Seminar Notes

BASIC MSC.NASTRAN Linear Static

and Normal Modes Analysis

The MSC.Software Corporation

Training and Education
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BASIC MSC.NASTRAN
Linear Static and Normal Modes Analysis

SEMINAR NOTES

NA*V70.5*Z*Z*Z*SM-NAS101-NT1

June 1998
 DISCLAIMER

The concepts, methods, and examples presented in this text are for educational purposes only and
are not intended to be exhaustive or to apply to any particular engineering problem or design. The
MSC.Software Corporation assumes no liability or responsibility to any person or company for direct
or indirect damages resulting from the use of any information contained herein.

Printed in U.S.A.
©1999 by The MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation
All rights reserved.
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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE SECTION

1.0 INTRODUCTION TO MSC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

COMPANY OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
WHAT IS MSC/NASTRAN?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
MSC CLIENT SUPPORT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
MSC TRAINING AND EDUCATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7

2.0 INTRODUCTION TO FINITE ELEMENT THEORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
MATRIX THEORY OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
(HISTORICAL SKETCH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
OVERVIEW OF THE MATRIX METHOD
OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
FUNDAMENTAL STRUCTURAL
ANALYSIS REQUIREMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
BASIC EQUATION OF THE DISPLACEMENT METHOD . . . . . . . . . 2-6
INTERPRETATION OF ELEMENTAL STIFFNESS
MATRIX [K] AND STIFFNESS COEFFICIENTS (kij) . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
DISCRETIZATION OF CONTINUOUS STRUCTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
EXAMPLE: DIRECT FORMULATION OF ROD ELEMENT
STIFFNESS MATRIX BY DISPLACEMENT METHOD . . . . . . . . . 2-10
OTHER EXAMPLES OF ELEMENTAL
STIFFNESS MATRICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
GLOBAL STIFFNESS MATRIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
CONSTRAINING THE STRUCTURE -
RIGID BODY MOTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
OVERVIEW OF FINITE ELEMENT SOLUTION PROCEDURE . . . . . 2-20
REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22

3.0 INTRODUCTION TO FINITE ELEMENT MODELING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

GOAL OF FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
INPUT TO THE FINITE ELEMENT MODEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
OUTPUTS FROM THE FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS. . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
MODELING GUIDELINES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
UNITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

4.0 INTRODUCTION TO MSC/NASTRAN INPUT FILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

MSC/NASTRAN INPUT FILE - OVERALL VIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
DELIMETER ENTRIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
SAMPLE MSC/NASTRAN INPUT FILE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
FORMAT OF MSC/NASTRAN DATA ENTRIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

i
 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont.)

TITLE SECTION

SMALL FIELD FORMAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

FREE FIELD FORMAT IN THE BULK DATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
LARGE FIELD FORMAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
GENERAL RULES FOR BULK DATA INPUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
CONTINUATION ENTRIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
GENERATION/REPLICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
GENERATION/REPLICATION OF
CONTINUATION ENTRIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
GENERATION/REPLICATION EXAMPLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
COMMON ENTRY FORMAT ERRORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19
THE NASTRAN STATEMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20
FILE MANAGEMENT SECTION (FMS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21

5.0 EXECUTIVE CONTROL SECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

INTRODUCTION TO THE EXECUTIVE CONTROL SECTION . . . . . . . . 5-1
SELECTED EXECUTIVE CONTROL STATEMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
DEFINITION OF DMAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
MSC/NASTRAN SOLUTION SEQUENCE
FOR STATIC ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
A ROAD-MAP FROM MSC/NASTRAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
F04 OUTPUT FILE FROM SOL 24 STATIC ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
EPSILON (RESIDUAL ERROR VECTOR) AND
STRAIN ENERGY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
STRUCTURED SOLUTION SEQUENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
RIGID FORMAT SOLUTION SEQUENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10

6.0 CASE CONTROL SECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

INTRODUCTION TO THE CASE CONTROL SECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
CASE CONTROL COMMAND - DATA SELECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
CASE CONTROL COMMANDS - OUTPUT SELECTION. . . . . . . . . . 6-4
CASE CONTROL SET DEFINITIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
CASE CONTROL SORT OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11
SORT1 FORMAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12
SORT2 FORMAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14
CASE CONTROL COMMANDS - SUBCASE DEFINITION . . . . . . . . 6-17
CASE CONTROL EXAMPLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-19

7.0 BULK DATA SECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.0-1

INTRODUCTION TO THE BULK DATA SECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.1-1
MSC/NASTRAN COORDINATE SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.1-2
GRID POINTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.2-1
SINGLE-POINT CONSTRAINTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.3-1
ii
 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont.)

TITLE SECTION

MATERIAL PROPERTIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.4-1

MSC/NASTRAN ELEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.5-1
ZERO-DIMENSIONAL (SCALAR) ELEMENT LIBRARY. . . . . . . . . . . 7.6-1
ONE-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.7-1
CALCULATION OF TORSIONAL CONSTANT J
FOR PROD, PBAR, AND PBEAM ENTRIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.7-6
CROD EXAMPLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.7-8
CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.7-14
CBARAO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.7-37
CBEAM ELEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.7-44
TWO-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.8-1
TWO-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.8-2
REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.8-3
CQUAD4 ELEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.8-4
CQUAD4 ELEMENT DEFINITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.8-6
QUAD4 ELEMENT DEFINITION -
ALTERNATE PROPERTY ENTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.8-18
THREE-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.9-1
RECOMMENDED USES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.9-2
CHEXA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.9-3
MSC/NASTRAN LOADS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-1
FORCE AND MOMENT ENTRIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-2
EXAMPLE INPUT FOR FORCE AND
MOMENT ENTRIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-3
DISTRIBUTED LOADS (PLOAD) IN MSC/NASTRAN . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-5
EXAMPLE INPUT FOR PLOAD1 ENTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-6
EXAMPLE INPUT FOR PLOAD4 ENTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-10
GRAV ENTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-12
THERMAL EFFECTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-14
EXAMPLE OF APPLYING THERMAL EFFECTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-15
LOAD ENTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-18
THE LOAD REQUEST TREE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-19

8.0 INTERMEDIATE MODELING PRACTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.0-1

SET NOTATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.1-1
MULTIPOINT CONSTRAINTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.1-2
R-TYPE (CONSTRAINT) ELEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.1-5
SINGULARITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.1-6
PARAM, AUTOSPC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.1-7
STRUCTURAL SYMMETRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.2-1
MESH TRANSITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.2-8
TYPES OF PLATE ELEMENT DISTORTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.2-10

iii
 CYLINDRICAL AND CIRCULAR ELEMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.2-10
MODEL DEBUGGING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.3-1

9.0 PARAMETERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1

INTRODUCTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1
PARAMETERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
PRINTOUT GENERATED BY PARAM,PROUT,1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
PRINTOUT GENERATED BY PARAM,GPECT,1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
PRINTOUT GENERATED BY PARAM,EST,1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6

10.0 NATURAL FREQUENCIES AND NORMAL MODES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1

GOVERNING EQUATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
MASS MATRIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
THEORETICAL RESULTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
REASONS TO COMPUTE NATURAL FREQUENCIES
AND NORMAL MODES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11
IMPORTANT FACTS AND RESULTS REGARDING
NORMAL MODES AND NATURAL FREQUENCIES . . . . . . . . . . 10-12
METHODS OF COMPUTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
COMPARISON OF EIGENVALUE
EXTRACTION METHODS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
NORMAL MODES ANALYSIS ENTRIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20

11.0 LINEAR BUCKLING ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1

THEORY OF BUCKLING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
SOLUTION OF THE EIGENVALUE PROBLEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
SOLUTION SEQUENCES FOR BUCKLING AND
STABILITY PROBLEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3
EXAMPLES OF NONLINEAR BUCKLING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-5
RULES FOR SOL 105 BUCKLING ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-6
DATA ENTRIES FOR LINEAR BUCKLING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-7
EEIGB ENTRY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
EXAMPLE - SIMPLE EULER COLUMN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-10
REFERENCES FOR BUCKLING AND
STABILITY ANALYSIS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-16

12.0 FILE MANAGEMENT SECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1

FMS OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
DBSETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
REQUIRED DBSETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3
TYPICAL FILES GENERATED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-4
RESTARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-5
AUTOMATIC RESTARTS (SOLs 101-200). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-6
RESTART EXAMPLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-7
RESTART EXAMPLE - COLD START . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-8
COLD START F04 FILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-9

iv
 COLD START F06 FILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-11
RESTART EXAMPLE - DATA RECOVERY RESTART . . . . . . . . . . . 12-14
RESTART EXAMPLE - PREFERRED METHOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-15
RESTART F04 FILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-16
RESTART F06 FILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-18
RESTART EXAMPLE SUMMARY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-21
MANIPULATING THE DATABASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-22
ASSIGN AND INIT STATEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-23
EXAMPLES - ASSIGN AND INIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-24
EXPAND STATEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-25
EXAMPLE - EXPAND STATEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-26
EXAMPLE ASSIGNING A FORTRAN FILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-27

13.0 MSC/NASTRAN DOCUMENTATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

DOCUMENTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-4

14.0 STRUCTURE PLOTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1
PLOT ENTRIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3
VIEWING OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4
EXAMPLE - PLOT INPUT FILE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-6
PLOT SET 1 LABEL BOTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-7
PLOT SET 1 SHRINK, LABEL GSPC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-8
PLOT STATIC DEFORMATION 0 SET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-9

15.0 MSC/NASTRAN MODEL CHECKOUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1

MSC/NASTRAN MODEL CHECKOUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1

v
 BASIC MSC/NASTRAN SEMINAR OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this seminar is to introduce you to MSC/NASTRAN.

The seminar will stress proper data formats and basic concepts in the
use of MSC/NASTRAN finite element analysis to solve engineering
analysis problems.

You are not expected to leave as an expert in basic MSC/NASTRAN.

However, if you leave here with a better understanding of
MSC/NASTRAN’s data structure, capable of executing simple analy-
ses on your own, and with the knowledge of where to look for an-
swers to your questions, then this seminar has been a success.

vii
 SECTION 1

INTRODUCTION TO MSC

COMPANY OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

WHAT IS MSC/NASTRAN? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

MSC CLIENT SUPPORT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6

MSC TRAINING AND EDUCATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7

 COMPANY OVERVIEW 1

• The MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation (MSC) has been supplying

sophisticated computer-aided engineering tools since 1963.

• MSC is the developer, distributor, and supporter of the most

complete and widely-used structural analysis program in the world,
MSC/NASTRAN.*

• NASTRAN development was initiated in 1966 under the

sponsorship of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
based on the known requirements of the aerospace industry for
structural analysis. MSC has been involved in NASTRAN since its
inception and has marketed its own enhanced, proprietary version
MSC/NASTRAN since 1972.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

*NASTRAN is a registered trademark of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

1-1
 WHAT IS MSC/NASTRAN?

• MSC/NASTRAN is a general-purpose, finite element analysis

program capable of solving a wide variety of engineering problems
including:

• Linear static analysis

• Static analysis with geometric and material nonlinearity

• Transient analysis with geometric and material nonlinearity

• Normal modes and buckling analysis

• Direct and modal complex eigenvalue analysis

• Direct and modal frequency analysis and random response

• Direct and modal transient analysis (including response spectrum

analysis)

• Linear static and vibration analysis with cyclic symmetry

• Linear and nonlinear steady-state heat transfer

• Transient heat transfer

• Aeroelasticity

• Multilevel superelements

1-2
 WHAT IS MSC/NASTRAN? (Cont.)

• Design sensitivity and optimization

• Acoustics

• p-Version elements and hp adaptivity

• MSC/NASTRAN is

• Extensively documented (including on-line encylopedia!) and

quality assurance tested

• Continually being enhanced by the addition of new capabilities

• Efficient due to its use of modern database technology and use of

modern sparse matrix and numerical analysis techniques

• Mainly written in FORTRAN (some C), currently over 1.4 million

program statements

• Used extensively by aerospace, energy, transportation, bio-

medical, and general industries

1-3
 MSC CLIENT SUPPORT

• With corporate headquarters in Los Angeles, MSC maintains

regional sales and support offices around the world. Information
regarding the location of MSC offices may be found on the MSC
web page:

http://www.macsch.com

• Regional offices provide the first line of client support for

MSC/NASTRAN products and are staffed by experienced
engineers.

• If you need to contact MSC for clients’ support, the phone numbers
are available using the web page under "Support, Training, and
Documentation."

1-4
 MSC CLIENT SUPPORT (Cont.)

• When contacting MSC with technical questions concerning an

MSC/NASTRAN run, please have the following information
available:

• The version level of MSC/NASTRAN being used (for example,

Version 70.5)

• Your computer platform (manufacturer, model, and operating

system)

• Your input file (.dat)

• Your output files (.f06, .f04, and .log files)

• Relevant user documentation

• A description of the error encountered (if applicable) and a

description of your model

1-5
 ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

• News file printed at the top of the .f06 file contains information on
upcoming conferences, new capabilities and enhancements, and
changes made with respect to previous versions.

• Version dependent release notes provide in-depth discussions of

new features.

• Current error list delivered with MSC/NASTRAN contains known

errors and general limitations. For updates contact your local MSC
office.

• MSC/WORLD offers viewpoints/articles from MSC’s upper

management, industry applications, user conference summaries,
and seminar schedules.

• User conferences, technical articles (both in-house and outside

publications).

1-6
 MSC TRAINING AND EDUCATION

• MSC/NASTRAN seminars are held worldwide. Locations, dates,

and descriptions of all scheduled classes are given in the Seminar
Program Catalog available upon request from any MSC regional
office.

• MSC also conducts cost-effective in-house seminars at clients’

facilities.

• MSC/NASTRAN seminar topics include:

• Basic Linear Statics and Normal Modes

• Dynamic Analysis

• Thermal Analysis

• Nonlinear Analysis

• Superelement Analysis

• DMAP and Database Applications in MSC/NASTRAN

• Aeroelasticity

• Composite Materials

• Practical Dynamic Analysis using MSC/NASTRAN

1-7
 MSC TRAINING AND EDUCATION (Cont.)

• Design Sensitivity and Optimization

• Practical Finite Element Modeling Techniques Using

MSC/NASTRAN

• Fluid Structure Analysis

• Custom seminars are available upon request

1-8
 SECTION 2

INTRODUCTION TO FINITE ELEMENT THEORY

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

MATRIX THEORY OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

(HISTORICAL SKETCH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

OVERVIEW OF THE MATRIX METHOD OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS . . . . . . 2-4

FUNDAMENTAL STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

BASIC EQUATION OF THE DISPLACEMENT METHOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

INTERPRETATION OF ELEMENTAL STIFFNESS

MATRIX [K] AND STIFFNESS COEFFICIENTS (kij) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7

DISCRETIZATION OF CONTINUOUS STRUCTURE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8

EXAMPLE: DIRECT FORMULATION OF ROD ELEMENT

STIFFNESS MATRIX BY DISPLACEMENT METHOD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10

OTHER EXAMPLES OF ELEMENTAL STIFFNESS MATRICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14

GLOBAL STIFFNESS MATRIX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16

CONSTRAINING THE STRUCTURE - RIGID BODY MOTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18

OVERVIEW OF FINITE ELEMENT SOLUTION PROCEDURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20

REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
 INTRODUCTION 2

• There are a number of possible approaches to engineering problems

Exact (closed form)

Classical
Methods
Approximate (e.g., series
solution to governing
differential equations)
Engineering
Analysis Energy

Boundary Element
Numerical
Methods
Finite Difference

Finite Element

• Classical (analytical) methods

• Exact and Approximate. Offer a high degree of insight, but the

problems are difficult or impossible to solve for anything but simple
geometry and loadings

2-1
 INTRODUCTION (Cont.)

• Numerical methods

• Energy: Minimizes an expression for the potential energy of the

structure over the whole domain. This approach is feasible only for
simple configurations.

• Boundary Element: Approximates functions satisfying the

governing differential equations not the boundary conditions.
Problem size is reduced because “elements” represent only the
boundary of the domain. However, the application of this method
relies on knowing the fundamental solution to the governing
equations. This can sometimes be difficult to obtain.

• Finite Difference: Replaces governing differential equations and

boundary conditions with corresponding algebraic finite difference
equations. Problems occur when attempting to represent
irregularly shaped structures or complicated boundary conditions.

• Finite Element: Offers considerable problem generality and ease

of solution by permitting irregularly shaped elements. Some prior
knowledge of the overall behavior of the structure is required to
guide model generation and element selection.

2-2
 MATRIX THEORY OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
(HISTORICAL SKETCH)

• The matrix theory of structural analysis first began appearing in the

technical literature in the early 1950’s.

• The emergence of “high-speed” automatic computing machines

and the desire to analyze complex structural designs promoted the
development of matrix methods.

• During the early 1950’s a procedure known as the displacement

(stiffness) method was suggested for investigating the complex
behavior of structural problems.

• In 1956, Turner, Clough, Martin, and Topp presented the first

treatment of the direct stiffness method (Journal of Aeronautical
Science, Volume 23, pages 805-823, 1956).

• The term “finite element” was coined by Clough in a paper

describing the technique used for plane stress analysis
(Proceedings of the Second ASCE Conference on Electronic
Computation, Sept. 1960).

2-3
 OVERVIEW OF THE MATRIX METHOD
OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

Two different finite element approaches to analyzing structures are

the force method and the displacement method. In both methods,
equilibrium, compatibility, and stress-strain relations are used to
generate a system of equations that represent the behavior of the
structure.

Force Method The member forces are the basic unknowns in

the system of equations.

Displacement The nodal displacements are the basic

Method unknowns in the system of equations.

Both methods can be used to solve structural problems. Although

both approaches are valid, the displacement method is easier to adapt
to electronic computations. MSC/NASTRAN uses the displacement
method approach to finite element analysis, as do most commercial
finite element programs.

2-4
 FUNDAMENTAL STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
REQUIREMENTS

All structural engineering analyses must satisfy the following three

general conditions:

1. Equilibrium of forces and moments: ∑ F = 0 ,∑ M = 0

2. Strain-Displacement relations: (also called compatibility of
deformations) Ensures that the displacement field in a deformed
continuous structure is free of voids or discontinuities

3. Stress-Strain relations: (also called constitutive relations)

For a linear material, generalized Hooke’s Law states

{σ} = [E]{ε}

where { σ }= { σ σ σ τ τ τ }
x y z xy yz zx

{ ε } = { ε x ε y ε z γ xy γ yz γ zx }

[ E ] = 6 x 6 matrix of elastic constants

A homogeneous, isotropic material [E] reduces to two indepe-

dent material constants E and ν.

For such a material under uniaxial load,

σ = Eε

These three conditions can be used to generate a system of

equations in which the displacements are unknown (the displacement
method).
2-5
BASIC EQUATION OF THE DISPLACEMENT METHOD

The basic equations of the displacement method are derived from:

1. The equilibrium of nodal forces

2. The compatibility of displacements (at grid points and within the

elements)

3. The force-displacement relationship

The compatibility condition correlates the external grid point displace-

ments to end deformations of the elements.

The force-displacement relationship is established between the mem-

ber end forces and displacements, and between the grid point forces
and displacements. The stiffness matrix [ K ] is used to relate the
forces acting on the structure and the displacements resulting from
these forces in the following manner:

{F} = [K]{u}

where { F } = forces acting on the structure

[ K ] = stiffness matrix [ k ij ] where each [ k ij ] term is the

force of a constraint at coordinate i due to a unit
displacement at j with all other displacements set
equal to zero

{ u } = displacements resulting from { F }

Boundary conditions are applied to prevent rigid body motions, and

the system of linear equations is solved for the unknown { u } .

2-6
 INTERPRETATION OF ELEMENTAL STIFFNESS
MATRIX [K] AND STIFFNESS COEFFICIENTS (kij)

• Physically, [ K ] describes how force is transmitted through the

element.

• For elastic problems, Maxwell’s Law requires that the stiffness

matrix is symmetric. Recall that a symmetric matrix is a square
matrix whose elements satisfy the relation

a ij = a ji

This is reasonable, since pulling End 1 of a spring a given distance

while holding End 2 fixed requires the same force as pulling End 2
the same distance while holding End 1 fixed.

• A single term of the stiffness matrix k ij is called a stiffness

coefficient. The units of k ij are load/displacement. For example,
the units of k ij for a spring are force/length.

2-7
 DISCRETIZATION OF CONTINUOUS STRUCTURE

• Analyzing a complex engineering problem may be difficult (if not

impossible) without some simplifying assumptions.

• For finite element analysis, the complex structure is divided into a

series of separate (finite) elements which, when combined into an
assembly, approximate the behaviour of the complex structure.

• The complex structure is divided into discrete grid points

connected by elements.

• The motion of each grid point may be described by using six

independent degrees of freedom (DOFs). A degree of freedom is
defined as an independent component of translation or rotation at
a grid point.

• The following figure illustrates the 6 dof used to determine the

motion of a GRID point

2-8
 DISCRETIZATION OF CONTINUOUS STRUCTURE

θy

uy

θx
ux

uz

θz
3 translations { ux , uy , uz }

3 rotations { θx , θy , θz }

{ u } = vector of displacements = { u x u y u z θ x θ y θ z }

Note: “Displacement” is a general term describing a component of

translation or rotation.

2-9
 EXAMPLE: DIRECT FORMULATION OF ROD
ELEMENT STIFFNESS MATRIX BY DISPLACEMENT
METHOD

• Rod under axial load

Consider an elastic rod of uniform cross section A and length L

under axial load.

X=0
L

F1 1 2 F2 X

u1 u2

Axial translations u 1 and u 2 are the only axial displacements at

nodes 1 and 2. Thus, this element has two degrees of freedom.

Goal - Find a linear equation relating force to displacement for each

degree of freedom.

Step 1: Satisfy static equilibrium

∑ Fx = F1 + F2 = 0
or (1)

F2 = –F1

2-10
 EXAMPLE: DIRECT FORMULATION OF ROD
ELEMENT STIFFNESS MATRIX BY DISPLACEMENT
METHOD (Cont.)

Step 2: Relate strain to displacements

Assume that the rod changes length by an amount ∆L due to the axial
load. The strain in the rod is

∆L u2 – u1
ε x = ------- = ------------------- (2)
L L

Step 3: Relate stress to strain

For a homogeneous, isotropic material, axial stress is related to axial

strain by

σ x = Eε x (3)

2-11
 EXAMPLE: DIRECT FORMULATION OF ROD
ELEMENT STIFFNESS MATRIX BY DISPLACEMENT
METHOD (Cont.)

Step 4: Relate force to stress

P
By definition, axial stress ( σ ) is given by ---- :
A

F1 F2
σ x = – ------ and σ x = ------ (4)
1 A 2 A

The minus sign is required since a positive tensile stress at End 1 is

in the negative x direction.

F1 1 σx

Step 5: Relate force to displacement

Substitution of Equations 2 and 3 into Equation 4 yields:

EA
– F 1 = σ x A = E ε x A = -------- ( u 2 – u 1 )
L

or (5)

EA EA
– F 1 = -------- u 2 – -------- u 2
2 L

2-12
 EXAMPLE: DIRECT FORMULATION OF ROD
ELEMENT STIFFNESS MATRIX BY DISPLACEMENT
METHOD (Cont.)

Similarly,

EA EA
F 2 = --------u 2 – --------u 1 (6)
L L

Equations 5 and 6 represent two linear equations and two unknowns.

In matrix form,

  EA 1 – 1  
 F1  --------
L –1 1  u 1 
 =  
 F2   u2 






   
K

or (7)

{F} = [K]{u}

where [ K ] = [ k ij ] element stiffness matrix

{ F } = vector of forces (known)

{ u } = vector of unknown displacements resulting from { F }

2-13
 OTHER EXAMPLES OF ELEMENTAL STIFFNESS
MATRICES

• Uniform rod under torsion

θ x1 θ x2

T1 1 2 T2 x

Two rotational degrees of freedom about x ( θ x1 , θ x2 )

  GJ - 1 –1  
 1  -------
T L –1 1  θ x1 
 =  
 T2   θ x2 






   
K

where G = material shear modulus (for example, psi or N/m2)

J = polar moment of inertia (for example, in4 or m4)

T = torsional load (for example, in-lb or N-m)

2-14
 OTHER EXAMPLES OF ELEMENTAL STIFFNESS
MATRICES (Cont.)

• Beam in bending in x-y plane

y
θ z2

θ z1 1 2 x

y1 y2
L

2 rotations about z ( θ z1 , θ z2 )
Four degrees of freedom
2 translations in ( y 1 , y 2 )

Loads are forces Py and moments Mz at each end.

   
 P y1  6 3L –6 3L  y1 
   
 M z1  2
3L 2L – 3L L
2  θ z1 
  2EI  
 P y2  = --------
3
-
– 6 – 3L 6 – 3L  y2 
  L  
 M z2  2 2  θ z2 
  3L L – 3L 2L  























{P} [K] {u}

A similar approach can be used in the development of a 3-D beam.

2-15
 GLOBAL STIFFNESS MATRIX

• A real structure can be modeled as a collection of individual

elements. An assembly of elemental stiffness matrices
representing a structure is called the global stiffness matrix.

Example: Find global stiffness matrix for two axial rods (springs).

ka kb
1 2 3

u1 , F1 u2 , F2 u3 , F3

• The definition of the stiffness coefficient enables us to write the

following relation:

   
 F1  ka –ka 0  u1 
   
 F2  = –ka ( ka + kb ) –kb  u2 
   
 F3  0 –kb kb  u3 
   

2-16
 GLOBAL STIFFNESS MATRIX (Cont.)

This relation can also be obtained by superposing the elemental

stiffness matrices:

       
 F1  ka –ka  u1   F2  kb –kb  u2 
  =   and  =  
 2 
F – k a a  2 
k u  3 
F –kb kb  u3 
       

   
 F1  ka –ka  u1 
   
 F2  = –ka ka + kb –kb  u2 
   
 F3  –kb kb  u3 
   
1 2 3

• Formulation of elemental stiffness matrices

• Direct determination (i.e., by hand) of the element stiffness matrix

is limited to one- and two-dimensional elements with limited
degrees of freedom.

• For higher-order elements (general beams, plates, solids), energy

principles and assumed element shape functions are used to
determine element stiffness matrices.

2-17
 CONSTRAINING THE STRUCTURE -
RIGID BODY MOTION

The solution of the structural equations

{F} = [K]{u}

requires inversion of the [ K ] matrix:

–1
{u} = [K] {F}

Inversion of the [ K ] matrix requires that [ K ] be square and that

det [ K ] ≠ 0 (i.e., nonsingular).

If rigid body motion or mechanisms are not prevented (constrained),

the structure is unstable and the stiffness matrix will be singular.
Note that an infinite number of displacement solutions occur if rigid
body motion is allowed. MSC/NASTRAN evaluates structural stability
independent of the applied load.

When considering rigid body motion, you must remember that the
computer program is working in a 3-dimensional space. That is, the
set of constraints you apply must be able to prevent any possible
rigid-body motion in 3-dimensions.

For example, as you will see on the next page, constraints must be
applied in the "out-of-plane" direction also to insure stability.

2-18
 CONSTRAINING THE STRUCTURE -
RIGID BODY MOTION (Cont.)

Examples:

Rigid Body Motion Adequate Constraints

F F F

Note: In actual practice, inversion of the stiffness matrix to solve

the system of equations is highly inefficient. MSC/NASTRAN
uses methods based on Gauss Elimination. However, the re-
quirement for a nonsingular matrix still holds.

2-19
OVERVIEW OF FINITE ELEMENT SOLUTION
PROCEDURE

Flowchart of Linear Static Structural Analysis

Represent continuous structure as a collection of

grid points connected by discrete elements.

Formulate element stiffness matrices from element

properties, geometry, and material.

Assemble all element stiffness matrices into global

stiffness matrix.

Apply boundary conditions to constrain model (i.e.,

remove certain degrees of freedom).

Apply loads to model (forces, moments, pressure,

etc.).

Solve matrix equation {F} = [K]{u} for

displacements.

Calculate element forces and stresses from

displacement results.

2-20
 OVERVIEW OF FINITE ELEMENT SOLUTION
PROCEDURE (Cont.)

In general, the finite element method can be applied to any continuum

described by partial differential equations.

• Example: Steady-state heat conduction

• Replace the structural stiffness matrix with the matrix of thermal

conductivities.

• Single DOF at each node (temperature)

• Other fields

• Fluid flow/wave propagation

• Electromagnetics

• Dynamics

2-21
 REFERENCES

Matrix Structural Analysis

H. C. Martin
Introduction to Matrix Methods of Structural Analysis
McGraw-Hill Book Company
1966

J. S. Przemieniecki
Theory of Matrix Structural Analysis
McGraw-Hill Book Company and Dover Publications
1968

M. F. Rubinstein
Matrix Computer Analysis of Structures
Prentice-Hall, Inc.
1966

M. D. Vanderbilt
Matrix Structural Analysis
Quantum Publishers, Inc.
1974

2-22
 REFERENCES (Cont.)

Finite Element Method

K. J. Bathe (theoretical)
Finite Element Procedures in Engineering Analysis
Prentice-Hall, Inc.
1982

R. D. Cook (theoretical, applications)

Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis, 2nd Edition
John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
1981

R. H. Gallagher (applications)
Finite Element Analysis Fundamentals
Prentice-Hall, Inc.
1975

O. C. Zienkiewicz and R. L. Taylor (theoretical)

The Finite Element Method, 4rd Edition
McGraw-Hill Book Company
1989

R. H. MacNeal (theoretical applications)

Finite Elements: Their Design and Performance
Marcel Dekker, Inc.
1994

A. O. Cifuentes (MSC/NASTRAN applications)

Using MSC/NASTRAN: Statics and Dynamics
Springer-Verlag
1989

2-23
2-24
 SECTION 3

INTRODUCTION TO FINITE ELEMENT MODELING

GOAL OF FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

INPUT TO THE FINITE ELEMENT MODEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

OUTPUTS FROM THE FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

MODELING GUIDELINES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

UNITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
 GOAL OF FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS 3

We wish to approximate behavior of an irregular, continuous structure

under general loading and constraints with an assembly of discrete
elements.

Structure

X
uy

ux
Element
Level

[ K ]e { u }e = { f }e

The behavior of the structure is obtained by considering the collective

behavior of the discrete elements.

3-1
 INPUT TO THE FINITE ELEMENT MODEL

Subdivision or discretization of real-world structures into elements

and the selection of element types is the responsibility of the user.
The user may use an input data generator (such as MSC/PATRAN) to
assist in discretizing the structure.

The principal concerns in making a finer or coarser finite element

mesh are accuracy and computer resources, both of which increase
with an increasing number of degrees of freedom.

• Computer resources (CPU time) used by MSC/NASTRAN (for a

problem with "N" dof)

• Overhead (constant)

• Stiffness matrix assembly (~N)

• Solution cost (~N2)

• Data recovery (~N)

These four costs are approximately equal to each other for smaller
models (100-200 grid points). For large modes, the solution cost will
generally dominate.

3-2
 INPUT TO THE FINITE ELEMENT MODEL (Cont.)

Once the user is satisfied with the model subdivision, the following
classes of input data must be prepared to provide a detailed
description of the finite element model to MSC/NASTRAN.

Geometry The locations of grid points and the

orientations of coordinate systems that
are used to record components of
displacements and forces at grid points

Element Connectivities The identification numbers of the grid

points to which each element is connected

Element Properties Examples of element properties are the

thickness of a surface element and the
cross-sectional area of a line element.
Each element type has a specific list of
properties.

Material Properties Examples of material properties are

Young’s modulus, density, and thermal
expansion coefficient. There are several
material types available in MSC/NASTRAN.
Each has a specific list of properties.

Constraints Constraints are used to specify boundary

conditions, symmetry conditions, and a
variety of other useful relationships.
Constraints are essential because an
unconstrained structure is capable of free-
body motion, which will cause the analysis
to fail.

Loads and Loads may be applied at grid points or on

Enforced elements.
Displacements

3-3
 OUTPUTS FROM THE FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

Once the data describing the finite element model has been
assembled and submitted to the computer, it will be processed by
MSC/NASTRAN to produce information requested by the user. The
classes of output data are:

• Components of displacements at grid points

• Element data recovery: stresses, strains, strain energy, and

internal forces and moments

• Grid point data recovery: applied loads, forces of constraint, and

forces due to elements

It is the responsibility of the user to verify the accuracy of the finite

element analysis results. Some suggested checks to perform are:

• Generate plots to visually verify the geometry

• Verify overall model response for loadings applied

• Check input loads with reaction forces

• Perform hand checks of results whenever possible

• See the Proceedings of the 1986 MSC World Users’ Conference,

“MSC/NASTRAN Model Checkout” by the Jet Propulsion
Laboratory, Appendix C.

3-4
 MODELING GUIDELINES

Engineering judgment about the behavior of the structure

is required before modeling process begins.

• Recognize all load application and reaction points.

• Establish the primary load paths for bending, torsion, shear, and
axial loads.

• Refine the mesh in regions where high-stress gradients are

expected. Increasing number of elements generally increases
accuracy.

• Try to exploit symmetry in the structure.

• Consider project budget and computer resources - increasing the

DOFs increases the computer resouces, modeling time, and time
required to interpret results.

• Sensitivity studies should be performed with small models to

determine the relationships between number of elements, solution
accuracy, and modeling cost.

• Use small, simple test models to check out unfamiliar modeling

techniques and procedures before running expensive, real models.

3-5
 UNITS

MSC/NASTRAN knows nothing about units.

The units of all physical quantities (input) for

MSC/NASTRAN must be consistent! OUTPUT
WILL BE IN THE SAME UNITS AS THE INPUT DATA

Example

Input Units
English Metric

Grid Point Geometry inches mm

Elastic Modulus lb/in2 N/mm2

Must Be
Applied Moments inch-lb mm-N Consistent

Applied Forces lb N

Corresponding Output Units

Displacements inches mm

Stresses lb/in2 N/mm2

3-6
 UNITS (Cont.)

System of
Units Mass Length Time Force g
English lb sec2/ft ft sec lb 32.174 ft/sec2

SI kg m sec Newton 9.81 m/sec2

weight
F = Ma: mass(M) = --------------------
g

Note: Mass density (not weight density) is required for dynamic

analysis.

Example:

3
Mass density = weight density 0.283 lb/in
----------------------------------------- = ------------------------------------------------------
g
32.174 -------------  --------------
of mild steel ft 12 in
2 
sec 1 ft

2
lb sec
= 7.324E – 4 --------------------
4
in

3-7
3-8
 SECTION 4

INTRODUCTION TO MSC/NASTRAN INPUT FILE

MSC/NASTRAN INPUT FILE - OVERALL VIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

DELIMETER ENTRIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

SAMPLE MSC/NASTRAN INPUT FILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

FORMAT OF MSC/NASTRAN BULK DATA ENTRIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

SMALL FIELD FORMAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

FREE FIELD FORMAT IN THE BULK DATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10

LARGE FIELD FORMAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11

GENERAL RULES FOR BULK DATA INPUT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12

CONTINUATION ENTRIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13

GENERATION/REPLICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15

GENERATION/REPLICATION OF CONTINUATION ENTRIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16

GENERATION/REPLICATION EXAMPLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17

COMMON ENTRY FORMAT ERRORS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19

THE NASTRAN STATEMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20

FILE MANAGEMENT SECTION (FMS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21

 MSC/NASTRAN INPUT FILE - OVERALL VIEW 4

ENDDATA

BULK DATA SECTION

BEGIN BULK

CASE CONTROL SECTION

CEND

EXECUTIVE CONTROL SECTION

ID A, B $ OPTIONAL

FMS

• File Management Section (FMS):

• Includes the "NASTRAN" statement (optional - determines overall
program control for the current run)
• Allocates files, controls restarts and database operations

• Executive Control Section:

• Solution type, time allowed, program modifications and system
diagnostics

• Case Control Section:

• Output requests and selects certain Bulk Data items such as
loadings and constraints to be used

• Bulk Data Section:

• Structural model definition and solution conditions

4-1
 MSC/NASTRAN INPUT FILE - OVERALL VIEW (Cont.)

