Strain Plot

The Strain Plot PropertyManager allows you to plot strain results for static, nonlinear, modal time history and drop test studies. You can access the Strain Plot PropertyManager after a successful run of a study.

Display

• Component . Select a strain component to plot. Directions are based on the selected reference geometry.

• Shell Face . For shell and mixed mesh models only.

• • Top. Total strains at the top face.

  • Bottom. Total strains at the bottom face.

  • Membrane. Membrane strain component.

  • Bending. Bending strain component.

• Strain Type. Used for nonlinear studies only.

• • Total. Total strain due to various effects.

  • Plastic. Nonrecoverable strain.

  • Elastic. Recoverable strain.

  • Thermal. Strain due to thermal effects.

  • Creep. Strain due to creep effects.

NOTE: You can control the display of the fringe plot using the Settings PropertyManager.

Advanced Options

• Plane, Axis or Coordinate System . Select a reference plane, an axis, or a coordinate system to plot strain. Used for directional components only.

• Show as vector plot. Generates a vector plot where a vector is plotted at each node to show the magnitude and direction of the selected strain component. You can control the size and density of the vectors in a vector plot using the Vector Plot Options PropertyManager. Available for directional strain components only.

• Node values. Generates nodal strain plots. Linear interpolation is used, usually a smooth plot is generated.

• Element values. Generates elemental strain plots (one value/color for each element).

Plot Step

Available only for nonlinear, modal time history and drop test studies.

• Plot for Single Step .

•  . Displays the time corresponding to the selected plot step depending on the type of the study.

• • Plot Step . Sets the step number at which the selected result is to be plotted.

• Plot Bounds across All Steps .

• • Maximum. Displays the maximum algebraic values (envelope plot) across all solution steps.

  • Minimum. Displays the minimum algebraic values (envelope plot) across all solution steps.

  • Absolute maximum. Displays the absolute maximum values (envelope plot ) across all solution steps.

Deformed Shape

If checked, the selected strain component is plotted on the deformed shape of the model.

• Automatic. Displays the default Scale Factor that the program uses to scale the largest deformation to 10% of the largest dimension of the smallest box that surrounds the model.

• True scale. Displays the actual deformed shape of the model (Scale Factor is 1.0).

• User defined. Allows you to enter your own Scale Factor . In most cases, a larger scale factor helps to appreciate the deflection.

Property

• Include title text. If checked, type a custom title for the plot.

• Associate plot with name view orientation. Allows you to associate a predefined view orientation with the active plot.

• Associate with current view . Allows you to associate the current view with the active plot.