROMAGNETIC ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 10110)
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field intensity components and vector - 1
magnitude
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Nodal conduction current density components and - 1
vector magnitude
B:X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic flux density components and vector - 1
magnitude
H:X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic field intensity components and vector - 1
magnitude
FMAG:X, Y, Z, Electromagnetic force components and magnitude - 1
SUM
JT:X, Y, Z, SUM Element conduction current density components (in - 1
the global Cartesian coordinate system) and vector
magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Element current density components (in the global - 1
Cartesian coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)=100001) [11]
TEMP Input temperatures - Y

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Name Definition O R
EPDI:X, Y, Z, XY, Diffusion strains - 1
YZ, XZ
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1
THERMAL-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100010)
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1
ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100100)
TEMP Input temperatures - Y
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components and vector - 1
magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian - 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1
THERMAL-ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100110)
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components and vector - 1
magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian - 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100101)
[11]
TEMP Input temperatures - Y

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 Name Definition O R
EPDI:X, Y, Z, XY, Diffusion strains - 1
YZ, XZ
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components and vector - 1
magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian - 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-THERMAL-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 100011)
[11]
EPDI:X, Y, Z, XY, Diffusion strains - 1
YZ, XZ
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1
ADDITIONAL OUTPUT FOR STRUCTURAL-THERMAL-ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) =
100111) [11]
EPDI:X, Y, Z, XY, Diffusion strains - 1
YZ, XZ
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux components and vector magnitude - 1
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude - 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Conduction current density components and vector - 1
magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian - 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
JHEAT Joule heat generation per unit volume [5], [6] - 1
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [9] - 1
PHEAT Plastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1

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Name Definition O R
VHEAT Viscoelastic heat generation rate per unit volume - 1

1. Solution values are output only if calculated (based on input values).

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

3. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep this value is set at 0.5.

4. JS represents the sum of element conduction and displacement current densities.

5. Calculated Joule heat generation rate per unit volume (JHEAT) may be made available for a sub-
sequent thermal analysis with companion thermal elements. For a piezoelectric analysis, the heat
generation rate output as JHEAT is produced by both the structural and electrical losses.

6. For a time-harmonic analysis, Joule losses (JHEAT) are time-averaged. These values are stored in
both the real and imaginary data sets. For more information, see Quasistatic Electric Analysis in the
Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.

7. For time-harmonic and modal analyses the following values are time-averaged: elastic (UE), mutual
(UM), and dielectric (UD) energies, the sum of elastic and dielectric energies (SENE), damping energy
(DENE), kinetic energy (KENE), and the Poynting vector (P). The real part of the UE, UM, UD, and
SENE records represents the average energy, while the imaginary part represents the average energy
loss. The real part of the Poynting vector represents the average power flow. For more information,
see Piezoelectrics in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.

8. For a time-harmonic analysis, total strain (UT) energy is time-averaged. The real part represents the
average energy, while the imaginary part represents the average energy loss. For more information,
see Thermoelasticity in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference.

9. With the normalized concentration approach, CONC is the actual concentration obtained by mul-
tiplying the saturated concentration (MP,CSAT) and the normalized concentration evaluated at the
element centroid. For more information, see Normalized Concentration Approach in the Theory
Reference.

10. Nonlinear solution, output only if the element has a nonlinear material, or if large-deflection effects
are enabled (NLGEOM,ON).

11. Output listed for this coupled analysis is in addition to the structural field output at the beginning
of this table.

12. For the structural-stranded coil analysis option (KEYOPT(1) = 10201), JT and JS are the effective
current densities as they are calculated based on the coil cross-sectional area (SC) that includes the
wire and the non-conducting material filling the space between the winding. JHEAT represents the
effective Joule heat generation rate per unit volume as it is calculated based on the modeled coil
volume that includes the wire and the non-conducting material filling the space between the
winding.

Table 7.227.8: SOLID227 Element Output Definitions (p. 1177) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) of the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) of this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.227.9: SOLID227 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1185):

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Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.227.8: SOLID227 Element Output Definitions (p. 1177)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.227.9: SOLID227 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE
Output Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
Analyses that include
DIFFUSION (KEYOPT(1) =
100001, 100010, 100100,
100110, 100011, 100101, and
100111)
CONC SMISC 1
STRUCTURAL-THERMAL
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 11)
UE NMISC 1
UT NMISC 4
PHEAT NMISC 5
VHEAT NMISC 6
ELECTROSTATIC-STRUCTURAL
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1001)
UE NMISC 1
UD NMISC 2
PIEZOELECTRIC ANALYSES
(KEYOPT(1) = 1001 and 101)
UE NMISC 1
UD NMISC 2
UM NMISC 3
UT NMISC 4
PX NMISC 5
PY NMISC 6
PZ NMISC 7
PSUM NMISC 8
STRUCTURAL-THERMOELECTRIC
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 111)

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Element Library

ETABLE
Output Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
UT NMISC 4
PHEAT NMISC 5
VHEAT NMISC 6
THERMAL-PIEZOELECTRIC
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1) = 1011)
UE NMISC 1
UD NMISC 2
UM NMISC 3
UT NMISC 4
PHEAT NMISC 5
VHEAT NMISC 6
STRUCTURAL-MAGNETIC
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 10001)
STRUCTURAL-ELECTROMAGNETIC
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 10101)
STRUCTURAL-STRANDED
COIL ANALYSES
(KEYOPT(1) = 10201)
UE NMISC 1
UMAG NMISC 2
JTX NMISC 6
JTY NMISC 7
JTZ NMISC 8
JTSUM NMISC 9
THERMAL-MAGNETIC
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 10010)
THERMAL-ELECTROMAGNETIC
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 10110)
JTX NMISC 1
JTY NMISC 2
JTZ NMISC 3
JTSUM NMISC 4

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 ETABLE
Output Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
STRUCTURAL-THERMAL-DIFFUSION
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 100011)
STRUCTURAL-THERMAL-ELECTRIC-DIFFUSION
ANALYSES (KEYOPT(1)
= 100111)
PHEAT NMISC 5
VHEAT NMISC 6

SOLID227 Assumptions and Restrictions

• In a piezoelectric or electrostatic-structural analysis, electric charge loading is interpreted as negative
electric charge or negative charge density.

• Optimized nonlinear solution defaults are applied in coupled-field analyses with structural degrees
of freedom using this element.

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the degrees-of-freedom vary linearly, rather than
parabolically, along that edge. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing
Guide for more information about the use of midside nodes. For coupled-field analyses that include
magnetic DOFs, the midside nodes may not be removed and should lie on straight edges. For curved
boundaries, issue MSHMID,1 to place the midside nodes such that the element edges are straight.

• In an analysis with structural and diffusion degrees of freedom coupled by the stress migration effect
(specified using TB,MIGR), the following are not supported:

– Removing midside nodes

– The weak coupling option (KEYOPT(2) = 1)

• This element may not be compatible with other elements with the VOLT degree of freedom. To be
compatible, the elements must have the same through reaction solution for the VOLT DOF. Elements
that have an electric charge reaction solution must all have the same electric charge reaction sign.
For more information, see Element Compatibility in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide.

• When a coupled-field analysis with structural degrees of freedom uses mixed u-P formulation (KEY-
OPT(11) = 1), no midside nodes can be dropped. When using mixed formulation (KEYOPT(11) = 1),
use the sparse solver (default). No midside node drop-off is recommended.

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear (NLGEOM,ON) coupled-field analyses

with structural degrees of freedom. Prestress effects can be activated via the PSTRES command.

• Graphical Solution Tracking (/GST) is not supported with coupled-diffusion analyses (KEYOPT(1)=100001,
100010, and 100011).

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• Reaction forces are not available for electrostatic-structural (KEYOPT(1) = 1001) or magneto-structural
(KEYOPT(1) = 10001) analyses with the elastic air option (KEYOPT(4) = 1).

• The structural-magnetic (KEYOPT(1) = 10001) and thermal-magnetic (KEYOPT(1) = 10010) analysis

options require that the source current density specified via the BFE,,JS command is solenoidal.

• For a structural-stranded coil analysis (KEYOPT(1) = 10201), the winding direction vector T = {TX, TY,
TZ}T must be specified in the element coordinate system, and all VOLT and EMF degrees of freedom
must be coupled (CP command).

SOLID227 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

PLANE230
2-D 8-Node Electric Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1192)

PLANE230 Element Description

PLANE230 is a 2-D, 8-node, current-based electric element. The element has one degree of freedom,
voltage, at each node. The 8-node elements have compatible voltage shapes and are well suited to
model curved boundaries.

This element is based on the electric scalar potential formulation and it is applicable to the following
low frequency electric field analyses: steady-state electric conduction, time-harmonic quasistatic and
transient quasistatic. See PLANE230 - 2-D 8-Node Electric Solid in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference
for more details about this element.

Figure 7.230.1: PLANE230 Geometry

L
3
K K, L, O
O
4
Y P P N
(or axial) 2
N I
M J
I
X (or radial) M Tri Option
J
1

PLANE230 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.230.1: PLANE230 Geometry (p. 1188). The element is defined by eight nodes and orthotropic mater-
ial properties. The type of units (MKS or user defined) is specified through the EMUNIT command.
EMUNIT also determines the value of EPZRO. The EMUNIT defaults are MKS units and EPZRO = 8.854
x 10-12 Farad/meter. A triangular-shaped element may be formed by defining the same node number
for nodes K, L and O.

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Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate
system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Properties not input default as described
in the Material Reference.

Nodal loads are defined with the D (Lab = VOLT) and F (Lab = AMPS) commands. The nodal forces, if
any, should be input per unit of depth for a plane analysis and on a full 360° basis for an axisymmetric
analysis.

The temperature (for material property evaluation only) body loads may be input based on their value
at the element's nodes or as a single element value [BF, BFE]. In general, unspecified nodal values of
temperatures default to the uniform value specified with the BFUNIF or TUNIF commands.

A summary of the element input is given in "PLANE230 Input Summary" (p. 1189). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41). For axisymmetric applications see Harmonic
Axisymmetric Elements (p. 92).

PLANE230 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

VOLT

Real Constants

THK - Thickness (used only if KEYOPT(3) = 3)

Material Properties

MP command: RSVX, RSVY, PERX, PERY, LSST

EMUNIT command: EPZRO

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperature --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P)

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

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Element Library

0 --

Plane

1 --

Axisymmetric

3 --

Plane with thickness input, specified via real constant THK.

PLANE230 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.230.1: PLANE230 Element Output Definitions (p. 1190).

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.230.2: PLANE230 Output (p. 1190). The element output directions
are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of solution output is given in
Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results. The element output direc-
tions are parallel to the element coordinate system as shown in Figure 7.230.2: PLANE230 Output (p. 1190).

Figure 7.230.2: PLANE230 Output

L
O K
y
EFy, JCy
P
x
Y EFx, JCx N
(or axial)
I

X (or radial) M J

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.230.1: PLANE230 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y

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 Name Definition O R
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 2
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P) Y Y
LOC Output location (X, Y) 1 -
EF:X, Y, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude 1 1
JC:X, Y, SUM Nodal conduction current density components and 1 1
vector magnitude
JS:X, Y, SUM Current density components - 1

(in the global Cartesian coordinate system)

and vector magnitude [3]
JT:X, Y, SUM Element conduction current density components and - 1
magnitude [3]
JHEAT: Joule heat generation rate per unit volume [4] [5] [6] - 1
SENE: Stored electric energy [6] - 1
D:X, Y, SUM Electric flux density components and vector magnitude - 1

1. The solution value is output only if calculated (based upon input data). The element solution is at
the centroid.

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

3. JS represents the sum of element conduction and displacement current densities. JT represents the
element conduction current density. The element displacement current density (JD) can be derived
from JS and JT as JD = JS-JT.

4. For a time-harmonic analysis, calculated Joule heat generation rate per unit volume (JHEAT) includes
conduction heating and dielectric heating due to the loss tangent.

5. Calculated Joule heat generation rate per unit volume (JHEAT) may be made available for a sub-
sequent thermal analysis with companion elements [LDREAD].

6. For a time-harmonic analysis, Joule losses (JHEAT) and stored energy (SENE) represent time-average
values. These values are stored in both the real and imaginary data sets.

Table 7.230.2: PLANE230 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1192) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.230.2: PLANE230 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1192):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.230.1: PLANE230 Element Output Definitions (p. 1190)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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Element Library

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.230.2: PLANE230 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
DX NMISC 1
DY NMISC 2
DSUM NMISC 3
JTX NMISC 4
JTY NMISC 5
JTSUM NMISC 6

PLANE230 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The area of the element must be positive.

• The element must lie in a global X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.230.2: PLANE230 Output (p. 1190), and
the Y-axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses.

• An axisymmetric structure should be modeled in the +X quadrants.

• A face with a removed midside node implies that the potential varies linearly, rather than parabolically,
along that face. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing Guide for more
information about the use of midside nodes.

• This element is only compatible with elements having a VOLT degree of freedom and an electric
current reaction solution. See Element Compatibility in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis
Guide) for more information.

PLANE230 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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SOLID231
3-D 20-Node Electric Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1197)

SOLID231 Element Description

SOLID231 is a 3-D 20-node, current-based electric element. The element has one degree of freedom,
voltage, at each node. It can tolerate irregular shapes without much loss of accuracy. SOLID231 elements
have compatible voltage shapes and are well suited to model curved boundaries.

This element is based on the electric scalar potential formulation and it is applicable to the following
low frequency electric field analyses: steady-state electric conduction, time-harmonic quasistatic and
transient quasistatic. See SOLID231 - 3-D 20-Node Electric Solid in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference
for more details about this element.

Figure 7.231.1: SOLID231 Geometry

M,N,O,P,U,V,W,X
Y A,B
Z
K,L,S
I T R
5 P 4 Q
J
W
X Tetrahedral Option
O
6 M,N,O,P,U,V,W,X
M
B V A
Y B Z
U
N T
A K
L S
Y 2 3 I
R
L S Q J
T Z Pyramid Option
K X
I O,P,W
Z M
R
Q 1 U V A,B
J Y N
Y Z
I K,L,S
X T
Q R
J
Prism Option

SOLID231 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.231.1: SOLID231 Geometry (p. 1193). The element is defined by 20 node points and the material
properties. The type of units (MKS or user defined) is specified through the EMUNIT command. EMUNIT
also determines the value of EPZRO. The EMUNIT defaults are MKS units and EPZRO = 8.854 x 10-12
Farad/meter. A prism-shaped element may be formed by defining duplicate K, L, and S; A and B; and
O, P, and W node numbers. A pyramid-shaped element and a tetrahedral-shaped element may also be
formed as shown in Figure 7.231.1: SOLID231 Geometry (p. 1193).

Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate
system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Properties not input default as described
in the Material Reference.

Nodal loads are defined with the D (Lab = VOLT) and F (Lab = AMPS) commands. The temperature (for
material property evaluation only) body loads may be input based on their value at the element's nodes

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Element Library

or as a single element value [BF, BFE]. In general, unspecified nodal values of temperatures default to
the uniform value specified with the BFUNIF or TUNIF commands.

A summary of the element input is given in "SOLID231 Input Summary" (p. 1194). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SOLID231 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, A, B

Degrees of Freedom

VOLT

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

MP command: RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ, LSST

EMUNIT command: EPZRO

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperature --

T(I), T(J), ..., T(Z), T(A), T(B)

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT

None

SOLID231 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal potentials included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.231.1: SOLID231 Element Output Definitions (p. 1195)

The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

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The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.231.1: SOLID231 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 2
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), ..., T(Z), T(A), T(B) Y Y
LOC Output location (X, Y, Z) 1 -
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude 1 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Nodal conduction current density components and 1 1
vector magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian - 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [3]
JT:X, Y, Z, SUM Element conduction current density components and - 1
magnitude [3]
JHEAT: Joule heat generation rate per unit volume [4] [5] [6] - 1
SENE: Stored electric energy [6] - 1
D:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric flux density components and vector magnitude - 1

1. The solution value is output only if calculated (based upon input data). The element solution is at
the centroid.

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

3. JS represents the sum of element conduction and displacement current densities. JT represents the
element conduction current density. The element displacement current density (JD) can be derived
from JS and JT as JD = JS-JT. JS can be used as a source current density for a subsequent magneto-
static analysis with companion elements [LDREAD].

4. For a time-harmonic analysis, calculated Joule heat generation rate per unit volume (JHEAT) includes
conduction heating and dielectric heating due to the loss tangent.

5. Calculated Joule heat generation rate per unit volume (JHEAT) may be made available for a sub-
sequent thermal analysis with companion elements [LDREAD].

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Element Library

6. For a time-harmonic analysis, Joule losses (JHEAT) and stored energy (SENE) represent time-average
values. These values are stored in both the real and imaginary data sets.

Table 7.231.2: SOLID231 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1196) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.231.2: SOLID231 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1196):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.231.1: SOLID231 Element Output Definitions (p. 1195)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.231.2: SOLID231 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
DX NMISC 1
DY NMISC 2
DZ NMISC 3
DSUM NMISC 4
JTX NMISC 5
JTY NMISC 6
JTZ NMISC 7
JTSUM NMISC 8

SOLID231 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume or a zero length side. This occurs most frequently when
the element is not numbered properly. Elements may be numbered either as shown in Fig-
ure 7.231.1: SOLID231 Geometry (p. 1193) or in an opposite fashion.

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the potential varies linearly, rather than parabol-
ically, along that edge. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing Guide
for more information on the use of midside nodes.

• Degeneration to the form of pyramid should be used with caution. The element sizes, when degen-
erated, should be small in order to minimize the field gradients. Pyramid elements are best used as
filler elements in meshing transition zones.

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• This element is only compatible with elements having a VOLT degree of freedom and an electric
current reaction solution. See Element Compatibility in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis
Guide) for more information.

• The solenoidal current density is required for a solution, or for any postprocessing operations.

SOLID231 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

SOLID232
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Electric Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1201)

SOLID232 Element Description

SOLID232 is a 3-D, 10-node, current-based electric element. It is well suited to model irregular meshes
(such as produced from various CAD/CAM systems). The element has one degree of freedom, voltage,
at each node.

This element is based on the electric scalar potential formulation and it is applicable to the following
low frequency electric field analyses: steady-state electric conduction, time-harmonic quasistatic and
transient quasistatic. See SOLID232 - 3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Electric Solid in the Mechanical APDL
Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.232.1: SOLID232 Geometry

L

4
R
P
Q 3
Y 2
O K

X I N
M
Z
1
J

SOLID232 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.232.1: SOLID232 Geometry (p. 1197). The element is defined by 10 node points and the material
properties. The type of units (MKS or user defined) is specified through the EMUNIT command. EMUNIT
also determines the value of EPZRO. The EMUNIT defaults are MKS units and EPZRO = 8.854 x 10-12
Farad/meter.

Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate
system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Properties not input default as described
in the Material Reference.

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Nodal loads are defined with the D (Lab = VOLT) and F (Lab = AMPS) commands. The temperature (for
material property evaluation only) body loads may be input based on their value at the element's nodes
or as a single element value [BF, BFE]. In general, unspecified nodal values of temperatures default to
the uniform value specified with the BFUNIF or TUNIF commands.

A summary of the element input is given in "SOLID232 Input Summary" (p. 1198). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SOLID232 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R

Degrees of Freedom

VOLT

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

MP command: RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, PERX, PERY, PERZ, LSST

EMUNIT command: EPZRO

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperature --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P), T(Q), T(R)

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPTS

None

SOLID232 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal potentials included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.232.1: SOLID232 Element Output Definitions (p. 1199)

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The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49) in the Element Reference (p. 1). See the Basic Ana-
lysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.232.1: SOLID232 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 2
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P), Y Y
T(Q), T(R)
LOC Output location (X, Y, Z) 1 -
EF:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field components and vector magnitude 1 1
JC:X, Y, Z, SUM Nodal conduction current density components and 1 1
vector magnitude
JS:X, Y, Z, SUM Current density components (in the global Cartesian - 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [3]
JT:X, Y, Z, SUM Element conduction current density components and - 1
magnitude [3]
JHEAT: Joule heat generation rate per unit volume [4] [5] [6] - 1
SENE: Stored electric energy [6] - 1
D:X, Y, Z, SUM Electric flux density components and vector magnitude - 1

1. The solution value is output only if calculated (based upon input data). The element solution is at
the centroid.

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

3. JS represents the sum of element conduction and displacement current densities. JT represents the
element conduction current density. The element displacement current density (JD) can be derived
from JS and JT as JD = JS-JT. JS can be used as a source current density for a subsequent magneto-
static analysis with companion elements [LDREAD].

4. For a time-harmonic analysis, calculated Joule heat generation rate per unit volume (JHEAT) includes
conduction heating and dielectric heating due to the loss tangent.

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5. Calculated Joule heat generation rate per unit volume (JHEAT) may be made available for a sub-
sequent thermal analysis with companion elements [LDREAD].

6. For a time-harmonic analysis, Joule losses (JHEAT) and stored energy (SENE) represent time-average
values. These values are stored in both the real and imaginary data sets.

Table 7.232.2: SOLID232 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1200) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.232.2: SOLID232 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1200):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.232.1: SOLID232 Element Output Definitions (p. 1199)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.232.2: SOLID232 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
DX NMISC 1
DY NMISC 2
DZ NMISC 3
DSUM NMISC 4
JTX NMISC 5
JTY NMISC 6
JTZ NMISC 7
JTSUM NMISC 8

SOLID232 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume or a zero length side. This occurs most frequently when
the element is not numbered properly. Elements may be numbered either as shown in Fig-
ure 7.232.1: SOLID232 Geometry (p. 1197) or in an opposite fashion.

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the potential varies linearly, rather than parabol-
ically, along that edge. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing Guide
for more information on the use of midside nodes.

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• This element is only compatible with elements having a VOLT degree of freedom and an electric
current reaction solution. See Element Compatibility in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis
Guide) for more information.

• The solenoidal current density is required for a solution, or for any postprocessing operations.

SOLID232 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

PLANE233
2-D 8-Node Electromagnetic Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1209)

PLANE233 Element Description

PLANE233 is a 2-D element capable of modeling planar or axisymmetric magnetic or electromagnetic
fields. In an electromagnetic analysis, it can also model a planar or axisymmetric stranded coil. The
element is defined by 8 or 6 nodes, and has up to 3 degrees of freedom per node: the Z component
of the magnetic vector potential (AZ) in magnetic, electromagnetic, and stranded coil analyses, electric
scalar potential (VOLT) in electromagnetic and stranded coil analyses, and electromotive force (EMF) in
stranded coil analyses. The VOLT and EMF degrees of freedom may be time-integrated.

In electromagnetic analyses, all VOLT degrees of freedom must be coupled in a 2-D electromagnetic
region (CP) such that the voltage drop across the thickness has a single value. In a stranded coil, all the
VOLT and EMF degrees of freedom must be coupled (CP).

PLANE233 is applicable to static, time-harmonic, and time-transient magnetic analyses, electromagnetic

analyses, or stranded coil analyses. The magnetic analysis option, typically used to model air, iron,
nonferrous materials and permanent magnets, is driven by the current density applied as an element
body load. The electromagnetic analysis option, suitable for modeling solid (massive) conductors, may
be voltage-driven, current-driven, or circuit-fed. In time-varying electromagnetic analyses, the eddy
current effects may be suppressed to model stranded conductors. In static and time-varying electromag-
netic analyses, velocity effects (moving conductors) can be taken into account. The stranded coil ana-
lysis option is suitable for modeling a stranded winding with a prescribed current flow direction vector.
The stranded coil can be voltage-driven, current-driven, or circuit-fed.

The following command macros can be used with PLANE233 for solution postprocessing: CURR2D,
EMAGERR, EMFT, FLUXV, MMF, PLF2D, POWERH. See Electric and Magnetic Macros in the Low-Frequency
Electromagnetic Analysis Guide for more details.

See PLANE233 theory in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element. The
element has nonlinear magnetic capability for modeling B-H curves or permanent magnet demagnetiz-
ation curves for static and time-transient analyses.

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Figure 7.233.1: PLANE233 Geometry

PLANE233 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.233.1: PLANE233 Geometry (p. 1202). A triangular-shaped element may be formed by specifying the
same node number for nodes K, L and O.

The type of units (MKS or user defined) is specified via the EMUNIT command. EMUNIT also determines
the value of MUZRO and EPZRO. The EMUNIT defaults are MKS units and MUZRO = 4π10-7 Henry/meter
and EPZRO = 8.854 x 10-12 Farad/meter. In addition to MUZRO and EPZRO, orthotropic relative permeab-
ility is specified through the MURX and MURY material property labels. The Z-depth resistivity and
permittivity are specified using the RSVZ and PERZ material property labels respectively. MGXX and
MGYY represent vector components of the coercive force for permanent magnet materials. The magnitude
of the coercive force is the square root of the sum of the squares of the components. The direction of
polarization is determined by the components MGXX and MGYY. Permanent magnet polarization direc-
tions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate system orientation is
as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Nonlinear magnetic B-H properties are entered via the TB
command. Nonlinear orthotropic magnetic properties can be specified with a combination of a B-H
curve and linear relative permeability. The B-H curve is used in each element coordinate direction where
a zero value of relative permeability is specified. Only one B-H curve may be specified per material.

For the plane option (KEYOPT(3) = 0), you can also explicitly specify the element thickness (Z depth)
using the real constant THK. For the axisymmetric option (KEYOPT(3) = 1), you can specify the fraction
of the 360° basis using the same real constant.

Nodal loads are defined via the D and F commands. The nodal forces, if any, should be input per unit
of depth for a plane analysis and on a full 360° basis for an axisymmetric analysis unless the THK real
constant is specified. The D command with Lab = AZ applies the Z-component of the magnetic vector
potential constraint to the node. Flux-parallel boundary conditions are prescribed by setting AZ to zero.
To set flux-normal boundary conditions, leave the AZ constraint unspecified.

For massive conductors (KEYOPT(1) = 1), Lab = VOLT is valid with the D command and VALUE defines
the electric potential. Note that electric potential is time-integrated if KEYOPT(2) = 2. With the F command,
Lab = AMPS and VALUE corresponds to the total current.

For stranded coils (KEYOPT(1) = 2), Lab = VOLT is valid with the D command and VALUE defines the
voltage drop across the coil. The D command with Lab = EMF can be used to apply constraints on the
electromotive force. Note that voltage drop and the electromotive force are time-integrated if KEYOPT(2)
= 2. The total current through the coil can be applied with the F command using Lab = AMPS.

The temperature (used for material property evaluation only) body loads may be input based on their
value at the element's nodes or as a single element value [BF, BFE]. In general, unspecified nodal values

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of temperatures default to the uniform value specified with the BFUNIF or TUNIF commands. For
modeling stranded conductors with KEYOPT(1) = 0, source current density may be applied to an area
[BFA] or input as an element value [BFE].

A summary of the element input is given in "PLANE233 Input Summary". A general description of element
input is given in Element Input.

PLANE233 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

Set by KEYOPT(1).

Real Constants

Thickness (THK) is the only real constant for KEYOPT(1) = 0 or 1.

The following are the real constants for KEYOPT(1) = 2:

THK, SC, NC, RAD, TZ, R, SYM

See Table 7.233.1: PLANE233 Real Constants (p. 1206) for more information.

Material Properties

TB command: Magnetic

MP command: MURX, MURY, MGXX, MGYY, RSVZ, PERZ (See ""PLANE233 Assumptions and Restric-
tions" (p. 1208)")

EMUNIT command: EPZRO, MUZERO

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperature --

T(I), T(J), ..., T(O), T(P)

Source Current Density (valid for KEYOPT(1) = 0 only) --

spare, spare, JSZ(I), PHASE(I),

spare, spare, JSZ(J), PHASE(J),

...

spare, spare, JSZ(O), PHASE(O),

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spare, spare, JSZ(P), PHASE(P)

Velocity (valid for KEYOPT(1) = 1 only) --

VELOX(I), VELOY(I), spare, spare, spare, OMEGAZ(I)

VELOX(J), VELOY(J), spare, spare, spare, OMEGAZ(J)

...

VELOX(P), VELOY(P), spare, spare, spare, OMEGAZ(P)

Special Features

Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(1)

Element capability and degrees of freedom:

0 --

Magnetic: AZ

1 --

Electromagnetic: AZ, VOLT

2 --

Stranded coil: AZ, VOLT, EMF

KEYOPT(2)

Coupling method between magnetic and electric degrees of freedom (KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2); also
defines the meaning of the VOLT and EMF degrees of freedom:

0 --

Strong coupling (through matrix terms). Applicable to static, harmonic, and transient analyses.
Produces an unsymmetric matrix and, in a linear analysis, requires only one iteration to achieve
a coupled response.

1 --

Weak coupling (through the load vector). Applicable to static and transient analyses only. Pro-
duces a symmetric matrix and requires at least two iterations to achieve a coupled response.
(See "PLANE233 Assumptions and Restrictions" (p. 1208))

2 --

Strong coupling (through matrix terms). VOLT is time-integrated voltage drop and EMF is time-
integrated electromotive force. Applicable to harmonic and transient analyses only.

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 For electromagnetics (KEYOPT(1) = 1), produces a symmetric matrix. For a stranded coil (KEYOPT(1)
= 2), produces a symmetric matrix if the coil symmetry factor is 1; produces an unsymmetric
matrix if the coil symmetry factor is greater than 1. In a linear analysis, requires only one iteration
to achieve a coupled response.

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

0 --

Plane

1 --

Axisymmetric

KEYOPT(5)

Eddy current or velocity effects in harmonic or transient electromagnetic (KEYOPT(1) =1) analyses:

0 --

Eddy current and velocity effects are active

1 --

Eddy current effects are suppressed, velocity effects are active

2 --

Velocity effects are suppressed, eddy current effects are active

3 --

Eddy current and velocity effects are suppressed

KEYOPT(7)

Electromagnetic force output:

0 --

At each element node (corner and midside)

1 --

At element corner nodes only (midside node forces are condensed to the corner nodes)

KEYOPT(8)

Electromagnetic force calculation:

0 --

Maxwell

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1 --

Lorentz

Table 7.233.1: PLANE233 Real Constants

No. Name Description Default Definition

1 THK Thickness (plane) or 1 Applicable to all KEYOPT(1) = 0,
fraction of the 360° basis 1, or 2.
(axisymmetric)
2 SC Coil cross-sectional area none True physical cross-section of
the coil regardless of symmetry
modeling considerations. It
includes the cross-sectional area
of the wire and the
non-conducting material filling
the space between the winding.
3 NC Number of coil turns 1 Total number of winding turns
in a coil regardless of any
symmetry modeling
considerations.
4 RAD Mean radius of the coil none Mean radius of the
(axisymmetric) axisymmetric coil model. If the
mean radius is not known, input
VC/((2π)(SC)(THK)) , where VC is
the full symmetry true physical
volume of the coil. VC includes
the volume occupied by the
wire and the non-conducting
material filling the space
between the winding.
5 TZ Current polarity 1 (plane) The current flow direction (1 or
-1) with respect to Z-axis
-1
(axisymmetric)
6 R Coil resistance none Total coil DC resistance
regardless of any symmetry
modeling considerations.
7 SYM Coil symmetry factor 1 Ratio of the full symmetry coil
cross-sectional area (SC) to the
modeled coil area. The input
should be equal to or greater
than 1.

PLANE233 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

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• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.233.2: PLANE233 Element Output Definitions (p. 1207)

The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates the item can be accessed by the Component Name method
[ETABLE, ESOL]. The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and a - indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.233.2: PLANE233 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Nodes - I, J,…, O,P - Y
MAT Material number - Y
THICK Thickness - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported - 2
TEMP Input temperatures T(I), T(J), ..., T(O), T(P) - Y
LOC Output location (X, Y) - -
B: X, Y, SUM Magnetic flux density components and vector magnitude - 1
H: X, Y, SUM Magnetic field intensity components and vector magnitude - 1
EF: Z, SUM Electric field intensity Z component and vector magnitude - 1
[7]
JC: Z, SUM Conduction current density Z component and vector - 1
magnitude [7]
FMAG: X, Y, SUM Electromagnetic force components and magnitude [3] - 1
JT: Z, SUM Conduction current density Z component (in the global - 1
Cartesian coordinate system) and vector magnitude [6]
JS: Z, SUM Current density Z component (in the global Cartesian - 1
coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4] [6]
JHEAT: Joule heat generation rate per unit volume [3] [5] [6] - 1
SENE or MENE: Magnetic energy [3] - 1
COEN Magnetic co-energy [3] - 1
AENE Apparent magnetic energy [3] - 1
IENE Incremental magnetic energy [3] - 1

1. The solution value is output only if calculated (based upon input data). The element solution is at
the centroid.

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2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

3. For a time-harmonic analysis, electromagnetic forces (FMAG), Joule losses (JHEAT) and stored energy
(SENE, MENE) represent time-average values. These values are stored in both the real and imaginary
data sets. In a linear perturbation analysis, only incremental and apparent energy values are time-
averaged.

4. JS represents the sum of element conduction and displacement current densities.

5. Calculated Joule heat generation rate per unit volume (JHEAT) may be made available for a sub-
sequent thermal analysis with companion elements [LDREAD].

6. For the stranded coil analysis option (KEYOPT(1) = 2), JT and JS are the effective current densities
as they are calculated based on the coil cross-sectional area (SC) that includes the wire and the non-
conducting material filling the space between the winding. JHEAT represents the effective Joule
heat generation rate per unit volume as it is calculated based on the modeled coil volume that in-
cludes the wire and the non-conducting material filling the space between the winding.

7. Not available with the stranded coil option (KEYOPT(1) = 2).

Table 7.233.3: PLANE233 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1208) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and Table 7.233.3: PLANE233 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1208) in this reference for
more information. The following notation is used in Table 7.233.3: PLANE233 Item and Sequence Num-
bers (p. 1208):

Name:

output quantity as defined in Table 7.233.2: PLANE233 Element Output Definitions (p. 1207)

Item:

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

E:

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.233.3: PLANE233 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output Quantity ETABLE and ESOL Command

Name Input
Item E
JTZ NMISC 1

PLANE233 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The area of the element must be positive.

• The element must lie in a global X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.233.1: PLANE233 Geometry (p. 1202)
and the Y-axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses. An axisymmetric structure
should be modeled in the +X quadrants.

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• A face with a removed midside node implies that the potentials vary linearly, rather than parabolically,
along that edge. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing Guide for more
information on the use of midside nodes.

• Permanent magnets are not permitted in a harmonic analysis.

• Use of the weak coupling option (KEYOPT(2) = 1) in a transient electromagnetic analysis with eddy
currents or a transient stranded coil analysis is not recommended because multiple iterations may
be required to achieve convergence.

• In a transient, strongly coupled (KEYOPT(2) = 0 or 2) electromagnetic analysis or stranded coil analysis

(KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2), the THETA integration parameter defaults to the values shown in the following
table. You can use the TINTP command to modify the default setting.

Table 7.233.4: THETA Default Values

THETA
Analysis Type KEYOPT Values Default
Value
With electric potential or voltage drop KEYOPT(2) = 0 1.0
(VOLT)
With time-integrated electric potential or KEYOPT(2) = 2 0.5
voltage drop (VOLT)

• The electrical permittivity material input (MP,PERZ) is applicable to harmonic electromagnetic analyses
(KEYOPT(1) = 1) only.

• In an electromagnetic (KEYOPT(1) = 1) domain, all VOLT degrees of freedom must be coupled (CP).

• In a stranded coil (KEYOPT(1) = 2) domain, all VOLT and EMF degrees of freedom must be coupled
(CP).

• Unlike the 2-D magnetic element PLANE13 (p. 151) that models the eddy current effects with the AZ
option (KEYOPT(1) = 0) when BFE,,JS is not specified, PLANE233 always acts as a stranded conductor
in a harmonic or transient analysis with KEYOPT(1) = 0. In this respect, the PLANE233 behavior is
consistent with the 3-D electromagnetic elements (e.g. SOLID236 (p. 1210)) behavior.

• This element may not be compatible with other elements having a VOLT degree of freedom. See
Element Compatibility in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide) for more information. The
electromagnetic analysis with time-integrated electric potential (KEYOPT(2) = 2) cannot be used with
current-based circuit (e.g. CIRCU124 (p. 372)) or low-frequency electric (e.g. PLANE230 (p. 1188)) elements.

PLANE233 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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Element Library

SOLID236
3-D 20-Node Electromagnetic Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1219)

SOLID236 Element Description

SOLID236 is a 3-D 20-node element capable of modeling electromagnetic fields. The element has
magnetic and electric degrees of freedom. Magnetic degrees of freedom are based on the edge-flux
formulation.

The edge-flux (AZ) degrees of freedoms are the line integrals of the magnetic vector potential along
the element edges. They are defined at the midside nodes only, and there are no magnetic degrees of
freedom associated with the corner nodes. The edge-flux formulation uses tree gauging (GAUGE) to
produce a unique solution.

In an electromagnetic analysis, the electric degree of freedom is the electric potential (VOLT) defined
at each node. The element also has an option to perform an electromagnetic analysis with time-integrated
electric potential.

In a stranded coil analysis, the electric degrees of freedom are the voltage drop across the coil (VOLT)
and the electromotive force (EMF). In a coil region, all the VOLT and EMF degrees of freedom must be
coupled (CP). The element has the option to perform a stranded coil analysis with time-integrated
voltage drop or time-integrated electromotive force.

The element is applicable to 3-D static, time-harmonic and time-transient electromagnetic analyses.
The magnetic analysis option typically is used to model air, iron, nonferrous materials and permanent
magnets. The analysis is driven by the current density applied as an element body load.

The electromagnetic analysis option is suitable for modeling solid (massive) conductors. The solid
(massive) conductor may be voltage-driven or current-driven, as well as circuit-fed. The electromagnetic
analysis has the option to suppress the eddy current effect in time-varying analyses to model stranded
conductors. The Hall effect can be taken into account in a static or transient electromagnetic analysis.
The velocity effects can be taken into account in a static, time-harmonic or time-transient electromag-
netic analysis.

The stranded coil analysis option is suitable for modeling a stranded winding with a prescribed current
flow direction vector. The stranded coil may be voltage-driven or current-driven, as well as circuit-fed.

The following command macros can be used with SOLID236 for solution postprocessing: EMAGERR,
EMFT, MMF, POWERH. See Electric and Magnetic Macros in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis
Guide for more details.

See SOLID236 theory in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element. The
element has nonlinear magnetic capability for modeling B-H curves or permanent magnet demagnetiz-
ation curves for static and time-transient analyses.

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Figure 7.236.1: SOLID236 Geometry
M,N,O,P,U,V,W,X
Y A,B
Z
K,L,S
I T R
5 P 4 Q J
W
X Tetrahedral Option
O
6 M,N,O,P,U,V,W,X
M
B V A
Y B Z
U
N T
A K
L S
Y 2 3 I
R
L S Q J
T Z Pyramid Option
K X
I O,P,W
Z M
R
Q 1 U V A,B
J Y N
Y Z
I K,L,S
X T
Q R
J
Prism Option

SOLID236 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.236.1: SOLID236 Geometry (p. 1211). The element is defined by 20 node points and the material
properties. A prism-shaped element may be formed by defining duplicate K, L, and S; A and B; and O,
P, and W node numbers. A pyramid-shaped element and a tetrahedral-shaped element may also be
formed as shown in Figure 7.236.1: SOLID236 Geometry (p. 1211).

The type of units (MKS or user defined) is specified via the EMUNIT command. EMUNIT also determines
the value of MUZRO and EPZRO. The EMUNIT defaults are MKS units and MUZRO = 4π10-7 Henry/meter
and EPZRO = 8.854 x 10-12 Farad/meter. In addition to MUZRO and EPZRO, orthotropic relative permeab-
ility and permittivity is available and is specified through the MURX, MURY, and MURZ and PERX, PERY,
PERZ material options, respectively. Orthotropic resistivity is specified through RSVX, RSVY, and RSVZ
material property labels. MGXX, MGYY, and MGZZ represent vector components of the coercive force
for permanent magnet materials. The magnitude of the coercive force is the square root of the sum of
the squares of the components. The direction of polarization is determined by the components MGXX,
MGYY, and MGZZ. Permanent magnet polarization directions correspond to the element coordinate
directions. The element coordinate system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61).
Nonlinear magnetic B-H properties are entered via the TB command. Nonlinear orthotropic magnetic
properties can be specified with a combination of a B-H curve and linear relative permeability. The B-
H curve is used in each element coordinate direction where a zero value of relative permeability is
specified. Only one B-H curve may be specified per material. In an electromagnetic analysis, the Hall
coefficient is specified through the RH material option.

Nodal loads are defined via the D and F commands. For edge-based analyses, the edge-flux constraint
is applied to the node via the D command with Lab = AZ. Flux-parallel boundary conditions are prescribed
by setting AZ to zero. No AZ constraint is required to set flux-normal boundary conditions. The DFLX
command can be used to impose a uniform magnetic flux on the selected nodes.

For massive conductors (KEYOPT(1) = 1), Lab = VOLT is valid with the D command and VALUE defines
the electric potential. Note that electric potential is time-integrated if KEYOPT(2) = 2. With the F command,
Lab = AMPS and VALUE corresponds to the total current.

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For stranded coils (KEYOPT(1) = 2), Lab = VOLT is valid with the D command and VALUE defines the
voltage drop across the coil. The D command with Lab = EMF can be used to apply constraints on the
electromotive force. Note that voltage drop and the electromotive force are time-integrated if KEYOPT(2)
= 2. The total current through the coil can be applied via the F command using Lab = AMPS.

The temperature (for material property evaluation only) body loads may be input based on their value
at the element's nodes or as a single element value [BF, BFE]. In general, unspecified nodal values of
temperatures default to the uniform value specified via the BFUNIF or TUNIF commands.

For modeling stranded conductors with KEYOPT(1) = 0, source current density may be applied to an
area or volume [BFA or BFV] or input as an element value [BFE]. The vector components of the current
density are with respect to the element coordinate system. See "SOLID236 Assumptions and Restric-
tions" (p. 1218) for a description of the solenoidal condition.

A summary of the element input is given in "SOLID236 Input Summary" (p. 1212). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SOLID236 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, A, B

Degrees of Freedom

See KEYOPT(1)

Real Constants

There are no real constants for KEYOPT(1) = 0 or 1.

The following are the real constants for KEYOPT(1) = 2:

SC, NC, VC, TX, TY, TZ

R, SYM

See Table 7.236.1: SOLID 236 Real Constants (p. 1215) for more information.

Material Properties

TB command: Magnetic

MP command: MURX, MURY, MURZ, MGXX, MGYY, MGZZ, RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, RH, PERX, PERY, PERZ
(see "SOLID236 Assumptions and Restrictions" (p. 1218))

EMUNIT command: EPZRO, MUZERO

Surface Loads

None

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Body Loads

Temperature --

T(I), T(J), ..., T(Z), T(A), T(B)

Source Current Density (valid for KEYOPT(1) = 0 only)

JSX(I), JSY(I), JSZ(I), PHASE(I),

JSX(J), JSY(J), JSZ(J), PHASE(J),

...

JSX(Z), JSY(Z), JSZ(Z), PHASE(Z),

JSX(A), JSY(A), JSZ(A), PHASE(A),

JSX(B), JSY(B), JSZ(B), PHASE(B)

Velocity (valid for KEYOPT(1) = 1 only) --

VELOX(I), VELOY(I), VELOZ(I), OMEGAX(I), OMEGAY(I), OMEGAZ(I)

VELOX(J), VELOY(J), VELOZ(J), OMEGAX(J), OMEGAY(J), OMEGAZ(J)

...

VELOX(Z), VELOY(Z), VELOZ(Z), OMEGAX(Z), OMEGAY(Z), OMEGAZ(Z)

VELOX(A), VELOY(A), VELOZ(A), OMEGAX(A), OMEGAY(A), OMEGAZ(A)

VELOX(B), VELOY(B), VELOZ(B), OMEGAX(B), OMEGAY(B), OMEGAZ(B)

Special Features

Linear perturbation

Magnetic materials

KEYOPT(1)

Element capability and degrees of freedom:

0 --

Magnetic:

AZ

1 --

Electromagnetic:

AZ, VOLT

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2 --

Stranded coil:

AZ, VOLT, EMF

KEYOPT(2)

Coupling method between magnetic and electric degrees of freedom (KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2); also
defines the meaning of the VOLT and EMF degrees of freedom for KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2:

0 --

Strong (matrix) coupling. Produces an unsymmetric matrix. In a linear analysis, a coupled response
is achieved after one iteration. Applicable to all analysis types.

1 --

Weak (load vector). Produces a symmetric matrix and requires at least two iterations to achieve
a coupled response. Applicable to static and transient analyses only. (see "SOLID236 Assumptions
and Restrictions" (p. 1218))

2 --

Strong (matrix) coupling with time-integrated electric potential (VOLT) for KEYOPT(1) = 1 (elec-
tromagnetic analysis). Produces a symmetric matrix.

Strong (matrix) coupling with time-integrated voltage drop (VOLT) and time-integrated electro-
motive force (EMF) for KEYOPT(1) = 2 (stranded coil analysis). Produces a symmetric matrix if
the coil symmetry factor is 1; produces a nonsymmetric matrix if the coil symmetry factor is
greater than 1.

In a linear analysis, a coupled response is achieved after one iteration. Applicable to harmonic
and transient analyses only.

KEYOPT(5)

Eddy currents or velocity effects in electromagnetic (KEYOPT(1) =1) analyses:

0 --

Active

1 --

Eddy currents are suppressed in harmonic or transient analyses

2 --

Velocity effects are suppressed

3 --

Eddy currents and velocity effects are suppressed

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KEYOPT(7)

Electromagnetic force output:

0 --

At each element node (corner and midside)

1 --

At element corner nodes only (midside node forces are condensed to the corner nodes)

KEYOPT(8)

Electromagnetic force calculation:

0 --

Maxwell

1 --

Lorentz

Table 7.236.1: SOLID 236 Real Constants

No. Name Description Default Definition

1 SC Coil cross-sectional area none True physical cross-section of
the coil regardless of symmetry
modeling considerations. It
includes the cross-sectional area
of the wire and the
non-conducting material filling
the space between the winding.
2 NC Number of coil turns 1 Total number of winding turns
in a coil regardless of any
symmetry modeling
considerations.
3 VC Coil volume none True physical volume of the coil
regardless of symmetry
modeling considerations. It
includes the volume occupied
by the wire and the
non-conducting material filling
the space between the winding.
4 TX Coil winding X-directional 0 The coil direction vector T = {TX,
cosine TY, TZ}T is a unit vector tangent
5 TY Coil winding Y-directional 1 to the coil winding. It
cosine designates the current flow
direction.
6 TZ Coil winding Z-directional 0
cosine

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No. Name Description Default Definition

7 R Coil resistance none Total coil DC resistance
regardless of any symmetry
modeling considerations.
8 SYM Coil symmetry factor 1 Ratio of the true physical
volume of the coil (real constant
VC) to the modeled coil volume.
The input should be greater or
equal to 1.

SOLID236 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.236.2: SOLID236 Element Output Definitions (p. 1216)

The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.236.2: SOLID236 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Nodes - I, J,…, Z, A, B - Y
MAT Material number - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported - 2
TEMP Input temperatures T(I), T(J), ..., T(Z), T(A), T(B) - Y
LOC Output location (X, Y, Z) - -
B: X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic flux density components and vector - 1
magnitude
H: X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic field intensity components and vector - 1
magnitude
EF: X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field intensity components and magnitude [7] - 1
JC: X, Y, Z, SUM Nodal conduction current density components and - 1
magnitude [7]

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 Name Definition O R
FMAG: X, Y, Z, Electromagnetic force components and magnitude [3] - 1
SUM
JT: X, Y, Z, SUM Element conduction current density components (in - 1
the global Cartesian coordinate system) and vector
magnitude [6]
JS: X, Y, Z, SUM Element current density components (in the global - 1
Cartesian coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
[6]
JHEAT: Joule heat generation rate per unit volume [3] [5] [6] - 1
SENE or MENE: Magnetic energy [3] - 1
COEN Magnetic co-energy [3] - 1
AENE Apparent magnetic energy [3] - 1
IENE Incremental magnetic energy [3] - 1

1. The solution value is output only if calculated (based upon input data). The element solution is at
the centroid.

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

3. For a time-harmonic analysis, electromagnetic forces (FMAG), Joule losses (JHEAT) and stored energy
(SENE, MENE) represent time-average values. These values are stored in both the real and imaginary
data sets. In a linear perturbation analysis, only incremental and apparent energy values are time-
averaged.

4. JS represents the sum of element conduction and displacement current densities.

5. Calculated Joule heat generation rate per unit volume (JHEAT) may be made available for a sub-
sequent thermal analysis with companion elements [LDREAD].

6. For the stranded coil analysis option (KEYOPT(1) = 2), JT and JS are the effective current densities
as they are calculated based on the coil cross-sectional area (SC) that includes the wire and the non-
conducting material filling the space between the winding. JHEAT represents the effective Joule
heat generation rate per unit volume as it is calculated based on the modeled coil volume that in-
cludes the wire and the non-conducting material filling the space between the winding.

7. Not available with the stranded coil option (KEYOPT(1) = 2).

Table 7.236.3: SOLID236 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1218) lists output available via the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.236.3: SOLID236 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1218):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.236.2: SOLID236 Element Output Definitions (p. 1216)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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Element Library

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.236.3: SOLID236 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
JTX NMISC 1
JTY NMISC 2
JTZ NMISC 3
JTSUM NMISC 4

SOLID236 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume or a zero length side. This occurs most frequently when
the element is not numbered properly. Elements may be numbered either as shown in Fig-
ure 7.236.1: SOLID236 Geometry (p. 1211) or in an opposite fashion.

• Midside nodes may not be removed and should lie on straight edges. For curved boundaries, issue
MSHMID,1 to place the midside nodes such that the element edges are straight.

• Highly distorted hexahedral-shaped elements may produce inaccurate results and should be avoided.

• Degeneration to the form of pyramid should be used with caution. The element sizes, when degen-
erated, should be small in order to minimize the field gradients. Pyramid elements are best used as
filler elements in meshing transition zones.

• The magnetic analysis option (KEYOPT(1) = 0) requires the source current density specified via the
BFE,,JS command to be solenoidal.

• Permanent magnets are not permitted in a harmonic analysis.

• It is not recommended to use the weak coupling option (KEYOPT(2) = 1) in a transient electromag-
netic analysis with eddy currents or a transient stranded coil analysis because multiple iterations may
be required to achieve convergence.

• In a transient analysis, the THETA integration parameter defaults to the values shown in the following
table. Issue the TINTP command to modify the default setting.

Table 7.236.4: THETA Default Values

THETA Default
Analysis Type KEYOPT Values
Value
Strongly coupled transient KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2 and KEYOPT(2) = 0 1.0
electromagnetic analysis with
electric potential or stranded coil
analysis with voltage drop (VOLT)

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 THETA Default
Analysis Type KEYOPT Values
Value
Strongly coupled transient KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2 and KEYOPT(2) = 2 0.5
electromagnetic analysis with
time-integrated electric potential or
stranded coil analysis with
time-integrated voltage drop (VOLT)

• The electrical permittivity material input (MP,PERX, also PERY, PERZ) is applicable to electromagnetic
harmonic analyses (KEYOPT(1) = 1) only.

• In a stranded coil (KEYOPT(1) = 2) domain, the winding direction vector T = {TX, TY, TZ}T must be
specified in the element coordinate system and all VOLT and EMF degrees of freedom must be coupled
(CP).

