Release Guide 2001r2

MSC.
Patran 2001(r2)
Release Guide
Corporate
MSC.Software Corporation
2 MacArthur Place
Santa Ana, CA 92707
Telephone: (800) 345-2078
Fax: (714) 784-4056
Europe
MSC.Software GmbH
Am Moosfeld 13
81829 Munich
GERMANY
Telephone: (49) (89) 43 19 87 0
Fax: (49) (89) 43 61 71 6
Asia Pacific
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2-39, Akasaka 5-chome
Minato-ku, TOKYO 107-0052, JAPAN
Telephone: (81) (3) 3505 0266
Fax: (81) (3) 3505 0914
Worldwide Web
www.mscsoftware.com
Disclaimer
MSC.Software Corporation reserves the right to make changes in specifications and other information
contained in this document without prior notice.
The concepts, methods, and examples presented in this text are for illustrative and educational purposes
only, and are not intended to be exhaustive or to apply to any particular engineering problem or design.
MSC.Software Corporation assumes no liability or responsibility to any person or company for direct or
indirect damages resulting from the use of any information contained herein.
User Documentation: Copyright 2001 MSC.Software Corporation. Printed in U.S.A. All Rights
Reserved.
This notice shall be marked on any reproduction of this documentation, in whole or in part. Any
reproduction or distribution of this document, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of
MSC.Software Corporation is prohibited.
MSC and MSC. are registered trademarks and service marks of MSC.Software Corporation. NASTRAN
is a registered trademark of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. MSC.Nastran is an
enhanced proprietary version developed and maintained by MSC.Software Corporation. MSC.Patran is
a trademark of MSC.Software Corporation.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
P3*V2001r2*Z*Z*Z*DC-903057
C O N T E N T S
MSC.Patran Release Guide
MSC.Patran Release Guide,
Preface ■ List of MSC.Patran Books, viii

■ Technical Support, ix
■ www.mscsoftware.com, xi
■ Permission to Copy and Distribute MSC Documentation, xiii
1
MSC.Patran 2001 ■ Overview of MSC.Patran 2001, 2
at a Glance ■ Supported Platforms, 8
❑ Future Support for Compaq Tru64, 9
■ Licensing Considerations, 11
■ Corrected Software Defects, 12
■ Database Compatibility, 13
❑ Future Support for InterBase, 13
❑ InterBase Software Delivery, 13
❑ Period of Support and Operating System Support, 13
❑ Long Term Support Issues, 14
■ Documentation and Online Help, 15

❑ MSC.Patran Documentation Library, 15
■ Other Sources of MSC.Patran Information, 17
2
Analysis ■ MSC.Marc Preference Enhancements, 20
Integration ❑ Limitations, 21
❑ MSC.Marc Preference Layout, 22
❑ Translation Parameters, 23
❑ Analysis Load Step Setup, 24
❑ Rigid Body Contact, 26
❑ Materials, Elements, and LBCs, 28
❑ Results Access, 37
❑ Miscellaneous, 38
■ MSC.Nastran Preference Enhancements, 39

❑ Complex Tabular Fields Enhancement, 39
❑ The fields created can be visualized in X-Y plot format., 41
❑ HyperElastic Materials, 42
❑ Nonlinear Normal Modes/Buckling Support, 44
❑ Enforced Motion Support for MSC.Nastran, 46
❑ Input File Reader Enhancements, 50
❑ MSC.Nastran FREQ5 Output Frequency Response
Specification, 52
❑ Residual Vector Control, 52
■ MSC.Dytran Preference Enhancements, 53
❑ Loads & Boundary Conditions, 53
❑ Rigid Body Object, 56
❑ Element Properties, 58
❑ Beams, 60
❑ Material Properties, 63
❑ Analysis, 66
❑ Special Features / Spotweld/Stiffener Tool/ Create / Skin:, 72
❑ Analyze/Direct Text Input:, 74
❑ Results, 75
■ LS-DYNA3D Preference Enhancements, 77

■ SAMCEF Preference Enhancements, 83
■ ABAQUS Preference Enhancements, 87
❑ ABAQUS Rebar Support, 87
❑ Abaqus Beam Visualization, 88
❑ Abaqus Input File Reader, 89
■ MSC.Patran Advanced FEA, 90

■ PAM-CRASH Preference Enhancements, 91
3
Geometry ■ Geometry Preferences, 100
Modeling and CAD ■ CAE Solid Modeling, 101
Access
❑ Summary of Capabilities, 101
Enhancements
❑ Solid Creation, 102
❑ Solid Editing Capabilities, 104
❑ Conversion to Parasolid, 108
■ Strategic Geometry Enhancements, 111

■ CAD Direct Access Support, 112
❑ CAD Access support on LINUX for MSC.Patran 2001, 114
4
Finite Element ■ Assembly TetMesh, 116
Meshing and ■ Total Loads and CID Distributed Loads (MSC.Nastran only), 120
Modeling
❑ Total Loads Forms, 121
❑ CID Distributed Load, 122
❑ MSC.Nastran BDF Generation, 122
■ Miscellaneous FEM, 124

❑ IsoMesh of Parasolid Surfaces, 124
❑ MPC Renumbering, 124
❑ Compress Duplicate Materials and Properties, 125
■ MSC.Laminate Modeler 2001, 126

❑ Draping Enhancements, 126
❑ Import Ply Enhancements, 127
❑ Create Solid Elements Layup, 129
❑ Transform Layup Mirror, 130
❑ Layup Visualization Enhancements, 131
❑ Modify/Delete Layup, 134
❑ Show Laminate Enhancements, 135
❑ Import/Export Laminates, 135
❑ Miscellaneous Form Updates, 137
■ Space/Time Fields (SAMCEF Only), 140
5
Performance and ■ Miscellaneous Enhancements, 144
Other Strategic ❑ Group Create Enhancements, 144
Enhancements ❑ Group Transform Enhancements, 145
❑ STEP AP203/AP209, 145
❑ Spaceball Support, 145
❑ MSC.Patran Thermal, 145
❑ Settings.pcl, 145
6
Pre-Release ■ Advanced Mesh Utilities, 148
Capabilities ❑ Sheetbody Meshing (Region Meshing), 148
❑ Mesh On Mesh, 153
❑ Midplane Meshing Component, 157
■ Interactive Frequency Response with MSC.Nastran, 159

❑ Summary of Interactive Frequency Response
Implementation:, 159
■ ANSYS and ABAQUS Input File Reader, 162
■ Additional CAD Access Support, 163
INDEX MSC.Patran Release Guide 165

Preface
■ List of MSC.Patran Books

■ Technical Support
■ www.mscsoftware.com
■ Permission to Copy and Distribute MSC Documentation
viii
List of MSC.Patran Books

Below is a list of some of the MSC.Nastran documents. You may order any of these
documents from the MSC.Software BooksMart site at www.engineering-e.com.
Installation and Release Guides

❏ Installation and Operations Guide
❏ Release Guide
User’s Guides and Reference Manuals

❏ MSC.Patran User’s Guide
❏ MSC.Patran Reference Manual
❏ MSC.Patran Analysis Manager
❏ MSC.Patran FEA
❏ MSC.Patran Materials
❏ MSC.Patran Thermal
Preference Guides
❏ ABAQUS
❏ ANSYS
❏ LS-DYNA
❏ MSC.Marc
❏ MSC.Dytran
❏ MSC.Nastran
❏ PAMCRASH
❏ SAMCEF
❏ PATRAN 2 Neutral File
Preface ix
Technical Support
For help with installing or using an MSC.Software product, contact your local
technical support services. Our technical support provides the following services:
• Resolution of installation problems
• Advice on specific analysis capabilities
• Advice on modeling techniques
• Resolution of specific analysis problems (e.g., fatal messages)
• Verification of code error.
If you have concerns about an analysis, we suggest that you contact us at an early
stage.
You can reach technical support services on the web, by telephone, or e-mail:
Web Go to the MSC Mechanical Solutions website at www.mechsolutions.com, and click
on Support. Here, you can find a wide variety of support resources including
application examples, technical application notes, available training courses, and
documentation updates at the MSC.Software Training, Technical Support, and
Documentation web page.
Phone United States Frimley, Camberley
and MSC.Patran Support Surrey, United Kingdom
Fax Telephone: (800) 732-7284 Telephone: (44) (1276) 67 10 00
Fax: (714) 784-4343 Fax: (44) (1276) 69 11 11
MSC.Nastran Support Tokyo, Japan
Telephone: (800) 732-7284 Telephone: (81) (3) 3505 02 66
Fax: (81) (3) 3505 09 14
Munich, Germany Paris, France
Telephone: (49) (89) 43 19 87 0 Telephone: (33) (1) 69 36 69 36
Fax: (49) (89) 43 61 71 6 Fax: (33) (1) 69 36 45 17
Rome, Italy Gouda, The Netherlands

Telephone: (390) (6) 5 91 64 50 Telephone: (31) (18) 2543700
Fax: (390) (6) 5 91 25 05 Fax: (31) (18) 2543707
Moscow, Russia Madrid, Spain
Telephone: (7) (095) 236 6177 Telephone: (34) (91) 5560919
Fax: (7) (095) 236 9762 Fax: (34) (91) 5567280
Email Send a detailed description of the problem to the email address below that
corresponds to the product you are using. You should receive an acknowledgement
x
that your message was received, followed by an email from one of our Technical
Support Engineers.
MSC.Patran Support mscpatran.support@mscsoftware.com

MSC.Nastran Support mscnastran.support@mscsoftware.com
MSC.Nastran for Windows Support mn4w.support@mscsoftware.com
MSC.Dytran Support mscdytran.support@mscsoftware.com
MSC.Mvision Support mscmvision.support@mscsoftware.com
MSC.Fatigue Support mscfatigue.support@mscsoftware.com
MSC.SuperForge Support mscsuperforge.support@mscsoftware.com
MSC Institute Course Information msctraining.support@mscsoftware.com
Training
The MSC Institute of Technology provides basic and specialized training in the use of
MSC’s MCAE software products, as well as in general analysis subjects, such as
thermal analysis, finite element modeling, and fatigue-life prediction. We offer the
world’s largest selection of engineering analysis and design training courses,
comprising more than 50 different courses. More than 5,000 engineers attend classes
offered by the MSC Institute annually.
The MSC Institute of Technology is located at:
2 MacArthur Place
Santa Ana, CA 92707
Phone: (800) 732-7211
Fax: (714) 784-4028
The Institute maintains state-of-the-art classroom facilities and individual computer
graphics laboratories at training centers throughout the US. All of our courses
emphasize hands-on computer laboratory work to facilitate skills development.
Courses can be taught on-site, and can even be customized to meet your business’
specific needs. We also offer video courses, interactive multimedia training, and a
specialized instructor’s program.
Course Information and Registration. For detailed course descriptions, schedule

information, and registration call the Training Specialist at (800) 732-7211 or visit
www.mscsoftware.com.
Preface xi
www.mscsoftware.com
This site is the center for corporate information and the gateway to the various MSC
division web sites and online communities.
www.mechsolutions.com
The MSC.Mechanical Solutions division provides information on our products and
services, including the MSC.visualNastran product family, Professional Services,
online technical support (knowledge base, software updates, online documentation,
discussion forums, and training).
www.engineering-e.com
Online marketplace for engineering products, services and information.
www.msclinux.com
Find out how the MSC.Linux division can support your Linux development through
application porting, tuning and optimization, distributed parallel solutions, and
support for migration from UNIX to Linux.
www.workingmodel.com
The MSC.Working Knowledge division provides competitively priced products that
leverage MSC.Software's expertise in high-end engineering analysis technology.
www.studentengineer.com
An online community that provides easy access to the tools and skills that
engineering students need, including affordable cutting edge engineering software,
an online resume center, and an online project gallery.
xii
Preface xiii
Permission to Copy and Distribute MSC Documentation

If you wish to make copies of this documentation for distribution to co-workers,
complete this form and send it to MSC.Software Corporation. MSC will grant written
permission if the following conditions are met:
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• No copies of this manual, or excerpts thereof, will be given to anyone who is
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CHAPTER
MSC.Patran 2001
1 at a Glance
■ Overview of MSC.Patran 2001

■ Supported Platforms
■ Licensing Considerations
■ Corrected Software Defects
■ Database Compatibility
■ Documentation and Online Help
■ Other Sources of MSC.Patran Information

2
1.1 Overview of MSC.Patran 2001

MSC.Patran 2001 represents MSC.Software’s continued commitment to providing the
CAE industry’s leading simulation-modeling environment. Each release of
MSC.Patran contains improvements and enhancements to increase the reliability,
performance, and quality. Important enhancements to MSC.Patran 2001 include:
Quality. Approximately 600 quality enhancements were fixed to further enhance the
quality of MSC.Patran. See Corrected Software Defects (p. 12).
CAE Solid Modeling. Major new Solid Geometry modeling capabilities significantly
enhance MSC.Patran’s geometry modeling and modification tools. These new
simulation geometry creation and editing tools dramatically speed important and
commonly used CAE modeling techniques. MSC.Patran 2001 is now capable of solid
modeling operations using primitive blocks, cylinders, cones, spheres, and tori. In
addition, several solid editing operations, including Boolean operators (add, subtract
and union), edge blend, imprint, shell, and break are provided. Also, mid-surface
operations allow you to extract surfaces from a solid for the purposes of idealizing the
solid into a shell representation. CAD import as Parasolid and native geometry
conversion capabilities are provided to allow the use of these creation and editing
operations on all forms of MSC.Patran geometry. This add on module is a separately
priced option, which requires an additional license feature to activate. With the
addition of these new creation and editing tools, it is now also possible to export
Parasolid geometry from MSC.Patran.
Strategic Geometry Enhancements. Several geometry enhancements have been
incorporated in this release of MSC.Patran in response to requests from strategic
customers.
• Curve and Surface Offset enhancements
• Additional Trimmed Surface Editing tools
• Surface Extension editing enhancements
• Other Show and Create geometry enhancements
CAD Access Updates Unigraphics Access has been updated to support Unigraphics
Version 17, and ACIS Access has been upgraded level 6.3 support. See CAD Direct
Access Support for a complete summary. In addition a significant enhancement has
been implemented in the Pro/Engineer, Catia and Step access products. An option for
Direct Parasolid import has been added to the CAD access capabilities of MSC.Patran.
Compaq Tru64 UNIX Support MSC.Patran 2001 will be the last release supporting
the Compaq Tru64 UNIX (formerly called DEC Ultrix) hardware platform. See Future
Support for Compaq Tru64 in the Supported Hardware section of this guide.
MSC.Marc Preference Enhancements. MSC.Marc specializes in simulating

nonlinear and manufacturing processes, and handles numerous deformable and rigid
contact bodies. Improvements to the MSC.Marc Preference include:
CHAPTER 1 3
MSC.Patran 2001 at a Glance
• Translation Parameters Supported - Analysis general translation parameters

are now available directly in MSC.Patran to control: the MSC.Marc version,
solver and optimization options, contact parameters, direct text input,
groups to sets, restart parameters, adaptive meshing, user subroutine files,
and input data format.
• Analysis Load Step Setup - It is now possible to setup multiple analysis steps
in a single job.
• Rigid Body Contact - Rigid contact bodies can now be defined purely with
geometric entities, which are written to the MSC.Marc input file as NURB
curves and surfaces.
• Materials, Elements, and LBCs - Access to the MSC.Marc material and
element library has been expanded to support all materials (except power,
soil and user defined) plus all structural and thermal element types (except
rebar). Loads and boundary conditions have been expanded to include
support for distributed line loads, and motion and load control of rigid
bodies.
• Results Access - Results can be directly accessed (Direct Results Access -
DRA) from the.t16/.t19 files without importing into the database.
MSC.Nastran Preference Enhancements. These enhancements increase the
interoperability with the solver MSC.Nastran. New to this release are:
• Complex Scalar Fields - The capacity to create complex scalar (non-spatial)
fields has been added to MSC.Patran for use with the MSC.Nastran
Structural Preference. Complex scalar fields can be referenced by applied
loads and boundary conditions for frequency domain solutions (direct and
modal frequency response). These fields describe excitation (relative to a
datum) and allow you to input frequency dependent magnitude and phase
information.
• Hyperelastic Materials - Allows the entry of hyperelastic material properties
for use with MSC.Nastran.
• Nonlinear Normal Modes/Buckling - Support has been added for
MSC.Patran 2001 to setup MSC.Nastran nonlinear normal modes or
buckling analysis. Examples of this analysis type include normal mode
analysis of a prestressed structure, or buckling analysis of a prestressed
structure.
• Enforced Motion - Time-dependent displacement, velocity, and acceleration
boundary conditions have been implemented. Support is provided for direct
transient, modal transient, direct frequency response and modal frequency
response analysis types.
4
• LBC Priorities - Load and boundary condition prioritization has been

enabled for resolving the priority for the application of multiple load
conditions. This enables you to specify how load specification conflicts
should be resolved in the event that multiple specifications are applied to the
same degree of freedom. Load specifications are considered to be in conflict
only if they are of related types.
• Input File Reader Enhancements – Support for the importing of model entity
definitions from a MSC.Nastran input file has been enhanced. Additional
thermal model entities and case control input statements can now be
imported.
• Total Load and CID Distributed Load - The support for new generalized
distributed load input capabilities have been added to speed and simplify
the distribution of a total load on portions of a model. Total load allows for
a vector input of the magnitude and direction, where each component of this
vector represents the total load magnitude for the associated direction over
the entire application region. These directional loads will be distributed
evenly over the area or length of the application region. Optionally, the total
load vectors can be applied directly to the application region.
MSC.Dytran Preference Enhancements. Enhancements to the MSC.Dytran

Preference include:
• RUPTURE and SPOTWELD options added to BJOIN LBC
• Rigid Body Object added to LBCs
• Spotwelds support (PWELD, PWELD1 and PWELD2) for 1D element
properties
• Support for Predefined HL Beam (PBEAML)
• Support for Composite Beam (PBCOMP)
• Update Hughes-Liu beams with offset vector and offset of neutral axis
• New materials: Soil (DYMAT25), Tait Cavitation Model (DMAT) and Foam
with Hysteresis (FOAM2)
• Add beam post processing tool to preference
• Automated Stiffener/Spotweld tool creation
• Support for Direct Text Input
• Unwanted automatically created new groups not posted to viewport during
results reading
• Modify filename assignment while reading contact THS for XY plotting
LS-DYNA3D Preference Enhancements. These enhancements increase the
interoperability with the LS-DYNA3D solver.
• Support for composite laminate material
CHAPTER 1 5
• Support for *SET keywords

• Support for *DATABASE keywords
• Reject and error file created by the reader
ABAQUS Preference Enhancements. These enhancements increase the
interoperability with the HKS ABAQUS solver.
• Rebar Modeling - Support has been added for modeling 2-D axisymetric
structures with layered reinforcement. The material properties, orientation,
area, and spacing of the rebar within the elements can be defined.
• Beam Visualization tool - This new functionality allows for ABAQUS beam
shapes to be displayed on a MSC.Patran 3D model.
• Input File Reader - Importation of ABAQUS input files is now more readily
accessible from within the Analysis application.
PAM-CRASH Preference Enhancements. These enhancements increase the
interoperability with the PAMCRASH solver.
• Support for composite laminate material (SHELL TYPE 130 and PLY)
• Support for contact type 33 and 36
• Support for cross section control cards TRAFO and SECFO in Output
Requests
• Setting PAMCRASH IDs
• Reader support for Control cards and Plot Output cards
• Reject file created by the reader containing unsupported PAMCRASH
keywords
SAMCEF Preference Enhancements. These enhancements increase the
interoperability with the SAMCEF solver. Items addressed:
• Additional support for finite element modeling of contact situations.
• Additional support for modeling of crack phenomenon.
• Space - time field creation. A new data field (functional data variation) can
be used use in the specification of loads and boundary conditions. The field
capability has been enhanced to allow for simplified definitions, which
combined spatial and dynamic (time or frequency) variation.
MSC.Patran Advanced FEA. We regret to inform you that as of this release of
MSC.Patran and due to business conditions beyond our control, the MSC.Patran
Advanced FEA product has been discontinued. See further explanation of transition
options in MSC.Patran Advanced FEA (Ch. 2). A new product offering called
MSC.AFEA will replace this product. Please contact your local sales representative for
more information.
6
Assembly TetMesh. This functionality is released with a new user interface to

automate the process of creating valid finite element models on solid assemblies.
Entire assemblies or portions of assemblies can be automatically meshed, producing
a congruent interface mesh across multiple solid parts. Optional user-defined mesh
transitions can be enforced between solids. The functionality also enables the meshing
of assemblies where parts may have small gap separations or some small interference,
which lies within a user-defined proximity tolerance.
Miscellaneous FEM. New meshing capabilities have been added.
• MPC Renumbering - for renumbering of ID numbers associated with multi-
point constraint entities.
• The use of the IsoMesh method on Parasolid surfaces (3-4 sided) has been
added.
MSC.Laminate Modeler 2001. Significant enhancements have been made in the areas
of user interface, modeling improvements, and performance. General usability has
been enhanced so non-expert users can model, visualize, and evaluate complex
structures more effectively.
Performance and Other Strategic Enhancements. Miscellaneous enhancements to
MSC.Patran include:
• Group Creation enhancements - This new functionality allows for groups to
be created based on property sets and types, element topologies and shapes,
id ranges, lbc sets and types, materials, MPC types, and also based on
combination of groups with boolean functions, such as groups made by the
intersections and unions of other groups.
• Enhance distributed loads (pressure) to be in any local coordinate frame
• STEP AP203/AP209 import/export is to be delivered on the CD
• Group Transform performance improvements
• Spaceball support on Windows NT & Windows 2000
• MSC.Patran Thermal is now supported on LINUX
Pre-Release Capabilities (Ch. 6). Several new capabilities are being introduced in
MSC.Patran 2001 on a pre-release basis. These are provided to introduce new features
that will be migrated to future MSC.Patran releases. In addition, it provides an
opportunity for our customers to evaluate and feedback comments on the
implementation and usability of these new features. These features are available
under the “TOOLS: Pre-Release” pulldown menu or are activated through an
environment variable definition. See the following individual descriptions for details.
Advanced Mesh Utilities. Several major new finite element mesh utilities are
available for pre-release evaluation.
Sheetbody Meshing (Region Meshing). A new meshing capability allows
for the generation of a finite element mesh on a group of connected surfaces
CHAPTER 1 7
without being constrained to follow the internal surface edges, or small

boundary edges. This automates and speeds the production of a valid finite
element mesh, without the tedious process of selectively eliminating ill-
conditioned geometry regions, which could cause poorly shaped finite
element models in those areas.
Mesh On Mesh. In addition to the above geometry-based capability, it is now
possible to create new mesh regions applied to a surface defined by a finite
element mesh without geometric definition. Using the underlying mesh,
another mesh of different type or density can be generated which follows the
“surface” defined by the original mesh. This allows for mesh refinement or re-
shaping with selective user control of boundary node locations.
Midplane Meshing Component. A new capability has been added for
creation of a mid-plane finite element representation for a thin walled solid.
This is a mesh-based method for direct mid-plane mesh creation, without the
need to create any mid-plane geometry entities. It is well suited to solid
models of thin components, which are formed or stamped.
Interactive Frequency Response with MSC.Nastran. MSC.Patran and
MSC.Nastran can be used as an integrated tool to perform interactive modal
frequency response analysis and on-the-fly results visualization. A special
MSC.Patran menu structure (wizard) guides the user through MSC.Nastran modal
database access, load application, selection of solution frequencies, output requests,
restart submittal, and results visualization.
Additional CAD Access Support. MSC.Patran 2001 now supports import of CAD
geometry from SDRC I-DEAS and the VDA geometry exchange standard.
8
1.2 Supported Platforms

MSC.Patran 2001 supports the hardware and software configurations identified in the
following table. Refer to the MSC.Patran Installation and Operations Guide for a
complete description of the configurations.
Chipset Graphics
Vendor OS Levels HW Support
Support Support
HP HP-UX 11.0 PA7200 HP J200, J210, Visualize 8, Visualize 24,
PA7300 J280, J282, J2240, Visualize 48, Visualize
J5000, J5600, 48XP, Visualize FX2 Pro,
PA8000
J6000, J7000, Visualize FX4 Pro,
PA8200 B132L, B160L, Visualize FX5 Pro,
PA8500 B180, B1000, Visualize FX6 Pro,
PA8600 B2000, C100, Visualize FX10 Pro,
C110, C160, C180, Visualize FX-E
C200, C240, C360,
C3000, C3600,
K260, K460
SUN Solaris 7, 8 UltraSPARC Ultra 1, 2, 5, 10, TurboGX*, Creator*,

UltraSPARC II 30, 60, 80, Creator 3D, Elite 3D
UltraSPARC IIi SunBlade 1000
UltraSPARC III
Intel Microsoft Intel Pentium II, Compaq 3D Labs GMX 2000,

Windows NT 4.0 Pentium III, Professional GVXI
with Service Pack 5 Pentium IV Workstation Diamond Viper 770
or 6, Microsoft 5000/5100/6000/
Evans & Sutherland
Windows 2000 8000/AP700
AccelEclipse,
Dell Workstation AccelGalaxy
410, 610, 220, 420,
ELSA GLoriaL/MX,
620, 330
GLoriaXL, Gloria II/II
HP Vectra XW, Pro, Synergy Force
Kayak XW,
FGL Fire GL1, Fire GL2,
Visualize NT
Fire GL3, Fire GL 4000,
IBM IntelliStation
Hewlett-Packard FX2+,
Z-Pro, M-Pro, E-
FX4+, FX5+, FX6+, FX10+
Pro
Intergraph Intense3D,
Siemens/Nixdorf
Intense3D Pro, Intense3D
Celsius
Pro II, RealiZM, RealiZM
II, Wildcat 4000, Wildcat
4110
Matrox G400
NVidia GeForce 256,
GeForce 2 GTS, Quadro 2
Pro
CHAPTER 1 9
Chipset Graphics
Vendor OS Levels HW Support
Support Support
Intel LINUX Pentium II Dell: 220, 420, HP: FX5+, FX10+
Red Hat 6.2, 7.0 Pentium III 620, 330 HP: Diamond: Viper 770
MSC.Linux 2001 Pentium IV Visualize NT ELSA: Synergy Force
IBM:
IntelliStation Nvidia: GeForce 256,
GeForce 2 GTS, Quadro 2
Pro
SGI IRIX 6.5.2 - 6.5.10 R5000 Indigo 2, Extreme, Solid IMPACT,

RM5200 Indy(R5000), O2, High IMPACT, Indy
Octane, Octane2, 8/24-bit, CRM, SI, MXI,
R8000
Onyx2, Origin SE, MXE, V6†, V8*
R10000
R12000
IBM AIX 4.3.2 POWER RISC GXT255P‡, GXT500D,

POWER2 Power/System GXT550P, GXT800P,
AIX 4.3.3
POWER3 6000 - 2xx, 3xx, GXT800M, GXT1000,
PowerPC 5xx, 3AT, 3BT, GXT1000PCI, GXT2000P,
3CT, 37T, 42T, GXT3000P.
42W, 43P, 44P
Compaq Tru64 UNIX 4.0E Alpha 21064 DEC 3000 (500, Powerstorm 4D40T,
Tru64 UNIX 4.0F Alpha 21164 600) 4D50T, 4D51T, 4D60T,
Alpha 21264 AlphaStation 300
(500, 600)
Personal
Workstation
(433au, 500au,
600au)
Professional
Workstation
XP1000
* The TurboGX, TurboGX+, and Creator graphics devices provide 2D hardware

acceleration only. The Creator 3D and Elite 3D graphics devices provide hardware
assisted 3D acceleration.
† IRIX 6.5.10 is required for V6 and V8 series graphics accelerators.
‡ The GXT255P does not provide hardware assisted 3D graphics.
Future Support for Compaq Tru64

MSC.Patran 2001 is the last release supporting the Compaq Tru64 UNIX (formerly
Digital UNIX) hardware platform. Reasons for discontinuing support include lack of
3rd party support, and disproportionately large effort and expense relative to the
number of MSC.Patran users of this operating system.
10
Compaq Corp. is committed to work with MSC.Software to ensure a smooth

transition for MSC.Patran users currently using Compaq’s Alpha-based workstations
under Tru64 UNIX. They recommend that customers migrate to Compaq Intel-based
workstations running the Microsoft Windows 2000 or MSC.Patran Linux.
CHAPTER 1 11
1.3 Licensing Considerations

MSC.Patran will require new license files beginning with the 2001 release, due to both
security issues and changes in CAD access implementations. Please contact your
account representative to obtain a new license file before installing MSC.Patran 2001.
These license files will be generated in a manner to support both the previous and new
versions of MSC.Patran.
In addition to the new license file, it is highly recommended that your license server
be upgraded to the latest versions of the licensing software. Several problems have
been addressed with this new release of licensing software. Installation of the FlexLM
licensing software from the MSC.Patran 2001 delivery media, will update both the
license broker and the license daemon. Please contact customer support for assistance
in upgrading your license server.
12
1.4 Corrected Software Defects

It is our goal to provide the highest possible quality and functionality in a rapidly
changing environment. We try to correct as many software defects as we can before
delivery of our products. More than 600 defects were corrected in the MSC.Patran
2001 release.
A list of corrected defects and list of known outstanding defects is available from your
customer support or account representative.
CHAPTER 1 13
1.5 Database Compatibility

Fully automatic conversion utilities for databases created in previous MSC.Patran
versions are provided. In most cases, these conversions are fully supported without
any additional software other that provided on the delivery media. The exception to
that is the conversion of databases created prior to MSC.Patran V8, as detailed below.
Future Support for InterBase

Since the release of MSC.Patran Version 8.0, the InterBase database software is no
longer required to run MSC.Patran. Automated conversion utilities provide an easy
upgrade to the new database format for all previous databases. It is important to
understand, however, that the pre-version 8.0 conversion utilities still require
InterBase, and that the future support for InterBase will be limited. MSC’s support
plans for InterBase (and the conversion of pre-V8.0 databases) are outlined below.
InterBase Software Delivery

InterBase has not been delivered since Version 8.0. Although InterBase was delivered
with Version 8.0, the installation was optional. (You may want to install InterBase only
on machines specifically designated for the conversion of databases.) Note that a
current InterBase installation for Version 7.5 or Version 7.6 will work properly with
current MSC.Patran versions, and does not need to be re-installed.
Period of Support and Operating System Support

All existing MSC.Patran customers who leased or purchased prior to V8 are entitled
to InterBase licenses. The original software deliveries contained InterBase licenses
which are valid through 31 December 2000. After this date, a replacement InterBase
license can be made available to any qualified client. See below for information on
obtaining the license file. Newer MSC.Patran customers, purchasing the product after
31 December 1998, cannot receive InterBase libraries or this license extension.
These licenses, the InterBase libraries, and the pre-version 8.0 database conversion
utilities will be only supported on the valid MSC.Patran Version 8.0 operating system
levels shown below.
Tru64 UNIX: 4.0B. 4.0D (Was named Digital UNIX)
HP-UX: 10.20
AIX: 4.1.5, 4.2.1, 4.3.1
IRIX: 6.2, 6.3, 6.4
Solaris: 2.5.1, 2.6
Windows NT: 4.0
14
Long Term Support Issues

Customers who have pre-version 8 databases are urged to upgrade their databases as
soon as possible. These extended licenses will allow database conversion for an
unlimited time, but will require customer maintenance of MSC specified hardware
and software configurations. There will almost certainly be problems in the future
both in terms of the client's ability to keep these old configurations running, and with
the ability of MSC.Software to provide support. Due to this uncertainty involving
aging hardware and operating systems, it is highly recommended that customers
proceed with plans to complete pre-version 8.0 database conversions in a timely
manner. The extended license is provided only for the purpose of handling a possible
emergency situation in the future, providing our customers with a longer grace period
to complete retrieval and conversion of old databases, or for continued operation of
older MSC.Patran version (i.e., V7.6 or earlier). Due to the above concerns, this should
NOT be relied upon as a long term conversion strategy plan.
To obtain an extension license file the client should contact their MSC.Software
representative or support group for instructions.
CHAPTER 1 15
1.6 Documentation and Online Help

MSC.Patran Documentation Library
The following documentation is available for MSC.Patran 2001.
Reference Manual. The MSC.Patran Reference Manual, providing detailed

descriptions of the user interface, as well as general analysis information and
examples.
• MSC.Patran Reference Manual, Volumes 1-3
User’s Guides. The MSC.Patran User’s Guides assist you in using the various
supplemental applications available with MSC.Patran. They provide detailed
descriptions of the user interface, as well as general analysis information and
examples.
• MSC.Patran User’s Guide for Windows
• MSC.Patran User’s Guide for Unix
• MSC.Patran Analysis Manager User’s Guide
• MSC.Patran FEA User’s Guide
• MSC.Laminate Modeler User’s Guide
• MSC.Patran Materials User’s Guide
• MSC.Patran Thermal User’s Guides, Volumes 1-2
PCL Library. The PCL Library combines all PCL documentation into three volumes.
• MSC.Patran PCL Reference Manual
• MSC.Patran PCL and Customization
• MSC.Develop: The MSC.Patran Toolkit
Preference Guides. The MSC.Patran Preference Guides describe in detail all aspects
of the input, output, and modeling guidelines used for specific analysis preferences.
We recommend these documents for the analysis products you use most often. They
include:
• MSC.Patran ABAQUS Preference Guide
• MSC.Patran ANSYS Preference Guide
• MSC.Patran LS-DYNA3D Preference Guide
• MSC.Patran MSC.Marc Preference Guide
• MSC.Patran MSC.Dytran Preference Guide
• MSC.Patran MSC.Nastran Preference Guide, Volumes 1-2
16
• MSC.Patran PAMCRASH Preference Guide

• MSC.Patran SAMCEF Preference Guide
• MSC.Patran PATRAN 2 Neutral File Preference Guide
MSC.Patran Online Help

You can access online help from MSC.Patran two ways:
• Select Help from the MSC.Patran Main form, then select Document Library.
A hypertext listing of all available MSC.Patran documents appears.
• Press the F1 key from any MSC.Patran form. The appropriate page for the
currently active form appears.
You can access online help in UNIX environments without running MSC.Patran:
• Enter phelp in your xterm window.
CHAPTER 1 17
1.7 Other Sources of MSC.Patran Information

World Wide Web Information. Our World Wide Web home page at
www.mscsoftware.com providesinformation about MSC.Software and our products,
support, training, and documentation.
Training Seminars. MSC.Software offers a wide variety of training seminars. We

provide classes at our facilities throughout the world on a regular basis. We also
provide classes at client sites and can tailor them to meet your specific needs.
The following is a sample of MSC.Patran course offerings:
• PAT301, Introduction to MSC.Patran
• PAT302, Advanced MSC.Patran Usage
• PAT303, Transition to MSC.Patran
• PAT304, Introduction to PCL
• PAT312, MSC.Patran Thermal
• PAT318, MSC.Fatigue
• PAT322, MSC.AFEA
• PAT325, MSC.Laminate Modeler
MSC Institute Course Documentation. MSC offers extensive training
documentation that complements our numerous MSC.Patran courses. To order
training and course documentation, call (800) 336-4858 or your local sales
representative.
MSC Technical Support Knowledge Base. You can find answers to your questions
quickly by using our Knowledge Base on the World Wide Web. The Knowledge Base
includes technical notes, application examples, MSC Conference papers, customer
requests, and reported software problems.
To search the Knowledge Base:
1. Open the MSC.Software Mechanical Solutions division home page at
www.mechsolutions.com.
2. Select Support.
3. Select Knowledge Base.
4. Select the areas of the Knowledge Base that you are interested in.
5. Enter keywords of interest, or use the advanced search capabilities.
18
CHAPTER
Analysis Integration
2
■ MSC.Marc Preference Enhancements
■ MSC.Nastran Preference Enhancements
■ MSC.Dytran Preference Enhancements
■ LS-DYNA3D Preference Enhancements
■ SAMCEF Preference Enhancements
■ ABAQUS Preference Enhancements
■ MSC.Patran Advanced FEA
■ PAM-CRASH Preference Enhancements
20
2.1 MSC.Marc Preference Enhancements

MSC.Marc specializes in simulating nonlinear and
manufacturing processes and has easy-to-use contact Preferences
algorithms which handle numerous deformable and
Analysis...
rigid contact bodies. A special effort has been put into
Global...
this version of MSC.Patran in consideration of improving
Graphics...
the Preference to more fully take advantage of MSC.Marc
Mouse...
capabilities and transitioning MSC.Patran Advanced
Key Map...
FEA users to MSC.Marc and the Marc Preference. The
Picking...
following improvements have been made:
Report...
MSC.Marc Preference Layout (p. 22). The overall Geometry...
layout of the Analysis application form for the Finite Element...
MSC.Marc Preference has changed dramatically. In most Insight...
cases only three main buttons appear for selection of
general analysis parameters, creation of analysis load
steps, and selection of load steps.
Translation Parameters (p. 23). Analysis general translation parameters are now
grouped under this main button on the Analysis application form. All contain default
values.
Analysis Load Step Setup (p. 24).

Following the methodology of the
MSC.Patran Advanced FEA product, it is Analysis Preferences
now possible to setup multiple analysis
Analysis Code Selection:
steps in a single job.
MSC.Marc
Rigid Body Contact (p. 26). Rigid contact
bodies can now be defined purely with Analysis Type:
geometric entities which are written to the Structural
MSC.Marc input file as NURB curves and
Input File Suffix
surfaces.
.dat
Materials, Elements, and LBCs (p. 28).
Output File Suffix
Access to the MSC.Marc material and
.t16
element library has been expanded to
support all materials (except power, soil
and user defined) plus all structural and Reset
thermal element types (except rebar). Loads
and boundary conditions have been -Apply- Cancel
expanded to include support for distributed
line loads, and motion and load control of
rigid bodies.
CHAPTER 2 21
Results Access (p. 37). Results can be directly accessed (Direct Results Access -
DRA) from the .t16/.t19 files without importing into the database. Fully binary and
cross-platform compatibility exists for all results files created by MSC.Marc.
Miscellaneous (p. 38). A number of other miscellaneous enhancements have also

been added, not all of which are mentioned in these notes.
The new Preference is accessed under the main MSC.Patran Preferences pulldown
menu by selecting Analysis.
For detailed explanations of the features listed in these release notes, see the
MSC.Marc Preference Guide.
Limitations
The new Preference is called MSC.Marc and supports MSC.Marc K7, 2000 and the
new 2001 release.
• Session File Compatibility. Due to the numerous improvements in this
release, especially with respect to materials, element properties, load step,
and analysis setup, old session files that access these features are generally
incompatible.
• Database Compatibility. Old databases with MSC.Marc models should
update with no problem. Old databases which contain MSC.Patran
Advanced FEA models will be converted to the new MSC.Marc Preference.
As much data as possible will be mapped over. Please check your model
carefully as some data does not have a one-to-once corresponding object in
the MSC.Marc Preference. Contact bodies defined as master-slave become
two separate contact bodies in the MSC.Marc Preference. Not all analysis
setup parameters will map. Most materials and element properties will be
mapped across, but it is recommended to check these carefully before
submitting an analysis.
• Direct Results Access. The Compaq Tru64 UNIX (formerly Digital UNIX)
platform is no supported for this capability. You must continue to directly
import your results.
22
MSC.Marc Preference Layout

The overall layout of the Analysis
application form for the MSC.Marc Analysis
Preference has changed dramatically. For
Action: Analyze
standard nonlinear static analyses, it is
unnecessary to open any of the subordinate Object: Entire Model
forms unless certain parameters need
Method: Full Run
changing from their defaults. Thus only the
Apply button needs to be pressed to submit a
successful analysis.
Code: MSC.Marc
Three main buttons appear on the form for
analysis control and setup. The general Type: Structural
procedure is to change or set global job
parameters that stay constant for the Available Jobs
duration of an analysis using the settings
under Translation Parameters.
Under the Load Step Creation form you
define analysis load steps. Parameters that
are specific to the analysis and load stepping Job Name
procedure are defined here. As many load
Jobname
steps as you wish may be defined.
The Load Step Selection form is where you Job Description
select and order the analysis load steps for MSC.Marc job
the particular job of interest. Only those
analysis load steps selected are written to the
MSC.Marc input file in the order specified.
For example, you may wish to do a nonlinear Translation Parameters...
static analysis increasing the total load to a
certain value at which time you want to do a Load Step Creation...
modal extraction. When the modal extraction
is done, the load continues to increase to its Load Step Selection...
maximum value at which time you do
another modal extraction. This would
Apply
require four (4) Load Steps. The first is a
nonlinear static step to the first load level.
The second is a normal modes extraction
step. The third is a nonlinear static step increasing the load to its maximum. And
finally the fourth step is another normal modes extraction step.
A Default Static Step is always available with nonlinear statics being the default
procedure with adaptive load stepping. Thus, if only a single nonlinear static load step
is required, there is no need to create a load step. The Default Static Step will also
work for linear statics if only linear elastic properties have been defined.
CHAPTER 2 23
Translation Parameters
The following general parameters can be set
Translation Parameters
under this Translation Parameters form:
MSC.Marc Version: 2000
1. MSC.Marc version: This can be set to Solver Options...

K7, 2000 or 2001. This specifies the Contact Parameters...
solver version to use and dictates what Direct Text Input...
features are available. Groups to Sets...
2. Solver Options: Allows you to set the Restart Parameters...
MSC.Marc solver and optimization Adaptive Meshing...
settings. User Subroutine File...
3. Contact Parameters: Allows you to set Output File Format: 2000
general contact parameters such as Results File Type: Binary
friction, separation, and detection Assumed Strain Constant Dilitation
settings. Element Centroid Method Lumped Mass Matrix

Tolerances:
4. Direct Text Input: This feature allows Division = 1e-08
you to add any text you wish to the
Numerical = 0.0001
Parameter and/or Model Definition
Writing =
section of the input file. Thus, this 1e-08
allows you to access features of Input Data Format:
MSC.Marc that are not directly Extended Format # of Significant Digits:

6
supported through the Preference and Free Field
save them with your job setup. OK Defaults Cancel
5. Groups to Sets: Any MSC.Patran

group containing nodes and/or
elements can be converted into an MSC.Marc node or element set and
written to the input file. If you know the naming convention, you can then
reference these sets using the Direct Text Input feature.
6. Restart Parameters: You may write restart data via this feature or you may
restart from an existing jobs. When restarting, only the necessary data in the
Model Definition section is written to the input file.
7. Adaptive Meshing: This form allows you to set up an MSC.Marc adaptive
meshing analysis using either local refinement or global adaptive meshing
techniques. You simply specify which MSC.Patran groups for local
refinement or deformable bodies for global adaptive meshing you wish to be
considered for remeshing along with any necessary parameters.
8. User Subroutine File: To run an analysis with a user subroutine, you select
the subroutine file from this form or if a special MSC.Marc executable has
already been created, you may also select it here.
9. Other Parameters: Other parameters may be set such as the output file
format and type, tolerances, and general parameter settings.
24
10. Input Data Format: By default the input file is written in extended, free
format. This captures the most correct input files and is recommended that
you leave these settings ON unless you have specific needs with respect to
the format of the input file.
Analysis Load Step Setup

Analyses using the MSC.Marc Preference are Load Step Create
structured such that different analysis load steps Available Load Steps:
can be executed in the same analysis job. This Default Static Step
requires that you set up analysis Load Steps. By

default there is a Default Static Step which
should satisfy most single step linear and Load Step Name
nonlinear static analyses.

Load Step Description
Each Load Step must contain the following Default Static Step
attributes:
1. Load Step Name/Description: Give Job Step Parameters
your Load Step a distinctive name and Solution Type:
description. Static
Solution Parameters...
2. Solution Type: Solution procedures Select Load Case...
available are Statics, Normal Modes, Output Requests...
Buckling, Transient Dynamics,
Direct Text Input...
Frequency Response, Spectrum
Response, and Creep for structural Apply Delete Cancel
solution types. For thermal solution
types, Steady State Heat and Transient
Heat Transfer are available.
3. Solution Parameters: For each solution procedure, various solution
parameters can be set if the defaults are not adequate. These include things
like load and time stepping schemes, contact table definitions, iteration
parameters, element activation/deactivation, and modal extraction
parameters to name a few. These are all parameters that can change from
Load Step to Load Step.
4. Load Case: Each Load Step must have associated to it a load case. A load
case is the standard MSC.Patran load case which is a collection of loads,
boundary conditions, and contact definitions. The difference between a Load
Step and a load case is that a load case is simply a subset of a Load Step. The
Load Step contains not only the load case information but also all the other
parameters and information necessary to set up the analysis including
output requests, solution type, solution parameters, etc.
CHAPTER 2 25
5. Output Requests: For each analysis Load Step you can specify the output
that you wish to have returned to you during the analysis. This is somewhat
limited in scope in this release but is set up in this fashion for when
MSC.Marc is able to fully comply with these requests. For now, all request
are returned for each Load Step and only a limited number of items can
actually vary from Load Step to Load Step such as the interval frequency of
writing results.
6. Direct Text Input: Just as with the Parameter and Model Definition, you can
input your own information into the History section of the input file through
this Direct Text Input form for each Load Step you create. This naturally
requires that you know the MSC.Marc input file format and options well.
Once the necessary items have been set,
Step Select
press the Apply button to create the Load
Existing Job Steps:
Step. You may create as many Load Steps
as you need. Default Static Step
Static Step to Total Load
1st Modal Extraction
The Load Steps that you create must then 2nd Modal Extraction
be selected for any particular job. In the
Load Step Selection form, you select and
order the Load Steps to your specification.
In this example, a static load step is Selected Job Steps
followed by a modal extraction followed Default Static Step
by another static load step with a final 1st Modal Extraction
Static Step to Total Load
modal extraction. 2nd Modal Extraction
Apply Defaults Cancel

26
Rigid Body Contact

In the last release of MSC.Patran, major enhancements to the definition and setup of
deformable contact bodies was introduced including the contact table to specify
which bodies come in contact with which deformable bodies. In this release, efforts
were put into the definition of rigid contact bodies.
The most notable improvement is that rigid contact bodies can be defined by any
MSC.Patran geometry. The rigid contact body is written to the input deck as a NURB
surface or curve. In previous versions, the rigid contact bodies, if associated to
MSC.Patran geometry, had to be meshed. The discretized segments were then written
to the input deck as line segments or patches. If you forgot to mesh the geometry an
error occurred.
No changes to the user interface were necessary to implement this feature. You
continue to define rigid contact bodies as previously done. The only difference is
whether you define the application region of the rigid body as Geometry or FEM
(finite elements). Both options are still available. If FEM is selected, then the rigid body
is written as line segments or patches as before. If Geometry is selected, the rigid body
is written as a NURB surface or curve as long as the geometry is not associated to a
finite element mesh. If the geometry is associated to a mesh, then the rigid body is
written as line segments or patches as before. Only if no mesh is associated with the
geometry is the rigid body written as a NURB surface or curve.
CHAPTER 2 27
This example shows a before and after shot of a sheet metal forming problem where
the upper and lower dyes are defined by standard MSC.Patran geometry written as
NURB surfaces to the input deck.
Z
Y
X
8.41+01
Z
Y
X
28
Materials, Elements, and LBCs

The access to MSC.Marc material property definitions has been dramatically
increased. The following constitutive models can now be created along with their
various options:
Isotropic/Orthotropic/Anisotropic
Constitutive
2D Conditions
Model
❏ Elastic ❏ Plane Stress / Thin Shell
❏ Plane Strain / Axisymmetric
❏ Thick Shell
❏ Axisymmetric with Twist
❏ Axisymmetric Shell
❏ None (Isotropic and 3D cases)
Constitutive
Failure Criterion
Model
❏ Failure ❏ Hill
❏ Hoffman
❏ Tsai-Wu
❏ Maximum Strain
❏ Maximum Stress
Constitutive Domain
Model Number of Terms
Model Type
❏ Hyperelastic ❏ Neo-Hookean ❏ Time ❏ 1
(Isotropic Only) ❏ Mooney-Rivlin ❏ Frequency
❏ Jamus-Green-
Simpson
❏ Ogden ❏ Time ❏ 1-6
❏ Foam
❏ Arruda-Boyce ❏ Time ❏ 1
❏ Gent
Constitutive Model
❏ Viscoelastic (Isotropic and Orthotropic only)
❏ Creep
❏ Damping
❏ Thermal
CHAPTER 2 29
Isotropic/Orthotropic/Anisotropic
Constitutive Hardening Strain Rate
Type Yield Criteria
Model Rule Method
❏ Plastic ❏ Elastic-Plastic ❏ Isotropic ❏ von Mises ❏ Piecewise
❏ Kinematic ❏ Linear Mohr-Coulomb Linear
❏ Combined ❏ Parabolic Mohr-Coulomb ❏ Cowper-
Symonds
❏ Buyukozturk Concrete
❏ Oak Ridge National Lab
❏ 2-1/4 Cr-Mo ORNL
❏ Reversed Plasticity ORNL
❏ Full Alpha Reset ORNL
❏ Generalized Plasticity
❏ Power Law (Isotropic only)
❏ Rate Power Law (Isotropic only)
❏ Johnson-Cook (Isotropic only)
❏ Kumar (Isotropic only)
❏ Perfectly ❏ None ❏ von Mises ❏ Piecewise
Plastic ❏ Linear Mohr-Coulomb Linear
❏ Parabolic Mohr-Coulomb ❏ Cowper-
Symonds
❏ Buyukozturk Concrete
❏ Oak Ridge National Lab
❏ 2-1/4 Cr-Mo ORNL
❏ Reversed Plasticity ORNL
❏ Full Alpha Reset ORNL
❏ Generalized Plasticity
❏ Rigid-Plastic ❏ Power Law
(Isotropic only) ❏ Rate Power Law
❏ Johnson-Cook
❏ Kumar
❏ Piecewise ❏ None ❏ Piecewise

Linear Linear
❏ Cowper-
Symonds
The only material properties still unsupported are soils, powders and those requiring
user subroutines.
30
All MSC.Marc structural and thermal elements are now supported with the exception
of Rebar elements. Below is a table of elements, supported and unsupported, and the
valid MSC.Patran topologies.
Element # Description Dimension Topologies

❏ Element 1 Straight Axisymmetric Shell 1D Bar/2
❏ Element 2 Axisymmetric Triangular Ring 2D Tri/3
❏ Element 3 Plane Stress Quadrilateral 2D Tri3/, Quad/4
❏ Element 4 Curved Quadrilateral, Thin Shell Element 2D OBSOLETE
❏ Element 5 Beam Column 1D Bar/2

❏ Element 6 Two-Dimensional Plane Strain Triangle 2D Tri/3
❏ Element 7 Three-Dimensional Arbitrary Distorted Brick 3D Wedge/6, Hex/8
❏ Element 8 Curved Triangular Shell 2D OBSOLETE
❏ Element 9 Three-Dimensional Truss 1D Bar/2

❏ Element 10 Arbitrary Quadrilateral Axisymmetric Ring 2D Quad/4
❏ Element 11 Arbitrary Quadrilateral Plane-Strain 2D Quad/4

❏ Element 12 Friction and Gap Link Element 1D Bar/2
❏ Element 13 Open Section Thin-Walled Beam 1D Bar/2
❏ Element 14 Thin Walled Beam in Three Dimensions without 1D Bar/2

Warping
❏ Element 15 Axisymmetric Shell, Isoparametric Formulation 1D Bar/2
❏ Element 16 Curved Beam in Two-dimensions, Isoparametric 1D Bar/2
Formulation
❏ Element 17 Constant Bending, Three-node Elbow Element 1D OBSOLETE

❏ Element 18 Four-Node, Isoparametric Membrane 2D Tri/3, Quad/4
❏ Element 19 Generalized Plane Strain Quadrilateral 2D Tri/3, Quad/4
❏ Element 20 Axisymmetric Torsional Quadrilateral 2D Tri/3, Quad/4
❏ Element 21 Three-Dimensional 20-Node Brick 3D Wedge/15, Hex/20

❏ Element 22 Quadratic Thick-Shell Element 2D Tri/6, Quad/8
❏ Element 23 Three-dimensional 20-node Rebar Element 3D NOT SUPPORTED
❏ Element 24 Curved Quadrilateral Shell Element 2D NOT SUPPORTED
❏ Element 25 Thin Walled Beam in Three Dimensions 1D Bar/2
❏ Element 26 Plane Stress, Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateral 2D Quad/8

❏ Element 27 Plane Strain, Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateral 2D Quad/8
CHAPTER 2 31

❏ Element 28 Axisymmetric, Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateral 2D Quad/8
❏ Element 29 Generalized Plane Strain, Distorted Quadrilateral 2D Tri/6, Quad/8
❏ Element 30 Membrane, Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateral 2D Quad/8

❏ Element 31 Elastic Curved Pipe (Elbow) / Straight Beam 1D Bar/2
❏ Element 32 Plane Strain Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateral, 2D Quad/8
Herrmann Formulation
❏ Element 33 Axisymmetric, Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateral, 2D Quad/8
❏ Element 34 Generalized Plane Strain Distorted Quadrilateral, 2D Tri/6, Quad/8
❏ Element 35 Three-Dimensional 20-Node Brick, Herrmann 3D Wedge/15, Hex/20
Formulation
❏ Element 36 Three-Dimensional Link (Heat Transfer Element) 1D Bar/2

❏ Element 37 Arbitrary Planar Triangle (Heat Transfer Element) 2D Tri/3
❏ Element 38 Arbitrary Axisymmetric Triangle (Heat Transfer 2D Tri/3

Element)
❏ Element 39 Planar Bilinear Quadrilateral (Heat Transfer 2D Quad/4
Element)
❏ Element 40 Axisymmetric Bilinear Quadrilateral Element (Heat 2D Quad/4
Transfer Element)
❏ Element 41 Eight-Node Planar Biquadratic Quadrilateral (Heat 2D Quad/8

Transfer Element)
❏ Element 42 Eight-Node Axisymmetric Biquadratic Quadrilateral 2D Quad/8
(Heat Transfer Element)
❏ Element 43 Three-Dimensional Eight-Node Brick (Heat 3D Wedge/6, Hex/8

Transfer Element)
❏ Element 44 Three-Dimensional 20-Node Brick (Heat Transfer 3D Wedge/15, Hex/20
Element)
❏ Element 45 Curved Timoshenko Beam in a Plane 1D Bar/3
❏ Element 46 Eight-node Plane Strain Rebar Element 2D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 47 Generalized Plane Strain Rebar Element 2D NOT SUPPORTED
❏ Element 48 Eight-node Axisymmetric Rebar Element 2D NOT SUPPORTED
❏ Element 49 Finite Rotation Linear Thin Shell Element 2D Tri/6
❏ Element 50 Three-Node Linear Heat Transfer Shell Element 2D Tri/3
❏ Element 51 Cable Element 1D Bar/2
32

❏ Element 52 Elastic Beam 1D Bar/2
❏ Element 53 Plane Stress, Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateral 2D Tri/6, Quad/8
with Reduced Integration
❏ Element 54 Plane Strain, Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateral 2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 55 Axisymmetric, Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateral 2D Tri/6, Quad/8
❏ Element 56 Generalized Plane Strain, Distorted Quadrilateral 2D Tri/6, Quad/8
❏ Element 57 Three-Dimensional 20-Node Brick with Reduced 3D Wedge/15, Hex/20
Integration
❏ Element 58 Plane Strain Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateral 2D Tri/6, Quad/8
with Reduced Integration Herrmann Formulation
❏ Element 59 Axisymmetric, Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateral 2D Tri/6, Quad/8
with Reduced Integration, Herrmann Formulation
❏ Element 60 Generalized Plane Strain Distorted Quadrilateral 2D Tri/6, Quad/8

with Reduced Integration, Herrmann Formulation
❏ Element 61 Three-Dimensional, 20-Node Brick with Reduced 3D Tet/10, Wedge/15,
Integration - Herrmann Formulation Hex/20
❏ Element 62 Axisymmetric, Eight-node Quadrilateral for 2D Tri/6, Quad/8

Arbitrary Loading (Fourier)
❏ Element 63 Axisymmetric, Eight-node Distorted Quadrilateral 2D Tri/6, Quad/8
for Arbitrary Loading, Herrmann Formulation
(Fourier)
❏ Element 64 Isoparametric, Three-Node Truss 1D Bar/3
❏ Element 65 Heat Transfer Element, Three-Node Link 1D Bar/3

❏ Element 66 Eight-Node Axisymmetric Herrmann Quadrilateral 2D Tri/6, Quad/8
with Twist
❏ Element 67 Eight-Node Axisymmetric Quadrilateral with Twist 2D Tri/6,Quad/8
❏ Element 68 Elastic, Four-Node Shear Panel 2D Quad/4
❏ Element 69 Eight-Node Planar Biquadratic Quadrilateral w/ 2D Tri/6, Quad/8
Reduced Integration (Heat Transfer Element)
❏ Element 70 Eight-Node Axisymmetric Biquadrilateral with 2D Tri/6, Quad/8
Reduced Integration (Heat Transfer Element)
❏ Element 71 Three-Dimensional 20-Node Brick with Reduced 3D Wedge/15, Hex/20
Integration (Heat Transfer Element)
❏ Element 72 Bilinear Constrained Shell Element 2D Quad/8
CHAPTER 2 33

❏ Element 73 Axisymmetric, Eight-node Quadrilateral for 2D Tri/6, Quad/8
Arbitrary Loading with Reduced Integration
(Fourier)

for Arbitrary Loading, Herrmann Formulation, with
Reduced Integration (Fourier)
❏ Element 75 Bilinear Thick-Shell Element 2D Tri/3, Quad/4
❏ Element 76 Thin-Walled Beam in Three Dimensions without 1D Bar/3
Warping
❏ Element 77 Thin-Walled Beam in Three Dimensions including 1D Bar/3
Warping
❏ Element 78 Thin-Walled Beam in Three Dimensions without 1D Bar/2
Warping
❏ Element 79 Thin-Walled Beam in Three Dimensions including 1D Bar/2

Warping
❏ Element 80 Arbitrary Quadrilateral Plane Strain, Herrmann 2D Quad/4/5
Formulation
❏ Element 81 Generalized Plane Strain Quadrilateral, Herrmann 2D Tri/3, Quad/4

Formulation
❏ Element 82 Arbitrary Quadrilateral Axisymmetric Ring, 2D Quad/4/5
❏ Element 83 Axisymmetric Torsional Quadrilateral, Herrmann 2D Tri/3, Quad/4/5
Formulation
❏ Element 84 Three-Dimensional Arbitrary Distorted Brick, 3D Wedge/6/7, Hex/8/9

❏ Element 85 Four-Node Bilinear Shell (Heat Transfer Element) 2D Quad/4
❏ Element 86 Eight-Node Curved Shell (Heat Transfer Element) 2D Tri/6, Quad/8
❏ Element 87 Three-Node Axisymmetric Shell (Heat Transfer 1D Bar/3

Element)
❏ Element 88 Two-Node Axisymmetric Shell (Heat Transfer 1D Bar/2
Element)
❏ Element 89 Thick Curved Axisymmetric Shell 1D Bar/3
❏ Element 90 Thick Curved Axisymmetric Shell – for Arbitrary 1D Bar/3
Loading (Fourier)
❏ Element 91 Linear Plane Strain Semi-infinite Element. 2D Quad/4
❏ Element 92 Linear Axisymmetric Semi-infinite Element 2D Quad/4
❏ Element 93 Quadratic Plane Strain Semi-infinite Element 2D Quad/8
34

❏ Element 94 Quadratic Axisymmetric Semi-infinite Element 2D Quad/8
❏ Element 95 Axisymmetric Quadrilateral with Bending. 2D Tri/3, Quad/4

with Bending.
❏ Element 97 Special Gap and Friction Link for Bending 1D Bar/2
❏ Element 98 Elastic Beam with Transverse Shear 1D Bar/2
❏ Element 99 Heat Transfer Link Element Compatible with Beam 2D NOT SUPPORTED
Elements
❏ Element 100 Heat Transfer Link Element Compatible with Beam 2D NOT SUPPORTED
Elements
❏ Element 101 Six-node Plane Semi-infinite Heat Transfer 2D Quad/4
Element
❏ Element 102 Six-node Axisymmetric Semi-infinite Heat Transfer 2D Quad/4

Element
❏ Element 103 Nine-node Planar Semi-infinite Heat Transfer 2D Quad/8
Element
❏ Element 104 Nine-node Axisymmetric Semi-infinite Heat 2D Quad/8
Transfer Element
❏ Element 105 Twelve-node 3-D Semi-infinite Heat Transfer 3D Hex/8

Element.
❏ Element 106 Twenty-seven-node 3-D Semi-infinite Heat Transfer 3D Hex/20
Element
❏ Element 107 Twelve-node 3-D Semi-infinite Stress Element 3D Hex/8

❏ Element 108 Twenty-seven-node 3-D Semi-infinite Stress 3D Hex/20
Element
❏ Element 109 Eight-node 3-D Magnetostatic Element 3D NOT SUPPORTED
❏ Element 110 Twelve-node 3-D Semi-infinite Magnetostatic 3D NOT SUPPORTED
Element
❏ Element 111 Arbitrary Quadrilateral Planar Electromagnetic 2D NOT SUPPORTED
❏ Element 112 Arbitrary Quadrilateral Axisymmetric 2D NOT SUPPORTED

Electromagnetic Ring
❏ Element 113 Three-dimensional Electromagnetic Arbitrarily 3D NOT SUPPORTED
❏ Element 114 Plane Stress Quadrilateral, Reduced Integration 2D Tri/3, Quad/4
❏ Element 115 Arbitrary Quadrilateral Plane Strain, Reduced 2D Tri/3, Quad/4
Integration
CHAPTER 2 35

❏ Element 116 Arbitrary Quadrilateral Axisymmetric Ring, 2D Tri/3 Quad/4
Reduced Integration
❏ Element 117 Three-Dimensional Arbitrary Distorted Brick, 3D Wedge/6, Hex/8

Reduced Integration
❏ Element 118 Arbitrary Quadrilateral Plane Strain, 2D Quad/4/5
Incompressible Formulation with Reduced
Integration
❏ Element 119 Arbitrary Quadrilateral Axisymmetric Ring, 2D Quad/4/5
Incompressible Formulation with Reduced
Integration
❏ Element 120 Three-Dimensional Arbitrarily Distorted Brick, 3D Wedge/6/7, Hex/8/9
Incompressible Reduced Integration
❏ Element 121 Planar Bilinear Quadrilateral, Reduced Integration 2D Tri/6, Quad/4
(Heat Transfer Element)
❏ Element 122 Axisymmetric Bilinear Quadrilateral, Reduced 2D Tri/6, Quad/4

❏ Element 123 Three-Dimensional Eight-Node Brick, Reduced 3D Wedge/6, Hex/8

❏ Element 124 Plane Stress, Six-Node Distorted Triangle 2D Tri/6
❏ Element 125 Plane Strain, Six-Node Distorted Triangle 2D Tri/6
❏ Element 126 Axisymmetric, Six-Node Distorted Triangle 2D Tri/6

❏ Element 127 Three-Dimensional Ten-Node Tetrahedron 3D Tet/10
❏ Element 128 Plane Strain, Six-Node Distorted Triangle, 2D Tri/6

❏ Element 129 Axisymmetric, Six-Node Distorted Triangle, 2D Tri/6
❏ Element 130 Three-Dimensional Ten-Node Tetrahedron, 3D Tet/10

❏ Element 131 Planar, Six-Node Distorted Triangle (Heat Transfer 2D Tri/6
Element)
❏ Element 132 Axisymmetric, Six-Node Distorted Triangle (Heat 2D Tri/6

Transfer Element)
❏ Element 133 Three-Dimensional Ten-Node Tetrahedron (Heat 3D Tet/10
Transfer Element)
❏ Element 134 Three-Dimensional Four-Node Tetrahedron 3D Tet/4
❏ Element 135 Three-Dimensional Four-Node Tetrahedron (Heat 3D Tet/4
Transfer Element)
❏ Element 136 Six-node Wedge 3D NOT SUPPORTED
36

❏ Element 137 Six-node Wedge Heat Transfer 3D NOT SUPPORTED
❏ Element 138 Bilinear Thin-triangular Shell Element 2D Tri/3
❏ Element 139 Bilinear Thin-shell Element 2D Quad/4

❏ Element 140 Bilinear Thick-shell Element with Reduced 2D Tri/3, Quad/4
Integration
❏ Element 141 Heat Transfer Shell 2D NOT SUPPORTED
❏ Element 142 Eight-node Axisymmetric Rebar Element with Twist 2D NOT SUPPORTED
❏ Element 143 Four-node Plane Strain Rebar Element 2D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 144 Four-node Axisymmetric Rebar Element. 2D NOT SUPPORTED
❏ Element 145 Four-node Axisymmetric Rebar Element with Twist 2D NOT SUPPORTED
❏ Element 146 Three-dimensional 8-node Rebar Element 3D NOT SUPPORTED
❏ Element 147 Four-node Rebar Membrane 2D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 148 Eight-node Rebar Membrane 2D NOT SUPPORTED
❏ Element 149 Three-dimensional, Eight-node Composite Brick 3D Wed/6, Hex/8

Element
❏ Element 150 Three-dimensional, Twenty-node Composite Brick 3D Wed/15, Hex/20
Element
❏ Element 151 Quadrilateral, Plane Strain, Four-node Composite 2D Tri/3, Quad/4

Element
❏ Element 152 Quadrilateral, Axisymmetric, Four-node Composite 2D Tri/3, Quad/4

Element
❏ Element 153 Quadrilateral, Plane Strain, Eight-node Composite 2D Tri/6, Quad/8
Element
❏ Element 154 Quadrilateral, Axisymmetric, Eight-node 2D Tri/6, Quad/8
Composite Element
❏ Element 155 Plane Strain, Low-order, Triangular Element, 2D Tri/3/4
Herrmann Formulations
❏ Element 156 Axisymmetric, Low-order, Triangular Element, 2D Tri/3/4
❏ Element 157 Three-dimensional, Low-order, Tetrahedron, 3D Tet/4/5
The Loads and Boundary Conditions application has been expanded to support
distributed line loads for applying pressures on 1D elements and to better support
load application to rigid bodies. Only velocity controlled rigid body movement was
CHAPTER 2 37
previously supported in earlier versions. Now rigid body motion control can be
controlled via velocity or position specification or application of forces and/or
moments to the center of rotation.
Results Access
It is now possible to read both text (.t19) and
binary (.t16) MSC.Marc Post files in K7, 2000 Analysis
and 2001 style formats. This corresponds to Action: Read Results
Post Code revisions 7, 9, and 10 respectively.
Object: Result Entities
You may import the results directly into the
database as before or the Post file can be Method: Attach
attached as in a Direct Results Access (DRA)
attachment. This is now the default. Code: MSC.Marc
When a results file is attached, only the meta- Type: Structural

data (descriptive data of the results that exist in Study:
the Post file) are imported into the database.
The actual data remain in the Post file and are
Available Jobs
accessed when needed to postprocess. This has
the obvious benefit of not duplicating data and
keeping the database size to a minimum.
As with importing results directly into the
database, you have the same option of
accessing only results entities, only model data, or both. If you select Model Data or
Both as the Objects, then the finite element mesh and any rigid body geometry
defined as NURB surfaces will be imported into the database.
The attachment can be removed by setting the Action to Delete and the Object to
Results Attachment.
Caution: You must detach the attachment before you can run a job with the same
jobname, or MSC.Marc will not run properly because it thinks the file is
in use. Either detach it or quit MSC.Patran before submitting the job a
second time.
Note: DRA does not support the Compaq Tru64 UNIX (formerly Digital UNIX)
hardware platform. You must use the Results | Import options instead.
38
Miscellaneous
It is now possible to submit an analysis to
Analysis
MSC.Marc if the input deck already exists. To
use this functionality, set the Object to Existing Action: Analyze
Deck in the Analysis application. The jobname
Object: Existing Deck
must be the name of the existing deck and it
must exist in the local directory. A button has Method: Full Analysis
been added to allow you to edit the deck also if
necessary using an editor. Code: MSC.Marc
A very simple monitoring ability has been Type: Structural

implemented also. Set the Action to Monitor Study:
and you will be able to view status, log, and
output files in your local directory. You may Available Jobs
periodically view these files as the job
progresses or when the job has finished. The
editor of choice is “vi” on UNIX and “notepad”
on Windows, but can be changed by setting the
environment variable P3_EDITOR to the
executable name of choice; it must reside in
your path. This also works for editing an
existing deck as described above.
CHAPTER 2 39
2.2 MSC.Nastran Preference Enhancements

As part of a continuing effort to provide an efficient and full function modeling and
analysis simulation environment, the interoperability between MSC.Patran and the
MSC.Nastran solver has been enhanced in several areas, detailed below.
Complex Tabular Fields Enhancement

Overview
The capacity to create complex scalar (non-spatial) fields has been added to
MSC.PATRAN for use with the MSC.Patran - MSC.Nastran Structural Analysis
Preference. Complex scalar fields may be referenced by applied loads and boundary
conditions for frequency domain solutions (direct and modal frequency response).
These fields describe excitation (relative to a datum) and allows you to input
frequency dependent magnitude and phase information.
Benefits
MSC.Patran support for complex scalar fields enables the use of MSC.Nastran
RLOAD1 and RLOAD2 (bdf statement) forms of frequency dependent loading. The
fields can be specified in several formats: Magnitude/Phase or Real/Imaginary. Phase
(phase angle) can be specified in degrees or radians and magnitude can be specified
on a linear or log scale. This form of excitation description may be of particular value
for engineers interested in test data correlation and experimental data recovery and
reduction.
Access
This feature is available as follows:
• Select the MSC.Nastran - Structural Preference
• Activate the Fields application
• Select Non-Spatial
• Select Complex Scalar
• Select desired format and input the data
Using The Feature

The Fields created will have their titles available in the LBC list box when a transient
solution has been requested from within Analysis / Solution Type. They may then be
referenced by enforced motion, applied force, and applied pressure LBCs.
Important: MSC.Patran does not distinguish between non-spatial field types (time
domain vs. frequency domain). Therefore, you have the potential to
40
incorrectly apply a time dependent field to a load in a frequency

domain solution or a frequency dependent field to a load in a time
domain solution. There is no error message for this condition, therefore,
it is in your best interest to use appropriately descriptive naming
conventions when creating the fields.
An example of the field creation forms is shown below.
Fields
Action: Create Non Spatial Complex Scalar Table Data
Non Spatial Complex Data Format

Object:
Method: Tabular Input ◆Real-Imaginary ◆Magnitude-Phase (radians)

◆
Existing Fields
◆Magnitude-Phase (degrees)
◆
Input Complex Data
Freq(f) Real Value Imaginary Value
Field Name 1 0.00000E+000 0.00000E+000 0.00000E+000
2 1.00000E+000 2.00000E+000 2.05490E+000
Scalar Field Type 2.00000E+000 4.00000E+000 4.08980E+000

3
◆ Real ◆Complex
◆ 4 3.00000E+000 6.00000E+000 6.10460E+000
Table Definition
5 4.00000E+000 8.00000E+000 8.13951E+000
Active Independent Variables
(Limit = 3) 6 5.00000E+000 10.00000E+000 1.01743E+001
Time (t)
Frequency (f)
Map Function to Table...
Temperature (T)
OK
Displacement (u)
Velocity (v)
User-Defined (UD)
Input Data ...
[Options...]
-Apply-
8.000
8.000
8.000
8.000 8.000
8.000 8.000
8.000 8.000
Y 8.000
X 8.000
Z 8.000
CHAPTER 2 41
The fields created can be visualized in X-Y plot format.

42
HyperElastic Materials
MSC.Patran 2001 now allows the entry of hyperelastic material properties for use with
MSC.Nastran. This new capability supports the following MSC.Nastran input file
definitions: MATHP, PLPLANE and PLSOLID. A new Constitutive Material Model is
now available. Options are provided for:
• Compressibility
• Data Type
• Strain Energy Potential
• Polynomial Order
Property Data is input in Field or Scalar format as required.
To Create a New Constitutive Model with Hyperelastic Properties

■ Access the Materials Application form from the Main menu.
■ Set Action>>Create, Object>>Isotropic, and Method>>Manual Input.
■ Select the Input Properties button.

This brings up the Input Properties subform shown below.
■ From the Constitutive Model pulldown menu, select Hyperelastic.
This example shows the Input Options form having specified Test Data as the Input
Type for a Mooney Rivlin material model.
Input Options
Constitutive Model: Hyperelastic
Compressibility: Nearly Incompressible
Data Type: Test Data
Strain Energy Potential: Mooney Rivlin
Order of Polynomial: 1
Property Name Value
Tension/Compression TAB1 =
Equibiaxial Tension TAB2 =
Simple Shear Data TAB3 =
Pure Shear Data TAB4 =
Pure Vol. Compression TABD =

CHAPTER 2 43
Alternatively, this example shows the Input Options form having specified
Coefficient as the Data Type for a Mooney Rivlin material model.
Constitutive Model: Hyperelastic
Compressibility: Nearly Incompressible
Data Type: Coefficients
Strain Energy Potential: Mooney Rivlin
Order of Polynomial: 1
Property Name Value
Distortional Def. Coef. A10 =
Distortional Def. Coef. A01 =
Vol. Deformation Coef. D1 =
Density RHO =
Vol. Thermal Exp. Coef. AV =
Reference Temp. TREF =
Structural Damp. Coeff GE =
Current Constitutive Models:
OK Clear Cancel
44
Nonlinear Normal Modes/Buckling Support

Support has been added for MSC.Patran 2001 to setup MSC.Nastran nonlinear normal
modes or buckling analysis. Examples of this analysis type include normal mode
analysis of a prestressed structure, or buckling analysis of a prestressed structure.
Examples are shown below.
To Setup a MSC.Nastran Nonlinear Normal Modes or Buckling Analysis
■ Access the Analysis Application from by pressing the Analysis button on the Main menu.
■ Select the Subcases button.

This brings up the Subcase Parameters input form shown in the following
examples.
Pre-Stiffened Normal Modes

The requirement to have a structure pre-stiffened by static loads when evaluating
normal modes is very common. Thin walled pressure vessels and truss structures
with significant dead loading are typical examples. MSC.Nastran now permits
solution in one subcase using SOL 106.
• MSC.Patran V2001 provides input Data Support
• NLPARM and NMLOOP set automatically
• Requires a Pre-Load to be setup in the Load Case definition
Subcase Parameters Subcase Parameters
Static Nonlinear Iterations REAL EIGENVALUE EXTRACTION
Number of Load Increments = 10

Extraction Method: Lanczos
Matrix Update Method: Automatic
Frequency Range of Interest
Number of Iterations per Update = 5
Lower =
Allowable Iterations per Increment = 25

Upper =
Convergence Criteria
Estimated Number of Roots = 100
Displacement Error
Number of Desired Roots = 10
Displacement Tolerance =
Diagnostic Output Level: 0
Load Error
Results Normalization
Load Tolerance = Normalization Method: Mass
Work Error
Normalization Point =
Work Tolerance = Normalization Component: 1
Arc-Length Method ... Number of Modes in Error Analysis =
Normal Modes Buckling 10
Activate Normal Modes Buckling Dynamic Reduction...

from
Subcase OK Cancel OK Cancel
Parameters
CHAPTER 2 45
Nonlinear Buckling
For many structures it is required to investigate the full nonlinear buckling response,
beyond the linear buckling solution. MSC.Nastran now permits nonlinear buckling
solution in one subcase using SOL 106.
• MSC.Patran V2001 provides Input Data Support
• NLPARM and NMLOOP set automatically
• PARAM,BUCKLE,2 set automatically
• User Selection of
• Arc Length Method
• Stiffness Update Method
• Convergence Criteria
Large Displacement and Follower Force options are set via Solution Parameters.
Solution Type Solution Parameters

MSC.Nastran Nonlinear Static Solution Parameters
Solution Type
Automatic Constraints
Solution Type:
Large Displacements
LINEAR STATIC
NONLINEAR STATIC Follower Forces
NORMAL MODES
BUCKLING Mass Calculation: Lumped
COMPLEX EIGENVALUE
Data Deck Echo: None
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
TRANSIENT RESPONSE
Plate Rz Stiffness Factor = 100.0
NONLINEAR TRANSIENT
Maximum Printed Lines = 999999999
Maximum Run Time = 600
Wt.-Mass Conversion = 1.0

Solution Parameters...
Node i.d. for Wt. Gener. =
Solution Sequence: 106
OK Defaults Cancel
OK Cancel
46
Enforced Motion Support for MSC.Nastran

Overview
Coinciding with a new implementation of enforced motion in MSC.Nastran,
MSC.Patran is providing, in Release 2001, support for both the generation of enforced
motion input to MSC.Nastran and the reading of Nastran input files that contain
enforced motion specifications. This feature allows for individual degrees of freedom
or for entire regions of a structural model to be externally excited according to a
prescribed distribution of displacement, velocity, or acceleration histories or
frequency spectra. Enforced motion loading can be used in combination with other
types of external loading for direct or modal transient analyses, direct or modal
frequency response analyses, or static analyses. In the case of static analysis, only
enforced displacements are admissible.
Benefits
The primary benefit of this new feature is to extend the range of admissible loadings
that can be applied to a structural model using MSC.Nastran as the solver. In the past,
while MSC.Nastran provided a means of applying enforced motion called the large
mass method, this was a difficult method to apply, it contained limitations, and it was
not supported by MSC.Patran.
As an additional benefit, enforced motions were implemented in MSC.Patran in such
a way that, while a particular component of enforced motion could be prescribed with
respect to any coordinate system, the existing analysis coordinate system of the node
to which the enforced motion is applied is not to be changed merely because a
mismatch of coordinate system ID may exist. Instead, the reference coordinate system
of the enforced motion is transformed into alignment with the analysis coordinate
system of the node, and applied in that coordinate system. If alignment of the two
coordinate systems is not possible, the analysis coordinate system of the node is still
not changed. Instead, the enforced motion is not applied, an error flag is set, and the
node is placed in an MSC.Patran group that contains all nodes for which a
misalignment error has been detected. At the end of the translation, you are asked
whether MSC.Patran should modify the analysis coordinate systems of all of the
nodes in the group to match the coordinate systems of their respective enforced
motions. You can decline this service, and manually provide another solution while
preserving the existing analysis coordinate systems if you so choose.
Still another benefit is realized by the simultaneous implementation of “LBC
Priorities” in conjunction with the introduction of enforced motion into the
MSC.Nastran analysis preference. “LBC Priorities” is a feature of MSC.Patran that has
existed for a number of releases with respect to analysis preferences other than
MSC.Nastran, but had not been implemented within the MSC.Nastran preference
prior to release 2001. This is a feature that enables you to specify how load
specification conflicts should be resolved in the event that multiple specifications are
applied to the same degree of freedom. The choices available in the MSC.Nastran
CHAPTER 2 47
preference in release 2001 include “Add”, “Average”, and “Priority”. Load

specifications are considered to be in conflict only if they are of related types. For
example, if a particular node were to be assigned an enforced displacement history for
its x-component, and also a prescribed temperature history, this would not be
regarded as a conflict. It is admissible to specify both the temperature for a particular
node and a set of displacement components for one or more of its degrees of freedom.
However, if two displacement histories were to be prescribed, then a conflict has been
identified, and you must resolve the conflict. If you have specified that the conflict
should be settled according to a numerical priority value, the displacement with the
lowest numerical value of priority is selected, and all others are rejected. If the “Add”
option is in force, then all specifications are added together, and if “Average” is
specified, after adding them together they are divided by the number of specifications.
The implementation of the “Add” and “Average” options in such a way that they can
be applied to dynamic analyses presented an additional challenge in that the
specifications are most likely to be in the form of dissimilar time histories or frequency
spectra. In addition, the frequency spectra may be real or complex, and if complex,
may be specified in terms of real and imaginary parts or as combinations of
magnitude and phase. These dissimilar time histories or response spectra must be
added together, often resulting in a new time history or response spectrum containing
the combined set of all time or frequency values contained in the entire set of
contributing histories or spectra. Furthermore, displacement histories and velocity
histories are considered similar for the purpose of identifying boundary condition
conflicts. It is not permissible to specify both a prescribed displacement history and a
prescribed velocity history to the same degree of freedom. If such a conflict is
encountered, and if the specified means of conflict resolution is specified as “Add” or
“Average”, then all enforced motions applied to the given degree of freedom are
integrated down to the lowest common differential order before being combined.
Thus if a displacement history and an acceleration history are found to be in conflict,
the acceleration history is numerically integrated twice to become an equivalent
displacement history, and then combined with the other displacement history.
Finally, some additional data checking was implemented to search for instances
where degrees of freedom to which enforced motions have been assigned may have
also been specified as dependent members of multipoint constraints (MPCs). It is not
legal to assign a prescribed displacement history to a degree of freedom that is a
dependent member of an MPC relationship. When such a conflict is found, the
enforced motion is not applied, and the node is placed in a group that contains all of
the nodes for which a conflict between a boundary constraint and an MPC
relationship has been found. At the end of the translation, you are informed that such
conflicts have been found, and that the constraints for those cases have not been
applied. You are then asked whether the job should be submitted to MSC.Nastran for
analysis. If you respond that it should, and if there are no errors of any other type that
have been detected, then the job will proceed.
48
Accessing the New Feature

Enforced motions are applied under the “Loads/BCs” menu in the MSC.Patran
graphical user interface. Options have been added to the MSC.Nastran preference to
allow the specification of velocity or acceleration histories or spectra, and the
displacement option has always been present. Data entry consists of specifying a
vector, which may be a vector field, representing the magnitude of the translational
part of the enforced motion specification and a corresponding field representing the
time history or the response spectrum. If this field represents a response spectrum, it
may be complex. One can also enter another vector or vector field representing the
rotational components of the enforced motion, and a time or frequency field
representing the variation of the rotational components. While MSC.Patran allows the
specification of different time or frequency fields for the translational and rotational
specifications, this practice has not been fully tested, and is not recommended.
Instead, two different LBC specifications should be entered, one for the translational
components and the other for the rotational components. It is far more likely that all
of the components of the specified enforced motion will have distinct time histories or
frequency spectra, and in this event the user has no choice but to enter each
component as an individual LBC. In addition to specifying the magnitude and
variation of each enforced motion, you may specify a reference coordinate system for
the vector components, and he must specify an application region, which may be in
the form of a list of nodes or a portion of model geometry.
To Specify Enforced Motions and Related Time History or Response Spectrum

■ Access the Loads/BCs Application form by pressing the Loads/BCs button on the Main
menu.
■ Select the Input Data button.

This brings up the Input Data form shown below.
CHAPTER 2 49
Specify a vector
representing the
magnitude
Assign a corresponding
field representing the
time history or response
spectrum
The LBC priorities are accessed from the “Load Case” menu, and the priorities may be
different for different load cases within the same job. To set the priorities for an
existing load case, select the load case from the list of existing load cases, and the
“Assign/Prioritize LoadsBCs” form pops into view. If the load sets for this load case
have not been prioritized previously, they will all be set to the default value of “Add”.
If you click on the priority cell for one of the load set entries in the load case table, if it
is a load set for which LBC Priorities have been implemented, three buttons, labeled
“Avg.”, “Add”, and “Value” appear. Hitting the buttons labeled “Avg.” or “Add” sets
the priority to the corresponding value for that load set. Hitting the “Value” button
sets the priority to a value representing a number one higher than the highest number
for all load sets in its category. The value can be changed to any currently unused
value in its category by editing the value in the “Input Priority” listbox. If the LBC type
is one for which LBC Priorities have not been implemented, then the features
described above will not take place. In general, LBC Priorities have been implemented
for boundary conditions that are typically assigned to nodes, and not implemented for
boundary conditions typically assigned to element faces. This distinction was made
50
because it is much less likely to encounter unintended boundary condition conflicts

on element faces. For nodes, on the other hand, which can exist on multiple geometric
entities in the model, such as the junction of two surfaces, conflicts are commonplace.
An exception to this rule exists for discrete forces, which are typically applied to
nodes. LBC Priorities were not implemented for discrete forces, also with the
assumption that anytime a force is intentionally applied to a node it is intended that
it should be added to whatever other forces are also applied to that node. Since “Add”
is the default conflict resolution option, it was deemed less important that LBC
Priorities should be enabled for multiple specifications of discrete loads.
The behavior of session files, created in previous MSC.Patran versions, can be affected
by changes made to LBC implementation in the MSC.Nastran analysis integration
preference described above. The issue can arise when there is a conflict between the
analysis coordinate id (CID) assigned to a node, and the reference CID of an LBC to
be apply to that node. In the past, it was assumed that the LBC reference frame was
the intended reference, and MSC.Patran would change the node analysis CID to be the
same as the LBC reference CID. Starting with MSC.Patran 2001, the LBC (for example,
a displacement vector) will be transformed into the node analysis CID without
changing the analysis CID definition of the node.
Input File Reader Enhancements

Support for the reading of new model setup definitions within MSC.Nastran has been
enhanced. Additional model entities, parameters and case control input statements
can be imported from the MSC.Nastran input file.
The following new model definitions are now supported:
BCONP
BFRIC
BLSEG
BOUTPUT
BWIDTH
CQUADX
CTRIAX
DLOAD
DOPTPRM
DYNRED
EIGB
EIGC
EIGR
EIGRL
CHAPTER 2 51
FREQ
FREQ1
FREQ2
FREQ3
FREQ4
FREQ5
LSEQ
MATHP
MPCADD
NLPARM
NLPCI
PARAM
PLPLANE
PLSOLID
RLOAD1
RLOAD2
SESET
TEMPD
TIC
TLOAD1
TLOAD2
TSTEP
TSTEPNL
The following new setup parameters are now supported:

AUTOSPC
ALTRED
COUPMASS
G
GRDPNT
INREL
K6ROT
LGDISP
NASPRT
52
NOCOMPS
POST
PRTMAXIM
WTMASS
W3
W4
PRGPST
SIGMA
TABS
DDRMM
CHECKOUT
MSC.Nastran FREQ5 Output Frequency Response

Specification
The forward translator now supports MSC.Nastran FREQ5. This is to say that you can
now input FREQ5 specifications into the solution parameters forms of the MSC.Patran
analysis menu, and translate these specifications into entries in the bulk data file. You
can not read FREQ5 commands into the bdf reader.
Residual Vector Control

Param Resvec
A toggle has been added to activate Param Resvec in the appropriate solution control
forms.
CHAPTER 2 53
2.3 MSC.Dytran Preference Enhancements

MSC.Patran Version 2001 contains enhancements to the MSC.Dytran analysis
preference. More complete documentation is available in the MSC.Patran
MSC.Dytran Preference Guide.
A brief overview is provided below:
• RUPTURE and SPOTWELD options added to BJOIN LBC
• Rigid Body Object added to LBCs
• Spotwelds support (PWELD, PWELD1 and PWELD2) for 1D element
properties
• Support for Predefined HL Beam (PBEAML)
• Support for Composite Beam (PBCOMP)
• Update Hughes-Liu beams with offset vector and offset of neutral axis
• New materials: Soil (DYMAT25), Tait Cavitation Model (DMAT) and Foam
with Hysteresis (FOAM2)
• Add beam post processing tool to preference
• Automated Stiffener/Spotweld tool creation
• Support for Direct Text Input
• Unwanted automatically created new groups not posted to viewport during
results reading
• Modify filename assignment while reading contact THS for XY plotting
Loads & Boundary Conditions

Bjoin
In the loads and boundary conditions, the already existing BJOIN was extended with
new options PWELD (Spotweld) and PWELD1 (Rupture).
54
Spotweld:
Input Data
Type of Failure criterion: Bjoin option: Spotweld
Spotweld
Default (write blank)
Equivalence at time 0 Options: Yes
No
Default
Multiple Breakable Joins

Default Options: Yes
No
Tolerance
Tension Failure
Compression Failure
Shear Failure
Torque Failure
Additional databoxes:
- Bending Failure
- Total Force Failure
- Total Moment Failure
- Time of Failure
OK Reset
CHAPTER 2 55
Rupture:
Input Data
Type of Failure criterion: Bjoin Option:Rupture

Rupture
Equivalence at time 0 Options: Yes
No
Default
Multiple Breakable Joins

Default Options: Yes
No
Beam Position
Default
Tolerance Upper
Options: Mid
Lower
Tension Failure/Length
Compression Failure/Length
Shear Failure/Length
Torque Failure/Length
Additional databoxes:
- Bending Failure/Length
- Total Force Failure/Length
- Total Moment Failure/Length
OK Reset - Time of Failure
56
Rigid Body Object

Under the MSC.Dytran preference, you can now either constrain a rigid body or apply
force at the center of gravity (C.G.) of the rigid body object. This new LBC addition
will allow you to 1.) constrain the rigid body, 2.) give a predefined velocity field, or 3.)
put force and moment at the C.G. of the rigid body object.
Input Data
Load/BC Set Scale Factor
1.0
Filter Specification
*
Filter
Select a Rigid Material List of existing MATRIG materials

User can select only one Material
name
List of existing non-spatial fields

Rigid Body Constraint Time Dependent Fields
UX RX Toggles for constraining the rigid

body on its cog. When toggling on
UY RY
one direction, it will put a zero on
UZ RZ the appropriate place in the velocity
vector field. Any existing value will
Enforced Transl. Vel. Vector * Time Dependence be overwritten. When toggling off
the value will be overwritten by a
<,,>
blank.
Enforced Rot. Vel. Vector * Time Dependence
<,,>
Force Vector * Time Dependence

<,,>
Moment Vector * Time Dependence

<,,>
OK Reset
CHAPTER 2 57
Application Region:
Application Region
Geometry Filter
Geometry FEM
Rigid Reference Point Only a single Point ID

or Node ID is allowed. All
other input/selections are
automatically omitted.
OK
58
Element Properties
Spotwelds
A new 1D element, Spotwelds, has been added to the MSC.Dytran preference under
the Element Properties Application form/Create>>1D Spotweld. Three element
formulations are available:
1. PWELD: regular spotwelds
2. PWELD1: spotwelds on a stiffener
3. PWELD2: spotwelds for modeling delamination and peeling
The following examples show the actual Input Property forms for these three element
formulations.
PWELD: Regular Spotwelds.
Input Properties
Spotweld Prop (CROD)
Property Name Value Value Type
[Fail. Tension] Real Scalar
[Fail. Compression] Real Scalar
[Fail. Shear] Real Scalar
[Fail. Torque] Real Scalar
[Fail. Bending] Real Scalar
[Fail. Tot. Force] Real Scalar
[Fail. Tot. Moment] Real Scalar
[Failure Time] Real Scalar
OK
CHAPTER 2 59
PWELD1: Spotwelds on a Stiffener
Input Properties
Rupture Spotweld Prop (CROD)
[Fail. Tension/Length] Real Scalar
[Fail. Compression/Leng] Real Scalar
[Fail. Shear/Length] Real Scalar
[Fail. Torque/Length] Real Scalar
[Fail. Bending/Length] Real Scalar
[Fail. Tot. Force/Lengt] Real Scalar
[Fail. Tot. Moment/Leng] Real Scalar
[Failure Time] Real Scalar Upper

Mid
Lower
[Beam Position] String
OK
60
PWELD2: Spotwelds to Model Delamination and Peeling:
Input Properties
Delamination/Peeling (CROD)
[Fail. Tension/Length] Real Scalar
[Fail. Compression/Leng] Real Scalar
[Fail. Shear/Length] Real Scalar
[Fail. Torque/Length] Real Scalar
[Fail. Bending/Length] Real Scalar
[Fail. Tot. Force/Lengt] Real Scalar
[Fail. Tot. Moment/Leng] Real Scalar
[Failure Time] Real Scalar
OK
Beams
New types of beams have been added to the preference:
CHAPTER 2 61
1. Predefined HL Beam (PBEAML):
Predefined HL Beam (CBEAM/PBEAM

Mat Prop Name Name from Beam

Material Name Library
Section Name na: Properties

Node
Options Vector
Bar Orientation Vector
[Offset Definition] String
[Offset @ Node 1] Vector Options: Global

Local
Vector
[Offset @ Node 2]
Click here to access

Standard Beam
-none- Library Tool menu
Associate Beam Section
OK
62
2. Composite Beam (PBCOMP)
Input Properties
Lumped Section (CBEAM/PBCOMP)
Material Name Mat Prop Name
Real Scalar Node

Cross Section Area Options Vector
Vector
Bar Orientation
Global
String Options Local
[Offset Definition]
[Offset @ Node 1] Vector
[Offset @ Node 2] Vector
Options:
Symmetry Option String
No Symmetry
YZ Symmetry
Y Symmetry
Ys of Lumped Areas Real List
Z Symmetry
Y=Z Symmetry
Zs of Lumped Areas Real List
Area Factors Real List
OK
In addition to the above two new beam types, the input properties form of the
Hughes-Liu Beam (PBEM1) has been updated to support offset vector and offset of
neutral axis.
CHAPTER 2 63
Material Properties
1. Soil DYMAT25:
Input Options
Constitutive Model: Soil (DYMAT25)
Only Lagrangian
Valid For: Lagrangian Solid Elements
Vectorization Flag: Fully Iterative
Vector Options:
Property Name Value
Full Iteration
Density = Vectorized
Shear Modulus =
Bulk Modulus =
Failure Parameter ALPHA =
Failure Lin. Coef. THETA =
Failure Exp. Coef. GAMMA =
Failure Exponent BETA =
Cap, Surface Axis Ratio R =
Hardening Law Exp. D =
Hardening Law Coef. W =
Hardening Law Exp. X0 =
Kin. Hardening Coef. CBAR =
Kin. Hardening Coef. N =

Tension Cutoff Stress =
Quadratic Visc. Coeff. =
Linear Visc. Coeff. =
OK Clear Cancel
64
2. Tait Cavitation Model:
Input Options
Constitutive Model: Tait Cavitation Model (DMAT)
Eulerian Solid (hydro)
Valid For: Eulerian Solid (Hydro) only
Viscosity: Off Viscosity Options:
On
Property Name Value Off
Density =
Constant A0 =
Constant A1 =
Constant Gamma =
Critical Density =
OK Clear Cancel
CHAPTER 2 65
3. Foam with Hysteresis Damping (FOAM2):

Lagrangian Solid Only
Constitutive Model: Foam with Hysteresis (FOAM2) Pressure Variation Options:

Pressure vs Crush
Valid For: Lagrangian Solid Pressure vs Vol Strain
Pressure Variation: Pressure vs Crush Factor
Cut-off Stress Option
Cut-Off Stress: Minimum Stress Minimum Stress
Unloading Option: Quadratic Unloading Stress for Tensile Failure
Include Strain Rates Effects: Yes Unloading Options:

Quadratic
Property Name Value Linear
Exponential
Density =
Stress Strain Effects
Shear Modulus = Yes/No
Bulk Modulus =
Name of this field
Pressure vs Crush Factor = equals the value of
option Pressure Variation
Cut-off Stress =
Energy Dissipation Factor =
Stress vs Strain Rate Factor =
Quadratic Visc. Coeff. =

Only appears when
Stress strain effects is
Linear Visc. Coeff. = set to Yes
OK Clear Cancel
66
Analysis
1. Special Features/Beam Postprocessing:
Beam Post Process

Result Selection
Result Cases List of Result Cases
User can select only one result case
Results #1, Cycle 0, Time 0.0000
Available Results
List of qualified variables
TXX Only certain variables can be
postprocessed. See Dytran Users
Manual under Sublayer Variables.
Display Options
Fringe can be plotted in current
Display in "Beam" Viewport Viewport or a new viewport will be
opened
Display in Current Viewport
In case a Beam Viewport was selected

Auto Tile Viewport(s) user has option to automatically Tile all
opened viewports
Auto Execute
Select Beam(s)
Select beams to be postprocessed
Show Min/Max Label
Show Fringe Label
Press this button to get rid off of all

Reset Graphics changes from this postprocessing
tool
Apply Cancel
CHAPTER 2 67
2. Special Features / Spotweld/Stiffener Tool / Create / Stiffener.

Automated Stiffener/Spotweld creation:
Spotweld/Stiffener Tool
Action: Create
Object: Stiffener
Stiffener Definition
Existing Beam Props
List of existing beam property
definitions
Property Name Selected name from beam property

list or name of new beam property
Spotweld Definition
Options:
Simple (PWELD) Simple spotweld (PWELD)
Stiffener spotweld (PWELD2)
Existing PWELD Props
List of existing spotweld property
definitions
Property Name
Select either a name from the spotweld
property list or enter a new spotweld
property name
Application Region...
Apply Cancel
Once you hit the Apply button, beams will be created along the shell edges as defined
by the application region. Additionally, you will notice the following:
1. A new simple beam with default values will be created when a new Beam
Property Name is provided. Otherwise, all newly created beams will be
grouped under the existing beam property name.
68
2. All newly created beams will be connected to the shell edges with zero
length spotwelds (CROD’s). Just like simple beams, a new spotweld with
zero value will be created when a new Spotweld Property name is provided.
Otherwise, all newly created spotwelds will be grouped under the existing
spotweld property name.
CHAPTER 2 69
Application Region Type 1: 2 End Points

The 2 End Points option allows you to select shell element edges by specifying the
starting and ending nodes. All shell element edges that lie between the Starting Node
and the Ending Node will be automatically selected. The shortest distance between
the shell edges will also be calculated.
Select Beam Path

Longitudinal Info.
Option: 2 End Points
Select End Nodes
Starting Node
Ending Node
Add Remove
Selected Element Edges
List of shell edges
Clear
OK
70
Application Region Type 2: Element Edges

The Element Edges option allows you to discretely select all desired shell element
edges.
Select Beam Path

Longitudinal Info.
Option: Element Edges
Select Edges
Element Edge
Add Remove
List of shell edges
Clear
OK
CHAPTER 2 71
Application Region Type 3: Node List

The Node List option allows you to select shell element edges by specifying the node
list. All shell element edges that lie between the nodes will be automatically selected.
Select Beam Path

Longitudinal Info.
Option: Node List
Select Nodes
Node List
Add Remove
List of shell edges
Clear
OK
72
Special Features / Spotweld/Stiffener Tool/ Create / Skin:

Spotweld/Stiffener Tool
Action: Create
Object: Skin
Skin Definition
Existing Quad Props
List of existing quad property
definitions
Property Name Selected name from quad property
Spotweld Definition
Option:
Delamination (PWELD2) Delamination spotweld (PWELD2)
Existing PWELD2 Props

List of existing spotweld property
definitions
Property Name
Selected name from spotweld
property list or new spotweld
property
Application Region...
Apply Cancel
Once you hit the Apply button, quads will be created along the solid faces as defined
by the application region. Additionally, you will notice the following:
1. A new Default Pshell with default values will be created when a new
Property Name is provided. Otherwise, all newly created quads will be
grouped under the existing quad property name.
CHAPTER 2 73
2. All newly created quads will be connected with the solid faces with zero
length spotwelds (CROD’s). Just like Default Pshell, a new spotweld with
zero value will be created when a new Spotweld Property name is provided.
Otherwise, all newly created spotwelds will be grouped under the existing
spotweld property name.
Application Region Skin tool:

Select Application Region
Skin Location
Select Element Faces
Face List
Faces of solid elements
can be selected
Add Remove
Selected Element Faces
Reset Region
OK
74
Analyze/Direct Text Input:
Direct Text Input
Bulk Data Section
File Management Section FMS Write To Input Deck

Executive Control Section EXEC Write To Input Deck
Case Control Section
CASE Write To Input Deck
Bulk Data Section
BULK Write To Input Deck
OK Clear Reset Cancel
This form allows you to enter text which will be written directly into one of the
following sections of the input file after pressing the Apply button.
• File Management Section
• Executive Control Section
• Case Control Section
• Bulk Data Section
CHAPTER 2 75
Results
Group Creation/Posting Enhancement
In the previous release of the MSC.Dytran preference, one or more new groups will be
created and posted to the current viewport during the reverse translation process
(either reading in model or result data). For v2001, the new groups will be
automatically posted to the viewport only when model data are imported. The new
groups are still being created and populated during the results import process, but
just not posted to the current viewport. However, you still have the option to post
these new groups manually under Group/Post menu.
Modify Filename Assignment While Reading Contact THS for XY

Plotting.
Change the file naming convention when importing THS files into MSC.Patran in the
following way:
Old Curve Name: th_DMIN_co_1.curve1
where:
"th_" = a constant and always present
"DMIN" = the variable being plotted
"co" = an abbreviation for "Contact"
"1" = a monotonically increasing integer assigned in the order in which the
contacts are encountered
"curve1" = an arbitrary string assigned when the curves are read from the ".ths" file.
The curve number is a monotonically increasing integer assigned in the
order in which the curves are encountered.
Because of the arbitrarily assigned integers in the above generated names, it was very
difficult to correlate an output curve with the input data that it represents. The user
had no control over the assignment of these arbitrary numbers.
New Curve Name: DMIN_CONTACT_5_CONT_DIS_3PLATE.curve1
where:
"DMIN" = the variable being plotted
"CONTACT" = a master contact curve. Other possibilities here include "COSLAVE"
for a slave contact, or "COTOTAL" for the sum of the master and
slave contacts.
“5” = the contact number from the input deck that the user has assigned
to this contact.
76
“CONT_DIS” = the user assigned case name.

“3PLATE” = the name job name of this run. Note that only that part of the job
name up to the first underscore character will be used here. Any
additional characters in the job name will be ignored.
“curve1” = an arbitrary identifier assigned by MSC.Patran in the order in
which the curves are read from the archive file. This number will
make the curve names unique if the same archive file is read in
more than once.
The new curve naming convention enables you to find the results for the curves they
are interested in quickly and without having to guess or refer back to the original
input deck.
CHAPTER 2 77
2.4 LS-DYNA3D Preference Enhancements

MSC.Patran Version 2001 contains enhancements to the LS-DYNA analysis
preference. More complete documentation is available in the MSC.Patran LS-DYNA
Preference Guide.
A brief overview is provided below:
Support for composite laminate material
Support for *SET keywords
Support for *DATABASE keywords
Reject and error file created by the reader
Support for composite materials
The following cards required for LS-DYNA to run composite analysis, are supported
for both the reader and the writer of the preference.
*MAT_ENHANCED_COMPOSITE_DAMAGE
*INTEGRATED_SHELL
*SECTION_SHELL
*PART
78
This subordinate form appears when Composite is the object on the Material form,
and Laminate is the selected method.
Laminated Composite
Stacking Sequence Convention Offset
Total
Stacking Sequence Definition: Select an Existing Material.
Material Name Thickness Orientation
Insert Material Names Text Entry Mode Delete Selected Rows

Insert
◆ Material Names
◆
◆ Thicknesses
◆
◆ Orientations
Load Text Into Spreadsheet
Show Laminate Properties... Clear Text and Data Boxes
Support for *SET Keywords

Users are able to create groups of nodes and elements from the corresponding *SET
keywords. The following *SET entries are supported for both reader and writer of the
LS-DYNA preference.
*SET_NODE
*SET_BEAM
*SET_SHELL
*SET_TSHELL
CHAPTER 2 79
*SET_SOLID
*SET_DISCRETE
In the MSC.Patran LS-Dyna Preference Analysis form, the button “Group for SET
cards” appears when you select Action>>Analysis, and Object >>Entire Model. This
button brings up the following form enabling you to pick the required groups from
the list of groups available in the database.
Select Group
Available Groups
default_group
group_a
group_b
Selected Group
group_b
OK Cancel
When you set Object >>Select Group on the Analysis form and you select the Output
Group button, a separate listbox of selected groups for SET cards is provided. The
groups you select are stored in the database as PARAM SET entries.
80
When you set Action>>Read Input File on the Analysis form, the Set Card Read
Option button appears. This button brings up the following form that allows you to
specify which set of cards of the LS-DYNA input file to translate.
Set Card Read Options
Options for Group creation From SET Cards
Overwrite Nodes Group YES
Overwrite Beams Group YES
Overwrite Shells Group YES
Overwrite Discrete Group YES
Overwrite Solids Group YES
Overwrite TShell Group YES
Threshold no. of Entities For Groups
Threshold Number Nodes 5
Threshold Number Beams 5
Threshold number Discrete 5
Threshold Number Shell 5
Threshold Number Solid 5
Threshold Number TShell 5
OK Defaults Cancel
CHAPTER 2 81
Support for *DATABASE Keywords

The following ASCII *DATABASE entries are supported for both reader and writer of
the LS-DYNA preference.
*DATABASE_SECFORCE
*DATABASE_CROSS_SECTION_SET
*DATABASE_RWFORCE
*DATABASE_DEFORC
*DATABASE_MATSUM
*DATABASE_NCFORC
*DATABASE_RCFORC
*DATABASE_DEFGEO
*DATABASE_SPCFORC
*DATABASE_SWFORC
*DATABASE_ABSTAT
*DATABASE_BNDOUT
*DATABASE_RBDOUT
*DATABASE_GCEOUT
*DATABASE_SLEOUT
*DATABASE_JNTFORC
*DATABASE_SBTOUT
*DATABASE_AVSFLT
*DATABASE_MOVIE
*DATABASE_MPGS
*DATABASE_TRHIST
*DATABASE_TRACER
*DATABASE_TPRINT
These entries are defined in the forms that appear when the “Input Data” button is
selected in the “Output Request” form for each “Result Type” option selected.
82
Reject and Error File Created by the Reader

The input file reader places all unsupported LsDyna keywords in a reject file which
has the extension .rej. Also keywords that cannot be read due to incorrect data are
placed in an error file with a line describing the error. The error file has the extension
.err
CHAPTER 2 83
2.5 SAMCEF Preference Enhancements

New Contacts Capabilities
This new feature expands simulation modeling capabilities for contact conditions
within the Samcef/Preference. The new feature follows MSC.Ptran standard LBCs
creation procedure. Specific rules apply as far as computation in SAMCEF is
concerned: refer to SAMCEF documentation for more details.
To Access the New Contact LBCs Form

1 Access the Loads/BCs Application form by pressing the Loads/BCs icon on the Main
menu.
2 Select Action>>Create, Object>>Node->Surf Contact, and Type>>Element Uniform.

This brings up the Surf Contact subform shown below.
Load/Boundary Conditions
Action: Create
Object: Node->Surf Contact
Type: Element Uniform
Option:
StickStick
Tigh_SrotStructural
Analysis Type:
Tigh_Lrot
Current LoadCont_Srot
Case:
Cont_Sdis
Default...
Cont_Mdis
Type: Static
Cont_Ldis
Existing Sets
New Set Name

84
Crack Simulation Modeling

Enhanced crack modeling capabilities have been added in the MSC.Patran V2001
SAMCEF preference. Please refer to your SAMCEF documentation for any specific
modeling guidelines and technical explanations.
In general, two major enhancements, Cracks Creation and Cracks Definition, have
been implemented in this release.
To Use the Crack Modeling Capabilities:

1 Click on the Analysis Application icon located on the Main menu.
This brings up the Analysis Application form.
2 Select the Chaining Options unfold button.
3 To initiate the desired Crack process, click on the Crack Creation button.
All cracks defined through this form will be properly interpreted and analyzed
by the SAMCEF computation modules.
4 To specify relevant Crack definitions, choose the Cracks Definition unfold button.
You can choose to Create, Delete or List Crack definition. To specify the crack
definition, you will need to input a Crack name, as well as selecting desired
elements. The elements input list can be specified through typical screen picking,
or by entering the name of the appropriate group previous created. Front node
indicates where the crack initiates (compulsory data). Aperture node indicates
the side of the semi area containing the crack tips with respect to the crack front.
Examples of the Options for Chaining form and the Cracks definition form are shown
on the following two pages.
CHAPTER 2 85
Options for Chaining

SAMCEF
LINEAR STATIC (ASEF)
Options For Chaining :
Pre-Stressed Part
Dynamic Stresses Calculation
Cyclic Symmetry Geometry
Existing File Reading :
Read Stresses from File (IFPR)

Read Temperature from File (IUN)
Restart a Non Linear Calculation
Special Runs :
Run BACON Only
Superelement Control
Creation Definition...
Assembly Definition...
Recovery Definition......
Cracks Control
Creation Definition...
Special Chainings :
Chaining without Cyclic Symmetry

Chaining with Cyclic Symmetry
Chaining MECANO and DYNAM
Chaining MECANO and STABI
OK Cancel
86
Cracks
Action Create
Existing Cracks
Crack Name
Elements Selection
Elements
Group Name
Nodes Selection
Front Node
Aperature Node
Apply Cancel Quit

CHAPTER 2 87
2.6 ABAQUS Preference Enhancements

ABAQUS Rebar Support
You can now create and visualize rebar definitions within MSC.Patran. Access the
Rebar Definitions form from the Tools pulldown menu.
Rebar Definitions
Action: Create
Object: Layer
Type: 2D Solid
Existing Rebar...
Rebar Name and Color
Curve List
Material...
Area...
Spacing...
Orientation...
Clear
Apply Done
88
Abaqus Beam Visualization

This new functionality allows for Abaqus beam shapes to be displayed on a
MSC.Patran 3D model.
To Display Beam Shapes on a 3D Model.
1 Set the Analysis Preference to Abaqus.
2 Access the Properties Application form by selecting the Properties icon on the Main
menu.
3 Set Action>>Create, Object>>1D, and Type>>Beam and proceed to create different shaped
beams.
Available shapes include: box, circle, hexagon, i-section, pipe, rectangular and
trapezoid.
4 From the Display pulldown menu located on the Main menu, select Load/BC/Elem. Props.
5 Set the Beam Display option to 1D/2D/3D to view the beam in all dimensions.
The beam display is shown on beam elements not on geometry.
CHAPTER 2 89
Abaqus Input File Reader

It is possible to read an existing ABAQUS input file (jobname.inp) into MSC.Patran.
This is not a fully supported feature and must be invoked by setting a special
parameter. This is done by editing the settings.pcl file and adding the following
line:
pref_env_set_logical( "shareware_input_file", TRUE )
If this setting is set to TRUE, then an additional

Action item appears under the Analysis form Analysis
called Read Input File. This file can exist in the Action: Read Input File
installation, local or home directories.
Object: Model Data
Simply select the file from the file browser that
appears when you pick the Select Input File
button on the Analysis Form.
Code: ABAQUS
The translator will import nodes, elements,
coordinate frames, and basic materials, Type: Structural
element properties, and loads. See the
Available Jobs
ABAQUS Preference User’s Guide for
supported KEYWORDS.
Jobname
Job Description
Select Inpt File...
Apply
90
2.7 MSC.Patran Advanced FEA

We regret to inform you that as of this release of MSC.Patran due to business
conditions beyond our control, the MSC.Patran Advanced FEA product has been
discontinued. MSC customers that have purchased a paid-up license of MSC.Patran
Advanced FEA, may continue to use the product indefinitely with previous versions
of MSC.Patran. Customers with annual licenses may continue to use MSC.Patran
Advanced FEA with the previous version of MSC.Patran until their license agreement
expires at which time they may transition over to the new MSC.Patran Marc
Preference. Paid-up customers may also transition over to the MSC.Patran Marc
Preference at any time. Please contact your local sales representative for details.
MSC.Patran Advanced FEA customers wishing to use MSC.Patran 2001 right away
have a number of options:
1. Start using the MSC.Patran Marc Preference and the MSC.Marc analyzer by
running MSC.Patran 2001 with a new database.
2. Start using MSC.Patran Marc Preference and the MSC.Marc analyzer by
running MSC.Patran 2001 with an old database containing an AFEA model.
MSC.Patran 2001 detects that an MSC.Patran Advanced FEA model exists
and converts as much data as possible to the MSC.Patran Marc Preference
including materials, properties, MPCs, LBCs, contact information and
analysis job setup. It is advised that you check the model thoroughly before
submitting an analysis as all data may not convert completely.
3. Before opening an old MSC.Patran Advanced FEA database in MSC.Patran
2001, open it in a previous version and switch the Analysis Preference to
ABAQUS. The entire model definition will be preserved except for the
analysis setup information. Then you may open the database in MSC.Patran
2001 and the model will be preserved as an ABAQUS analysis. Some analysis
setup will be required to run through ABAQUS properly.
The MSC.Patran Marc Preference and the MSC.Marc solver are the replacement
solution for the MSC.Patran Advanced FEA product. MSC.Marc is a general purpose
finite element solver with special nonlinear and contact capabilities and has been an
industry leader since the 1970s. MSC has made a special effort to enhance the
MSC.Patran Marc Preference in consideration of the discontinuation of the
MSC.Patran Advanced FEA product. Most of the same capabilities exist in MSC.Marc
and more. Please see MSC.Marc Preference Enhancements (p. 20) for details.
A special product offering called MSC.AFEA is available. This is an interlocked
version of MSC.Patran, the Marc Preference and MSC.Marc for a single workstation,
delivering equivalent and enhanced functionality over the discontinued MSC.Patran
Advanced FEA product at a similar price point. Please contact your local sales
representative for more information about this new product package.
CHAPTER 2 91
2.8 PAM-CRASH Preference Enhancements

MSC.Patran Version 2001 contains enhancements to the PAM-CRASH analysis
preference. More complete documentation is available in the MSC.Patran PAM-
CRASH Preference Guide. A brief overview is provided below:
• Support for composite laminate material (SHELL TYPE 130 and PLY)
• Support for contact type 33 and 36
• Support for cross section control cards TRAFO and SECFO in Output
Requests
• Setting PAM-CRASH IDs
• Reader support for Control cards and Plot Output cards
• Reject file created by the reader containing unsupported PAM-CRASH
keywords
• Support for composite materials
The following cards required for PAM-CRASH to run composite analysis, are
supported for both the reader and the writer of the preference.
PLY___/_
MAT___/_ 130
92
The subordinate form shown below appears when you select Object>>Composite and
Method>>Laminate on the Material form. Only PLY Model 0 (Unidirectional
composite bi-phase ply model) is supported and only the element local coordinate
system is supported for specifying ply orientation.
Laminated Composite
Stacking Sequence Convention Offset
Total
Stacking Sequence Definition: Select an Existing Material.
Material Name Thickness Orientation
Insert Material Names Text Entry Mode Delete Selected Rows

Insert
◆ Material Names
◆
◆ Thicknesses
◆
◆ Orientations
Load Text Into Spreadsheet
Show Laminate Properties... Clear Text and Data Boxes

CHAPTER 2 93
Support for Contact Type 33 and 36

Contact type 33 is a segment-to-segment contact with edge treatment.
To Define Contact Type 33 or 36

1 Access the Loads/BCs Application form by selecting the Loads/BCs icon on the Main
menu.
2 Set Action>>Create, Object>>Contact, and Type>>Element Uniform.
3 Select Master-Slave surface from the Option pulldown menu for Contact type 33.
or
Select Self-Contact from the Option pulldown menu for Contact type 36.
4 Press the Input Data button to bring up the Input Data subform.
The following sliding interface control card is supported for both the reader and the
writer of the PAM-CRASH preference.
SLINT2_/_
Support for Cross Section Cards

PAM-CRASH allows you to define cross sections within the model and to request
output of the total force or moment transmitted across the section. The transmitted
force may be requested in either the global or a local coordinate system. You must be
able to define such cross sections within MSC.Patran and subsequently request force
and/or moment output for one or more cross sections in either the global or a local
coordinate system.
Within PAM-CRASH, you can define cross sections in one of two ways. Method 1
allows you to select the nodes that lie on the cross section and those elements that are
associated with the nodes whose contribution to the transmission force are required.
Method 2 allows you to define a cutting place in 3D space and an associated set of
elements that may be intersected by the plane to define the cross section.
94
The following cross section cards are supported for both reader and writer of the
PAM-CRASH preference.
SECFO_/_
TRACFO_/_
You can use either option from within MSC.Patran Analysis/Output Request form to
define a cross section.
Output Requests
Select Results Type Select Group(s)/Set

Nodal default_group
Solid Element ALL FEM
Shell/Membrane Element
Beam/Bar/Spring Element
Internal Energy/Material
Trans Kinetic Energy/Material
Hourglass Energy/Material
Internal Energy Densities
Output Requests Nodal Results Options
Local CID
Correct for Prescribed accelerations
Use File Prefix

Output File Prefix
Create
Delete
Choose Output Cross section
OK Defaults Cancel
CHAPTER 2 95
The following form appears when you select the “Choose Output Cross Section”
button on the Output Request form. The Output Cross-section form defines data to be
written to the TRACFO_/_ and SECFO_/_ entries.
Output Cross-section
Action : Create
Existing sections
Title
Use Local Coordinate Frame
Coordinate Frame
Selection Type Node
Add Remove
Selected Nodes
Elements
Add Remove
Selected Elements
96
Setting PAM-CRASH IDs

Normally the PAM-CRASH keyword ID is set using the corresponding MSC.Patran
entity ID. However the user can set IDs by naming the MSC.Patran entities NAME.###
where ### is the required ID.
For the PAM-CRASH writer, only the MSC.Patran property set ID is used in the deck.
The material ID used in the deck comes from the property set. Therefore, if you
require a material of ID 505, the property set that references the material can be named
’Pset.505’.
Note: For multiple Psets, you must assign each Pset a unique .### for the suffix (not zero),
otherwise the code that sets IDs from name will not be called.
Reader Support for Control Cards and Plot Output Cards

Reader support for the following Control Section and Plot Output cards for which the
writer support exists already are:
LIST
PRINT
DATACHECK
SHELLCHECK
MNTR
TIMESTEP
CTRL
THLNO_/_
THLSO_/_
THLSH_/_
THLBM_/_
CHAPTER 2 97
Reject File Created by the Reader Containing Unsupported PAM-

CRASH Keywords
The input file reader places all unsupported PAM-CRASH keywords in a reject file
which has the extension .rej.
98
CHAPTER
Geometry Modeling and CAD Access
3 Enhancements
■ CAE Solid Modeling

■ Strategic Geometry Enhancements
■ CAD Direct Access Support
100
3.1 Geometry Preferences

The Geometry Preferences form allows you to choose how the geometry created or
imported is represented within the system.
Geometry Preferences In earlier versions of MSC.Patran (PATRAN 2), the

geometric representation for curves, surfaces, and solids
Geometry Representation was parametric cubics, bicubics and tricubics. By setting
this toggle to ON, the geometry application forms will, by
Exportable to Neutral File default, create cubic geometry. Most geometry forms
allow local setting of this value prior to creating geometry.
Solid Origin Location
P3/PATRAN Convention Defines the Hpat origin location based on either

MSC/PATRAN or PATRAN 2.5 convention.
PATRAN 2 Convention
NURBS Accelerator The NURBS Accelerator toggle being ON by

default causes the NURBS curves and surface
geometry to be converted into a Piecewise
Auto Update Solid Mesh/LBC
Polynomial format without introducing any
Geometry Scale Factor approximations.
39.37 (Inches) This toggle, by default is on to allow for automatic updates of

an existing mesh and LBC on a parasolid solid after the solid
has been edited by a boolean, edge blend, imprint, or shellin
operation. If the Geometry Preference value is turned off, the
Reset
a button on each of these edit operation forms will be enable
and the label will be, “Update Solid Mesh/LBC” to allow upda
Apply Cancel
of the mesh and LBC on the solid after the solid has been
edited, if the mesh exists.
MSC.Patran is unitless and Parasolid is being used as the Geometric Modeling Kernel. Parasolid uses Meters
as its modeling units. Therefore, there needs to be a scaling factor value introduced when creating Parasolid
geometry. This is necessary so that the MSC.Patran dimensions being input to define geometry will convert into
the equivalent parasolid dimensions which are in meters. The default geometry scale factor is 39.37, which
means that when you create a 1 unit square primitive block, for example, the resulting size of the block in
parasolid will be 0.0254 meters.The possible scale factor settings are:
39.37 (Inches)
1.0 (Meters)
1000.0 (Millimeters)
Customize:
During a file import using Unigraphics part files, the scale factor in the Parasolid transmit file (.xmt_txt) will
override the current Geometry Scale Factor value and a warning message will be written to notify the user.
During a file import using Parasolid transmit files (.xmt_txt) the following rules apply:
1. If the default scale factor for transmit file import is used which is “None”, meaning no model unit override,then
if 1) there is a scale factor defined in the transmit file, then the scale factor in the transmit file will override the
current Geometry Scale Factor Preference value, and a warning message will be written to notify the user.
2) there is not a scale factor defined in the transmit file, then the scale factor is set to 1.0 which is the scale
factor for the units of meters. This scale factor will override the current Geometry Scale Factor Preference value
and a warning message will be written to notify the user.
CHAPTER 3 101
Geometry Modeling and CAD Access Enhancements
3.2 CAE Solid Modeling

Solid geometry modeling capabilities have been significantly enhanced. MSC.Patran
2001 is now capable of solid modeling operations using the primitives block, cylinder,
cone, sphere, and torus. Also, mid-surface operations allow you to extract surfaces
from a solid for the purposes of idealizing the solid into a shell representation. In
addition, geometry editing capability and reliability has been enhanced to provide
powerful operators including shell, blend, boolean, imprint, and break. New CAD
import options and native geometry conversion capabilities are provided to allow the
use of these creation and editing operations on all forms of MSC.Patran geometry.
This new modeling module significantly speeds common geometry modeling and
editing tasks required in CAE simulation modeling. MSC is providing this new
module in response to one of the most requested enhancements by our user
community. It is easy to see why, when in many cases, geometry creation time can be
reduced by several orders of magnitude. Below is a brief description of this powerful
new set of features.
Summary of Capabilities
Primitive Creation
• Block, cylinder, cone, sphere, torus
• Optional on-the-fly (automatic) Boolean operation
Solid Creation Operations
• Extrude
• Revolve
Solid Editing Operations
• Boolean operations: add, subtract, intersect
• Edge blend: constant radius, chamfer
• Shell: create thin-wall solids
• Imprint: solid on solid
• Break: plane and surface
• Refit to Parasolid
• Auto update of CAE data after a solid editing operation
Transform including group transform
Midsurface creation and trimming
File export to Parasolid transmit file
Conversion of MSC.Patran native geometry to Parasolid
Some representative examples are presented on the following pages:
102
Solid Creation
The solid primitive operations can be found by selecting the Geometry application
from the Main menu and setting Action>>Create, Object>>Solid, and
Method>>Primitive. Note, it is possible to apply the boolean operations
(add/subtract/and intersect) at the time of object creation. Below is an example of the
forms and primitive shapes.
Geometry
Action: Create
Object: Solid
Method: Primitive
Choose Primitive type

Solid ID List
and give characteristic
1
dimensions
Block Parameters
X Length List
1.0
Y Length List
1.0
Z Length List
1.0
Modify Solid
Boolean Operation...
Optionally define boolean
operators at the time of
Refer. Coordinate Frame
solid creation
Coord 0
Auto Execute
Base Origin Point List
[0 0 0]
-Apply-
CHAPTER 3 103
Revolve and Extrude Operations

In addition, sweep and extrude operations can be accessed from the Geometry
application by setting Action>>Create, Object>>Solid, and Method>>Revolve or
Extrude. An example of the Revolve operation is shown below.
Geometry
Action: Create
Object: Solid
Method: Revolve
Solid Type
Solid ID List
1
Refer. Coordinate Frame
Coord 0
Axis
Coord 0.3
Sweep Parameters
Total Angle
90.0
Offset Angle
0.0
Auto Execute
Surface List
-Apply-
104
Solid Editing Capabilities

Several new solid editing enhancements have been made to complement the Solid
Creation Operations described in the previous section. Boolean operations are used to
create new complex solids from a combination of other bodies and primitives using
the operations of Addition, Subtraction and Intersect. These functions can be accessed
from the Geometry application by setting Action>>Edit, Object>>Solid, and
Method>>Boolean. Several examples are shown on the following pages.
To Setup a Boolean Subtraction

■ On the Geometry Application form set Action>>Edit, Object>>Solid, and
Method>>Boolean.
■ Under the Preferences menu, select Geometry and click ON the Auto Update Solid
Mesh/LBC checkbox.
or, if you would like to control the updating of the mesh and LBCs you can...
Click on the Update Solid Mesh.LBC button on the Geometry Application form.
Update of associated CAE data (LBC or

mesh) can be controlled individually or left
as default in the Geometry Preferences
form
CHAPTER 3 105
An Example of a Series of Boolean Operations
A complex solid of a casing formed through a series of boolean operations.
The tabs on the top of this

part can be added using a
Boolean Add
The main body

The holes for the of this solid can
keyboard are made be made by
using multiple intersecting a
solids for the thin walled
subtraction cylinder with a
simple block.
In addition to the boolean operators, many new editing commands have been added,
such as blends, shells, etc. Some representative examples follow:
An Example of a Shell Operation

106
An Example of Using Solid Blend Operations:
Y
X
Z
CHAPTER 3 107
Mid-Surface Extraction
The new Mid-surface tool extracts mid-surfaces from solids. You have the choice of
using the single-click automatic extraction or manual extraction. Access Midsurface
creation from the Geometry Application form by setting Action>>Create,
Object>>Surface, and Method>>Midsurface.
Manual- Select
corresponding faces
Automatic - Select
solid and max
thickness
Resulting Mid-Plane Geometry

108
Conversion to Parasolid
For the added robustness in solid modeling and editing capabilities, you can convert
your CAD geometry and/or MSC.Patran SGM geometry into Parasolid. This
conversion can be done either during CAD import or through manual refit operation.
CATIA, Pro/ENGINEER and STEP AP203 files will be automatically converted to
Parasolid during the File:Import process if the "Import to Parasolid" toggle is selected
(as shown in the following example). Construction entities such as coordinate frames,
points, curves, surfaces, solids and planes are supported. Listed below are some key
points of the conversion feature:
• Import CATIA models without accessing CATIA
• Pro/ENGINEER access is still needed
• Support up to CATIA v4.2.3 releases
• Support up to Pro/ENGINEER 2000i2 releases
• Pro/ENGINEER part file only. No assembly is supported in this release
• Import CATIA models onto NT platform
Using the Import to Parasolid Option

■ From the MSC.Patran Main menu, select File/Import.
■ On the File Import form, click on the Import to Parasolid checkbox.

CHAPTER 3 109
Another method of Parasolid conversion is through manual refitting of the

MSC.Patran SGM geometry. This Parasolid conversion operation will also be
performed automatically behind the scenes when you attempt to use any Solid
Modeling editing features such as Boolean, Edge Blend, Shell or Imprint.
In general, the SGM-to-Parasolid translation has been well tested. However, in a few
isolated cases where the SGM geometries originated from the CAD systems, the SGM-
to-Parasolid translator may encounter difficulties during the translation process. You
may try the direct "Import to Parasolid" approach listed above to get your geometries
into Parasolid.
To Convert SGM Geometry to Parasolid Geometry

■ Select the Geometry Application icon on the MSC.Patran Main menu.
■ On the Geometry Application form, set Action>>Edit, Object>>Solid, and Method>>Refit.
■ Select “To Parasolid” on the Option listbox.
Geometry
Action: Edit MSC.Patran will covert to
Object: Solid Geometry Preferences units that you specify here.
Geometry Representation The possible scale factor
Method: Refit
Exportable to Neutral File
settings are:
Solid ID List
39.37 (Inches)
1 Solid Origin Location
1.0 (Meters)
Option: To Parasolid MSC.Patran Convention
PATRAN 2 Convention
1000.0 (Millimeters)
Refit Parameters Customize
Refit Tolerance NURBS Accelerator
0.005
Auto Update Solid Mesh/LBC
Geometry Scale Factor

Delete Original Solids
39.37 (Inches)
Auto Execute
Solid List Reset
Apply Cancel
-Apply-
The “Auto Update Mesh on Solid” toggle,
reapplies mesh parameters and re-meshes after
geometry modification (such as a Boolean
operation).
110
SGM-to-Parasolid Example
The following is an example of CAD surface model being converted into a Parasolid
entity for subsequent editing operations.
1. Import the Pro/ENGINEER surfaces.
2. Create a SGM B-rep solids.
Resulting B-rep solid model.
Y
Z
X
3. Using the Edit/Solid/Refit form shown on (p. 109) manually convert the
solid to a Parasolid entity.
4. Once the solid is refitted, you can now perform various solid modeling
editing operations, such as Edge Blend, Boolean, Imprint or Shell.
Y
Z
Edge blend (fillet) added to
X model.
CHAPTER 3 111
3.3 Strategic Geometry Enhancements

Several geometry enhancements have been incorporated in this release of MSC.Patran
in response to requests from our strategic customers.
Curve and Surface Offset - This new functionality in MSC.Patran allows you to offset
a curve or the surface creation in the direction of the curve or defined a guiding
surface which the application uses to define the offset direction for all surfaces
selected.
• Create/Curve/Offset
• Create/Surface/Offset
Additional Trimmed Surface Editing
• Edit/Surface/Add Fillet
• Edit/Surface/Add Hole
• Edit/Surface/Add Vertex
• Edit/Surface/Remove Edge
• Edit/Surface/Remove Hole
• Edit/Surface/Remove Vertex
• Edit/Surface/Fillet
• Edit/Surface/Remove Edge
Surface Extension Editing Enhancements - These new tools complements the new
mid-surface tool. This new set of tools offers multiple options to modify a surface.
Options include extending a surface:
• to another surface edge
• to an intersecting point, curve, surface or plane
• to a fixed distance
• by a particular percentage
Other Strategic Geometry Enhancements
• Show/Point/Distance: Point to Vector
• Create/Plane/ 2 Vectors
• Create/Point/Intersect: 2 Vectors
• Create/Point/Extract from Surfaces or Faces
• Single points
• Multiple arrays of points defined by Diagonal or Parametric Bounds.
• Finite Element/Show/Node/Distance (with multiple Select Menu options)
112
3.4 CAD Direct Access Support

MSC.Patran 2001 supports access to the following versions of CAD software.
HP SGI Sun IBM RS/6000 Tru64 NT
2000 2001 2000 2001 2000 2001 2000 2001 2000 2001 2000 2001
CADDS 8.1 8.1 8.1 8.1 8.1 8.1
CATIA
(CATXPRES) 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3* 4.2.3* 4.2.3* 4.2.3*
CATDirect
Access 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3* 4.2.3* 4.2.3* 4.2.3*
EUCLID 3 3.1.2 3.1.2 3.1.2 3.1.2 3.1.2 3.1.2 3.1.2 3.1.2 3.1.2 3.1.2 3.1.2 3.1.2
Pro/ENGINE
ER ** 2000i 2000i2 2000i 2000i* 2000i 2000i2 2000i 2000i2 2000i 2000i2 2000i 2000i2
Unigraphics 16.0 17.0 16.0 17.0 16.0 17.0 16.0 17.0 16.0 17.0 16.0 17.0
Parasolid 11.1 12.1 11.1 12.1 11.1 12.1 11.1 12.1 11.1 12.1 11.1 12.1
ACIS 5.3 5.3 5.3 6.3 5.3 6.3 5.3 6.3 5.3 None† 5.3 6.3
* Import only. CATXPRES runs from within interactive CATIA and creates a file on
all CATIA supported platforms. This file can be used on all MSC.Patran machines for
import.
Important: CATXPRES is no longer available for new sales due to licensing issues
and can be replaced with CATDirect. The CATXPRES support levels are
shown for existing installations.
† ACIS is no longer available on Compaq Tru64 Unix operating system.
** The p3_ProE and p3_ProENGINEER executables are built using Pro/ENGINEER
version 2000i and therefore will not work with earlier versions of Pro/ENGINEER.
We recommend upgrading your Pro/ENGINEER installation to 2000i or 2000i2. If this
is not possible, we have provided a temporary work around, by providing the old
version executables and associated scripts. To run the old versions, it is necessary for
your system installation manager to rename some of the delivered files after
MSC.Patran has been installed.
CHAPTER 3 113
Set your default directory to your software installation directory, typically linked to
$(P3_HOME)/bin/exe, and rename the files as shown below:
For NT:
• open a MS-DOS prompt window
• cd \msc\patran2001\bin\exe (a typical installation example - set to your
site installation)
• copy p3_proengineer.pm p3_proengineer.pm.new
• copy p3_proe.pm p3_proe.pm.new
• copy p3_proengineer_pre2k.pm p3_proengineer.pm
• copy p3_proe_pre2k.pm p3_proe.pm
For UNIX:
• cd /msc/patran2001/bin/exe (example typical install location- set to
your site installation)
• cp p3_proengineer p3_proengineer.new
• cp p3_proe p3_proe.new
• cp p3_proengineer_pre2k p3_proengineer
• cp p3_proe_pre2k p3_proe
114
CAD Access support on LINUX for MSC.Patran 2001

The following lists the supported CAD system release levels on LINUX platforms.
CAD Support on Linux

Parasolid 12.1
UNIGRAPHICS 17.0 *
Pro/ENGINEER** 2000i2
CATIA 4.2.3 ***
(CATXPRES)
CATDirect none
ACIS none
CADDS none
EUCLID 3 none
Note: ***Only Parasolid (transmit file) import is supported in this release. Parasolid transmit
files generated on other OS platforms can be imported on LINUX.
** Pro/ENGINEER Access allows reading of "*.geo" geometry transfer files generated
from other OS installs of Pro/ENGINEER Access.
*** CATIA Access allows reading of "*.cat" geometry transfer files generated from other
OS installs of CATXPRES for existing CATXPRES customers.
CHAPTER
Finite Element Meshing and Modeling
4
■ Assembly TetMesh
■ Total Loads and CID Distributed Loads (MSC.Nastran only)
■ Miscellaneous FEM
■ MSC.Laminate Modeler 2001
■ Space/Time Fields (SAMCEF Only)
116
4.1 Assembly TetMesh

Unlike MSC.Patran 2000 (r2) with downloadable libraries, MSC.Patran 2001 has a new
GUI which incorporates the Assembly TetMesh functionality in the FEM menu
scheme. The present support for parasolid geometry is accessed from the Finite
Elements application form by setting Action>>Create, Object>>Mesh, and
Mehtod>>Solid, and selecting the Match Parasolid Faces button. You may choose to
mesh the entire assembly at once, singly, or in groups using pre-meshed solids and
neighboring solids. The functionality enables you to mesh assemblies with small gap
separations or some small interference which lie within proximity tolerances that you
provide under TetMesh Parameters.... on the Finite Elements form. Congruent
interface meshes across assemblies should be generated except when the interfaces are
outside the gap/interference tolerances. The viability of the assembly mesh with
regards to proper interface congruency can be checked by using the “skinning”
technique.
Checking Mesh Viability Using Skinning Technique

■ On the Finite Elements Application form, set Action>>Create, Object>>Element, and
Method>>Edit.
■ Choose Shape>>Tri, Topology>>Tria6 (for Tet10 cases), and Pattern>>Elem Face.
■ On the associated Picking and Selecting menu, select the “Free Face of Element” filter.
■ In the Face listbox, extract the surface trias and click on Apply.
With proper congruency, there will be no internal Tria’s generated
■ To ascertain the mesh viability, erase the Tets from the assembly mesh and then use the
Viewing/Clipping function to chop off the ends of the assembly mesh leaving the center
exposed.
No internal Trias should be visible.
CHAPTER 4 117
Assembly Meshing --V2001 User Interface Changes

Activate Assembly Meshing Feature . On the Finite Elements Application form,
toggle ON the “Match Parasolid Faces” option.
Congruent Meshes. The Previous release of the assembly meshing component

provides congruent meshes across multiple solid faces of Parasolid solid assemblies
(UG, SolidWorks, ACIS).
118
TetMesh Transitions. A new assembly meshing component allows you to define the
mesh transition between solids. This enables you to create different mesh densities
within a Parasolid assembly.
Finite Elements Finite Elements

Action: Create
Action: Create
Object: Mesh
Object: Mesh
Type: Solid
Type: Solid
Output ID List
Output ID List
Node 1
Node 1
Element 1
Element 1
Elem Shape Tet

Elem Shape Tet
Mesher TetMesh TetMesh
Mesher
Topology Tet4 Tet4
Topology
TetMesh Parameters... TetMesh Parameters...
Node Coordinate Frames...

Node Coordinate Frames...
Input List
Input List
Global Edge Length

Global Edge Length
Automatic Calculation
Automatic Calculation
Value 0.1
Value 0.1
Create Duplicate Nodes Create Duplicate Nodes

Match Parasolid Faces
Match Parasolid Faces
Neighbor Solid List
Preview Interface Mesh
-Apply-
-Apply-
The duplicate nodes toggle will create an extra set of nodes on geometry that is shared
between more than one solid, for example on a face that is shared between two solids.
This toggle also applies to assembly meshing, i.e. using Match Parasolid Faces, where
a duplicate set of nodes will be created on entities that are found to be shared between
solids. The only situation in assembly meshing where duplicate nodes will be created
with the toggle off is where an existing mesh is being transferred from a neighboring
solid.
CHAPTER 4 119
Assembly mesh example with different edge length for each neighboring solid.
120
4.2 Total Loads and CID Distributed Loads

(MSC.Nastran only)
Two new loads have been introduced in MSC.Patran 2001r1 for the MSC.Nastran
preference. These loads are designated “Total Load” and “CID Distributed Load” and
are effectively generalized distributed loads.
Typically, the designer/analyst will need to model a distributed load acting upon an
object. This distributed load is often idealized as a resultant of the distribution. To
model the distribution accurately, the designer/analyst has to divide the resultant
load by the area or length of the application region to obtain the distribution value
before generating the pressure or line load. At worst, determining the area or length
of the application region was difficult with complex geometry. At best, it was yet an
additional step that needed to be done.
The availability of the “Total Load” in MSC.Patran now simplifies this task. This load
is specified as a vector to allow for a load magnitude and direction. The vector may be
constant or a field. Total load is only implemented as element not element variable.
Therefore, if a field is used, the total load on a given element is constant, though it may
vary across the application region. Each component of this vector represents the total
load magnitude for the associated direction over the entire application region.
MSC.Patran will distribute these directional loads evenly over the area or length of the
application region. Note that in MSC.Patran the total load magnitude is displayed in
Loads/BCs marker or contour plots for ease of verification. The application region
area or length is accounted for during analysis code translation.
The inputs are as follows:
Target Element Type = 1D (Curves/Edges)
Resultant Load Vector
References Coordinate Frame (Optional, Default = Global)
Target Element Type = 2D (Surface/Surface Edges)

Resultant Surface Load
Resultant Surface Edge Load
Note: Surface and surface edges are mutually exclusive when defining this type of
load, i.e., you can only select one or the other when specifying the loading and
application region. This is necessary because surface loads and edge loads
require different application region types.
Target Element Type = 3D (Solid Face)

Resultant Load Vector
CHAPTER 4 121
Total Loads Forms
Load/Boundary Conditions Input Data

Action: Create Load/BC Set Scale Factor
Object: Total Load 1.
Type: Element Uniform
Load <F1 F2 F3>

< >
Current Load Case:
Default...
Type: Static
Existing Sets
Spatial Fields
New Set Name
FEM Dependent Data...
Target Element Type: 3D

Analysis Coordinate Frame
Coord 0
Input Data...
Select Application Region... OK Reset
-Apply-
122
Applied Load:
100 lbs in X
100 lbs in Y
IR=5
Equivalent
Pressure: OR=20
141.42/[3.14159*(20**2-5**2)]=0.1200
141.4
141.4 141.4
141.4141.4 141.4
141.4 141.4141.4
141.4 141.4
141.4
$ Pressures of Total Load Set: load_1

PLOAD4 1 1 .120042 THRU 512
Y
X .707107 .707107 0.
Z
CID Distributed Load

This load is a generalized distributed load whereby directionality is specified by the
user in the form a vector where each component of this vector represents the
distributed load magnitude for the associated direction. The vector may be constant
or a field. This load type is identical to the “Total Load” except the vector components
are used as is (i.e., not divided by the area or length of the application region) and that
element variable is implemented so that the load can vary across an element.
MSC.Nastran BDF Generation

MSC.Patran generates different bulk data entries to represent these two new loads,
depending on whether or not the associated element is an h-element or a p-element.
...h-Elements & CID Distributed Load:

1D: PLOAD1 with TYPE relative to the basic coordinate system
2D: PLOAD4 with direction definition
2D Edge: Simulated using nodal forces
3D Face: PLOAD4 with direction definition
...h-Elements & Total Load:

1D: PLOAD1 with TYPE relative to the element coordinate system
2D Edge: Simulated using nodal FORCES cards
CHAPTER 4 123
...p-Elements & CID Distributed Load:

1D: GMLOAD
2D Edge: GMLOAD
...p-Elements & Total Load:

1D: GMLOAD
2D Edge: GMLOAD
NOTE:
Existing "Pressure" loads in Patran generate PLOAD4 cards
without the direction definition.
Note: These new loads are not yet supported during BDF Import.
124
4.3 Miscellaneous FEM

IsoMesh of Parasolid Surfaces
MSC.Patran can now IsoMesh general parasolid surfaces which have 3 or 4 edges
(these surfaces have a default display color of magenta.) Shown below is an example
of a parasolid surface geometry model and the resulting FEM model that you can
generate using the IsoMesh mesher.
MPC Renumbering
You can now renumber the MPCs in your model. You can provide a starting ID
number or provide an offset number for the renumbering scheme. To renumber
MPCs, click on the MPC renumber button located on the Finite Element application
form.
Access with Finite Elements:Renumber:MPC
Starting ID(s) numbering option
Offset ID(s) numbering option
CHAPTER 4 125
Compress Duplicate Materials and Properties

A new functionality has been added to the Materials>>Delete and Properties>>Delete
forms to control the number of significant digits used to compare similar material or
property records.
Materials
Element Properties
Action: Delete
Action: Delete
Object: Isotropic
* Filter
Existing Property Sets
tank _shell Existing Materials
tank_flange 2024_T6_Alum
Enable screen-picking
Property Set Name Selected Materials

tank_shell 1018_CR_Steel
Selected Property Sets

tank_shell
Description
Date: 29-Apr-92
Time: 14:25:28
Compress Duplicate Data
3 13
3
Compress Duplicate Data
Significant Digits
3 13
3
Significant Digits
-Apply-
-Apply- Reset
The Significant Digits value can be changed based on the

precision desired (Default = 3).
126
4.4 MSC.Laminate Modeler 2001

Significant enhancements to the MSC.Laminate Modeler have been made in
collaboration with key customers. Better layup visualization and performance
improvements have been forced by the large model sizes now used by the automotive
market in particular. New solid element creation features have been added to model
complex Resin Transfer Molded (RTM) components. General usability has been
enhanced so non-expert users can model complex structures more effectively.
Draping Enhancements
The draping simulation has been enhanced to provide more stable draping in extreme
situations. Often, users will attempt to drape fabric over areas with excessive
curvature. Previously, the draping would fail due to excessive material shear. Now,
shear limits can be increased during the initial draping simulation without
compromising stability and the resulting draped pattern used as a guide for
developing strategies for reducing shear and improving manufacturability.
Application
Reference
CHAPTER 4 127
Import Ply Enhancements

Usually, a new Layup file is created once a mesh has been finalized in the MSC.Patran
database. If you subsequently change the mesh, the elements in the database and
those in the Layup file no longer correspond. This can lead to errors because the
elements selected in the viewport may not have the same IDs as those used for internal
operations. For this reason, a warning is issued if the database mesh does not
correspond to the Layup file mesh when opening a new Layup file.
In addition, it may be desirable to import plies from another Layup file, which may
have a different element definition. For example, a draping simulation tool embedded
in a CAD package could generate a Layup file without knowledge of the analysis
mesh.
The Import Ply capability has been developed to allow you to remesh as required and
also import data from other draping systems. In order to do this, it is necessary to
generate a mapping between the current mesh and the imported mesh. This mapping
is calculated by element matching or piercing.
The MSC.Laminate Modeler first tries to find a direct match between current and
imported elements by identifying elements with the same nodal coordinates. Where
such a match is identified, the layup on the imported element can be transferred
directly to the current element as necessary. The matching process is relatively fast.
Where a current element has no direct match, mapping is determined through
piercing. Here, a normal vector is calculated at the centroid of each current element
and any intersections with imported elements are calculated. If there are multiple
intersections, that closest to the centroid is chosen. The distance between the centroid
and intersection point is calculated, as is the angle between the current normal and the
normal of the intersected imported element. If both the calculated distance and angle
are less than the distance and angular tolerances respectively, the layup on the
intersected element is mapped onto the current element. This piercing process is
relatively slow due to the multiple calculations required.
128
For this release, previewing imported plies has been improved. Import speed has been
improved an average of five times compared with MSC.Laminate Modeler V2000r2
and twenty five times compared with MSC.Laminate Modeler V9. Finally, a check has
been added to ensure that the mapped elements have a consistent definition of
application direction on element sides. This increases robustness when importing
Layup files from CAD-based draping systems with poor mesh generation capabilities.
CHAPTER 4 129
Create Solid Elements Layup

The MSC.Laminate Modeler defines a ply layup on a 2D shell mesh. The majority of
analyses can be conducted using shell elements, as through-thickness effects are
relatively insignificant. However, if the laminate is thick, and especially if the surface
is curved, it may be necessary to use solid elements to model structural or processing
behavior adequately.
For these situations, the MSC.Laminate Modeler now includes the capability to
extrude shell elements through a distance equal to the laminate thickness.
Furthermore, laminate materials and element properties can be created automatically
to allow accurate analysis. If the analysis code does not support laminated solid
elements, the laminate materials are converted to equivalent anisotropic materials for
subsequent analysis.
Creation of the analysis model is currently limited to the MSC.Nastran preference.
130
Transform Layup Mirror

Many composite structures like the monocoques of racing cars or the hulls of yachts
are essentially symmetrical. These structures are often modeled using only half of the
structure for preliminary analysis. A typical half model contains 50000 elements with
300 ply shapes and 1000 ply instances. For detailed analysis, the structure needs to be
modeled in its entirety. Mirroring the layup manually is extremely time-consuming
due to the large number of plies.
The MSC.Laminate Modeler can now mirror the mesh and layup automatically. The
mesh is mirrored using MSC.Patran capabilities and the ply layup is mirrored about
the mirror plane. Thereafter, you can create or modify non-symmetric plies and
generate an analysis model in the usual way.
CHAPTER 4 131
Layup Visualization Enhancements

New and improved methods for viewing the layup have been added.
Show Layup Element

You can obtain detailed information on the layup on selected elements. This feature
allows users to audit models carefully and identify usage problems like applying plies
on the incorrect side of surfaces. It is also easier to identify the composition of
laminates produced by the MSC.Laminate Modeler in conjunction with the Show
Laminate feature, which generated similar markers based on the laminate definition.
LAMINATE MODELER
Action: Show
Object: LM_Layup
Method: Element
Auto Execute
Select Element
Plot Markers
Element Normal
Orientation
Thickness
0.0 10.0
Thickness Scale
0.00 1.00
Thickness Shrinkage
Layup Report
Reset Graphics
-Apply- Close
132
Show Layup Cross Section

You can now interrogate the cross section of the layup using slices through the model.
This feature improves auditing of the model, especially the application of offsets. The
top and bottom of each ply are plotted, with ply shrinkage as required.
LAMINATE MODELER
Action: Show
Object: LM_Layup
Method: Cross Section
Define Section Plane Normal
Coord 0.3
Offset Parameters
Offset
0.0
0.0 10.0
Thickness Scale
0.00 1.00
Thickness Shrinkage
Reset Graphics
-Apply- Close
CHAPTER 4 133
Show Layup Exploded Enhancements

The existing capability to show the exploded layup has been improved by allowing
you to modify the offset distance multiplier and customize the display of labels in the
viewport. The ability to set labels in the same way has also been added to Create Ply
Book and Create Results Ply Sort functions.
Create Layup Visualization Enhancements

In previous versions, the ply angles on the surface of each element were displayed to
help you visualize the layup once it is created. Now, the top and bottom surfaces of
each element are also displayed.
134
Modify/Delete Layup
Modify Layup and Delete Layup forms have been added to improve usability and
conform more closely to the MSC.Patran conventions for manipulating entities.
CHAPTER 4 135
Show Laminate Enhancements

The model plot of thickness now supports shrinkage of plies to improve clarity. Vector
plots or orientation allow the selection of multiple layers at the same time, as well as
showing the offset of the ply from the middle plane of the element. When drawing
markers, a color based on the material ID is used so that constituent materials can be
identified clearly. Markers can also be superimposed so that different attributes can
be visualized concurrently.
Import/Export Laminates
The MSC.Laminate Modeler generates laminate materials based on a ply layup.
However, under certain circumstances, it is desirable to export or import laminate
materials to or from specialized tools used for laminate analysis. The MSC.Laminate
Modeler now includes an interface to the popular LAP laminate analysis program
developed by Anaglyph Ltd. (www.anaglyph.co.uk).
During preliminary design, you can define a baseline laminate material within LAP
and save this data in a text file. This information can be imported into MSC.Patran and
referenced by element properties in the normal way. This basic laminate can be
optimized for loading and manufacturing criteria using the tools within the
MSC.Laminate Modeler.
136
Following analysis, you can export laminate material and load information to LAP in
order to examine and report stresses. For example, you can visualize through-
thickness stresses in the laminate, or create detailed reports for certification
procedures.
User Defined Failure Criteria Enhancements

The ability to define custom failure criteria using PCL functions is now supported on
all platforms.
CHAPTER 4 137
Miscellaneous Form Updates

Show Ply
The Show Ply form now contains more ply data and visualization options. In addition,
you can specify the “Auto Execute” mode. This is useful when reviewing hundreds of
plies.
138
Define Layup
The layup definition spreadsheet displays the material, nominal thickness and
reference angle of plies in the spreadsheet as an aid to the user.
Create Results
The result case and subcase listboxes have been merged to make the forms conform to
the appearance of the current results application.
Performance Enhancements
Numerous performance improvements have been implemented to improve usability,
particularly with large models. Operations showing particular improvement include:
• Reading large Layup files
• Defining offsets and tolerances
• Modifying any Material/Ply/Layup
• Importing plies
CHAPTER 4 139
Internal Improvements
Many internal improvements have been implemented to allow future enhancements
and easier maintenance, combined with more consistent usage:
• All materials data are now stored in the Layup file.
• All communication with the layup module is via an API.
• Support for writing and reading compressed text files has been added.
• Versioning of code and data has been implemented.
• Surface topology identification has been improved.
• Support for MSC.Robust Design has been added.
140
4.5 Space/Time Fields (SAMCEF Only)

This form is used to create a discrete FEM Field (formerly known as an LBC Field).
Fields
Action: Create Select Create as the action.
Object: Non Spatial Select Non Spatial as the object.
Method: Discrete FEM The new field will be a Discrete FEM field.
Existing Fields
field_3 Existing fields are displayed here. Select one if the new
field_2 field is to be a modification of an existing field. The field
field_1
name will appear in the box below.
Field Name
Alternatively, enter a unique field name here.
Entity Type
Node Element Select Node for nodal entities or Element for element
entities (for element select menu options, see FEM
Fields Select Menu (p. 49) in the MSC.Patran
Reference Manual, Part 1: Introduction to
MSC.Patran).
Active Dynamic Variable
Select the dynamic variable.
Time (t) Frequency (f)
This button displays the Input Data form as
Input Data ...
shown on next page.
[Options...] The Options Menu allows you to change the treatment

of points that lie outside the dynamic variable range.
-Apply-
Warning: The field is not created until Apply is

selected. Wait for the new field name to appear in
the Existing Fields databox after selecting Apply.
CHAPTER 4 141
Non-Spatial Discrete FEM Field Tabular Input (SAMCEF Only)

This form is used to input Discrete FEM Tabular data. The default table length is 30.
This can be changed by adding and deleting rows. The default number of layers is 10.
This can be changed by adding and deleting layers. The Input Data Box changes
depending on whether entities or values are selected and what is selected on the main
form.
First select a cell. If an Entity cell is chosen a select The select databoxes allow you to pick
databox will appear and if a Value cell is chosen a either nodes or elements off the viewport or
databox will appear. enter them manually. The main form
determines whether you are using Nodes or
Elements and they cannot be mixed. The
entities will be highlighted in the viewport.
Discrete Space/Time Field Table Data
If more than one entity is in the select
Select Entities (Nodes) databox, the spreadsheet will be filled out
starting at the first selected cell.
The databox allows you to enter Scalar
values.
Entity Values
Notes:
1 1. Pushing the Return key causes the
2 input data to be put in the selected cells
and moves the selection box downward
3
to the next level. (The tab key does not
4 move it horizontally.)
5 2. If more than one Entity cell is selected
the corresponding entities are put into
6
the select databox and highlighted in
7 the viewport.
8 3. Clicking on the upper left-hand corner
of the spreadsheet will cause all the
9
cells to be selected.
Laye 10 Time Moves up or down through layers.
Clear Selected Cells Delete selected row(s) Select the layer and set the time
or frequency value here.
Number of Layers to Delete (from current) 1 Delet
Clear selected cells, delete selected
Action Insert Number to Insert (from selected) 1 rows or delete layers here.
Insert Insert
Define the number of rows or layers to
Sort Layers in Time Ascending be inserted or appended. Defaults to
1.
OK Cancel
Inserts or appends rows or layers to the
spreadsheet after the cell or layer
selected.
142
CHAPTER
Performance and Other Strategic
5 Enhancements
■ Miscellaneous Enhancements
144
5.1 Miscellaneous Enhancements

MSC.Patran Version 2001 incorporates the following performance improvements and
miscellaneous enhancements and additions.
Group Create Enhancements

This new functionality allows for groups to be created based on property sets and
types, element topologies and shapes, ID ranges, LBC sets and types, materials, MPC
types, and also based on combination of groups with boolean functions, such as
groups made by the intersections and unions of other groups.
To use this functionality, select Group/Create from the MSC.Patran Main menu. This
feature represents a migration of shareware utility (Utilities/Group/Create Multiple
Groups) into core MSC.Patran.
Multiple Group color assignment and posting toggles have been added for automatic
group posting and group coloring within the multiple create group form.
CHAPTER 5 145
Performance and Other Strategic Enhancements
Group Transform Enhancements

MSC.Patran model manipulating speed (Group Functionality) has been historically
slow. In v2001, the transform performance has been greatly improved. Moving a
group is now being done with a true transformation of the entities' coordinates,
instead of "copy-move" operation. As the result, major performance improvement can
be seen in the following areas:
• 2.6 times faster in translating 260,000 elements/nodes
• 26 times faster in rotating 1500 elements w/ 1500 properties
• (single_blade model)
• 84.6 times faster in translating Parasolid surface model
Other benefits of this enhanced capability include:

• True transformation of Parasolid geometry
• Retain Original Formulation
• Reduced memory requirement
• Multiple Groups” transform function
You can access this functionality under Group/Transform.
STEP AP203/AP209
STEP AP203/AP209 import/export is delivered on the CD.
Spaceball Support
Spaceball is now supported on Windows NT & Windows 2000.
MSC.Patran Thermal
MSC.Patran Thermal is now supported on LINUX.
Settings.pcl
Control Default settings in Results through the settings.pcl file.
146
MSC/PATRAN Release Guide(
CHAPTER
Pre-Release Capabilities
6
■ Advanced Mesh Utilities
■ Interactive Frequency Response with MSC.Nastran
■ ANSYS and ABAQUS Input File Reader
■ Additional CAD Access Support
148
6.1 Advanced Mesh Utilities

Presently, these capabilities are considered pre-release because testing has not been
completed. It is being presented for your feedback on usability and suggestions on the
implementation, which will help migrate this to full release status in subsequent
MSC.Patran releases. The interface to these tools is accessed from the TOOLS/Pre-
release menu.
Sheetbody Meshing (Region Meshing)

A new meshing capability allows for the generation of a finite element mesh on a
group of connected surfaces without being constrained to follow the internal surface
edges, or small boundary edges. This collection of topologically congruent surfaces is
commonly known as a sheetbody. You can mesh an entire model of constituent
surfaces, or can selectively mesh groupings of composited surfaces. You can thus
avoid areas with thin sliver surfaces, etc., and avoid poor elements, resulting in
quality meshes for models that contain slivers and skewed surfaces. This speeds the
modeling process by avoiding the time consuming effort involved with modifying
these congruent, yet complex, geometries normally required in order to recover
satisfactory meshes.
Summary of Key Features in this New Mesh Tool:

1. Region meshing. This mesher allows you to mesh a collection of congruent
surfaces as a region. The elements on the output mesh may cross surface
boundary. This feature is very useful to mesh a model with some small,
sliver surfaces.
2. Feature Recognition and Preserve. You can define a feature curve or a point
by selecting it or by turning ON the Feature Recognition toggle. The feature
curves and points in the interior of a region will be preserved on output
mesh.
3. IsoMesh on Multiple Surfaces. You can Isomesh a 4-sided region which is a
collection of several surfaces.
CHAPTER 6 149
To Access the Sheetbody Meshing Feature

■ Bring down the Tools menu on the MSC.Patran Main menu.
■ Select PreRelease and then click on Sheetbody Mesh.
IsoMesh - Creates an iso mesh on a 4-

sided region. Select 4 corner nodes in
databox. Select Feature Vertices.
Feature Recognition -Automatically
defines the feature curves and points
on the region based on the feature
edge angle and the feature vertex
angle, and preserves them on output
mesh.
Seed, Uniform --- Creates boundary

nodes based on input element size. The
vertices on the boundary of the region
may be ignored.
Seed, Using Existing Vertices ---
Preserves all boundary vertices on the
region.
Select Feature Curves --- Select feature

curves on the interior of the region you
want to preserve.
Select Feature Vertices --- Select feature
points on the boundary or the interior of
the region you want to preserve.
Select surfaces --- Select surfaces to be
meshed. The surfaces will be grouped
into regions based on free or non-
congruent surface boundary curves.
150
An Example Using Sheetbody Meshing

The figure below shows an example of congruent geometry with potential problem
areas. This type of geometry can be handled using the Sheetbody Meshing feature.
Internal edges
effect mesh quality
c
Sliver Surface
CHAPTER 6 151
The figure below shows a standard mesh that would be generated following surface
boundaries. This mesh produces collapsed elements and large differences in mesh
size.
Collapsed elements
Mesh size being

determined by
geometry topology
This next figure shows a simplified and improved mesh generated with the new
Sheetbody Mesh option
Uniform mesh with

controlled mesh
size
Approximates
shape. User can
control the degree
to which the original
geometry is followed
152
This method can also be very helpful in controlling the minimum element size, as can
be seen in the above example. When forced to follow geometry topology, the element
size can often be forced to small sizes when not necessary. This is particularly
important for explicit solutions where run time is directly proportional to element
size. Modeling for vehicle crash simulation is a good example of one which can benefit
from this new capability in MSC.Patran 2001.
Important shape or topology areas on the original geometry can be preserved
selectively, as shown in the following example of mesh generated on the same part
with addition feature control.
Utilizing hard curves and feature detection to more closely capture shape
Toggle to auto detect geometry features by

relative angle changes
Selected edges of the original geometry

forces mesh to preserve nodes along those
edges
CHAPTER 6 153
Mesh On Mesh
In addition to the above geometry-based capability, it is now possible to create new
mesh regions applied to a surface defined by a finite element mesh without geometric
definition. Using the underlying mesh, another mesh of different type or density can
be generated which follows the “surface” defined by the original mesh. This allows for
mesh refinement or re-shaping with selective user control of boundary node locations.
The following is a summary of capabilities:
• Re-meshes an existing mesh.
• Based on existing mesh, not geometry.
• Many features for controlling the mesh.
• Re-mesh with QUAD4 or TRI3 elements.
• Feature recognition - The feature points and lines on input model can be
preserved by turning on Feature Recognition or by selecting Hard Nodes,
Hard Bars or Soft bars.
• Hard node, hard bar, soft bar. A hard node preserves the location of nodes
on the original mesh. A soft bar is treated as an internal edge. A hard bar
allows only nodes to be created at two ends of the bar.
• Mesh refinement of a region.
• Isomesh a region.
• This mesher can be used to create a quad/tria mesh over a congruent shell
mesh.
154
To Access the Mesh On Mesh Feature

■ Select PreRelease and then click on Mesh on Mesh.
Delete Elements --- Deletes the input mesh.

Feature Angle, Edge ---
IsoMesh --- Creates an Isomesh on a 4-sided region. Select 4
Defines an edge on the
corner nodes in databox Select Boundary Seeds.
input mesh as feature angle
Feature Recognition --- Automatically defines feature lines on and preserves input mesh
the input mesh based on feature edge angle and feature vertex edge angles that are greater
angle, and preserves them on output mesh. than feature edge angle.
Feature Angle, Vertex ---
Defines a node on a feature
line as vertex and preserves
the nodes if the vertex angle
is less than feature vertex
angle.
Seed, Uniform --- Creates new boundary

nodes based on input element size.
Seed, Using Existing Boundary ---
Preserves all boundary edges on input
mesh.
Select Boundary Seeds --- Select

boundary nodes you want to preserve.
Select Hard Nodes --- Select hard nodes
you want to preserve.
Select Hard Bars --- Select hard bars (end
nodes are included) to preserve on the
output mesh.
Select Soft Bars --- A soft bar is a part of a
feature line. The feature line will be
preserved on the output mesh, but its
nodes may be deleted or moved along the
feature line.
Select 2D Elements --- input tria/quad
mesh.
CHAPTER 6 155
Examples Using Mesh On Mesh

The following example illustrates two capabilities of the new Mesh On Mesh
component. The first is an example of a quick conversion of a triangular surface mesh
to a Quad element surface mesh. Similar controls as those available in the Sheetbody
mesh tool, above, are available to control the degree to which the original shape is
followed. The second example shows the selective refinement of a mesh region.
Example of Mesh Conversion

Before -- Existing Triangular mesh defines shape
After -- Uniform Quad mesh generated with Mesh On Mesh

156
Example of Mesh Refinement

Before -- Select a region to refine mesh
Mesh on Mesh
Show Description...
Node List Element List

1 1
Delete Elements
Iso Mesh
Feature Recognition
Feature Angle
Edge Vertex
45.0 150.0
ElType Quad4
Seed Uniform
Element Size
Choose “Use
0.1
Existing
Boundary” to
Select Vertex Nodes
force mesh
congruency
Select Boundary Seeds
After -- Resulting congruent refined mesh region

CHAPTER 6 157
Midplane Meshing Component

A new capability is being introduced for creation of a mid-plane finite element
representation for a thin walled solid. This tool is a mesh-based method for direct mid-
plane mesh creation, without the need to create any mid-plane geometry entities. It is
well suited to solid models of thin components, which are stamped. Most automotive
parts that are made from stamping sheet metals can be meshed using this technology.
This mesh tool can complement the newly introduced geometry based mid-surface
extraction utility. This finite element based function is sometimes able to create a mid-
plane mesh from the solid parts where geometry based methods fail, or produce
geometry needing interactive cleanup.
This technology is limited to solids that do not have T-sections. Solids that have T-
sections can be broken into pieces that do not have T-sections which can then be
midplane-meshed.
The only required user input is the global mesh size, which can be directly entered or
can be calculated automatically as a fraction of the overall model size.
To Access the Mid-Plane Meshing Feature

■ Select PreRelease and then click on Midplane Mesh.
Starting element and

node IDs
Solid list to be
Midplane meshed.
Input global element

size or enable auto
calculation.
158
Comparison Between Mid-Plane Meshing and Mid-Surface

Extraction
• Mid-plane meshing is a single-step process. It can be faster than the two-step
mid-surface extraction and meshing process.
• Mid-plane meshing produces a mesh that is not associated with any
geometry. This means that element properties, loads, and boundary
conditions must be applied directly to elements, not geometry.
• Mid-plane meshing does not work for parts with T junctions.
The solids shown below represent the types of solids well suited for the new midplane
mesh generator.
CHAPTER 6 159
6.2 Interactive Frequency Response with MSC.Nastran

Presently, this capabilities is considered pre-release. It is being presented for your
feedback on usability and suggestions on the implementation, which will help
migrate this to full release status in subsequent MSC.Patran releases. The interface to
this tool is enabled through a defined environment variable.
This new functionality in MSC.Patran decreases the time and effort involved with
running MSC.Nastran based Frequency Response analyses from within MSC.Patran.
Through the use of MSC.Nastran Alters and MSC.Patran GUI enhancements iterative
FR analyses can be run from within MSC.Patran in near real time.
Important: To activate Interactive MSC.Nastran capabilities, you must set an
environment variable in the OS environment prior to starting
MSC.Patran. Set the logical: INTERACTIVE_NASTRAN TRUE, and
the interactive option for Normal Modes is then enabled.
This is a significant new capability which demonstrates the level of integration
possible between the simulation modeling environment of MSC.Patran and the
simulation solver environment of MSC.Nastran.
Summary of Interactive Frequency Response

Implementation:
When using the Modal Frequency Response Method (Sol 111), the frequency response
calculation is essentially a postprocessing operation on the modal data.
Interactive frequency response takes advantage of this by allowing a single
MSC.Patran session to:
• Run a Normal Modes Analysis (Sol103)
• Save the MSC.Nastran database (DBALL) from this run
• Set up the frequency response definition
• Use the modal results in the DBALL to calculate the frequency response
• Set up new frequency response definitions as required
The following flow chart helps to further explain the process.
160
Interactive Dynamics Paradigm

Nastran Normal Read Only
Modes Database
Patran Nastran
(Client) (Server)
Display NAST “Smart”
API Restarts
Sol III
User FREQ RESPONSE +
“Wizards” FREQ Alter
Nastran
NAST
Scratch
Results API Database
A(W)
X-Y Plotter
“Wizards”- By definition only limited load application and
limited output requests
W MSC.Confidential
CHAPTER 6 161
To Access the Interactive Frequency Response Feature

■ Set the logical: INTERACTIVE_NASTRAN TRUE in the OS environment.
■ On the Solution Type form, click on the Interactive Modal Analysis checkbox.
■ On the Analysis application form, select Action>>Analyze, Object>>Interactive.

The Object>>Interactive option becomes available once the Normal Modes run is
complete and the DBALL file containing the modal data is available.
Set INTERACTIVE_NASTRAN TRUE

The interactive option for Normal Modes
Analysis (SOL 103) is then enabled
Select Interactive
Analysis mode once the
Normal Modes run is
complete and the DBALL
file with the modal data is
available
162
6.3 ANSYS and ABAQUS Input File Reader

In MSC.Patran v2001, the executables for ANSYS 5 and ABAQUS input file readers are
now in core. These input file readers will be installed automatically when ANSYS 5
and ABAQUS preferences are loaded.
These shareware readers can be activated by inserting the following line in your
settings.pcl file.
pref_env_set_logical( "shareware_input_file", TRUE )
This will cause the "Read Input File" option to appear in the Analysis form for the
ANSYS 5 and ABAQUS preferences.
CHAPTER 6 163
6.4 Additional CAD Access Support

Presently, these capabilities are considered pre-release. It is being presented for your
feedback on usability and suggestions on the implementation, which will help
migrate this to full release status in subsequent MSC.Patran releases. The interface to
these CAD import tools are enabled through a defined environment variables. These
import options can be activated through the Tools/Pre Release menu for the current
MSC.Patran session or can be activated for all MSC.Patran through an environment
variable in the settings.pcl file or through the operating system environment settings.
• Support for I-DEAS has been added for this release.
Set the environment variable MSCPATRAN_IMPORT_IDEAS to TRUE.
• Support for VDA has been added for this release.
Set the environment variable MSCPATRAN_IMPORT_VDA to TRUE.
Note: Currently I-DEAS and VDA import are only available for MSC.Patran running on
Windows NT with Service pack 6 and Windows 2000. Executables for other supported
Unix operating systems will be available on the MSC.Software Web Site in the near
future.
164
I N D E X
I N D E X
MSC.Patran
Release Guide
A H
AIX hardware
supported OS levels, 9 supported OS levels, 8, 112
help, 15
HP
C supported OS levels, 8
CAD systems
access, 112
supported, 112 I
CADDS, 112 IBM
CATIA, 112 supported OS levels, 9
CATXPRES, 112 Intel
Client Service Requests (CSR) supported OS levels, 8
corrected, 12 IRIX
Compaq supported OS levels, 9
supported OS levels, 9
course docmumentation, 17
M
materials
D composite
defects isotropic, 28
corrected, 12 isotropic
direct access elastic, 28
CAD systems, 112 failure, 28
documentation hyperelastic, 28
MSC.Patran, 15 plastic, 29
training, 17 viscoelastic, 28
MSC, 17
training seminars, 17
E MSC.Dytran Preference enhancements, 53
MSC.Software Corporate Web URL, 17
EUCLID 3, 112
166 INDEX
O
online help, 15
operating systems, 8, 9
HP, 8
supported, 8, 112
P
platforms
supported, 8, 112
preference guides, 15
Pro/ENGINEER, 112
S
seminars, 17
SGI
software defects
corrected, 12
SUN
supported platforms, 8, 112
T
training documentation, 17
training seminars, 17
Tru64 Unix
U
Unigraphics, 112
URL
MSC.Software, 17
W
world wide web URL, 17

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MSC.

Preface ■ List of MSC.Patran Books, viii

■ Documentation and Online Help, 15

■ Other Sources of MSC.Patran Information, 17

■ MSC.Nastran Preference Enhancements, 39

■ LS-DYNA3D Preference Enhancements, 77

■ MSC.Patran Advanced FEA, 90

■ Strategic Geometry Enhancements, 111

■ Miscellaneous FEM, 124

■ MSC.Laminate Modeler 2001, 126

■ Space/Time Fields (SAMCEF Only), 140

■ Interactive Frequency Response with MSC.Nastran, 159

INDEX MSC.Patran Release Guide 165

■ List of MSC.Patran Books

List of MSC.Patran Books

Installation and Release Guides

User’s Guides and Reference Manuals

Rome, Italy Gouda, The Netherlands

MSC.Patran Support mscpatran.support@mscsoftware.com

Course Information and Registration. For detailed course descriptions, schedule

Permission to Copy and Distribute MSC Documentation

Please complete and mail to MSC for approval:

Please do not write below this line.

APPROVED: MSC.Software Corporation

■ Overview of MSC.Patran 2001

■ Other Sources of MSC.Patran Information

1.1 Overview of MSC.Patran 2001

MSC.Marc Preference Enhancements. MSC.Marc specializes in simulating

• Translation Parameters Supported - Analysis general translation parameters

• LBC Priorities - Load and boundary condition prioritization has been

MSC.Dytran Preference Enhancements. Enhancements to the MSC.Dytran

• Support for *SET keywords

Assembly TetMesh. This functionality is released with a new user interface to

without being constrained to follow the internal surface edges, or small

1.2 Supported Platforms

SUN Solaris 7, 8 UltraSPARC Ultra 1, 2, 5, 10, TurboGX*, Creator*,

Intel Microsoft Intel Pentium II, Compaq 3D Labs GMX 2000,

SGI IRIX 6.5.2 - 6.5.10 R5000 Indigo 2, Extreme, Solid IMPACT,

IBM AIX 4.3.2 POWER RISC GXT255P‡, GXT500D,

* The TurboGX, TurboGX+, and Creator graphics devices provide 2D hardware

Future Support for Compaq Tru64

Compaq Corp. is committed to work with MSC.Software to ensure a smooth

1.3 Licensing Considerations

1.4 Corrected Software Defects

1.5 Database Compatibility

Future Support for InterBase

InterBase Software Delivery

Period of Support and Operating System Support

Long Term Support Issues

1.6 Documentation and Online Help

Reference Manual. The MSC.Patran Reference Manual, providing detailed

• MSC.Patran PAMCRASH Preference Guide

MSC.Patran Online Help

1.7 Other Sources of MSC.Patran Information

Training Seminars. MSC.Software offers a wide variety of training seminars. We

2.1 MSC.Marc Preference Enhancements

Analysis Load Step Setup (p. 24).

Miscellaneous (p. 38). A number of other miscellaneous enhancements have also

MSC.Marc Preference Layout

1. MSC.Marc version: This can be set to Solver Options...

2. Solver Options: Allows you to set the Restart Parameters...

MSC.Marc solver and optimization Adaptive Meshing...

settings. User Subroutine File...

SUN Solaris 7, 8 UltraSPARC Ultra 1, 2, 5, 10, TurboGX, Creator,