ProductsAbaqus/Standard Model generationThe symmetric model generation capability can be used to create a three-dimensional model by revolving an axisymmetric model about its axis of revolution, by revolving a single three-dimensional sector about its axis of symmetry, or by combining two parts of a symmetric model, where one part is the original model and the other part is the original model reflected through a line or a plane. The original model must have been saved to a restart file. The symmetric model generation capability is not available for models defined in terms of an assembly of part instances. Therefore, an element set name or a node set name containing quotation marks is not supported. An entire three-dimensional model—including nodes, elements, section definitions, material and orientation definitions, rebar, and contact pair definitions—is generated from the original model. Symmetric model generation from a model with general contact is not allowed. You must redefine most types of kinematic constraints (About Kinematic Constraints). However, surface-based constraints (Mesh tie constraints) and embedded element constraints (Embedded Elements) defined in the original model will be generated automatically in the new three-dimensional model. Changes made to the model as part of the history data—element or contact pair removal/reactivation (Element and contact pair removal and reactivation) or changes to friction properties (Changing friction properties during an Abaqus/Standard analysis)—will not be transferred to the new model. Such changes will have to be redefined in the history data of the new model. All element and node sets defined in the original model will be used in the new model. These sets will contain all of the new elements and nodes that originated from the original sets. Additional nodes, elements, contact surfaces, etc. can also be defined to create parts of the model that were not specified in the original model. You must ensure that the numbering of these nodes and elements does not conflict with those used by the symmetric model generation capability. You can control the node and element numbering in the new model (as described below for each type of revolved model) so that you can define additional parts of the model without the risk of conflicting element and node labels. The smallest node/element number used in defining additional parts of the new model should be greater than the largest node/element number generated by the symmetric model generation capability. Eliminating duplicate nodesDuplicate nodes will be generated in certain situations. Such nodes can be eliminated to ensure that the mesh is connected properly. Duplicate nodes can be generated on the axis of revolution of a revolved model, on the connection planes between sectors of a periodic model, and on the connection plane between the two parts of a reflected model. You can specify the tolerance distance, d, to be used in the search for duplicate nodes. The default distance is 1.0% of the average element dimension. In some cases a tolerance distance that is smaller than the default value needs to be specified if, for example, the distance between two nodes on one of the connection planes in the original sector of a periodic model is smaller than the default tolerance distance. Closely spaced nodes elsewhere in the model, such as between interface surfaces or on parts of the model that are generated with any of the other model definition options, will not be eliminated. Input File Usage Use one of the following options to specify the tolerance to be used in the search for duplicate nodes: SYMMETRIC MODEL GENERATION, PERIODIC, TOLERANCE=d SYMMETRIC MODEL GENERATION, REVOLVE, TOLERANCE=d SYMMETRIC MODEL GENERATION, REFLECT, TOLERANCE=d Writing the new model definition to an external fileYou can specify the name of an external file (without an extension) to which the data for the new model definition will be written. The extension .axi will be added to the file name provided. The file can be edited to modify or to extend the model generated by Abaqus/Standard. Input File Usage Use one of the following options: SYMMETRIC MODEL GENERATION, PERIODIC, FILE NAME=name SYMMETRIC MODEL GENERATION, REVOLVE, FILE NAME=name SYMMETRIC MODEL GENERATION, REFLECT, FILE NAME=name Identifying the restart filesThe symmetric model generation capability uses the restart (.res), analysis database (.stt and .mdl), and part (.prt) files from the old model to generate the new model. The name of the restart files from the old model must be specified when the new analysis is executed by using the oldjob parameter in the command for running Abaqus or by answering a request made by the command procedure (see Abaqus/Standard and Abaqus/Explicit execution). Verifying the new modelIt is recommended that you verify the new model carefully before an analysis is performed. The symmetric model generation capability requires only information stored in the restart file during a data check run to generate the new model, which allows you to verify the new model before the analysis of the original model is performed. A data check analysis is performed by using the datacheck parameter in the command for running Abaqus (see Abaqus/Standard and Abaqus/Explicit execution). Revolving an axisymmetric cross-sectionYou can create a three-dimensional model by revolving the cross-section of a two-dimensional axisymmetric model about a symmetry axis starting at a prescribed reference plane, . Both the symmetry axis and reference plane of the new three-dimensional model can be oriented in any direction with respect to the global coordinate system (see Figure 1). A nonuniform discretization in the circumferential direction can be specified. Figure 1. Revolving an axisymmetric cross-section.
