Abaqus Output Skill

Configure what results to save from Abaqus analyses. Controls field outputs (full-field data for contour plots) and history outputs (time series at specific points).

When to Use This Skill

Route here when user mentions:

"What results should I save?" / "Output variables"
"Track displacement over time" / "History output"
"ODB file too large" / "Reduce output"
"Monitor a specific node"

Route elsewhere:

Extracting/reading results from ODB → /abaqus-odb
Running the analysis → /abaqus-job

Key Decisions

1. Field vs History Output

| Type | Use For | Data Scope | |------|---------|------------| | Field Output | Contour plots, full-field visualization | All nodes/elements | | History Output | Time series plots, monitoring | Specific points/regions |

2. Common Output Variables

| Variable | Description | |----------|-------------| | S | Stress tensor (includes Mises) | | U | Displacement | | RF | Reaction forces | | E | Total strain | | PE, PEEQ | Plastic strain | | V, A | Velocity, acceleration (dynamic) | | NT, HFL | Temperature, heat flux (thermal) | | CSTRESS, CDISP | Contact stress/displacement |

3. Analysis-Specific Recommendations

| Analysis Type | Essential Variables | |---------------|---------------------| | Static | S, U, RF | | Dynamic | S, U, V, A, RF, ENER | | Thermal | NT, HFL, RFL | | Contact | CSTRESS, CDISP, COPEN | | Plastic | S, PE, PEEQ |

4. Output Frequency

| Scenario | Setting | Effect | |----------|---------|--------| | Full detail | frequency=1 | Every increment (large files) | | Balanced | frequency=5-10 | Every N increments | | Space-saving | numIntervals=20 | Fixed number of frames |

What to Ask User

If unclear, ask:

What results do you need? Stress, displacement, reaction forces?
Track a specific point over time? → Need history output
Large model or long analysis? → May need reduced frequency

Workflow: Configuring Output

Step 1: Identify Needed Variables

Based on analysis type: Static needs S, U, RF minimum. Dynamic adds V, A, energy.

Step 2: Create Field Output Request

Required: Step name + variables tuple. Optional: frequency, region.

Step 3: Create History Output (if needed)

For time-series: Create node set at location, then HistoryOutputRequest with that region. Use component variables (U1, U2, U3).

Step 4: Manage File Size (large models)

Options: Reduce frequency, use numIntervals, limit variables, output to specific regions only.

Validation Checklist

[ ] Field output covers essential variables (S, U, RF)
[ ] History output region/set exists before referencing
[ ] Frequency appropriate for analysis length
[ ] Contact analysis has contact-specific outputs

Troubleshooting

| Problem | Cause | Solution | |---------|-------|----------| | "Variable not available" | Wrong element/analysis type | Check compatibility | | ODB file too large | Too much output | Reduce frequency or variables | | No history data | Bad region spec | Verify set exists |

Code Patterns

For API syntax and code examples, see: