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Tutorial 11

This document serves as an introductory tutorial for modeling in Abaqus, specifically focusing on a cantilever beam-bending scenario. It outlines the steps to create and analyze a simple model using various modules in Abaqus/CAE, covering topics such as creating parts, defining materials, applying loads, and viewing results. By the end of the tutorial, users should be able to effectively utilize Abaqus to model beam bending and understand the functionalities of its modules.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
10 views40 pages

Tutorial 11

This document serves as an introductory tutorial for modeling in Abaqus, specifically focusing on a cantilever beam-bending scenario. It outlines the steps to create and analyze a simple model using various modules in Abaqus/CAE, covering topics such as creating parts, defining materials, applying loads, and viewing results. By the end of the tutorial, users should be able to effectively utilize Abaqus to model beam bending and understand the functionalities of its modules.

Uploaded by

nvhb2015
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 40

An Introduction to Modeling in Abaqus

Workshop 1: Intro Tutorial 1

The notes for this tutorial have been adapted from the official Abaqus tutorials found in the v6.14 Abaqus/CAE
User's Guide.

Sections in this document are referred to at various points in this tutorial, as a source of further information
(optional, if you want to find out more).

 Open Abaqus CAE through the start menu.

 Select the option to create a Standard/Explicit model.

This first tutorial involves the modeling of a simple cantilever beam-bending scenario. These notes will
lead you through the Abaqus/CAE (Complete Abaqus Environment) modeling process by visiting each
of the modules and showing you the basic steps to create and analyze a simple model. To illustrate
each of the steps, you will first create a model of a steel cantilever beam and load its top surface:

You will then submit the model for analysis and plot the resulting stresses and displacements.

The following topics are covered:

• “Understanding Abaqus/CAE modules,” Section 1


• “Understanding the Model Tree,” Section 2
• “Creating a part,” Section 3
• “Creating a material,” Section 4
• “Defining and assigning section properties,” Section 5
• “Assembling the model,” Section 6
• “Defining your analysis steps,” Section 7
• “Applying a boundary condition and a load to the model,” Section 8
• “Meshing the model,” Section 9
• “Creating and submitting an analysis job,” Section 10
• “Viewing the results of your analysis,” Section 11

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to:
 Use Abaqus to create a simple model of beam bending.
 Identify the various modules that Abaqus comprises, and what they do.
1 Understanding Abaqus/CAE modules
Abaqus/CAE is divided into modules, where each module defines an aspect of the modeling process;
for example, defining the geometry, defining material properties, and generating a mesh. As you move
from module to module, you build the model from which Abaqus/CAE generates an input file that you
submit to Abaqus/Standard or Abaqus/Explicit (these are types of FE solver) for analysis. For example,
you use the Property module to define material and section properties and the Step module to choose
an analysis procedure. The Abaqus/CAE postprocessor (for analyzing results) is called the
Visualization module.

You enter a module by selecting it from the Module list in the context bar:

In the following cantilever beam tutorial, you will enter the following Abaqus/CAE modules and perform
the following tasks:

Part: Sketch a two-dimensional profile and create a part representing the cantilever beam.

Property: Define the material properties and other section properties of the beam.

Assembly: Assemble the model and create sets.

Step: Configure the analysis procedure and output requests.

Load: Apply loads and boundary conditions to the beam.

Mesh: Mesh the beam.

Job: Create a job and submit it for analysis.

Visualization: View the results of the analysis.

Although the Module list in the context bar lists the modules in a logical sequence, you can move back
and forth between modules at will. However, certain obvious restrictions apply; for example, you cannot
assign section properties to geometry that has not yet been created.

A completed model contains everything that Abaqus/CAE needs to generate an input file and start the
analysis. Abaqus/CAE uses a model database to store your models. When you start Abaqus/CAE, the
Start Session dialog box allows you to create a new, empty model database in memory. After you start
Abaqus/CAE, you can save your model database to a disk by selecting File  Save from the main
menu bar; to retrieve it from a disk, select File  Open.

For further information on related topics, see:

For a complete listing of which module generates a particular keyword, see “Abaqus keyword browser
table,” Section A.1 of the Abaqus/CAE User's Guide.

For information on other related topics, see:

Part II, “Working with Abaqus/CAE model databases, models, and files,” of the Abaqus/CAE User's
Guide

“What is a module?,” Section 2.3 of the Abaqus/CAE User's Guide


2 Understanding the Model Tree
The Model Tree provides a visual description of the hierarchy of items in a model. The figure on the
next page shows a typical Model Tree.

Items in the Model Tree are represented by small icons; for example, the Steps icon, .
In addition, parentheses next to an item indicate that the item is a container, and the number in the
parentheses indicates the number of items in the container. You can click on the “+” and “–” signs in
the Model Tree to expand and collapse a container. The right and left arrow keys perform the same
operation.

The arrangement of the containers and items in the Model Tree


reflects the order in which you are expected to create your
model. As noted earlier, a similar logic governs the order of
modules in the module menu - you create parts before you
create the assembly, and you create steps before you create
loads. This arrangement is fixed - you cannot move items in the
Model Tree.

