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Finite Element
Reference Guide
Version 5 Release 16
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 2
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Overview
Conventions
What's New?
Objects & Characteristics
Elements
Linear Triangle
Parabolic Triangle
Linear Quadrangle
Parabolic Quadrangle
Linear Tetrahedron
Parabolic Tetrahedron
Linear Pentahedron
Parabolic Pentahedron
Linear Hexahedron
Parabolic Hexahedron
Beam
Linear Bar
Parabolic Bar
Spring
Coincident
Contact Rod
Tightening Beam
Periodic Condition
Rigid Beam
Rigid Spider
Smooth Spider
Fastened Join
Slider Join
Contact Join
Tightening Join
Fitting Join
Physical Properties
Shell Property
Membrane Property
Shear Panel Property
Solid Property
Beam Property
Bar Property
Spring Property
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 5
Contact Property
Tightening Property
Periodic Property
Rigid Body Motion Property
Smooth Body Motion Property
Slider Property
Pressure Fitting Property
Index
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 6
Overview
Welcome to the Finite Element Reference Guide. This guide is intended for users who wants to be
the Analysis workbenches and the physical properties which are associated with those
elements.
shear panel
Surface element
Linear quadrangle QD4
shell
Parabolic quadrangle QD8
membrane
Beam beam
Spring spring
User's Guide.
section. This section gives a table with all the elements and several characteristics you can find
in this Reference Guide and contains two chapters: Elements and Physical Properties.
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 9
Conventions
Certain conventions are used in CATIA, ENOVIA & DELMIA documentation to help you recognize and
understand important concepts and specifications.
Graphic Conventions
The three categories of graphic conventions used are as follows:
a target of a task
the prerequisites
a tip
a warning
information
basic concepts
methodology
reference information
Site Map
What's New?
Overview
Getting Started
Basic Tasks
Interoperability
Workbench Description
Customizing
Administration Tasks
Reference
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 11
Methodology
Glossary
Index
Text Conventions
The following text conventions are used:
● The titles of CATIA, ENOVIA and DELMIA documents appear in this manner throughout the text.
● File -> New identifies the commands to be used.
● Enhancements are identified by a blue-colored background on the text.
Use this
mouse button... Whenever you read...
● Drag
● Move
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 12
What's New?
No enhancements in this release.
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 14
property which is associated with this element and finally, the mesh connectivity of this
element.
shell
Parabolic quadrangle QD8
membrane
Beam beam
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 15
Elements
Physical Properties
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 16
Elements
This section provides a description of the elements used in the Analysis workbenches. You
will find the following information: type, associate physical property, mesh connectivity,
Linear Triangle
Parabolic Triangle
Linear Quadrangle
Parabolic Quadrangle
Linear Tetrahedron
Parabolic Tetrahedron
Linear Pentahedron
Parabolic Pentahedron
Linear Hexahedron
Parabolic Hexahedron
Beam
Linear Bar
Parabolic Bar
Spring
Coincident
Contact Rod
Tightening Beam
Periodic Condition
Rigid Beam
Rigid Spider
Smooth Spider
Fastened Join
Slider Join
Contact Join
Tightening Join
Fitting Join
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 17
Linear Triangle
Linear Triangle is a three-nodes plate finite element with flexing and transverse shear
Physical property
shell
membrane
shear panel
Number of nodes 3
(per node)
This element has only one gauss point: the gravity center of the triangle (P1).
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Parabolic Triangle
Parabolic Triangle is a six-nodes surface element based on the Degenerate Solid theory.
Physical property
shell
membrane
shear panel
Number of nodes 6
(per node)
Linear Quadrangle
Physical property
shell
membrane
shear panel
Number of nodes 4
(per node)
P1 (- /2 ; - /2) P2 ( /2 ; - /2)
P3 ( /2 ; /2) P4 (- /2 ; /2)
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 23
Parabolic Quadrangle
theory.
