Translating LS-DYNA Data Files to Abaqus Input Files

The translator from LS-DYNA to Abaqus converts a set of supported keywords in an LS-DYNA input file into their equivalent in Abaqus.

This page discusses:

Using the Translator

The translator supports translation of input files created by LS-DYNA Version 971 Rev 5 or earlier. The input file can have any name and an optional extension.

The LS-DYNA keywords that are supported are listed in the tables below. Other LS-DYNA keywords and data are skipped over and noted in the log file.

The translator creates an Abaqus input file that contains both the model data and history data. However, the translator does not create exact Abaqus equivalents for specific output quantities for nodal output, element output, and contact output; it uses preselected variables instead. You can provide additional output entities to complete the requests.

Element Numbering and Grouping

All elements in the generated Abaqus input file have unique element numbers. New element numbers are assigned automatically to elements with nonunique element numbers in the LS-DYNA input; all element number reassignments are noted in the log file.

Elements that are assigned the same PART identification number are grouped together in an element set. Elements that have different material or properties must be given different PART identification numbers; that is, the same material and properties must be applicable to all elements grouped in the same element set.

When a PART references a rigid material, the part is considered rigid. The element set that corresponds to the part is used in the rigid body definition.

Material Models

The translator supports only the material models shown in Table 1. All unsupported material models are translated as linear elastic if a stress-strain law definition is required. In these cases, the translator provides nominal values for the material properties.

Mapping LS-DYNA Elements That End in _ID or _TITLE

Many LS-DYNA keywords include the options _ID, _TITLE, or both of these options. Unless the LS-DYNA keyword with _ID or _TITLE is specified in the mapping tables in this document, the translator maps data from these options to the same Abaqus keywords specified for the main LS-DYNA keyword.

Parameters and Parameter Expressions

In the translation of the LS-DYNA keyword *PARAMETER, the value of the parameter is used directly in the Abaqus input. For example, consider the following LS-DYNA input:

*PARAMETER
R YM_STEEL   3.000E+07
*MAT_ELASTIC
         3 7.000E-04 &YM_STEEL 3.000E-01
The translated Abaqus input is:
MATERIAL, NAME=M3;MAT_ELASTIC
DENSITY
7.0000E-04
ELASTIC
3.000000E+07,   0.3

The LS-DYNA keyword *PARAMETER_EXPRESSION is translated similarly. In this case, the translator supports a new parameter defined by an expression limited to two entities (either a parameter or a constant) and one arithmetic operation: +, –, *, or /. For example:

*PARAMETER
R YM_STEEL   3.000E+07
*PARAMETER_EXPRESSION
R YM_METAL   YM_STEEL*1.25

Additional Information

The LS-DYNA keyword *PART_CONTACT listed in Table 2 is always used in conjunction with the contact keywords listed in Table 12. The translation of the contact keywords results in CONTACT and CONTACT INCLUSIONS in the Abaqus input, and these contact keywords are not listed in Table 2.

Summary of LS-DYNA Entities Translated

The translator from LS-DYNA to Abaqus supports the mappings shown in the tables below.

