Hi,
I have a 3D model that I am using to model a shear connections in reinforced concrete. The model is using C3D8R elements for the concrete and B31 elements for the reinforcement, which are included as stringers. The shear connection is an steel plate and I am using the general contact formulation to model the interaction between the steel plate and the concrete. I am using multiple parts that I have tied together rather than merged as attempting to merge the part is for some reason causing me issues.
When I run a data check I get the following warnings in the status file:
"In step 1, some contact edge thicknesses for general contact were reduced from the parent element or specified values due to a large
thickness compared to edge dimensions. The most significant thickness scaling factor was 0.11981 for an edge on parent element 147685 of instance DOUBLECONCRETE-1.."
"In step 1, portions of master surfaces in the general contact domain have been tied together. Joining disconnected surface with *TIE does not alter the surface connectivity and results in a seam in the contact surface".
The first warning relates to the beam elements that I am using for the reinforcement, and the second warning relates to the edges of the parts that I have tied together.
My question is - what are the implications of these warnings - will they adversely affect my results, and should I be attempting to get rid of them?
Thank you,
Leah
For contact constraint enforcement, abaqus assigns contact thickness/area associated with each node in the contacting surface definition. the warning you're getting is not due to tie or beam elements but it's general in nature. you should check your mesh.
for more info, read abaqus analysis manual->interaction->general contact
Dear Leah
you can reduce number of elements for which Abaqus will made reduction. To do it you need to use keyword:
*CONTACT CONTROLS ASSIGNMENT, CONTACT THICKNESS REDUCTION=SELF
or
*CONTACT CONTROLS ASSIGNMENT, CONTACT THICKNESS REDUCTION=NOPERIMSELF
For more information please take a look to documentation, chapter 30.3.6
CONTACT CONTROLS FOR GENERAL CONTACT IN Abaqus/Explicit, Control of contact thickness reduction checks.
To plot contact thickness in general contact you can use field output CTHICK.
Regards
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