Continuum Shell Section Options

Advanced Continuum Shell Options


Create solids at junctions	Create solid sections where shell sections intersect. Solid sections more accurately model the behavior in junctions with thickness applied. This option is available only when the model includes an inflation mesh.
Integrate section before analysis	Calculate the cross-sectional behavior by linear moment-bending and force-membrane strain relationships; use this option if the response of the shell is linear elastic. If this option is disabled, the cross-sectional behavior is calculated by numerical integration through the shell thickness; disable the option if the shell material includes nonlinear behavior.
Integration scheme	Simpson's rule: Use this integration method if results output on the shell surfaces is required. Gauss quadrature: Use this integration method only in cases where results on the shell surfaces are not required (there are no integration points on the shell surfaces).
Integration points	Number of integration points to be used through the shell section.
Poisson definition	Default: The shell thickness can change during the simulation based on a Poisson's strain calculated by Abaqus. Specify value: Directly specify a Poisson's ratio representing the shell thickness direction behavior. Calculate from strain and material properties: The shell thickness direction strain under plane stress conditions is a function of the membrane strains and the in-plane material properties. You can only use this option in explicit dynamic steps. This option is not supported with integration before analysis. Use elastic portion of material: The Poisson's ratio representing the shell thickness direction behavior is calculated based on the elastic portion of the material definition.

Material Orientation Options


Option	Description
Specify orientation	If the materials in your model exhibit directional properties, you can define their orientation.
Axis system definition	There are several axis system choices: Global Defined by a constant orientation for the entire model. Local Defined by a displacement or rotation from the global system. It might move with a portion of the model during deformation. Face and edge Defined by selecting faces and edges and specifying their relation (creates a spatially varying orientation). For example, select a surface or face to define the normal axis and the normal at the point closest to your selection is used as the normal axis direction. Select an edge to define the primary axis; the point on the edge closest to your selection defines the tangent used as the primary axis construction direction. The axis system follows the selected face and edge through motion and deformation of the model and recalculates axis locations according to their relative motion. Notes: For shell sections and membrane sections, the element normal is always preserved. The axis following the normal direction is projected onto the surface as the 1-direction. The 2-direction is the cross-product of the element normal and the 1-direction. Face and edge selection is not available for axisymmetric models.
Axis system	Local axis systems must be defined in another app. For detailed information, see Defining an Axis System in the Simulation Model Preparation guide.
Axis system type	Cartesian specifies an axis system where each point is located relative to an origin and to three planes that intersect at right angles to the origin. Cylindrical specifies a local axis system where points are located based on their distance from a reference axis. Note: This option is relevant only for non-axisymmetric models. Axisymmetric models use a Cartesian axis system.
Axis for rotation	An axis for additional rotation of the axis system. For Face and edge systems, this axis is the same as the normal direction definition.
Additional rotation	Positive rotation is measured using the right hand rule. You can enter a value in radians (rad) to convert it to degrees.