Symbol plots

Symbol plots display the specified variable as a vector originating from the node or element integration points. You can produce symbol plots of most tensor- and vector-valued variables. The exceptions are mainly nonmechanical output variables and element results stored at nodes, such as nodal forces. The relative size of the arrows indicates the relative magnitude of the results, and the vectors are oriented along the global direction of the results. The symbol plot legend shows how each arrow color corresponds to a specific range of values. You can plot results for the resultant of variables such as displacement (U), reaction force (RF), etc.; or you can plot individual components of these variables.

This task shows you how to:

Context:

Before proceeding, suppress the visibility of the element normals.

Generate a symbol plot of the displacement

  1. From the list of variable types on the left side of the Field Output toolbar, select Symbol.
  2. From the list of output variables in the center of the toolbar, select U.
  3. From the list of vector quantities and selected components, select U3.

    Abaqus/CAE displays a symbol plot of the displacement vector resultant on the deformed model shape, as shown in Figure 1.

  4. The default shaded render style obscures the arrows. An unobstructed view of the arrows can be obtained by changing the render style to Wireframe using the Common Plot Options dialog box. If the element normals are still visible, you should turn them off at this time.

    Figure 1. Symbol plot of displacement.

Generate a symbol plot of the principal stresses

Context:

You can plot principal values of tensor variables such as stress using symbol plots. A symbol plot of the principal values of stress yields three vectors at every integration point, each corresponding to a principal value oriented along the corresponding principal direction. Compressive values are indicated by arrows pointing toward the integration point, and tensile values are indicated by arrows pointing away from the integration point. You can also plot individual principal values.

  1. From the list of variable types on the left side of the Field Output toolbar, select Symbol.
  2. From the list of output variables in the center of the toolbar, select S.
  3. From the list of tensor quantities and components, select ALL_PRINCIPAL_COMPONENTS as the tensor quantity.

    Abaqus/CAE displays a symbol plot of principal stresses.

  4. From the main menu bar, select OptionsSymbol; or use the Symbol Options tool in the toolbox to change the arrow length.

    The Symbol Plot Options dialog box appears.

  5. In the Color & Style page, click the Tensor tab.
  6. Drag the Size slider to select 2 as the arrow length.
  7. Click OK to apply the settings and to close the dialog box.

    The symbol plot shown in Figure 2 appears.

    Figure 2. Symbol plot of principal stresses on the bottom surface of the plate.

  8. The principal stresses are displayed at section point 1 by default. To plot stresses at nondefault section points, select ResultSection Points from the main menu bar to open the Section Points dialog box.
  9. Select the desired nondefault section point for plotting.
  10. In a complex model, the element edges can obscure the symbol plots. To suppress the display of the element edges, choose Feature edges in the Basic tabbed page of the Common Plot Options dialog box.

    Figure 3 shows a symbol plot of the principal stresses at the default section point with only feature edges visible.

    Figure 3. Symbol plot of principal stresses on the top and bottom surfaces of the plate using feature edges.