How to connect 2D to 3D elements in ABAQUS?

[Zem]

Hello,

I am trying to model a large deformation plane stress problem, where pressure is applied at the edges of a plate. According to ABAQUS manual in order to take into account changes in thickness with deformation I need to use three-dimensional elements at the edge. But I cannot find the way to connect 2d deformable solid with 3d in ABAQUS. Is there any special way to deal with such a problem?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Drej]

Where -- and in which manual -- does it state this?


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[corus]

If the deformation is dominated by in-plane effects and the out-of-plane stress is going to be negligible then just use the plane stress elements everywhere. If in doubt then model the whole thing in 3D. If you really want to tie 3D to 2D then use the *equation card, tieing only the XY freedoms that are available with the plane stress element. Personally I wouldn't believe the answers you'd get using that though.

corus

 

[Zem]

Thank you very much for your suggestions. I will try to model the whole structure as a 3D.

The place in ABAQUS manual where it is stated is ABAQUS Analysis User's Manual( version 6.5) Section 19.4.3: Defining distributed surface loads on plane stress elements.