FEA Element Types

Elements fall into four major categories: 2D line elements, 2D

planar elements, and 3D solid elements which are all used to define
geometry; and special elements used to apply boundary conditions.
For example special elements might include gap elements to specify
a gap between two pieces of geometry. Spring elements are used to
apply a specific spring constant at a specified node or set of nodes.
Rigid elements are used to define a rigid connection to or in a
model. The figures below show nodes in red and the element in
translucent blue except for the beam element which is bright blue.
The most common geometry elements are show below. Most FEA
tools support additional element types as well as somewhat
different implementations of even these common elements.

Truss Element (2D Line)

Truss elements are long and

slender, have 2 nodes, and
can be oriented anywhere in
3D space. Truss elements
transmit force axially only
and are 3 DOF elements
which allow translation only
and not rotation. Trusses are
normally used to model
towers, bridges, and
buildings. A constant cross
section area is assumed and
they are used for linear
elastic structural analysis.
 Beam Element (2D Line)

Beam elements are long and

slender, have three nodes,
and can be oriented
anywhere in 3D space. Beam
elements are 6 DOF elements
allowing both translation and
rotation at each end node.
That is the primary difference
between beam and truss
elements. The I J nodes
define element geometry, the
K node defines the cross
sectional orientation. This is
how you differentiate
between the strong and weak
axis of bending for a beam. A
constant cross section area is
assumed. In the image, the
beam shape is shown only for
visualization, the element is
the dark blue rod. The I J axis
runs from the near to far
node. K is shown vertically
above the I node or could be
horizontally to the right of I.
2D Element (2D Planar)

2D Elements are 3 or 4 node

elements with only 2 DOF, Y
and Z translation, and are
normally created in the YZ
plane. They are used for
Plane Stress or Plane Strain
analyses. Common
applications include
axisymmetric bodies of
revolution such as missile
radomes, radial seals, etc.
and long sections with
constant cross sectional area
such as a dam. Plane Stress
implies no stress normal to
the cross section defined -
strain is allowed - suitable to
model the 2D cross section of
a body of revolution. Plane
Strain implies no strain
normal to the cross section
defined - stress is allowed -
suitable to model the 2D
cross section of a long dam.
Membrane Element (2D
Planar)

Membrane Elements are 3 or

4 node 2D elements that can
be oriented anywhere in 3D
space. They can be used to
model thin membrane like
materials like fabric, thin
metal shells, etc. These
elements will not support or
transmit a moment load or
stress normal to the surface.
They support only
translational DOF not
rotational and in-plane
loading. The thickness of the
membrane must be small
relative to its length or width.
Membrane thickness is
defined as a fixed parameter
which can be varied. The
geometry is drawn at the
midplane with zero thickness
shown, similar to a plate
element.
Plate Element (2D Planar)

Plate elements are 3 or 4

node 2D planar elements that
can be oriented anywhere in
3D space. They are typically
used to model structures
comprised of shells such as
pressure vessels, automobile
bodies, ship hulls, and aircraft
fuselages. Generally a thicker
wall than for a membrane
element but about 1/10 the
length or width. All
translational DOF are
supported as well as
rotational DOF that are not
out of plane. That is rotation
about the normal to the
element surface is not
allowed. Plate thickness is
defined as a fixed parameter
which can be varied. The
geometry is drawn at the
midplane with zero thickness
shown.
3D Tetrahedra Element, 4
Nodes (3D Solid)

See definition below for the 8

node brick, you can usually
specify either all tetrahedra,
all bricks, or a mixture of
both with some automatic
mesh generators.

3D Tetrahedra Element, 5
Nodes, Pyramid (3D Solid)

See definition below for the 8

node brick, you can usually
specify either all tetrahedra,
all bricks, or a mixture of
both with some automatic
mesh generators.

