Defining the cutting surface

This problem contains basic test cases for one or more Abaqus elements and features.

This page discusses:

Elements tested
Features tested
Problem description
Results and discussion
Input files

ProductsAbaqus/StandardAbaqus/Explicit

Elements tested

B21
B22
B31
B32
PIPE21
PIPE31

C3D4
C3D6
C3D8
C3D8T
C3D20R
C3D20RT
C3D10M
C3D10MT

CAX3
CAX4
CAX8
CAX6M

CPE4R
CPE6M
CPS3
CPS4
CPS8

DC3D4
DC3D6
DC3D8
DC3D10
DC3D15
DC3D20

GK3D8

M3D4R

R3D3
R3D4

S4R
S8R
S8RT
SC8R

T2D2
T3D2

Features tested

The cutting surface is defined to create a cross-section-like surface by cutting an element set with a plane. The resulting surface is formed over the element facets, edges, or ends so as to be a close approximation to the specified plane. This interior surface can then be used for purposes such as pre-tensioning and requesting output of the force and the torque transmitted across that surface.

Problem description

These tests verify the creation of cross-section-like surfaces over various element types (continuum, structural, heat transfer, and rigid elements) by defining the cutting surface.

Results and discussion

The resulting surfaces are visually verified by postprocessing in the Visualization module of Abaqus/CAE.

Input files

cutting_plane_std_2d.inp: Generate surface over two-dimensional elements in Abaqus/Standard.
cutting_plane_std_3d.inp: Generate surface over three-dimensional elements in Abaqus/Standard.
cutting_plane_std_coupled.inp: Generate surface in an Abaqus/Standard coupled temperature-displacement analysis.
cutting_plane_std_thermal.inp: Generate surface in an Abaqus/Standard heat transfer analysis.
cutting_plane_std_submodel.inp: Generate surface in an Abaqus/Standard submodel analysis (global model: xptssi2.inp).
cutting_plane_std_submodel_sb.inp: Generate surface in an Abaqus/Standard stress-based submodel analysis (global model: xptssi2.inp).
cutting_plane_xpl_2d.inp: Generate surface over two-dimensional elements in Abaqus/Explicit.
cutting_plane_xpl_3d.inp: Generate surface over three-dimensional elements in Abaqus/Explicit.
cutting_plane_sx_s_preten.inp: Generate surface for use with pre-tensioning in Abaqus/Standard.
cutting_plane_sx_x_preten.inp: Generate surface in an Abaqus/Explicit analysis that is imported from Abaqus/Standard analysis cutting_plane_sx_s_preten.inp.