Caesam Help

CaeSam Analyst User Help
© Copyright Samtech 2009
Version : 5.3.3
Table of Contents
What is New ........................................................................................................................2
Caesam Basics .................................................................................................................... 4
Understanding CæSam for analysts ..................................................................... 4
Glossary ................................................................................................................... 9
Using the Help .......................................................................................................11
The User Interface ........................................................................................................... 14
The Menu bar ....................................................................................................... 16
The File menu .................................................................................................. 16
The Edit menu.................................................................................................. 18
Display menu................................................................................................... 21
The Model menu.............................................................................................. 22
The Data menu................................................................................................. 23
Result menu..................................................................................................... 23
Analysis menu.................................................................................................. 24
Maturity menu ..................................................................................................26
Tools menu...................................................................................................... 27
User menu ........................................................................................................ 27
SDK menu........................................................................................................ 27
Help menu........................................................................................................ 27
The Tool bar ..........................................................................................................28
The Interface Perspectives ...................................................................................29
The Tree View .......................................................................................................30
The Property View ............................................................................................... 34
The Analysis Runs tab ......................................................................................... 37
The Editors ............................................................................................................38
The Global Model ............................................................................................................ 41
Elements ................................................................................................................ 41
Running a global FEM analysis .......................................................................... 42
Currently loaded op2 data blocks .......................................................................42
Basic operations ............................................................................................................... 44
Filtering ................................................................................................................. 44
Selecting items .......................................................................................................46
Using groups ......................................................................................................... 48
Working with a database ..................................................................................... 48
Calculation Points ............................................................................................................ 50
Create an SEA ...................................................................................................... 50
Engineering Objects ............................................................................................. 51
Adding EOs to the Shared Workspace ...............................................................52
CPs and EOs ......................................................................................................... 55
Assigning EOs to CPs ...........................................................................................62
Using reference values .....................................................................................62
Using shared values......................................................................................... 64
Assigning parameters defined in a configuration ............................................ 66
Defining local EO values................................................................................. 68
Analysis operations .......................................................................................................... 70
Running an analysis ............................................................................................. 70
Performing a standalone analysis ....................................................................... 72
Performing an analysis using an analysis model ............................................... 73
Configurations ..................................................................................................................74
Using configurations and associations ................................................................75
Packages ............................................................................................................................78
Using Packages ..................................................................................................... 78
Load cases .........................................................................................................................81
Unitary Loadcases ................................................................................................ 81
Generating Unitary Load Cases from an OP2 file........................................... 82
Creating Unitary Load Cases manually........................................................... 83
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Creating Real load cases ...................................................................................... 85
User load cases ...................................................................................................... 88
Creating User Load Cases manually................................................................ 88
Creating User load cases from unitary load cases........................................... 89
Contents of .csv loadcase files......................................................................... 90
Creating Combined load cases ............................................................................ 95
Creating Load Case Sets ...................................................................................... 97
Selecting Load Cases for an analysis .................................................................. 99
Tables .............................................................................................................................. 100
Basic tables .......................................................................................................... 100
The Table Editor ................................................................................................ 103
Table descriptor ..................................................................................................108
Using tables ......................................................................................................... 110
Create a new table based on a standard template ...........................................110
Create a table from a descriptor..................................................................... 110
Creating a local table from a global table...................................................... 111
Import table.................................................................................................... 111
View and edit a table..................................................................................... 111
Filtering a table.............................................................................................. 112
Sort table contents.......................................................................................... 113
Viewing table data in the 3D Viewer............................................................. 113
Export table.................................................................................................... 116
Export table descriptor................................................................................... 117
Viewing results ............................................................................................................... 118
The 3-D Viewer ................................................................................................... 118
Using the 3-D viewer ..................................................................................... 120
Color scale ..................................................................................................... 122
Viewing FEM results ..........................................................................................123
Loading FEM results..................................................................................... 124
FE viewer ....................................................................................................... 124
Tools .............................................................................................................. 125
Contextual menu ............................................................................................ 141
Hints and tips................................................................................................. 144
How to view FE results ..................................................................................144
Terminology ...................................................................................................146
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Chapter 1 - What is New

New in version 5.3
• Improved filtering in view by configuration
• Improved selection filter in view by configuration
• Improved command "Move Selected Associations"
• Improved command "Move Selected Support Associations"
• Unification and improvements of the global table editor and the table
perspective
• Possibility to add table columns for values coming from loadcases (OP2)
and from the BDF
• Export and import tables to/from Excel files in batch
• Transpose result table
For more details see the Release Notes. Select Help --> Analyst Help -->
Release Notes...
New in version 5.2.

• Rearrangement of functions in the menus.
• New entry to create a specific post table.
• Editing of tables
• Perspectives can be used to apply different arrangements of the interface.
• FEM results can be viewed from AIBSPA (.obj) files.
• Get analysis messages
• Edit analysis file
• Items can be added and removed from a group.
• Attach an Eo to a CP
• Use current data set
• Edit an item in the tree view
• Different types of editors are available
New for version 5.2.3 :
• Window menu
• Define bounds option for filtering the numerical values in tables.
New in version 4.1.7
See also the Release notes
• A dedicated editor is now available for the creation of load case sets
• Display of text in tables.
• The font size to display text is set in the Display options
• To improve performance it is possible to deactivate the 3D View.
• When using tables within the editor tab, column width settings can be
defined.
• A printable version of the online help is available from the Help menu.
• Information about the number of patches that have been installed is
available from the Help menu.
Correction of bugs.
• Improvement in performance.
• Correction of bugs.
• New types of tables that can be created.
• Shortcut to create tables in the Results menu.
• A number of user Preferences can be set.
• The Run button has been changed.
• A "Connect button" has been added to the Property view that allows you to
connect the same value to several EOs.
• A "follow icon" has been added to the Property view that indicates whether
the contents of the Property View is following the Tree View or not.
• The possibility to view FEM node ids in the display has been moved to the
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Display options dialog.
• New functionality in tables allows you to define a reference column and a
support column.
• Tables
• Configurations
• Packages
• New options in the display menu.
• Detachable tabs
• A properties sheet is available by right clicking on items in the tree view.
• Preferences can be set using the Edit menu.
• The number of decimal places used for numeric values can be set in the
Preferences dialog in the General category.
• The Post-processing tab has been removed. It has been replaced with a more
generic post processing table.
• Set read only
• Duplicate function
• Load cases: It is possible to create unitary load cases from op2 files and to
create user load cases from unitary load cases.
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Chapter 2 - Caesam Basics

Before using CæSam it is important to understand that CæSam is a framework in
which engineering analysis processes can be carried out; it is not designed for
specific analysis purposes. The analyses that can be performed are those that
have been installed locally as "plugins". The details of the analysis processes are
defined locally by the plugin. This Help therefore can not provide assistance on
any specific analysis.
Starting up
CæSam can be started by following the steps given below.
Windows
From the Start menu select Start - Programs - Samtech - CæSam V5.3 -
CæSam V5.3
or Double click on the CæSam V5.3 shortcut on the desktop.
or Double click on the <Installation directory>\CæSam.cmd file.
UNIX
% <Installation directory>/CæSam
(where <Installation directory> is the directory you have chosen for
product installation)
Note! When starting the application from a command line a number of startup
options can be set.
- nolog stops the generation of a log file.
- discipline discipline-name starts CæSam with a number of plugins that relate to
the discipline with the specified name
- filepath1, filepath2 opens CæSam with the specified CæSam files (.czm)
Concepts
There are some concepts (described on page-4) associated with using CæSam
which apply to the use of the framework, and an understanding of these will help
in working within the framework.
Procedures
Performing a stand-alone analysis (described on page-72) describes how to carry
out a local analysis on a discrete set of structural elements that are not part of a
specific structural model.
The general steps for working with an analysis model (described on page-73)
provide guidance on certain processes.
2.1 - Understanding CæSam for analysts

The general concepts and principles of operation associated with working with
CæSam for analysts are illustrated through the use of a hypothetical example.
Structural Elements and Assemblies
An analysis operation is always based on Structural Elements, (SEs) which
represent individual parts of the complete structure under analysis. To illustrate
this the figure below depicts two typical SEs; a beam and a plate.
Figure 1. Structural Element (SE) Plate
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Figure 2. Structural Element (SE) Beam
An analysis operation can also be performed on Structural Element Assemblies,

(SEAs) which are collections of Structural Elements. The figure below depicts a
typical SEA, which is called a "Base" and which is composed of three Structural
Elements (SEs); one beam and two plates.
Figure 3. A Structural Element Assembly (SEA) "Base"
The types of SEs that can be used in the analysis operation is specified in the
analysis operation definition. Similarly the number of SEs and the construction
of the SEA, is also specified in the analysis operation definition. The actual SEs
and SEAs used in any instance of the analysis operation is selected by the
analyst.
An analysis is actually carried out on a Calculation point, which can be either an
SE or an SEA. Multiple calculation points can be selected for analysis.
The Analysis {Stress} Model
In most circumstances the SEs and the SEAs form part of a complete structure or
significant part of such a structure, that is under analysis. The Analysis {Stress }
model provides the context for the analysis and describes the topology and the
relationship between the basic structural elements (SEs) and the assemblies.
This concept is illustrated below where a collection of "Base" SEAs together
form an analysis {stress } model.
Figure 4. Analysis {stress } model
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It is also possible to work outside the concept of an analysis model by

performing analyses in 'standalone mode' in which analysis operations can be
performed on independent SEAs.
See also : Working with structural elements (described on page-50).
Engineering objects
Engineering Objects (EOs) are the means of defining the parameters that will be
used in the analysis operation.
Thus, using the examples above, typical EOs relating to the SEs could be
Materials, Profile and Geometry.
Engineering Object Upper plate Beam Lower plate

Material Aluminium alloy-1 Steel Aluminium alloy-2
Profile
thickness = T1mm thickness = T2mm
Type = "I"
Required dimensions
Geometry
width = W1mm width = W3mm

length = L1mm length = L3mm
length = L2mm
Specific EOs, such as loads or other constraints, can also be assigned to SEAs.
Engineering objects also define other analysis operation parameters as well as
the results that are computed by the analysis operations, such a stress levels,
displacements or vibration modes.
Values for the input EOs must be defined before the analysis operation can be
executed. Thus all values for dimensions shown above as well as the material
properties must be specified.
These values are specified for each instance of the analysis operation by the
analyst, through a dedicated editor. These values can be specified "locally" for
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the current instance of the analysis operation, or they can be retrieved from a
"centrally" defined library, known as the EO Shared Workspace. They can also
form part of a set of temporary values that are contained in a configuration.
See also : Understanding Engineering Objects (described on page-51).
Analysis Operation Template
The type of analysis operation is determined by the choice of Template.
Different templates define different analysis operations that can be performed on
the same type of structural components.
The analysis operation template contains a complete definition of the structural
elements to be used, the input parameters (EOs) to be defined as well as the
computation and the results that will be obtained. It can also specify process
Parameters, which determine how the analysis is to be performed and Sub
operations, which are supplementary analysis processes that may be called by the
principle one.
The table below illustrates the use of templates to perform different
computational procedures on the same type of Structural Elements.
Base Bending Template Plate Buckling Template

SEs : Beams , Plates SEs : Plates
CP = SEA : Base= 1 beam + 2 plates CP = SE = Plate
Input parameters Input parameters
Materials Material
Profiles Profile
Geometry Geometry
Load cases Load
Output parameters Output parameters
Displacements Max Displacement
Stress Reserve factor
Modes
See Also : Understanding analysis operations (described on page-70).

The Analysis Process
The overall analysis process is illustrated in the Figure below in which the
relationships between the structural components, the template, the Engineering
Objects and the specific analysis operation is shown.
Figure 5. The Analysis process
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The analysis operation is based on the analysis model in which all the structural
elements (SEs) and their topology are defined.
The type of analysis operation that will be performed is based on the selected
template.
A template is related to a model, since they both refer to the same structural
components.
The specific instance of the analysis is contained in a CæSam document.
The template specifies which of the Calculation Points to be used and which
structural elements these include. The analyst selects the specific CPs required
for this analysis.
The template specifies which Engineering Objects (EOs) are required for the
analysis. Values for all the required EOs must be specified by the analyst. These
can be defined within the context of the single instance of the analysis or they
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can be referenced from a shared repository of definitions.
When all the input data have been defined, the analysis process can be run. The
processes, computations and result types are specified in the template.
The results are saved with the input data as a Run in the CæSam document.
Several Runs can be executed with different parameters.
2.2 - Glossary
Analysis model
An analysis {stress } model defines the topology of the Structural Elements
that form the structure to be analysed. An analysis operation can be
performed on defined sets of Structural Elements known as a Calculation
Points. Only when an analysis model has been defined can structural
elements be displayed in the 3-D viewer.
Analysis operation
An analysis operation is a computational process performed on a (part of a)
structural model known as the Calculation Point. The definition of the
operation is contained in an analysis template, which specifies all the
structural elements, the design parameters and the computations that will be
performed. Specific analyses can be created within an analysis document.
Analyst
A user of the CæSam framework, who performs calculations based on
structural elements according an analysis operation that is defined within a
template.
Association
An association is a particular value that can be applied to particular EOs on
SEs. Sets of associations are managed within configurations.
Author
Someone who creates plugin applications that can be used by analysts within
the CæSam framework to perform analyst operations.
Calculation Point
An analysis is performed on a Calculation Point (CP). A Calculation Point
can be a Structural Element or a Structural Element Assembly.
Configuration
Configurations allow you to manage Engineering Objects. They enable an
analyst to define a set of parameter values that can to be used independently
in analyses. Configurations in conjunction with packages can be managed so
that other analysts can see the results of the work by particular analysts on
particular areas of the structure using particular values for EOs.
Discipline
A discipline is a means of categorizing an analysis process. When a discipline
is selected it acts as filter and controls which parameters will be visible and
which can be modified.
Document
A CæSam analysis document contains all the data relating to a specific
instance of an analysis operation.
Editor
The means to define and view parameter values. Different types of editor are
available depending on the plugin. In all cases a simple default editor is
supplied to edit input data and view output data.
Element
This refers to a finite element associated with the Structural Elements in the
analysis model. These can be listed in the data tree and their properties
examined.
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Engineering object EO
An Engineering Object defines a parameter used in an analysis operation.
This can be an input (design) parameter or an output (result) parameter. The
EOs to be used are specified in the analysis template. Instances of EOs can be
created within an analysis. They can also be shared between different
analyses by placing them in the Shared Workspace. The complete Shared
Workspace can be exported to be shared with another analyst and in other
types of analysis.
Global FE model
This is a Finite Element Model on which an analysis model is based. CæSam
enables you to open and view such a model and the results associated with it.
Group
A group is a means of placing a collection of objects together.
Loadcase
A type of EO used in an analysis. Loadcases can be extracted from external
(.op2) files Their effects can be combined into single 'combined' loadcase, or
they can be grouped into a loadcase set.
Maturity
A group of functions that allow you to work with configurations and
packages. as a means of grouping parts of a large model together and
allowing individual analysts to use their own particular values in an analysis
without affecting the model reference values or the values in other analyses.
These functions will only be available if the relevant option has been set in
the Preferences.
Package
A package is a collection of items, such as SEs, EOs, that can be management
individually.
Perspective
An arrangement of the CæSam user interface.
Plugin
An application that has been created by an 'author'. A plugin defines all the
parameters relating to the analysis process, as well as the interface used to
work with it. The plugins that are installed are available under the Tools -
Tasks menu. Plugins can be categorised in 'disciplines'.
Reference values
These are the values of Engineering Objects that are directly related with the
Structural Elements; in practice they are the actual physical properties. They
are edited by selecting the SE in the tree. Different values can be used in an
investigative analysis by breaking the link between the analysis and the SE.
Results
Results are generated as the output of an analysis. The term is also used to
define data that is associated with the analysis such as geometric and material
properties. Such results can be viewed using options in the Results menu.
There are a number of means of viewing Results computed by the analysis.
Run
Runs are the result of an analysis. An analysis process is initiated by clicking
on the [Run] button. Each time the analysis is executed a new run is created
that contains all the results of the analysis process. Runs are listed in the Tree
View.
Structural Element (SE)
A Structural Element is a discrete part of a complete structure upon which an
analysis can be performed. It represents a unit structural element of the
complete engineering structure. The SEs that can be used in an analysis is
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defined in the analysis template. The design parameters associated with a
Structural Element are specified through an associated set of Engineering
objects.
Structural Element Assembly (SEA)
A Structural Element Assembly (SEA) is a specific collection of Structural
Elements used in an analysis operation.
Standalone Analysis
This is an analysis made without reference to an analysis model. It enables
you to perform computations on an isolated local set of Structural Elements.
Table
Tables can be used in CæSam to examine sets of data relating to the current
model. Information in a table can be sorted, filtered and exported to other
applications. Editors may also be available in tabular form.
Template
An analysis template specifies the parameters are to be used in an analysis
operation. A template is used to create a specific instance of an analysis
process.
2.3 - Using the Help

The user documentation describes:
• aspects of the user interface
• concepts associated with using the software
• useful processes required to operate CæSam
Note! that this help does not describe any aspect of a PLUGIN
Getting Help
To view all the help: select Help --> Analyst Help --> Analyst Help Browser -
to open the JavaHelp version of the Caesam online help
OR
Select Help --> Analyst Help --> Printable Analyst Help to access the Caesam
online help in pdf format.
To obtain contextual help : specific is available for some functionality using
the F1 function key. When an item is selected in the data tree for which
contextual help is provided, it will open in a specific browser which contains the
relevant page and a list of the previous pages visited.
If there is no contextual help for the selected topic, then a dialog will appear
informing you that there is no contextual help and offering to open the Analyst
Help.
• If you answer [Yes], then the main online help for Caesam will be opened.
• If you answer [No], then the contextual help browser will be opened with
the history of visited pages displayed.
• If you answer [Cancel], then no action will be taken.
Documentation conventions
[ button ]: A button for performing an action in a dialog box is shown between
square parentheses [ ] Example : Click [Apply] to view the results.
< keys>: Keyboard keys are shown between angled parentheses < > Example :
Press <Enter> to define the value.
Selections from the menu bar are shown as follows. Example: Select File -->
Save - from the menu.
Dialog boxes are shown as follows : the Opening a Document dialog
GUI fields are shown as follows: Check the Use Selection box.
File names and paths are shown as follows : installation/user/file.csm
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Terminology relating to the GUI

application
The main software application - in this case CæSam
module
A separate part of a software application with dedicated functions for a
specific task.
dialog box
A window used to enter parameters relating to a specific operation,
containing input fields and action buttons that will execute the function.
menu
The visible menu bar in an application.
contextual menu
A menu of options that appears when the user right clicks (see below) in a
specific area of the interface. The contents of the menu depends on the
current position.
pop-up menu
Same as contextual menu.
Terminology relating to the mouse
SamTech software provides options that relate to a three-buttoned mouse. In this
documentation the following conventions are used, which are based on the
standard mouse configuration for a right handed user.
Mouse button 1
- the left mouse button used for selection.
Mouse button 2
- the middle mouse button or scroll wheel.
Mouse button 3
- the right mouse button - normally used for opening a contextual menu.
Actions performed with the mouse:
Click (or left-click)
- to depress and release mouse button 1; an action used for selection.
Right click
- to depress and release mouse button 3; an action used to bring up a
contextual menu.
Drag
- to depress mouse button 1 and to move the mouse keeping the button
depressed.
Scroll
- to rotate the scroll wheel on a mouse. For a mouse that does not have a
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scroll wheel, scrolling is performed by dragging the scroll bar in the window
up or down.
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Chapter 3 - The User Interface

CæSam is a platform in which analysts can work with tools that have been
specifically designed and implemented for their field of interest. The user
interface presented depends, to some extent, on the plugins that have been loaded
as plugins. This help describes the interface provided in the base CæSam
application.
The CæSam user interface is set out in an arrangement similar to that shown
below.
It consists of:
• The menu bar (described on page-16)
• The tool bar (described on page-28)
• The Tree View (described on page-30)
• The 3D Viewer (described on page-118)
• The Property View (described on page-34)
• The Editing area (described on page-38)
Using the interface
The interface is presented as a collection of panels. By default there are four
panels as shown in the screen shot above.
You can modify this by clicking on one of the perspective layout buttons in the
top right corner of the toolbar.
- 14 -
The button on the left provides the traditional tree perspective (described on
page-29), while the button on the right provides thetabular perspective (described
on page-29).
The proportions dedicated to each of these panels can be adjusted to suit your
needs. You can either adjust the size of each panel individually, or you can use
the short cut buttons.
To adjust the size of the panels manually:
1. Move the mouse to the edge of the panel that needs to be adjusted.
2. The mouse pointer will change to an arrow pointing at a bar, as shown in
the figure below.
3. Press mouse button 1 and drag the edge to the position required.
Adjusting the size of the panels using the shortcut buttons
In the top right hand corner of each of the panels there are a pair of buttons that
maximise and minimize the size of the panel.
Maximise
This maximises the size of the panel. It fills the entire workspace.
Minimise
This reduces the size of the panel to a minimum. It can be restored using the
Restore button. This operation can also be performed by double clicking on
the tab in a panel.
Restore
The restore button appears when the Maximise or the Minimise buttons have
been used. It will restore the original size of the panel.
Moving the tabs
You can drag some tabs that are placed in the bottom panel to the upper panel
and vice versa.
Status history
The back and forward buttons in the toolbar allow you to restore the
interface to previous states during the current session. Thus you can return to
previous settings of the Tree View and selections. This is not an undo operation;
edited values for example are not changed.
Disciplines
The CæSam plugins can be categorized in disciplines. This area in the user
interface allows you to select the discipline in which you want to work.
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A discipline acts as a type of filter controlling the parameters that are visible and
which can be edited. Click on the Discipline field to view and select the available
disciplines. When the discipline "none" is selected, then no discipline is active,
all parameters will be visible.
3.1 - The Menu bar

The number of menus and the contents of each menu may be different in your
case. This depends on the plugins that are loaded. The menus described here
consists of all the standard entries delivered with the CæSam application.
The File menu (described on page-16)
The Edit menu (described on page-18)
The Display menu (described on page-21)
The Model menu (described on page-22)
The Data menu (described on page-23)
The Analysis menu (described on page-24)
The Result menu (described on page-23)
The Maturity menu (described on page-26)
The Tools menu (described on page-27)
The Window menu (described on page-)
The User menu (described on page-27).
The SDK menu (described on page-27)
The Help menu (described on page-27)
3.1.1 - The File menu

New
This opens a new Caesam analysis document, enabling you to create new
analyses. By default a new document is given the name document1.caesam
When a new document is opened, it is empty and contains no reference to either
an analysis template or an analysis model.
Note! when you are working with a database, only one document can be opened
in a session. This menu entry is therefore unavailable.
Open
This opens an existing CAESAM analysis document. The Opening a document
dialog appears in which you can browse for the required document. The Visited
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directories drop down list provides quick access to the last ten directories
accessed. Analysis documents are saved with the extension .czm. These are in
fact zipped files and when opened create two temporary directories
{document-name}.tmp and {document-name}.caesamexternalfiles that are
removed when the document is closed.
Open Recent
This provides a list of the 5 most recently opened files. Clear Menu clears the
contents of this list. It will not appear the next time that you open a Caesam
document. This operation is unavailable if you are working with a database.
Close
This closes the current CAESAM analysis document. If unsaved changes exist
you will be warned before the document is closed. If there is only one document
open it does not close the CAESAM application. A new empty document is
opened in its place. To close the CAESAM application use File --> Exit . This
operation is unavailable if you are working with a database. Only one document
can be open during a session.
Save As...
This saves the current CAESAM analysis document as a file with a different
name. This provides a convenient means of running a new analysis with a
structural model that has been defined in an existing document. The Save AS
dialog will appear in which you can specify the name and the location where the
document will be stored. The Visited directories drop down list provides quick
access to the last ten directories where documents were saved. The new
document will then become the active current document.
Save
This saves the current CAESAM analysis document. The current values of
parameters and results will be saved. The Saving a document dialog will
appear in which you can browse to the location where the document is to be
saved. The Visited directories drop down list provides quick access to the last ten
directories where documents were saved.
Import
This enables you to import items from a number of sources:
Import EO
This enables you to import a definition of a Engineering object. This
definition must have been previously exported from another analysis.
The Import EO dialog will appear in which you can browse for the required
EO definition (with the extension .csm). The Visited directories drop down
list provides quick access to the last ten directories. When the required file
has been selected, it will appear in the EO Shared Workspace folder and can
be linked to an analysis parameter.
Note! that the name of the file in which a EO is stored is not the same as the
label of the EO itself.
See also : Understanding Engineering Objects (described on page-51).
Import Shared Workspace
This enables you to import a collection of EO definitions that are contained in
a workspace that has previously been exported.
The contents of the workspace that you import will be added to the
workspace that exists.
Note! if an EO with the same name (identification) already exists in the
workspace, then this item can not be imported. You will see a message saying
that an identical EO already exists. If you wish to import this EO, then you
need to change its name.
See also : Understanding Engineering Objects (described on page-51) and
Linking an EO to an analysis parameter (described on page-55).
Import Packages
This entry allows you to import packages. See the Maturity menu (described
on page-26).
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Export
Export EO
This operation is available when an Engineering Object definition is selected
in the Tree View. The Export EO dialog will appear in which you can browse
to the location where the EO is to be exported. The Visited directories drop
down list provides quick access to the last ten directories. An EO that has
been exported can be imported into another analysis by another user.
Export Shared Workspace
This enables you to export the collection of Engineering object definitions
that has been defined in the current analysis to a location where they can be
made available to other analysts. This option is available when the EO Shared
Workspace has been selected in the Tree View. The Export Shared
Workspace dialog allows you to browse to the location where the workspace
is to be exported.
Export Packages
• Export All Packages
This option enables you to export all packages in the current analysis.
• Export Selected Packages
This option enables you to export packages that have been selected in
the current analysis.
See the Maturity menu (described on page-26).
Page setup
This option is not supported in the current version of the software.
Print
Exit
This closes the CAESAM application. All open windows will be closed. If
unsaved changes exist you will be prompted to save them.
3.1.2 - The Edit menu

