Contour plots

Contour plots display the variation of a variable across the surface of a model. You can create filled or shaded contour plots of field output results from the output database.

This task shows you how to:

Generate a contour plot of the Mises stress

  1. From the main menu bar, select PlotContoursOn Deformed Shape.

    The filled contour plot shown in Figure 1 appears.

    The Mises stress, S Mises, indicated in the legend title is the default variable chosen by Abaqus for this analysis. You can select a different variable to plot.

    Figure 1. Filled contour plot of Mises stress.

  2. From the main menu bar, select ResultField Output.

    The Field Output dialog box appears; by default, the Primary Variable tab is selected.

  3. From the list of available output variables, select a new variable to plot.

    Tip: You can also use the Field Output toolbar, located above the viewport, to change the displayed field output variable. For more information, see Using the field output toolbar.

  4. Click OK.

    The contour plot in the current viewport changes to reflect your selection.

Generate a customized contour plot

Context:

Abaqus/CAE offers many options to customize contour plots. To see the available options, click the Contour Options tool in the toolbox. By default, Abaqus/CAE automatically computes the minimum and maximum values shown in your contour plots and evenly divides the range between these values into 12 intervals. You can control the minimum and maximum values Abaqus/CAE displays (for example, to examine variations within a fixed set of bounds), as well as the number of intervals.

  1. In the Basic tabbed page of the Contour Plot Options dialog box, drag the Contour Intervals slider to change the number of intervals to nine.

  2. In the Limits tabbed page of the Contour Plot Options dialog box, choose Specify beside Max; then enter a maximum value of 400E+6.

  3. Choose Specify beside Min; then enter a minimum value of 60E+6.

  4. Click OK.

    Abaqus/CAE displays your model with the specified contour option settings, as shown in Figure 2 (this figure shows Mises stress; your plot will show whichever output variable you have chosen). These settings remain in effect for all subsequent contour plots until you change them or reset them to their default values.

Figure 2. Customized plot of Mises stress.