The Model Tree provides most of the functionality of the


main menu bar and the module managers. For example, if you
double-click on the Parts container, you can create a new part
(the equivalent of selecting Part  Create from the main
menu bar).

The instructions for the example that follows will focus on using
the Model Tree to access the functionality of Abaqus/CAE. Menu
bar actions will be considered only when necessary (e.g.,
when creating a finite element mesh or postprocessing
results).
3 Creating a part
You can create parts that are native to Abaqus/CAE, or you can import parts created by other
applications either as a geometric representation or as a finite element mesh. The CAD capabilities of
Abaqus are somewhat limited, so for complex geometries a specialist package like SolidWorks could
be used and then the shape imported. For these tutorials, however, we will stick to using Abaqus.

You will start the cantilever beam tutorial by creating a three-dimensional, deformable solid body. You
do this by sketching the two-dimensional profile of the beam (a rectangle) and extruding it. Abaqus/CAE
automatically enters the Sketcher when you create a part.

Abaqus/CAE often displays a short message in the prompt area indicating what it expects you to do
next:

Click the Cancel button to cancel the current task. Click the Previous button to cancel the current
step in the task and return to the previous step.

To create the cantilever beam:

1. If you have not already, start Abaqus/CAE. Resize your windows so that you can follow the tutorial
and see the Abaqus/CAE main window.

2. From the Create Model Database options in the Start Session dialog box that appears, select
With Standard/Explicit Model. If you are already in an Abaqus/CAE session, select File  New
from the main menu bar. Abaqus/CAE enters the Part module. The Model Tree appears in the left
side of the main window. Between the Model Tree and the canvas is the Part module toolbox. A
toolbox contains a set of icons that allow expert users to bypass the menus in the main menu bar.
For many tools, as you select an item from the main menu bar or the Model Tree, the corresponding
tool is highlighted in the module toolbox so you can learn its location.
3. In the Model Tree, double-click the Parts
container to create a new part. The
Create Part dialog box appears. Abaqus/CAE
also displays text in the prompt area near the
bottom of the window to guide you through
the procedure. You use the Create Part
dialog box to name the part; to choose its
modeling space, type, and base feature; and
to set the approximate size. You can edit and
rename a part after you create it; you can also
change its modeling space and type but not
its base feature.

4. Name the part Beam. Accept the default


settings of a three-dimensional, deformable
body and a solid, extruded base feature. In the
Approximate size text field, type 300.

5. Click Continue to exit the Create Part dialog


box. Abaqus/CAE automatically enters the
Sketcher. The Sketcher toolbox appears in
the left side of the main window, and the
Sketcher grid appears in the viewport. The
Sketcher contains a set of basic tools that allow you to sketch the two-dimensional profile of your
part. Abaqus/CAE enters the Sketcher whenever you create or edit a part.

The Sketcher grid helps you position the cursor and align objects in the viewport.

• Dashed lines indicate the X- and Y-axes of the sketch and intersect at the origin of the sketch.

• A triad in the lower-left corner of the viewport indicates the relationship between the sketch plane
and the orientation of the part.

• When you select a sketching tool, Abaqus/CAE displays the X- and Y-coordinates of the cursor
in the upper-left corner of the viewport.

6. To sketch the profile of the cantilever beam, you need to select the rectangle drawing tool .
The rectangle drawing tool appears in the Sketcher toolbox with a white background indicating
that you selected it. Abaqus/CAE displays prompts in the prompt area to guide you through the
procedure.

7. In the viewport, sketch the rectangle using the following steps:


• You will first sketch a rough approximation of the beam and then use constraints and dimensions
to refine the sketch. Select any two points as the opposite corners of the rectangle.

• Press [esc] to exit the rectangle tool (can also use the scroll button on your mouse). (Tip: Like
all tools in Abaqus/CAE, if you simply position the cursor over a tool in the Sketcher toolbox for
a short time, a small window appears that gives a brief description of the tool. The following
aspects of the Sketcher help you sketch the desired geometry)

• The Sketcher automatically adds constraints to the sketch (in


this case the four corners of the rectangle are assigned
perpendicular constraints and one edge is designated as
horizontal).

• Use the dimension tool to dimension the top and left edges of
the rectangle. The top edge should have a horizontal
dimension of 200 mm, and the left edge should have a vertical
dimension of 20 mm. When dimensioning each edge, simply
select the line, click the left mouse button to position
the dimension text, and then enter the new dimension
in the prompt area.

• Press F6 or the icon if you wish to auto-fit the


viewing window.

• The final sketch is:

• Note that you could also have defined your sketch using coordinates (as opposed to mouse
clicking then using the dimension tool). When creating a sketch you might have seen the
following in the prompt window, which would have allowed you to do this:

8. If you make a mistake while using the Sketcher, you can delete lines in your sketch, as explained
in the following procedure:

• From the Sketcher toolbox, click the Delete tool, .

• From the sketch, click a line to select it. Abaqus/CAE highlights the selected line in red.

• Press [Return]  to delete the selected line.

• Repeat steps b and c as often as necessary.


• Press [esc] to finish using the Delete tool.

• Note: You can also use the Undo tool and the Redo tool to undo and redo your
previous operations.

9. From the prompt area (near the bottom of the main window), click Done to exit the
Sketcher. Note: If you don't see the Done button in the prompt area, continue to press [esc] in
the viewport until it appears.

10. Because you are creating an extruded part, Abaqus/CAE


displays the Edit Base Extrusion dialog box for you to select
the depth. Optional parameters to modify the extrusion shape
are also available. In the Depth field, erase the default value
and type a value of 25.0. Click OK to accept this
value. Abaqus/CAE displays an isometric view of the new
part:

• To help you orient the cantilever beam during the modeling process, Abaqus/CAE displays a
triad in the lower-left corner indicating the orientation of the global coordinate system.

11. Before you continue the tutorial, save your model in a model database file.

• From the main menu bar, select File  Save. The Save Model Database As dialog box
appears.

• Type a name for the new model database in the File Name field, and click OK. You do not
need to include the file extension; Abaqus/CAE automatically appends .cae to the file
name. Abaqus/CAE stores the model database in a new file and returns to the Part module.
The title bar of the Abaqus/CAE window displays the path and name of the model database.
You should always save your model database at regular intervals (for example, each time you
switch modules).

Note: if you were concerned about computational times, it would have been possible to run this
simulation as a 2D problem (i.e., you would have drawn a simple 2D beam and not extruded it). You
are able to do this since the results should not change through the beam thickness (z-direction).

It is often very important in FE simulations to exploit the symmetries of problems to reduce their
complexities and computing requirements. For instance, instead of simulating the compression of a
cylinder in full 3D, you could use a 2D slice of the cylinder and apply axis-symmetric boundary
conditions.

Here, however, we’ll stick to 3D because the computing times are so short (and because the results
look prettier!)

For further information on related topics, see:

Chapter 11, “The Part module,” of the Abaqus/CAE User's Guide

Chapter 20, “The Sketch module,” of the Abaqus/CAE User's Guide

“Customizing the Sketcher,” Section 20.9 of the Abaqus/CAE User's Guide

“Editing a feature,” Section 65.4.1 of the Abaqus/CAE User's Guide


4 Creating a material
For this cantilever beam tutorial, you will create a single linear elastic material with value for the
Young's modulus of 200 GPa and a Poisson's ratio of 0.3.

To define a material:

1. In the Model Tree, double-click the Materials container to create a new material. Abaqus/CAE
switches to the Property module, and the Edit Material dialog box appears.

2. Name the material Steel. Use the menu bar under the browser area of the material editor to reveal
menus containing all the available material options. Some of the menu items contain submenus; for
example, the options available under the Mechanical  Elasticity menu item are:

When you select a material option, the appropriate data entry form appears below the menu.

3. From the material editor's menu bar, select Mechanical  Elasticity Elastic. Abaqus/CAE
displays the Elastic data form.
4. The units of elasticity are in MPa. Enter 200.E3
MPa for Young's modulus and a value of 0.3 for
Poisson's ratio in the respective fields. Use [Tab]
to move between cells.

5. Click OK to exit the material editor.

For further information on related topics, see:

“Creating materials,” Section 12.4.1 of the Abaqus/CAE


User's Guide

4.1 Aside: Units in Abaqus


Abaqus, like many finite element programs, does
not consider the units of quantities. It is up to the user to make sure units are consistent. You
should examine your problem and chose your units such that the input quantities are close to 1. This
helps to minimize round-off errors associated with the solver. For instance, it’s much better to work in
µm steps, rather than use steps of 0.000001 m.

Example 1: SI Units

Base dimensions:
[Length] = m
[Force] = N
[Time] = s
[Mass] = kg

The following dimensions therefore need to be used:


[Pressure (stress and Young’s modulus)] = N m-2 = Pa
[Velocity] = m s-1
[Acceleration] = m s-2
[Volume] = m3
[Density] = kg m-3
[Energy] = N m = J

Example 2: SI Units (small parts – for this tutorial)

Base dimensions:
[Length] = mm
[Force] = N
[Time] = s
[Mass] = kg

The following dimensions therefore need to be used:


[Pressure (stress and Young’s modulus)] = N mm-2 = 1e6 Pa = MPa
[Velocity] = mm s-1 = 1e-3 m s-1
[Acceleration] = mm s-2 = 1e-3 m s-2
[Volume] = mm3 = 1e-9 m3
[Density] = kg mm-3 = 1e9 kg m-3
[Energy] = N mm = 1e-3 J = mJ

Therefore, if you want to enter the Young’s modulus value, you need to use its value in MPa.

Example 3: SI Units (small loads and small parts)

Base dimensions:
[Length] = µm
[Force] = µN
[Time] = s
[Mass] = kg

The following dimensions therefore need to be used:


[Pressure (stress and Young’s modulus)] = µN µm-2 = 1e6 Pa = MPa
[Velocity] = µm s-1 = 1e-6 m s-1
[Acceleration] = µm s-2 = 1e-6 m s-2
[Volume] = µm3 = 1e-18 m3
[Density] = kg µm-3 = 1e18 kg m-3
[Energy] = µN µm = 1e-12 J = pJ
5 Defining and assigning section properties
You define the properties of a part through sections. After you create the section, you can use one of
the following two methods to assign the section to the part in the current viewport:

• You can simply select the region from the part and assign the section to the selected region.

