Physical properties and element attributes > Supported elements and properties
Abaqus elements
The tables list the Abaqus elements that are supported for each analysis type in Pre/Post:
0D Elements
1D Elements
2D Elements
3D Elements
Special purpose elements
The tables also list the physical property tables that can be defined for each element type. For a description of an element type and its associated physical properties, see the Abaqus Keywords Reference Guide and look up the Abaqus keyword listed for each element type.
Note:
Creating transition hybrid meshesThe elements CGAX3 and CGAX6 are transition elements with their parent elements CGAX4 and CGAX8. For information about creating these elements, see Creating transition hybrid meshes.
Managing elements in Coupled Thermal-Structural analysesFor more information about the elements for Coupled Thermal-Structural and Dynamic Coupled Thermal-Structural analyses, see Managing elements in Coupled Thermal-Structural analyses.
0D Elements
| Element name | Analysis type | Description | Physical property table name | Associated Abaqus Keyword |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | StructuralAxisymmetric StructuralDynamic ExplicitAxisymmetric Dynamic ExplicitCoupled Thermal-Structural Dynamic Coupled Thermal-Structural | Concentrated mass | Mass****Inertia | MASSINERTIA RELIEF |
1D elements
| Element name | Analysis type | Description | Command to create element in Pre/Post | Physical property table name | Associated Abaqus Keyword |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B21 | StructuralDynamic Explicit | 2-node linear beam element in a plane | 1D Mesh | Beam General Section | *BEAM GENERAL SECTION |
| B21H | Structural | 2-node linear beam element in a plane, hybrid formulation | 1D Mesh | Beam General Section | *BEAM GENERAL SECTION |
| B31 | StructuralDynamic Explicit | Beam | 1D Mesh | Beam General Section | *BEAM GENERAL SECTION |
| B31H | Structural | 2-node linear bean element, hybrid formulation | 1D Mesh | Beam General Section | *BEAM GENERAL SECTION |
| CONN2D2 | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selectedAxisymmetric Dynamic Explicit or Dynamic Explicit with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | Connector between two nodes or ground and a node | 1D Mesh or 1D Connection | Connector Plane Section | *CONNECTOR SECTION |
| CONN3D2 | StructuralDynamic Explicit | 3-node linear element | 1D Mesh or 1D Connection | *CONNECTOR SECTION | |
| DC1D2 | Thermal | 2-node link | 1D Mesh or 1D Connection or Spot Weld | Beam General Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| DSAX1 | Axisymmetric Thermal or Thermal with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 2-node shell heat transfer element | 1D Mesh or 1D Connection | Axisymmetric Shell Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| EQUATION | Thermal | Rigid link | 1D Mesh or 1D Connection or Spot Weld | *EQUATION | |
| Kinematic Coupling | StructuralCoupled Thermal-Structural | Rigid link | 1D Mesh or 1D Connection | Kinematic Coupling | *KINEMATIC COUPLING |
| MAX1 | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 2-node linear membrane element, with no twist | 1D Mesh or 1D Connection | Axisymmetric MEMBRANE Section | *MEMBRANE SECTION |
| R2D2 | StructuralDynamic Explicit | 2-node linear link element | 1D Mesh or 1D Connection | Rigid Body Section | *RIGID SECTION |
| RAX2 | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selectedAxisymmetric Dynamic Explicit or Dynamic Explicit with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 2-node shell heat transfer element | 1D Mesh or 1D Connection | Axisymmetric Shell Section | *RIGID SECTION |
| RB2D2 | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 2-node thin or thick linear shell, stress/displacement element | 1D Mesh or 1D Connection | Rigid Body Section | *RIGID SECTION |
| RB3D2 | Structural | 2-node rigid beam element | 1D Mesh or 1D Connection | Rigid Beam Section | *RIGID SECTION |
| SAX1 | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selectedAxisymmetric Dynamic Explicit or Dynamic Explicit with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 2-node thin or thick linear shell, stress/displacement element | 1D Mesh or 1D Connection | Axisymmetric Shell Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| SFMAX1 | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 2-node linear without twist | 1D Mesh | Surface Section | *SURFACE SECTION |
| SFMGAX1 | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 2-node linear with twist | 1D Mesh | Surface Section | *SURFACE SECTION |
| SpringA | StructuralDynamic Explicit | Axial spring between two nodes whose line of action is the line joining the two nodes. The line of action can rotate in large-displacement analysis. | 1D Mesh or 1D Connection | SpringANote: You can reuse a SpringA Physical Property Table in an Abaqus Structural or Abaqus Dynamic Explicit analysis.In an Abaqus Dynamic Explicit analysis, the SpringA Physical Property Table has an additional option: Data Regularization Tolerance. Set it equal to the tolerance to be used for regularizing the material data. The default is 0.03. | *SPRING |
| SPRING1 | Structural | Spring between a node and ground, acting in a fixed direction | 0D Mesh | Spring_NG | *SPRING |
| SPRING2 | Structural | Spring | 1D Mesh | Spring | *SPRING |
| T2D2 | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected Axisymmetric Dynamic Explicit or Dynamic Explicit with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 2-node linear displacement truss element | 1D Mesh or 1D Connection | Truss | *SOLID SECTION |
| T2D2H | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected Axisymmetric Dynamic Explicit or Dynamic Explicit with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 2-node linear displacement, hybrid formulation | 1D Mesh or 1D Connection Use the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Truss | *SOLID SECTION |
| T2D2T | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 2-node linear displacement, linear temperature | 1D Mesh or 1D Connection | Truss | *TRUSS |