Physical property
shell
membrane
Number of nodes 8
(per node)
P1 (- /2 ; - /2) P2 ( /2 ; - /2)
P3 ( /2 ; /2) P4 (- /2 ; /2)
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Linear Tetrahedron
Number of nodes 4
3 (translations)
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
This element has only one gauss point: the gravity center (P1) of the tetrahedron.
Parabolic Tetrahedron
Number of nodes 10
3 (translations)
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
Linear Pentahedron
Number of nodes 6
3 (translations)
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
Parabolic Pentahedron
Number of nodes 15
3 (translations)
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
Linear Hexahedron
Number of nodes 8
3 (translations)
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
Parabolic Hexahedron
Number of nodes 20
3 (translations)
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
Beam
Beam is a two-nodes straight beam element with transverse shear based on the
Timoshenko theory.
Number of nodes 2
(per node)
Linear Bar
Bar element is a two-nodes bar element with stiffness along their axis.
3 translations
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
Parabolic Bar
Bar element is a three-nodes bar element with stiffness along their axis.
3 translations
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
Spring
Spring represents three translation and three rotational springs of stiffness, coupling two
Number of nodes 2
(per node)
Coincident
Coincident is a two-nodes finite element that has no sense if the two nodes are not
coincident.
Number of nodes 2
(per node)
Contact Rod
Contact Rod element with two nodes is used to impose a minimal clearance between the
Number of nodes 2
3 (translations)
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
The nodes of this element can support rotation but only the three translations at each node
are used.
If during the computation, the minimum clearance is reached, there are two cases:
If the length of the bar is null, the direction given by the property is used.
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 43
The use of contact rod is recommended when some part of a structure may be brought into
Tightening Beam
Tightening Beam element with two nodes, used to impose a minimum overlap between
two nodes.
Number of nodes 2
(per node)
1. Link the displacement of the two nodes (N1 and N2) according to the rigid body
motion equations, except for the translation in the direction N1N2.
2. Impose a minimal overlap between the two nodes in the direction N1N2
If the length of the beam is null, the direction given by the property is used.
Periodic Condition
Number of nodes 2
(per node)
The displacements of the node N2 are equal to the transformation of the displacements of
If the two plans are parallel, the 3D transformation is a translation. In this case, the
Periodic Condition becomes the traditional Rigid Beam element and the displacements of
Rigid Beam
(per node)
The degrees of freedom of the master node (N1) are linked to the degrees of freedom of
As a consequence, the displacement of the slave node depends to the rigid-body motion.
If there is more that one slave node, this Rigid Beam element becomes the traditional Rigid
Spider element.
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 47
Rigid Spider
Rigid Spider connects a node to a set of nodes in a rigid fashion.
(per node)
The degrees of freedom of the master node (N1) are linked to the degrees of freedom of
As a consequence, the displacements of the slave nodes are linked among themselves
If there is only one slave node, this Rigid Spider element becomes the traditional Rigid
Beam element.
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 49
Smooth Spider
Smooth Spider connects a node to a set of nodes in a smooth fashion.
(per node)
The displacement of the slave node (N1) is linked to the displacement of the center of
gravity of the n-1 master nodes. This linkage does not introduce any additional stiffness
1. Compute the center of gravity of the master nodes using the same weight for all the
nodes.
The average displacement (translations and rotations) of the center of gravity of the
master nodes is computed using the Mean Squares method.
2. The slave node is linked to the center of gravity of the n-1 master nodes according
to the rigid-body equations.
The master nodes should not be aligned, otherwise the rotation along the axis of alignment
Fastened Join
(per node)
Mesh visualization:
1. Compute the projection of the slave node (N1) on the surface defined by
n-1 master nodes.
2. Interpolate the displacement of the projected point (P) using the shape
function of the face defined by the master nodes.
3. Link the displacement of the slave node to the displacement of the
projected point (P) using rigid-body equations.
The projected point (P) is a conceptual point, that means it is never created. The
Slider Join
Join element allows connecting a node and a face of an element.
