better (best?) way to create 3D model

[ajroc]

Hello. I am new to Abaqus and am reaching out for some help.

First a little background. I am modeling a hat stiffener on a plate, the ends of which are embedded in a metal block. The instruction given to me was to (1) create a block solid, (2) sketch the hat/plate outline on the block, (3) use the sketch to partition the block, (4) mesh the partitions with solid elements, (5) make the mesh an orphan mesh, (6) mirror the mesh to make the full model, (7) assign sections, loads, and boundary conditions to complete the model.

Is this the best way to use Abaqus CAE to model? I thought a better way would be to use the hat/plate outline to create shell “plot only” elements and extrude those out. I am not sure if that is a better way to model, or if it is even possible in Abaqus.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[corus]

I think it would be better to mirror the part rather than the mesh, as applying boundary conditions to geometry is much easier. As for the approach to the hat stiffener in general, you'd have to provide a picture as I don't know what a hat stiffener is. Is it used for a Top hat, a Bowler hat, or a 10 gallon hat?

Tara

http://tinyurl.com/4ydjg7m

 

[rstupplebeen]

Anything over 5 lines I always go to a real CAD package and import a dumb solid. I hope this helps.

Rob Stupplebeen

https://sites.google.com/site/robertkstupplebeen/