3D Tetrahedra Element, 6
Nodes, Wedge (3D Solid)

See definition below for the 8

node brick, you can usually
specify either all tetrahedra,
all bricks, or a mixture of
both with some automatic
mesh generators.
 3D Tetrahedra Element
with Midside Nodes, 15
Nodes, Wedge (3D Solid)

See definition below for the 8

node brick, you can usually
specify either all tetrahedra,
all bricks, or a mixture of
both with most automatic
mesh generators.
3D Brick Element, 8 Nodes
(3D Solid)

Brick or tetrahedra elements

may have 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 15, or
20 nodes and support only
translational DOF. They are
normally used to model solid
objects for which plate
elements are not appropriate.
You can usually specify either
all tetrahedra, all bricks, or a
mixture of both with some
automatic mesh generators.
This is the most common, and
frequently the only element
type supported by automatic
mesh generators. Bricks work
quite well for any "blocky"
structures which are typical of
machined, cast, or forged
fabricated parts. Structural
and thermal bricks exist so
the same model geometry
can be used for both the
initial steady state heat
transfer and subsequent
thermal stress computations.
Bricks compute stress
through the thickness of a
part.
 3D Brick Element with
Midside Nodes, 20 Nodes
(3D Solid)

See definition above for the 8

node brick. Midside nodes can
be included if desired, also
some FEA tools include an
additional 21st node at the
centroid of the brick which
can be useful in computation
quality comparisons.
What is a Beam Element?
Beam elements are two-node members which allow arbitrary orientation in the 3-D (three-dimensional) X,
Y, Z space. An additional node (K-node) is required to define the element orientation. The beam transmits
moments, torque and forces and is a general six (6) degree of freedom (DOF) element (i.e., three global
translation and rotational components at each end of the member).

Figure 1: Definition of K-node for Beam Element

The 3-D beam element is a three-dimensional uniform cross-section element capable of performing large
deformations and elastic-plastic analysis of general beam-frame problems. The cross-section change of
shape is not accounted for in any MES/nonlinear structural analysis.

Externally, the beam has six degrees of freedom -- three displacements and three rotations. The output
from the analysis includes the end forces of the beam, the axial stress and the associated shear stresses.
It supports full 3-D translation and rotation motions. The 3-D beam element is often used in analyses when
bending, torsion and stretching behaviors occur with large deformations and/or material nonlinear effects.
What is a Shell Element?
Shell elements are 4- to 8-node isoparametric quadrilaterals or 3- to 6-node triangular elements in any 3-D
orientation. The 4-node elements require a much finer mesh than the 8-node elements to give convergent
displacements and stresses in models involving out-of-plane bending. Figure 1 shows some typical shell
elements.

The General and Co-rotational shell element is formulated based on works by Ahmad, Iron and Zienkiewicz
and later refined by Bathe and Balourchi. It can be applied to model both thick and thin shell problems.
Also, the geometry of a doubly curved shell with variable thickness can be accurately described using this
shell element.

Figure 1: Sample 3-D Shell Element

 Figure 2: Typical Shell Elements

The Thin shell element is based on thin plate theory. The bending behavior of the element is based on a
discrete Kirchoff approach to plate bending using Batoz's interpolation functions. This formulation satisfies
the Kirchoff constraints along the boundary and provides linear variation of curvature through the
element. The membrane behavior of the element is based on the Allman triangle which is derived from the
Linear Strain Triangular (LST) element. A general curved surface is approximated by this element as a set
of facets formed by the planes defined by the three nodes of each element. For these reason a well-refined
mesh is necessary.

The element geometry is described by the nodal point coordinates. Each shell element node has 5 degrees
of freedom (DOF) - three translations and two rotations. The translational DOF are in the global Cartesian
coordinate system. The rotations are about two orthogonal axes on the shell surface defined at each node.
The rotational boundary condition restraints and applied moments also refer to this nodal rotational system.
The two rotational axes (V1 and V2) are usually automatically determined by the processor and you do not
have to specifically orient them.

The rotational R1 and R2 directions at each node are determined by the cross product of the normal vector
Vn and a guiding vector Vg as follows. See Figure 3 (V1 and V2 are the unit vectors along the R1 and R2
rotational direction, respectively):
R1 = V2 x Vn
R2 = Vn x Vg

The default guiding vector Vg is (1,0,0). In other words, the R1 axis is actually the projection of the guiding
vector Vg onto the shell surface, and the R2 axis lies on this shell surface but orthogonal to R1 and the
normal vector Vn. Figure 3 shows the orientation of R1 and R2 using the default guiding vector (1,0,0).

