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Overview
Conventions
What's New?
Objects & Characteristics
Elements
Linear Triangle
Parabolic Triangle
Linear Quadrangle
Parabolic Quadrangle
Linear Tetrahedron
Parabolic Tetrahedron
Linear Pentahedron
Parabolic Pentahedron
Linear Hexahedron
Parabolic Hexahedron
Beam
Linear Bar
Parabolic Bar
Spring
Contact Rod
Tightening Beam
Periodic Condition
Rigid Beam
Rigid Spider
Smooth Spider
Fastened Join
Slider Join
Contact Join
Tightening Join
Fitting Join
Physical Properties
Shell Property
Membrane Property
Shear Panel Property
Solid Property
Beam Property
Bar Property
Spring Property
Contact Property
Tightening Property
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Periodic Property
Rigid Body Motion Property
Smooth Body Motion Property
Slider Property
Pressure Fitting Property
Index
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Overview
Welcome to the Finite Element Reference Guide. This guide is intended for users who wants to be familiar with
Analysis workbenches and the physical properties which are associated with those elements.
shear panel
Surface element
Linear quadrangle QD4
shell
Parabolic quadrangle QD8
membrane
Beam beam
Spring spring
Lineic element BAR
section gives a table with all the elements and several characteristics you can find in this Reference Guide
Conventions
Certain conventions are used in CATIA, ENOVIA & DELMIA documentation to help you recognize and understand
important concepts and specifications.
Graphic Conventions
The three categories of graphic conventions used are as follows:
a target of a task
the prerequisites
a tip
a warning
information
basic concepts
methodology
reference information
Site Map
What's New?
Overview
Getting Started
Basic Tasks
Workbench Description
Customizing
Reference
Methodology
Glossary
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Index
Text Conventions
The following text conventions are used:
The titles of CATIA, ENOVIA and DELMIA documents appear in this manner throughout the text.
File -> New identifies the commands to be used.
Enhancements are identified by a blue-colored background on the text.
Use this
mouse button... Whenever you read...
Drag
Move
What's New?
New Functionalities
Elements
Linear Bar
Linear bar element is now available.
Parabolic Bar
Parabolic bar element is now available.
Physical Properties
Bar Property
This property is now available with linear and parabolic bar elements.
Membrane Property
This property is now available with triangle (linear and parabolic) and quadrangle (linear and parabolic)
element.
Shear Panel Property
This property is now available with triangle (linear and parabolic) and quadrangle (linear) element.
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which is associated with this element and finally, the mesh connectivity of this element.
shell
Parabolic quadrangle QD8
membrane
Beam beam
Elements
Physical Properties
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Elements
This section provides a description of the elements used in the Analysis workbenches. You will find the
following information: type, associate physical property, mesh connectivity, number of nodes, degrees of
Linear Triangle
Parabolic Triangle
Linear Quadrangle
Parabolic Quadrangle
Linear Tetrahedron
Parabolic Tetrahedron
Linear Pentahedron
Parabolic Pentahedron
Linear Hexahedron
Parabolic Hexahedron
Beam
Linear Bar
Parabolic Bar
Spring
Contact Rod
Tightening Beam
Periodic Condition
Rigid Beam
Rigid Spider
Smooth Spider
Fastened Join
Slider Join
Contact Join
Tightening Join
Fitting Join
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Linear Triangle
Linear Triangle is a three-nodes plate finite element with flexing and transverse shear based on the
Physical property
shell
membrane
shear panel
Number of nodes 3
(per node)
This element has only one gauss point: the gravity center of the triangle (P1).
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Parabolic Triangle
Parabolic Triangle is a six-nodes surface element based on the Degenerate Solid theory.
Physical property
shell
membrane
shear panel
Number of nodes 6
(per node)
Linear Quadrangle
Physical property
shell
membrane
shear panel
Number of nodes 4
(per node)
P1 (- /2 ; - /2) P2 ( /2 ; - /2)
P3 ( /2 ; /2) P4 (- /2 ; /2)
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Parabolic Quadrangle
Physical property
shell
membrane
Number of nodes 8
(per node)
P1 (- /2 ; - /2) P2 ( /2 ; - /2)
P3 ( /2 ; /2) P4 (- /2 ; /2)
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Linear Tetrahedron
Number of nodes 4
3 (translations)
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
This element has only one gauss point: the gravity center (P1) of the tetrahedron.
Parabolic Tetrahedron
Number of nodes 10
3 (translations)
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
Linear Pentahedron
Number of nodes 6
3 (translations)
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
Parabolic Pentahedron
Number of nodes 15
3 (translations)
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
Linear Hexahedron
Number of nodes 8
3 (translations)
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
Parabolic Hexahedron
Number of nodes 20
3 (translations)
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
Beam
Beam is a two-nodes straight beam element with transverse shear based on the Timoshenko theory.
