Element Types

This page lists the elements that can be used in FEA calculations.

FEA Element Types

• 1: 3-node constant-strain triangular elements (linear)
• 2: 4-node isoparametric rectangular elements (linear)
• 3: 8-node isoparametric rectangular elements (quadratic)
• 4: 6-node isoparametric triangular elements (quadratic)
• 5: 4-node imperfect inteface elements (linear)
• 6: 6-node imperfect interface elements (quadratic)
• 8: 9-node Langrangian rectangular element (quadratic) (9 point Gaussian quadrature)

XML Input Files

In XML input files, the first <Area> block must define an element type in an attribute. Subsequent <Area> blocks can omit the type attribute unless the element type is changed to have an analysis with mixed elements. When mixed elements are used, they must be compatible elements. In other words, you can mix linear elements (types 1, 2, and 5) with each other or quadratic elements (types 3, 4, 6, and 8) with each other, but cannot mix linear elements with quadratic elements in the same mesh.

Finally, solid (or quadrilateral) areas can only use solid elements (types 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8) and interface areas can use only interface elements (type 5 and 6).