• This element may not be compatible with other elements having a VOLT degree of freedom. See
Element Compatibility in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide) for more information. The
electromagnetic analysis with time-integrated electric potential (KEYOPT(2) = 2) cannot be used with
current-based circuit (e.g. CIRCU124 (p. 372)) or low-frequency electric (e.g. SOLID231 (p. 1193)) elements.

SOLID236 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

SOLID237
3-D 10-Node Electromagnetic Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1228)

SOLID237 Element Description

SOLID237 is a 3-D 10-node, element capable of modeling electromagnetic fields. The element has
magnetic and electric degrees of freedom. Magnetic degrees of freedom are based on the edge-flux
formulation.

The edge-flux (AZ) degrees of freedoms are the line integrals of the magnetic vector potential along
the element edges. They are defined at the midside nodes only and there are no magnetic degrees of
freedom associated with the corner nodes. The edge-flux formulation uses tree gauging (see the GAUGE
command) to produce a unique solution.

In an electromagnetic analysis, the electric degree of freedom is the electric potential (VOLT) defined
at each node. The element also has an option to perform an electromagnetic analysis with time-integrated
electric potential.

In a stranded coil analysis, the electric degrees of freedom are the voltage drop across the coil (VOLT)
and the electromotive force (EMF). In a coil region, all the VOLT and EMF degrees of freedom must be

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Element Library

coupled using the CP command. The element has the option to perform a stranded coil analysis with
time-integrated voltage drop or time-integrated electromotive force.

The element is applicable to 3-D static, time-harmonic and time-transient electromagnetic analyses.
The magnetic analysis option typically is used to model air, iron, nonferrous materials and permanent
magnets. The analysis is driven by the current density applied as an element body load.

The electromagnetic analysis option is suitable for modeling solid (massive) conductors. The solid
(massive) conductor may be voltage- or current-driven, as well as circuit-fed. The electromagnetic ana-
lysis has the option to suppress the eddy current effect in time-varying analyses to model stranded
conductors. The Hall effect can be taken into account in a static or transient electromagnetic analysis.
The velocity effects can be taken into account in a static, time-harmonic or time-transient electromag-
netic analysis.

The stranded coil analysis option is suitable for modeling a stranded winding with a prescribed current
flow direction vector. The stranded coil may be voltage- or current-driven, as well as circuit-fed.

The following command macros can be used with SOLID237 for solution postprocessing: EMAGERR,
EMFT, MMF, POWERH. See Electric and Magnetic Macros in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis
Guide for more details.

The element has nonlinear magnetic capability for modeling B-H curves or permanent magnet demag-
netization curves for static and time-transient analyses. See SOLID237 in the Mechanical APDL Theory
Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.237.1: SOLID237 Geometry

L

4
R
P
Q 3
Y 2
O K

X I N
M
Z
1
J

SOLID237 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.237.1: SOLID237 Geometry (p. 1220). The element is defined by 10 node points and the material
properties.

The type of units (MKS or user defined) is specified through the EMUNIT command. EMUNIT also de-
termines the value of MUZRO and EPZRO. The EMUNIT defaults are MKS units and MUZRO = 4π10-7
Henry/meter and EPZRO = 8.854 x 10-12 Farad/meter. In addition to MUZRO and EPZRO, orthotropic
relative permeability and permittivity is available and is specified through the MURX, MURY, and MURZ
and PERX, PERY, PERZ material options, respectively. Orthotropic resistivity is specified through RSVX,
RSVY, and RSVZ material property labels. MGXX, MGYY, and MGZZ represent vector components of the
coercive force for permanent magnet materials. The magnitude of the coercive force is the square root
of the sum of the squares of the components. The direction of polarization is determined by the com-
ponents MGXX, MGYY, and MGZZ. Permanent magnet polarization directions correspond to the element
coordinate directions. The element coordinate system orientation is as described in Coordinate Sys-

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tems (p. 61). Nonlinear magnetic B-H properties are entered with the TB command. Nonlinear ortho-
tropic magnetic properties can be specified with a combination of a B-H curve and linear relative per-
meability. The B-H curve is used in each element coordinate direction where a zero value of relative
permeability is specified. Only one B-H curve may be specified per material. In an electromagnetic
analysis, the Hall coefficient is specified through the RH material option.

Nodal loads are defined with the D and F commands. For edge-based analyses, the edge-flux constraint
is applied to the node using the D command with Lab = AZ. Flux-parallel boundary conditions are
prescribed by setting AZ to zero. No AZ constraint is required to set flux-normal boundary conditions.
The DFLX command can be used to impose a uniform magnetic flux on the selected nodes.

For massive conductors (KEYOPT(1) = 1), Lab = VOLT is valid with the D command and VALUE defines
the electric potential. Note that electric potential is time-integrated if KEYOPT(2) = 2. With the F command,
Lab = AMPS and VALUE corresponds to the total current.

For stranded coils (KEYOPT(1) = 2), Lab = VOLT is valid with the D command and VALUE defines the
voltage drop across the coil. The D command with Lab = EMF can be used to apply constraints on the
electromotive force. Note that voltage drop and the electromotive force are time-integrated if KEYOPT(2)
= 2. The total current through the coil can be applied with the F command using Lab = AMPS.

The temperature (for material property evaluation only) body loads may be input based on their value
at the element's nodes or as a single element value [BF, BFE]. In general, unspecified nodal values of
temperatures default to the uniform value specified with the BFUNIF or TUNIF commands.

For modeling stranded conductors KEYOPT(1) = 0, source current density may be applied to an area or
volume [BFE or BFV] or input as an element value [BFE]. The vector components of the current density
are with respect to the element coordinate system. See "SOLID237 Assumptions and Restrictions" (p. 1227)
for a description of the solenoidal condition.

A summary of the element input is given in "SOLID237 Input Summary" (p. 1221). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SOLID237 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R

Degrees of Freedom

See KEYOPT(1)

Real Constants

There are no real constants for KEYOPT(1) = 0 or 1.

The following are the real constants for KEYOPT(1) = 2:

SC, NC, VC, TX, TY, TZ

R, SYM

See Table 7.237.1: SOLID 237 Real Constants (p. 1224) for more information.

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Material Properties

TB command: Magnetic

MP command: MURX, MURY, MURZ, MGXX, MGYY, MGZZ

RSVX, RSVY, RSVZ, RH, PERX, PERY, PERZ (see "SOLID237 Assumptions and Restrictions" (p. 1227))

EMUNIT command: EPZRO, MUZERO

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperature --

T(I), T(J), ..., T(P), T(Q), T(R)

Source Current Density (valid for KEYOPT(1) = 0 only)

JSX(I), JSY(I), JSZ(I), PHASE(I),

JSX(J), JSY(J), JSZ(J), PHASE(J),

...

JSX(P), JSY(P), JSZ(P), PHASE(P),

JSX(Q), JSY(Q), JSZ(Q), PHASE(Q),

JSX(R), JSY(R), JSZ(R), PHASE(R)

Velocity (valid for KEYOPT(1) = 1 only) --

VELOX(I), VELOY(I), VELOZ(I), OMEGAX(I), OMEGAY(I), OMEGAZ(I)

VELOX(J), VELOY(J), VELOZ(J), OMEGAX(J), OMEGAY(J), OMEGAZ(J)

...

VELOX(P), VELOY(P), VELOZ(P), OMEGAX(P), OMEGAY(P), OMEGAZ(P)

VELOX(Q), VELOY(Q), VELOZ(Q), OMEGAX(Q), OMEGAY(Q), OMEGAZ(Q)

VELOX(R), VELOY(R), VELOZ(R), OMEGAX(R), OMEGAY(R), OMEGAZ(R)

Special Features

Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(1)

Element capability and degrees of freedom:

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 0 --

Magnetic:

AZ

1 --

Electromagnetic:

AZ, VOLT

2 --

Stranded coil:

AZ, VOLT, EMF

KEYOPT(2)

Coupling method between magnetic and electric degrees of freedom (KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2); also
defines the meaning of the VOLT and EMF degrees of freedom for KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2:

0 --

Strong (matrix) coupling. Produces an unsymmetric matrix. In a linear analysis, a coupled response
is achieved after one iteration. Applicable to all analysis types

1 --

Weak (load vector). Produces a symmetric matrix and requires at least two iterations to achieve
a coupled response. Applicable to static and transient analyses only. (see "SOLID237 Assumptions
and Restrictions" (p. 1227))

2 --

Strong (matrix) coupling with time-integrated electric potential (VOLT) for KEYOPT(1) = 1 (elec-
tromagnetic analysis). Produces a symmetric matrix.

Strong (matrix) coupling with time-integrated voltage drop (VOLT) and time-integrated electro-
motive force (EMF) for KEYOPT(1) = 2 (stranded coil analysis). Produces a symmetric matrix if
the coil symmetry factor is 1; produces a nonsymmetric matrix if the coil symmetry factor is
greater than 1.

In a linear analysis, a coupled response is achieved after one iteration. Applicable to harmonic
and transient analyses only.

KEYOPT(5)

Eddy currents or velocity effects in electromagnetic (KEYOPT(1) =1) analyses:

0 --

Active

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Element Library

1 --

Eddy currents are suppressed in harmonic or transient analyses

2 --

Velocity effects are suppressed

3 --

Eddy currents and velocity effects are suppressed

KEYOPT(7)

Electromagnetic force output:

0 --

At each element node (corner and midside)

1 --

At element corner nodes only (midside nodes forces are condensed to the corner nodes)

KEYOPT(8)

Electromagnetic force calculation:

0 --

Maxwell

1 --

Lorentz

Table 7.237.1: SOLID 237 Real Constants

No. Name Description Default Definition

1 SC Coil cross-sectional area none True physical cross-section of
the coil regardless of symmetry
modeling considerations. It
includes the cross-sectional area
of the wire and the
non-conducting material filling
the space between the winding.
2 NC Number of coil turns 1 Total number of winding turns
in a coil regardless of any
symmetry modeling
considerations.
3 VC Coil volume none True physical volume of the coil
regardless of symmetry
modeling considerations. It

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 No. Name Description Default Definition
includes the volume occupied
by the wire and the
non-conducting material filling
the space between the winding.
4 TX Coil winding X-directional 0 The coil direction vector T = {TX,
cosine TY, TZ}T is a unit vector tangent
5 TY Coil winding Y-directional 1 to the coil winding. It
cosine designates the current flow
direction.
6 TZ Coil winding Z-directional 0
cosine
7 R Coil resistance none Total coil DC resistance
regardless of any symmetry
modeling considerations.
8 SYM Coil symmetry factor 1 Ratio of the true physical
volume of the coil (real constant
VC) to the modeled coil volume.
The input should be greater or
equal to 1.

SOLID237 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.237.2: SOLID237 Element Output Definitions (p. 1225)

The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.237.2: SOLID237 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Nodes - I, J,…, P, Q, R - Y
MAT Material number - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported - 2
TEMP Input temperatures T(I), T(J), ..., T(P), T(Q), T(R) - Y
LOC Output location (X, Y, Z) - -
B: X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic flux density components and vector - 1
magnitude
H: X, Y, Z, SUM Magnetic field intensity components and vector - 1
magnitude
EF: X, Y, Z, SUM Electric field intensity components and magnitude [7] - 1
JC: X, Y, Z, SUM Nodal conduction current density components and - 1
magnitude [7]
FMAG: X, Y, Z, Electromagnetic force components and magnitude [3] - 1
SUM
JT: X, Y, Z, SUM Element conduction current density components (in - 1
the global Cartesian coordinate system) and vector
magnitude [6]
JS: X, Y, Z, SUM Element current density components (in the global - 1
Cartesian coordinate system) and vector magnitude [4]
[6]
JHEAT: Joule heat generation rate per unit volume [3] [5] [6] - 1
SENE or MENE: Magnetic energy [3] - 1
COEN Magnetic co-energy [3] - 1
AENE Apparent magnetic energy [3] - 1
IENE Incremental magnetic energy [3] - 1

1. The solution value is output only if calculated (based upon input data). The element solution is at
the centroid.

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

3. For a time-harmonic analysis, electromagnetic forces (FMAG), Joule losses (JHEAT) and stored energy
(SENE, MENE) represent time-average values. These values are stored in both the real and imaginary
data sets. In a linear perturbation analysis, only incremental and apparent energy values are time-
averaged.

4. JS represents the sum of element conduction and displacement current densities.

5. Calculated Joule heat generation rate per unit volume (JHEAT) may be made available for a sub-
sequent thermal analysis with companion elements [LDREAD].

6. For the stranded coil analysis option (KEYOPT(1) = 2), JT and JS are the effective current densities
as they are calculated based on the coil cross-sectional (SC) that includes the wire and the non-
conducting material filling the space between the winding. JHEAT represents the effective Joule
heat generation rate per unit volume as it is calculated based on the modeled coil volume that in-
cludes the wire and the non-conducting material filling the space between the winding.

7. Not available with the stranded coil option (KEYOPT(1) = 2).

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Table 7.237.3: SOLID237 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1227) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.236.3: SOLID236 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1218):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.237.2: SOLID237 Element Output Definitions (p. 1225)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.237.3: SOLID237 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output ESOL Command
Quantity Input
Name
Item E
JTX NMISC 1
JTY NMISC 2
JTZ NMISC 3
JTSUM NMISC 4

SOLID237 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume or a zero length side. This occurs most frequently when
the element is not numbered properly. Elements may be numbered either as shown in Fig-
ure 7.237.1: SOLID237 Geometry (p. 1220) or in an opposite fashion.

• Midside nodes may not be removed and should lie on straight edges. For curved boundaries, issue
MSHMID,1 to place the midside nodes such that the element edges are straight.

• The magnetic analysis option (KEYOPT(1) = 0) requires the source current density specified with the
BFE,,JS command to be solenoidal.

• Permanent magnets are not permitted in a harmonic analysis.

• It is not recommended to use the weak coupling option (KEYOPT(2) = 1) in a transient electromag-
netic analysis with eddy currents or a transient stranded coil analysis because multiple iterations may
be required to achieve convergence.

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• In a transient analysis, the THETA integration parameter defaults to the values shown in the following
table. You can use the TINTP command to modify the default setting.

Table 7.237.4: THETA Default Values

THETA Default
Analysis Type KEYOPT Values
Value
Strongly coupled transient KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2 and KEYOPT(2) = 0 1.0
electromagnetic analysis with electric
potential or stranded coil analysis
with voltage drop (VOLT)
Strongly coupled transient KEYOPT(1) = 1 or 2 and KEYOPT(2) = 2 0.5
electromagnetic analysis with
time-integrated electric potential or
stranded coil analysis with
time-integrated voltage drop (VOLT)

• The electrical permittivity material input (MP,PERX, also PERY, PERZ) is applicable to electromagnetic
harmonic analyses (KEYOPT(1) = 1) only.

• In a stranded coil (KEYOPT(1) = 2) domain, the winding direction vector T = {TX, TY, TZ}T must be
specified in the element coordinate system and all VOLT and EMF degrees of freedom must be coupled
(CP command).

• This element may not be compatible with other elements having a VOLT degree of freedom. See
Element Compatibility in the Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Analysis Guide) for more information. The
electromagnetic analysis with time-integrated electric potential (KEYOPT(2) = 2) cannot be used with
current-based circuit (e.g. CIRCU124 (p. 372)) or low-frequency electric (e.g. SOLID232 (p. 1197)) elements.

SOLID237 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

PLANE238
2-D 8-Node Diffusion Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1233)

PLANE238 Element Description

PLANE238 is a 2-D, 8-node diffusion element. The element has one degree of freedom, concentration
(CONC), at each node. The 8-node elements have compatible concentration shapes and are well suited
to model curved boundaries.

This element is applicable to steady-state and transient diffusion analyses. The element can also account
for transport effects from a velocity field. See PLANE238 - 2-D 8-Node Diffusion Solid in the Theory Ref-
erence for more details about this element.

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Figure 7.238.1: PLANE238 Geometry
L
3
K K, L, O
O
4
Y P P N
(or axial) 2
N I
M J
I
X (or radial) M Tri Option
J
1

PLANE238 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.238.1: PLANE238 Geometry (p. 1229). The element is defined by eight nodes and orthotropic mater-
ial properties. A triangular-shaped element may be formed by defining the same node number for
nodes K, L and O.

Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate
system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Properties not input by default are as
described in the Material Reference. When saturated concentration (MP,CSAT) is specified, the meaning
of the CONC degree of freedom is normalized concentration. The actual concentration is evaluated at
the element centroid and output as SMISC,1. When unspecified, the saturated concentration (MP,CSAT)
defaults to 1.0 and the nodal degree of freedom CONC is actual concentration. See Diffusion in the
Theory Reference for more information on the diffusion analysis.

Nodal loads are defined with the D (Lab = CONC) and F (Lab = RATE) commands. The nodal forces, if
any, should be input per unit of depth for a plane analysis and on a full 360° basis for an axisymmetric
analysis.

The temperature (for material property evaluation only) body loads may be input based on their value
at the element's nodes or as a single element value [BF, BFE]. In general, unspecified nodal values of
temperatures default to the uniform value specified with the BFUNIF or TUNIF commands. The transport
velocity components (in the global coordinate system) are input with the BF (Lab = VELO) command.

The material properties (DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT) and loads (DFLUX, DGEN, VELO) can be input as numer-
ical values or as functions of primary variables by using tabular input. The possible primary variables
are time (TIME), x, y, and z location (X, Y, and Z) in local or global coordinates, temperature (TEMP), and
the concentration (CONC) degree of freedom. For more information and examples of using tabular input,
see Defining Linear Material Properties Using Tabular Input in the Material Reference, Applying Loads
Using Tabular Input in the Basic Analysis Guide, and the *DIM command in the Command Reference.

A summary of the element input is given in "PLANE238 Input Summary" (p. 1229). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41). For axisymmetric applications see Harmonic
Axisymmetric Elements (p. 92).

PLANE238 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

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Element Library

Degrees of Freedom

CONC

Real Constants

THK - Thickness (used only if KEYOPT(3) = 3)

Material Properties

MP command: DXX, DYY, CSAT

Surface Loads

Diffusion Flux (DFLUX) --

Face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (L-K), face 4 (I-L)

Body Loads

Temperature (TEMP)--

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P)

Diffusing Substance Generations (DGEN) --

DG(I),DG(J), DG(K), DG(L), DG(M), DG(N), DG(O), DG(P)

Transport Velocity --

VELO (input transport velocity components with the BF command)

Special Features

Birth and Death

KEYOPT(1)

Diffusion damping matrix:

0 --

Consistent

1 --

Diagonalized

KEYOPT(2)

Implementation of transport effects:

0 --

Matrix implementation; produces an unsymmetric matrix. In a linear analysis, a response to

transport effects is achieved after one iteration.

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 1 --

Load vector implementation; produces a symmetric matrix. Requires at least two iterations to
achieve a response to transport effects.

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

0 --

Plane

1 --

Axisymmetric

3 --

Plane with thickness input, specified via real constant THK.

PLANE238 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.238.1: PLANE238 Element Output Definitions (p. 1232).

The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

Figure 7.238.2: PLANE238 Output

L
O
K
y
P CGy, DFy
Y
x
(or axial) CGx, DFx N

I
X (or radial)
J
M

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component
Name method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file
Jobname.OUT. The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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Element Library

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to
a table footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that
the item is not available.

Table 7.238.1: PLANE238 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 2
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P) Y Y
LOC Output location (X, Y) 1 -
CG:X, Y, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [3] - 1

1. The solution value is output only if calculated (based on input data). The element solution is at the
centroid.

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

3. Actual concentration obtained by multiplying the saturated concentration (MP,CSAT) and the nor-
malized concentration evaluated at the element centroid. For more information, see Normalized
Concentration Approach in the Theory Reference.

Table 7.238.2: PLANE238 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1233) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.238.2: PLANE238 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1233):

Name

Output quantity as defined in Table 7.238.1: PLANE238 Element Output Definitions (p. 1232).

Item

Predetermined Item label for ETABLE command.

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E

Sequence number for single-valued or constant element data.

Table 7.238.2: PLANE238 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL

Quantity Command Input
Name Item E
CONC SMISC 1

PLANE238 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The area of the element must be positive.

• The element must lie in a global X-Y plane as shown in Table 7.238.2: PLANE238 Item and Sequence
Numbers (p. 1233), and the Y-axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses.

• An axisymmetric structure should be modeled in the +X quadrants.

• A face with a removed midside node implies that the concentration varies linearly, rather than para-
bolically, along that face. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing Guide
for more information about the use of midside nodes.

• CSAT cannot be temperature-dependent when used with this element. For a temperature-dependent
CSAT, perform a thermal-diffusion analysis using the PLANE223 (p. 1065) element with KEYOPT(1) =
100010.

PLANE238 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

SOLID239
3-D 20-Node Diffusion Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1237)

SOLID239 Element Description

SOLID239 is a 3-D 20-node diffusion element. The element has a single degree of freedom, concentration
(CONC), at each node. The 20-node elements have compatible concentration shapes and are well suited
to model curved boundaries.

The 20-node diffusion element is applicable to a steady-state or transient diffusion analysis. The element
can also account for transport effects from a velocity field. See SOLID239 in the SOLID239 - 3-D 20-Node
Diffusion Solid in the Theory Reference for more details about this element.

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Figure 7.239.1: SOLID239 Geometry

M,N,O,P,U,V,W,X
Y A,B
Z
K,L,S
I T R
5 P 4 Q J
W
X Tetrahedral Option
O
6 M,N,O,P,U,V,W,X
M
B V A
Y B Z
U
N T
A K
L S
Y 2 3 I
R
L S Q J
T Z Pyramid Option
K X
I O,P,W
Z M
R
Q 1 U V A,B
J Y N
Y Z
I K,L,S
X T
Q R
J
Prism Option

SOLID239 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.239.1: SOLID239 Geometry (p. 1234). The element is defined by 20 nodes and the material properties.
A prism-shaped element may be formed by defining duplicate K, L, and S; A and B; and O, P, and W
node numbers. A tetrahedral-shaped element and a pyramid-shaped element may also be formed as
shown in Figure 7.239.1: SOLID239 Geometry (p. 1234).

Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate
system orientation is described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Properties not input by default are as
described in the Material Reference. When saturated concentration (MP,CSAT) is specified, the meaning
of the CONC degree of freedom is normalized concentration. The actual concentration is evaluated at
the element centroid and output as SMISC,1. When unspecified, the saturated concentration (MP,CSAT)
defaults to 1.0 and the nodal degree of freedom CONC is actual concentration. See Diffusion in the
Theory Reference for more information on the diffusion analysis.

Nodal loads are defined with the D (Lab = CONC) and F (Lab = RATE) commands. The temperature (for
material property evaluation only) body loads may be input based on their value at the element's nodes
or as a single element value [BF, BFE]. In general, unspecified nodal values of temperatures default to
the uniform value specified with the BFUNIF or TUNIF commands. The transport velocity components
(in the global coordinate system) are input with the BF (Lab = VELO) command.

The material properties (DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT) and loads (DFLUX, DGEN, VELO) can be input as numer-
ical values or as functions of primary variables by using tabular input. The possible primary variables
are time (TIME), x, y, and z location (X, Y, and Z) in local or global coordinates, temperature (TEMP), and
the concentration (CONC) degree of freedom. For more information and examples of using tabular input,
see Defining Linear Material Properties Using Tabular Input in the Material Reference, Applying Loads
Using Tabular Input in the Basic Analysis Guide, and the *DIM command in the Command Reference.

A summary of the element input is given in "SOLID239 Input Summary" (p. 1235). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

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SOLID239 Input Summary
Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, A, B

Degrees of Freedom

CONC

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

MP command: DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT

Surface Loads

Diffusion Flux (DFLUX) --

Face 1 (J-I-L-K), face 2 (I-J-N-M), face 3 (J-K-O-N), face 4 (K-L-P-O), face 5 (L-I-M-P), face 6 (M-N-
O-P)

Body Loads

Temperature (TEMP) --

T(I), T(J), ..., T(Z), T(A), T(B)

Diffusing Substance Generations (DGEN) --

DG(I), DG(J), ..., DG(A), DG(B)

Transport Velocity --

VELO (input transport velocity components with the BF command)

Special Features

Birth and Death

KEYOPT(1)

Diffusion damping matrix:

0 --

Consistent

1 --

Diagonalized

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Element Library

KEYOPT(2)

Implementation of transport effects:

0 --

Matrix implementation; produces an unsymmetric matrix. In a linear analysis, a response to

transport effects is achieved after one iteration.

1 --

Load vector implementation; produces a symmetric matrix. Requires at least two iterations to
achieve a response to transport effects.

SOLID239 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal concentrations included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.239.1: SOLID239 Element Output Definitions (p. 1236)

The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component
Name method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file
Jobname.OUT. The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.
In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to
a table footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that
the item is not available.

Table 7.239.1: SOLID239 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, Y Y
A, B
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported 1 2
TEMP Input temperatures T(I), T(J), ..., T(Z), T(A), T(B) Y Y
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion gradient components and vector magnitude - 1
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [3] - 1

1. The solution value is output only if calculated (based on input data). The element solution is at the
centroid.

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2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

3. Actual concentration obtained by multiplying the saturated concentration (MP,CSAT) and the nor-
malized concentration evaluated at the element centroid. For more information, see Normalized
Concentration Approach in the Theory Reference.

Table 7.239.2: SOLID239 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1237) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.239.2: SOLID239 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1237):

Name

Output quantity as defined in Table 7.239.1: SOLID239 Element Output Definitions (p. 1236).

Item

Predetermined Item label for ETABLE command.

Sequence number for single-valued or constant element data.

Table 7.239.2: SOLID239 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL

Quantity Command Input
Name
Item E
CONC SMISC 1

SOLID239 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume or a zero length side. This occurs most frequently when
the element is not numbered properly. Elements may be numbered either as shown in Fig-
ure 7.239.1: SOLID239 Geometry (p. 1234) or in an opposite fashion.

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the concentration varies linearly, rather than
parabolically, along that edge. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing
Guide for more information on the use of midside nodes.

• Degeneration to the form of the pyramid should be used with caution. When degenerated, the element
sizes should be small in order to minimize the field gradients. Pyramid elements are best used as
filler elements in meshing transition zones.

• CSAT cannot be temperature-dependent when used with this element. For a temperature-dependent
CSAT, perform a thermal-diffusion analysis using the SOLID226 (p. 1122) element with KEYOPT(1) =
100010.

SOLID239 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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Element Library

SOLID240
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Diffusion Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1242)

SOLID240 Element Description

SOLID240 is a 3-D, 10-node diffusion element. It is well suited to model irregular meshes (such as pro-
duced from various CAD/CAM systems). The element has one degree of freedom, concentration (CONC),
at each node.

This element is applicable to the steady-state and transient diffusion analyses. The element can also
account for transport effects from a velocity field. See SOLID240 - 3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Diffusion
Solid in the Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Figure 7.240.1: SOLID240 Geometry

L

4
R
P
Q 3
Y 2
O K

X I N
M
Z
1
J

SOLID240 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.238.1: PLANE238 Geometry (p. 1229). The element is defined by 10 nodes and the material properties.

Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate
system orientation is described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Properties not input by default are as
described in the Material Reference. When saturated concentration (MP,CSAT) is specified, the meaning
of the CONC degree of freedom is normalized concentration. The actual concentration is evaluated at
the element centroid and output as SMISC,1. When unspecified, the saturated concentration (MP,CSAT)
defaults to 1.0 and the nodal degree of freedom CONC is actual concentration. See Diffusion in the
Theory Reference for more information on the diffusion analysis.

Nodal loads are defined with the D (Lab = CONC) and F (Lab = RATE) commands. The temperature (for
material property evaluation only) body loads may be input based on their value at the element's nodes
or as a single element value (BF, BFE). Generally, unspecified nodal values of temperatures default to
the uniform value specified via the BFUNIF or TUNIF commands. The transport velocity components
(in the global coordinate system) are input with the BF (Lab = VELO) command.

The material properties (DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT) and loads (DFLUX, DGEN, VELO) can be input as numer-
ical values or as functions of primary variables by using tabular input. The possible primary variables
are time (TIME), x, y, and z location (X, Y, and Z) in local or global coordinates, temperature (TEMP), and
the concentration (CONC) degree of freedom. For more information and examples of using tabular input,

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see Defining Linear Material Properties Using Tabular Input in the Material Reference, Applying Loads
Using Tabular Input in the Basic Analysis Guide, and the *DIM command in the Command Reference.

A summary of the element input is given in "SOLID240 Input Summary" (p. 1239). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SOLID240 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R

Degrees of Freedom

CONC

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

MP command: DXX, DYY, DZZ, CSAT

Surface Loads

Diffusion Flux (DFLUX) --

Face 1 (J-I-K), face 2 (I-J-L), face 3 (J-K-L), face 4 (K-I-L)

Body Loads

Temperature (TEMP)--

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P), T(Q), T(R)

Diffusing Substance Generations (DGEN) --

DG(I),DG(J), ..., DG(Q), DG(R)

Transport Velocity --

VELO (input transport velocity components with the BF command)

Special Features

Birth and Death

KEYOPT(1)

Diffusion damping matrix:

0 --

Consistent

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Element Library

1 --

Diagonalized

KEYOPT(2)

Implementation of transport effects:

0 --

Matrix implementation; produces an unsymmetric matrix. In a linear analysis, a response to

transport effects is achieved after one iteration.

1 --

Load vector implementation; produces a symmetric matrix. Requires at least two iterations to
achieve a response to transport effects.

SOLID240 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal concentrations included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.240.1: SOLID240 Element Output Definitions (p. 1240)

The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component
Name method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file
Jobname.OUT. The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.
In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to
a table footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that
the item is not available.

Table 7.240.1: SOLID240 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 2
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), T(O), T(P), Y Y
T(Q), T(R)
LOC Output location (X, Y, Z) 1 -

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 Name Definition O R
CG:X, Y, Z, SUM Concentration gradient components and vector - 1
magnitude
DF:X, Y, Z, SUM Diffusion flux components and vector magnitude - 1
CONC Element concentration [3] - 1

1. The solution value is output only if calculated (based on input data). The element solution is at the
centroid.

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

3. Actual concentration obtained by multiplying the saturated concentration (MP,CSAT) and the nor-
malized concentration evaluated at the element centroid. For more information, see the Normalized
Concentration Approach in the Theory Reference.

Table 7.240.2: SOLID240 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1241) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.240.2: SOLID240 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1241):

Name

Output quantity as defined in Table 7.240.1: SOLID240 Element Output Definitions (p. 1240).

Item

Predetermined Item label for ETABLE command.

Sequence number for single-valued or constant element data.

Table 7.240.2: SOLID240 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL

Quantity Command Input
Name Item E
CONC SMISC 1

SOLID240 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume or a zero length side. This occurs most frequently when
the element is not numbered properly. Elements may be numbered either as shown in Fig-
ure 7.240.1: SOLID240 Geometry (p. 1238) or in an opposite fashion.

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the concentration varies linearly, rather than
parabolically, along that edge. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing
Guide for more information on the use of midside nodes.

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Element Library

• CSAT cannot be temperature-dependent when used with this element. For a temperature-dependent
CSAT, perform a thermal-diffusion analysis using the SOLID227 (p. 1155) element with KEYOPT(1) =
100010.

SOLID240 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

HSFLD241
2-D Hydrostatic Fluid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1249)

HSFLD241 Element Description

HSFLD241 is used to model fluids that are fully enclosed by solids (containing vessels). The hydrostatic
fluid element is well suited for calculating fluid volume and pressure for coupled problems involving
fluid-solid interaction. The pressure in the fluid volume is assumed to be uniform (no pressure gradients),
so sloshing effects cannot be included. Temperature effects and compressibility may be included, but
fluid viscosity cannot be included.

Hydrostatic fluid elements are overlaid on the faces of 2-D solid elements enclosing the fluid volume.
See HSFLD241 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element. See HS-
FLD242 (p. 1249) for a 3-D version of this element.

Figure 7.241.1: HSFLD241 Geometry

HSFLD241 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Figure 7.241.1: HS-
FLD241 Geometry (p. 1242). The hydrostatic fluid element is defined by three or four nodes. Nodes I, J
and K on the surface (face 1) are shared with the solid element and have two degrees of freedom at
each node: translation in x and y directions. Node K is not used if the underlying solid element does
not have a midside node. For the case of a degenerate solid element sharing the collapsed face with
the hydrostatic fluid element, the surface nodes of the hydrostatic fluid element will be coincident.
Node L is a pressure node with a hydrostatic pressure degree of freedom. Hydrostatic fluid elements
can be generated automatically using the ESURF command.

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The pressure node (L) can be located anywhere in the fluid volume, except when the fluid volume has
symmetry boundaries; in this case the pressure node must be located on the symmetry line or on the
intersection point of multiple symmetry lines. The pressure node is automatically moved to the centroid
of the fluid volume if there are no displacement degree-of-freedom constraints specified. To keep the
pressure node on a symmetry line, you must specify symmetry boundary conditions at this node. (The
displacement degrees of freedom at the pressure node do not have any displacement solution associated
with them. They are only available for applying displacement degree of freedom constraints.) The
pressure node is shared by all the hydrostatic fluid elements used to define the fluid volume. It is also
used to apply temperature loads, fluid mass flow rate, or hydrostatic pressure degree-of-freedom con-
straints for the fluid.

You can define a hydrostatic fluid element without an underlying solid element in situations where the
underlying solid has a discontinuity. In this case, the surface nodes (I and J) of the hydrostatic fluid
element must be shared with adjacent solid elements, or the displacement degrees of freedom at the
surface nodes should be constrained. For example, the gap between the cylinder and piston in a cylinder-
piston assembly with fluid may be bridged with a hydrostatic fluid element by sharing one of its surface
nodes (I) with a solid element on the cylinder and its other surface node (J) with a solid element on the
piston (see Example Model Using Hydrostatic Fluid Elements in the Structural Analysis Guide).

You can define material properties for hydrostatic fluid elements using MP or TB commands. All hydro-
static fluid elements sharing a pressure node must use the same material property definition and must
have the same real constant values (THK and PREF).

You can input element thickness and reference pressure (must be specified for compressible gas defined
via TB command with Lab = FLUID and TBOPT = GAS) as real constants THK and PREF. The THK value
is used to calculate element volume.

You can define the initial state of the hydrostatic fluid by defining initial pressure (input via the IC
command with Lab = HDSP) at the pressure node. Specify the reference temperature by using the
TREF command or the MP,REFT command. For compressible gas (defined via the TB command with
Lab = FLUID and TBOPT = GAS), the initial pressure and the reference pressure (input as real constant
PREF) are added internally to get the total initial pressure for the Ideal Gas Law. Internal force corres-
ponding to initial pressure is calculated internally and applied over the first load step.

You can prescribe uniform pressure for the fluid as a hydrostatic pressure degree-of-freedom constraint
at the pressure node (input on D command with Lab = HDSP). The change in hydrostatic pressure
value is assumed to occur as a result of the addition or removal of fluid mass to or from the containing
vessel. Applying a hydrostatic pressure degree-of-freedom constraint is equivalent to applying a surface
load on the underlying solid element surface. Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44).
You can apply fluid mass flow rate as a load on the pressure node (input via F command with Lab =
DVOL); a positive value indicates fluid mass flowing into the containing vessel. You can also input fluid
temperature as an element body load at the pressure node (input via BF command with Lab = TEMP).
The nodal temperature defaults to TUNIF.

You can model fluid flow between two fluid volumes in two containing vessels by using FLUID116 (p. 343)
coupled thermal-fluid pipe elements to connect the pressure nodes of the two fluid volumes. A single
FLUID116 (p. 343) element must be used to connect the two fluid volumes. You can also model fluid
flow through an orifice between a fluid volume and the atmosphere by connecting one node of a
FLUID116 (p. 343) element with the HSFLD241 pressure node; the other node of the FLUID116 (p. 343)
element represents environmental pressure. For either of these scenarios, you must activate the PRES
degree of freedom (KEYOPT(1) = 1) on the pressure node of the hydrostatic fluid elements, and you
must set KEYOPT(1) = 3 on the FLUID116 (p. 343) element.

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KEYOPT(1) defines degrees of freedom for the hydrostatic fluid element:

Use KEYOPT(1) = 0 (default) to activate UX and UY degrees of freedom on the surface nodes
(I, J, K) and HDSP degree of freedom on the pressure node (L).
Use KEYOPT(1) = 1 to activate UX, and UY degrees of freedom on surface nodes (I, J, K) and
HDSP and PRES degrees of freedom on the pressure node (L). You must activate the PRES degree
of freedom if the pressure node of the hydrostatic fluid element is shared with a coupled
thermal-fluid pipe (FLUID116 (p. 343)) element to model fluid flow.

KEYOPT(3) defines the hydrostatic fluid element behavior:

Use KEYOPT(3) = 0 (default) to model planar behavior. The choice of plane stress or plane strain
is made automatically based on the attached solid element.
Use KEYOPT(3) = 1 to model 2-D axisymmetric behavior.

KEYOPT(5) specifies how mass is computed for the hydrostatic fluid element:

Use KEYOPT(5) = 0 (default) to ignore the mass contribution from the fluid element. However,
you can attach MASS21 (p. 168) elements to the nodes of the underlying 2-D solid elements to
account for the fluid mass.
Use KEYOPT(5) = 1 to distribute the fluid element mass to the surface nodes (I, J, K) based on
the volume of the fluid element. No mass is added to the surface nodes if the volume of the
fluid element becomes negative.
Use KEYOPT(5) = 2 to distribute the fluid element mass to the surface nodes (I, J, K) based on
the ratio of element surface area (area of face 1) to the total fluid surface area.

KEYOPT(6) defines the hydrostatic fluid element compressibility:

Use KEYOPT(6) = 0 (default) to model the hydrostatic fluid element as compressible. You need
to define a fluid material property (use the TB command with Lab = FLUID) to relate changes
in fluid pressure to fluid volume.
Use KEYOPT(6) = 1 or 2 to model the hydrostatic fluid element as incompressible. The fluid
volume is kept constant, even as the solid enclosing the fluid undergoes large deformations.
The fluid volume, however, can change when fluid mass is added to or taken out of the con-
taining vessel; this is achieved by applying a fluid mass flow rate or by prescribing a non-zero
hydrostatic pressure degree-of-freedom constraint at the pressure node. The fluid volume can
also change when a temperature load is applied at the pressure node for a fluid with a non-
zero coefficient of thermal expansion. When KEYOPT(6) = 1, the change in volume is accom-
modated by a change in fluid mass (mass flows into or out of the cavity). When KEYOPT(6) =
2, the change in volume is accommodated by a change in fluid density such that fluid mass is
held constant.

You can define contact and target surfaces on the attached 2-D solid elements to model self-contact
between walls of the containing vessel after the fluid has been removed. Note that contact should not
cause a single fluid region to be separated into two since the pressure-volume calculations are performed
assuming a single cavity.

For more information on using hydrostatic fluid elements to model fluids enclosed by solids, see Mod-
eling Hydrostatic Fluids in the Structural Analysis Guide.

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"HSFLD241 Input Summary" (p. 1245) contains a summary of the element input. See Element Input (p. 41)
in this document for a general description of element input.

HSFLD241 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY for surface nodes (I, J, K)

HDSP and PRES for pressure node (L)

Real Constants

THK - Thickness

PREF - Reference pressure (for compressible gas defined via TB command with Lab = FLUID and
TBOPT = GAS)

Material Properties

TB command: Fluid

MP command: ALPX, DENS, ALPD

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(L)

Special Features

Large deflection
Linear perturbation
Nonlinearity

KEYOPT(1)

Degrees of freedom:

0 --

UX and UY degrees of freedom at surface nodes, HDSP degree of freedom at pressure node
(default)

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Element Library

1 --

UX and UY degrees of freedom at surface nodes, HDSP and PRES degrees of freedom at pressure
node

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

0 --

Planar (default)

1 --

Axisymmetric

KEYOPT(5)

Fluid mass:

0 --

No fluid mass (default)

1 --

Fluid mass calculated based on the volume of the fluid element

2 --

Fluid mass calculated based on the surface area of the fluid element

KEYOPT(6)

Fluid compressibility:

0 --

Compressible (default)

1 --

Incompressible

2 --

Incompressible, but allows change in density under thermal expansion

HSFLD241 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

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• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.241.1: HSFLD241 Element Output Definitions (p. 1247)

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.241.1: HSFLD241 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
AREA Element surface area (face 1) Y Y
VOLU Element volume Y Y
XC, YC Location on the surface (face 1) where results are Y 1
reported
DENSITY Fluid density Y Y
TEMP Temperature at nodes: T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L) Y Y
TVOL Total volume of the fluid in the containing vessel 2 2
TMAS Total mass of the fluid in the containing vessel 3 3
MFLO Fluid mass flow rate 4 4
TVOLO Total original volume of the fluid in the containing 2 2
vessel

1. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

2. Elements that share a pressure node have the same TVOL and TVOLO output value.

3. Elements that share a pressure node have the same TMAS output value.

4. Elements that share a pressure node have the same MFLO output value.

Table 7.241.2: HSFLD241 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1248) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.241.2: HSFLD241 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1248):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.241.1: HSFLD241 Element Output Definitions (p. 1247)

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Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.241.2: HSFLD241 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output Quantity ESOL Command
Name Input
Item E
DENSITY NMISC 1
AREA NMISC 2
TVOL NMISC 3
TMAS NMISC 4
MFLO NMISC 5
TVOLO NMISC 6

HSFLD241 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The fluid volume has no free surface; it is completely enclosed by the solid (containing vessel).

• The fluid volume has uniform pressure, temperature, and density without any gradients.

• All elements used to define a fluid volume share a pressure node with a hydrostatic pressure degree
of freedom.

• The pressure node can be located anywhere within the fluid volume; it is automatically moved to
the centroid of the fluid volume if there are no displacement degree-of-freedom constraints specified.
However, if the fluid volume is bounded by one or more symmetry lines, the pressure node must be
on the symmetry line or intersecting corner of multiple symmetry lines, and it must have symmetry
boundary conditions.

• The fluid may be modeled as incompressible or compressible without any viscosity.

• The PRES degree of freedom must be active (KEYOPT(1) = 1) on the pressure node of the hydrostatic
fluid element to model fluid flow with FLUID116 (p. 343) coupled thermal-fluid pipe elements. In this
case, the PRES (pressure) and HDSP (hydrostatic pressure) degrees of freedom are made to be the
same at the pressure node.

• Inertial effects such as sloshing cannot be included, but fluid mass can be added to the surface nodes
(I, J, K) shared with the underlying 2-D solid by using KEYOPT(5).

• This element can be used in linear and nonlinear static and transient analyses and modal analyses.

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HSFLD241 Product Restrictions
There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

HSFLD242
3-D Hydrostatic Fluid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1255)

HSFLD242 Element Description

HSFLD242 is used to model fluids that are fully enclosed by solids (containing vessels). The hydrostatic
fluid element is well suited for calculating fluid volume and pressure for coupled problems involving
fluid-solid interaction. The pressure in the fluid volume is assumed to be uniform (no pressure gradients),
so sloshing effects cannot be included. Temperature effects and compressibility may be included, but
fluid viscosity cannot be included.

Hydrostatic fluid elements are overlaid on the faces of 3-D solid or shell elements enclosing the fluid
volume. See HSFLD242 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.
See HSFLD241 (p. 1242) for a 2-D version of this element.

Figure 7.242.1: HSFLD242 Geometry

HSFLD242 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Figure 7.242.1: HS-
FLD242 Geometry (p. 1249). The hydrostatic fluid element is defined by five to nine nodes. Nodes I, J, K,
L, M, N, O, and P on the surface (face 1) are shared with the solid or shell element and have three degrees
of freedom at each node: translation in x, y, and z directions. Nodes M, N, O, and P are not used if the
underlying solid or shell element does not have midside nodes. For the case of a degenerate solid or
shell element sharing the collapsed face with the hydrostatic fluid element, some of the surface nodes
of the hydrostatic fluid element will be coincident. Node Q is a pressure node with a hydrostatic pressure
degree of freedom. Hydrostatic fluid elements can be generated automatically using the ESURF command.

The pressure node (Q) can be located anywhere in the fluid volume, except when the fluid volume has
symmetry boundaries; in this case the pressure node must be located on the symmetry plane or on the
intersection point or edge of multiple symmetry planes. The pressure node is automatically moved to

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Element Library

the centroid of the fluid volume if there are no displacement degree-of-freedom constraints specified.
To keep the pressure node on a symmetry line, you must specify symmetry boundary conditions at this
node. (The displacement degrees of freedom at the pressure node do not have any displacement
solution associated with them. They are only available for applying displacement degree of freedom
constraints.) The pressure node is shared by all the hydrostatic fluid elements used to define the fluid
volume. It is also used to apply temperature loads, fluid mass flow rate, or hydrostatic pressure degree-
of-freedom constraints for the fluid.

You can define a hydrostatic fluid element without an underlying solid or shell element in situations
where the underlying solid has a discontinuity. In this case, the surface nodes (I through P) of the hy-
drostatic fluid element must be shared with adjacent solid or shell elements, or the displacement degrees
of freedom at the surface nodes should be constrained. For example, the gap between the cylinder and
piston in a cylinder-piston assembly with fluid may be bridged with a hydrostatic fluid element by
sharing some of its surface nodes with a solid or shell element on the cylinder and sharing its other
surface nodes with a solid or shell element on the piston (see Example Model Using Hydrostatic Fluid
Elements in the Structural Analysis Guide).

You can define material properties for hydrostatic fluid elements using MP or TB commands. All hydro-
static fluid elements sharing a pressure node must use the same material property definition and must
have the same real constant values (PREF).

You can input a reference pressure (must be specified for compressible gas defined via TB command
with Lab = FLUID and TBOPT = GAS) as real constant PREF.

You can define the initial state of the hydrostatic fluid by defining initial pressure (input via the IC
command with Lab = HDSP) at the pressure node. Specify the reference temperature by using the
TREF command or the MP,REFT command. For compressible gas (defined via the TB command with
Lab = FLUID and TBOPT = GAS), the initial pressure and the reference pressure (input as real constant
PREF) are added internally to get the total initial pressure for the Ideal Gas Law. Internal force corres-
ponding to initial pressure is calculated internally and applied over the first load step.

You can prescribe uniform pressure for the fluid as a hydrostatic pressure degree-of-freedom constraint
at the pressure node (input via the D command with Lab = HDSP). The change in hydrostatic pressure
value is assumed to occur as a result of the addition or removal of fluid mass to or from the containing
vessel. Applying a hydrostatic pressure degree-of-freedom constraint is equivalent to applying a surface
load on the underlying solid or shell element surface. Element loads are described in Element Load-
ing (p. 44). You can apply a fluid mass flow rate as a load on the pressure node (input via the F command
with Lab = DVOL); a positive value indicates fluid mass flowing into the containing vessel. You can also
input fluid temperature as an element body load at the pressure node (input via the BF command with
Lab = TEMP). The nodal temperature defaults to TUNIF.

You can model fluid flow between two fluid volumes in two containing vessels by using FLUID116 (p. 343)
coupled thermal-fluid pipe elements to connect the pressure nodes of the two fluid volumes. A single
FLUID116 (p. 343) element must be used to connect the two fluid volumes. You can also model fluid
flow through an orifice between a fluid volume and the atmosphere by connecting one node of a
FLUID116 (p. 343) element with the HSFLD242 pressure node; the other node of the FLUID116 (p. 343)
element represents environmental pressure. For either of these scenarios, you must activate the PRES
degree of freedom (KEYOPT(1) = 1) on the pressure node of the hydrostatic fluid elements, and you
must set KEYOPT(1) = 3 on the FLUID116 (p. 343) element.

KEYOPT(1) defines degrees of freedom for the hydrostatic fluid element:

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 Use KEYOPT(1) = 0 (default) to activate UX, UY, and UZ degrees of freedom on the surface
nodes (I through P) and HDSP degree of freedom on the pressure node (Q).
Use KEYOPT(1) = 1 to activate UX, UY, and UZ degrees of freedom on surface nodes (I through
P) and HDSP and PRES degrees of freedom on the pressure node (Q). You must activate the
PRES degree of freedom if the pressure node of the hydrostatic fluid element is shared with a
coupled thermal-fluid pipe (FLUID116 (p. 343)) element to model fluid flow. In this case, you
must also set KEYOPT(1) = 3 on the FLUID116 (p. 343) element.

KEYOPT(5) specifies how mass is computed for the hydrostatic fluid element:

Use KEYOPT(5) = 0 (default) to ignore the mass contribution from the fluid element. However,
you can attach MASS21 (p. 168) elements to the nodes of the underlying 3-D solid or shell ele-
ments to account for the fluid mass.
Use KEYOPT(5) = 1 to distribute the fluid element mass to the surface nodes (I through P) based
on the volume of the fluid element. No mass is added to the surface nodes if the volume of
the fluid element becomes negative.
Use KEYOPT(5) = 2 to distribute the fluid element mass to the surface nodes (I through P) based
on the ratio of element surface area (area of face 1) to the total fluid surface area.

KEYOPT(6) defines the hydrostatic fluid element compressibility:

Use KEYOPT(6) = 0 (default) to model the hydrostatic fluid element as compressible. You need
to define a fluid material property (use the TB command with Lab = FLUID) to relate changes
in fluid pressure to fluid volume.
Use KEYOPT(6) = 1 or 2 to model the hydrostatic fluid element as incompressible. The fluid
volume is kept constant, even as the solid enclosing the fluid undergoes large deformations.
The fluid volume, however, can change when fluid mass is added to or taken out of the con-
taining vessel; this is achieved by applying a fluid mass flow rate or by prescribing a non-zero
hydrostatic pressure degree-of-freedom constraint at the pressure node. The fluid volume can
also change when a temperature load is applied at the pressure node for a fluid with a non-
zero coefficient of thermal expansion. When KEYOPT(6) = 1, the change in volume is accom-
modated by a change in fluid mass (mass flows into or out of the cavity). When KEYOPT(6) =
2, the change in volume is accommodated by a change in fluid density such that fluid mass is
held constant.

You can define contact and target surfaces on the underlying 3-D solid or shell elements to model self-
contact between walls of the vessel after the fluid has been removed. Note that contact should not
cause a single fluid region to be separated into two since the pressure-volume calculations are performed
assuming a single cavity.

For more information on using hydrostatic fluid elements to model fluids enclosed by solids, see Mod-
eling Hydrostatic Fluids in the Structural Analysis Guide.

"HSFLD242 Input Summary" (p. 1252) contains a summary of the element input. See Element Input (p. 41)
in this document for a general description of element input.