• MSC/NASTRAN is designed to run in the batch mode. An analysis

is submitted in an input file containing the following:

1. File Management Section (Optional)

2. Executive Control Section

3. Case Control Section

4. Bulk Data Section

• Input files may be preceded and followed by the required resident

operating system (job control language) control statements. The
type and number vary with each installation.

• The goal of the File Management Section is to make the operating

system invisible to the user.

• Refer to the MSC/NASTRAN Installation and Operation Instructions

and your operating system personnel for instructions in preparing
operating system control statements.

4-2
 DELIMETER ENTRIES

ID A, B First statement in Executive Section - (Optional)

CEND End of Executive Section, beginning of Case Control

BEGIN BULK End of Case Control, beginning of Bulk Data

ENDDATA Last entry in all MSC/NASTRAN input files

Note: BEGIN BULK and ENDDATA must begin in column 1.

4-3
 SAMPLE MSC/NASTRAN INPUT FILE

Problem: Find the maximum displacement of the a square plate due

to a concentrated force applied at the center. The edges of
the plate are fixed.

Finite Element Model:

E = 30.0 E6 psi F = 1000.0 lbs

t = 0.25 inches y
ν = 0.33
8
7 9

3 4
5
4 10 inches
6
z
1 2

x
1 3
2
10 inches

= grid ID

= element ID

Note: Coarse mesh is used for demonstration purposes.

4-4
 SAMPLE MSC/NASTRAN INPUT FILE (Cont.)

ID SAMPLE,DATA DECK
Executive Control Section
SOL 101
$
CEND
LOAD=20
DISP=ALL Case Control Section
$
BEGIN BULK
$Dollar signs anywhere in the Data Deck
$denote a comment
GRID,1,,0.,0.,0.,,123456
GRID,2,,5.,0.,0.,,123456
GRID,3,,10.,0.,0.,,123456
GRID,4,,0.,5.,0.,,123456
GRID,5,,5.,5.,0.,,6
GRID,6,,10.,5.,0.,,123456
GRID,7,,0.,10.,0.,,123456
GRID,8,,5.,10.,0.,,123456 Bulk Data Section
GRID,9,,10.,10.,0.,,123456
$Comment entries are not required
CQUAD4,1,10,1,2,5,4
CQUAD4,2,10,2,3,6,5
CQUAD4,3,10,4,5,8,7
CQUAD4,4,10,5,6,9,8
PSHELL,10,30,0.25,30
MAT1,30,3.+7,,0.33
FORCE,20,5,,-1000.,0.,0.,1.
ENDDATA

4-5
 FORMAT OF MSC/NASTRAN INPUT FILE (Cont.)

• File Management Section

• Use free field format.
(See the MSC/NASTRAN Quick Reference Guide for specific
input.)

• Executive Control Section and Case Control Section

• Use free field format. Input may begin in any column and is
separated by commas or blanks.
(See the MSC/NASTRAN Quick Reference Guide for specific
Executive statements and Case Control commands.)

• Bulk Data Section

• There are three possible field formats:

Free field
Small field
Large field

(See Section 5 of the MSC/NASTRAN Quick Reference Guide for

specific Bulk Data input requirements.)

4-6
 FORMAT OF MSC/NASTRAN BULK DATA ENTRIES

• Each BULK DATA Entry has a specific pre-defined format and

purpose (described in the MSC/NASTRAN Quick Reference Guide,
Section 5)

• The following is the CROD entry description from the QRG

CROD

Defines a tension-compression-torsion element.

Format:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
CROD EID PID G1 G2

Example:
CROD 12 13 21 23

Field Contents
EID Element identification number. (Integer >0)

PID Property identification number of a PROD entry. (Integer > 0; Default = EID)

G1, G2 Grid Point identification numbers of connection points. (Integer>0; G1=G2)

Remarks:
1. Element identification numbers should be unique with respect to all other element
identification numbers.

2. See CONROD for alternative method of rod definition.

3. Only one element may be defined on a single entry.

• Each line contains 10 fields

• An entry may require one or more lines of data to define it.

4-7
 FORMAT OF MSC/NASTRAN BULK DATA ENTRIES

• Data may be Integer, Real, or BCD format

• Integer
Used on the majority of data entries
• Real

• BCD Character string

• Different ways to input a real number

• The following representations of the real number 7.0 are
numerically equivalent and acceptable to MSC/NASTRAN:

7.0 .7E1 0.7+1

.70+1 7.+0 70. -1

The first field on the first line of an entry is the entry name.

All subsequent fields are data for entry.

If more than one line is needed, then "continuation" entries must be

used.

4-8
 SMALL FIELD FORMAT

• Small field
10 fields of 8 columns each

• Example:
Small Field Bulk Data Entry

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

GRID 10 7.5 8.6 9 456

4-9
 FREE FIELD FORMAT IN THE BULK DATA

• Free field

Fields in the Bulk Data entries can be separated by commas or

blanks. (The RECOMMENDED PRACTICE is to use commas not
blanks to separate data into fields.)

• Rules:
• To skip a field, use two commas in succession.

• Integer numbers or BCD fields with more than eight

characters cause a fatal error.

• Real numbers with more than eight characters are rounded

off and lose some precision. For example, 1.2345E+2
becomes 123.45, while 1.2345678+2 becomes 123.4568. If
more than eight characters are needed, use large field entry
format.

• Example:
Free Field Bulk Data Entry

GRID,10,,7.5,8.6,9.0,,456

4-10
 LARGE FIELD FORMAT

• Large field
• In general, requires two entries
• First and last fields of each entry use eight columns, and
intermediate fields use 16 columns.
• Large field entries are denoted by an * immediately after the
mnemonic in field 1A on the first entry and * immediately preceding
the mnemonic in field 1B of the second entry.
• Example:
Large Field Bulk Data Entry

First Entry

1A 2 3 4 5 10A
8 16 16 16 16 8

GRID* 10 7.5 8.6 *GRID10

Second Entry

1B 6 7 8 9 10B
8 16 16 16 16 8

*GRID10 9.0 456

4-11
 GENERAL RULES FOR BULK DATA INPUT

• Errors result if input data items extend past their specified fields.

• Input data items in fields 1 and 10 must be left justified. Input data
in fields 2 through 9 do not have to be left or right justified.

• Input data items must not have any embedded blanks.

Example: (free field)

G R I D , 1 0 , , 7 . 5 , 8 . 6 , 9 . 0

Since a blank is a valid separator,

MSC/NASTRAN will interpret this as an
integer 8 rather than the intended value,
8.6. Since real numbers are required for
coordinate data, a fatal error will result.

• All real numbers, including zero, must contain a decimal point -

WARNING - COMMON ERROR!

• A blank field will be interpreted as a real number or integer number

as required.

4-12
 CONTINUATION ENTRIES

• Definition

Continuation entries are used when more than one line is required
to define a single Bulk Data entry.

• Free field format example

• Parent entry: PBAR,10,20,1.25,,,,,,+PB10
The plus sign is optional. The first
column of field 10 on the parent entry is
ignored by MSC/NASTRAN.

• Continuation entry: +PB10,2.0,5.0,-2.0,-5.0

The plus sign is required in column 1,
field 1 of a continuation entry.

• Continuation entries may be generated automatically when the

entries are in sorted order. The parent entry must be blank in
columns 74-80 (field 10), and the continuation entry must be blank
in columns 2-8 (field 1). For small field entries, the first column of
the continuation entry may be blank or contain a + symbol. For
large field entries, the first column of the continuation entry must
contain a * symbol.

4-13
 CONTINUATION ENTRIES (Cont.)

• Input rules
• (+) or (*) is required in column 1, field 1 of a continuation entry.
The remaining entry in field 1 of a continuation entry must be
identical to the entry in field 10 (columns 2 through 8) of the parent
entry (or the preceding continuation entry).
• Any entry in the first column of field 10 on the parent entry is
ignored by the continuation entry.
• Small field and large field continuation entries may be used
together in defining a single data item entry.

4-14
 GENERATION/REPLICATION

• To avoid the time-consuming input of each Bulk Data entry

individually, repetitive fields can be generated from a single entry
definition. Rules governing this capability are:
• Duplication of a field from the preceding entry is accomplished by
coding the symbol = in the associated field.
• Duplication of all remaining fields from the preceding entry is
accomplished by coding the symbol == in the first of the fields to
be repeated.
• Generation of a incremeted value from the previous entry is
defined by coding *X or *(X) where X is the real or integer value of
the increment.
Note: Parentheses are optional.

• Repeated replication is indicated by coding =n or the optional =(n)

in field 1, where n is the number of entry images to be generated
using the values of the increments on the preceding generation
entry.
• Generation/replication rules apply to all Bulk Data entries unless
denoted otherwise on specific entry definition pages in
Section 12.0 of the MSC/NASTRAN Handbook for Linear Analysis.

4-15
 GENERATION/REPLICATION OF
CONTINUATION ENTRIES

• Continuation fields (fields 1 and 10) may be replicated using the

following conventions:
• Only letters of the alphabet and integers may be used. They are
coded into a base 36 number. That is, the sequence of numbers is
0, 1, 2,...8, 9, A, B,...Z.
• The first character in the field 1 or 10 is not incremented.
• MSC/NASTRAN increments continuation fields by +1. User input
values for these fields are ignored.
• The number of characters in an incremented field is not increased.
For example, if the field in the first entry is “0”, the field in the 37th
entry is also “0” resulting in an illegal duplicate entry. A method to
solve this problem is to start a first entry with “00”. This will provide
36 squared unique fields.
• See Section 3.5.1 of the MSC/NASTRAN Handbook for Linear
Analysis for examples of continuation entries in small field and
large field formats.

4-16
 GENERATION/REPLICATION EXAMPLES

I N P U T B U L K D A T A D E C K E C H O

. 1 .. 2 .. 3 .. 4 .. 5 .. 6 .. 7 .. 8 .. 9 .. 10
.
GRID,1,,1.,0.,0.
=,*(1),,*(1.),== $GRID GENERATION CARD
=(3) $GRID REPLICATION CARD
CBEAM,100,1,1,2,0.,1.,0.
=,*10,=,*1,*1,== $CBEAM GENERATION CARD
=2 $CBEAM REPLICATION CARD
PBEAM,1,1,24.,72.,32.
4-17

,3.,-2.,3.,2.,-3.,2.,-3.,-2. $PBEAM CONTINUATION CARD

,YESA,0.2 $PBEAM CONTINUATION CARD
,=,*0.2 $GENERATION OF PREVIOUS CARD
=3 $REPLICATION OF PREVIOUS CARD
EIGR,10,MGIV,,30.
,MASS $EIGR CONTINUATION CARD
$
ENDDATA
INPUT BULK DATA CARD COUNT = 15
 GENERATION/REPLICATION EXAMPLES (Cont.)

S O R T E D B U L K D A T A E C H O

CARD
COUNT . 1 .. 2 .. 3 .. 4 .. 5 .. 6 .. 7 .. 8 .. 9 .. 10 .
1- CBEAM 100 1 1 2 0. 1. 0.
2- CBEAM 110 1 2 3 0. 1. 0.
3- CBEAM 120 1 3 4 0. 1. 0.
4- CBEAM 130 1 4 5 0. 1. 0.
5- EIGR 10 MGIV 30. +000008
6- ++000008MASS +000009
7- GRID 1 1. 0. 0.
8- GRID 2 2. 0. 0.
9- GRID 3 3. 0. 0.
4-18

10- GRID 4 4. 0. 0.
11- GRID 5 5. 0. 0.
12- PBEAM 1 1 24. 72. 32. +000001
13- ++0000013. -2. 3. 2. -3. 2. -3. -2. +000002
14- ++000002YESA 0.2 +000003
15- ++000003YESA .4 +000004
16- ++000004YESA .6 +000005
17- ++000005YESA .8 +000006
18- ++000006YESA 1.0 +000007
ENDDATA
TOTAL COUNT= 19
 COMMON ENTRY FORMAT ERRORS

• The following are common entry format errors and ways to avoid
them.
• Failure to leave the proper number of fields blank when defining
data values causes a fatal error. Be sure to leave the proper
number of blanks or include the correct number of commas to
delimit data fields.
• Be sure to put integer numbers and real numbers where they
belong. See individual entry format in the MSC/NASTRAN Quick
Reference Guide for these specifications.
• Be sure to define all the required fields on the Bulk Data entries.

4-19
 THE NASTRAN STATEMENT

• The NASTRAN statement is a member of the FMS and is optional.

• It should be used to modify operational parameters (system cells).

If used, it is best to place it as the first entry in the input file.

• Used only in exceptional circumstances and is not needed for most

runs.

• Typical applications
• Change BUFFSIZE

NASTRAN BUFFSIZE=2000

or

NASTRAN SYSTEM(1)=2000
• Specifying HICORE

NASTRAN HICORE=5000000

or

NASTRAN SYSTEM(57)=5000000

• See the MSC/NASTRAN Reference Guide, Section 1 for a complete

listing and description of the machine-independent system cells.

4-20
 FILE MANAGEMENT SECTION (FMS)

• The FMS is optional and may not be needed for many problems.

• Used to initialize or attach existing MSC/NASTRAN databases and

FORTRAN files

• The FMS commands works the same for all platforms

• Reduces or eliminates the machine-dependent JCL

• Typical applications
• Initializing the database (name, size, location , etc.)
• Splitting up a database into several smaller database sets, which
allows large problems to be solved on machines with limited disk
space
• Expand an existing database.
• Restart Control.

• Detailed description of the FMS is given in Section 12.

4-21
4-22
 SECTION 5

EXECUTIVE CONTROL SECTION

INTRODUCTION TO THE EXECUTIVE CONTROL SECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

SELECTED EXECUTIVE CONTROL STATEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

DEFINITION OF DMAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

MSC/NASTRAN SOLUTION SEQUENCE FOR STATIC ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

A ROAD-MAP FROM MSC/NASTRAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

F04 OUTPUT FILE FROM SOL 24 STATIC ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

EPSILON (RESIDUAL ERROR VECTOR) AND STRAIN ENERGY . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

STRUCTURED SOLUTION SEQUENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9

RIGID FORMAT SOLUTION SEQUENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10

 INTRODUCTION TO THE EXECUTIVE
CONTROL SECTION 5

• The Executive Control Section is the first required group of

statements in any MSC/NASTRAN input file.

• The primary functions of the Executive Control Section are:

• Define the type of analysis (solution sequence)

• Identify the job (optional)

• Define general operation conditions such as:

• Maximum time allowed

• System diagnostics desired

• User-written DMAP

• See the MSC/NASTRAN Quick Reference Guide, Section 3 for a

complete description of the Executive Control Section.

5-1
 SELECTED EXECUTIVE CONTROL STATEMENTS

First Entry: ID A1,A2 Optional

Second Entry: SOL K Required entry - K= SOLution number or

name

Last Entry: CEND Required entry

Optional Entries

TIME K Indicates maximum allowable CPU minutes

(default = 60)

Diagnostic:

DIAG K Optional entries requesting diagnostic output. Some

useful DIAG requests are:
DIAG 8 Prints matrix summary data as it is generated
DIAG 14 Prints DMAP sequence - recommended for use
with ALTERS
DIAG 38 Prints material angles for QUAD4, QUAD8,
TRIA3, TRIA6 elements

See Section 3 of the MSC/NASTRAN Quick Reference Guide for

descriptions of this and other statements.

5-2
 DEFINITION OF DMAP

• MSC/NASTRAN’s Executive System uses an internal, data block

oriented language called Direct Matrix Abstraction Programming
(DMAP) to direct MSC/NASTRAN to solve problems.

• DMAP

• Performs the operations of converting input lists to matrices and/or

tables

• Performs the matrix solutions

• Converts matrix solutions to output lists

• Prints the solution (and/or any intermediate information)

These operations are selected by requesting one of the solution

sequences (SOL K). Each SOL assembles hundreds to thousands
of DMAP commands to perform a specific type of analysis.

• User access to DMAP enables:

• Altering (modifying) a built-in solution sequence flow

• Writing a solution sequence to meet special analysis needs

Note: User modification to DMAP is optional.

See the MSC/NASTRAN DMAP Module Dictionary for more information

about DMAP.

5-3
 MSC/NASTRAN SOLUTION SEQUENCE
FOR STATIC ANALYSIS

DMAP modules perform the mathematical operations required to

perform the requested solution sequence.

Static Analysis
Solution Sequence Operations Modules

Preface MSGMESH

Geometry Processors GP1,GP2,GP3,GP4

Plot Preparation PLOT

(Undeformed)

Matrix Assembly EMG,EMA,GPSP1

Multipoint Constraint MCE1,MCE2

Elimination

Single-Point Constraint SCE1

Elimination

Stiffness DCMP
Matrix Decomposition

Static Solution SSG1,SSG2,SSG3

Data Recovery SDR1,SDR2,GPFDR

Plot Preparation
(Deformed) PLOT

5-4
 A ROAD-MAP FROM MSC/NASTRAN

• The ".f04" file contains a "road-map" of the MSC/NASTRAN

modules used in the solution of your problem.

• Each time a DMAP module is executed, a line is created in the .f04

file contain in the module name and information on the current
state of the run.

DAY TIME ELASPED I/O MB DEL_MB CPU SEC DEL_CPU SUB_DMAP/ DMAP_MODULE MESSAGES

16:56:39 0:37 2.9 0.0 8.9 SEPREP2 17 GP1 BEGN

16:56:40 0:38 2.9 0.0 9.5 SEPREP2 17 GP1 END

Module Name

DMAP Sequence ID
subDMAP

Elasped Time for Job

(used for "time" limit)
File Operations
Wall Clock - Elasped Seconds
Time of Day
• If anything should go wrong during a run, this output is invaluable
as a trouble-shooting aid.

5-5
 F04 OUTPUT FILE FROM SOL 24 STATIC ANALYSIS

DAY TIME ELAPSED I/O SEC DEL_I/O CPU SEC DEL_CPU MODULE/SUBROUTINE MESSAGES

17:40:14 0:03 23.4 2.6 1.2 0.1 STATICS 4 IFP1 BEGN - Preface operations: read datea deck,
17:40:14 0:03 23.5 0.2 1.2 0.1 STATICS 5 XSORT BEGN Bulk Data sorted and placed
17:40:14 0:03 23.9 0.3 1.6 0.4 STATICS 6 IFP BEGN in tables
17:40:14 0:03 23.9 0.0 1.6 0.0 IFP
17:40:14 0:03 23.9 0.0 1.7 0.1 STATICS 12 SOL24 BEGN
17:40:14 0:03 24.0 0.1 1.7 0.0 SOL24 9 GP1 BEGN - Grid point processor
17:40:14 0:03 24.0 0.0 1.8 0.1 SOL24 11 GP2 BEGN - Element connection table
17:40:14 0:03 24.0 0.0 1.8 0.0 SOL24 26 GP3 BEGN - Temperature and static loads
17:40:14 0:03 24.0 0.0 1.9 0.0 SOL24 28 TA1 BEGN
17:40:14 0:03 24.0 0.0 1.9 0.0 SOL24 31 EMG BEGN - Element matrices generated
17:40:14 0:03 24.0 0.0 1.9 0.0 SOL24 35 XPURGE BEGN
17:40:14 0:03 24.0 0.0 1.9 0.0 SOL24 37 EMA BEGN - [K] is assembled from all
17:40:14 0:03 24.1 0.1 2.0 0.0 SOL24 39 XPURGE BEGN individual element matricex
17:40:14 0:03 24.1 0.0 2.0 0.0 SOL24 43 ELTPRT BEGN
17:40:14 0:03 24.1 0.0 2.0 0.1 SOL24 73 XEQUIV BEGN
17:40:14 0:03 24.1 0.0 2.0 0.0 SOL24 85 XEQUIV BEGN
17:40:14 0:03 24.1 0.0 2.0 0.0 SOL24 89 XEQUIV BEGN
17:40:14 0:03 24.1 0.0 2.0 0.0 SOL24 97 GP4 BEGN - Constraint data processor
17:40:14 0:03 24.1 0.0 2.1 0.0 SOL24 99 GPSP BEGN - Grid point sigularity processor
5-6

17:40:14 0:03 24.1 0.0 2.1 0.0 SOL24 100 XPURGE BEGN
17:40:14 0:03 24.1 0.0 2.1 0.0 SOL24 104 XEQUIV BEGN
17:40:14 0:03 24.1 0.0 2.1 0.0 SOL24 108 XEQUIV BEGN
17:40:14 0:03 24.1 0.0 2.1 0.0 SOL24 110 SCE1 BEGN - Single point constraint processor
17:40:14 0:03 24.1 0.0 2.1 0.0 SOL24 112 XEQUIV BEGN
17:40:14 0:03 24.1 0.0 2.1 0.0 SOL24 113 XPURGE BEGN
17:40:14 0:03 24.1 0.0 2.1 0.0 SOL24 134 XEQUIV BEGN
17:40:14 0:03 24.1 0.0 2.1 0.0 SOL24 135 XPURGE BEGN
17:40:14 0:03 24.2 0.1 2.1 0.0 SOL24 140 DCMP BEGN - Decompostion of stiffness matrix
17:40:15 0:04 24.2 0.0 2.2 0.0 SOL24 145 SSG1 BEGN - Static solution generators
17:40:15 0:04 24.2 0.0 2.2 0.0 SOL24 146 XEQUIV BEGN
17:40:15 0:04 24.2 0.0 2.2 0.0 SOL24 148 SSG2 BEGN
17:40:15 0:04 24.2 0.0 2.2 0.0 SOL24 150 XEQUIV BEGN
17:40:15 0:04 24.2 0.0 2.2 0.0 SOL24 150 XEQUIV BEGN
17:40:15 0:04 24.2 0.0 2.2 0.0 SOL24 155 SSG3 BEGN
17:40:15 0:04 24.2 0.0 2.3 0.0 SOL24 160 SDR1 BEGN - Stress data recovery
17:40:15 0:04 24.2 0.0 2.3 0.0 SOL24 176 SDR2 BEGN - Process output requests for
17:40:15 0:04 24.2 0.0 2.4 0.0 SOL24 185 OFP BEGN SPCF, OLOAD, DISP, FORCE, STRESS
17:40:15 0:04 24.2 0.0 2.4 0.0 SOL24 186 SDRX BEGN
17:40:15 0:04 24.2 0.0 2.4 0.0 SOL24 187 XEQUIV BEGN
17:40:15 0:04 24.2 0.0 2.4 0.0 SOL24 187 XEQUIV BEGN
17:40:15 0:04 24.2 0.0 2.4 0.0 SOL24 188 OFP BEGN
17:40:15 0:04 24.2 0.0 2.4 0.0 SOL24 189 GPFDR BEGN - Prepares GPFORCE tables & element
17:40:15 0:04 24.2 0.0 2.4 0.0 SOL24 190 OFP BEGN strain energy tables
17:40:15 0:04 24.2 0.0 2.4 0.0 SOL24 193 OFP BEGN
17:40:15 0:04 24.2 0.0 2.5 0.0 SOL24 210 SDR2 BEGN - Stress data recovery
17:40:15 0:04 24.2 0.0 2.5 0.0 SOL24 211 XEQUIV BEGN
17:40:15 0:04 24.2 0.0 2.5 0.0 SOL24 215 OFP BEGN
17:40:15 0:04 24.2 0.0 2.5 0.0 SOL24 220 EXIT BEGN
 EPSILON (RESIDUAL ERROR VECTOR) AND
STRAIN ENERGY

When you perform a static solution, the SSG3 module calculates the
residual load vector

{ δP } = { P } – [ K ] { u }

The residual load vector exists due to numerical roundoff in the

calculations. If there were no numerical roundoff,

{ δP } = 0

• It also calculates the residual error vector ε

T
{ u } { δP } residual strain energy
ε = ---------------------------- = --------------------------------------------------------------
1 T external work
--- { P } { u }
2
work done by δP
= ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
work done by the applied loads

Performing a static solution causes epsilon and the external work to

be automatically printed out as a “user information message.” A
parameter IRES allows the user to request printout of the residual load
vector. Parameters are discussed in more detail in Chapter 9.

Epsilon and strain energy give an indication of how well conditioned

your problem is.

5-7
 EPSILON (RESIDUAL ERROR VECTOR) AND
STRAIN ENERGY (Cont.)

If ε ≥10-6, it could be a sign of ill-conditioning. Small models tend to

have a lower ε because they have fewer calculations. Larger models
have higher residual load errors; therefore, ε is generally higher. An
ε ≥10-6in a small model could be an indication of poorly modeled
elements (e.g., high aspect ratio CQUAD4).

5-8
 STRUCTURED SOLUTION SEQUENCES

Structured solution sequences use a random access database for

data storage. Solutions 101 through 200 allow the use of
superelements and have automatic restarts. These are the
recommended solutions.

Solution Sequences

Structured Format
Number (SOL K) Full Name Abbreviation

101 Statics SESTATIC

103 Normal modes SEMODES
105 Buckling SEBUCKL
106 Nonlinear Statics NLSTATIC
107 Direct Complex Eigenvalues SEDCEIG
108 Direct Frequency Response SEDFREQ
109 Direct Transient Response SEDTRAN
110 Modal Complex Eigenvalues SEMCEIG
111 Modal Frequency Response SEMFREQ
112 Modal Transient Response SEMTRAN
114 Cyclic Statics with Option CYCSTATX
115 Cyclic Normal Modes CYCMODE
116 Cyclic Direct Frequency Response CYCFREQ
129 Nonlinear Transient Response NLTRAN
144 Static Aeroelastic Response AESTAT
145 Aerodynamic Flutter SEFLUTTER
146 Aeroelastic Response SEAERO
153 Steady Nonlinear Heat Transfer NLHEAT
159 Transient Heat Transfer TRHEAT
200 Design Optimization DESOPT

5-9
 RIGID FORMAT SOLUTION SEQUENCES

Rigid format solution sequences use sequential logic for storing data.
Restarts are not possible for rigid formats.

Rigid Format
Number
(SOL K) Full Name Abbreviation
1 Static analysis STATICS1
3 Normal Modes Modes
4 Geometric Nonlinear GNOLIN
5 Buckling BUCKLING
7 Direct Complex Eigenvalues DCEIG
8 Direct Frequency Response DFREQ
9 Direct Transient Response DTRAN
10 Modal Complex Eigenvalues MCEIG
11 Modal Frequency Response MFREQ
12 Modal Transient Response MTRAN

5-10
 SECTION 6

CASE CONTROL SECTION

INTRODUCTION TO THE CASE CONTROL SECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

CASE CONTROL COMMAND - DATA SELECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2

CASE CONTROL COMMANDS - OUTPUT SELECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4

CASE CONTROL SET DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9

CASE CONTROL SORT OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11

SORT1 FORMAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12

SORT2 FORMAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14

CASE CONTROL COMMANDS - SUBCASE DEFINITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-17

CASE CONTROL EXAMPLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-19

 INTRODUCTION TO THE CASE CONTROL SECTION 6

• The Case Control Section always follows the Executive Control

Section, precedes the Bulk Data Section, and is required in every
run.

• Primary functions of the Case Control Section are:

• Specify sets of Bulk Data input that are to be used in the analysis
(Loads. Constraints, eigenvalue solution method, etc.)

• Make output selections

• Define subcases (load cases)

See the MSC/NASTRAN Quick Reference Guide, Section 4 for a

summary of all output that can be requested for each solution
sequence.

6-1
 CASE CONTROL COMMAND - DATA SELECTION

The concept of data sets allows the user to define any number of
different load and constraint data sets in the Bulk Data. The particular
set(s) to be used in the analysis are specified with the Case Control
data selection command:

DATA SET NAME = SID (Bulk Data: data set ID)

Bulk Data items selected in this manner include loads, constraints,

and thermal fields.

NOTE: Any BULK DATA entries which may be selected by CASE

CONTROL commands, but are not, will be ignored in the current run.

Case Control commands for static load selection:

LOAD Selects the static loading condition

DEFORM Selects initial element deformations specified by

Bulk Data DEFORM entry

Example:

LOAD = 10
DEFORM = 20

specifies that the set of initial element deformations defined by all

Bulk Data DEFORM entries with set ID number 20 and all Bulk Data
static load entries having set ID number 10 define the set of grid point
loads for this static analysis

6-2
 CASE CONTROL COMMANDS - DATA
SELECTION (Cont.)

Case Control commands for constraint selection:

SPC Selects the set of single-point constraints (boundry

conditions)

MPC Selects the set of multipoint constraints

Case Control commands for thermal field selection:

TEMP(LOAD) = 15 Selects a temperature set defined by Bulk

Data temperature entries having set ID 15 to
be used for calculating equivalent thermal
loads

6-3
CASE CONTROL COMMANDS - OUTPUT SELECTION

Titling: optional but recommended for record purposes

TITLE Specifies the first line of text to be printed on each

page of output

SUBTITLE Specifies the second line of text to be printed on

each page of output

LABEL Specifies the third line of text to be printed on each

page of output

Bulk Data echo:

ECHO Selects echo options for the Bulk Data. Options include:
SORT Prints the BULK DATA in Alphabetical
sorted order(default)
UNSORT Prints only unsorted Bulk Data (as it
appears in your input file)
BOTH Prints sorted and unsorted Bulk Data
NONE Turns off the Bulk Data listing
PUNCH Prints echo of Bulk Data to a separate file
(the ".pch" file)

Example:

ECHO = BOTH

causes both the alphabetically sorted Bulk Data and the Bulk Data in
the order input by the user to be printed in the output file.

6-4
 CASE CONTROL COMMANDS - OUTPUT
SELECTION (Cont.)

• By default, MSC/NASTRAN does not provide any output of results.

You must request any desired results using the following
commands.

• When requesting the calculation of results quantities, they may be

requested for selected items by referencing a SET, or for all items.

• When you request results, you have several options on how the
results will be presented. The most commonly used of these are:
PRINT, PLOT, and PUNCH.

• PRINT is the default of most results requests and will provide

printed results in the "f06" file.

• PUNCH will provide the output in the ".pch" file using a "punch"
format (80 column width per line).

• PLOT causes the program to calculate the requested results, but

not print them. This option is usually used when you wish to view
the results in MSC/NASTRAN plots and/or a post processing
program, but do not wish to print the results.

• If used, this selection is placed in parenthesis after the command.

• Examples

• DISP = ALL - calculate and print displacement results for all

points in the model.

• DISP(PLOT) = ALL - calculate, but do not print, displacement

results for all points in the model

6-5
 CASE CONTROL COMMANDS - OUTPUT
SELECTION (Cont.)

Element output requests:

ELFORCE or FORCE Requests the forces to be calculated and

written for a set of structural elements
ELSTRESS or STRESS Requests the stresses for a set of
structural elements
STRAIN Requests the strains for a set of plate or
solid elements
ESE Requests the strain energy for a set of
elements

Grid point output requests:

DISPLACEMENT Requests the displacements for a set of

DISPLACEMENT(PLOT)
grid points
Alternate form of the DISPLACEMENT
command. Causes the calculation of the
displacements but no printout. This
form of command is often used when
plots or postprocessing are desired, but
there is no need for the printed output.

SPCFORCES Requests the single-point contraint

forces for a set of grid points
OLOAD Requests the set of applied loads for
output in static analysis
GPFORCE Requests the grid point force balance for
a set of grid points

6-6
 CASE CONTROL COMMANDS - OUTPUT
SELECTION (Cont.)

Use Of GPFORCE Request

Comments Case Control

CEND
TITLE = Use GPFORCE Request
TEMP(LOAD) = 100
If only one subcase exists in the
SPC = 200
input file, it is implicitly defined.
LOAD = 120
DISP = ALL
FORCE = ALL
STRESS = ALL
GPFORCE = ALL
BEGIN BULK

The GPFORCE request generates a table containing the grid point

force balance at the selected grid points. This is useful for
determining load paths, contributions of applied loads to element
response, and effects of initial thermal strain. Contributors to the grid
point force balance table include:

Applied loads

SPC forces

Element elastic forces

6-7
 CASE CONTROL COMMANDS - OUTPUT
SELECTION (Cont.)

Note: The applied loads and the element forces include the self-
equilibrating forces that arise from the initial thermal strain
(TEMP(LOAD)).

• In MSC/NASTRAN, it is possible top perform static solutions for

multiple loading and boundary conditions in a single run. Each
solution you wish is defined using the SUBCASE command (details
provided later in this section). If no SUBCASE exists, the program
assumes that you have only one loading condition for the solution.

See the MSC/NASTRAN Quick Reference Guide, Section 4 for a detailed

description of the GPFORCE Case Control request.

6-8
 CASE CONTROL SET DEFINITIONS

SET Defines a collection of grid point numbers or element

numbers for use in output requests. Used to obtain
output for only a portion of the model.

Example:

CEND
TITLE = OUTPUT SELECTION EXAMPLE
SUBTITLE = ILLUSTRATES USE OF SETS
LOAD = 15
SET 1 = 3,4,7,9,11
SET 5 = 2,9,15 THRU 21,33
DISP = 1 $ DISPLACEMENTS FOR GRIDS 3,4,7,9,11
FORCE = 1 $ FORCES FOR ELEMENTS 3,4,7,9,11
STRESS = 5
OLOAD = ALL
BEGIN BULK

• For this example, the following items are computed and printed to
the output file

The displacement for Grid Points 3,4,7,9, and 11

The force in Elements 3,4,7,9, and 11

The stresses in Elements 2,9,15 THRU 21,33

6-9
 CASE CONTROL SET DEFINITIONS (Cont.)

• Since MSC/NASTRAN will not calculate any results unless

requested, if you wish to use graphical postprocessing (regardless
of software used), you must include the appropriate Case Control
output request commands.

• For example, to postprocess displacement plots, the Case Control

must include the request DISP = N. This causes the displacement
data for set N to be calculated and saved on the postprocessing
graphics file.

6-10
 CASE CONTROL SORT OPTIONS

• There are two formats used to present printed results from

MSC/NASTRAN. For purposes of static analysis, the default format
used to print results (SORT1) is the preferred format.

SORT1 Analysis output is presented as a tabular listing of

the grid point selected output for each subcase.
Output for each subcase is started on any page.
(Default for static analysis)

SORT2 Analysis output is presented as a tabular listing of

the subcases for each selected output item. Output
for each grid point or element is started on a new
page.

A request for SORT2 format with any output request results in all
output requests being printed in SORT2 format.

Warning: SORT2 output requests may produce an excessive number of

output pages. SORT2 is normally used only in dynamic solutions.

6-11
 SORT1 FORMAT

EXAMPLE OF SORT1 OUTPUT AUGUST 16, 1994 MSC/NASTRAN 5/31/94 PAGE 10

SORT1 IS THE DEFAULT OUTPUT FORMAT SUBCASE 1

D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R

POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3

1 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 G 2.758621E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
3 G 5.517241E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
4 G 8.275862E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
5 G 1.103448E-01 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
6-12

EXAMPLE OF SORT1 OUTPUT AUGUST 16, 1994 MSC/NASTRAN 5/31/94 PAGE 11

SORT1 IS THE DEFAULT OUTPUT FORMAT SUBCASE 2

D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R

POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3

1 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.563709E-02 0.0 0.0
3 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.127419E-02 0.0 0.0
4 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.369113E-01 0.0 0.0
5 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.825484E-01 0.0 0.0
 SORT1 FORMAT (Cont.)