Number of nodes 2
(per node)
Linear Bar
Bar element two-nodes bar element with stiffness along their axis.
3 translations
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
Parabolic Bar
Bar element three-nodes bar element with stiffness along their axis.
3 translations
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
Spring
Spring element represents three translation and three rotational springs of stiffness, coupling two
Number of nodes 2
(per node)
Contact Rod
Contact Rod element with two nodes, used to impose a minimal clearance between the nodes in the
Number of nodes 2
3 (translations)
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
The nodes of this element can support rotation but only the three translations at each node are used.
If during the computation, the minimum clearance is reached, there are two cases:
If the length of the bar is null, the direction given by the property is used.
The use of contact rod is recommended when some part of a structure may be brought into contact
Tightening Beam
Tightening Beam element with two nodes, used to impose a minimum overlap between two nodes.
Number of nodes 2
(per node)
1. Link the displacement of the two nodes (N1 and N2) according to the rigid body motion
equations, except for the translation in the direction N1N2.
2. Impose a minimal overlap between the two nodes in the direction N1N2
If the length of the beam is null, the direction given by the property is used.
Periodic Condition
Number of nodes 2
(per node)
The displacements of the node N2 are equal to the transformation of the displacements of the node
N1.
If the two plans are parallel, the 3D transformation is a translation. In this case, the Periodic Condition
becomes the traditional Rigid Beam element and the displacements of the node N2 are equal to the
Rigid Beam
(per node)
The degrees of freedom of the master node (N1) are linked to the degrees of freedom of the slave
As a consequence, the displacement of the slave node depends to the rigid-body motion.
If there is more that one slave node, this Rigid Beam element becomes the traditional Rigid Spider
element.
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Rigid Spider
Rigid Spider connects a node to a set of nodes in a rigid fashion.
(per node)
The degrees of freedom of the master node (N1) are linked to the degrees of freedom of each slave
As a consequence, the displacements of the slave nodes are linked among themselves according to
rigid-body motion.
If there is only one slave node, this Rigid Spider element becomes the traditional Rigid Beam element.
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Smooth Spider
Smooth Spider connects a node to a set of nodes in a smooth fashion.
(per node)
The displacement of the slave node (N1) is linked to the displacement of the center of gravity of the n-
1 master nodes. This linkage does not introduce any additional stiffness between the master nodes.
1. Compute the center of gravity of the master nodes using the same weight for all the nodes.
The average displacement (translations and rotations) of the center of gravity of the master
nodes is computed using the Mean Squares method.
2. The slave node is linked to the center of gravity of the n-1 master nodes according to the rigid-
body equations.
The master nodes should not be aligned, otherwise the rotation along the axis of alignment can not be
transmitted.
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Fastened Join
(per node)
Mesh visualization:
The projected point (P) is a conceptual point, that means it is never created. The displacement of this
point is always expressed in terms of displacement of the master nodes through interpolation.
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Slider Join
Join element allows connecting a node and a face of an element.
3 translations
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
Mesh visualization:
The projected point (P) is a conceptual point, that means it is never created. The displacement of this
point is always expressed in terms of displacement of the master nodes through interpolation.
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Contact Join
(per node)
Mesh visualization:
The projected point (P) is a conceptual point, that means it is never created. The displacement of this
point is always expressed in terms of displacement of the master nodes through interpolation.
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Tightening Join
3 translations
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
Mesh visualization:
The projected point (P) is a conceptual point, that means it is never created. The displacement of this
point is always expressed in terms of displacement of the master nodes through interpolation.
Fitting Join
3 translations
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
Mesh visualization:
The projected point (P) is a conceptual point, that means it is never created. The displacement of this
point is always expressed in terms of displacement of the master nodes through interpolation.
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Physical Properties
This section provides a description of the physical properties which are associated with the reference
elements.
Shell Property
Membrane Property
Shear Panel Property
Solid Property
Beam Property
Bar Property
Spring Property
Contact Property
Tightening Property
Periodic Property
Rigid Body Motion Property
Smooth Body Motion Property
Slider Property
Pressure Fitting Property
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Shell Property
A shell property references a material assigned to the surface part and describes a thickness
associated to this surface part. A shell property is associative to the geometry this property points at.
Input:
Material
Thickness
Output:
Stress
Strain
Point force vector
Point moment vector
Stress Von Mises
Elastic energy
Elastic energy density
Estimated error
Curvature
Transverse shear strain
Transverse shear stress
Those characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the elements and in different axis
systems:
Stress
Strain
Elastic energy
Estimated error
Curvature
Membrane Property
A membrane property references a material assigned to the surface part and describes a thickness
associated to this surface part. A membrane property is associative to the geometry this property
points at.
