Available Element Types

The tables below define the Abaqus element types that you can assign to each element shape. The available element types within a simulation depend on the steps used in the simulation.

This page discusses:

See Also
About Element Types
Assigning Element Types

Connectors and Masses

CONN3D2 Connector element in space between two nodes or ground and a node (for use as a spring or general connector)
MASS Point Mass

Gaskets

GK3D66-node, three-dimensional gasket element
GK3D6N6-node, three-dimensional gasket element with thickness-direction behavior only
GK3D88-node, three-dimensional gasket element
GK3D8N8-node, three-dimensional gasket element with thickness-direction behavior only

Linear Bars

B312-node linear beam
B31H2-node linear beam, hybrid formulation
DC1D2 2-node link (diffusive heat transfer elements for thermal scenarios only)
T3D22-node linear displacement truss
T3D2H 2-node linear displacement truss, hybrid formulation

Linear Bricks

AC3D88-node linear brick (for acoustic simulations)
C3D88-node linear brick
C3D8H 8-node linear brick, hybrid with constant pressure
C3D8R8-node linear brick, reduced integration with hourglass control
DC3D8 8-node linear brick (for heat transfer simulations)

Linear Quadrilaterals

DS44-node quadrilateral shell (for heat transfer simulations)
S44-node general-purpose shell, finite membrane strains
S4R4-node general-purpose shell, reduced integration with hourglass control, finite membrane strains
SFM3D44-node quadrilateral surface shell
SFM3D4R4-node quadrilateral surface shell, reduced integration

Linear Tetrahedrons

AC3D44-node linear tetrahedron (for acoustic simulations)
C3D44-node linear tetrahedron
C3D4H4-node linear tetrahedron, hybrid with linear pressure
DC3D4 4-node linear tetrahedron (for heat transfer simulations)

Linear Triangles

DS33-node triangular shell (for heat transfer simulations)
S33-node triangular general-purpose shell, finite membrane strains (identical to element S3R)
S3R3-node triangular general-purpose shell, finite membrane strains (identical to element S3)
S3RS3-node triangular shell, small membrane strains
SFM3D33-node triangular surface shell

Linear Wedges

AC3D66-node linear triangular prism (for acoustic simulations)
C3D66-node linear triangular prism
C3D6H6-node linear triangular prism, hybrid with constant pressure
DC3D6 6-node linear triangular prism (for heat transfer simulations)

Parabolic Bars

B323-node quadratic beam
B32H3-node quadratic beam, hybrid formulation
DC1D3 3-node link (diffusive heat transfer elements for thermal scenarios only)
T3D33-node quadratic displacement truss
T3D3H 3-node quadratic displacement truss, hybrid formulation

Parabolic Bricks

AC3D2020-node quadratic brick (for acoustic simulations)
C3D2020-node quadratic brick
C3D20H 20-node quadratic brick, hybrid with linear pressure
C3D20R20-node quadratic brick, reduced integration
DC3D20 20-node quadratic brick (for heat transfer simulations)

Parabolic Quadrilaterals

DS8 8-node quadrilateral shell (for heat transfer simulations)
S8R 8-node doubly curved thick shell, reduced integration
SC8R 8-node quadrilateral, continuum shell, finite membrane strains
SFM3D8 8-node quadrilateral surface shell
SFM3D8R 8-node quadrilateral surface shell, reduced integration

Parabolic Tetrahedrons

AC3D1010-node quadratic tetrahedron (for acoustic simulations)
C3D1010-node quadratic tetrahedron
C3D10H10-node quadratic tetrahedron, hybrid with constant pressure
C3D10HS10-node general-purpose quadratic tetrahedron, improved surface stress visualization
C3D10I 10-node general-purpose quadratic tetrahedron, improved surface stress visualization
C3D10M 10-node modified tetrahedron, with hourglass control
C3D10MH10-node modified quadratic tetrahedron, hybrid, linear pressure, hourglass control
DC3D10 10-node quadratic tetrahedron (for heat transfer simulations)

Parabolic Triangles

DS66-node triangular shell (for heat transfer simulations)
SC6R6-node triangular in-plane continuum shell wedge, general-purpose, finite membrane strains
SFM3D6 6-node triangular surface shell
STRI656-node triangular thin shell, using five degrees of freedom per node

Parabolic Wedges

AC3D1515-node quadratic triangular prism (for acoustic simulations)
C3D1515-node quadratic triangular prism
C3D15H15-node quadratic triangular prism, hybrid with linear pressure
DC3D15 15-node quadratic triangular prism (for heat transfer simulations)

Pyramids

C3D55-node linear pyramid
C3D5H5-node linear pyramid, hybrid with constant pressure

Surfaces

SFM3D33-node triangular surface
SFM3D4 4-node quadrilateral surface
SFM3D4R4-node quadrilateral surface, reduced integration
SFM3D6 6-node triangular surface
SFM3D88-node quadrilateral surface
SFM3D8R8-node quadrilateral surface, reduced integration