4.14.15 PATRAN Files

Select PATRAN from the File Type drop-down list. Select the surface(s) for which you want to write data in the Surfaces list. If you do not select any surfaces, the entire domain is exported. You can specify which scalars you want in the Quantities list.

You have the option of selecting loads to be included in the exported file. When the Energy Equation is enabled in the Energy dialog box, you can choose the loads based on the kind of finite element analysis you intend to undertake. By selecting Structural in the Analysis list, you can select the following Structural Loads: Force, Pressure, and Temperature. By selecting Thermal in the Analysis list, you can select the following Thermal Loads: Temperature, Heat Flux, and Heat Trans Coeff. Note the following limitations with these loads:

• When the Energy Equation is disabled, only the Structural Loads options of Force and Pressure are available.

• Loads are written only on boundary walls when the entire domain is exported (i.e., if no Surfaces are selected).

Click the Write... button to save the file, using the Select File dialog box. A neutral file (e.g., file.out) is written containing coordinates, connectivity, optional loads, zone groups, velocity, and selected scalars. Pressure is written as a distributed load. If wall zones are selected in the Surfaces list, nodal forces are written for the walls. The PATRAN result template file (e.g., file.res_tmpl) is written, which lists the scalars present in the nodal result file (e.g., file.rst).

You have the option of exporting data at specified intervals during a transient calculation through the Automatic Export dialog box. See Section  4.16 for the complete details.