Annotating the Model

Chapter 3 LUSAS
File Types
LUSAS uses a significant number of different file types for a varied range of
purposes. This diagram shows the manner in which external files link with LUSAS
and related programs. The file types covered are summarised below.
q Model Files (mdl) are created by LUSAS Modeller and are used to store all
model definition information.
q Analysis Data Files (dat) are created by LUSAS Modeller during the
tabulation phase. They are required by LUSAS Solver in order to perform an
analysis.
q Results Files (mys) are created by the LUSAS Solver and contain all of the
analysis results for access by LUSAS Modeller. Results files are also referred
to as plot files.
q Command Files (cmd, vbs, jva) contain a collection of LUSAS Modeller
commands so that, when they are replayed, a sequence of operations may be
carried out automatically. Command files can be recorded by LUSAS
Modeller or edited directly using a text editor. See also LUSAS Programmable
Interface.
q Session Files (ses) are created automatically by LUSAS Modeller every time
LUSAS Modeller is run. They contain a record of all commands issued
during a session.
q Interface Files (dxf, igs, lyp, def, lms)
allow graphical structural
information to be exchanged between LUSAS Modeller and external
packages.
q Picture Files (pic) allow the screen contents to be saved in a neutral file
format. Picture files are used to subsequently display the information or, in
conjunction with the expose program, to create files which may be printed or
plotted.
q Start-up Files (str) are user-defined files which are created to control the
LUSAS Modeller initialisation sequence. They can contain system parameter
information and/or LUSAS Modeller initialisation commands.
21

Chapter 3 LUSAS File Types

Tip. All LUSAS file types assume the default extensions given in brackets. When
specifying filenames within LUSAS it is good practice to simply supply the filename
without the file extension. LUSAS will then supply the correct extension for the file
type being written which will ensure that existing files are not inadvertently
overwritten by specification of the wrong file type.

Model Files
Model files contain all the information regarding the current LUSAS database and
settings. The information is stored in an unformatted binary form and may only be
accessed using LUSAS Modeller. A model file is not saved automatically, LUSAS
Modeller prompts on exit as a reminder to save changes to a model file.
File manipulation is controlled using sub-menu entries below the main File menu,
giving access to the following facilities:
q New Prompts to close an existing model file if open, and opens a new
model file. Model initialisation will delete all feature, attribute and utility
datasets and re-read any start-up files carrying out any configuration
instructions contained in them.
q Save or Save As The current model may be saved to disk at any time by
selection of either the Save option or the Save As... option. Save As allows
specification of a alternative filename. If Save is used on a new model a
filename is required. LUSAS will prompt for confirmation to proceed if a
non-standard file extension is entered, or if a file already exists with the given
name.
Note. LUSAS stores all actions carried out during a session in a temporary session
file, which is deleted upon exit from the program. To avoid losing work carried out
during the session, the model should be saved to disk before exiting LUSAS.
q Open Previously saved model files may be opened by selecting the required
model file using the File Selector dialog box. LUSAS may prompt for
confirmation before the currently loaded model is overwritten. Files may be
opened with read only status to prevent accidental alteration.
q Close Closes the currently open file.
Under the UNIX operating system, LUSAS will ensure binary-compatibility of model
files across different platforms. Model files may also be prepared such that they can
be accessed on a PC, using the system parameter NOTNAT. Setting this parameter
to 1 in the LUSAS start-up file swaps the byte-order when the model is saved.

22

Analysis Data Files

Note. Model files are the only complete and fully upwards compatible form of
model storage. Use a compression utility such as PKZIP or gzip to make them as
small as possible before archiving them from disk.

Analysis Data Files

In order to perform an analysis, the LUSAS model data must be converted to a
LUSAS data file. The LUSAS analysis data file has a .dat extension.
Writing the LUSAS data file is controlled using the File > LUSAS Datafile
commands. This produces a data file in readable ASCII text format. If necessary, the
file may be edited with a standard text editor. The format of the analysis data file is
described fully in the LUSAS Solver Manual.The following options are available:
Process
Control over data tabulated is available using four options:
q All items
q Selected items
q Visible items Parts of the model can be made invisible when they are formed
into groups.
q Selection memory items
Datafile Type
q General analysis should be used for all analysis types except Influence
line analyses.
q Influence Lines produces a data file as above with additional files
describing influence line and search area information.
Datafile Options
q Solve now Initiates the LUSAS Solver and solves the datafile. Otherwise
a datafile is written but not solved.
q Wait for solution LUSAS Modeller cannot be used while the solution is
progressing when this option is selected.
q Load results Automatically loads the results file over the model file
when the solution has successfully completed.
q Plot File
database.