Associated to this property, elements (linear or parabolic triangle, linear or parabolic quadrangle)
have:
Input:
Material
Thickness
Output:
Stress
Strain
Point force vector
Stress Von Mises
Elastic energy
Elastic energy density
Estimated error
Those characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the elements and in different axis
systems:
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Stress
Strain
Elastic energy
Estimated error
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A shear panel property references a material assigned to the surface part and describes a thickness
associated to this surface part. A shear panel property is associative to the geometry this property
points at.
Associated to this property, elements (linear or parabolic triangle, parabolic quadrangle) have:
Input:
Material
Thickness
Output:
Stress
Strain
Point force vector
Stress Von Mises
Elastic energy
Elastic energy density
Estimated error
Those characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the elements and in different axis
systems:
Stress
Strain
Elastic energy
Estimated error
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Solid Property
A solid property references a material assigned to this 3D part. A solid property is associative to the
Input:
Material
Output:
Stress
Strain
Estimated error
Stress Von Mises
Elastic energy
Elastic energy density
Point force vector
Pressure (optional)
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the element and in different axis
systems:
Stress
Strain
Estimated error
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Elastic energy
Pressure
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Beam Property
Input:
Material
Local Axis (optional)
Cross-sectional Area
Moment of inertia (tree values)
Shear Factor (two values)
Shear Center (two values)
Output:
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the element and in different axis
systems:
Bar Property
Input:
Material
Cross-sectional Area
Output:
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the element and in different axis
systems:
Stress
Strain
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Spring Property
Input:
Translational stiffness
Rotational stiffness
Output:
Point force vector
Point moment vector
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given positions of the element and in different axis
system:
Contact Property
The relative translation of the slave node with respect to the master nodes set is orthogonal to the
Input:
Direction (optional)
Local Axis (optional)
Initial clearance (optional)
Output:
Point force vector
Final clearance
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given position in the element:
Final clearance
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Tightening Property
Tightening property is a physical property assigned to a section of a part (1D).
Input:
Orientation vector (optional)
Local axis (optional)
Tightening force
Output:
Point force vector
Point moment vector
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the element and in different axis
system:
Periodic Property
Periodic property is a physical property assigned to a section of a part (1D).
Input:
3D Transformation
Output:
Point force vector
Point moment vector
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the element and in different axis
system:
Input:
Degrees of freedom: relaxation of some relations (optional)
Local Axis (optional)
Output:
Point force vector
Point moment vector
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the element and in different axis
system:
The set of slave nodes (there is generally only one slave node) is linked to the center of gravity of the
Input:
Degrees of freedom: relaxation of some relations (optional)
Local Axis (optional)
Output:
Point force vector
Point moment vector
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the element and in different axis
system:
Slider Property
The relative translation of the slave node with respect to the master nodes set is orthogonal to the
Input:
Direction (optional)
Local Axis (optional)
Output:
Point force vector
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the element and in different axis
system:
Input:
Direction (optional)
Local Axis (optional)
Output:
Point force vector
Point moment vector
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the element and in different axis
system:
Index
B
bar
property
beam
property
rigid
tightening
C
contact
join
property
rod
E
element
beam
contact join
contact rod
fastened join
fitting join
linear bar
linear hexahedron
linear pentahedron
linear quadrangle
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linear tetrahedron
linear triangle
parabolic bar
parabolic hexahedron
parabolic pentahedron
parabolic quadrangle
parabolic tetrahedron
parabolic triangle
periodic condition
rigid beam
rigid spider
slider join
smooth spider
spring
tightening beam
tightening join
F
fastened join
fitting join
H
hexahedron
linear
parabolic
J
join
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contact
fastened
fitting
slider
tightening
L
linear
hexahedron
pentahedron
quadrangle
tetrahedron
triangle
linear bar
element
M
membrane property
P
parabolic
hexahedron
pentahedron
quadrangle
tetrahedron
triangle
parabolic bar
element
pentahedron
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linear
parabolic
periodic condition
periodic property
physical property
property
bar
beam
contact
membrane
periodic
pressure fitting
shear panel
shell
slider
solid
spring
tightening
Q
quadrangle
linear
parabolic
R
rigid
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beam
spider
rod, contact
S
shear panel property
shell property
slider
join
property
smooth
spider
solid property
spider
rigid
smooth
spring
spring property
T
tetrahedron
linear
parabolic
tightening
beam
join
property
triangle
linear
parabolic