Understanding the Query toolset in the Visualization module

The Query toolset allows you to obtain general information about your model. The Visualization module displays the requested information in the message area, and the same information is written to the replay file.

See Also
Probing the model
Calculating linearized stresses
Viewing a ply stack plot

Select ToolsQuery from the main menu bar, or select the tool from the Query toolset to use the Query toolset.

Items under General Queries provide the following information:

Node

You can obtain information on a selected node's label, deformed and undeformed coordinates, and displacement. You can select a local CSYS in which to display the coordinates.

Distance

You can obtain information on the deformed and undeformed distance between two selected nodes and the relative displacement between the nodes. You can select a local CSYS in which to display the coordinates of the picked points and the components of the result.

Angle

  • You can obtain information on the deformed and undeformed angle formed between three selected nodes. The second node that you select is the angle's vertex.

  • You can obtain the angle between two edges or faces or between an edge and a face.
Element

You can obtain information on a selected element's mesh type, material, section, connectivity, and current field output variables at the integration point locations. This query is available only when an output database is selected.

Mesh

You can obtain information on the name of the current output database, the number of nodes and elements in your model, and the element types.

Mass properties

You can obtain basic mass properties for the whole model in the output database or for a portion of the model. In the Visualization module, the mass properties are always calculated based on model data (undeformed shape). This query is available only when an output database is selected. Abaqus/CAE returns the following information:

  • Volume

  • Volume centroid

  • Mass

  • Center of mass

  • Moments of inertia about the center of mass or about a specified point

Element face normal
You can obtain the surface normal components for an element face. You can select a local CSYS in which to display the normal.
Advanced distance

Whereas the regular distance query allows you to find the distance between two selected single entities, the advanced distance query allows you to find the minimum distance between groups of entities. These entities can be nodes, elements, vertices, edges, faces, or cells, and you can select them from the viewport or by set. You can select a local CSYS in which to display the coordinates of the closest points and the components of the result.

For more information on general model queries, see Querying the model in the Visualization module.

Items under Visualization Module Queries provide the following information:

Probe values

Abaqus/CAE displays information in the Probe Values dialog box as you move the cursor around the current viewport. Probing a model plot displays model data and analysis results; probing an X–Y plot displays X–Y curve data. For more information on probing, see Probing the model.

Stress linearization

Stress linearization is the separation of stresses through a section into constant membrane and linear bending stresses. Abaqus performs stress linearization calculations and displays the results in the form of an X–Y plot. Stress linearization is available for output databases only. For more information on stress linearization, see Calculating linearized stresses.

Active elements and nodes

Abaqus/CAE displays the label numbers of all the active nodes or active elements in the current viewport. For more information, see Querying active node or element labels.

Ply stack plot

Abaqus/CAE creates a new viewport and displays a representative image of a composite layup. The image shows the plies in the layup along with details of each ply, such as its fiber orientation, thickness, reference plane, and integration points. Ply stack plots are available for output databases only. For more information, see Viewing a ply stack plot.