Figure 1. Conventional versus continuum shell element.
The general procedure for modeling continuum shells in three-dimensional
space involves the following steps:
-
In the
Part module,
define the solid geometry.
-
In the
Property module,
assign a shell section to any solid regions to which you will assign continuum
shell elements in the
Mesh module.
You must specify the thickness of a shell section; however,
Abaqus
uses this thickness only to estimate certain section properties, such as
hourglass stiffness.
Abaqus
uses the actual thickness, based on the element nodal geometry, during the
analysis. If the thickness of the solid region varies along its length, you
should provide an approximate value of the thickness. For more information, see
Using a shell section integrated during the analysis to define the section behavior.
-
In the
Mesh module,
query the mesh stack orientation. If necessary, assign a stack orientation so
that the continuum elements are aligned consistently from the bottom to the top
of the stack. See
Applying a mesh stack orientation,
for more information.
-
In the
Mesh module,
assign a continuum shell element type to the region, and mesh the region with
hexahedral or wedge elements. These are the only elements that can be stacked
to form a continuum shell mesh.