3 translations
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
Mesh visualization:
1. Compute the projection of the slave node (N1) on the surface defined by
n-1 master nodes.
2. Interpolate the displacement of the projected point (P) using the shape
function of the face defined by the master nodes.
3. Impose a relative displacement of master nodes and projected point (P)
to be null in the direction given by the property (or in the direction of the
projection if the property does not contain any direction information).
The projected point (P) is a conceptual point, that means it is never created. The
Contact Join
(per node)
Mesh visualization:
1. Compute the projection of the slave node (N1) on the surface defined by
n-1 master nodes.
2. Interpolate the displacement of the projected point (P) using the shape
function of the face defined by the master nodes.
3. Impose a minimal clearance between the slave node (N1) and the
projected node (P) in the direction given by the property.
The projected point (P) is a conceptual point, that means it is never created. The
Tightening Join
3 translations
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
Mesh visualization:
1. Compute the projection of the slave node (N1) on the surface defined by
n-1 master nodes.
2. Interpolate the displacement of the projected point (P) using the shape
function of the face defined by the master nodes.
3. Link the displacement of the slave node (N1) to the displacement of the
projected point (P) using rigid-body equations, except for the translation
in the direction of the tightening given by the property.
4. Impose a minimum overlap in the direction given by the property
between the slave node (N1) and the projected point (P).
The projected point (P) is a conceptual point, that means it is never created. The
Fitting Join
3 translations
Degrees of freedom
(per node)
Mesh visualization:
1. Compute the projection of the slave node (N1) on the surface defined by
n-1 master nodes.
2. Interpolate the displacement of the projected point (P) using the shape
functions of the face defined by the master nodes.
3. Link the translations normal to the direction given by the property (or
direction ) according to rigid body equations.
4. Impose a minimum clearance between the slave node (N1) and the
projected point (P) in the direction given by the property.
The projected point (P) is a conceptual point, that means it is never created. The
Physical Properties
This section provides a description of the physical properties which are associated with the
reference elements.
Shell Property
Membrane Property
Shear Panel Property
Solid Property
Beam Property
Bar Property
Spring Property
Contact Property
Tightening Property
Periodic Property
Rigid Body Motion Property
Smooth Body Motion Property
Slider Property
Pressure Fitting Property
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Shell Property
A shell property references a material assigned to the surface part and describes a
thickness associated to this surface part. A shell property is associative to the geometry
● Input:
❍ Material
❍ Thickness
● Output:
❍ Stress
❍ Strain
❍ Point force vector
❍ Point moment vector
❍ Stress Von Mises
❍ Elastic energy
❍ Elastic energy density
❍ Estimated error
❍ Curvature
❍ Transverse shear strain
❍ Transverse shear stress
Those characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the elements and in
Stress
Strain
Elastic energy
Estimated error
Curvature
Transverse shear
strain
Transverse shear
stress
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Membrane Property
A membrane property references a material assigned to the surface part and describes a
quadrangle) have:
● Input:
❍ Material
❍ Thickness
● Output:
❍ Stress
❍ Strain
❍ Point force vector
❍ Stress Von Mises
❍ Elastic energy
❍ Elastic energy density
❍ Estimated error
Those characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the elements and in
Stress
Strain
Elastic energy
Estimated error
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A shear panel property references a material assigned to the surface part and describes a
thickness associated to this surface part. A shear panel property is associative to the
have:
● Input:
❍ Material
❍ Thickness
● Output:
❍ Stress
❍ Strain
❍ Point force vector
❍ Elastic energy
❍ Elastic energy density
❍ Estimated error
Those characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the elements and in
Stress
Strain
Elastic energy
Estimated error
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 68
Solid Property
● Input:
❍ Material
● Output:
❍ Stress
❍ Strain
❍ Estimated error
❍ Stress Von Mises
❍ Elastic energy
❍ Elastic energy density
❍ Point force vector
❍ Pressure (optional)
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the element and in
Stress
Strain
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 69
Estimated error
Elastic energy
Elastic energy
density
Pressure
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Beam Property
● Input:
❍ Material
❍ Local Axis (optional)
❍ Cross-sectional Area
❍ Moment of inertia (tree values or six values in the case of variable beam)
❍ Shear Factor (two values )
❍ Shear Center (two values or two values equal to zero in the case of variable beam)
● Output:
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the element and in
Bar Property
● Input:
❍ Material
❍ Cross-sectional Area
● Output:
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the element and in
Stress
Strain
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 72
Spring Property
● Input:
❍ Translational stiffness
❍ Rotational stiffness
● Output:
❍ Point force vector
❍ Point moment vector
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given positions of the element and in
Contact Property
The relative translation of the slave node with respect to the master nodes set is
orthogonal to the direction joining the slave node to the set of master nodes.