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HSFLD242 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ for surface nodes (I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P)

HSDP and PRES for pressure node (Q)

Real Constants

PREF - Reference pressure (for compressible gas defined via TB command with Lab = FLUID and
TBOPT = GAS)

Material Properties

TB command: Fluid

MP command: ALPX, DENS, ALPD

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(Q)

Special Features

Large deflection
Linear perturbation
Nonlinearity

KEYOPT(1)

Degrees of freedom:

0 --

UX, UY, and UZ degrees of freedom at surface nodes, HDSP degree of freedom at pressure node
(default)

1 --

UX, UY, and UZ degrees of freedom at surface nodes, HDSP and PRES degrees of freedom at
pressure node

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KEYOPT(5)

Fluid mass:

0 --

No fluid mass (default)

1 --

Fluid mass calculated based on the volume of the fluid element

2 --

Fluid mass calculated based on the surface area of the fluid element

KEYOPT(6)

Fluid compressibility:

0 --

Compressible (default)

1 --

Incompressible

2 --

Incompressible, but allows change in density under thermal expansion

HSFLD242 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal degrees of freedom included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.242.1: HSFLD242 Element Output Definitions (p. 1254)

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.242.1: HSFLD242 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
AREA Element surface area (face 1) Y Y
VOLU Element volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location on the surface (face 1) where results are Y 1
reported
DENSITY Fluid density Y Y
TEMP Temperature at nodes: T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L), T(M), T(N), Y Y
T(O), T(P), T(Q)
TVOL Total volume of the fluid in the containing vessel 2 2
TMAS Total mass of the fluid in the containing vessel 3 3
MFLO Fluid mass flow rate 4 4
TVOLO Total original volume of the fluid in the containing 2 2
vessel

1. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

2. Elements that share a pressure node have the same TVOL and TVOLO output values.

3. Elements that share a pressure node have the same TMAS output value.

4. Elements that share a pressure node have the same MFLO output value.

Table 7.242.2: HSFLD242 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1255) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.242.2: HSFLD242 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1255):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.242.1: HSFLD242 Element Output Definitions (p. 1254)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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E

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.242.2: HSFLD242 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and
Output Quantity ESOL Command
Name Input
Item E
DENSITY NMISC 1
AREA NMISC 2
TVOL NMISC 3
TMAS NMISC 4
MFLO NMISC 5
TVOLO NMISC 6

HSFLD242 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The fluid volume has no free surface; it is completely enclosed by the solid (containing vessel).

• The fluid volume has uniform pressure, temperature, and density without any gradients.

• All elements used to define a fluid volume share a pressure node with a hydrostatic pressure degree
of freedom.

• The pressure node can be located anywhere within the fluid volume; it is automatically moved to
the centroid of the fluid volume if there are no displacement degree-of-freedom constraints specified.
However, if the fluid volume is bounded by one or more symmetry lines, the pressure node must be
on the symmetry plane, intersecting point, or edge of multiple symmetry planes, and it must have
symmetry boundary condition.

• The fluid may be modeled as incompressible or compressible without any viscosity.

• The PRES degree of freedom must be active (KEYOPT(1) = 1) on the pressure node of the hydrostatic
fluid element to model fluid flow with FLUID116 (p. 343) coupled thermal-fluid pipe elements. In this
case, the PRES (pressure) and HDSP (hydrostatic pressure) degrees of freedom are made to be the
same at the pressure node.

• Inertial effects such as sloshing cannot be included, but fluid mass can be added to the surface nodes
(I through P) shared with the underlying 3-D solid or shell elements by using KEYOPT(5).

• This element can be used in linear and nonlinear static and transient analyses and modal analyses.

HSFLD242 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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Element Library

COMBI250
Bushing
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1262)

COMBI250 Element Description

COMBI250 represents an element for which precise geometry is undefined, but elastic kinematic response
can be specified by stiffness, viscous damping, or structural damping in diagonal matrix form in the
element coordinate system. The element has two nodes, each with six degrees of freedom per node:
translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions, and rotations about the nodal x, y, and z axes. See
COMBI250 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

Other similar elements are the spring-damper element (COMBIN14 (p. 161)) and the bearing element
(COMBI214 (p. 1002)).
 

Figure 7.250.1: COMBI250 Schematic (2 nodes with KEYOPT(1) = 1)

 
I spring-damper
ye location
mI  
xe
c
Z ze
J
mJ
X Y

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Figure 7.250.2: COMBI250 Schematic (2 nodes with KEYOPT(1) = 2)

spring-damper
ye location

I xe
c
mI ze

Z J
mJ
X Y

Figure 7.250.3: COMBI250 Schematic (3 nodes)

ze
c
xe
ye I

Z
K
J
X Y

K located in xe-ye plane

COMBI250 Input Data

The locations of nodes I, J, and K, the element center C, and the element coordinate system (xe, ye, ze)
are shown in Figure 7.250.1: COMBI250 Schematic (2 nodes with KEYOPT(1) = 1) (p. 1256), Fig-
ure 7.250.2: COMBI250 Schematic (2 nodes with KEYOPT(1) = 2) (p. 1257), and Figure 7.250.3: COMBI250
Schematic (3 nodes) (p. 1257).

The degrees of freedom are ordered as UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ for node I followed by the same
for node J. Node K is optional and only used for the orientation of the element when the element co-
ordinate system is not specified (KECN).

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Element Library

A mass (MASS) can be added at the element center. The masses at nodes I and J are calculated based
on the distances between the element nodes, and the element center C.

An offset can be defined for the spring-damper location. Rigid-body motion is enforced between the
nodes and this location. By default (KEYOPT(1) = 0), it located at element mid-length. Depending on
KEYOPT(1), either the ratio of length XC, or the element center coordinates (XC, YC, and ZC) in the
center coordinate system (identified with KCCN) are specified. By default, when KCCN is not input, co-
ordinates are in the global coordinate system. This coordinate system must be Cartesian or cylindrical.

The element coordinate system (xe, ye, ze) can be defined with the coordinate system identification
number KECN or third node K. It is the coordinate system in which the element matrix is diagonal. This
coordinate system KECN must be Cartesian or cylindrical. By default (no node K and no KECN value),
the element coordinate system is the global Cartesian. KECN specification overrides the orientation
given by node K if both are present.

If the element coordinate system is cylindrical, the element must lie in the plane of rotation. All three
points: coordinate system origin, node I, and node J must not be coincident. If the coordinate system
origin is not coincident with node I, the element x-axis is along the line passing through both the co-
ordinate system origin and node I. When coincident, the element x-axis is along the element from node
I to node J.

The element coordinate system, if specified, is the first rotation applied. Any specified nodal rotations
follow (for example, the NROTAT command). Note that such rotations modify the element matrix.

The element characteristics are defined using real constants. K1 to K6 are stiffness values. CV1 to CV6
are viscous damping values. KIMAG1 to KIMAG6 are structural damping values also considered as the
imaginary part of the stiffness values. In a full harmonic analysis, these constants can be defined as
table parameters using the frequency as the primary variable (Var1 = FREQ on *DIM). In a full transient
analysis, real constants K1 to K6 and CV1 to CV6 can be defined as table parameters using time as the
primary variable (Var1 = TIME on *DIM). In a static analysis, real constants K1 to K6 can be defined as
table parameters using time as the primary variable (Var1 = TIME on *DIM).

COMBI250 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K (optional)

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

Real Constants

See Table 7.250.1: COMBI250 Real Constants (p. 1259).

Material Properties

MP command: BETD, ALPD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

None

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Body Loads

None

Special Features

Birth and death

Linear perturbation

KEYOPT(1)

Element center definition:

0 --

Element center is at mid-length (default)

1 --

Element center is on line IJ based on XC (YC and ZC are ignored)

2 --

Element center is defined by its coordinates (XC, YC, ZC)

Table 7.250.1: COMBI250 Real Constants

No. Name Description

1 MASS Mass
2 to 4 XC, YC, ZC Unused when KEYOPT(1) =
0.

When KEYOPT(1) = 1, only

XC is used. It represents the
ratio between IC and IJ
vectors. XC varies from 0 to
1.

When KEYOPT(1) = 2, inputs

are the coordinates of the
element center in KCCN
coordinate system.
5 KCCN Coordinate system number for
the definition of the element
center (XC, YC, ZC). Applicable
when KEYOPT(1) = 2 only.
6 KECN Element coordinate system
number
7 to 12 K1 to K6 Stiffness characteristics in
element coordinate system

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Element Library

No. Name Description

13 to 18 CV1 to CV6 Viscous damping characteristics
in element coordinate system
19 to 24 KIMAG1 to KIMAG6 Structural damping characteristics
in element coordinate system
(imaginary part of the stiffness
values)

COMBI250 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.250.2: COMBI250 Element Output Definitions (p. 1260)

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates the item can be accessed by the Component Name method
[ETABLE, ESOL]. The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R
column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and a - indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.250.2: COMBI250 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K Y Y
FS-I: X, Y, Z Static forces at node I 1 - Y
MS-I: X, Y, Z Static moments at node I 1 - Y
FS-J: X, Y, Z Static forces at node J 1 - Y
MS-J: X, Y, Z Static moments at node J 1 - Y
FD-I: X, Y, Z Damping forces at node I 1 2 - Y
MD-I: X, Y, Z Damping moments at node I 1 2 - Y
FD-J: X, Y, Z Damping forces at node J 1 2 - Y
MD-J: X, Y, Z Damping moments at node J 1 2 - Y
CLEN Current element length Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Element center coordinates in global coordinate Y Y
system
MI, MJ Masses at nodes Y Y

1. Forces and moments are expressed in the element coordinate system

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2. Damping forces and moments are only available after a transient or harmonic analysis. In a harmonic
analysis, they are the sum of viscous damping and structural damping quantities.

Table 7.250.3: COMBI250 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1261) lists output available via the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.250.3: COMBI250 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1261):

Name

Output quantity as defined in Table 7.214.1: COMBI214 Element Output Definitions for KEYOPT(1)
= 0 (p. 1008)

Item

Predetermined Item label for the ETABLE command

Sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.250.3: COMBI250 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output Quantity Name ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Item E
FS-I: X, Y, Z SMISC 1, 2, 3
MS-I: X, Y, Z SMISC 4, 5, 6
FS-J: X, Y, Z SMISC 7, 8, 9
MS-J: X, Y, Z SMISC 10, 11, 12
FD-I: X, Y, Z SMISC 13, 14, 15
MD-I: X, Y, Z SMISC 16, 17, 18
FD-J: X, Y, Z SMISC 19, 20, 21
MD-J: X, Y, Z SMISC 22, 23, 24
CLEN NMISC 1
XC, YC, ZC NMISC 2, 3, 4
MI, MJ NMISC 5, 6

COMBI250 Assumptions and Restrictions

• Nodes I and J may be coincident. In this case, node K cannot be used to define the element orientation.

• Non-zero MASS generates masses at nodes. Inertia at nodes is not supported.

• The spring, viscous damper, or structural damper capability can be deleted from the element by
setting the corresponding real constants to zero.

• Although the element matrices are diagonal in the element coordinate system, due to both the co-
ordinate system transformation and the enforcement of the rigid body motion, coupling may exist
between any degrees of freedom.

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• KIMAG1-6 are only supported in modal and full harmonic analyses.

• The real constants (K1-6, CV1-6, and KIMAG1-6) cannot be defined as tabular parameters in a linear
perturbation analysis. However, they can be defined in the base analysis. These parameters are frozen
during the linear perturbation analysis

COMBI250 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

SURF251
2-D Radiosity Surface
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1265)

SURF251 Element Description

SURF251 is used for radiation surface loads and can be used only with the radiosity solver method. It
can be overlaid onto a face of any 2-D thermal solid element that supports temperature DOF. This element
is applicable to 2-D thermal analyses (planar or axisymmetric). Various other loads and surface effects
may exist simultaneously (for example, SURF151 (p. 439) and SURF153 (p. 459) and SURF251 may be applied
on the same solid element faces to support convection heat flux and radiation heat flux loads).

This element should be created by the RSURF command. The underlying solid surface must also have
the RDSF flag.

Figure 7.251.1: SURF251 Geometry

J

Y
I
X

SURF251 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.251.1: SURF251 Geometry (p. 1262). The element is defined by two nodes, regardless of the under-
lying solid element.

You would typically generate SURF251 elements via the RSURF command, creating elements which are
coincident with the solid element surface. However, if you are using decimation (RDEC), then the surface
elements created will not coincide with the underlying solid element topology. See Fig-
ure 7.251.2: SURF251 Elements Without Coincident Nodes (p. 1263). Symmetrical SURF251 elements (pro-
duced when using the symmetry options [RSYMM]) can have no underlying solid elements. The RSURF
command always produces extra nodes to define the SURF251 topology as shown in Fig-
ure 7.251.2: SURF251 Elements Without Coincident Nodes (p. 1263), regardless if RDEC is used.

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Figure 7.251.2: SURF251 Elements Without Coincident Nodes

SF,,RDSF flags

PLANE292 PLANE292 SURF251

RDEC,
PLANE292 RSURF PLANE292

You cannot apply any loads on this element. During solution, the element extracts the temperature of
the solid element and computes the net radiation heat flux, which is transferred back as a surface load
to the solid element.

You can scale the net radiation heat flux by setting KEYOPT(13) = 1 and inputting a scale factor for real
constant RADSCAL. In this case, the emitted, reflected, and incident radiation heat flux output quantities
are also scaled.

The following table summarizes the element input. See also Element Input (p. 41) for a general description
of element input.

SURF251 Input Summary

Element Name

SURF251

Nodes

I, J

Degrees of Freedom

None

Real Constants

(1-12: blank),
RADSCAL
See Table 7.251.1: SURF251 Real Constants (p. 1264) for more information.

Material Properties

None

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

None

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Special Features

None

KEYOPT(13)

Radiosity scaling:

0 --

No radiosity scaling (default).

1 --

Apply radiosity scaling using real constant RADSCAL.

Table 7.251.1: SURF251 Real Constants

No. Name Description

1 - 12 (blank) --
13 RADSCAL Radiosity scaling factor, used only when KEYOPT(13) = 1

Note that the RSURF command assigns real constant set number 1 to all SURF251 elements generated,
irrespective of the current real constant set attribute pointer (REAL command). However, the real constant
set number can be changed by using the EMODIF,,REAL command.

SURF251 Output Data

Table 7.251.2: SURF251 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1264) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.151.3: SURF151 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 447):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.251.2: SURF251 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1264)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I,J

sequence number for data at nodes I and J

Table 7.251.2: SURF251 Item and Sequence Numbers

Name Item E
CENTROID X NMISC 1

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 Name Item E
CENTROID Y NMISC 2
CENTROID Z NMISC 3
AREA NMISC 4
TEMP NMISC 5
EMISSIVITY NMISC 6
Net radiation heat flux [1] NMISC 7
Emitted radiation heat flux [1] NMISC 8
Reflected radiation heat flux [1] NMISC 9
Incident radiant heat flux [1] NMISC 10
Enclosure No. NMISC 18

Note:

When view factor condensation is used to reduce solution time for models with symmetry
with LEVEL = 2 on the VFCO command (VFCO,,ENCL,2), no NMISC data is written for de-
pendent facets. When LEVEL = 1 (VFCO,,ENCL,1), NMISC data is written for both independent
and dependent facets.

1. This quantity is scaled by real constant RADSCAL when KEYOPT(13) = 1.

The net radiation heat flux is the sum of the directly emitted radiation flux [εσT4] plus the reflected ra-
diation flux [(1–ε)qi] minus the incoming radiation [qi], as shown below. Note that qi includes only radi-
ation from other surfaces in an enclosure, and it does not include radiation from a space node, if present,
for an imperfect "leaky" enclosure.

Figure 7.251.3: Net Radiation Heat Flux

SURF251 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero length.

SURF251 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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Element Library

SURF252
3-D Radiosity Surface
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1270)

SURF252 Element Description

SURF252 is used for radiation surface loads and can be used only with the radiosity solver method. It
can be overlaid onto a face of any 3-D thermal solid or shell element that supports temperature DOF.
This element is applicable to 3-D thermal analyses. Various other loads and surface effects may exist
simultaneously (for example, SURF152 (p. 449) and SURF154 (p. 468) and SURF252 may be applied on
the same solid element faces to support convection heat flux and radiation heat flux loads).

This element should be created by the RSURF command. The surface must also have the RDSF flag.

Figure 7.252.1: SURF252 Geometry

L K

K,L

I J
I J
Z (Triangular Option)

Y
X

SURF252 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.252.1: SURF252 Geometry (p. 1266). The element is defined by three or four nodes, regardless of the
underlying solid element.

You would typically generate SURF252 elements via the RSURF command, creating elements which are
coincident with the solid element surface. However, if you are using decimation (RDEC), then the surface
elements created will not coincide with the underlying solid element topology. See Fig-
ure 7.252.2: SURF252 Elements Without Coincident Nodes (p. 1267). Symmetrical SURF252 elements (pro-
duced when using the symmetry options [RSYMM]) will have no underlying solid elements. The RSURF
command always produces extra nodes to define the SURF252 topology as shown in Fig-
ure 7.252.2: SURF252 Elements Without Coincident Nodes (p. 1267), regardless if RDEC is used.

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Figure 7.252.2: SURF252 Elements Without Coincident Nodes
SF,,,RDSF

SURF252

RDEC,
RSURF
SOLID278

You cannot apply any loads on this element. During solution, the element extracts the temperature of
the solid element and computes the net radiation heat flux, which is transferred back as a surface load
to the solid element.

You can scale the net radiation heat flux by setting KEYOPT(13) = 1 and inputting a scale factor for real
constant RADSCAL. In this case, the emitted, reflected, and incident radiation heat flux output quantities
are also scaled.

The following table summarizes the element input. See also Element Input (p. 41) for a general description
of element input.

SURF252 Input Summary

Element Name

SURF252

Nodes

I, J, K, L

Degrees of Freedom

None

Real Constants

(1-12: blank),
RADSCAL
See Table 7.252.1: SURF252 Real Constants (p. 1268) for more information.

Material Properties

None

Surface Loads

None

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Body Loads

None

Special Features

None

KEYOPT(13)

Radiosity scaling:

0 --

No radiosity scaling (default).

1 --

Apply radiosity scaling using real constant RADSCAL.

Table 7.252.1: SURF252 Real Constants

No. Name Description

1 - 12 (blank) --
13 RADSCAL Radiosity scaling factor, used only when KEYOPT(13) = 1

Note that the RSURF command assigns real constant set number 1 to all SURF252 elements generated,
irrespective of the current real constant set attribute pointer (REAL command). However, the real constant
set number can be changed by using the EMODIF,,REAL command.

SURF252 Output Data

Table 7.252.2: SURF252 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1269) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.151.3: SURF151 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 447):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.252.2: SURF252 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1269)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

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I,J

sequence number for data at nodes I and J

Table 7.252.2: SURF252 Item and Sequence Numbers

Name Item E
CENTROID X NMISC 1
CENTROID Y NMISC 2
CENTROID Z NMISC 3
AREA NMISC 4
TEMP NMISC 5
EMISSIVITY NMISC 6
Net radiation heat flux [1] NMISC 7
Emitted radiation heat flux [1] NMISC 8
Reflected radiation heat flux [1] NMISC 9
Incident radiant heat flux [1] NMISC 10
Enclosure No. NMISC 18

Note:

When view factor condensation is used to reduce solution time for models with symmetry
with LEVEL = 2 on the VFCO command (VFCO,,ENCL,2), no NMISC data is written for de-
pendent facets. When LEVEL = 1 (VFCO,,ENCL,1), NMISC data is written for both independent
and dependent facets.

1. This quantity is scaled by real constant RADSCAL when KEYOPT(13) = 1.

The net radiation heat flux is the sum of the directly emitted radiation flux [εσT4] plus the reflected ra-
diation flux [(1–ε)qi] minus the incoming radiation [qi], as shown below. Note that qi includes only radi-
ation from other surfaces in an enclosure, and it does not include radiation from a space node, if present,
for an imperfect "leaky" enclosure.

Figure 7.252.3: Net Radiation Heat Flux

SURF252 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero length.

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Element Library

SURF252 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

INFIN257
Structural Infinite Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1275)

INFIN257 Element Description

Use INFIN257 with standard 2-D or 3-D solid elements (the base elements) to model infinite domain.

A single layer of elements represents an exterior subdomain of infinite domain. In a static structural
analysis, the layer models the effect of far-field decay. In a harmonic or transient analysis, the layer be-
haves as an absorbing boundary at the face attached to the base element. Use base elements to model
the near-field domain that interacts with the solid structures or applied loads.

Figure 7.257.1: Near-field vs. Far-field

For more information about this element, see INFIN257 - Structural Infinite Solid in the Theory Reference.

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Figure 7.257.2: INFIN257 Geometry

INFIN257 Input Data

The geometry and nodal locations for this element are shown in Figure 7.257.2: INFIN257 Geo-
metry (p. 1271).

Create INFIN257 elements from the selected nodes on base elements via the EINFIN command. The
command determines the stress state and material properties according to the base element. Only linear
elastic material properties (except density) are transferred to INFIN257. The real constant of the thickness
input for a 2-D plane stress element (KEYOPT(3) = 3) is copied to the INFIN257 element.

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Valid base elements are: PLANE182 (p. 692), PLANE183 (p. 701), SOLID185 (p. 824), SOLID186 (p. 843),
SOLID187 (p. 861), and SOLID285 (p. 1377).

INFIN257 does not support element loading. Apply element loading to base elements only.

INFIN257 Input Summary

Nodes

Same as those of the base element, as shown:

Base Element INFIN257 Nodes

2-D 4-Node Solid I, J, K, L
2-D 8-Node Solid I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P
3-D 8 Node Solid I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P
I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X,
3-D 20-Node Solid
Y, Z, A, B
3-D 4-Node Tetrahedral
I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P
Structural Solid
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral
I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z,A,B
Structural Solid

Degrees of Freedom

Same as those of the base element, as shown:

Base Element INFIN257 Degrees of Freedom

2-D 4-Node Solid
UX, UY
2-D 8-Node Solid
3-D 8-Node Solid
3-D 20-Node Solid
3-D 4-Node Tetrahedral UX, UY, UZ
Structural Solid
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral
Structural Solid

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

None

Surface Loads

None

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Body Loads

None

Special Features

None

KEYOPTS

None

INFIN257 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.257.1: INFIN257 Element Output Definitions (p. 1274)

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

Figure 7.257.3: INFIN257 Stress Output

Stress directions are in the global directions.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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Element Library

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.257.1: INFIN257 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L (2-D) - Y

Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P (3-D)
MAT Material number - Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported. Y 1
S:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Stresses (SZ = 0.0 for plane stress elements) Y Y
XZ
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - Y
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY, Elastic strains Y Y
YZ, XZ
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 2

1. Available only at centroid as a *GET item. For a 2-D element, ZC = 0.

2. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is used.

For axisymmetric solutions in the global coordinate system, the X, Y, Z, and XY stress and strain outputs
correspond to the radial, axial, hoop, and in-plane shear stresses and strains, respectively.

Table 7.257.2: INFIN257 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1275) lists output available (ETABLE) using the
Sequence Number method. The table is applied only if the base element is 2-D and KEYOPT(3) = 3. See
Creating an Element Table in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51)
in this reference for more information. The following notation is used in the table:

Name

Output quantity as defined in Table 7.257.1: INFIN257 Element Output Definitions (p. 1274)

Item

Predetermined Item label for the ETABLE command

Sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

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I, J, K, L

Sequence number for data at nodes I, J, K, and L

Table 7.257.2: INFIN257 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K L
Name
THICK NMISC 1 - - - -

INFIN257 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element supports static, transient, and harmonic analyses.

• In a transient or harmonic analysis, traction at the interface from a static load step is not transferred
to the absorbing boundary.

• A valid base element must be present for each INFIN257 element.

• Valid base element types are: PLANE182 (p. 692), PLANE183 (p. 701), SOLID185 (p. 824), SOLID186 (p. 843),
SOLID187 (p. 861), and SOLID285 (p. 1377).

• Because the element has no pressure degree of freedom, using it with pressure degree-of-freedom
(DOF) base elements may give poor results in the finite domain.

• In a static analysis, base elements can have anisotropic material properties. It is good practice, however,
to limit the finite element domain to a reasonable size so that INFIN257 elements are in a linear
elastic state.

• Layered solid elements (an option available with SOLID185 (p. 824) and SOLID186 (p. 843), for example)
are not compatible with INFIN257 elements.

• The element technology of a base element is not transferred to infinite elements.

• For 2-D models, the element must lie in a global XY plane as shown in Figure 7.257.2: INFIN257 Geo-
metry (p. 1271), and the Y axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses. Model an
axisymmetric infinite element in the same quadrants in which the base element is modeled.

• For 2-D INFIN257 elements, degeneration is not allowed and generalized plain strain is not supported.

• 3-D INFIN257 elements must have 8 or 20 nodes. You can form a prism-shaped element by using a
degenerated base element.

INFIN257 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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Element Library

REINF263
2-D Smeared Reinforcing
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1285)

REINF263 Element Description

For a structural reinforcing analysis, use REINF263 with standard 2-D solid and shell base elements to
provide extra reinforcing to those elements. For a thermal reinforcing analysis, the supported base
elements are thermal planes PLANE292 (p. 1458) and PLANE293 (p. 1465).

The element uses a smeared approach and is suitable for modeling evenly spaced reinforcing fibers
that appear in layered form. Each reinforcing layer contains a cluster of fibers with unique orientation,
material, and cross-section area, and is simplified as a homogeneous membrane having unidirectional
stiffness. You can specify multiple layers of reinforcing in one REINF263 element. The nodal locations,
degrees of freedom, and connectivity of the REINF263 element are identical to those of the base element.

REINF263 has plasticity, stress stiffening, creep, large deflection, and large strain capabilities.

For more information, see Reinforcing in the Structural Analysis Guide.

Figure 7.263.1: REINF263 Geometry

K JJ K
JJ O
L L

P KK N

I I
J M J
II II

2-D 4-NodeSolid 2-D 8-NodeSolid

KK
II JJ II JJ

K
I J I J

Z 2-D 2-Node Axisymmet

ric Shell 2-D 3-Node Axisymmet
ric Shell

Y
X

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Figure 7.263.2: REINF263 Coordinate System

K K
JJ JJ

L L
Xc Xo
Xf xo
xc
θ xf
θ

yo
Y zczf Y
yc
X zo yf X
J Z J Z

II II
I I

Uniaxial Stress State Plane Stress State

X0 = Layer x axis if layer system LSYS and layer-orientation angle θ are not specified
(default).
Xc = Layer x axis if a local coordinate system for the layer is specified (SECDATA,,,KCN)

Xf = Layer x axis if layer orientation angle θ is specified (SECDATA,,,,THETA)

REINF263 Input Data

The geometry and nodal locations for this element are shown in Figure 7.263.1: REINF263 Geo-
metry (p. 1276). The REINF263 element and its base element share the same nodes and element connectiv-
ity.

You can easily create REINF263 elements from the selected base elements via the EREINF command.
Section commands (SECTYPE and SECDATA) define the material ID, cross-section area, spacing, location,
and orientation of reinforcing fibers. See Reinforcing in the Structural Analysis Guide for more information
about creating REINF263 elements.

Each reinforcing layer can contain a cluster of fibers with unique orientation, material, and cross-section
area, simplified as a homogeneous membrane having unidirectional stiffness.

The equivalent thickness h of the smeared reinforcing layer is given by:

h=A/S

where A is the cross-section area of a single fiber, and S is the distance between two adjacent fibers.

REINF263 can also be used to model homogeneous reinforcing membranes. The spacing input S is ignored
and always set to 1.0 for reinforcing membranes. Therefore, the thickness h is equal to the cross-section
area input A.

For a structural analysis, REINF263 supports a plane-stress or uniaxial-stress state (SECCONTROL,,,MEMOPT).

For a thermal analysis, specify thermal conductivity KXX. Select the plane-stress state for homogeneous
reinforcing membranes, and the uniaxial-stress state for clusters of reinforcing fibers.

The coordinate systems for one reinforcing layer are shown in Figure 7.263.2: REINF263 Coordinate
System (p. 1277). Each reinforcing layer is indicated by its intersection points (II, JJ for linear base elements,
and II, JJ, KK, for quadratic base elements) with the base elements. Fibers in this layer are always parallel

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Element Library

to the first coordinate axis x. The x axis is default to the first parametric direction S1 at the center of
the layer. The default axis is defined as

where

{x} = h1{x}II + h2{x}JJ + h3{x}KK

{x}II, {x}JJ, {x}KK = global coordinates of intersection points

h1, h2, h3 = line shape functions

You can reorient the default layer coordinate system by projecting a local coordinate system (LOCAL)
to the layer plane. One local coordinate system is allowed for each layer. The local coordinate system
reference number is given via the SECDATA command.

You can further reorient the layer coordinate system by angle θ (in degrees) for each layer. The value
of θ is also specified for each layer via the SECDATA command. For more information about visualizing
fiber orientations, see /PSYMB.

You can use REINF263 to reinforce 2-D solid elements with plane-stress, plane-strain, axisymmetric (with
or without torsion), and generalized plane-strain behaviors. The element can also reinforce axisymmetric
shells or membranes (with or without uniform torsion). The element accounts for various base element
behaviors automatically.

REINF263 enables you to specify tension-only or compression-only reinforcing fiber behavior (SECCON-
TROL,TENSKEY). This option is not available when the plane-stress state is selected (SECCON-
TROL,,,MEMOPT).

REINF263 allows tension-only or compression-only reinforcing fibers. You can specify the desired fiber
behavior (SECCONTROL).

The element can account for redundant base element material where the reinforcing fibers are located
(SECCONTROL,,REMBASE).

For a structural analysis, REINF263 allows body-force-density element loading (BFE), as shown in these
examples:

BFE,2,FORC,1,VALUE1,VALUE2 ! Apply real part to element 2

BFE,2,FORC,4,VALUE1,VALUE2 ! Apply imaginary part to element 2

If applying body-force density to REINF263 elements, the program applies a uniform load to all members
in the element. You can apply non-uniform body-force density to individual members via the mesh-in-
dependent method by loading to MESH200 (p. 941) elements.

Apply other structural element loading only to the base element. The temperature of the REINF263
element is identical to the temperature of the base element in a structural analysis.

For thermal reinforcing analysis, REINF263 allows heat-generation (HGEN) element loading (BFE), as
shown in these examples:

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 BFE,2,HGEN,1,VALUE1,VALUE2 ! Member 1 of element 2
BFE,2,HGEN,3,%tab1%,, ! Member 2 of element 2
BFE,2,HGEN,5,%tab2%,, ! Member 3 of element 2
BFE,2,HGEN,7,VALUE1,VALUE2 ! Member 4 of element 2
VALUE1 and VALUE2 are at the corner points II JJ only. Midpoint values are not allowed.
If using the mesh-independent method for defining reinforcing, apply the HGEN load to the
MESH200 (p. 941) elements instead.

You can apply an initial state to this element in either of the following ways:

• By applying an initial state directly on each REINF263 element (INISTATE).

• By using the mesh-independent method for defining reinforcing to apply an initial state to
MESH200 (p. 941) elements, enabling Mechanical APDL to transfer the initial state to the resulting
reinforcing elements automatically. For more information, see Applying an Initial State to Rein-
forcing Elements in the Structural Analysis Guide.

For cases involving many elements, an easier and more efficient method is available. Using the mesh-
independent method, you can apply an initial state to the MESH200 (p. 941) elements first. Mechanical
APDL then transfers the initial state to the newly created reinforcing elements automatically.

A summary of the element input follows.

REINF263 Input Summary

Nodes

Structural

Same as those of the base element, as shown:

Base Element REINF263 Nodes

2-D 4-Node Solid I,J,K,L
2-D 8-Node Solid I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P
2-D 2-Node Axisymmetric Shell I,J
2-D 3-Node Axisymmetric Shell I,J,K

Thermal

Base Element REINF263 Nodes

2-D 4-Node Thermal Solid I,J,K,L
PLANE292 (p. 1458)
2-D 8-Node Thermal Solid I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P
PLANE293 (p. 1465)

Degrees of Freedom

Structural

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Element Library

Same as those of the base element, as shown:

Base Element REINF263 DOFs

2-D 4-Node or 8-Node Solid UX, UY
2-D 4-Node or 8-Node Axisymmetric UX, UY, ROTY
Solid with Torsion
2-D 2-Node Axisymmetric Shell UX, UY, ROTZ
2-D 2-Node Axisymmetric Membrane UX, UY
2-D 2-Node Axisymmetric Shell UX, UY, UZ, ROTX
Allowing Uniform Torsion
2-D 2-Node Axisymmetric Membrane UX, UY, UZ
Allowing Uniform Torsion

Thermal

Base Element REINF263 DOFs

2-D 4-Node Thermal Solid TEMP
PLANE292 (p. 1458)
2-D 8-Node Thermal Solid TEMP
PLANE293 (p. 1465)

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, (PRXY or NUXY), ALPX (or CTEX or THSX), DENS, GXY, ALPD, BETD, DMPR,
DMPS

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperatures (Structural) --

Same as those of the base element

Body-Force Density --

Standard method -- Specified via BFE

Mesh-independent method -- Specified via BFE on MESH200 (p. 941) elements

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 Thermal --

HGEN –

Standard method – Specified via BFE

Mesh-independent method – Specified via BF or BFE on MESH200 (p. 941) elements

Special Features

Birth and death

Initial state
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Stress stiffening

KEYOPTS

None

REINF263 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.263.1: REINF263 Element Output Definitions –
Structural Analysis (p. 1282).

The following figure illustrates the axial stress component:

Figure 7.263.3: REINF263 Stress Output

K K
JJ JJ

L Sx L

Sy
Sx

J J

II II
I I

Uni-axial Stress Plane Stress State

State

x = x0, x1, or xf is the layer x axis.

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Unlike layered solid or shell elements (such as SHELL181 (p. 673)), REINF263 always outputs the element
solution for all reinforcing layers. You can select solution items for a specific reinforcing layer (LAYER)
for listing and visualization by using full graphics (/GRAPHICS,FULL). Visualization via PowerGraphics
(/GRAPHICS,POWER) is not affected by the LAYER command; all reinforcing layers are displayed simul-
taneously. See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to review results.

REINF263 element solution is always output in the layer coordinate system and does not support
transformation to a different coordinate system. RSYS has no effect on REINF263 element solution.

To inspect REINF263 element results, select only REINF263 element results or adjust translucency level
of the base elements before executing any plotting command. REINF263 display options are also available
directly via the GUI (Main Menu> Preprocessor> Sections> Reinforcing> Display Options).

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.263.1: REINF263 Element Output Definitions – Structural Analysis

Name Definition O R
EL Element number and name - Y
NODES Nodes (as shown in "REINF263 Input - Y
Summary" (p. 1279))
MAT Material number - Y
THICK Averaged equivalent layer thickness (uniaxial - Y
stress state)

Averaged layer thickness (plane stress state)

See "REINF263 Input Data" (p. 1277).

SPACING Averaged distance between two adjacent fibers [5] - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC, ZC Center location - 3
TEMP T1, T2 for reinforcing layer 1; T3, T4 for reinforcing - Y
layer 2; ending with temperatures for the last
reinforcing layer NL (2*NL maximum)
S:x Axial stresses (uniaxial-stress state) 2 Y
S:x, y, z, xy Stresses (plane-stress state, Sz = 0.0) 2 Y
EPEL:x Axial elastic strains (uniaxial-stress state) 2 Y
EPEL:x, y, z, xy Elastic strains (plane-stress state) 2 Y
EPTH:x Axial thermal strains (uniaxial-stress state) 2 Y
EPTH:x, y, z, xy Thermal strains (plane-stress state) 2 Y

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 Name Definition O R
EPPL:x Axial plastic strains (uniaxial-stress state) 2 1
EPPL:x, y, z, xy Plastic strains (plane-stress state) 2 1
EPCR:x Axial creep strains (uniaxial-stress state) 2 1
EPCR:x, y, z, xy Creep strains (plane-stress state) 2 1
EPTO:x Total axial mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR, Y -
uniaxial-stress state)
EPTO:x, y, z, xy Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR, Y -
plane-stress state)
EPTT:x Total axial strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR + EPTH, Y -
uniaxial-stress state)
EPTTx, y, z, xy Total strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR + EPTH, Y -
plane-stress state)
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain - 1
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain - 1
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not - 1
yielding)
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume - 1
N11 Averaged axial force per unit unit length [5] - Y
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 4

Table 7.263.2: REINF263 Element Output Definitions – Thermal Analysis

Name Definition O R
EL Element number and name - Y
NODES Nodes (as shown in "REINF263 Input - Y
Summary" (p. 1279))
MAT Material number - Y
THICK Averaged equivalent layer thickness (uniaxial - Y
stress state)

Averaged layer thickness (plane stress state)

See "REINF263 Input Data" (p. 1277).

VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC, ZC Center location - 3
BFE TEMP T1, T2 for reinforcing members (individual - Y
reinforcings)
TG:x, y Temperature gradient along the x and y directions 2 Y
(of layer CSYS) for all members
TF:x, y Heat flux along the x and y directions (of layer CSYS) 2 Y
for all reinforcing members (individual reinforcings)

1. Nonlinear solution output if the element has a nonlinear material.

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Element Library

2. Stresses, total strains, plastic strains, elastic strains, creep strains, and thermal strains in the element
coordinate system are available for output.

3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

4. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is used for structural analysis.

5. Applicable only if uniaxial stress state is used.

Table 7.263.3: REINF263 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1284) lists output available via ETABLE using
the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table and The Item and Sequence Number
Table (p. 51) in this document for more information. The following notation is used in
Table 7.263.3: REINF263 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1284):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.263.1: REINF263 Element Output Definitions – Structural
Analysis (p. 1282)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.263.3: REINF263 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command

Quantity Input
Name Item E
N11 SMISC (i - 1) * 5 + 1
THICK SMISC (i - 1) * 5 + 2
SPACING SMISC (i - 1) * 5 + 3
HEAT SMISC (i - 1) * 5 + 4
VOLUME SMISC (i - 1) * 5 + 5

The i value (where i = 1, 2, 3, ..., NL) represents the reinforcing member number of the element. NL
is the maximum reinforcing member number (1 NL 250).

REINF263 Assumptions and Restrictions

• Zero-volume elements are invalid.

• This element can be used only with these base element types:

Structural – SHELL208 (p. 966), SHELL209 (p. 977), PLANE182 (p. 692), and PLANE183 (p. 701)
Thermal – PLANE292 (p. 1458), PLANE293 (p. 1465)

• A valid base element must be present for each REINF263 element.

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• The reinforcing element is firmly attached to its base element. No relative movement between the
reinforcing element and the base is allowed. For a thermal analysis, the temperature field is continuous
at the interface between the base element and the reinforcing.

• Through-thickness reinforcing is not permitted in shells and layered solid elements.

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). You can also
activate prestress effects (PSTRES).

• To simulate tension-/compression-only reinforcing fibers, a nonlinear iterative solution approach is

necessary.

REINF263 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

REINF264
3-D Discrete Reinforcing
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1293)

REINF264 Element Description

For a structural reinforcing analysis, use REINF264 with standard 3-D link, beam, shell and solid elements
(referred to here as the base elements) to provide extra reinforcing to those elements. For a thermal
reinforcing analysis, the supported base elements are thermal solids SOLID278 (p. 1320), SOLID279 (p. 1337),
and SOLID291 (p. 1453).

The element is suitable for simulating reinforcing fibers with arbitrary orientations. Each fiber is modeled
separately as a spar that has only uniaxial stiffness or conductivity. You can specify multiple reinforcing
fibers in one REINF264 element. The nodal locations, degrees of freedom, and connectivity of the RE-
INF264 element are identical to those of the base element.

For smeared reinforcing modeling options, use the REINF263 (p. 1276) and REINF265 (p. 1294) elements.

REINF264 has plasticity, stress stiffening, creep, large deflection, and large strain capabilities.

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For more information, see Reinforcing in the Structural Analysis Guide.

Table 7.264.1: REINF264 Geometry

P
O P W
X
O
M N M
B V
U
KK N
II JJ A
Y II JJ
L L S
K T Z
K
I
I
R
J Q
J

3-D 8-Node Solid or 3-D 20-Node Solid

Solid Shell
L L

R
P KK
Q JJ
II JJ II
K O K

I I
N
M
J J

3-D 4-Node Tetrahedral 3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral

Solid Solid
L L O
K K

II JJ JJ
II P KK
N

I I
J J
M

3-D 4-Node Shell 3-D 8-Node Shell

II II
KK
I JJ I JJ
K
J J

3-D 2-Node Beam 3-D 3-Node Beam

II
I
JJ
J

3-D 2-Node Spar

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Figure 7.264.1: REINF264 Coordinate System
JJ

Z
x

Y II
X

REINF264 Input Data

The geometry and nodal locations for this element are shown in Table 7.264.1: REINF264 Geometry (p. 1286).
The REINF264 element and its base element share the same nodes and element connectivity. Each re-
inforcing fiber is indicated by its intersection points (II, JJ for linear base elements, and II, JJ, KK for
quadratic base elements) with the base elements.

You can easily create REINF264 elements from the selected base elements (EREINF). Section commands
(SECTYPE and SECDATA) define the material ID, cross-section area, and location of reinforcing fibers.
See Reinforcing in the Structural Analysis Guide for more information about creating REINF264 elements.

For structural analysis, REINF264 allows tension-only or compression-only reinforcing fibers. You can
specify the desired fiber behavior (SECCONTROL).

The element can account for redundant base element material where the reinforcing fibers are located
(SECCONTROL,,REMBASE).

The coordinate system for one reinforcing fiber is shown in Figure 7.264.1: REINF264 Coordinate Sys-
tem (p. 1287). The coordinate system is solely determined by intersection points II, JJ, and KK; therefore,
the element coordinate system (/PSYMB,ESYS) is not relevant for this element.

For a structural analysis, REINF264 allows body-force-density element loading (BFE), as shown in these
examples:

BFE,2,FORC,1,VALUE1,VALUE2,VALUE3 ! Apply real part to element 2

BFE,2,FORC,4,VALUE1,VALUE2,VALUE3 ! Apply imaginary part to element 2

If applying body-force density to REINF264 elements, the program applies a uniform load to all members
in the element. You can apply non-uniform body-force density to individual members via the mesh-in-
dependent method by loading to MESH200 (p. 941) elements.

Apply other structural element loading only to the base element. The temperature of the REINF264
element is identical to the temperature of the base element in a structural analysis.

For thermal reinforcing analysis, REINF264 allows heat-generation (HGEN) element loading (BFE), as
shown in these examples:

BFE,2,HGEN,1,VALUE1,VALUE2 ! Member 1 of element 2

BFE,2,HGEN,3,%tab1%,, ! Member 2 of element 2
BFE,2,HGEN,5,%tab2%,, ! Member 3 of element 2
BFE,2,HGEN,7,VALUE1,VALUE2 ! Member 4 of element 2
VALUE1 and VALUE2 are at the corner points II JJ only. Midpoint values are not allowed.

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If using the mesh-independent method for defining reinforcing, apply the HGEN load to the
MESH200 (p. 941) elements instead.

You can apply an initial state to this element in either of the following ways:

• By applying an initial state directly on each REINF264 element (INISTATE).

• By using the mesh-independent method for defining reinforcing to apply an initial state to
MESH200 (p. 941) elements, enabling Mechanical APDL to transfer the initial state to the resulting
reinforcing elements automatically. For more information, see Applying an Initial State to Rein-
forcing Elements in the Structural Analysis Guide.

A summary of the element input follows.

REINF264 Input Summary

Nodes

Structural

Same as those of the base element, as shown:

Base Element REINF264 Nodes

3-D 8-Node Solid or Solid Shell I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P
3-D 20-Node Solid I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z,A,B
3-D 4-Node Tetrahedral Solid I,J,K,L
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Solid I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R
3-D 4-Node Shell I,J,K,L
3-D 8-Node Shell I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P
3-D 2-Node Beam I,J,K (K is an optional orientation node)
3-D 3-Node Beam I,J,K,L (L is an optional orientation node)
3-D 2-Node Spar I,J

Thermal

Base Element REINF264 Nodes

3-D 8-Node Thermal Solid I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P
SOLID278 (p. 1320) (KEYOPT(3) = 0)
3-D 20-Node Thermal Solid I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z,A,B
SOLID279 (p. 1337) (KEYOPT(3) = 0)
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Thermal Solid I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R
SOLID291 (p. 1453)

Degrees of Freedom

Structural

Same as those of the base element, as shown:

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 Base Element REINF264 DOFs
3-D 8-Node Solid or Solid Shell UX, UY, UZ
3-D 20-Node Solid UX, UY, UZ
3-D 14-Node Tetrahedral Solid UX, UY, UZ
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Solid UX, UY, UZ
3-D 4-Node Shell UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ
3-D 8-Node Shell UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ
3-D 2-Node Beam UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ
3-D 3-Node Beam UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ
3-D 2-Node Spar UX, UY, UZ

Thermal

Base Element REINF264 Nodes

3-D 8-Node Thermal Solid TEMP
SOLID278 (p. 1320) (KEYOPT(3) = 0)
3-D 20-Node Thermal Solid TEMP
SOLID279 (p. 1337) (KEYOPT(3) = 0)
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Thermal Solid TEMP
SOLID291 (p. 1453)

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, (PRXY or NUXY), ALPX (or CTEX or THSX), DENS, GXY, ALPD, BETD, DMPR,
DMPS, CP, KXX

Surface Loads

None

Body Loads

Temperatures (Structural) --

Same as those of the base element

Body-Force Density --

Standard method -- Specified via BFE

Mesh-independent method -- Specified via BFE on MESH200 (p. 941) elements

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Thermal --

HGEN –

Standard method – Specified via BFE

Mesh-independent method – Specified BFE or BF on MESH200 (p. 941) elements

Special Features

Birth and death

Initial state
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Stress stiffening

KEYOPTS

None

REINF264 Structural or Thermal Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.264.2: REINF264 Element Output Definitions –
Structural Analysis (p. 1291).

The axial stress component is illustrated in Figure 7.264.2: REINF264 Structural or Thermal Output (p. 1290).

Figure 7.264.2: REINF264 Structural or Thermal Output

Unlike layered solid or shell elements (such as SHELL181 (p. 673)), REINF264 always outputs the element
solution for all reinforcing layers. You can select solution items for a specific reinforcing layer (LAYER)

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for listing and visualization by using full graphics (/GRAPHICS,FULL). Visualization via PowerGraphics
(/GRAPHICS,POWER) is not affected by the LAYER command; all reinforcing layers are displayed simul-
taneously. See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to review results.

REINF264 element solution is always output in the layer coordinate system and does not support
transformation to a different coordinate system. RSYS has no effect on REINF264 element solution.

To inspect REINF264 element results, select only REINF264 element results or adjust the translucency
level of the base elements before executing any plotting command. REINF264 display options are also
available directly via the GUI (Main Menu> Preprocessor> Sections> Reinforcing> Display Options).

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.264.2: REINF264 Element Output Definitions – Structural Analysis

Name Definition O R
EL Element number and name - Y
NODES Nodes (as shown in "REINF264 Input Summary" (p. 1288)) - Y
MAT Material number - Y
AREA Averaged cross-section area of reinforcing fibers - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC, ZC Center location - 3
TEMP T1, T2 for reinforcing fiber 1; T3, T4 for reinforcing - Y
fiber 2; ending with temperatures for the last
reinforcing fiber NL (2 * NL maximum)
S:x Axial stresses 2 Y
EPEL:x Axial elastic strains 2 Y
EPTH:x Axial thermal strains 2 Y
EPPL:x Axial plastic strains 2 1
EPCR:x Axial creep strains 2 1
EPTO:x Total axial mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) Y -
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain - 1
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain - 1
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not yielding) - 1
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume - 1
N11 Averaged axial force - Y

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Name Definition O R
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 4

Table 7.264.3: REINF264 Element Output Definitions – Thermal Analysis

Name Definition O R
EL Element number and name 2 Y
NODES Nodes (as shown in "REINF264 Input Summary" (p. 1288)) 2 Y
MAT Material number 2 Y
AREA Averaged cross-section area of reinforcing fibers - Y
VOLU: Volume 2 Y
XC, YC, ZC Center location - 3
BFE TEMP T1, T2 for reinforcing members [5] - Y
TG:x Temperature gradient along the fiber for all reinforcing 2 Y
members [5]
TF:x Heat flux along the fiber for all reinforcing members [5] 2 Y
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 4

1. Nonlinear solution output if the element has a nonlinear material.

2. For structural analysis, stresses, total strains, plastic strains, elastic strains, creep strains, and thermal
strains in the element coordinate system are available for output. For thermal analysis, temperature
gradients and heat flux in the element coordinate system are available for output.

3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

4. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is used.

5. A member is an individual reinforcing.

Table 7.264.4: REINF264 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1293) lists output available via the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table and The Item and Se-
quence Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more information. The following notation is used
in Table 7.264.4: REINF264 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1293):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.264.2: REINF264 Element Output Definitions – Structural
Analysis (p. 1291)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

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E

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.264.4: REINF264 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command

Quantity Input
Name Item E
N11 SMISC (i - 1) * 4 + 1
AREA SMISC (i - 1) * 4 + 2
HEAT SMISC (i - 1) * 4 + 3
VOLUME SMISC (i - 1) * 4 + 4

The i value (where i = 1, 2, 3, ..., NL) represents the reinforcing member number of the element. NL
is the maximum reinforcing member number (1 NL 250).

REINF264 Assumptions and Restrictions

• Zero-volume elements are invalid.

• This element can be used only with base element types:

– Structural – LINK180 (p. 665), SHELL181 (p. 673), SHELL281 (p. 1360), SOLID185 (p. 824), SOLID186 (p. 843),
SOLID187 (p. 861), BEAM188 (p. 868), BEAM189 (p. 890), SOLSH190 (p. 912), SOLID285 (p. 1377)

– Thermal – SOLID278 (p. 1320), SOLID279 (p. 1337)

• A valid base element must be present for each REINF264 element.

• The reinforcing element is firmly attached to its base element. No relative movement between the
reinforcing element and the base is allowed. For a thermal analysis, the temperature field is continuous
at the interface between the base element and the reinforcing.

• Through-thickness reinforcing is not allowed in shells and layered solid elements.

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). You can activate
prestress effects via the PSTRES command.

• The warping degree of freedom in beam base elements are not accounted for.

• REINF264 does not support BEAM188 (p. 868) with the quadratic or cubic interpolation option (KEY-
OPT(3)).

• To simulate the tension-/compression-only reinforcing fibers, a nonlinear iterative solution approach

is necessary.

REINF264 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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REINF265
3-D Smeared Reinforcing
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1304)

REINF265 Element Description

For a structural reinforcing analysis, use REINF265 with standard 3-D solid and shell elements (referred
to here as the base elements) to provide extra reinforcing to those elements. For a thermal reinforcing
analysis, the supported base elements are thermal solids SOLID278 (p. 1320) and SOLID279 (p. 1337), and
SOLID291 (p. 1453).

The element uses a smeared approach and is suitable for modeling evenly spaced reinforcing fibers
that appear in layered form. Each reinforcing layer contains a cluster of fibers with unique orientation,
material, and cross-section area, and is simplified as a homogeneous membrane having unidirectional
stiffness or conductivity. You can specify multiple layers of reinforcing in one REINF265 element. The
nodal locations, degrees of freedom, and connectivity of the REINF265 element are identical to those
of the base element.

For discrete reinforcing modeling options, see the documentation for the REINF264 (p. 1285) element.

REINF265 has plasticity, stress stiffening, creep, large deflection, and large-strain capabilities.

For more information, see Reinforcing in the Structural Analysis Guide.

Figure 7.265.1: REINF265 Geometry

P
O P W
X
O
M LL M
N
KK B V
U
N
A
Y PP LL OO
II KK
L L S
JJ K II T Z
NN
MM JJ K
I
I
R
J Q
J

3-D 8-Node Solid or 3-D 20-Node Solid

Solid Shell

LL
L KK
L
K

R
P PP KK, LL, OO
Q
II II
O NN K JJ
MM I
JJ N J
I M

J 3-D 4-Node Shell

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 3-D 10-Node
Tetrahedral Solid

LL OO KK
L O K
PP
NN
P
Z N
II JJ
MM
I
Y
J
X M

3-D 8-Node Shell

Figure 7.265.2: REINF265 Coordinate System

zo
LL KK LL zczf KK
xf yo
xc yc
yf xf
θ
θ xc
xo
xo

Z Z
II II

Y JJ Y JJ
X X

Uni-axial Stress State Plane Stress State

X0 = Layer x axis if layer system LSYS and layer-orientation angle θ are not specified
(default).
Xc = Layer x axis if a local coordinate system for the layer is specified (SECDATA,,,KCN)

Xf = Layer x axis if layer orientation angle θ is specified (SECDATA,,,,THETA)

REINF265 Input Data

The geometry and nodal locations for this element are shown in Figure 7.265.1: REINF265 Geo-
metry (p. 1294). The REINF265 element and its base element share the same nodes and element connectiv-
ity.

