Abaqus Import Analysis - Surfaces Import Issue

[andrea96]

Hello, I am trying to do an import analysis with Abaqus CAE. I simulated some steps with the Explicit solver, now I need to import 2 deformed parts with the initial state in a new Explicit simulation to simulate additional steps.

I imported the deformed mesh from the last frame of the simulation, including all sets and surfaces. Then I set up the simulation and create the predefined fields.

When I then try to launch the simulation, I always get this error:

***ERROR: THE SURFACE ASSEMBLY_ART-1_BIF-SURF-IN-OUT HAS NOT BEEN LOCATED

and this occurs for each surface and set for the parts that have a predefined field.

When looking at the .inp file, in the *Part section only the new defined parts are present (not the ones imported) and the assembly has the correct import definition:

*Instance, library=exp-dritto-short2, instance=ART-1
**
** PREDEFINED FIELD
**
** Name: Predefined Field-1 Type: Initial State
*Import, state=yes, update=no
*End Instance

It seems like that the sets and surfaces from the old simulation weren't imported in the new one, and if I define them in the Part Module of the new simulation they are not written in the .inp file.

Could someone help me? I couldn't find anything on it anywhere. Thank you!!

 

[FEA way]

Are you trying to reuse the surfaces from the previous analysis ? When preparing import analysis in Abaqus/CAE, it's better to copy the original model, modify what's necessary and apply the initial state field.

 

[andrea96]

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, the surfaces and sets between the two analyses should be the same.
That is what I did, I opened the original .cae file and then edited it. The only difference is that I need to import the deformed mesh of two parts, because I need to position other new instances with respect to the deformed parts and I need to avoid contact.

But the parts (and thus sets and surfaces) onto which I applied the initial field state are not written in the .inp file, but they are directly imported in the assembly section.
So I guess that when reading a BC applied to ART-1.Surf-INT the solver cannot find the surface, because it is not present in the *Part section and is not imported from the old simulation.

Do you have any idea on how to solve this?

Thank you.

 

[FEA way]

Imported parts aren't present under *PART, they are either imported as instances (and present under the *INSTANCE keywords) or element sets (and present under the standalone *IMPORT keywords). The former approach is needed for models defined in terms of assemblies while the latter is used for so-called flat input files. Maybe should try with such an input deck. Then you can also use *IMPORT SURFACE to import surfaces manually.