EXAMPLE OF SORT1 OUTPUT AUGUST 16, 1994 MSC/NASTRAN 5/31/94 PAGE 12

SORT1 IS THE DEFAULT OUTPUT FORMAT SUBCASE 1

F O R C E S I N R O D E L E M E N T S ( C R O D )
ELEMENT AXIAL ELEMENT AXIAL
ID. FORCE TORQUE ID. FORCE TORQUE
1 2.000000E+05 0.0 2 2.000000E+05 0.0
3 2.000000E+05 0.0 4 2.000000E+05 0.0

EXAMPLE OF SORT1 OUTPUT AUGUST 16, 1994 MSC/NASTRAN 5/31/94 PAGE 13

SORT1 IS THE DEFAULT OUTPUT FORMAT SUBCASE 2
6-13

F O R C E S I N R O D E L E M E N T S ( C R O D )
ELEMENT AXIAL ELEMENT AXIAL
ID. FORCE TORQUE ID. FORCE TORQUE
1 0.0 1.000000E+05 2 0.0 1.000000E+05
3 0.0 1.000000E+05 4 0.0 1.000000E+05
 SORT2 FORMAT

EXAMPLE OF SORT2 OUTPUT AUGUST 17, 1994 MSC/NASTRAN 5/31/94 PAGE 10

SORT2 SELECTION IS DISP(SORT2)=ALL, FORCE(SORT2)=ALL
POINT-ID = 1
D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R

SUBCASE TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
1 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

EXAMPLE OF SORT2 OUTPUT AUGUST 17, 1994 MSC/NASTRAN 5/31/94 PAGE 11

SORT2 SELECTION IS DISP(SORT2)=ALL, FORCE(SORT2)=ALL
POINT-ID = 2
D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R
6-14

SUBCASE TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
1 G 2.758621E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.563709E-02 0.0 0.0

EXAMPLE OF SORT2 OUTPUT AUGUST 17, 1994 MSC/NASTRAN 5/31/94 PAGE 12

SORT2 SELECTION IS DISP(SORT2)=ALL, FORCE(SORT2)=ALL
POINT-ID = 3
D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R

SUBCASE TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
1 G 5.517241E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.127419E-02 0.0 0.0
 SORT2 FORMAT (Cont.)

EXAMPLE OF SORT2 OUTPUT AUGUST 17, 1994 MSC/NASTRAN 5/31/94 PAGE 13

SORT2 SELECTION IS DISP(SORT2)=ALL, FORCE(SORT2)=ALL
POINT-ID = 4
D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R

SUBCASE TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
1 G 8.275862E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.369113E-01 0.0 0.0

EXAMPLE OF SORT2 OUTPUT AUGUST 17, 1994 MSC/NASTRAN 5/31/94 PAGE 14

SORT2 SELECTION IS DISP(SORT2)=ALL, FORCE(SORT2)=ALL
POINT-ID = 5
D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R
6-15

SUBCASE TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
1 G 1.103448E-01 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.825484E-01 0.0 0.0

EXAMPLE OF SORT2 OUTPUT AUGUST 17, 1994 MSC/NASTRAN 5/31/94 PAGE 15

SORT2 SELECTION IS DISP(SORT2)=ALL, FORCE(SORT2)=ALL
ELEMENT-ID = 1
F O R C E S I N R O D E L E M E N T S ( C R O D )

AXIAL AXIAL
SUBCASE FORCE TORQUE SUBCASE FORCE TORQUE
1 2.000000E+05 0.0 2 0.0 1.000000E+05
 SORT2 FORMAT (Cont.)

EXAMPLE OF SORT2 OUTPUT AUGUST 17, 1994 MSC/NASTRAN 5/31/94 PAGE 16

SORT2 SELECTION IS DISP(SORT2)=ALL, FORCE(SORT2)=ALL
ELEMENT-ID = 2
F O R C E S I N R O D E L E M E N T S ( C R O D )

AXIAL AXIAL
SUBCASE FORCE TORQUE SUBCASE FORCE TORQUE
1 2.000000E+05 0.0 2 0.0 1.000000E+05

EXAMPLE OF SORT2 OUTPUT AUGUST 17, 1994 MSC/NASTRAN 5/31/94 PAGE 17

SORT2 SELECTION IS DISP(SORT2)=ALL, FORCE(SORT2)=ALL
ELEMENT-ID = 3
F O R C E S I N R O D E L E M E N T S ( C R O D )
6-16

AXIAL AXIAL
SUBCASE FORCE TORQUE SUBCASE FORCE TORQUE
1 2.000000E+05 0.0 2 0.0 1.000000E+05

EXAMPLE OF SORT2 OUTPUT AUGUST 17, 1994 MSC/NASTRAN 5/31/94 PAGE 18

SORT2 SELECTION IS DISP(SORT2)=ALL, FORCE(SORT2)=ALL
ELEMENT-ID = 4
F O R C E S I N R O D E L E M E N T S ( C R O D )

AXIAL AXIAL
SUBCASE FORCE TORQUE SUBCASE FORCE TORQUE
1 2.000000E+05 0.0 2 0.0 1.000000E+05
CASE CONTROL COMMANDS - SUBCASE DEFINITION

Separate static loading conditions (including changes to constraints)

are defined by the use of the SUBCASE command.

SUBCASE i - where an integer identifier for the SUBCASE. The

values of i must be ascending. That is each SUBCASE id must be a
number higher than that of the previous SUBCASE.

• Used to define each unique combination of loading and constraint

sets

• Used to control symmetry and antisymmetry conditions

• Allows user to analyze several different load conditions in one run

Subcase delimiters:

SUBCASE Defines the beginning of a subcase

SUBCOM Defines the beginning of a subcase which is a linear

combination of the preceding subcases

SUBSEQ Defines coefficients for SUBCOM. Required within a

SUBCOM subcase

Note: When using SUBSEQ, a coefficient must be given for each

one of the preceding subcases. A coefficient of 0.0 indicates
its associated subcase does not contribute to the SUBCOM.

6-17
 CASE CONTROL COMMANDS - SUBCASE
DEFINITION (Cont.)

The following Symmetry condition delimeters are similar to SUBCASE

and SUBCOM:

SYM Defines the beginning of a symmetry subcase (the

only difference between SYM and SUBCASE is that
a SYM will not provide output for any output
requests which occur above the first SUBCASE (or
SYM)

SYMCOM Defines a combination of preceding SYM subcases.

A SYMCOM will provide output in a similar manner to
a SUBCOM.

SYMSEQ Defines coefficients for the linear combination in

SYMCOM. Default of 1.0 is used if SYMSEQ is not
defined.

Subcase delimiters governing output requests:

REPCASE Defines the beginning of a subcase for additional

output requests for the previously run subcase.
Multiple output requests for the same item are not
permitted in the same subcase; REPCASE must be
used to obtain this output.

MODES Normally only used in normal modes - repeats the

subcase in which it appears N times for eigenvalue
problems. Used to repeat the same output request
for several consecutive modes

6-18
 CASE CONTROL EXAMPLES

Linear Combination of Subcases

Comments Case Control

CEND
TITLE = Equipment Rack Analysis
ECHO = BOTH
Requests above the first subcase
apply to all following subcases, SPC = 20
SET 1 = 1 THRU 50
except the following: DISP = 1
SUBCASE 1
SUBTITLE = Dead Load
Requests within a subcase LOAD = 10
override the above requests. DISP = ALL
SUBCASE 2
SUBTITLE = NW Wind Load
Sets defined within a subcase are LOAD = 20
limited to that subcase only. SET 10 = 2,4,6
DISP = 10
SUBCASE 3
SUBTITLE = SW Wind Load
LOAD = 30
SUBCOM 10
SUBTITLE = Load Combination 1
LABEL = Dead Load + NW Wind
The real numbers of the SUBSEQ
entry are scaling factors to be SUBSEQ = 1.0,1.0,0.0
used on the preceding SUBCOM 20
SUBCASEs SUBTITLE = Load Combination 2
LABEL = Dead Load + (-) 1.5 SW Wind
SUBSEQ = 1.0,0.0,-1.5
STRESS = ALL
BEGIN BULK

6-19
 CASE CONTROL EXAMPLES (Cont.)

Statics Problem with One Plane of Symmetry

Comments Case Control

CEND
TITLE = Analysis of Half Tank
SPCFORCE = ALL
SET 1 = 1 THRU 100
SET 2 = 3,17,26,31
DISP = 1
ELFORCE = 2
SYM 1
SUBTITLE = Symmetry Boundary,Load
Only output requests LOAD = 40
defined within SYM SPC = 10
are used here; no OLOAD = ALL
displacements are SYM 2
printed. SUBTITLE = Anti-Symmetry Boundary,Load
SPC = 15
SYMCOM uses the LOAD = 50
output requests
defined above the SYMCOM 3
subcase level (i.e., SYMSEQ 1., 1.
above the first SYMCOM 4
subcase). SYMSEQ 1., -1.
BEGIN BULK

6-20
 CASE CONTROL EXAMPLES (Cont.)

Use of Repcase in Statics

Comments Case Control

CEND
TITLE = Analysis of Large Model
SUBTITLE = Use REPCASE to Get
Output
SPC = 22
LOAD = 900
SET 1 = 1 THRU 10
SETS must be defined SET 2 = 20 THRU 50
prior to use. SET 3 = 500 THRU 1100
SUBCASE 1
LABEL = Nodal Data for Whole Model
DISP = ALL
SPCF = ALL
ELFO = 1
Must be defined REPCASE 2
since element force LABEL = Forces for Set 2
requests for sets 2 ELFO = 2
and 3 cannot be made REPCASE 3
within Subcase 1 LABEL = Forces for Set 3
ELFO = 3
BEGIN BULK

Note: For this Case Control selection, only one solution is actually
performed. The repcases only provide for data retrieval.

6-21
 CASE CONTROL EXAMPLES (Cont.)

Important Points to Remember When Using TEMP(LOAD)

Comments Case Control

For a rod undergoing thermal expansion CEND

that sustains an axial force, the σ − ε TITLE = CRANKSHAFT ANALYSIS
relation is SET 1 = 1000 THRU 1200
σ SET 2 = 2000 THRU 2400
ε – α ( T – T o ) = ---- SET 3 = 3000 THRU 3200
E
SET 4 = 4000 THRU 4400
SUBCASE 1
LABEL = STATIONS 1-2
Element stresses and forces are LOAD = 110
calculated on an element-by-element TEMP(LOAD) = 220
basis from a knowledge of the SPC = 123
displacement vector and the temperature MPC = 201
field. In a SUBCOM, SYMCOM, or ELFORCE = 1
REPCASE, the user must supply a STRESS = 1
definition of the temperature field (i.e., REPCASE 2
TEMP(LOAD) = X) whenever element LABEL = STATIONS 2-3
stresses and forces are requested. TEMP(LOAD) = 220
ELFORCE = 2
STRESS = 2
For the SUBCOM, which modifies
SUBCASE 3
SUBCASE 3, the temperature field must
also be modified accordingly where LABEL = NEW LOAD
TEMP(LOAD) = 220
LOAD = 120
T 240 = 1.0 ( T 220 – T 0 ) + 0.5 ( T 220 – T 0 ) + T 0 ELFORCE = 1
STRESS = 1
SUBCOM 10
In general, in SUBCOM where element LABEL= COMBINE SUB 1+50% SUB 3
forces or stresses are requested, the SUBSEQ = 1.0, 0.5
temperature distribution to be defined TEMP(LOAD) = 240
for n temperature loadings is ELFO = ALL
n STRESS = ALL
T
SUBCOM 0 ∑
= T + i a (T – T )
1 0
BEGIN BULK
i=1
where ai = SUBSEQ coefficients.

6-22
 SECTION 7

BULK DATA SECTION

INTRODUCTION TO THE BULK DATA SECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.1-1

MSC/NASTRAN COORDINATE SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.1-2

GRID POINTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.2-1

SINGLE-POINT CONSTRAINTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.3-1

MATERIAL PROPERTIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.4-1

MSC/NASTRAN ELEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.5-1

ZERO-DIMENSIONAL (SCALAR) ELEMENT LIBRARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.6-1

ONE-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.7-1

CALCULATION OF TORSIONAL CONSTANT J

FOR PROD, PBAR, AND PBEAM ENTRIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.7-6

CROD EXAMPLE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.7-8

ONE-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.7-12

CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.7-14

CBARAO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.7-37

CBEAM ELEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.7-44

TWO-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.8-1

TWO-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.8-2

REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.8-3

CQUAD4 ELEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.8-4

CQUAD4 ELEMENT DEFINITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.8-6

QUAD4 ELEMENT DEFINITION - ALTERNATE PROPERTY ENTRY . . . . . . 7.8-18

 SECTION 7 (Cont.)

BULK DATA SECTION

THREE-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.9-1

RECOMMENDED USES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.9-2

CHEXA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.9-3

MSC/NASTRAN LOADS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-1

FORCE AND MOMENT ENTRIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-2

EXAMPLE INPUT FOR FORCE AND

MOMENT ENTRIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-3

DISTRIBUTED LOADS (PLOAD) IN MSC/NASTRAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-5

EXAMPLE INPUT FOR PLOAD1 ENTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-6

EXAMPLE INPUT FOR PLOAD4 ENTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-10

GRAV ENTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-12

THERMAL EFFECTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-14

EXAMPLE OF APPLYING THERMAL EFFECTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-15

LOAD ENTRY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-18

THE LOAD REQUEST TREE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10-19

 INTRODUCTION TO THE BULK DATA SECTION 7

• The Bulk Data Section contains all data necessary for describing a
structural model

• Bulk Data definitions include:

• Geometry

• User-definable coordinate systems

• Geometric locations of grid points

• Constraints

• Material properties

• Element connections

• Element properties

• Loads

• The Bulk Data Section is not required to be input in any particular

order. It is sorted automatically at the beginning of the analysis.

7.1-1
 MSC/NASTRAN COORDINATE SYSTEMS

• Coordinate systems are required to define the locations of grid

points in space and to orient each grid point’s displacement vector.

• In MSC/NASTRAN the following coordinate systems may be used.

• Basic Coordinate System - Implicitly defined reference rectangular

coordinate system (Coordinate System 0). Orientation of this
system is defined by the user through specifying the components
of grid point locations.

• Alternate (local) Coordinate Systems - Alternate systems can be

defined to facilitate geometric input. Each local system must be
related directly or indirectly to the basic coordinate system. The
six possible alternate coordinate systems are:

Rectangular CORD1R
CORD2R

CORD1C
Cylindrical CORD2C

Spherical CORD1S
CORD2S

7.1-2
 MSC/NASTRAN COORDINATE SYSTEMS (Cont.)

• The CORD1R, CORD1C, and CORD1S entries define a local

coordinate system by referencing the IDs of three defined grid
points. Beware that if the model is modified and any of these
reference grid point locations change, the coordinate system
orientation will also change.

• The CORD2R, CORD2C, and CORD2S entries define a local

coordinate system by specifying the vector components of three
points.

Refer to the Getting Started with MSC/NASTRAN User’s Guide,

Chapter 5, the MSC/NASTRAN Linear Static Analysis User’s Guide,
Chapter 3, and the MSC/NASTRAN Quick Reference Guide, Section 5
for more detailed information about defining coordinate systems.

• Global System - Collection of all displacement coordinate systems

referenced on all grid entries. (Note that some finite element codes
use the term “global coordinate system” to refer to the equivalent
of MSC/NASTRAN’s Basic Coordinate System.

• All angular coordinates are input in degrees. Output associated

with these coordinates is in radians.

7.1-3
 MSC/NASTRAN COORDINATE SYSTEMS (Cont.)

Rectangular (x, y, z)

u3

P
z u2

u1

C y

Local System Origin

U1 = x direction
U2 = y direction
U3 = z direction

Note: A, B, and C are points used to define the local coordinate

system.

P is a grid point defined in the local system.

7.1-4
 MSC/NASTRAN COORDINATE SYSTEMS (Cont.)

Cylindrical Local Coordinate System (r, θ, z)

z Uz

B Uθ

Ur
C
z

A y

θ r

Point A = local system origin

Point P = grid point defined in local cylindrical system

Point C = reference point in the r-z plane at θ = 0

Point B = reference point for z axis direction

(Ur, Uθ, Uz) = displacement components of P in local system

7.1-5
 MSC/NASTRAN COORDINATE SYSTEMS (Cont.)

Spherical Local Coordinate System (r, θ, φ)

B Ur

Uφ
P

C
θ Uθ

Point A = local system origin

Point P = grid point defined in local cylindrical system
Point C = reference point in the x-z plane at (φ = 0)
Point B = reference point for z axis direction (θ = 0)
(Ur, Uθ, Uφ) = displacement components of P in local system

Note: θ cylindrical ≠ θ spherical

7.1-6
 MSC/NASTRAN COORDINATE SYSTEMS (Cont.)

Example Using Local Coordinate Systems

• Suppose you want to conduct a static analysis of a cylindrical

grain silo with a spherical dome. The use of local coordinate
systems will greatly simplify your job.

θ2 = 0

ρ2

50.0
z1
zB

xB R1

100.

7.1-7
 MSC/NASTRAN COORDINATE SYSTEMS (Cont.)

• Define local cylindrical coordinate system 1 for the silo floor and
wall.

Direction of z-axis - Point B

CORD2C, 1, 0, 100., 0., 0., 100., 0., 1., +C1

Local Origin - Point A

Reference Coordinate
System ID
(Basic or Another Local)
Local Coordinate System ID

+C1, 101., 0., 1.

Define a point in the
r-z plane - Point C.

The z-axis is taken along a line drawn from Point A to Point B.

• Define local spherical coordinate system 2 for the silo dome.

CORD2S, 2, 1, 100., 0., 50., 100., 0., 51., +C2

+C2, 101., 0., 51.

or system 2 may be defined using system 1:

CORD2S, 2, 0, 100., 0., 50., 100., 0., 51., +C2

+C2, 101., 0., 51.

This way, if coordinate system were moved, system 2 would "move

with it"

7.1-8
 GRID POINTS

• Grid points are used to specify:

• Structural geometry

• Degrees of freedom of the structure

• Locations of points at which displacements are constrained or

loads are applied

• Locations where output quantities are to be calculated

• Each GRID entry refers to 2 coordinate systems. One for locating

the grid point and the other for establishing the grid point
displacement coordinate system that defines for the given grid
point the directions of the nodal displacements, degrees of
freedom, constraints, and solution vectors.

• NOTE: constraints, MPC’s, R-type elements, and output all use the
displacement coordinate system. All matrices used inside
MSC/NASTRAN use the displacement coordinate system.

• If you specify the displacement coordinate system as a cylindrical

or spherical system, the program creates a right-handed cartesian
coordinate system at the grid point, which is the projection of the
coordinate system used. This used as the displacement system for
that point.

7.2-1
 GRID POINTS (Cont.)

Grid Point Displacement Coordinate System

• Six degrees of freedom (DOFs) identified as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

3 5
2

1 4

• Commonly used nomenclature for the components of motion at a

grid point is:

DOF 1 = T 1 = u 1 = translation in direction 1

DOF 2 = T 2 = u 2 = translation in direction 2
DOF 3 = T 3 = u 3 = translation in direction 3
DOF 4 = R 1 = θ 1 = rotation in direction 1
DOF 5 = R 2 = θ 2 = rotation in direction 2
DOF 6 = R 3 = θ 3 = rotation in direction 3

7.2-2
 GRID POINTS (Cont.)

Grid Entry Definition

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
GRID ID CP X1 X2 X3 CD PS SEID

GRID 101 0 5.0 10.0 2.0 1 123

Field Contents

ID Grid point identification number

CP Identification number of coordinate system in which

the location of the grid point is defined (integer ≥ 0 or
blank) (default = basic coordinate system)

X1, X2, X3 Location of grid point in coordinate system CP (real)

CD Identification number of coordinate system in which

displacements, degrees of freedom, constraints, and
solution vectors are defined at the grid point (integer ≥
0 or blank, default = basic coordinate system)

PS Permanent single-point constraints associated with

grid point (any of the digits 1-6 with no embedded
blanks)

SEID Superelement ID

Refer to Chapter 3 of the MSC/NASTRAN Linear Static Analysis User’s

Guide and page 619 of the MSC/NASTRAN Quick Reference Guide for
detailed information about the GRID entry.

7.2-3
 GRID POINTS (Cont.)

Grid Entry Definition - CP, CD Fields

Define Grid Points 10 and 20 on a circle.

GRID, 10, 1, 10., 45., 0., 0

GRID, 20, 1, 10., 135., 0., 0

where field 3 (CP) references cylindrical coordinate system 1 (defined

elsewhere) and field 7 (CD) references basic coordinate system 0.

With this definition, all grid point output associated with Grids 10 and
20 will be oriented as shown.

2 2

1 1
20 10
θ
YB R

XB

7.2-4
 GRID POINTS (Cont.)

Now, in separate model, define Grid Points 10 and 20 as:

GRID, 10, 1, 10., 45., 0., 1

GRID, 20, 1, 10., 135., 0., 1

With CP and CD referencing cylindrical coordinate system 1 (defined

elsewhere), all output grid information at Grids 10 and 20 will be in
terms of radial and tangential directions.

1 2 1

20 10
θ
R
YB 2

XB

7.2-5
 GRID POINTS (Cont.)

Other Geometry Entries

• SPOINT

• Scalar points are used to specify a single degree of freedom

without reference to spatial location. Often used to represent
DOFs associated with nonstructural behavior (e.g., scalar spring
mass systems, ambient temperature values, addition of warping
term on CBEAM).

• GRDSET

• Defines default values for fields 3 (CP), 7 (CD), 8 (PS), and 9

(SEID) of all GRID entries

• Can be overridden by direct input in these fields on any GRID entry

• Only one GRDSET entry is allowed per input file

• Useful for minimizing repetitive data input in these fields

7.2-6
 SINGLE-POINT CONSTRAINTS

• A single-point constraint (SPC) is a constraint applied to one or

more components of motion at selected grid or scalar points. Uses
of SPCs include:

• Support a structure

• Apply symmetric or antisymmetric boundary conditions by

restraining the DOFs that must have zero values in order to satisfy
symmetry or antisymmetry

• Remove degrees of freedom unconnected or weakly coupled to the

structure

• Remove degrees of freedom not used in the structural analysis

(e.g., out-of-plane DOFs for a 2-D analysis)

• Apply zero or nonzero enforced displacements to grid points

• SPCs can be applied as:

• Permanent constraints - defined on GRID entry

• User-requested in Case Control with SPC=SID. Defined in the

Bulk Data entry on SPC, SPC1, or SPCD entries

• Automatic - PARAM,AUTOSPC,YES

• Reaction forces at SPC’d grids (termed single-point forces of

constraint), may be obtained by including the Case Control request
SPCFORCES=ALL.

7.3-1
 SINGLE-POINT CONSTRAINTS (Cont.)

Permanent Constraints

One method of permanently removing degrees of freedom associated

with a specific grid point is by defining these DOFs in field 8 of the
GRID entry.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
GRID ID CP X1 X2 X3 CD PS SEID

GRID 2 3 1.0 -2.0 3.0 245

This type of constraint is automatically included in the analysis, i.e., it

is not selected in the Case Control.

This manner of specifying constraints is often used when generating

models where the constraints are not likely to change.

7.3-2
 SINGLE-POINT CONSTRAINTS (Cont.)

User Requested Single-Point Constraints

The following Bulk Data entries can be used to define SPCs:

SPC Use to define either zero or nonzero enforced displacements.

Useful when applying a small number of enforced
displacements.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SPC SID G C D G C D

SPC 15 1501 123 1502 456 0.0

Enforced Displacement
(Default = 0.0)

Components

Grid Point ID

Set ID, Selected in Case Control as SPC = 15

7.3-3
 SINGLE-POINT CONSTRAINTS (Cont.)

SPC1 Use to define only zero enforced displacements. Useful

when applying a large number of zero-enforced
displacements. SPC set ID selected in Case Control.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SPC1 SID C G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6

SPC1 3 2 1 3 10 9 6 5 ABC

G7 68 G8 G9 -etc.-

+BC 2 8

Alternate Form

SPC1 SID C GID1 “THRU” GID2

SPC1 313 12456 6 THRU 32

7.3-4
 SINGLE-POINT CONSTRAINTS (Cont.)

SPCD Use to define nonzero-enforced displacements. Selected in

Case Control with LOAD=SID. Useful when applying a large
number of nonzero enforced displacements. A coordinate
referenced on this entry must be referenced by a SPC or
SPC1 entry.

SPC Set

SPC1 SID C G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6

SPC1 2 1 13 14

SPCD SID G C D G C D

SPCD 11 13 1 .05 14 1 .07

Static Load Set

The SPCD entry computes the equivalent load required for the
requested enforced displacement.
Use of the SPCD entry allows different enforced displacements
in different subcases, without causing the stiffness matrix to be
decomposed for each subcase.
Note also that DOFs specified on SPC-type entries can be
redundantly specified in the PS field on GRID entry.

SPCs are specified in the output coordinate system of the

grid point at which they are defined. Remember that the
grid point output coordinate system is defined in field 7 of
the GRID entry.

7.3-5
 SINGLE-POINT CONSTRAINTS (Cont.)

Automatic Generation of SPCs

Singularity A degree of freedom unconnected or weakly coupled

to the structure. Singularities prohibit matrix inversion
and result in fatal errors.

The Bulk Data entry PARAM,AUTOSPC,YES instructs the program to

automatically apply SPCs to obvious singularities.

PARAM, AUTOSPC, YES is the default in most of the structured

solutions.

If obvious singularities exist, the MSC/NASTRAN output includes a

grid point singularity table. This table should be inspected carefully
since singularities may result from modeling errors.

Singularities, the grid point singularity table, and how to debug a

model containing singularities are discussed in more detail in Chapter
9, Intermediate Modeling Practices.

See page 321 of the MSC/NASTRAN Linear Static Analysis User’s

Guide for a detailed description of how singularities are identified and
treated in MSC/NASTRAN.

7.3-6
 MATERIAL PROPERTIES

Definitions

Stress-Strain Curve
(Typical Structural Steel)

Stress (psi) or
(N/mm2)

Linear Region E
1
Strain

Linear Deformations are linearly proportional to the

applied load (i.e., strain is proportional to
stress).

Young’s Modulus E Constant of proportionality relating stress to

strain in the linear region

Elastic The structure returns to its original,

undeformed shape when the load is removed.

Poisson Ratio ν Absolute value of the ratio of lateral strain to

axial strain

7.4-1
 MATERIAL PROPERTIES (Cont.)

Homogeneous Material properties are independent of the location

within the material.

Isotropic Material properties do not change with the direction

of the material.

The three properties needed to completely describe

an isotropic material are E, ν, and G (shear modulus).
Only two are independent.

E
G = ---------------------
2(1 + ν)

7.4-2
 MATERIAL PROPERTIES (Cont.)

• Five different types of materials can be defined with

MSC/NASTRAN

• Isotropic MAT1

• Two-dimensional anisotropic MAT2

• Axisymmetric solid orthotropic MAT3

• Two-dimensional orthotropic MAT8

• Three-dimensional anisotropic MAT9

• Temperature-dependent material properties are defined on MATTi

entries.

Note: MAT2 through MAT9 and MATTi entries are beyond the scope
of this class. For further information, refer to the
MSC/NASTRAN Reference Manual, Vol. I, Chapter 6.

• Stress-dependent material properties are defined on MATS1.

7.4-3
 MATERIAL PROPERTIES (Cont.)

Isotropic Materials (MAT1)

• Define terms E, G, and ν

• Users need supply only two terms. If desired, the third is

calculated automatically.

E
G = ---------------------
2(1 + ν)

• For line and surface elements

E Modulus for extension and bending

G Modulus for torsion and transverse shear

• For thermal anlaysis

A Thermal expansion coefficient

Tref Thermal expansion reference temperature

• For margin of safety calculations

• Stress limits

7.4-4
 MATERIAL PROPERTIES (Cont.)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
MAT1 MID E G NU RHO A TREF GE

MAT1 3 2.9+7 0.33 6.5E-6 50.0 +M1

Field Contents

MID Material identification number (integer > 0)

E Young’s modulus (real or blank)

G Shear modulus (real or blank)

NU Poisson ratio (-1.0 < real ≤ 0.5 or blank)

RHO Mass density (real)

A Thermal expansion coefficient (real)

TREF Thermal expansion reference temperature (real)

GE Structural element damping coefficient

ST SC SS MCSID

+M1 36000.

ST,SC,SS Stress limits for tension, compression, and shear

(OPTIONAL: used only to compute margins of safety
for certain elements)

MCSID Material coordinate system ID number (integer ≥ 0,

blank)

7.4-5
7.4-6
MSC/NASTRAN ELEMENTS

• Element Library

• Over 50 finite elements

• One-dimensional

• Two-dimensional

• Three-dimensional

• Scalar

• Axisymmetric

• Rigid

• Mass and damping

• Heat transfer

• “Genel” user-supplied element

• Fluid-structure

• p-version

• Contact

7.5-1
 MSC/NASTRAN ELEMENTS (Cont.)

Most Commonly Used MSC/NASTRAN Elements

Line Surface Solid Other

Elements Elements Elements Elements

CROD CQUAD4 CHEXA CELASi (i=1,2,3,4)

CONROD CQUAD8 CPENTA GENEL
CTUBE CTRIA3 CTETRA CONM2
CBAR CTRIA6 CTRIAX6
CBEAM CSHEAR
CBEND

7.5-2
 MSC/NASTRAN ELEMENTS (Cont.)

• Degrees of freedom are components of translation and rotation (no

higher order derivatives).

• Stiffness matrix is independent of grid point sequence.

D B

C C

A B A D
[ ke ] [ ke ]
=

• Elements of different types are compatible.

7.5-3
MSC/NASTRAN ELEMENTS (Cont.)

• Full range of capability

• Stiffness

• Mass

• Differential stiffness

• Anisotropy

• Temperature

• Internal loads

• Stress output

7.5-4
 MSC/NASTRAN ELEMENTS (Cont.)

Element Coordinate Systems

• Element coordinate systems are required to

• Orient components of force and stress output (all elements)

• Orient section properties (line elements)

• Orient pressure loads (surface elements)

• Each element has its own coordinate system that is defined by

element connectivity order or by other data on the element’s
connectivity. Positive z-direction of element coordinate system
always follows the right-hand rule.

• Surface and solid elements also have optional material coordinate

systems that may be used to orient orthotropic or anisotropic
material properties. Material coordinate systems are defined on
the element’s connection or property entries.

• In addition to the element and material coordinate systems, stress

output can be obtained in any user-defined coordinate system by
using the Case Control GPSTRESS capability.

Remember: Grid point information is output in the global system.

Element information is output in the element coordinate
system.

7.5-5
7.5-6
 ZERO-DIMENSIONAL (SCALAR) ELEMENT LIBRARY

• CELAS1, CELAS2, CELAS3, CELAS4, CBUSH

A B
X

• The CELASi elements are connected by two degrees of freedom -

one at each grid/ground connection point

• The CBUSH elements connects from 1 to 6 dof between two GRID

points.

• Force components: axial force P

or moment M

• Displacement components: axial translation u

or rotation θ

7.6-1
 ZERO-DIMENSIONAL (SCALAR) ELEMENT LIBRARY

CELAS1 Connects two points, which may be grid points, scalar

points, or both, with references to a property entry

CELAS2 Connects two points, which may be grid points, scalar

points or both, without reference to a property entry

CELAS3 Connects only scalar points with reference to a property

entry

CELAS4 Connects only scalar points without reference to property

entry

CBUSH Connects two GRID points. Avoids the grounding problem

inherent in CLEASi elements (when mis-used). May
connect 1 to 6 dof.

The CBUSH is the recommended form for scalar springs. It avoids the
potential grounding which may occur when two non-coincident points
are connected. The CELASi elements simply insert terms directly into
the stiffness matrix without considering geometry or displacement
coordinate systems. The CBUSH correctly accounts for the effects of
geometry and displacement coordinate systems.

See page 61 and pp. 121 through 125 of the MSC/NASTRAN Linear
Static Analysis User’s Guide and Section 5.6 of the MSC/NASTRAN
Reference Manual for detailed information about scalar elements. The
CBUSH element is documented in the V69 Release Guide.

7.6-2
 ZERO-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY (Cont.)

CELAS2 Example

1200 1202
1201 P X K = 100. lb/in
P = 10. lb
K S = 50.

100.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
CELAS2 EID K G1 C1 G2 C2 GE S
CELAS2 1200 100. 1201 1 1202 1 50.

GRID 1201 0. 0. 0. 123456

GRID 1202 100. 0. 0. 23456

Field Contents
EID Element identification number
K The value of the scalar spring stiffness
G1,G2 Geometric grid point identification
C1,C2 Component number (global system)
GE Damping coefficient (real)
S Stress coefficient (see element output for explanation)

Notes: 1. Zero or blank for G2, C2 indicates a grounded spring.

2. For this example, Grid 1202 must have DOFs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

constrained to prevent singularities.

7.6-3
 ZERO-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY (Cont.)
D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R

POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3

1201 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1202 G 1.000000E-01 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

P 10.
∆ = ---- = ----------- = 0.1 in
K 100.

F O R C E S I N S C A L A R S P R I N G S ( C E L A S 2 )

ELEMENT FORCE ELEMENT FORCE ELEMENT FORCE ELEMENT FORCE

7.6-4

ID. ID. ID. ID.

1200 -1.000000E+01

F = K ( u 1 – u 2 ) = 100. ( 0. – 0.1 ) = – 10. lb

S T R E S S E S I N S C A L A R S P R I N G S ( C E L A S 2 )

ELEMENT STRESS ELEMENT STRESS ELEMENT STRESS ELEMENT STRESS

ID. ID. ID. ID.
1200 -5.000000E+02

σ = sF = .50 ( – 10. ) = – 500 psi

 ZERO-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY (Cont.)

• CUBSH - Defines a generalized spring-and-damper structuralelement

that may be nonlinear or frequency dependent.

Format:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
CBUSH EID PID GA GB GO/X1 X2 X3 CID
CBUSH S OCID S1 S2 S3

Example 1: Noncoincidnet grid points.

CBUSH 39 6 1 100 75

Example 2: GB not specified.

CBUSH 39 6 1 0

Example 3: Coincidnet grid points (GA=GB).

CBUSH 39 6 1 100 6

Field Contents
EID Element identification number. (Integer > 0)
PID Property identification number of a PBUSH entry.
(Integer > 0; Default =EID)
GA, GB Grid points identification number of connections points.
See Remark. (Integer > 0)
Xi Component of orientation vector v , from GA, in the
displacement coordinate system at GA. (REAL)
GO Alternate method to supply vector v using grid point GO.
Direction of v is from GA to GO. v is then transferred to
End A. See Remark. (Integer > 0)
CID Element coordinate system identification. A 0 means the
basic coordinate system. If CID is blank, then the element
coordinate system is determined from GO or Xi. See
Figure 1. (Integer _> 0 or blank)

7.6-5
 ZERO-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY (Cont.)

• CBUSH - (cont)

S Loaction of spring damper. See Figure 1. (0.0 <_ Real <_ 1.0;
Default =0.5)
OCID Coordinate system identification of spring-damper offset.
See Remark NO TAG. (Integer >_ -1; Default=-1 which
means element coordinate system)
S1, S2, Components of spring-damper offset in the OCID
S3 coordinate system if OCID >_0. See Remarks.

• Remarks:

CID >_ 0 overrides GO and Xi. Then the element x-axis is along T1, the
element y-axis is along T2, and the element z-axis is along
T3 of the CID coordinate system. If the CID refers to a
cylindrical coordinate system of a shperical coordinate
system, then grid GA is used to locate the system. If for
cylindrical or spherical coordinate, GA falls on the z-axis
used to define them, it is recommended that another CID
be selected to define the element x-axis.

For noncoincident grids (GA =/ GB), when GO or (X1, X2, X3) is given
and no CID is specified, the line AB is the element x-axis
and the orientation vector v lies in the x-y plane (similar to
the CBEAM element).

For noncoincident grids (GA =/ GB), if neither GO or (X1, X2, X3) is

specified and no CID is specified, then the line AB is the
element x-axis. This option is valid only when K1 (or B1)
or K4 (or B4) or both on the PBUSH entry are specified
(but K2, K3, K5, K6 or B2, B3, B5, B6 are not specified). If
K2, K3, K5, or K6 (or B2, B3, B5, or B6) are specified, a
fatal message will be issued.

7.6-6
 ZERO-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY (Cont.)

• CBUSH - (cont)

If GA and GB are coincident, or if GB is blak, then CID must be

specified.

If OCID = -1 or blank (default) then S is used and S1, S2, S3 are

ignored. If OCID >_ 0, then S is ignored ans Si, S2, S3 are
used
zelem

GA v
yelem
S*
(1 - S)*

GB

xelem

zelem

GA v
yelem
S*
(1 - S ) *

GB

xelem
Figure 1. CBUSH Element.

7.6-7
 ZERO-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY (Cont.)