• You can use the Set toolset to create a homogeneous set containing the region and assign the
section to the set.

For the cantilever beam tutorial you will create a single homogeneous solid section that you will assign
to the beam by selecting the beam from the viewport. The solid section will contain a reference to the
material Steel that you created.

5.1 Defining a homogeneous solid section


A homogeneous solid section is the simplest section type that you can define; it includes only a material
reference and an optional plane stress/plane strain thickness definition.

To define the homogeneous solid section:

1. In the Model Tree, double-click the Sections container to


create a section. The Create Section dialog box appears.

2. In the Create Section dialog box:

 Name the section BeamSection.

 In the Category list, accept Solid as the default


category selection.

 In the Type list, accept Homogeneous as the default type selection.

 Click Continue. The Edit Section dialog box appears.

3. In the dialog box: Accept the default selection of Steel for the
Material associated with the section. Click OK.

5.2 Assigning the section to the cantilever


beam
The section BeamSection must be assigned to the part.
To assign the section to the cantilever beam:

4. In the Model Tree, expand the branch for the part named
Beam by clicking the “+” symbol to expand the Parts container
and then clicking the “+” symbol to expand the Beam item.

5. Double-click Section Assignments in the list of part attributes


that appears. Abaqus/CAE displays prompts in the prompt area
to guide you through the procedure.

6. Click anywhere on the beam to select the region to which the


section will be applied. Abaqus/CAE highlights the entire beam.

7. Click Done in the prompt area to accept the selected geometry. The Edit Section Assignment
dialog box appears containing a list of existing sections.
8. Accept the default selection of BeamSection as the section, and click OK. Abaqus/CAE assigns
the solid section to the beam, colors the entire beam aqua to
indicate that the region has a section assignment, and
closes the Edit Section Assignment dialog box.

Note: When you assign a section to a region of a part, the region


takes on the material properties associated with the section.

For further information on related topics, see:

“Creating and editing sections,” Section 12.13 of the Abaqus/CAE User's Guide

“Assigning a section,” Section 12.15.1 of the Abaqus/CAE User's Guide


6 Assembling the model
Each part that you create is oriented in its own coordinate system and is independent of the other parts
in the model. Although a model may contain many parts, it contains only one assembly. You define
the geometry of the assembly by creating instances of a part and then positioning the instances relative
to each other in a global coordinate system. An instance may be classified as independent or
dependent. Independent part instances are meshed individually while the mesh of a dependent part
instance is associated the mesh of the original part.

For this tutorial you will create a single instance of your cantilever beam. Abaqus/CAE positions the
instance so that the origin of the sketch that defined the rectangular profile of the beam overlays the
origin of the assembly's default coordinate system.

To assemble the model:

1. In the Model Tree, expand the Assembly


container. Then double-click Instances in
the list that appears. Abaqus/CAE switches to
the Assembly module, and the Create
Instance dialog box appears.

2. In the dialog box, select Beam and click


OK. Abaqus/CAE creates an instance of
the cantilever beam and displays it using an
isometric orientation. In this example the
single instance of the beam defines the
assembly. A second triad in the viewport
indicates the origin and orientation of the global
coordinate system.

3. In the View Manipulation toolbar, click the


rotate view manipulation tool, . When you
move the mouse back into the viewport, a
circle appears.

4. Drag the mouse in the viewport to rotate the model and examine it from all sides. You can also pick
a center of rotation by clicking Select in the prompt area; your selected center of rotation is retained
for the current object and viewport. Click Use Default to return to the default (center of viewport)
rotation method. Press [esc] to exit rotate mode.

5. Several other tools (pan , magnify , zoom , and auto-fit ) are also available in the View
Manipulation toolbar to help you examine your model. Experiment with each of these tools until
you are comfortable with them. Use the context-sensitive help system to obtain any additional
information you require about these tools. Direct view manipulation is available using the 3D
compass. The compass allows you to pan or rotate your model by clicking and dragging on it. For
example:

 Click and drag one of the straight axes of the 3D compass to pan along an axis.
 Click and drag any of the quarter-circular faces on the 3D compass to pan along a plane.

 Click and drag one of the three arcs along the perimeter of
the 3D compass to rotate the model about the axis that is
perpendicular to the plane containing the arc.

 Click and drag the free rotation handle (the point at the top of
the 3D compass) to rotate the model freely about its pivot
point.

 Click the label for any of the axes on the 3D compass to select
a predefined view (the selected axis is perpendicular to
the plane of the viewport).

 Double-click anywhere on the 3D compass to specify a view.

For further information on related topics, see:

Chapter 13, “The Assembly module,” of the Abaqus/CAE User's Guide


7 Defining your analysis steps
Now that you have created your part, you can define your analysis steps. For the cantilever beam
tutorial the analysis will consist of two steps:

• An initial step, in which you will apply a boundary condition that constrains one end of the
cantilever beam.