Configures the LUSAS data file to create a LUSAS results

q Restart File Configures the LUSAS data file to create a LUSAS restart
file.
q Load output file Loads the output file created during the solution process.
23

Chapter 3 LUSAS File Types

q Deformed (Geometry) Produces a data file containing the deformed
shape from a previously run analysis. To create a data file containing this
information a model file and a results file must be loaded and the required
deformed shape must be displayed. See the Case Study. Tabulating a
Deformed Mesh below.
Tip. During the tabulation process LUSAS will report its progress to the LUSAS
message window. If problems are encountered LUSAS will display warnings and/or
error messages in this same window. Such warnings and errors can be caused by
inconsistencies in the model data which may produce erroneous analysis data files.
These errors should be acted on before continuing with a LUSAS analysis.
Caution. Tabulating a deformed mesh will output the last displayed geometry as
the nodal coordinates, therefore pay special attention to any applied deformation
scale factors.
Running a LUSAS Data Check
A LUSAS data check completes the pre-solution stage of a LUSAS analysis only.
This is often a useful check on model integrity and applied boundary conditions as
model summary information is written to the LUSAS output file and a LUSAS plot
file is created.
Specifying LUSAS Output Options
LUSAS options controlling the information written to the LUSAS output file during
an analysis can be set from within File > Model properties. Options can also be set
from the command line using the Set Options command. See the Modeller
Command Reference for more details of the options available.
Controlling Results Content of LUSAS Output File
The results written to the LUSAS output file (not the LUSAS plot file) can be
controlled from the Output dialog, click on the Output button on the LUSAS datafile
dialog. It is possible to request nodal and/or Gauss point output as well as turn on
displacement and reaction output. By default no results are written to the LUSAS
output file.
Case Study. Tabulating a Deformed Mesh
In a buckling analysis, such as the self-weight of a conical roof, it is useful to
tabulate the deformed mesh of a linear static analysis as the starting point for the
buckling analysis. This can be achieved using the following procedure:
1. Carry out the initial linear analysis.

24

Results Files
2. Load the linear model file containing the pre-processing information from the
linear static analysis using File > Open.
3. Edit any properties and define any additional control datasets required.
4. Load the results from the linear analysis using File > Open, change the file
extension to .mys then select the file to open.
5. Display the deformed mesh by adding the Deformed Mesh layer .
6. Now tabulate the deformed mesh using File > LUSAS Datafile, and select
Deformed option from the LUSAS Datafile dialog.

Results Files
When an analysis is performed by LUSAS Solver it will create a LUSAS results file.
The LUSAS results file, or plot file as it is sometimes referred to, has a .mys
extension. A PLOT FILE line, requesting that a results file written, is automatically
added to a linear analysis data file during the LUSAS Modeller tabulation process.
However, for an analysis that uses a control section, such as nonlinear, transient or
dynamic analysis, it is necessary to specify how often results are required by
supplying a number of increments after which LUSAS Solver will write results to the
plot file.
The information in the results file is stored in an unformatted or binary form and
may only be accessed using LUSAS Modeller. The plot file will contain the results of
the analysis and sufficient model information to post-process the results. Full details
of the finite element mesh (nodes and elements), material and geometric property
numbers, support positions and equivalent nodal loads are stored in the results file.
To access results from the LUSAS analysis, files can be opened in a similar way to
model files. See also Results Processing.
Note. Results files may be opened for write access, in a similar manner to model
files, allowing any defined combination, envelope or fatigue datasets to be saved with
the results file. Use the menu entry Files > Results File > Read With Write Access
to open the results file.

Command Files
Command files may be created and used to store a sequence of LUSAS commands
for replay at a later stage. Command files are particularly useful for subsequent
reproduction of pictures or for storing combinations of commands which are used
frequently. The following lists some suitable uses for a command file approach:
q Properties standard property definitions.
q Mesh Divisions standard set of mesh discretisation datasets.

25

Chapter 3 LUSAS File Types

q Command Sequences commonly used results assembly and display
sequences.
Command file manipulation is controlled using sub-menu entries below the main
Files > Command File entry. See also Session Files and Open Recording. The
following functionality is available:
q Open An existing command file is replayed by selecting it from the file
selector dialog box that results when the menu entry shown here is selected.
Command files may be nested up to a depth of twenty files.
q Continue Entering a File Pause command in a command file will cause
execution to pause until this command is issued, when execution of the file
will continue from the position of the last FILE PAUSE command
encountered.
q Close will close a command file without continuing execution. This
command can be issued only after a File Pause command has been
encountered in the command file.
q File > Save As If the .cmd extension is chosen this saves the currently
open model in the form of a command file, which when replayed will
regenerate the current model definition. This can be a useful mechanism for
rebuilding a corrupted model file. Saving the model as a command file can
also be used to merge the contents of two or more models into a single
database. Renumbering features will usually be required to ensure that
datasets do not clash between models.
The parts of the model to save may be specified as all, selected items, visible
items or selection memory items.
Note. Saving the model as a command file enables transfer of model data from
machine to machine or via electronic mail. This is because the command file is
stored as readable ASCII text, whereas model files are stored in unformatted or
binary form. The command file is a compact form of model storage, but it is not
directly upwards compatible and future versions of LUSAS may not read command
files saved in a previous version.
A useful feature of sub-session and command files is the use of the LUSAS
programmable interface language.
Tips for Writing Command Files
LUSAS command files can be written in an abbreviated form:
DEF POI 1 0 0
DEF POI 2 10 0

