The 2D simplification option models the problem using a plane strain assumption. The displacement in one of the directions is neglible compared to the other two. The plane strain condition is valid when:
- One of the dimensions is much larger than the other two.
- In-plane forces do not vary along the largest dimension.
- Forces acting normal to the section plane are negligible.
The figure shows a thick solid under uniform loads. The dimension in Y is much larger than the X and Z dimensions. To model the problem, you create a section plane parallel to the XZ plane, specify the thickness, and apply the loads and fixtures to the edges.
You can create multiple 2D bodies using a section plane and define contact conditions between them.
The following simplifications are valid for the simulation results.
- Displacement, Load, and Temperature
- Displacement and temperature do not vary along the thickness. For the thick solid:
where u is the displacement vector. Also, uy = 0,
where P is the load vector. Also, Py=0,
and 
where T is the temperature.
- Stress
- All stress components are non-zero. However, out-of-plane stress components exist due to Poisson's effect and do not play an important role in the analysis.
- Strain
- Out of plane strain components are zero. Only in-plane strain components exist. For the thick solid:
where ε represents normal strain and γ represents shear strain.