# *CONNECTOR POTENTIAL

 Specify user-defined potentials in connector elements. This option is used to define a restricted set of mathematical functions to represent yield or limiting surfaces in the space spanned by connector available components. It can be used only in conjunction with the following options: CONNECTOR DAMAGE EVOLUTION, CONNECTOR DAMAGE INITIATION, CONNECTOR FRICTION*CONNECTOR LOCK, or CONNECTOR PLASTICITY*CONNECTOR STOP.
 Related Topics *CONNECTOR BEHAVIOR *CONNECTOR DAMAGE EVOLUTION *CONNECTOR DAMAGE INITIATION *CONNECTOR DERIVED COMPONENT *CONNECTOR FRICTION *CONNECTOR PLASTICITY In Other Guides Connection types Connector behavior Connector functions for coupled behavior

ProductsAbaqus/StandardAbaqus/ExplicitAbaqus/CAE

TypeModel data

LevelModel

Abaqus/CAEInteraction module

## Optional parameters

EXPONENT

This parameter can be used only if OPERATOR=SUM.

Set this parameter equal to the inverse of the overall exponent in the potential definition, $β$. $β$ must be a positive number. The default value is $β=2.0$.

OPERATOR

Set OPERATOR=SUM (default) to define the potential as the sum of the contributions defined on each data line.

Set OPERATOR=MAX to define the potential as the contribution coming from the data line that yields the maximum value. The EXPONENT parameter is ignored in this case.

## Data lines to define the potential

First line
1. Connector component number (1–6) or connector derived component name that is used in the contribution.

2. Nonzero scaling factor R. The default value is $R=1.0$.

3. Positive exponent $α$. The default value is that of the EXPONENT parameter, $α=β$. The exponent is ignored if OPERATOR=MAX.

4. The function H to be used to generate the contribution. H can be ABS (absolute value), MACAULEY (Macauley bracket), or NONE (the identity function). NONE can be used only if $α=β=1.0$. The default value is ABS.

5. Shift factor a. The default value is $a=0.0$.

6. Sign of this contribution s. The only admissible values are $s=1.0$ (default) and $s=-1.0$.

Repeat this data line as often as necessary to define the potential.