26

Command Files

DEF LI 1 1 2
DEF ME "line" BEAM 5

1@1

3@2

1@1

ASSI ME LI 1 1
DRA ME
DRA NOD LAB
or an expanded form:
DEFINE POINT PN=1 X=0 Y=0 Z=0
DEFINE POINT PN=2 X=10 Y=0 Z=0
DEFINE LINE BY_POINTS LN=1 PN=1;2
DEFINE MESH BY_NAME IMSH=1 FEATYP=LINE LNAME=BEAM
NMBELM=5 RATIO=1@1 3@2 1@1
DRAW MESH COLOUR=100.100.100 LTYPE=0
DRAW NODEL LABEL HEIGHT=4.0 ROTATION=0.0
COLOUR=0.100.100
There are several advantages in using the expanded form of command files. All
parameters are specified including default parameters, such as colours. This makes
the expanded form more readily understandable:
DRA ME => DRAW MESH COLOUR=100.100.100 LTYPE=1
Optional parameters can be omitted from a command file without the need to use
commas:
DRA ME ,, 1 => DRAW MESH LTYPE=1
Parameters from most commands may be specified in a non-default order:
DEF POI 1 5 10 8 => DEFINE POINT PN=1 Z=8 X=5 Y=10
Abbreviated commands may prove to be non-unique and cause errors in future
versions if new commands are added. It will therefore be easier to maintain upwards
compatibility between software versions if the full versions are used.
Case Study. Recording a Macro
A macro can be thought of as a series of commands that can be used again and
again. In LUSAS, macro recording is controlled using the command file facility. A
command file may be opened at any time and a series of commands recorded. Once
stored, the command file may then be replayed at a later stage to execute that
recorded sequence of commands. To record a macro, carry out the following steps:
27

Chapter 3 LUSAS File Types

1. Create a command file using File > Command File > Open recording. You will
need to specify a valid filename. LUSAS will automatically append the correct
extension (.cmd). You may find it useful to create a common area to store useful
macro command files, e.g. c:\cmdfiles.
2. Execute the commands that are to be recorded. They will be recorded in LUSAS
command language in the opened command file.
3. Close the command file using File > Command File > Close recording.
4. At this point the command file can be edited if alterations are required using a
text editor, for example to include a parametric capability or to add comments.
5. When complete, replay the macro by opening it as a command file using File >
Command File > Open, or click on the command file open button

Session Files and Open Recording

Each time LUSAS is entered a new session file, called LUSAS.ses, is created. Every
successfully completed LUSAS command, whether entered from the menus or via
the command line, is logged in this file using the LUSAS command language.
Any sub-set of commands may additionally be logged to an open recording command
file. These files are of particular use in automatically generating command files.
The following functionality is available:
q Open recording a new sub-session file may be opened at any time by
specification of a valid filename. You will be prompted for confirmation
before proceeding if a non-default file extension is specified or if the file
already exists.
q Close recording the sub-session file may then be closed after the
required sequence of commands or menu picks have been completed.
q Expand an existing sub-session file may have additional commands added
at a later stage using the Expand facility.
On a PC, up to four session files will be saved and renamed to LUSAS.bk1,
LUSAS.bk2, etc. when a new session file is created. You can therefore recover from
errors encountered in up to two sessions of work.
Case Study. Expanding Command Files into Session Files
To expand an abbreviated command file into the full form, carry out the following
steps:

28

Print Files
1. Open a new sub-session file using Files > Command File > Open recording.
2. Invoke expanded files using Files > Command File > Expand.
3. Open the abbreviated command file using Files > Command File > Open. The
commands it contains will be replayed and expanded into the active sub-session
file.
4. Close the sub-session file using Files > Command File > Close. The LUSAS
sub-session file, will now contain the full expanded form of the replayed
command file.

Print Files
When any information is printed in LUSAS, it is sent by default to the text output
window. This output may alternatively, or in addition, be re-directed to a print file.
A print file has a .prn extension.
Print file manipulation is controlled using menu entries below the main Files >
Print File menu. The following facilities are available:
q Open The print file is opened by specifying a valid filename. LUSAS will
prompt for confirmation to proceed if the specified file already exists or if a
non-default file extension is used. All printed output is re-directed from the
text output window to the print file while it is open. Output to the screen can
be maintained while a print file is open by selecting the Print to Screen as
Well when Printing to File button in the Files > Options dialog box.
q Close The print file may be closed at any time. With no print file open,
printed output will be re-directed to the text output window.
q Annotate Lines of text can be added to the top of a print file beneath any
header and title information. The annotation settings are controlled using the
menu entry shown here. Apart from information advantages, print file
annotation can be useful for storing the contents of parametric variables,
especially if they are required as input to a user-defined external program or
awk script. See the chapter titled Parametric Language later in this manual
for full details.
Formatting Print Files
Print file page layout format is controlled using the Files > Print File > Page
Format menu entry. Control of centre-, right- and left-justified headers, footers and
titles is provided. Headers and footers appear on every page while titles appear on
the first page only unless output on every page is requested. One blank line is
automatically added between header and title rows in the print file and two blank

29

Chapter 3 LUSAS File Types

lines are added below the title line before the printed output or any file annotations
begin.
The following diagram shows where the specified text strings will appear on the
page.
Page layout settings are not used when saving the model as a command file using the
Files > Command File > Save Whole Model.
Macro fields can be used when specifying field content to represent values such as
the page number, date, software version in use, etc. Control is also provided for
setting page width and page length using the required number of columns and lines
respectively. The currently supported macro fields are shown below:
Macro

Description

$CD

LUSAS database creation date

$CV

LUSAS database creation version

number

$DT

Current Date

$LV

LUSAS version number

$MD

LUSAS database modified date

$MV

LUSAS database modified version

number

$PN

Page number

$PT

LUSAS problem title

$VN

LUSAS version number

$Evuser

Accessed system environment variable

user.