You can easily create REINF265 elements from the selected base elements via the EREINF command.
Section commands (SECTYPE and SECDATA) define the material ID, cross-section area, spacing, location,
and orientation of reinforcing fibers. See Reinforcing in the Structural Analysis Guide for more information
about creating REINF265 elements.

Each reinforcing layer can contain a cluster of fibers with unique orientation, material, and cross-section
area, simplified as a homogeneous membrane having unidirectional stiffness.

The equivalent thickness h of the smeared reinforcing layer is given by:

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Element Library

h=A/S

where A is the cross-section area of a single fiber, and S is the distance between two adjacent fibers.

REINF265 can also be used to model homogeneous reinforcing membranes. The spacing input S is ignored
and always set to 1.0 for reinforcing membranes. Therefore, the thickness h is equal to the cross-section
area input A.

For a structural analysis, REINF265 supports a plane-stress or uniaxial-stress state (SECCONTROL,,,MEMOPT).

For a thermal analysis, MEMOPT controls thermal conductivity KYY in the member (individual reinforcing)
coordinate system. If MEMOPT = 1, KYY = 0 and conduction is allowed only in the X direction. Select
the plane-stress state for homogeneous reinforcing membranes, and the uniaxial-stress state for clusters
of reinforcing fibers.

The coordinate systems for one reinforcing layer are shown in Figure 7.265.2: REINF265 Coordinate
System (p. 1295). Each reinforcing layer is indicated by its intersection points (II, JJ, KK, LL for linear base
elements, and II, JJ, KK, LL, MM, NN, OO, PP for quadratic base elements) with the base elements. Fibers
in this layer are always parallel to the first coordinate axis x. The x axis is default to the first parametric
direction S1 at the center of the layer. The default axis is defined as

where

{x}II, {x}JJ, {x}KK, {x}LL = global nodal coordinates

You can reorient the default layer coordinate system by projecting a local coordinate system (LOCAL)
to the layer plane. One local coordinate system is allowed for each layer. The local coordinate system
reference number is given via the SECDATA command.

You can further reorient the layer coordinate system by angle θ (in degrees) for each layer. The value
of θ is also specified for each layer via the SECDATA command. For more information about visualizing
fiber orientations, see /PSYMB.

For a structural analysis, REINF265 enables you to specify tension-only or compression-only reinforcing
fiber behavior (SECCONTROL,TENSKEY). This option is not available when the plane-stress state is se-
lected (SECCONTROL,,,MEMOPT).

The element can account for redundant base element material where the reinforcing fibers are located
(SECCONTROL,,REMBASE).

The element can account for transverse shear stiffness when using the plane-stress state with transverse
shear stiffness (SECCONTROL,,,2). When solid base elements are used, the element can also account
for bending stiffness (SECCONTROL,,,3).

For a structural analysis, REINF265 allows body-force-density element loading (BFE), as shown in these
examples:

BFE,2,FORC,1,VALUE1,VALUE2,VALUE3 ! Apply real part to element 2

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 BFE,2,FORC,4,VALUE1,VALUE2,VALUE3 ! Apply imaginary part to element 2

If applying body-force density to REINF265 elements (BFE), the program applies a uniform load to all
members in the element. You can apply non-uniform body-force density to individual members via the
mesh-independent method by loading to MESH200 (p. 941) elements.

Apply other structural element loading only to the base element. The temperature of the REINF265
element is identical to the temperature of the base element in a structural analysis.

For thermal reinforcing analysis, REINF265 allows heat-generation (HGEN) element loading (BFE), as
shown in these examples:

BFE,2,HGEN,1,VALUE1,VALUE2,VALUE3,VALUE4 ! Member 1 of element 2

BFE,2,HGEN,5,%tab1%,,,, ! Member 2 of element 2
BFE,2,HGEN,9,%tab2%,,,, ! Member 3 of element 2
BFE,2,HGEN,13,VALUE1,VALUE2,VALUE3,VALUE4 ! Member 4 of element 2
VALUE1, VALUE2, VALUE3, and VALUE4 are at the corner points II JJ KK LL only. Midpoint
values are not allowed.
If using the mesh-independent method for defining reinforcing, apply the HGEN load to the
MESH200 (p. 941) elements instead.

You can apply an initial state to this element in either of the following ways:

• By applying an initial state directly on each REINF265 element (INISTATE).

• By using the mesh-independent method for defining reinforcing to apply an initial state to
MESH200 (p. 941) elements, enabling Mechanical APDL to transfer the initial state to the resulting
reinforcing elements automatically. For more information, see Applying an Initial State to Rein-
forcing Elements in the Structural Analysis Guide.

A summary of the element input follows.

REINF265 Input Summary

Nodes

Structural

Same as those of the base element, as shown:

Base Element REINF265 Nodes

3-D 8-Node Solid or Solid Shell I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P
3-D 20-Node Solid I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z,A,B
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Solid I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R
3-D 4-Node Shell I,J,K,L
3-D 8-Node Shell I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P

Thermal

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Element Library

Base Element REINF264 Nodes

3-D 8-Node Thermal Solid I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P
SOLID278 (p. 1320) (KEYOPT(3) = 0)
3-D 20-Node Thermal Solid I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z,A,B
SOLID279 (p. 1337) (KEYOPT(3) = 0)
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Thermal Solid I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R
SOLID291 (p. 1453)

Degrees of Freedom

Structural

Same as those of the base element, as shown:

Base Element REINF265 DOFs

3-D 8-Node Solid or Solid Shell UX, UY, UZ
3-D 20-Node Solid UX, UY, UZ
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Solid UX, UY, UZ
3-D 4-Node Shell UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ
3-D 8-Node Shell UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

Thermal

Base Element REINF264 Nodes

3-D 8-Node Thermal Solid TEMP
SOLID278 (p. 1320) (KEYOPT(3) = 0)
3-D 20-Node Thermal Solid TEMP
SOLID279 (p. 1337) (KEYOPT(3) = 0)
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Thermal Solid TEMP
SOLID291 (p. 1453)

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, (PRXY or NUXY), ALPX (or CTEX or THSX), DENS, GXY, ALPD, BETD, DMPR,
DMPS, CP, KXX, KYY

Surface Loads

None

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Body Loads

Temperatures (Structural) --

Same as those of the base element

Body-Force Density --

Standard method -- Specified via BFE

Mesh-independent method -- Specified via BFE on MESH200 (p. 941) elements

Thermal --

HGEN –

Standard method – Specified via BFE

Mesh-independent method – Specified BFE or BF on MESH200 (p. 941) elements

Special Features

Birth and death

Initial state
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Stress stiffening

REINF265 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.265.1: REINF265 Element Output Definitions –
Structural Analysis (p. 1301).

The following figure illustrates the axial stress component:

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Figure 7.265.3: REINF265 Structural or Thermal Output

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Unlike layered solid or shell elements (such as SHELL181 (p. 673)), REINF265 always outputs the element
solution for all reinforcing layers. You can select solution items for a specific reinforcing layer (LAYER)
for listing and visualization by using full graphics (/GRAPHICS,FULL). Visualization via PowerGraphics
(/GRAPHICS,POWER) is not affected by the LAYER command; all reinforcing layers are displayed simul-
taneously. See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to review results.

REINF265 element solution is always output in the layer coordinate system and does not support
transformation to a different coordinate system. RSYS has no effect on REINF265 element solution.

To inspect REINF265 element results, select only REINF265 element results or adjust translucency level
of the base elements before executing any plotting command. REINF265 display options are also available
directly via the GUI (Main Menu> Preprocessor> Sections> Reinforcing> Display Options).

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.265.1: REINF265 Element Output Definitions – Structural Analysis

Name Definition O R
EL Element number and name - Y
NODES Nodes (as shown in "REINF265 Input - Y
Summary" (p. 1297))
MAT Material number - Y
THICK Averaged equivalent layer thickness (uniaxial - Y
stress state)

Averaged layer thickness (plane stress state)

See "REINF265 Input Data" (p. 1295).

SPACING Averaged distance between two adjacent fibers [5] - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC, ZC Center location - 3
TEMP T1, T2, T3, T4 for reinforcing layer 1; T5, T6, T7, - Y
T8 for reinforcing layer 2; ending with
temperatures for the last reinforcing layer NL
(4*NL maximum)
S:x Axial stresses (uniaxial-stress state) 2 Y
S:x, y, z, xy, yz, xz Stresses (plane-stress state, Sz = 0.0) 2 Y
EPEL:x Axial elastic strains (uniaxial-stress state) 2 Y
EPEL:x, y, z, xy, yz, Elastic strains (plane-stress state) 2 Y
xz
EPTH:x Axial thermal strains (uniaxial-stress state) 2 Y

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
EPTH:x, y, z, xy Thermal strains (plane-stress state) 2 Y
EPPL:x Axial plastic strains (uniaxial-stress state) 2 1
EPPL:x, y, z, xy, yz, Plastic strains (plane-stress state) 2 1
xz
EPCR:x Axial creep strains (uniaxial-stress state) 2 1
EPCR:x, y, z, xy, yz, Creep strains (plane-stress state) 2 1
xz
EPTO:x Total axial mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR, Y -
uniaxial-stress state)
EPTO:x, y, z, xy, yz, Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR, Y -
xz plane-stress state)
EPTT:x Total axial strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR + EPTH, Y -
uniaxial-stress state)
EPTTx, y, z, xy, yz, Total strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR + EPTH, Y -
xz plane-stress state)
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain - 1
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain - 1
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not - 1
yielding)
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume - 1
N11 Averaged axial force per unit unit length [5] - Y
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 4

Table 7.265.2: REINF265 Element Output Definitions – Thermal Analysis

Name Definition O R
EL Element number and name 2 Y
NODES Nodes (as shown in "REINF265 Input 2 Y
Summary" (p. 1297))
MAT Material number 2 Y
THICK Averaged equivalent layer thickness (uniaxial - Y
stress state)

Averaged layer thickness (plane stress state)

See "REINF265 Input Data" (p. 1295).

VOLU: Volume 2 Y
XC, YC, ZC Center location - 3
BFE TEMP T1, T2, T3, T4 for reinforcing members [6] - Y
TG:x y Temperature gradient along the x and y directions 2
(of layer CSYS) for all members [6]
TF:x y Heat flux along the x and y directions (of layer CSYS) 2
for all members [6]

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 Name Definition O R
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 4

1. Nonlinear solution output if the element has a nonlinear material.

2. For structural analysis, stresses, total strains, plastic strains, elastic strains, creep strains, and thermal
strains in the element coordinate system are available for output. Transverse-shear terms (yz, xz)
are available when SECCONTROL,,,2 is issued. The structural output values are available on both
top and bottom surfaces of a layer when bending stiffness is included (SECCONTROL,,,3). For thermal
analysis, temperature gradients and heat flux in the element coordinate system are available for
output.

3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

4. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is used.

5. Applicable only if uniaxial-stress state is used.

6. A member is an individual reinforcing (rebar).

Table 7.265.3: REINF265 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1303) lists output available through ETABLE using
the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table and The Item and Sequence Number
Table (p. 51) in this document for more information. The following notation is used in
Table 7.265.3: REINF265 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1303):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.265.1: REINF265 Element Output Definitions – Structural
Analysis (p. 1301)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

Table 7.265.3: REINF265 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command

Quantity Input
Name Item E
N11 SMISC (i - 1) * 5 + 1
THICK SMISC (i - 1) * 5 + 2
SPACING SMISC (i - 1) * 5 + 3
HEAT SMISC (i - 1) * 5 + 4
VOLUME SMISC (i - 1) * 5 + 5

The i value (where i = 1, 2, 3, ..., NL) represents the reinforcing member number of the element. NL
is the maximum reinforcing member number (1 NL 250).

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Element Library

REINF265 Assumptions and Restrictions

• Zero-volume elements are invalid.

• This element can be used only with base element types:

– Structural – SHELL181 (p. 673), SHELL281 (p. 1360), SOLID185 (p. 824), SOLID186 (p. 843), SOL-
ID187 (p. 861), and SOLSH190 (p. 912)

– Thermal – SOLID278 (p. 1320), SOLID279 (p. 1337)

• A valid base element must be present for each REINF265 element.

• The reinforcing element is firmly attached to its base element. No relative movement between the
reinforcing element and the base is allowed. For a thermal analysis, the temperature field is continuous
at the interface between the base element and the reinforcing.

• Through-thickness reinforcing is not allowed in shells and layered solid elements.

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). You can activate
prestress effects via the PSTRES command.

• To simulate tension-/compression-only reinforcing fibers, a nonlinear iterative solution approach is

necessary.

• Linear tetrahedral base elements (degenerated SOLID185 (p. 824) and SOLID285 (p. 1377)) have constant
stress/strain in the element and are therefore not applicable to REINF265 bending stiffness (SECCON-
TROL,,,3).

REINF265 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

SOLID272
General Axisymmetric Solid with 4 Base Nodes
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1312)

SOLID272 Element Description

Use SOLID272 to model axisymmetric solid structures. It is defined by four nodes on the master
plane (p. 85), and nodes created automatically in the circumferential direction based on the four master
plane nodes. The total number of nodes depends on the number of nodal planes (KEYOPT(2)). Each
node has three degrees of freedom: translations in the nodal x, y and z directions. The element allows
a triangle as the degenerated shape on the base plane to simulate irregular areas. The element has
plasticity, hyperelasticity, stress stiffening, large deflection, and large strain capabilities. It also has mixed-
formulation capability for simulating deformations of nearly incompressible elastoplastic materials, and
nearly and fully incompressible hyperelastic materials.

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For more details about this element, see SOLID272 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference, and
General Axisymmetric Elements (p. 85) in this document.

Figure 7.272.1: SOLID272 Geometry (KEYOPT(2) = 3)

z

K2
7
L2
3
L1 K1
L3
6
11
2
u z (w)
K3 12 u θ (v)
8 4

J2
10
5 θ
I2 r
I3 I1 1 J1 u r (u)
9

J3

SOLID272 Input Data

The geometry and node locations for this element (when KEYOPT(2) = 3) are shown in Figure 7.272.1: SOL-
ID272 Geometry (KEYOPT(2) = 3) (p. 1305). The element input data includes nodes and the orthotropic
material properties. The total number of nodes is the four base nodes times the number of nodal planes.
(For information about how Fourier nodes are generated, see the NAXIS command documentation.)
The default element coordinate system is the cylindrical coordinate system with the z axis as the
axisymmetric axis (defined via the SECDATA command) and the circumferential direction as θ. (See
General Axisymmetric Elements (p. 85) for details.) Use the ESYS command to define an element co-
ordinate system, which forms the basis for orthotropic material directions.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Pressures must be input as element surface
loads on the element edges of the nodal planes as shown by the circled numbers in Figure 7.272.1: SOL-
ID272 Geometry (KEYOPT(2) = 3) (p. 1305). Positive pressures act into the element and the maximum face
edge is 4n, where n is the number of nodal planes. If pressure is applied on the element edge with face
numbers less than or equal to 4 and no load on other edges, the pressure loads are the same on the
360 degrees of circumferential surfaces. (If pressure is applied on a single element edge with a face
number greater than 4, the pressure is ignored.) If pressure is applied on the element edges with faces
p and 4q+p (where q = 1 . . . n-1), the pressure changes linearly with respect to θ within the part of the
surface bounded by the edges p and 4q+p; on the rest of the surface, the pressure is zero.

Temperatures may be input as element body loads at the nodes. For the four nodes on the master
plane, the node I1 temperature T(I1) defaults to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they
default to T(I1). For any other input pattern, unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF. For the nodes
generated in the circumferential direction based on the master node, they default to the value of their
base nodes (T(I1), T(J1), T(K1) or T(L1), depending on their location) if all other temperatures are unspe-
cified. For any other input pattern, unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

KEYOPT(6) = 1 sets the element for using mixed formulation. For details on the use of mixed formulation,
see Applications of Mixed u-P Formulations (p. 82) in this document.

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Element Library

As described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61), you can use the ESYS command to orient the material
properties and strain/stress output. Use RSYS to choose output that follows the material coordinate
system or the global coordinate system.

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element. If an unsymmetric
matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, issue a NROPT,UNSYM command. For a geometric
nonlinear analysis when convergence is an issue, use an unsymmetric matrix.

"SOLID272 Input Summary" (p. 1306) contains a summary of the element input. See Element Input (p. 41)
in this document for a general description of element input.

SOLID272 Input Summary

Nodes

I1, J1, K1, L1, I2, J2, K2, L2, . . . , In, Jn, Kn, Ln (where n = KEYOPT(2), the number of nodal planes)

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.

MP command: EX, EY, EZ, PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ),

ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ),

DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressures --

edge 1 (J1-I1), edge 2 (K1-J1), edge 3 (L1-K1), edge 4 (I1-L1), edge 5 (J2-I2), edge 6 (K2-J2), . . . , edge
4n-3(Jn-In), edge 4n-2 (Kn-Jn), edge 4n-1 (Ln-Kn), edge 4n (In-Ln)

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I1), T(J1), T(K1), T(L1), T(I2), T(J2), T(K2), T(L2), . . . , T(In), T(Jn), T(Kn), T(Ln)

Special Features

Birth and death

Coriolis effect

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 Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear stabilization
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(2)

Number of Fourier nodes in the circumferential direction (that is, the number of nodal planes):

1 --

Axisymmetric deformation (may have torsion)

3 - 12 --

General 3-D deformation

This KEYOPT has no default. You must specify a valid value. (0 is not valid.)

For large-rotation not about the axisymmetric axis, KEYOPT(2) 5 is recommended.

For information about specifying the number of Fourier nodes, see General Axisymmetric Ele-
ments (p. 85) in this document.

For information about how Fourier nodes are generated, see the NAXIS command documentation.

KEYOPT(6)

Element formulation:

0 --

Use pure displacement formulation (default)

1 --

Use mixed u-P formulation

SOLID272 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.272.1: SOLID272 Element Output Definitions (p. 1308)

As shown in Figure 7.272.2: SOLID272 Stress Output (p. 1308), the element stress directions are parallel
to the element coordinate system. A general description of solution output is given in Solution Out-
put (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

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Element Library

To view 3-D mode shapes for a modal or eigenvalue buckling analysis, expand the modes with element
results calculation active (via the MXPAND command's Elcalc = YES option).

Figure 7.272.2: SOLID272 Stress Output

Z

SZ
K2

L2

L1 K1
L3

u z (w)
K3 u θ (v)

J2 SY
Z
θ
I2 r
I3 I1 J1 u r (u)

Y
J3

X SX

Element stress directions SX, SY, and SZ shown in the global coordinate system.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.272.1: SOLID272 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number - Y
NODES Nodes - I1, J1, K1, L1, I2, J2, K2, L2, . . . - Y
MAT Material number - Y
VOLU Volume - Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported - 3
PRES Pressures P1 at nodes J,I; P2 at K,J; P3 at L,K; P4 - Y
at I,L

See Table 7.272.2: SOLID272 Item and Sequence

Numbers (p. 1310) for more output.
TEMP Temperatures T(I1), T(J1), T(K1), T(L1), T(I2), T(J2), T(K2), - Y
T(L2), . . .
S:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, XZ Stresses Y Y
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - Y

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 Name Definition O R
S:INT Stress intensity - Y
S:EQV Equivalent stress Y Y
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Elastic strains Y Y
XZ
EPEL:1, 2, 3 Principal elastic strains - Y
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain [6] Y Y
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Thermal strains 2 2
XZ
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain [6] 2 2
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Plastic strains[7] 1 1
XZ
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strain [6] 1 1
EPCR:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Creep strains 1 1
XZ
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strains [6] 1 1
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) Y -
XZ
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + Y -
EPCR)
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain 1 1
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain 1 1
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not 1 1
yielding)
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume 1 1
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure 1 1
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - 1
PLASTIC, CREEP,
ENTO
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 4
SVAR:1, 2, . . . , N State variables - 5

1. Nonlinear solution, output only if the element has a nonlinear material.

2. Output only if element has a thermal load.

3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

4. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is used.

5. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and TB,STATE command are used.

6. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal strains, this value must
be specified (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep strains, this value is set at 0.5.

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7. For the shape memory alloy material model, transformation strains are reported as plasticity strain
EPPL.

Table 7.272.2: SOLID272 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1310) lists output available through ETABLE
using the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table in the Basic Analysis Guide and
The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more information. The following
notation is used in the output table:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.272.1: SOLID272 Element Output Definitions (p. 1308)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

I1, J1, K1, L1, I2, J2, K2, L2, . . .

sequence number for data at nodes I1, J1, K1, L1, I2, J2, K2, L2, . . .

Table 7.272.2: SOLID272 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item I1 J1 K1 L1 I2 J2 K2 L2 --- In Jn Kn Ln
Name
P1 SMISC 2 1 ---
P2 SMISC 4 3 ---
P3 SMISC 6 5 ---
P4 SMISC 7 8 ---
P5 SMISC 10 9 ---
P6 SMISC 12 11 ---
P7 SMISC 14 13 ---
P8 SMISC 15 16 ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
P4n-3 SMISC --- 8n-6 8n-7
P4n-2 SMISC --- 8n-4 8n-5
P4n-1 SMISC --- 8n-2 8n-3
P4n SMISC --- 8n-1 8n

SOLID272 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The area of the base element must be nonzero.

• The base element must lie on one side of the axisymmetric axis, and the axisymmetric axis must
be on the same plane as the base element (master plane).

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• A base element or base node must be associated with one axisymmetric axis (defined via SECTYPE
and SECDATA commands) before generating nodes for general axisymmetric element sections
(NAXIS) or defining an element by node connectivity (E).

• You can form a triangular base element by defining duplicate K1 and L1 node numbers. (See
Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37) in this document.)

• You cannot apply a pressure load via the SFA command.

• Incompressible and nearly incompressible material behavior should be modeled with the mixed
u-P formulation.

• If you specify mixed formulation (KEYOPT(6) = 1), you must use the sparse solver.

• The contribution of the element to the mass moment inertia of the whole model is calculated
by element mass multiplied by the square of the coordinates of the elemental centroid. The
moment of inertia may therefore be inaccurate.

• The element does not support the expansion pass of a superelement with large rotation.

• Issuing an /ESHAPE,1 command while PowerGraphics is active causes the program to plot the
elements in 3-D and the results on both nodal planes and all integration planes (p. 85) in the
circumferential direction; otherwise, the program plots the elements in 2-D and the results on
the master plane.

• You cannot display surface load symbols (/PSF) when displaying this element in 3-D via the
/ESHAPE command.

• When specifying more than one facet per element edge for PowerGraphics displays (NAXIS,EFA-
CET,NUM, where NUM > 1), Mechanical APDL plots additional results on some planes between
the nodal and integration planes. The results on these planes are interpolated based on the
nodal and integration plane values and are therefore less accurate than the values on the nodal
and interpolation planes. If you do not wish to plot the interpolated values, set NUM = 1 to plot
only the values on nodal and integration planes.

• Print commands in postprocessing print the nodal plane results only.

• The element does not support interpolation of results on a path (defined via PDEF and PATH).

• To model axisymmetric solid surface loads acting on this element, use general axisymmetric
surface element SURF159 (p. 494). (You cannot use this element with surface-effect elements
SURF153 (p. 459) and SURF154 (p. 468).)

• You cannot generate surface-based contact pairs (contact elements CONTA172 (p. 531) and
CONTA174 (p. 557) paired with target elements TARGE169 (p. 504) and TARGE170 (p. 516)) on this
element.

• You can generate node-to-surface contact pairs (contact elements CONTA175 (p. 586) paired with
target elements TARGE170 (p. 516)) and node-to-node contact elements (CONTA178 (p. 637)) on
this element, with the following restrictions:

– When TARGE170 (p. 516) is on the surface of SOLID272, you may have accuracy and convergence
issues if the loading causes large rotations about the axisymmetric axis of SOLID272; you may

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Element Library

also have those issues if the two sides of the contact boundaries have different mesh patterns
in the circumferential direction (caused by different KEYOPT(2) values of SOLID272).

– For TARGE170 (p. 516), KEYOPT(5) = 1 is recommended to control the degrees of freedom used
in MPC bonded and no separation contact. You should not use KEYOPT(5) = 3, 4, or 5 because
these options are force-based constraints.

– You cannot define CONTA175 (p. 586) with the multipoint constraint (MPC) approach using a
force-distributed constraint (that is, you cannot set KEYOPT(2) = 2, KEYOPT(4) = 1, and KEY-
OPT(12) = 5 or 6 simultaneously for the CONTA175 (p. 586) elements).

– In the case of a true axisymmetric condition (SOLID272 with KEYOPT(2) = 1), you should use
2-D node-to-surface contact pairs (CONTA175 (p. 586) contact elements paired with
TARGE169 (p. 504) target elements).

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Prestress

effects can be activated via the PSTRES command.

• The bolt pretension load modeled by PRETS179 is supported for SOLID272. However, large rota-
tion-based bolt preload (using MPC184 (p. 710)) is not supported.

SOLID272 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

SOLID273
General Axisymmetric Solid with 8 Base Nodes
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1320)

SOLID273 Element Description

Use SOLID273 to model axisymmetric solid structures. The element has quadratic displacement behavior
on the master plane (p. 85) and is well suited to modeling irregular meshes on the master plane. It is
defined by eight nodes on the master plane, and nodes created automatically in the circumferential
direction based on the eight master plane nodes. The total number of nodes depends on the number
of nodal planes (KEYOPT(2)). Each node has three degrees of freedom: translations in the nodal x, y and
z directions. The element allows a triangle as the degenerated shape on the base plane to simulate ir-
regular areas. The element has plasticity, hyperelasticity, stress stiffening, large deflection, and large
strain capabilities. It also has mixed-formulation capability for simulating deformations of nearly incom-
pressible elastoplastic materials, and nearly and fully incompressible hyperelastic materials.

For more details about this element, see SOLID273 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference, and General
Axisymmetric Elements (p. 85) in this document.

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Figure 7.273.1: SOLID273 Geometry (KEYOPT(2) = 3)
Z

7
K2
O2
L2 3

11 O1
6 L1 K1
L3
N2
O3 2
8
u z (w)
P2 K3 4 u θ (v)
12
P1 N1
P3
J2
N3
θ
M2
5
I2 r
I3 M1 J1 u r (u)
I1
M3 1

J3
10
9

SOLID273 Input Data

The geometry and node locations for this element (when KEYOPT(2) = 3) are shown in Figure 7.273.1: SOL-
ID273 Geometry (KEYOPT(2) = 3) (p. 1313). The element input data includes nodes and the orthotropic
material properties. The total number of nodes is the 8 base nodes times the number of nodal planes.
(For information about how Fourier node are generated, see the NAXIS command documentation.) The
default element coordinate system is the cylindrical coordinate system with the Z axis as the axisym-
metric axis (defined via the SECDATA command) and the circumferential direction as θ. (See General
Axisymmetric Elements (p. 85) for details.) Use the ESYS command to define an element coordinate
system, which forms the basis for orthotropic material directions.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Pressures must be input as element surface
loads on the element edge of nodal planes as shown by the circled numbers in Figure 7.273.1: SOLID273
Geometry (KEYOPT(2) = 3) (p. 1313). Positive pressures act into the element and the maximum face edge
is 4n, where n is the number of nodal planes. If pressure is applied on the element edge with face
numbers less that or equal to 4 and no load on other edges, the pressure loads are the same on the
360 degrees of circumferential surfaces. (If pressure is applied on a single element edge with a face
number greater than 4, the pressure is ignored.) If pressure is applied on the element edges with faces
p and 4q+p (where q = 1 . . . n-1), the pressure changes linearly with respect to θ within the part of the
surface bounded by the edges p and 4q+p; on the rest of the surface, the pressure is zero.

Temperatures may be input as element body loads at the nodes. For the eight nodes on the master
plane, the node I1 temperature T(I1) defaults to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they
default to T(I1). If all corner node temperatures are specified, each midside node temperature defaults
to the average temperature of its adjacent corner nodes. For any other input pattern, unspecified tem-
peratures default to TUNIF. For the nodes generated in circumferential direction based on the master
node, if all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to the value of their base nodes (T(I1), T(J1),
T(K1), T(L1), T(M1), T(N1), T(O1) and T(P1), depending on their location). For any other input pattern, un-
specified temperatures default to TUNIF.

KEYOPT(6) = 1 sets the element for using mixed formulation. For details on the use of mixed formulation,
see Applications of Mixed u-P Formulations (p. 82) in this document.

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As described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61), you can use the ESYS command to orient the material
properties and strain/stress output. Use RSYS to choose output that follows the material coordinate
system or the global coordinate system.

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element. If an unsymmetric
matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, issue a NROPT,UNSYM command. For a geometric
nonlinear analysis when convergence is an issue, use an unsymmetric matrix.

"SOLID273 Input Summary" (p. 1314) contains a summary of the element input. See Element Input (p. 41)
in this document for a general description of element input.

SOLID273 Input Summary

Nodes

I1, J1, K1, L1, M1, N1, O1, P1 , I2, J2, K2, L2, M2, N2, O2, P2, . . . , In, Jn, Kn, Ln, Mn, Nn, On, Pn (where n =
KEYOPT(2), the number of nodal planes)

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.

MP command: EX, EY, EZ, PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ),

ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ),

DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressures --

edge 1 (J1-I1), edge 2 (K1-J1), edge 3 (L1-K1), edge 4 (I1-L1), edge 5 (J2-I2), edge 6 (K2-J2), . . . , edge
4n-3(Jn-In), edge 4n-2 (Kn-Jn), edge 4n-1 (Ln-Kn), edge 4n (In-Ln)

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I1), T(J1), T(K1), T(L1), T(M1), T(N1), T(O1), T(P1), T(I2), T(J2), T(K2), T(L2), T(M2), T(N2), T(O2), T(P2), .
. . , T(In), T(Jn), T(Kn), T(Ln), T(Mn), T(Nn), T(On), T(Pn)

Special Features

Birth and death

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 Coriolis effect
Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear stabilization
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(2)

Number of Fourier nodes in the circumferential direction (that is, the number of nodal planes):

1 --

Axisymmetric deformation (may have torsion)

3 - 12 --

General 3-D deformation

This KEYOPT has no default. You must specify a valid nonzero value.

For large-rotation not about the axisymmetric axis, KEYOPT(2) 5 is recommended.

For information about specifying the number of Fourier nodes, see General Axisymmetric Ele-
ments (p. 85) in this document.

For information about how Fourier nodes are generated, see the NAXIS command documentation.

KEYOPT(6)

Element formulation:

0 --

Use pure displacement formulation (default)

1 --

Use mixed u-P formulation

SOLID273 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.273.1: SOLID273 Element Output Definitions (p. 1316)

As shown in Figure 7.273.2: SOLID273 Stress Output (p. 1316), the element stress directions are parallel
to the element coordinate system. A general description of solution output is given in Solution Out-
put (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

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Element Library

To view 3-D mode shapes for a modal or eigenvalue buckling analysis, expand the modes with element
results calculation active (via the MXPAND command's Elcalc = YES option).

Figure 7.273.2: SOLID273 Stress Output

Z

SZ
K2
O2
L2
O1
L1 K1
L3
N2
O3
u z(w)
P2 K3 u θ (v)
P1 N1
P3
J2 SY
N3
θ
Z M2
I2 r
I3 M1 J1 u r (u)
I1
M3
J3
Y
SX
X

Element stress directions SX, SY, and SZ shown in the global coordinate system.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.273.1: SOLID273 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number - Y
NODES Nodes - I1, J1, K1, L1, I2, J2, K2, L2, . . . - Y
MAT Material number - Y
VOLU Volume - Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported - 3
PRES Pressures P1 at nodes J,I; P2 at K,J; P3 at L,K; P4 - Y
at I,L

See Table 7.273.2: SOLID273 Item and Sequence

Numbers (p. 1318) for more output.
TEMP Temperatures T(I1), T(J1), T(K1), T(L1), T(I2), T(J2), T(K2), - Y
T(L2), . . .
S:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, XZ Stresses Y Y
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - Y

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 Name Definition O R
S:INT Stress intensity - Y
S:EQV Equivalent stress Y Y
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Elastic strains Y Y
XZ
EPEL:1, 2, 3 Principal elastic strains - Y
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strain [6] Y Y
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Thermal strains 2 2
XZ
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strain [6] 2 2
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Plastic strains[7] 1 1
XZ
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strain [6] 1 1
EPCR:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Creep strains 1 1
XZ
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strains [6] 1 1
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) Y -
XZ
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + Y -
EPCR)
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain 1 1
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain 1 1
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not 1 1
yielding)
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume 1 1
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure 1 1
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - 1
PLASTIC, CREEP,
ENTO
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 4
SVAR:1, 2, ... , N State variables - 5

1. Nonlinear solution, output only if the element has a nonlinear material.

2. Output only if element has a thermal load.

3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

4. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is used.

5. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and TB,STATE command are used.

6. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal strains, this value is
set by the user (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep strains, this value is set at 0.5.

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Element Library

7. For the shape memory alloy material model, transformation strains are reported as plasticity strain
EPPL.

Table 7.273.2: SOLID273 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1318) lists output available through ETABLE
using the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table in the Basic Analysis Guide and
The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more information. The following
notation is used in the output table:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.273.1: SOLID273 Element Output Definitions (p. 1316)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

I1, J1, K1, L1, M1, N1, O1, P1 , I2, J2, K2, L2, M2, N2, O2, P2 . . .

sequence number for data at nodes I1, J1, K1, L1, M1, N1, O1, P1, I2, J2, K2, L2, M2, N2, O2, P2, . . .

Table 7.273.2: SOLID273 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item I1 J1 K1 L1 M1 N1 O1 P1 --- In Jn Kn Ln Mn Nn On Pn
Name
P1 SMISC 2 1 ---
P2 SMISC 4 3 ---
P3 SMISC 6 5 ---
P4 SMISC 7 8 ---
P5 SMISC ---
P6 SMISC ---
P7 SMISC ---
P8 SMISC ---
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
P4n-3 SMISC --- 8n-6 8n-7
P4n-2 SMISC --- 8n-4 8n-5
P4n-1 SMISC --- 8n-2 8n-3
P4n SMISC --- 8n-1 8n

SOLID273 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The area of the base element must be nonzero.

• The base element must lie on one side of the axisymmetric axis, and the axisymmetric axis must
be on the same plane as the base element (master plane).

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• A base element or base node must be associated with one axisymmetric axis (defined via SECTYPE
and SECDATA commands) before generating nodes for general axisymmetric element sections
(NAXIS) or defining an element by node connectivity (E).

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the displacement varies linearly, rather than
parabolically, along that edge. For more information about the use of midside nodes, see
Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing Guide.

• Use at least two elements to avoid the hourglass effect.

• You can form a triangular base element by defining duplicate K1 - L1 - O1 node numbers. (See
Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37) in this document.)

• You cannot apply a pressure load via the SFA command.

• If you specify mixed formulation (KEYOPT(6) = 1), do not miss any midside nodes. You must also
use the sparse solver.

• The contribution of the element to the mass moment inertia of the whole model is calculated
by element mass multiplied by the square of the coordinates of the elemental centroid. The
moment of inertia may therefore be inaccurate.

• Issuing an /ESHAPE,1 command while PowerGraphics is active causes the program to plot the
elements in 3-D and the results on both nodal planes and all integration planes (p. 85) in the
circumferential direction; otherwise, the program plots the elements in 2-D and the results on
the master plane.

• You cannot display surface load symbols (/PSF) when displaying this element in 3-D via the
/ESHAPE command.

• When specifying more than one facet per element edge for PowerGraphics displays (NAXIS,EFA-
CET,NUM, where NUM > 1), Mechanical APDL plots additional results on some planes between
the nodal and integration planes. The results on these planes are interpolated based on the
nodal and integration plane values and are therefore less accurate than the values on the nodal
and interpolation planes. If you do not wish to plot the interpolated values, set NUM = 1 to plot
only the values on nodal and integration planes.

• You cannot increase the number of planar facets per element edge (/EFACET) when displaying
this element in 3-D via the /ESHAPE command.

• Print commands in postprocessing print the nodal plane results only.

• The element does not support interpolation of results on a path (defined via PDEF and PATH).

• To model axisymmetric solid surface loads acting on this element, use general axisymmetric
surface element SURF159 (p. 494). (You cannot use this element with surface-effect elements
SURF153 (p. 459) and SURF154 (p. 468).)

• You cannot generate surface-based contact pairs (contact elements CONTA172 (p. 531) and
CONTA174 (p. 557) paired with target elements TARGE169 (p. 504) and TARGE170 (p. 516)) on this
element.

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• You can generate node-to-surface contact pairs (contact elements CONTA175 (p. 586) paired with
target elements TARGE170 (p. 516)) and node-to-node contact elements (CONTA178 (p. 637)) on
this element, with the following restrictions:

– When TARGE170 (p. 516) is on the surface of SOLID273, you may have accuracy and convergence
issues if the loading causes large rotations about the axisymmetric axis of SOLID273; you may
also have those issues if the two sides of the contact boundaries have different mesh patterns
in the circumferential direction (caused by different KEYOPT(2) values of SOLID273).

– For TARGE170 (p. 516), KEYOPT(5) = 1 is recommended to control the degrees of freedom used
in MPC bonded and no separation contact. You should not use KEYOPT(5) = 3, 4, or 5 because
these options are force-based constraints.

– You cannot define CONTA175 (p. 586) with the multipoint constraint (MPC) approach using a
force-distributed constraint (that is, you cannot set KEYOPT(2) = 2, KEYOPT(4) = 1, and KEY-
OPT(12) = 5 or 6 simultaneously for the CONTA175 (p. 586) elements).

– In the case of a true axisymmetric condition (SOLID273 with KEYOPT(2) = 1), you should use
2-D node-to-surface contact pairs (CONTA175 (p. 586) contact elements paired with
TARGE169 (p. 504) target elements).

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Prestress

effects can be activated via the PSTRES command.

• The bolt pretension load modeled by PRETS179 is supported for SOLID273. However, large rota-
tion-based bolt preload (using MPC184 (p. 710)) is not supported.

SOLID273 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

SOLID278
3-D 8-Node Thermal Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1337)

SOLID278 Element Description

SOLID278 has a 3-D thermal conduction capability. The element has eight nodes with a single degree
of freedom, temperature, at each node. The element is applicable to a 3-D, steady-state or transient
thermal analysis. The element can also account for heat transfer by a mass flow with a prescribed velocity
field (see Mass Transport (Advection) in the Theory Reference). If the model containing the conducting
solid element is also to be analyzed structurally, the element should be replaced by an equivalent
structural element (such as SOLID185 (p. 824)). See SOLID279 (p. 1337) for a similar thermal element, with
mid-edge node capability. For more details about this element, see SOLID278 - 3-D 8-Node Homogen-
eous/Layered Thermal Solid in the Theory Reference.

SOLID278 is available in these forms:

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• Homogeneous Thermal Solid (KEYOPT(3) = 0, the default) -- See "SOLID278 Homogeneous Thermal
Solid Element Description" (p. 1321).

• Layered Thermal Solid (KEYOPT(3) = 1), or Layered Thermal Solid with through-the-thickness degrees
of freedom (KEYOPT(3) = 2) -- See "SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Element Description" (p. 1328).

See SOLID278 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element.

A higher-order version of the SOLID278 element is SOLID279 (p. 1337).

SOLID278 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Element Description

SOLID278 Thermal Solid is suitable for modeling general 3-D solid heat conduction. It allows for prism
and tetrahedral degenerations when used in irregular regions. SOLID278 is designed to be a companion
element for SOLID185 (p. 824).

Figure 7.278.1: SOLID278 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Geometry

4 M O,P
P
5 N
O
I K,L
6
J
M Prism Option
N
3 M,N,O,P
2
L I
K,L
K
J
Z Tetrahedral Option -
I not recommended
1
Y J
M,N,O,P
X

L K
I
J
Pyramid Option -
not recommended

SOLID278 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Input Data

The geometry and node locations for this element are shown in Figure 7.278.1: SOLID278 Homogeneous
Thermal Solid Geometry (p. 1321). The element is defined by eight nodes and the orthotropic material
properties. The default element coordinate system is along global directions. You may define an element
coordinate system using ESYS, which forms the basis for orthotropic material directions (namely, for
thermal conductivity). Specific heat and density are ignored for steady-state solutions. Properties not
input default as described in the Material Reference.

As described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61), you can use ESYS to orient the material properties and the
temperature gradient and heat flux output. Use RSYS to choose output that follows the material co-
ordinate system or the global coordinate system.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Convection or heat flux (but not both) and
radiation may be input as surface loads at the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Fig-
ure 7.278.1: SOLID278 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Geometry (p. 1321). Heat generation rates may be

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input as element body loads at the nodes. If the node I heat generation rate HG(I) is input, and all
others are unspecified, they default to HG(I).

A mass transport option is available with KEYOPT(11). With this option, you specify the velocity compon-
ents VX, VY, and VZ by issuing BF,,VELO,VX,VY, VZ. There is no restriction on the element Peclet number
(Pe) for this element, and it offers the Streamline Upwind Petrov-Galerkin (SUPG) formulation and Dis-
continuity Capturing (DC) terms that enable convergence for high Pe conditions (see Galerkin or
Streamline Upwind Petrov-Galerkin (SUPG) Formulation in the Thermal Analysis Guide). You can control
the settings that activate the SUPG formulation and include one of three DC terms to smooth spurious
oscillations if they arise in your solution by setting real constants with the R and RMORE commands
as detailed in the table below (p. 1322). With mass transport, temperatures should be specified along the
entire inlet boundary to assure a stable solution, and you should use specific heat (C) and density (DENS)
material properties instead of enthalpy (ENTH). For more detais, see Mass Transport (Advection) in the
Theory Reference and Mass Transport (Advection) in the Thermal Analysis Guide.

"SOLID278 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Input Summary" (p. 1322) contains a summary of element input.
For a general description of element input, see Element Input (p. 41).

SOLID278 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

Real Constants

Real Constants Used for Mass Transport (if KEYOPT (11) = 1 or 2) to Activate the Streamline Upwind
[a]
Petrov-Galerkin (SUPG) Formulation and One of Three Discontinuity Capturing (DC) Terms
No. Name Default [c] Description
[b]

2 SUPG 1.0 Acts as a multiplier on the stabilizing term of the SUPG formulation and enables
you to choose also a DC term to smooth oscillations.

To activate the Galerkin Formulation, use a small number(1.e-12), as an exact

zero value reverts back to 1.0 internally and enables SUPG formulation.
3 TGRAD- 1.0e-6 Thermal gradient threshold value, above which the DC term that you select will
MAG be applied. If the thermal gradient is less than the value you specify for TGRADMAG,
the DC term is not applied, and vice versa, if it is greater, the nonlinear stabilizing
DC term will be applied.
5 DC1 0.0 Any non-zero value (typically 1.0) selects the DC1 term to be added to your analysis
[d] and acts as a multiplier on this stabilizing term.
6 DC2 0.0 Any non-zero value (typically 1.0) selects the DC2 term to be added to your analysis
[d] and acts as a multiplier on this stabilizing term.

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 7 DC3 0.0 Any non-zero value (typically 1.0) selects the DC3 term to be added to your analysis
[d] and acts as a multiplier on this stabilizing term.
[a] The SUPG formulation and DC terms can be used to smooth oscillations that can occur for
flow conditions with high Pe. For details, see Galerkin or Streamline Upwind Petrov-Galerkin
(SUPG) Formulation in the Thermal Analysis Guide.
[b] Refers to the real constant values defined by issuing the R and RMORE commands.
[c] If you do not specify any real constants, the mass transport solution will be based on the
SUPG formulation without any DC terms.
[d] Activating more than one DC term at a time will produce an error message.

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH

Surface Loads

Convection or Heat Flux (but not both) and Radiation (using Lab = RDSF) --

face 1 (J-I-L-K), face 2 (I-J-N-M), face 3 (J-K-O-N),

face 4 (K-L-P-O), face 5 (L-I-M-P), face 6 (M-N-O-P)

Body Loads

Heat Generations --

HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), HG(N), HG(O), HG(P)

For the homogenous solid (KEYOPT(3) = 0), heat generation can be defined with the body
load family of commands (BF, BFE, BFUNIF, and so on).

Velocity for Mass Transport (KEYOPT(11) = 1 or 2) --

Specify the velocity components VX, VY, and VZ by issuing BF,,VELO,VX,VY,VZ

Special Features

Birth and death

Initial state

KEYOPT(2)

Evaluation of film coefficient:

0 --

Evaluate film coefficient (if any) at average film temperature, (TS + TB)/2

1 --

Evaluate at element surface temperature, TS

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Element Library

2 --

Evaluate at fluid bulk temperature, TB

3 --

Evaluate at differential temperature |TS-TB|

KEYOPT(3)

Layer construction:

0 --

Homogeneous Solid (default) -- Nonlayered

KEYOPT(9)

Element-level matrix form:

0 --

Symmetric (default)

1 --

Nonsymmetric

KEYOPT(11)

Mass transport effects:

0 --

Do not include mass transport in the analysis.

1 --

Include mass transport with Diffusive Flux (Dflux) Neumann boundary condition. You may want
to choose the Dflux Neumann boudary condition if you are not interested in an energy balance
as it is easier to specify compared to the Tflux boundary condition (see Diffusive Flux and Total
Flux Neumann Boundary Conditions in the Theory Reference for details).

2 --

Include mass transport with Total Flux (Tflux) Neumann boundary condition. The Tflux Neumann
boundary condition will satisfy an energy balance with the PRRSOL command, but setting up

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 its Neumann boundary condition is slightly more complex than the Dflux option (see Diffusive
Flux and Total Flux Neumann Boundary Conditions in the Theory Reference for details).

Note:

Do not create models that have some elements with a value of 1 and others with a value
of 2 for KEYOPT(11). On the other hand, it is possible to have combinations of elements
with KEYOPT(11) = 0 and 2 as well as KEYOPT(11) = 0 and 1 in the same model.

KEYOPT(13)

Film coefficient matrix:

0 --

Program determines whether to use a diagonal or consistent film coefficient matrix (default).
For details on default behavior, see SOLID278 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Assumptions and
Restrictions (p. 1328).

1 --

Use a diagonal film coefficient matrix.

2 --

Use a consistent matrix for the film coefficient.

Note:

If THOPT,QUASI has been issued, the only valid choice for KEYOP(13) is 0.

KEYOPT(15)

Specific heat matrix:

0 --

Program determines whether to use a diagonal or consistent specific heat matrix (default). For
details on default behavior, see SOLID278 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Assumptions and Restric-
tions (p. 1328).

1 --

Use a diagonal specific heat matrix.

2 --

Use a consistent specific heat matrix.

SOLID278 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

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Element Library

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.278.1: SOLID278 Homogeneous Thermal Solid
Output Definitions (p. 1326)

Output temperatures may be read by structural solid elements (such as SOLID185 (p. 824) and
SOLSH190 (p. 912)) via the LDREAD,TEMP command.

Convection heat flux is positive out of the element; applied heat flux is positive into the element.

The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system.

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.278.1: SOLID278 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 2
HGEN Heat generations HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), Y -
HG(N), HG(O), HG(P)
TG:X, Y, Z Thermal gradient components Y Y
TF:X, Y, Z Thermal flux (heat flow rate/cross-sectional area) Y Y
components
FACE Face label 1 -
AREA Face area 1 1
NODES Face nodes 1 -
HFILM Film coefficient at each node of face 1 -
TBULK Bulk temperature at each node of face 1 -
TAVG Average face temperature 1 1
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 1 1
HEAT Heat flow rate per unit area across face by convection 1 -
RATE/AREA

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 Name Definition O R
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face - 1
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 1
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate per unit area across face caused by input - 1
heat flux
HFLUX Heat flux at each node of face 1 -

1. Output if a surface load is input

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.278.2: SOLID278 homogeneous Thermal Solid Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1327) lists output
available via ETABLE using the Sequence Number method. See Element Table for Variables Identified
By Sequence Number in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in
this reference for more information. The following notation is used in Table 7.278.2: SOLID278 homogen-
eous Thermal Solid Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1327):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.278.1: SOLID278 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Output
Definitions (p. 1326)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

FCn

sequence number for solution items for element Face n

Table 7.278.2: SOLID278 homogeneous Thermal Solid Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item FC1 FC2 FC3 FC4 FC5 FC6
Name
AREA NMISC 1 7 13 19 25 31
HFAVG NMISC 2 8 14 20 26 32
TAVG NMISC 3 9 15 21 27 33
TBAVG NMISC 4 10 16 22 28 34
HEAT RATE NMISC 5 11 17 23 29 35
HFLXAVG NMISC 6 12 18 24 30 36

SOLID278 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Assumptions and Restrictions

• Zero-volume elements are not allowed.

• Elements may be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.278.1: SOLID278 Homogeneous Thermal
Solid Geometry (p. 1321) or may have the planes IJKL and MNOP interchanged. The element may

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Element Library

not be twisted such that the element has two separate volumes (which occurs most frequently
when the elements are not numbered properly).

• All elements must have eight nodes. You can form a prism-shaped element by defining duplicate
K and L and duplicate O and P node numbers. (See Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37).) A
tetrahedron shape is also available.

• If the thermal element is to be replaced by a SOLID185 (p. 824) structural element with surface
stresses requested, the thermal element should be oriented such that face I-J-N-M and/or face
K-L-P-O is a free surface.

• A free surface of the element (that is, not adjacent to another element and not subjected to a
boundary constraint) is assumed to be adiabatic.

• The full Newton-Raphson solution option (THOPT,FULL) must be used if thermal properties are
defined via TB,THERM.

• If enthalpy is defined, density and specific heat will be ignored.

• The default for KEYOPT(13) is to use a diagonal film coefficient matrix.

• The default for KEYOPT(15) depends on whether or not mass transport is included in the analysis:

If mass transport is not included in the analysis (KEYOPT (11) = 0), the default is to use
a diagonal specific heat matrix.
If mass transport is included in the analysis (KEYOPT (11) = 1 or 2), the default is to use
a consistent specific heat matrix.

This element is available in layered form. See "SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Assumptions and Re-
strictions" (p. 1336).

SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Element Description

Use SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid to model heat conduction in layered thick shells or solids. The
layered section definition is given by section (SECxxx) commands. A prism degeneration option is also
available.

Figure 7.278.2: SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Geometry

TOP 4
P zo
5 O z yo y
6
x
M 3 xo
N

M N O,P
L
I K,L
K
2 J
Z 1 (Prism Option)
I

Y J BOTTOM
X

xo = Element x-axis if ESYS is not specified.

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 x = Element x-axis if ESYS is specified.

SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Input Data

The geometry and node locations for this element are shown in Figure 7.278.2: SOLID278 Layered
Thermal Solid Geometry (p. 1328). The element is defined by eight nodes. A prism-shaped element may
be formed by defining the same node numbers for nodes K and L, and O and P.

In addition to the nodes, the element input data includes the anisotropic material properties. Anisotropic
material directions correspond to the layer coordinate directions which are based on the element co-
ordinate system. The element coordinate system follows the shell convention where the z axis is normal
to the surface of the shell. The nodal ordering must follow the convention that I-J-K-L and M-N-O-P
element faces represent the bottom and top shell surfaces, respectively. You can change the orientation
within the plane of the layers via the SECDATA command in the same way that you would for shell
elements (as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61)). To achieve the correct nodal ordering for a
volume mapped (hexahedron) mesh, you can use the VEORIENT command to specify the desired
volume orientation before executing the VMESH command. Alternatively, you can use the EORIENT
command after automatic meshing to reorient the elements to be in line with the orientation of another
element, or to be as parallel as possible to a defined ESYS axis.

