ECN No Name Newsletter: September, 1994

The ECN No Name Newsletter is no longer being published. This is an archived issue.

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Abaqus V5

No Name Newsletter -- September 1994

David Gardner

WHAT IS ABAQUS?

ABAQUS is a finite element analysis package, divided into three components. ABAQUS/Standard is intended for general purpose finite element analysis, while ABAQUS/Explicit is a fully vectorized dynamic finite element program for use on supercomputers. ABAQUS/Post is an interactive postprocessor which allows the user to display files created by both the Standard and Explicit packages.

TO USE ABAQUS

ABAQUS requires the user to create a file, or data deck, which provides model and history data. Model data concerns the object, such as a steel I-beam, being subjected to analysis, and history data describes the process, such as sheering force, applied to the object. Data is defined with keywords and numerical values which are translated by ABAQUS into a computational model. The following example displays a few lines from a sample data deck: 
*HEADING
I-BEAM
*NODE, NSET=ENDS
1, 0.
6, 100.
*NGEN
1, 6
In the above lines, the NODE and NSET commands locate the coordinates of the ends of the beam, and the NGEN command generates a mesh defining the boundaries of the beam. The HEADING keyword prints "I-BEAM" at the top of each printed page of output.

Once a data deck has been created, ABAQUS is invoked from the command line with the command: 

   abaqus job=_job-name_
where _job-name_ specifies the name of all files read and created during the analysis process. This name should correspond to the one given to the input file. If ABAQUS cannot find a file with the corresponding name and the extension .inp (for input), the user will be prompted for a correct file name.

USING ABAQUS/Post

ABAQUS/Post is a graphical postprocessor which will plot wireframe models of objects based on data provided in the input file. ABAQUS/Post will also display models based on the results of finite element analysis, provide contouring and shading, and depending on the graphics capability of the hardware in use, light-source shading. The postprocessor can also print out copies of desired models. To run ABAQUS/Post from the command line, enter the following: 
        abaqus post
Type CEND from within the ABAQUS/Post environment to exit your session.

A set of Abaqus V5.3 manuals have been placed on reserve at the Siegesmund Library in Potter Engineering Center and are available at the circulation desk. The six volumes include: 

Abaqus Standards, User's Guide I
Abaqus Standards, User's Guide II
Abaqus Theory
Abaqus Verification
Abaqus Post
Abaqus Standard Example Problems
A complete listing of the table of contents for these manuals is available online on the ECN home page under Software Packages.

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