• CBUSH - (cont)
zelem

yelem

(S1, S2, S3)OCID

GB
GA

Note: 1. The material stiffness and damping properties of the

elastomer are located at (S1, S2, S3).

zelem

yelem

(S1, S2, S3)OCID

GB
GA

Note: 1. The material stiffness and damping properties of the elastomer are located at (S1, S2, S3).
2. The elastomer itself has zero length; i.e., GA and GB are coincident. It is shown here in an exploded view

Figure 2. Definition of Offset S1, S2, S3.

7.6-8
 ZERO-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY (Cont.)

• PBUSH - Defines the nominal property values for a generalized spring-

and-damper structural element.

Formats:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PBUSH PID "K" K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6

"B" B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6

"GE" GE1

"RCV" SA ST EA ET

Example 1:GB not specified.

PBUSH 35 K 4.35 2.4 3.1

GE .06 .03

RCV 7.3 3.3

Example 2: Coincidnet grid points (GA=GB).

PBUSH 35 B 2.3

Field Contents
PID Property identification number. (Integer > 0)
"K" Flag indicating that next 1 to 6 fields are stiffness values.
(Character)
Ki Nominal stiffness values in directions 1 through 6. (Real;
Default=0.0)
"B" Flag indicating that the next 1 to 6 fields are force-per-
velcoity damping. (Character)
Bi Nominal damping cofficient in units of force per unit
velocity. (Real; Default=0.0)
"GE" Flag indicating that the next fields is structural damping.
(Character)
GE1 Nominal Structural damping constant. (Real;Default=0.0)

7.6-9
 ZERO-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY (Cont.)

• PBUSH - (cont)

"RCV" Flag indicating that the next 1 to 4 fields are stress or

strain coefficients. (Character)
SA Stress recovery coefficient in the translational component
numbers 1 through 3. (Real’ Default=1.0)
ST Stress recovery coefficient in the rotational component
numbers 4 through 6. (Real; Default=1.0)
EA Strain recovery coefficient in the translational component
numbers 1 thorough 3. (Real; Default=1.0)
ET Strain recovery coefficient in the rotational component
numbers 4 through 6. (Real; Default=1.0)

• Remarks:

Ki, Bi, or GE1 may be made frequency dependent for both direct and
modal frequency response by use of PBUSHT entry.

The elements stresses are computed by multiplying the stress

coefficinets with the recovered element forces.

The element strains are computed by multiplying the strain

coefficients with the recovered element displacmeents.

The "K", "B", "GE", or "RCV" entries may be specified in any order.

7.6-10
 ONE-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY

ROD, CONROD, TUBE: Pin-ended rod - 4 DOFs

BAR: Prismatic beam - 12 DOFs

BEAM: Straight beam with warping - 14 DOFs

BEND: Curved beam or pipe - 12 DOFs

The BEND element is a special-purpose element and as such is not as

commonly used as most of the other 1-D elements.

7.7-1
 ONE-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY (Cont.)

General features of CROD, CONROD, and CTUBE elements are:

• Connected by two grid points

• Force components: axial force P

torque T

• Displacement components: ui
θi

• Straight, prismatic member

• The element stiffness matrix contains terms only for 2 DOFs at

each end. These are mapped onto the grid points at the two ends
in the global system.

CROD versus CONROD versus CTUBE

CROD Element connectivity is defined on CROD entry.

Properties are defined on the PROD entry. Useful
when defining several rod elements having the same
properties

CONROD Element connectivity and properties are all defined

on CONROD entry. Useful when defining several rod
elements having different properties

CTUBE Used to specify a tube. Can define inside and

outside diameters

7.7-2
 ONE-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY (Cont.)

Rod Element Definition - Geometry

A B Xe
T P P T

The rod element x axis (Xe) is defined along the line connecting End A
to End B.

Note: Torque T is applied about the x element axis of the rod in the
right hand rule sense. Axial force P is shown in the positive
(tensile) direction.

7.7-3
 ONE-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY (Cont.)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
CROD EID PID G1 G2

CROD 4 101 2 3

Field Contents

EID Element identification number

PID Identification number of PROD property entry

G1,G2 Grid point identification numbers of connection

points where G1 = grid point at End A and G2 = grid
point at End B

7.7-4
 ONE-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY (Cont.)

Rod Element Definition - Properties

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PROD PID MID A J C NSM

PROD 101 201 0.10

Field Contents

PID Property identification number

MID Material identification number

A Area of rod

J Torsional constant (equals polar moment of inertia for circular

cross sections)

C Coefficient to determine torsional stress

NSM Nonstructural mass per unit length (real)

Notes: 1. C = the distance from the center of the cross section to

the point of maximum torsional stress. This is usually
the maximum radius.

2. MSC/NASTRAN uses the following formula to compute

torsional stress τ:

CM θ
τ = ------------
J

where Mθ = torsional moment

7.7-5
 CALCULATION OF TORSIONAL CONSTANT J
FOR PROD, PBAR, AND PBEAM ENTRIES

Solid Circular Section

1 4
J = --- πr 2r
2

Hollow Circular Section

ro

4 4
J = --- π  r – r 
1
2  o i

ri

Solid Square Section

4
J = 2.25 a 2a

7.7-6
 CALCULATION OF TORSIONAL CONSTANT J
FOR PROD, PBAR, AND PBEAM ENTRIES (Cont.)

Solid Rectangular Section

2b
b b 
4
3 16
J = ab ------ – 3.36 ---  1 – -------------
a
12a 
3 4
2a

Some other cases for noncircular cross sections may be found in

R. J. Roark and W. C. Young, Formulas for Stress and Strain, 5th ed.,
Table 20 pages 290-296.

7.7-7
 CROD EXAMPLE

100 102
101 x
P T
100.

Element Properties

2
A = 5. in

r = 1.262 in.
4
πr 4
J = --------- = 3.984 in
2

Material Properties

E = 29. E + 6 psi

G = 11. E + 6 psi

σ y = 36000. psi

Applied Loads

P = 2. E + 6 psi

T = 1. E + 5 in – lbs

7.7-8
 CROD EXAMPLE (Cont.)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
CROD 100 1 101 102

GRID 101 0. 0. 0. 123456

GRID 102 100. 0. 0. 2356

PROD 1 201 5. 3.984 1.262

MAT1 201 2.9+7 11.+6 +M1

+M1 36000. 36000.

Note: For this example, Grid 102 must have DOFs 2, 3, 5, 6

constrained to prevent singularities.

7.7-9
 D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R

POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3

101 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
102 G 1.379310E-01 0.0 0.0 2.281855E-01 0.0 0.0

CROD EXAMPLE (Cont.)

PL ( 2.E + 5 ) ( 100. ) TL ( 1.E + 5 ) ( 100. )
∆ = -------- = ---------------------------------------- = 1.37931E – 01 θ 1 = -------- = ----------------------------------------------- = 2.281855E – 01
AE ( 5. ) ( 29.E + 6 ) JG ( 3.987 ) ( 11.E + 6 )
7.7-10

F O R C E S I N R O D E L E M E N T S ( C R O D )

ELEMENT AXIAL ELEMENT AXIAL

ID. FORCE TORQUE ID. FORCE TORQUE
100 2.000000E+05 1.000000E+05

S T R E S S E S I N T H E R O D E L E M E N T S ( C R O D )
 ELEMENT AXIAL SAFETY TORSIONAL SAFETY ELEMENT AXIAL SAFETY TORSIONAL SAFETY
ID. STRESS MARGIN STRESS MARGIN ID. STRESS MARGIN STRESS MARGIN
100 4.000000E+04 -1.0E-01 3.167671E+04 1.4E-01

P 2.E + 5 TC ( 1.E + 5 ) ( 1.262 )

σ = ---- = ------------------ = 4.0E + 4 τ = -------- = -------------------------------------------- = 3.167671E + 4
A 5. J 3.984

Stress allow
M.S. = ---------------------------------- – 1.0
Stress allow
7.7-11

36000. 36000.
M.S. axial = ------------------ – 1.0 = – 0.1 M.S. torsion = ------------------ – 1.0 = 0.14
40000. 31680.
 ONE-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY

CBAR Element Overview

• Connected to two grid points

• Formulation derived from classical beam theory (plane sections

remain plane under deformations)

• Includes optional transverse shear flexibility

• Force components

• Axial force P

• Torque T

• Bending moments about two perpendicular directions Mi

• Shears in two perpendicular directions Vi

• Displacement components

• ui

• θi

7.7-12
 ONE-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY (Cont.)

• Neutral axis may be offset from the grid points (internally a rigid
link is created).

• Principal axis of inertia need not coincide with element axis.

• Pin flag capability used to represent linkages, etc.

• Principal limitations

• Straight, prismatic member (i.e., properties do not vary along the

length)

• Shear center and neutral axis must coincide (therefore, not

recommended for modeling channel sections).

• Torsional stiffening effect of out-of-plane cross-sectional warping is

neglected.

(The CBEAM element has these additional capabilities.)

See Section 4.1 of the MSC/NASTRAN Linear Static Analysis User’s

Guide and Section 5.2.2 of the MSC/NASTRAN Reference Manual for
detailed information about CBAR.

7.7-13
 CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION

Geometry

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
CBAR EID PID GA GB X1,G0 X2 X3

CBAR 2 102 7 8 1.0 1.0 +B1

PA PB W1A W2A W3A W1B W2B W3B

+B1 0.5 0.5 -1.2 0.6

Continuation Entry

Field Contents

EID Element identification number

PID Identification number of a PBAR or PBARL

property entry

GA,GB Grid point identification numbers of connection

points

X1,X2,X3 Components of vector v at End A measured

parallel to displacement coordinate system
components for GA. Used to determine element
coordinate system orientation

G0 Grid point identification number to optionally

supply X1,X2,X3

PA,PB Pin flags for bar Ends A and B. Used to model

linkages and/or hinges.

W1A,W2A,W3A Components of offset vectors wa and wb in

W1B,W2B,W3B displacement coordinate systems at Points GA
and GB

7.7-14
 FCBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

• CBAR element coordinate system

• User-defined by orientation vector V

• Orients input cross-sectional properties

• Orients output forces and stresses

Orientation Vector V z

End b y
Plane 1
ye
xe
Offset W b
θy
θx x
Grid Point b

z Plane 2
End a ze
θz
Offset W a y

x
Grid Point a

7.7-15
 CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

Element X-axis: Always coincident with line between End A and

End B. Positive sense is from End A to End B.

Element X-Y plane: Determined by V which lies in the Xe − Ye

plane. Plane 1 is always the Xe − Ye plane.

Element Z-axis: Cross-product Xex V . Plane 2 is always the

Xe − Ye plane.

Note: The reference planes (Plane 1, Plane 2) are not necessarily

principal planes. Coincidence of these reference planes and
the principal planes is indicated by a zero product of inertia
(I12) on the PBAR entry.

7.7-16
 CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

Following are two examples of when you might define the CBAR
element coordinate system orientation vector V with each of the two
available options (GO or X1, X2, X3).

V V V
V V
GO
V V
V

If you are representing stringers on a fuselage with CBAR elements,

your input will be minimized by using the GO option to define the
element coordinate system orientation vector V.

Note: If a third grid point GO is defined only for the purpose of

specifying the vector, then the degrees of freedom at GO are
not connected to the structure and must be constrained. Oth-
erwise, a singular system matrix will result.

7.7-17
 CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

ν3
ν1

ν2

To specify the orientation of the legs of a tripod modeled with CBAR

elements as shown, it would be most efficient to use the components
of a point (X1, X2, X3) to define the orientation vector V since the
orientation of each of the legs is unique.

7.7-18
 CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

Offsets

• The ends of the CBAR element can be offset from the Grid Points
(GA, GB) by specifying the components of offset vectors WA and
WB on the CBAR entry.

• The offset vector is treated as a rigid link between the grid point
and the end of the element.

• The element coordinate system is defined with respect to the offset

ends of the bar element.

The origin of V is at
Zc
Ye V ( X 1, X 2, X 3 ) offset point A when V is
defined by components
GO (X1, X2, X3).

The origin of V is at
A Xe GA when V is defined
B
using GO.
WA WB

GA GB

7.7-19
 CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

Pin Flags

The user specifies DOFs at either end of the bar element that are to
transmit zero force or moment. The pin flags PA and PB are specified
in the element coordinate system and defined in fields 2 and 3 of the
optional CBAR continuation.

Note: Pin flags are force constraints. SPCs are displacement

constraints.

7.7-20
 CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

Properties: may be defined using either PBAR or PBARL

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PBAR PID MID A I1 I2 J NSM

PBAR 102 202 0.30 .0090 .0063 0.0124 +P1

C1 C2 D1 D2 E1 E2 F1 F2

+P1 0.3 -0.25 0.3 0.25 -0.3 0.25 -0.3 -0.25 +P2

K1 K2 I12

+P2

Field Contents

PID Property identification number

MID Material identification number

A Area of bar cross section

I1,I2,I12 2
Area moments of inertia I1 = Izz, I2 = Iyy, I1 I2 > I 12 .
Defined with respect to element coordinate system.

J Torsional constant

Ci,Di,Ei,Fi Stress recovery coefficients. Must be specified if

bending stress output is desired

K1,K2 Area factor for shear in planes 1 and 2. (Default values

are infinite, i.e., no shear flexibility; beam is infinitely
rigid in shear). If I 12 ≠ 0 , K1 and K2 are ignored.

7.7-21
 CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

Shear Factor K

The shear displacement V of the beam is given by

Vz L
V = --------------
KAG

where Vz = transverse shear force in the element z-direction

L = beam length

K = shear factor

A = beam cross-sectional area

G = beam shear modulus

and the term 1/KAG is called the shear flexibility of the beam.

K accounts for the shear distribution over the element cross section,
and its value depends on the geometry of the cross section.

7.7-22
 CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

• On the PBAR entry

• K1 contributes to the shear resisting transverse force in the

element y-axis direction.

• K2 contributes to the shear resisting transverse force in the

element z-axis direction.

Shape of Cross Section Value of K

Rectangular 5/6
Circular 9/10
Thin-Wall Hollow Circular 1/2
Wide Flange Beams:
Minor Axis ≈ Af ⁄ 2A

Major Axis ≈ Aw ⁄ A

References:

1. Roark and Young, Formulas for Stress and Strain, 5th ed., p.
185.

7.7-23
 CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

The orientation of the element reference planes (Plane 1 and Plane 2)

determines the values input on the PBAR entry for moments of inertia
and stress recovery point coordinates. For this element coordinate
system:
ye
• Moment of inertia in Plane 1 is:

3 C
BH
I 1 = I zz = ------------ D
12

• Moment of inertia in Plane 2 is: H

ze

3
HB
I 2 = I yy = ------------ F E
12 B

C = .5H, −.5B
D = .5H, .5B
E = −.5H, .5B
F = −.5H, −.5B
ze
• For this element coordinate system:

3 C
HB
I 1 = I zz = ------------ D
12
3
BH H
I 2 = I yy = ------------
12 ye

C = −.5B, .5H
D = .5B, .5H F B E
E = .5B, −.5H
F = −.5B, −.5H

7.7-24
 CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

PBARL

Format:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PBARL PID MID GROUP TYPE
DIM1 DIM2 DIM3 DIM4 DIM5 DIM6 DIM7 DIM8
DIM9 -etc.- NSM

Example:
PBARL 39 6 1

14.. 6. .5 .5 .5

Field Contents

PID Property identification number. (Integer > 0)

MID Material identification number. (Integer >0)

GROUP Cross-section group. (Character; Default="MSCBMLO")

TYPE (Character: "ROD", "TUBE", "I", "CHAN", "T", "BOX",

"BAR", "CROSS", "H", "T1", "I1", "CHAN1", "Z", "CHAN2",
"T2", "BOX1", "HEXA", "HAT" for GROUP="MSCBMLO")

DIMi Cross-sectional dimensions. (Real > 0.0)

NSM Nonstructural mass per unit length. NSM is specified after

the last DIMi. (Real; Default=0.0)

7.7-25
 CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)
PBARL

yelem yelem

C C
DIM 1 DIM 1

D D
F F
zelem DIM 2 zelem

yelem
E E
F C
TYPE = "ROD" TYPE = "TUBE"

DIM 4

DIM 3

DIM 2
zelem
E D
DIM 1
yelem
TYPE = "L" yelem
DIM 3 (PBEAML only) DIM 4
F C
F C

DIM 6 zelem DIM 2

DIM 4 zelem
DIM 3
DIM 5 DIM 1

E E D
D
DIM 2 DIM 1
TYPE = "I"
TYPE = "CHAN"

7.7-26
 CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

PBARL
yelem yelem

DIM 1 DIM 3
F C

zelem
DIM 3 DIM 2 zelem

DIM 2

DIM 4 D
yelem E
TYPE = "T" DIM 1 DIM 4

F TYPE = "BOX"
C

zelem

DIM 2
D
yelem E yelem

DIM 1 DIM 1 DIM 1

DIM 2 DIM 2
2 2 2 2
TYPE = "BAR" C
C
F

DIM 3
DIM 4 DIM 3
F D
zelem
zelem
DIM 4

E
E D
DIM 1
DIM 2
TYPE = "H"
TYPE = "CROSS"

7.7-27
 CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

PBARL
yelem
DIM 1 DIM 1
DIM 2
F 2 2
C
DIM 2 F
DIM 1
IM 3 E zelem DIM 4
C
DIM 3

D
TYPE = "T1"
E D
DIM 2 DIM 1 TYPE = "I1"
yelem
F C

DIM 3
zelem

DIM 4

E D
TYPE = "CHAN1"
yelem
DIM 2 DIM 1 DIM 1
DIM 1
C C
F C
yelem
DIM 3
zelem DIM 3
DIM 4
DIM 2
E D C C
DIM 1
TYPE = “Z”
TYPE = "CHAN2" zelem

7.7-28
 CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

PBARL
yelem yelem

DIM 1
DIM 4 F C
F C DIM 3

zelem
DIM 3 DIM 2
DIM 2
zelem
E D
DIM 1 DIM 4
E D
TYPE = “T2” DIM 6
DIM 5
TYPE = “BOX1”

yelem
C
DIM 4 DIM 4
E DIM 3 zelem
F DIM 3 F C

DIM 2
D DIM 1
DIM 1
E D
DIM 2
TYPE = “HAT”
TYPE = “HEXA”

7.7-29
 CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

Interpretation of Element Output

BAR element internal forces and moments

Ze
Plane 2
Ye
Plane 1
M1

V1
V2

M2 Xe
Fx

7.7-30
 CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

This can also be viewed as:

ye ve

M1a M1b
T
Fx xe

a Plane 1 b Fx T

v1

ze ve

M2a M2b

xe

a Plane 2 b

v2

7.7-31
 CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

Example

Applied Loading

P1 = 2.4E + 4 lb yb P2

P2 = 5000. lb
3400 3402
T = 4.0E + 4 in-lb 3401
P1 T xB
100.

Element Properties

A = 24. in2 ye

I1 = I = 72. in4
zz C D

I2 = I = 32. in4
yy
6. ze
J = 75.12 in4

F 4. E

7.7-32
 CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

Material Properties

E = 30.E + 6 psi

ν = 0.3

σy = 36000 psi

G E
= --------------------- = 11.54E + 6 psi
2(1 + ν)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
CBAR 3400 1 3401 3402 0. 1. 0.

GRID 3401 0. 0. 0. 123456

GRID 3402 100. 0. 0.

PBAR 1 10 24. 72. 32. 75.12 +PB1

+PB1 3. -2. 3. 2. -3. 2. -3. -2.

MAT1 10 30.+6 0.3 +M1

+M1 36000.

or

PBAR 1 10 BAR +PB1

+PB1 4. 6.

7.7-33
 D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R

POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3

3401 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
3402 G 3.333333E-03 -7.716050E-01 0.0 4.614223E-03 0.0 -1.157407E-02

P1 L ( 2.4E + 4 ) ( 100. )
∆ 1 = ----------- = ------------------------------------------- = 3.33E-3 in.
7.7-34

AE ( .24 ) ( 30.E + 6 )

3
P2 L ( 5000. ) ( 100. )
∆ 2 = -------------- = ------------------------------------------------- = 7.716E-1 in.
3EI 1 ( 3 ) ( 30.E + 6 ) ( 72. )
 BAR ELEMENT--CANTILEVERED WITH CONCENTRATED TIP LOADS MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 6

CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

F O R C E S I N B A R E L E M E N T S ( C B A R )

ELEMENT BEND-MOMENT END-A BEND-MOMENT END-B - SHEAR - AXIAL

ID. PLANE 1 PLANE 2 PLANE 1 PLANE 2 PLANE 1 PLANE 2 FORCE TORQUE
3400 -5.000000E+05 0.0 0.0 0.0 -5.000000E+03 0.0 2.400000E+04 4.000000E+04

P2 = 5000.
7.7-35

0 Shear
V = – 5000.
V=P
P2 = 5000.

0
Moment
M1 = −5.0E+5
M1 = Px = 5000(100)
M2 = 0
 1 BAR ELEMENT--CANTILEVERED WITH CONCENTRATED TIP LOADS MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 7

S T R E S S E S I N B A R E L E M E N T S ( C B A R )

CBAR ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

ELEMENT SA1 SA2 SA3 SA4 AXIAL SA-MAX SA-MIN M.S.-T
ID. SB1 SB2 SB3 SB4 STRESS SB-MAX SB-MIN M.S.-C
3400 2.083333E+04 2.083333E+04 -2.083333E+04 -2.083333E+04 1.000000E+03 2.183333E+04 -1.983333E+04 6.5E-01
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.000000E+03 1.000000E+03 8.2E-01

Normal Stress Due to Bending Only Normal Stress Combined Axial

Due to Axial and Bending
7.7-36

Load Only Stress

My ( 5.0E + 5 ) ( 3. )
σ bending = -------- = ------------------------------------- = 2.0833E + 4
I1 72.

P 2.4E + 4
σ axial = ---- = ---------------------- = 1.0E + 3
A 24.

S allow 36000.
M.S. ( T ) = ----------------------- – 1.0 = ------------------ – 1.0 = 0.65
S actual 21833.

S allow 36000.
M.S. ( C ) = ----------------------- – 1.0 = ------------------ – 1.0 = 0.82 Optional
S actual 19833.
 CBARAO

• The CBARAO Bulk Data entry defines a series of locations along a

CBAR element at which stresses and/or internal element forces can
be recovered. For CBEAM elements, the PBEAM entry incorporates
the capabilities of the CBARAO.

• The CBARAO entry is normally used only to evaluate the effects of

applying a nonuniformly distributed load (PLOAD1) to a CBAR
element.

7.7-37
 CBARAO (Cont.)

CBARAO Entry Format

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
CBARAO EID SCALE X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 X6

CBARAO 100 FR .2 .4 .6 .8

Field Contents

EID Element ID of a CBAR element

SCALE Scale of X1 values

LE = Xi are actual distances along the element length.

FR = Xi are ratios of actual distances to the bar length.

Xi Series of locations along element axis for stress and force

data recovery (real > 0). A maximum of six points may be
specified on CBARAO entry for data recovery on each bar
element.

7.7-38
 CBARAO (Cont.)

CBAR/CBARAO Example

Applied Loading
yB P2

P1 = 24000. lb.
3402
P2 = 1000. lb. 3401 P1 xB

3400
50.
100.

Element Properties
ye
A = 24 in2
C D
= Izz = 72. in4

= Iyy = 32. in4

6. ze
J = 75.12 in4

F 4. E

7.7-39
 CBARAO (Cont.)

Material Properties

E = 30.E+6 psi

ν = 0.3

σy = 36000 psi = yield stress

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
CBAR 3400 1 3401 3402 0. 1. 0.
CBARAO 3400 LE 25. 50. 75.

GRID 3401 0. 0. 0. 12345

GRID 3402 100. 0. 0. 2345

PBAR 1 1 24. 72. 32. 75.12 +PB1

+PB1 3. -2. 3. 2. -3. 2. -3. -2.

7.7-40
 BAR ELEMENT--SIMPLY SUPPORTED WITH CONCENTRATED LOAD MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 5

ONE ELEMENT WITH INTERMEDIATE OUTPUT FROM CBARAO CARD

D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R

CBARAO (Cont.)
POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
3401 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -2.893519E-04
7.7-41

3402 G -3.333333E-03 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.893519E-04

MSC/NASTRAN - CBAROA EXAMPLE INPUT MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 6

BASIC CLASS NOTES

F O R C E D I S T R I B U T I O N I N B A R E L E M E N T S ( C B A R )

ELEMENT STATION BEND-MOMENT SHEAR FORCE AXIAL

ID. (PCT) PLANE 1 PLANE 2 PLANE 1 PLANE 2 FORCE TORQUE

3400 0.000 0.0 0.0 -5.000000E+02 0.0 -2.400000E+04 0.0

3400 0.250 1.250000E+04 0.0 -5.000000E+02 0.0 -2.400000E+04 0.0
3400 0.500 2.500000E+04 0.0 -5.000000E+02 0.0 -2.400000E+04 0.0
 3400 0.750 1.250000E+04 0.0 5.000000E+02 0.0 -2.400000E+04 0.0
3400 1.000 0.0 0.0 5.000000E+02 0.0 -2.400000E+04 0.0

V = +500.

CBARAO (Cont.)
-500. Shear
M = +25000.
7.7-42

M = +12500.
Moment

AR ELEMENT--SIMPLY SUPPORTED WITH CONCENTRATED LOAD MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 8

ONE ELEMENT WITH INTERMEDIATE OUTPUT FROM CBARAO CARD

S T R E S S D I S T R I B U T I O N I N B A R E L E M E N T S ( C B A R )

ELEMENT STATION SXC SXD SXE SXF AXIAL S-MAX S-MIN M.S.
ID. (PCT)
3400 0.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -1.000000E+03 -1.000000E+03 -1.000000E+03 3.5E+01
3400 0.250 -5.208334E+02 -5.208334E+02 5.208334E+02 5.208334E+02 -1.000000E+03 -4.791666E+02 -1.520833E+03 2.3E+01
3400 0.500 -1.041667E+03 -1.041667E+03 1.041667E+03 1.041667E+03 -1.000000E+03 4.166675E+01 -2.041667E+03 1.7E+01
 3400 0.750 -5.208334E+02 -5.208334E+02 5.208334E+02 5.208334E+02 -1.000000E+03 -4.791666E+02 -1.520833E+03 2.3E+01
3400 1.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -1.000000E+03 -1.000000E+03 -1.000000E+03 3.5E+01

My ( 25000. ) ( 3. )
σ bending = -------- = --------------------------------- = 1041.7
I 72.

P 24000.
σ axial = ---- = ------------------ = 1000.
A 24.

S allow 36000.
M.S. = ----------------------- 1.0 = ------------------ 1.0 = 16.63
S actual 1041.7
7.7-43

where S actual = max { S max , S min }

 CBEAM ELEMENT

• Connected to two grid points

• Force components

• Axial force P

• Total torque T

• Warping torque Tw

• Bending moments in Planes 1 and 2 Mi

• Shears in Planes 1 and 2 Vi

• Displacement component

• ui

• θi

• (dθ/dx)i (represented by SPOINTs)

7.7-44
 CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

• The beam includes all capabilities of the CBAR element plus

several optional capabilities that include

• The cross-sectional properties may be specified at as many as

nine interior points and at both ends.

• The neutral axis and shear center axis need not be coincident.

• The effect of cross-sectional warping on the torsional stiffness.

• The effect of taper on the transverse shear stiffness (shear relief).

7.7-45
 CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

Geometry

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
CBEAM EID PID GA GB X1,G0 X2 X3

CBEAM 2 39 7 3 13 123

PA PB W1A W2A W3A W1B W2B W3B

+23 513 3.0 234

SA SB

+34 8 5

Field Contents

EID Element identification number (integer > 0)

PID Identification number of PBEAM property entry

GA,GB Grid point identification numbers of connection points

X1,X2,X3 Components of vector v at End A, measured at the offset

point for End A, parallel to the components of the
displacement coordinate system for GA

G0 Grid point identification number to optionally supply X1,

X2, and X3

PA,PB Pin flags for beam Ends A and B, respectively

7.7-46
 CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

Field Contents

W1A,W2A,W3A Components of offset vectors, measured in the

W1B,W2B,W3B displacement coordinate systems at Grid Points A
and B, from the grid points to the end points of the
axis of shear center (real or blank)

SA,SB Scalar or grid point identification numbers for the

Ends A and B, respectively. The degrees of
freedom at these points are the warping variables
dθ/dx

7.7-47
 CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

M1(A), M2(A)
zelem
N1A
Nonstructural Mass
N2A Center of Gravity

yelem
Plane 2
Plane 1 V
(0, 0, 0)

Neutral Axis
xelem

w a Offset
Shear Center
N2B
Grid Point GA N1B

(xb, 0, 0)
w b Offset
BEAM Element Coordinate System

Grid Point GB

The specifications of element coordinate system, orientation vector V

element-end offsets, and pin flags are identical to those for the CBAR
element.

7.7-48
 CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

Properties

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PBEAM PID MID A(A) I1(A) I2(A) I12(A) J(A) NSM(A)

PBEAM 39 6 2.9 3.5 5.97 123

C1(A) C2(A) D1(A) D2(A) E1(A) E2(A) F1(A) F2(A)

+23 2.0 -4.0 +34

S0 X/XB A I1 I2 I12 J NSM

+34 YES 1.0 5.3 56.2 78.6 345

C1 C2 D1 D2 E1 E2 F1 F2

+45 2.5 -5.0 +56

K1 K2 S1 S2 NSI(1) NS1(2) CW(A) CW(B)

+56 1.1 0.21 567

M1(A) M2(A) M1(B) M2(B) N1(A) N2(A) N1(B) N2(B)

+67 0.5 0.0

Default
Field Contents Values

PID Property identification number Required

MID Material identification number Required

A(A) Area of beam cross section at End A Required

I1(A) Area of beam cross section at End A in Plane 1 Required

about the neutral axis

7.7-49
 CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

Default
Field Contents Values

I2(A) Area moment of inertia at End A in Required

Plane 2 about the neutral axis

I12(A) Area product of inertia at End A 0.0

2
( I 1 I 2 – I 12 > 0 )

J(A) Torsional stiffness parameter at End A 0.0

(J > 0.0 if warping is present)

NSM(A) Nonstructural mass per unit length at 0.0

End A (real)

Ci(A),Di(A), The y,z locations in element coordinates yi = zi = 0.0

Ei(A), Fi(A) at End A for stress data recovery

S0 Stress output request option (BCD) Required

YES: Stresses recovered at Points

C,D,E,F on next continuation
entry

YESA: Stresses recovered at points

with same y,z location at EndA

NO: No stresses or forces are

recovered

X/XB Distance from End A in the element Required

coordinate system (X) divided by
the length of the element (XB)

7.7-50
 CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)
Default
Field Contents Values

A,I1,I2, I12,J, Area, moments of inertia, and torsional

NSM stiffness parameter for the cross
section, and nonstructural mass
located at X (J > 0.0 if warping is
present)

Ci,Di,Ei,Fi The y,z locations in element

coordinates for the cross section
located at X/XB. The values are fiber
locations for stress data recovery.

K1,K2 Shear stiffness factor K for Plane 1 1.0, 1.0

and Plane 2

S1,S2 Shear relief coefficient due to taper for 0.0, 0.0

Plane 1 and Plane 2

NSI(1), NSI(2) Nonstructural mass moment of inertia 0.0, same as

per unit length about nonstructural end A
mass center of gravity at Ends A and
B (real)

CW(A), CW(B) Warping coefficient for End A and 0.0, same as

End B end A

N1(A), N2(A), The y,z coordinates of neutral axis for 0.0 (no offset
N1(B), N2(B) End A and End B from shear
center), the
same values
as End A

7.7-51
 CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

Default
Field Contents Values

M1(A), M2(A), (Y,Z) coordinates of center of gravity 0.0 (nooffset

M1(B), M2(B) of nonstructural mass for End A and from shear
End B center), same
values as
End A

7.7-52
 CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

Shear Relief Coefficient due to Taper S1, S2

The shear relief factor accounts for the fact that in a tapered flanged
beam, the flanges sustain a portion of the transverse shear load. This
situation is illustrated below:

P
α

MB V hB hA V MA

α
P
Tension
Tension

Shear No Shear

Compression
Compression

The value of the shear coefficient for a tapered beam with heavy
flanges that sustain the entire moment load may then be written as

2 ( hA – hB )
S 1 = -----------------------------
( hA + hB )

See the MSC/NASTRAN Reference Manual, Section 5.2.1.

7.7-53
 CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

Cross-Sectional Warping - Coefficients CW(A), CW(B)

Open section members, such as, channels, undergo torsion as well as

bending when transverse loads act anywhere except at the shear
center of a cross section. This torsion produces warping of the cross
section so that plane sections do not remain plane, and as a result,
axial stresses are produced. This situation can be represented in the
following differential equation for the torsion of a beam about the axis
of shear centers:

d  d θ
2 2
d
G ------- J  ------
dθ
- – E ----------  C w ---------- = m
 dx
dx  dx 
dx 2 2

where E = Young’s modulus of elasticity

Cw = warping constant

G = shear modulus

J = torsion constant

θ = angle of rotation at any cross section

m = applied torsional moment per unit length

Note: The warping constant Cw has units of (length)6. The

development of the above differential equation and methods
for the numerical evaluations of the warping constant are
available in the literature. (See, for example, Timoshenko and
Gere, Theory of Elastic Stability, McGraw Hill Book Company,
1961. Also see Roark & Young, Formulas for Stress and
Strain, for values for different sections.)

7.7-54
 CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

Neutral Axis Offset from Shear Center (N1, N2)

In an unsymmetric section (e.g.,

channel) under transverse
loading, the internal transverse
P shear forces f form a twisting
moment on the member.

_
>
Member Will Twist

When the load is applied

through the offset shear center
Q, an external torsional moment
P is formed that is equal and
opposite to the internal torsional
moment of the shear forces f. In
this case, only bending will result
on the member.
e
Only Bending Here

Vertical Shear Axis

The N1 and N2 fields on the PBEAM entry allow the user to specify the
neutral axis offset from the shear center.

7.7-55
 CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

Properties - PBEAML

Defines the properties of a beam element by corss-sectional dimensions.

Format: (Note: n = number of dimensions and m = number of intermediate
stations)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PBEAML PID MID GROUP TYPE
DIM1(A) DIM2(A) -etc.- DIMn(A) NSM(A) SO(1) X(1)XB DIM1(1)

DIM2(1) -etc.- DIMn(1) NSM(1) SO(2) X(2)XB DIM1(2) DIM2(2)

-etc.- DIMn(2) -etc.- NSM(m) SO(m) X(m)XB DIM1(m) -etc.-

DIMn(m) NSM(m) SO(B) 1.0 DIM1(B) DIM2(B) -etc.- DIMn(B)

Example:

PBEAML 99 21 T

12. 14.8 2.5 2.6 NO 0.4 6.

7. 1.2 2.6 YES 0.6 6. 7.8

5.6 2.3 YES

Field Contents
PID Property identification number. (Integer > 0)
MID Material identification number. (Integer > 0)
Group Cross-section group. (Character; Default="MSCBMLO"
TYPE Cross-section shape. See Remark 4.. (Character: "ROD",
"TUBE", "L", "I", "CHAN", "T", "BOX", "BAR", "CROSS", "H",
"T1", "I1", "CHAN1", "Z", CHAN2", "T2", "BOX1", "HEX",
"HAT" for GROUP="MSCBMLO")
DIMi(A), DIMi(B)
Cross-section dimensions at end A and B. (Real > 0.0 for
GROUP="MSCBMLO"
NSM(A), NSM(B)
Nonstructural mass per unit length. (Real _>0.0; Default = 0.0)

7.7-56
 CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

Properties - PBEAML

Field Contents
SO(j), SO(B)
Stress output requests options for the itermediate station j and
B. (Character; Default="YES")
YES: Stress recovered at all points on next continuation
and shown in Figure NO TAG as C, D, E, and F.
NO: No stress or forces are recovered.
X(j)/XB Distance from end A to intermediate station j in the element
coordinate system divided by the length of the element.
(Real>0.0; Default=0.0)
NSM(j) Nonstructural mass per unit length at intermediate station j.
(Real 0.0; Defalut=0.0)
DIMi(j) Cross-section dimenstions at intermediate station j. (Real>0.0
for GROUP="MSCBMLO")

Remarks:
1. For structural problems, PBEAML entries must reference a
MAT1 material entry.
2. PID must be unique with respect to all other PBEAM and
PBEAML property identification numbers
3. For heat-transfer problems, the MID must reference a MAT4 or
MAT5 mater entry.
4. See the PBEAM entry description for a discussion of beam-
element geometry.
5. If any of the fields NSM(B), DIMi(B) are blank on the
continuation entry for End B, the values are set to the vaules
given for end A. For the continuation entries that have values
of X(j)/XB between 0.0 and 1.0 and use the default options
(blank field), a linear interpolation between the values at ends
A and B is performed to obtain the missing field.