| T3D2 | StructuralDynamic Explicit | 2-node linear displacement truss element | 1D Mesh | Truss | *SOLID SECTION |
| T3D2H | StructuralDynamic Explicit | 2-node linear displacement truss element, hybrid formulation | 1D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Truss | *SOLID SECTION |
| T3D2T | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 2-node linear displacement, linear temperature | 1D Mesh or 1D Connection | Truss | *TRUSS |
2D elements
| Element name | Analysis type | Description | Command to create element in Pre/Post | Physical property table name | Associated Abaqus Keyword |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAX3 | Structural Axisymmetric StructuralDynamic ExplicitAxisymmetric Dynamic Explicit | 3-node triangular element, axisymmetric XY | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX3H | Structural Axisymmetric Structural | 3-node triangular element, axisymmetric XY, hybrid, constant pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX3T | Coupled Thermal-StructuralDynamic Coupled Thermal-Structural | 3-node linear displacement and temperature | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX4 | Structural Axisymmetric Structural | 4-node quadrilateral element, axisymmetric XY | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX4H | Structural Axisymmetric Structural | 4-node quadrilateral element, axisymmetric XY, hybrid, constant pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX4I | Structural Axisymmetric Structural | 4-node quadrilateral element, axisymmetric XY, incompatible modes | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the incompatible modes formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX4IH | Structural Axisymmetric Structural | 4-node quadrilateral element, axisymmetric XY, hybrid, linear pressure, incompatible modes | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the incompatible modes, hybrid formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX4R | Structural Axisymmetric StructuralDynamic ExplicitAxisymmetric Dynamic Explicit | 4-node quadrilateral element, axisymmetric XY, reduced integration, hourglass control | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX4RH | StructuralAxisymmetric Structural | 4-node quadrilateral element, axisymmetric XY, hybrid, constant pressure, reduced integration, hourglass control | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration, hybrid formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX4T | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 4-node bilinear displacement and temperature | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX4HT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 4-node bilinear displacement and temperature, hybrid with constant pressure | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX4RT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 4-node bilinear displacement and temperature, reduced integration with hourglass control | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX4RHT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 4-node bilinear displacement and temperature, reduced integration with hourglass control, hybrid with constant pressure | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX6 | Structural Axisymmetric Structural | 6-node quadratic plane strain element | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX6H | Structural Axisymmetric Structural | 6-node quadratic plane strain element, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX6M | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 6-node modified with hourglass control | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the modified formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX6MH | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 6-node modified with hourglass control, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the modified, hybrid formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX6MT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 6-node modified displacement and temperature with hourglass control | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX6MHT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 6-node modified displacement and temperature with hourglass control, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX8 | Structural Axisymmetric Structural | 8-node biquadratic plane strain element | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX8H | Structural Axisymmetric Structural | 8-node biquadratic, hybrid with linear pressure plane strain element | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX8R | Structural Axisymmetric Structural | 8-node biquadratic, reduced integration plane strain element | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX8RH | Structural Axisymmetric Structural | 8-node biquadratic, reduced integration plane strain element, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration, hybrid formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX8T | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 8-node biquadratic displacement, bilinear temperature | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX8HT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 8-node biquadratic displacement, bilinear temperature, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX8RT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 8-node biquadratic displacement, bilinear temperature, reduced integration | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CAX8RHT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 8-node biquadratic displacement, bilinear temperature, reduced integration, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CGAX3 | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 3-node, linear element | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CGAX3H | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 3-node, linear, hybrid with constant pressure element | 2D MeshIn the dialog box:Set Type to CGAXG4.Set Attempt Quad Only to On - Single Triangle or Off - Allow Triangles.Use