Table 1. Material data.
LS-DYNA Keyword Abaqus Equivalent
*MAT_ANISOTROPIC_VISCOPLASTIC ELASTIC
PLASTIC
RATE DEPENDENT
*MAT_BLATZ-KO_RUBBER HYPERELASTIC, NEO HOOKE
*MAT_CABLE_DISCRETE_BEAM ELASTIC
*MAT_DAMPER_NONLINEAR_VISCOUS CONNECTOR DAMPING, NONLINEAR
*MAT_DAMPER_VISCOUS CONNECTOR DAMPING
*MAT_ELASTIC ELASTIC
*MAT_ELASTIC_PLASTIC_THERMAL ELASTIC
PLASTIC
EXPANSION
*MAT_FABRIC FABRIC
UNIAXIAL
LOADING DATA
*MAT_FU_CHANG_FOAM LOW DENSITY FOAM and UNIAXIAL TEST DATA
*MAT_HONEYCOMB Built-in VUMAT user material model ABQ_HONEYCOMB1
*MAT_JOHNSON_COOK PLASTIC, HARDENING=JOHNSON COOK
RATE DEPENDENT, TYPE=JOHNSON COOK
SHEAR FAILURE, TYPE=JOHNSON COOK
TENSILE FAILURE, TYPE=JOHNSON COOK
*MAT_LINEAR_ELASTIC_DISCRETE_BEAM CONNECTOR ELASTICITY and CONNECTOR DAMPING
*MAT_LOW_DENSITY_FOAM HYPERFOAM and UNIAXIAL TEST DATA
*MAT_NONLINEAR_ELASTIC_DISCRETE_BEAM CONNECTOR ELASTICITY and CONNECTOR DAMPING
*MAT_NULL ELASTIC
Shell elements that reference a null material are translated as surface elements
*MAT_OGDEN_RUBBER HYPERELASTIC, OGDEN
*MAT_PIECEWISE_LINEAR_PLASTICITY PLASTIC
*MAT_PLASTIC_KINEMATIC PLASTIC, HARDENING=KINEMATIC
*MAT_RIGID ELASTIC
RIGID BODY (for LS-DYNA parts that refer to a rigid material)
*MAT_SEATBELT CONNECTOR ELASTICITY, NONLINEAR
*MAT_SPOTWELD CONNECTOR ELASTICITY, RIGID
*MAT_SPRING_ELASTIC CONNECTOR ELASTICITY
*MAT_SPRING_GENERAL_NONLINEAR CONNECTOR ELASTICITY
*MAT_SPRING_NONLINEAR_ELASTIC CONNECTOR ELASTICITY, NONLINEAR
*MAT_VISCOELASTIC VISCOELASTIC, TIME=PRONY
1 For more information about using ABQ_HONEYCOMB, refer to “Abaqus/Explicit honeycomb material model,” which is available in the Dassault Systèmes Knowledge Base at .
Table 2. Part data.
LS-DYNA Keyword Abaqus Equivalent
*PART ELSET and the corresponding type of element section
*PART_CONTACT ELSET and the corresponding type of element section
SURFACE INTERACTION, PROPERTIES
SURFACE PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT, PROPERTY=THICKNESS
SURFACE PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT, PROPERTY=FRICTION
*PART_INERTIA ELEMENT, TYPE=MASS
ELEMENT, TYPE=ROTARYI
*PART_PRINT ELSET and the corresponding type of element section
Table 3. Auxiliary data.
LS-DYNA Keyword Abaqus Equivalent
*DEFINE_COORDINATE_NODES ORIENTATION, DEFINITION=NODES
*DEFINE_COORDINATE_SYSTEM ORIENTATION, DEFINITION=COORDINATES
*DEFINE_COORDINATE_VECTOR ORIENTATION, DEFINITION=COORDINATES
*DEFINE_CURVE Data from a single curve used in the following keywords:
AMPLITUDE
CONNECTOR DAMPING (nonlinear)
CONNECTOR ELASTICITY (nonlinear)
SURFACE BEHAVIOR
UNIAXIAL TEST DATA
*DEFINE_SD_ORIENTATION ORIENTATION
*DEFINE_TABLE Multi-curve data used in conjunction with PLASTIC and LOW DENSITY FOAM in which the stress-strain relationship is defined for various strain rates
Table 4. Section data.
LS-DYNA Keyword Abaqus Equivalent
*SECTION_BEAM Beam elements: BEAM SECTION or BEAM GENERAL SECTION
Truss elements: SOLID SECTION
*SECTION_DISCRETE CONNECTOR SECTION
*SECTION_SEATBELT CONNECTOR SECTION
*SECTION_SHELL Shell elements: SHELL SECTION
Membrane elements: MEMBRANE SECTION
Surface elements: SURFACE SECTION
*SECTION_SOLID SOLID SECTION
*SECTION_TSHELL SHELL SECTION
Table 5. Nodal data.
LS-DYNA Keyword Abaqus Equivalent
*NODE NODE
Table 6. Output options data.
LS-DYNA Keyword Abaqus Equivalent
*DATABASE_BINARY_D3PLOT OUTPUT, FIELD and ELEMENT OUTPUT
*DATABASE_BINARY_D3THDT OUTPUT, FIELD and ELEMENT OUTPUT