• A general, static analysis step, in which you will apply a pressure load to the top face of the
beam.

Abaqus/CAE generates the initial step automatically, but you must create the analysis step yourself.
You may also request output for any steps in the analysis.

7.1 Creating an analysis step


Create a general, static step that follows the initial step of the analysis.

To create a general, static analysis step:

1. In the Model Tree, double-click the Steps container to create a


step. Abaqus/CAE switches to the Step module. The Create
Step dialog box appears with a list of all the general procedures and
a default step name of Step-1. General procedures are those that
can be used to analyze linear or nonlinear response.

2. Name the step BeamLoad.

3. From the list of available general procedures in the Create Step


dialog box, select Static, General if it is not already selected and
click Continue. The Edit Step dialog box appears with the default
settings for a general, static step.

4. The Basic tab is selected by default. In the


Description field, type Load the top of the
beam.

5. Click the Incrementation tab, and accept the


default time incrementation settings.

6. Click the Other tab to see its contents; you


can accept the default values provided for the
step.

7. Click OK to create the step and to exit the Edit Step


dialog box.
7.2 Requesting data output
When you submit your job for analysis, Abaqus/Standard or Abaqus/Explicit writes the results of the
analysis to the output database. For each step you create, you can use the Field Output Requests
Manager and the History Output Requests Manager to do the following:

• Select the region of the model for which Abaqus will generate data.

• Select the variables that Abaqus will write to the output database.

• Select the section points of beams or shells for which Abaqus will generate data.

• Change the frequency at which Abaqus will write data to the output database.

When you create a step, Abaqus/CAE generates a default output request for the step. For the cantilever
beam tutorial, you will simply examine the output
requests and accept the default configuration.

To examine your output requests:

8. In the Model Tree, right click on the Field Output


Requests container and select Manager from
the menu that
appears. Abaqus/CAE displays the Field
Output Requests Manager. This manager
displays an alphabetical list of existing output
requests along the left side of the dialog box. The
names of all the steps in the analysis appear
along the top of the dialog box in the order of
execution. The table formed by these two lists
displays the status of each output request in each step.

9. Review the default output request that Abaqus/CAE generates for the Static, General step you
created and named BeamLoad. Click the cell in the table labeled Created; that cell becomes
highlighted, and the following information related to the cell appears in the legend at the bottom of
the manager:

• The type of analysis procedure carried out in the step in that column. (The Step
procedure)

• The list of output request variables (Variables).

• The output request status (Status).


10. On the right side of the Field Output
Requests Manager, click Edit to view more
detailed information about the output
request. The field output editor appears. In the
Output Variables region of the dialog box, a
text box lists all the variables that will be output. If
you change an output request, you can always
return to the default settings by clicking
Preselected defaults above the text box.

11. Click the arrows next to each output variable


category to see exactly which variables will
be output. The check boxes next to each
category title allow you to see at a glance
whether all variables in that category will be
output. A black check mark on a white
background indicates that all variables will
be output, while a dark gray check mark on
a light gray background indicates that only some
variables will be output. Based on the
selections shown at the bottom of the dialog box,
data will be generated at every default section
point in the model and will be written to the
output database after every increment
during the analysis.

12. Click Cancel to close the field output editor, since you do not wish to make any changes to the
default choice.

13. Click Dismiss to close the Field Output Requests Manager.

Note: What is the difference between the Dismiss and Cancel buttons? Dismiss buttons appear in
dialog boxes that contain data that you cannot modify. For example, the Field Output Requests
Manager allows you to view output requests, but you must use the field output editor to modify those
requests. Clicking the Dismiss button simply closes the Field Output Requests Manager. Conversely,
Cancel buttons appear in dialog boxes that allow you to make changes. Clicking Cancel closes the
dialog box without saving your changes.
14. Review the history output requests in a similar manner by right clicking on the History Output
Requests container in the Model Tree and then opening the history output editor.

Note: You use field output requests to


request output of variables that should be
written at relatively low frequencies to
the output database from the entire model
or from a large portion of the model. Field
output is used to generate deformed
shape plots, contour plots, and animations
from your analysis results. Abaqus/CAE
writes every component of the variables to
the output database at the selected
frequency.
You use history output requests to
request output of variables that should be
written to the output database at a high
frequency from a small portion of the model;
for example, the displacement of a single
node. History output is used to generate X–Y
plots and data reports from your analysis
results. When you create a history output
request, you must select the individual
components of the variables that will be
written to the output database.

For further information on related topics,


see:

Chapter 14, “The Step module,” of the Abaqus/CAE User's Guide

“Understanding output requests,” Section 14.4 of the Abaqus/CAE User's Guide


8 Applying a boundary condition and a load to the model
Prescribed conditions, such as loads and boundary conditions, are step-dependent, which means that
you must specify the step or steps in which they become active. Now that you have defined the steps
in the analysis, you can define the following prescribed conditions:

 A boundary condition that constrains one end of the cantilever beam in the X-, Y-, and Z-directions;
the boundary condition is applied during the initial step.

 A load that you apply to the top face of the beam; the load is applied during the general analysis
step.