You can enter two guiding vectors for each shell element part . If the guiding vector has zero projection
onto the shell plane, the second guiding vector is used. You can also specify a guiding vector for a specific
node.
The processor determines the normal direction of each shell element node by taking the average of different
normal vectors from different elements connecting to the node point. The element normals are computed
from the element corner nodes data. From this normal vector, two rotational axes are then determined. You
can also specify the normal vector direction directly and suppress the processor's calculations. The two
rotational vectors can also be oriented in a user-specified direction such that skewed rotational restraints
or moments in 3-D space can be easily defined.

When multiple shell panels intersect at an area (usually at a line of intersection), it is difficult to specify the
rotational DOF at the area. In this case, the nodes at the intersecting area should be designated as 6-DOF
nodes.

Figure 3: The Rotational Degrees of Freedom Determined Using Vg

Six DOF nodes will have globally oriented rotational DOF instead of the unique R1 and R2 DOF at each
node.

Three-dimensional shell elements are Type 26 elements and are 4- to 8-node isoparametric quadrilaterals
or 3- to 6-node triangular elements in any 3-D orientation. They can be applied to models for both thick and
thin shell problems. Also, the geometry of a doubly curved shell with variable thickness can be accurately
described using this shell element. Theoretical aspects of this element formulation can be found in Bathe
and Balourchi.

The element geometry is described by the nodal point coordinates. Each shell element node has five
degrees of freedom (DOF) - three translations and two rotations. The shell elements' rotational DOF are
defined by the shell guiding vectors. The projection of the guiding vector, Vg, onto the shell element will be
the first rotational axis (R1). The second rotational axis is orthogonal to both the R1 and the shell normal
vector (Vn), using the rule R2 = Vn x Vg. The default guiding vector is (1, 0, 0). If the guiding vector is
parallel to the shell normal vector, Vn, a second guiding vector [(0, 1, 0) by default] will be used to define
the R1 direction.
Post discretization in FEA, all the elements are assigned a function (a polynomial) which
would be used to represent the behavior of the element. Polynomial equations are
preferred for this as they can be easily differentiated and integrated. Order of an
element is the same as the order of the polynomial equation used to represent the
element.

A Linear element or First order element will have nodes only at the corners. This is
something like the Edge Centered Cubic Structure.

However, a Second order element or Quadratic element will have mid side nodes in
addition to nodes at the corner (edge + body + face centered cubic structure).

A linear element in the above diagram clearly has two nodes and hence needs only a
Linear equation to be assigned to represent the element behaviour. However, higher
order equation can also be used but the point is the minimum order of equation has to
be linear.

However, a Quadratic element needs a quadratic equation to describe its behaviour as it

has three nodes.

For elements in which you would like to capture curvature, higher order polynomials are
preferred. First order elements cannot capture curvature.

The order of the element has nothing to do with geometry. In the below diagram, for the
same triangle, first order as well as second discretization can be done but second order
has good chances of capturing curvature.
To accurately capture complex curvatures, very high order polynomials are needed but
they come at the cost of increased computational time. Hence, its better to have a trade
off between degree of accuracy and computational time.

Now, lets talk of number of nodes between first and second order elements. The number
of nodes is arrived by Pascal’s Triangle.
The following are for triangles. For a 0th order, the number of terms is 31 which is the
number of nodes must be 1.

For a linear (first order polynomial), the number of terms is 3 which is the number of
nodes must be 3.

For a quadratic (second order polynomial), the number of terms is 6 which is number of
nodes=6.
Now in case of squares, we have to consider the square as an addition of two triangles.
The results for 0th order, Linear and Quadratic are as follows-
 Autodesk
Beam Elements
A beam element is a slender structural member that offers resistance to forces and bending under
applied loads. A beam element differs from a truss element in that a beam resists moments (twisting
and bending) at the connections.