the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CGAX4 | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 4-node, bilinear | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CGAX4H | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 4-node, bilinear, hybrid with constant pressure element | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CGAX4R | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 4-node, bilinear, reduced integration with hourglass control element | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CGAX4RH | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 4-node, bilinear, reduced integration with hourglass control, hybrid with constant pressure element | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration, hybrid formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CGAX6 | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 6-node quadratic element | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CGAX6H | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 6-node quadratic, hybrid with linear pressure element | 2D MeshIn the dialog box:Set Type to CGAXG8.Set Attempt Quad Only to On - Single Triangle or Off - Allow Triangles.Use the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CGAX6M | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 6-node modified, with hourglass control element | 2D MeshIn the dialog box:Set Type to CGAXG8.Set Attempt Quad Only to On - Single Triangle or Off - Allow Triangles.Use the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the modified formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CGAX6MH | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 6-node modified, with hourglass control, hybrid with linear pressure element | 2D MeshIn the dialog box:Set Type to CGAXG8.Set Attempt Quad Only to On - Single Triangle or Off - Allow Triangles.Use the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the modified hybrid formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CGAX8 | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 8-node biquadratic | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CGAX8H | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 8-node biquadratic, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CGAX8R | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 8-node biquadratic, reduced integration | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CGAX8RH | Axisymmetric Structural or Structural with the XY Plane, Y Axis option selected | 8-node biquadratic, reduced integration, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced, hybrid formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE3 | StructuralAxisymmetric StructuralDynamic ExplicitAxisymmetric Dynamic Explicit | 3-node linear plane strain element | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE3H | Structural Axisymmetric Structural | 3-node linear plane strain element, hybrid with constant pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE3T | Coupled Thermal-StructuralDynamic Coupled Thermal-Structural | 3-node linear displacement and temperature | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE4 | StructuralAxisymmetric Structural | 4-node bilinear plane strain element | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE4H | Structural Axisymmetric Structural | 4-node bilinear plane strain element, hybrid with constant pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE4I | StructuralAxisymmetric Structural | 4-node bilinear plane strain element, incompatible modes | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the incompatible modes formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE4IH | Structural and Axisymmetric Structural | 4-node bilinear plane strain element, incompatible modes, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the incompatible modes, hybrid formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE4R | Structural Axisymmetric StructuralDynamic ExplicitAxisymmetric Dynamic Explicit | 4-node bilinear plane strain element, reduced integration with hourglass control | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE4RH | StructuralAxisymmetric Structural | 4-node bilinear plane strain element, reduced integration with hourglass control, hybrid with constant pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration, hybrid formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE4T | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 4-node bilinear displacement and temperature | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE4HT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 4-node bilinear displacement and temperature, hybrid with constant pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE4RT | Coupled Thermal-StructuralDynamic Coupled Thermal-Structural | 4-node bilinear displacement and temperature, reduced integration with hourglass control | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE4RHT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 4-node bilinear displacement and temperature, reduced integration with hourglass control | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration hybrid formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE6 | Structural Axisymmetric Structural | 6-node quadratic plane strain element | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE6H | StructuralAxisymmetric Structural | 6-node quadratic plane strain element, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE6M | StructuralAxisymmetric StructuralDynamic ExplicitAxisymmetric Dynamic Explicit | 6-node quadratic plane strain element modified, with hourglass control | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the modified formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE6MH | StructuralAxisymmetric Structural | 6-node quadratic plane strain element modified, with hourglass control, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the modified, hybrid formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE6MT | Coupled Thermal-StructuralDynamic Coupled Thermal-Structural | 6-node modified displacement and temperature, with