Undo
This enables you to undo certain operations. Not all operations can be undone.
Redo
This will cancel an Undo operation.
Rename
This enables you to change the name that has been assigned to EO definitions,
SEs, SEAs and Analyses. The same operation can be obtained from the
contextual menu obtained by right clicking on any of these items. It is also
possible to rename the label of the EO by double clicking on it in the Property
View panel.
The new name can be entered when the current name is shown in italic text with
blue background. Enter the new name and press <Enter>.
Delete
This enables you to delete various items from the data tree. The same operation
can be obtained from the contextual menu obtained by right clicking on any of
these items.
Preferences
This schedules the Preferences dialog in which you can set some user
preferences. A list of preferences that can be set appears in the left panel. The
contents of this list depends on the plugins that have been loaded, though some
preferences are available by default.
- 18 -
You can set a filter on the list of settings that is presented by entering a value in
the upper field on the left side. All items that contain the string in this field will
be displayed.
File Format - CSV delimitor and separator You can define the delimitor and the
separator to be used when files are
exported in a format that can be
imported into Excel.
Format Physical Dimension Allows you to define some
properties relating to the format of
physical dimensions.
• Precision defines the number
of figures displayed after the
decimal point.
• Number Notation: the
following options are provided
-Fixed e.g. 23000, Scientific
e.g. 2.3 104, and Engineering
e.g. 23 103
• Number Rounding Mode, the
following options are provided:
Floor, rounds down, so 7.6
becomes 7. Ceil, rounds up, so
7.6 becomes 8.Nearest goes to
the closest, so 7.6 becomes 8,
and 7.4 becomes 7.
GUI - Settings Default tree presentation Allows you to choose which item
will be listed in the data tree when
the application first opens.
Use_External_Html_Browser This refers to the presentation of
documentation relating to an EO. In
the current revision this option
applies only to the EO "Report" in
the Results of an analysis. When
this option is checked (set to True)
then you can view the html report
that is generated as a result of the
analysis in a separate window. It it
is not set, then the html report will
be embedded in the Caesam
application.
General TempDirectory This option allows you to specify a
location for the temporary directory
that is used while the CæCsam
application is running. The default
temporary directory is associated
with the context in which the
CæCsam application exists. This
allows you to choose an alternative
that might be on a disc which has
more space or is faster for example.
precision This specifies the number of places
after the decimal point that will be
displayed.
General - LoadCaseSetTreeDescriptor This preference defines the way in
Loadcases which the tree is constructed in the
Load Case editor. The various
options must be available in .csm
files that are created by the author of
the plugin. The analyst can select
the descriptor file required.
- 19 -
General - UseDatabaseForNewDocument When this option is checked on (set
Persistency to true) then the next time that you
open the CæCsam application you
will be using the database for the
transfer of data.
CacheSize This option enables you to set a
limit on the amount of memory that
will be available when working with
a database. The value of 0 implies
no limit on the memory. In this case
the application will operate faster.
When a value is set, the memory
used will be limited to this value.
The value entered should be defined
in terms of objects!
Maturity - General Enabled When this option is checked (true)
then the maturity options (the ability
to work with configurations and
associations) will be available. .
Show Maturity Menu The Maturity menu and will be
available if this option is checked
(true) AND the Enabled option is
also set to true.
SwiXMLEditors Font Allows you to set the font
characteristics that will be used in
SwiXML editors. The presence of
SwiXML editors depends on the
plugin.
Unit Preferences
Whenever you define a physical quantity to be assigned to an EO, the value must
be defined in a particular unit. The unit in which it is defined is selected from a
drop down list. This option enables you select the unit systems to be used and to
manage the list of available units.
To set the Solver unit system:
1. Select the required option from the drop down list.
2. Click [Apply]. (When you click [Apply] the system adapts the current units
to the new ones and works with the new units for the current session.)
3. Click [Save as defaults] if you wish to save the current set as the default set.
These units will be used the next time you start this version of Cæsam. Some
plugins can require that you use a particular set of units. If this option is not
available, try starting Caesam without initiating any plugins.
To manage the list of available units:
1. Select the physical quantity in the left hand list.
2. The current list of units associated with that quantity are displayed in the
right hand list.
3. Select a unit in the list.
4. Use the up and down arrows to change its position.
5. Click on the [X] button if you wish to delete the unit from the list. (Note
that no confirmation is requested.)
6. Click on the [+] button if you wish to add a unit to the list.
a. In the dialog that appears, enter the definition for the list.
b. If the definition is valid, then the [OK] button will be sensitive and the
unit will be added to the list. A definition will be valid if it is
constructed from unit dimensions that are already defined.
7. Click [Close] to apply the new list.
The next time you enter a value for this physical quantity, the new list will
appear.
- 20 -
Go backward one selection

This returns you to the previous selection you made.
Go forward one selection
This returns you to the selection made before the Backward operation described
above.
3.1.3 - Display menu

Note! Items can only be displayed if they are part of an analysis model and have
a display format associated with them.
Show all
This displays all items in model. It can be used to restore all hidden items.
Hide all
This removes all Structural elements from the display. You can use Show all to
restore all of the elements to the display, or you can use the Show selected
options to display selected items.
Fix selection in display
This option displays the item that is currently selected in the tree. This item will
remain displayed even when the selection in the tree changes. To have the
display follow the selection, use the option Show current selection.
Remove selection from display
This option hides the item that is currently selected in the tree. This item will
remain hidden even when the selection in the tree changes. To have the display
follow the selection, use the option Hide current selection.
Show current selection
This displays items that have been selected in the Tree View. When the selection
changes the display will be updated.
Hide current selection
This hides items that have been selected in the data tree. When the selection
changes the display will be updated.
Topology Representation
This displays a simplified, wire frame model of the structure.
GFEM Representation
This toggles the display of the global FEM model that is associated with the
structural elements in the analysis model. When this option is checked, the
global FEM model remains on display and is unaffected by the Show and Hide
operations above.
Custom Representation
When this option is checked a more customised representation of the model is
displayed. The custom definition must be specified in the plugin.
Display Filtered Entities
When a filter has been applied to contents of the Tree View, this option will
remove all the elements that have been removed by the filter from the display.
Items that are displayed, but which have been removed from the list by the filter,
can not be selected from the display.
View
Display Axes
This switches the representation of the coordinate system axes in the
- 21 -
graphical display. These axes rotate when the model is rotated.
Deactivate 3D View
This option deactivates the 3D view. This can be used to improve
performance when working with a large model. Note that even if the 3D
viewer is not in use if the upper panel is occupied by an editor tab for
example), the viewer is still refreshed unless it is deactivated.
Tree Structure
The options from this menu enable you to select the manner in which the data in
the SE tree will be structured. These correspond to the options available in the
Tree drop down list available in the Tree View panel.
Perspectives
Tree Perspective
This schedules the tree perspective (described on page-29) layout.
Table Perspective
This schedules the table perspective (described on page-29) layout.
FEM Perspective
This option is not supported in the current revision.
Display Options
This enables you to specify how the Structural and the Global FEM models are
represented in the display. It schedules the Display Options dialog. The Options
to determine the display of the Global FEM Model, or the Structural Model are
only available when the corresponding model is available. The following display
parameters can be set:
Display Mode : choose whether to display the model as: a wireframe, as shaded
surfaces or as shrunk surfaces. Display (items): check the items
(one-dimensional and two-dimensional) that you wish to have displayed. Note
that the option to view Node IDs is only available when the "Global FEM
Model" has been selected from the drop down list at the bottom of the dialog
box.
Shrink coefficient : this is available when the Shrink display mode is selected
and allows you to set the proportion by which the face is shrunk.
Beam width : sets the width of the line used for displaying one dimensional
elements.
Font Size : sets the size of the font used to display text in the display.
Edge Color : sets the color used to display the wireframe.
Beam Color : sets the color used to display one dimensional elements.
Interior Color : sets the color used to display a surface face in the normal
direction.
Back Interior Color : sets the color used to display the reverse surface face
(opposite direction to the normal).
Highlight Color: sets the color used when an item is highlighted in the display
as the mouse is passed over it.
Structural Elements / Global FEM Model: selects whether the defined settings
will be applied to the Global FEM or the Structural model. All parameters are
applied immediately and can be seen in the display.
[Close]: this button closes the dialog and retains the settings.
3.1.4 - The Model menu

SEA
Create SEA
This enables you to create a new Structural Element Assembly. It is available
when a suitable collection of Structural Elements (SEs) have been selected.
To create an SEA (described on page-50)
- 22 -
3.1.5 - The Data menu

Add EO in Shared Workspace
This enables you to define a new Engineering Object (EO) (described on
page-?).
List all links and versions
Shared workspace
Import Shared Workspace
This allows you to import a library of Engineering objects that had been
defined and exported from another analysis. This operation is also available
from the File menu (described on page-16).
Export Shared Workspace
This allows you to export the current collection of Engineering objects so that
they can be used in another analysis. This operation is also available from the
File menu (described on page-16).
Load cases
Create User LC from Computed LC
This enables you to create a User load case from a computed load case
(described on page-89).
Create Unitary LCs from OP2 files
This enables you to create a unitary load case based on a selected op2 file
Table
This menu allows you to work with tables (described on page-100).
Create Table
This enables you to create an instance of a table (described on page-110) based
on the table templates that are available in the plugin.
Export Table
This enables you to export the table (described on page-116) that is selected in
the data tree.
Import Table
This enables you to import a table (described on page-111) that has been
previously exported.
Export Table Descriptor
This exports the descriptor (described on page-117) associated with the selected
table.
Create Table from descriptor
This allows you to create a table based on a descriptor (described on page-110)
that has been saved.
Print Table
This enables you to print the contents of a table.
3.1.6 - Result menu

The contents of the Results menu will depend on the environment in which you
are working and the plugins that have been installed.
Select a global model file
This enables you to open a file of the type .op2 that contains a finite element
mesh. A dialog will open in which you can browse for the required model file.
When the file has been selected and opened, it will appear in the SE tree as a
"Global Model". Once a global model has been opened, it is possible to view
results that are based on this model.
Only one global model can be open at any one time. If there is already one open,
a warning is issued. To see which global model is open, set the Tree View to By
List and then select Global Model. In the Property View click on the Global
FEM Model Eo. The corresponding file will be shown.
- 23 -
If necessary, open a new document in which to open a new global model.
Select a global result file
This enables you to open files that contain a set of finite element results. Files of
type op2 and ABISPA can be opened.
Op2 files: A dialog will open in which you can browse for the required result
file. These must be associated with the global model that has already been
opened using the option Select global model file. When it is opened, you can
click on the Global model in the tree and the associated result files will appear in
the Property View panel. When the result file is selected, the list of results and
the meshed model will appear in the lower editing panel.
ABISPA files: These results file contain just one loadcase each. If you need to
post-process a number of loadcases then you must select all the required files.
Each result file has the extension .obj. If each of the loadcases are contained in a
number of files that have the same root name, then you just need to enter this
root name. So, for example, if you have three files called resultLC1.obj,
resultLC2.obj and resultLC3.obj, you just need to enter the text resultLC in
the selection field. Caesam will find all the associated files and load them. When
the files are loaded, an FEM result file will appear in the Property View panel.
When this is selected a dedicated viewer will appear in the lower editing panel.
See also : Viewing FE results (described on page-124).
Hide result
This will remove the current results on display in the 3-D viewer. This applied to
results loaded using the Other options described below.
Create OP2 Result table
This creates a table listing all the results in the OP2 files from which the load
cases have been defined. This is a short cut to performing the operation Data -->
Table --> Create table and selecting the option Result Table By LoadCase
from OP2. Using the Table menu allows you to set some parameters.
Create Post Result table

This option creates a table listing all the results with non-dimensional values
from all the analysis runs currently available. The table is generated immediately
with a default name and with the default parameters i.e. it takes all the valid
results available.
If you create the same type of table using Data --> Table --> Create table and
then selecting the option Post RF Table, you can set some parameters that
restrict the number of rows that will be generated in the table.
Create reduced Post Result table
This option represents a short cut to creating a Post RF table that contains just
one row for each SE. This row contains the RF result that represents the
minimum of all the values available for that SE. More information on parameters
that can be set for a post RF table are described in basic tables (described on
page-100).
Other
These operations are not fully supported in the current revision of the software.
See Viewing results in the 3D viewer (described on page-113).
3.1.7 - Analysis menu

Create Stand Alone Analysis
This allows you to create a standalone analysis, i.e. one without reference to an
analysis model. It schedules the Create a new Analysis dialog.
- 24 -
Filter: The filter field allows you to enter a string that will be used to identify the
name of the analysis you require. All analysis templates that contain the string
will be highlighted and all other analyses filtered out. The results will be
displayed according to the selected tree structure option.
Single list: All available or filtered analyses will be presented in a single
alphabetical list.
Folder list: All available or filtered analyses will be presented in a hierarchical
list. The structure of this hierarchy depends on the plugins that are loaded. All
templates that have not been assigned a position in a structure will be included in
the Unclassified list.
To create and perform a standalone analysis (described on page-72).
- 25 -
Create Analysis
This enables you to create a new instance of an analysis based on a Calculation
Point that is part of an analysis model. It schedules the Create a new Analysis
dialog that is described above. This operation is only available when you have a
selected a Calculation Point (a Structural Element SE, or an SEA) in the Tree
View. The name of the SEA on which the analysis is based will be added to the
name of the analysis. The analysis templatesavailable are those that can be
performed on the selected item.
To perform an analysis on an analysis model (described on page-73).
Run Analysis
This runs the analyses that have been selected. It can also be executed using the
Run tool in the tool bar. All the parameters relating to the analysis must be
correctly defined.
To run an analysis (described on page-70).
Process
These options enable you to check the process of jobs (described on page-).
Job Status
This option schedules the Job Status dialog in which information about jobs
is listed. This list contains all the analyses runs that have been started and
completed as jobs. To remove items from this list you must Delete the run
from the Tree View.
When a job is selected in the list, the following operations can be performed:
• [Refresh]
Brings the information relating to the job up to date.
• [View Status]
Shows the current status of the analyses executed in the selected job. It
schedules the Job Information dialog in which a list of the analyses and
their status is provided. Detailed information on the process of the job
can be seen by clicking on the [View log] button within this window.
• [Merge]
Merges the results of the completed job with those in the current
document.
• [Kill]
Ends the selected job. All the computed results will be lost.
3.1.8 - Maturity menu

The operations in the Maturity menu relate to methods used for working with
parts of a model and using variations for parameter values. See also : Packages
(described on page-78) andConfigurations (described on page-74).
Note! that the Maturity menu and all other functions associated with maturity
will be available only if this option has been set in the Edit-Preferences dialog.
Configurations
See also: the concept of configurations (described on page-74).
Create Configuration
This allows you to create a new configuration.
In the Create Configuration dialog enter the name of the configuration.
When you click [OK], the configuration will be created and can be seen in the
data tree if you select the viewing option By Configuration.
Each configuration contains all the items that are in the current model. If
associations (values) have been defined for an item within the configuration,
these will be listed below each item.
- 26 -
Duplicate Configuration
This enables you to copy a complete configuration.
Apply Configuration
This makes the currently selected configuration the active one. The
associations in this configuration will be applied to the Calculation Points
(CPs).
Move Selected Associations
This enables you to use the values related to the selected associations to a
specified configuration. This operation is only possible if there is a second
defined configuration open to which you can move the association. You can
only move an association if it is not used elsewhere (in an analysis for
example). If the Move operation is not possible you can use the Duplicate
Selected Associations operation.
Duplicate Selected Associations
This copies the selected association to a specified configuration.
Packages
Create Package
This allows you to create a package (described on page-78).
Import Packages
This allows you to import a package (described on page-78) that has
previously been exported.
Export All Packages
This exports all currently defined packages to the urls defined when the
packages were created.
Export Selected Packages
This exports the currently selected packages to the url defined when the
package was created.
3.1.9 - Tools menu

Tasks
The options in this menu enables you to perform some specific operations that
have been defined in the CAESAM environment in which you are working. The
entries in this list will correspond to the plugins that have been installed in the
CAESAM environment.
3.1.10 - User menu

Depending on the plugins loaded, user-defined menus and sub menus may be
present in the menu bar.
3.1.11 - SDK menu

This menu only appears if the sdk license is available and used as a start up
option.
It provides access to the Help available for SDK users.
Entries in this menu are described in the SDK manual.
3.1.12 - Help menu

The entries in this menu depend on the plugins that have been installed. The
entries described below are those supplied with the Cæsam framework.
Installation Help
This provides information about the installation requirements, system
configuration and license updates.
Analyst Help
Analyst Help Browser
This opens the JavaHelp version of the online help for Cæsam analysts.
Printable Analyst Help
- 27 -
This opens a page from which you can download a printable version of the
help in pdf format.
Release Notes
This opens a page from which you can access the release note information for
the latest version of Cæsam.
General plugins information
This schedules a dialog in which information about each of the plugins available
is provided. In the General Plugin Info dialog, you can see the information
relating to each of the plugins and set the log level for them. To set the log level
for all plugins: Select the required option from the Change all levels to field at
the bottom of the list. To set the log level for a single plugin: Click in the Log
level field for the plugin and select the required option from the drop down list.
Help Contents
This schedules the contextual help if it exists. See Using the help (described on
page-11).
Cæsam context information
This entry schedules a dialog that lists all the files and their locations associated
with the current application.
Installed Patches information
This schedules a dialog that lists all the patches that have been installed. You
should consult this information if requesting help from the Help Desk.
About Cæsam
This provides information about the current version of Cæsam.
3.2 - The Tool bar

The standard entries in the tool bar are shown below.
Note! that user defined tools may be present in the tool bar. This depends on the
plugins loaded.
New : This opens a new Caesam document.
Open : This opens an existing Caesam document.
Save : This saves the current Caesam document.
Close : This closes the current Caesam document.
Run : This starts an analysis run
Undo :This undoes the last operation performed

Redo: This re-does the last operation that was undone.
This displays the number of items that are currently
selected (described on page-46).

The back and forward buttons in the toolbar allow you to restore the
interface to previous states during the current session. Thus you can return to
previous settings of the Tree View and selections. This is not an undo operation;
edited values for example are not changed.
- 28 -
Perspective layout buttons. These buttons adjust the perspectives
(described on page-29) presented in the interface. The button on the left schedules
the default tree perspective. The button on the right schedules the tabular
perspective.
3.3 - The Interface Perspectives

A number of perspectives of the user interface are provided:
• The tree perspective is the traditional perspective which includes by
default four panels. If you wish to view and edit ALL of the properties
(Eos) relating to an item, then you need to use the tree perspective.
• The tabular perspective presents the current contents of the Tree View
in a table. The table contains columns that represent properties common to
all the items in the row. The data in these columns can be edited and it thus
allows you easily edit sets of common properties. It does not provide a view
or the possibility to edit all the individual EOs.
Tree perspective
The tree perspective presents four panels in the interface. These are: the Tree
View, the Property View, the View 3D and the Editor panels.
The Tree View contains a list of Cæsam items. When an item is selected in the
Tree View (or the View 3D) a list of all its properties and their attributes can be
edited in the appropriate editor.
Figure 6. Example of the tree perspective.
Tabular perspective
When the tabular view is selected, the Property View panel disappears. The list
- 29 -
of items available in the Tree View is reduced. When an item is selected then the
current list of these items appears in the Tabular Editor.
The figure below shows the same data as above but displayed in the table
perspective.
Figure 7. Example of a table perspective
The tablular view can only show columns that are common to all the items listed
in the tree view. So in the example above, only four EOs are presented as
columns.
The contents of the tabular presentation can be filtered either using the Tree
View filter or by using the filter in the Tabular Editor. If you set a filter to view
only panels or stringers, then the number of columns displayed would be
increased to show those columns (EOs) that are specific to the selected SE.
When editing the values of EOs in the tabular view you can retrieve values that
are in the shared workspace but not enter local values.
The tabular view can be edited using the tools provided in the table editor. See
also : Using tables (described on page-110)
3.4 - The Tree View

The Tree View panel provides a structured view of the data in a model or
analysis.
This panel enables you to obtain different views of the contents of the data, to
filter the contents and to select items for specific operations.
- 30 -
Viewing the contents of the tree

The Tree displays the contents of the initialized model or any standalone
analyses. The items that can be viewed in the tree depends on the selected
discipline, and which perspective has been selected.
You can re-structure the contents of the Tree by selecting different options from
the Tree drop down list. In addition you can, in some cases adapt the listing of
the selected items using the additional drop down menu. The default presentation
is by List as illustrated in the Figure below.
Selecting an alternative from this list allows you to organise the items into types
or groups.
- 31 -
See also: filtering the contents of the tree (described on page-44).
By List
This provides a flat list of all the items in the current analysis or model. No
hierarchical structure is created.
By Hierarchy
This arranges the data according to the directory structure in which the items
are organized in the model.
By SEA
Structural Element Assemblies are listed at the highest level. A hierarchical
construction shows the Structural Elements, Configurations and Analyses
associated with the SEAs. An SEA can also contain another SEA.
By SE
Structural Elements are listed at the highest level. A hierarchical construction
shows the Structural Element Assemblys (SEAs), Configurations and
Analyses associated with the SEs.
By Analysis
Analyses are listed at the highest level. The color indicates the status; an
analysis which has not yet been run is shown in red, an analysis that has been
run is shown in black. One that needs to be re-run or updated is shown in
yellow. A hierarchical construction shows each Structural Element and
Structural Element Assembly associated with the analyses.
By Run
Runs are listed at the highest level. The icon used to designate the Run
depends on the outcome. A hierarchical construction shows the analysis
associated with the run.
By Element
(Finite) Elements are listed in a unstructured list. This option is only
applicable if there are finite elements associated with the current model.
By Group
Groups are listed at the highest level. A hierarchical construction shows the
type of item contained in the groups.
By EO
A list of all the defined EOs is obtained. Items to which an EO is assigned are
listed.
Note! that Loadcases are not presented with this option, only loadcase sets. To
see load cases you must select the By Loadcase option.
By Package
Curently defined packages are listed. A list of objects contained in the
package is displayed.
By Global table
All currently defined (global) tables are displayed.
By Configuration
Currently defined Configurations are listed. A hierarchical structure shows
the items included in the configuration and a list of associations (links)
attached to the item is displayed. The association with the asterisk (*) next to
it is the active association.
By Loadcase
This lists the defined load cases. Loadcase sets are presented using the By Eo
option.
Actions
This section lists the operations that can be performed on items in the tree from
the contextual menu.
Selection
(Left) click on an item to select it. The item will be highlighted with a colored
background and will also be highlighted in the display. An item can also be
selected in the display (if it forms part of a model). A series of neighboring
items can be selected using the <Shift> key. A series of non-neighboring
items can be selected using the <Ctrl> key. It is also possible to select a set of
the same items using the operation Select same type from the contextual
menu.
See also: selecting items (described on page-46).
Show
This entry only appears if the item is currenly hidden in the display. It adds
- 32 -
the item to those shown in the display. (Items can only be displayed if they
form part of an analysis model.)
Hide
This removes the selected object from those shown in the display.
Edit
This option is available for items that have been defined as being editable by
the plugin. It will schedule a tabular editor listing the properties of the
selected item - or the common properties if more than one item is selected.
See also : Editing (described on page-38).
Select same type
This will select all other items of the same type currently in the Tree.
Properties
This displays a list of properties that are associated with the selected object.
These are presented in the Properties dialog. If more than one object is
selected, then the Properties dialog contains one tab for each object and an
additional one called "Summary" that lists the number of each type of object
in the selection.
Add EO in Shared Workspace
This operation enables you to add a new engineering object (described on
page-52) to those available in the shared workspace.
Run analysis
This operation can be performed by right clicking on an Analysis. The
selected analysis will be run, but you should check in the Property View that
all the analysis parameters have been defined.
Edit analysis file
This option is available when an analysis is selected in the Tree View. This
operation is only useful when an analysis has been run. It will open a browser
in the process directory defined for the analysis in which files associated with
the analysis can be viewed. If no process directory has been defined an error
message will appear. The process directory associated with an analysis can be
see by selecting the Properties of that analysis. If a process directory has
been defined, but the process has not been run, then the browser will open in
the home directory.
Get last analysis messages
This option applies to an analysis that has been run. This is indicated by the
color of the text in the data tree: if it is red the analysis has not been run, if it
black it has been run successfully, if it is orange it needs to be re-run to be
updated.
This schedules the Job information dialog which lists the processes
associated with the analysis. For each process the logged messages are
displayed.
Create analysis
This enables you to create a new instance of an analysis. This operation can
be performed by right clicking on a Structural Element Assembly (SEA) or
an SE on which an analysis can be based.
Create SEA
This enables you to create a new Structural Element Assembly (SEA). This
operation can only be performed if you have selected the correct arrangement
of SEs to form an SEA (described on page-50).
Create Group
This enables you to create a group that contains the selected items. The tree
view will switch to the By Group presentation.
Select Group Content
This selects all the items that are contained in the current group.
Add to Group
Adds the currently selected item to a group.
Remove from current Group
This removes the currently selected item from the current group.
Move to Groups(s)
This removes the selected item from one group and places in another. This
option is only available for items that are currently in a group.
Duplicate
Creates a copy of the selected item, that by default is labeled 'Copy of
<selected item>'. This operation can not be performed on items that form part
of the analysis model. The duplicated item can be renamed using the Rename
- 33 -
option.
Delete
This operation deletes the currently selected object. It is not available for
objects related to the analysis model.
Rename
This operation enables you to rename the currently selected object.
Put in Package
This places the selected object in a defined package. This option is available
when at least one package has been defined.
Remove from Package
Removes the selected object in a defined package. This option is available
when the Tree setting is set to By Package.
Apply configuration
This makes the current configuration the active configuration. The active
configuration is indicated by the presence of an asterisk.
Duplicate configuration
This makes a copy of complete configuration.
This duplicates the currently selected associations and places them in a
different configuration. At least two configurations must be defined in order
to perform this operation.
Update table
This updates the current table to match the current values of the items that are
displayed in the table.
Rebuild table
This refreshes the current table. If new items have been created that are
contained in the table, this operation adds the new items and updates the table
to show the latest values of all items.
Attach EO to CP
This allows you to attach an EO to the selected item. Normally the EOs
associated with a item are defined in the plugins in which they are used. This
allows you to add additional EOs that may be needed in specific situations.
It schedules the Choose EO dialog in which you can select the EO that is to
be associated with the item.
Use as current working set
This allows you to apply a filter to the items in the model. When items are
selected as the current working set, then the list in the Tree View is limited to
just those items that relate to the current set. To modify the number of items
in the working set, use the option Unset current working set.
Expand all
Expands the entire contents of the selected item. This applies only to specific
types of listings, e.g. to By Configuration and By Hierarchy, which contains
sub-folders.
Collapse all
Collapses the entire contents of the current item. This applies only to specific
types of listings, e.g. to By Configuration and By Hierarchy, which contains
sub-folders.
3.5 - The Property View