Specify the coordinates of points a, b, and c shown in Figure 1, followed by a list that defines the discretization in the circumferential direction containing the segment angle, number of elements per segment, and the bias ratio of the segment. Several segment angles, each with a different number of element subdivisions and a different bias ratio, can be used to define the complete discretization around the circumference of the revolved model. The endpoint of a cross-section revolved through 360.0° will always be connected to the origin of revolution, , regardless of the value specified for the duplicate node tolerance. Input File Usage SYMMETRIC MODEL GENERATION, REVOLVE Local orientation systemA local cylindrical orientation system is always used for element output of stress, strain, etc. A default local orientation definition is provided if the material in the original axisymmetric model does not contain an orientation definition. This default orientation is defined with the polar axis of the system along the axis of revolution, with an additional 90.0° rotation about the local 1-direction so that the local axes are 1=radial, 2=axial, and 3=circumferential. If shells or membranes are used, the projections of the local 2- and 3-axes onto the surface of the shell or membrane are taken as the local directions on the surface. This orientation system is always provided, even if an orientation is specified in the original axisymmetric model. However, if the results of the axisymmetric analysis are mapped onto the new three-dimensional model (see Transferring results from a symmetric mesh or a partial three-dimensional mesh to a full three-dimensional mesh) and an orientation definition is associated with the material in the original model, the original orientation revolved about the axis of symmetry replaces this default orientation definition. Controlling the new node and element numberingYou can define the increments in numbers between each node and element around the circumference of the three-dimensional model. The numbering starts at the reference cross-section . The reference cross-section uses the same numbering as the original axisymmetric model. The defaults are the largest node and element numbers used in the original axisymmetric model. Control over the numbering allows you to define additional parts of the model without the risk of conflicting element and node labels. Each offset value should be greater than or equal to the maximum node or element label, respectively, used in the original model. When specifying the offset value, care must be taken that the generated node or element does not exceed the maximum value allowed, which is 999,999,999. Input File Usage SYMMETRIC MODEL GENERATION, REVOLVE, NODE OFFSET=offset, ELEMENT OFFSET=offset Correspondence between axisymmetric and three-dimensional elementsThe element type used in the original two-dimensional model determines the element type in the new three-dimensional model. You can specify whether the new element should be either a general three-dimensional element or a cylindrical element. General and cylindrical elements can be used in the same model. Input File Usage SYMMETRIC MODEL GENERATION, REVOLVE coordinates of points a and b coordinates of point c segment angle, number of elements per segment, bias ratio, CYLINDRICAL or GENERAL For example, the following input specifies 4 cylindrical elements in a 300° segment and 10 general elements in a 60° segment: SYMMETRIC MODEL GENERATION, REVOLVEax, ay, az, bx, by, bzcx, cy, cz 300.0, 4, 1.0, CYLINDRICAL 60.0, 10, 1.0, GENERAL Regular axisymmetric elements (CAX), axisymmetric elements with twist (CGAX), shell elements, membrane elements, rigid elements, and surface elements can be used in the two-dimensional model; however, nonlinear axisymmetric elements (CAXA) cannot be used. A two-dimensional model that contains incompatible mode elements; first-order, reduced-integration, continuum elements; shell elements; or rigid elements cannot be used to generate cylindrical elements. The correspondence between the axisymmetric element type and the equivalent three-dimensional element type (general or cylindrical) is shown in Table 1.
Limitations
Revolving a three-dimensional sector to create a periodic modelYou can create a three-dimensional periodic model by revolving a single three-dimensional sector about a symmetry axis. Each generated sector in the periodic model can span the same angle in the circumferential direction, such as in a vented disc, or alternatively, can have a variable angle, such as in a treaded tire. In both cases, each sector always has the same geometry and mesh. Both the symmetry axis and the original three-dimensional sector can be oriented in any direction with respect to the global coordinate system (see Figure 2). Mismatched surface meshes can be used between sectors. Both open (the structure has end edges) or closed loop periodic structures can be generated. If a closed loop periodic structure needs to be created, the sum of the segment angles over all the sectors must be equal to 360°. Figure 2. Revolving a three-dimensional sector to form a periodic model.
Defining a periodic model with a constant angleTo define a periodic model with a constant angle, you must specify the coordinates of points a and b shown in Figure 2 to define the symmetry axis. You then define the segment angle, (in degrees), of the original sector and the number of three-dimensional repetitive sectors, N, including the original sector, in the generated periodic model. Input File Usage SYMMETRIC MODEL GENERATION, PERIODIC=CONSTANT coordinates of points a and b θ, N Defining a periodic model with a variable angleTo define a periodic model with a variable angle, the surfaces on both sides of the original sector must be completely planar. You specify the coordinates of points a and b shown in Figure 2 to define the symmetry axis. You then define the segment angle, (in degrees), of the original sector and the number of three-dimensional repetitive sectors, N, including the original sector, in the generated periodic model. Next, you specify an additional number of three-dimensional sectors to be generated, M, and the angular scaling factor, f, in the circumferential direction with respect to the original sector to be applied to these additional sectors. You can define pairs of additional sectors and scaling factors as needed. Input File Usage SYMMETRIC MODEL GENERATION, PERIODIC=VARIABLE coordinates of points a and b θ, N M1, f1 M2, f2 Etc. For example, the following input creates a 210° three-dimensional model with 7 sectors with the angles of 20°, 20°, 30°, 30°, 30°, 40°, and 40°, respectively: SYMMETRIC MODEL GENERATION, PERIODIC=VARIABLEax, ay, az, bx, by, bz 20.0,2 3,1.5 2,2.0 Applying constraints to symmetric surfaces with mismatched meshesIf the symmetric surfaces in the original sector have precisely matched meshes, as shown in Figure 3, any duplicate nodes that are generated will be eliminated automatically to ensure that the mesh is connected properly between the neighboring sectors when revolving the original sector about the symmetry axis to create a periodic model. Figure 3. Surfaces with precisely matching meshes on the original
sector.
