Definition Method

Definition Method

There are six different ways of defining a cut section, chosen from the pull-down menu. The data entry panel changes for each mode. Click on a method below for details.

Ansys LS-DYNA method Tail, Head and Edge head coordinates are defined. Origin and vectors Origin coordinate is defined, then vectors for local X axis and XY plane N3 Three nodes Three nodes: N1 at origin, N2 giving X axis, N3 the XY plane Constant X Cut at constant X value Constant Y Cut at constant Y value Constant Z Cut at constant Z value Regardless of how the plane is defined its actual characteristics and geometry will be the same.

Ansys LS-DYNA method This entry method mimics the data format of the *DATABASE_CROSS_SECTION card in the Ansys LS-DYNA input deck. You define: The Tail coordinate of the normal vector (origin) The Head coordinate of the normal vector (local Z axis) A Head coordinate of a vector on the XY plane If there are any *DATABASE_CROSS_SECTION cards in any models the definition can be built from those using Import...

Origin and Vectors Here you give: An origin coordinate A vector defining the local X axis A vector on the local XY plane The normal (local Z) vector is obtained from the vector cross product of these.

N3 Three nodes

Here three nodes are defined:

• N1 is the plane origin
• N2 is on the local X axis (vector N1N2)
• N3 is on the local XY plane

The normal (local Z) vector is obtained from the vector cross product of these.

Constant X Constant Y Constant Z

In these cases define either:

• A coordinate on the relevant axis
  
  or
  
  
• A node, or a mesh node, from which the relevant coordinate will be extracted. (The N keyboard shortcut will jump straight to this mode.)

A plane will be defined at a constant value of the relevant axis at that point.