Element definition

This section describes the methods for defining elements in an Abaqus input file. In a preprocessor such as Abaqus/CAE, you define the model geometry rather than the nodes and elements; when you mesh the geometry, the preprocessor automatically creates the nodes and elements needed for analysis. Although the concepts discussed in this section apply in general to the element definitions in the input file that is created by Abaqus/CAE, the methods and techniques described here apply only if you are creating the input file manually.

Element definition consists of:

  • assigning an element number to the element;

  • defining individual elements by specifying their nodes;

  • grouping elements into element sets; and

  • creating elements from existing elements by generating them incrementally or by copying existing elements.

If any element is specified more than once, the last specification given is used.

The following topics are discussed:

Related Topics
In Other Guides
*ELCOPY
*ELEMENT
*ELGEN
*ELSET

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