7.7-57
 CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

Properties - PBEAML

6. The GROUP is associated with a FMS CONNECT statement,

which specifices the evaluator. A resevered GROUP name is
"MSCBMLO". Users may create their own cross-section types.
Each of the types will require one or more subroutines to con-
vert DIMi infromation to geometric property information con-
tained on a PBEAM entry.
7. For GROUP="MSCBMLO", the cross-sectional properties,
shear flexibility factors and stress recovery points are comput-
ed using the TYPE and DIMi as shown in Figure NO TAG. The
element coordinate system is located at the shear center.
8. A function of this entry is to derive an equivlaent PBEAML
entry. Any sorted echo requet will also cause printout and/or
punch of the derived PBEAML.
9. The cross-section dimensions, DIMi, cannot be sued directly as
design variables in SOL 200. DEQATN entries may be used to
indirectly specify cross-section dimensions as design
variables.

7.7-58
 CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

Interpretation of Element Output

Beam element internal forces and moments

zelem

yelem

Plane 1
Plane 2

M1
M2
V2
Neutral Axis
V1

Fx
xelem Shear Axis

Tx

7.7-59
 CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

This can also be viewed as

ye v1

M1a M1b
T
Fx xe

a Plane 1 b T

v1

ze v2

M2a M2b

xe

a Plane 2 b

v2

For further information on the BEAM element, see Section 1.3.2 of the
MSC/NASTRAN User’s Manual, Section 2.6 of the MSC/NASTRAN
Application Manual and Section 2.3.5.2 of the MSC/NASTRAN Handbook for
Linear Analysis.

7.7-60
 CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

Example of BEAM element:

Applied Loading

ye P2
P1 = 2.4E+4
200
P2 = 5000. lb.
202
T = 4.0E+4 201 xe
P1 T

100.

Element Properties
ye

A = 24.
C D
I1 = Izz = 72.

I2 = Iyy = 32.
6. ze
J = 75.12

F 4. E

7.7-61
 CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

Material Properties

E = 30.E+6

ν = 0.3

σy = 36000.

G = E
--------------------- = 11.54E+6
2(1 + ν)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
CBEAM 200 1 201 202 0. 1. 0.
GRID 201 0. 0. 0. 123456

GRID 202 100. 0. 0.

PBEAM 1 1 24. 72. 32. 75.12 +PB1A

+PB1A 3. -2. 3. 2. -3. 2. -3. -2. +PB1B

+PB1B YESA 1.0

MAT1 1 30.+6 0.3 +M1

+M1 36000.

or

PBEAMl 1 1 BAR +PB1A

+PB1A 4. 6. 1. YES

7.7-62
 BEAM ELEMENT--CANTILEVERED WITH CONCENTRATED TIP LOADS MARCH 30,1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/1991 PAGE 4
ONE ELEMENT, OUTPUT AT ENDS OF ELEMENT ONLY

CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R

POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3

201 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
202 G -3.333333E-03 -7.734105E-01 0.0 4.614838E-03 0.0 -1.157407E-02

BEAM ELEMENT--CANTILEVERED WITH CONCENTRATED TIP LOADS MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 6
7.7-63

ONE ELEMENT, OUTPUT AT ENDS OF ELEMENT ONLY

F O R C E S I N B E A M E L E M E N T S ( C B E A M )

STAT DIST/ - BENDING MOMENTS - - WEB SHEARS - AXIAL TOTAL WARPING

ELEMENT-ID GRID LENGTH PLANE 1 PLANE 2 PLANE 1 PLANE 2 FORCE TORQUE TORQUE
200
201 0.000 -5.000000E+05 0.0 -5.000000E+03 0.0 -2.400000E+04 4.000000E+04 0.0
202 1.000 1.455192E-11 0.0 -5.000000E+03 0.0 -2.400000E+04 4.000000E+04 0.0
 BEAM ELEMENT--CANTILEVERED WITH CONCENTRATED TIP LOADS MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 7
ONE ELEMENT, OUTPUT AT ENDS OF ELEMENT ONLY

S T R E S S E S I N B E A M E L E M E N T S ( C B E A M )

STAT DIST/
ELEMENT-ID GRID LENGTH SXC SXD SXE SXF S-MAX S-MIN M.S.-T M.S.-C
200
201 0.000 1.983333E+04 1.983333E+04 -2.183333E+04 -2.183333E+04 1.983333E+04 -2.183333E+04 8.2E-01 6.5E-01
202 1.000 -1.000000E+03 -1.000000E+03 -1.000000E+03 -1.000000E+03 -1.000000E+03 -1.000000E+03
7.7-64

Normal Stress due to Combined Maximum and

Axial and Bending Minimum of Combined
Stresses at Points
C,D,E, and F
 CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

This example illustrates the CBEAM element output that is identical to

that obtained for the CBAR element with the CBARAO entry.

Applied Loading y P2

P1 = 2.4E+4
202
P2 = 1000. 201 P1 x

200
50.
100.

ye
Element Properties
C D
A = 24.

I1 = Izz = 72.
6. ze
I2 = Iyy = 32.

J = 75.12
F 4. E

7.7-65
 CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

Material Properties

E = 30.E+6 psi ν = 0.3 σy = 36000. psi

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
CBEAM 200 1 201 202 0. 1. 0.

GRID 201 0. 0.

GRID 202 100. 0. 0.

PBEAM 1 1 24. 72. 32. 75.12 +PB1A

+PB1A 3. -2. 3. 2. -3. 2. -3. -2. +PB1B

+PB1B YESA .25 +PB1C

+PB1C YESA .5 +PB1D

+PB1D YESA .75 +PB1E

+PB1E YESA 1.

MAT1 1 30.+6 0.3 +M1

+M1 36000.

or

PBEAML 1 1 BAR +PB1A

+PB1A 4. 6. YES .25 +PB1B

+PB1B YES .5 BAR +PB1C

+PB1C YES 1.0 +BP1D

7.7-66
 BEAM ELEMENT--CANTILEVERED WITH CONCENTRATED TIP LOADS MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 5
ONE ELEMENT, OUTPUT AT INTERMEDIATE STATIONS

D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R

CBEAM ELEMENT (Cont.)

POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
201 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -2.835957E-04
202 G -3.333333E-03 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.835955E-04

BEAM ELEMENT--CANTILEVERED WITH CONCENTRATED TIP LOADS MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2 /91 PAGE 7
7.7-67

ONE ELEMENT, OUTPUT AT INTERMEDIATE STATIONS

F O R C E S I N B E A M E L E M E N T S ( C B E A M )

STAT DIST/ - BENDING MOMENTS - - WEB SHEARS - AXIAL TOTAL WARPING

ELEMENT-ID GRID LENGTH PLANE 1 PLANE 2 PLANE 1 PLANE 2 FORCE TORQUE TORQUE
200
201 0.000 7.812500E-03 0.0 -4.999999E+02 0.0 -2.400000E+04 0.0 0.0
0 0.250 1.250001E+04 0.0 -4.999999E+02 0.0 -2.400000E+04 0.0 0.0
0 0.500 2.500000E+04 0.0 -4.999999E+02 0.0 -2.400000E+04 0.0 0.0
0 0.750 1.250000E+04 0.0 5.000001E+02 0.0 -2.400000E+04 0.0 0.0
202 1.000 0.0 0.0 5.000001E+02 0.0 -2.400000E+04 0.0 0.0
 BEAM ELEMENT--CANTILEVERED WITH CONCENTRATED TIP LOADS MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 8
ONE ELEMENT, OUTPUT AT INTERMEDIATE STATIONS

S T R E S S E S I N B E A M E L E M E N T S ( C B E A M )

STAT DIST/
ELEMENT-ID GRID LENGTH SXC SXD SXE SXF S-MAX S-MIN M.S.-T M.S.-C
200
201 0.000 -1.000000E+03 -1.000000E+03 -9.999997E+02 -9.999997E+02 -9.999997E+02 -1.000000E+03
0 0.250 -1.520834E+03 -1.520834E+03 -4.791664E+02 -4.791664E+02 -4.791664E+02 -1.520834E+03
0 0.500 -2.041667E+03 -2.041667E+03 4.166684E+01 4.166684E+01 4.166684E+01 -2.041667E+03 8.6E+02 1.7E+01
0 0.750 -1.520833E+03 -1.520833E+03 -4.791666E+02 -4.791666E+02 -4.791666E+02 -1.520833E+03
7.7-68

202 1.000 -1.000000E+03 -1.000000E+03 -1.000000E+03 -1.000000E+03 -1.000000E+03 -1.000000E+03

 TWO-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY

TRIA3 Three-noded isoparametric flat plate

element. Commonly used for mesh
transitions. May have excessive stiffness
particularly for membrane strain.
QUAD4 Four-noded isoparametric flat plate element.
Behaves well when irregularly shaped, good
results can be obtained with skew angles up
to 45 degrees.
SHEAR Four-noded, shear and extensional force
only element. Used for analyzing thin
reinforced plates and shells. Commonly
used with rod elements to analyze thin-
skinned aircraft structures (best if
rectangular).
TRIA6 Isoparametric triangle element with three
corner and three midside grid points. Used
in regions with curvature.
QUAD8 Isoparametric element with four corner and
four edge grid points. Useful for modeling
singly-curved shells (e.g., cylinder). QUAD4
performs better for doubly curved shells
(e.g., sphere).
TRIAR Three-noded isoparametic flat element.
Companion to the QUADR element.
QUADR Four-noded isoparametric flat plate element
with without membrane-bending coupling.
Less sensitive to distortion and extreme
values of Poisson ratio than the QUAD4.

• Note: It is not recommended to use TRIAR or QUADR elements for

curved surfaces unless PARAM, SNORM is used.

7.8-1
 TWO-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENTS

Plates - Background

Definition: A plate is a structural element with one small

dimension and two large dimensions.

• On your structure, these elements may be used to model thin

plates. A thin plate is one in which the thickness is much less than
the next larger dimension (roughly 1/15).

• For linear analysis, MSC/NASTRAN plate elements assume

classical engineering assumptions of thin plate behavior.

• The deflection of the midsurface is small compared with the

thickness.

• The midsurface remains unstrained (neutral) during bending (this

applies to lateral loads, not in-plane loads).

• The normal to the midsurface remains normal to the midsurface

during bending.

• An important fact about plate and shell elements is that they have
no stiffness term for in-plane rotational dof. As such, if BAR or
BEAM elements are connected to a plate of shell, special modeling
effort is required.

7.8-2
 REFERENCES

References on basic plate theory:

1. Theory of Plates and Shells, by S. Timoshenko and S. Woi-

nowsky-Krieger, 2nd ed., McGraw Hill, 1959

2. Stresses in Plates and Shells, by A. C. Ugural, McGraw Hill, 1981

7.8-3
 CQUAD4 ELEMENT

• Element most commonly used for representing plates, shells, and

membranes.
ye
Lateral, transverse, normal

xe

Membrane, in-plane

• Element Force Output

Fx,Fy Membrane force per unit length

Fxy Membrane shear force per unit length

Mx,My Bending moments per unit length

Mxy Twisting moment per unit length

Vx,Vy Transverse shear forces per unit length

• Stress components: σx, σy, τxy, (at center - optionally at cornors)

• Displacement components: ui
θx, θy (no rotation normal to element)

7.8-4
 CQUAD4 ELEMENT (Cont.)

Interpretation of Element Output

Vx Fy
Vy
Mx Mxy
Ze Ye
My
Fx Mxy Fyx Vx Fyx
Mxy Fx
Fxy

My Fyx Mx
Xe
Mxy

Fy
Vy
Forces and moments: Calculated at element centroid by default for
CQUAD4 and CTRIA3 (may be calculated at
corners if desired)
Calculated at centroid and grid points for
CQUAD8, CTRIA6, CQUADR, and CTRIAR

Ye σy

τxy
τxy
σx σx
τxy Xe
τxy

σy

Stresses: Calculated at distances Z1 and Z2 from the element

reference plane

7.8-5
 CQUAD4 ELEMENT DEFINITION

Geometry

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
CQUAD4 EID PID G1 G2 G3 G4 θ ZOFFS

CQUAD4 111 203 31 74 75 32 2.6 ABC

T1 T2 T3 T4

+BC 1.77 2.04 2.09 1.80

Field Contents

EID Element identification number (integer > 0)

PID Identification number of a PSHELL or PCOMP

property entry

G1,G2, Grid point identification numbers of connection

G3,G4 points. (All interior angles of this element must be
less than 180°.)

θ Material property orientation specification. If real or

blank, specifies material property orientation angle
in degrees. If integer, material x-axis orientation is
along projection onto the plane of the x-axis of the
specified coordinate system.

T1,T2, The continuation entry is optional. If supplied, it

T3,T4 describes the membrane thickness of the element at
grid points G1 through G4 (real ≤ 0., not all zero). If not
supplied, then T1 through T4 is set equal to the value of T
on the PSHELL data entry.

ZOFFS Offset from the surface of the grid points to the

element reference plane in the element coordinate
system

7.8-6
 CQUAD4 ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

• The element coordinate system:

• Is defined based on the order and location of the connecting points

• Defines positive sense of normal pressures applied to the element

• Used to define layers of a composite material

• Used to interpret the element output forces and stresses

yelement
G3

β+γ
G4 α = ------------
2

α xelement
α xmaterial

β θ
γ
G1
G2

7.8-7
 CQUAD4 ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

• Element x-axis bisects the angle 2α. Positive direction is from G1

towards G2.

• Element y-axis is perpendicular to the element x-axis and lies in

the plane defined by G1, G2, G3, and G4. Positive direction is
from G1 toward G4.

• Element z-axis is normal to the x-y plane of the element. Positive

sense is defined by the right-hand rule and the ordering of the
connected grids.

7.8-8
 CQUAD4 ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

Properties

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PSHELL PID MID1 T MID2 12/T3 MID3 TS/T NSM

PSHELL 1 204 .025 204 204 +PS1

Z1 Z2 MID4

+PS1

Field Contents

PID Property identification number

MID1 Material identification number for membrane behavior

(integer > 0 or blank)

T Plate or membrane thickness

MID2 Material identification number for bending behavior (integer

> 0 or blank, MID2 = -1 represents plane strain) - NOTE: THE
DEFAULT FOR MID2 IS NOT TO INCLUDE BENIDNG
STIFNESS. FOR MOST MODELS, MID2 SHOULD NOT BE
BLANK

12I/T3 Normalized bending inertia per unit length (real or blank,

default = 1.0). The default value is correct for solid,
homogeneous plates.

MID3 Material identification number for transverse shear behavior

(integer > 0 or blank)

7.8-9
 CQUAD4 ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

Field Contents

TS/T Transverse shear thickness divided by membrane thickness

(default = .833333). The default value is correct for solid,
homogeneous plates.

NSM Nonstructural mass per unit area (real)

Z1,Z2 Stress recovery distances for bending (real, default Z1 = -1/2

thickness, Z2 = +1/2 thickness)

MID4 Material identification number to define coupling between

membrane and bending deformation

The QUAD4 element can have in-plane, bending, and transverse shear
behavior. The element mechanical behavior is specified by the
presence or absence of a material ID number in the appropriate
field(s) on the PSHELL entry.

7.8-10
 CQUAD4 ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

MID1: To model a membrane (i.e., no bending) fill in MID1 only.

PSHELL PID MID1 T MID2 12I/T3 MID3 TS/T

PSHELL 1 204 .025

MID2: To model just bending, fill in MID2 only.

PSHELL PID MID1 T MID2 12I/T3 MID3 TS/T

PSHELL 1 .025 204

MID3: To add transverse shear flexibility to bending, fill in MID3.

PSHELL PID MID1 T MID2 12I/T3 MID3 TS/T

PSHELL 1 .025 204 204

Note: Mass is not calculated if MID1 =0

7.8-11
 CQUAD4 ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

MID3 - Continued: Use MID3 to include an extra shear term in the element
stiffness calculations (i.e., includes transverse shear
flexibility).

t =1 For thin plates, MID3 has very little effect.

20 ≤ ≤ 50

MID3 For thicker plates, MID3 has significant

effect. Including MID3 term makes the plate
t more flexible in the normal (transverse)
direction.

Note: For a solid homogeneous plate, MID1, MID2, and MID3 should
reference the same material ID.

MID4: The MID4 field (bending and membrane deformation

coupling) should be defined only if the element’s
cross section is unsymmetric. Default is blank =
symmetric cross section.

In summary, the results of leaving an MID field blank are:

MID1 No membrane or coupling stiffness

MID2 No bending, coupling, or transverse shear stiffness
MID3 No transverse shear flexibility
MID4 No bending-membrane coupling

7.8-12
 CQUAD4 ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

Example
y

P2
3304 3303
P1
3300 10.0
3301 3302 P2
x
10.0 P1

z P2 0.1

P1

E = 30.E+6 P 1 = 12000.
ν = 0.3 P 2 = 5000.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
CQUAD4 3300 1 3301 3302 3303 3304

GRID 3301 0. 0. 0. 123456

GRID 3302 10. 0. 0. 6

GRID 3303 10. 10. 0. 6

GRID 3304 0. 10. 0. 123456

PSHELL 1 1 0.1 1

MAT1 1 30.+6 0.3

7.8-13
 CQUAD4 ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)
QUAD4 ELEMENT--CANTILEVERED WITH CONCENTRATED TIP LOAD MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 4

D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R

POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3

3301 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
7.8-14

3302 G 7.806971E-03 1.756568E-03 -1.261228E+02 -3.192983E+00 1.915789E+01 0.0

3303 G 7.806971E-03 -1.756568E-03 -1.261228E+02 3.192983E+00 1.915789E+01 0.0
3304 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
 QUAD4 ELEMENT--CANTILEVERED WITH CONCENTRATED TIP LOAD MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 6

CQUAD4 ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

F O R C E S I N Q U A D R I L A T E R A L E L E M E N T S ( Q U A D 4 )

ELEMENT - MEMBRANE FORCES - - BENDING MOMENTS - - TRANSVERSE SHEAR FORCES -

ID FX FY FXY MX MY MXY QX QY
3300 2.400000E+03 1.930295E+02 7.105427E-15 -5.000000E+03 -7.017544E+02 1.776357E-12 -1.000000E+03 5.684342E-14

In-plane Element Forces in Element Internal Moments in Transverse

Element Coordinate System Element Coordinate System Shear Forces
(Force/Length) (Moment/Length) (Force/Length)
7.8-15

P2

in-lb/10 in in-lb/in
M = – 100000. MX = – 50000. = 5000.
 QUAD4 ELEMENT--CANTILEVERED WITH CONCENTRATED TIP LOAD MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 7

CQUAD4 ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)

S T R E S S E S I N Q U A D R I L A T E R A L E L E M E N T S ( Q U A D 4 )

ELEMENT FIBRE STRESSES IN ELEMENT COORD SYSTEM PRINCIPAL STRESSES (ZERO SHEAR)
ID. DISTANCE NORMAL-X NORMAL-Y SHEAR-XY ANGLE MAJOR MINOR VON MISES
3300 -5.000000E-02 -2.976000E+06 -4.191223E+05 1.065885E-09 90.0000 -4.191223E+05 -2.976000E+06 2.790149E+06
5.000000E-02 3.024000E+06 4.229829E+05 -1.065743E-09 0.0000 3.024000E+06 4.229829E+05 2.836263E+06

P 24000.
σ axial = ---- = ------------------ = 2.4E + 4
A 1
7.8-16

My ( 50000. ) ( .05 )
σ bending = -------- = ------------------------------------ = 3.0E + 6
I 3
10(.1) ⁄ 12

σ + = σ a + σ b = 3.024E + 6

σ - = σ a + σ b = 2.976E + 6

2 2 2 1⁄2
σ HVM = ( σ x – σ x σ y + σ y + 3τ xy )

2 2 1⁄2
σ HVM = [ ( 3.024E + 6 ) – ( 3.024E + 6 ) ( 4.23E + 5 ) + ( 4.23E + 5 ) ] = 2.836E + 6
 CQUAD4 ELEMENT DEFINITION (Cont.)
QUAD4 ELEMENT--CANTILEVERED WITH CONCENTRATED TIP LOAD MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 9

S T R A I N S I N Q U A D R I L A T E R A L E L E M E N T S ( Q U A D 4 )

ELEMENT FIBRE STRAINS IN ELEMENT COORD SYSTEM PRINCIPAL STRAINS (ZERO SHEAR)
ID. DISTANCE NORMAL-X NORMAL-Y SHEAR-XY ANGLE MAJOR MINOR VON MISES
3300 -5.000000E-02 -9.500878E-02 1.578926E-02 9.298796E-17 90.0000 1.578926E-02 -9.500878E-02 6.920528E-02
5.000000E-02 9.657017E-02 -1.614057E-02 -9.297441E-17 0.0000 9.657017E-02 -1.614057E-02 7.037997E-02
7.8-17

This output was obtained with the Case Control request: STRAIN(FIBER) = ALL
 QUAD4 ELEMENT DEFINITION - ALTERNATE
PROPERTY ENTRY

The alternate PCOMP property entry may be used when the element is
a composite consisting of layers of unidirectional fibers. The
information on the PCOMP entry includes the thickness, orientation,
and material identification of each layer. This information is used
within MSC/NASTRAN to compute the entries of a PSHELL entry,
which should not be simultaneously entered by the user for the same
element(s). Special layer-by-layer output is provided when the
PCOMP option is used.

See Section 6.5 of the MSC/NASTRAN Reference Manual for detailed

information about simulating composite materials with MSC/NASTRAN.

7.8-18
 THREE-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENT LIBRARY

• Commonly used solid elements:

• PENTA (6-15 nodes)

• HEXA (8-20 nodes)

• TETRA (4-10 nodes)

HEXA

PENTA

Any or all edge midside

nodes may be deleted. Corner
nodes may not be deleted.

TETRA

7.9-1
 RECOMMENDED USES

HEXA Recommended for general use. Accuracy degrades when

element is skewed and used in a situation where bending
behavior is dominant. In most other modeling situations, it
has superior performance to the other 3-D elements.

PENTA Commonly used to model transition. This element is

designed to behave well as a resonable thin shell element.
If the triangular faces are not on the exposed surfaces of
the shell, excessive stiffness results.

TETRA Frequently used by sutomatic mach generators and to fill in

odd-shaped holes that occasionally apper in models made
with HEXA and PENTA elements. Unless
"perfectly-shaped", the 4-noded TETRA is not
recommended for modeling large portions of solid
continua, the 10-noded TETRA elements will provied much
better accuracy.

3-D elements connect only translational DOFs, i.e., no rotational DOFs

are connected to a solid element.

7.9-2
 CHEXA

• Connected to 8 to 20 grid points (8 or 20 nodes recommended for

best results)

• Stress components: σx, σy, σz, τxy, τyz, τzx (at center and corner
points)

• Displacement components: ui

• Can reference either an isotropic or anisotropic material entry

7.9-3
 CHEXA (Cont.)

Geometry

G18
G7 G6

G19 G17 G14

G15
G20
G8 G2
G10 G5

G3 G13 G9
G16
G11

G4 G12 G1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
CHEXA EID PID G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6

CHEXA 71 4 3 4 5 6 7 8 ABC

G7 G8 G9 G10 G11 G12 G13 G14

+BC 9 10 0 0 30 31 53 54 DEF

G15 G16 G17 G18 G19 G20

+EF 55 56 57 58 59 60

Field Contents
EID Element identification number
PID Identification number of a PSOLID property entry
G1,...,G20 Grid point identification numbers of connection
points

7.9-4
 CHEXA (Cont.)

Element Coordinate System

R vector Joins the centroids of faces G4-G1-G5-G8 and

G3-G2-G6-G7

S vector Joins the centroids of faces G1-G2-G6-G5 and

G4-G3-G7-G8

T vector Joins the centroids of faces G1-G2-G3-G4 and

G5-G6-G7-G8

XYZ axes The origin of the cordinate system is at the intersection

of the RST vectors. The X, Y, and Z axes are chosen as
close as possible to the R, S, and T vectors and are in
the same general direction. (Mathematically, the
coordinate system is computed in such a way that if the
RST vectors are described in the element coordinate
system, then this produces a 3 by 3 positive, definite,
symmetric matrix.)

G7 T

G6

G8 G5 R
S Centroid

Centroid
G3

G4
G1 G2

7.9-5
 CHEXA (Cont.)

Properties

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PSOLID PID MID CORDM IN STRESS ISOP FCTN

PSOLID 2 100 6 TWO GRID REDUCED

Field Contents

PID Property identification number. (Integer>0)

MID Identification number of a MAT1, MAT4, MAT5, MAT9, or

Mat10 entry. (Integer>0)

CORDM Identification number of material coordinate system. See

Rmearks 3. and 4. (Integer; Default = 0, which is the basic
coordinate system; see Remark3)

IN Integration network. See Remarks 5, 6, 7., and 9..(integer,

Character, or blank)

STRESS Location selection for stress output. See Remarks 8 and

9.(Integer, Character, or blank)

ISOP Integration shceme. See Remarks 5, 6, 7, and 9. (Integer,

Character, or blank)

FCTN Fluid element flag. (Character: "PFLUID" inticates a fluid

element, "SMECH" indicates a structural element;
Default="SMECH.")

7.9-6
 CHEXA (Cont.)

Properties

Remarks:
1. PSOLID entries should have unique identification numbers with re-
spect to all other property entries.
2. Istropic (MAT1 or MAT4), anisotropic (MAT5 or MAT9), or fluid
(MAT10) material properties may be referenced. If FCTN=
"PFLUID", then MID must reference a MAT10 entry.
3. See the CHEXA, CPENTA, or CTETRA entry for the defintion of the
element coordinate system. The material coordinate system
(CORDM) may be the basic system (0 or blank), any defined
system (Integer>0), or the element coordinate system (-1). The
default value for CORDM is zero unless it is overridden by the
NASTRAN statement with the CORDM keyword. See Chaper 1 of
the MSC/NASTRAN Quick Reference Guide.
4. If MID reference a MAT9 entry, then CORDM defines the material
property coordinate system for Gij on the MAT9 entry. CORDM is
ignored in the stress output labeled "NONLINEAR STRESS" where
only the element coordinate system is used.
5. For CHEXA and CPENTA elements with mo midside nodes,
reduced shear integration with buble funciotns (ISOP=blank or
"REDUCED" and IN=blank or "BUBBLE") is the default. This is
recommended because it minimizes shear locking and Poisson’s
ratio locking and does not cause modes of deformation that lead to
no strain energy. The effects of using nondefault values are as
follows:
a. In="THREE" or 3 produces an overly stiff element
b. If IN="TWO" or 2 and the element has midside nodes,
modes of deformation may occur that lead to no strain
energy.
c. Standard isoparametric itegration (ISOP="FULL" or 1 and
IN="TWO" or 2; or "THREE" or 3) produces an element
overly stiff in shear. This type of integration is more suited
to nonstructural problems.

7.9-7
 CHEXA (Cont.)

Properties

6. IN="BUBBLE" is not allowed for CTETRA elements or for CHEXA

and CPENTA elements with midside nodes.
7. For CTETRA and fluid elements (FCTM="PFLUID"), standard
isoparametric integration (ISOP="FULL" or 1 and IN="TWO" or 2; or
"THREE" or 3) is the default and the only option available.
8. Stress output may be requested at the Gauss points
(STRESS="GAUSS" or 1) of CHEXA and CPENTA elements with
no midside nodes. Gauss point output is available for the CTETRA
element with or without midside nodes.
9. The following tables indicate the allowed options and combination of
options. If a combination not found in the table is used, then a
warning message will be issued and default values will be assigned
for all options.
10. The gauss point locations for the solid elements are documented in
Section 15.3 of the MSC/NASTRAN Reference Manual.

7.9-8
 CHEXA (Cont.)

Properties

Table 1. CHEXA Entry Options.

CHEXA Integration IN STRESS ISOP Nonlinear
(Default: (Default: See Remarks 5 Capability
GRID) and 7.)

BUBBLE or
2x2x2 Reduced
Shear with Bubble Bland or 0
(default)
Function (default)
Blank or REDUCED
Blank or GRID (Default*)
2x2x2 Reduced or Yes
Shear Only GAUSS or 1
TWO or 2

8 Node 2x2x2 Standard

FULL or 1
Isoparametric

2x2x2 Reduced
Blank or REDUCED
Shear Only
THREE or Blank or GRID No
3
2x2x2 Standard
FULL or 1
Isoparametric

2x2x2 Reduced
Blank or REDUCED
Shear Only
TWO or 2
2x2x2 Standard
FULL or 1
9-20 Isoparametric Blank or GRID No
NODE
3x3x3 Reduced
Shear Only Blank or REDUCED
Blank or (Default*)
(default)
THREE or
3
3x3x3 Standard (Default) FULL or 1
Isoparametric

Reduced (p-order)
0 or 1 0
Bubble

p-elements Bubble, P+ISOP Not No

1
Integration applicable -10 < ISOP < 10
_ _
No Bubble,
2 or 3
P+ISOP Integration

• REDUCED is the default only for structural elements (FCTN="SMECH")

7.9-9
 CHEXA (Cont.)

Interpretation of Element Output

• Stress output consists of the six components of stress measured

in the material coordinate system defined in the CORDM field of the
PSOLID entry (default=BASIC system).

• Additional output includes the magnitude and direction of the three

principal stresses, the mean pressure, and the octahedral stresses.

• These stresses are provided at the corner grid points and at the
center of each element.

See Section 5.4 of the MSC/NASTRAN Reference Manual and section

4.3 of the MSC/NASTRAN Linear Static Analysis User’s Guide for
more detailed information about solid elements.

7.9-10
 CHEXA (Cont.)

Example Input

z p

6711
6714
10.
6712 6701 6713 y
6704 10.
6702
6703
x
10.

E = 30.E+6 psi

ν = 0.3

p = 8. psi

7.9-11
 MSC/NASTRAN - CHEXA EXAMPLE INPUT MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 3
BASIC CLASS NOTES

S O R T E D B U L K D A T A E C H O

CARD
COUNT . 1 .. 2 .. 3 .. 4 .. 5 .. 6 .. 7 .. 8 .. 9 .. 10 .
1- CHEXA 6700 1 6701 6702 6703 6704 6711 6712 +CH1
2- +CH1 6713 6714
3- GRID 6701 0. 0. 0. 123456
4- GRID 6702 10. 0. 0. 23456
5- GRID 6703 10. 10. 0. 3456
6- GRID 6704 0. 10. 0. 3456
7- GRID 6711 0. 0. 10. 456

CHEXA (Cont.)
8- GRID 6712 10. 0. 10. 456
9- GRID 6713 10. 10. 10. 456
10- GRID 6714 0. 10. 10. 456
7.9-12

11- MAT1 1 30.E6 .3

12- PLOAD4 1 6700 8. 8. 8. 8. 6711 6713
13- PSOLID 1 1
ENDDATA

TOTAL COUNT= 14

*** USER INFORMATION MESSAGE 5293 FOR DATA BLOCK KLL

LOAD SEQ. NO. EPSILON EXTERNAL WORK EPSILONS LARGER THAN 0.001 ARE FLAGGED WITH ASTERISKS

1 1.3239410E-17 1.0666667E-03
 Example Output
MSC/NASTRAN - CHEXA EXAMPLE INPUT MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 6
BASIC CLASS NOTES

S T R E S S E S I N H E X A H E D R O N S O L I D E L E M E N T S ( H E X A )

CORNER ------CENTER AND CORNER POINT STRESSES-------- DIR. COSINES MEAN

ELEMENT-ID GRID-ID NORMAL SHEAR PRINCIPAL -A- -B- -C- PRESSURE VON MISES
6700 -1GRID CS 8 GP
CENTER X 1.665335E-16 XY 4.163336E-17 A -8.000000E+00 LX 0.00 0.0 0.0 2.666667E+00 8.000000E+00
Y 2.775558E-17 YZ 5.551115E-17 B 1.110223E-16 LY 0.00 0.0 0.0
Z -8.000000E+00 ZX 5.551115E-17 C 1.110223E-16 LZ 1.00 0.0 0.0

6701 X 3.747003E-16 XY 1.249001E-16 A -8.000000E+00 LX 0.00 0.0 0.0 2.666667E+00 8.000000E+00

CHEXA (Cont.)
Y 5.273559E-16 YZ 2.775558E-17 B 4.996004E-16 LY 0.00 0.0 0.0
Z -8.000000E+00 ZX 5.150794E-17 C 4.996004E-16 LZ 1.00 0.0 0.0

6702 X 3.122502E-16 XY 1.249001E-16 A -8.000000E+00 LX 0.00 0.0 0.0 2.666667E+00 8.000000E+00

Y -1.249001E-16 YZ 8.593553E-17 B 1.110223E-16 LY 0.00 0.0 0.0
7.9-13

Z -8.000000E+00 ZX 5.150794E-17 C 1.110223E-16 LZ 1.00 0.0 0.0

6703 X -2.775558E-17 XY 1.249001E-16 A -8.000000E+00 LX 0.00 0.0 0.0 2.666667E+00 8.000000E+00

Y -3.538836E-16 YZ 8.593553E-17 B -2.220446E-16 LY 0.00 0.0 0.0
Z -8.000000E+00 ZX 2.775558E-17 C -2.220446E-16 LZ 1.00 0.0 0.0

6704 X -8.326673E-17 XY 1.249001E-16 A -8.000000E+00 LX 0.00 0.0 0.0 2.666667E+00 8.000000E+00

Y 3.608225E-16 YZ 2.775558E-17 B 1.665335E-16 LY 0.00 0.0 0.0
Z -8.000000E+00 ZX 2.775558E-17 C 1.665335E-16 LZ 1.00 0.0 0.0

6711 X -4.163336E-17 XY -4.163336E-17 A -8.000000E+00 LX 0.00 0.0 0.0 2.666667E+00 8.000000E+00

Y -1.942890E-16 YZ 2.775558E-17 B -1.110223E-16 LY 0.00 0.0 0.0
Z -8.000000E+00 ZX 5.150794E-17 C -1.110223E-16 LZ 1.00 0.0 0.0

6712 X -6.938894E-18 XY -4.163336E-17 A -8.000000E+00 LX 0.00 0.0 0.0 2.666667E+00 8.000000E+00

Y 3.330669E-16 YZ 8.593553E-17 B 1.110223E-16 LY 0.00 0.0 0.0
Z -8.000000E+00 ZX 5.150794E-17 C 1.110223E-16 LZ 1.00 0.0 0.0

6713 X 3.053113E-16 XY -4.163336E-17 A -8.000000E+00 LX 0.00 0.0 0.0 2.666667E+00 8.000000E+00

Y 3.747003E-16 YZ 8.593553E-17 B 3.885781E-16 LY 0.00 0.0 0.0
Z -8.000000E+00 ZX 2.775558E-17 C 3.885781E-16 LZ 1.00 0.0 0.0

6714 X 8.326673E-17 XY -4.163336E-17 A -8.000000E+00 LX 0.00 0.0 0.0 2.666667E+00 8.000000E+00

Y -3.330669E-16 YZ 2.775558E-17 B -1.110223E-16 LY 0.00 0.0 0.0
Z -8.000000E+00 ZX 2.775558E-17 C -1.110223E-16 LZ 1.00 0.0 0.0
 CHEXA (Cont.)