hourglass control | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE6MHT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 6-node modified displacement and temperature, with hourglass control, hybrid with constant pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the modified hybrid formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE8 | StructuralAxisymmetric Structural | 8-node biquadratic plane strain element | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE8H | StructuralAxisymmetric Structural | 8-node biquadratic plane strain element, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE8R | StructuralAxisymmetric Structural | 8-node biquadratic plane strain element, reduced integration | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE8RH | Structural Axisymmetric Structural | 8-node biquadratic plane strain element, reduced integration, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration, hybrid formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE8T | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 8-node biquadratic displacement, bilinear temperature | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE8HT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 8-node biquadratic displacement, bilinear temperature, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE8RT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 8-node biquadratic displacement, bilinear temperature, reduced integration | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPE8RHT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 8-node biquadratic displacement, bilinear temperature, reduced integration, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid, reduced integration formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG3 | Axisymmetric Structural | 3-node linear triangle element | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG3H | Axisymmetric Structural | 3-node linear triangle, hybrid element with constant pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG3T | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 3-node linear displacement and temperature | 2D Mesh | Generalized Plane Strain | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG3HT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 3-node linear displacement and temperature, hybrid with constant pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation.Specify a reference node for the section property. | Generalized Plane Strain | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG4 | Axisymmetric Structural | 4-node bilinear quadrilateral element | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG4H | Axisymmetric Structural | 4-node bilinear quadrilateral, hybrid element with constant pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG4I | Axisymmetric Structural | 4-node bilinear quadrilateral element, incompatible modes | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the incompatible modes formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG4IH | Axisymmetric Structural | 4-node bilinear quadrilateral element, incompatible modes, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the incompatible modes formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG4R | Axisymmetric Structural | 4-node bilinear quadrilateral element, reduced integration with hourglass control | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG4RH | Axisymmetric Structural | 4-node bilinear quadrilateral element, reduced integration with hourglass control, hybrid with constant pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration, hybrid formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG4T | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 4-node bilinear displacement and temperature | 2D Mesh | Generalized Plane Strain | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG4HT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 4-node bilinear displacement and temperature, hybrid with constant pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation.Specify a reference node for the section property. | Generalized Plane Strain | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG4RT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 4-node bilinear displacement and temperature, reduced integration with hourglass control | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation.Specify a reference node for the section property. | Generalized Plane Strain | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG4RHT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 4-node bilinear displacement and temperature, reduced integration with hourglass control, hybrid with constant pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid, reduced integration formulation.Specify a reference node for the section property. | Generalized Plane Strain | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG6 | Axisymmetric Structural | 6-node quadratic triangle element | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG6H | Axisymmetric Structural | 6-node quadratic triangle element, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG6M | Axisymmetric Structural | 6-node modified element, with hourglass control | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the modified formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG6MH | Axisymmetric Structural | 6-node modified element, with hourglass control, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the modified, hybrid formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG6MT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 6-node modified displacement and temperature, with hourglass control | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the modified formulation. | Generalized Plane Strain | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG6MHT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 6-node modified displacement and temperature, with hourglass control, hybrid with constant pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation.Specify a reference node for the section property. | Generalized