These three node elements are formulated in three-dimensional space. The element geometry
specifies the first two nodes (I-node and J-node). The third node (K-node) is used to orient each
beam element in 3D space (see Figure 1). A maximum of three translational degrees-of-freedom
and three rotational degrees-of-freedom are defined for beam elements (see Figure 2). Three
orthogonal forces (one axial and two shears) and three orthogonal moments (one torsion and two
bending) are calculated at each end of each element. Optionally, the maximum normal stresses
produced by combined axial and bending loads are calculated. Uniform inertia loads in three
directions, fixed-end forces, and intermediate loads are the basic element based loadings.

Figure 1: Beam Elements

Figure 2: Beam Element Degrees-of-Freedom

Note: The mass moment of inertia about the longitudinal axis, I1, is approximated for beam
elements. Specifically, the HRZ lumping method is used to generate a lumped mass matrix from the
consistent mass matrix. The total translational mass of an element is preserved, while the rotational
mass is approximate.

For rotation about axes 2 and 3, only the m×R2 effect is considered, where R is the distance from the
rotation point to the element. The mass moments of inertia, I2 and I3, are calculated based on the
slender rod formula (I2 = I3 = M×L2/12).

The three mass moments of inertia only impact Natural Frequency (Modal) and Natural Frequency
(Modal) with Load Stiffening analyses."
Figure 3: Mass Moment of Inertia Axes

Use Beam Elements When

 The length of the element is much greater than the width or depth.
 The element has constant cross-sectional properties.
 The element must be able to transfer moments.
 The element must be able to handle a load distributed across its length.

Gap Elements
Gap elements are two-node elements formulated in three-dimensional space. This element type is
only available in a static stress analysis with linear material models.

Two end nodes specified in three-dimensional space define gap elements. Only the axial forces of
the element are calculated for each element, and depending on the settings, only compressive
forces or only tensile forces are generated. No element-based loading is defined for gap elements.

A compression gap is not activated until the gap is closed; a tension gap is not activated until the
gap is opened. Therefore, the structural behavior of a finite element model associated with gap
elements is always nonlinear because of its indeterminate condition. Whether the gaps are closed or
opened is not known in advance. An iterative solution method is used to determine the status
(opened or closed) of the gap elements.

Since the analysis is linear and small deflection theory is used, only motion in the direction of the
original gap element orientation is considered. Sideways motion does not affect the status of the gap
element.

In general, there are three applications for gap elements. Each has its own characteristics in terms
of element input. They are briefly summarized as follows:

Application Type Element Direction Input Element Stiffness

Rigid support at the structure Element must be aligned Three or four orders of magnitude
boundary to calculate the support with global X, Y, or Z axis larger than the other normal stiffnesses
reactions in the structure

Interface element between two Element may be defined Same order of magnitude of the other
faces of the structure in space in any direction normal stiffnesses in the structure

Elastic spring between the base of Element may be defined Actual spring constant calculated from
the structure and the foundation in any direction the foundation soil

Avoid excessively stiff gap elements (with large spring stiffness) that are not aligned with the global
coordinate system. Such elements introduce large off-diagonal values into the structural stiffness
matrix and cause solution difficulties. The resulting solution may also be inaccurate. The provided
spring stiffness, about three or four orders of magnitude larger than the other normal stiffnesses in
the structure, is sufficient for rigid gap elements used in application type (1).

Note: This content applies to gap elements created by hand (lines drawn between two nodes of the
model or between the model and the ground). Gap or contact elements created automatically (CAD
models, 2D automatic meshes, or hand-built models) are slightly different. See the Types of
Contact page.

Use Gap Elements

 To model the effects of a spring or cable where the stiffness is not always present under all loadings.
 To find the contact force between two parts under a load.

Rigid Elements
A rigid element connects two nodes of a model, or to transfers a load from a part not in the model, or
simulates a boundary that is not modeled.

The rigid element consists of two nodes. Each rigid element part may contain an unlimited amount of
elements. However, all the rigid elements in a particular part must share a single node. This
common node is treated as the master node during the analysis. See the examples in the following
image.

