About Element Types

An element type determines key numerical formulations that are used while calculating a model's response in a finite element simulation. For each element shape in a finite element model (FEM) representation, multiple Abaqus® element types are available. You use element type assignments to determine which element types are used during the simulation by associating an element formulation with each element topology. Associations can be made globally for the entire model and locally for individual sections.

Element type assignment is available for Structural and Thermal methods. For imported Nastran bulk data, the element type assignment data is read-only to maintain compatibility with the Nastran source.

This page discusses:

See Also
Assigning Element Types
Available Element Types
In Other Guides
Feature Manager

Global Assignments

Global element type assignments determine the default assignments for the entire FEM representation. Global element types are listed for all of the element shapes that are present in the model.

Local Assignments

Local element assignments allow you to associate the element shapes in an individual section with Abaqus element types. Local assignments take precedence over global assignments, allowing you to make different associations in different regions of the model. Any section without local assignments uses the global assignments.

The scenario data in the Feature Manager lists global and local element assignments. The Type column indicates whether you are viewing a local or global element type assignment.