Tip. Environment variables may be used in page format macros. This may be
useful for automatically picking up the name or telephone extension of an engineer
and adding it to printed output using a standard company page definition. The
environment variable may consist of any valid text string. On a PC, environment
variables are set using the DOS set command, and under UNIX the setenv command
is used. For full details of how to set environment variables consult the
documentation supplied with your system.
To remove all page format information select Files > Print File > Disable Page
Format.

30

Print Files
Case Study. Page Formatting of Text Output
The page format of the standard output of any LUSAS print command can be set as
follows:
1. Choose to set the page format using File->Print File->Page Format.
2. Set the number of columns to 80. Set the number of lines per page to 60. In the
left justified header field add a title, e.g. BEAM RESULTS. In the right justified
header field add the date by entering the macro $DT.
3. Enter LUSAS $VN in the left justified footer field. This will include the LUSAS
version number in this position. Add Page $PN in the right justified footer field.
This will include the current page number. In the left justified title field add $PT
which will insert the main problem title from the analysis data file. Finally, select
the Add a Page Throw Character option and OK the dialog box.
4. Annotation can be added to the print file using File > Print File > Annotation If
required. Annotation will appear in the print file below any header fields.
5. Print some results to the file, for example print displacements using PostView >
Nodal Results > Print Components.
6. Close the print file using Files > Print File > Close.
The resulting text output will be formatted as follows:
BEAM RESULTS
24/02/97
LINEAR STATIC ANALYSIS OF A CURVED CANTILEVER
LINEAR/DYNAMIC ANALYSIS
Current Results File = /gillian/anderson.mys ID
Current Selected Load ID

Displacement Components In Global Axes

Node

DX

DY

THZ

RSLT
1
.0000E+00

.0000E+00
.0000E+00

.0000E+00

3
.0000E+00

3.420
5.893

-4.799

-.2740E-01

4
.0000E+00

.6200
.6410

-.1629

-.1520E-01

31

.0000E+00

DU

Chapter 3 LUSAS File Types

5
.0000E+00

1.901
2.169

-1.044

-.2364E-01

6
.0000E+00

3.005
4.047

-2.711

-.2692E-01

7
.0000E+00
.0000E+00

.0000E+00

.0000E+00

.3147E-

01

8
.0000E+00
.0000E+00

.0000E+00

.0000E+00

.7655E-

01

9
.0000E+00
.0000E+00

.0000E+00

.0000E+00

.9843E-

01

.0000E+00

.0000E+00

10
.0000E+00

.0000E+00

-.1048

LUSAS 12.1-0
Page 1

About Interface Files

Interface files are used to transfer external drafting, modelling or material data in
and out of LUSAS. The full model or a portion selected using the selection memory
can be exported for use in third party graphics and analysis package files.
The currently supported list of interface file formats is as follows:
q DXF AutoCAD Drawing Exchange Format. AutoCAD and DXF are
trademarks of Autodesk, Inc.
q IGES Initial Graphics Exchange Specification. IGES/PDES
q PATRAN Neutral file format for inputting phase I geometry information and
outputting phase II mesh information. PATRAN is a registered trademark of
the MSC Corporation.
q CACE-Drape which allows LUSAS to export mesh data to the CACE-Drape
package for composite material definition and import and tabulate the
resulting composite material lay-up information.
Import and export of interface data is accessed from the File menu. The following
options are available:
q File > Import controls import of an Interface file into LUSAS by
selecting using the menu entry shown here. After all feature entities have
been imported, a feature MERGE will be carried out according to the setting
of the merge parameter.

32

About Interface Files

q File > Export controls export to an Interface file from LUSAS.
A file extension will be assumed if none is specified. For DXF files an extension of
.dxf will be assumed, for a PATRAN neutral file a .def extension will be assumed,
for an IGES file a .igs extension will be assumed and for a CACE-Drape file a .lyp
extension will be assumed. Filenames are case sensitive in the UNIX operating
system.
Note. DXF and IGES files often contain much more detailed information than is
required to create a finite element model, so a certain amount of model tidying must
be expected after carrying out an import. Tidying may involve splitting complex
feature geometry into simpler building blocks to aid meshing, or conversion of spline
and bicubic surface data into straight Lines, arcs and planar surfaces. See Tidying
Imported Lines and Surfaces for details of Line and Surface conversion.

DXF Interface Files

DXF Import
The AutoCAD Drawing Exchange Format or DXF file, as it is more commonly
known, can be used to import and export data to and from LUSAS.
DXF entities supported by the LUSAS DXF import facility are listed in the table
below.
DXF Entity

Imported as LUSAS Feature

POINT

Point

LINE

Straight Line

3DLINE

Straight Line

ARC

Arc Line

CIRCLE

Two arc Lines

POLYLINE

Spline Line

SOLID

Straight-edged Surface

3DFACE

Straight-edged Surface

TRACE

Straight-edged Surface

POLYGON MESH

Multiple straight-edged Surface

POLYFACE MESH

Bicubic Surface

Extended Entities

Not supported.