The rigid element is assigned a single stiffness value that is applied against one or multiple degrees
of freedom.
Improper. Rigid elements used to connect two
brackets of a larger assembly. The rigid elements
(part 2, P2 in figure) are incorrect in this example.
Each of the elements within the part do not share a
common node. Each rigid element within a part
must be connected to one node to create the
proper geometry. (Brackets shown with
transparency to show the rigid elements more
clearly.)
Proper. Each of the rigid elements in each part
share one common node. In part 2 (P2), all the rigid
elements are connected at one node in the center.
Part 4 (P4) is the same way. Part 3 (P3) connects
the two sides and can be either one element or two
elements (share a node in the center). Part 3
cannot be divided into three elements because
they do not share one common node.

Improper and Proper Rigid Elements

When to Use Rigid Elements

 Two parts are connected together by a rigid connection.
 To model the effect of a part that serves as a constraint in the model without modeling the entire
part.
Spring Elements
A spring element has two basic forms. The classic spring connects two nodes on the model. It can
be axial or rotational. For an axial spring, a spring stiffness, k, is applied to the spring element. The
spring deflects a distance x. This distance depends on the axial force in the spring element, F, and
the spring stiffness. The distance the spring deflects can be calculated by the equation x=F/k. For a
rotational spring, a torsional stiffness, k t , is applied to the spring element. The spring rotates
through an angle ϑ. This angle depends on the moment applied to the spring, M, and the torsional
stiffness. The angle through which the spring rotates can be calculated by the equation M/k t .

The DOF spring connects a single DOF from each node to which it is connected. This spring has a
stiffness value as described for the classic spring.

When to Use Spring Elements

 Two parts are connected by a spring with a known spring stiffness value.
 Two parts are connected by a part that only transmits an axial force. The spring stiffness for this
part can be calculated as AE/L where A is the cross-sectional area, E is the modulus of elasticity, and
L is the length.

Truss Elements
Truss elements are two-node members which allow arbitrary orientation in the XYZ coordinate
system. The truss transmits axial force only and, in general, is a three degree-of-freedom (DOF)
element. Trusses are used to model structures such as towers, bridges, and buildings.

The three-dimensional (3D) truss element is assumed to have a constant cross-sectional area and
can be used in linear elastic analysis. Linear elastic material behavior is defined only by the modulus
of elasticity. Linear trusses can also be used to simulate translational and displacement boundary
elements.

Trusses, by definition, cannot have rotational DOFs, even if you released these DOFs when you
applied the boundary conditions. You can apply translational DOFs as needed.

Figure 1: Formulation of a Truss Element

When to Use Truss Elements

 The length of the element is much greater than the width or depth (approximately 8-10 times).
 It is connected to the rest of the model with hinges that do not transfer moments.
 The external applied forces are only at joints.
2D Elements
2D elements are three- or four-node elements that must be formulated in the YZ plane. They are
used to model and analyze objects such as bearings or seals, or structures such as dams. These
elements are formulated in the YZ plane and have only two degrees-of-freedom defined: the Y
translation and the Z translation. Temperature-dependent orthotropic material properties can be
defined and incompatible displacement modes can be included.

The highest surface number among the lines that define the element determines the surface number
of that element.

2D elements, by definition, cannot have rotational degrees of freedom (DOFs) or translation in the X
direction. You can apply translational Y and Z constraints and forces as needed.

Figure 1: 2D Elasticity Elements (Triangular)

Figure 2: 2D Elasticity Elements (Quadrilateral)

When to Use 2D Elements

 To model a cross section of a part.
 Model can be drawn in the YZ plane.
 Plane stress geometry type: No stress in the X direction (through the thickness). Strain in the X
direction is allowable (for example, thin plate under an axial load).
 Plane strain geometry type: No strain in the X direction (through the thickness). Stress in the X
direction is allowable (for example, large dam).
 Axisymmetric geometry type: Model is axisymmetric about the Z axis and exists only in the positive
Y quadrant of the YZ plane.
Select Types of 2D Elements
There are three types of 2D elements available for a structural analysis. They can be selected in
the Geometry Type drop-down menu in the General tab of the Element Definition dialog box.