Plane Strain | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG8 | Axisymmetric Structural | 8-node biquadratic quadrilateral element | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG8H | Axisymmetric Structural | 8-node biquadratic quadrilateral element, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG8R | Axisymmetric Structural | 8-node biquadratic quadrilateral element, reduced integration | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG8RH | Axisymmetric Structural | 8-node biquadratic quadrilateral element, reduced integration, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration, hybrid formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG8T | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 8-node biquadratic displacement, bilinear temperature | 2D Mesh | Generalized Plane Strain | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG8HT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 8-node biquadratic displacement, bilinear temperature, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation.Specify a reference node for the section property. | Generalized Plane Strain | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPEG8RHT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 8-node biquadratic displacement, bilinear temperature, reduced integration, hybrid with linear pressure | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid, reduced integration formulation.Specify a reference node for the section property. | Generalized Plane Strain | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPS3 | Structural Axisymmetric StructuralDynamic ExplicitAxisymmetric Dynamic Explicit | 3-node linear plane stress element | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPS3T | Coupled Thermal-StructuralDynamic Coupled Thermal-Structural | 3-node linear displacement and temperature | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPS4 | StructuralAxisymmetric Structural | 4-node bilinear plane stress element | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPS4I | StructuralAxisymmetric Structural | 4-node bilinear plane stress element, incompatible modes | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the incompatible modes formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPS4R | StructuralAxisymmetric StructuralDynamic ExplicitAxisymmetric Dynamic Explicit | 4-node bilinear plane stress element, reduced integration with hourglass control | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPS4T | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 4-node bilinear displacement and temperature | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPS4RT | Coupled Thermal-StructuralDynamic Coupled Thermal-Structural | 4-node bilinear displacement and temperature, reduced integration with hourglass control | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPS6 | StructuralAxisymmetric Structural | 6-node plane stress quadratic element | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPS6M | Structural Axisymmetric StructuralDynamic ExplicitAxisymmetric Dynamic Explicit | 6-node modified quadratic plane stress element with hourglass control | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the modified formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPS6MT | Coupled Thermal-StructuralDynamic Coupled Thermal-Structural | 6-node modified displacement and temperature, with hourglass control | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPS8 | StructuralAxisymmetric Structural | 8-node biquadratic plane stress element | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPS8R | StructuralAxisymmetric Structural | 8-node biquadratic place stress element, reduced integration | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPS8T | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 8-node biquadratic displacement, bilinear temperature | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| CPS8RT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 8-node biquadratic displacement, bilinear temperature, reduced integration | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| DCAX6 | ThermalAxisymmetric Thermal | 6-node triangular element, axisymmetric XY | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| DCAX3 | ThermalAxisymmetric Thermal | 3-node axisymmetric XY | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| DCAX4 | ThermalAxisymmetric Thermal | 4-node quadrilateral element, axisymmetric XY | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| DCAX8 | ThermalAxisymmetric Thermal | 8-node quadrilateral element, axisymmetric XY | 2D Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| DC2D3 | ThermalAxisymmetric Thermal | 3-node linear element | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| DC2D4 | ThermalAxisymmetric Thermal | 4-node linear element | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| DC2D6 | ThermalAxisymmetric Thermal | 6-node quadratic element | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| DC2D8 | ThermalAxisymmetric Thermal | 8-node quadratic element | 2D Mesh | Solid 2D Plane | *SOLID SECTION |
| DS3 | Thermal | 3-node triangular thin shell element | 2D Mesh | Shell Section | *SHELL SECTION |
| DS4 | Thermal | 4-node quadrilateral element, thin shell | 2D Mesh | Shell Section | *SHELL SECTION |
| DS6 | Thermal | 6-node triangular thin shell element | 2D Mesh | Shell Section | *SHELL SECTION |
| DS8 | Thermal | 8-node quadrilateral thin shell element | 2D Mesh | Shell Section | *SHELL SECTION |
| GK3D4L | Structural | 4-noded, 3D line gasket element | 2D Mesh | Line Gasket Section | *GASKET SECTION |
| GK3D4LN | Structural | 4-noded, 3D line gasket element with thickness-direction behavior only | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the thickness behavior only formulation. | Line Gasket Section | *GASKET SECTION |
| M3D3 | StructuralDynamic Explicit | 3-node triangular membrane element | 2D Mesh | Membrane Section | *MEMBRANE |
| M3D4 | StructuralDynamic Explicit | 4-node quadrilateral membrane element | 2D Mesh | Membrane Section | *MEMBRANE |
