Supported Element Types

The supported element types are discussed within this section

The analysis model can contain arbitrary element types and supplementary options.

Only design nodes that are attached to certain element types can be used in shape and bead optimization, see About Design variables (DV_SHAPE) and Design variables (DV_BEAD) for details. All other element types are allowed if they are not modified during the optimization. Only certain element types for defining the restriction areas of elements are permitted.

Some further restrictions may apply regarding specific design responses. Please check remarks for this.

SIMULIA Tosca Structure Element type

MSC Nastran® Element type

Design element

SOLID_BRICK_8

CHEXA

C, S, F

SOLID_BRICK_20

CHEXA

C, S, F

SOLID_TETRA_4

CTETRA

C, S, F

SOLID_TETRA_10

CTETRA

C, S, F

SOLID_PENTA_6

CPENTA

C, S, F

SOLID_PENTA_15

CPENTA

C, S, F

SHELL_QUAD_4

CQUAD4

CQUAD8

CQUAD

CQUADR

CSHEAR

CQUADX

C, S, F

C, S, F

C

C, S, F

C, S, F

SHELL_QUAD_8

CQUAD8

CQUAD

CQUADX

C, S, F

C

SHELL_TRIANG_3

CTRIA3

CTRIA6

CTRIAR

CTRIAX

CTRIAX6

C, S, F

C, S

C, S, F

C

SHELL_TRIANG_6

CTRIA6

CTRIAX

CTRIAX6

C, S, F

C

BEAM_3D

CBAR

CBEAM

CBEND

CBUSH

can be used as restriction element for shape optimizations

GAP_2_ND

CGAP

 

MASS_1

CONM1

CMASS1

 

DUMMY_ELEM_TYPE

all not supported element types

 

C=allowed for controller-based optimization (bead, shape and topology); S=allowed for sensitivity-based topology optimization; F=allowed for the design responses that use the element-based reaction and internal forces

More solver specific information about Sensitivity based algorithm is found in Remarks for Sensitivity-Based Optimizations. For sensitivity based bead optimization, see Special Remarks Using Sensitivity-Based Algorithm.

Important:

  • Elements with linear or quadratic element formulations are supported. Mixed elements types are not permitted. A model can contain linear as well as quadratic elements.
  • Shell structures are optimized in form and not in thickness in shape optimization. This means that the "shell edges" need to be modified and not the shell layers.
  • Shell elements are not admitted for stresses in topology optimization.