Exporting and importing CBEAM and CBAR elements with the OFFT field

There are special considerations when you export, solve, or import a Nastran input file that includes CBAR or CBEAM elements that use the OFFT field to specify the cross section orientation vector and the two end offset vectors.

Export considerations

When you export or solve a Nastran input file that contains CBAR or CBEAM elements, Pre/Post writes out the OFFT field as follows:

• When you export or solve a solution, Pre/Post writes out the OFFT field if: The specified Nastran version supports the OFFT field (Simcenter Nastran 2020.1 and higher or MSC Nastran 2005 and higher).You export the file from the FEM file or from the Simulation file with an active solution that supports the OFFT field. The OFFT field is not supported in Solutions 402, 414, 601, and 701.If the specified Nastran version or the active solution does not support the OFFT field, then Pre/Post converts the V vector and the offsets to the displacement coordinate system, if needed, and writes out the OFFT field as blank, which is equivalent to ‘GGG'.

• If you specified the orientation vector for the CBAR or CBEAM element in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box, the software always writes out the orientation vector in the displacement coordinate system ‘G’ to help ensure compatibility with previous Simcenter versions. If you specified the orientation in the Element Associated Data dialog box, Pre/Post writes out the orientation vector in the basic (absolute) coordinate system ‘B’.

• If you specified the offset vectors for the CBAR or CBEAM element in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box, the software always writes them out in the displacement coordinate system ‘G’. If you specified the offset vectors in the Element Associated Data dialog box, Pre/Post writes out the orientation vector in the elemental (offset) coordinate system ‘O’.

For more information on CBAR and CBEAM elements, see:

• CBAR in the Simcenter Nastran Quick Reference Guide.

• CBEAM in the Simcenter Nastran Quick Reference Guide.

Import considerations

For CBAR and CBEAM elements, Pre/Post always imports the orientation V vector, the offsets and the corresponding offset coordinate systems as Element Associated Data. Pre/Post imports the OFFT data as specified in the Nastran input file and does not filter the data based on the specified solver version or active solution.

Where do I find it?

Application	Pre/Post
Prerequisite	An active Simulation with Simcenter Nastran, Simcenter 3D Multiphysics, or MSC Nastran as the specified solver
Simulation Navigator	File→Export→Simulation****File→Import→Simulation

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Exporting and importing CBEAM and CBAR elements with the OFFT field, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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