This panel shows the properties of items selected in the Tree View.
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Note! the Property View only appears if you are using the Tree perspective .
Note! not all items selected in the Tree View will appear in the Property View
When you click on an item in the Property View list, the properties of that item
will be displayed in the Property Editor tab where they can be viewed and edited.
The Property View can contain:
• A set of function buttons (described on page-35)
• An Eo tab (described on page-35)
• A Configuration tab (described on page-36)
• A Parameters tab (described on page-36) - which appears when certain types
of Analysis are selected in the Tree View
• A Sub Operation (described on page-36) tab - which appears when certain
types of Analysis are selected in the Tree View
• A contextual menu (described on page-36) containing operations that can be
performed on selected items in the list.
The function buttons
A number of function buttons appear depending on what has been selected in the
data tree.
The Connect button
This button appears when an analysis has been selected in the Tree View and
an EO has been selected in the Property View. It indicates that you can
connect the value of the EO to a shared value in a configuration or the shared
workspace. It connects the same value to all selected EOs.
See also : Defining analysis parameters. (described on page-62)
The Follow icon
This icon indicates whether the selection in the Property view is following the
selection in the Tree View. If for example you click on an item in the 3 D
Viewer or you select items by entering a string in the filter field, items that
are highlighted in the tree are not necessarily selected in the Property View.
This icon is coloured grey when the selection in the Tree View is not shown
in the Property View.
The panel size buttons
These allow you to minimise or maximise the size of the panel.
The Eo tab
The Eo tab is always present in the Property View. It lists the Eos (Engineering
Objects) associated with the selected item. For more information about
- 35 -
Engineering Objects (described on page-51).
The Configuration tab
This tab allows you to see which configuration the value of an EO is contained
in.
See assigning values contained in a configuration (described on page-66).
Analysis parameters
This appears when particular analysis types are selected in the Tree View.
Currently the analysis parameters concern :
• The context in which the analysis is run (Process Context). If the analysis is
running in the background, you can view parameter values that are used in
the analysis but you can not edit them. If the process is running in the
foreground you need to wait till the processing is complete before any other
operation can be performed.
• The Steps involved in the analysis (Step Parameters)
When this item is selected, a list of the steps in the order in which they are
executed by the analysis process is presented in the Editor panel.
This shows:
• Status When the status is green it indicates whether a step has been
successfully executed or never been executed. If it is red it indicates that the
processing of this step has failed.
• Label The name of the step.
• Optional This is an indication as to whether the step is optional in the
overall process. This status can not be changed.
• Execute This check flag allows you to decide whether to execute a
particular step. This is interesting when you are testing a process and want
to know if the first few steps are working properly.
The order of the list reflects the order in which the steps are executed. Checking
a flag "on" will select all the preceding steps. Non-optional steps can not be
skipped unless they are the last non-optional step in the series.
The SubOperation tab
This tab appeas when partcicular types of analysis are selected. It enables you to
define processing parameters associated with sub-processes called by the
selected analysis. The status of the sub-processes can be seen from the list. It is
necessary that all sub-processes have a valid set of input parameters and an
overall valid (green) status. To correct the parameters associated with a
sub-process, select the local analysis in the SE tree and define a valid set of input
data.
Actions in the contextual menu
Right-clicking on an entry in the Properties list will produce a pop up contextual
menu from which the following actions can be performed.
Create New Local EO
This allows you to create a new EO. The Eo created is independent of the SE
/SEA on which it is based and of the same type of EO used in other analyses.
Enter a name for the EO in the label field and enter all the required values.
Properties
This displays a list of properties associated with the selected object. These are
presented in the Properties dialog. If more than one object is selected, then
the Properties dialog contains one tab for each object and an additional one
called "Summary" that lists the number of each type of object in the selection.
Goto Data
This operation will switch the contents of the Property View to show the
Configuration that is related to the EO on the CP. If there is no configuration
defined, it shows the information relating to the support CP. You can return
to the original EO using the Back button.
Goto Support
This operation will switch the contents of the Property View to show the
properties of the EOs related directly to the support CP.
- 36 -
Export EO in Shared Workspace
This makes a copy of the EO and sends the copied EO to the shared
workspace. The operation can be performed on any EO.
Publish EO in Shared Workspace
This sends the selected EO to the Shared Workspace. Modifying the value of
the EO in the shared workspace will affect the current value of the EO.
Set readonly
This sets the properties of the EO to be read only. Once this has been done
this command changes to Unset Readonly, which reverses the operation.
Import EO from File
This enables you to retrieve a specific EO definition from a file. EO
definitions can be saved in file using the Export EO to file operation. A
selection dialog opens in which you can search for the file containing the EO
definition.
Export EO to File
This enables you to save an EO definition in an external file, from where it
can be imported into other analyses. A selection dialog opens in which you
can define the name and the location for the file.
Update table
This option is available and described in the Tree View (described on
page-30).
Rebuild table
page-30).
Use as current working set
page-30).
Attach EO to CP
page-30).
3.6 - The Analysis Runs tab

This tab appears when the Run button has been used to launch an analysis
or when a Run is selected in the Tree View. Runs can be selected when the Tree
option is set to By Run.
The Run tab shows details of the process associated with an analysis run once
that run is complete, as shown in the Figure below.
The left hand panel shows a list of processes associated with the analyses.
Clicking on any entry in this list will show details on that specific process.
There are three buttons provided. [Stop] stops the process at the end of the
current step. [Abort] stops the current process immediately. Data can not be
recovered. [Skip] This option is not supported in the current version of the
software. See also : Running an analysis (described on page-70).
- 37 -
When a analysis is running as a "job" then the Run panel shows the status of the
job (described on page-) and allows you to merge the results when the job is
complete. This is illustrated in the figure below.
The Run panel can be closed by clicking on the [X] button.

The name of the run whose details are contained in the panel is shown at the top.
When more than one Run is selected, separate tabs will appear for each of the
runs.
3.7 - The Editors

Editors are used to enter and view analysis parameters. Specific editors can be
created in plugins, but there are a number of editors provided within the Cæsam
framework.
The editing facilities depend to some extent on the perspective you have chosen.
You can adjust the size of the Editor panels using the panel layout buttons on the
right. These allow you to Maximise ( ), Minimise ( ) and Restore ( )
the size of the editor panel.

Editing in the tree perspective
The figure below shows a schematic representation of the tree perspective.
- 38 -
An item has been selected in the tree. This item has a number of EOs associated
with it which are listed in the Property view. The EOs have a number of
properties associated with them. When an EO is selected, these properties appear
in the associated editor and values can be entered for them.
The upper right panel contains the tree editor. If an additional tree editor has
been defined for the item, this will appear when it is selected. This may, for
example, be used to provide a sub set of properties associated with the item,
which the author of the plugin feels are the most important, so making it easier
for the analyst to define the required data.
Editing in the tabular perspective
The figure below shows a schematic representation of the tabular perspective.
The same items are in the tree, but the Property View has been removed. The list
of items that can be presented in the Tree View is restricted to those that can
have common properties.
A tabular editor is provided, in which the items in the tree are listed. All the
properties that they have in common are presented as columns and the
corresponding EOs displayed for each. This provides a quick way to view and
modify a set of EOs.
The tree editor, if available, is presented in the upper panel for the selected items.
Types of editor
There are different types of editor provided with the Caesam framework, and
others may be provided in the plugin. Those available are accessible from the
down-arrow icon at the top of the editor as shown in the figure below.
Default Editor
This is a simple editor in which a property name and the corresponding
values can be entered.
Tabular Editor
- 39 -
This presents the information in a table. See the description of the
functionality available in tables (described on page-103).
The tabular editor is available when the tabular perspective is selected. It also
appears when a number of similar items are selected in the tree view and the
Edit operation is selected from the pop-up menu.
Form Editor
The form editor is a type of editor that can be created by the author of the
plugin in which groups of parameters and their values can be entered.
Using the editors
To specify local values for EOs, you need to use the Property Editor. Select one
or more items in the tree view, select the EO to be defined, then enter the values.
If more than one item is selected in the tree, you can use a single version of the
editor and enter the same value for all the items. Or, you can select the
“one-by-one” editor and enter separate values for each of the selected items.
You can also link to Eos in the shared workspace from the Property View by
clicking on the connect icon.
Some items can not be edited in the Property Editor (Eos in the shared
workspace for example). To edit these items you must use the Tree Editor.
To open a series of editor tabs, select the items in the tree, right click and select
Edit from the pop up menu. A new tabular editor tab will be created containing
the name of the selected item(s) as shown below.
These tabular editors will provide an overview of the properties of the selected
items. The contents will be updated as the data is changed. The same item may
be included in more than one tab.
These editors can be closed by clicking on the cross (X).
You can lock an editor so that it no longer follows the selection in the tree by
clicking on the pin icon. This is illustrated in the figure below.
- 40 -
Chapter 4 - The Global Model

The global model is the object that contains all the objects that describe a model.
A global model can be loaded using the Results menu and the results associated
with it can be post processed.
See also : Viewing FEM results (described on page-)
Result .op2 files can also be used as a basis for creating loadcases.
The global model has the following properties:
Nastran Analysis
BDF File
The location of the bdf file as the source for the analysis.
auxiBDFFile
A list of auxiliary files associated with the BDFFiles. Right click in the
Value field and add the number of rows required. Enter the Id of the file.
Sol
The Nastran solver number required for the type of analysis.
Samcef Analysis
Bank File
The location of the Samcef bank file for the analysis.
Module
The computation module to be used in the analysis.
MeshBankName
The name of the MeshBankFile.
GFEM
The object derived from the processing of source bdf and op2 files that
described the finite element mesh for the model.
SE Topology
The object derived from the processing of source bdf and op2 files that
described the finite element mesh for the model.
4.1 - Elements
Elements refer to the Finite elements associated with a global model.
Elements and their properties can be viewed by selecting By Element from the
Tree menu in the Tree view (described on page-30).
On selecting an element in the list, its properties can be viewed in the Properties
view.
You can see the finite elements displayed in the 3D View by selecting Display
--> GFEM Representation from the menu bar.
Eo properties
In the Eo tab you can view information relating to:
• The Material properties of the element. This displays the material
properties assigned to the element. You can also assign a different material
by linking to another material in the Shared workspace.
• The Coordinate System. This displays information about the position and
orientation of the element. This information can not be edited.
Element properties
The Element tab displays the identification of the nodes that form the selected
element. This is for information only and can not be edited.
- 41 -
4.2 - Running a global FEM analysis

This process is required in order to compute load cases.
In order to so this the following conditions must apply :
• the stress model must contain a 'GlobalModel' Calculation Point.
• A 'CæSamEO_NastranProcessTemplate' operation must be associated with
the global model Calculation Point.
• Unitary loadcases must be initialized with the following information:
• the bulkdata where the corresponding SUBCASE is described
• the name of the OP2 where the results are to be stored.
1. Set the Show option in the SE tree to By EO.
2. Define/check the locations of the bulkdata files of the main model.
3. define/check that for all loadcases the following information is correct: the
bulkdata location, the target op2, the ID
4. Set the Show option in the SE tree to By Analysis
5. Select the Nastran Operation.
6. Selected the loadcases you want to run.
7. Tune the parameters if necessary:
8. Run the analysis.
Notice that loadcases are now flagged ComputedUpToDate (back in the
left column of the selector) or ComputedWithError (remaining in the
right column).
Global post-processing
1. In the EO Library: select the loadcase you want to post-process
2. In the Editor view, click on the [Process Result File] button.
4.3 - Currently loaded op2 data blocks

In order to use .op2 files for results and the global model the following
conditions apply:
For MODEL op2
The following blocks are mandatory:
1. CSTM or CSTMS (coordinate system transformation) + BGPDT or
BGPDTS (basic grid point definition)
or exclusively GEOM1 or GEOM1S (grid point and coordinate system)
2. GEOM2 or GEOM2S (element connectivity + material angle)
The following limitations apply.
• GEOM2, GEOM2S:
only the elements CROD, CONROD, CBEAM, CBAR, QUAD4, TRIA3,
TRIAR, TRIA6 ,QUAD8 ,QUADR, QUAD144
• GEOM1, GEOM1S:
only GRID, CORD2R, CORD1R are read
In order to generate the required .op2 files the following bulk data cards are
required:
ASSIGN OUTPUT2='someOP2FilePath',UNIT=someUnit,UNFORMATTED,DELETE
PARAM OUNIT2 someUnit
PARAM POST -1
Note! if PARAM POST is -1, the PARAM OGEOM is automatically YES

for RESULTS OP2
- 42 -
In order to use the .op2 files to generate unitary load case automatically, it is
recommended to include CASECC (case control information)
The following data blocks are recognized:
• OUGV2 or OUGV1 (displacements in SORT1 format or SORT2 format)
• OPG1 or OPG2 (applied loads in SORT1 format or SORT2 format output
by SDR2 module)
• OEF1X (element forces in SORT1 format output by SDRX and SDRXD
modules)
• OGPFB1 (grid point forces output by GPFDR module)
• OES1X1 (element stresses in SORT1 format output by SDRX and SDRXD
module)
• OSTR1X (element strains in SORT1 format + 1D element strains output by
SDRX and SDRXD modules)
The following limitations apply: no composite results (data blocks OES1C,
OEFIT, OSTR1C, ...) are read
In order to generate the required .op2 files the following bulk data cards are
required:
PARAM POST -1
PDISP=ALL ARAM POSTEXT YES
- 43 -
Chapter 5 - Basic operations

This section describes some basic operations and methods associated with using
Caesam.
Filtering (described on page-44)
Selecting items (described on page-46)
Using groups (described on page-48)
Using a database (described on page-48)
5.1 - Filtering
The filtering functionality enables you to reduce the contents of the Tree.
Filtering affects the contents of the list in the tree, it does not affect the selection
of items.
Note! It is also possible to reduce the number of items listed and displayed in a
model by using the option Use as current working set from the pop up menu in
the Tree View. This applies a filter to all the items that are associated with the
selected item, irrespective of their name and type.
1. Create the filter if necessary by selecting None from the filter list.
2. Click on the New filter button .

3. In the Create filter dialog, select the Type of Filter you require.
• By Name: When this option is selected, the filter will operate simply
- 44 -
on the name of the items in the tree irrespective of the type. For
example entering the string "ST11" will create a filter that will retain
all items that contain the string "ST11" in their name.
• By Type: This option enables you to select which type of item you
wish to retain in the list. You need to select the object to be retained,
and the specific class (sub type) of the object required.
• By Analysis Status: This option enables you to retain analyses in the
list according to their status. Select the analysis template from the list
of those available and check the status conditions that you wish to have
retained.
• There may be other options in this list created by the authors of the
plugins that you are using.
4. Click [OK] to define and apply the filter.
The list will be adapted and the newly defined filter will appear in the drop down
list of filters.
The appearance of the filtered list depends on the option selected from the Tree
menu!
You can use a short cut to create a filter based on the Name by simply typing the
filter string into the Filter field.
- 45 -
Items that have been filtered from the list can be removed from the display by
selecting Display --> Display Filtered Entities .
To remove the filter: Select None from the Filter drop down list.
To delete the filter: Click on the Delete filter button .
5.2 - Selecting items

Items can be selected for display as well as for viewing and assigning properties.
Note! It is possible to reduce the number of items listed and displayed in a model
by using the option Use as current working set from the pop up menu in the
Tree View. This applies a filter to all the items that are associated with the
selected item, irrespective of their name and type.
Items that have been selected are highlighted and their position in the list is
indicated in the scroll bar as illustrated in the screen shot shown below.
Note! that the selection process operates in conjunction with the filtering process.
If a filter is defined, only non-filtered items can be selected.
In the example above, the filter has reduced the list to those containing "ST05" in
their name. Of these items, those containing the string "BC" have been selected.
It is possible to move through a history of selection operations using the back
and forward arrows next to the selection field . The Left arrow will
- 46 -
apply your previous selection, the Right arrow will re-apply your current
selection.
Note! that a selection will be discarded when another command is implemented,
e.g. if you click on an item in the list or the display.
However, a selection criteria remains in the Selection list and can be re-applied
Items that have been selected can be viewed in the display selecting Display -->
Show Selected . They will be added to the items on display.
The number of items that are selected is displayed in Selection field in the tool
bar.
There are several ways to select items:

• Manually (described on page-47)
• In the 3D Viewer (described on page-121)
• By defining a selection criteria (described on page-47)
• Selecting items of the same type (described on page-47)
• Selecting items in a group (described on page-47)
Selecting manually
• A single item can be selected by left-clicking on the item in the tree or in
the display.
• Multiple items can be selected by left-clicking and using the <Shift> key to
select continuous items or the <Ctrl> key to select disconnected items.
Selecting items of the same type
Items of the same type can be selected by clicking with the right mouse button
on an item and choosing Select same type from the pop up menu.
You can also select items by Type using a Selection criteria as described below.
Selecting items in a group
Items can be selected by first placing them in a group (described on page-48).
Right click on the group and choose Select Group Content from the pop up
menu.
Selecting items that match a criteria
1. Click on the Create filter button next to the Selection field.
2. In the Create filter dialog, select the type of filter you require.
• By Name: When this option is selected, then the selection criteria will
operate simply on the name of the items in the tree irrespective of the
type. Enter the string that you want the items to match. For example
entering the string "ST11" will create a filter that will select all items
that contain the string "ST11" in their name. There is a short cut to
performing this operation by simply typing the selection criteria
directly into the Selection field.
• By Type: This option enables you to choose the type of item you wish
to select. Choose the object to be selected. Choose the specific class
(sub type) of the object required.
• By Analysis Status: This option enables you to select analyses
according to their status.
3. Click [OK] to define and apply the selection criteria.
The selected items will be highlighted in the Tree. Remember that the selection
depends on the applied filters too.
To remove the selection: Remove the selection criteria from the Selection field,
or click on the display background.
To remove the selection criteria: Select it from the drop down list, then click
on the Delete filter button .
- 47 -
To change a criteria: Edit the criteria in the Selection field, then press <Enter>
to apply the new criteria.
5.3 - Using groups

Groups are collections of items that you wish to use together. These items can
then be easily selected for a specific operation.
A group contains items that have been selected. Groups can contain different
types of items.
To create a group
Creating a group from items in the Tree View
1. Select at least one item to be included in the group.
2. Right click on one of them and select Create group.
3. In the Group dialog, enter the name for the group.
4. Click [OK] to create the group.
Creating a group from items in a Table
You can create a group from all the items that are contained in a column, by
clicking on the little arrow at the top of the column and selecting Create group
from column.
You can also select individual items in a single column and select Create group
from selection from the contextual menu.
To view the items in a group

1. Set the Tree option to By Group or By List.
2. Click on the group whose contents you wish to view.
To add items to a group
1. Select an item that needs to be included in a group.
2. Right click and select Add item(s) to Group(s) from the pop up menu.
3. In the Add item(s) to Group(s) dialog, select the groups (s) (using the
<Ctrl> key if necessary) to which the item is to be added.
4. Click [OK] to add the items to the groups.
To modify the contents of a group
1. Open the group whose contents you wish to modify.
2. Select the items to be moved or removed.
3. Right click and select Remove from Current Group or Move to Group(s).
4. Select the groups to which the items are to be moved if required.
To use the items in a group
1. Select the group that you wish to use.
2. Right click and select Select Group Content from the contextual menu.
All the items that are contained in the group will be selected.
5.4 - Working with a database

It is possible to use Cæsam in combination with a database. In this case the data
will be retrieved from and stored in a database. This mode of working is
transparent to the user, but can have an effect on the performance if the
operations you are performing require a lot of data transfer to and from the
database.
When you work in database mode, there are some restrictions that apply:
• Only one document can be open during a session - so when you start a new
session, the File- New operation is not available.
• Once the active document has been saved then the operations, Open, Open
Recent and Close options are also unavailable.
To operate in database mode:
- 48 -
1. From the menu bar select Edit - Preferences.
2. In the General category click on Persistency
3. Enable the check box UseDatabaseForNewDocument.
4. Enter a value for the cache size if required. The value defined specifies the
memory that will be allotted to the document. If the value is set to 0 then the
system will operate more quickly but use an unlimited amount of memory.
The value entered should represent the number of objects!
5. Click [OK].
6. Restart Cæsam.
- 49 -
Chapter 6 - Calculation Points

Calculation Points are the parts of a physical structure on which an analysis is
performed. Calculation Points can be either Structural Elements (SEs) or
Structural Element Assemblies (SEAs). The concept of Structural Elements
(SEs) and their assembly into Structural Element Assemblies (SEAs) is
introduced in the section on understanding CæSam (described on page-4).
Calculation Points refer to the use of SEs and SEAs in an analysis, in which
specific values are assigned to the CPs (described on page-55).
Structural Elements (SEs)
Structural Elements are the physical objects forming the structure under analysis.
Structural Elements are related to:
• The analysis {stress } model in which they are contained.
• The template in which analysis operations can be performed on them.
The contents of the tree can be adjusted to list SEs as the primary level by
selecting the option By SE.
Structural Element Assemblies (SEAs)

Structural Element Assemblies (SEAs) are composed of a number of SEs or
SEAs.
The contents of the tree can be adjusted to list SEAs as the primary level by
selecting the option By SEA.
In the structured view of the listing, the SEs and the analyses associated with the
SEA are listed below it.
6.1 - Create an SEA
- 50 -
A Structural Element Assembly (SEA) is constructed from a number of

Structural Elements. In the example shown here, a 'Base' SEA is constructed
from a Beam SE, and the plates above and below the Beam. The number of SEs
making up an SEA as well as the way they are constructed is defined in the
analysis template. CæSam will only allow you to create SEAs that match the
specification in the analysis template.
To create an SEA using Beam4, you must select the SEs 'Beam4', 'Plate7' and
'Plate8' from the list of available SEs.
1. In the Tree View, set the Tree option to By SE.

2. Select the required SEs from the list.
3. Right click on the selected items and choose Create SEA, or select Model
--> Create SEA from the menu bar.
4. In the Create SEA dialog, enter a name for the SEA.
5. Select the type if there is more than one option possible.
6. Click [OK].
The new SEA will appear in the list and can be selected for an analysis. All the
EOs associated with the SEA will appear in the Property View.
It is also possible to create an SEA from SEAs.
6.2 - Engineering Objects

Engineering Objects (EOs) are are used to define the data required as input for
the analysis operation and the data resulting from the analysis operation.
The EOs that you must work with are defined by the type of analysis operation
you are performing. So, for example, one analysis on a Calculation Point (CP)
may require that input EOs defining "External Loads", "Material" properties, and
a "Geometry" are defined, and that as a result an EO representing the deflection
of the structure is computed. In another analysis on the same CP, it may be
required to define EOs for the thermal conductivity and compute an EO for the
temperature variation.
EOs are identified by: a type (property), a label and a set of specific parameter
values (also referred to as members). The Figure below shows that the
parameters "Young's Modulus", "Poisson's Ratio" and the "Elastic Limit" are
required for the Material EO.
- 51 -
Using an EO value
There are several ways in which values can be assigned to EOs for a specific
analysis:
• Using the physical values associated with the actual SE (the reference
values).
• Creating a local version of an EO in an analysis.
• Linking to an EO that is held in the Shared workspace.
• Linking to an EO that is part of a configuration.
All of these options are described in assigning EOs to SEs (described on
page-?).
Status of EOs
In order to run the analysis, suitable values must be assigned to the EOs.
When an analysis is selected, the list of Engineering Objects associated with the
analysis will appear in the Property View. An example of such a list for an
example model is shown below.
In addition to the name of the EO the status of each of the properties is indicated.
- indicates that all defined values are valid.
- indicates a problem e.g. a material definition contains a non-permitted
value, a load has not been specified.
- indicates a warning - in this example that no results have been computed
yet.
6.3 - Adding EOs to the Shared Workspace

The EO Shared Workspace represents a repository of Engineering Object
definitions that can be referenced in different analyses. The steps below
describes the general method for creating EOs directly in the workspace. See
below for alternatives methods to create EOs.
1. Either select Data --> Add EO in Shared Workspace from the menu bar
OR set the Tree View to By EO and select Add EO in Shared Workspace
from the pop up menu.
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2. In the Add Engineering Object in Shared Workspace dialog that appears

select the type of object to be defined from the drop down list. You can
choose to view a single alphabetical list or a structured list of EOs. If you
enter an identification string in the filter field, all the EOs that match this
string will be highlighted.
3. Select the type of EO to be created.