Layered Section Definition Using Section Commands

You can associate SOLID278 Layered Solid with a shell section (SECTYPE). The layered composite spe-
cifications (including layer thickness, material, orientation, and number of integration points through
the thickness of the layer) are specified via shell section (SECxxx) commands. You can use the shell
section commands even with a single-layered element. Mechanical APDL obtains the actual layer
thicknesses used for element calculations by scaling the input layer thickness so that they are consistent
with the thickness between the nodes.

You can designate the number of integration points (1, 3, 5, 7, or 9) located through the thickness of
each layer. Two points are located on the top and bottom surfaces respectively and the remaining
points are distributed equal distance between the two points. The element requires at least two points
through the entire thickness. When no shell section definition is provided, the element is treated as
single-layered and uses two integration points through the thickness.

SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid does not support real constant input for defining layer sections.

SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid has an option for through-the-thickness degrees of freedom (KEYOPT(3)
= 2). As shown in Figure 7.278.3: Understanding Interpolation Layers (p. 1330), the option works by creating
a specified number of material layers (defined via the SECDATA command) per interpolation layer
(KEYOPT(6) = n). Each interpolation layer has four internal nodes, one on each face. KEYOPT(3) = 2 offers
greater accuracy than KEYOPT(3) = 1 but is more computationally intensive; the more material layers
specified per interpolation layer, the greater the accuracy and computational cost.

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Figure 7.278.3: Understanding Interpolation Layers

Other Input

The default orientation for this element has the S1 (shell surface coordinate) axis aligned with the first
parametric direction of the element at the center of the element and is shown as xo in Figure 7.278.2: SOL-
ID278 Layered Thermal Solid Geometry (p. 1328).

The default first surface direction S1 can be reoriented in the element reference plane (as shown in
Figure 7.278.2: SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Geometry (p. 1328)) via the ESYS command. You can
further rotate S1 by angle THETA (in degrees) for each layer (via the SECDATA command) to create
layer-wise coordinate systems. See Coordinate Systems (p. 61) for details.

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The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.278.2: SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Geometry (p. 1328). The element is defined by eight nodes
and the orthotropic material properties. A prism-shaped element may also be formed as shown in Fig-
ure 7.278.2: SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Geometry (p. 1328). Orthotropic material directions correspond
to the layer coordinate directions. The element coordinate system orientation is as described in Coordinate
Systems (p. 61). Specific heat and density are ignored for steady-state solutions. Properties not input
default as described in the Material Reference.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Convection or heat flux (but not both) and
radiation may be input as surface loads at the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Fig-
ure 7.278.2: SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Geometry (p. 1328). Heat generation rates may be input as
element body loads on a per layer basis. One heat generation value is applied to the entire layer. If the
first layer heat generation rate HG(1) is input, and all others are unspecified, they default to HG(1).

The following table summarizes the element input. Element Input (p. 41) provides a general description
of element input.

SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C

Surface Loads

Convection or Heat Flux (but not both) and Radiation (using Lab = RDSF) --

face 1 (J-I-L-K), face 2 (I-J-N-M), face 3 (J-K-O-N),

face 4 (K-L-P-O), face 5 (L-I-M-P), face 6 (M-N-O-P)

Body Loads

Heat Generations --

HG(1), HG(2), HG(3), . . . , HG(number of layers)

For the layered solid (KEYOPT(3) = 1 or 2), heat generation can be defined with the BFE command
only.

Special Features

Birth and death

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KEYOPT(2)

Evaluation of film coefficient:

0 --

Evaluate film coefficient (if any) at average film temperature, (TS + TB)/2

1 --

Evaluate at element surface temperature, TS

2 --

Evaluate at fluid bulk temperature, TB

3 --

Evaluate at differential temperature |TS-TB|

KEYOPT(3)

Layer construction:

1 --

Layered Solid

2 --

Layered Solid with through-the-thickness degrees of freedom

KEYOPT(6)

Number of material layers (>= 1) per interpolation layer (valid only when KEYOPT(3) = 2):

1 --

Single material layer per interpolation layer (default)

n --

n material layers per interpolation layer

KEYOPT(8)

Material layer data storage:

0 --

Store data for bottom of bottom layer and top of top layer (default)

1 --

Store top and bottom data for all layers. (The volume of data may be considerable.)

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KEYOPT(9)

Element-level matrix form:

0 --

Symmetric (default)

1 --

Nonsymmetric

KEYOPT(13)

Film coefficient matrix:

0 --

Program determines whether to use a diagonal or consistent film coefficient matrix (default).
For details on default behavior, see SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Assumptions and Restric-
tions (p. 1337).

1 --

Use a diagonal film coefficient matrix.

2 --

Use a consistent film coefficient matrix.

Note:

If THOPT,QUASI has been issued, the only valid choice for KEYOP(13) is 0.

KEYOPT(15)

Specific heat matrix:

0 --

Program determines whether to use a diagonal or consistent specific heat matrix (default). For
details on default behavior, see SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Assumptions and Restric-
tions (p. 1337).

1 --

Use a diagonal specific heat matrix.

2 --

Use a consistent specific heat matrix.

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SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.278.3: SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Element
Output Definitions (p. 1334)

Output temperatures may be read by structural solid elements (such as SOLID185 (p. 824) and
SOLSH190 (p. 912)) via the LDREAD,TEMP command.

Figure 7.278.4: SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Heat Flux/Temperature Gradient Output
Heat fluxes are in Layer
Coordinate System
TFY
TFX
TFX(TOP)
TFX (BOT)
Reference Plane

x'

Element and Layer Coordinate Systems

x = Element coordinate system
x' = Layer coordinate system with > 0

Heat flux directions shown are for global directions.

Convection heat flux is positive out of the element; applied heat flux is positive into the element.

The element output directions are parallel to the layer coordinate system.

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

To see the temperature distribution through the thickness for this element, enter the POST1 postprocessor
(/POST1), then issue /GRAPHICS,POWER and /ESHAPE,1 followed by PLESOL,BFE,TEMP

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.278.3: SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y

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 Name Definition O R
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 2
HGEN Heat generations HG(1), HG(2), HG(3), . . . Y -
TG:X, Y, Z Thermal gradient components Y Y
TF:X, Y, Z Thermal flux (heat flow rate/cross-sectional area) Y Y
components
FACE Face label 1 -
AREA Face area 1 1
NODES Face nodes 1 -
HFILM Film coefficient at each node of face 1 -
TBULK Bulk temperature at each node of face 1 -
TAVG Average face temperature 1 1
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 1 1
HEAT Heat flow rate per unit area across face by convection 1 -
RATE/AREA
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face - 1
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 1
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate per unit area across face caused by input - 1
heat flux
HFLUX Heat flux at each node of face 1 -

1. Output if a surface load is input

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.278.4: SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1336) lists output available
via ETABLE using the Sequence Number method. See Element Table for Variables Identified By Sequence
Number in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference
for more information. The following notation is used in Table 7.278.4: SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid
Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1336):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.278.3: SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Element Output
Definitions (p. 1334)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

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Element Library

FCn

sequence number for solution items for element Face n

Table 7.278.4: SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item FC1 FC2 FC3 FC4 FC5 FC6
Name
AREA NMISC 1 7 13 19 25 31
HFAVG NMISC 2 8 14 20 26 32
TAVG NMISC 3 9 15 21 27 33
TBAVG NMISC 4 10 16 22 28 34
HEAT RATE NMISC 5 11 17 23 29 35
HFLXAVG NMISC 6 12 18 24 30 36

SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid Assumptions and Restrictions

• Zero-volume elements are not allowed.

• Elements may be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.278.2: SOLID278 Layered Thermal Solid
Geometry (p. 1328) or may have the planes IJKL and MNOP interchanged. The element may not
be twisted such that the element has two separate volumes (which occurs most frequently when
the elements are not numbered properly).

• All elements must have eight nodes. You can form a prism-shaped element by defining duplicate
K and L and duplicate O and P node numbers. (See Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37).)

• If the thermal element is to be replaced by a SOLID185 (p. 824) structural element with surface
stresses requested, the thermal element should be oriented such that face I-J-N-M and/or face
K-L-P-O is a free surface.

• A free surface of the element (that is, not adjacent to another element and not subjected to a
boundary constraint) is assumed to be adiabatic.

• The full Newton-Raphson solution option (THOPT,FULL) must be used if thermal properties are
defined via TB,THERM.

• The enthalpy formulation is not supported. You cannot specify enthalpy as a function of temper-
ature ( TBOPT = ENTH) when defining thermal properties ( TB ,THERM).

• The Mass transport option is only available for KEYOPT(3) = 0 the homogeneous (nonlayered)
form of SOLID278.

• This element is primarily intended for conveniently modeling the in-plane effects in layered thick
shells or solids. The in-plane conductivity is the average of the individual layer conductivities.
For complicated through-the-thickness behaviors, consider using one of the following:

– Through-the-thickness degrees of freedom (KEYOPT(3) = 2).

– Multiple layers of homogeneous (nonlayered) SOLID278 elements.

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 – SHELL131 (p. 403), the layered shell with through-the-thickness degrees of freedom

• When using this element with through-the-thickness degrees of freedom (KEYOPT(3) = 2), loads
applied on layered faces (p. 1328) are not applied to the through-the-thickness degrees of freedom
(internal nodes).

• The default for KEYOPT(13) is to use a diagonal film coefficient matrix.

• The default for KEYOPT(15) is to is to use a diagonal specific heat matrix.

SOLID278 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Layered solid (KEYOPT(3) = 1 or 2) is not available. KEYOPT(3) defaults to 0 and cannot be

changed.

• Birth and death is not available.

SOLID279
3-D 20-Node Thermal Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1353)

SOLID279 Element Description

SOLID279 is a higher order 3-D 20-node solid element that exhibits quadratic thermal behavior. The
element is defined by 20 nodes with a temperature degree of freedom at each node.

SOLID279 is available in these forms:

• Homogeneous Thermal Solid (KEYOPT(3) = 0, the default) -- See "SOLID279 Homogeneous Thermal
Solid Element Description" (p. 1337).

• Layered Thermal Solid (KEYOPT(3) = 1), or Layered Thermal Solid with through-the-thickness degrees
of freedom (KEYOPT(3) = 2) -- See "SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid Element Description" (p. 1344).

A lower-order version of the SOLID279 element is SOLID278 (p. 1320).

SOLID279 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Element Description

SOLID279 Homogeneous Thermal Solid is well suited to modeling irregular meshes (such as those pro-
duced by various CAD/CAM systems). The element may have any spatial orientation.

Various printout options are available. See SOLID279 in the Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more
details.

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Element Library

Figure 7.279.1: SOLID279 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Geometry

M,N,O,P,U,V,W,X
Y A,B
Z
K,L,S
I T R
5 P 4 Q J
W
X Tetrahedral Option
O
6 M,N,O,P,U,V,W,X
M
B V A
Y B Z
U
N T
A K
L S
Y 2 3 I
R
L S Q J
T Z Pyramid Option
K X
I O,P,W
Z M
R
Q 1 U V A,B
J Y N
Y Z
I K,L,S
X T
Q R
J
Prism Option

SOLID279 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the element coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.279.1: SOLID279 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Geometry (p. 1338). A prism-shaped element may be
formed by defining the same node numbers for nodes K, L, and S; nodes A and B; and nodes O, P, and
W. A tetrahedral-shaped element and a pyramid-shaped element may also be formed as shown in Fig-
ure 7.279.1: SOLID279 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Geometry (p. 1338). SOLID278 (p. 1320) is a similar ele-
ment, without mid-side nodes.

In addition to the nodes, the element input data includes the anisotropic material properties. Anisotropic
material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate system
orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61).

As described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61), you can use ESYS to orient the material properties and the
temperature gradient and heat flux output. Use RSYS to choose output that follows the material co-
ordinate system or the global coordinate system.

Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate
system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Specific heat and density are ignored
for steady-state solutions. Properties not input default as described in the Material Reference.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Convection or heat flux (but not both) and
radiation may be input as surface loads at the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Fig-
ure 7.279.1: SOLID279 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Geometry (p. 1338). Heat generation rates may be
input as element body loads at the nodes. If the node I heat generation rate HG(I) is input, and all
others are unspecified, they default to HG(I). If all corner node heat generation rates are specified, each
midside node heat generation rate defaults to the average heat generation rate of its adjacent corner
nodes.

The following table summarizes the element input. Element Input (p. 41) provides a general description
of element input.

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SOLID279 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Input Summary
Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, A, B

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH

Surface Loads

Convection or Heat Flux (but not both) and Radiation (using Lab = RDSF) --

face 1 (J-I-L-K), face 2 (I-J-N-M), face 3 (J-K-O-N),

face 4 (K-L-P-O), face 5 (L-I-M-P), face 6 (M-N-O-P)

Body Loads

Heat Generations --

HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), HG(N), HG(O), HG(P), HG(Q), HG(R),
HG(S), HG(T), HG(U), HG(V), HG(W), HG(X), HG(Y), HG(Z), HG(A), HG(B)
For the homogenous solid (KEYOPT(3) = 0), heat generation can be defined with the body
load family of commands (BF, BFE, BFUNIF, and so on).

Special Features

Birth and death

Initial state

KEYOPT(3)

Layer construction:

0 --

Homogeneous Solid (default) -- Nonlayered

KEYOPT(9)

Element-level matrix form:

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Element Library

0 --

Symmetric (default)

1 --

Nonsymmetric

KEYOPT(13)

Film coefficient matrix:

0 --

Program determines whether to use a diagonal or consistent film coefficient matrix (default).
For details on default behavior, see SOLID279 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Assumptions and
Restrictions (p. 1343).

1 --

Use a diagonal film coefficient matrix.

2 --

Use a consistent film coefficient matrix.

Note:

If THOPT,QUASI has been issued, the only valid choice for KEYOP(13) is 0.

KEYOPT(15)

Specific heat matrix:

0 --

Program determines whether to use a diagonal or consistent specific heat matrix (default). For
details on default behavior, see SOLID279 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Assumptions and Restric-
tions (p. 1343).

1 --

Use a diagonal specific heat matrix.

2 --

Use a consistent specific heat matrix.

SOLID279 Homogeneous Thermal Solid Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

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• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.279.1: SOLID279 Element Output Definitions (p. 1341)

Output temperatures may be read by structural solid elements (such as SOLID186 (p. 843)) via the
LDREAD,TEMP command.

Figure 7.279.2: SOLID279 homogeneous Thermal Solid Temperature Gradient/Heat Flux Output
5 P 4
W
X
O
SZ 6
M V y
B
y
U N x
A
Y 2 SY 3
L SX
S
x Z
T K
I
Z R
Q 1
J
Y Surface Coordinate System
X

The element heat flux directions are parallel to the element coordinate system.

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.279.1: SOLID279 Element Output Definitions

Label Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 2
HGEN Heat generations HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), Y -
HG(N), HG(O), HG(P), HG(Q), ..., HG(Z), HG(A), HG(B)
TG:X, Y, Z Thermal gradient components Y Y
TF:X, Y, Z Thermal flux (heat flow rate/cross-sectional area) Y Y
components
FACE Face label 1 -
NODES Corner nodes on this face 1 -
AREA Face area 1 1

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Element Library

Label Definition O R
HFILM Film coefficient 1 -
TAVG Average face temperature 1 1
TBULK Fluid bulk temperature 1 -
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 1 1
HEAT Heat flow rate per unit area across face by convection 1 -
RATE/AREA
HFLUX Heat flux at each node of face 1 -
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face - 1
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 1
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate per unit area across face caused by input - 1
heat flux

1. Output only if a surface load is input

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.279.2: SOLID279 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1342) lists output available through ETABLE
using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide
and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more information. The following
notation is used in Table 7.279.2: SOLID279 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1342):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.279.1: SOLID279 Element Output Definitions (p. 1341)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

FCn

sequence number for solution items for element Face n

Table 7.279.2: SOLID279 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item FC1 FC2 FC3 FC4 FC5 FC6
Name
AREA NMISC 1 7 13 19 25 31
HFAVG NMISC 2 8 14 20 26 32
TAVG NMISC 3 9 15 21 27 33
TBAVG NMISC 4 10 16 22 28 34
HEAT RATE NMISC 5 11 17 23 29 35
HFLXAVG NMISC 6 12 18 24 30 36

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SOLID279 homogeneous Thermal Solid Assumptions and Restrictions
• The element must not have a zero volume. This occurs most frequently when the element is not
numbered properly.

• Elements may be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.279.1: SOLID279 Homogeneous Thermal
Solid Geometry (p. 1338) or may have the planes IJKL and MNOP interchanged.

• The condensed face of a prism-shaped element should not be defined as a convection face.

• The specific heat is evaluated at each integration point to allow for abrupt changes (such as
melting) within a coarse grid of elements.

• If enthalpy is defined, density and specific heat will be ignored.

• If the thermal element is to be replaced by a SOLID186 (p. 843) structural element with surface
stresses requested, the thermal element should be oriented such that face IJNM and/or face
KLPO is a free surface.

• A free surface of the element (that is, not adjacent to another element and not subjected to a
boundary constraint) is assumed to be adiabatic.

• The full Newton-Raphson solution option (THOPT,FULL) must be used if thermal properties are
defined via TB,THERM.

• Thermal transients having a fine integration time step and a severe thermal gradient at the surface
will also require a fine mesh at the surface.

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the temperature varies linearly, rather than
parabolically, along that edge.

• See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing Guide for more information
about the use of midside nodes.

• For transient solutions using the THOPT,QUASI option, the program removes the midside nodes
from any face with a convection load. A temperature solution is not available for them. Do not
use the midside nodes on these faces in constraint equations or with contact. If you use these
faces for those situations, remove the midside nodes first.

• The default for KEYOPT(13) is to use a consistent film coefficient matrix with midside nodes film
coefficient values set to zero.

• The default for KEYOPT(15) is to use a consistent specific heat matrix.

• Degeneration to the form of pyramid should be used with caution.

• The element sizes, when degenerated, should be small in order to minimize the field gradients.

• Pyramid elements are best used as filler elements or in meshing transition zones.

This element is available in layered form. See "SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid Assumptions and Re-
strictions" (p. 1352).

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Element Library

SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid Element Description

Use SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid to model heat conduction in layered thick shells or solids. The
layered section definition is given by section (SECxxx) commands. A prism degeneration option is also
available.

Figure 7.279.3: SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid Geometry

TOP
P W 4 zo
X
5 O z yo
6 y
M V
x
U B N xo

3 X
A M O,P,W
Y U NV
L A,B
Y
Z Z
S T
T I K,L,S
2 K
Z I Q R
R 1 J
Q (Prism Option)
Y J BOTTOM
X

xo = Element x-axis if ESYS is not specified.

x = Element x-axis if ESYS is specified.

SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the element coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.279.3: SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid Geometry (p. 1344). A prism-shaped element may be formed
by defining the same node numbers for nodes K, L, and S; nodes A and B; and nodes O, P, and W.

In addition to the nodes, the element input data includes the anisotropic material properties. Anisotropic
material directions correspond to the layer coordinate directions which are based on the element co-
ordinate system. The element coordinate system follows the shell convention where the z axis is normal
to the surface of the shell. The nodal ordering must follow the convention that I-J-K-L and M-N-O-P
element faces represent the bottom and top shell surfaces, respectively. You can change the orientation
within the plane of the layers via the ESYS command in the same way that you would for shell elements
(as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61)). To achieve the correct nodal ordering for a volume mapped
(hexahedron) mesh, you can use the VEORIENT command to specify the desired volume orientation
before executing the VMESH command. Alternatively, you can use the EORIENT command after auto-
matic meshing to reorient the elements to be in line with the orientation of another element, or to be
as parallel as possible to a defined ESYS axis.

Layered Section Definition Using Section Commands

You can associate SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid with a shell section (SECTYPE). The layered composite
specifications (including layer thickness, material, orientation, and number of integration points through
the thickness of the layer) are specified via shell section (SECxxx) commands. You can use the shell
section commands even with a single-layered element. Mechanical APDL obtains the actual layer
thicknesses used for element calculations by scaling the input layer thickness so that they are consistent
with the thickness between the nodes.

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You can designate the number of integration points (1, 3, 5, 7, or 9) located through the thickness of
each layer. Two points are located on the top and bottom surfaces respectively and the remaining
points are distributed equal distance between the two points. The element requires at least two points
through the entire thickness. When no shell section definition is provided, the element is treated as
single-layered and uses two integration points through the thickness.

SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid does not support real constant input for defining layer sections.

SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid has an option for through-the-thickness degrees of freedom (KEYOPT(3)
= 2). As shown in Figure 7.279.4: Understanding Interpolation Layers (p. 1346), the option works by creating
a specified number of material layers (defined via the SECDATA command) per interpolation layer
(KEYOPT(6) = n). Each interpolation layer has four internal nodes, one on each face. Actual midside
nodes (Y, Z, A, and B (p. 1344)) on the material layers are ignored. KEYOPT(3) = 2 offers greater accuracy
than KEYOPT(3) = 1 but is more computationally intensive; the more material layers specified per inter-
polation layer, the greater the accuracy and computational cost.

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Element Library

Figure 7.279.4: Understanding Interpolation Layers

Other Input

The default orientation for this element has the S1 (shell surface coordinate) axis aligned with the first
parametric direction of the element at the center of the element and is shown as xo in Figure 7.279.3: SOL-
ID279 Layered Thermal Solid Geometry (p. 1344).

The default first surface direction S1 can be reoriented in the element reference plane (as shown in
Figure 7.279.3: SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid Geometry (p. 1344)) via the ESYS command. You can
further rotate S1 by angle THETA (in degrees) for each layer via the SECDATA command to create layer-
wise coordinate systems. See Coordinate Systems (p. 61) for details.

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Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate
system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Specific heat and density are ignored
for steady-state solutions. Properties not input default as described in the Material Reference.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Convection or heat flux (but not both) and
radiation may be input as surface loads at the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Fig-
ure 7.279.3: SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid Geometry (p. 1344). Heat generation rates may be input as
element body loads on a per layer basis. One heat generation value is applied to the entire layer. If the
first layer heat generation rate HG(1) is input, and all others are unspecified, they default to HG(1).

As described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61), you can use the ESYS command to orient the material
properties and temperature gradient/heat flux output. Use RSYS to choose output that follows the
material coordinate system or the global coordinate system.

The following table summarizes the element input. Element Input (p. 41) provides a general description
of element input.

SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, A, B

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C

Surface Loads

Convection or Heat Flux (but not both) and Radiation (using Lab = RDSF) --

face 1 (J-I-L-K), face 2 (I-J-N-M), face 3 (J-K-O-N),

face 4 (K-L-P-O), face 5 (L-I-M-P), face 6 (M-N-O-P)

Body Loads

Heat Generations --

HG(1), HG(2), HG(3), . . . , HG(number of layers)

For the layered solid (KEYOPT(3) = 1 or 2), heat generation can be defined with the BFE command
only.

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Element Library

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT(3)

Layer construction:

1 --

Layered Solid

2 --

Layered Solid with through-the-thickness degrees of freedom

KEYOPT(6)

Number of material layers (>= 1) per interpolation layer (valid only when KEYOPT(3) = 2):

1 --

Single material layer per interpolation layer (default)

n --

n material layers per interpolation layer

KEYOPT(8)

Material layer data storage:

0 --

Store data for bottom of bottom layer and top of top layer (default)

1 --

Store top and bottom data for all layers. (The volume of data may be considerable.)

KEYOPT(9)

Element-level matrix form:

0 --

Symmetric (default)

1 --

Nonsymmetric

KEYOPT(13)

Film coefficient matrix:

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 0 --

Program determines whether to use a diagonal or consistent film coefficient matrix (default).
For details on default behavior, see SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid Assumptions and Restric-
tions (p. 1352).

1 --

Use a diagonal film coefficient matrix.

2 --

Use a consistent film coefficient matrix.

Note:

If THOPT,QUASI has been issued, the only valid choice for KEYOP(13) is 0.

KEYOPT(15)

Specific heat matrix:

0 --

Program determines whether to use a diagonal or consistent specific heat matrix (default). For
details on default behavior, see SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid Assumptions and Restric-
tions (p. 1352).

1 --

Use a diagonal specific heat matrix.

2 --

Use a consistent specific heat matrix.

SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Figure 7.279.5: SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid Temper-
ature Gradient/Heat Flux Output (p. 1350)

Output temperatures may be read by structural solid elements (such as SOLID186 (p. 843)) via the
LDREAD,TEMP command.

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Element Library

Figure 7.279.5: SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid Temperature Gradient/Heat Flux Output
Heat fluxes are in Layer
Coordinate System
TFY
TFX
TFX(TOP)
TFX (BOT)
Reference Plane

x'

Element and Layer Coordinate Systems

x = Element coordinate system
x' = Layer coordinate system with > 0

The element heat flux directions are parallel to the layer coordinate system.

Convection heat flux is positive out of the element; applied heat flux is positive into the element.

The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system.

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide
for ways to view results.

To see the temperature distribution through the thickness for this element, enter the POST1 postprocessor
(/POST1), then issue /GRAPHICS,POWER and /ESHAPE,1 followed by PLESOL,BFE,TEMP

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.279.3: SOLID279 Element Output Definitions

Label Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 2
TG:X, Y, Z Thermal gradient components Y Y
TF:X, Y, Z Thermal flux (heat flow rate/cross-sectional area) Y Y
components
FACE Face label 1 -
NODES Corner nodes on this face 1 -

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 Label Definition O R
AREA Face area 1 1
HFILM Film coefficient 1 -
TAVG Average face temperature 1 1
TBULK Fluid bulk temperature 1 -
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 1 1
HEAT Heat flow rate per unit area across face by convection 1 -
RATE/AREA
HFLUX Heat flux at each node of face 1 -
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face - 1
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 1
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate per unit area across face caused by input - 1
heat flux

1. Output only if a surface load is input

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.279.4: SOLID279 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1351) lists output available via ETABLE using
the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide and
The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more information. The following
notation is used in Table 7.279.4: SOLID279 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1351):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.279.3: SOLID279 Element Output Definitions (p. 1350)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

FCn

sequence number for solution items for element Face n

Table 7.279.4: SOLID279 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item FC1 FC2 FC3 FC4 FC5 FC6
Name
AREA NMISC 1 7 13 19 25 31
HFAVG NMISC 2 8 14 20 26 32
TAVG NMISC 3 9 15 21 27 33
TBAVG NMISC 4 10 16 22 28 34
HEAT RATE NMISC 5 11 17 23 29 35
HFLXAVG NMISC 6 12 18 24 30 36

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Element Library

SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume. This occurs most frequently when the element is not
numbered properly.

• Do add or remove midside nodes (EMID) when KEYOPT(3) = 2.

• Elements may be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.279.3: SOLID279 Layered Thermal Solid
Geometry (p. 1344) or may have the planes IJKL and MNOP interchanged.

• The condensed face of a prism-shaped element should not be defined as a convection face.

• The specific heat is evaluated at each integration point to allow for abrupt changes (such as
melting) within a coarse grid of elements.

• The enthalpy formulation is not supported. You cannot specify enthalpy as a function of temper-
ature (TBOPT = ENTH) when defining thermal properties (TB,THERM).

• If the thermal element is to be replaced by a SOLID186 (p. 843) structural element with surface
stresses requested, the thermal element should be oriented such that face IJNM and/or face
KLPO is a free surface.

• A free surface of the element (that is, not adjacent to another element and not subjected to a
boundary constraint) is assumed to be adiabatic.

• The full Newton-Raphson solution option (THOPT,FULL) must be used if thermal properties are
defined via TB,THERM.

• Thermal transients having a fine integration time step and a severe thermal gradient at the surface
will also require a fine mesh at the surface.

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the temperature varies linearly, rather than
parabolically, along that edge.

• For more information about using midside nodes, see Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in
the Modeling and Meshing Guide.

• For transient solutions using the THOPT,QUASI option, the program removes the midside nodes
from any face with a convection load. A temperature solution is not available for them. Do not
use the midside nodes on these faces in constraint equations or with contact. If you use these
faces for those situations, remove the midside nodes first.

• The default for KEYOPT(13) is to use a consistent film coefficient matrix with midside nodes film
coefficient values set to zero.

• The default for KEYOPT(15) is to use a consistent specific heat matrix.

• This element is primarily intended for conveniently modeling the in-plane effects in layered thick
shells or solids. The in-plane conductivity is the average of the individual layer conductivities.
For complicated through-the-thickness behaviors, consider using one of the following:

– Through-the-thickness degrees of freedom (KEYOPT(3) = 2).

– Multiple layers of homogeneous (nonlayered) SOLID279 elements.

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 – SHELL131 (p. 403), the layered shell with through-the-thickness degrees of freedom

• When using this element with through-the-thickness degrees of freedom (KEYOPT(3) = 2), loads
applied on layered faces (p. 1344) are not applied to the through-the-thickness degrees of freedom
(internal nodes).

SOLID279 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Layered solid (KEYOPT(3) = 1 or 2) is not available. KEYOPT(3) defaults to 0 and cannot be

changed.

• Birth and death is not available.

CABLE280
3-D Cable
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1360)

CABLE280 Element Description

CABLE280 is suitable for analyzing moderate to extremely slender cable structures (such as undersea
cables). The element is a quadratic three-node line element in 3-D space. Each node has three degrees
of freedom: translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions.

Elasticity, isotropic hardening plasticity, kinematic hardening plasticity, Hill anisotropic plasticity, Chaboche
nonlinear hardening plasticity, and creep are supported. Added mass, damping, compressive stiffness
scaling, viscous regularization, and initial state are available.

For more information about this element, see CABLE280 - 3-D 3-Node Cable in the Theory Reference.

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Element Library

Figure 7.280.1: CABLE280 Geometry

CABLE280 Technology and Usage Recommendations

CABLE280 is based on a mixed-displacement and axial-force (U-F) formulation: quadratic approximation
for displacement and linear approximation for internal axial forces (user-inaccessible). Axial forces are
incompatible (that is, axial forces can be discontinuous from element to element).

The highly nonlinear behavior of the element requires an iterative-solution approach (NLGEOM,ON) for
static and transient simulation. The element requires tensile stress to provide adequate transverse
stiffness. Solution processing may become unstable when the elements are insufficiently loaded or in
a compressive state.

The advanced formulation of CABLE280 (in comparison to other conventional line elements such as
LINK180 (p. 665), BEAM188 (p. 868), and BEAM189 (p. 890)) enables excellent mesh convergence and an
accurate solution with coarse discretization.

CABLE280 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.280.1: CABLE280 Geometry (p. 1354). The element is defined by nodes I, J, and K in the global co-
ordinate system.

Section orientation (the y-z local coordinate plane) is required only for defining distributed loads. Node
L is the preferred way to define the section orientation of the element. Defining cable elements with
orientation nodes is the same as for beam elements. For information about generating node L automat-
ically, see LMESH and LATT.

The element can also be defined without the orientation node L. In this case, the element x axis is ori-
ented from node I (end 1) toward node J (end 2). Without node L, the default orientation of the element
y axis is parallel to the global X-Y plane.

If the element is parallel to the global Z axis (or within a 0.01 percent slope of it), the element y axis is
oriented parallel to the global Y axis (as shown). To control the element orientation about the element
x axis, use node L. If both are defined, node L takes precedence. If used, node L defines a plane (with
I and J) containing the element x and z axes (as shown).

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If using this element in a large-deflection analysis, the location of node L serves only to orient the element
initially.

By default, the element allows the cross-sectional area to change as a function of axial elongation;
therefore, the volume of the element is preserved even after deformation. The default behavior is suitable
for elastoplastic applications. (You can also maintain a constant or rigid cross-section via KEYOPT(2) =
1.)

CABLE280 is a 1-D line element in space. It can be associated with a link section. The cross-section details
are defined separately (SECTYPE and SECDATA). A section is associated with the cable element via the
section ID number (SECNUM).

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Temperatures can be input as element body
loads at the nodes. The node I temperature T(I) defaults to TUNIF. The node J temperature T(J) defaults
to T(I).

The element ignores real constant data.

Mass Matrix
For the mass matrix and evaluation of consistent load vectors, the element uses a higher-order integration
rule than that used for the stiffness matrix. The element supports both consistent and lumped mass
matrices. (Do not specify a lumped mass matrix formulation [LUMPM,ON], as CABLE280 is a higher-order
element.) Consistent mass matrix is used by default. You can add mass per unit length (SECCON-
TROL,ADDMAS).

Damping
The damping portion of the element contributes only damping coefficients to the structural damping
matrix. The damping force is given by:

where is the damping coefficient given by , where is the velocity calculated in

the previous substep.

The second damping coefficient is available to produce a nonlinear damping effect characteristic
of some fluid environments. The damping coefficient have units of (Force * Length * Time) / Radian.

Input damping coefficients via SECCONTROL,,,CV1,CV2.

Compressive Stiffness Scaling

CABLE280 supports tension-only cable simulations. (SECCONTROL,,TENSKEY is therefore not valid.) A
small compressive stiffness is required, however, for a robust nonlinear solution. The compressive stiffness
is given as a fraction of the tensile stiffness (SECCONTROL,,,,,CV3).

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Viscous Regularization
The element uses viscous regularization to overcome convergence difficulties which may arise when a
cable switches from tension to compression (or vice versa). Viscous regularization of stiffness is given
by:

where is the stiffness before viscous regularization, is the stiffness after viscous regularization, and
is the viscous regularization factor (SECCONTROL,,,,,,CV4). The default viscous regularization factor
is 0.05.

Initial State
You can apply an initial stress state to this element (INISTATE). For more information, see Initial State
in the Advanced Analysis Guide.

CABLE280 Input Summary

For a general description of element input, see Element Input (p. 41).

Nodes

I, J, K, L (the orientation node L is optional but recommended)

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.

MP command: EX, (PRXY or NUXY), ALPX (or CTEX or THSX), DENS, GXY, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressure --

face 1 (I-J) (-z normal direction)

face 2 (I-J) (-y normal direction)

face 3 (I-J) (+x tangential direction)

face 4 (I) (+x axial direction)

face 5 (J) (-x axial direction)

---

I and J denote the end nodes.

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 Use a negative value for loading in the opposite direction.

Specify surface loads via SFBEAM.

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J)

Special Features

Birth and death

Initial state
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear stabilization
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(2)

Cross-section scaling:

0 --

Enforce incompressibility; cross-section is scaled as a function of axial stretch (default).

1 --

Section is assumed to be rigid.

CABLE280 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.280.1: CABLE280 Element Output Definitions (p. 1358).

A general description of solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). Element results can be
viewed in POST1 via PRESOL,ELEM.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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In either the O or R columns, Y indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and - indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.280.1: CABLE280 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number Y Y
NODES Element connectivity Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
SECID Section number Y -
XC, YC, ZC Center location Y 1
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K) Y Y
AREA Cross-sectional area Y Y
FORCE Member force in the element coordinate system Y Y
Sxx Axial stress Y Y
EPELxx Axial elastic strain Y Y
EPTOxx Total strain Y Y
EPEQ Plastic equivalent strain 2 2
Cur.Yld.Flag Current yield flag 2 2
Plwk Plastic strain energy density 2 2
Creq Creep equivalent strain 2 2
Crwk_Creep Creep strain energy density 2 2
EPPLxx Axial plastic strain 2 2
EPCRxx Axial creep strain 2 2
EPTHxx Axial thermal strain 3 3
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress - 4
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not - 4
yeilding)
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure - 4
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain - 4
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain - 4
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume - 4

1. Available only at the centroid as a *GET item.

2. Available only if the element has an appropriate nonlinear material.

3. Available only if the element temperatures differ from the reference temperature.

4. Available if the element has a nonlinear material.

Table 7.280.2: CABLE280 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1359) lists output available through ETABLE
using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) and The Item and Sequence

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Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The following notation is used in
Table 7.280.2: CABLE280 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1359):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.280.1: CABLE280 Element Output Definitions (p. 1358)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE and

ESOL

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

I,J

sequence number for data at nodes I and J

Table 7.280.2: CABLE280 Item and Sequence Numbers

ETABLE and ESOL Command

Output Quantity Name Input
Item E I J
Sxx LS - 1 2
EPELxx LEPEL - 1 2
EPTOxx LEPTO - 1 2
[1]
EPTHxx LEPTH - 1 2
EPPLxx LEPPL - 1 2
EPCRxx LEPCR - 1 2
TEMP LBFE - 1 2
NL:SEPL NLIN - 1 11
NL:SRAT NLIN - 2 12
NL:HPRES NLIN - 3 13
NL:EPEQ NLIN - 4 14
NL:CREQ NLIN - 5 15
NL:PLWK NLIN - 6 16
FORCE SMISC 1 1 3
AREA NMISC - 1 2

1. This item is not available via ESOL.

CABLE280 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The length of the cable must be greater than zero.

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Element Library

• The cross-sectional area must be greater than zero.

• The temperature is assumed to vary linearly along the length of the element.

• A nonlinear iterative solution (NLGEOM,ON) is required for static and transient simulation.

CABLE280 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

• Initial state is not available.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• Birth and death is not available.

SHELL281
8-Node Structural Shell
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1376)

SHELL281 Element Description

SHELL281 is suitable for analyzing thin to moderately-thick shell structures. The element has eight nodes
with six degrees of freedom at each node: translations in the x, y, and z axes, and rotations about the
x, y, and z-axes. (When using the membrane option, the element has translational degrees of freedom
only.)

SHELL281 is well-suited for linear, large rotation, and/or large strain nonlinear applications. Change in
shell thickness is accounted for in nonlinear analyses. The element accounts for follower (load stiffness)
effects of distributed pressures.

SHELL281 may be used for layered applications for modeling composite shells or sandwich construction.
The accuracy in modeling composite shells is governed by the first-order shear-deformation theory
(usually referred to as Mindlin-Reissner shell theory).

The element formulation is based on logarithmic strain and true stress measures. The element kinematics
allow for finite membrane strains (stretching). However, the curvature changes within a time increment
are assumed to be small.

See SHELL281 for more details about this element.

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SHELL281 Input Data
The following figure shows the geometry, node locations, normal direction, and multilayer construction
for this element. The element is defined by shell section information and by eight nodes (I, J, K, L, M,
N, O and P).

Midside nodes may not be removed from this element. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the
Modeling and Meshing Guide for more information about the use of midside nodes.

A triangular-shaped element may be formed by defining the same node number for nodes K, L and O.

Figure 7.281.1: SHELL281 Geometry

Single-Layer Definition

To define the thickness (and other information), use section definition, as follows:

SECTYPE,,SHELL
SECDATA,THICKNESS, ...

A single-layer shell section definition provides flexible options. For example, you can specify the number
of integration points used and the material orientation.

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Multilayer Definition

The shell section commands allow for layered shell definition. Options are available for specifying the
thickness, material, orientation, and number of integration points through the thickness of the layers.

You can designate the number of integration points (1, 3, 5, 7, or 9) located through the thickness of
each layer when using section input. When only one, the point is always located midway between the
top and bottom surfaces. If three or more points, two points are located on the top and bottom surfaces
respectively and the remaining points are distributed at equal distances between the two points. The
default number of integration points for each layer is three; however, when a single layer is defined
and plasticity is present, the number of integration points is changed to a minimum of five during
solution.

The following additional capabilities are available when defining shell layers:

• SHELL281 accepts the preintegrated shell section type (SECTYPE,,GENS).

When the element is associated with the GENS section type, thickness or material definitions are
not required.

• You can use the function tool to define thickness as a function of global/local coordinates or
node numbers (SECFUNCTION).

• You can specify offsets (SECOFFSET).

The layers are stacked from the shell bottom surface in the direction of shell normal N, which is aligned
with the third element coordinate axis e3. The definition of e3 is described below.

Element and Layer Coordinate Systems

SHELL281 has element coordinate systems (e1-e2-e3) established at four in-plane integration points:

Figure 7.281.2: SHELL281 Default Element Coordinate Systems

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When KEYOPT(11) = 0, the default first element coordinate axis e1 is aligned with the first parametric
direction S1 of the element at the in-plane integration points. S1 and the second parametric direction
S2 can be defined respectively as:

where the geometry is given as:

where:
= two isoparametric element coordinates

= shape functions associated with eight element nodes

= global nodal coordinates of the eight element nodes

With KEYOPT(11) = 1, the default first element coordinate axis e1 is directed from node I to node J.

The default third element coordinate axis e3 is normal to the element surface, and the default second
element coordinate axis e2 is perpendicular to the e1 and e3 axes. Coordinate axes e3 and e2 are ob-
tained respectively as follows:

As shown in the following figure, you can also define element orientation (p. 61) via ESYS. The user-
defined element coordinate system (e1-e2-e3) is obtained by projecting a local coordinate system (x-y-
z) to the shell surface. When KEYOPT(4) = 0, the user-defined third element coordinate axis e3 is always
aligned with the default e3. When KEYOPT(4) = 1, the user-defined e3 is set to the opposite of default
e3 if local coordinate axis z and default e3 are in the opposite directions.

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Element Library

Figure 7.281.3: SHELL281 User-Defined Element Coordinate Systems

The layer coordinate systems (L1-L2-L3) as shown in the following figure are identical to the element
coordinate system if no layer orientation angles are specified; otherwise, the layer coordinate system
can be generated by rotating the element coordinate system about e3. (For the definition of layer ori-
entation angles θ, see SECDATA.) Material properties are defined in the layer systems; therefore, the
layer system is also called the material coordinate system.

Figure 7.281.4: SHELL281 Layer Coordinate Systems

Other Input

The element supports degeneration into a triangular form. For better accuracy, however, Ansys, Inc.
recommends quadrilateral shaped elements. The triangle form is generally more robust when using the
membrane option with large deflections.

To evaluate stresses and strains on exterior surfaces, set KEYOPT(1) = 2. When used as overlaid elements
on the faces of 3-D elements, this option is similar to the surface stress option, but is more general and
applicable to nonlinear analysis. The element used with this option provides no stiffness, mass, or load
contributions. Use this option in single-layer shells only. Irrespective of other settings, SHELL281 provides
stress and strain output at the four in-plane integration points of the layer.

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SHELL281 uses a penalty method to relate the independent rotational degrees of freedom about the
normal (to the shell surface) with the in-plane components of displacements. The program chooses an
appropriate penalty stiffness by default. A drill stiffness factor can be specified via SECCONTROL.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Pressures may be input as surface loads on
the element faces as shown by the circled numbers in Figure 7.281.1: SHELL281 Geometry (p. 1361). Pos-
itive pressures act into the element. Because shell edge pressures are input on a per-unit-length basis,
per-unit-area quantities must be multiplied by the shell thickness.

Temperatures may be input as element body loads at the corners of the outside faces of the element
and at the corners of the interfaces between layers. The first corner temperature T1 defaults to TUNIF.
If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to T1. If KEYOPT(1) = 0 and if exactly NL+1 tem-
peratures are input, one temperature is used for the four bottom corners of each layer, and the last
temperature is used for the four top corner temperatures of the top layer. If KEYOPT(1) = 1 and if exactly
NL temperatures are input, one temperature is used for the four corners of each layer. That is, T1 is
used for T1, T2, T3, and T4; T2 (as input) is used for T5, T6, T7, and T8, etc. For any other input pattern,
unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

SHELL281 includes the effects of transverse shear deformation. The transverse shear stiffness of the
element is a 2x2 matrix as shown below:

To define transverse shear stiffness values, issue the SECCONTROL command.

Transverse shear-correction factors k are calculated once at the start of the analysis for each section.
The material properties used to evaluate the transverse shear correction factors are at the current refer-
ence temperature during solution. User-field variables and frequency are all set to zero when evaluating
the material properties used to calculate the transverse shear correction factors.

where shear-correction factor k = 5/6, G = shear modulus, and h = thickness of the shell.

The bending stiffness is defined by either a standard or preintegrated shell section (SECTYPE,,SHELL
or GENS, respectively). Further bending-stiffness scaling is available via a user-specified factor (BENSTIF
on the SECCONTROL command). For a standard shell section, Mechanical APDL rebalances the element
stresses to reflect the change in bending stiffness.

SHELL281 can be associated with linear elastic, elastoplastic, creep, or hyperelastic material properties.
Only isotropic, anisotropic, and orthotropic linear elastic properties can be input for elasticity. The von
Mises isotropic hardening plasticity models can be invoked with BISO (bilinear isotropic hardening) and
NLISO (nonlinear isotropic hardening) options. The kinematic hardening plasticity models can be invoked
with BKIN (bilinear kinematic hardening) and CHABOCHE (nonlinear kinematic hardening). Invoking
plasticity assumes that the elastic properties are isotropic (that is, if orthotropic elasticity is used with
plasticity, the program assumes the isotropic elastic modulus = EX and Poisson's ratio = NUXY).

Hyperelastic material properties (2, 3, 5, or 9 parameter Mooney-Rivlin material model, Neo-Hookean

model, polynomial form model, Arruda-Boyce model, and user-defined model) can be used with this

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Element Library

element. Poisson's ratio is used to specify the compressibility of the material. If less than 0, Poisson's
ratio is set to 0; if greater than or equal to 0.5, Poisson's ratio is set to 0.5 (fully incompressible).

Both isotropic and orthotropic thermal expansion coefficients can be input using MP,ALPX. When used
with hyperelasticity, isotropic expansion is assumed.

Use the TREF command to specify the global value of reference temperature. If MP,REFT is defined for
the material number of the element, it is used for the element instead of the value from the TREF
command. But if MP,REFT is defined for the material number of the layer, it is used instead of either
the global or element value.

When KEYOPT(5) = 0, SHELL281 uses an advanced shell formulation that accurately incorporates initial
curvature effects. The calculation for effective shell-curvature change accounts for both shell-membrane
and thickness strains. The new formulation generally offers improved accuracy in curved-shell structure
simulations, especially when thickness strain is significant or the material anisotropy in the thickness
direction cannot be ignored, or in thick shell structures with unbalanced laminate construction or shell
offsets..

When KEYOPT(5) = 1, a simplified curved-shell formulation is adopted. Unlike the advanced curved-shell
formulation (KEYOPT(5) = 0), the curvature effects in the shell-offset handling are ignored. The simplified
formulation generally leads to more robust nonlinear convergence.

The curved-shell formulation is automatically disabled for excessively thick and curved structures with
an r / t ratio below 5 / 6, where r is the radius of curvature measured at shell mid-plane and t is the
total shell thickness.

KEYOPT(8) = 2 stores midsurface results in the results file for single or multi-layer shell elements. If you
use SHELL,MID, you will see these calculated values, rather than the average of the TOP and BOTTOM
results. Use this option to access these correct midsurface results (membrane results) for those analyses
where averaging TOP and BOTTOM results is inappropriate; examples include midsurface stresses and
strains with nonlinear material behavior, and midsurface results after mode combinations that involve
squaring operations such as in spectrum analyses.

KEYOPT(9) = 1 reads initial thickness data from a user subroutine.

KEYOPT(10) = 1 outputs normal stress component Sz, where z is shell normal direction. The element
uses a plane-stress formulation that always leads to zero thickness normal stress. With KEYOPT(10) = 1,
Sz is independently recovered during the element solution output from the applied pressure load. The
pressure must be applied directly to the shell, and not via surface elements (SURFnnn).

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element. If an unsymmetric
matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, use NROPT,UNSYM.

The element supports both consistent and lumped mass matrices. Use LUMPM,ON to activate a lumped
mass matrix. A consistent mass matrix is used by default.

A summary of the element input is given in "SHELL281 Input Summary" (p. 1367). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

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SHELL281 Input Summary
Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ if KEYOPT(1) = 0

UX, UY, UZ if KEYOPT(1) = 1

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, EY, EZ, (PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ, or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ), ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX,
CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ), DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD
Specify BETD, ALPD, DMPR, or DMPS for the element (all layers) by issuing the MAT command
to assign the material property set. REFT may be specified once for the element, or may be as-
signed on a per-layer basis. See the discussion in "SHELL281 Input Summary" (p. 1367) for more
information.

Surface Loads

Pressures --

face 1 (I-J-K-L) (bottom, in +N direction),

face 2 (I-J-K-L) (top, in -N direction),
face 3 (J-I), face 4 (K-J), face 5 (L-K), face 6 (I-L)
To define general surface loads (or surface tractions) on the faces, issue SFCONTROL.

Equivalent source surface flag --

MXWF (input on the SF command)

Body Loads

Temperatures --

For KEYOPT(1) = 0 (Bending and membrane stiffness):

T1, T2, T3, T4 (at bottom of layer 1), T5, T6, T7, T8 (between layers 1-2); similarly for between
next layers, ending with temperatures at top of layer NL(4*(NL+1) maximum). Hence, for one-
layer elements, eight temperatures are used.

For KEYOPT(1) = 1 (Membrane stiffness only):

T1, T2, T3, T4 for layer 1, T5, T6, T7, T8 for layer 2, similarly for all layers (4*NL maximum). Hence,
for one-layer elements, four temperatures are used.

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Special Features

Birth and death

Coriolis effect
Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Initial state
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear stabilization
Section definition for layered shells and preintegrated general shell sections for input of homo-
geneous section stiffnesses

KEYOPT(1)

Element stiffness:

0 --

Bending and membrane stiffness (default)

1 --

Membrane stiffness only

2 --

Stress/strain evaluation only

KEYOPT(4)

Shell normal orientation option:

0 --

Calculated from element connectivity (default)

1 --

Controlled by the z coordinate direction of a local coordinate system

KEYOPT(5)

Curved-shell formulation:

0 --

Advanced curved shell formation (default)

1 --

Simplified curved shell formation

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KEYOPT(8)

Specify layer data storage:

0 --

For multi-layer elements, store data for bottom of bottom layer and top of top layer. For single-
layer elements, store data for TOP and BOTTOM. (Default)

1 --

Store data for TOP and BOTTOM, for all layers (multi-layer elements). (The volume of data may
be considerable.)

2 --

Store data for TOP, BOTTOM, and MID for all layers; applies to single- and multi-layer elements

KEYOPT(9)

User thickness option:

0 --

No user subroutine to provide initial thickness (default)

1 --

Read initial thickness data from user subroutine UTHICK

For more information, see Subroutine uthick (Getting User-Defined Initial Thickness) in the Pro-
grammer's Reference.

KEYOPT(10)

Thickness normal stress (Sz) output option:

0 --

Sz not modified (default, Sz = 0)

1 --

Recover and output Sz from applied pressure load

KEYOPT(11)

Default element x axis (x0) orientation:

0 --

First parametric direction at the four in-plane integration points (default)

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1 --

Pointing from element node I to element Node J

SHELL281 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.281.1: SHELL281 Element Output Definitions (p. 1371)

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.281.5: SHELL281 Stress Output (p. 1371).

KEYOPT(8) controls the amount of data output to the results file for processing with the LAYER command.
Interlaminar shear stress is available as SYZ and SXZ evaluated at the layer interfaces. KEYOPT(8) must
be set to either 1 or 2 to output these stresses in the POST1 postprocessor. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to review results.

The element stress resultants (N11, M11, Q13, etc.) are parallel to the element coordinate system, as
are the membrane strains and curvatures of the element. Such generalized strains are available through
the SMISC option at the element centroid only. The transverse shear forces Q13, Q23 are available only
in resultant form: that is, use SMISC,7 (or 8). Likewise, the transverse shear strains, γ13 and γ23, are constant
through the thickness and are only available as SMISC items (SMISC,15 and SMISC,16, respectively).