| M3D4R | StructuralDynamic Explicit | 4-node quadrilateral membrane element, reduced integration, hourglass control | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Membrane Section | *MEMBRANE |
| M3D6 | Structural | 6-node quadrilateral membrane element | 2D Mesh | Membrane Section | *MEMBRANE |
| M3D8 | Structural | 8-node quadratic quadrilateral membrane element | 2D Mesh | Membrane Section | *MEMBRANE |
| M3D8R | Structural | 8-node quadratic quadrilateral membrane element, reduced integration | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Membrane Section | *MEMBRANE |
| R3D3 | StructuralDynamic Explicit | 3-node, triangular facet element | 2D Mesh | Rigid Planar Section | *RIGID BODY |
| R3D4 | StructuralDynamic Explicit | 4-node, bilinear quadrilateral element | 2D Mesh | Rigid Planar Section | *RIGID BODY |
| S3 | StructuralDynamic Explicit | 3-node triangular thin shell element | 2D Mesh | Shell SectionBasic LaminateLaminate | *SHELL SECTION |
| S3R | Structural Dynamic Explicit | 3-node triangular thin shell element, reduced integration | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Shell SectionBasic LaminateLaminate | *SHELL SECTION |
| S3RS | Dynamic Explicit | 3-node, triangular shell element, small strain elements | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the small membrane strains formulation. | Shell SectionBasic LaminateLaminate | *SHELL SECTION |
| S3T | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 3-node triangular general-purpose shell, finite membrane strains, bilinear temperature in the shell surface (identical to element S3RT) | 2D MeshFor information about creating hybrid meshes, see Create Abaqus conventional formulation shell elements. | Shell SectionBasic LaminateLaminate | *SHELL SECTION |
| S3RT | Coupled Thermal-StructuralDynamic Coupled Thermal-Structural | 3-node triangular general-purpose shell, finite membrane strains, bilinear temperature in the shell surface (identical to element S3T) | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation.For information about creating hybrid meshes, see Create Abaqus conventional formulation shell elements. | Shell SectionBasic LaminateLaminate | *SHELL SECTION |
| S4 | StructuralDynamic Explicit | 4-node quadrilateral thin shell element | 2D Mesh | Shell SectionBasic LaminateLaminate | *SHELL SECTION |
| S4R | Structural Dynamic Explicit | 4-node quadrilateral thin shell element, reduced integration, hourglass control | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation.Use the Hourglass Control option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation (Structural FEM). | Shell SectionBasic LaminateLaminate | *SHELL SECTION |
| S4R5 | Structural | 4-node quadrilateral doubly curved thin shell element with reduced integration, hourglass control, using 5 degrees-of-freedom per node | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration, 5 DOFs formulation. | Shell SectionBasic LaminateLaminate | *SHELL SECTION |
| S4RS | Dynamic Explicit | 4-node, rectangular shell element | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the small membrane strains formulation. | Shell SectionBasic LaminateLaminate | *SHELL SECTION |
| S4RSW | Dynamic Explicit | 4-node, rectangular shell element, reduced integration, small membrane strains with warping | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify small membrane strains, warping formulation. | Shell SectionBasic LaminateLaminate | *SHELL SECTION |
| S4T | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 4-node general-purpose shell, finite membrane strains, bilinear temperature in the shell surface | 2D MeshFor information about creating hybrid meshes, see Create Abaqus conventional formulation shell elements. | Shell SectionBasic LaminateLaminate | *SHELL SECTION |
| S4RT | Coupled Thermal-StructuralDynamic Coupled Thermal-Structural | 4-node general-purpose shell, reduced integration with hourglass control, finite membrane strains, bilinear temperature in the shell surface | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation.For information about creating hybrid meshes, see Create Abaqus conventional formulation shell elements. | Shell SectionBasic LaminateLaminate | *SHELL SECTION |
| S8R | Structural | 8-node quadrilateral element, thin shell | 2D Mesh | Shell SectionBasic LaminateLaminate | *SHELL SECTION |
| S8R5 | Structural | 8-node quadrilateral thin shell element, reduced integration, 5 DOFs per node | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration, 5 DOFs formulation. | Shell SectionBasic LaminateLaminate | *SHELL SECTION |
| SFM3D3 | Structural | 3-node triangle element | 2D Mesh | Surface Section | *SURFACE SECTION |
| SFM3D4 | Structural | 4-node quadrilateral element | 2D Mesh | Surface Section | *SURFACE SECTION |
| SFM3D4R | Structural | 4-node quadrilateral element, reduced integration | 2D MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Surface Section | *SURFACE SECTION |
| SFM3D6 | Structural | 6-node triangle element | 2D Mesh | Surface Section | *SURFACE SECTION |
| SFM3D8 | Structural | 8-node quadrilateral element | 2D Mesh | Surface Section | *SURFACE SECTION |
| SFM3D8R | Structural | 8-node quadrilateral element, reduced integration | 2D Mesh Use the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Surface Section | *SURFACE SECTION |
| STRI3 | Structural | 3-node triangular facet thin shell element | 2D Mesh and select S3. Use the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the triangular facet formulation. | Shell SectionBasic LaminateLaminate | *SHELL SECTION |
| STRI65 | Structural | 3-node triangular thin shell element, 5 DOF per node | 2D Mesh | Shell SectionBasic LaminateLaminate | *SHELL SECTION |
3D elements