4. Enter a name (label) for the EO.
5. Enter the number of EOs of this type that you wish to create. The first will
be given the specified name and the others will receive default names which
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you can change using the Rename function available from the popup menu.
6. Click [OK].
7. Click on the + sign to open the EO Shared Workspace directory. The newly
defined object will be in the subdirectory associated with the type.
8. Select it in the list, then click on the Tree Editor tab.
The parameters associated with it will appear in the editor panel.
9. Enter the values and press <Enter>.

The new EO will be available to link to parameters in the analysis
There are other methods that can also be used to add EOs to the shared
workspace. These are :
Exporting or publishing an EO
a. Select an EO that is used in an analysis.
b. Adapt the values if necessary.
c. Right click and select either Export EO in Shared Workspace (to send
an unlinked copy to the workspace) or Publish EO in Shared
Workspace (to send an linked copy to the workspace).
Importing an EO
You can import individual EOs or an entire workspace into the current EO
shared workspace using the option in the File menu. .
Adding a EO from the Property View
You can create a new EO that is based on an EO associated with either an
analysis or an SE.
a. Select either an SE or an Analysis in the Tree View.
b. Select an EO in the Property View.
c. Click on the Connect icon at the top of the panel.
d. In the Choose value dialog, click on the + icon.
e. The Add Engineering Object in Shared Workspace dialog appears
with a list restricted to the type of EO selected.
f. Enter a name for the new EO.
g. Click [OK].
h. Select the new item in the Choose value dialog and enter the required
values.
i. Click [Close] to just create the new EO in the workspace, or click on the
link icon to link it to the EO in the current analysis.
If you have linked the new EO directly to an SE then this will be indicated in
the EO Shared workspace.
- 54 -
6.4 - CPs and EOs

The parameters that will be used in an analysis operation need to be assigned to
the Calculation Points (which may be Structural Elements (SEs) or Structural
Element Assemblies). Analysis parameters are assigned using the concept of
Engineering Objects. The analysis operation template specifies the Engineering
Objects (EOs) that are associated with an SE and examples could be 'Material',
and 'Geometry'.
In order to run an analysis operation, you must assign an EO and values to each
of the SEs and there are several ways in which this can be done.
Consider the example below of a plate SE which is under analysis. We will
consider the EO "length".
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• Case1 - following the SE (CP) The actual, physical value of the plate
length (referred to as the reference value) has a value of 10. Analysis 1 uses
a value that is linked to this reference value. Whenever the reference length
of the plate is changed the value used in this analysis will change too.
• Case2 - Using values in the Shared Workspace Analysis 2 uses a value
for the plate length that is held in the EO shared workspace. Whenever the
value is changed in the shared workspace the value used in Analysis 2 will
be modified too.
• Case3 - Using values in Configurations A configuration has been defined
for this plate in which a value for the length (=9) has been defined. Analysis
3 uses a value that is linked to the plate length in this configuration.
• Case4 - Using local values A fourth analysis, Analysis 4, has been created
in which a local EO has been defined. This value has remains local to the
analysis and is unaffected by any changes that are not made in this analysis.
We will now consider in more detail the four options described above.
Case 1 - following the SE (CP)
The value of an EO that is directly associated with the physical SE (the length of
the plate) is termed the reference value. In terms of the analysis, the plate is
referred to as the CP (Calculation Point).
Normally when a model is initialized, the EO will take the reference value. So in
this example the length of the plate will be 10. You can see the reference value
of an EO by clicking on the specific SE in the Tree View and viewing the value
of the EO in the Property View.
When an analysis is created based on a CP, the value of the EO used initially in
the analysis corresponds to the current value associated with the SE. So in
Analysis 1 the value of the EO length also equals 10 and will follow the value of
the CP. There is a blue link icon next to the EO with the indication SE.
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When the Plate is selected in the tree and the value of Length is changed to 10.1,
the value of the Length in Analysis 1 is also changed to 10.1.
You can break the link by clicking on the link icon. You can then change either
the value in the Analysis or the value of the SE and neither will be affected by
the other.
You can re-establish the link by clicking on the Connect icon and then following
the option to "follow the CP". The link between the Analysis and the CP will
then be re-established and the values in the Analysis will follow those of the SE
(CP).
See the instructions to follow the CP (described on page-62) (use the reference
value).
Case 2 - Using values in the Shared Workspace
The EO shared workspace is a repository where EO values can be accessed and
shared amongst analysts and analyses. If there is an EO of the required type in
the Shared workspace then you can link this either to the SE itself or to an
analysis. A shared EO value can only be edited in the Shared Workspace.
Linking the value in the analysis to the EO Shared Workspace
Consider again the Plate that has a reference length of value 10. When Analysis
2 is created based on the Plate, the original value of the Length will be that
which corresponds to the current value of the plate (10).
- 57 -
You can now link the value of the length in this analysis to a value in the EO
Shared Workspace which currently has a value of 11. The value in Analysis 2
will now follow the value in the EO Shared Workspace and the reference value
on the plate remains the same (10).
Linking the value on the SE to the EO Shared Workspace

You can also link the value of the EO that is related to the Plate itself to the
value in the EO Shared Workspace. In this example the value of the SE will
change from 10 to 11. When an Analysis 2a is created the initial value of the
length will be 11, but if the value in the EOSW is changed (to 11.22), the value
on the SE and in the Analysis will follow it.
In the figure above you can see that there is an indication of a link between the
SE and the EOSW. The value in the analysis is indicated as being linked to the
SE.
If you break the link between the Plate and the EOSW, then value of the SE can
be modified independently. When this is changed the value in the Analysis will
follow it.
- 58 -
The chain icon indicating the link between the SE and the EOSW has been
removed, but the EO in the Analysis is still linked to the value of the SE.
To break the link between the value in the Analysis and on the plate SE requires
two actions:
The first break removes the link between the Analysis and the SE. The link icon
will change and the value in the analysis will be linked directly to the value in
the EOSW. Modifying the value in the EOSW will modify the value on the SE
and in the Analysis, since they are both linked to it.
Clicking on the link icon again in the analysis will then break the link between
the analysis and the EOSW. A copy of the 'Length' EO will be made in the
analysis that can be edited independently.
- 59 -
See the instructions to use shared values in an analysis (described on page-64)
Case 3 - Using values in Configurations
A configuration allows you to define complete sets of values that can be
modified independently of the SE and independently of each other. In this
example where the plate has a length of 10, assume that there are also two
configurations in which lengths of 9 and 8 have been defined.
When we create a new analysis (Analysis 3) based on this plate the EO will take
an initial value of 10 for the length. The link icon indicates that the EO is linked
to the SE.
In Analysis 3 we will now make a link to configuration 1. The value of the

length EO takes the value in the configuration and will follow the changes in
configuration 1. This EO in Analysis 3 now has an orange link icon associated
with it. This indicates that the value is not following the SE and is not the same
as the value in the SE. (A green link icon indicates that the value is not following
the SE but that at the moment the actual value is the same as the SE.)
You can view the information associated with this EO by executing the indicated
commands from the pop up menu on this EO in the analysis. The command
Goto Support, will show the information about the EO value that is related
directly to the SE. The command Goto data, will show that this EO is linked to
the value in Configuration 1.
- 60 -
Now, let us assume that Configuration 2 (in which the EO length has a value of
8) is made the active configuration. This will affect the value of the EO
associated with the SE and a new analysis created on this SE will take the current
value of 8.
Note that the value in Analysis 3a is linked to the SE not to the configuration, as
indicated by the blue link icon. This does not affect the value in Analysis 3
which remains linked to Configuration 1 and so retains the value 9.1.
See the instructions to use configuration values in an analysis (described on
page-66).
Case 4 - Using local values
As in all cases, when an analysis is created it is based on the current state of the
SE, so the original value of the length will be 10.
You can create a completely independent EO and give it the value you wish.
This will break the current link with the SE which will be indicated by the
removal of all link icons. You can use the Connect icon to restore the link to the
SE by selecting "follow the CP". You can also make links to values in the EOSW
or a configuration if such values are available.
- 61 -
See the instructions to use local EO values in an analysis (described on page-68).
6.5 - Assigning EOs to CPs

Before you can run an analysis within the CæSam environment, you need to
define all the input parameters. Input parameters are specified through
Engineering Objects (EOs). An analysis is based on a Calculation Point, which
can be a Structural Element Assembly or a Structural Element. When the input
parameters have been defined, the process can be run and the output parameters
calculated.
There are different ways in which you can define the input parameters that relate
either to the physical structure or to the process parameters:
• Using locally defined values (described on page-68).
• Using values in the EO shared workspace (described on page-64).
• Using values that are related to the Reference SE values (described on
page-?).
• Using values defined in a configuration (described on page-66).
Note! in all cases assigning values to EOs requires using the various editing
facilities (described on page-38).
6.5.1 - Using reference values

Reference values are related directly with an SE. The reference values for an SE
are defined by selecting the SE in the Tree and entering the required values for
the EOs in the Editor panel.
In this screen shot above, an SE called 'Stringer2' has been selected in the tree.
All the EOs relating to this SE are listed in the Property View. The values
defined for "Stringer Geometry" are the reference values. These will be used in
all analyses which are linked to the reference values for the SE, “Stringer2”. By
default an analysis that is based on an SE will take the reference values. This can
be seen by the presence of the "link" icon next to the EO when the analysis is
selected in the Tree.
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Analysis1 -- SE reference values NOT used Analysis2 -- links to SE reference values.
When a reference value is used i.e. the linked icon is present, ( ) then you
cannot change the values within the analysis.
To change the value used in the analysis you must either:
• Change the reference value by selecting the SE in the Tree. This will of
course change the value in ALL analyses that use this reference value.
• OR Break the link to the SE and use a different local value.
Making a local value the reference value:
To use a local value in an analysis as the reference value for the SE, there must
be no link between the EO in the analysis and the SE. This is the case with
Analysis1 above.
In the case of Analysis2, the link must be broken, by clicking on the link icon till
it disappears.
1. If necessary click on the link icon until it disappears.
When the link has disappeared, a copy of the original EO is made.

2. Enter the required EO value using the Editor.
3. Right click on the EO and select Send EO to Support.
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4. The current value in the analysis will be assigned to the SE and used as the
reference value.
The link icon will (re)appear.

This new value will be used in all analyses that link to this reference value.
6.5.2 - Using shared values

When using shared parameter values, you can either use EOs that are already
present in the EO Shared Workspace, or you can add values that you wish to
share from an analysis.
See adding EOs to the shared workspace (described on page-52).
Using shared EO values enables you to use a consistent set of values between
analyses and analysts. This is particularly useful for parameters such as material
properties and load cases.
1. In the Tree View select either an SE or an Analysis.
2. In the Property View select the EO to which the shared value is to be
assigned.
3. Click on the Connect icon .

This will open the Choose value dialog that contains all types of EOs that
can be used in the current situation.
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4. Click on the Shared Workspace folder.

If this folder is not present you need to add EOs.
a. Click on the icon.
b. The Add Engineering Object in Shared Workspace dialog will
appear. Select the required EO from the list presented.
c. Enter a name for the EO and click [OK].
The new EO will appear in the left hand panel of the Choose value dialog.
5. Select the required EO from the list.
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6. Edit the values if necessary, but remember that these values will be taken in
all cases where the shared EO is used.
You can also make a copy of this EO if required (see below).
7. Click on the "link to" icon at the top right hand corner of the Editor . The
name of the EO type will appear in the Label field and the "link" icon will
appear.
You can see that the Material EO is shown as linked to a shared value. This is
shown by the presence of the link icon without the indication that it is a reference
value (SE, SEA or CP).
It is not possible to edit a shared EO value locally. If you click on an EO that is

linked to shared value then you can see the value but not edit it. If you wish to
change the value, you must either edit the value in the Shared Workspace, or
unlink the EO and define a local instance, or create a copy.
To edit the shared parameter value:
There are two methods to do this :
Either
1. Set the Tree View to by EO.
2. Select the required EO.
3. Click on the Tree Editor tab.
4. Enter the new values in the fields.
OR
1. Select the item (SE or Analysis) with which the shared EO is associated in
the Tree View.
2. In the Property View, select the required EO.
3. Click on the Connect icon .
4. In the Choose value dialog select shared EO.
5. Enter the new values in the fields.
6. Click on the Link icon to link the new value to the EO.
Remember that the new values will be used in ALL analyses that use this shared
value.
To create a copy of an EO in the shared workspace
1. Click on the Connect tool to access the EOs in the Shared Workspace.
2. Click on the required EO in the left panel of the Editor tab.
3. Click on the Copy icon in the top right corner .
A copy of the selected values will be assigned to EO. These values can be edited
as required.
6.5.3 - Assigning parameters defined in a configuration

Before you can use values in a configuration, the configuration must have been
defined and the required associations created. See Working with Configurations
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1. Click on the analysis in the data tree.
2. Click on the EO for which you want to define the value.
3. Click on the Connect icon in the Label field.
4. In the Choose value dialog, open on the "Session" folder to view the list of
associations in different configurations that have been defined for this EO.
5. Click on the required association.

6. Click on the "link to" icon at the top right hand corner of the dialog.
The configuration value will be assigned to the EO in this analysis. A 'link' icon
will appear next to the EO. If this icon is green then this indicates that the
defined configuration value is currently the same as the reference (SE) value. If
the icon is orange, it indicates that the value is different to that of the reference
(SE) value.
To view which configuration an EO is linked to:

1. Click on the EO in the Property View.
2. Click on the Configuration tab.
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6.5.4 - Defining local EO values

Assigning a local value to an analysis parameter means that the value for this EO
will only be used in the current analysis.
This section describes how to:
• Create a new local EO.
• Make a copy of a shared or configuration EO.
• Convert a shared value to a local value.
• Replace a local value with a shared one.
To create a new local EO
1. Select the analysis in the data tree.
2. Right-click on the EO to which you wish to assign the value.
3. Select Create New local EO.
4. Enter the name for the EO in the label field.
5. Enter the required parameter values in the Property Editor panel.
Note! that if the EO was currently linked to another value then this link will be
automatically removed by this operation.
To make a copy of an EO
1. Select the analysis in the data tree.
2. Select the EO to which you wish to assign the value.
3. Click on the Connect tool .
4. Select the EO from the list available in the Choose value dialog.
5. Click on the Copy tool . A copy will be created.
6. Change the name if required.
7. Enter the required parameter values in the Property Editor panel.
To convert a shared value to a local value.
If you wish to use local values for an EO that has a "link" icon next to it ( ),
then you must first break the link.
1. Select the EO pair in the Property view.
2. Place the mouse over the "linked to" icon. It will change to the unlink icon
.
3. Click on the "unlink" icon.
4. If the link is multiple (e.g. the EO is linked to the SE that in turn is linked to
a value in the EO Workspace) then only one link is broken at a time. The
blue link shown above will be replaced by a green link ( ).
5. Repeat the operation to break the other links until they have all been
removed. Eventually the link icon will be removed and a local copy of the
EO is created.
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6. It is recommended that you change the Label of the EO in order to

distinguish it from the shared / reference EO. To do this double click on the
Label field, enter a new name and press <Enter>.
7. Edit the specific values in the Editor.
To replace a local value with a shared one
You can replace a local value by another by clicking on the connect icon .
You can then choose to link to:
• Reference values
• Shared values in the EO Workspace
• EO values in Configurations.
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Chapter 7 - Analysis operations

Analysis operations are defined in templates. They are performed on Calculation
Points (CPs) which are based on Structural Elements (SEs) or Structural Element
Assemblies (SEA).
The analysis operation can be performed when all the input parameters required
have been defined assigned through the mechanism of Engineering Objects
(EOs). In addition an analysis template may also specify process parameters and
sub operations.
There are two methods of performing an analysis operation :
• Standalone method in which an analysis is created in an empty document
using the generic descriptions of the SEs and SEAs that are defined in the
template. See performing a standalone analysis (described on page-72)
• Within an analysis {stress} model in which a number of specific SEs are
defined along with their topology. Analysis operations would be performed
on selected CPs. See performing an analysis based on an analysis model.
(described on page-73)
A number of instances of an analysis type based on a template can be included in
the same CæSam document as illustrated in the Figure below.
This figure shows that several analysis operations can be performed within the
same CæSam document; with instances of the same analysis type based on
different CPs as well as different analysis types. Each time an analysis is
executed, a Run is created.
All analysis types in a single document would be based on the same model.
7.1 - Running an analysis

Before you can run an analysis all the input parameters (EOs) required for the
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analysis must be defined. This is indicated by the status icon next to each of the
parameters:
All is well. Required values have been entered and they match the required
conditions.
Note! this does not indicate that the values are correct, only that values have
been defined
A value associated with the EO has not been correctly defined. To obtain a
hint as to the problem, place the mouse of the corresponding Property / Label.
The Tool tip will appear giving a hint about the (first) problem. Repeat the
procedure if there is more than one condition that has been violated.
This sign represents a warning. Either no EO has been assigned, or there is a

conflict between the current values. This sign appears next to output (result)
parameters when input parameters have been changed indicating that the
results need to be re-computed.
1. Select the required analysis in the Tree View.
To see the list of analyses, set the Tree option to By Analysis. More than
one analysis can be selected.
According to the definition of the analysis, a number of tabs will appear in
the Property View.
2. Enter all the required input parameters.
See assigning EOs to CPs (described on page-62)
3. When all the input data values are either green (good) or yellow (warning)
click on the Run button in the toolbar.
The Job Configuration dialog will appear.

4. Choose whether to run the analysis in the foreground or the background.
If the analysis template allows it, you may also have the possibility to run
the analysis on a job on a remote machine. In this case see the additional
information relating to jobs and their configuration (described on page-).
5. Click [OK].
A Run tab (described on page-37) will appear showing information about
the current run.
Note! that if you have selected to run the process in the background, you can
view parameter values that are used in the analysis but you can not edit
them. If the process is running in the foreground you need to wait till the
processing is complete.
6. To see details about each of the steps in the analysis process, click on items
in the left side of the Run tab to see details in the right panel.
7. To view the results of the analysis, make sure the analysis is selected in the
Tree View and click on the Property Editor.
8. Click on each result type to view the specific results in the editor panel.
See also: Viewing results (described on page-118).
9. When the processes are complete save the document.
Note! A document should not be saved while a Run is in operation!
When an analysis has been run, it is shown in black in the Tree View. If the EOs
associated with an analysis are changed, then the name of the analysis will be
shown in yellow to indicate that they need updating. If you click the Run button
after an analysis has been run, the current set of values will be over-written. To
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retain previous run data you need to create a new analysis.
It is also possible to view files generated during the analysis process by selecting
an analysis in the Tree View then selecting Edit analysis files from the pop-up
menu.
7.2 - Performing a standalone analysis

A standalone analysis enables you to perform local computations on a isolated
set of Structural Elements (SEs) or Structural Element Assembly (SEAs) that
form a CP. These structural elements are not part of an analysis structural model.
1. Start CæSam. A new document will open called 'Document1'.
2. From the menu bar select Analysis --> Create Stand Alone Analysis .
3. In the Create a new analysis dialog, select the template that corresponds
to the required analysis.
4. Enter a name for the analysis.
5. Click [Apply] then [Close].
The analysis with the selected name will appear in the Tree View. Each of
the SEs associated with the analysis will be listed.
6. Click on each of the SEs in turn.

Their properties will be listed in the Property view. Default values may
have been defined for these properties, or not, depending on the template.
7. Click on the analysis.
The parameters associated with the analysis will be listed in the Property
View.
8. Click on an EO Property / Label. The required values will appear in the
Editor.
There are a number of methods that are used to assign values to the EOs
9. When all the input parameters are valid (see running an analysis (described
on page-70)) click on the Run button .
The computation will start and the progress of the calculations can be
monitored in the Run tab. When the analysis is complete a new Run entry
will appear in the SE tree.
10. If you wish to run the process again with different values, you can either
create a new analysis, or create a duplicate of the current analysis (select
Duplicate from the pop up menu) and repeat the process.
11. When the analyses are complete, save the document using File --> Save .
See also : viewing results (described on page-118).
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7.3 - Performing an analysis using an analysis model

This procedure requires that an analysis {stress} model has been defined.
1. Start up the CæSam application. A new empty document will open called
"Document1".
2. Select Tools --> Tasks then select the model that you wish to work with.
3. Select the analysis.
An analysis must be performed on a Calculation Point (CP).
• You can select an existing analysis in the tree. If the analysis contains
results that you want to retain, create a copy of it by selecting
Duplicate from the pop up menu.
• Or you can create a new analysis by selecting the CP (SE or SEA) on
which the analysis is to be performed, then selecting Create Analysis
from the menu bar or the contextual menu.
4. Define the analysis parameters.
There are a number of methods that are used to assign values to the EOs
5. When all the input EOs are preceded by a green check mark, select the
analyses that you wish to execute in the Tree View and click the Run button
in the toolbar.
See running an analysis (described on page-70).