Example Stress Calculations

For the output on the preceding page,

p = pressure = 8.0 psi

p = net force on element face = -80 lb/in2 (10 in x 10 in) = -800.0 lbs

Thus,
σz = principal stress = P= −8.0 psi

po = 1 1
mean pressure = – --- ( σ x + σ y + σ z ) = – --- ( – 8.0 ) = 2.667 psi
3 3

σν = von Mises stress

= 1 2 2 2 2 2 1⁄2
------- [ ( σ x – σ y ) + ( σ y – σ z ) + ( σ z – σ x ) + 6 τ yz + 6 τ xy ]
2

= 1 1⁄2
------- ( 64 + 64 ) = 8.000 psi
2

Note: von Mises stress is related to octahedral shear stress (τo)by

the following expression:

σ ν =  ------- τ o
3
 2

7.9-14
 MSC/NASTRAN LOADS

Summary of Static Loads in MSC/NASTRAN

Type of Load Bulk Data Entries

Forces Applied Directly to Grid Points FORCE, FORCE1, FORCE2

Moments Applied Directly to Grid Points MOMENT, MOMENT1, MOMENT2

Loads on Scalar Points SLOAD

Loads on Line Elements PLOAD1

Pressures and Tractions on Surfaces PLOAD, PLOAD2, PLOAD4,

PLOADX

Gravity GRAV (Plus Specification of Mass)

Centrifugal Force RFORCE (Plus Specification of

Mass)

Thermal Expansion TEMP, TEMPD, TEMPP1, TEMPP3,

TEMPRB (Plus Specification of
Thermal Expansion Coefficients)

Enforced Extensional Deformation of Line DEFORM

Elements (Except BEND)

Enforced Displacement at Grid Points SPCD, SPC

Linear Combination of Load Sets LOAD

7.10-1
 FORCE AND MOMENT ENTRIES

There are three different entries available for defining force input and
three entries available for defining moment input.

• The three FORCE entries differ only in the way the direction of the
force is specified.

• FORCE uses the components of a vector.

• FORCE1 uses two grid points, not necessarily the same as the
loaded grid points.

• FORCE2 defines the direction of the force as the direction of a

vector that is the vector product of two other vectors.

• The distinctions between the three MOMENT entries are similar to

the ones for the FORCE entries.

See Chapter 6 of the MSC/NASTRAN Linear Static Analysis User’s

Guide for detailed information on static loads available in
MSC/NASTRAN.

See Chapter 7 of the MSC/NASTRAN Reference Manual for detailed

information on all load types available in MSC/NASTRAN.

7.10-2
 EXAMPLE INPUT FOR FORCE AND
MOMENT ENTRIES

P2

1
x
2 P1 T1
P 1 = 2.4E+4, P 2 = 5000., T = 4.04E+4

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
FORCE SID G CID F N1 N2 N3

FORCE 10 2 5000. 0. -1. 0.

FORCE 10 2 24000. 1.

MOMENT SID G CID M N1 N2 N3

MOMENT 10 2 40000. 1.

Field Contents

SID Load set ID number

G Grid point ID number

CID Coordinate system ID number (integer ≥ 0 or blank,

default = 0, i.e., basic coordinate system)

F or M Scale factor (real)

N1,N2,N3 Components of vector measured in CID (real, must

have at least one nonzero component)

7.10-3
 EXAMPLE INPUT FOR FORCE AND
MOMENT ENTRIES (Cont.)

The static load applied to grid point G is given by

f = FN

m = MN

where N = ( N1 , N2 , N3 )

7.10-4
 DISTRIBUTED LOADS (PLOAD) IN MSC/NASTRAN
PLOAD Defines uniform pressure loads on triangular and
quadrilateral surfaces defined by grid points rather than
elements
PLOAD1 Defines concentrated loads and linearly distributed loads
on line elements
PLOAD2 Defines uniform pressure loads on surface elements
PLOAD4 Defines linearly varying pressure loads and tractions on
surfaces
PLOADX Defines linearly varying pressure loads on TRIAX6
elements

Bulk Data Entry

Element PLOAD1 PLOAD2 PLOAD4 PLOADX PLOAD

BAR X

BEAM X
BEND (Restricted)
QUAD4 X X X
QUAD8 X X
TRIA3 X X X
TRIA6 X X
SHEAR X X
HEXA X
PENTA X
TETRA X
TRIAX6 X

See pages 12-115 - 12-124 of the Handbook for Linear Analysis and
pages 2.4-255 - 2.4-264 of the MSC/NASTRAN User’s Manual for
detailed information about the PLOAD type entries.

7.10-5
 EXAMPLE INPUT FOR PLOAD1 ENTRY

Case 1 Uniform load over the full length of a beam element using
fractional (FR) scaling

YB

w = 15.0 (Force/Length)

1 2 XB
100

Length = 4.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PLOAD1 SID EID TYPE SCALE X1 P1 X2 P2

PLOAD1 1 100 FY FR 0.0 -15.0 1.0 -15.0

Field Contents
SID Load set ID number
EID Element ID number
TYPE Input load in the X, Y, or Z direction of basic coordinate
system (FX, FY, FZ, MX, MY, MZ) or input load in the X, Y, or
Z direction of element coordinate system (FXE, FYE, FZE,
MXE, MYE, MZE)
SCALE Defines X1 and X2 as actual (LE), fractional (FR), or projected
(LEPR), or fractional projections(FRPR) of distances along
the element axis
X1,X2 Distance along the element axis from End A to location of
_
load (X2 may be blank or real, X2 > X1 >_ 0)

P1,P2 Load factors at positions X1, X2 (real or blank)

7.10-6
 EXAMPLE INPUT FOR PLOAD1 ENTRY (Cont.)

Case 2 Linearly varying load applied to the interior region of a

beam element using length (LE) scaling

YB w2 = 20.0
w1 = 8.0

1 2 XB
100

1.0 2.0 1.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PLOAD1 SID EID TYPE SCALE X1 P1 X2 P2

PLOAD1 1 100 FY LE 1.0 -8.0 3.0 -20.0

7.10-7
 EXAMPLE INPUT FOR PLOAD1 ENTRY (Cont.)

Case 3 Concentrated load applied at an interior point of a beam

element using fractional scaling.

YB
P = 1000.

1 2 XB
100

2.0 2.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PLOAD1 SID EID TYPE SCALE X1 P1 X2 P2

PLOAD1 1 100 FY FR .5 -1000.

Note: If possible, use a FORCE entry rather than a PLOAD1 entry to

apply a concentrated force directly to a grid point.

7.10-8
 EXAMPLE INPUT FOR PLOAD1 ENTRY (Cont.)

Case 4 Snow load projected onto inclined roof using length

scaling

50.0 lbs/in. of Projection Snow

YB

144”

XB 100

R1 100” R2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PLOAD1 SID EID TYPE SCALE X1 P1 X2 P2

PLOAD1 1 100 FY LEPR 0.0 -50. 144. -50.

Note: R1 = R2 = (50. x 100.)/2 = 2500. lb

Ask yourself, “What is the total applied load in the YB direction?”

7.10-9
 EXAMPLE INPUT FOR PLOAD4 ENTRY

q = 10.

11
14
12 13
1 4
2 3

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PLOAD SID EID P1 P2 P3 P4 G1 G3 or G4

CID N1 N2 N3

PLOAD4 10 100 10. 11 13

Field Contents

SID Load set ID number

EID Element ID number

P1,P2,P3,P4 Value of pressure at the corners of the element

face (P1 = default for P2,P3,P4)

7.10-10
 EXAMPLE INPUT FOR PLOAD4 ENTRY (Cont.)

Field Contents

G1 Grid ID of one corner of the pressure surface

G3 Grid ID of a corner diagonally opposite G1 on the pressure

face. (G1,G3 required for solid elements only)

Note: Pressure is assumed to act normal to the defined element

face unless the continuation entry is defined. Default positive
pressure acts inward on solid elements.

7.10-11
 GRAV ENTRY

• The GRAV entry is used to define the direction and magnitude of a

uniform linear (gravity) acceleration vector in any defined
coordinate system.

• The GRAV entry may be used to apply accelerations to a model.

• The resulting load is computed by using the gravity vector and

mass matrix.

• Cannot be used at scalar points

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
GRAV SID CID G N1 N2 N3

GRAV 14 13.0 1.0 2.0

Field Contents

SID Set identification number (integer > 0)

CID Coordinate system identification number (integer ≥ 0)

G Gravity vector scale factor (real)

N1,N2,N3 At least one nonzero component, gravity vector

components (real)

7.10-12
 GRAV ENTRY (Cont.)

Remarks

1. Gravity vector g = g ( N1, N2 , N3 )

2. SID must be a unique static loading set id

3. When used in combination with other types of applied loads,

GRAV must be combined with these loads on a LOAD entry.

7.10-13
 THERMAL EFFECTS

• Several temperature definition entries are available for including

thermal effects in an analysis. Selection of the appropriate entry is
based on the component the temperature will be applied to.

• Use TEMP, TEMPD for grid points.

• Use TEMPRB for ROD, BAR, BEAM, BEND, CONROD, TUBE.

• Use TEMPP1, 3 for 2-D plates.

• For the thermal effects defined on any of these temperature entries

to be included in the analysis, the user must define the reference
temperature (TREF) and coefficient of thermal expansion (α) on the
material entries. Also, the Case Control request TEMP=SID must
be included.

• If thermal effects are requested, all elements must have a

temperature field defined. If only a portion of the model requires
thermal effects, the remaining portion can:

• Reference a material entry having the same material properties, a

different MID, and α = 0.0

• Reference a material entry having the same material properties, a

different MID, and TREF = the applied temperature (i.e., ∆T = 0)

See pages 12-160 - 12-167 of the MSC/NASTRAN Handbook for

Linear Analysis and the MSC/NASTRAN User’s Manual for detailed
information about each temperature entry.

7.10-14
 EXAMPLE OF APPLYING THERMAL EFFECTS

Thermal loads may be used to represent preloading of elements in

MSC/NASTRAN because a PRELOAD entry does not exist.

Problem: Simulate a 200 lb. pretension in a straight cable

Given: E = 1.73E9 psf

α = 6.56E-6 ft/ft deg F
Acable = 6.42E-5 ft2

Solution: Calculate the temperature (∆T) to apply to the model to

yield 200 lb. tensile forces in the elements
representing the cable.

It is known that the effect of temperature on length is

∆L = α ( ∆T )L (1)

∆L σ
Substituting ε = ------- = ---- into Equation 1 gives
L E

σ
-------- = ∆T (2)
Eα

Solve Equation 2 for ∆T using the given values

200 ⁄ ( 6.42E6 ) o
∆T = ------------------------------------------------ = 275 F (3)
( 1.73E9 ) ( 6.56E6 )

7.10-15
EXAMPLE OF APPLYING THERMAL EFFECTS (Cont.)

MSC/NASTRAN Input

Required Bulk Data entries are:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
TEMPRB SID EID1 TA TB
TEMPRB 400 100 -275. -275.

Notice the cable is contracted to result in a

preloaded tensile condition.

(Using TEMPRB assumes that the cable is modeled by a ROD, BAR,

BEAM, CONROD, or TUBE element.)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
MAT1 MID E G NU RHO ALPHA TREF GE

MAT1 1000 1.728E9 0.3 6.56E-6 0.

Required Case Control command: TEMP(LOAD) = 400

Notice the cable is contracted to result

in a preloaded tensile condition.

7.10-16
EXAMPLE OF APPLYING THERMAL EFFECTS (Cont.)

Verification of Results

Run a single load case applying only the thermal load. Check the
element forces (use Case Control request ELFORCE) to verify a 200
lb. tensile axial load.

7.10-17
 LOAD ENTRY

• Defines a static load as a linear combination of load sets

consisting of:

• Direct grid point loads

• Pressures

• Element dependent loads

• Gravity loads (mandatory if gravity loads are used in combination

with other types of applied loads)

Selected with Case Control request LOAD=SID

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
LOAD SID S S1 L1 S2 L2 S3 L3

LOAD 16 1.0 2.0 11 1.0 13 0.5 15

LOAD = [ S ( S1 ⋅ L1 ) + ( S2 ⋅ L2 ) + ( S3 ⋅ L3 ) ] . . .

where L1, L2, L3 = LOAD set identifiers

S1, S1, S3 = load factors for each LOAD case

S = overall LOAD factor

See page 12-77 of the MSC/NASTRAN Handbook for Linear Analysis

and the MSC/NASTRAN User’s Manual for more information about
the LOAD entry.

7.10-18
 THE LOAD REQUEST TREE

Case Control LOAD = SID1 TEMP(LOAD) = SID2 DEFORM = SID3

LOADS Bulk
Data
Entries
SID = SID1 SID ≠ SID1 SID = SID2 SID = SID3

DEFORMS
FORCE TEMP
FORCE1 TEMPD
FORCE2 TEMPP1
MEMENT TEMPP3
Bulk TEMPRB
Data MOMENT1 Bulk
Entries MOMENT2 Data
PLOAD Entries
PLOAD2 Notes: 1. A LOAD Bulk Data entry com-
PLOAD4 bines FORCE, MOMENT, etc.,
PLOADX entries with different SIDs.
RFORCE
SLOAD 2. SID1, SID2, and SID3 must be
different numbers.
GRAV
SPCD
GRAV entry cannot have the same SID as other loads.
Thus, a LOAD Bulk Data entry is required to combine
gravity force with other loads.

An SPCD entry cannot be the only requested load. Thus, if the user desires
to enforce displacements only, he must also request a legally filled out FORCE,
MOMENT, etc., entry with zero or small magnitude and the same SID as the
SPCD entry.

7.10-19
7.10-20
 SECTION 8

INTERMEDIATE MODELING PRACTICES

SET NOTATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.1-1

MULTIPOINT CONSTRAINTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.1-2

R-TYPE (CONSTRAINT) ELEMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.1-5

SINGULARITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.1-6

PARAM, AUTOSPC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.1-7

STRUCTURAL SYMMETRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.2-1

MESH TRANSITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.2-8

TYPES OF PLATE ELEMENT DISTORTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.2-10

CYLINDRICAL AND CIRCULAR ELEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.2-12

MODEL DEBUGGING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.3-1

 SET NOTATIONS 8

Displacement Sets

Consider all grid point and scalar point degrees of freedom in a finite
element model as the members of a single displacement set. This
global set is called the g-set; the displacement set is known as ug.

The mathematical expression for the static equilibrium of a finite

element model is

[ K gg ] { u g } = { P g }

[Kgg] must be nonsingular in order to solve this equation. To achieve

a nonsingular stiffness matrix, the user can specify the independent
subsets of {ug} to be partitioned out during matrix reduction.

For example:

um Degrees of freedom eliminated by multipoint constraints

us Degrees of freedom eliminated by single-point constraints

Elimination of the M and S sets results in the F (free) set, which is

typically solved to obtain the unknown displacements,

[ k ff ] { u f } = { P f }

For a thorough discussion of constraint and partitioned displacement

sets, see Section 1.4 of the MSC/NASTRAN User’s Manual or
Section 2.5.1 of the MSC/NASTRAN Handbook for Linear Analysis.

8.1-1
 MULTIPOINT CONSTRAINTS

A multipoint constraint (MPC) is a user-imposed linear equation that

relates displacement degrees of freedom.

MPCs are useful to

• Define the relative motion between two or more grid points as a

degree of freedom

• Join dissimilar elements; for example, to join elements with

rotational degrees of freedom to elements which have only
translational degrees of freedom (e.g., to join shell elements to
solid elements)

• Distribute loads to several points in a structure

• Model rigid connections between grid points

8.1-2
 MULTIPOINT CONSTRAINTS (Cont.)

The MPC equation is written in the form

∑ Aj uj = 0
j

where A = constraint coefficient

u = displacement degree of freedom

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
MPC SID G C A G C A +MPC1

+MPC1 G C A G C A +MPC2

Field Contents

SID Set ID, selected in Case Control as (MPC=SID)

G ID of grid or scalar point (global coordinate systems)

C DOF component number (1-6)

A Constraint coefficient

The first component (C) defined in the equation is considered to be

the dependent coordinate and is placed in the Um set. This
component cannot belong to any other subset of ug.

8.1-3
 MULTIPOINT CONSTRAINTS (Cont.)

RELATIVE MOTION

It is desired to display the relative motion u101 - u102 as an output.

This is done by defining a new scalar point u103 = u101 - u102 and
using an MPC Bulk Data entry.

u102 u101

u103 − u101 + u102 = 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SPOINT ID ID ID ID ID ID ID ID

SPOINT 103

MPC SID G C A G C A

MPC 3 103 0 1. 101 1 -1.

G C A

102 1 1.

8.1-4
 R-TYPE (CONSTRAINT) ELEMENTS

MSC/NASTRAN contains several commonly used MPC relationships

defined in the form of various R-type elements. To avoid possible
errors, it is strongly recommended that the user who is unfamiliar
with writing MPC equations use rigid elements whenever possible.

Unlike MPCs, R-type elements are not selected in the Case Control.
They are defined only in the Bulk Data on the following entries:

Name Description
RROD A pin-ended rod that is rigid in extension

RBAR Rigid bar with six degrees of freedom at each end

RTRPLT Rigid triangular plate with six degrees of freedom at each

vertex

RBE1 A rigid body connected to an arbitrary number of grid

points

RBE2 A rigid body connected to an arbitrary number of grid

points

RBE3 Defines a constraint relation in which the motion at a

“reference” grid point is the weighted average of the
motions at other grid points

RSPLINE Defines a constraint relation whose coefficients are

derived from the deflections and slopes of a flexible
tubular beam connected to the referenced grid points

RSSCON Used to connect plate elements to solid elements

See Section 2.10 of the MSC/NASTRAN Application Manual for 10

examples that use rigid elements and two examples that use MPCs.

8.1-5
 SINGULARITIES

A singularity is caused by a degree of freedom lacking any structural

stiffness. Some examples of singularities are

Plate Elements - Rotation normal to plate

Nonsupported Weakly Supported

4 3
2
1

1 2

To remove the singularity, To remove the singularity, use

use SPC entries or PARAM,K6ROT,10000. to
PARAM,AUTOSPC,YES. couple these weakly-supported
DOFs.

8.1-6
 PARAM, AUTOSPC

When PARAM,AUTOSPC,YES is included, the following table is

generated by MSC/NASTRAN:

G R I D P O I N T S I N G U L A R I T Y T A B L E

POINT TYPE FAILED STIFFNESS OLD USET NEW USET

ID DIRECTION RATIO EXCLUSIVE UNION EXCLUSIVE UNION

1 G 6 0.00E+00 B F SB SB

2 G 6 0.00E+00 B F SB SB

3 G 6 0.00E+00 B F SB SB

4 G 6 0.00E+00 B F SB SB

Default stiffness USET membership is

ratio = 1.0E-8 changed only if
PARAM,AUTOSPC,YES
is included in Bulk Data
Section

8.1-7
8.1-8
 STRUCTURAL SYMMETRY

Reflective symmetry can often be employed in the modeling process

to reduce the cost of the analysis.

z, θz

y, θy
x, θx
z, θz

y, θy

x, θx
Reflected
Coordinate Right-hand
System Coordinate
System
Note: Kright = Krefl
Mright = Mrefl
etc.

• Symmetric boundary constraints for

coordinate system shown:

ux = 0 , θy = 0 , θz = 0

• Antisymmetric boundary constraints

for coordinate system shown:

uy = 0 , uz = 0 , θx = 0

8.2-1
 STRUCTURAL SYMMETRY (Cont.)

The following example demonstrates the use of symmetic modeling

techniques to analyze the frame.

Full Model

5000 lb

2 4
C B
3 A

1 5

8.2-2
 STRUCTURAL SYMMETRY (Cont.)

Symmetric Model

SYM 1

2500 lb P P
2 2

2 3

SPC DOF 1,5,6

at Grid Point 3
for symmetry
1

8.2-3
 STRUCTURAL SYMMETRY (Cont.)

SYM 2

Displaced Shape
2500 lb

P P
2 3 2 2

SPC DOF 2,3,4 at

grid point 3 for
antisymmetry
1

8.2-4
 STRUCTURAL SYMMETRY (Cont.)

MSC/NASTRAN Input File

ID SYM,EX
TIME 5
SOL 24
CEND
$
TITLE =EXAMPLE OF USING SYMMETRY/ANTISYMMETRY CONSTRAINTS
DISP = ALL
$
SYM 1
LABEL = SYMMETRY CONSTRAINTS
SPC = 1
LOAD = 1
$
SYM 2
LABEL = ANTISYMMETRY CONSTRAINTS
SPC = 2
LOAD = 1
$
SYMCOM 3
LABEL = LEFT SIDE OF MODEL
SYMSEQ 1.0, 1.0
$
SYMCOM 4
LABEL = RIGHT SIDE OF MODEL
SYMSEQ 1.0, -1.0
$
BEGIN BULK
$
GRID 1 0.0 0.0 0.0 123456
GRID 2 0.0 10.0 0.0 345
GRID 3 5.0 10.0 0.0 34
$
CBAR 1 100 1 2 -1.0 0.0 0.0
CBAR 2 100 2 3 0.0 1.0 0.0
PBAR 100 1 5.0 5.0 5.0
$
MAT1 1 3.E+7 0.3
$
FORCE 1 2 2500. 0.0 -1.0 0.0
$
SPC1 1 156 3
SPC1 2 2 3
$
ENDDATA

8.2-5
 STRUCTURAL SYMMETRY (Cont.)

SYMCOM 3 results in the displaced shape of the left side of the

model.

C
A

+ =

SYM 1 + SYM 2 = SYMCOM 3

SYMCOM 4 results in the displaced shape of the right side of the

model.

B C

- =

SYM 1 - SYM 2 = SYMCOM 4

8.2-6
 STRUCTURAL SYMMETRY (Cont.)

The output for SYMCOM3 and SYMCOM 4 represent the full model.

C B
A

8.2-7
 MESH TRANSITIONS

Mesh transitions are most frequently needed to transition between a

fine mesh in areas of stress concentrations to a coarser mesh away
from these areas.

All mesh transitions sacrifice some degree of accuracy in the model.

Some examples of mesh transitions are:

Belt of Triangular Elements

Disadvantage: Triangular elements

are stiffer than CQUAD4 elements.

8.2-8
 MESHTRANSITIONS(Cont.)

Higher-Order Elements with Deleted Mid-Side Nodes

Disadvantage: A CQUAD8 without

midside nodes severely distorts the
stress distribution in the elements
Q4 Q4
adjacent to the change in mesh size
(particularly bad for membrane
Q8 Q8 Q4
action, not recommended in
Q4 Q4 Q4 Q4 general).
Q8 Q4
Q4
Q4
Q8 Q4

Spline Interpolation

Disadvantage: Potential errors in

the specification of the RSPLINE
dependent and independent
degrees of freedom. Output for
RSPLINE element cannot be
recovered.

Independent Points
Dependent Points

RSPLINE

8.2-9
 TYPES OF PLATE ELEMENT DISTORTION

• Aspect ratio a
< 4:1 *
b b

Aspect ratio should be less than about 4:1 (much less in regions
where stress levels change rapidly). In cases of nearly-uniaxial
stress fields, larger aspect ratios are acceptable.

• Skew Angle < 20 - 30° *

Quadrilateral elements should be kept as square as possible.

• Taper (2 directions) Angles < 20 - 30°*

* Acceptable in most applications

8.2-10
 TYPES OF PLATE ELEMENT DISTORTION (Cont.)

h
a
h
• Warp

Up to ~ 5% is normally acceptable. No real limit, but the element

does not include warpage.

8.2-11
 CYLINDRICAL AND CIRCULAR ELEMENTS

Elements forming cylindrical surfaces

β<15° for QUAD4

β<30° for QUAD8

Elements around a cutout

15° arc or less

When analyzing plates and shells, be sure to provide a sufficient

number of elements across the span to follow the deflection surface
and the changes in shear. Remember that the analysis replaces the
uniform pressure over the element area by a set of equivalent point
loads applied at the grids.

8.2-12
 MODEL DEBUGGING

Structural plots are useful primarily to visually verify model geometry.

Other tools must be employed to assess the numerical accuracy of a
finite element model. These tools include automatic error checks
performed by MSC/NASTRAN and user-supplied diagnostic requests
in the form of DIAG, PARAM,DMAP Alters, and Case Control requests.

MSC/NASTRAN performs numerous error checks during an analysis

to ensure that all input data is in a proper and usable format. If an
error is detected during data processing, an error message is
generated. If the error is fatal, the analysis terminates. Following is
an example of a fatal error message and ways to determine the cause
of error.

3 13
100 lb

2 12

1 11

Analyze this frame for the 100 lb force. Determine displacements at

all grid points.

8.3-1
 N A S T R A N E X E C U T I V E C O N T R O L D E C K E C H O

ID ERROR,EX
SOL 101
CEND

MODEL DEBUGGING (Cont.)

*** USER WARNING MESSAGE 4519, A TIME CARD IS MISSING. DEFAULT TIME LIMIT IS ONE MINUTE.

C A S E C O N T R O L D E C K E C H O

CARD
8.3-2

COUNT

1 TITLE= EXAMPLE OF ERROR MESSAGE UTILIZATION

2 DISP=ALL
3 STRESS=ALL
4 SPCF=ALL
5 LOAD=200
6 BEGIN BULK
INPUT BULK DATA CARD COUNT = 19

S O R T E D B U L K D A T A E C H O

CARD
COUNT . 1 .. 2 .. 3 .. 4 .. 5 .. 6 .. 7 .. 8 .. 9 .. 10 .
1- CBAR 1 10 1 2 0. 1. 0.
 2- CBAR 2 10 2 3 0. 1. 0.
3- CBAR 5 10 2 12 0. 1. 0.
4- CBAR 6 10 3 13 0. 1. 0.
5- CBAR 11 10 11 12 0. 1. 0.
6- CBAR 12 10 12 13 0. 1. 0.
7- FORCE 200 3 100. 1. 0. 0.
8- GRID 1 0. 0. 0. 123456
9- GRID 2 0. 10. 0.
10- GRID 3 0. 20. 0.
11- GRID 11 10. 0. 0. 123456
12- GRID 12 10. 10. 0.
13- GRID 13 10. 20. 0.
14- MAT1 10 10.5E6 0.3
15- PBAR 10 10 .25
8.3-3

ENDDATA

TOTAL COUNT= 16

*** USER FATAL MESSAGE 2026,ELEMENT 1 GEOMETRY YIELDS UNREASONABLE MATRIX

*** USER FATAL MESSAGE 2026,ELEMENT 1 GEOMETRY YIELDS UNREASONABLE MATRIX
*** USER FATAL MESSAGE 2026,ELEMENT 2 GEOMETRY YIELDS UNREASONABLE MATRIX
*** USER FATAL MESSAGE 2026,ELEMENT 2 GEOMETRY YIELDS UNREASONABLE MATRIX
*** USER FATAL MESSAGE 2026,ELEMENT 11 GEOMETRY YIELDS UNREASONABLE MATRIX
*** USER FATAL MESSAGE 2026,ELEMENT 11 GEOMETRY YIELDS UNREASONABLE MATRIX
*** USER FATAL MESSAGE 2026,ELEMENT 12 GEOMETRY YIELDS UNREASONABLE MATRIX
*** USER FATAL MESSAGE 2026,ELEMENT 12 GEOMETRY YIELDS UNREASONABLE MATRIX

FATAL ERROR

* * * END OF JOB * * *
 MODEL DEBUGGING (Cont.)

If it is not obvious what caused the error, then look into section 16.2
((Numbered Diagnostic Messages) of the Reference Manual) to
determine the cause. The description of User Fatal Message 2026,
follows:

2026 *** USER FATAL MESSAGE 2026, ELEMENT **** GEOMETRY

OR MATERIAL PROPERTY YIELDS UNREASONABLE
MATRIX.

Referenced element geometry and/or properties yield a

numerical result which causes an element stiffness or
mass matrix to be undefined. Possible causes include,
but are not limited to. (1) the length of rod or bar is zero
because the end points have the same coordinates, (2) the
sides of a triangle or quadrilateral are collinear which
leads to a zero cross product in defining an element
coordinate system, (3) the bar orientation vector is
parallel to the bar axis, or (4) a shear panel has zero
thickness or modulus. Check GRID Bulk Data entries
defining element end points for bad data.

Item (3) listed here is the cause of this error. If this message did not
provide enough explanation, the user should also check the .F04 file
to determine at what point during data processing the analysis
terminated.

8.3-4
 MODEL DEBUGGING (Cont.)

M S C / N A S T R A N V A X E X E C U T I O N S U M M A R Y

DAY TIME ELAPSED I/O MB DEL_MB CPU SEC DEL_CPU SUB_DMAP/DMAP_MODULE MESSAGES

20:03:23 0:09 9.3 0.3 4.8 0.2 SESTATIC 16 SUPER1 BEGN

20:03:23 0:09 9.4 0.0 4.9 0.1 SUPER1 16 IFPL BEGN
20:03:23 0:09 9.4 0.0 4.9 0.0 IFPL 15 IFP1 BEGN
20:03:23 0:09 9.4 0.0 4.9 0.1 IFPL 22 XSORT BEGN
**** LINK 2****
20:03:27 0:13 9.4 0.0 7.0 2.0 IFPL 24 IFP BEGN
20:03:27 0:13 9.4 0.0 7.0 0.0 IFP
20:03:29 0:15 9.4 0.0 8.6 1.6 IFPL 25 MODEPT BEGN
**** LINK 10****
20:03:29 0:15 9.4 0.0 8.6 0.0 IFPL 26 PVT BEGN
20:03:29 0:15 9.4 0.0 8.7 0.1 IFPL 32 XEQUIV BEGN
20:03:29 0:15 9.6 0.1 8.8 0.1 IFPL 33 XEQUIV BEGN
20:03:29 0:15 9.6 0.0 8.8 0.0 IFPL 34 XEQUIV BEGN
20:03:29 0:15 9.6 0.0 8.8 0.0 IFPL 35 XEQUIV BEGN
20:03:29 0:15 9.7 0.1 8.9 0.1 IFPL 36 XEQUIV BEGN *
20:03:29 0:15 9.8 0.1 9.0 0.1 IFPL 37 XEQUIV BEGN *
20:03:29 0:15 9.8 0.0 9.0 0.0 IFPL 38 XEQUIV BEGN
20:03:29 0:15 9.8 0.0 9.0 0.0 IFPL 39 XEQUIV BEGN
20:03:29 0:15 9.8 0.0 9.0 0.0 IFPL 41 XEQUIV BEGN
20:03:29 0:15 10.0 0.1 9.1 0.1 IFPL 42 XEQUIV BEGN *
20:03:29 0:15 10.1 0.1 9.2 0.1 IFPL 43 XEQUIV BEGN *
20:03:29 0:15 10.2 0.1 9.3 0.1 IFPL 45 XEQUIV BEGN *
20:03:29 0:15 10.3 0.1 9.4 0.1 IFPL 46 XEQUIV BEGN *
20:03:29 0:15 10.3 0.0 9.4 0.0 IFPL 58 PVT BEGN
**** LINK 2****
20:03:29 0:15 10.3 0.0 9.4 0.1 IFPL 71 DELETE BEGN
20:03:29 0:15 10.3 0.0 9.4 0.0 IFPL 72 RESTART BEGN
20:03:29 0:15 10.3 0.0 9.4 0.0 IFPL 97 SEQP BEGN
20:03:34 0:20 10.5 0.1# 12.1 2.6# IFPL 97 SEQP END
20:03:34 0:20 10.5 0.0 12.1 0.0 SUPER1 28 PHASE0 BEGN
**** LINK 10****
20:03:34 0:20 10.5 0.0 12.1 0.0 PHASE0 26 DTIIN BEGN
**** LINK 2****
20:03:34 0:20 10.5 0.0 12.1 0.0 PHASE0 27 GP1 BEGN
**** LINK 8****
20:03:35 0:21 10.6 0.0 12.4 0.3 PHASE0 30 SEP1 BEGN
**** LINK 10****

8.3-5
 MODEL DEBUGGING (Cont.)

Always perform independent hand checks to verify the accuracy of

the results.

Other potential pitfalls for new users include:

• First time use of a new capability - always make a small test model.
See Section 2.0 and 5.0 of the MSC/NASTRAN Application Manual
for examples, guidance, and background.

• Use consistent units.

• Always use unique IDs - MSC/NASTRAN sometimes allows for

duplicate element IDs but not always. Duplicates can and do lead
to problems especially in data recovery.

8.3-6
 SECTION 9

PARAMETERS

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1

PARAMETERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2

PRINTOUT GENERATED BY PARAM,PROUT,1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4

PRINTOUT GENERATED BY PARAM,GPECT,1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5

PRINTOUT GENERATED BY PARAM,EST,1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6

9
 INTRODUCTION 10

• Several predefined options are available in MSC/NASTRAN to

facilitate minor modifications to the standard program flow for any
given solution. The interface to these options is primarily in the
form of parameters.

• Parameters are used for requesting special features and inputting

data pertaining to these features. Parameters can have significant
effects on the solution in certain applications.

• DMAP alters allow you to perform operations that are not a part of
the normal solution flow. A library of DMAP Alters is delivered with
MSC/NASTRAN under the same ssalter. See the MSC/NASTRAN
Common Questions and Answers for information on these alters
and how to use them.

9-1
 PARAMETERS

• If PARAM entries are used, they may be placed in either the Case
Control or the Bulk Data section

• Parameters may apear in the Case Control Section and Bulk Data
Section in the unstructured and structured solutions.

• Some parameters frequently used are:

PARAM,AUTOSPC,YES Constrains obvious singularities in the

stiffness matrix (default = YES in most
solutions. This is the recommended
value.)

PARAM,GRDPNT,i Executes the grid point weight

generator with respect to grid point i.
Output includes rigid body mass
matrix, principal masses and
associated centers of gravity, and
inertia matrix l. (default = -1, which
means do not perform this operation.
Recommended value = 0 or a user-
selected GRIDid)

PARAM,NOGPF,1 Controls printout of grid point force

balance when GPFORCE is requested
in the Case Control (default = 1, print
as requested. A value of -1 willl
prevent the printout of the GPFORCE
output, althought it will be available
for post-processors.)

9-2
 PARAMETERS (Cont.)

PARAM,CHECKOUT,YES Performs limited model checkout but

does not perform the solution phase
of the analysis (structured solutions
only).

PARAM,POST,-1 Generates files containing the results

for MSC/PATRAN. or other programs.
(Default = 1 = do not create results
files, -1 = create .op2 file for
MSC/PATRAN, 0 = create .xdb file for
MSC/PATRAN).

PARAM,WTMASS,X.X Multiplies terms of the mass matrix by

X. Commonly used to change weight
density to mass density. Often input
is created in weight units (English
units = pounds). In this case, these
values must be converted into mass
units for the program. PARAM,
WTMASS is the scaling factor to do
this. If used, it is usually 1.0 divided
by the acceleration of gravity.

See Section 6 of the MSC/NASTRAN Quick Reference Guide for detailed

descriptions of all parameters and their applicable solution sequences.

9-3
 PRINTOUT GENERATED BY PARAM,PROUT,1
CANTILEVER BEAM MODELED WITH CHEXA 8-NODE ELEMENTS
ILLUSTRATE USE OF RF24D32 FOR INPUT VERIFICATION

USE PARAMETERS TO MAXIMIZE THE USE OF THIS RFALTER

THERE ARE 6 HEXA ELEMENTS. FIRST EID = 1 LAST EID = 6

ELEMENTS LISTED IN NUMERICAL ORDER

ID TYPE ID TYPE ID TYPE ID TYPE ID TYPE
1 HEXA 2 HEXA 3 HEXA 4 HEXA 5 HEXA
6 HEXA

Note: This is useful for checkout of large models.