*DATABASE_DEFORC OUTPUT, FIELD and ELEMENT OUTPUT
*DATABASE_ELOUT OUTPUT, FIELD and ELEMENT OUTPUT
*DATABASE_HISTORY_BEAM OUTPUT, HISTORY and ENERGY OUTPUT
*DATABASE_HISTORY_BEAM_ID
*DATABASE_HISTORY_BEAM_SET
*DATABASE_HISTORY_DISCRETE OUTPUT, HISTORY and ENERGY OUTPUT
*DATABASE_HISTORY_DISCRETE_ID
*DATABASE_HISTORY_DISCRETE_SET
*DATABASE_HISTORY_NODE OUTPUT, HISTORY
*DATABASE_HISTORY_NODE_ID
*DATABASE_HISTORY_NODE_SET
*DATABASE_HISTORY_SHELL OUTPUT, HISTORY and ENERGY OUTPUT
*DATABASE_HISTORY_SHELL_ID
*DATABASE_HISTORY_SHELL_SET
*DATABASE_HISTORY_SOLID OUTPUT, HISTORY and ENERGY OUTPUT
*DATABASE_HISTORY_SOLID_ID
*DATABASE_HISTORY_SOLID_SET
*DATABASE_HISTORY_TSHELL OUTPUT, HISTORY and ENERGY OUTPUT
*DATABASE_HISTORY_TSHELL_ID
*DATABASE_HISTORY_TSHELL_SET
*DATABASE_NODOUT OUTPUT, FIELD and NODE OUTPUT
Table 7. Element data.
LS-DYNA Keyword Abaqus Equivalent
*ELEMENT_BEAM Beam elements: ELEMENT, TYPE=B31
Truss elements: ELEMENT, TYPE=T3D2
*ELEMENT_BEAM_PID ELEMENT, TYPE=CONN3D2 and FASTENER
*ELEMENT_DISCRETE ELEMENT, TYPE=CONN3D2
*ELEMENT_MASS ELEMENT, TYPE=MASS and MASS
*ELEMENT_SEATBELT ELEMENT, TYPE=CONN3D2
*ELEMENT_SEATBELT_ACCELEROMETER ELEMENT, TYPE=CONN3D2
*ELEMENT_SHELL Shell elements: ELEMENT, TYPE=S3R or S4R
Membrane elements: ELEMENT, TYPE=M3D3 or M3D4R
Surface elements (with *MAT_NULL): ELEMENT, TYPE=SFM3D3 or SFM3D4R
*ELEMENT_SOLID ELEMENT, TYPE=C3D4, C3D6, C3D8R, or C3D10M
*ELEMENT_TSHELL ELEMENT, TYPE=SC6R or SC8R
Table 8. Prescribed conditions data.
LS-DYNA Keyword Abaqus Equivalent
*BOUNDARY_PRESCRIBED_MOTION_NODE BOUNDARY, TYPE=DISPLACEMENT, VELOCITY, or ACCELERATION
*BOUNDARY_PRESCRIBED_MOTION_RIGID BOUNDARY for reference node of rigid body
*BOUNDARY_PRESCRIBED_MOTION_RIGID_LOCAL BOUNDARY for reference node of rigid body
*BOUNDARY_PRESCRIBED_MOTION_SET BOUNDARY, TYPE=DISPLACEMENT, VELOCITY, or ACCELERATION
*BOUNDARY_SPC_NODE BOUNDARY
*BOUNDARY_SPC_SET BOUNDARY
*INITIAL_VELOCITY INITIAL CONDITIONS, TYPE=VELOCITY
*INITIAL_VELOCITY_GENERATION INITIAL CONDITIONS, TYPE=ROTATING VELOCITY
*INITIAL_VELOCITY_NODE INITIAL CONDITIONS, TYPE=VELOCITY
Table 9. Miscellaneous constraints data.
LS-DYNA Keyword Abaqus Equivalent
*CONSTRAINED_EXTRA_NODES_NODE Node set used as TIE NSET in the definition of RIGID BODY
*CONSTRAINED_EXTRA_NODES_SET Node set used as TIE NSET in the definition of RIGID BODY
*CONSTRAINED_JOINT_CYLINDRICAL ELEMENT, TYPE=CONN3D2
*CONSTRAINED_JOINT_REVOLUTE ELEMENT, TYPE=CONN3D2
*CONSTRAINED_JOINT_SPHERICAL ELEMENT, TYPE=CONN3D2
*CONSTRAINED_JOINT_SPHERICAL_LOCAL ELEMENT, TYPE=CONN3D2
*CONSTRAINED_JOINT_STIFFNESS_GENERALIZED ELEMENT, TYPE=CONN3D2
CONNECTOR SECTION, BEHAVIOR
*CONSTRAINED_JOINT_STIFFNESS_TRANSLATIONAL ELEMENT, TYPE=CONN3D2
CONNECTOR SECTION, BEHAVIOR
*CONSTRAINED_JOINT_TRANSLATIONAL ELEMENT, TYPE=CONN3D2
*CONSTRAINED_JOINT_UNIVERSAL ELEMENT, TYPE=CONN3D2
*CONSTRAINED_NODAL_RIGID_BODY RIGID BODY with TIE NSET for the case of no release of displacements or rotations
COUPLING and KINEMATIC for the case with release of displacements or rotations
*CONSTRAINED_NODE_SET EQUATION
*CONSTRAINED_RIGID_BODIES Merged element set used in the definition of RIGID BODY
*CONSTRAINED_SPOTWELD MPC type BEAM
Table 10. Load data.
LS-DYNA Keyword Abaqus Equivalent
*LOAD_BODY_PARTS ELSET for DLOAD
*LOAD_BODY_X DLOAD
*LOAD_BODY_Y DLOAD
*LOAD_BODY_Z DLOAD
*LOAD_NODE_POINT CLOAD with node data
*LOAD_NODE_SET CLOAD with node set data
Table 11. Set data.
LS-DYNA Keyword Abaqus Equivalent