| Element name | Analysis type | Description | Command to create element in Pre/Post | Physical property table name | Associated Abaqus Keyword |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C3D4 | StructuralDynamic Explicit | 4-node tetrahedral element | 3D Tetrahedral Mesh | Solid SectionBasic Solid LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D4H | Structural | 4-node tetrahedral element, hybrid, constant pressure | 3D Tetrahedral Mesh Use the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid SectionBasic Solid LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D4T | Coupled Thermal-StructuralDynamic Coupled Thermal-Structural | 4-node linear displacement and temperature | 3D Tetrahedral Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D6 | Structural Dynamic Explicit | 6-node linear triangular prism | Element Create | Solid SectionBasic Solid LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D6H | Structural | 6-node linear triangular prism, hybrid with constant pressure | Element CreateUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid SectionBasic Solid LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D6R | Structural | 6-node linear triangular prism, reduced integration with hourglass control | Element CreateUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid SectionBasic Solid LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D6T | Coupled Thermal-StructuralDynamic Coupled Thermal-Structural | 6-node linear displacement and temperatureNote: Element C3D6T is the transition element of meshes with parent element C3D8T. The mesh information contains the topologies created (Hex8 corresponds to the C3D8T element and Wedge6 to C3D6T). View the Node/Element information in the Information window to see the elements and associated nodes. | 3D SweptIn the 3D Swept Mesh dialog box, select C3D8T as the element type and set Attempt Quad Only to ON-Single Triangle | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D8 | Structural Dynamic Explicit | 8-node hexahedral element | Element Create | Solid SectionBasic Solid LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D8H | Structural | 8-node hexahedral element, hybrid, constant pressure | Element Create Use the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid SectionBasic Solid LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D8R | Structural Dynamic Explicit | 8-node hexahedral element, reduced integration, hourglass control | Element CreateUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Solid SectionBasic Solid LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D8RH | Structural | 8-node hexahedral element, hybrid, constant pressure, reduced integration, hourglass control | Element CreateUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration, hybrid formulation. | Solid SectionBasic Solid LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D8I | Structural Dynamic Explicit | 8-node hexahedral element, incompatible modes | Element CreateUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the incompatible modes formulation. | Solid SectionBasic SolidSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D8IH | Structural | 8-node hexahedral element, hybrid, linear pressure, incompatible modes | Element Create Use the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the incompatible modes, hybrid formulation. | Solid SectionBasic Solid LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D8T | Coupled Thermal-StructuralDynamic Coupled Thermal-Structural | 8-node trilinear displacement and temperature | 3D Swept Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D8HT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 8-node trilinear displacement and temperature, hybrid with constant pressure | 3D Swept MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D8HS | Structural | 8-node linear brick, hybrid with constant pressure, improved surface stress visualization | 3D Swept MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the improved surface visualization, hybrid formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D8S | Structural | 8-node linear brick, improved surface stress visualization | 3D Swept MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the improved surface visualization formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D8RT | Coupled Thermal-StructuralDynamic Coupled Thermal-Structural | 8-node trilinear displacement and temperature, reduced integration with hourglass control | 3D Swept MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D8RHT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 8-node trilinear displacement and temperature, reduced integration with hourglass control, hybrid with constant pressure | 3D Swept MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration, hybrid formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D10 | Structural | 10-node tetrahedral element | 3D Tetrahedral Mesh | Solid SectionBasic Solid LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D10H | Structural | 10-node tetrahedral element, hybrid, linear pressure | 3D Tetrahedral MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid SectionBasic Solid LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D10HS | Structural | 10-node general-purpose quadratic tetrahedron, surface stress visualization | 3D Tetrahedral Mesh Use the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the improved surface visualization formulation. | Solid SectionBasic Solid LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D10M | Structural Dynamic Explicit | 10-node tetrahedral element, modified, hourglass control | 3D Tetrahedral MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the modified formulation. | Solid SectionBasic Solid LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D10MH | Structural | 10-node tetrahedral element, modified, hybrid, linear pressure, hourglass control | 3D Tetrahedral MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the modified hybrid formulation. | Solid SectionBasic Solid LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D10MHT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 10-node modified displacement and temperature tetrahedron, with hourglass control, hybrid with linear pressure | 3D Tetrahedral MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the modified hybrid formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D10MT | Coupled Thermal-StructuralDynamic Coupled Thermal-Structural | 10-node modified displacement and temperature