6. When the run is finished, click on the Property Editor then click on the
Result EOs.
7. Save the document using File --> Save .
See also: Viewing results (described on page-118).
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Chapter 8 - Configurations
Configurations provide a means of managing Engineering Objects. They enable
an analyst to define a set of parameter values that can be used independently.
A typical application for the use of configurations would be the situation where
an analyst wants to work with a particular set of EO values without affecting
either other analyses or the reference values of the SEs. It may be that the
reference values of a structure are protected. An analyst would then be able to
propose modifications to the reference values based on his results using his
configurations.
Configurations, in conjunction with packages, allow analysts to examine each
others results.
Associations
An analyst can create his own configurations that apply to a model (dataset).
Within the configuration he can define a set of 'associations' that are values
applied to particular EOs on SEs.
Consider the example of an SE called "Plate1" which has four EOs; Height,
Width, Length and Mass, for which there are reference values that represent the
current actual dimensions.
Two configurations have been defined:
• In Config 1 associations for the Height, Width and Length have been
defined.
• In Config 2 associations for the Height, Width and Mass have been defined.
The situation can be seen by selecting the option By SE from the Tree View and
examining all the data relating to Plate1.
You will see in the example above that the associations in Config1 have an
asterisk (*) next to them. This means that Config 1 is the active configuration.
Applying a configuration makes the configuration the active one and its
associations will be used by default for a new analysis. The values of the active
configuration are also applied to the SE. This is illustrated in the description of
assigning configuration values to EOs (described on page-55).
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8.1 - Using configurations and associations

Configurations (described on page-74) are managed using the Maturity menu.
This document describes how to:
• Create a configuration.
• Create a set of associations (parameter values) within the configuration.
• Move an association.
• Duplicate an association.
• Export configurations.
See also: Assigning values in a configuration to an EO (described on page-66).
To create a configuration
1. From the menu bar select Maturity --> Configurations --> Create
Configuration .
2. In the Create Configuration dialog enter the name of the configuration.
3. Click [OK].
The configuration will be created and can be seen in the Tree View if you select
the option By Configuration. Each configuration contains all the items in the
current model, irrespective of the current working set. If associations (values)
have been defined for an item within the configuration, then these will be listed
below each item. Further configurations can be created.
To create associations within a configuration
Once a configuration has been created, associations can be defined for the EOs
relating to the objects in the model.
1. In the Tree view select the view By Configuration or By SE (or By SEA).
2. Click on the SE (or SEA) under the Configuration (or click on the
Configuration under the SE).
3. In the Property View a list of EOs will appear that relate to the SE (or
SEA). Initially all the EOs in the list will be undefined and have a grey icon
next to them. This indicates that no value has been assigned in this
configuration.
4. Click on the EO for which you wish to define a value.
5. If there is a corresponding EO defined in the shared workspace you can use
the Connect icon to link to it.
6. If there is no EO to link to, click on the right mouse butto and choose
Create New Local EO, or Import an EO from File.
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7. If you choose to import an EO, select the required EO from the browser and
click [Open]. The name of the EO will appear in the list and its values can
be edited as required.
8. If you choose to create a new EO, the parameters will appear in the Editor
and you can enter the values required. In this case a default name will
appear that can be edited as required.
When an EO value has been assigned then a green tick will appear next to the
EO.
To view the associations in a configuration
You can view the associations in a configuration by selecting the view By SE or
By Configuration in the Tree View.
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The example above shows a view by SE, where it can be seen that for Panel1 in
Config–1, a value for the Profile has been defined while in Config-2, a value for
the Geometry has been defined..
Moving Selected Associations
This operation is only possible if there is a second defined configuration open to
which you can move the association. You can only move an association if it is
not used elsewhere (in an analysis for example). If the Move operation is not
available you can use the Duplicate Selected Associations operation.
To move associations:
1. Set the Tree view option to By Configuration.
2. Select the required association within the configuration.
3. Right click on it and select Move Selected Associations.
4. In the Move Selected Association dialog select the configuration to which
the association is to be moved.
5. Click [OK].
The defined association will be removed from the current configuration.
This copies the selected association to a specified configuration. This operation
requires that a second defined configuration exists.
To duplicate associations:
1. Set the Tree view option to By Configuration.
2. Select the required association within the configuration.
3. Right click on it and select Duplicate Selected Associations.
4. In the dialog that appears, select the configuration to which the association
is to be copied.
5. Click [OK].
A copy of the defined association will be coped to the specified configuration.
Exporting configurations
If you have been working with a set of configurations and you wish to pass the
resulting values to other analysts, you can place the results of your work in a
package (described on page-78).
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Chapter 9 - Packages
A package is a collection of items that can be contained in a CæSam model.
They can be used to manage the various parts of a large structural model. An
object can be contained in one and only one package.
Typical applications for a package would include:
• The SEs and SEAs forming a specific part of a structure.
• A library of EOs - materials for example.
• The analyses and results of a particular analyst.
A user can create a package containing any number and type of objects.
Packages are stored in archive files with the extension '.czp'. A package can be
deleted. This does not delete any of the contents, these remain in the model.
Dependencies
Since packages can contain any type of object, and some objects depends on
others, then it is inevitable that some packages will depend on others. So for
example, a package containing analysis results will depend on package that
contain the CPs (Calculation Points) on which the analyses were performed.
Given the fact that there are dependencies between packages it is inevitable that
in some cases these dependencies are circular, i.e. Package A depends on
Package B, which depends on Package C which in turn depends on Package A. If
this is the case then all the packages must be handled collectively.
An exception to this is the dependency between CPs and associations. When a
package containing CPs is exported, if it has associations that are contained in
another package the dependency between these two packages is not maintained.
9.1 - Using Packages

This section describes how to:
• Create an empty package
• View the contents of a package
• Add items to a package
• Remove items from a package
• Export a package
• Import a package
To create an empty package
1. From the menu bar select Maturity --> Packages --> Create Package .
2. In the Create Package dialog enter the name of the package that you wish
to create. The name is used to identify the package in the Caesam user
interface.
3. Enter the location where the package file will be located in the Url field.
The file name does not need to be the same as the package name.
4. Click [OK].
The package will be created and can be seen by setting the Tree option to By
Package.
Items can now be added to this package by selecting them in the Tree View and
then choosing Put in Package from the pop up menu.
> Important! When you create a package, you just create a holder in which items
can be put. The file (url.czp) is not created until you export the package.
To add objects to a package
1. Select the object(s) to be placed in the package. (This can be any type of
object available in the Tree view of the model, SE, SEA, EO, table... )
2. Right click and select Put in Package from the pop up menu.
- 78 -
3. In the Put in Package dialog, select the package in which it is to be added.
4. Click [OK].
Note! that an item can only be present in ONE package.
If the selected item is already in a package, then it will be put in the requested
package and removed from the original one.
To view the contents of a package
1. Set the Tree view setting to By Package. A list of all defined packages
appears.
2. Click on each of the entries to see list of contents.
To remove objects from a package
1. Set the Tree option to By Package to view the contents of a package.
2. Select the objects to be removed (used the <Ctrl> and <Shift> keys to select
multiple items).
3. Right click and select Remove from Package from the pop up menu.
The objects will be removed from the package.
To export a package
1. Set the Tree option to By Package.
2. Select the packages to be exported.
3. Right click and select Export Selected Packages from the pop up menu.
The packages will be exported to the URL that was specified when the package
was created.
To see the URL associated with a package, select the package, right click and
select Properties from the pop up menu. When a package has been exported you
will see that a new folder appears in the package called "additional items". This
contains all the items in the model that are related to the objects in the package
and which have not been explicitly added to the package. Note that you can also
export all packages either from the File menu or from the Maturity - Packages
menu.
To import a package
1. From the File menu or the Maturity menu select Import Packages.
2. In the dialog that appears, double click in the Package Url field to obtain the
[...] button. This schedules the browser dialog in which you can search for
the required file with the extension .czm
3. Click [Open].
4. When importing a package it is possible that a "collision" may occur i.e.
that an item that is contained in a package already exists in the current
session. You need to select what to do if this happens:
• Stop with error : stops the process and generates an error
• Keep current item : keep the item in the session, do not import the item
in the package.
• Duplicated imported item : make a new duplicated item. You can see
which item belongs to the session and which to the package by
viewing their properties.
• Replace current item with imported one : the current item in the
session with the one in the package.
5. You can also import a package as "read only". To do this set the ReadOnly
option to "True".
When an package is imported as Read only the following conditions apply:
• You cannot edit an EO
• You cannot rename an item
• You cannot delete an item or package
• You cannot replace the EO used by an association
• You cannot add/remove associations to/from a read-only configuration
• You cannot add/remove items to/from a read-only package
• Read-only packages are ignored by the command ‘Export All/Selected
Packages.
6. You can choose to organize the contents of the imported package in a
directory structure if you set the option Create directories to "True".
7. Click [OK] in the Edit Task Parameter dialog.
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8. The importation process will start.
If the Package that you are importing depends on other packages then these
packages will also be imported. A Message will appear informing you on the
number of items that have been imported, the number of additional items that
needed to be stored in the package and items in any other packages on which the
package being imported depends.
If the required additional objects and dependent packages could not be found,
information will be supplied here. All the imported objects will be loaded into
the current document and be available in the data tree.
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Chapter 10 - Load cases

Load cases used in Caesam are derived from global FEM models.
The Data file :
is the bulk data file containing the finite element model.
The Result file :
is the OP2 file containing the results from which the load cases will be
extracted. In order to create load cases from data files it is first necessary to
run a Nastran analysis.
Load cases have a physical attribute assigned to them that corresponds to the
type of loading (mechanical, thermal...). This information can not be extracted
from the OP2 file automatically, it is the user's responsibility to ensure that the
required type of load case is contained in the source result files. User load cases
can be based on tabular (.csv) files in which a specific load value is associated
with a node or an element. Once again it is the user's responsibility to correctly
define the physical loading type.
Types of load case
There following types of load cases are provided by the Caesam framework. In
addition there may be types of load cases related to specific plugins.
• Unitary load cases representing a single physical load. See how to create a
unitary load case (described on page-83).
• Real load cases - which are a combination of mechanical, thermal and
pressure load cases. Thermal and pressure load cases must be referenced
unitary load cases. See how to create a real load case (described on page-85).
• User load cases - for which specific values are provided and which are not
derived from an FE analysis. See how to create a user load case (described
on page-88).
• Combined load cases - in which the effect of defined load cases can be
combined into a single load case. See how to create a combined load case
Load case sets
It is possible to make a collection of defined load cases into a Load case set.
When a load case set is used in an analysis, one set of results will be calculated
for each of the load cases contained in the set. See how to create a load case set
Load cases available in the EO Shared workspace can be used in an analysis. A
specific editor is provided to select the required load cases for an analysis.
Note! that all these procedures describe defining load cases in the Shared
Workspace. It is also possible to create a local instance of a load case (set) in a
specific analysis.
10.1 - Unitary Loadcases

Unitary load cases represent a single physical load. They are extracted from OP2
files relating to the model on which they are to be used. They are used as the
basis for other types of load case and can be collected together into a load case
set.
Note! It is necessary to have run a global Nastran analysis in order to create the
required files.
There are two methods for creating unitary load cases:
• Creating them manually.
• Generating them automatically from an OP2 file. This method is a short cut
to creating them manually.
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10.1.1 - Generating Unitary Load Cases from an OP2 file

1. From the menu bar select Data --> Load Cases --> Create Unitary LCs
from OP2 Files .
2. In the OP2 Files Selection dialog, browse for the required file.
This must be associated with the model to which the load cases will be
applied. The OP2 files must contain only one type of load case.
3. Click [Select].
One unitary load case will be generated for each load case found in the
selected file and be listed in the EO Shared Workspace.
4. In the Tree View select By Loadcase from the Tree drop down list.
5. Open the EO Shared Workspace and then the Unitary Load Case folder.
The name of the load cases will be based on the selected OP2 file
(SuperStiffenerModel in this example).
6. The load cases can be renamed by right-clicking on them and selecting
Rename from the pop up menu.
7. Click on one of the load cases in the list, then click on the Tree Editor tab.
The corresponding properties will appear in the editor panel.
8. You can edit the properties as required:

a. ComputationState: is set to "ComputedUpToDate" by default. You
can select another option from the list. Note that this field is set
manually and does not reflect the actual state of the load case.
b. Data File: refers to the bulk data file associated with the OP2 file. You
can enter the name of this file to serve as a reference.
- 82 -
c. Result File: refers to the selected OP2 file from which the load case
was extracted.
d. Load Case ID: is extracted from the OP2 file.
e. Comment: the comment field is automatically filled with the name of
the original OP2 file. It can be edited as required.
f. Physic: this field describes the physical type of loading and can be
selected from the list available. It is the user's responsibility to check
that this is correct.
Note! there may be additional fields that are available that are generated by
the plugin.
9. To view the results in the defined Result File you can click on the [Process
Result File] button.
This will generate a list of results that appears in the editor panel. Clicking
on a result will produce a color scale to show the range of values associated
with the result. If the global model has been loaded then the results will be
displayed in the 3D Viewer.
The load case can be used either in combination with other load cases or as part
of a load case set (described on page-97).
10.1.2 - Creating Unitary Load Cases manually

1. In the Tree View select By EO from the Tree drop down list.
2. Right click on the EO Shared Workspace and select Add EO in Shared
Workspace from the pop up menu.
3. In the Add Engineering Object in Shared Workspace dialog click on
Load Case then click on Unitary Load Case.
- 83 -
4. Enter a name for your load case then click [OK].

5. In the Tree View click on the newly created load case.
The properties of the load case will appear in the Editor tab.
6. Enter the required information to define the load case.
- 84 -
a. ComputationState: Set this to the required option from the list. Note
that this field is set manually and does not reflect the actual state of the
load case.
can enter the name of this file to serve as a reference if you wish.
c. Result File: refers to the selected OP2 file from which the load case is
to be extracted. You must select the required file by clicking in the
field. A browse button [...] will appear in which you can browse to
select the required file. (This must be associated with the model on
which the load cases will be applied.)
d. Load Case ID: is a required field and identifies the load case to be
extracted from the selected file. It is the user's responsibility to check
e. Comment: you can enter a comment if you wish.
f. Physic: this field describes the physical type of loading and can be
selected from the list available. It is the user's responsibility to check
on a result will produce a color scale to show range of values associated
When all the required fields have been specified, the load case will have a green
check mark in front of it and can be used either in combination with other load
cases or as part of a load case set (described on page-97).
10.2 - Creating Real load cases

In all cases it is necessary to have run a global Nastran analysis in order to create
the required files.
Real load cases are a combination of mechanical, thermal and pressure load
cases. They are extracted from OP2 files relating to the model on which they are
to be used. The OP2 file used as a basis must contain the required load types. It
is the user's responsibility to check this. Before you can create a real load case
you need to have previously defined a thermal and/or a pressure load case as
unitary load cases.
- 85 -
2. Check that you have a thermal and / or a pressure unitary load case defined
in the Shared Workspace.
Load Case then click on Real Load Case.

The properties of the load case will appear in the Editor.
- 86 -
load case.
c. Result File: refers to the selected OP2 file from which the load case is
to be extracted. You must select the required file by clicking in the
field. A browse button [...] will appear in which you can browse to
select the required file. (This must be associated with the model on
which the load cases will be applied.)
d. Load Case ID: is a required field and identifies the load case to be
extracted from the selected file. It is the user's responsibility to check
f. Thermal Load Case: if a thermal load case is to be included in the
real load case, select the required load case from the drop down list.
The list contains all the load cases in the EO Shared workspace; it is
the user's responsibility to ensure that the correct type of load case is
selected.
g. Thermal Coefficient: use this field to apply a multiplication factor that
is to be applied to the thermal load levels defined in the load case.
h. Pressure Load Case: if a pressure load case is to be included in the
real load case, select the required load case from the drop down list.
The list contains all the load cases in the EO Shared workspace; it is
the user's responsibility to ensure that the correct type of load case is
selected.
i. Pressure Coefficient: use this field to apply a multiplication factor
that is to be applied to the pressure load levels defined in the load case.
on a result will produce a color scale to show range of values associated
- 87 -
10.3 - User load cases

User load cases are based on tabular (.csv) files in which specific load values can
be assigned to parts of the finite element model.
There are two methods to create a user load case:
• manually in which the pre-defined .csv files are used directly to create the
user load case
• by generating a user load case from an existing unitary load case.
10.3.1 - Creating User Load Cases manually

This procedure requires pre-defined .csv files.
Load Case then click on User Load Case.

The properties of the load case will appear in the Editor.
- 88 -
load case.
c. Result File: refers to the OP2 file from which the load case is
extracted. It is not relevant in this situation
d. Load Case ID: this identifies the load case. The default value can be
used.
f. Physic: this is a required field that describes the physical type of
loading and can be selected from the list available. It is the user's
responsibility to check that this is correct.
g. Node / Element / ElementNode Values CSV File: These fields must
be filled with the location of the CSV files used to defined the
loadcase.
10.3.2 - Creating User load cases from unitary load cases

This method requires that the unitary load case exists and is available in the EO
Shared workspace.
1. Set the Tree View to By Loadcase
2. Select the existing unitary load case that you wish to use as the basis.
This must be a valid unitary load case, which appears with a with a green
check mark in front of it when selected for analysis. To check this, click on
the selected load case and examine the corresponding properties in the Tree
Editor tab.
3. From the menu bar select Data --> Loadcases --> User LC from
Computed LC .
4. In the dialog that appears enter a name for the user load case. By default the
name of the unitary load case is suggested with the prefix UserLC_.
- 89 -
5. Specify the location where the resulting .csv files are to be located.
Note that by default this field is filled with the directory where CæSam was
launched.
6. Choose whether you want to use the contents of the complete op2 file as a
source (click No) or whether you want to use just the information that
relates to the Structural Elements that correspond to the current model (click
Yes).
7. Click [OK].
The User load case will appear in the Tree View.
8. Click on it in the Tree View and then click on the Tree Editor panel.
9. In the Editor panel you will see that three .csv files have been created.
These contain values for: nodes, elements, individual values for each node
relating to the element to which it is attached. See also : detailed
information on the contents of the .csv files (described on page-90).
10. Go to the directory where the files are located and edit them as required.
When you return to CæSam and assign this load to an analysis, the edited files
will be used when the analysis is Run.
Note! that the ComputationState shown in the screen shot above is not one that is
automatically updated; it is set manually. It does not reflect the fact that the csv
files have been modified.
10.3.3 - Contents of .csv loadcase files

- 90 -
Mat_Angle angle between first element

(dimension=PLANE ANGLE) axis and material axis
Force_Flow_X Membrane Force Flow along
(dimension=FORCE / X (stress integrated on the
LENGTH) thickness) (OEF1X)
Force_Flow_Y Membrane Force Flow along
(dimension=FORCE / Y (stress integrated on the
Force_Flow_XY Membrane Force Flow along
(dimension=FORCE / XY (stress integrated on the
Bending_X Membrane Bending moment
(dimension=FORCE flow around X (OEF1X)
MOMENT OF A FORCE /
LENGTH)
Bending_Y Membrane Bending Moment
(dimension=MOMENT OF A Flow around Y (OEF1X)
FORCE / LENGTH)
Bending_XY Membrane Bending Moment
(dimension=MOMENT OF A Flow in XY (OEF1X)
FORCE / LENGTH)
Shear_X (dimension=FORCE Membrane Transverse Shear
/ LENGTH) Force Flow along X (OEF1X)
Shear_Y (dimension=FORCE Membrane Transverse Shear
/ LENGTH) Force Flow along Y (OEF1X)
Norm_Eff Normal Effort in Rod and
(dimension=FORCE) Beams (OEF1X)
App_Force_X grid point force applied load along X
(dimension=FORCE) (APP-LOAD - OGPFB1)
App_Force_Y grid point force applied load along Y
App_Force_Z grid point force applied load along Z
App_Moment_X grid point force applied moment around X
(dimension=MOMENT OF A (APP-LOAD - OGPFB1)
FORCE)
App_Moment_Y grid point force applied moment around Y
FORCE)
App_Moment_Z grid point force applied moment around Z
FORCE)
MPC_Force_X multi point constraint applied load along X
(dimension=FORCE) (F-OF-MPC - OGPFB1)
MPC_Force_Y multi point constraint applied load along X
- 91 -

MPC_Force_Z multi point constraint applied load along X
MPC_Moment_X multi point constraint applied moment around X
(dimension=MOMENT OF A (F-OF-MPC - OGPFB1)
FORCE)
MPC_Moment_Y multi point constraint applied moment around Y
FORCE)
MPC_Moment_Z multi point constraint applied moment around Z
FORCE)
SPC_Force_X single point constraint applied load along X
(dimension=FORCE) (F-OF-SPC - OGPFB1)
SPC_Force_Y single point constraint applied load along Y
SPC_Force_Z single point constraint applied load along Z
SPC_Moment_X single point constraint applied moment around X
(dimension=MOMENT OF A (F-OF-SPC - OGPFB1)
FORCE)
SPC_Moment_Y single point constraint applied moment around Y
FORCE)
SPC_Moment_Z single point constraint applied moment around Z
FORCE)
Tot_Force_X grid point force balance total of applied load along X
(dimension=FORCE) (*TOTALS* - OGPFB1)
Tot_Force_Y grid point force balance total of applied load
(dimension=FORCE) along Y (*TOTALS* -
OGPFB1)
Tot_Force_Z grid point force balance total of applied load
(dimension=FORCE) along Z (*TOTALS* -
OGPFB1)
Tot_Moment_X grid point force balance total of applied
(dimension=MOMENT OF A moment around X
FORCE) (*TOTALS* - OGPFB1)
Tot_Moment_Y grid point force balance total of applied
(dimension=MOMENT OF A moment around Y
Tot_Moment_Z grid point force balance total of applied
(dimension=MOMENT OF A moment around Z
Elem_Sum_Force_X grid point force balance sum of internal forces
(dimension=FORCE) along X from elements (
OGPFB1)
- 92 -
Elem_Sum_Force_Y grid point force balance sum of internal forces

(dimension=FORCE) along Y from elements (
OGPFB1)
Elem_Sum_Force_Z grid point force balance sum of internal forces
(dimension=FORCE) along Z from elements (
OGPFB1)
Elem_Sum_Moment_X grid point force balance sum of internal
(dimension=MOMENT OF A moments around X from
FORCE) elements ( OGPFB1)
Elem_Sum_Moment_Y grid point force balance sum of internal
(dimension=MOMENT OF A moments around Y from
FORCE) elements ( OGPFB1)
Elem_Sum_Moment_Z grid point force balance sum of internal
(dimension=MOMENT OF A moments around Z from
FORCE) elements (OGPFB1)
Internal_Force_X grid point force balance internal force along X
(dimension=FORCE) from element ( OGPFB1)
Internal_Force_Y grid point force balance internal force along Y
Internal_Force_Z grid point force balance internal force along Z
Internal_Moment_X grid point force balance internal moment
(dimension=MOMENT OF A along X from element (
FORCE) OGPFB1)
Internal_Moment_Y grid point force balance internal moment
(dimension=MOMENT OF A along Y from element (
FORCE) OGPFB1)
Internal_Moment_Z grid point force balance internal moment
(dimension=MOMENT OF A along Z from element (
FORCE) OGPFB1)
Stress_Fibre_Dist_1 membrane Z1 (lower-skin)
(dimension=LENGTH) fibre distance for stresses
(OES1X1)
Stress_Fibre_Dist_2 membrane Z2 (upper-skin)
(dimension=LENGTH) fibre distance for stresses
(OES1X1)
Stress_2d_Lower_X membrane Z1 (lower-skin)
(dimension=PRESSURE) stress normal X (OES1X1)
Stress_2d_Lower_Y membrane Z1 (lower-skin)
(dimension=PRESSURE) stress normal Y (OES1X1)
Stress_2d_Lower_XY membrane Z1 (lower-skin)
(dimension=PRESSURE) stress shear XY(OES1X1)
Stress_2d_Upper_X membrane Z2 (upper-skin)
(dimension=PRESSURE) stress normal X (OES1X1)
Stress_2d_Upper_Y membrane Z2 (upper-skin)
(dimension=PRESSURE) stress normal Y (OES1X1)
- 93 -
Stress_2d_Upper_XY membrane Z2 (upper-skin)

(dimension=PRESSURE) stress shear XY (OES1X1)
Stress_1d_Axial Axial stress in CROD,
(dimension=PRESSURE) CONROD and CBAR
(OES1X1)
Stress_1d_Torsion Torsional stress in CROD,
(dimension=PRESSURE) CONROD (OES1X1)
Stress_1d_Max Maximum stress over all the
(dimension=PRESSURE) 11 stations of a CBEAM
(S-MAX OES1X1)
Stress_1d_MaxA Maximum stress at first vertex
(dimension=PRESSURE) of a CBAR (OES1X1)
Stress_1d_MaxB Maximum stress at second
(dimension=PRESSURE) vertex of a CBAR (OES1X1)
Strain_Fibre_Dist_1 membrane Z1 (lower-skin)
(dimension=LENGTH) fibre distance for strain
(OES1X1)
Strain_Fibre_Dist_2 membrane Z2 (upper-skin)
(dimension=LENGTH) fibre distance for strain
(OES1X1)
Strain_2d_Lower_X membrane Z1 (lower-skin)
(dimension=dimension=LESS) strain normal X (OES1X1)
Strain_2d_Lower_Y membrane Z1 (lower-skin)
(dimension=dimension=LESS) strain normal Y (OES1X1)
Strain_2d_Lower_XY membrane Z1 (lower-skin)
(dimension=dimension=LESS) strain shear XY (OES1X1)
Strain_2d_Upper_X membrane Z2 (upper-skin)
(dimension=dimension=LESS) strain normal X (OES1X1)
Strain_2d_Upper_Y membrane Z2 (upper-skin)
(dimension=dimension=LESS) strain normal Y (OES1X1)
Strain_2d_Upper_XY membrane Z2 (upper-skin)
(dimension=dimension=LESS) strain shear XY(OES1X1)
Strain_1d_Axial Axial strain in CROD,
(dimension=dimension=LESS) CONROD and CBAR
(OES1X1)
Strain_1d_Torsion Torsional strain in CROD,
(dimension=dimension=LESS) CONROD (OES1X1)
Strain_1d_Max Maximum strain over all the
(dimension=dimension=LESS) 11 stations of a CBEAM
(OES1X1)
Strain_1d_MaxA Maximum strain at first vertex
(dimension=dimension=LESS) of a CBAR (OES1X1)
Strain_1d_MaxB Maximum strain at second
(dimension=dimension=LESS) vertex of a CBAR (OES1X1)
DX (dimension=LENGTH) nodal displacement along X
(OUGV1, OUGV2)
- 94 -
DY (dimension=LENGTH) nodal displacement along Y

(OUGV1, OUGV2)
DZ (dimension=LENGTH) nodal displacement along Z
(OUGV1, OUGV2)
RX (dimension=PLANE nodal rotation around X
ANGLE) (OUGV1, OUGV2)
RY (dimension=PLANE nodal rotation around Y
RZ (dimension=PLANE nodal rotation around Z
APP_FX applied load along X (OPG1)
(dimension=FORCE)
APP_FY applied load along Y (OPG1)
(dimension=FORCE)
APP_FZ applied load along Z (OPG1)
(dimension=FORCE)
APP_MX applied moment around X
(dimension=MOMENT OF A (OPG1, OPG2)
FORCE)
APP_MY applied moment around Y
FORCE)
APP_MZ applied moment around Z
FORCE)
10.4 - Creating Combined load cases

Combined load cases represent a single load case that is made up of a
combination of existing ones. Before you can create a combined load case you
need to have previously defined all the load case that you want to combine
together. These can be unitary, real or user load cases. They must all be present
in the EO Shared workspace and relate to the model to which the combined load
case is to be applied.
Note! In all cases it is necessary to have run a global Nastran analysis in order to
create the required files.
2. Check that you have all the load case to be combined in the Shared
Workspace.
Load Case then click on Combined Load Case.
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The properties of the load case will appear in the Editor tab.
7. Select a value for the ComputationState: from the list. Note that this field is
set manually and does not reflect the actual state of the load case.
8. Right click on the Loadcase field to obtain the pop up menu.
9. Select Insert multiple items.

10. In the Input dialog enter the number of load cases that you wish to combine
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together then press [OK].
11. Click in the LoadCase field for the first item and select the required load
case from those currently defined in the EO Shared workspace.
12. Enter the required ratio.
This allows you to apply a multiplication factor to be applied to the defined
load levels in the load case.
13. Repeat this for each load case to be combined.
check mark in front of it and can be used as part of a load case set (described on
page-97).
10.5 - Creating Load Case Sets

In order to create a load case set, load cases must have been defined. To see the
currently defined loads, set the Tree view to By Loadcase. If necessary create the
required load cases (described on page-81).
This procedure describes how to create a load case. Load Case Sets allow you to
define groups of load cases that can be used in an analysis. A set of results will
be generated for each of the load cases contained in the set.
Note! You can also create a load case set from a Global table - see below.
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Load Case then click on Load Case Set.
4. Enter the name for the load case set.