Tip. Units and entity orientation can be modified by defining a local coordinate set
and making this the default before importing. For example, the units may be

33

Chapter 3 LUSAS File Types

changed from mm to m during conversion by defining a scale local coordinate
dataset with x, y and z scale factors of 1e-3. The entity orientation may be changed
from landscape to portrait with the aid of an XY rotation local coordinate dataset
with an angle of 90 degrees.
Notes

q The amount of information which may be transferred via the DXF file is
limited due to limitations in the DXF file format (for example, a volume
cannot be expressed in standard DXF data).
q AutoCAD version 13 uses DXF extended entities for some items. LUSAS
does not support import of extended entities and will warn to this effect if an
AutoCAD version 13 DXF file is detected.
q Closed surfaces are not translated by LUSAS.
q Closed poly-lines and three-sided polygon meshes are not translated.
DXF Export
A DXF interface file may be created from LUSAS for use in an external program.
LUSAS datasets are converted into their equivalent DXF entity. Control over the
amount of information exported is provided, i.e. All or Active features and/or mesh
may be specified. This is valid for both pre-processing model files and results files.
The following parameter is available on the export dialog to control creation of DXF
files:
q Level Indicator indicates whether Features Only, Mesh Only or
Features + Mesh are to be exported. The level indicator is only required
when a model file is open and features are active. When no model is active,
such as during post-processing, only the mesh is exported. Additional options
are available to include Volume mesh entities in the export process. Only
element faces are exported when exporting Volume feature mesh records.
LUSAS feature types supported by the DXF export facility are listed in the table
below:
LUSAS Feature/Mesh

Exported as DXF Entity

Feature LINE (straight)

3DLINE

Feature LINE (arc)

ARC

Feature LINE (spline)

POLYLINE

Feature SURFACE (straight-edged)

3DFACE

Feature SURFACE (general curved)

3DLINE/ARC/POLYLINE

Mesh LINE (linear or quadratic edge)

3DLINE

Mesh SURFACE (linear or quadratic face)

POLYFACE MESH

34

About Interface Files

LUSAS Feature/Mesh

Exported as DXF Entity

Mesh VOLUME (linear or quadratic face)

PLOYFACE MESH

Note. The exporting of models generates DXF files containing structural

information only. This facility is not intended for exchanging graphical information,
for this purpose picture files should be used.
For further information on the DXF file format, users are referred to the AutoCAD
Reference Manual.

IGES Interface Files

The IGES interface only supports import of fixed length ASCII IGES files. All
curve and surface geometric type entities are translated into LUSAS except entity
type 130 (offset curves). See the table below for full details of supported IGES
entities.
No model scaling is carried out during import. Any active Local Coordinate datasets
will be ignored. All IGES solid geometry, annotation, line type and font data is also
ignored. The boundary lines of a trimmed surface are translated into LUSAS but are
not formed into a surface as the IGES surface may contain holes which are not
supported by the LUSAS Surface type.
The following parameters are available on the import dialog to control import of
IGES files:
q Number of Points Along Splines and Number of Splines
Across Surfaces large numbers of LUSAS features can be generated
during the import process. These command parameters are provided on the
import dialog to reduce the numbers of features defined to some degree. Both
parameters have a default value of 10, a value of 0 will allow LUSAS to
decide how many features to use.
q Level Number to Process each entity in an IGES file can have a
level number associated with it. Different views or models can be stored in the
same file on different levels. This parameter allows selection of one or all of
these levels. The default value is 0 which translates all levels in the file. See
the related tip below.
q Minimise Number of Splines turns on/off a facility to minimise the
number of points defining a spline without loss of definition. When turned on,
this facility will slow down the import process considerably.
q Translate Annotation Type Geometry Entities turns on/off
translation of annotation type geometric entities. Annotations in an IGES file,

35

Chapter 3 LUSAS File Types

such as lines or boxes are usually flagged as an annotation and LUSAS can be
set to read this type of entity or they will be ignored.
Tip. To find out what level numbers exist in an IGES file a spurious number can be
input such as 10001. LUSAS will proceed with the import and output a summary to
the text window. This summary will contain a list of the level numbers. The file may
then be repeatedly imported using different individual level numbers to view the
contents of each level.
The LUSAS merge tolerance is set from the IGES file global parameters if the
Minimum Resolution parameter is specified in the file.
IGES Entity

Description

Imported as LUSAS Feature

100

Circular arc

Arc Line, or if the subtended angle is

large, several arcs defining a single
combined line.

102

Composite
curve

Combined Line.

104

Conic arc

Spline Line

106

Copious data

Combined Line defined by many

straight lines or a single surface.

108

Plane

Surface.

110

Line

Straight Line.

112

Parametric
spline curve

Spline Line or a single combined line

defined by many splines.

114

Parametric
spline surface

Many single patch bicubic Surfaces.

116

Point

Point.

118

Ruled surface

Surface.

