I had the same problem with a solid 3D model long time ago. I remember that changing the element shape was greatly helpful. Although it may not be applicable to beam elements but may be a good start point.
Good luck
Mohammad M. Shahbazi
http://omranafzar.com/en
Have a look at the following link. You may also find some information in ABAQUS users' manual.
http://caejournal.com/showthread.php?tid=9
Mohammad M. Shahbazi
http://omranafzar.com/en
Add a reference point at the place where you are going to measure the load (say at the middle of the edge).
Mohammad M. Shahbazi
http://omranafzar.com/en
The .fil file should be placed at the same directory of the .inp file that is your working directory. However, the problem is usually something else. Make sure you are defining the imperfection correctly and in the right level.
Good luck
Mohammad M. Shahbazi
http://omranafzar.com/en
An ABAQUS model has several levels such as Part level, Instance level, Model level, and Analysis level. The imperfection goes to model level where boundary and initial conditions are defined. Therefore, you just need to move the imperfection to somewhere besides initial and boundary conditions...
In real-time analysis, I doubt, but after the analysis completed, you can have the simulation and experimental results comparatively as XYData or even better in excel.
Mohammad M. Shahbazi
http://omranafzar.com/en
