Selecting the status field output variable

You can specify result-based criteria for element failure for a selected field output variable; this variable is called the status field output variable. When you enable the use of the status field output variable, elements that meet the specified criteria are considered failed and they are removed from model plots. Use the Status Variable options in the Field Output dialog box to enable the use of the status variable; to select the variable and, if applicable, an invariant or components; and to specify the result-based criteria for failure. If desired, you can apply the status field output variable to undeformed shape plots. By default, failed elements are not removed when the model is displayed in an undeformed state.

Related Topics
Selecting model data and analysis results to plot

Context:

By default, the status field output variable is not enabled unless the output variable STATUS appears in the output database. In this case the use of the status field output variable is enabled by default, the output variable STATUS is selected, and the failure criteria is set to remove elements with values less than or equal to 0.5 (the status of an element is 1.0 if the element is active, 0.0 if the element is not). Elements with a value of 0.0 are not displayed in the model plot in the current viewport.

When selecting a status field output variable, Abaqus/CAE lists for your selection all of the variables (except surface-based field output variables) available at the current step and frame of your output database. An asterisk to the left of the description indicates that the variable includes complex number results. For information on individual output variable identifiers, see Output Variables.

  1. Locate the options that control the status field output variable.

    1. From the main menu bar, selectResultField Output. Click the Status Variable tab in the dialog box that appears.
    2. Toggle Use status variable to disable or enable use of the status variable.

      When Use status variable is on, the status variable is enabled and the Status Variable options become available.

    Tip: You can also access these options by clicking the Field Output button in any dialog box in which it appears.

    To see the complete descriptions of the variables listed, increase the width of the dialog box by dragging one corner.

  2. Toggle on Apply to undeformed state to apply the status field output variable to undeformed shape plots. If your model contains no deformations, you must toggle on this setting to apply the status field output variable.

  3. To control which variables appear in the Name and Description list:

    1. Toggle List only variables with results to display a list that is limited by the storage location of the variables. Limiting the list helps you select variables by presenting, for example, only integration point quantities.

      When List only variables with results is on, filter options become available in the pull-down menu.

    2. Click the List only variables with results arrow to reveal the filter options.
    3. Click the text stating the location of the variables you want to include in the Name and Description list.

      The text appears in the List only variables with results box, and the Name and Description list is refreshed to include only variables having that location.

  4. From the Name and Description list, click the name of the analysis variable that you want. An asterisk to the left of the description in the list indicates that the variable includes complex number results.

    The selected variable is highlighted. If applicable, the Invariant and Component lists on the bottom of the dialog box are refreshed to display available invariants or components, respectively.

  5. If items are listed in the Invariant or Component list, click the invariant or component that you want.

    The selected invariant or component is highlighted.

    Note: For S and E field output, there are two invariants, Max. Principal (abs) and Max. In-Plane Principal (abs), which are available only in the Visualization module. Max. Principal (abs) is the largest principal value when the absolute value of all principal values are compared. Max. In-Plane Principal (abs) is the largest principal value when the absolute value of all in-plane principal values are compared. The out-of-plane principal value is not considered when the Max. In-Plane Principal (abs) value is computed.

  6. Choose from the filtering methods in the Remove elements field to specify the failure criteria. If any result value of an element meets the specified criteria, that element is considered failed and it is removed from model plots. Element output quantities are compared against the specified criteria; there is no extrapolation or averaging performed on the element data. If a nodal quantity is selected and a value for a given node meets the specified criteria, all elements connected to the failed node are removed.

    • Select and enter a value in the Max field to remove elements with values less than or equal to the specified value.

    • Select and enter a value in the Min field to remove elements with values greater than or equal to the specified value.

    • Select (inside) and enter values for the upper and lower bounds of the range in the Min and Max fields to remove elements with values between and including the specified values.

    • Select (outside) and enter values for the upper and lower bounds of the range in the Min and Max fields to remove elements with values outside the specified range.

  7. Click Apply to implement your changes.

    The model plot in the current viewport changes to remove elements with values of the selected status field output variable that meet the specified criteria. If active, the text in the legend and state block changes to identify the variable associated with the plot. For more information on the legend and state block, see Customizing the legend, and Customizing the state block.

    Your changes are saved for the duration of the session.