Shell section behavior is defined in terms of the response of the
shell section to stretching, bending, shear, and torsion.
General shell stiffness sections allow you to specify shell section
properties directly in terms of a stiffness matrix and thermal expansion
response. These data completely define the shell section's mechanical response,
so no material reference is needed as part of the section definition. General
shell stiffness sections provide an efficient and flexible method for defining
shell responses when you know the terms of the applicable stiffness and thermal
stress matrices. For more information, see
Specifying the Equivalent Section Properties Directly for Conventional Shells.
General shell stiffness sections cannot be used with variable thickness
shells or continuum shells. Like other pre-integrated shell sections, general
shell stiffness sections are not integrated through their thickness and do not
provide for heat transfer. In an
Abaqus/Standard
analysis, stresses and strains are not available for output from general shell
stiffness sections.