The program calculates moments (M11, M22, M12) with respect to the shell reference plane. By default,
the program adopts the shell midplane as the reference plane. To offset the reference plane to any
other specified location, issue the SECOFFSET command. When there is a nonzero offset (L) from the
reference plane to the midplane, moments with respect to the midplane ( ) can be re-
covered from stress resultants with respect to the reference plane as follows:

SHELL281 does not support extensive basic element printout. POST1 provides more comprehensive
output processing tools; therefore, it is good practice to issue the OUTRES command to ensure that
the required results are stored in the database.

SHELL281 allows for transformation of stresses and strains to other coordinate systems in postprocessing
(RSYS). By default, the element stresses and strains are displayed or listed in the global Cartesian co-
ordinate system.

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Figure 7.281.5: SHELL281 Stress Output

x0 = Element x axis if element orientation (ESYS) is not specified. (See KEYOPT(11).)

x = Element x axis if element orientation is specified.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.281.1: SHELL281 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number and name Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L - Y
MAT Material number - Y
THICK Average thickness - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported - 4

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
PRES Pressures P1 at nodes I, J, K, L; P2 at I, J, K, L; P3 at - Y
J,I; P4 at K,J; P5 at L,K; P6 at I,L
TEMP T1, T2, T3, T4 at bottom of layer 1, T5, T6, T7, T8 - Y
between layers 1-2, similarly for between next layers,
ending with temperatures at top of layer
NL(4*(NL+1) maximum)
LOC TOP, MID, BOT, or integration point location - 1
S:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, XZ Stresses 3 1
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - 1
S:INT Stress intensity - 1
S:EQV Equivalent stress - 1
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY Elastic strains 3 1
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strains [7] - 1
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY Thermal strains 3 1
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strains [7] - 1
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY Average plastic strains 3 2
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strains [7] - 2
EPCR:X, Y, Z, XY Average creep strains 3 2
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strains [7] - 2
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) 3 -
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + - -
EPCR)
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress - 2
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain - 2
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain - 2
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not - 2
yielding)
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume - 2
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure - 2
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - 2
PLASTIC, CREEP,
ENTO
N11, N22, N12 In-plane forces (per unit length) - Y
M11, M22, M12 Out-of-plane moments (per unit length) - 8
Q13, Q23 Transverse shear forces (per unit length) - 8
ε11, ε22, ε12 Membrane strains - Y
k11, k22, k12 Curvatures - 8
γ13, γ23 Transverse shear strains - 8
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 5
SVAR:1, 2, ... , N State variables - 6

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 Name Definition O R
ILSXZ SXZ interlaminar shear stress - Y
ILSYZ SYZ interlaminar shear stress - Y
ILSUM Magnitude of the interlaminar shear stress vector - Y
ILANG Angle of interlaminar shear stress vector (measured - Y
from the element x axis toward the element y axis
in degrees)
Sm: 11, 22, 12 Membrane stresses - Y
Sb: 11, 22, 12 Bending stresses - Y
Sp: 11, 22, 12 Peak stresses - Y
St: 13, 23 Averaged transverse shear stresses - Y

1. The following stress solution repeats for top, middle, and bottom surfaces.

2. Nonlinear solution output for top, middle, and bottom surfaces, if the element has a nonlinear ma-
terial, or if large-deflection effects are enabled (NLGEOM,ON) for SEND.

3. Stresses, total strains, plastic strains, elastic strains, creep strains, and thermal strains in the element
coordinate system are available for output (at all section points through thickness). If layers are in
use, the results are in the layer coordinate system.

4. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

5. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is used.

6. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and TB,STATE command are used.

7. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep this value is set at 0.5.

8. Not available if the membrane element option is used (KEYOPT(1) = 1).

Table 7.281.2: SHELL281 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1374) lists output available through ETABLE
using the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table and The Item and Sequence
Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more information. The following notation is used in
Table 7.281.2: SHELL281 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1374):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.281.1: SHELL281 Element Output Definitions (p. 1371)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

sequence number for single-valued or constant element data

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Element Library

I,J,K,L

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, K, L

Table 7.281.2: SHELL281 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item E I J K L
Name
N11 SMISC 1 - - - -
N22 SMISC 2 - - - -
N12 SMISC 3 - - - -
M11 SMISC 4 - - - -
M22 SMISC 5 - - - -
M12 SMISC 6 - - - -
Q13 SMISC 7 - - - -
Q23 SMISC 8 - - - -
ε11 SMISC 9 - - - -
ε22 SMISC 10 - - - -
ε12 SMISC 11 - - - -
k11 SMISC 12 - - - -
k22 SMISC 13 - - - -
k12 SMISC 14 - - - -
γ13 SMISC 15 - - - -
γ23 SMISC 16 - - - -
THICK SMISC 17 - - - -
P1 SMISC - 18 19 20 21
P2 SMISC - 22 23 24 25
P3 SMISC - 27 26 - -
P4 SMISC - - 29 28 -
P5 SMISC - - - 31 30
P6 SMISC - 32 - - 33
P1 SMISC - 18 19 20 21
P2 SMISC - 22 23 24 25
P3 SMISC - 27 26 - -
P4 SMISC - - 29 28 -
P5 SMISC - - - 31 30
P6 SMISC - 32 - - 33
Sm: 11 SMISC 34 - - - -
Sm: 22 SMISC 35 - - - -
Sm: 12 SMISC 36 - - - -

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Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Quantity Item E I J K L
Name
Sb: 11 SMISC 37 - - - -
Sb: 22 SMISC 38 - - - -
Sb: 12 SMISC 39 - - - -
Sp: 11 SMISC 40 - - - -
(at shell
bottom)
Sp: 22 SMISC 41 - - - -
(at shell
bottom)
Sp: 12 SMISC 42 - - - -
(at shell
bottom)
Sp: 11 SMISC 43 - - - -
(at shell
top)
Sp: 22 SMISC 44 - - - -
(at shell
top)
Sp: 12 SMISC 45 - - - -
(at shell
top)
St: 13 SMISC 46 - - - -
St: 23 SMISC 47 - - - -
Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Quantity Item Bottom of Layer Top of Layer i
Name i
ILSXZ SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 51 8 * (i - 1) + 52
ILSYZ SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 53 8 * (i - 1) + 54
ILSUM SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 55 8 * (i - 1) + 56
ILANG SMISC 8 * (i - 1) + 57 8 * (i - 1) + 58

SHELL281 Assumptions and Restrictions

• Zero-area elements are not allowed. (Zero-area elements occur most often whenever the elements
are numbered improperly.)

• Zero-thickness elements or elements tapering down to a zero thickness at any corner are not allowed
(but zero-thickness layers are allowed).

• The total thickness of each SHELL281 element should be less than twice that of the curvature radius.

• Use at least two elements in each direction to avoid hourglass mode.

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Element Library

• If multiple load steps are used, the number of layers cannot change between load steps.

• When the element is associated with preintegrated shell sections (SECTYPE,,GENS), additional restric-
tions apply. For more information, see Considerations for Using Preintegrated Shell Sections in the
Structural Analysis Guide.

• No slippage is assumed between the element layers. Shear deflections are included in the element;
however, normals to the center plane before deformation are assumed to remain straight after de-
formation.

• Transverse shear stiffness of the shell section is estimated by an energy equivalence procedure (of
the generalized section forces and strains vs. the material point stresses and strains). The accuracy
of this calculation may be adversely affected if the ratio of material stiffnesses (Young's moduli)
between adjacent layers is very high.

• The calculation of interlaminar shear stresses is based on simplifying assumptions of unidirectional,

uncoupled bending in each direction. If accurate edge interlaminar shear stresses are required, shell-
to-solid submodeling should be used.

• The section definition permits use of hyperelastic material models and elastoplastic material models
in laminate definition. However, the accuracy of the solution is primarily governed by fundamental
assumptions of shell theory. The applicability of shell theory in such cases is best understood by using
a comparable solid model.

• The layer orientation angle has no effect if the material of the layer is hyperelastic.

• The through-thickness stress, SZ, is always zero.

• This element works best with full Newton-Raphson solution scheme (NROPT,FULL,,ON).

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Prestress effects
can be activated via the PSTRES command.

• In a nonlinear analysis, the solution process terminates if the thickness at any integration point that
was defined with a nonzero thickness vanishes (within a small numerical tolerance).

• If a shell section has only one layer and the number of section integration points is equal to one, or
if KEYOPT(1) = 1, then the shell has no bending stiffness, a condition that can result in solver and
convergence problems.

SHELL281 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

• Initial state is not available.

• Section definition for layered shells is not available.

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SOLID285
3-D 4-Node Tetrahedral Structural Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1383)

SOLID285 Element Description

SOLID285 is a low-order 3-D, 4-node element for solid structure analysis. The default element behavior
has linear displacement with hydrostatic pressure, but also offers a pure linear displacement option.
The element is suitable for modeling irregular meshes (such as those generated by various CAD/CAM
systems).

With its hydrostatic pressure degree of freedom, the element is suitable for use with general materials
(including incompressible materials). With its with displacement degree of freedom only, it is suitable
only for linear elastic material and elastoplastic material with very small plastic deformations.

The element is defined by four nodes having either of the following configurations (depending on the
formulation (p. 1379) selected):

• Four degrees of freedom at each node: three translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions, and
one hydrostatic pressure (HDSP).

• Three degrees of freedom at each node: three translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions.

HDSP is real hydrostatic pressure for all materials except nearly incompressible hyperelastic materials.
For nearly incompressible materials, HDSP is the volume change rate at each node. In a nonlinear ana-
lysis, you can control the tolerance of HDSP separately (CNVTOL).

The element has plasticity, hyperelasticity, creep, stress stiffening, large deflection, and large strain
capabilities. It is capable of simulating deformations of nearly incompressible elastoplastic materials,
nearly incompressible hyperelastic materials, and fully incompressible hyperelastic materials.

For more details about this element, see SOLID285.

Figure 7.285.1: SOLID285 Geometry

L

3
Y 2
K

X I
Z
1
J

SOLID285 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.285.1: SOLID285 Geometry (p. 1377).

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Element Library

In addition to the nodes, the element input data includes the orthotropic or anisotropic material prop-
erties. Orthotropic and anisotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions.
The element coordinate system orientation is as described in the Material Reference.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Pressure loads may be input as surface loads
on the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Figure 7.285.1: SOLID285 Geometry (p. 1377).
Positive pressures act into the element. Temperatures may be input as element body loads at the nodes.
The node I temperature T(I) defaults to TUNIF. If all other temperatures are unspecified, they default to
T(I). For any other input temperature pattern, unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

As described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61), you can use ESYS to orient the material properties and
strain/stress output. Use RSYS to choose output that follows the material coordinate system or the
global coordinate system.

KEYOPT(16) = 1 activates steady-state analysis (defined via SSTATE). For more information, see Steady-
State Rolling in the Theory Reference. For a steady-state analysis, elements must be numbered as shown
in Figure 7.285.1: SOLID285 Geometry (p. 1377).

You can apply an initial stress state to this element (INISTATE). For more information, see Initial State
in the Advanced Analysis Guide.

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element. If an unsymmetric
matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, use NROPT,UNSYM.

The next table summarizes the element input. Element Input (p. 41) gives a general description of ele-
ment input.

SOLID285 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, HDSP (KEYOPT(1) = 0)

UX, UY, UZ (KEYOPT(1) = 1)

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, EY, EZ, ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX, CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ), PRXY,
PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ), DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

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Surface Loads

Pressures --

face 1 (J-I-K), face 2 (I-J-L), face 3 (J-K-L), face 4 (K-I-L)

To define general surface loads (or surface tractions) on the faces, issue SFCONTROL.

Body Loads

Temperatures --

T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L)

Body force densities --

The element values in the global X, Y, and Z directions. For analyses supporting complex loading,
imaginary X, Y, and Z values are supported (see the BFE command for details).

Special Features

Birth and death

Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Fracture parameter calculation
Initial state
Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear adaptivity
Nonlinear stabilization
Rezoning
Steady state

KEYOPT(1)

Element formulation:

0 --

Mixed u-P formulation with linear displacement and hydrostatic pressure at each node (default)

1 --

Pure displacement formulation with linear displacement in the element

KEYOPT(16)

Steady-state analysis flag:

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Element Library

0 --

Steady-state analysis disabled (default)

1 --

Enable steady-state analysis

Solid 285 Element Technology

This element has only a mixed u-P formulation with pressure stabilization. For more information, see
Element Technologies (p. 77).

SOLID285 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Depending on the formulation selected, the nodal solution includes either nodal displacements
and hydrostatic pressure, or displacements only.

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.285.1: SOLID285 Element Output Definitions (p. 1380).

Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.285.2: SOLID285 Stress Output (p. 1380). The element stress direc-
tions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of solution output is given
in The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

Figure 7.285.2: SOLID285 Stress Output

L

SY

Y
SX K
SZ
X I
Z

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.285.1: SOLID285 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number - Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L - Y

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 Name Definition O R
MAT Material number - Y
VOLU: Volume - Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 3
PRES Pressures P1 at nodes J, I, K; P2 at I, J, L; P3 at J, K, - Y
L; P4 at K, I, L
TEMP Temperatures T(I), T(J), T(K), T(L) - Y
S:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, XZ Stresses Y Y
S:1, 2, 3 Principal stresses - Y
S:INT Stress intensity - Y
S:EQV Equivalent stress - Y
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Elastic strains Y Y
XZ
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strains [6] - Y
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Thermal strains 1 1
XZ
EPTH: EQV Equivalent thermal strains [6] 1 1
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Plastic strains [7] 1 1
XZ
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strains [6] 1 1
EPCR:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Creep strains 1 1
XZ
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strains [6] 1 1
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) Y -
XZ
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + Y -
EPCR)
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain 1 1
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain 1 1
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not 1 1
yielding)
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure 1 1
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy density - 1
PLASTIC, CREEP,
ENTO
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 4
SVAR:1, 2, ... , N State variables - 5

1. Nonlinear solution, output only if the element has a nonlinear material, or if large-deflection effects
are enabled (NLGEOM,ON) for SEND.

2. Output only if element has a thermal load.

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Element Library

3. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

4. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is used.

5. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and TB,STATE command are used.

6. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio: for elastic and thermal this value is set by the
user (MP,PRXY); for plastic and creep this value is set at 0.5.

7. For the shape memory alloy material model, transformation strains are reported as plasticity strain
EPPL.

Table 7.285.2: SOLID285 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1382) lists output available through ETABLE
using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) and The Item and Sequence
Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more information. The following notation is used in
Table 7.285.2: SOLID285 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1382):

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.285.1: SOLID285 Element Output Definitions (p. 1380)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

I,J,...,R

sequence number for data at nodes I, J, ..., R

Table 7.285.2: SOLID285 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item I J K L M,...,R
Name
P1 SMISC 2 1 3 - -
P2 SMISC 4 5 - 6 -
P3 SMISC - 7 8 9 -
P4 SMISC 11 - 10 12 -

SOLID285 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume.

• Elements may be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.285.1: SOLID285 Geometry (p. 1377), or
may have node L below the I, J, K plane (except when KEYOPT(16) = 1).

• For a steady-state analysis (KEYOPT(16) = 1), elements must be numbered as shown in Fig-
ure 7.285.1: SOLID285 Geometry (p. 1377).

• Only the sparse solver is valid when using this element with KEYOPT(1) = 0.

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• Pure displacement formulation should not be used for nearly incompressible and fully incom-
pressible materials, such as hyperelastic materials, elastoplastic material when plastic deformation
is significant and linear elastic materials when Poisson ratio is greater than 0.499.

• The default formulation (KEYOPT(1) = 0) uses Lagrange multipliers and cannot be used in a
substructure generation pass. (See Assumptions and Restrictions (Within Superelement) in the
Theory Reference.)

• Support is available for static and transient analyses.

• The element may not offer sufficient accuracy for bending-dominant problems, especially if the
mesh is not fine enough.

• On the interfaces of different materials, the elements should not share nodes because the hydro-
static pressure value is not continuous at those nodes. This behavior can be overcome by either:

– Coupling the displacements of the nodes on the interface but leaving HDSP unconstrained,
or

– Adding bonded contact elements on the interfaces.

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Prestress

effects can be activated by the PSTRES command.

SOLID285 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Premium

• Fracture parameter calculation is not available.

• Rezoning is not available.

• Nonlinear adaptivity is not available.

PIPE288
3-D 2-Node Pipe
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1402)

PIPE288 Element Description

The PIPE288 element is suitable for analyzing slender to moderately stubby pipe structures. The element
is based on Timoshenko beam theory. Shear-deformation effects are included.

PIPE288 is a linear, quadratic, or cubic two-node pipe element in 3-D. The element has six degrees of
freedom at each node (the translations in the x, y, and z directions and rotations about the x, y, and z
directions). The element is well-suited for linear, large rotation, and/or large strain nonlinear applications.

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PIPE288 includes stress stiffness terms, by default, in any analysis with NLGEOM,ON. The provided stress-
stiffness terms enable the elements to analyze flexural, lateral, and torsional stability problems (using
eigenvalue buckling, or collapse studies with arc length methods or nonlinear stabilization).

Elasticity, hyperelasticity, plasticity, creep, and other nonlinear material models are supported. Internal
fluid and external insulation are supported. Added mass, hydrodynamic added mass and loading, and
buoyant loading are available.

Figure 7.288.1: PIPE288 Geometry

z
7 4
K
I
5

Y 6 y

x
X
Z J
8

PIPE288 Element Technology and Usage Recommendations

PIPE288 is based on Timoshenko beam theory, a first-order shear-deformation theory. Transverse-shear
strain is constant through the cross-section; that is, cross-sections remain plane and undistorted after
deformation.

The element can be used for slender or stout pipes. Due to the limitations of first-order shear-deformation
theory, only moderately "thick" pipes can be analyzed. The slenderness ratio of a pipe structure (GAL2
/ (EI) ) can be used to judge the applicability of the element, where:

Shear modulus

Area of the cross-section

Length of the member (not the element length)

EI

Flexural rigidity

For pipes, (GAL2 / EI) can be reduced to: 2L2 / ((1 + ν) (Ro2 + Ri2)), or for thin-walled pipes: L2 / ((1 + ν)
R2), where ν = Poisson's ratio, Ro = outer radius, Ri = inner radius, and R = average radius.

The following illustration provides an estimate of transverse-shear deformation in a cantilever pipe

subjected to a tip load. Although the results cannot be extrapolated to other applications, the example
serves generally. Ansys, Inc. recommends a slenderness ratio greater than 30.

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Figure 7.288.2: Transverse-Shear-Deformation Estimation
L P

Slenderness Ratio δ Timoshenko / δ

(GAL2/(EI)) Euler-Bernoulli
25 1.120
50 1.060
100 1.030
1000 1.003

The PIPE288 element supports an elastic relationship between transverse-shear forces and transverse-
shear strains.

When KEYOPT(3) = 0 (linear, default), PIPE288 is based on linear shape functions. It uses one point of
integration along the length; therefore, all element solution quantities are constant along the length.
For example, when SMISC quantities are requested at nodes I and J, the centroidal values are reported
for both end nodes. This option is recommended if the element is used as stiffener and it is necessary
to maintain compatibility with a first-order shell element (such as SHELL181 (p. 673)). Only constant
bending moments can be represented exactly with this option. Mesh refinement is generally required
in typical applications.

When KEYOPT(3) = 2 (quadratic), PIPE288 has an internal node in the interpolation scheme, effectively
making this a beam element based on quadratic shape functions. Two points of integration are used,
resulting in linear variation of element solution quantities along the length. Linearly varying bending
moments are represented exactly.

When KEYOPT(3) = 3 (cubic), PIPE288 has two internal nodes and adopts cubic shape functions. Quad-
ratically varying bending moments are represented exactly. Three points of integration along the length
are used, resulting in quadratic variation of element solution quantities along the length. Unlike typical
cubic (Hermitian) formulations, cubic interpolation is used for all displacements and rotations.

In general, the more complex the element, the fewer elements are needed. Quadratic and cubic options
are recommended when higher-order element interpolations are desired in situations where:

• Nonuniform loads (including tapered distributed loads) exist within the element; in this case,
the cubic option gives superior results over the quadratic option.

(For partially distributed loads and non-nodal point loads, only the cubic option is valid.)

• The element may undergo highly nonuniform deformation (for example, when individual frame
members in civil engineering structures are modeled with single elements).

PIPE288 supports both thin-pipe (KEYOPT(4) = 1) and thick-pipe (KEYOPT(4) = 2) options. The thin-pipe
option assumes a plane stress state in the pipe wall and ignore the stress in the wall thickness direction.
The thick-pipe option accounts for the full 3-D stress state and generally leads to more accurate results
in thick-walled pipes where through-the-thickness stress can be significant. The element allows change
in cross-sectional area in large-deflection analysis. While the thick-pipe option can accurately determine
the cross-section area change from the actual material constitutive properties, the thin-pipe option

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Element Library

calculates the approximate area change based on a simple material incompressibility assumption. The
thin pipe option runs slightly faster than the thick pipe option. The thick pipe option should generally
be avoided for very thin-walled pipes (for example, Do/Tw > 200.0), and the thin pipe option should
generally be avoided for somewhat thick-walled pipes (for example, Do/Tw < 100.0). The thick pipe
option is required for a “solid” pipe section (Do/Tw = 2.0). For more information, see SECDATA.

Two limitations are associated with the quadratic and cubic options in PIPE288:

• Although the elements employ higher-order interpolations, the initial geometry of PIPE288 is
treated as straight.

• Because the internal nodes are inaccessible, no boundary/loading/initial conditions are allowed
on these internal nodes.

As a result of the limitations associated with the quadratic and cubic options, you will notice discrepancies
in the results between PIPE289 (p. 1403) and the quadratic option of PIPE288 if the midside nodes of the
PIPE289 (p. 1403) model have specified boundary/loading/initial conditions and/or the midside nodes are
not located exactly at the element midpoint. Similarly, the cubic option of PIPE288 may not be
identical to a traditional cubic (Hermitian) beam element.

For the mass matrix and load vectors, a higher order integration rule than that used for stiffness matrix
is employed. The elements support both consistent and lumped mass matrices. LUMPM,ON activates
lumped mass matrix. Consistent mass matrix is the default behavior. You can add mass per unit length
via the SECCONTROL ADDMAS values. See "PIPE288 Input Summary" (p. 1390).

When ocean loading is applied, the loading is nonlinear (that is, based on the square of the relative
velocity between the structure and the water). Accordingly, the full Newton-Raphson option (NROPT,FULL)
may be necessary to achieve optimal results. (Full Newton-Raphson is applied automatically in an ana-
lysis involving large-deflection effects [NLGEOM,ON].)

When KEYOPT(5) = 1, PIPE288 deforms in the XY plane only. It has three degrees of freedom at each
node (translations in the x and y directions, and rotation about the z direction).

PIPE288 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, coordinate system, and pressure directions for this element are shown
in Figure 7.288.1: PIPE288 Geometry (p. 1384). PIPE288 is defined by nodes I and J in the global coordinate
system.

If ocean loading is present, the global origin is normally at the mean sea level, with the global Z axis
pointing away from the center of the earth; however, the vertical location can be adjusted via Zmsl
(Val6) on OCDATA (following OCTYPE,BASIC). Ocean loading is not supported for PIPE288 in the XY
plane (KEYOPT(5) = 1).

Because the section is round, the element orientation is important only for defining offsets and temper-
atures, and interpreting bending moment directions and stress locations.

Node K is the preferred method for defining the orientation of PIPE288 in 3-D space (KEYOPT(5) = 0).
For information about orientation nodes and beam meshing, see Generating a Beam Mesh With Orient-
ation Nodes in the Modeling and Meshing Guide. See LMESH and LATT descriptions for information
about generating the K node automatically.

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PIPE288 in 3-D space can also be defined without the orientation node. The element x axis is oriented
from node I toward node J. When no orientation node is used, the default orientation of the element
y axis is automatically calculated to be parallel to the global X-Y plane. If the element is parallel to the
global Z axis (or within a 0.01 percent slope of it), the element y axis is oriented parallel to the global
Y axis. To control the element orientation about the element x axis, use the orientation-node option.
If both are defined, the orientation-node option takes precedence. The orientation node K, if used,
defines a plane (with I and J) containing the element x and z-axes (as shown). If this element is used
in a large-deflection analysis, the location of the orientation node K only initially orients the element.

The orientation of PIPE288 in the XY plane is determined by the location of nodes I and J. The element
x axis is oriented from node I (end 1) toward node J (end 2). The element y axis is along the negative
global Z axis. Orientation node K is not needed.

The pipe element is a one-dimensional line element in space. The cross-section details are provided
separately (SECTYPE and SECDATA). A section is associated with the pipe elements by specifying the
section ID number (SECNUM). A section number is an independent element attribute.

PIPE288 Cross-Sections
PIPE288 can be associated only with the pipe cross-section (SECTYPE,,PIPE). The material of the pipe
is defined as an element attribute (MAT).

PIPE288 is provided with section-relevant quantities (area of integration, position, etc.) automatically at
a number of section points (SECDATA). Each section is assumed to be an assembly of a predetermined
number of cells and is numerically integrated.

Figure 7.288.3: Typical Cross-Section Cell

Section Flexibility

You can apply section-flexibility factors (SFLEX), valid only for linear material properties and small strain
analyses. Offsets, temperature loading, and initial-state loading are not supported. Stress output is based
on the section forces, including axial force, bending moments, torsional moment, transverse shear
forces, and pressures; strain output is based on the nodal displacements.

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PIPE288 Loads
Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Internal fluid and external insulation are sup-
ported. Added mass (including for ocean loading), hydrodynamic added mass, and hydrodynamic and
buoyant loading, are available (OCDATA and OCTABLE). Ocean loading is not supported for
PIPE289 (p. 1403) in the XY plane (KEYOPT(5) = 1).

Forces are applied at the nodes I and J. If the centroidal axis is not colinear with the element x axis
because of offsets, applied axial forces will cause bending. The nodes should therefore be located at
the desired points where you want to apply the forces. Use the OFFSETY and OFFSETZ arguments
(SECOFFSET) appropriately. By default, the program uses the centroid as the reference axis for the pipe
elements.

Pressure Input

Internal and external pressures are input on an average basis over the element. Lateral pressures are
input as force per unit length. End "pressures" are input as forces.

To input surface-load information on the element faces, issue SFE

On faces 1 and 2, internal and external pressures are input, respectively, on an average basis over the
element.

On face 3, the input (VAL1) is the global Z coordinate of the free surface of the internal fluid of the
pipe. Specify this value with ACEL,0,0,ACEL_Z, where ACEL_Z is a positive number. The free surface
coordinate is used for the internal mass and pressure effects. If VAL1 on SFE is zero, no fluid inside of
the pipe is considered. If the internal fluid free surface should be at Z = 0, use a very small number in-
stead. The pressure calculation presumes that the fluid density above an element to the free surface is
constant. For cases where the internal fluid consists of more than one type of fluid (such as oil over
water), the free surface coordinate of the elements in the fluids below the top fluid need to be adjusted
(lowered) to account for the less dense fluid(s) above them. VAL1 does not update with large deflections
(NLGEOM,ON); if changes are necessary, you can reissue SFE at later load steps.

The internal fluid mass is assumed to be lumped along the centerline of the pipe, so as the centerline
of a horizontal pipe moves across the free surface, the mass changes in step-function fashion. The free
surface location is stepped, even if you specify ramped loading (KBC,0).

On face 4 and face 5, lateral pressures are input as force-per-unit-length.

On face 6 and face 7, end "pressures" are input as forces.

Faces 4 through 8 are shown by the circled numbers in Figure 7.288.1: PIPE288 Geometry (p. 1384).

Temperature Input

When KEYOPT(1) = 0, temperatures can be input as element body loads at the inner and outer surfaces
at both ends of the pipe element so that the temperature varies linearly through the wall thickness. If
only two temperatures are specified, those two temperatures are used at both ends of the pipe element
(that is, there is no gradient along the length). If only the first temperature is specified, all others default
to the first. The following graphic illustrates temperature input at a node when KEYOPT(1) = 0:

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 TIN

TOUT

When KEYOPT(1) = 1, temperatures can be input as element body loads at three locations at both nodes
of the pipe element so that the temperature varies linearly in the element y and z directions. At either
end of the element, temperatures can be input at these locations:

• At the element x axis (T(0,0))

• At the outer radius from the x axis in the element y direction (T(Ro,0)) (not supported for (KEY-
OPT(5) = 1)

• At the outer radius from the x axis in the element z direction (T(0,Ro))

The following graphic illustrates temperature input at a node when KEYOPT(1) = 1:

z
Tz

Ty
y

TAVG

Element locations (T(Y,Z)) are given according to the convention used in Figure 7.288.1: PIPE288 Geo-
metry (p. 1384).

For pipe elements, element body-load commands (BFE) accept an element number and a list of values,
1 through 6 for temperatures TI(0,0), TI(1,0), TI(0,1), TJ(0,0), TJ(1,0), and TJ(0,1). This input can be used to
specify temperature gradients that vary linearly both over the cross section and along the length of the
element. Values of TI(1,0) and TJ(1,0) are ignored for PIPE288 in the XY plane (KEYOPT(5) = 1).

The following defaults apply to element temperature input:

• If all temperatures after the first are unspecified, they default to the first. This pattern applies a
uniform temperature over the entire element. (The first coordinate temperature, if unspecified,
defaults to TUNIF.)

• If all three temperatures at node I are input, and all temperatures at node J are unspecified, the
node J temperatures default to the corresponding node I temperatures. This pattern applies a
temperature gradient that varies linearly over the cross section but remains constant along the
length of the element.

• For any other input pattern, unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

Alternatively, temperatures at nodes I and J can be defined using nodal body loads (BF,NODE,TEMP,VAL1).
This specifies a uniform temperature over the cross section at the specified node.

Other Input

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Element Library

The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element. If an unsymmetric
matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, issue NROPT,UNSYM.

PIPE288 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K (an optional but recommended orientation node) if KEYOPT(5) = 0

I, J if KEYOPT(5) = 1

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ if KEYOPT(5) = 0

UX, UY, ROTZ if KEYOPT(5) = 1

Section Information

Accessed via SECTYPE,,PIPE and SECDATA.

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, EY, EZ, PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ), ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX,
CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ), DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressure --

face 1 – Internal pressure

face 2 – External pressure
face 3 – Z coordinate of free surface of fluid on inside of pipe (not applicable if KEYOPT(5)
= 1)
face 4 – (I-J) (-z normal direction)
face 5 – (I-J) (-y normal direction) (not applicable if KEYOPT(5) = 1)
face 6 – (I-J) (+x tangential direction)
face 7 – (I) (+x axial direction)
face 8 – (J) (-x axial direction)
---
I and J denote end nodes.
Use a negative value for loading in the opposite direction.
Input pressure values for faces 1, 2, and 3 via SFE. Input pressure values for faces 4 through
8 via SFBEAM.
For faces 4, 5, and 6, offsets apply only for the cubic option (KEYOPT(3) = 3).

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Body Loads

Temperatures --

TOUT(I), TIN(I), TOUT(J), TIN(J) if KEYOPT(1) = 0.

TAVG(I), Ty(I), Tz(I), TAVG(J), Ty(J), Tz(J) if KEYOPT(1) = 1.

Special Features

Birth and death

Coriolis effect
Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Initial state
Large deflection
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear stabilization
Ocean loading
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(1)

Temperature input

0 --

Through wall gradient

1 --

Diametral gradient

KEYOPT(3)

Shape functions along the length:

0 --

Linear

2 --

Quadratic

3 --

Cubic

KEYOPT(4)

Hoop strain treatment

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Element Library

1 --

Thin pipe theory

2 --

Thick pipe theory

KEYOPT(5)

Deformation occurs in 3-D space or XY plane:

0 --

3-D space (default)

1 --

XY plane

KEYOPT(6)

End cap loads

0 --

Internal and external pressures cause loads on end caps

1 --

Internal and external pressures do not cause loads on end caps

KEYOPT(7), KEYOPT(9), KEYOPT(11), and KEYOPT(12)

Active only when OUTPR,ESOL is active:

KEYOPT(7)

Output control for section forces/moments and strains/curvatures:

0 --

Output section forces/moments, strains/curvatures, internal and external pressures, and effective
tension(default)

1 --

Same as KEYOPT(7) = 0 plus current section area

2 --

Same as KEYOPT(7) = 1 plus element basis directions (X,Y,Z)

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 3 --

Output section forces/moments, strains/curvatures, internal and external pressures, and effective
tension

KEYOPT(8)

Shear stress output:

0 --

Output a combined state of the following two types (default)

1 --

Output only torsion-related shear stresses

2 --

Output only flexure-related transverse-shear stresses

KEYOPT(9)

Output control at integration points:

0 --

None (default)

1 --

Maximum and minimum stresses/strains

2 --

Same as KEYOPT(9) = 1 plus stresses and strains at each section node

KEYOPT(11)

Output control for values extrapolated to the element and section nodes:

0 --

None (default)

1 --

Maximum and minimum stresses/strains

2 --

Same as KEYOPT(11) = 1 plus stresses and strains along the exterior boundary of the cross-section

3 --

Same as KEYOPT(11) = 1 plus stresses and strains at all section nodes

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Element Library

KEYOPT(12)

Hydrodynamic output (not available in harmonic analyses that include ocean wave effects
(HROCEAN)):

0 --

None (default)

1 --

Additional hydrodynamic printout

KEYOPT(15)

Results file format:

0 --

Store averaged results at each section corner node (default).

1 --

Store non-averaged results at each section integration point. (The volume of data may be ex-
cessive.)

PIPE288 Output Data

The solution output associated with these elements is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements and reactions included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as described in Table 7.288.1: PIPE288 Element Output Defini-
tions (p. 1395)

For ways to view results, see the Basic Analysis Guide.

To view 3-D deformed shapes for PIPE288, issue OUTRES,MISC or OUTRES,ALL for static or transient
analyses. To view 3-D mode shapes for a modal or eigenvalue buckling analysis, expand the modes
with element results calculation active (via Elcalc = YES on MXPAND).

Linearized Stress
It is customary in pipe design to employ components of axial stress that contribute to axial loads and
bending in each direction separately; therefore, PIPE288 provides a linearized stress output as part of
its SMISC output record, as indicated in the following definitions:

SDIR is the stress component due to axial load.

SDIR = Fx/A, where Fx is the axial load (SMISC quantities 1 and 14) and A is the area of the cross-section.

SByT and SByB are bending stress components.

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 SByT = -Mz * R0 / I
SByB = Mz * R0 / I
SBzT = My * R0 / I
SBzB = -My * R0 / I

where My, Mz are bending moments in the beam coordinate system (SMISC quantities 2,15,3,16) as
shown in Figure 7.288.1: PIPE288 Geometry (p. 1384), R0 is the outside radius, and I is the moment of in-
ertia of the cross-section. The program uses the maximum and minimum cross-section dimensions.

Corresponding definitions for the component strains are:

EPELDIR = Ex
EPELByT = -Kz * R0
EPELByB = Kz * R0
EPELBzT = Ky * R0
EPELBzB = -Ky * R0

where Ex, Ky, and Kz are generalized strains and curvatures (SMISC quantities 7,8,9, 20,21 and 22).

The reported stresses are strictly valid only for elastic behavior of members. PIPE288 always employs
combined stresses in order to support nonlinear material behavior. When the elements are associated
with nonlinear materials, the component stresses can at best be regarded as linearized approximations
and should be interpreted with caution.

When using KEYOPT(9) with the cubic option (KEYOPT(3) = 3), the integration point at the middle of
the element is reported last in the integration-point printout.

PIPE288 Element Output Definitions

In the table below, the O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The
R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

For the stress and strain components, x refers to axial, y refers to hoop, and z refers to radial.

Table 7.288.1: PIPE288 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number Y Y
NODES Element connectivity Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
C.G.:X, Y, Z Element center of gravity Y 1
Area Area of cross-section 2 Y

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
S:x, y, z, xy, yz, Section point stresses 3 Y
xz
EPEL:x, y, z, xy, Elastic strains 3 Y
yz, xz
EPTO:x,y,z xy, yz, Section point total mechanical strains (EPEL + 3 Y
xz EPPL + EPCR)
EPTT:x,y,z xy, yz, Section point total strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR 3 Y
xz + EPTH)
EPPL:x, y, z, xy, Section point plastic strains 3 Y
yz, xz
EPCR:x, y, z, xy, Section point creep strains 3 Y
yz, xz
EPTH:x, y, z, xy, Section point thermal strains 3 Y
yz, xz
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress - 4
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not - 4
yielding)
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure - 4
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain - 4
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain - 4
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume - 4
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - 4
PLASTIC, CREEP
TQ Torsional moment Y Y
TE Torsional strain Y Y
SFy, SFz Section shear forces 2 Y
SEy, SEz Section shear strains 2 Y
Ky, Kz Curvature Y Y
Ex Axial strain Y Y
Fx Axial force (excluding insulation) Y Y
My, Mz Bending moments Y Y
INT PRESS Internal pressure at integration point 5 5
EXT PRESS External pressure at integration point 5 5
EFFECTIVE TENS Effective tension at integration point 5 5
SDIR Axial direct stress - 2
SByT Bending stress on the element +Y side of the - 2
pipe
SByB Bending stress on the element -Y side of the - 2
pipe
SBzT Bending stress on the element +Z side of the - 2
pipe

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 Name Definition O R
SBzB Bending stress on the element -Z side of the - 2
pipe
EPELDIR Axial strain at the end - Y
EPELByT Bending strain on the element +Y side of the - Y
pipe
EPELByB Bending strain on the element -Y side of the - Y
pipe
EPELBzT Bending strain on the element +Z side of the - Y
pipe
EPELBzB Bending strain on the element -Z side of the - Y
pipe
TEMP Temperatures at all section corner nodes - Y
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 6
SVAR:1, 2, ... , N State variables - 7
The following values apply to ocean loading only and are averaged values
for the element: [8]
GLOBAL COORD Element centroid location 9 Y
VXY, VZ Horizontal and vertical fluid particle velocities 9, 10 Y
(VXY is always > 0)
AR, AZ Radial and vertical fluid particle accelerations 9 Y
PHDYN Dynamic fluid pressure head 9 Y
ETA Wave amplitude over center of element 9 Y
TFLUID Fluid temperature (printed if VISC is nonzero) 9 Y
VISC Viscosity (output if VISC is nonzero) 9 Y
REN, RET Normal and tangential Reynolds numbers (if 9 Y
VISC is nonzero)
CT Input tangential drag coefficients evaluated at 9 Y
Reynolds numbers
CDY, CDZ Input normal drag coefficients evaluated at 9 Y
Reynolds numbers
CMY, CMZ Input inertia coefficients evaluated at Reynolds 9 Y
numbers
URT, URN Tangential (parallel to element axis) and normal 9 Y
relative velocities
ABURN Vector sum of normal (URN) velocities 9 Y
ARN Relative accelerations normal to element 9 Y
FX, FY, FZ Hydrodynamic tangential and normal forces per 9 Y
unit length in element coordinates
ARGU Effective position of wave (radians) 9 Y

1. Available only at the centroid as a *GET item, or on the NMISC record for ocean
loading.

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2. See KEYOPT(7) description.

3. See KEYOPT(9) and KEYOPT(11) descriptions.

4. Available if the element has a nonlinear material, or if large-deflection effects are

enabled (NLGEOM,ON) for SEND.

5. Available only if ocean loading is present.

6. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is used.

7. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and TB,STATE are used.

8. Values are given as the average of the hydrodynamic integration points, which are
distributed along the wetted portion of the element.

9. Applies to ocean loading only.

10. Vector sum of wave and current velocities.

More output is described via the PRESOL and *GET,,SECR in POST1.

PIPE288 Item and Sequence Numbers

Table 7.288.2: PIPE288 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1398) lists output available for ETABLE and
ESOLusing the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table and The Item and Sequence
Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The table uses the following notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.288.1: PIPE288 Element Output Definitions (p. 1395)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

E,I,J

sequence number for data at nodes E, I and J

Table 7.288.2: PIPE288 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output Quantity ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Name Item E I J
Fx SMISC -- 1 14
My SMISC -- 2 15
Mz SMISC -- 3 16
TQ SMISC -- 4 17
SFz SMISC -- 5 18
SFy SMISC -- 6 19
Ex SMISC -- 7 20

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 Output Quantity ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Name Item E I J
Ky SMISC -- 8 21
Kz SMISC -- 9 22
TE SMISC -- 10 23
SEz SMISC -- 11 24
SEy SMISC -- 12 25
BM SMISC -- 27 29
BK SMISC -- 28 30
SDIR SMISC -- 31 36
SByT SMISC -- 32 37
SByB SMISC -- 33 38
SBzT SMISC -- 34 39
SBzB SMISC -- 35 40
EPELDIR SMISC -- 41 46
EPELByT SMISC -- 42 47
EPELByB SMISC -- 43 48
EPELBzT SMISC -- 44 49
EPELBzB SMISC -- 45 50
TEMP SMISC -- 51-53 54-56
INT PRESS [1] SMISC -- 61 65
EXT PRESS [1] SMISC -- 62 66
EFFECTIVE TENS [1] SMISC -- 63 67
S:x, y, z, xy, yz, xz LS -- CI[2], DI[3] CJ[2], DJI[3]
EPEL:x, y, z, xy, yz, xz LEPEL -- CI[2], DI[3] CJ[2], DJI[3]
EPTH:x, y, z, xy, yz, LEPTH -- CI[2], DI[3] CJ[2], DJI[3]
xz
EPPL:x, y, z, xy, yz, xz LEPPL -- CI[2], DI[3] CJ[2], DJI[3]
EPCR:x, y, z, xy, yz, LEPCR -- CI[2], DI[3] CJ[2], DJI[3]
xz
EPTO:x, y, z, xy, yz, LEPTO -- CI[2], DI[3] CJ[2], DJI[3]
xz
EPTT:x, y, z, xy, yz, xz LEPTT -- CI[2], DI[3] CJ[2], DJI[3]
NL: SEPL, SRAT, NLIN -- EI[4], FI[5] EJ[4], FJ[5]
HPRES, EPEQ, CREQ,
PLWK
Area NMISC -- 29 30
The following output quantities are valid for ocean loading only: [8]
GLOBAL COORD NMISC 1, 2, 3 -- --
VXY, VZ NMISC 4, 5 -- --

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Output Quantity ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Name Item E I J
AR, AZ NMISC 6, 7 [6] -- --
PHDYN NMISC 8 [6] -- --
ETA NMISC 9 [6] -- --
TFLUID NMISC 10 -- --
VISC NMISC 11 -- --
REN, RET NMISC 12, 13 [7] -- --
CT NMISC 14 -- --
CDY, CDZ NMISC 15, 16 -- --
CMY, CMZ NMISC 17, 18 [6] -- --
URT, URN NMISC 19, 20, 21 -- --
ABURN NMISC 22 [6] -- --
ARN NMISC 23, 24 [6] -- --
FX, FY, FZ NMISC 25, 26, 27 -- --
ARGU NMISC 28 [6] -- --

1. Internal pressure (INT PRESS), external pressure (EXT PRESS), and effective tension
(EFFECTIVE TENS) occur at integration points, and not at end nodes.

2. CI and CJ are the sequence numbers for accessing the averaged line element solution
quantities (LS, LEPEL, LEPTH, LEPPL, LEPCR, LEPTO, and LEPTT) at RST section nodes
(section corner nodes where results are available), at element Node I and J respect-
ively. CI and CJ are applicable only when KEYOPT(15) = 0. For a given section corner
node nn, CI and CJ are given as follows:

CI = (nn - 1) * 6 + COMP

CJ = (nnMax + nn - 1) * 6 + COMP

Where nnMax is the total number of RST section nodes, and COMP is the stress or
strain component (1 - x, 2 - y, 3 - z, 4 - xy, 5 - yz, 6 - xz). Locations of RST section
nodes can be visualized with SECPLOT,,6.

3. DI and DJ are the sequence numbers for accessing the non-averaged line element
solution quantities (LS, LEPEL, LEPTH, LEPPL, LEPCR, LEPTO, and LEPTT) at RST section
integration points (section integration points where results are available), at element
Node I and J respectively. DI and DJ are applicable only when KEYOPT(15) = 1. For
the ith integration point (i = 1, 2, 3, or 4) in section cell nc, DI and DJ are given as
follows:

DI = (nc - 1) * 24 + (i - 1) * 6 + COMP

DJ = (ncMax + nc - 1) * 24 + (i - 1) * 6 + COMP

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 Where ncMax is the total number of RST section cells, and COMP is the stress or
strain component (1 - x, 2 - x, 3 - z, 4 - xy, 5 - yz, 6 - xz). Locations of RST section cells
can be visualized with SECPLOT,,7.

4. EI and EJ are the sequence numbers for accessing the averaged line element nonlinear
solution quantities (NLIN) at RST section nodes (section corner nodes where results
are available), at element Node I and J, respectively. EI and EJ are applicable only
when KEYOPT(15) = 0. For a given section corner node nn, EI and EJ are given as
follows:

EI = (nn - 1) * 10 + COMP

EJ = (nnMax + nn - 1) * 10 + COMP

where nnMax is the total number of RST section nodes, and COMP is the nonlinear
element solution component (1 - SEPL, 2 - SRAT, 3 - HPRES, 4 -EPEQ, 5 - CREQ, 6 -
PLWK). Locations of RST section nodes can be visualized via SECPLOT,,6.

5. FI and FJ are the sequence numbers for accessing the nonaveraged line element
nonlinear solution quantities (NLIN) at RST section integration points (section integ-
ration points where results are available), at element Node I and J, respectively. FI
and FJ are applicable only when KEYOPT(15) = 1. For a given section integration
point nc, FI and FJ are given as follows:

FI = (nc - 1) * 10 + COMP

FJ = (ncMax + nc - 1) * 10 + COMP

where ncMax is the total number of RST section cells and COMP is the nonlinear
element solution component (1 - SEPL, 2 - SRAT, 3 - HPRES, 4 - EPEQ, 5 - CREQ, 6 -
PLWK). Locations of RST section cells can be visualized via SECPLOT,,7.

6. These quantities are output only if wave loading is used.

7. These quantities are output only if a Reynold's number dependency is used.

8. Values are given as the average of the hydrodynamic integration points, which are
distributed along the wetted portion of the element.

For more usage details, see Plot and Review the Section Results in the Structural Analysis Guide and
Example: Problem with Cantilever Beams in the Structural Analysis Guide.

Transverse-Shear Stress Output

The shear stresses are caused by torsional and transverse loads. PIPE288 is based on first-order shear-
deformation theory, also popularly known as Timoshenko beam theory. The transverse-shear strain is
constant for the cross-section; therefore, the shear energy is based on a transverse-shear force. This
shear force is redistributed by predetermined shear stress distribution coefficients across the pipe cross-
section, and made available for output purposes. Use KEYOPT(8) to activate output of shear stresses
caused by flexure or transverse loading.

By default, the program uses a mesh density (for cross-section modeling) that provides accurate results
for torsional rigidity, warping rigidity, inertia properties, and shear center determination. The default

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Element Library

mesh employed is also appropriate for nonlinear material calculations; however, more refined cross-
section models may be necessary if the shear stress distribution due to transverse loads must be captured
very accurately. Issue SECDATA to adjust cross-section mesh density.

The traction-free state at the edges of the cross-section is met only in a well-refined model of the cross-
section.

The transverse-shear distribution calculation ignores the effects of Poisson's ratio. The Poisson's ratio
affects the shear correction factor and shear stress distribution slightly, and this effect is ignored.

PIPE288 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The pipe cannot have zero length.

• Cross-section distortion or collapse is not considered.

• The element works best with the full Newton-Raphson solution scheme (the default option in
solution control).

• Only moderately "thick" pipes can be analyzed. See "PIPE288 Element Technology and Usage
Recommendations" (p. 1384) for more information.

• The element supports an elastic relationship between transverse-shear forces and transverse-
shear strains.

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Prestress

effects can be activated via PSTRES.

• Hydrodynamic output via KEYOPT(12) is not available in harmonic analyses that include ocean
wave effects (HROCEAN).

• For a random vibration (PSD) analysis, equivalent stress is not calculated.

• Temperature-dependent density of the internal fluid is evaluated at an average temperature of

the element. Temperature-dependent density of the insulation is evaluated at an average tem-
perature at each integration point along the length.

PIPE288 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth-and-death is not available.

• Initial state is not available.

• Ocean loading is not available.

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PIPE289
3-D 3-Node Pipe
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1421)

PIPE289 Element Description

The PIPE289 element is suitable for analyzing slender to moderately stubby pipe structures. The element
is based on Timoshenko beam theory. Shear-deformation effects are included.

PIPE289 is a quadratic three-node pipe element in 3-D. The element has six degrees of freedom at each
node (the translations in the x, y, and z directions and rotations about the x, y, and z directions). The
element is well-suited for linear, large rotation, and/or large strain nonlinear applications.

PIPE289 includes stress stiffness terms, by default, in any analysis with NLGEOM,ON. The provided stress-
stiffness terms enable the elements to analyze flexural, lateral, and torsional stability problems (using
eigenvalue buckling, or collapse studies with arc length methods or nonlinear stabilization).

Elasticity, hyperelasticity, plasticity, creep, and other nonlinear material models are supported. Internal
fluid and external insulation are supported. Added mass, hydrodynamic added mass and loading, and
buoyant loading are available.

For more detailed information about this element, see PIPE289 - 3-D 3-Node Pipe in the Theory Reference.

Figure 7.289.1: PIPE289 Geometry

z
7 4
L
I 5
6 y
Y
K

x
X

Z J

PIPE289 Element Technology and Usage Recommendations

PIPE289 is based on Timoshenko beam theory, a first-order shear-deformation theory. Transverse-shear
strain is constant through the cross-section; that is, cross-sections remain plane and undistorted after
deformation. (For cases where cross-section distortion must be considered, it is preferable to use EL-
BOW290 (p. 1421).)

The element can be used for slender or stout pipes. Due to the limitations of first-order shear-deformation
theory, only moderately "thick" pipes can be analyzed. The slenderness ratio of a pipe structure (GAL2
/ (EI) ) can be used to judge the applicability of the element, where:

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Element Library

Shear modulus

Area of the cross-section

Length of the member (not the element length)

EI

Flexural rigidity

For pipes, (GAL2 / EI) can be reduced to: 2L2 / ((1 + ν) (Ro2 + Ri2)), or for thin-walled pipes: L2 / ((1 + ν)
R2), where ν = Poisson's ratio, Ro = outer radius, Ri = inner radius, and R = average radius.

The following illustration provides an estimate of transverse-shear deformation in a cantilever pipe

subjected to a tip load. Although the results cannot be extrapolated to other applications, the example
serves generally. Ansys, Inc. recommends a slenderness ratio greater than 30.

Figure 7.289.2: Transverse-Shear-Deformation Estimation

L P

Slenderness Ratio δ Timoshenko / δ

(GAL2/(EI)) Euler-Bernoulli
25 1.120
50 1.060
100 1.030
1000 1.003

The element supports an elastic relationship between transverse-shear forces and transverse-shear
strains.

Unlike other cubic (Hermitian) polynomial-based elements, PIPE289 is based on quadratic polynomials;
therefore, offsets in specification of distributed pressure loads are not allowed. The element has linear
bending-moment variation. Refinement of the mesh is recommended in order to accommodate such
loading. The element is computationally efficient and has super-convergence properties with respect
to mesh refinement. For example, the quadratic beam with a two point Gaussian integration is known
to be of same accuracy as a Hermitian element.

