4.1. Specifying and Editing Initial-State Values

The initial-state capability is based on the INISTATE command. The command enables you to specify and edit your initial-state data. You can also use it to read initial-state values from an external file (INISTATE,READ) or to export existing values (INISTATE,WRITE) to such a file.

The following topics about initial-state data types are available:

4.1.1. Element-Based Initial State

Element-based initial-state application is available for current-technology elements. Initial state is applied to the elements as either an integration-point or material-based load, as follows:

  • Layered elements

    You can apply initial state to any combination of layer, section integration point and/or element integration points.

  • Beam elements

    You can apply initial state to combinations of cell number, section integration and element integration points.

  • All other elements

    Applying initial state is based on the element integration point only.

You can also apply an initial state to elements based on the material ID number (for the entire element).

4.1.2. Node-Based Initial State

Initial-state application can also be node-based, a capability available in current-technology elements.

  • Layered elements

    You can apply an initial state to each layer at every node within the element. Initial-state values applied at nodal positions are interpolated within each layer to the corresponding element integration points.

  • Beam elements

    You can apply an initial state to each cell number at every node within the element. Initial-state values applied at nodal positions are interpolated within each cell to the corresponding element integration points.

  • All other elements

    For all other element types, the initial state is applied at each node within the element.

Node-based initial state with user-defined data types can be used with field-dependent material properties. For more information, see Understanding Field Variables in the Material Reference.

For more information, see Applying Node-Based Initial Strain and Example: Node-Based Initial Strain.