*SET_NODE_LIST NSET with node data
*SET_NODE_LIST_GENERATE NSET with node data
*SET_PART ELSET with element set data
*SET_PART_LIST ELSET with element set data
*SET_PART_LIST_GENERATE ELSET with element set data
*SET_SEGMENT ELSET with element data
*SET_SHELL_LIST ELSET with element data
*SET_SHELL_LIST_GENERATE ELSET with element data
*SET_SOLID_LIST ELSET with element data
Table 12. Contact data.
LS-DYNA Keyword Abaqus Equivalent
*CONTACT_AUTOMATIC_GENERAL CONTACT
CONTACT INCLUSIONS
CONTACT PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT
SURFACE INTERACTION
SURFACE PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT
*CONTACT_AUTOMATIC_NODES_TO_SURFACE CONTACT
CONTACT INCLUSIONS
CONTACT PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT
SURFACE INTERACTION
SURFACE PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT
*CONTACT_AUTOMATIC_SINGLE_SURFACE CONTACT
CONTACT INCLUSIONS
CONTACT PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT
SURFACE INTERACTION
SURFACE PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT
*CONTACT_AUTOMATIC_SURFACE_TO_SURFACE CONTACT
CONTACT INCLUSIONS
CONTACT PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT
SURFACE INTERACTION
SURFACE PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT
*CONTACT_NODES_TO_SURFACE CONTACT
CONTACT INCLUSIONS
CONTACT PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT
SURFACE INTERACTION
SURFACE PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT
*CONTACT_RIGID_NODES_TO_RIGID_BODY CONTACT
CONTACT INCLUSIONS
CONTACT PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT
SURFACE INTERACTION
SURFACE PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT
*CONTACT_SINGLE_SURFACE CONTACT
CONTACT INCLUSIONS
CONTACT PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT
SURFACE INTERACTION
SURFACE PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT
*CONTACT_SURFACE_TO_SURFACE CONTACT
CONTACT INCLUSIONS
CONTACT PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT
SURFACE INTERACTION
SURFACE PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT
*CONTACT_TIED_NODES_TO_SURFACE TIE
*CONTACT_TIED_SHELL_EDGE_TO_SURFACE TIE
*CONTACT_TIED_SURFACE_TO_SURFACE TIE
Table 13. Miscellaneous data.
LS-DYNA Keyword Abaqus Equivalent
*CONTROL_BULK_VISCOSITY BULK VISCOSITY
*CONTROL_TERMINATION Time period entered in DYNAMIC, EXPLICIT
*END STEP END STEP
*INCLUDE Process multiple LS-DYNA files
*KEYWORD None
*TITLE HEADING

Command Summary

abaqus fromdynajobjob-name inputdyna-input-file splitFile{OFFON}

Command Line Options

job

This option is used to specify the name of the Abaqus input file to be output by the translator. The name of the Abaqus input file must be given without the .inp extension. Diagnostics created by the translator are written to a file named job-name.log.

input

This option is used to specify the name of the file containing the LS-DYNA keyword data. The LS-DYNA input file can have an extension.

splitFile

This option specifies whether the Abaqus input file is to be split into multiple files. If splitFile=ON, the following files are output:

  • job-name_nodes.inc: include file that contains the nodal data

  • job-name_elements.inc: include file that contains the element data

  • job-name_model.inc: include file that contains the remaining model data

  • job-name.inp: Abaqus input file that includes all of the above include files and the history data