8.1 Applying a boundary condition to one end of the cantilever beam


Create a boundary condition that constrains the cantilever beam to be built-in at one end of the beam.

To apply boundary conditions to one end of the cantilever beam:

1. In the Model Tree, double-click the BCs container. Abaqus/CAE switches to the Load module, and
the Create Boundary Condition dialog box appears.

2. In the Create Boundary Condition dialog box:

 Name the boundary condition Fixed.

 From the list of steps, select Initial as the


step in which the boundary condition will
be activated.

 In the Category list, accept Mechanical


as the default category selection.

 In the Types for Selected Step list,


accept Symmetry/
Antisymmetry/ Encastre as the default
type selection, and click Continue.
Abaqus/CAE displays prompts in
the prompt area to guide you through the
procedure.

3. You will fix the face at the left end of the cantilever beam; the desired face is shown below. Selecting
the region on which to apply a boundary condition.
 Rotate the
view in order to
select the face.
Click OK to
confirm your
choice.

4. Click Done in
the prompt area
to indicate that
you have finished
selecting. The
Edit Boundary
Condition dialog
box appears.

5. In the dialog
box:

 Toggle on
ENCASTRE.

 Click OK to create the boundary condition and to close the


dialog box.
Abaqus/CAE displays arrows at each corner and
midpoint on the selected face to indicate the constrained
degrees of freedom. Single-headed arrows
represent a constraint that is applied to a translational
degree of freedom. Double-headed arrows
represent a constraint that is applied to a rotational
degree of freedom. An ENCASTRE boundary
condition constrains all available degrees of freedom.

6. In the Model Tree, right click on the BCs container and select Manager from the menu that
appears. Abaqus/CAE displays the Boundary Condition Manager. The manager indicates that
the boundary condition is Created (activated) in the initial step and is Propagated (continues to be
active) in the general analysis step BeamLoad.

 Click Dismiss to close the Boundary


Condition Manager.

8.2 Applying a load to the top of the cantilever beam


Now that you have fixed one end of the cantilever beam, you can apply a distributed load to the top
face of the beam. The load is applied during the general, static step you created earlier.

You will apply a pressure that is unique to you (this is for purposes of the mini-assessment) of
0.XX MPa, where XX are the last two digits of your university ID number (not including your card
issue number, which is usually an un-bold O).

Use the ID number of the person who is currently operating the computer. You will re-run the
simulation (it’s very quick) for the other person in your pair at the end of the tutorial (see the
assessment information in Section 13).

To apply a load to the top of the cantilever beam:

7. In the Model Tree, double-click the Loads container. The Create Load dialog box appears.
8. In the Create Load dialog box:

 Name the load Pressure.

 From the list of steps, select BeamLoad as


the step in which the load will be applied.

 In the Category list, accept Mechanical as


the default category selection.

 In the Types for Selected Step list, select Pressure,


and click Continue. Abaqus/CAE displays prompts
in the prompt area to guide you through the
procedure.

9. In the viewport, select the top face of the beam as the


surface to which the load will be applied. The
desired face is shown below. Selecting the region on
which to apply a pressure load.
10. Click Done in the prompt area to indicate that you have finished selecting regions. The Edit Load
dialog box appears.

11. In the dialog box:

 Enter a magnitude of 0.XX MPa for the load (0.5 MPa is


used in the example figure).

 Accept the default Distribution selection –Abaqus


will apply the load uniformly over the face.

 Accept the default Amplitude selection –Abaqus


will ramp up the load during the step.

 Click OK to create the load and to close the dialog


box. Abaqus/CAE displays downward-pointing
arrows along the top face of the beam to indicate the load
applied in the negative Y-direction.

12. Examine the Load Manager and note that the new load is “Created” (activated) in the general
analysis step BeamLoad.

13. Click Dismiss to close the Load Manager.


For further information on related topics, see:

Chapter 16, “The Load module,” of the Abaqus/CAE User's Guide

“What are step-dependent managers?,” Section 3.4.2 of the Abaqus/CAE User's Guide
9 Meshing the model
You will now generate the finite element mesh. You can choose the meshing technique that
Abaqus/CAE will use to create the mesh, the element shape, and the element type. Abaqus/CAE uses
a number of different meshing techniques. The default meshing technique assigned to the model is
indicated by the color of the model when you enter the Mesh module; if Abaqus/CAE displays the model
in orange, it cannot be meshed without assistance from you.

9.1 Assigning mesh controls


In this section you will use the Mesh Controls dialog box to examine the technique that Abaqus/CAE
will use to mesh the model and the shape of the elements that Abaqus/CAE will generate.

To assign the mesh controls:

1. In the Model Tree, expand the Beam item


underneath the Parts container and double-
click Mesh in the list that
appears. Abaqus/CAE switches to the Mesh
module. The Mesh module functionality is
available only through menu bar items or
toolbox icons.

2. From the main menu bar, select Mesh 


Controls. The Mesh Controls dialog box appears. Abaqus/CAE colors the regions of your model
to indicate which technique it will use to mesh
that region. Abaqus/CAE will use structured
meshing to mesh your cantilever beam
and displays the beam in green.

3. In the dialog box, accept Hex as the default


Element Shape selection.