tetrahedron, with hourglass control | 3D Tetrahedral MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the modified formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D10HT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 10-node triquadratic displacement, trilinear temperature, hybrid with constant pressure | 3D Tetrahedral MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D10T | Coupled Thermal-Structural | 10-node, triquadratic displacement, trilinear temperature | 3D Tetrahedral Mesh | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D15 | Structural | 15-node quadratic triangular prism | Element Create | Solid SectionBasic Solid LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D15H | Structural | 15-node quadratic triangular prism, hybrid with linear pressure | Element CreateUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid SectionBasic Solid LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D20 | Structural | 20-node hexahedral element | 3D Swept Mesh | Solid SectionBasic Solid LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D20H | Structural | 20-node hexahedral element, hybrid, linear pressure | 3D Swept MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the hybrid formulation. | Solid SectionBasic Solid LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D20R | Structural | 20-node hexahedral element, reduced integration | 3D Swept MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration formulation. | Solid SectionBasic Solid LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| C3D20RH | Structural | 20-node hexahedral element, linear pressure, reduced integration | 3D Swept MeshUse the Element Formulation option in the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the reduced integration, hybrid formulation. | Solid SectionSolid Basic LaminateSolid Laminate | *SOLID SECTION |
| DC3D4 | Thermal | 4-node tetrahedral element | Element Create | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| DC3D6 | Thermal | 6-node tetrahedral element | Element Create | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| DC3D8 | Thermal | 8-node hexahedral element | Element Create | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| DC3D10 | Thermal | 10-node tetrahedral element | Element Create | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| DC3D15 | Thermal | 15-node tetrahedral element | Element Create | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| DC3D20 | Thermal | 20-node hexahedral element | Element Create | Solid Section | *SOLID SECTION |
| GK3D6 | Structural | 6-node, three-dimensional gasket element | 3D Swept Mesh | Gasket Section | *GASKET SECTION |
| GK3D6N | Structural | 6-node, three-dimensional gasket element with thickness-direction behavior only | 3D Swept Mesh | Gasket Section | *GASKET SECTION |
| GK3D8 | Structural | 8-node, three-dimensional gasket element | 3D Swept Mesh | Gasket Section | *GASKET SECTION |
| GK3D8N | Structural | 8-node, three-dimensional gasket element with thickness-direction behavior only | 3D Swept Mesh | Gasket Section | *GASKET SECTION |
| SC6R | Structural Dynamic Explicit | 6-node triangular in-plane continuum shell wedge, general-purpose, finite membrane strains | Element Create | Continuum Shell SectionBasic LaminateLaminateNote: Basic Laminate and Laminate Physical Property Tables are available for continuum shells in the Structural environment only. | *SHELL SECTION |
| SC6RT | Coupled Thermal-StructuralDynamic Coupled Thermal-Structural | 6-node linear displacement and temperature, triangular in-plane continuum shell wedge, general-purpose, finite membrane strains | 3D Swept MeshIn the dialog box:Set Type to SC8RT.Select Attempt Free Mapped Meshing .Set Attempt Quad Only to On - Single Triangle. | Continuum Shell Section | *SHELL SECTION |
| SC8R | Structural Dynamic Explicit | 8-node hexahedron, general-purpose, finite membrane strains | 3D Swept Mesh | Continuum Shell SectionBasic LaminateLaminate | *SHELL SECTION |
| SC8RT | Coupled Thermal-StructuralDynamic Coupled Thermal-Structural | 8-node linear displacement and temperature, hexahedron, general-purpose, finite membrane strains | 3D Swept Mesh | Continuum Shell Section | *SHELL SECTION |
Special purpose elements
| Element name | Analysis type | Description | Command to create element in Pre/Post | Physical property table name | Associated Abaqus Keyword |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contact Mesh command | All | Gap element | Contact Mesh command | Gap Section | *GAP SECTION |
| DASHPOT1 | Structural | Dashpot element between a node and the ground that acts in a fixed direction. | 0D Mesh | Grounded Dashpot | *DASHPOT |
| DASHPOTA | StructuralDynamic Explicit | Axial dashpot element between two nodes, whose line of action is the line that joins the two nodes. | 1D Mesh or 1D Connection | DashpotANote: In a Dynamic Explicit solution, the DashpotA Physical Property Table has an additional option: Data Regularization Tolerance. Set it equal to the tolerance to be used for regularizing the material data. The default is 0.03. | *DASHPOT |
| DASHPOT2 | Structural | 2-node element | 1D Mesh or 1D Connection | Dashpot | *DASHPOT |
| DCOUP2D | Structural | Two-dimensional distributed coupling element | 1D Connection | Use the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the mass distribution. | *DISTRIBUTED COUPLING |
| DCOUP3D | Structural | Three-dimensional distributed coupling element | 1D Connection | Use the Mesh Associated Data dialog box to specify the mass distribution. | *DISTRIBUTED COUPLING |
| GAPUNIT | Coupled Thermal-Structural | Unidirectional gap and thermal interactions between two nodes | 1D Contact command | Gap Section | *GAP SECTION |
| HEATCAP | ThermalAxisymmetric Thermal | Heat capacitance at a point | 0D Mesh | Heat Capacitance | *HEATCAP |
| JOINTC | Structural | Flexible joint element used to model joint interactions | 1D Mesh | Joint | *JOINT |
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Source: https://docs.sw.siemens.com/en-US/doc/289054037/PL20200601120302950.advanced/id627181 · retrieved 2026-07-17