5. Click [OK].
The defined load case set will appear in the Tree View.
6. Select it in the Tree View, then click on the Tree Editor.
Its properties will appear in the Editor panel.
7. Click on the [Edit] button in the Editor panel in order to add load cases to
the new load case set.
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A list of available load cases will appear in the left panel.

8. Select a load case to be included in the load case set and click on the right
arrow to add it to the set.
The properties of the load case selected in the "Unselected loadcases" list
will appear on the right hand side of the editor panel. These properties can
be viewed here but not changed. To edit the properties of the load case, it
must be selected directly in the Tree View.
9. Continue this process until all the required load cases have been added to
the load case set.
It is possible to create a load set from a global table that contains a Loadcase
column. Select the loadcases from this column, then right click and select Create
Loadcase set from selection from the pop up menu.
10.6 - Selecting Load Cases for an analysis

Loadcases must be defined using the various procedures available (described on
page-81).
The requirements regarding the use of load cases depends of course on the plugin
in use. This describes the general process to use a load case in an analysis that
has been selected in the Tree View.
1. In the Property View, click on the required load case field.
2. If you wish to use a pre-defined loadcase set, that exists in the shared
workspace, click on the "Connect icon". A list of available load case (sets)
will appear in the editor panel.
a. In the Editor select the loadcase set required from those in the Shared
Workspace.
b. Click on the link icon.
3. If you wish to use a set of the available loadcases, click on the [Edit] button
in Editor panel.
a. From the Input LoadCaseSet menu, choose the loadcase set you wish
to select from.
b. From the list of Unselected Loadcases in the left panel, select a
required load case.
An additional panel will appear showing the properties of the loadcase.
c. Click on the right arrow to add a loadcase to the Selected
Loadcase(s) list.
d. Continue until all the required loadcases have been selected.
If a load case is preceded by a yellow warning icon, try setting the status
property to "computed and up to date".
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Chapter 11 - Tables
Tables can be used in CæSam to examine sets of data relating to the current
model. Information in a table can be sorted, filtered, exported and printed.
Values can also be displayed on the 3D representation of the model.
Tables are also used to present information contained in the model using the
tabular view (described on page-29). Tables of data presented in the tabular view
can be manipulated using the same tools as those created by the user.
The tables that can be created by the user depends on the plugin, but there are
some basic tables (described on page-100) that are delivered with the CæSam
application.
A table consists of a descriptor and an instance of the table, both of which are
viewed and modified using dedicated editors. When a global table is created by
the user, the contents generally include all the related information contained in
the model. It is also possible in some cases to create 'local' tables that are based
on the current contents of a column in the global table.
Each related global/local table is presented in a separate tab in the table editor.
The name of the tab corresponds to the first column of the table. The first column
is defined in the descriptor for a global table and is the column on which a local
table was generated.
Figure 8. Typical table
The contents of a table can be manipulated using a range of tools provided in the
table editor (described on page-103). The number and properties of the columns in
a table can be modified using the table descriptor (described on page-108).
See also: Using tables (described on page-110)
11.1 - Basic tables

There are a number of tables that are delivered with the Cæsam framework.
When creating these tables, in some cases you can restrict the number of lines
they contain by selecting an option from the Parameters drop down list.
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Note! that if you choose a parameter to reduce the number of rows in a table, you
can not add more rows to the same table instance. You must create a new table
instance to view the other rows.
The number of columns in these tables can be modified using the table
descriptor.
Primary
The primary group of tables are basically one-column tables that provide a list of
the defined objects.
Table By Analysis
provides a list of analyses that are currently defined.
Parameters you can select a specific type of analysis.
Table By Element
This provides a list of the finite elements that are contained in the current
model. No parameters can be set.
Table By Element by SE
This provides a list of the finite elements in relation to the SE to which they
belong.
Parameters - you can select a specific type of SE.
Table By SE
This provides a list of the SEs (Structural Elements) in the current model.
Table By SE, Element and Loadcase
For each SE this lists each Finite Element and loadcase associated with it.
Table By SEA
This provides a list of the SEAs (Structural Element Assemblies) in the
current model.
Parameters - you can select a specific type of SEA.
EO
Table By EO
This generates a table of the properties of a selected type of EO. The type of
Eo must be selected as a Parameter.
Parameters - you can restrict the EOs listed to those that are defined in the
Shared Workspace.
Post
Post RF Table
This provides a list of specific result types from the analyses that have been
run. It selects those results that are non-dimensional -which included RFs
(Reserve Factors).
Parameters - a number of parameters can be set to limit the contents of the
table.
• Operation type: allows you to choose the analysis operation.
• Load case: The load cases available will depend on the load cases that
were used for the type of analysis.
• Only RF: restricts the results presented to RFs. Otherwise all
non-dimensional results will be retained.
• Keep : this allows you to reduce the number of lines contained in the
table to a specific number of RFs. An example of the use of this function
is given in the section below (described on page-102).
Result Table By LoadCase from OP2
This provides all the results in the OP2 files from which the load cases have
been defined. This table lists all the forces for each load case on each finite
element. The SE associated with the finite element is listed too.
Parameters - you can select the required SE.
Result Table from OP2
This provides a specific result type from the OP2 files from which the load
cases have been defined. This table lists the value of the specified force for
each finite element. The value for each load case is given in a separate
column.
Parameters - you can select an SE and the specific result required.
- 101 -
Additional tables may be provided in specific plugins.
Creating a Post RF Table
This section describes the various options that can be used to create a Post RF
table. The options are explained through the use of an example.
Consider the following set of results:
For each SE in the model, there are 3 analyses operations that have been run,
each analysis involves 4 load cases, and for each loadcase there are 4 RF results
that are calculated. This means that if no parameters are set, that for each SE
there will be: 3x4x4=48 lines in the table.
If you select the parameter Operation type, you can reduce the number of lines
by 1/3 (to 16 lines) by selecting just one analysis.
If you select the parameter Loadcase type, you can reduce the number of lines
by 1/4 (to 12 lines) by selecting just one loadcase.
If you select the parameter Operation type AND Loadcase type, only 4 results
will be presented for each SE.
All of the above options involve a reduction in the size of the table by
pre-selection that does not always present the data required. The Keep parameter
enables you to reduce the size of the table based on the lowest values of the RF.
The Min RF parameter determines how many of the RFs will be retained. If a
value of 1 is entered then the single RF (from the total of 48) with the lowest
value will be retained. This condition is the equivalent of using the Results -
Create Reduced Post RF Table entry from the menu bar.
If this is set to 3 for example then the three lowest values RFs would be retained,
irrespective of the analysis or the loadcase as illustrated below.
- 102 -
If the additional options: by Operation and / or by Loadcase are use, then the
number of required RFs would be retained for each analysis operation and for
each loadcase.
The figure below shows the result of setting the following parameters:
for the example given above.
In this example 2 RFs have been retained from each analysis, so providing 2x3
lines in the table for each SE. The loadcase they came from is not taken into
account.
11.2 - The Table Editor

The Editor can be used to view and manipulate the contents of table instances.
See also Creating tables (described on page-110).
The functionality in the table editor is presented through:
• the toolbar (described on page-103)
• the table header menus (described on page-105)
• the table pop-up menu (described on page-106)
Table tools
The contents of a table can be seen by selecting the table in the Tree View. An
example of a simple table is shown below. Tables are also presented when the
tabular view is selected. The tools described here can be used to manipulate
user-created tables or the tables presented in the tabular view.
- 103 -
The tools available depend on whether you are working with a global table (as
shown above) or a local table based on the current contents of one of the
columns.
The global table editor contains the following tool bar:
Print
This enables you to print the current contents of the table. It does not create a
file, just sends the contents of the table to the printer. Clicking on this button
schedules the print dialog in which you can define the way in which the
contents is to be printed. You should take care in printing very large tables,
and if the table contains more than 1000 lines you will need to confirm the
action.
Copy
Copies the selected cells. This operation only works on 'editable' cells, i.e.
those whose values can be modified. You can tell if a cell is editable by
clicking on it; if the background is colored blue, then it is not editable.
Paste
Pastes the copied cells. This operation only works on 'editable' cells, i.e. those
whose values can be modified. You can tell if a cell is editable by clicking on
it; if the background is colored blue, then it is not editable.
Delete column
This deletes the current column from the table and will improve the
performance. This can not be applied to primary (reference) columns. It can
be used to remove a column that has been added and is no longer needed, or a
secondary column that is not required for the current situation. This is not the
same as hiding a column.
The column will be removed from the descriptor that is associated with the
current instance of the table.
Show table descriptor
This schedules the Table descriptor (described on page-108).
Export
The Export function exports the current non-filtered contents of the table as a
csv file which can be imported into Excel. Clicking on the button schedules a
dialog in which you can choose the name and the location of the file.
A table can be exported in four different file formats:
• CSV (Comma Separated Values); in which the values and global
information relating to table and its descriptor are included. The file is
- 104 -
automatically given the extension .csv and can be opened directly in
Excel.
• Internet page; the table will be placed in a internet page that can be
viewed in any browser or included in another document. The file is
automatically given the extension .html
• Portable Document Format; the table is placed in a pdf document that
can be opened with Acrobat reader. The file is automatically given the
extension .pdf
• Excel: the tabular contents are written in a file that can be opened in
Excel. The header and descriptor information are not included. The file
is automatically given the extension .xsl
See also Exporting tables (described on page-116).
Import
The Import function allows you to import a table in csv format that has
previously been exported.
See also: Importing tables (described on page-111).
Update table
Updates the current contents of the table. This operation could be performed
when a analysis has been re-run with different input parameters.
Rebuild table
This operation will rebuild the table type to include results currently
available. If new analyses have been run, then new lines for these results
would be added to the table.
Camera
This enables you to capture an image of the table as a jpeg file. Such an
image can be easily inserted into a report or mailed to anyone who may
possibly be interested.
Highlight
When this button is checked 'on' then the item that is selected in the table will
be highlighted in the display; it will be shown with a red border around it.
This function operates on SEs. To highlight rows in the table see the table
pop-up menu (described on page-106).
Show Color Scale
Clicking this schedules the color scale. The range of values displayed on the
Color Scale depends on the settings defined for the Reference Column
(described on page-).
Add local table
This will add a new table tab based on the current values of the selected
column.
Create a new fishtail
This will create a fishtail table that will be presented in a new tab. The fishtail
will be of the type selected from the drop down list and display values in the
selected column. This option is only available when a table cell has been
selected.
The local table contains a toolbar with some additional tools:
Insert row
Inserts a new row.
Insert multiple rows
Inserts multiple rows. Enter the required number in the dialog that appears.
Delete row
Deletes the selected row.
The table header menus
The drop down list at the column header level provides functions that depend on
the type of column.
- 105 -
Display color
When this option is selected, the cells in the current column that match the
criterion set for the reference column will be shown in a range of colors. A
color scale displaying the range of values also appears. You can adapt the
colors used by double-clicking on a color in the color scale and selecting a
new color from the palette that is presented.
See also : Viewing table data in the 3D Viewer (described on page-113).
Display text
The names contained in the column will be written in the 3D viewer. The
name of the function changes to Clear text, which can be used to clear the
display.
Create new table from column "name"
This will create a new local table in a separate tab, that contains the current
information in the column.
Create group from column
This will create a group containing all the entries in the current column. This
option only applies to EOs and structural components.
Define as support column
This defines the current column as that on which the data values will be
displayed on in the 3D- viewer. This options only applies to structural
components. See also viewing data values in the 3D viewer (described on
page-113).
Define as reference column
This only appears on columns that have numerical values. It defines the
current column as the one for which the data values will be displayed on the
3D- viewer. The header of the reference column is shown in orange. See
viewing data values in the 3D viewer (described on page-113).
[lower.bound , upper.bound ]
This field displays that current bounds that are set on the values in this
column. These bounds act as a filter on the table; only those values that are
contained within the bounds will be retained in the filtered table if the button
is checked ON. If this button is checked OFF then these bounds are not set.
By default the bounds are set to 0 and 999. They can be set to user defined
values by selecting the Define bounds option described below.
Define bounds
This option enables you to set user-defined limits on the values of the data
that will be contained in the table. It schedules a dialog in which the upper
and the lower bounds can be defined. When you click [OK] the bounds will
be set and the table filtered to contain just these values. The filtered version
of the table can be viewed by selecting the option View --> Filtered from the
contextual menu.
The limits are displayed in the menu option described above. They will be
applied if the check button is checked ON.
The color scale will be adapted.
Unit
This option only appears on a column that contains numerical values. It
allows you to select the unit in which the values will be displayed.
Table pop-up menu
A list of functions are provided from within the table contents.
- 106 -
The entries in this menu depend to some extent on the type of column selected.
Most of these entries are as described above and operate in the same way.
Print
This prints the entire table, not just the contents of the selected column.
Copy
This operates in the same way as the corresponding tool (described on
page-?) in the toolbar.
Paste
This operates in the same way as the corresponding tool (described on
page-?) in the toolbar.
Edit
This schedules the "tabular view" of the selected item. This view appears as a
new tab in the Editor panel. Each column represents a property of the item
that can be edited. Click on the Tree Editor tab again to return to the original
table.
View
This menu determines what is seen in the table.
• Complete - shows the complete content of the table.
• Filtered - shows only those entries that are not excluded by a filter.
• Displayable - shows only those entries that will be displayed in the 3D
Viewer, i.e. the lines that correspond to the min or max reference value
for the column defined as the displayed value. See also : Viewing table
data in the 3D Viewer (described on page-113)
Highlight
This option highlights all the rows that contain the selected item. To remove
the highlighting select Highlight --> None .
Display color
This operates in exactly the same way as the corresponding entry (described
on page-) in the header menu.
Display text
Define as support column
Create new table from column "name"
- 107 -
Create group from selection
This creates a new group containing the items that are selected from the
current column.
11.3 - Table descriptor

The descriptor is a type of template. It defines the "properties" that are available
as columns in the table. It also defines which attributes of a property will be
associated with a column. Different instances of tables can be constructed from
the same descriptor.
The table descriptor indicates the dependencies between columns as can be seen
in the Figure below. Here you can see that the column "Analysis" is dependent
on no other columns. It is termed a "Primary column". The "SE Type" column
however, is dependent on the [SE] as indicated by the entry in the second row.
When a table is created, the associated descriptor is also available. It can be
accessed by clicking on the descriptor tool . This schedules the Table
properties dialog.
The Table properties dialog contains two tabs: the Basic tab and the Advanced
tab.
Basic properties
The basic tab displays the columns of the table that are "computed" by default,
i.e. which will be presented when the table is created. This tab contains one row
for each table column presented. For each table column the following properties
are presented:
Name
This is the name that will appear at the head of the column in the table
instance.
Path
This indicates the relationship between the table column and the column(s)
from which it is derived. If this field is empty, then the column is termed a
"primary" column and depends on no other.
Type
The type of Caesam object.
Renderer
This represents the aspect of the object that will actually be displayed in the
table.
- 108 -
Computed
This indicates whether the contents of this column will be determined and
thus visible in the table. By default all the table columns that are listed in the
basic tab will be computed - unless a "reduced" version of the table has been
generated.
Normally the analyst can not adapt the contents of the Basic tab. These will be
defined by the author of the plugin. The analyst can add columns to table
descriptor and can delete columns from the table instance. To add columns click
on the Advanced tab.
Advanced properties
The advanced tab allows you to add columns to the instance of the table.
This tab shows a list of all the information that can be added as columns to the
table.
To add a column to the table:
1. Select the required item from the list.
2. In the Name field enter the name that will be used to identify this column in
the table.
3. The Path field will be filled in - there is no need to change this.
4. The Type field will be filled in - there is no need to change this.
5. Select the required Renderer option. This determines the aspect of the object
that will be displayed in the table.
6. Click [Add column].
7. A message will appear to indicate that the column has been added.
8. Return to the Basic tab, where you will see the new column in the list.
Note! that any changes made to a descriptor that belongs to a table instance,
affects only that instance of the table. If you create a new table based on the
standard descriptor for that table it will contain the default number of columns.
To create new tables based on the modified descriptor, you need to export the
descriptor and then create the table instance by using the option Data --> Tables
- 109 -
--> Create table from descriptor .
Note! columns can only be deleted from the table instance.
11.4 - Using tables

This section lists all the operations related to tables:
• Create a new instance of a table based on a standard template (described on
page-110)
• Create a new instance of a table based on a table descriptor (described on
page-110)
• Create a local table from a global table (described on page-111)
• View the content of a table (described on page-111)
• Export a table (described on page-116)
• Import a table (described on page-111)
• Export a table descriptor (described on page-117)
• Edit the table descriptor (described on page-108)
• View table values in the 3D- viewer (described on page-113)
• Filter the contents of a table (described on page-112)
• Sort the contents of a table (described on page-113)
11.4.1 - Create a new table based on a standard template

Normally a new table will contain all the available information in the model
relating to the selected table. If you wish to create a table that is based on
particular objects in the model, you can select them beforehand in the Tree View.
1. From the Menu bar select Data --> Table --> Create table .
2. In the Create Table dialog select the table (template) from those available.
The list available depends on the plugin. Some basic tables (described on
page-100) are provided within the CæSam framework. You can use the
filter facility to reduce the number of templates in the list. Just type a filter
into the filter field.
3. Depending on the table type, there may be parameters that you need to
select. These parameters allow you to restrict the number of rows in the
table.
Note! that if you choose a parameter to reduce the number of rows in a table,
you can not add more rows to the same table instance. You must create a
new table instance to view the other rows.
4. If you have pre-selected items in the Tree View, you can click on the option
Use selection for creation.
5. Click [OK].
The table will appear in the Tree View.
6. Select the table in the tree, then click on the Tree Editor tab.
The table contents will appear in the Tree Editor.
See also : Editing tables (described on page-111) andviewing table results in the
3D Viewer (described on page-113).
11.4.2 - Create a table from a descriptor

The procedure requires that a table descriptor has been previously exported. See
also: editing a table descriptor (described on page-108) and exporting a table
descriptor (described on page-117).
1. From the Menu bar select Data --> Table --> Create table from
descriptor .
2. In the dialog that appears, browse to the location where the descriptor is
- 110 -
stored.
3. Select the descriptor.
4. Click [Open].
The table will be created according to definition of the descriptor and be
available in the Tree View.
5. Click on the Tree Editor tab to view the contents of the table.
11.4.3 - Creating a local table from a global table

"Local tables" are a means of viewing a collection of similar items that are
already contained in a global table.
There are several ways to create a local table.
1. Select a cell in the column for which you wish to create the local table.
2. Either
• click on the tool in the tool bar
• right click on the cell and select Create new table from column
"name"
• select the option Create new table from column "name" from the
header menu.
A new tab will appear with a name that is related to the Caesam object which
was selected. Note the object associated with the selected cell used to generate
the table is not necessarily the same as the value rendered in the global table.
The table contains a list of the items in the selected column, and some associated
properties.
Local tables are not retained. If you click on another table or select another item,
they are lost.
11.4.4 - Import table

This procedure requires that a table has previously been exported as a .csv file. It
is required that the model that corresponds to the contents of the table is
initialised.
1. From the Menu bar select Data --> Table --> Import table OR if you
already have a table open click on the Import button .
If you have a table that is already open, the table that you are importing
must be of the same type and the same size.
2. In the dialog that appears, browse to the location where the table is stored.
3. Click [Open].
The Data table Import Preview dialog will appear in which you can
preview the table to be imported.
4. Select the corresponding Field Delimitor from the options provided.
5. If a Text Delimiter is used, select the corresponding one.
A preview of the table arrangement will be seen.
6. Click [OK].
The table will appear in the Tree View. See also: Editing and viewing tables
11.4.5 - View and edit a table
- 111 -
Once a table has been created or imported, the contents can be viewed in the
Tree Editor.
To view the table in the Tree Editor:
1. Select the table in the Tree View (Set the Tree option to By List or By
Global Table).
2. Click on the Tree Editor tab.
To view the table descriptor:
Click on the descriptor tool in the toolbar . See also editing the table
descriptor (described on page-108)
To hide columns:
1. Click on the table control button
2. Check off the columns you do not wish to see.

3. Click [Close].
To adjust the width of the columns:
• Drag the right hand edge of the column to the required width.
• Click on the table control button and then click the [Pack table]
button. This will arrange the width of the columns so that the full text is
visible in all.
11.4.6 - Filtering a table

Filters allow you to adjust the content of the current table. You can also reduce
the contents by setting values for parameters when the table is created.
Filters are defined in the row at the top of the table below the column name.
The picture above shows a table with different filter settings.

• A filter on the ResultName column filters out all entries that do not end the
string '_X.
• The LoadCase column does not have a filter on it, as indicated by the *.
• The Result Value column has a filter '>500' which removes all entries that
have values lower than 500.
Note that a specific type of filtering is applied to the reference column which is
applied when viewing table data in the 3D-Viewer (described on page-113).
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To define a filter
You need to type the required filter into the filter field.
Text strings, wildcards (* and ?), operators (>, >=, <, <=, =) and bounds ( [...],
[...[, ]...], ]...[) can be used to define the filter.
To clear a filter
Enter the value * in the filter field at the head of the column.
To view the filtered contents
Select View --> Filtered from the pop-up menu.
11.4.7 - Sort table contents

Tables can be sorted on several columns.
In the Figure above, the table is sorted by SE (in ascending order) then by
LoadCase (in descending order).
1. Click on the column header for which the lowest sorting priority is required.
An orange upwards arrow appears.
2. Click a second time to reverse the sorting order (to descending) if
necessary.
3. Click on the column that has the next highest priority.
4. Repeat the process till all the sorting priorities are defined.
In the example given above, you would need to click on the Loadcase column
twice, then on the SE column.
11.4.8 - Viewing table data in the 3D Viewer

Data values that are associated with structural elements in the stress model can
be viewed directly on the model in the 3-D display. In order to view table values
in the 3D viewer you need to specify:
• A reference column - from which the numerical values are taken.
• A displayed value column - for which the reference value will be displayed
• A support column - which specifies the model support element on which the
value will be displayed.
To display table values in the 3D Viewer:
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1. Select the column to be used as the reference column.
This must be a column that contains the numerical values that you wish to
display. To do this click on the down arrow next to the column name and
select Define as reference column from the drop down menu. The title of
the column will be shown in orange.
2. Select the values to be taken from the reference column.
There may be several values in this column for each of the structural
supports that can be seen in the viewer. Only one value can be displayed. To
set the filter select the required option from the cascading menu.
By default the Min value is selected.

