Manual creation of node and element sets in the odb

[tmillar]

Hello,

How do I go about manual creating a surface node set and a surface element set in the results output database of an anaylsed part?

 

[mechfeeney]

Are you trying to generate a surface node set and surface element set of a deformed part?

 

[mechfeeney]

I would run the following procedure:

1. Make your original model and execute the job. You now have a deformed model stored in the ODB
2. Save everything and shut down Abaqus.
3. Open Abaqus back up. Click File-->Import-->Part. Find the directory where your your model is located. In File Filter: select *odb. Then select your file.
4. Click OK and you then have a single part of your deformed original model.
5. To get your nodes/elements you need to run a simple job, just set up BCs and do a natural frequency analysis or something to that effect. By running a simple job, you will generate a .inp file. In the .inp file (which is just a standard .txt file) you will find your nodes and elements.

 

[mechfeeney]

****BE SURE to select import deformed configuration after Step 4!!***

 

[deyentl]

I always create my own inputfile in Matlab. This is a lot easier for repetitous calculations. This also makes it very easy to create custom node and element sets.

In general: Try to create your node and element sets before running your analysis. That makes it a lot easier.

 

[mechfeeney]

deyentl, how would you create a custom node and element set of a deformed body if you don't know the deformed coordinates?

 

[deyentl]

Well, I would define the sets in the input file instead of the output database. Of course, there are situations in which this approach doesn't work. For example: if you don't know in advance which elements/nodes should end up in a set...