Mesh-to-mesh mapping from an output database file

When the data source is an Abaqus output database (.odb) file, the field output variable values must be displayed in a viewport. This technique is called mesh-to-mesh mapping. The field output variable values can be located at nodes, element centroids, or integration points. In this type of mapping the geometric region of the source data is the mesh connectivity data such as element faces or element sets.

To select the exact source data you want to use, open the desired output database file and display the undeformed contour plot in the Visualization module. You can also use the deformed plot, but the data are still mapped from the undeformed mesh. Choose the field output variable and the step and frame of the analysis for the value you want to map. When you create the new mapped field in your target model in the model database (.cae) file, you specify the displayed viewport as the data source. The current state of the viewport is taken as a snapshot of the set of values to be mapped onto the target model; namely, the specific field output variable displayed at a specific step and frame of the analysis.

As an example, you might use mesh-to-mesh mapping in the following workflow:

  1. Set up and run a thermal analysis in Abaqus to generate an output database containing nodal temperatures (output variable NT).

  2. Open the output database (.odb) file in the Visualization module, and display output variable NT at Step-3, Frame 0 of the analysis.

  3. Open the model database (.cae) file containing your main target model. Select ToolsAnalytical FieldCreate from the main menu bar in the Load module to create a mapped field from the nodal temperature values. In the Create Mapped Field dialog box, select the viewport containing the output database as the source data.

  4. Mesh (or remesh) your main model.

  5. Create a temperature predefined field, and select the mapped analytical field to define the temperature distribution. Abaqus/CAE maps the source data points and their associated temperatures onto points in the target model.

  6. Set up and run the subsequent analysis.

The source data on the output database mesh can be located at nodes, integration points, or whole elements. Dissimilar meshes are supported.

The current settings in the selected viewport are used in the mapping. These settings are as follows:

  • Primary field output variable

  • Step/increment

  • Averaging options selected in the Result Options dialog box

  • Section points (top or bottom)

  • Etc.

The following viewport settings are not supported for mesh-to-mesh mapping:

  • Display groups

  • Transformations

  • Averaging by element sets or display groups in the Result Options dialog box

  • Element face data

  • User data in the current session (but data saved in the output database file is supported)

When you create a mapped field from output database data and close the Create Mapped field dialog box, the source data are saved to the mapped field object, but the viewport itself is not saved. Any changes made in the viewport after creating the mapped field are not reflected in the mapping data. After you have created a mapped field using mesh-to-mesh mapping, you cannot edit the source data mesh specifications; you can edit an existing mapped field only to change the default field value or mapper control options.

Volumetric mesh-to-mesh mapping can be performed only with nodal temperatures and material densities. When the mapping target is a mesh-based nodal region, you must specify whether the target is a surface or a volumetric region. Abaqus/CAE uses different mapping algorithms for a surface versus a volumetric region.