1. What Is Bdf File?
Bulk Data File
2. How Many Sections Are There in BDF File? What Are They?
Nastran system cell.
o It is used to specify values for a parameter called system
cells for executive system operations.
o It is used for exceptional circumstances.
o It is an optional section.
File management section.
o It is intended for the attachment and initialization of
Database sets (DB sets) and FORTRAN files.
o Initialization:
o DB sets - specification of their maximum size, member
names, and physical filenames.
o FORTRAN files - includes the specification of their filenames,
FORTRAN unit numbers, and FORTRAN attributes.
Executive control section.
o It describes the Executive Control statements to select a
solution sequence.
Case control section.
o It Selects loads and constraints.
o It Requests printing, plotting, and/or punching of input and
out data.
o Defines the subcase and its structure for the analysis.
Bulk data entry.
o It specifies model geometry, element, element connectivity,
material properties, constraints (boundary conditions) and
loads.
o Loads and constraints are selected by an appropriate Case
Control command.
o It is either in fixed or free field format.
3. What are the different types of solution sequences and their numbers?
4. What is ECHO and types?
Controls echo (i.e., printout) of the Bulk Data.
SORT - The sorted (arranged in alphanumeric order)
Bulk Data will be printed.
UNSORT – The unsorted Bulk Data will be printed. If
SORT is also not specified, the sorted Bulk Data will not
be printed.
BOTH - Both sorted and unsorted Bulk Data will be
printed. This is equivalent to ECHO=SORT, UNSORT.
NONE - Neither sorted nor unsorted Bulk Data will be
printed.
PUNCH - The entire Bulk Data will be written to the
punch (.pch) file.
Code Description Description
Output request (simplified)
Displacement DISPLACEMENT Requests the form and
(SORT1, REAL) = type of displacement
ALL FEM vector output.
Element STRESS (SORT1, Requests the form and
stresses REAL, VONMISES, type of element stress
BILIN) = ALL FEM, output.
PARAM, NOCOMPS, ELSTRESS is an
1. equivalent command.
ELSTRESS
Constraint SPCFORCES Requests the form and
forces (SORT1, REAL) = type of single-point force
ALL FEM. of constraint vector
output.
Element forces FORCE (SORT1, Requests the form and
REAL) = ALL FEM. type of element force
ELFORCE output.
Element strain ESE = ALL FEM. Requests the output of
energies the strain energy in
selected elements.
Element STRAIN (SORT1, Requests the form and
strains REAL, VONMISES, type of strain output.
STRCUR, BILIN) =
ALL FEM.
5. What are the different types of output requests and what do they stand
for?
6. What are the different property cards available for 1D, 2D and 3D
elements?
1D
PBEAM
Defines the properties of a beam element (CBEAM entry).
PBAR
Defines the properties of a simple beam element (CBAR entry).
PBARL
Defines the properties of a simple beam element (CBAR entry) by
cross-sectional dimensions.
2D
PSHELL
Defines the membrane, bending, transverse shear, and coupling
properties of thin shell elements.
3D
PSOLID
Defines the properties of solid elements (CHEXA, CPENTA, and
CTETRA entries).