9-4
 PRINTOUT GENERATED BY PARAM,GPECT,1
CANTILEVER BEAM MODELED WITH CHEXA 8-NODE ELEMENTS
ILLUSTRATE USE OF RF24D32 FOR INPUT VERIFICATION

USE PARAMETERS TO MAXIMIZE THE USE OF THIS RFALTER

GRID POINT CONNECTED ELEMENTS CONNECTED ELEMENTS CONNECTED ELEMENTS CONNECTED ELEMENTS CONNECTED ELEMENTS
ID TYPE ID TYPE ID TYPE ID TYPE ID TYPE

1 1 HEXA

2 1 HEXA 2 HEXA

3 2 HEXA 3 HEXA
9-5

4 3 HEXA 4 HEXA

5 4 HEXA 5 HEXA

6 5 HEXA 6 HEXA

7 6 HEXA

11 1 HEXA

12 1 HEXA 2 HEXA

13 2 HEXA 3 HEXA

14 3 HEXA 4 HEXA

15 4 HEXA 5 HEXA

16 5 HEXA 6 HEXA

17 6 HEXA
 ELEMENT TYPE = HEXA

PRINTOUT GENERATED BY PARAM,EST,1

ELEMENT ID VOLUME ELEMENT ID VOLUME ELEMENT ID VOLUME ELEMENT ID VOLUME ELEMENT ID VOLUME ELEMENT ID VOLUME
1 .02 2 .02 3 .02 4 .02 5 .02 6 .02

*** USER WARNING MESSAGE 3103, EMGCOR OF EMG MODULE FINDS EITHER OF DATA BLOCKS 201 OR 202 ABSENT AND THUS
STIF. MATRIX WILL NOT BE FORMED.
9-6
 SECTION 10

NATURAL FREQUENCIES AND NORMAL MODES

GOVERNING EQUATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1

MASS MATRIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3

THEORETICAL RESULTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7

REASONS TO COMPUTE NATURAL FREQUENCIES

AND NORMAL MODES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11

IMPORTANT FACTS AND RESULTS REGARDING

NORMAL MODES AND NATURAL FREQUENCIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12

METHODS OF COMPUTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16

COMPARISON OF EIGENVALUE
EXTRACTION METHODS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18

NORMAL MODES ANALYSIS ENTRIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20

11
 GOVERNING EQUATIONS 12

Consider the undamped single-degree-of-freedom system shown in

the figure.

where m = mass

k = stiffness

The equation of motion for free vibrations (i.e., without external load
or damping) is:

mẋ˙ = – kx

or

mẋ˙ + kx = 0

10-1
 GOVERNING EQUATIONS (Cont.)

For a multi-degree-of-freedom system, this equation becomes

[ M ] { ẋ˙} + [ K ] { x } = 0

where [K] = the stiffness matrix of the structure (the same as in

static analysis)

[M] the mass matrix of the structure. (It represents the

inertia properties of the structure.)

[K] and [M] must be real and symmetric.

Remember: The number of degrees of freedom is equal to the

number of coordinates necessary to describe the
deformed shape of the structure at any given time.

10-2
 MASS MATRIX

The mass matrix represents the inertia properties of the structure.

MSC/NASTRAN provides the user with two choices:

1. Lumped mass matrix (default)

Contains only diagonal terms associated with translational

degrees of freedom

2. Coupled mass matrix

Also contains off-diagonal terms coupling translational degrees

of freedom and rotational degrees of freedom. (Note: for a rod
element, only translational DOFs are coupled.)

10-3
 MASS MATRIX (Cont.)

Example of Mass Matrix

2 1 3 4
L

where ρ = mass density

A = cross section

Lumped Mass Matrix

1⁄2 0 0 0
[ M ] = ρAL 0 0 0 0
0 0 1⁄2 0
0 0 0 0

Coupled Mass Matrix

5 ⁄ 12 0 1 ⁄ 12 0
[ M ] = ρAL 0 0 0 0
1 ⁄ 12 0 5 ⁄ 12 0
0 0 0 0

10-4
 MASS MATRIX (Cont.)

Coupled versus Lumped Mass

• Coupled mass is generally more accurate than lumped mass.

• Lumped mass is preferred for computational speed in dynamic

analysis.

• User-selectable coupled mass matrix for elements

• PARAM,COUPMASS,1 to select coupled mass matrices for all

BAR, ROD, and PLATE elements that include bending stiffness

• Default is lumped mass.

• Elements that have either lumped or coupled mass

• BAR, BEAM, CONROD, HEXA, PENTA, QUAD4, QUAD8, ROD,

TETRA, TRIA3, TRIA6, TRIAX6, TUBE

10-5
 MASS MATRIX (Cont.)

• Elements that have lumped mass only

• CONEAX, SHEAR

• Elements that have coupled mass only

• BEND, HEX20, TRAPRG, TRIARG

• Lumped mass contains only diagonal, translational components

(no rotational ones).

• Coupled mass contains off-diagonal translational components as

well as rotations for BAR (though no torsion), BEAM, and BEND
elements.

10-6
 THEORETICAL RESULTS

Consider

[ M ] { ẋ˙} + [ K ] { x } = 0 (1)

Assume a harmonic solution of the form

iωt
{ x } = { φ }e (2)

(Physically, this means that all the coordinates perform synchronous

motions and the system configuration does not change its shape
during motion only its amplitude.)

From Equation 2

2 iωt
{ ẋ˙} = – ω { φ }e (3)

Substituting Eqs. 2 and 3 into Equation 1, we get

2 iωt iωt
– ω [ M ] [ φ ]e + [ K ] [ φ ]e =0

which simplifies to

2
([K] – ω [M]{φ}) = 0 (4)

This is an eigenvalue problem.

10-7
 THEORETICAL RESULTS (Cont.)

Therefore, there are two cases:

2
1. If det ( [ K ] – ω [ M ] ) = 0 , the only possibility (from Eq. 4) is

{φ} = 0

which is the so-called trivial solution and is not interesting from

a physical point of view.

2
2. Then, we need det ( [ K ] – ω [ M ] ) = 0 in order to have a
nontrivial solution for { φ } .

The eigenvalue problem reduces to solve

2
det ( [ K ] – ω [ M ] ) = 0

or

det ( [ K ] – λ [ M ] ) = 0

where λ = ω2

10-8
 THEORETICAL RESULTS (Cont.)

If the structure has N dynamic degrees of freedom (degrees of

freedom with mass), there are N number of ω’s that are solution of the
eigenvalue problem. These ω’s (ω1, ω2, ..., ωN) are the natural
frequencies of the structure, also known as normal frequencies,
characteristic frequencies, fundamental frequencies, or resonant
frequencies.

The eigenvector { φ j } associated with the natural frequency ωj is

called normal mode or mode shape. The normal mode corresponds
to deflected shape patterns of the structure.

When a structure is vibrating, its shape at any given time is a linear

combination of its normal modes.

10-9
 THEORETICAL RESULTS (Cont.)

Example

Simply Supported Beam

Mode 1

Mode 2

Mode 3

etc.

10-10
 REASONS TO COMPUTE NATURAL FREQUENCIES
AND NORMAL MODES

• Assess the dynamic characteristics of the structure. For example,

if rotating machinery is going to be installed on a certain structure,
it might be necessary to see if the frequency of the rotating mass is
close to one of the natural frequencies of the structure to avoid
excessive vibrations.

• Assess possible dynamic amplification of loads.

• Use natural frequencies and normal modes to guide subsequent

dynamic analysis (transient response, response spectrum
analysis) i.e., what should be the appropriate ∆t for integrating the
equation of motion in transient analysis?

• Use natural frequencies and mode shapes for subsequent dynamic

analysis i.e., transient analysis of the structure using modal
expansion.

• Guide the experimental analysis of the structure, i.e., the location

of accelerometers, etc.

• Your boss told you to

10-11
 IMPORTANT FACTS AND RESULTS REGARDING
NORMAL MODES AND NATURAL FREQUENCIES

If a structure is not totally constrained, i.e., if it admits a rigid body

mode (stress-free mode) or a mechanism, at least one natural
frequency will be zero.

Example: The following unconstrained structure has a rigid body

mode.

x1 x2

m m

 
ω1 = 0 { φ1 } =  1 
 1 

10-12
 IMPORTANT FACTS AND RESULTS REGARDING
NORMAL MODES AND
NATURAL FREQUENCIES (Cont.)

• The natural frequencies (ω1, ω2, ...,) are expressed in

radians/seconds. They can also be expressed in hertz
(cycles/seconds) using

ω j ( radians ⁄ second )
f j ( hertz ) = ---------------------------------------------------------
2π

10-13
 IMPORTANT FACTS AND RESULTS REGARDING
NORMAL MODES AND
NATURAL FREQUENCIES (Cont.)

• Scaling of normal modes is arbitrary. For example

m x1

m x2

   
{ φ 1 } =  1 , { φ 1 } =  300 
 0.5   150 

and

 
{ φ 1 } =  .66 
 .33 

represent the same “mode of vibration.”

10-14
 IMPORTANT FACTS AND RESULTS REGARDING
NORMAL MODES AND
NATURAL FREQUENCIES (Cont.)

• Determination of the natural frequencies, i.e., solution of

2
det ( [ K ] – ω [ M ] ) = 0

is a difficult problem. The solution to this problem must be

determined using a numerical approach.

10-15
 METHODS OF COMPUTATION

MSC/NASTRAN provides the user with the following three types of

methods for eigenvalue extraction.

Tracking Methods

Eigenvalues (or natural frequencies) are determined one at a

time using an iterative technique. Two variations of the inverse
power method are provided INV and SINV. This approach is
more convenient when few natural frequencies are to be
determined. In general, SINV is more reliable than INV.

Transformation Methods

The original eigenvalue problem

([K] – λ[M]){φ} = 0

is transformed to the form

[A]{φ} = λ{φ}

Then, the matrix [ A ] is transformed into a tridiagonal matrix

using either the Givens technique or the Householder
technique. Finally, all the eigenvalues are extracted at once
using the QR Algorithm. Two variations of the Givens
technique and two variations of the Householder technique are
provided: GIV, MGIV, HOU, and MHOU. These methods are
more efficient for small models when a large proportion of
eigenvalues are needed.

10-16
 METHODS OF COMPUTATION (Cont.)

Lanczos Method

This is the recommended method and is a combined

tracking-transformation method. This method is most efficient
for computing a few eigenvalues of large, sparse problems
(most structural models fit into this category).

10-17
 COMPARISON OF EIGENVALUE
EXTRACTION METHODS

Method
Tridiagonal Tracking
Method Method with Lanczos
Characteristic Shifts

Obtain Eigenvalues All at Once Nearest to Nearest

in Order Shift Point to Shift
Point

Takes Advantage of No Yes Yes

Bandwidth

Number of N3 NB2 NB2

Calculations
(Order of)

HOU, MHOU,
Limitations GIV MGIV INV SINV Lanczos

Singular M Allowed? No Yes Yes Yes Yes

Find All Roots in Yes Yes No Yes Yes

Range Reliably?

Large Mass Approach Be Be Yes Yes Yes

Allowed? Careful Careful

Best Application Small, Dense Large, Very Large

Systems. Sparse
Many Vectors. Systems.
Few Vectors

where N = number of degrees of freedom

B = bandwidth

The AGIV and AHOU methods inspect the mass matrix and
automatically select MGIV or MHOU if needed. Otherwise, GIV or HOU
is used.

10-18
 COMPARISON OF EIGENVALUE
EXTRACTION METHODS (Cont.)

Number of
Eigenvalues
Desired

1000

Reduction Plus
Transformation Methods
100 (GDR + GIV or HOU)
or
Lanczos Method

GIV
MGIV
10 HOU INV
MHOU SINV
AGIV
AHOU

10 100 1000 10,000 Order of

Problem
Spill Limit for
Transformation

10-19
 NORMAL MODES ANALYSIS ENTRIES

• Executive

• SOLs 103 (or 3)

• Case Control

• METHOD Number associated with the EIGR or EIGRL entry

that is included in the Bulk Data. Multiple subcases
are used only to control output requests.

• Bulk Data

• EIGR entry - Eigenvalue extraction entry

or

• EIGRL entry for Lanczos Method

• Mass properties are required.

10-20
 NORMAL MODES ANALYSIS ENTRIES (Cont.)

Mass Properties

• Structural Mass Adds mass of the elements (example - used

for calculating gravity effects)

• Density on MATi entries,

units = (mass/volume)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
MAT1 MID E G NU RHO

MAT1 1 10.+7 0.3 0.1

• Nonstructural Mass Adds mass (example - building floor loads,

ship cargo loads)

• Mass per unit dimension (mass per unit area in this case)

PSHELL PID MID1 T MID2 12I/T3 MID3 TS/T NSM

PSHELL 2 1 0.1 1 1 0.15

• Concentrated Mass

• Explicit mass properties at a point (CONM2) (i.e., center of gravity

of the concentrated mass offset from the grid point, moments, and
products of inertia

10-21
 NORMAL MODES ANALYSIS ENTRIES (Cont.)

Mass Units

• Program assumes inertial units:

lb-sec2/ft (ft-lb-sec system)

kg-sec2/m

• PARAM,WTMASS multiplies the input data to obtain inertial units.

This is commonly used to change from weight units to mass units.

Example: The weight density (RHO) of steel is specified as 490.0

lb/cu ft on a MAT1.

Include PARAM,WTMASS,.031056 which multiplies the terms of the

structural mass matrix by 1/g (= 1/32.174 ft/sec2) to change the
density to proper inertial units.

10-22
 Grid Point Weight Generator
O U T P U T F R O M G R I D P O I N T W E I G H T G E N E R A T O R
REFERENCE POINT = 0

NORMAL MODES ANALYSIS ENTRIES (Cont.)

M O
* 2.547000E-01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 -3.820500E-01 *
* 0.000000E+00 2.547000E-01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 3.820500E-01 *
* 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 2.547000E-01 3.820500E-01 -3.820500E-01 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 3.820500E-01 1.146150E+00 -5.730750E-01 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 -3.820500E-01 -5.730750E-01 1.146150E+00 0.000000E+00 *
* -3.820500E-01 3.820500E-01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 2.292300E+00 *
S
* 1.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 * Transformation matrix from basic
* 0.000000E+00 1.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 1.000000E+00 * coordinate system to principal mass

Rigid body mass matrix (MO) relative to the

reference point in the basic coordinate system.
DIRECTION
MASS AXIS SYSTEM (S) MASS X-C.G. Y-C.G. Z-C.G.
X 2.547000E-01 0.000000E+00 1.500000E+00 0.000000E+00
Y 2.547000E-01 1.500000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00
10-23

Z 2.547000E-01 1.500000E+00 1.500000E+00 0.000000E+00

I(S)
* 5.730749E-01 -5.960464E-08 0.000000E+00 * Inertia matrix I(S) about the C.G.
* -5.960464E-08 5.730749E-01 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 1.146150E+00 * relative to the principal mass axis
I(Q)
* 5.730749E-01 * Inertia matrix I(Q) about the C.G.
* 5.730749E-01 *
* 1.146150E+00 * relative to the principal inertia axes
Q
* 1.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 * Transformation matrix [Q]
* 0.000000E+00 1.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 * between the S-axes and Q-axes
* 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 1.000000E+00 *

Principal masses (mass) and the associated c.g.

Notes: 1. This is standard Grid Point Weight Generator output. It is obtained by setting the parameter GRDPNT
to an integer value which defines a grid point to be used as a reference point. If the integer is zero or
is not a defined grid point, the reference point is taken as the origin of the basic coordinate system.
 NORMAL MODES ANALYSIS ENTRIES (Cont.)

SUPORT Bulk Data entry

A program aid used in computing rigid body modes

Esthetics Absolute zero eigenvalues instead of computed zeros

(for all but Lanczos, where the program will "judge"
whether the eigenvalues should be 0.0 or not)

Cost Separate subroutine used to compute rigid body modes

can significantly increase cpu requirement

SUPORT ID C ID C ID C ID C

SUPORT 16 125

Notes: 1. Statically determinate set of constraints

2. Sufficient number of constraints to support all rigid

body modes

3. The Lanczos method uses the computed eigenvectors.

10-24
 NORMAL MODES ANALYSIS ENTRIES (Cont.)

EIGRL Entry - recommended eigenvalue solution method

Defines data needed to perform real eigenvalue or buckling analysis

with the Lanczos Method.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
EIGRL SID V1 V2 ND MSGLVL MAXSET SHFSCL NORM

EIGRL 1 0.1 3.2 10

Field Contents

SID Set identification number (unique integer > 0)

V1, V2 Vibration analysis: Frequency range of interest

Buckling analysis: λ range of interest (V1 < V2, real). If all
modes below a frequency are desired , set V2 to the desired
frequency and leave V1 blank. It is not recommended to put
0.0 for V1, it is more efficient to use a small negative number
or to leave it blank.

ND Number of roots desired (integer > 0 or blank)

MSGLVL Diagnostic level (integer 0 through 3 or blank)

MAXSET Number of vectors in block (integer 1 through 15 or blank)

10-25
 NORMAL MODES ANALYSIS ENTRIES (Cont.)

EIGRL Entry - recommended eigenvalue solution method

SHFSCl Estimate of the first flexible mode natural frequency (real or

blank)

NORM Method for normalizing eigenvectors, either "MASS" or

"MAX"

MASS Normalize to unit value of the generalized mass

(default)

MAX Normalize to unit value of the largest component in the

analysis set

Based on the input, the program will either:

Calculate all modes below V2 (V1 = blank, V2 = highest

frequency of interest, ND = blank)

Calculate a maximum of ND roots between V1 and V2 (V1, V1,

Nd not blank)

Calculate ND roots above V1 (V1 = lowest frequency of

interest, V2 = blank, ND = number of roots desired)

Calculate the first ND roots (V1 and V2 blank, ND = number of

roots desired).

Calculate all roots between V1 and V2 (V1 = lowest frequency

of interest, V2 = highest frequency of interest, ND = blank)

10-26
 NORMAL MODES ANALYSIS ENTRIES (Cont.)

EIGR Entry
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

EIGR SID METHOD F1 F2 NE ND

EIGR 13 SINV 1.9 15.6 12 ABC

NORM G C

+3C POINT 32 4

Field Contents

SID Set identification number (integer > 0)

When METHOD = INV When METHOD = GIV,

or SINV MGIV, HOU, or MHOU

F1,F2 Frequency range of interest Frequency range of

(real ≥ 0.0). Both must be interest (real ≥ 0.0, F1 < F2).
input. If ND is not blank, F1 and
F2 are ignored. If ND is
blank, eigenvectors are
found whose natural
frequencies lie in the range
between F1 and F2.

NE Estimate of number of roots in Not used

range (required for METHOD =
“INV”, integer > 0). Not used by
SINV method.

ND Desired number of roots. Desired number of

(Default is 3 NE for INV only,
integer > 0). If blank, all roots
between F1 and F2 are searched
for (SINV only).
eigenvectors (integer > 0).
If ND is blank or zero, the
number of eigenvectors is
determined from F1 and F2.
(Default = 0)

10-27
 NORMAL MODES ANALYSIS ENTRIES (Cont.)
Field Contents

NORM Method for normalizing eigenvectors, one of the BCD values,

“MASS”, “MAX”, or “POINT”

MASS Normalize to unit value of the generalized mass

(default)

MAX Normalize to unit value of the largest component in the

analysis set

POINT Normalize to unit value of the component defined in

fields 3 and 4 (default of “MAX” if defined component is
zero)

G Grid or scalar point identification number (required only if

NORM = “POINT”) (integer > 0)

C Component number, one of the integers 1-6 (required only if

NORM = “POINT” and G is a geometric grid point)

10-28
 SECTION 11

LINEAR BUCKLING ANALYSIS

THEORY OF BUCKLING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1

SOLUTION OF THE EIGENVALUE PROBLEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2

SOLUTION SEQUENCES FOR BUCKLING AND

STABILITY PROBLEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3

EXAMPLES OF NONLINEAR BUCKLING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-5

RULES FOR SOL 105 BUCKLING ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-6

DATA ENTRIES FOR LINEAR BUCKLING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-7

EIGB ENTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8

EXAMPLE - SIMPLE EULER COLUMN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-10

REFERENCE FOR BUCKLING AND

STABILITY ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-16
13
 THEORY OF BUCKLING 14

• The equilibrium equations for a structure subjected to a constant

force system take the following form

[K]{u} = {P} (1)

• Include the differential stiffness effects. The differential stiffness

[ K D ] is the stiffness that results from including the higher-order
terms of the strain-displacement relations. These relations are
assumed to be independent of the displacements of the structure
associated with an arbitrary intensity of load.

• Let λ be an arbitrary scalar multiplier for another “intensity” of

load.

( [ K ] + λ [ K D ] ) { u* } = { λP } (2)

• By perturbing the structure slightly at a variety of load intensities,

the load intensities can be found that possess unstable equilibrium
positions. This leads to the associated eigenvalue problem for
buckling.

( [ K ] + λ [ K D ] ) { δu* } = 0 (3)

11-1
 SOLUTION OF THE EIGENVALUE PROBLEM

[ K – λK D ] { φ } = 0 (1)

• The solution is nontrivial (different from zero) only for specific

values of

λ = λi i = 1, 2, ..., E

that make the matrix [ K – λK D ] singular.

• To each eigenvalue λi , there is a corresponding distinct

eigenvector { φ i } .

• { φ i } can be scaled by any constant multiplier and still be a solution

to Equation 1.

• The components of { φ i } are real numbers.

11-2
 SOLUTION SEQUENCES FOR BUCKLING AND
STABILITY PROBLEMS

SOLs 5, 105 Linear buckling

SOL 106 Nonlinear buckling

Limitations of SOLs 5 and 105

• In prebuckled configuration:

• Deflections must be small.

• Stresses must be elastic (and linearly related to strain).

11-3
 SOLUTION SEQUENCES FOR BUCKLING AND
STABILITY PROBLEMS (Cont.)

Example: Three classes of columns (loaded at centroid, no material

imperfections)

Slender
Intermediate
Short

Fails by elastic Fails by combination of Fails by yield (like

buckling. Prebuckled yielding and buckling. compression test
deflections are small Prebuckled deflections are specimen).
and critical load is small, but some prebuckled
reached before stresses are inelastic.
material yields. This
is a Euler column.

Note: SOLs 5 and 105 may be applicable for structures with slight
material imperfections or slightly noncentric loadings (i.e.,
load does not align with centroid producing a small degree of
bending). Must use engineering judgment

Same arguments hold for plate structures.

11-4
 EXAMPLES OF NONLINEAR BUCKLING

Highly Eccentrically Loaded Column

Large bending stresses as

well as compressive axial
stress occur before buckling.

Snap-Through of Thin Shell (like the Bottom of an Oil Can)

Large prebuckled deflection and

possible inelastic prebuckled
behavior

11-5
 RULES FOR SOL 105 BUCKLING ANALYSIS

(For reference, see section 13 of the MSC/NASTRAN Linear Statics

Users Guide)

• The Case Control must contain at least two subcases.

• Normally the first subcase is the static solution under loading.

• METHOD must appear in a separate subcase to select an EIGB or

EIGRL entry from the Bulk Data for the buckling solution.

• If you have multiple static solutions, then use the STATSUB

command to select the static subcase for the buckling solution.

• If desired, different SPC sets may be applied in the static subcase

and the buckling subcase

• Output requests may be placed in any selected subcases.

• Output requests that apply to both the static solution and the
buckling modes may be placed above the subcase level.

11-6
 DATA ENTRIES FOR LINEAR BUCKLING

Executive Control Section

SOL 5

or

SOL 105

Case Control Section

SUBCASE 1
LOAD = M Defines static loading condition (LOAD, TEMP,
DEFORM)

SUBCASE 2
METHOD = N Selects eigenvalue extraction method
STATSUB = i Selects static subcase to use for buckling
solution (defaults to first subcase)

The Case Control must contain at least two subcases.

Bulk Data Section

Static loading condition required

EIGB Eigenvalue extraction data entry

or

EIGRL Eigenvalue extraction data entry for Lanczos method

(PREFERRED METHOD)

11-7
 EIGB ENTRY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
EIGB SID METHOD L1 L2 NEP NDP NDN

EIGB 13 SINV 0.1 2.5 2 1 1 ABC

NORM G C

+BC MAX

Field Contents

SID Set identification number

METHOD Method of eigenvalue extraction, BCD value “SINV”

(enhanced inverse power method)

L1,L2 Eigenvalue range of interest (real, L1 < L2)

NEP Estimate of number of roots in positive range (not

used for SINV) (integer > 0)

NDP, NDN Desired number of positive and negative roots

(default = 3 NEP) (integer > 0)

NORM Method for normalizing eigenvectors, one of the

BCD values “MAX” or “POINT”

MAX Normalize to unit value of the largest

component in the analysis set (default)

Point Normalize to unit value of the component

defined in fields 3 and 4. Defaults to MAX if
defined component is zero

11-8
 EIGB ENTRY (Cont.)

Field Contents

G Grid or scalar point identification number (integer > 0).

(Required if and only if NORM = POINT)

C Component number (one of the integers 1-6).

(Required if and only if NORM = POINT and G is a
geometric grid point)

11-9
 EXAMPLE - SIMPLE EULER COLUMN

Problem

Find the critical load and corresponding first mode buckled shape of a
solid circular rod.

Pcr
Solid Circular Cross Section

Free diameter = 0.25 inches

E = 30 x 106 psi
I = 1.917E-4 in4
21 in.
A = 4.909E-2 in2

Fixed

Theoretical Solution

where Leff = effective column length

= 2 x 2" for free-fixed column

11-10
 EXAMPLE - SIMPLE EULER COLUMN (Cont.)

MSC/NASTRAN Model

4
3 7’’

3
2 7’’

1 7’’
1 y

MSC/NASTRAN Solution

Load Value on Force Entry

Pcr = 32.18 x 1.0 = 32.18 lbs

Eigenvalue

11-11
 EXAMPLE - SIMPLE EULER COLUMN (Cont.)

MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 1

N A S T R A N E X E C U T I V E C O N T R O L D E C K E C H O

ID BASIC,EXAMPLE
TIME 10
SOL 105
CEND

EULER BUCKLING, FIXED-FREE UNIFORM COLUMN MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 2

C A S E C O N T R O L D E C K E C H O

CARD
COUNT
11-12

1 TITLE=EULER BUCKLING, FIXED-FREE UNIFORM COLUMN

2 ECHO=BOTH
3 SUBCASE 1
4 DISP=ALL
5 FORCE=ALL Static Subcase
6 LOAD=5
7 SUBCASE 2
8 METHOD=14
9 DISP=ALL Buckling Subcase
10 FORCE=ALL
11 BEGIN BULK
 EXAMPLE - SIMPLE EULER COLUMN (Cont.)

EULER BUCKLING, FIXED-FREE UNIFORM COLUMN MARCG 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 4

S O R T E D B U L K D A T A E C H O

CARD
COUNT . 1 .. 2 .. 3 .. 4 .. 5 .. 6 .. 7 .. 8 .. 9 .. 10 .
1- CBEAM 1 1 1 2 0. 0. 1.
2- CBEAM 2 1 2 3 0. 0. 1.
3- CBEAM 3 1 3 4 0. 0. 1.
4- EIGB 14 SINV 0. 1.E4 1 1
11-13

5- FORCE 5 4 1. -1. 0. 0.
6- GRID 1 0. 0. 0. 123456
7- GRID 2 7. 0. 0. 345
8- GRID 3 14. 0. 0. 345
9- GRID 4 21. 0. 0. 345
10- MAT1 2 30.E6 0.33
11- PBEAM 1 2 4.909E-21.917E-41.917E-4 3.835E-4
ENDDATA

TOTAL COUNT= 12
 EXAMPLE - SIMPLE EULER COLUMN (Cont.)

EULER BUCKLING, FIXED-FREE UNIFORM COLUMN MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 9

E I G E N V A L U E A N A L Y S I S S U M M A R Y (STURM INVERSE POWER)

NUMBER OF EIGENVALUES EXTRACTED . . . . . . 2

NUMBER OF TRIANGULAR DECOMPOSITIONS . . . . 4

TOTAL NUMBER OF VECTOR ITERATIONS . . . . . 16

REASON FOR TERMINATION: NUMBER OF ROOTS DESIRED ARE FOUND.

11-14

EULER BUCKLING, FIXED-FREE UNIFORM COLUMN MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 10

First eigenvalue: P cr = λ 1 × 1.0 lbs = 32.18 lbs

R E A L E I G E N V A L U E S

MODE EXTRACTION EIGENVALUE RADIANS CYCLES GENERALIZED GENERALIZED

NO. ORDER MASS STIFFNESS
1 1 3.217839E+01 5.672600E+00 9.028223E-01 5.873542E-02 1.890011E+00
2 2 3.769160E+03 6.139349E+01 9.771076E+00 1.644818E+00 6.199583E+03
 EXAMPLE - SIMPLE EULER COLUMN (Cont.)

EULER BUCKLING, FIXED-FREE UNIFORM COLUMN MARCH 30, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 12

SUBCASE 2

First eigenvector gives buckled shape.

EIGENVALUE = 3.217839E+01

R E A L E I G E N V E C T O R N O . 1

POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3

11-15

1 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

2 G 0.0 1.339744E-01 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.739759E-02
3 G 0.0 4.999996E-01 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.477462E-02
4 G 0.0 1.000000E+00 0.0 0.0 0.0 7.479534E-02
 REFERENCES FOR BUCKLING AND
STABILITY ANALYSIS

1. MSC Seminar Notes, “MSC/NASTRAN Material and Geometric

Nonlinear Analysis”:

2. MSC/NASTRAN Linear Static Analysis Users Guide, Section 13.

3. MSC/NASTRAN Verification Problem Manual (Version 64,

January 1986 Edition):

Problem 3.0501A, “Lateral Buckling of a Cantilever Beam”

Problem 3.0502A, “Simple Frame Analysis with Buckling”

Problem 3.7701S, “Euler Buckling of a Simply Supported Beam”

4. MSC/NASTRAN Demonstration Problem Manual (Version 64,

March 1985 Edition):

Under Elastic Stability Analysis, see Demonstration Problem

D0504A, “Flexural Buckling of a Beam”

5. MSC/NASTRAN Application Notes

October 1978 “Buckling and Real Eigenvalue Analysis of

Laminated Plates”

September 1979 “Static Stability of Structures with Nonlinear

Differential Stiffness”

February 1982 “Elastic-Plastic Buckling of a Thin Spherical

Shell”

November 1985 “Nonlinear Buckling Analysis”

11-16
 SECTION 12

FILE MANAGEMENT SECTION

FMS OEVERVIEW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1

DBSETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2

REQUIRED DBSETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3

TYPICAL FILES GENERATED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-4

RESTARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-5

AUTOMATIC RESTARTS (SOLDS 101-200) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-6

RESTART EXAMPLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-7

RESTART EXAMPLE - COLD START . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-8

COLD START F04 FILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-9

COLD START F06 FILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-11

RESTART EXAMPLE - DATA RECOVERY RESTART . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-14

RESTART EXAMPLE - PREFERRED METHOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-15

RESTART F04 FILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-16

RESTART F06 FILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-18

RESTART EXAMPLE SUMMARY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-21

MANIPULATING THE DATABASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-22

ASSIGN AND INIT STATEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-23

EXAMPLES - ASSIGN AND INIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-24

EXPAND STATEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-25

EXAMPLE - EXPAND STATEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-26

EXAMPLE ASSIGNING A FORTRAN FILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-27

15
 FMS OVERVIEW 16

• Provides user dynamic file allocation

• Creation/attachment of database files

• Creation/attachment of FORTRAN files

• Provides data manipulation

• Restarting

• Initializing and expanding the database

• Management of data on the database

• Database directory prints

• Provides means of attaching external databases

12-1
 DBSETS

• A DBSET is a collection of files which are used for a purpose by

the program

• The MSC/PATRAN database consists of several DBSETs which are

automatically created by the program:

• MASTER - Master directory - contains the description of the

database, a list of all files contained in all DBSETs used by the run,
and a "table of contents" for each DBSETs.

• DBALL - Permanent data is stored here by default

• USROBJ - User DMAP source - no longer automatically created

• USRSOU - Complied user DMAPs - no longer automatically created

• OBJSCR - Temporary scratch for DMAPs - automatically deleted at

the end of the run

• SCRATCH - Temporary working files for scratch data blocks -

automatically deleted at the end of the run

• SCR300 - Temporary working files for the modules - automatically

deleted at the end of the run

12-2
 REQUIRED DBSETS

• MASTER and DBALL must be retained if the database is to be used

in a subsequent restart run. If no restart is planned, they may be
deleted upon completion of the run.

• USRSOU and USROBJ are only used for user DMAP functions.
They have no effect on the database or future restarts, unless you
are modifying the solutions provided by MSC to create your own
solutions.

• OBJSCR, SCRATCH, and SCR300 are used for temporary file

storage and are deleted automatically upon completion of the run.
They are typically created in a scratch directory and are not seen
by the user.

For automatic deletion of MASTER, DBALL, USRSCR, and USROBJ,

use PARAM, DBALL, SCRATCH or submit with scr=yes.

12-3
 TYPICAL FILES GENERATED

• Files generated by submitting the input file TEST.DAT:

TEST.MASTER
TEST.DBALL
TEST.F04
TEST.F06
TEST.LOG
TEST.PCH
TEST.PLT
TEST.OP2

• TEST.PCH (punch file), TEST.PLT (plot file), and TEST.OP2

(information for MSC/PATRAN) are created by user requests.

• If no restarts or database manipulation are planned, the user may

specify that the scratch directory be used for MASTER and DBALL,
files on the submittal command. They are automatically deleted
upon completion of the run.

• Example

NASTRAN TEST SCR=YES

12-4
 RESTARTS

• Rigid Format Solutions (SOLs 1 thru 12)

• These solutions no longer support restarts.

• Structured Solutions (SOLs 101,103,etc)

• Include automatic restart capabilities

• Minimal user input required for restarts

• RECOMMENDED - Let the program decide what has changed in

the model and process accordingly.

12-5
 AUTOMATIC RESTARTS (SOLs 101-200)

• Each restart results in a new version on the the database. The

previous version being used for restart is deleted at the end of the
run unless the user specifies KEEP on the RESTART entry.

• The entire Bulk Data is stored on the database. Only changes and
additions to the Bulk Data are required in the input file for the
restart. The new Bulk Data entries are merged with a copy of the
Bulk Data on the database.

• All solution-related Case Control commands must be in the restart

file.

• The program compares the Bulk Data and Case Control for the
restart run with that for the previous version that is to be restarted.
The program decides what needs to be calculated or recalulated for
the current problem.

• Only the necessary operations are performed to solve the problem.

• Restarts are invoked using the RESTART statement in the FMS.

12-6
 RESTART EXAMPLE

A cantilver beam composed of 1000 QUAD4 elements is subjected to

gravity load of 1G downward as shown.

Fixed
Edge
100”

10”

1 G Gravity
Load
E = 30 × 106

ν = .3

T = .25

Mesh size 10 × 100

Total elements = 1,000

12-7
 RESTART EXAMPLE - COLD START

Input File COLD.DAT

ID BASIC, COLD
SOL 101
TIME 100
CEND
ECHO = NONE
TITLE = PLATE MODEL USING 1000 QUAD4S - COLD START
SUBTITLE = ONE G GRAVITY LOAD
SET 10 = 991 THRU 1000 $ ELEM AT THE FIXED END
SET 20 = 1 THRU 11 $ GRID AT THE TIP
STRESS = 10
DISP = 20
SPC = 3
LOAD = 4
BEGIN BULK
PARAM POST 0
PARAM AUTOSPC YES
GRDSET 6
GRID 1 0.0 0.0 0.0
GRID 2 0.0 1. 0.0
.
.
.
GRID 1111 100. 10. 0.0
CQUAD4 1 1 1 2 13 12
CQUAD4 2 1 2 3 14 13
.
.
.
CQUAD4 1000 1 1099 1100 1111 1110
PSHELL 1 2 .25 2
MAT1 2 30.E6 .3 7.32E-4
SPC1 3 123456 1101 THRU 1111
GRAV 4 -386.4 0. 0. 1.
ENDDATA

12-8
 COLD START F04 FILE

**** LINK 1****

1
MACHINE MODEL OPERATING SYSTEM MSC/NASTRAN BUILD DATE RUN DATE
SUN Sun4/75 SunOS VERSION 67 OCT 2, 1991 MAR 11, 1992
=== M S C / N A S T R A N E X E C U T I O N S U M M A R Y === DAY TIME ELAPSED I/O SEC DEL_I/O CPU SEC
DEL_CPU SUB_DMAP/DMAP_MODULE MESSAGES

20:03:14 0:00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 DBINIT BGN

** CURRENT PROJECT ID = ’ ”BLANK” ’ ** CURRENT VERSION ID = 1
0 S U M M A R Y O F F I L E A S S I G N M E N T F O R T H E P R I M A R Y D A T A B A S E ( DBSNO 1, V67 )
0 ASSIGNED PHYSICAL FILE NAME (/ORIGINAL) LOGICAL NAME DBSET STATUS BUFFSIZE CLUSTER SIZE TIME STAMP
--------------------------------------- ------------ ----- ------ -------- ------------ ------------
./cold.MASTER MASTER MASTER NEW 2049 1 920311200314
./cold.USROBJ USROBJ USROBJ NEW 2049 1 920311200315
./cold.USRSOU USRSOU USRSOU NEW 2049 1 920311200316
./cold.DBALL DBALL DBALL NEW 2049 1 920311200317
/msc/scratch/N2123.OBJSCR OBJSCR OBJSCR NEW 2049 1 920311200318
12-9

**** MEM FILE **** * N/A * SCRATCH

/msc/scratch/N2123.SCRATCH SCRATCH SCRATCH NEW 2049 1 920311200319
/msc/scratch/N2123.SCR300 SCR300 SCRATCH NEW 2049 1 920311200320
20:03:15 0:01 1.1 1.1 0.8 0.8 DBINIT END
20:03:15 0:01 1.1 0.0 0.8 0.0 XCSA BGN
0 S U M M A R Y O F F I L E A S S I G N M E N T F O R T H E D E L I V E R Y D A T A B A S E ( DBSNO 2, V67 )
0 ASSIGNED PHYSICAL FILE NAME (/ORIGINAL) LOGICAL NAME DBSET STATUS BUFFSIZE CLUSTER SIZE TIME STAMP
--------------------------------------- ------------ ----- ------ -------- ------------ ------------
/msc/nast67/nast67/del/SSS.MASTERA MASTERA MASTER OLD 2049 1 910905163143
/SSS.MASTERA
/msc/nast67/nast67/del/SSS.MSCOBJ MSCOBJ MSCOBJ OLD 2049 1 910905163147
/SSS.MSCOBJ
/msc/nast67/nast67/del/SSS.MSCSOU MSCSOU MSCSOU OLD 2049 1 910905163148
/SSS.MSCSOU
20:03:21 0:07 7.8 6.7 3.6 2.8 XCSA END
20:03:21 0:07 7.8 0.0 3.6 0.0 CGPI BGN
20:03:21 0:07 7.8 0.0 3.7 0.0 CGPI END
20:03:21 0:07 7.8 0.0 3.7 0.0 LINKER BGN
 COLD START F04 FILE (Cont.)

