Use of Z Offsets in thermal analysis using NASTRAN or OPTISTRUCT

[smegger61]

Does anyone have knowledge of an issue relating to the analysis of thermal loading and the use of zoffs in nastran?

If so, do you know what is the optistruct position on this also?

 

[40818]

Could you enlighten me on the issue?

 

[smegger61]

Basically, there has been a discussion where I'm working regarding the use of the ZOFFS on plates (CQUAD4/TRIA3) during thermal analysis runs using either NASTRAN or Optistruct. Does this type of analysis recognise and use the values or does it overlook them? Also, if they are present and the analysis doesn't require the values, does it cause any problems during analysis and affect the results output (typically strains in our case).