120

Surface of
revolution

Surface or bicubic Surface for each

Line swept. If the sweep angle is large
the sweep is taken in two or three
stages to generate two or three
surfaces for each swept line.

122

Tabulated
cylinder

Surface.

124

Transformation
matrix

Read from the file and used in the

translation but not stored in the
LUSAS database.

126

Rational Bspline

Spline Line or single Combined Line

of splines.

36

About Interface Files

IGES Entity

Description

Imported as LUSAS Feature

128

Rational Bspline surface

Bicubic Surface.

130

Offset curve

Currently unsupported.

140

Offset surface

Surface for each surface that is offset.

142

Curve on a
parametric
surface

Line depending on the parent line

(boundary line of a trimmed surface).

144

Trimmed
parametric
surface

Surface depending on the parent

surface (support surface of a trimmed
surface).

PATRAN Interface Files

About PATRAN
PATRAN is an external pre-and post-processing system. The PATRAN neutral file
contains the full finite element model information. The Neutral file is split into two
data categories: Phase I contains the definition of the geometric entities, and Phase II
contains all of the finite element (node and element) information.
PATRAN Import
Phase I data (geometric entities) is read from the PATRAN neutral file. Phase II data
is ignored. The following table shows the supported Neutral file packet types for
import into LUSAS:
Packet

Title

LUSAS Equivalent

25

Title

Used for information purposes only.

26

Time/Date/Vers
ion

Used for information purposes only.

31

grid

Point.

32

line

Spline Line defined by 2 Points.

33

patch

Bicubic Surface defined by 4 spline

Lines.

34

hyperpatch

Volume.

47

trimmed surface

Bicubic Surface and spline Lines

defining the trimmed regions.

Tip. Imported PATRAN data is particularly suited to tidying, since all defined
geometry is spline data. See Tidying Imported Lines and Surfaces for more details.

37

Chapter 3 LUSAS File Types

PATRAN Export
The LUSAS PATRAN interface exports only phase II data (node and element
information). Both the undeformed and deformed mesh may be exported. If a
deformed shape is required, a LUSAS results file must be loaded in addition to the
relevant model file.
LUSAS load types supported by the PATRAN export facility are listed in the table
below:
LUSAS Load Type

PATRAN Neutral Packet

PDSP (Prescribed variable)

Type 8.

CL (Concentrated load)

Type 7, 15.

ELDS (Element loads)

Not supported.

UDL (Uniformly distributed load)

Type 6.

FLD (Face load)

Type 6, 16.

CBF (Constant body force)

Not supported.

VELO (Initial velocity)

Not supported.

SSI, SSIE, SSIG (Initial stresses and strains)

Not supported.

SSR, SSRE, SSRG (Residual stresses and strains)

Not supported.

TEMP (Nodal temperature)

Type 10.

TMPE (Element temperature)

Type 11.

ENVT (Environmental temperature)

Not supported.

TDET (Temperature dependent ENVT)

Not supported.

RIHG (Rate of internal heat generation)

Not supported.

The following table details supported and unsupported Packet Types in the PATRAN
Neutral File exported by LUSAS.
Packet

Title

Description

01

Nodal Data

Fully supported.

02

Element Data

To orient joint elements a Coordinate Frame (05) is

assigned to each joint element. In PATRAN 2.5 this
Coordinate Frame is assigned to the joint by writing the
Coordinate Frame ID in the Congruent element ID field. In
PATRAN 3 this is not the case since each joint element has
its own geometric dataset in which the Coordinate Frame is
written. The format is controlled via the system variable
ELMPRP.

38

About Interface Files

Packet

Title

Description

03

Material
Properties

Isotropic, 2D and 3D anisotropic, field isotropic and 3D

orthotropic materials are all supported. All nonlinear
materials are partially supported. The mass Rayleigh
damping constant in LUSAS is mapped onto the Structural
damping coefficient (CE) in PATRAN. The stiffness
Rayleigh damping constant will be lost during export.
Plasticity, Hardening, Creep, Damage properties and
composite materials are not supported.

04

Element
Properties

The formatting of this packet may be affected by changing

the system variable ELMPRP. In PATRAN 2.5 format the
items are ordered as follows: material ID, geometric
properties, or for joint elements: material ID, joint
properties, geometric properties. In the case of joints the
first item does not reference a PATRAN material ID but
defines the joint property ID used in the MATERIAL
ASSIGNMENTS data chapter within LUSAS. In PATRAN
3 format the items are listed as: geometric properties, or for
joint elements: joint properties, geometric properties,
coordinate set.

05

Coordinate
Frames

If joints are exported a coordinate frame will be created for

each joint element. These packets may be distinguished
from user-defined coordinate frames by looking at the last
entry of the Header Card. Coordinate frames associated
with joints will all have 1 in the last position (N5) of the
Header Card while user-defined coordinate frames have 0.

06

Distributed
Loads

Slidelines are represented in PATRAN by pressure loads.

