Zone-based physical properties and element groups

Zone-based physical properties and zone-based element groups are diagnostic tools that help you visualize and validate the draping in your global ply model.

Zone-based physical properties

When you create or update zones, the software also generates a separate physical property table for each zone called a zone-based physical property table. If the collector that contains the elements in a zone has a laminate physical property table with the Stacking Recipe set to Inherited from Layup, then the zone-based physical property table is applied to the elements in the zone.

Zone-based physical property tables are stored in memory and are not saved in the FEM file. When you write out a solver input file or solve the model, the software copies the zone-based physical property table inherited from a layup to the solver input file. The solver treats the zone-based physical property tables the same way it treats any physical property table assigned to an element.

If you want to visualize or examine the zone-based physical property table, you can use the Create Laminate Physical Property command. This generates one or more physical property tables in the FEM file so that you can examine them. Whether or not the zone-based physical property table is generated in the FEM has no impact on the solution.

Zone-based element groups

After you update zones in your global ply model, you can create zone-based element groups. You can create an element group for each zone using the Auto-create Zone FE Groups command under the Zones node in the Simulation Navigator.

You can use element groups to hide or display certain elements and make elements easier to select. For example, you can display only certain groups and apply Element Associated Data to selected elements.

How do I

View laminate physical properties in the FEM file

View laminate physical properties for a selected element in post processing

Learn more

Creating zones

Laminate definition for a selected face or element

Laminate annotation

Element color basis by laminate zone

Look up more details

Right-click commands for the zone nodes

Group Manager dialog box

Quick links

Command reference

Pre/Post video examples

Bulk Entry Descriptions

Simcenter 3D tutorials

Browse Simcenter 3D help by product area

Zone-based physical properties and element groups, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

© 2020 Siemens

window.mainLanguage="en_US"

window.delivId=""

window.projectId=""

MathJax.Hub.Config({ TeX: { extensions: ["autoload-all.js"] }, tex2jax: { displayMath: [ ] }, "SVG": { scale: 125 } });