4. Accept Structured as the default


Technique selection.

5. Click OK to assign the mesh controls and to


close the dialog
box. Abaqus/CAE will use the structured
meshing technique to create a mesh of hexahedral-shaped elements.

9.2 Assigning an Abaqus element type


In this section you will use the Element Type dialog box to assign a particular Abaqus element type to
the model. Although you will assign the element type now, you could also wait until after the mesh has
been created.
To assign an Abaqus element type:

6. From the main menu bar, select Mesh  Element Type. You will be prompted to select the regions
to be assigned the element types. Select the beam and click Done. The Element Type dialog box
will then appear.

7. In the dialog box, accept the following default selections that control the elements that are available
for selection:

 Standard is the default Element Library selection.

 Linear is the default Geometric Order.

 3D Stress is the default Family of elements.

8. In the lower portion of the dialog box, examine the element shape options. A brief description of the
default element selection is available at the bottom of each tabbed page. Since the model is a
three-dimensional solid, only three-dimensional solid element types – hexahedral on the Hex tabbed
page, triangular prism on the
Wedge page, and
tetrahedral on the Tet page – are
shown.

9. Click the Hex tab, and choose


Incompatible modes from the list of
formulation options. A
description of the element type
C3D8I appears at the bottom of
the dialog box.
Abaqus/CAE will now
associate C3D8I elements with the
elements in the mesh.

10. Click OK to assign the element


type and to close the dialog box.

9.3 Creating the mesh


Basic meshing is a two-stage operation: first you seed the edges of the part instance, and then you
mesh the part instance. You select the number of seeds based on the desired element size or on the
number of elements that you want along an edge, and Abaqus/CAE places the nodes of the mesh at
the seeds whenever possible. For the cantilever beam tutorial the default seeding will generate a mesh
with square hexahedral elements.

To mesh the model:


11. From the main menu bar, select Seed  Part to seed the part instance (this can also be selected
from the icon). The Global Seeds dialog box appears. The dialog box displays the default
element size that Abaqus/CAE will use to seed the part instance. This default element size is based
on the size of the part instance.

12. In the dialog box, enter an approximate global size of


10.0 and click OK.

13. Click Done in the prompt area to indicate that you have
finished the seed definition. Abaqus/CAE applies the
seeds to the part instance. You can gain more control of
the resulting mesh by seeding each edge of the part
instance individually.

14. From the main menu bar, select Mesh  Part to mesh
the part instance (or click the icon).

15. In the prompt area, click Yes to confirm that you want to mesh the part instance. Abaqus/CAE
meshes the part instance and displays the resulting mesh, as shown below.
10 Creating and submitting an analysis job
Now that you have configured your analysis, you will create a job that is associated with your model
and to submit the job for analysis.

To create and submit an analysis job:

1. In the Model Tree, double-click the Jobs container to


create a job. Abaqus/CAE switches to the Job module,
and the Create Job dialog box appears with a list of the
models in the model database.

2. Name the job Deform.

3. Click Continue to create the job. The Edit Job dialog


box appears.

4. In the Description field, type Cantilever beam tutorial.

5. Click the tabs to review the default settings in the


job editor. Click OK to accept all the default job
settings and to close the dialog box.

6. In the Model Tree, expand the Jobs container; right


click on the job named Deform, and select Submit
from the menu that appears to submit your job for
analysis.

After you submit your job, information appears next to


the job name indicating the job's status. The status of
the cantilever beam tutorial shows one of the following:

 Submitted while the analysis input file is being


generated.

 Running while Abaqus analyzes the model.

 Completed when the analysis is complete, and the output


has been written to the output database.

 Aborted if Abaqus/CAE finds a problem with the input file or


the analysis and aborts the analysis. In addition,
Abaqus/CAE reports the problem in the message area.

You can also right click on the job and select Monitor for more detail.
7. When the job completes successfully, you are ready to view
the results of the analysis with the Visualization module. In the
Model Tree, right click on the job named Deform and select
Results to enter the Visualization module.

Abaqus/CAE enters the Visualization module, opens the


output database created by the job, and displays the undeformed
model shape.

For further information on related topics, see:

Chapter 17, “The Mesh module,” of the Abaqus/CAE User's Guide

“Advanced meshing techniques,” Section 17.14 of the Abaqus/CAE User's Guide

“Seeding a model,” Section 17.16 of the Abaqus/CAE User's Guide


11 Viewing the results of your analysis
You use the Visualization module to read the output database that Abaqus/CAE generated during the
analysis and to view the results of the analysis. Because you named the job Deform when you created
the job, Abaqus/CAE names the output database Deform.odb.

For this tutorial you will view the undeformed and deformed shapes of the cantilever beam model and
create a contour plot.

To view the results of your analysis:

1. After you select Results in the Model Tree, Abaqus/CAE enters the Visualization module, opens
Deform.odb, and displays the undeformed shape of the model in bright green

The title block (text overlay on the screen, top half) indicates the following:

 The job description.

 The output database from which Abaqus/CAE read the data.

 The release of Abaqus/Standard or Abaqus/Explicit that was used to generate the output
database.

 The date the output database was generated.

