What is a set?

A set is a named region or collection of entities on which you can perform various operations. For example, once you create a set, you can use it to perform the following tasks:

Related Topics
Using the Set and Surface toolsets

  • Assign section properties in the Property module.

  • Create contact pairs with contact node sets and surfaces in the Interaction module.

  • Define loads and boundary conditions in the Load module.

  • Request output from specific regions of the model in the Step module.

You can create the following types of sets:

Geometry sets

A geometry set contains geometric objects (cells, faces, edges, and vertices) that you have selected from one of the following types of parts or from instances of these parts:

  • Native parts (those created using the tools in the Part module)

  • Parts that you imported from a file.

You select the entities to include in the set from the current viewport. Depending on the shape and modeling space of the part, you can include any combination of cells, faces, edges, and vertices in a set. However, some procedures can be performed only with certain types of objects. As a result, the set that you select must include only object types that are valid for the procedure. For example, concentrated forces can be applied only to vertices; therefore, the sets to which you apply concentrated forces can include only vertices.

Node and element sets

Node and element sets contain nodes and elements that you have selected. You can create node and element sets from native Abaqus nodes and elements on a part that you have meshed in the Mesh module, from orphan mesh nodes and elements, or from nodes and elements on any instances of parts. A set can include nodes or elements from a single part or from multiple part instances. Sets that you create using the Set toolset can include either nodes or elements but not both. However, you can create sets containing a mixture of nodes and elements by merging sets or by importing an output database or an input file containing multiple sets with the same name. Native nodes and elements within sets allow you to request output or add loads to specific areas without deleting the mesh and partitioning the geometry. However, any changes to the mesh—including regenerating it from replay or journal files—may invalidate or change the native portion of mesh sets.

For more information about mesh parts and orphan mesh nodes and elements, see What kinds of files can be imported and exported from Abaqus/CAE?; Importing a model from an Abaqus input file; Importing a model from an output database; and Creating a mesh part.

If you rename or delete a set, any objects associated with the set, such as sections or loads, become invalid. However, if you change the name of a renamed set back to its original name or if you recreate a deleted set using its original name, objects associated with that set are restored.