/BRICK
Block Format Keyword Defines a hexahedral solid element or thick shell element with 8 nodes. The element type and formulation are defined on the /PROP card.
Format
(1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) | (6) | (7) | (8) | (9) | (10) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
/BRICK/part_ID | |||||||||
brick_ID | node_ID1 | node_ID2 | node_ID3 | node_ID4 | node_ID5 | node_ID6 | node_ID7 | node_ID8 |
Definition
Field | Contents | SI Unit Example |
---|---|---|
part_ID | Part identifier of the
block. (Integer, maximum 10 digits) |
|
brick_ID | Element
identifier. (Integer) |
|
node_ID1 | Node identifier
1. (Integer) |
|
node_ID2 | Node identifier
2. (Integer) |
|
node_ID3 | Node identifier
3. (Integer) |
|
node_ID4 | Node identifier
4. (Integer) |
|
node_ID5 | Node identifier 5.
(Integer) |
|
node_ID6 | Node identifier 6.
(Integer) |
|
node_ID7 | Node identifier 7.
(Integer) |
|
node_ID8 | Node identifier 8.
(Integer) |
Comments
- The identifier (ID) must be unique in each element family, but it is advised for each element type to have a unique element identifier in the global model.
- More than one /BRICK block can be used to define a part.
- Any number of elements can be defined in one /BRICK block.
- The elementary local coordinate system of the element is defined as:
- The connection element assigned /PROP/CONNECT has a different element local coordinate system which is similar to a shell element. The normal direction t is constructed from bottom (nodes 1-2-3-4) and top (nodes 5-6-7-8). Due to this difference, pre-processors will show the element normal of connection elements in s-axis direction which corresponds to the typical solid element.
- Brick elements can be degenerated into other 3D solid
elements by repeating nodes numbers in the node_ID input to combine brick corners to together to form another shape. The most
common example is a triangular prism pentahedra element, as shown in the next
two images but other shapes are shown if needed to connect a complex mesh.
- The 8-node thick shell
element is defined as a 3D solid element with /BRICK and assigned
a thick shell property, /PROP/TYPE20 (TSHELL),
/PROP/TYPE21 (TSH_ORTH), or /PROP/TYPE22
(TSH_COMP).
8 node thick shells are referenced using brick element identifier, brick_ID and brick groups identifier, grbric_ID.
- For thick shell Pentahedron elements with the formulation PA6 (Isolid =15), /PENTA6 elements are recommended but degenerated /BRICK elements can be used. Only degenerated elements where the top (nodes 1, 2, 3, 4) and bottom (nodes 5, 6, 7, 8) faces are triangles can be used.