Yes, it is possible to read data such as displacement or reaction forces from ABAQUS during a simulation run. ABAQUS provides several ways to monitor and extract simulation data in real-time. Here are the approaches you can consider:

1. Use the Abaqus Output Database (ODB) with monitor

ABAQUS allows you to monitor simulation progress by creating a Python script to read the data while the simulation is running. You can achieve this by:

• Using the monitor module, which allows you to interact with the ODB during the analysis. This method is commonly used for extracting field or history output data.

Steps:

Example:

pythonCopy codefrom odbAccess import * import time # Path to the ODB file odb_path = "Job-1.odb" # Open the ODB file while True: try: odb = openOdb(odb_path) break except: time.sleep(5) # Retry after a delay if the file is still being created # Read displacements or reaction forces step = odb.steps['Step-1'] frame = step.frames[-1] # Last available frame disp_field = frame.fieldOutputs['U'] # Displacement rf_field = frame.fieldOutputs['RF'] # Reaction forces # Extract data for specific nodes for value in disp_field.values: print(f"Node: {value.nodeLabel}, Displacement: {value.data}") for value in rf_field.values: print(f"Node: {value.nodeLabel}, Reaction Force: {value.data}") # Close the ODB file odb.close()

2. Use ABAQUS X–Y Data or History Output

If you only need specific quantities (e.g., reaction forces or displacements at certain nodes), you can set up history output requests in your input file or through the ABAQUS/CAE interface.

• Define history output requests for specific nodes or elements in the input file (*History Output keyword).
• Use the ABAQUS monitor feature to query these history outputs.

3. Custom FORTRAN Subroutine

You can write a custom FORTRAN subroutine (e.g., URDFIL) to read simulation data during the run. This method gives you direct access to data but requires advanced programming skills and ABAQUS scripting knowledge.

Steps:

4. Real-Time Data Logging

Enable real-time data logging by:

• Writing results to .dat or .msg files.
• Parsing the .dat or .msg files using an external script during the simulation run.

Example:Use a script to monitor the .dat file for updates and extract the data of interest.

Considerations:

• Ensure the output database (.odb) is not locked by the ABAQUS solver when trying to access it. Some methods may require waiting for an ODB update.
• Real-time access may slightly slow down the simulation, depending on how frequently the data is queried.

Mehran Sharifi, Thank you so much for providing such valuable information. I appreciate the efforts you put to explain the details.