Build a Cross-Section in Abaqus#

The process mirrors creating meshed beam cross-sections in Abaqus, then converting the INP file to VABS input.

Module

Setting

Part

2D Planar, Deformable, Shell

Property

any material; Solid or Composite Layup section

Mesh

no restriction

 
python -m sgio convert <filename>.inp <filename>.sg -ff abaqus -tf vabs

The Timoshenko beam model is used by default; add -m bm1 for Euler-Bernoulli. Run python -m sgio convert -h for all options, and see Convert SG Data.

Part#

Create a Deformable Shell part in 2D Planar modeling space.

../_images/abaqus_cs_create_part.png

For multi-material sections, create a base shape large enough to cover the whole cross-section, then use Partition Face to divide it into regions.

../_images/abaqus_cs_partition_face.png

Property#

VABS needs local orientation data and allows an additional in-plane rotation (fiber angle) per layer, so use a Composite Layup section:

  • one ply per section

  • layer orientation is set by assigning the local $y$ axis — the local $x$ axis is always normal to the cross-sectional plane. For a composite layer, the local $y$ axis is usually tangent to a base line.

  • set the fiber angle in the Rotation Angle column

../_images/abaqus_cs_comp_section.png

Composite Layup works for every material. A Solid section is also acceptable for an isotropic material that needs no local orientation or fiber angle.

../_images/abaqus_cs_solid_section.png

Mesh and Export#

Mesh the part with no restrictions, then create a job and write the model to an INP file.

../_images/abaqus_cs_mesh.png

See Convert Abaqus Cross-Section to VABS for a worked conversion.