20:05:11 1:57 33.7 0.0 69.0 0.0 SEDRCVR 218 OFP BEGN
20:05:11 1:57 33.8 0.0 69.1 0.1 SEDRCVR 282 DBC BEGN

.
.
.
20:05:12 1:58 33.8 0.0 69.2 0.2 SEDRCVR 283 DBC BEGN
20:05:12 1:58 33.8 0.0 69.3 0.0 SEDRCVR 284 DBC BEGN
20:05:12 1:58 33.8 0.0 69.3 0.0 SEDRCVR 285 DBC BEGN

.
.
.
12-10

20:05:12 1:58 34.0 0.2 69.4 0.2 SESTATIC 40 EXIT BEGN * *** DATABASE USAGE STATISTICS ***

+------------------------- LOGICAL FILES -------------------------+ +----------------- PHYSICAL FILES ----------------+

DBSET BLOCKS BLOCKS % BLOCKSIZE BLOCKS PER PHYS FILE BLOCKS HIWATER FILE SIZE MAX %
ALLOCATED USED USED (WORDS) CLUSTER ALLOCATED BLOCK (WORDS) USED
MASTER 5000 107 2.14 2048 1 MASTER 5000 107 219136 2.14
USROBJ 5000 12 0.24 2048 1 USROBJ 5000 12 24576 0.24
USRSOU 5000 12 0.24 2048 1 USRSOU 5000 12 24576 0.24
DBALL 25000 1119 4.48 2048 1 DBALL 25000 1119 2291712 4.48
OBJSCR 5000 83 1.66 2048 1 OBJSCR 5000 83 169984 1.66
SCRATCH 350100 32 0.01 2048 1 MEMFILE 100 100 204800 100.00
SCRATCH 175000 147 301056 0.08
SCR300 175000 1 2048 0.00
*** BUFFER POOL AND SCRATCH 300 USAGE STATISTICS ***

+----------------- BUFFER POOL -----------------+ +-------------------------- SCRATCH 300 --------------------------+

OPTION BLOCKS BLOCKS BLOCKS OPTION HIWATER SUB_DMAP DMAP OPN/CLS
SELECTED ALLOCATED REUSED RELEASED SELECTED BLOCK DAY_TIME NAME MODULE COUNTER
EXEC 37 982 59 2 61 20:04:52 SEKRRS 20 DCMP 0
 COLD START F06 FILE

0 N A S T R A N E X E C U T I V E C O N T R O L D E C K E C H O
0

ID BASIC, COLD
SOL 101
TIME 100
CEND

1 PLATE MODEL USING 1000 QUAD4S - COLD START MARCH 11, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 2

ONE G GRAVITY LOAD

0
0

C A S E C O N T R O L D E C K E C H O
12-11

CARD

COUNT

1 ECHO = NONE
2 TITLE = PLATE MODEL USING 1000 QUAD4S - COLD START
3 SUBTITLE = ONE G GRAVITY LOAD
4 SET 10 = 991 THRU 1000 $ ELEM AT THE FIXED END
5 SET 20 = 1 THRU 11 $ GRID AT THE TIP
6 STRESS = 10
7 DISP = 20
8 SPC = 3
9 LOAD = 4
10 BEGIN BULK

0 INPUT BULK DATA CARD COUNT = 2126

0 TOTAL COUNT= 2119

 COLD START F06 FILE (cont.)

1 PLATE MODEL USING 1000 QUAD4S - COLD START MARCH 11, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 3
ONE G GRAVITY LOAD

D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R
POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
1 G 0.0 0.0 -2.231765E+01 -3.415722E-05 -2.985874E-01 0.0
2 G 0.0 0.0 -2.231768E+01 -3.220524E-05 -2.985862E-01 0.0
.
.
.
11 G 0.0 0.0 -2.231765E+01 3.415669E-05 -2.985874E-01 0.0
1 PLATE MODEL USING 1000 QUAD4S - COLD START MARCH 11, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 9
ONE G GRAVITY LOAD
0
12-12
 COLD START F06 FILE (cont.)

S T R E S S E S I N Q U A D R I L A T E R A L E L E M E N T S ( Q U A D 4 )

ELEMENT FIBRE STRESSES IN ELEMENT COORD SYSTEM PRINCIPAL STRESSES (ZERO SHEAR)
ID. DISTANCE NORMAL-X NORMAL-Y SHEAR-XY ANGLE MAJOR MINOR VON MISES
0 991 -1.250000E-01 5.023495E+03 2.443366E+04 -3.849042E+03 -79.1833 2.516907E+04 4.288091E+03 2.332257E+04
1.250000E-01 -5.023495E+03 -2.443366E+04 3.849042E+03 10.8167 -4.288091E+03 -2.516907E+04 2.332257E+04
0 992 -1.250000E-01 9.018255E+03 3.238159E+04 -1.627886E+03 -86.0333 3.249447E+04 8.905374E+03 2.908300E+04
1.250000E-01 -9.018255E+03 -3.238159E+04 1.627886E+03 3.9667 -8.905374E+03 -3.249447E+04 2.908300E+04
.
.
.
0 1000 -1.250000E-01 5.023495E+03 2.443366E+04 3.849042E+03 79.1833 2.516907E+04 4.288091E+03 2.332257E+04
12-13

1.250000E-01 -5.023495E+03 -2.443366E+04 -3.849042E+03 -10.8167 -4.288091E+03 -2.516907E+04 2.332257E+04

1 PLATE MODEL USING 1000 QUAD4S - COLD START MARCH 11, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 11
ONE G GRAVITY LOAD
0

* * * END OF JOB * * *
 RESTART EXAMPLE - DATA RECOVERY RESTART

Data Recovery Restart

• Input file RUN2A.DAT

RESTART
ID BASIC, COLD
SOL 101
TIME 100
CEND
ECHO = NONE
TITLE = PLATE MODEL USING 1000 QUAD4S - RESTART FOR ADDITIONAL OUTPUT
SUBTITLE = ONE G GRAVITY LOAD
SET 10 = 501 THRU 511 $ ELEM AT THE FIXED END
SET 20 = 551 THRU 561 $ GRIDS AT THE CENTER
STRESS = 10
DISP = 20
SPC = 3
LOAD = 4
BEGIN BULK
ENDDATA

• Submittal

• nastran run2a dbs=cold

12-14
 RESTART EXAMPLE - PREFERRED METHOD

• Input file RUN2B.DAT

RESTART
ASSIGN MASTER = ’cold.MASTER’
ID BASIC, COLD
SOL 101
TIME 100
CEND
ECHO = NONE
TITLE = PLATE MODEL USING 1000 QUAD4S - RESTART FOR ADD OUTPUT
SUBTITLE = ONE G GRAVITY LOAD
SET 10 = 501 THRU 511 $ ELEM AT THE FIXED END
SET 20 = 551 THRU 561 $ GRIDS AT THE CENTER
STRESS = 10
DISP = 20
SPC = 3
LOAD = 4
BEGIN BULK
ENDDATA

• Submittal

• nastran run2b

12-15
 RESTART F04 FILE

MACHINE MODEL OPERATING SYSTEM MSC/NASTRAN BUILD DATE RUN DATE

SUN Sun4/75 SunOS VERSION 67 OCT 2, 1991 MAR 11, 1992
=== M S C / N A S T R A N E X E C U T I O N S U M M A R Y === DAY TIME ELAPSED I/O SEC DEL_I/O CPU SEC
DEL_CPU SUB_DMAP/DMAP_MODULE MESSAGES

20:05:43 0:00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 DBINIT BGN

** CURRENT PROJECT ID = ’ ”BLANK” ’ ** CURRENT VERSION ID = 2
0 S U M M A R Y O F F I L E A S S I G N M E N T F O R T H E P R I M A R Y D A T A B A S E ( DBSNO 1, V67 )
0 ASSIGNED PHYSICAL FILE NAME (/ORIGINAL) LOGICAL NAME DBSET STATUS BUFFSIZE CLUSTER SIZE TIME STAMP
--------------------------------------- ------------ ----- ------ -------- ------------ ------------
cold.MASTER MASTER MASTER OLD 2049 1 920311200314
/./cold.MASTER
cold.USROBJ USROBJ USROBJ OLD 2049 1 920311200315
/./cold.USROBJ
cold.USRSOU USRSOU USRSOU OLD 2049 1 920311200316
/./cold.USRSOU
cold.DBALL DBALL DBALL OLD 2049 1 920311200317
/./cold.DBALL
/msc/scratch/N2169.OBJSCR OBJSCR OBJSCR NEW 2049 1 920311200544
**** MEM FILE **** * N/A * SCRATCH
/msc/scratch/N2169.SCRATCH SCRATCH SCRATCH NEW 2049 1 920311200545
12-16

/msc/scratch/N2169.SCR300 SCR300 SCRATCH NEW 2049 1 920311200546

20:05:45 0:02 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 DBINIT END
20:05:45 0:02 0.5 0.0 0.4 0.0 XCSA BGN
0 S U M M A R Y O F F I L E A S S I G N M E N T F O R T H E D E L I V E R Y D A T A B A S E ( DBSNO 2, V67 )
0 ASSIGNED PHYSICAL FILE NAME (/ORIGINAL) LOGICAL NAME DBSET STATUS BUFFSIZE CLUSTER SIZE TIME STAMP
--------------------------------------- ------------ ----- ------ -------- ------------ ------------
/msc/nast67/nast67/del/SSS.MASTERA MASTERA MASTER OLD 2049 1 910905163143
/SSS.MASTERA
/msc/nast67/nast67/del/SSS.MSCOBJ MSCOBJ MSCOBJ OLD 2049 1 910905163147
/SSS.MSCOBJ
/msc/nast67/nast67/del/SSS.MSCSOU MSCSOU MSCSOU OLD 2049 1 910905163148
/SSS.MSCSOU
 20:05:48 0:05 6.5 6.0 2.8 2.3 XCSA END
20:05:48 0:05 6.5 0.0 2.8 0.0 CGPI BGN
20:05:48 0:05 6.5 0.0 2.8 0.1 CGPI END
20:05:48 0:05 6.5 0.0 2.8 0.0 LINKER BGN
20:05:50 0:07 7.7 1.2 3.8 1.0 LINKER END
20:05:50 0:07 7.7 0.0 3.8 0.0 DBERST BGN
20:05:52 0:09 12.9 5.2 4.8 1.0 DBERST END
0 ** MASTER DIRECTORIES ARE LOADED IN MEMORY. DAY TIME ELAPSED I/O SEC DEL_I/O CPU SEC DEL_CPU SUB_DMAP/DMAP_MODULE MESSAGES

20:05:52 0:09 13.2 0.3 5.0 0.2 SESTATIC 16 SUPER1 BEGN

20:05:52 0:09 13.2 0.1 5.0 0.0 SUPER1 16 IFPL BEGN
20:05:52 0:09 13.4 0.1 5.1 0.1 IFPL 15 IFP1 BEGN *
.
.
.
20:06:14 0:31 21.0 0.0 17.1 0.0 SEDRCVR 285 DBC BEGN
12-17

20:06:14 0:31 21.2 0.2 17.2 0.1 SESTATIC 40 EXIT BEGN * *** DATABASE USAGE STATISTICS ***

+------------------------- LOGICAL FILES -------------------------+ +----------------- PHYSICAL FILES ----------------+

DBSET BLOCKS BLOCKS % BLOCKSIZE BLOCKS PER PHYS FILE BLOCKS HIWATER FILE SIZE MAX %
ALLOCATED USED USED (WORDS) CLUSTER ALLOCATED BLOCK (WORDS) USED
MASTER 5000 108 2.16 2048 1 MASTER 5000 108 221184 2.16
USROBJ 5000 12 0.24 2048 1 USROBJ 5000 12 24576 0.24
USRSOU 5000 12 0.24 2048 1 USRSOU 5000 12 24576 0.24
DBALL 25000 1125 4.50 2048 1 DBALL 25000 1177 2410496 4.71
OBJSCR 5000 83 1.66 2048 1 OBJSCR 5000 83 169984 1.66
SCRATCH 350100 32 0.01 2048 1 MEMFILE 100 80 163840 80.00
SCRATCH 175000 1 2048 0.00
SCR300 175000 1 2048 0.00
*** BUFFER POOL AND SCRATCH 300 USAGE STATISTICS ***

+----------------- BUFFER POOL -----------------+ +-------------------------- SCRATCH 300 --------------------------+

OPTION BLOCKS BLOCKS BLOCKS OPTION HIWATER SUB_DMAP DMAP OPN/CLS
SELECTED ALLOCATED REUSED RELEASED SELECTED BLOCK DAY_TIME NAME MODULE COUNTER
EXEC 37 1005 161 2 0 20:05:43 PREFACE 0 PREFACE 0
 RESTART F06 FILE

1 MARCH 11, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 1

0 N A S T R A N F I L E M A N A G E M E N T S E C T I O N E C H O
0

RESTART
0*** USER INFORMATION MESSAGE 736 (RDREST)
THE RESTART VERSION ID IS NOT DEFINED ON THE RESTART COMMAND.
A RESTART OF LAST VERSION ID IS ASSUMED.
0*** USER INFORMATION MESSAGE 1144 (RSPRVR)
LAST VERSION CREATED IS BEING USED FOR THIS RESTART JOB.
LAST VERSION = 1 PROJECT = ”BLANK”
1 MARCH 11, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 2

0 N A S T R A N E X E C U T I V E C O N T R O L D E C K E C H O
0
12-18

ID BASIC, COLD
SOL 101
TIME 100
CEND
1
 RESTART F06 FILE

PLATE MODEL USING 1000 QUAD4S - RESTART FOR ADD OUTPUT MARCH 11, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 3
ONE G GRAVITY LOAD
0
0 C A S E C O N T R O L D E C K E C H O
CARD
COUNT
1 ECHO = NONE
2 TITLE = PLATE MODEL USING 1000 QUAD4S - RESTART FOR ADD OUTPUT
3 SUBTITLE = ONE G GRAVITY LOAD
4 SET 10 = 501 THRU 511 $ ELEM AT THE FIXED END
5 SET 20 = 551 THRU 561 $ GRIDS AT THE CENTER
6 STRESS = 10
12-19

7 DISP = 20
8 SPC = 3
9 LOAD = 4
10 BEGIN BULK
0 INPUT BULK DATA CARD COUNT = 1
0 TOTAL COUNT= 2119
RESTART F06 FILE (Cont.)

.
.
.
 RESTART F06 FILE

D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R

POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3

551 G 0.0 0.0 -7.857040E+00 -3.428952E-03 -2.609812E-01 0.0

.
.
561 G 0.0 0.0 -7.857040E+00 3.428952E-03 -2.609812E-01 0.0
1 PLATE MODEL USING 1000 QUAD4S - RESTART FOR ADD OUTPUT MARCH 11, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 8
ONE G GRAVITY LOAD
0
1 PLATE MODEL USING 1000 QUAD4S - RESTART FOR ADD OUTPUT MARCH 11, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 9
ONE G GRAVITY LOAD
0
12-20

S T R E S S E S I N Q U A D R I L A T E R A L E L E M E N T S ( Q U A D 4 )
ELEMENT FIBRE STRESSES IN ELEMENT COORD SYSTEM PRINCIPAL STRESSES (ZERO SHEAR)
ID. DISTANCE NORMAL-X NORMAL-Y SHEAR-XY ANGLE MAJOR MINOR VON MISES
0 501 -1.250000E-01 -7.436593E+00 8.650283E+03 3.532764E+02 87.6672 8.664674E+03 -2.182804E+01 8.675609E+03
1.250000E-01 7.436593E+00 -8.650283E+03 -3.532764E+02 -2.3328 2.182804E+01 -8.664674E+03 8.675609E+03

.
.
0 511 -1.250000E-01 -7.434482E+00 8.996487E+03 3.602642E+02 87.7124 9.010879E+03 -2.182634E+01 9.021812E+03
1.250000E-01 7.434482E+00 -8.996487E+03 -3.602642E+02 -2.2876 2.182634E+01 -9.010879E+03 9.021812E+03
1 PLATE MODEL USING 1000 QUAD4S - RESTART FOR ADD OUTPUT MARCH 11, 1992 MSC/NASTRAN 10/ 2/91 PAGE 10
ONE G GRAVITY LOAD
0
1 * * * END OF JOB * * *

0*** USER INFORMATION MESSAGE 1173 (DBCLPR)

VERSION 1 OF PROJECT ’ ”BLANK” ’ HAS BEEN DELETED FROM THE PRIMARY DATA BASE.
THE CREATION DATE OF THIS VERSION IS 3/11/92 20: 3.14
 RESTART EXAMPLE SUMMARY

• The previous restart used the same database as the cold start.

• Version 1 on the database was deleted because the KEEP option

was not used.

• If another restart is performed, it defaults to the latest version on

the database which is Version 2.

• Only data recovery processing was performed for the restart run in
this sample.

• CPU time required for runs on a SUN SPARCstation 2

• Cold start - 1 minute 58 seconds

• Restart run - 31 seconds

• USE AUTOMATIC RESTARTS - IT CAN SAVE TIME AND MONEY!

12-21
 MANIPULATING THE DATABASE

• All FMS defaults can be modified; however, the defaults are

adequate for most analyses.

• The location and maximum size of the files used for each DBsets
may be specified by the user.

• The database may be split across multiple physical file located on

different disk packs or different machines mounted on a network.

• Common FMS statements

• ASSIGN - Assigns physical file names to DBsets or FORTRAN

files to be used by other FMS statements or DMAP modules.

• INIT - Creates temporary or permanent DBsets

• EXPAND - Concatenates additonal DBsets to the existing

permenant DBsets. Used on restarts when the previous run fills
the allocated DBsets

• DBCLEAN - Deletes previous versions from the database

• DBDIR - Prints the database directory

• See Section 2 of the MSC/NASTRAN Quick Reference Guide for

complete description of the FMS statements.

12-22
 ASSIGN AND INIT STATEMENTS

• Format (simplified)

ASSIGN dbset_member_name=physical_file_name

INIT dbset_name LOGICAL=(dbset_member_name(p),...)

where p = maximum number of blocks allocated for the member -

may be specified as BLOCKS (default), megabytes (mb),
megawords (mw), kilobytes (kb), or kilowords (kw)

• Example:
INIT DBALL, logical=(DB1(1000mb),DB2(1000mb))
will create a DBALL, set, consisting of two files, each of which may
grow to a maximum size of 1000 megabytes

• Block size is machine specific; see The Configuration and

Operations Guide for the computer you are using.

• The maximum size of the files used in the permanent DBsets

cannot be modified on a restart. Any DBset (for example, DBALL)
may be expanded on a restart by adding additional files using an
EXPAND entry. You should remove the ASSIGN and INIT
statements for existing permanent DBSETS on the restart.

• The scratch DBsets may need to be allocated for each run if the
default is not adequate.

• The INIT statement may be used without the ASSIGN statement to

allocate a specific size to the default DBset names.

12-23
 EXAMPLES - ASSIGN AND INIT

• Initializing a scratch file with a maximum size of 1000mb blocks on

the SCR2 directory

ASSIGN SCR=’/scr2/test.scratch’
INIT SCRATCH,LOGICAL=(SCR(1000mb))
ID XXX,YYY
.
.
.

• Initializing the DBALL with 2 DBset each with a maximum size of

500mB and SCRATCH with 3 DBsets each with a maximum size of
2000mB

ASSIGN DB1=’/home/mydir/sample.db1’
ASSIGN DB2 =’/home/hisdir/sample.db2’
ASSIGN SCR1 = ’/scr/sample.scr1’
ASSIGN SCR2 =’/scr/sample.scr2’
ASSIGN SCR3 =’/scr/sample.scr3’
$
INIT DBALL,LOGICAL=(DB1(500mb),DB2(500mb))
INIT SCRATCH,LOGICAL=(SCR1(2000mb),SCR2(2000mb),
SCR3(2000mb))
ID XXX,YYY
.
.
.

Note: Lowercase is shown for UNIX machines. UNIX machines

are case sensitive. MSC/NASTRAN converts all referenced
filenames to uppercase unless they are enclosed in single
quotes.

12-24
 EXPAND STATEMENT

• Allows the user to add a new files to an existing DBset

• The ASSIGN statement should be used in conjuction with the

EXPAND statement.

• Format:

ASSIGN dbset_member_name=phyiscal_file_name

EXPAND dbset_name LOGICAL=(dbset_member_name(p),...)

where p = number of blocks allocated for the member

12-25
 EXAMPLE - EXPAND STATEMENT

• Cold start run

ASSIGN DB1=MSC:[MYDIR]SAMPLE.DB1
ASSIGN DB2=MSC:[MYDIR]SAMPLE.DB2
ASSIGN SCR=SCR:[SCRATCH]SAMPLE.SCR
$
INIT DBALL,LOGICAL=(DB1(5000),DB2(5000))
INIT SCRATCH,LOGICAL=(SCR(20000))
$
ID XXX,YYY
.
.
.

• Restart run (previous run failed due to full DBALL)

RESTART
ASSIGN MASTER=SAMPLE.MASTER
ASSIGN DB3=MSC:[MYDIR]SAMPLE.DB3
ASSIGN SCR=SCR:[SCRATCH]SAMPLE.SCR
$
EXPAND DBALL,LOGICAL=(DB3(5000))
INIT SCRATCH,LOGICAL=(SCR(20000))
$
ID XXX,YYY
.
.
.

12-26
 EXAMPLE ASSIGNING A FORTRAN FILE

• Use a DMAP alter to write to a formatted ASCII file the global

stiffness and mass matrix for a model consisting of a single CBAR
element.

ASSIGN OUTPUT4=’bar.out’ UNIT=11 FORM=FORMATTED

ID BEAM, JPC
SOL 103
TIME 5
malter ’malter,*kgg.*mgg’$ insert this DMAP after kgg and mgg are created
MATPRN KGG,MGG// $ print kgg and mgg in the .f06 file
OUTPUT4 KGG//-1/11/-1 $ write kgg to fortran unit 11
OUTPUT4 MGG//-2/11/-1 $ write mgg to fortran unit 11
CEND
TITLE = BEAM MODEL
SUBTITLE = MODES CASE CONTROL
LABEL = DEFAULT SUBCASE STRUCTURE
DISP = ALL
METHOD = 1
BEGIN BULK
PARAM POST 0
PARAM AUTOSPC YES
$
$
$
GRID 1 0.0 0.0 0.0
GRID 2 1. 0.0 0.0
$
$
CBAR 2 1 1 2 1. 1. 0.0
$
$
PBAR 1 1 .001 .001 .001 .002
MAT1 1 30.E1 .3 7.32E-4
$
$
EIGR 1 MGIV 12
ENDDATA

12-27
 EXAMPLE ASSIGNING A FORTRAN FILE (Cont.)

BAR.OUT Resulting from the BAR.DAT Run

12 12 6 2KGG
1 1 7
3.000000142E-01 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00
0.000000000E+00-3.000000142E-01
2 2 11
3.600000171E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00 1.800000085E+00
0.000000000E+00-3.600000171E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00
1.800000085E+00
3 3 9
3.600000171E+00 0.000000000E+00-1.800000085E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00
0.000000000E+00-3.600000171E+00 0.000000000E+00-1.800000085E+00
4 4 7
2.307692370E-01 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00
0.000000000E+00-2.307692370E-01
5 3 9
-1.800000085E+00 0.000000000E+00 1.200000057E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00
0.000000000E+00 1.800000085E+00 0.000000000E+00 6.000000285E-01
6 2 11
1.800000085E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00 1.200000057E+00
0.000000000E+00-1.800000085E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00
6.000000285E-01
7 1 7
-3.000000142E-01 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00
0.000000000E+00 3.000000142E-01
8 2 11
-3.600000171E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00-1.800000085E+00
0.000000000E+00 3.600000171E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00
-1.800000085E+00
9 3 9
-3.600000171E+00 0.000000000E+00 1.800000085E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00
0.000000000E+00 3.600000171E+00 0.000000000E+00 1.800000085E+00
10 4 7
-2.307692370E-01 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00
0.000000000E+00 2.307692370E-01
11 3 9
-1.800000085E+00 0.000000000E+00 6.000000285E-01 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00
0.000000000E+00 1.800000085E+00 0.000000000E+00 1.200000057E+00
12 2 11
1.800000085E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00 6.000000285E-01
0.000000000E+00-1.800000085E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00 0.000000000E+00
1.200000057E+00
13 1 1
1.974999905E+00
12 12 6 2MGG
1 1 1
3.660000232E-07
2 2 1
3.660000232E-07
3 3 1
3.660000232E-07
7 7 1
3.660000232E-07
8 8 1
3.660000232E-07
9 9 1
3.660000232E-07
13 1 1
2.979723513E-01

12-28
 APPENDIX A

MSC/NASTRAN DOCUMENTATION

DOCUMENTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-4

17
 DOCUMENTATION 18

This section briefly describes the MSC/NASTRAN documentation. A

quick overview of these documents is shown in Table 1.

• MSC/NASTRAN Quick Reference Guide

Contains a complete description of the NASTRAN statements, File
Management statements, Executive Control statements, Case
Control commands, Bulk Data entries, and parameters. This book
is necessary for all MSC/NASTRAN users.

• MSC/NASTRAN Release Guide

Describes version-dependent capibilities and presents illustrative
examples. This document is required to use the new capabilities in
each new version of MSC/NASTRAN.

• MSC/NASTRAN Common Questions and Answers

Contains answers to commonly asked questions on a wide variety
of analysis topics.

• MSC/NASTRAN Reference Manual

Contains material that is primarily refernce oriented, non-solution
sequence dependent material and is highly subdivided for ease of
use. This manual is independent of machine type or operating
system. This document is typically not required for the day-to-day
analysis activities of most analysts and can therefore be shared by
a group or department.

• MSC/NASTRAN Configuration and Operations Guide

Contains machine-dependent information for installing,
customizing, and using MSC/NASTRAN.

A-1
 DOCUMENTATION 19

• MSC/NASTRAN DMAP Module Dictionary

Repaces Section 5 of the old MSC/NASTRAN User’s Manual. This
manual is required if you are using MSC/NASTRAN DMAP features.

MSC/NASTRAN User’s Guides and Other Books

User’s Guides describe in detail all aspects of MSC/NASTRAN input,

output, and modeling guidelines used for specific analysis
capabilities. These documents are recommended for the various
capabilities that you use most often. The following books are
available:

• Getting Started with MSC/NASTRAN User’s Guide

• MSC/NASTRAN Linear Static Analysis User’s Guide

• MSC/NASTRAN Basic Dynamic Analysis User’s Guide

• MSC/NASTRAN Advanced Dynamic Anaylsis User’s Guide

• MSC/NASTRAN Design Sensitivity and Optimization User’s Guide

• MSC/NASTRAN Thermal Analysis User’s Guide

A-2
 DOCUMENTATION 20

• MSC/NASTRAN Numerical Methods User’s Guide

• MSC/NASTRAN Aeroelastic Analysis User’s Guide

• MSC/NASTRAN Bibliography
Lists approximately 1900 technical papers pertaining to
MSC/NASTRAN arranged by author and topic.

MSC/NASTRAN Documentation

Reference Manual

DMAP Module Dictionary

Quick Reference Guide

User’s Guides

Online Encyclopedia CD-ROM

Bibliography

Common Questions & Answers

Configuration and Operations Guide

Release Guide

Table 1. MSC/NASTRAN Documentation System.

A-3
 ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION

Older User Documentation Available

• MSC/NASTRAN Handbook for Superelement Analysis

• MSC/NASTRAN Handbook for Nonlinear Analysis

• MSC/NASTRAN Demonstration Problem Manual

Shows illustrative examples with MSC/NASTRAN input and output.

• MSC/NASTRAN Verification Probblem Manual

Provides examples for which there are known solutions and
compares MSC/NASTRAN output with theory. Examples using
most of the Unstructured Solution Sequences are included.

• The NASTRAN Theoretical Manual

Explains the theoretical basis of the elements and algorithms. The
numerical algorithm material is superseded by the MSC/NASTRAN
Handbook for Numerical Methods and the MSC/NASTRAN
Numerical Methods User’s Guide.

• MSC/NASTRAN Programmer’s Manual

Describes the input and output for the modules. This manual is not
recommended for general use but is useful for advanced DMAP
development.

• All of the documents listed above can be ordered from your local
MSC office or representative.

A-4
 ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION

• MSC Corporate Web Site

• The MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation’s Web site provides several

sources of information that can assist you in running
MSC/NASTRAN and our other products. MSC’s Web address is

http://www.msc.com

• Here you can find out what is new with MSC, read white papers on
the use of MSC products, download technical papers from previous
User’s Conference, review the minutes of the Technical Forum,
order documentation from the MSC Bookstore, obtain a schedule
of training courses, share feedback and suggestions interactively
with other users, subscribe to MSC’s corporate newsletter, and
even download software patches and utilities. The sssalter library
and error list will also be posted on the Web in the future.

A-5
A-6
 APPENDIX B

STRUCTURE PLOTS

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1

PLOT ENTRIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3

VIEWING OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4

EXAMPLE - PLOT INPUT FILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-6

PLOT SET 1 LABEL BOTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-7

PLOT SET 1 SHRINK, LABEL GSPC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-8

PLOT STATIC DEFORMATION 0 SET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-9

21
 INTRODUCTION 22

• Structure plots are used to

• Verify model geometry

• Check grid locations and element connectivity

• Visually summarize analysis results

• These plots can be viewed using the batch plotter routine supplied
with MSC/NASTRAN: PLOTPS.

• PLOTPS converts the file createed by MSC/NASTRAN into a

postscript format which may be printed on any postscript
printer or viewed in any postscript viewer.

• Instructions for using PLOTPS are given in Section 6.7 of the

Configuration and Operations Guide

B-1
 INTRODUCTION (Cont.) 23

• The structure plotter provides the following capabilities for

undeformed structures:

• Displaying grid points and element connectivity

• Identifying grid points and elements by respective identification

numbers

• Identifying constrained degrees of freedom by placing an integer

code beside the grid

• Identifying element property identification numbers

• Shrinking one- and two-dimensional elements by a fraction

• Plotting capabilities for deformed structures:

• Display the deflected shape of the structure

• Display contours of element stresses

• Display contours of displacements or temperatures

• The above plots are available in orthographic (default) or

perspective projections.

See Section 4 of the MSC/NASTRAN Quick Reference Guide or

Section 13 of the MSC/NASTRAN Reference Manual for additional
information on undeformed and deformed plots.

B-2
 PLOT ENTRIES

• A request for structure plots is made in the Case Control beginning

with the OUTPUT(PLOT) commands and ending with the BEGIN
BULK command.

• Only elements can be plotted, and grid points not associated with
elements cannot be plotted. Grid points can be connected with
PLOTEL elements for plotting purposes.

• Required commands for structure plots:

OUTPUT(PLOT) Delimeter for plot request package

SET Defines the set of elements to be plotted

FIND Requests that the program select a scale and

origin to construct the plot in the defined region

PLOT Defines the type of plot and plot options

Plot request entries are free-field format, and subject to the rules
given in Section 4 of the MSC/NASTRAN Quick Refernce Guide.

• Order of plot package data entries:

• Set entries can be defined anywhere in the plot package.

• Parameters describing plot characteristics are evaluated every

time a PLOT or FIND entry is encountered. To minimize mistakes,
pay attention to the order of the plot entries.

B-3
 VIEWING OPTIONS

The plot frame can be visualized as occupying the S-T plane of the
viewing coordinate system R, S, T. The AXES entry associates the R,
S, T with X, Y, Z. Three angles (γ, β, and α) define the angular
relationship between R, S, T and the X, Y, Z axes of the object (in the
basic coordinate system).

S
β

Direction of View (This is always

α
in negative R-direction. The
projection plane is always in, or
parallel to, the S-T plane.)
R

B-4
 VIEWING OPTIONS (Cont.)

The user can specify the plot direction and orientation by including
the entries

AXES R, S, T

VIEW γ, β, α

where R, S, T = member of the set {X, MX, Y, MY, Z, MZ} (default

= X, Y, Z)

γ, β, α = 34.27, 23.17, 0 (default for orthographic

projection) or

34.27 0, 0 (default for perspective projection) or

any other combination of user-defined viewing

angles

B-5
 EXAMPLE - PLOT INPUT FILE

OUTPUT(PLOT)
SET 1=ALL
PTITLE=DEFAULT VIEWING AXES
FIND SCALE,ORIGIN
PLOT SET 1 LABEL BOTH
PLOT SET 1 SHRINK, LABEL GSPC
AXES MY,X,Z
VIEW 0.,0.,0.
FIND SCALE,ORIGIN
PTITLE=DEFORMATION PLOT SUPERIMPOSED ON UNDEFORMED STRUCTURE
PLOT STATIC DEFORMATION 0 SET 1
BEGIN BULK

• Plot titles

• Up to four lines of title information are printed in the lower left-hand

corner of each plot.

TITLE
SUBTITLE Case Control
LABEL
PLOT TYPE (e.g., deformed plot)

• PTITLE entry provides text to be printed in the upper left-hand

corner of each plot.

B-6
 PLOT SET 1 LABEL BOTH

11

504 12
6
604 13
104 7
704 14
1 204 8
2
304 804
9 15
3
404
10
4

Cantilevered Plate Transverse Load at Free End

Structural Plotting Example
Illustrates Various Features
Plot Is an Undeformed Shape

B-7
 PLOT SET 1 SHRINK, LABEL GSPC

(Since each grid is constrained against normal rotation, the GSPC

option causes every grid point to be labeled here.)

11
12
6
13
7
1 14
8
2 15
9
3
10
4
5

Cantilevered Plate Transverse Load at Free End

Structural Plotting Example
Illustrates Various Features
Plot Is an Undeformed Shape

B-8
 PLOT STATIC DEFORMATION 0 SET

Cantilevered Plate Transverse Load at Free End

Structural Plotting Example
Illustrates Various Features
Plot Is a Static Deformation Subcase 1 Load 555

B-9
B-10
 APPENDIX C

MSC/NASTRAN MODEL CHECKOUT

Presented at the
MSC/NASTRAN USER’S CONFERENCE
MARCH 20-21, 1986