 Axisymmetric: Select this geometry type for elements that model solids with geometric, load, and
boundary condition symmetry about the Z axis. Negative Y coordinates are not admissible. Nodal
loads are normalized by the number of radians in a circle (load divided by radians). If a node lies
along the axis of revolution (the Z axis), then do the following to increase the accuracy of the
solution:
 Restrain the node in Y translation (Ty) using a boundary condition or other restraint.
 Set Compatibility of the elements along the axis of revolution to Enforced. Since elements with
compatibility enforced can overestimate the stiffness, the ideal model has only the elements along
the axis on a different part number so that only those elements can be set to compatibility
enforced. The remainder of the model uses the default of Compatibility Not Enforced. If the entire
model is one part (or all the axisymmetric parts are set to compatibility enforced), then a finer
mesh is required to get the same level of accuracy as elements with compatibility not enforced.
See 2D Element Parameters for setting the compatibility.

Figure 1: 2D Axisymmetric Model

 Plane Strain: Select this geometry type to model solids which exhibit no deflection normal to the YZ
plane. Since no deflection in the X direction is assumed, a thickness of 1 unit is assumed for the
analysis. A thickness can be entered, but this thickness is only used for the 3D visualization in the
Results environment. All input loads and results are based on the 1 unit thickness.

Figure 2: 2D Plane Strain

 Plane Stress: Select this geometry type to model solids of a specified thickness normal to the YZ
plane which exhibit no stress normal to the YZ plane. The constitutive relations are modified to
make the stress normal to the YZ plane zero. All loads are distributed uniformly across the
thickness.
 Figure 3: 2D Plane Stress Model

Membrane Elements
Membrane elements are three- or four-node elements formulated in three-dimensional space.
Membrane elements are used to model fabric-like objects such as tents or cots, or structures such
as the roof of a sports stadium, in which the elements do not support or transmit a moment load.

Membrane elements model solids of a specified thickness which exhibit no stress normal to the
thickness. The constitutive relations are modified to make the stress normal to the thickness zero.
The highest surface number among the lines that define the element determines the surface number
of that element.

Membrane elements, by definition, cannot have rotational degrees of freedom (DOFs), even if you
released these DOFs when you apply the boundary conditions. You can apply translational DOFs as
needed. However, only in-plane stiffnesses are formulated. Very small out-of-plane stiffnesses are
applied to provide stability. Consequently, only in-plane (membrane) loads are admissible.
Temperature-dependent, orthotropic material properties can be defined and incompatible
displacement modes can be included. Stress output is provided at the nodes.

Figure 1: Membrane Element (Triangular)

Figure 2: Membrane Element (Quadrilateral)

When to Use Membrane Elements

 The thickness of the element is very small relative to the length or width.
 The element has no stress in the direction normal to the thickness.
 The element does not carry or transmit any moments.

Plate Elements
Plate elements are three- or four-node elements formulated in three-dimensional space. These elements
are used to model and analyze objects (such as pressure vessels) or structures (such as automobile body
parts).

The out-of-plane rotational DOF is not considered for plate elements. You can apply the other rotational
DOFs and all the translational DOFs as needed.

Nodal forces, nodal moments (except when about an axis normal to the element face), pressures (normal
to the element face), acceleration/gravity, centrifugal, and thermal loads are supported. An element
Normal Point must be defined in the Element Definitiondialog to orient surface normal loads. Since plate
elements only have one face, the normal point is required to control the load direction (that is, against
which side of the element the load acts). See the Normal Point bullet under The Complete List of Columns
that Appear in the Spreadsheet on this page.

Surface loads (pressure, surface force, and so on, but not constraints) and element properties (thickness,
element normal point coordinates, and so on) are applied to an entire plate element. Surface loads are
based on the CAD surface number or the surface attribute of the lines forming the element. Each element
could be composed of lines with four different surface numbers. Therefore, how the surface attribute is
applied to the element depends on whether the mesh is created by hand or automatically (by 3D
meshing of a CAD model or 2D mesh generation from a sketch). The surface number of the CAD model or
the individual lines that form an element are combined as indicated in Table 1 to assign the surface
number for the whole element. Loads and properties are then applied based on the surface number of
the whole element.

