Export or create surfaces to ABAQUS

[Settler]

Hello all,

I'm trying to creating a model of an I-girder with holes in the web so that I can import it later to ABAQUS and use shell elements. However, when I'm using the extrude-thin option, my model imediately has some thickness making it impossible to import it as a surface.

Is there a way to export only the midplanes, or if you have any suggestion it's welcome.

Thank you in advance.

 

[rstupplebeen]

Try creating the shells with the surfacing workbench.
1. Surface extrude the 'I'
2. Create sketches for the holes
3. Split the web of the'I' with the sketches
4. Delete face with the fill option off

Abaqus also has mid-plane tools as well but I typically do as much geometric modifications with the native CAD where possible.

I hope this helps.

Rob Stupplebeen

http://www.optimaldevice.com

 

[tgrimley]

I'd suggest making "planes" in Solidworks and add holes there. You can "thicken" for use in Solidworks, and leave the midplanes alone for use in Abaqus. Depending on what you're doing though, this might not be a good modeling approach for Abaqus. Beam elements with the I cross sections may be more appropriate.

 

[Settler]

Thanks a lot for the responses!

The surface extrude proved to be what I was looking for. My next question is how to generate my models for the parametric study...

Different web depth and hole diameter for 20 different models...

 

[rstupplebeen]

There are several options for a parametric study.
1. Use Isight (another Simulia product) to automate the transfer from SolidWorks to Abaqus and perform the DOE or optimization.
2. Use the SolidWorks associative translator for Abaqus. This allows for the geometry to be modified remeshed and rerun.
3. Create the geometry in Abaqus and create some Python code to modify the geometry, remesh and rerun.
I hope this helps.

Rob Stupplebeen

http://www.optimaldevice.com

 

[Settler]

Thank you very much rstupplebeen!

Is the solidwords associative translator free? I need to know before asking our labs IT guy to install it.

Thanks!

If not, python seems promising...

 

[rstupplebeen]

You would need to purchase the translator.

Rob Stupplebeen

http://www.optimaldevice.com

 

[Settler]

Do you have an idea about the price?

 

[rstupplebeen]

This is probably no the right place to discuss pricing.
If you go to the info tab on my webpage in my signature and fill out your information I can help from there.

Rob Stupplebeen

http://www.optimaldevice.com