Finite element models are representations of products used for performing computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis. Finite element models are complementary to computer-aided design (CAD) models, which are mainly geometric representations of products.
A Finite Element Model in Abaqus for CATIA V5 consists of:
a system representation, consisting of:
a Nodes and Elements objects set (containing Mesh objects)
a Properties objects set (containing Property-type objects, such as contact connections)
a Materials objects set (containing the material names and basic types associated with the parts or products linked to the analysis)
a Nonlinear and Thermal Properties objects set (containing Connection Behavior objects)
various environmental action representations, contained within a Nonlinear Structural, Explicit Dynamics, or Thermal Case objects set and described by a sequence of steps in the history of the environmental actions
You can initiate an analysis of a Finite Element Model when you have captured a sufficient amount of specifications in the objects that define the model.
The following topics are discussed in this chapter: