H.

Kim

ABAQUS/CAE Tutorial: Plotting Field Output Along a Path

Hyonny Kim September 21, 2004

stress along this path

In this tutorial, youll learn how to: Plot results along a path. This example uses the bracket model created in the previous tutorial, however, it is generally written, so any model can be used to follow these steps.

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Defining the Path Location

It is generally best to start by plotting the Field Output you are interested in, e.g., open your previously-created bracket model, plot the contour of stress in the 1-direction, S11.

Two Step Process: Step 1. Define Path:

Main Menu bar -> Tools -> Path -> Create enter a name (or keep default), Continue click Add Before... or Add After... button choose nodes to define the path you are interested in you can select multiple nodes and even define an irregular path if you like (you may need to zoom and pan) click DONE at the bottom of the screen confirm the desired nodes were selected, then click OK

The path will show up on the screen, however if it disappears, to view the path: Main Menu bar -> Tools -> Path -> Plot select the path name you want to plot

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Plotting Field Output Along the Path

Step 2. Plot Output Along Path:
in Toolbox Area, click Create XY Data button. choose Path as the source and click the Continue button choose the following options: Undeformed Include Intersections select the type of Field Output you wish to plot click Plot

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Outputting Path Plot Values Into a Text File

Follow Step 2 in this tutorial. After clicking Plot, the path plot will be showing on the screen. Click Save As and give it a name. In the Menu Bar -> Report -> XY. Choose the name you assigned the path plot, then click the SETUP tab and enter a filename.txt. You may want to uncheck the append to file option. Click OK. In a Unix console (or with Windows Explorer), see that filename.txt exists and that its contents are correct. This file can be imported into MS Excel or any other software to make plots.