The state block


(text overlay on
the screen,
bottom half)
indicates the following:

 The step name and the step description.

 The increment within the step.

 The step time.

 When you are viewing a deformed plot, the deformed variable and the deformation scale factor.

By default, Abaqus/CAE plots the last step and the last frame of your analysis. Buttons that allow
you to control which analysis results are plotted are available in
the top right of the screen (they sometimes also appear in the
prompt area).

2. From the main menu bar, select Plot  Deformed Shape to view a deformed shape plot.

3. Click the auto-fit tool so that the entire plot is rescaled to fit in the viewport
4. From the main menu bar, select Plot  Contours  On Deformed Shape to view a contour plot
of the von Mises stress.

5. For a contour plot the default variable displayed depends on the analysis procedure; in this case,
the default variable is the von Mises stress. From the main menu bar, select Result  Field Output
to examine the variables that are available for display. Abaqus/CAE displays the Field Output
dialog box; click the Primary Variable tab to choose which variable to display and to select the
invariant or component of interest. By default, the Mises invariant of the Stress components at
integration points variable is selected. Tip: You can also use the Field Output toolbar to change
the displayed field output variable.

6. Click Cancel to close the Field Output dialog box.

For further information on related topics, see:

Part V, “Viewing results,” of the Abaqus/CAE User's Guide

Chapter 43, “Plotting the undeformed and deformed shapes,” of the Abaqus/CAE User's Guide

Chapter 44, “Contouring analysis results,” of the Abaqus/CAE User's Guide

You have now finished this tutorial. Continue reading for details of how to submit your mini-
assignment. There is also an extension section (optional) that you may want to explore.
12 Extension (optional, not assessed)

 Can you design a beam with the same length and total volume as the beam modeled above, but
which does not bend as much? Keep the cross-section fixed.

 Explore what happens when you change the mesh size used in the models – what are the
advantages and disadvantages of using different mesh sizes?
13 Summary
 When you create a part, you name it and choose its type, modeling space, base feature, and
approximate size.

 Abaqus/CAE automatically enters the Sketcher when you create or edit a part. You use the Sketcher
to draw the two-dimensional profiles of parts.

 Press [esc] in the viewport (or click Done in the prompt window) to indicate you have finished
selecting items or using a tool.

 You can create a material and define its properties and create a section and define its category and
type. Since the section refers to the material, the material must be defined first.

 A model contains only one assembly. The assembly is composed of instances of parts positioned
in a global coordinate system.

 Abaqus/CAE generates the initial step automatically, but you must create analysis steps. You use
the step editor to define each analysis step.

 When you create a step, Abaqus/CAE generates a default output request for the step. You use the
Field Output Requests Manager and the History Output Requests Manager to examine which
categories of data will be output.

 You invoke the field and history output editors from the Field Output Requests Manager and the
History Output Requests Manager to select the variables that Abaqus/CAE will write to the output
database during the analysis, as well as the frequency at which they are written and the regions
and section points from which they are written.

 Prescribed conditions, such as loads and boundary conditions, are step-dependent objects, which
means that you must specify the step or steps in which they become active.

 Managers are useful for reviewing and modifying the status of prescribed conditions in each step.

 You create loads and define where the load is applied to the assembly in the Load module.

 Although you can create a mesh at any point after creating the assembly, you typically do it after
configuring the rest of the model, since items such as loads, boundary conditions, and steps depend
on the underlying geometry, not the mesh.

 You can assign the element type either before or after you create the mesh. The available element
types depend on the geometry of your model.

 You use seeds to define the approximate position of nodes in your final mesh. You select the
number of seeds based on the element size or on the number of elements that you want along an
edge.

 You can use the Model Tree to submit jobs and to monitor the status of a job.

 In the Visualization module you read the output database generated by your analysis and view the
results. You can select the variable to display from the data in the output database, and you can
also select the increment being displayed.
 You can display the results in several modes – undeformed, deformed, and contour. You can control
the appearance of the display in each mode, independent of other modes.
14 Submitting your mini-assignment
For this tutorial, you each should submit two screenshots to Blackboard:

1. A screenshot of the unique load you used (right click on Loads in the Model Tree and click
Manager to bring up the Loads Manager, then click Edit to show the value of load entered).
2. A screenshot of your von Mises contour plot (as shown below), complete with scale.

To re-run the model for a different load value, change the load via the Loads Manager. Re-submit the
job.

It’s easiest for me to mark on Blackboard if you paste your screenshots into a Word document
and upload this (or the pdf of this). Please use your student number in the title of the file.

Upload this document to Blackboard by 12:30 Friday 19th February 2021.

To take a screenshot, you might wish to use the Snipping Tool, which can be found from the Start
button  All Programs  Accessories.

Example

14.1 Mini-assignment assessment criteria


Your mini-assignment will be marked /3, according to the following:

 3 marks: full submission, correct.


 2 marks: full submission, but with significant errors.
 1 mark: partial submission (e.g., only the contour plot).
 0 marks: no submission.

14.2 Learning Outcomes Assessed


 Create a basic linear elastic finite-element model in Abaqus for a simple loading scenario.

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