3. Select the support column on which the values are to be displayed.
Support columns can only be SEs, SEAs or Elements. Click on the down
arrow next to the column name and select Define as support column from
the drop down menu. The support column is indicated by its name being
shown in bold.
4. Select the value to be displayed that corresponds to the defined reference
value.
Click on arrow in the header of the required column and select Display
color or Display text.
The display and the table will be adapted as shown in the examples below.
5. A color scale will appear showing the range of displayed values. You can
adapt the colors used range by just clicking on any color and selecting a
difference one.
Examples of displayed values are shown below.
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In the example above, the FORCE_FLOW_X value column is defined as the

reference column. The filter on the reference column is set to Min Value. This
same column is also set to 'Display color'. The Element column is defined as the
support column.
For each Element in the display, the minimum value of the Result Value is
shown for each of the load cases, both in the display and highlighted in the list.
The example below shows the same table with the same reference and support
columns, but this time the displayed value has been set to the LoadCase column.
Now the color scale shows values for each of the loadcases. The display and the
table have been adapted to show the loadcase that gives the minimum Result
Value for each of the Elements.
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11.4.9 - Export table

This procedure describes how to export an existing table. Tables can be exported
to a number of different formats for reporting purposes, and can also be imported
into another Caesam analysis document.
1. Select the table that you want to export from the Tree View.
2. From the Menu bar select Table --> Export table , OR if the table is on
display click on the Export button .
Note that this function exports the complete table - not a filtered version.
3. In the dialog that appears browse to the location where you want to store the
table.
4. Select the format for the exported table.
Note that if you are using the Data menu to export the table that only the
csv option is available.
• CSV Comma Delimited - this exports both the contents and the
descriptor of the current table as a .csv file. You need to select this
option if you wish to import the table into another Caesam document.
The file can be opened using Microsoft Excel.
• Internet page - this exports the contents of the table as a complete html
page that can be viewed in an internet browser. The colors of the table
rows are retained.
• Portable Document Format - this exports the complete contents of the
table to a pdf document that can be read using Acrobat Reader.
• Microsoft Excel 97- 2003 - this exports the contents of the table (not
the descriptor) to a .xls file that can be opened directly in Excel.
5. Enter a name for the exported version. You do not need to add the file
extension.
6. Click [Save].
The file will be created in the specified location.
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11.4.10 - Export table descriptor

This procedure describes how to export a table descriptor that has been modified.
1. Select the table whose descriptor you want to export in the Tree View.
2. Click on the table descriptor tool .
3. Check that is as required. If not use the tools provided to add, modify and
remove columns. (See editing a table descriptor (described on page-108)).
4. From the Menu bar select Data --> Table --> Export Table descriptor .
5. In the dialog that appears browse to the location where you want to store the
table descriptor.
6. Enter a name for the descriptor.
7. Click [Save].
The descriptor is saved as a separate file. It can be used to create a new instance
of this table using the procedure to create a new instance of a table based on a
table descriptor (described on page-110).
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Chapter 12 - Viewing results

Results are available after an analysis has been run. Results preceded by a
warning sign are either out of date, or have not been properly computed. The
type of results that are presented depends on the analysis template that you are
working with. The manner in which the results are presented depends on the type
of results.
A list of typical results and the manner in which they are presented is given
below.
Results : Numerical values
A listing of each computed quantity and its numerical value.
Table result
A tabular listing of the computed quantities.
Report
A presentation of the analysis parameters in an HTML format.
Local FEM result
A list of calculated quantities presented on the Finite Element Model. See
viewing FEM results (described on page-)
Plot result
A 2-D representation of a graphical function.
Post processing tabular results
To view a tabular presentation of post processing results, you can create a
dedicated table (described on page-110).
Global Finite Element Models
Finite element models can be loaded into CæSam using the entries in the Results
menu. In addition to the model, results related to it can also be loaded. These
Finite Element results can then be handled in the same way as local FEM results
generated by an analysis. See viewing FEM results (described on page-).
Other results
Various other results relating to an analysis can be loaded into the display
module using entries in the Results menu (described on page-23). The entries in
this menu depend on the installed plugins.
12.1 - The 3-D Viewer

The 3-D Viewer provides:
• A graphical representation of Structural Elements in an analysis model.
• A graphical means of selecting Structural Elements.
• A graphical representation of an associated Finite Element Model.
• A graphical representation of Engineering Object values.
The 3-D viewer does not provide:
• A graphical representation of Structural Elements used in a stand-alone
analysis.
• The means to view the results of finite element analyses in op2 files. These
are viewed using a separate dedicated display. See : Viewing FEM results
(described on page-)
The 3-D viewer display consists of:
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• The Graphical display area with a popup menu
• The Visualization tool bar
Note! that even if you are not using the display, the model will be loaded into it
and refreshed as required. To improve performance in this situation you can
deactivate the display using the menu Display --> View --> Deactivate 3D View
.
See also : Using the 3-D Viewer (described on page-120)
The Graphical display area
This area provides a graphical representation of the SEs in the current analysis
model. The graphical representation is linked to the list of corresponding SEs in
the Tree. The appearance of the model can be adapted and manipulated within
the display: see Using the 3-D Viewer (described on page-120).
A number of actions are available from the contextual menu that is obtained by
right clicking in the graphical display area. The entries in this menu correspond
to those that are available from the contextual menu in the Tree View (described
on page-30).
The Visualization tool bar
The tool bar contains tools, with which to manipulate the model, and the Refresh
button.
The Refresh button is operative when Results are displayed in the upper display.
It refreshes the display of the results and re-schedules the color scale.
- Zoom tools : Click on the down arrow to select the required zoom tool.
Note! that
interactive zooming can also be performed by dragging the image with
mouse button 1, while the <Ctrl> key is depressed.
Clicking this icon will restore the contents to occupy the available display
area. This is the default situation.
This expands a part of the model to fill the display area. Drag a box around
the part of the model that you want to expand. When the mouse button is
released, the defined box fills the display area.
This icon activates interactive zooming. Drag the model with mouse button 1
to zoom in or out.
- Pan tools :Click on the down arrow to select the required pan tool.
Note! Notethat interactive panning can also be performed by dragging the image
with Mouse Button 2, while the <Ctrl> key is depressed.
This icon activates interactive panning. The cursor changes to the 'pan' shape.
Drag the object with Mouse Button 1 to the required position.
This icon allows you to set the center of the display area. Click on the icon,
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then click on the point in the current view that you want to place at the center.
This icon moves the clipping plane. Drag from right to left to move the
clipping plane To restore the default view click on Zoom all
- Rotate : This icon activates the interactive rotation.
Note! that
interactive rotation can also be performed by dragging the image with
Mouse Button 3, while the <Ctrl> key is depressed.
This icon allows you to set the centre of rotation. A dialog appears. You can
select a structural element in the display and the centre of this element will
become the centre of rotation when you click [OK] in the dialog.
Alternatively you can define a rotation point in terms of the global
coordinates.
- View orientation tools Click on the down icon to view the object along
a specific axis.
- Snap shot : Clicking on this icon takes a snap shot picture of the current
contents of the display area. This option is not fully supported in the current
version of the software.
12.1.1 - Using the 3-D viewer

The 3-D Viewer can be used to display an analysis model as well as results based
on the model. Using the display involves considerable use of the mouse
This document includes the following topics
• What you can see in the 3-D viewer
• Adapting the display
• Manipulating the model
• Selecting items in the display
What you see in the display
A representation of a model will appear in the 3-D viewer only when an analysis
model is initialized. What you see depends on :
• What is selected.
There are options in the Display menu to determine whether selected
options are hidden or displayed.
• What is filtered.
There is an option in the Display menu to Hide entities that have been
filtered out of the data tree.
• Options set in the Display menu.
Results based on either the structural model or analysis processes can be
displayed using options in the Results menu.
Adapting the display
Background color:
Right click and select Change Background color from the contextual menu
bar, and then select the color of your choice from the dialog that appears.
Display axes:
You can toggle the presence of the set of axes that indicate the orientation of
the coordinate system in which the model is defined by selecting Display -->
View --> Display Axes .
Appearance of the model:
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The colors and the appearance of the model can be defined using Display -->
Display Options .
Manipulating the model
The model always appears in its default orientation. You can move, magnify and
rotate the model to get a better aspect and to be able to select specific parts of it.
To zoom in and out:
• Press the <Ctrl> key and at the same time press mouse button 1 (left). Drag
the mouse and you will see that the model will zoom in and out according to
the mouse movements. When you release the mouse button, the model will
stay at its current magnification.
• You can also zoom in and out on the model if you click on the little down
arrow next to the zoom tool, then select the zoom in - out tool. This enables
you to drag the mouse to zoom in or out without having to press the <Ctrl>
key.
• Click on the zoom tool. This will set the magnification so that the model
occupies all of the screen space.
• Press and hold down mouse button 2. Then press and release mouse button
1.
To move the model
• Press the <Ctrl> key and at the same time press mouse button 2 (middle)
Drag the mouse and you will see that the model will move (pan) across the
screen according to the mouse movements. When you release the mouse
button, the model will stay in its current position.
• You can also move the model by clicking on the pan tool . When you drag
the mouse with button 1 (the left) button pressed, the model will follow the
mouse movements until the mouse button is released.
• Press the middle button and drag the model.
To rotate the model:
• Press the <Ctrl> key and at the same time press mouse button 3 (right).
Drag the mouse and you will see that the model will rotate according to the
mouse movements.When you release the mouse button, the model will stay
in its current orientation.
• You can also rotate the model by clicking on the rotate tool . When you
drag the mouse with button 1 (the left) button pressed, the model will
follow the mouse movements until the mouse button is released.
• You can also define a fixed point about which the model will be rotated.
Click on the arrow on the rotate tool and then click on the rotation centre
tool. You can select a structural element in the display. The coordinates of
the centre of this element will appear in the dialog. This point will be
selected as the centre of rotation for the model. Alternatively you can enter
the global coordinate position for the centre of rotation in the dialog. Click
[OK] to define the center of the rotation. To restore the view to the default
orientation and position click on the default view tool .
• Press mouse button 2 (middle) and mouse button 1 (left) and drag the
model.
Selecting items in the viewer
Items can be selected for operations in the 3-D viewer and in the SE tree. In both
cases the selected items appear in the 'Selected items' panel.
Selecting individual items You can select a single item by (left) clicking on it in
the viewer, with mouse button 1. It will be highlighted in the viewer and in the
structured tree view. It will appear in the selected objects list. The item can be
deselected by just clicking on the background display.
Selecting additional items You can add items to the selected by clicking on a
second item while keeping the <Shift> key depressed. Both items will be
highlighted in the viewer and in the structured tree view. Both will appear in the
selected objects list. One of the items can be deselected by clicking again on it
with the <Shift> key depressed. All items can be deselected by just clicking on
the background display.
Selecting neighboring items You can select neighboring items by dragging a
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box around them in the display. All items whose centre is contained in the
bounding box will be included in the selection. Items can be added to or
subtracted from the selection by clicking on them with the <Shift> key
depressed. The selected items are highlighted in the structured tree view.
12.1.2 - Color scale

The color scale is used:
• when viewing FEM results
• viewing tabular data in the 3D viewer
• after processing op2 files when creating load cases.
The color scale indicates the complete range of values on display and the range
assigned to each color.
Default Color Scale
This figure below shows the default use of the color scale.
The 10 colors are used to display the natural range of the data, which in this
example is between 0 and 10.
The current bounds, the display bounds and the data range all correspond to
0-10.
Alongside you see an illustration of the display of the results on a surface where
the full range of colors are used to display the full range of results.
Current bounds
Setting the current bounds to 0-9 adjusts the range of values assigned to each
color. The full 10 colors are still used, but now each color represents a range of
0.9. Those results which lie outside the current bounds are not displayed.
In the example below, the results between 9 and 10 - those formerly shown in the
red color - are now not displayed. The color of the remaining results is adjusted.
If the Out of bounds Saturation button is checked on - the excluded results will
be shown in red.
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Display bounds
By default the display bounds follow the current bounds but it is possible to set
them independently. This setting keeps the range used for each color defined by
the current bounds. It reduces the number of colors displayed.
In this example where the display bounds are set to min 1 and max 8, then results
results between 0 and 1 (those covered by the dark blue range) and those
between 8 and 9 (those covered by the red range) are not shown. The display of
the results that remain is not changed.
If the Out of bounds Saturation button is checked on, values below the display
bounds are shown in blue, those above the display bounds are shown in red.
12.2 - Viewing FEM results

FEM results are viewed in a dedicated display. This help describes all aspects of
viewing this data:
• Loading FEM results (described on page-124).
• All aspects of working with the dedicated FE viewer (described on page-124).
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• The tools (described on page-125) provided to view different aspects of the
data.
• Operations available from the contextual menu (described on page-141)
obtained by right-clicking on a result.
• The list (described on page-146) of results available.
• Specific instructions on how to view FE results (described on page-144).
• Hints and tips (described on page-144) on how to work with the viewer.
If FEM results are generated as part of the analysis procedure, they will be
presented in the associated Editor.
12.2.1 - Loading FEM results

FEM results can be loaded from .op2 files and from ABISPA files.
1. From the Results menu, click Select a global results file.
2. In the dialog that appears select the file that contains the FE results.
• If you are retrieving results from an op2 files, you may need to select
the option Select a global model file first. All the loadcases contained
in the file will be retrieved.
• If you are retrieving results from an ABISPA file, all related files (with
different loadcases) can be retrieved by just specifying the root name
as explained for the Results menu (described on page-23).
The files will be processed and the result appear in the Property View.
3. In the Property View click on the FEM results entry.
The dedicated display will appear in the right hand panel.
5. You can adjust the size of this panel by clicking on the arrow above it.
6. Click on the specific result you wish to view from the results list presented.
The results will be displayed on the model using the default format.
To view the results (described on page-144).
12.2.2 - FE viewer
When FE results are loaded they appear in a dedicated viewer with all the
functionality required to examine the results. The size of this viewer can be
adjusted within the CæSam application.
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The FE viewer contains:

• The list (described on page-146) of results in the Results Tree.
• The 3D display (described on page-118) in which results are displayed and
which the model can be manipulated.
• A toolbar (described on page-125) with dedicated functions.
• A color scale (described on page-122).
• A contextual menu (described on page-141) in which the characteristics of the
display can be set.
12.2.3 - Tools
A series of tools are provided for viewing FE results. Some of these are also
available from the contextual menu (described on page-141).
Deformed: Switches the display of the results from the deformed to the
undeformed mesh more... (described on page-126)

Mesh : Switches the presence of the deformed mesh on or off more...
(described on page-126)
Drawing: This provides a cyclic animation of the results between 0 and
the maximum value more... (described on page-127)

Listing: Lists numerical data values. It allows you to filter them and to
identify element and data values in the display more... (described on page-128)
Graphic : This tool is available when your results include functions or
you have a number of load cases. It provides a graphical representation of the
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function values more... (described on page-129)
Reference : This function is available when there are a number of
references (load cases, eigen values...) for a particular result. It allows you to
select the required reference case more... (described on page-136)
Criteria : Defines the aspect of the result that you wish to view, scalar,
vector, principal tensor more .... (described on page-137)

Composite: Provides a special viewer for results that relate to composites
Selection: enables you to view results for selected parts of the model
12.2.3.1 - Display tools
Deformed
This determines whether the results are displayed on the deformed or the
undeformed mesh. An example is shown below.
Note! that this option is not available for all result types; nodal displacements for
example are always shown on the deformed mesh.
Mesh
This tool switches on the presence of the deformed mesh.
The presence of the undeformed mesh is determined from the Hide / Show
Undeformed Mesh option from the contextual menu (described on page-141).
Illustrations of the effect of the tools are shown below.
To view the results on the deformed mesh:
1. Right click in the display and from the contextual menu select Hide
Undeformed Mesh.
2. Click on the Deformed tool to switch the display of results to the deformed
mesh.
3. Click on the Mesh tool to toggle the presence of the deformed mesh.
Result on deformed mesh,

Deformed mesh showing
Undeformed mesh hidden
Result on deformed mesh

Deformed mesh showing
Undeformed mesh is showing
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To view results on the undeformed mesh:

1. Click on the Deformed tool to toggle the display of results to the deformed
mesh if necessary.
2. Click on the Mesh tool to remove the presence of the deformed mesh.
3. Right click in the display and from the contextual menu select Hide
Undeformed Mesh if necessary.
Result on undeformed mesh

Undeformed mesh is showing
Deformed mesh hidden
12.2.3.2 - Drawing mode
The tool allows you to choose how the results are drawn on the model and to
animate them. This tool is also available from the contextual menu.
The Drawing Mode dialog appears:
Skin
This is the default method of drawing the results, mapped onto the mesh using
the color scale.
The magnify slider enables you to view a proportion of the result values,
between 0 and 1 (the full value). If the Deformed Result Attribute is set, then the
deformation will vary too.
The Animate functions will cycle through these proportional values.
Iso Surface
This option is only available if the mesh/model is three dimensional and the
results are in scalar format.
When this mode is selected, all the elements that possess the value defined in the
Value field will be drawn. You can set the value required using the slider or in
the input field.
The Animate function will cycle through the range of values.
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Cutting Plane
This option is only available if the mesh/model is three dimensional and the
results are in scalar format.
When this mode is selected, the result values are drawn for a specified plane. The
direction of the plane can be selected from the drop down list. The position of
this plane can be adjusted using the Value field, either by using the slider or the
input field.
The Animate function will cycle the position of the plane within the limits of the
geometry.
Animation
The Animation is controlled by a series of buttons.
Starts the animation at the current value.
Stops the animation at the current value.
Slows down the animation.
Speeds up the animation.
Returns the animation to start from the initial value.
Captures the animation as a movie (.avi file). You are prompted to
supply the name. The movie is placed in the Pictures directory in the data tree.
This option is only available on Windows PC.
To animate results:
1. Select the required results in the result tree.
2. If necessary click on the Criteria tool to select the required format for the
results. (Displacement is useful for this operation.)
3. If there is more than one load case, click on the Reference tool to select the
one you are interested in.
4. Click on the drawing mode tool.
5. Use the Selection tool to select parts of the model to animate if required.
6. Click on the Start animation button or move manually through the cycle by
dragging the slider.
12.2.3.3 - Listing FEM results
This tool provides a tabulated listing of selected result values. It can be obtained
by clicking on the Listing tool or by selecting Listing from the contextual menu.
It schedules the <Result id> dialog that identifies the currently selected result.
The content of this dialog changes when the selection of results in the data tree is
changed.
Note! that the contents of this listing depends on the current selection and the
criteria applied to data.
This dialog enables you to:
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• Select items for which the results will be displayed (described on page-)
in the viewer.
• Set a range of data values (described on page-145) that will be listed.
• View the node / element ids (described on page-144) of items selected in the
list.
• Display data values of specific items (described on page-145) selected in the
list.
• Export listed values (described on page-146) to an Excel file.
12.2.3.4 - Graphic
This option is available when your results include functions or you have a
number of cases of the same type of data, e.g.load cases, rotational speeds. It
provides a graphical representation of the function values. It schedules the
Function Dialog window in which the presentation of the data can be adapted
and a number of operations can be performed on the data. This window contains
a number of areas, each of which are described separately.
• A toolbar that contains a number of functional buttons
• The graphical display area.
• The display parameters area.
When viewing Functions in the Function Dialog, there are a number of concepts
that should be taken into account:
• The functions to be viewed must be selected in the data tree.
• Multiple selections are possible. All selected functions will be displayed in
the same graphic window even if they contain values with different
dimensions.
• When the Function Dialog is open, each time a function is selected in the
data tree, it is loaded into a display window in the Function Dialog. A new
tab is added for each selection, whether the function is already displayed or
not.
• The original functions loaded into a window remain available in that
window whether they are displayed or not.
• For each Fct Group tab there are three categories of associated results:
• the selected functions
• FFT functions based on the selected functions
• Fused functions
• Imported, created and computed functions are lost when the Function
Dialog is closed. If these functions are needed they must be exported to the
data tree or to a file.
• When complex data functions are available, then pairs of windows are
provided to view both aspects of the functions.
Function dialog display area:
The graphical display area is where the function values are shown. There may be
two display areas depending on the type of graph selected (see below). Right
clicking inside the graphical display area, schedules a contextual menu that
allows you to adapt the appearance of the graph.
It contains the following entries:
Save as...
This enables you to save the graphical display as a graphical image file. The
default file type is a .png file.
Print....
This enables you to print a contents of the selected graphical area
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Zoom in / Zoom out
These options enable you to adjust the range of values displayed on the
different axes. It is also possible to zoom in and zoom out interactively as
described below.
Auto range
This option restores the range of values to be the natural limits of the current
data set.
View parameters
This menu contains two sub menus: Display parameters (described on
page-131) andAxis parameters (described on page-131).
To adjust the range of data values displayed (zoom in / zoom out)
In addition to the automated zoom in / zoom out operations available from the
contextual menu described above, it is possible to zoom in on a user defined
region by dragging a box around the desired area.
To zoom in on a specific region, drag a box around the area of interest. The box
must be defined from the top left corner to the bottom right corner.
When the mouse is released, the area defined by the box will fill the graphical
area.
To zoom out drag a box in the opposite direction from the bottom right corner to
the top left corner.
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Function dialog display parameters:

The view parameters are grouped into four areas:
• Display Parameters
• Display Graphs
• Axis Parameters
• Apply Scale
Display Parameters
These options are also available from the pop-up menu in the graphical display.
Show Points
When this option is checked, the actual points corresponding to the discrete
function values are shown. Each curve has a different shaped indicator. The
legend maps the points with the function identifiers.
Show lines
This is the default setting and displays the function as a curve.
Values
When this option is checked, the ordinate value of the function at each point
is shown. If the points are closely spaced, the values can be read more easily
by zooming in a specific area.
Cursor
This option places a vertical and horizontal cross on the nearest point of the
curve to where the user clicks.
Cursor value
When this option is selected, the X and Y coordinate values of the a point
will be displayed when the mouse is held over a point.
Complex Options
The options selectable from this drop down menu enable you to choose how
complex data is to be displayed.
Graph type Upper Graph Lower graph

