2.4.5 Element properties

The elemProp method creates element properties, which will have their kind attribute set to 'e'. When selecting records using the getProp method, add the kind='e' argument to get element properties.

Like node properties, element property records have a number of specialize fields. Currently, the following ones are recognized by the Abaqus input file generatr.

eltype
This is the single most import element property. It sets the element type that will be used during the analysis. Notice that a Formex object also may have an eltype attribute; that one however is only used to describe the type of the geometric elements involved. The element type discussed here however may also define some other characteristics of the element, like the number and type of degrees of freedom to be used in the analysis or the integration rules to be used. What element types are available is dependent on the analysis package to be used. Currently, pyFormex does not do any checks on the element type, so the simulation program's own element designation may be used.
section
The section properties of the element. This should be an ElemSection instance, grouping material properties (like Young's modulus) and geometrical properties (like plate thickness or beam section).
dload
A distributed load acting on the element. The value is an ElemLoad instance. Currently, this can include a label specifying the type of distributed loading, a value for the loading, and an optional amplitude curve for specifying the variation of a time dependent loading.