PIPE289 supports both thin-pipe (KEYOPT(4) = 1) and thick-pipe (KEYOPT(4) = 2) options. The thin-pipe
option assumes a plane stress state in the pipe wall and ignore the stress in the wall thickness direction.
The thick-pipe option accounts for the full 3-D stress state and generally leads to more accurate results
in thick-walled pipes where through-the-thickness stress can be significant. The element allows change
in cross-sectional area in large-deflection analysis. While the thick-pipe option can accurately determine

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the cross-section area change from the actual material constitutive properties, the thin-pipe option
calculates the approximate area change based on a simple material incompressibility assumption. The
thin pipe option runs slightly faster than the thick pipe option. The thick pipe option should generally
be avoided for very thin-walled pipes (for example, Do/Tw > 200.0), and the thin pipe option should
generally be avoided for somewhat thick-walled pipes (for example, Do/Tw < 100.0). The thick pipe
option is required for a “solid” pipe section (Do/Tw = 2.0). For more information, see the SECDATA
command.

For the mass matrix and load vectors, a higher order integration rule than that used for stiffness matrix
is employed. The elements support both consistent and lumped mass matrices. Avoid using LUMPM,ON
as PIPE289 is a higher-order element. Consistent mass matrix is the default behavior. You can add mass
per unit length using the SECCONTROL command's ADDMAS values. See "PIPE289 Input Summary" (p. 1409).

When ocean loading is applied, the loading is nonlinear (that is, based on the square of the relative
velocity between the structure and the water). Accordingly, the full Newton-Raphson option (NROPT,FULL)
may be necessary to achieve optimal results. (Full Newton-Raphson is applied automatically in an ana-
lysis involving large-deflection effects [NLGEOM,ON].)

When KEYOPT(5) = 1, PIPE289 deforms in the XY plane only. It has three degrees of freedom at each
node (translations in the x and y directions, and rotation about the z direction).

PIPE289 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, coordinate system, and pressure directions for this element are shown
in Figure 7.289.1: PIPE289 Geometry (p. 1403). PIPE289 is defined by nodes I, J, and K in the global coordin-
ate system.

If ocean loading is present, the global origin is normally at the mean sea level, with the global Z axis
pointing away from the center of the earth; however, the vertical location can be adjusted via Zmsl
(Val6) on the OCDATA command (following the OCTYPE,BASIC command). Ocean loading is not
supported for PIPE289 in the XY plane (KEYOPT(5) = 1).

Because the section is round, the element orientation is important only for defining offsets and temper-
atures, and interpreting bending moment directions and stress locations.

Node L is the preferred method for defining the orientation of PIPE289 in 3-D space (KEYOPT(5) = 0).
For information about orientation nodes and beam meshing, see Generating a Beam Mesh With Orient-
ation Nodes in the Modeling and Meshing Guide. See the LMESH and LATT command descriptions for
details on generating the K node automatically.

You can define PIPE289 in 3-D space without the orientation node. The element x axis is oriented from
node I toward node J. When no orientation node is used, the default orientation of the element y axis
is automatically calculated to be parallel to the global X-Y plane. If the element is parallel to the global
Z axis (or within a 0.01 percent slope of it), the element y axis is oriented parallel to the global Y axis.
To control the element orientation about the element x axis, use the L (orientation) node option. If both
are defined, the orientation node option takes precedence.

The orientation node L, if used, defines a plane (with I and J) containing the element x and z-axes (as
shown). If this element is used in a large-deflection analysis, the location of the orientation node only
initially orients the element.

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The orientation of PIPE289 in the XY plane is determined by the location of nodes I and J. The element
x axis is oriented from node I (end 1) toward node J (end 2). The element y axis is along the negative
global Z axis. Orientation node K is not needed.

The pipe element is a one-dimensional line elements in space. The cross-section details are provided
separately (SECTYPE and SECDATA). A section is associated with the pipe elements by specifying the
section ID number (SECNUM). A section number is an independent element attribute.

The pipe element is a one-dimensional line elements in space. The cross-section details are provided
separately via the SECTYPE and SECDATA commands. A section is associated with the pipe elements
by specifying the section ID number (SECNUM). A section number is an independent element attribute.

Internal fluid and external insulation are supported. Added mass, hydrodynamic added mass, and hy-
drodynamic and buoyant loading, are available via the OCDATA and OCTABLE commands. See the
SECCONTROL command for defining added mass.

PIPE289 Cross-Sections
PIPE289 can be associated only with the pipe cross-section (SECTYPE,,PIPE). The material of the pipe
is defined as an element attribute (MAT).

PIPE289 is provided with section-relevant quantities (area of integration, position, etc.) automatically at
a number of section points using the SECDATA command. Each section is assumed to be an assembly
of a predetermined number of cells and is numerically integrated.

Figure 7.289.3: Typical Cross-Section Cell

Section Flexibility

To apply section flexibility factors, use the SFLEX command. The command is valid only for linear ma-
terial properties and small strain analyses, and does not support offsets, temperature loading, or initial
state loading. Stress output is based on the section forces, including axial force, bending moments,
torsional moment, transverse shear forces, and pressures; strain output is based on the nodal displace-
ments.

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PIPE289 Loads
Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Internal fluid and external insulation are sup-
ported. Added mass (including for ocean loading), hydrodynamic added mass, and hydrodynamic and
buoyant loading, are available (OCDATA and OCTABLE). Ocean loading is not supported for PIPE289
in the XY plane (KEYOPT(5) = 1).

Forces are applied at nodes I, J, and K. If the centroidal axis is not colinear with the element x axis because
of node-location offsets, applied axial forces will cause bending. The nodes should therefore be located
at the desired points where you want to apply the forces. Use the OFFSETY and OFFSETZ arguments
of the SECOFFSET command appropriately. By default, the program uses the centroid as the reference
axis for the pipe elements.

Pressure Input

Internal and external pressures are input on an average basis over the element. Lateral pressures are
input as force per unit length. End "pressures" are input as forces.

To input surface-load information on the element faces, issue the SFE command

On faces 1 and 2, internal and external pressures are input, respectively, on an average basis over the
element.

On face 3, the input (VAL1) is the global Z coordinate of the free surface of the internal fluid of the
pipe. Specify this value with ACEL,0,0,ACEL_Z, where ACEL_Z is a positive number. The free surface
coordinate is used for the internal mass and pressure effects. If VAL1 on the SFE command is zero, no
fluid inside of the pipe is considered. If the internal fluid free surface should be at Z = 0, use a very
small number instead. The pressure calculation presumes that the fluid density above an element to
the free surface is constant. For cases where the internal fluid consists of more than one type of fluid
(such as oil over water), the free surface coordinate of the elements in the fluids below the top fluid
need to be adjusted (lowered) to account for the less dense fluid(s) above them. VAL1 does not update
with large deflections (NLGEOM,ON); if changes are necessary, the SFE command can be reissued at
later load steps.

The internal fluid mass is assumed to be lumped along the centerline of the pipe, so as the centerline
of a horizontal pipe moves across the free surface, the mass changes in step-function fashion. The free
surface location is stepped, even if you specify ramped loading (KBC,0).

On face 4 and face 5, lateral pressures are input as force-per-unit-length.

On face 6 and face 7, end "pressures" are input as forces.

Faces 4 through 8 are shown by the circled numbers in Figure 7.289.1: PIPE289 Geometry (p. 1403).

Temperature Input

When KEYOPT(1) = 0, temperatures can be input as element body loads at the inner and outer surfaces
at both ends of the pipe element so that the temperature varies linearly through the wall thickness. If
only two temperatures are specified, those two temperatures are used at both ends of the pipe element
(that is, there is no gradient along the length). If only the first temperature is specified, all others default
to the first. The following graphic illustrates temperature input at a node when KEYOPT(1) = 0:

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Element Library

TIN

TOUT

When KEYOPT(1) = 1, temperatures can be input as element body loads at three locations at both nodes
of the pipe element so that the temperature varies linearly in the element y and z directions. At either
end of the element, temperatures can be input at these locations:

• At the element x axis (T(0,0))

• At the outer radius from the x axis in the element y direction (T(Ro,0)) (not supported for (KEY-
OPT(5) = 1)

• At the outer radius from the x axis in the element z direction (T(0,Ro))

The following graphic illustrates temperature input at a node when KEYOPT(1) = 1:

z
Tz

Ty
y

TAVG

Element locations (T(Y,Z)) are given according to the convention used in Figure 7.289.1: PIPE289 Geo-
metry (p. 1403).

For pipe elements, element body load commands (BFE) accept an element number and a list of values,
1 through 6 for temperatures TI(0,0), TI(1,0), TI(0,1), TJ(0,0), TJ(1,0), and TJ(0,1). This input can be used to
specify temperature gradients that vary linearly both over the cross section and along the length of the
element. Values of TI(1,0) and TJ(1,0) are ignored for PIPE289 in the XY plane (KEYOPT(5) = 1).

The following defaults apply to element temperature input:

• If all temperatures after the first are unspecified, they default to the first. This pattern applies a
uniform temperature over the entire element. (The first coordinate temperature, if unspecified,
defaults to TUNIF.)

• If all three temperatures at node I are input, and all temperatures at node J are unspecified, the
node J temperatures default to the corresponding node I temperatures. This pattern applies a
temperature gradient that varies linearly over the cross section but remains constant along the
length of the element.

• For any other input pattern, unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF.

Alternatively, temperatures at nodes I and J can be defined using nodal body loads (BF,NODE,TEMP,VAL1).
This specifies a uniform temperature over the cross section at the specified node. (BF command input
is not accepted at node K.)

Other Input

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The effects of pressure load stiffness are automatically included for this element. If an unsymmetric
matrix is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, issue an NROPT,UNSYM command.

The end-cap pressure effect is included by default. The end-cap effect can be deactivated via KEYOPT(6).
When subjected to internal and external pressures, PIPE289 with end caps (KEYOPT(6) = 0) is always in
equilibrium; that is, no net forces are produced. Because the element curvature is not considered for
the end-cap orientations, the element is also in equilibrium without end caps (KEYOPT(6) = 1), even
when the element is curved.

PIPE289 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, and L (an optional but recommended orientation node) if KEYOPT(5) = 0

I, J, and K if KEYOPT(5) = 1

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ if KEYOPT(5) = 0

UX, UY, ROTZ if KEYOPT(5) = 1

Section Information

Accessed via SECTYPE,,PIPE and SECDATA commands.

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, EY, EZ, PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ (or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ), ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX,
CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ), DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD, BETD, DMPR, DMPS

Surface Loads

Pressure --

face 1- Internal pressure

face 2 - External pressure
face 3 - Z coordinate of free surface of fluid on inside of pipe (not applicable if KEYOPT(5)
= 1)
face 4 (I-J) (-z normal direction)
face 5 (I-J) (-y normal direction) (not applicable if KEYOPT(5) = 1)
face 6 (I-J) (+x tangential direction)
face 7 (I) (+x axial direction)
face 8 (J) (-x axial direction)
---
I and J denote end nodes.
Use a negative value for loading in the opposite direction.

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Input pressure values for faces 1, 2, and 3 via the SFE command. Input pressure values for
faces 4 through 8 via the SFBEAM command
Distributed pressure offsets are not available for faces 4, 5, and 6.

Body Loads

Temperatures --

TOUT(I), TIN(I), TOUT(J), TIN(J) if KEYOPT(1) = 0.

TAVG(I), Ty(I), Tz(I), TAVG(J), Ty(J), Tz(J) if KEYOPT(1) = 1.

Special Features

Birth and death

Coriolis effect
Element technology autoselect (p. 104)
Initial state
Large deflection
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear stabilization
Ocean loading
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(1)

Temperature input

0 --

Through wall gradient

1 --

Diametral gradient

KEYOPT(4)

Hoop strain treatment

1 --

Thin pipe theory

2 --

Thick pipe theory

KEYOPT(5)

Deformation occurs in 3-D space or XY plane:

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 0 --

3-D space (default)

1 --

XY plane

KEYOPT(6)

End cap loads

0 --

Internal and external pressures cause loads on end caps

1 --

Internal and external pressures do not cause loads on end caps

KEYOPT(7), KEYOPT(9), KEYOPT(11), and KEYOPT(12)

Active only when OUTPR,ESOL is active:

KEYOPT(7)

Output control for section forces/moments and strains/curvatures:

0 --

Output section forces/moments, strains/curvatures, internal and external pressures, and effective
tension(default)

1 --

Same as KEYOPT(7) = 0 plus current section area

2 --

Same as KEYOPT(7) = 1 plus element basis directions (X,Y,Z)

3 --

Output section forces/moments, strains/curvatures, internal and external pressures, and effective
tension

KEYOPT(8)

Shear stress output:

0 --

Output a combined state of the following two types (default)

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1 --

Output only torsion-related shear stresses

2 --

Output only flexure-related transverse-shear stresses

KEYOPT(9)

Output control at integration points:

0 --

None (default)

1 --

Maximum and minimum stresses/strains

2 --

Same as KEYOPT(9) = 1 plus stresses and strains at each section node

KEYOPT(11)

Output control for values extrapolated to the element and section nodes:

0 --

None (default)

1 --

Maximum and minimum stresses/strains

2 --

Same as KEYOPT(11) = 1 plus stresses and strains along the exterior boundary of the cross-section

3 --

Same as KEYOPT(11) = 1 plus stresses and strains at all section nodes

KEYOPT(12)

Hydrodynamic output (not available in harmonic analyses that include ocean wave effects
(HROCEAN)):

0 --

None (default)

1 --

Additional hydrodynamic printout

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KEYOPT(15)

Results file format:

0 --

Store averaged results at each section corner node (default).

1 --

Store non-averaged results at each section integration point. (The volume of data may be ex-
cessive.)

PIPE289 Output Data

The solution output associated with these elements is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements and reactions included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as described in Table 7.289.1: PIPE289 Element Output Defini-
tions (p. 1414)

For ways to view results, see the Basic Analysis Guide.

To view 3-D deformed shapes for PIPE289, issue an OUTRES,MISC or OUTRES,ALL command for static
or transient analyses. To view 3-D mode shapes for a modal or eigenvalue buckling analysis, expand
the modes with element results calculation active (via the MXPAND command's Elcalc = YES option).

Linearized Stress
It is customary in pipe design to employ components of axial stress that contribute to axial loads and
bending in each direction separately; therefore, PIPE289 provides a linearized stress output as part of
its SMISC output record, as indicated in the following definitions:

SDIR is the stress component due to axial load.

SDIR = Fx/A, where Fx is the axial load (SMISC quantities 1 and 14) and A is the area of the cross-section.

SByT and SByB are bending stress components.

SByT = -Mz * R0 / I
SByB = Mz * R0 / I
SBzT = My * R0 / I
SBzB = -My * R0 / I

where My, Mz are bending moments (SMISC quantities 2,15,3,16), R0 is the outside radius, and I is the
moment of inertia of the cross-section. The program uses the maximum and minimum cross-section
dimensions.

Corresponding definitions for the component strains are:

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Element Library

EPELDIR = Ex
EPELByT = -Kz * R0
EPELByB = Kz * R0
EPELBzT = Ky * R0
EPELBzB = -Ky * R0

where Ex, Ky, and Kz are generalized strains and curvatures (SMISC quantities 7,8,9, 20,21 and 22).

The reported stresses are strictly valid only for elastic behavior of members. PIPE289 always employs
combined stresses in order to support nonlinear material behavior. When the elements are associated
with nonlinear materials, the component stresses can at best be regarded as linearized approximations
and should be interpreted with caution.

When using KEYOPT(9) with the cubic option (KEYOPT(3) = 3), the integration point at the middle of
the element is reported last in the integration-point printout.

PIPE289 Element Output Definitions

In the table below, the O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The
R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

For the stress and strain components, x refers to axial, y refers to hoop, and z refers to radial.

Table 7.289.1: PIPE289 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number Y Y
NODES Element connectivity Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
C.G.:X, Y, Z Element center of gravity Y 1
Area Area of cross-section 2 Y
S:x, y, z, xy, yz, Section point stresses 3 Y
xz
EPEL:x, y, z, xy, Elastic strains 3 Y
yz, xz
EPTO:x, y, z, xy, Section point total mechanical strains (EPEL + 3 Y
yz, xz EPPL + EPCR)
EPTT:x, y, z, xy, Section point total strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR 3 Y
yz, xz + EPTH)
EPPL:x, y, z, xy, Section point plastic strains 3 Y
yz, xz

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 Name Definition O R
EPCR:x, y, z, xy, Section point creep strains 3 Y
yz, xz
EPTH:x, y, z, xy, Section point thermal strains 3 Y
yz, xz
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress - 4
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not - 4
yielding)
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure - 4
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain - 4
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain - 4
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume - 4
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - 4
PLASTIC, CREEP
TQ Torsional moment Y Y
TE Torsional strain Y Y
SFy, SFz Section shear forces 2 Y
SEy, SEz Section shear strains 2 Y
Ky, Kz Curvature Y Y
Ex Axial strain Y Y
Fx Axial force (excluding insulation) Y Y
My, Mz Bending moments Y Y
INT PRESS Internal pressure at integration point 5 5
EXT PRESS External pressure at integration point 5 5
EFFECTIVE TENS Effective tension at integration point 5 5
SDIR Axial direct stress - Y
SByT Bending stress on the element +Y side of the - Y
pipe
SByB Bending stress on the element -Y side of the - Y
pipe
SBzT Bending stress on the element +Z side of the - Y
pipe
SBzB Bending stress on the element -Z side of the - Y
pipe
EPELDIR Axial strain at the end - Y
EPELByT Bending strain on the element +Y side of the - Y
pipe
EPELByB Bending strain on the element -Y side of the - Y
pipe
EPELBzT Bending strain on the element +Z side of the - Y
pipe

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
EPELBzB Bending strain on the element -Z side of the - Y
pipe
TEMP Temperatures at all section corner nodes - Y
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 6
SVAR:1, 2, ... , N State variables - 7
The following values apply to ocean loading only: [8]
GLOBAL COORD Element centroid location 9 Y
VXY, VZ Horizontal and vertical fluid particle velocities 9, 10 Y
(VXY is always > 0)
AR, AZ Radial and vertical fluid particle accelerations 9 Y
PHDYN Dynamic fluid pressure head 9 Y
ETA Wave amplitude over center of element 9 Y
TFLUID Fluid temperature (printed if VISC is nonzero) 9 Y
VISC Viscosity (output if VISC is nonzero) 9 Y
REN, RET Normal and tangential Reynolds numbers (if 9 Y
VISC is nonzero)
CT Input tangential drag coefficients evaluated at 9 Y
Reynolds numbers
CDY, CDZ Input normal drag coefficients evaluated at 9 Y
Reynolds numbers
CMY, CMZ Input inertia coefficients evaluated at Reynolds 9 Y
numbers
URT, URN Tangential (parallel to element axis) and normal 9 Y
relative velocities
ABURN Vector sum of normal (URN) velocities 9 Y
ARN Accelerations normal to element 9 Y
FX, FY, FZ Hydrodynamic tangential and normal forces per 9 Y
unit length in element coordinates
ARGU Effective position of wave (radians) 9 Y

1. Available only at the centroid as a *GET item, or on the NMISC record for ocean
loading.

2. See KEYOPT(7) description.

3. See KEYOPT(9) and KEYOPT(11) descriptions.

4. Available if the element has a nonlinear material, or if large-deflection effects are

enabled (NLGEOM,ON) for SEND.

5. Available only if ocean loading is present.

6. Available only if OUTRES,LOCI is used.

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 7. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and the TB,STATE command are used.

8. Values are given as the average of the hydrodynamic integration points, which are
distributed along the wetted portion of the element.

9. Applies to ocean loading only.

10. Vector sum of wave and current velocities.

More output is described via the PRESOL and *GET,,SECR commands in POST1.

PIPE289 Item and Sequence Numbers

Table 7.289.2: PIPE289 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1417) lists output available for the ETABLE and
ESOL commands using the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table and The Item
and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The table uses the following
notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.289.1: PIPE289 Element Output Definitions (p. 1414).

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

E,I,J

sequence number for data at nodes I and J

Table 7.289.2: PIPE289 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output Quantity ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Name Item E I J
Fx SMISC -- 1 14
My SMISC -- 2 15
Mz SMISC -- 3 16
TQ SMISC -- 4 17
SFz SMISC -- 5 18
SFy SMISC -- 6 19
Ex SMISC -- 7 20
Ky SMISC -- 8 21
Kz SMISC -- 9 22
TE SMISC -- 10 23
SEz SMISC -- 11 24
SEy SMISC -- 12 25
BM SMISC -- 27 29
BK SMISC -- 28 30

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Element Library

Output Quantity ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Name Item E I J
SDIR SMISC -- 31 36
SByT SMISC -- 32 37
SByB SMISC -- 33 38
SBzT SMISC -- 34 39
SBzB SMISC -- 35 40
EPELDIR SMISC -- 41 46
EPELByT SMISC -- 42 47
EPELByB SMISC -- 43 48
EPELBzT SMISC -- 44 49
EPELBzB SMISC -- 45 50
TEMP SMISC -- 51-53 54-56
INT PRESS [1] SMISC -- 61 65
EXT PRESS [1] SMISC -- 62 66
EFFECTIVE TENS [1] SMISC -- 63 67
S:x, y, z, xy, yz, xz LS -- CI[2], DI[3] CJ[2], DJ[3]
EPEL:x, y, z, xy, yz, xz LEPEL -- CI[2], DI[3] CJ[2], DJ[3]
EPTH:x, y, z, xy, yz, LEPTH -- CI[2], DI[3] CJ[2], DJ[3]
xz
EPPL:x, y, z, xy, yz, xz LEPPL -- CI[2], DI[3] CJ[2], DJ[3]
EPCR:x, y, z, xy, yz, LEPCR -- CI[2], DI[3] CJ[2], DJ[3]
xz
EPTO:x, y, z, xy, yz, LEPTO -- CI[2], DI[3] CJ[2], DJ[3]
xz
EPTT:x, y, z, xy, yz, xz LEPTT -- CI[2], DI[3] CJ[2], DJ[3]
NL: SEPL, SRAT, NLIN -- EI[5], FI[7] EJ[5], FJ[7]
HPRES, EPEQ, CREQ,
PLWK
Area NMISC -- 29 30
The following output quantities are valid for ocean loading only and are averaged
values for the element: [8]
GLOBAL COORD NMISC 1, 2, 3 -- --
VXY, VZ NMISC 4, 5 -- --
AR, AZ NMISC 6, 7 [6] -- --
PHDYN NMISC 8 [6] -- --
ETA NMISC 9 [6] -- --
TFLUID NMISC 10 -- --
VISC NMISC 11 -- --
REN, RET NMISC 12, 13 [4] -- --

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Output Quantity ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Name Item E I J
CT NMISC 14 -- --
CDY, CDZ NMISC 15, 16 -- --
CMY, CMZ NMISC 17, 18 [6] -- --
URT, URN NMISC 19, 20, 21 -- --
ABURN NMISC 22 [6] -- --
ARN NMISC 23, 24 [6] -- --
FX, FY, FZ NMISC 25, 26, 27 -- --
ARGU NMISC 28 [6] -- --

1. Internal pressure (INT PRESS), external pressure (EXT PRESS), and effective tension
(EFFECTIVE TENS) occur at integration points, and not at end nodes.

2. CI and CJ are the sequence numbers for accessing the averaged line element solution
quantities (LS, LEPEL, LEPTH, LEPPL, LEPCR, LEPTO, and LEPTT) at RST section nodes
(section corner nodes where results are available), at element Node I and J respect-
ively. CI and CJ are applicable only when KEYOPT(15) = 0. For a given section corner
node nn, CI and CJ are given as follows:

CI = (nn - 1) * 6 + COMP

CJ = (nnMax + nn - 1) * 6 + COMP

Where nnMax is the total number of RST section nodes, and COMP is the stress or
strain component (1 - x, 2 - y, 3 - z, 4 - xy, 5 - yz, 6 - xz). Locations of RST section
nodes can be visualized with SECPLOT,,6.

3. DI and DJ are the sequence numbers for accessing the non-averaged line element
solution quantities (LS, LEPEL, LEPTH, LEPPL, LEPCR, LEPTO, and LEPTT) at RST section
integration points (section integration points where results are available), respectively
at element Node I and J. DI and DJ are applicable only when KEYOPT(15) = 1. For
the ith integration point (i = 1, 2, 3, or 4) in section cell nc, DI and DJ are given as
follows:

DI = (nc - 1) * 24 + (i - 1) * 6 + COMP

DJ = (ncMax + nc - 1) * 24 + (i - 1) * 6 + COMP

Where ncMax is the total number of RST section cells, and COMP is the stress or
strain component (1 - x, 2 - x, 3 - z, 4 - xy, 5 - yz, 6 - xz). Locations of RST section cells
can be visualized with SECPLOT,,7.

4. These quantities are output only if a Reynold's number dependency is used.

5. EI and EJ are the sequence numbers for accessing the averaged line element nonlinear
solution quantities (NLIN) at RST section nodes (section corner nodes where results
are available), at element Node I and J, respectively. EI and EJ are applicable only
when KEYOPT(15) = 0. For a given section corner node nn, EI and EJ are given as
follows:

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Element Library

EI = (nn - 1) * 10 + COMP

EJ = (nnMax + nn - 1) * 10 + COMP

where nnMax is the total number of RST section nodes, and COMP is the nonlinear
element solution component (1 - SEPL, 2 - SRAT, 3 - HPRES, 4 -EPEQ, 5 - CREQ, 6 -
PLWK). Locations of RST section nodes can be visualized via SECPLOT,,6.

6. These quantities are output only if wave loading is used.

7. FI and FJ are the sequence numbers for accessing the nonaveraged line element
nonlinear solution quantities (NLIN) at RST section integration points (section integ-
ration points where results are available), at element Node I and J, respectively. FI
and FJ are applicable only when KEYOPT(15) = 1. For a given section integration
point nc, FI and FJ are given as follows:

FI = (nc - 1) * 10 + COMP

FJ = (ncMax + nc - 1) * 10 + COMP

where ncMax is the total number of RST section cells and COMP is the nonlinear
element solution component (1 - SEPL, 2 - SRAT, 3 - HPRES, 4 - EPEQ, 5 - CREQ, 6 -
PLWK). Locations of RST section cells can be visualized via SECPLOT,,7.

8. Values are given as the average of the hydrodynamic integration points, which are
distributed along the wetted portion of the element.

For more usage details, see Plot and Review the Section Results in the Structural Analysis Guide and
Example: Problem with Cantilever Beams in the Structural Analysis Guide.

Transverse-Shear Stress Output

The shear stresses are caused by torsional and transverse loads. PIPE289 is based on first-order shear-
deformation theory, also popularly known as Timoshenko beam theory. The transverse-shear strain is
constant for the cross-section; therefore, the shear energy is based on a transverse-shear force. This
shear force is redistributed by predetermined shear stress distribution coefficients across the pipe cross-
section, and made available for output purposes. Use KEYOPT(8) to output shear stresses caused by
flexure or transverse loading.

By default, the program uses a mesh density (for cross-section modeling) that provides accurate results
for torsional rigidity, warping rigidity, inertia properties, and shear center determination. The default
mesh employed is also appropriate for nonlinear material calculations; however, more refined cross-
section models may be necessary if the shear stress distribution due to transverse loads must be captured
very accurately. Use the SECDATA command to adjust cross-section mesh density.

The traction-free state at the edges of the cross-section is met only in a well-refined model of the cross-
section.

The transverse-shear distribution calculation ignores the effects of Poisson's ratio. The Poisson's ratio
affects the shear-correction factor and shear-stress distribution slightly, and this effect is ignored.

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PIPE289 Assumptions and Restrictions
• The pipe cannot have zero length.

• Cross-section distortion or collapse is not considered; therefore, section ovalization associated

with a curved pipe undergoing bending cannot be modeled. Curved pipes are best modeled
using ELBOW290 (p. 1421).

• The element works best with the full Newton-Raphson solution scheme (that is, the default
choice in solution control).

• Only moderately "thick" pipes can be analyzed. See "PIPE289 Element Technology and Usage
Recommendations" (p. 1403) for more information.

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Prestress

effects can be activated via the PSTRES command.

• Hydrodynamic output via KEYOPT(12) is not available in harmonic analyses that include ocean
wave effects (HROCEAN).

• For a random vibration (PSD) analysis, equivalent stress is not calculated.

• Temperature-dependent density of the internal fluid is evaluated at an average temperature of

the element. Temperature-dependent density of the insulation is evaluated at an average tem-
perature at each integration point along the length.

PIPE289 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

• Initial state is not available.

• Ocean loading is not available.

ELBOW290
3-D 3-Node Elbow
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1453)

ELBOW290 Element Description

The ELBOW290 element is suitable for analyzing tubular structures with thin to moderately thick walls
(where the radius-to-wall thickness ratio r/t > 5). The element accounts for cross-section distortion,
which can be commonly observed in curved pipe structures under loading.

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Element Library

ELBOW290 is a quadratic (three-node) pipe element in 3-D. The element has six degrees of freedom at
each node (the translations in the x, y, and z directions and rotations about the x, y, and z directions).
The element is well-suited for linear, large rotation, and/or large strain nonlinear applications. Change
in pipe thickness is accounted for in geometrically nonlinear analyses. The element accounts for follower
(load stiffness) effects of distributed pressures.

The element can be used in layered applications for modeling laminated composite pipes. The accuracy
in modeling composite pipes is governed by the first-order shear-deformation theory (generally referred
to as Mindlin-Reissner shell theory).

The element supports both consistent and lumped mass matrices. Use LUMPM,ON to activate a lumped
mass matrix. A consistent mass matrix is used by default.

The element supports the pipe cross-section defined via SECTYPE, SECDATA, and SECOFFSET commands.

ELBOW290 is available in two forms:

• Structural Elbow -- See "ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Description" (p. 1422).

• Generalized Structural Tube -- "ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Description" (p. 1437)

For more detailed information about this element, see ELBOW290 - 3-D 3-Node Elbow in the Mechanical
APDL Theory Reference.

ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Description

The ELBOW290 Structural Elbow is suitable for modeling pipe bends (elbows) or straight pipes that may
undergo large deformation. The pipes being modeled must have round cross-sections. Pipe wall thickness
and outside diameter cannot vary within each element

Figure 7.290.1: ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Geometry

K
I J

A general description of the element coordinate system is available in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Fol-
lowing is information about specific coordinate systems as they apply to ELBOW290 Structural Elbow.

Beam Coordinate Systems

The beam coordinate systems (x-y-z) are used for defining beam offsets and diametral temperature
gradients.

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No orientation node (default) Using orientation node L

The x axis is always the axial direction pointing from node I to node J. The optional orientation node
L, if used, defines a plane containing the x and z axes at node K. If this element is used in a large-deflec-
tion analysis, the location of the orientation node L is used only to initially orient the element.

When no orientation node is used, z is perpendicular to the curvature plane, uniquely determined by
the I, J, and K nodes. If I, J, and K are co-linear, the y axis is automatically calculated to be parallel to
the global X-Y plane. In cases where the element is parallel to the global Z axis (or within a 0.01 percent
slope of the axis), the element y axis is oriented parallel to the global Y axis.

For information about orientation nodes and beam meshing, see Generating a Beam Mesh With Orient-
ation Nodes in the Modeling and Meshing Guide. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the same
document for information about midside nodes. For details about generating the optional orientation
node L automatically, see the LMESH and LATT command descriptions.

Local Cylindrical Coordinate Systems

The cylindrical coordinate systems (A-R-T) are used for defining internal section motions (that is, axial-
A, radial-R, and hoop-T displacements and rotations).

The cylindrical systems are always created from the default beam coordinate systems (beam system
without orientation node L), with A being the same as beam axis x, and an angle α (0 < α < 360 degrees)
from R to the beam axis y.

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Element Library

Element and Layer Coordinate Systems

The element coordinate systems (e1-e2-e3) are defined at the mid-surfaces of the pipe wall. The e1, e2,
and e3 axes are parallel respectively to cylindrical axes A, T, and R in the undeformed configuration.
Each element coordinate system is updated independently to account for large material rotation during
a geometrically nonlinear analysis. Support is not available for user-defined element coordinate systems.
L3
e2
e3
e2

L1
L2
e1 e1

e3
e2 Z
e1
I Y
K J X

The layer coordinate systems (L1-L2-L3) are identical to the element coordinate system if no layer ori-
entation angles are specified; otherwise, the layer coordinate system can be generated by rotating the
corresponding element coordinate system about the shell normal (axis e3). Material properties are
defined in the layer systems; therefore, the layer system is also called the material coordinate system.

ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Input Data

The geometry and node locations for ELBOW290 Structural Elbow are shown in Figure 7.290.1: ELBOW290
Structural Elbow Geometry (p. 1422). The element is defined by nodes I, J, and K in the global coordinate
system.

When using ELBOW290 Structural Elbow, the subtended angle should not exceed 45 degrees.

ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Cross Sections

The element is a one-dimensional line element in space. The cross-section details are provided separately
(via the SECDATA command). A section is associated with the element by specifying the section ID
number (SECNUM). A section number is an independent element attribute.

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ELBOW290 Structural Elbow can only be associated with the pipe cross section (SECTYPE,,PIPE). For
elements with homogeneous materials, the material of the pipe is defined as an element attribute
(MAT).

The layup of a composite pipe can be defined with a shell section (SECTYPE). Shell section commands
provide the input options for specifying the thickness, material, orientation and number of integration
points through the thickness of the layers. The program obtains the actual layer thicknesses used for
ELBOW290 Structural Elbow element calculations (by scaling the input layer thickness) so that they are
consistent with the total wall thickness given by the pipe section. A single-layer shell section definition
is possible, allowing flexibility with regard to the number of integration points used and other options.

For shell section input, you can designate the number of integration points (1, 3, 5, 7, or 9) located
through the thickness of each layer. When only one integration point is specified, the point is always
located midway between the top and bottom surfaces. If three or more points are specified, one point
is located on the top surface, one point is located on the bottom surface, and the remaining points are
distributed at equal distances between the top and bottom points. The default number of integration
points for each layer is 3. When a single layer is defined and plasticity is present, however, the number
of integration points is changed to a minimum of five during solution.

In "Element and Layer Coordinate Systems" (p. 1424), the layer coordinate system can be obtained by
rotating the corresponding element coordinate system about the shell normal (axis e3) by angle θ (in
degrees). The value of θ for each layer is given by the SECDATA command input for the shell section.

For details about associating a shell section with a pipe section, see the SECDATA command document-
ation.

Cross-Section Deformation
The level of accuracy in elbow cross-sectional deformation is given by the number of Fourier terms
around the circumference of the cross section. The accuracy can be adjusted via KEYOPT(2) = n, where
n is an integer value from 0 through 8, as follows:

KEYOPT(2) = 0 -- Only uniform radial expansion and transverse shears through the pipe wall are al-
lowed. Suitable for simulating straight pipes without undergoing bending.
KEYOPT(2) = 1 -- Radial expansion and transverse shears are allowed to vary along the circumference
to account for bending. Suitable for straight pipes in small-deformation analysis.
KEYOPT(2) = 2 through 8 -- Allow general section deformation, including radial expansion, ovalization,
and warping. Suitable for curved pipes or straight pipes in large-deformation analysis. The default
is KEYOPT(2) = 2. Higher values for KEYOPT(2) may be necessary for pipes with thinner walls, as they
are more susceptible to complex cross-section deformation than are pipes with thicker walls.

Element computation becomes more intensive as the value of KEYOPT(2) increases. Use a KEYOPT(2)
value that offers an optimal balance between accuracy and computational cost.

Cross-Section Constraints
The constraints on the elbow cross-section can be applied at the element nodes I, J, and K with the
following section degrees of freedom labels:

SE – section radial motion (as occurs during expansion or ovalization, for example)
SO – section tangential motion (as occurs during ovalization, for example)

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Element Library

SW – section axial motion (as occurs during warping, for example)

SRA – local shell normal rotation about cylindrical axis A
SRT – local shell normal rotation about cylindrical axis T
SECT – all section deformation
x x z x
z z

y y y
z

Tangential
Radial Expansion
Component of Warping (SW)
(SE)
Ovalization (SO)
x z x z

y y

Local Rotation Local Rotation

(SRA) (SRT)

Only fixed cross-section constraints are allowed via the D command. Delete section constraints via the
DDELE command. For example, to constrain the warping and ovalization of the cross-section at node
n, issue this command:

D,n,SW,,,,,SO

To allow only the radial expansion of the cross-section, use the following commands:

D,n,SECT
DDELE,n,SE

It is not practical to maintain the continuity of cross-section deformation between two adjacent elements
joined at a sharp angle. For such cases, Ansys, Inc. recommends coupling the nodal displacements and
rotations but leaving the cross-section deformation uncoupled. The ELBOW command can automate
the process by uncoupling the cross-section deformation for any adjacent elements with cross-sections
intersecting at an angle greater than 20 degrees.

ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Transverse Shear Stiffness

ELBOW290 Structural Elbow includes the effects of transverse shear deformation through the pipe wall.
The transverse shear stiffness of the element is a 2 x 2 matrix, as shown:

For a single-layer elbow with isotropic material, default transverse shear stiffnesses are as follows:

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where k = 5/6, G = shear modulus, and h = pipe wall thickness.

You can override the default transverse shear stiffness values by assigning different values via the
SECCONTROL command for the shell section.

ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Loads

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Forces are applied at the nodes. By default,
ELBOW290 Structural Elbowelement nodes are located at the center of the cross-section. Use the
SECOFFSET command's OFFSETY and OFFSETZ arguments for the pipe section to define locations
other than the centroid for force application.

Pressure Input
Internal and external pressures are input on an average basis over the element. Lateral pressures are
input as force per unit length. End "pressures" are input as forces.

To input surface-load information on the element faces, issue the SFE command

On faces 1 and 2, internal and external pressures are input, respectively, on an average basis over the
element.

On face 3, the input (VAL1) is the global Z coordinate of the free surface of the internal fluid of the
pipe. Specify this value with ACEL,0,0,ACEL_Z, where ACEL_Z is a positive number. The free surface
coordinate is used for the internal mass and pressure effects. If VAL1 on the SFE command is zero, no
fluid inside of the pipe is considered. If the internal fluid free surface should be at Z = 0, use a very
small number instead. The pressure calculation presumes that the fluid density above an element to
the free surface is constant. For cases where the internal fluid consists of more than one type of fluid
(such as oil over water), the free surface coordinate of the elements in the fluids below the top fluid
need to be adjusted (lowered) to account for the less dense fluid(s) above them.

The internal fluid mass is assumed to be lumped along the centerline of the pipe, so as the centerline
of a horizontal pipe moves across the free surface, the mass changes in step-function fashion. The free
surface location is stepped, even if you specify ramped loading (KBC,0).

Pressures may be input as surface loads on the element faces as shown by the circled numbers in the
following illustration. Positive pressures act into the pipe wall.

The end-cap pressure effect is included by default. The end-cap effect on one or both ends of the element
can be deactivated via KEYOPT(6). When subjected to internal and external pressures, ELBOW290
Structural Elbow with end caps (KEYOPT(6) = 0) is always in equilibrium; that is, no net forces are pro-
duced. Without end caps (KEYOPT(6) = 1), the element is also in equilibrium except for the case when

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Element Library

the element is curved. With end caps only at one end (KEYOPT(6) = 2 or 3), the element is obviously
not in equilibrium.

Pressure Load Stiffness

The effects of pressure load stiffness are included by default for this element. If an unsymmetric matrix
is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, issue an NROPT,UNSYM command.

Temperatures
When KEYOPT(1) = 0, a layer-wise pattern is used. T1 and T2 are temperatures at inner wall, T3 and T4
and the interface temperatures between layer 1 and layer 2, ending with temperatures at the exterior
of the pipe. All undefined temperatures are default to TUNIF. If exactly (NL + 1) temperatures are given
(where NL is the number of layers), then one temperature is taken as the uniform temperature at the
bottom of each layer, with the last temperature for the exterior of the pipe.

T1 T3 T2 T4

Layer 1 Layer 1
Layer2 Layer2
Node I Node J

When KEYOPT(1) = 1, temperatures can be input as element body loads at three locations at both end
nodes of the element so that the temperature varies linearly in the beam y axis and z axis directions.
At both ends, the element temperatures are input at the section centroid (TAVG), at the outer radius
from the centroid in the element y direction (Ty), and at the outer radius from the centroid in the element
z direction (Tz). The first coordinate temperature TAVG defaults to TUNIF. If all temperatures after the
first are unspecified, they default to the first. If all temperatures at node I are input, and all temperatures
at node J are unspecified, the node J temperatures default to the corresponding node I temperatures.
For any other input pattern, unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF. The following graphic illustrates
temperature input when KEYOPT(1) = 1:
z z
Tz(I) Tz(J)

Ty(I) Ty(J)
y y

TAVG(I) TAVG(J)

Node I Node J

ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, and L (the optional orientation node)

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

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Section Information

Accessed via SECTYPE,,PIPE and SECDATA commands.

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, EY, EZ, (PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ, or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ), ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX,
CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ), DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD
Specify BETD, DMPR, and DMPS only once for the element. (Issue the MAT command to assign
the material property set.) REFT may be specified once for the element, or it may be assigned
on a per-layer basis.

Surface Loads

Pressure --

face 1- Internal pressure

face 2 - External pressure
face 3 - Z coordinate of free surface of fluid on inside of pipe

Body Loads

Temperatures --

For KEYOPT(1) = 0 -- T1, T2 (at bottom of layer 1), T3, T4 (between layers 1-2); similarly for
between next layers, ending with temperatures at top of layer NL (2 * (NL + 1) maximum).
For KEYOPT(1) = 1 -- TAVG(I), Ty(I), Tz(I), TAVG(J), Ty(J), Tz(J)

Special Features

Birth and death

Large deflection
Large strain
Linear perturbation
Nonlinear stabilization
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(1)

Temperature input:

0 --

Layerwise input

1 --

Diametral gradient

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KEYOPT(2)

Number of Fourier terms (used for cross-sectional flexibility):

0 --

Uniform radial expansion

1 --

Nonuniform radial expansion to account for bending

2 through 8 --

General section deformation (default = 2)

KEYOPT(6)

End cap loads:

0 --

Internal and external pressures cause loads on end caps

1 --

Internal and external pressures do not cause loads on end caps

2 --

Internal and external pressures cause loads on element node I

3 --

Internal and external pressures cause loads on element node J

KEYOPT(8)

Specify layer data storage:

0 --

For multi-layer elements, store data for bottom of bottom layer and top of top layer. For single-
layer elements, store data for TOP and BOTTOM. (Default)

1 --

Store data for TOP and BOTTOM, for all layers (multilayer elements)

2 --

Store data for TOP, BOTTOM, and MID for all layers; applies to single-layer and multilayer elements.
(The volume of data may be considerable.)

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KEYOPT(10)

Thickness normal stress (Sz) output option:

0 --

Sz not modified (default, Sz = 0)

1 --

Recover and output Sz from applied pressure load

ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Output Data

The solution output associated with these elements is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements and reactions included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as described in Table 7.290.1: ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Output
Definitions (p. 1433)

Integration Stations
Integration stations along the length and within the cross-section of the elbow are shown in Fig-
ure 7.290.2: ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Element Integration Stations (p. 1431).

Figure 7.290.2: ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Element Integration Stations

x
Integration points x
along the length x
La
(g = ±0.5773503)
x ye
x La r2
ye
r1
x
xx
xx
36
0°
x /nc
x J
K (g = 1) Within the cross-section
I
Along the length (nc = number of circumferential
(g = -1) divisions, given by pipe section
input)

Element solution is available at all integration points through element printout (OUTPR). Solution via
the POST1 postprocessor is available at element nodes and selected section integration locations (see
KEYOPT(8) settings for more details).

Stress Output
Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.290.3: ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Stress Output (p. 1432):

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Figure 7.290.3: ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Stress Output

KEYOPT(8) controls the amount of data output to the results file for processing with the LAYER command.
Interlaminar shear stress is available at the layer interfaces. KEYOPT(8) must be set to either 1 or 2 to
output these stresses in the POST1 postprocessor. A general description of solution output is given in
Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to review results.

KEYOPT(10) = 1 outputs normal stress component Sz, where z is shell normal direction. The element
uses a plane-stress formulation that always leads to zero thickness normal stress. With KEYOPT(10) = 1,
Sz is independently recovered during the element solution output from the applied pressure load.

The element shell stress resultants (N11, M11, Q13, etc.) are parallel to the element coordinate system
(e1-e2-e3), as are the shell membrane strains and curvatures (ε11, κ11, γ13, etc.) of the element. Shell
stress resultants and generalized shell strains are available via the SMISC option at the element end
nodes I and J only.

ELBOW290 Structural Elbow also outputs beam-related stress resultants (Fx, My, TQ, etc) and linearized
stresses (SDIR, SByT, SByB, etc) at two element end nodes I and J to SMISC records. Beam stress resultants
and linearized stresses are parallel to the beam coordinate system (x-y-z).

Linearized Stress
It is customary in pipe design to employ components of axial stress that contribute to axial loads and
bending in each direction separately. Therefore, ELBOW290 Structural Elbow provides a linearized stress
output as part of its SMISC output record, as indicated in the following definitions:

SDIR is the stress component due to axial load.

SDIR = Fx/A, where Fx is the axial load (SMISC quantities 1 and 36) and A is the area of the cross section
(SMISC quantities 7 and 42).

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SByT and SByB are bending stress components.

SByT = -Mz * ymax / Izz

SByB = -Mz * ymin / Izz
SBzT = My * zmax / Iyy
SBzB = My * zmin / Iyy

where My, Mz are bending moments (SMISC quantities 2,37,3,38). Coordinates ymax, ymin, zmax, and zmin
are the maximum and minimum y, z coordinates in the cross section measured from the centroid. Values
Iyy and Izz are moments of inertia of the cross section.

The reported stresses are strictly valid only for elastic behavior of members. ELBOW290 Structural Elbow
always employs combined stresses in order to support nonlinear material behavior. When the elements
are associated with nonlinear materials, the component stresses can at best be regarded as linearized
approximations and should be interpreted with caution.

ELBOW290 does not provide extensive element printout. Because the POST1 postprocessor provides
more comprehensive output processing tools, Ansys, Inc. suggests issuing the OUTRES command to
ensure that the required results are stored in the database. To view 3-D deformed shapes for ELBOW290,
issue an OUTRES,MISC or OUTRES,ALL command for static or transient analyses. To view 3-D mode
shapes for a modal or eigenvalue buckling analysis, expand the modes with element results calculation
active via the MXPAND command's Elcalc = YES option.

ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Output Definitions

In the table below, the O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The
R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

For the stress and strain components, x-y-z constitutes the element solution coordinate system, where
x refers to axial, y refers to hoop, and z refers to radial. Unlike other line elements, ELBOW290 allows
for transformation of stresses and strains to other coordinate systems in postprocessing (RSYS). By default,
the element stresses and strains are displayed or listed in the Global Cartesian coordinate system.

Table 7.290.1: ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number Y Y
NODES Element connectivity - Y
MAT Material number - Y
THICK Average wall thickness - Y
AREA Area of cross-section - Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported - 1
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 2

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Name Definition O R
TEMP T1, T2 at bottom of layer 1, T3, T4 between - Y
layers 1-2, similarly for between next layers,
ending with temperatures at top of layer NL (2
* (NL + 1) maximum)
LOC TOP, MID, BOT, or integration point location - 3
S:x, y, z, xy, yz, Stresses 5 3
xz
S:INT Stress intensity - 3
S:EQV Equivalent stress - 3
EPEL:x, y, z, xy Elastic strains 5 3
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strains [4] - 3
EPTH:x, y, z, xy Thermal strains 5 3
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strains [4] - 3
EPPL:x, y, z, xy Average plastic strains 5 6
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strains [4] - 6
EPCR:x, y, z, xy Average creep strains 5 6
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strains [4] - 6
EPTO:x, y, z, xy Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) 5 -
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL - -
+ EPCR)
NL:SEPL Plastic yield stress - 6
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not - 6
yielding)
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure - 6
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain - 6
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain - 6
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume - 6
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - 6
PLASTIC, CREEP
Fx Section axial force - Y
My, Mz Section bending moments - Y
TQ Section torsional moment - Y
SFy, SFz Section shear forces - Y
INT PRESS Internal pressure at integration point Y Y
EXT PRESS External pressure at integration point Y Y
EFFECTIVE TENS Effective tension at integration point Y Y
MAX HOOP Maximum hoop stress at integration point Y Y
STRESS
SDIR Axial direct stress - Y

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 Name Definition O R
SByT Bending stress on the element +y side of the - Y
pipe
SByB Bending stress on the element -y side of the - Y
pipe
SBzT Bending stress on the element +z side of the - Y
pipe
SBzB Bending stress on the element -z side of the - Y
pipe
N11, N22, N12 Wall in-plane forces (per unit length) - Y
M11, M22, M12 Wall out-of-plane moments (per unit length) - Y
Q13, Q23 Wall transverse shear forces (per unit length) - Y
ε11, ε22, ε12 Wall membrane strains - Y
κ11, κ22, κ12 Wall curvatures - Y
γ13, γ23 Wall transverse shear strains - Y
SVAR:1, 2, ... , N State variables - 7
OVAL Ovalization (Dmax - Dmin) / D (where D = - Y
diameter)

1. Available only at the centroid as a *GET item.

2. Available via an OUTRES,LOCI command only.

3. The subsequent stress solution repeats for top, middle, and bottom surfaces.

4. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio. For elastic and thermal, you set the value
(MP,PRXY). For plastic and creep, the program sets the value at 0.5.

5. Stresses, total strains, plastic strains, elastic strains, creep strains, and thermal strains in the element
coordinate system are available for output (at all section points through thickness). If layers are in
use, the results are in the layer coordinate system.

6. Nonlinear solution output for top, middle, and bottom surfaces, if the element has a nonlinear ma-
terial, or if large-deflection effects are enabled (NLGEOM,ON) for SEND.

7. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and TB,STATE command are used.

More output is described via the PRESOL and *GET,,SECR commands in POST1.

ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Item and Sequence Numbers

Table 7.290.2: ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1436) lists output available
for the ETABLE and ESOL commands using the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element
Table in the Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for
more information. The table uses the following notation:

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Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.290.1: ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Output Defini-
tions (p. 1433)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

I,J

sequence number for data at nodes I and J

Table 7.290.2: ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Item and Sequence Numbers

Output Quantity ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Name Item I J
Fx SMISC 1 36
My SMISC 2 37
Mz SMISC 3 38
TQ SMISC 4 39
SFz SMISC 5 40
SFy SMISC 6 41
SDIR SMISC 8 43
SByT SMISC 9 44
SByB SMISC 10 45
SBzT SMISC 11 46
SBzB SMISC 12 47
N11 SMISC 14 49
N22 SMISC 15 50
N12 SMISC 16 51
M11 SMISC 17 52
M22 SMISC 18 53
M12 SMISC 19 54
Q13 SMISC 20 55
Q23 SMISC 21 56
ε11 SMISC 22 57
ε22 SMISC 23 58
ε12 SMISC 24 59
κ11 SMISC 25 60
κ22 SMISC 26 61
κ12 SMISC 27 62
γ13 SMISC 28 63

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 Output Quantity ETABLE and ESOL Command Input
Name Item I J
γ23 SMISC 29 64
INT PRESS SMISC 71 75
EXT PRESS SMISC 72 76
EFFECTIVE TENS SMISC 73 77
MAX HOOP STRESS SMISC 74 78
AREA NMISC 1 6
THICK NMISC 2 7
OVAL NMISC 3 8

ELBOW290 Structural Elbow Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element cannot have zero length.

• Cross-sections must be round initially.

• Wall thickness and outside diameter must be uniform within the element.