Bode X=Freq Y=Magnitude X=Freq Y=Phase
Real + Imaginary X=Freq Y=Real part X=Freq Y=Imaginary part
Nyquist X=Real part Y=Imaginary '
part
Black-Nichols X=Phase Y=Magnitude '
Real part X=Freq Y=Real part '
Imaginary part X=Freq Y=Imaginary part '
Magnitude X=Freq Y=Magnitude '
Phase X=Freq Y=Phase '
Axis Parameters
These options are also available from the pop-up menu in the graphical display.
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Invert Y
Checking this box, inverts the values on the Y axis. This option can be used
to change negative values to positive, so that a logarithmic axis can be used.
X / Y logarithmic axis
These options are only available if the range of values are greater than 0.
Y multi axis
When functions containing different ordinate units are selected for display in
the same graphic window, (e.g. velocity and acceleration) the two units are
displayed on the Y axis and the scale is set to include the overall minimum
and maximum values of all functions.
When this option is selected, a separate Y axis is defined for each function in
the matching color. The scale on each axis is set to the minimum and
maximum values of the function, thus each function curve fills the display
area.
Highlight Axis
This option makes the lines Y=0 (and X=0) more distinct.
Apply Scale
Abscissa / Ordinate units Select the required units from the list. Axis index This
option is only available when the Y multi-axis setting is on. It enables you to set
the limits and the units on the different Y axes. X min / X max These fields
define the display limits for the X axis. Note that you should always choose the
unit type first, before setting the values. Y min / Y max These fields define the
display limits for the Y axis. Note that you should always choose the unit type
first, before setting the values. [Apply Scale] This button sets the displayed
limits as defined.
Function dialog tools:
Export to Excel
This tool enables you to export the current data set as a text file which can then
be imported into Excel, or a .csv file which can be opened in Excel for reporting
purposes.
This operation exports all the data, i.e. each pair of values composing the
functions. A limited range of values can be exported using the similar
functionality from the Listing dialog.
Specify the location, the name and the required extension (.txt or .csv) of the file.
When exporting to a .txt file the entries are separated by tabs.
Import from Excel
This tool enables you to import a function which is described in a text or an
(Excel csv) file. It schedules the Import CSV/TXT Function dialog.
File name
The name of the file that is to be imported. This is selected from the browser
list above. The imported function will have the same name as the file.
Files of type
The filter for the types of files from which the function is to be imported.
Starting row
The line number in the file that contains the first function values to be
imported. This must contains numerical values. Lines containing header
fields are ignored.
Last row
The line number that contains the last function values to be imported.
Number of function
The number of columns to be imported. A minimum of 2 columns must be
imported; the first is the X axis, the second is the corresponding Y axis. If the
function is complex, then first column is still the X axis, the second column is
considered to be the real values and the third column is considered to be the
imaginary part. In this case you need to click the Complex function button at
the bottom.
Unit type
A drop down list from which you can select the units to be used on the X
(abscissa) and the Y (ordinate) axes. Unit A drop down list of units that
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correspond with the selected unit type for each axis.
Separator
For a correct interpretation of the data being imported, it is necessary to
specify the separator used between values in the data file. Select the separator
used from the proposed list. If 'other' is required, enter the character used in
the input field.
Complex
Check this button on if the function is to be interpreted as complex, pairs of
columns
[Import function]
This button imports the range of data values as a function. The function will
be assigned the name of the file from which it was imported. The function
will be displayed in the current graphic window.
Note! that when the current Function Dialog window is closed, that this imported
function will be lost. If you wish to save the function for use in other graphic
windows, then you must export this function to the data tree. When it is in the
data tree, it can be renamed and it will be saved with the other results in the
current set.
This function can be added to any other displayed function by simultaneously
selecting it with the required functions in the data tree.
Export to Samcef Field Results File
This option enables you to export the functions, that are in the current graphic
window, in a format specific to Samcef field. In this way important information
associated with the data is exported with it.
To export to .sfr
1. Select the window/tab that contains the functions you want to export.
2. Click on the Export to Samcef Field Results File button.
3. Select the directory where the file is to be stored and enter a name for the
.sfr file.
4. Enter a name for the function (used to display the function when retrieved).
5. Select which functions are to be exported by checking the buttons in the list.
6. Click [Export].
The exported functions can be retrieved using the Import from Samcef Field
Results File function described below.
Import from Samcef Field Results File
This option enables you to import functions that have been previously exported
using the Export to Samcef Field Results File functionality described above.
To import functions from a .sfr file
1. Select the window/tab into which the functions will be imported.
2. Click on the Import from Samcef Field Results File button.
3. Select the .sfr file that contains the required functions.
4. Define the units associated with the functions. There are two ways to do
this.
• If the directory containing the sfr file contains a manifest.txt file, then
you can use this file to associate the units.
• If no manifest file exists you must choose the Use user factors option,
then define your user unit factors.
5. If you need to define user unit factors, click on the [Define user factors]
button. The coefficients that are entered here are those that relate the units
associated with to the results to the units used by the solver.
6. Click [Import SFR].
The functions will be loaded into the current window. To adjust the contents of
the window, click on the Select Displayed Functions button.
Export to Data Tree
This option enables you to export the functions on display to the data tree. This
operation is necessary if you wish to retails imported functions from files,
created or generated functions. These functions will be lost if they are not
exported in some format.
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To export functions to the data tree:
1. Select the window/tab that contains the functions to be exported.
2. Click on the Export to Data Tree button.
3. Choose whether you wish to export the functions to the Results section of
the data tree or the data library section.
4. Select the specific function in the window to be exported by clicking the
check box.
5. Click [OK] or [Apply] to export the functions.
The functions will appear in the selected section of the data tree. They can be
renamed if required using the Edit-Rename option from the menu bar. They will
be saved in the analysis document and can be selected for viewing in the same
way as other functions.
Create a Picture
This tool enables you to capture a snapshot of the current graphic. The picture
will appear in the Pictures section of the data tree where you can copy the picture
and paste it into a report document.
Display Listing
This operation lists the numerical values of each of the functions available for
display in the current window/tab whether they are visible or not.
List the zeros of the functions: when this button is checked, the list will be
reduced to show only those points where the value of the function is zero.
Select Displayed Functions
This operation enables you to select which functions will be displayed in the
current window.
Multiple curves may be contained in a single graphic window either because
multiple selections have been made from the data tree, or because the selected
function contains multiple curves e.g. a set of complex eigen vectors.
The [View all] button shows all available functions.
The [View none] hides all the available functions.
Individual functions can be selected using the check boxes.
Show /Hide View Controllers
This button toggles the view of the parameter fields that can be used to adjust the
characteristics of the graphic display.
Evaluate New Function
This operation enables you to create a user-defined function that will be added to
the contents of the current window tab. Both real and complex functions can be
created.
To create a user defined function
1. Select the tab in which the function will be created. Since you can base the
new function on existing functions, make sure the required function is
available in this window.
2. Click on the create new function tool. The Function Creation dialog will
appear.
3. If you wish to create a complex function check the Create A Complex
Function button. In this case an additional field will appear in which the
Imaginary part of the function can be defined.
4. Enter the required function description in the f(x) field. Some examples are
given below.
5. Define the X axis (abscissa). This can be done in two ways.
• Enter the required start and end values x0 and the x1 fields. Enter the
required number of points to be generated between these two values in
the Number of Points field.
• Use the abscissa values of an existing function. Click on the Use the
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following function to define the abscissa button. Enter the id of the
required function in the input field. The new function will have the
same range and number of points on the X axis as the selected
function.
Note! that even if you have selected this option it is still necessary to specify
the units to be used on the X axis. It is not possible to use a Real function to
define the abscissa of a Complex function. The function will not be created.
Complex functions can be defined in the same group as Real functions but
the abscissa must be defined manually using x0 and x1
6. Select the units to be used on the X (abscissa) and the Y (ordinate)
axes.Note that this is the unit in which the values will be displayed. The
values will be calculated in the Solver units.
7. Click [Apply]. If the function is valid, it will appear in the display and in the
list in the dialog.
8. Click [Cancel] when all the required functions are defined.
This function can be exported to the data tree, where it will be saved within the
analysis document and can be displayed in other graphic windows.
Functions can be defined based on the variables that are available. These are (x)
and the current functions in the list.
f(x)= 2+2*x
f(x)= x^2 + 2*x
f(x)= f1*2 (where f1 is an existing function in the list)
f(x)=sin(x) (a complete range of mathematical functions can be selected).
Fast Fourier Transform
This option allows you to compute a Fast Fourier Transform on functions that
are available in the current display window.
To compute an FFT:
1. Select the window tab that contains the functions to be transformed.
2. Click on the Fast Fourier Transform button.
3. The list of available functions is presented in the FFT Creation dialog.
4. The "Constant samples" column indicates whether the curve contains points
that are separated by a constant interval. This is a necessary condition in
order to compute the FFT. If the curve does not contain constant samples,
then it must be resampled in order to achieve this. In this case you can enter
the total number of points to be generated. If the curve already sampled at a
constant time interval, then the existing number of points will be used and
can not be adapted.
5. Select the functions from the list that you wish to transform with the same
parameters.
6. Enter the number of harmonics required - this affects the maximum
frequency of the resulting FFT. The maximum frequency value is defined
by (number of harmonics)/(time range of source function). However there is
a upper limit on the maximum frequency value which is determined by (the
number of points-1)/2
7. Select the required time window to be applied during the transformation
process from the drop-down list.
8. Click [Apply].
9. Select other functions and transformation parameters if required.
10. Click [Cancel] to close the dialog.
The FFTs of all the transformed functions can be seen by clicking on the FFT
Functions tab for the selected group of functions. If you wish to save these
functions, they should be exported to a file or to the data tree.
Compute Curve
This option creates a fusion of two curves by eliminating a common axis. This
option is useful in the situation where you have a curve that plots the movement
of a point in the X direction over a period of time and a curve that plots the
movement of the same point in the Y direction over the same period of time.
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This functionality allows you to examine the movement in the X, Y plane by
eliminating the time axes.
To create a fused function:
• The two functions need to be in the same graphic window.
• The two curves must contain the same number of points.
1. Select two functions that you wish to combine in the data tree, (use the
<Ctrl> key, then click on the graphic icon in the tool bar to open the
Function Dialog. If the dialog is open, then the two functions will appear in
a newly created function group tab.
2. Click on the Compute Curve button. The Fused Functions dialog contains a
list of functions available in the window/tab.
3. Select the two functions to be fused. The pair of functions will appear in the
Computed function field. By default the independent axis in the first
function in the list will be used to create the X axis (abscissa) of the fused
function. The independent axis of the second function in the list will be
used to create the Y axis (ordinate) of the fused function. So (f1,f2) will
result in a fused curve with function f1 forming the X axis.
4. To reverse the order of the functions and thus invert the axes, click on the
Reverse button.
5. Click [Apply] or [OK] to fuse the functions.
The fused function can be seen by clicking on the Fused Functions tab for the
selected group of functions. If you wish to save these functions, they should be
exported to a file or to the data tree.
Intersection of functions
This tool enables you to compute the function that represents the intersection
points of two curves. In order to use this tool you must have two curves on
display in a graphical tab that intersection.
The Intersection of Functions dialog appears in which you can select the two
curves that intersect. (Use the <Ctrl> key to select the second curve.) A default
name is suggested for the computed function. You can enter a user name if
necessary. This function will be generated and displayed when the [Apply] or the
[OK] buttons are used.
Extract part of functions
This tool enables you to create a new function that has been extracted or
re-sampled from an existing one.
To extract part of a function:
1. Click on the Extract part of a function tool.
2. In the Points number dialog select the function to be extracted from the list
(even if there is only 1).
3. Define the Begin point - uncheck Unlimited and enter the required value.
4. Define the End point - uncheck Unlimited and enter the required value.
5. Enter a tolerance if required - if 0 tolerance is used, new point will be
created if necessary at the begin and end points.
6. If you wish to re-sample the function, check the Re-compute button ON and
enter the number of points required between the begin and end point.
7. Click [Apply].
The new function will be assigned an available variable name and appear in the
Function dialog.
12.2.3.5 - Reference
This function is available when there are a number of references cases (load
cases, eigen values...) for a particular result.
An indication of the current load case is shown above the display.
A dialog appears in which the required reference case can be selected by:
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• entering the required case number in the input field
• clicking on the arrows to step through the cases
• moving the slider to the required position.
The All button enables you to view an envelope of the values for each of the load
cases. The manner in which the envelope is calculated depends on the type of
result and the criteria applied. The color scale will adapt to match the range of
each individual reference case, if the Local Scale option is selected as a Result
Display Attribute from the contextual menu. If the Global Scale option is
selected, the color scale will show the complete range for all reference cases.
12.2.3.6 - Criteria
The Criteria options enable you to view a different aspect of the result data.
To set the criteria
1. Select the result from the data tree.
2. Click on the Criteria tool , or select Results - Criteria from the menu bar or
the contextual menu.
3. In the Criteria Selection dialog choose the aspect of the data that you wish
to see This will depend on the data type and the various options are listed
below.
4. Click [Apply].
The display will be updated to show the new aspect.
Scalar results
Scalar values are shown as a color map, with each color representing a range of
data values indicated in the color scale. The pre-defined criteria for scalar results
are:
Pre-defined criteria Meaning

Value by Node by Element For each element, the value at each node is
taken into account. The color map will be
drawn across the element.
Mean by node For each of node, the average of the values
associated with each element is displayed.
Mean by element For each element, the average of the values
for the nodes is displayed, there is a discrete
value for each element.
Gap by node The (maximum - minimum) of all the values
at a node is displayed.
Relative gap by node The (max-min) / the max for the node is
displayed.
Vector in Global frame

These are vectors whose values relate to nodes and which are defined in the
structural axes of the model.
Criteria result Pre-defined criteria Meaning

Displacement Displacement The actual displacement of the
node is displayed.
' Component projection The displacement of the node
in a specified direction is
displayed
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Vector Vector by node The movement of the node is
represented by an arrow that
indicates the direction and
magnitude of the movement.
The color also indicates the
magnitude.
' Vector (projection) The vector corresponding to a
specified direction is
displayed. The length and the
color indicate the magnitude
of the component.
Scalar Scalar magnitude The magnitude of the
displacement is indicated by
the color map.
' Scalar (projection) The magnitude of the
displacement in a specified
direction is indicated by the
color map.
Vector in Element frame

These are vectorial results relating to the elements that are given in material axes.
The definition of these axes is given in the element description. These vectors
have components that depend on the type of vector.

Vector by node For each node, the combined
vector associated with each
element is displayed.
' by node by element For each element, the vector at
each node is taken into account.
' by element For each element, the combined
vector relating to each of the
associated nodes is displayed.
There is a discrete value for each
element.
Scalar Scalar magnitude The magnitude of the vector is
indicated by the color map.
' Component by node by element For each element, the value of the
component at each node is
displayed.
' Component by node For each of node, the combined
value of the component associated
with each element is displayed.
' Component by element For each element, the combined
value relating to each of the
associated nodes is displayed.
There is a discrete value for each
element.
' Gap by node For each component, the
(maximum - minimum) of all the
values at a node is displayed.
' Relative Gap by node For each component, the
(max-min) / the max for the node
is displayed.
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Tensors
These are tensor results relating to elements that are given in material axes. The
definition of these axes is given in the element description. There are also some
tensors that are categorized as arrays and which are described in the section
below.

Tensor Tensor (by node) or by element This is also indicated in the numbers
used for the codes. If the first figure
is 1, then the values relate to nodes
by element. If the first figure is 3,
this refers to results by element.
Scalar Von Mises The scalar Von Mises stresses are
displayed by element, by node or (by
node by element), gap values and
relative gap values as described
above.
' Tresca Values for the Tresca stress are
node by element).
' 1st, 2nd 3rd Principal Values for the principal stresses are
node by element).
' Tensor Component This displays the values for each of
the tensor components. The values
correspond to: 1=#xx 2=#yy, 3=#zz,
4=#xy, 5= #yz, 6= #zx
' Projection Values associated with a specified
direction are displayed.
Signed vector 1st, 2nd 3rd Principal Vectors in the direction of the
principal stresses are displayed
' Projection Vectors in a specified direction are
displayed.
Arrays
There are some results which are presented as an array of values. The Predefined
criteria for these results are the same as the Scalar display of Vectors in the
element frame.
12.2.3.7 - Composite Viewer
The composite viewer is available for viewing results that relate to composites.
The model under analysis must contain composites and the necessary results
must have been selected from the data tree.
The results types that are related to composites are;
• Tsai-Wu
• Tsai-Hill
• Hashin criteria
Only scalar results can be viewed in the composite viewer, so that the viewer is
not available for all the results of the above categories.
Results can only be displayed for elements, not nodes. If the selected result type
is a scalar that relates to nodes, then the average of each node on the element is
computed and displayed. Results for Tsai_Wu criteria and others are available at
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different positions in the composite structure; the mid point, upper and lower
surfaces.
When a result is selected from the list, the maximum values (of all the plies) are
displayed in the 3-D display, averaged over each of the elements. When a
'critical ply' value is selected, the value is the worst value (from all plies) at the
Gauss point of the element.
More information about the different plies can be obtained in the composite
viewer.
1. Select the result in the list.
2. Click on the Composite tool or right click and select Composite Viewer
from the contextual menu. (The Composite Viewer will appear. )
3. Click on the element in the display for which you want to view the results.
4. The composite viewer presents a list of all the layers contained in the
composite material as well as a graphic representation of the layers. The
color of each of the layers corresponds to the data value for that particular
layer. The actual value for each of the layers is shown in the Value column.
5. Click on a layer in the list to see it highlighted in the composite display.
Note! if you select a different item in the results list, the contents of the
composite viewer will be updated to show those results on the selected element.
If the newly selected result can not be displayed in the composite viewer, the
viewer will close.
12.2.3.8 - Selection tool
This tool is always available. itit enables you to select parts of the model on
which results will be displayed. It schedules the Selection dialog.
Element Types (for Scalars)
This button is sensitive when a scalar result has been selected in the data tree.
Clicking on this button enables you to view the results that are related to
specific types of elements. The display is updated immediately.
Local Selection
When you check this button 'on' then you can choose to view or hide the
results for specific parts of the model. When it is switched off, all parts of the
model will be automatically selected.
Show
Results will be shown on selected items.
Hide
Results will be shown in items that are not selected.
Selection
The current selection and its type.
Cumulative selection
When this button is checked ON then each item clicked in the display will be
added to the selection.
To make a selection:
1. Click on the Selection tool.
The Selection dialog appears.
2. Check the button Local Selection ON.
3. From the Selection list choose the type of entity for which you wish to view
the results.
4. Click on the required entity in the display.
5. Click on the required result in the data tree.
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6. The results will be displayed on the selected item.
By default the results for the selected items are "shown". Click on Hide to
see the results for all the other entities.
7. Click on Cumulative Selection, if you wish to add entities to the initial
selection. Then click on an additional entity.
You can leave the Selection dialog open and select different parts of the model.
Each result will be applied to the current selection.
12.2.4 - Contextual menu
Properties
This opens a dialog in which various properties of the selected result are
displayed.
Delete
This deletes the selected result from the analysis document. Confirmation is
required.
Hide / Show
This hides the selected item from the display. The Show entry then becomes
available.
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Hide / Show Undeformed Mesh

This option toggles the display of the undeformed mesh in the display. The
display of the deformed mesh is performed with the mesh tool (described on
page-126).
Result Aspect
Four options are provided that determine how the result is shown in the display:
• Fringe: values are mapped onto the support according to a color scale. The
color scale consists of 10 colors and the transition from one range to another
is clearly delineated.
• Tone: uses the same mapping method, but blends the colors into one
another.
• Symbol: represents the data value as a cube in the center of the display
element. The color and the size of the cube corresponds to the value.
• Value: displays the actual numerical value. The color of the text
corresponds to the range in the color scale.
Result Display Attribute
Determines how the result is shown in the display.
(Not) Deformed
Switches the display of the data on an off the deformed mesh (described on
page-126).
Deformed amplification
When the result attribute is set to deformed using the option above, it is
possible to magnify the displayed deformation. The Deform dialog appears in
which the amount of amplification can be set. Two options are presented.
• True: When this option is selected the true deformation of the support is
shown, i.e. the deformation is displayed exactly in scale with the
support. This mode is interesting for a non-linear analysis for example
when the displacements are relatively large and a true indication of their
value can be obtained.
• Normalized When this option is selected, then the deformation can be
amplified according the value of the coefficient entered. Press <Enter>
to apply the new coefficient value. With a coefficient value of 1, the
deformed structure is shown so that the major displacement corresponds
to 10% of the major dimension of the structure. Entering a higher
coefficient will increase the displacement proportionally. This allows
you to gain a better impression of the displacements when these are
small in comparison to the dimensions of the support.
Mesh on Result
Switches the presence of the deformed mesh (described on page-126) on or
off.
Global Scale
This function is used when multiple reference results (load cases, eigen
values, ...) exist. It enables you to toggle the display of the results relative to
the global set of results or to the local set. The color scale used will be set to
the specified range.
Result using Shape
This option toggles the presence of the results on the mesh or the geometrical
representation of the model.
Set symbol size
This option enables you to magnify the representation of results on a wire
type of element. The default size selected is 100%. Enter the required
proportion in the input field.
Show Result inside volume
This option enables you to view data based on specific layers within a
composite volume. In order to use this option you must have defined a
composite volume behavior with layers of composite material. You must also
have selected a composite result for which data is available for each layer of
the laminate. When this is the case the Composite Viewer becomes
accessible.
To view results inside a volume: Select the required composite result in the
results list in the data tree. Click on the Composite viewer too. Select an
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element on the face on which the composite volume was created. The results
will appear on the composite viewer. Click on a layer in the composite viewer
for which you wish to see the results. Right click on the selected result on the
data tree and select Result inside volume.
The data values for each element will be shown at the corresponding mesh
layer within the volume structure.
Drawing
This schedules the Drawing dialog (described on page-127) that enables you to
animate the selected results, view sections of constant value and select results to
be displayed.
Listing
Provides a tabulated listing (described on page-128) of the numerical values of
the selected result.
Graphic
Schedules the Function dialog in which graphical functions (described on
page-129) can be viewed and manipulated. This operations in only available on
functions or on data that references a number of load cases
Reference
When several load cases exist for the selected result, this enables you to select
the required reference case (described on page-136).
Criteria
This enables you to convert the displayed data to view different aspects
Composite Viewer
This option is available for specific results that relate to composites (described
on page-139) and provides a dedicated viewer to examine these results.
Selection
This enables you to view results for selected parts of the model (described on
page-140).
Copy result as data
Some Result Data may be converted into Analysis Data and then assigned to
some mesh support to create new Used FEA Data. So, results from a one solver
run may be used as input data for another solver run. This operation can only be
performed on the temperature field from a thermal analysis, which can then only
be used as a thermal load in a thermo-mechanical analysis : such an analysis will
then account for the thermal structure inflation when computing the strains and
the stresses.
To convert a Result to Analysis Data:
1. Select the Temperature result in the Data Tree
2. Right click and select Copy result as data (the selected temperature field
will be referenced in the Data Library in the data tree).
3. This data can then be assigned as required using the general procedure for
assigning data that is stored in the data library in the Analysis module.
Note! once a Result FEA Data has been converted, you cannot re-mesh the model
or edit the mesh, because the newly created FEA Data is defined on the current
mesh.
Unload result
You can use this function to unload a selected result from memory. This will
improve performance when working with a large analysis. The result entry
remains in the data tree and can be restored by simply clicking on it.
Store Viewpoint
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The position of the model on which the results are being displayed can be
manipulated in order to provide the best view of a particular result. This option
enables you to save the current view in the 3-D viewer as a viewpoint. If you
then manipulate the model in any way, you can return to this view point by using
the Reset Viewpoint option.
Reset Viewpoint
This option is available when after a view point has been saved. It will restore
the view of the model and results to the last saved viewpoint.
12.2.5 - Hints and tips

Units
You may find that there is a factor of 1000 difference between the expected and
the displayed results.
There is no unit system stored in the .OP2 files. When declaring.OP2 files (.op2
model file or .op2 result file), the CæSam user should tell the application about
the unit system used in those files. Unfortunately, there is no way in CæSam
V3.1.2 to tell it. This missing feature will be added in further CæSam releases. It
is currently assumed that the .OP2 unit system is the same as the current CæSam
unit system. You can change the last with the "Edit - Preference - Solver Unit
System - Set Units in" menu when starting the application. The default CæSam
unit system is "mm,kg.N,deg"
Positioning of dialogs
Some dialogs may disappear behind the main application. To see them again you
can iconise all the windows on the desktop then click on your document again.
Lines displayed in the listing dialog
When you remove a local selection in the listing, you may need to update the
number of lines displayed.
12.2.6 - How to view FE results

• To load results (described on page-124)
• To showing / hide the deformed and the undeformed mesh (described on
page-126)
• To display results on the deformed / undeformed mesh (described on
page-126)
• To animate results (described on page-127) (displacements)
• To locate / display a specific node or element (described on page-144)
• To list data values in a specific range (described on page-145)
• To view specific data values in the display (described on page-145)
• To interactively select elements (described on page-140) for which results
are required.
• To manipulate the model (described on page-118)
• To export a list of data values to Excel (described on page-146).
• To see the scalar magnitude of a vector or tensor (described on page-137)
• To view principal tensors (described on page-137)
• To view the individual components of a vector. (described on page-137)
• To view values associated with different load cases (described on page-136)
• To use the color scale (described on page-122)
• To compute functions (described on page-129) based on load cases.
12.2.6.1 - To identify specific FE data elements
This procedure enables you to display the node or element numbers of listed
items.
1. Select the results type required in the data tree.
- 144 -
2. Click on the Listing tool.
3. Click on the Range tab.
4. If you wish to locate results within a specific range, click the button next to
Element or Node and then set the range to the one you are interested in.
5. Press <Enter> and the list will be updated.
6. Check the button From Selected in Rows, Show and then click on
Node/Element Numbers.
7. Click on a row in the list that corresponds to the element you are interested
in.
The node /element number associated with the row will be highlighted in the
display. You may need to rotate the model to see it. Contiguous sequences of
rows can be selected using the <Shift> key. Remember that all listing operations
work on items that have been selected using the Selection tool.
12.2.6.2 - Listing FE data values in a specific range

4. Choose the type of range that you want to set.
This can be Node values, Element values or data Values.
5. Set the limits of the range in the From and To fields.
The [All the range] button resets the range to include all the (selected)
results.
6. Select the Maximum Number of lines (result values) that you want to list on
the screen.
7. Select how many decimal places you want to see for the values. 8. Select
whether you want the range to be sorted in Ascending or Descending order.
The contents of the list will be adapted to the settings defined. The number of
results that lie within the range will be displayed, up to the Maximum number
defined.
Note! that entries listed are restricted to those items that are selected.
12.2.6.3 - Viewing specific FE data values in the display
This procedure enables you to view selected result values in the display. It is also
possible to display the numerical values of all elements by adjusting the Results
aspect.
4. If you wish to locate results within a specific range, click the button next to
Values From and then enter the range you are interested in.
5. Press <Enter> and the list will be updated.
6. Check the button From Selected in Rows, Show and then click on Values.
The Values option is only available if one value per element is listed! It
may be necessary to change the data criteria, i.e. convert vector components
to a single scalar magnitude.
7. Click on a row in the list that corresponds to the element you are interested
in.
Contiguous sequences of rows can be selected using the <Shift> key.
The selected element/node will be highlighted in the display and the
corresponding value displayed. You may need to rotate the model to see it
properly. Remember that all listing operations work on items that have been
- 145 -
selected using the Selection tool.
12.2.6.4 - To Export FE data values
You can export the table of values to a .txt or a .csv file which can be opened in
Excel.
2. Click on the Criteria tool and set the format of the data you wish to export.
4. Click on the Export to Excel button.
5. Enter a name for the file.
6. Click on [Export to Excel].
The file will be generated and can be found in the specified directory.
12.2.7 - Terminology
Nastran and Samtech nomenclature.
Stress Tensor 2d Upper Skin (OES1X) OES1X1

Stress Tensor 2d Lower Skin (OES1X) OES1X1
Strain Tensor 2d Upper Skin (OSTR1X) OSTR1X
Strain Tensor 2d Lower Skin (OSTR1X) OSTR1X
Strain Fibre Distance 2 (OSTR) OSTR1X
Strain Fibre Distance 1 (OSTR) OSTR1X
Stress Fibre Distance 2 (OES) OES1X1
Stress Fibre Distance 1 (OES) OES1X1
Membrane Transverse Shear Force (OEF1X) OEF1X
Sum Of Grid Point Moments From Elements OGPFB1
Sum Of Grid Point Forces From Elements OGPFB1
Grid Point Applied Moments (APP-LOAD) OGPFB1
Grid Point Applied Forces (APP-LOAD) OGPFB1
Grid Point Multi Point Constraint Moments OGPFB1
(F-OF-MPC)
Grid Point Multi Point Constraint Forces OGPFB1
(F-OF-MPC)
Grid Point Constraint Moments (F-OF-SPC) OGPFB1
Grid Point Constraint Forces (F-OF-SPC) OGPFB1
Grid Point Applied Moments (*TOTALS*) OGPFB1
Grid Point Applied Forces (*TOTALS*) OGPFB1
Nodal Applied Moments (OPG) OPG1, OPG2
Nodal Applied Forces (OPG) OPG1, OPG2
Nodal displacements (DX,DY,DZ) OUGV2, OUGV1
Nodal rotation (RX,RY,RZ) OUGV2, OUGV1
Composite stress tensor (global axes) OES1C
- 146 -

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CaeSam Analyst User Help

© Copyright Samtech 2009

Chapter 1 - What is New

New in version 5.2.

Chapter 2 - Caesam Basics

2.1 - Understanding CæSam for analysts

Figure 1. Structural Element (SE) Plate

Figure 2. Structural Element (SE) Beam

An analysis operation can also be performed on Structural Element Assemblies,

Figure 3. A Structural Element Assembly (SEA) "Base"

Figure 4. Analysis {stress } model

It is also possible to work outside the concept of an analysis model by

Engineering Object Upper plate Beam Lower plate

thickness = T1mm thickness = T2mm

width = W1mm width = W3mm

Base Bending Template Plate Buckling Template

See Also : Understanding analysis operations (described on page-70).

Figure 5. The Analysis process

2.3 - Using the Help

Terminology relating to the GUI

Chapter 3 - The User Interface

3.1 - The Menu bar

3.1.1 - The File menu

3.1.2 - The Edit menu

Go backward one selection

3.1.3 - Display menu

3.1.4 - The Model menu

3.1.5 - The Data menu

3.1.6 - Result menu

Create Post Result table

3.1.7 - Analysis menu

3.1.8 - Maturity menu

3.1.9 - Tools menu

3.1.10 - User menu

3.1.11 - SDK menu

3.1.12 - Help menu

3.2 - The Tool bar

Open : This opens an existing Caesam document.

Save : This saves the current Caesam document.

Close : This closes the current Caesam document.

Run : This starts an analysis run

Undo :This undoes the last operation performed

selected (described on page-46).

Perspective layout buttons. These buttons adjust the perspectives

3.3 - The Interface Perspectives

Figure 6. Example of the tree perspective.

Figure 7. Example of a table perspective

3.4 - The Tree View

Viewing the contents of the tree

3.5 - The Property View

3.6 - The Analysis Runs tab

The Run panel can be closed by clicking on the [X] button.

3.7 - The Editors

the size of the editor panel.

Chapter 4 - The Global Model

4.2 - Running a global FEM analysis

4.3 - Currently loaded op2 data blocks

Note! if PARAM POST is -1, the PARAM OGEOM is automatically YES

Chapter 5 - Basic operations

2. Click on the New filter button .

5.2 - Selecting items

There are several ways to select items:

5.3 - Using groups

To view the items in a group