Controlling computations at region boundaries

The default result regions in an output database duplicate the regions that were used to assign section properties to the model prior to analysis. Alternatively, you can select element sets or display groups to use as result regions. You can control computations at nodes common to two or more result regions. Choose to ignore region boundaries to computationally combine results for a smoother, more continuous effect. Choose not to ignore region boundaries to visually emphasize model discontinuities. See Figure 1 for an example of contour plots with and without averaging across regions; averaging across regions occurs when you choose to ignore region boundaries.

Related Topics
Understanding how results are computed

  1. Locate the Region Boundaries options.

    From the main menu bar, select ResultOptions; then click the Computation tab in the dialog box that appears. The Region Boundaries options appear within the Averaging controls.

  2. To govern computations at nodes common to two or more result regions, toggle Use region boundaries.

    To use region boundaries means not to combine values from neighboring result regions when computing nodal averages or when computing discontinuities.

  3. Choose one of the following options to define the result regions:

    Tip: To view the current result regions, color code an undeformed or deformed plot using the Averaging regions method of attribute selection. (For more information, see Coloring all geometry in the Visualization module.)

    ODB regions

    By default, the result regions are the same as the section assignment regions saved in the output database (.odb) file. For more information, see Assigning sections, orientations, normals, and tangents to a part.

    Element sets

    Specify the results regions by selecting element sets.

    Display groups

    Specify the result regions by selecting display groups.

    Note:

    If the desired display groups do not exist, select ToolsDisplay GroupCreate to create them (for more information, see Creating or editing a display group).

    The region boundaries are defined using the display groups as they are defined at the time of selection. If you subsequently modify or delete display groups, the region boundaries do not change unless you redefine them.

  4. If you chose the Element sets or Display groups method to set the region boundaries, complete the following:

    1. Click .

      Abaqus/CAE opens the Specify Averaging Regions dialog box.

    2. From the list on the left side of the dialog box, click the desired regions to highlight them in the list. Use ShiftClick and CtrlClick to select multiple items.
    3. Click the right-facing arrow button in the center of the dialog box to copy the highlighted items to the Selection column. To move the entire list, click the double right arrow button.
    4. To remove region selections, highlight them in the Selection column and use the left-facing arrow button.

    Any elements that are not included in the region boundary selections will be colored using the no results color (for more information, see Coloring elements with no results). Selections that overlap will be combined.

  5. By default, Abaqus/CAE uses feature edges as additional region boundaries. To change the minimum angle used to create feature edges, click and change the Feature Angle setting in the ODB Display Options dialog box. Feature edges correspond to the undeformed model and are not recalculated for model deformation. (For more information, see Defining model feature edges.)

    To average results across feature edges, toggle off Include shell/membrane feature edge boundaries.

  6. Click Apply to implement your changes.

    Abaqus computes result values for the display in the current viewport according to your specifications.

    By default, your changes are saved for the duration of the session and will affect all subsequent display of results. If you want to retain your changes for subsequent sessions, save them to a file. For more information, see Saving customizations for use in subsequent sessions.