In all other cases you must define one or more pairs of corresponding surfaces on each side of the original sector (see About surfaces) in the original model and specify the pairs of corresponding surfaces in the symmetric model generation definition. Optionally, you can also specify the tolerance distance within which nodes on one surface of a sector must lie from the corresponding surface of the neighboring sector to be constrained. Nodes on the surface of the sector that are further away from the corresponding surface of the neighboring sector than this distance are not constrained. The default value for the tolerance distance is 5% or 10% of the typical element size in the surfaces of the original sector, depending on whether node-to-surface or surface-to-surface type constraints are used, respectively. You can also specify whether surface-to-surface (default) or node-to-surface constraints should be used. Constraints between the automatically generated neighboring pairs of corresponding surfaces are then applied with an automatically generated surface-based tie constraint (Mesh tie constraints) when revolving the original sector about the symmetry axis to create a periodic model. The first surface of each specified pair is the slave surface, and all degrees of freedom of the nodes in the surface will be eliminated by internally generated multi-point constraints. Input File Usage Use the following options in the original model: SURFACE, NAME=master SURFACE, NAME=slave Use the following option in the new model with a constant angle for each sector: SYMMETRIC MODEL GENERATION, PERIODIC=CONSTANT ax, ay, az, bx, by, bz θ, N slave, master, tolerance distance, SURFACE or NODE Use the following option in the new model with a variable angle for each sector: SYMMETRIC MODEL GENERATION, PERIODIC=VARIABLE ax, ay, az, bx, by, bz θ, N M, f slave, master, tolerance distance, SURFACE or NODE Local orientation systemA local cylindrical orientation system is always used for element output of stress, strain, etc. If an orientation is specified in the original three-dimensional sector (see Orientations), the orientation system in the new model is defined by revolving the original orientation system about the symmetry axis. If shells or membranes are used, the projections of the local 2- and 3-axes onto the surface of the shell or membrane are taken as the local directions on the surface. If the material in the original three-dimensional sector does not contain an orientation definition, a default local orientation definition is provided. This default orientation is defined by revolving the global coordinate system in the original model about the axis of symmetry in the new model. Controlling the new node and element numberingYou can define the increments in numbers between each node and element around the circumference of the three-dimensional model. The numbering starts at the original three-dimensional repetitive sector. The original three-dimensional repetitive sector uses the same numbering as the original model. The defaults are the largest node and element numbers used in the original model. Control over the numbering allows you to define additional parts of the model without the risk of conflicting element and node labels. Each offset value should be greater than or equal to the maximum node or element label, respectively, used in the original model. When specifying the offset value, care must be taken that the generated node or element does not exceed the maximum value allowed, which is 999,999,999. Input File Usage SYMMETRIC MODEL GENERATION, PERIODIC, NODE OFFSET=offset, ELEMENT OFFSET=offset Limitations
Reflecting a partial three-dimensional modelYou can create a three-dimensional model by combining two parts of a symmetric three-dimensional model. One of the parts is the original model, and the other part is obtained by reflecting the original model through a symmetry line (Figure 4) or plane (Figure 5). Specify the coordinates of points a, b, and (if required) c shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5. Figure 4. Reflecting a three-dimensional model through line
with node offset n.
Figure 5. Reflecting a three-dimensional model through a plane
with node offset n.
Input File Usage Use one of the following options: SYMMETRIC MODEL GENERATION, REFLECT=LINE SYMMETRIC MODEL GENERATION, REFLECT=PLANE Controlling the new node and element numberingYou can specify constants that must be added to the original node and element numbers for numbering the reflected part of the three-dimensional model. The defaults are the maximum node and element numbers used in the original model. Control over the numbering allows you to define additional parts of the model without the risk of conflicting element and node labels. Input File Usage SYMMETRIC MODEL GENERATION, REFLECT, NODE OFFSET=offset, ELEMENT OFFSET=offset Limitations
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