Master slidelines are assigned a Load Set ID in the range
1000-1999 and the corresponding slave slidelines are
assigned a Load Set ID in the range 2000-2999. If elements
with midside nodes are used then constraint equations will
be set up to ensure that the displacement of the midside
node is linear with respect to the corner nodes. All slide
properties will be lost when exporting. The magnitude of
the applied pressures within this load case represents a
code: pressure = nnnst, where nnn indicates the slideline
number, s indicates master (1) or slave (2) and t indicates
the slideline contact type: sliding (1), sliding with friction
(2), tied slideline (3) and sliding only with no lift-off (4).
Thermal surfaces will not be exported unless they form a
thermal gap/contact or radiation surface. If elements with
midside nodes are used then constraint equations will be
set up to ensure that the displacement of the midside node
is linear with respect to the corner nodes. Thermal gaps and
contact surfaces are exported as a nodal pressure load with
Load Set ID in the range 3000-3999. Gap and contact

39

Chapter 3 LUSAS File Types

Packet

Title

Description

properties will be lost. Radiation surfaces are represented

in PATRAN by assigning a nodal pressure load with Load
Set ID in the range 4000-4999. Each radiation surface will
be converted to a unique pressure load set. Radiation
properties will be lost except for the emissivity which is
written into packet 18 directly after each pressure value in
the file. Radiation symmetry definitions will also be lost
during export.
07

Node Forces

Concentrated loads (CL) in a structural analysis are written

to this packet.

08

Node
Displacements

Spring supports are not supported by the PATRAN Neutral

File format and will be converted to restrained support
freedoms with zero displacement.

09

Bar Element
Initial
Displacement

Not supported.

10

Node
Temperatures

In a field analysis prescribed variables (PDSP), support

conditions in field problems as well as temperature loads at
nodes (TEMP) are all written here.

11

Element
Temperatures

Temperature loads for elements (TMPE) are written to this

packet. Temperature loads at nodes (TEMP) and for
elements (TMPE) generally have eight components in
LUSAS while the PATRAN equivalent, 10 and 11, does not
handle initial temperatures and gradients. Therefore only
the first component (the current temperature) will be
exported. Also, TMPE loads in LUSAS may be applied to a
selection of nodes with different temperatures within the
element. In 11 only one temperature value (the averaged
nodal value) is applied to all nodes within the element.
Because of this limitation in the PATRAN Neutral File
format users should use TMPE loading with caution.

12

DOF Lists

Not supported.

13

P/MECHANIS
M Entities

Not supported.

14

MPC Data

User-defined as well as automatically created constraint

equations will be written into this packet.

15

Nodal Heat
Source

Concentrated loads in a field analysis are written to this

packet.

40

About Interface Files

Packet

Title

Description

16

Distributed Heat
Source

Face loads in a field analysis are written here.

Environmental temperature loading (ENVT) is not
supported by the PATRAN Neutral File format. The
convective heat transfer coefficient as well as the radiation
heat transfer coefficient is however exported into Packet
Types 17 and 18. The radiation heat transfer coefficient is
divided by Stefan Boltzmanns constant to obtain an
effective emissivity.

17

Convection
Coefficients

Convection Coefficients will be written when exporting

environmental temperature loads (ENVT).

18

Radiation
Emissivity
Values

This will be written when exporting environmental

temperature loads (ENVT) and when exporting radiation
surfaces.

19

View Factor
Data

Not supported.

21

Named
Component
Definition

The mesh node and element information is extracted from

the named features and exported into this packet.
Component names will be truncated if the name is more
than 12 characters long.

25

Title Card

Supported.

26

Summary Data

The PATRAN release number may be set to either 2.5

(default) or 3.0 by changing the system variable PATVER.

There are two system parameters that will affect the format of the resulting
PATRAN neutral file:
q PATVER Version number printed in the summary. The default value is 2,
which will print 2.5 in the summary data packet. If data from PATRAN
version 3 or higher is required, this parameter should be set to 3.
q ELMPRP controls the formatting of the element properties (04) and
element data (02) packets, which are different for PATRAN version 2.5 and 3
and above. If the PATRAN neutral format for version 3 or above is required,
this parameter should be set to 3. If this parameter is not set, or if it is set to
anything other than 3, then a PATRAN 2.5 neutral file will be created.
System parameters can be set in a start-up files.

41

Chapter 3 LUSAS File Types

CACE-Drape Interface Files

About CACE-Drape
LUSAS is able to export mesh data to the CACE-Drape package for specification of
composite material properties and lay-up information. The resulting information can
be imported and tabulated to the LUSAS data file for analysis.
Note. Since CACE-Drape is used for thin laminates only, solid composite
elements may not be used with this facility.
CACE-Drape Import
The following parameter is available on the import dialog to control import of
CACE-Drape files:
q Type of Data specifies the type of data to be imported. Options are Read
New Data to be used if a new file is to be read or Delete Existing Data if the
existing stored CACE-Drape data is to be deleted. LUSAS will always
tabulate using the CACE-Drape data, in preference to any composite
assignments to the features, as long as the data exists in the LUSAS database.
To revert to using the LUSAS data use this facility to delete any previously
imported CACE-Drape data.
When importing data from CACE-Drape into LUSAS, no checks of the element
topology or geometry are made. LUSAS assumes element number 3 from CACEDrape corresponds to the current element number 3 in LUSAS.
Data from CACE-Drape is used to tabulate the LUSAS data chapters shown in the
table below.
LUSAS Data Chapter

Details

Geometric Properties

Containing total element thickness

Composite Geometry

Containing ply thickness ratios

Geometric Assignments

Assigning geometric properties to

elements

Material Properties

Defining orthotropic plane stress

properties

Composite Material
Properties

Defining ply material, orientation angle

and name

Composite Assignments

Assigning composite geometry/materials

to elements.