How Mesh Was Created Definition of Surface Number of Element

Midplane Mesh from CAD All elements coincident with the collapsed (midplane) surface of the
Model CAD model are on the CAD model's surface number, regardless of the
surface number of the lines.
How Mesh Was Created Definition of Surface Number of Element

Plate/Shell Mesh from CAD All elements coincident with the surface of the CAD model are on the
Model CAD model's surface number, regardless of the surface number of the
lines.

2D Mesh from Sketches All elements are assigned to surface number 1 regardless of the
surface number of the lines.

Hand-built Mesh and Modified The highest surface number of any line on the element determines
Automatic Meshes the Surface Number of the entire element. This is referred to as the
"voting rule."

Table 1: Definition of Plate Element Surface Number

Note: An automatic mesh that is later modified is treated as a hand-built mesh. Thus, some loads or
element properties may change, based on the surface number of the lines, when a CAD-based
mesh is modified. Modifications include moving an endpoint of a line; copying or moving a line;
deleting a line; or reassigning surface, part, or layer attributes of a line.
Part-Based versus Surface-Based Properties:

Linear plate element properties can be defined on a per-part basis ("Part-based") or a per-surface basis
("Surface-based"). The Surface-based method accommodates plate parts with varying thicknesses or
with complex shapes that require more than one element normal point to orient surface normal loads
properly. If all of the following conditions are satisfied, part-based properties are acceptable (this is the
default option):

 The entire plate part has the same thickness, or the midplane thickness determined by the 3D
mesher is being used.
 A single Normal Point can properly orient all applied surface normal loads, if any are applied.
 A single Nodal Order Method and/or Nodal Point definition is suitable for the entire part.
 The temperature gradient (delta T thru Thickness), if any, is constant throughout the part.
For each plate part in a model, an Element Options heading appears in the browser. The heading also
includes an indication of whether the properties are Part-based or Surface-based. In addition, you can
right-click on the Element Options heading and choose Part-based or Surface-based from the context
menu to change the option.

(See the Working with Surface-Based Properties page for more information.)

When to Use Plate Elements

Plate elements are suitable under the following conditions:

 The thickness is small relative to the length and width (approximately 1/10).
 Small displacements and rotations.
 Elements remain planar, no significant warpage.
 Stress distribution through the thickness is linear.
 No rotation about the direction normal to the element.

Thick Composite Elements

Thick composite elements are three- or four-node isoparametric thick plate elements formulated in
three-dimensional space. These elements are based on the Mindlin theory and support the Tsai-Wu,
maximum stress and maximum strain failure criteria. Core-crushing stresses can be obtained. Thick
composite elements are used to model structures such as aerospace and other composite material
products.

The highest surface number among the lines that define the element determines the surface number
of that element. The surface number controls element loads such as pressure.

The out-of-plane rotational DOF is not considered for thick composite elements. You can apply the
other rotational DOFs and all the translational DOFs as needed.

When to Use Thick Composite Elements

 To model a plate element consisting of multiple layers with one layer much thicker than the others.
 The length and width of the plate is at least 2 to 3 times the thickness.
 The elements are initially flat (planar).

Thin Composite Elements

Thin composite elements are three- or four-node isoparametric thin plate elements formulated in
three-dimensional space. These elements are based on the Kirchhoff theory and support the Tsai-
Wu, maximum stress and maximum strain failure criteria. Core-crushing stresses can be obtained.
Thin composite elements are used to model structures such as bicycle frames and athletic
equipment.

The highest surface number among the lines that define the element determines the surface number
of that element. The surface number controls element loads such as pressure.

The out-of-plane rotational DOF is not considered for thin composite elements. You can apply the
other rotational DOFs and all the translational DOFs as needed.

When to Use Thin Composite Elements

 To model a plate element consisting of many thin layers (lamina).
 The length and width of the plate is at least 5 to 10 times the thickness.
 The elements are initially flat (planar).
Brick Elements
Brick elements are four-, five-, six- or eight-node elements formulated in three-dimensional space.
Brick elements are used to model and analyze objects such as wheels, flanges, and turbine blades.
Brick elements have the ability to incorporate midside nodes (producing 21-node elements) and
several material models.

