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ABAQUS Element Database

This TOML file defines the mapping from ABAQUS element types to generic element topology used by AbaqusReader.jl.

File Format

Each element is defined as a TOML table with the following fields:

[ELEMENT_NAME]
nodes = <number of nodes>
type = "<generic element type>"
description = "<optional description>"

Fields

  • nodes (required): Integer specifying the number of nodes in the element
  • type (required): String specifying the mesh topology type that this ABAQUS element maps to
    • The type uses an abbreviated naming convention: ShapePrefix + NodeCount
    • "Tet4", "Tet10" - Tetrahedron with 4 or 10 nodes
    • "Hex8", "Hex20" - Hexahedron with 8 or 20 nodes
    • "Wedge6", "Wedge15" - Wedge (pentahedron) with 6 or 15 nodes
    • "Tri3", "Tri6" - Triangle with 3 or 6 nodes
    • "Quad4", "Quad8" - Quadrilateral with 4 or 8 nodes
    • "Seg2", "Seg3" - Segment (line) with 2 or 3 nodes
    • "Poi1" - Point (single node)
    • The number suffix makes it explicit how many nodes the element has
  • description (optional): String describing the element (useful for documentation)

Adding New Elements

To add support for a new ABAQUS element type:

  1. Find the ABAQUS element documentation to determine:

    • Element name (e.g., C3D8R)
    • Number of nodes (e.g., 8)
    • Basic topology (tetrahedral, hexahedral, shell, etc.)

  2. Add a new section to this file in the appropriate category:

[YOUR_ELEMENT]
nodes = X
type = "AppropriateType"
description = "Brief description"
  1. No code changes needed! The element will be automatically available after restarting Julia.

Element Categories

The file is organized into sections for easier maintenance:

  • 3D Solid Elements: Tetrahedral, Wedge/Prism, Hexahedral
  • Cohesive Elements: Interface/cohesive zone elements
  • Shell Elements: Triangular and Quadrilateral shells
  • 2D Continuum: Plane stress (CPS), Plane strain (CPE), Axisymmetric (CAX)
  • Beam and Truss: Line elements

Element Naming Conventions

ABAQUS uses suffixes to indicate element formulation details:

  • R = Reduced integration
  • H = Hybrid formulation
  • I = Incompatible modes
  • M = Modified formulation
  • E = Enhanced strain

Since AbaqusReader focuses on mesh topology (geometry), elements with the same node count map to the same generic type. For example, C3D8, C3D8R, C3D8H, and C3D8I all map to "Hex8" since they're all 8-node hexahedra.

Contributing

If you need support for an ABAQUS element that's not in this database:

  1. Add it to this TOML file following the format above
  2. Add a test in test/test_parse_mesh.jl to verify it works
  3. Submit a pull request!

The TOML format makes it easy for the community to expand element support without touching any Julia code.