shell offset easy quesion

[wowcortesi]

HI ,what is the difference between bottom surface and top surface?
what criteria show me which one to choose? maybe the axis orientation or the magnitude of the surface? thanks

 

[bassmanjax]

I'd suggest reading the ABAQUS Analysis Users Manual - 24.6.1 Shell elements overview. This explains how the shell normal orientation is obtained, and the definition of the SPOS and SNEG sides.

By default, shells are at the mid-surface, but it is possible to change this in the shell definition. Also, you can plot shell normals in Viewer.

Regards

Martin Stokes CEng MIMechE