• Zero wall thickness is not allowed. (Zero thickness layers are allowed.)

• In a nonlinear analysis, the solution is terminated if the thickness at any integration point vanishes
(within a small numerical tolerance).

• This element works best with the full Newton-Raphson solution scheme (the default behavior
in solution control).

• No slippage is assumed between the element layers. Shear deflections are included in the element;
however, normals to the center wall surface before deformation are assumed to remain straight
after deformation.

• If multiple load steps are used, the number of layers must remain unchanged between load
steps.

• If the layer material is hyperelastic, the layer orientation angle has no effect.

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Apply

prestress effects via a PSTRES command.

• The through-thickness stress SZ is always zero.

• The effects of fluid motion inside the pipe are ignored.

ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Description

The ELBOW290 Generalized Tube is suitable for modeling thin to moderately thick-walled tubular
structures with arbitrary cross sections. The wall can be either homogenous or a layered composite.
The cross-sectional geometry, including the wall thickness, can vary along the element length. Wall
thickness must be uniform within the cross section, however.

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Figure 7.290.4: ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Geometry

A general description of the element coordinate system is available in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Fol-
lowing is information about specific coordinate systems as they apply to ELBOW290 Generalized Tube
.

Beam Coordinate Systems

The beam coordinate systems (x-y-z) are used for orienting the generalized tube section. The beam
coordinate systems are used also for defining beam offsets (see SECOFFSET command) and diametral
temperature gradients.

No orientation node (default) Using orientation node L

The x axis is always the axial direction pointing from node I to node J. The optional orientation node
L, if used, defines a plane containing the x and z axes at node K. If this element is used in a large-deflec-
tion analysis, the location of the orientation node L is used only to initially orient the element.

When no orientation node is used, z is perpendicular to the curvature plane, uniquely determined by
the I, J, and K nodes. If I, J, and K are co-linear, the y axis is automatically calculated to be parallel to
the global X-Y plane. In cases where the element is parallel to the global Z axis (or within a 0.01 percent
slope of the axis), the element y axis is oriented parallel to the global Y axis.

For information about orientation nodes and beam meshing, see Generating a Beam Mesh With Orient-
ation Nodes in the Modeling and Meshing Guide. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the same
document for information about midside nodes. For details about generating the optional orientation
node L automatically, see the LMESH and LATT command descriptions.

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Local Cylindrical Coordinate Systems
The cylindrical coordinate systems (A-R-T) are used for defining internal section motions (that is, axial-
A, radial-R, and hoop-T displacements and rotations).

The cylindrical systems are always created from the default beam coordinate systems (beam system
without orientation node L), with A being the same as beam axis x, and an angle α (0 < α < 360 degrees)
from R to the beam axis y.

Element and Layer Coordinate Systems

The element coordinate systems (e1-e2-e3) are defined at the mid-surfaces of the pipe wall. The e1, e2,
and e3 axes are parallel respectively to cylindrical axes A, T, and R in the undeformed configuration.
Each element coordinate system is updated independently to account for large material rotation during
a geometrically nonlinear analysis. Support is not available for user-defined element coordinate systems.

The layer coordinate systems (L1-L2-L3) are identical to the element coordinate system if no layer ori-
entation angles are specified; otherwise, the layer coordinate system can be generated by rotating the
corresponding element coordinate system about the shell normal (axis e3). Material properties are
defined in the layer systems; therefore, the layer system is also called the material coordinate system.

ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Input Data

The geometry and node locations for ELBOW290 Generalized Tube are shown in Figure 7.290.1: ELBOW290
Structural Elbow Geometry (p. 1422). The element is defined by nodes I, J, and K in the global coordinate
system.

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When using ELBOW290 Generalized Tube, the subtended angle should not exceed 45 degrees.

ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Cross Sections

The element is a one-dimensional line element in space. The cross-section details are provided separately
(via the SECDATA command). A section is associated with the element by specifying the section ID
number (SECNUM). A section number is an independent element attribute.

ELBOW290 Generalized Tube can be associated with the pipe cross section (SECTYPE,,PIPE) or tapered
pipe cross section (SECTYPE,,TAPER). For details about creating generalized tube sections, see Defining
a Tapered Beam or Pipe and Defining a Noncircular Pipe in the Structural Analysis Guide.

The layup of a composite pipe can be defined with a shell section (SECTYPE). Shell section commands
provide the input options for specifying the thickness, material, orientation and number of integration
points through the thickness of the layers. The program obtains the actual layer thicknesses used for
ELBOW290 Generalized Tube element calculations (by scaling the input layer thickness) so that they
are consistent with the total wall thickness given by the pipe section. A single-layer shell section
definition is possible, allowing flexibility with regard to the number of integration points used and
other options.

For shell section input, you can designate the number of integration points (1, 3, 5, 7, or 9) located
through the thickness of each layer. When only one integration point is specified, the point is always
located midway between the top and bottom surfaces. If three or more points are specified, one point
is located on the top surface, one point is located on the bottom surface, and the remaining points are
distributed at equal distances between the top and bottom points. The default number of integration
points for each layer is 3. When a single layer is defined and plasticity is present, however, the number
of integration points is changed to a minimum of five during solution.

In "Element and Layer Coordinate Systems" (p. 1439), the layer coordinate system can be obtained by
rotating the corresponding element coordinate system about the shell normal (axis e3) by angle θ (in
degrees). The value of θ for each layer is given by the SECDATA command input for the shell section.

For details about associating a shell section with a pipe section, see the SECDATA command document-
ation.

For elements with homogeneous materials, the material of the pipe is defined as an element attribute
(MAT).

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Cross-Section Deformation
The level of accuracy in elbow cross-sectional deformation is given by the number of Fourier terms
around the circumference of the cross section. The accuracy can be adjusted via KEYOPT(2) = n, where
n is an integer value from 0 through 8, as follows:

KEYOPT(2) = 0 -- Only uniform radial expansion and transverse shears through the pipe wall are al-
lowed. Suitable for simulating straight pipes without undergoing bending.
KEYOPT(2) = 1 -- Radial expansion and transverse shears are allowed to vary along the circumference
to account for bending. Suitable for straight pipes in small-deformation analysis.
KEYOPT(2) = 2 through 8 -- Allow general section deformation, including radial expansion, ovalization,
and warping. Suitable for curved pipes or straight pipes in large-deformation analysis. The default
is KEYOPT(2) = 2. Higher values for KEYOPT(2) may be necessary for pipes with thinner walls, as they
are more susceptible to complex cross-section deformation than are pipes with thicker walls.

Element computation becomes more intensive as the value of KEYOPT(2) increases. Use a KEYOPT(2)
value that offers an optimal balance between accuracy and computational cost.

Cross-Section Constraints
The constraints on the elbow cross-section can be applied at the element nodes I, J, and K with the
following section degrees of freedom labels:

SE – section radial motion (as occurs during expansion or ovalization, for example)
SO – section tangential motion (as occurs during ovalization, for example)
SW – section axial motion (as occurs during warping, for example)
SRA – local shell normal rotation about cylindrical axis A
SRT – local shell normal rotation about cylindrical axis T
SECT – all section deformation
x x z x
z z

y y y
z

Tangential
Radial Expansion
Component of Warping (SW)
(SE)
Ovalization (SO)
x z x z

y y

Local Rotation Local Rotation

(SRA) (SRT)

Only fixed cross-section constraints are allowed via the D command. Delete section constraints via the
DDELE command. For example, to constrain the warping and ovalization of the cross-section at node
n, issue this command:

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D,n,SW,,,,,SO

To allow only the radial expansion of the cross-section, use the following commands:

D,n,SECT
DDELE,n,SE

It is not practical to maintain the continuity of cross-section deformation between two adjacent elements
joined at a sharp angle. For such cases, Ansys, Inc. recommends coupling the nodal displacements and
rotations but leaving the cross-section deformation uncoupled. The ELBOW command can automate
the process by uncoupling the cross-section deformation for any adjacent elements with cross-sections
intersecting at an angle greater than 20 degrees.

ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Transverse Shear Stiffness

ELBOW290 Generalized Tube includes the effects of transverse shear deformation through the pipe
wall. The transverse shear stiffness of the element is a 2 x 2 matrix, as shown:

For a single-layer elbow with isotropic material, default transverse shear stiffnesses are as follows:

where k = 5/6, G = shear modulus, and h = pipe wall thickness.

You can override the default transverse shear stiffness values by assigning different values via the
SECCONTROL command for the shell section.

ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Loads

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Forces are applied at the nodes. By default,
ELBOW290 Generalized Tube element nodes are located at the center of the cross-section. Use the
SECOFFSET command's OFFSETY and OFFSETZ arguments for the pipe section to define locations
other than the centroid for force application.

Pressure Input
Internal and external pressures are input on an average basis over the element. Lateral pressures are
input as force per unit length. End "pressures" are input as forces.

To input surface-load information on the element faces, issue the SFE command

On faces 1 and 2, internal and external pressures are input, respectively, on an average basis over the
element.

On face 3, the input (VAL1) is the global Z coordinate of the free surface of the internal fluid of the
pipe. Specify this value with ACEL,0,0,ACEL_Z, where ACEL_Z is a positive number. The free surface
coordinate is used for the internal mass and pressure effects. If VAL1 on the SFE command is zero, no

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fluid inside of the pipe is considered. If the internal fluid free surface should be at Z = 0, use a very
small number instead. The pressure calculation presumes that the fluid density above an element to
the free surface is constant. For cases where the internal fluid consists of more than one type of fluid
(such as oil over water), the free surface coordinate of the elements in the fluids below the top fluid
need to be adjusted (lowered) to account for the less dense fluid(s) above them.

The internal fluid mass is assumed to be lumped along the centerline of the pipe, so as the centerline
of a horizontal pipe moves across the free surface, the mass changes in step-function fashion. The free
surface location is stepped, even if you specify ramped loading (KBC,0).

Pressures may be input as surface loads on the element faces as shown by the circled numbers in the
following illustration. Positive pressures act into the pipe wall.

The end-cap pressure effect is included by default. The end-cap effect on one or both ends of the element
can be deactivated via KEYOPT(6). When subjected to internal and external pressures, ELBOW290 Gen-
eralized Tube with end caps (KEYOPT(6) = 0) is always in equilibrium; that is, no net forces are produced.
Without end caps (KEYOPT(6) = 1), the element is also in equilibrium except for the case when the
element is curved. With end caps only at one end (KEYOPT(6) = 2 or 3), the element is obviously not in
equilibrium.

Pressure Load Stiffness

The effects of pressure load stiffness are included by default for this element. If an unsymmetric matrix
is needed for pressure load stiffness effects, issue an NROPT,UNSYM command.

Temperatures
When KEYOPT(1) = 0, a layer-wise pattern is used. T1 and T2 are temperatures at inner wall, T3 and T4
and the interface temperatures between layer 1 and layer 2, ending with temperatures at the exterior
of the pipe. All undefined temperatures are default to TUNIF. If exactly (NL + 1) temperatures are given
(where NL is the number of layers), then one temperature is taken as the uniform temperature at the
bottom of each layer, with the last temperature for the exterior of the pipe.

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When KEYOPT(1) = 1, temperatures can be input as element body loads at three locations at both end
nodes of the element so that the temperature varies linearly in the beam y axis and z axis directions.
At both ends, the element temperatures are input at the section centroid (TAVG), at the outer radius
from the centroid in the element y direction (Ty), and at the outer radius from the centroid in the element
z direction (Tz). The first coordinate temperature TAVG defaults to TUNIF. If all temperatures after the
first are unspecified, they default to the first. If all temperatures at node I are input, and all temperatures
at node J are unspecified, the node J temperatures default to the corresponding node I temperatures.
For any other input pattern, unspecified temperatures default to TUNIF. The following graphic illustrates
temperature input when KEYOPT(1) = 1:

ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, and L (the optional orientation node)

Degrees of Freedom

UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

Section Information

Accessed via SECTYPE,,PIPE or SECTYPE,,TAPER, and SECDATA commands.

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: EX, EY, EZ, (PRXY, PRYZ, PRXZ, or NUXY, NUYZ, NUXZ), ALPX, ALPY, ALPZ (or CTEX,
CTEY, CTEZ or THSX, THSY, THSZ), DENS, GXY, GYZ, GXZ, ALPD
Specify BETD only once for the element. (Issue the MAT command to assign the material property
set.) REFT may be specified once for the element, or it may be assigned on a per-layer basis.

Surface Loads

Pressure --

face 1- Internal pressure

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 face 2 - External pressure
face 3 - Z coordinate of free surface of fluid on inside of pipe

Body Loads

Temperatures --

For KEYOPT(1) = 0 -- T1, T2 (at bottom of layer 1), T3, T4 (between layers 1-2); similarly for
between next layers, ending with temperatures at top of layer NL (2 * (NL + 1) maximum).
For KEYOPT(1) = 1 -- TAVG(I), Ty(I), Tz(I), TAVG(J), Ty(J), Tz(J)

Special Features

Birth and death

Large deflection
Large strain
Nonlinear stabilization
Stress stiffening

KEYOPT(1)

Temperature input:

0 --

Layerwise input

1 --

Diametral gradient

KEYOPT(2)

Number of Fourier terms (used for cross-sectional flexibility)

0 --

Uniform radial expansion

1 --

Nonuniform radial expansion to account for bending

2 through 8 --

General section deformation (default = 2)

KEYOPT(6)

End cap loads:

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Element Library

0 --

Internal and external pressures cause loads on end caps

1 --

Internal and external pressures do not cause loads on end caps

2 --

Internal and external pressures cause loads on element node I

3 --

Internal and external pressures cause loads on element node J

KEYOPT(8)

Specify layer data storage:

0 --

Store data for bottom of bottom layer and top of top layer (multilayer elements) (default)

1 --

Store data for TOP and BOTTOM, for all layers (multilayer elements)

2 --

Store data for TOP, BOTTOM, and MID for all layers; applies to single-layer and multilayer elements.
(The volume of data may be considerable.)

KEYOPT(10)

Thickness normal stress (Sz) output option:

0 --

Sz not modified (default Sz = 0)

1 --

Recover and output Sz from applied pressure load

ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Output Data

The solution output associated with these elements is in two forms:

• Nodal displacements and reactions included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as described in Table 7.290.3: ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Output
Definitions (p. 1449).

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Integration Stations
Integration stations along the length and within the cross-section of the elbow are shown in Fig-
ure 7.290.5: ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Element Integration Stations (p. 1447).

Figure 7.290.5: ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Element Integration Stations

x
Integration points x
along the length x
La
(g = ±0.5773503)
x ye
x La r2
ye
r1
x
xx
xx
36
0°
x /nc
x J
K (g = 1) Within the cross-section
I
Along the length (nc = number of circumferential
(g = -1) divisions, given by pipe section
input)

Element solution is available at all integration points through element printout (OUTPR). Solution via
the POST1 postprocessor is available at element nodes and selected section integration locations (see
KEYOPT(8) settings for more details).

Stress Output
Several items are illustrated in Figure 7.290.6: ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Stress Output (p. 1447):

Figure 7.290.6: ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Stress Output

KEYOPT(8) controls the amount of data output to the results file for processing with the LAYER command.
Interlaminar shear stress is available at the layer interfaces. KEYOPT(8) must be set to either 1 or 2 to
output these stresses in the POST1 postprocessor. A general description of solution output is given in
Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to review results.

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KEYOPT(10) = 1 outputs normal stress component Sz, where z is shell normal direction. The element
uses a plane-stress formulation that always leads to zero thickness normal stress. With KEYOPT(10) = 1,
Sz is independently recovered during the element solution output from the applied pressure load.

The element shell stress resultants (N11, M11, Q13, etc.) are parallel to the element coordinate system
(e1-e2-e3), as are the shell membrane strains and curvatures (ε11, κ11, γ13, etc.) of the element. Shell
stress resultants and generalized shell strains are available via the SMISC option at the element end
nodes I and J only.

ELBOW290 Generalized Tube also outputs beam-related stress resultants (Fx, My, TQ, etc) and linearized
stresses (SDIR, SByT, SByB, etc) at two element end nodes I and J to SMISC records. Beam stress resultants
and linearized stresses are parallel to the beam coordinate system (x-y-z).

Linearized Stress
It is customary in pipe design to employ components of axial stress that contribute to axial loads and
bending in each direction separately. Therefore, ELBOW290 Generalized Tube provides a linearized
stress output as part of its SMISC output record, as indicated in the following definitions:

SDIR is the stress component due to axial load.

SDIR = Fx/A, where Fx is the axial load (SMISC quantities 1 and 36) and A is the area of the cross section
(SMISC quantities 7 and 42).

SByT and SByB are bending stress components.

SByT = -Mz * ymax / Izz

SByB = -Mz * ymin / Izz
SBzT = My * zmax / Iyy
SBzB = My * zmin / Iyy

where My, Mz are bending moments (SMISC quantities 2,37,3,38). Coordinates ymax, ymin, zmax, and zmin
are the maximum and minimum y, z coordinates in the cross section measured from the centroid. Values
Iyy and Izz are moments of inertia of the cross section.

The reported stresses are strictly valid only for elastic behavior of members. ELBOW290 Generalized
Tube always employs combined stresses in order to support nonlinear material behavior. When the
elements are associated with nonlinear materials, the component stresses can at best be regarded as
linearized approximations and should be interpreted with caution.

ELBOW290 Generalized Tube does not provide extensive element printout. Because the POST1 postpro-
cessor provides more comprehensive output processing tools, Ansys, Inc. suggests issuing the OUTRES
command to ensure that the required results are stored in the database. To view 3-D deformed shapes
for ELBOW290 Generalized Tube, issue an OUTRES,MISC or OUTRES,ALL command for static or transient
analyses. To view 3-D mode shapes for a modal or eigenvalue buckling analysis, expand the modes
with element results calculation active via the MXPAND command's Elcalc = YES option.

ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Output Definitions

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

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• The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file Jobname.OUT. The R column
indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

• In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to
a table footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that
the item is not available.

Table 7.290.3: ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element number Y Y
NODES Element connectivity - Y
MAT Material number - Y
THICK Average wall thickness - Y
AREA Area of cross-section - Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported - 1
LOCI:X, Y, Z Integration point locations - 2
TEMP T1, T2 at bottom of layer 1, T3, T4 between - Y
layers 1-2, similarly for between next layers,
ending with temperatures at top of layer NL (2
* (NL + 1) maximum)
LOC TOP, MID, BOT, or integration point location - 3
S:X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, Stresses 5 3
XZ
S:INT Stress intensity - 3
S:EQV Equivalent stress - 3
EPEL:X, Y, Z, XY Elastic strains 5 3
EPEL:EQV Equivalent elastic strains [4] - 3
EPTH:X, Y, Z, XY Thermal strains 5 3
EPTH:EQV Equivalent thermal strains [4] - 3
EPPL:X, Y, Z, XY Average plastic strains 5 6
EPPL:EQV Equivalent plastic strains [4] - 6
EPCR:X, Y, Z, XY Average creep strains 5 6
EPCR:EQV Equivalent creep strains [4] - 6
EPTO:X, Y, Z, XY Total mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL + EPCR) 5 -
EPTO:EQV Total equivalent mechanical strains (EPEL + EPPL - -
+ EPCR)
NL:EPEQ Accumulated equivalent plastic strain - 6
NL:CREQ Accumulated equivalent creep strain - 6
NL:SRAT Plastic yielding (1 = actively yielding, 0 = not - 6
yielding)
NL:PLWK Plastic work/volume - 6
NL:HPRES Hydrostatic pressure - 6

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Element Library

Name Definition O R
SEND:ELASTIC, Strain energy densities - 6
PLASTIC, CREEP
Fx Section axial force - Y
My, Mz Section bending moments - Y
TQ Section torsional moment - Y
SFy, SFz Section shear forces - Y
INT PRESS Internal pressure at integration point Y Y
EXT PRESS External pressure at integration point Y Y
EFFECTIVE TENS Effective tension on pipe Y Y
MAX HOOP Maximum hoop stress at integration point Y Y
STRESS
SDIR Axial direct stress - Y
SByT Bending stress on the element +y side of the - Y
pipe
SByB Bending stress on the element -y side of the - Y
pipe
SBzT Bending stress on the element +z side of the - Y
pipe
SBzB Bending stress on the element -z side of the - Y
pipe
N11, N22, N12 Wall in-plane forces (per unit length) - Y
M11, M22, M12 Wall out-of-plane moments (per unit length) - Y
Q13, Q23 Wall transverse shear forces (per unit length) - Y
ε11, ε22, ε12 Wall membrane strains - Y
κ11, κ22, κ12 Wall curvatures - Y
γ13, γ23 Wall transverse shear strains - Y
SVAR:1, 2, ... , N State variables - 7

1. Available only at the centroid as a *GET item.

2. Available via an OUTRES,LOCI command only.

3. The subsequent stress solution repeats for top, middle, and bottom surfaces.

4. The equivalent strains use an effective Poisson's ratio. For elastic and thermal, you set the value
(MP,PRXY). For plastic and creep, the program sets the value at 0.5.

5. Stresses, total strains, plastic strains, elastic strains, creep strains, and thermal strains in the element
coordinate system are available for output (at all section points through thickness). If layers are in
use, the results are in the layer coordinate system.

6. Nonlinear solution output for top, middle, and bottom surfaces, if the element has a nonlinear ma-
terial, or if large-deflection effects are enabled (NLGEOM,ON) for SEND.

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7. Available only if the UserMat subroutine and TB,STATE command are used.

More output is described via the PRESOL and *GET,,SECR commands in POST1.

ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Item and Sequence Numbers

Table 7.290.4: ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1451) lists output available
for the ETABLE command using the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table in the
Basic Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this document for more in-
formation. The output tables use the following notation:

Name

output quantity as defined in Table 7.290.3: ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Output Defini-
tions (p. 1449)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE

I,J

sequence number for data at nodes I and J

Table 7.290.4: ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Item and Sequence Numbers

Output Quantity ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Name Item I J
Fx SMISC 1 36
My SMISC 2 37
Mz SMISC 3 38
TQ SMISC 4 39
SFz SMISC 5 40
SFy SMISC 6 41
SDIR SMISC 8 43
SByT SMISC 9 44
SByB SMISC 10 45
SBzT SMISC 11 46
SBzB SMISC 12 47
N11 SMISC 14 49
N22 SMISC 15 50
N12 SMISC 16 51
M11 SMISC 17 52
M22 SMISC 18 53
M12 SMISC 19 54
Q13 SMISC 20 55

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Output Quantity ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Name Item I J
Q23 SMISC 21 56
ε11 SMISC 22 57
ε22 SMISC 23 58
ε12 SMISC 24 59
κ11 SMISC 25 60
κ22 SMISC 26 61
κ12 SMISC 27 62
γ13 SMISC 28 63
γ23 SMISC 29 64
INT PRESS SMISC 71 75
EXT PRESS SMISC 72 76
EFFECTIVE TENS SMISC 73 77
MAX HOOP STRESS SMISC 74 78
AREA NMISC 1 6
THICK NMISC 2 7

ELBOW290 Generalized Tube Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element cannot have zero length.

• Wall thickness must be uniform within the cross section.

• Zero wall thickness is not allowed. (Zero thickness layers are allowed.)

• In a nonlinear analysis, the solution is terminated if the thickness at any integration point vanishes
(within a small numerical tolerance).

• This element works best with the full Newton-Raphson solution scheme (the default behavior
in solution control).

• No slippage is assumed between the element layers. Shear deflections are included in the element;
however, normals to the center wall surface before deformation are assumed to remain straight
after deformation.

• If multiple load steps are used, the number of layers must remain unchanged between load
steps.

• If the layer material is hyperelastic, the layer orientation angle has no effect.

• Stress stiffening is always included in geometrically nonlinear analyses (NLGEOM,ON). Apply

prestress effects via a PSTRES command.

• The through-thickness stress SZ is always zero.

• The effects of fluid motion inside the pipe are ignored.

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• If the element is used with viscoelastic or viscohyperelastic materials, the postprocessing (PLESOL,
PRESOL, etc.) SEND components for ELASTIC and VDAM are invalid.

ELBOW290 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

SOLID291
3-D 10-Node Tetrahedral Thermal Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1457)

SOLID291 Element Description

SOLID291 is well suited to model irregular meshes (such as produced from various CAD/CAM systems).
The element has one degree of freedom, temperature, at each node.

The element is applicable to a 3-D, steady-state or transient thermal analysis. See SOLID291 in the
Mechanical APDL Theory Reference for more details about this element. If the model containing this
element is also to be analyzed structurally, the element should be replaced by the equivalent structural
element (such as SOLID187 (p. 861)). A 20-node thermal solid element, SOLID279 (p. 1337), is also available.

Figure 7.291.1: SOLID291 Geometry

L

4
R
P
Q 3
Y 2
O K

X I N
M
Z
1
J

SOLID291 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.291.1: SOLID291 Geometry (p. 1453).

Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate
system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Specific heat and density are ignored
for steady-state solutions. Properties not input default as described in the Material Reference.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Convection or heat flux (but not both) and
radiation may be input as surface loads at the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Fig-

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Element Library

ure 7.291.1: SOLID291 Geometry (p. 1453). Heat generation rates may be input as element body loads at
the nodes. If the node I heat generation rate HG(I) is input, and all others are unspecified, they default
to HG(I). If all corner node heat generation rates are specified, each midside node heat generation rate
defaults to the average heat generation rate of its adjacent corner nodes.

A summary of the element input is given in "SOLID291 Input Summary" (p. 1454). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

SOLID291 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

Real Constants

None

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH

Surface Loads

Convection or Heat Flux (but not both) and Radiation (using Lab = RDSF) --

face 1 (J-I-K), face 2 (I-J-L), face 3 (J-K-L), face 4 (K-I-L)

Body Loads

Heat Generations --

HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), HG(N), HG(O), HG(P), HG(Q), HG(R)

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT(13)

Film coefficient matrix:

0 --

Program determines whether to use a diagonal or consistent film coefficient matrix (default).
For details on default behavior, see Assumptions and Restrictions (p. 1457).

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 1 --

Use a diagonal film coefficient matrix.

2 --

Use a consistent film coefficient matrix.

Note:

If THOPT,QUASI has been issued, the only valid choice for KEYOP(11) is 0.

KEYOPT(15)

Specific heat matrix:

0 --

Program determines whether to use a diagonal or consistent specific heat matrix (default). For
details on default behavior, see Assumptions and Restrictions (p. 1457).

1 --

Use a diagonal specific heat matrix.

2 --

Use a consistent specific heat matrix.

SOLID291 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.291.1: SOLID291 Element Output Definitions (p. 1456).

Convection heat flux is positive out of the element; applied heat flux is positive into the element. The
element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of
solution output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

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Element Library

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.291.1: SOLID291 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC, ZC Location where results are reported Y 2
HGEN Heat generations HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), Y -
HG(M), HG(N), HG(O), HG(P), HG(Q), HG(R)
TG:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector sum Y Y
at centroid
TF:X, Y, Z, SUM Thermal flux (heat flow rate/cross-sectional area) Y Y
components and vector sum at centroid
FACE Convection face label 1 -
NODES Convection face corner nodes 1 -
AREA Convection face area 1 1
HFILM Film coefficient 1 -
TAVG Average face temperature 1 1
TBULK Fluid bulk temperature 1 -
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 1 1
HEAT Heat flow rate per unit area across face by 1 -
RATE/AREA convection
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face - 1
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 1
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate per unit area across face caused - 1
by input heat flux
HFLUX Heat flux at each node of face 1 -

1. Output if a surface load is input

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.291.2: SOLID291 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1457) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See Creating an Element Table in the Basic Analysis
Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) in this reference for more information. The
following notation is used in Table 7.291.2: SOLID291 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1457):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.291.1: SOLID291 Element Output Definitions (p. 1456)

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Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

FCn

sequence number for solution items for element Face n

Table 7.291.2: SOLID291 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity FC1 FC2 FC3 FC4
Name Item
AREA NMISC 1 7 13 19
HFAVG NMISC 2 8 14 20
TAVG NMISC 3 9 15 21
TBAVG NMISC 4 10 16 22
HEAT RATE NMISC 5 11 17 23
HFLXAVG NMISC 6 12 18 24

SOLID291 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a zero volume.

• Elements may be numbered either as shown in Figure 7.291.1: SOLID291 Geometry (p. 1453) or may
have node L below the IJK plane.

• An edge with a removed midside node implies that the temperature varies linearly, rather than
parabolically, along that edge. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing
Guide for more information about the use of midside nodes.

• Plotting temperature in /POST1 is based on corner nodes only. To include midside nodes in the plot,
issue /EFACET,2 before PLNSOL,TEMP.

• The full Newton-Raphson solution option (THOPT,FULL) must be used if thermal properties are defined
via TB,THERM.

• If enthalpy is defined, density and specific heat will be ignored.

• The default for KEYOPT(13) is to use a consistent film coefficient matrix with midside nodes film
coefficient values set to zero.

• The default for KEYOPT(15) is to use a consistent specific heat matrix.

SOLID291 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

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• Birth and death is not available.

PLANE292
2-D 4-Node Thermal Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1465)

PLANE292 Element Description

PLANE292 can be used as a plane element or as an axisymmetric ring element with a 2-D thermal
conduction capability. The element has four nodes with a single degree of freedom, temperature, at
each node.

The element is applicable to a 2-D, steady-state or transient thermal analysis. The element can also ac-
count for heat transfer by a mass flow with a prescribed velocity field (see Mass Transport (Advection)
in the Theory Reference). If the model containing the temperature element is also to be analyzed struc-
turally, the element should be replaced by an equivalent structural element (such as PLANE182 (p. 692)).
For more details about this element, see PLANE292 - 2-D 4-Node Thermal Element in the Theory Reference.

A similar element with midside node capability is PLANE293 (p. 1465).

Figure 7.292.1: PLANE292 Geometry

L 3 K

K, L
4
2

Y I
(or axial) I J
1 J (Triangular Option)
X (or radial)

PLANE292 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.292.1: PLANE292 Geometry (p. 1458). The element is defined by four nodes and the orthotropic
material properties. Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions.
The element coordinate system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Specific heat
and density are ignored for steady-state solutions. Properties not input default as described in the Ma-
terial Reference.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Convection or heat flux (but not both) and
radiation may be input as surface loads at the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Fig-
ure 7.292.1: PLANE292 Geometry (p. 1458).

Heat generation rates may be input as element body loads at the nodes. If the node I heat generation
rate HG(I) is input, and all others are unspecified, they default to HG(I).

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This element can also have a Z-depth specified by KEYOPT(3) and real constant THK. Be careful when
using this option with other physics, especially radiation. Radiation view factors will be based on a unit
Z-depth (only).

A mass transport option is available with KEYOPT(8). With this option, you specify the velocity components
VX and VY by issuing BF,,VELO,VX,VY. There is no restriction on the element Peclet number (Pe) for this
element, and it offers the Streamline Upwind Petrov-Galerkin (SUPG) formulation and Discontinuity
Capturing (DC) terms that enable convergence for high Pe conditions (see Galerkin or Streamline Upwind
Petrov-Galerkin (SUPG) Formulation in the Thermal Analysis Guide). You can control the settings that
activate the SUPG formulation and include one of three DC terms to smooth spurious oscillations if
they arise in your solution by setting real constants with the R and RMORE commands as detailed in
the table below (p. 1459). With mass transport, temperatures should be specified along the entire inlet
boundary to assure a stable solution, and you should use specific heat (C) and density (DENS) material
properties instead of enthalpy (ENTH). For more detais, see Mass Transport (Advection) in the Theory
Reference and Mass Transport (Advection) in the Thermal Analysis Guide.

A summary of the element input is given in "PLANE292 Input Summary" (p. 1459). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

PLANE292 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

Real Constants

No. Name Default [b] Description

[a]

1 THK none Thickness (used only if KEYOPT(3) = 3)

Real Constants Used for Mass Transport (if KEYOPT (8) = 1 or 2) to Activate the Streamline Upwind
[c]
Petrov-Galerkin (SUPG) Formulation and One of Three Discontinuity Capturing (DC) Terms
2 SUPG 1.0 Acts as a multiplier on the stabilizing term of the SUPG formulation and enables
you to choose also a DC term to smooth oscillations.

To activate the Galerkin Formulation, use a small number(1.e-12), as an exact

zero value reverts back to 1.0 internally and enables SUPG formulation.
3 TGRAD- 1.0e-6 Thermal gradient threshold value, above which the DC term that you select will
MAG be applied. If the thermal gradient is less than the value you specify for TGRADMAG,
the DC term is not applied, and vice versa, if it is greater, the nonlinear stabilizing
DC term will be applied.
5 DC1 0.0 Any non-zero value (typically 1.0) selects the DC1 term to be added to your analysis
[d] and acts as a multiplier on this stabilizing term.
6 DC2 0.0 Any non-zero value (typically 1.0) selects the DC2 term to be added to your analysis
[d] and acts as a multiplier on this stabilizing term.

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7 DC3 0.0 Any non-zero value (typically 1.0) selects the DC3 term to be added to your analysis
[d] and acts as a multiplier on this stabilizing term.
[a] Refers to the real constant values defined by issuing the R and RMORE commands.
[b] If you do not specify any real constants, the mass transport solution will be based on the
SUPG formulation without any DC terms.
[c] The SUPG formulation and DC terms can be used to smooth oscillations that may arise in
conditions of high Pe. For details, see Galerkin or Streamline Upwind Petrov-Galerkin (SUPG)
Formulation in the Thermal Analysis Guide.
[d] Activating more than one DC term at a time will produce an error message.

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: KXX, KYY, KZZ, DENS, C, ENTH

Surface Loads

Convection or Heat Flux (but not both) and Radiation (using Lab = RDSF) --

face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (L-K), face 4 (I-L)

Body Loads

Heat Generations --

HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L)

Velocity for Mass Transport (KEYOPT(8) = 1 or 2) --

Specify the velocity components VX and VY by issuing BF,,VELO,VX,VY

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT(1)

How to evaluate film coefficient:

0 --

Evaluate film coefficient (if any) at average film temperature, (TS + TB)/2

1 --

Evaluate at element surface temperature, TS

2 --

Evaluate at fluid bulk temperature, TB

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 3 --

Evaluate at differential temperature, |TS - TB|

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

0 --

Plane

1 --

Axisymmetric

3 --

Plane with Z-depth, specified via real constant THK.

KEYOPT(4)

Element coordinate system:

0 --

Element coordinate system is parallel to the global coordinate system

1 --

Element coordinate system is based on the element I-J side.

KEYOPT(8)

Mass transport effects:

0 --

Do not include mass transport in the analysis.

1 --

Include mass transport with Diffusive Flux (Dflux) Neumann boundary condition. You may want
to choose the Dflux Neumann boudary condition if you are not interested in an energy balance
as it is easier to specify compared to the Tflux boundary condition (see Diffusive Flux and Total
Flux Neumann Boundary Conditions in the Theory Reference for details).

2 --

Include mass transport with Total Flux (Tflux) Neumann boundary condition. The Tflux Neumann
boundary condition will satisfy an energy balance with the PRRSOL command, but setting up

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Element Library

its Neumann boundary condition is slightly more complex than the Dflux option (see Diffusive
Flux and Total Flux Neumann Boundary Conditions in the Theory Reference for details).

Note:

Do not create models that have some elements with a value of 1 and others with a value
of 2 for KEYOPT(8). On the other hand, it is possible to have combinations of elements
with KEYOPT(8) = 0 and 2 as well as KEYOPT(8) = 0 and 1 in the same model.

KEYOPT(11)

Film coefficient matrix:

0 --

Program determines whether to use a diagonal or consistent film coefficient matrix (default).
For details on default behavior, see Assumptions and Restrictions (p. 1465).

1 --

Use a diagonal film coefficient matrix.

2 --

Use a consistent film coefficient matrix.

Note:

If THOPT,QUASI has been issued, the only valid choice for KEYOP(11) is 0.

KEYOPT(15)

Specific heat matrix:

0 --

Program determines whether to use a diagonal or consistent specific heat matrix (default). For
details on default behavior, see Assumptions and Restrictions (p. 1465).

1 --

Use a diagonal specific heat matrix.

2 --

Use a consistent specific heat matrix.

PLANE292 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

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• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.292.1: PLANE292 Element Output Definitions (p. 1463)

For an axisymmetric analysis the face area and the heat flow rate are on a full 360° basis. Convection
heat flux is positive out of the element; applied heat flux is positive into the element. The element
output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. A general description of solution output
is given in Solution Output (p. 49) and of postprocessing data in Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37).
See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.292.1: PLANE292 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 2
HGEN Heat generations HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L) Y -
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector sum at Y Y
centroid
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux (heat flow rate/cross-sectional area) Y Y
components and vector sum at centroid
FACE Face label 1 -
AREA Face area 1 1
NODES Face nodes 1 1
HFILM Film coefficient at each node of face 1 -
TBULK Bulk temperature at each node of face 1 -
TAVG Average face temperature 1 1
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 1 1
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face - 1
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 1
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate per unit area across face caused by input - 1
heat flux
HEAT Heat flow rate per unit area across face by convection 1 -
RATE/AREA
HFLUX Heat flux at each node of face 1 -

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Element Library

1. If a surface load is input

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.292.2: PLANE292 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1464) lists output available through the ETABLE
command using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic
Analysis Guide and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) of this reference for more information.
The following notation is used in Table 7.292.2: PLANE292 Item and Sequence Numbers (p. 1464):

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.292.1: PLANE292 Element Output Definitions (p. 1463)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

FCn

sequence number for solution items for element Face n

Table 7.292.2: PLANE292 Item and Sequence Numbers

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item FC1 FC2 FC3 FC4
Name
AREA NMISC 1 7 13 19
HFAVG NMISC 2 8 14 20
TAVG NMISC 3 9 15 21
TBAVG NMISC 4 10 16 22
HEAT RATE NMISC 5 11 17 23
HFLXAVG NMISC 6 12 18 24

PLANE292 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The element must not have a negative or a zero area.

• The element must lie in an X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.292.1: PLANE292 Geometry (p. 1458)
and the Y-axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses. An axisymmetric structure
should be modeled in the +X quadrants.

• A triangular element may be formed by defining duplicate K and L node numbers as described
in Degenerated Shape Elements (p. 37).

• Because the element is linear, the heat flux distribution is piecewise constant and, hence, the
accuracy is low if the mesh is too coarse. This becomes more pronounced for axisymmetric ele-
ments (KEYOPT(3) =1) in which radial variation of heat flux is expected. To obtain a more accurate
heat flux, increase the mesh density.

• If the thermal element is to be replaced by a PLANE182 (p. 692) structural element with surface
stresses requested, the thermal element should be oriented with face IJ or face KL as a free surface.

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 A free surface of the element (that is, not adjacent to another element and not subjected to a
boundary constraint) is assumed to be adiabatic.

• Thermal transients having a fine integration time step and a severe thermal gradient at the surface
will also require a fine mesh at the surface.

• If enthalpy is defined, density and specific heat will be ignored.

• The default for KEYOPT(11) is to use a diagonal film coefficient matrix.

• The default for KEYOPT(15) depends on whether or not mass transport is included in the analysis:

If mass transport is not included in the analysis (KEYOPT (8) = 0), the default is to use a
diagonal specific heat matrix.
If mass transport is included in the analysis (KEYOPT (8) = 1 or 2), the default is to use
a consistent specific heat matrix.

PLANE292 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

PLANE293
2-D 8-Node Thermal Solid
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1471)

PLANE293 Element Description

PLANE293 is a higher order version of the 2-D, 4-node thermal element (PLANE292 (p. 1458)). The element
has one degree of freedom, temperature, at each node. The 8-node elements have compatible temper-
ature shapes and are well suited to model curved boundaries.

The 8-node thermal element is applicable to a 2-D, steady-state or transient thermal analysis. See
PLANE293 - 2-D 8-Node Thermal Solid in the Theory Reference for more details about this element. If
the model containing this element is also to be analyzed structurally, the element should be replaced
by an equivalent structural element (such as PLANE183 (p. 701)).

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Element Library

Figure 7.293.1: PLANE293 Geometry

PLANE293 Input Data

The geometry, node locations, and the coordinate system for this element are shown in Fig-
ure 7.293.1: PLANE293 Geometry (p. 1466). The element is defined by eight nodes and orthotropic mater-
ial properties. A triangular-shaped element may be formed by defining the same node number for
nodes K, L and O. It is also possible to define a 6-noded triangle via KEYOPT(1) = 1.

Orthotropic material directions correspond to the element coordinate directions. The element coordinate
system orientation is as described in Coordinate Systems (p. 61). Specific heat and density are ignored
for steady-state solutions. Properties not input default as described in the Material Reference.

Element loads are described in Element Loading (p. 44). Convection or heat flux (but not both) and
radiation may be input as surface loads at the element faces as shown by the circled numbers on Fig-
ure 7.293.1: PLANE293 Geometry (p. 1466). Heat generation rates may be input as element body loads at
the nodes. If the node I heat generation rate HG(I) is input, and all others are unspecified, they default
to HG(I). If all corner node heat generation rates are specified, each midside node heat generation rate
defaults to the average heat generation rate of its adjacent corner nodes.

This element can also have a Z-depth specified by KEYOPT(3) and real constant THK. Be careful when
using this option with other physics, especially radiation. Radiation view factors will be based on a unit
Z-depth (only).

A summary of the element input is given in "PLANE293 Input Summary" (p. 1466). A general description
of element input is given in Element Input (p. 41).

PLANE293 Input Summary

Nodes

I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

Degrees of Freedom

TEMP

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Real Constants

THK = Thickness (used only if KEYOPT(3) = 3)

Material Properties

TB command: See Element Support for Material Models (p. 65) for this element.
MP command: KXX, KYY, DENS, C, ENTH

Surface Loads

Convection or Heat Flux (but not both) and Radiation (using Lab = RDSF) --

face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (L-K), face 4 (I-L) when KEYOPT(1) = 0 (8-noded quadrilateral and
triangle)

face 1 (J-I), face 2 (K-J), face 3 (I-K) when KEYOPT(1) = 1 (6-noded triangle)

Body Loads

Heat Generations --

HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), HG(N), HG(O), HG(P) when KEYOPT(1) = 0 (8-noded quadrilat-
eral and triangle)

HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), HG(N) when KEYOPT(1) = 1 (6-noded triangle)

Special Features

Birth and death

KEYOPT(1)

0 --

8-noded quadrilateral and triangle

1 --

6-noded triangle

KEYOPT(3)

Element behavior:

0 --

Plane

1 --

Axisymmetric

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Element Library

3 --

Plane with Z-depth, specified via real constant THK.

KEYOPT(11)

Film coefficient matrix:

0 --

Program determines whether to use a diagonal or consistent film coefficient matrix (default).
For details on default behavior, see Assumptions and Restrictions (p. 1471).

1 --

Use a diagonal film coefficient matrix.

2 --

Use a consistent film coefficient matrix.

Note:

If THOPT,QUASI has been issued, the only valid choice for KEYOP(11) is 0.

KEYOPT(15)

Specific heat matrix:

0 --

Program determines whether to use a diagonal or consistent specific heat matrix (default). For
details on default behavior, see Assumptions and Restrictions (p. 1471).

1 --

Use a diagonal specific heat matrix.

2 --

Use a consistent specific heat matrix.

PLANE293 Output Data

The solution output associated with the element is in two forms:

• Nodal temperatures included in the overall nodal solution

• Additional element output as shown in Table 7.293.1: PLANE293 Element Output Definitions (p. 1469)

The element output directions are parallel to the element coordinate system. For an axisymmetric
analysis the face area and the heat flow rate are on a full 360° basis. Convection heat flux is positive
out of the element; applied heat flux is positive into the element. A general description of solution
output is given in Solution Output (p. 49). See the Basic Analysis Guide for ways to view results.

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The Element Output Definitions table uses the following notation:

A colon (:) in the Name column indicates that the item can be accessed by the Component Name
method (ETABLE, ESOL). The O column indicates the availability of the items in the file jobname.out.
The R column indicates the availability of the items in the results file.

In either the O or R columns, “Y” indicates that the item is always available, a number refers to a table
footnote that describes when the item is conditionally available, and “-” indicates that the item is not
available.

Table 7.293.1: PLANE293 Element Output Definitions

Name Definition O R
EL Element Number Y Y
NODES Nodes - I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P or I, J, K, L, M, N Y Y
MAT Material number Y Y
VOLU: Volume Y Y
XC, YC Location where results are reported Y 2
HGEN Heat generations HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L), HG(M), Y -
HG(N), HG(O), HG(P) or HG(I), HG(J), HG(K), HG(L),
HG(M), HG(N)
TG:X, Y, SUM Thermal gradient components and vector sum at Y Y
centroid
TF:X, Y, SUM Thermal flux (heat flow rate/cross-sectional area) Y Y
components and vector sum at centroid
FACE Face label 1 -
NODES Face nodes 1 -
AREA Face area 1 1
HFILM Film coefficient 1 -
TAVG Average face temperature 1 1
TBULK Fluid bulk temperature 1 -
HEAT RATE Heat flow rate across face by convection 1 1
HEAT RATE/AREA Heat flow rate per unit area across face by 1 -
convection
HFAVG Average film coefficient of the face - 1
TBAVG Average face bulk temperature - 1
HFLXAVG Heat flow rate per unit area across face caused by - 1
input heat flux
HFLUX Heat flux at each node of face 1 -

1. Output only if a surface load is input

2. Available only at centroid as a *GET item.

Table 7.293.2: PLANE293 Item and Component Labels (KEYOPT(1) = 0) (p. 1470) and Table 7.293.3: PLANE293
Item and Component Labels (KEYOPT(1) = 1) (p. 1470) list output available through the ETABLE command

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Element Library

using the Sequence Number method. See The General Postprocessor (POST1) in the Basic Analysis Guide
and The Item and Sequence Number Table (p. 51) of this reference for more information. The following
notation is used in the tables below:

Name

output quantity as defined in the Table 7.293.1: PLANE293 Element Output Definitions (p. 1469)

Item

predetermined Item label for ETABLE command

FCn

sequence number for solution items for element Face n

Table 7.293.2: PLANE293 Item and Component Labels (KEYOPT(1) = 0)

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command Input

Quantity Item FC1 FC2 FC3 FC4
Name
AREA NMISC 1 7 13 19
HFAVG NMISC 2 8 14 20
TAVG NMISC 3 9 15 21
TBAVG NMISC 4 10 16 22
HEAT RATE NMISC 5 11 17 23
HFLXAVG NMISC 6 12 18 24

Table 7.293.3: PLANE293 Item and Component Labels (KEYOPT(1) = 1)

Output ETABLE and ESOL Command

Quantity Input
Name Item FC1 FC2 FC3
AREA NMISC 1 7 13
HFAVG NMISC 2 8 14
TAVG NMISC 3 9 15
TBAVG NMISC 4 10 16
HEAT RATE NMISC 5 11 17
HFLXAVG NMISC 6 12 18

PLANE293 Assumptions and Restrictions

• The area of the element must be positive.

• The 2-D element must lie in an X-Y plane as shown in Figure 7.293.1: PLANE293 Geometry (p. 1466)
and the Y-axis must be the axis of symmetry for axisymmetric analyses.

• An axisymmetric structure should be modeled in the +X quadrants.

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• A face with a removed midside node implies that the temperature varies linearly, rather than parabol-
ically, along that face. See Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) in the Modeling and Meshing Guide
for more information about the use of midside nodes.

• If the thermal element is to be replaced by a PLANE183 (p. 701) structural element with surface stresses
requested, the thermal element may be oriented such that face IJ and/or face KL is a free surface. A
free surface of the element (that is, not adjacent to another element and not subjected to a boundary
constraint) is assumed to be adiabatic.

• Thermal transients having a fine integration time step and a severe thermal gradient at the surface
will require a fine mesh at the surface.

• Plotting temperature in /POST1 is based on corner nodes only. To include midside nodes in the plot,
issue /EFACET,2 before PLNSOL,TEMP.

• If enthalpy is defined, density and specific heat will be ignored.

• The default for KEYOPT(11) is to use a diagonal film coefficient matrix.

• The default for KEYOPT(15) is to use a consistent specific heat matrix.

PLANE293 Product Restrictions

When used in the product(s) listed below, the stated product-specific restrictions apply to this element
in addition to the general assumptions and restrictions given in the previous section.

Ansys Mechanical Pro

• Birth and death is not available.

USER300
User-Defined Element
Valid Products: (p. 3) Pro | Premium | Enterprise | PrepPost | Solver | AS add-on
Product Restrictions (p. 1472)

USER300 Element Description

Mechanical APDL offers a convenient way create your own custom element named USER300. You can
create virtually any element type.

The UserElem subroutine provides an interface to Mechanical APDL code above the element level,
passing all data needed to create your user-defined element, then returning all data and results from
the element to update the database and files. Because access to database and file information occurs
through the interface, an understanding of Mechanical APDL database routines and file structures is
rarely necessary. The interface also provides access to Mechanical APDL code at the material level, en-
abling you to call standard Mechanical APDL material subroutines from your element coding.

For detailed instructions, see Creating a New Element via the

User-Defined Element API.

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USER300 Input Data

Use the USRELEM and USRDOF commands to input basic element characteristics. All other character-
istics default automatically.

Special features include element convergence criteria and cutback control via the element.

The element supports parallel processing and can be used in a distributed solution.

USER300 Assumptions and Restrictions

• If you issue CDWRITE to write a .cdb file containing a user-defined element, manually insert USRELEM
and USRDOF commands in the .cdb file to provide the user-defined element characteristics. Insert
the two commands after the ET command (defining the user-defined element) and before the EBLOCK
command. (If multiple element types are defined in the .cdb file, insert the TYPE command to select
the user-defined element. Place it before USRELEM and USRDOF.)

• The following capabilities are not available for user-defined elements:

– Birth and death

– Superelement stress pass

– Initial stress

– Section input

– Input of fluences

– Swelling

USER300 Product Restrictions

There are no product-specific restrictions for this element.

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Bibliography
[1] Nuclear Systems Material Handbook. Vol. 1: Design Data, Part 1: Structural Materials, Group 1: High
Alloy Steels . U. S. Department of Energy, Office of Scientific and Technical Information. Oak
Ridge, TN:

[2] Nuclear Systems Material Handbook. Vol. 1: Design Data, Part 1: Structural Materials, Group 2: Low
Alloy Steels, Section 2-2 1/4 CR - 1 Mo. . U. S. Department of Energy, Office of Scientific and
Technical Information. Oak Ridge, TN:

[3] F. Barlat and J. Lian. "Plastic Behavior and Stretchability of Sheet Metals. Part I: A Yield Function for
Orthotropic Sheets Under Plane Stress Conditions". Int. Journal of Plasticity, 5. pg. 51-66.

[4] F. Barlat, D. J. Lege, and J. C. Brem. "A Six-Component Yield Function for Anistropic Materials". Int.
Journal of Plasticity, 7. pg. 693-712.

[5] R. Hill. "A Theory of the Yielding and Plastic Flow of Anisotropic Metals". Proceedings of the Royal
Society of London, Series A., Vol. 193. 1948.

[6] F. K. Chang and K. Y. Chang. "A Progressive Damage Model for Laminated Composites Containing
Stress Concentration". Journal of Composite Materials, 21. pg. 834-855. 1987a.

[7] R. G. Dean. Evaluation and Development of Water Wave Theories for Engineering Application. Volume
2, Tabulation of Dimensionless Stream Function Theory Variables, Special Report No. 1, . U. S.
Army Corps of Engineers, Coastal Engineering Research Center. Fort Belvoir, VA: November 1974.

[8] Michael E. McCormick. Ocean Engineering Wave Mechanics. Wiley & Sons. New York: 1973.

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of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. 1473
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