● Input:
❍ Direction (optional)
❍ Local Axis (optional)
❍ Initial clearance (optional)
● Output:
❍ Point force vector
❍ Final clearance
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given position in the element:
Final clearance
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 74
Tightening Property
Tightening property is a physical property assigned to a section of a part (1D).
● Input:
❍ Orientation vector (optional)
❍ Local axis (optional)
❍ Tightening force
● Output:
❍ Point force vector
❍ Point moment vector
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the element and in
different axis system:
Periodic Property
Periodic property is a physical property assigned to a section of a part (1D).
● Input:
❍ 3D Transformation
● Output:
❍ Point force vector
❍ Point moment vector
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the element and in
● Input:
❍ Degrees of freedom: relaxation of some relations (optional)
❍ Local Axis (optional)
● Output:
❍ Point force vector
❍ Point moment vector
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the element and in
The set of slave nodes (there is generally only one slave node) is linked to the center of
● Input:
❍ Degrees of freedom: relaxation of some relations (optional)
❍ Local Axis (optional)
● Output:
❍ Point force vector
❍ Point moment vector
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the element and in
Slider Property
The relative translation of the slave node with respect to the master nodes set is
orthogonal to the direction joining the slave node to the set of master nodes.
● Input:
❍ Direction (optional)
❍ Local Axis (optional)
● Output:
❍ Point force vector
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the element and in
● Input:
❍ Direction (optional)
❍ Local Axis (optional)
● Output:
❍ Point force vector
❍ Point moment vector
The output characteristics can be expressed at the given positions in the element and in
Index
B
bar
property
beam
property
rigid
tightening
C
coincident
contact
join
property
rod
E
element
beam
coincident
contact join
contact rod
fastened join
fitting join
linear bar
linear hexahedron
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 81
linear pentahedron
linear quadrangle
linear tetrahedron
linear triangle
parabolic bar
parabolic hexahedron
parabolic pentahedron
parabolic quadrangle
parabolic tetrahedron
parabolic triangle
periodic condition
rigid beam
rigid spider
slider join
smooth spider
spring
tightening beam
tightening join
F
fastened join
fitting join
H
hexahedron
linear
parabolic
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 82
J
join
contact
fastened
fitting
slider
tightening
L
linear
hexahedron
pentahedron
quadrangle
tetrahedron
triangle
linear bar
element
M
membrane property
P
parabolic
hexahedron
pentahedron
quadrangle
tetrahedron
triangle
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 83
parabolic bar
element
pentahedron
linear
parabolic
periodic condition
periodic property
physical property
property
bar
beam
contact
membrane
periodic
pressure fitting
shear panel
shell
slider
solid
spring
tightening
Q
quadrangle
linear
parabolic
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 84
R
rigid
beam
spider
rod, contact
S
shear panel property
shell property
slider
join
property
smooth
spider
solid property
spider
rigid
smooth
spring
spring property
T
tetrahedron
linear
parabolic
tightening
beam
join
Finite Element Reference Guide Version 5 Release 16 Page 85
property
triangle
linear
parabolic