42

About Interface Files

CACE-Drape Export
Only node and element data is exported. Control over data exported is available
using four options:
q All items
q Selected items Parts of the model currently selected with the mouse.
q Visible items Parts of the model can be made invisible when they are formed
into groups.
q Selection memory items Geometry held in selection memory.

Tidying Imported Lines and Surfaces

When geometry is imported into LUSAS, Lines are often created as splines and
Surfaces as bicubic Surfaces. This can create cracks in the LUSAS model as splines
which are physically coincident may have different tangents and twist vectors. A
tidying procedure must be used to simplify the features to use simpler formulations
where applicable. This facility can be used on all Line and Surface datasets. A
feature does not have to be imported to be suitable for conversion.
Splines approximating to straight Lines or arcs and Surfaces approximating to the
LUSAS special case Surfaces (Cylindrical, Conical and Spherical) can be converted
into their simpler regular equivalent.
Individual Line and Surface conversion can be accessed via Geometry > Line >
Convert and Geometry > Surface > Convert respectively.
Whether splines are converted to straight lines or not is controlled by the Straight
Line Tolerance. Whether splines are converted to arcs or not is controlled using the
Allowable Variation in Spline Radius (%). Both may be specified after issuing the
command.
Case Study. Removing Cracks from Imported Data Using Convert
Using a combination of Incremental Rotation and convert lines, cracks introduced by
variations in spline definitions may be removed. The following procedure should be
used:
1. Carry out the Import of the PATRAN neutral file using File > Import.
2. Use the dynamic rotation tool
3. to draw the model outline. This will visualise the cracks.
4. Tidy the imported lines using the Geometry >Line > Convert command. This
will convert any splines within the specified Straight Line Tolerance to straight
lines and those within the Allowable Variation in Spline Radius to arcs.
43

Chapter 3 LUSAS File Types

5. Merge the features

and redraw the outline. If any Lines have not been
merged try increasing the tolerances (File > Model Properties, Geometry tab)
and try again.
6. Tidy any Surfaces required using the Geometry >Surface > Convert command.
7. View the model again using dynamic rotation.

Picture Files
About Picture Files
Picture files may be used for storing graphical information in a neutral format for
subsequent redisplay in LUSAS or for conversion to plotter-dependent graphics files.
Picture files are stored in readable text format using the format shown in the table
overleaf.
Manipulation of Picture Files
Picture files may be save using the File > Picture Save menu entry in either .pic or
.wmf format.
Note. Picture files are written only during the graphical operations that draw
information to the screen, they cannot be opened in retrospect once the required
picture has been created.
Warning. If the screen is erased, either wholly or partially, while a picture file is
open, the picture file will be initialised and all previous contents will be lost. This
mistake is especially easy to make when working with sub-windows. Also, if a
section of the screen is selectively erased by use of annotation in the background
colour this will be recorded by the picture file, but its treatment when obtaining a
hardcopy is plotter dependent.
Picture File Format
Picture files are stored in readable text format. The individual picture file records use
the following general format:
code, r1, r2, r3, r4, i1, i2, i3
format (i5, 4f10.3, i10, 2i5)
This information can be used to write programs that will read information stored in
the picture file and carry out additional processing. The information is stored in
packets of data as defined in the following table.

44

Picture Files

Code

Function

Parameters

Description

Move

r1, r2

Moves to the drawing location specified by the x

(r1) and y (r2) coordinate (mm).

Draw

r1, r2

Draws a line from the current position to the

drawing location specified by the x (r1) and y
(r2) coordinate (mm).

Symbol

r1, r2, r3,

r4, i1

Plots a LUSAS built-in symbol at a specified

screen position.

Character

r1, r2, r3,

r4, i1

Plots an ASCII character at a specified screen

position with: x coordinate (r1), y coordinate
(r2), rotation angle in degrees (r3), character
height in mm (r4) and ASCII character code
(i1).

Colour

r1, r2, r3

Percentage colour content with: red % (r1),

green % (r2) and blue % (r3).

r1

Percentage of colour spectrum (r1)

r1, r2, r3,

r4, i1

Colour number (i1). Real numbers (r1-r4) not

used.

r1, r2, r3,

r4, i1, i2, i3

Creates a colour-filled multiple-sided polygon

with: colour number (i1), number of vertices
(i3). Integer (i2) and real numbers (r1-r4) are
not used.

r1, r2, r3,

r4, i1

Creates a colour-filled multi-sided polygon with:

number of vertices (i1). Real numbers (r1-r4)
are not used.

r1, r2

Creates a polygon vertex with: x and y

coordinate (r1-r2). Must be used in conjunction
with and appear immediately after code 8 or 9
above.

r1, r2, r3,

r4, i1

Indicates window size and status with:

coordinates (r1-4) and flag to indicate status
(i1). Status flag indicates new window (i1=0) or
full screen (i1=1).

10

Polygon
Fill

Window
Coordinat
es

45