When applying loads to a surface number of a brick part, be aware that some models may not have
all the lines on the face to be loaded on the same surface number. What happens in this situation? If
the model originated from a CAD solid model, all faces coincident with the surface of the CAD model
receives the load regardless of the surface number of the lines. In hand-built models and on CAD
parts that are altered so that the part is no longer associated with the CAD part, the surface number
that is common in any three of the four lines that define a face (four-node region) or two of the three
lines (three-node region) determines the surface number of that face.

Brick elements, by definition, cannot have rotational degrees of freedom (DOFs). You can apply
translational DOFs as needed.

Several geometries of the brick element are available for structural analysis. These element versions
have 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 nodes available.

These 4- to 8-node elements are formulated in 3D space, and have only three degrees-of-freedom
defined per node: the X translation, the Y translation and the Z translation. Incompatible
displacement modes are available only for 8-node elements. Pressure, thermal and inertial loads in
three directions are the allowable element based loadings. You may also use centrifugal and nodal
loads.

Figure 1: 3D Brick Element, 8-node Figure 2: 3D Brick Element, 7-node

Figure 3: 3D Brick Element, 6-node Figure 4: 3D Brick Element, 5-node

Figure 5: 3D Brick Element, 4-node

The elements with less than 8 nodes are known as hybrid elements. They serve as transition
elements between 8-node bricks and other elements such as tetrahedrons.

When to Use Brick Elements

 The stress results through the thickness of a part is needed.
 The model has only forces applied, no moments. (Bricks have no rotational degrees of freedom). For
advice on how to apply a moment to a brick, see Troubleshooting: Contact Examples.
 The model has a hydrostatic pressure load applied.
 To capture bending in models with brick elements, three elements should be created through the
thickness. If this cannot be done for the model and is needed, the model may need to be evaluated
using plate elements.

Tetrahedral Elements
Linear tetrahedral elements are either constant stress elements with four nodes or linear stress
elements with 10 nodes. These elements are formulated in three-dimensional space with three
degrees of freedom per node; these are the translational degrees of freedom in the X, Y and Z
directions, respectively. The ten-node element is an isoparametric element and stresses are
calculated at the nodes. The following element-based loadings may be applied:

1. Uniform or hydrostatic pressure on the element faces.

2. Thermal gradients defined by temperatures at the nodes.
3. Uniform inertial load in three directions.

Figure 1: 10-Noded Tetrahedral Element

Determination Surface Number for Tetrahedrals

When applying loads to a surface number of a tetrahedral part, be aware that some models may not
have all the lines on the face to be loaded on the same surface number. What happens in this
situation? If the model originated from a CAD solid model, all faces coincident with the surface of the
CAD model receives the load regardless of the surface number of the lines. In hand-built models and
on CAD parts that are altered so that the part is no longer associated with the CAD part, the surface
number that is common in any two of the three lines that define a face determines the surface
number of that face.

Tetrahedral elements, by definition, cannot have rotational degrees of freedom (DOFs), even if you
released these DOFs when applying the boundary conditions. You can apply translational DOFs as
needed.
When to Use Tetrahedral Elements
 The stress results through the thickness of a part is preferred.
 The model has only forces applied, no moments. (Tetrahedra have no rotational degrees of
freedom). For advice on how to apply a moment to a tetrahedral element, see the Troubleshooting:
Contact Examples page.
 The model has a hydrostatic pressure or pressure load applied.

Incompatible Displacement Modes

Elements with incompatible displacement modes add additional degrees of freedom (DOF) to the
element to improve the accuracy of the element. For example, an eight-node isoparametric brick
element possesses 24 DOF (3 DOF/node) with linear accuracy. With incompatible displacement
modes, three additional internal nodes are added to the element so the element possesses 33 DOF
and has near quadratic accuracy. The internal nodes are condensed out of the element equations,
so the final element matrices have 24 DOF but the element retains its near quadratic accuracy. The
term incompatible displacement modes arises because the extra internal nodes added to each
element are not shared between adjacent elements, thus the displacement fields of adjacent
elements are not compatible. Elements with incompatible displacement modes are also referred to
as non-conforming elements. To activate incompatible displacement modes, select the Not
Enforced option in the Compatibility drop-down menu in the Element Definitiondialog box.