12.1. Elements Used in Electric Field Analysis

Mechanical APDL has a large number of elements available for specific types of electric field analysis. The following tables summarize them to make element type selection easier. These elements enable you to perform the following types of analysis:

  • Steady-state current conduction analysis

  • Quasistatic time-harmonic and time-transient electric field analyses

  • Electrostatic field analysis

  • Electric circuit analysis

Table 12.1: Conducting Bar Elements

ElementDimens.Shape or CharacteristicDOFsUsage Notes
LINK68 3DUniaxial, two nodesTemperature and voltage at each nodeSteady-state current conduction analysis; thermal-electric coupled-field analysis

Table 12.2: 2D Planar Elements

ElementDimens.Shape or CharacteristicDOFsUsage Notes
PLANE121 2DQuadrilateral, eight nodesVoltage at each nodeElectrostatic analysis; quasistatic time-harmonic analysis
PLANE230 2DQuadrilateral, eight nodesVoltage at each nodeSteady-state current conduction analysis; quasistatic time-harmonic and time-transient analyses

Table 12.3: 3D Solid Elements

ElementDimens.Shape or CharacteristicDOFsUsage Notes
SOLID5 3DHexahedral, eight nodesUp to six at each node; the DOFs are structural displacements, temperature, electric potential, and magnetic scalar potentialSteady-state current conduction analysis; thermal-electric coupled-field analysis or coupled-field electromagnetic analysis
SOLID98 3DTetrahedral, ten nodesUp to six at each node; the DOFs are structural displacements, temperature, electric potential, and magnetic scalar potentialSteady-state current conduction analysis; thermal-electric coupled-field analysis or coupled-field electromagnetic analysis
SOLID122 3DHexahedral, twenty nodesVoltage at each nodeElectrostatic analysis; quasistatic time-harmonic analysis
SOLID123 3DTetrahedral, ten nodesVoltage at each nodeElectrostatic analysis; quasistatic time-harmonic analysis
SOLID231 3DHexahedral, twenty nodesVoltage at each nodeSteady-state current conduction analysis; quasistatic time-harmonic and time-transient analyses
SOLID232 3DTetrahedral, ten nodesVoltage at each nodeSteady-state current conduction analysis; quasistatic time-harmonic and time-transient analyses

Table 12.4: Shell Elements

ElementDimens.Shape or CharacteristicDOFsUsage Notes
SHELL157 3DQuadrilateral shell, four nodesTemperature and voltage at each nodeSteady-state current conduction analysis; thermal-electric coupled-field analysis

Table 12.5: Specialty Elements

ElementDimens.Shape or CharacteristicDOFs
MATRIX50 None (super- element)Depends on the elements that it includes in its structureDepends on the included element types
INFIN110 2DFour or eight nodesOne per node; this can be a magnetic vector potential, temperature, or electric potential
INFIN111 3DHexahedral, eight or twenty nodesAZ magnetic vector potential, temperature, electric scalar potential, or magnetic scalar potential

Table 12.6: General Circuit Elements

ElementDimens.Shape or CharacteristicDOFs
CIRCU94 NoneCircuit element for use in piezoelectric-circuit analyses, two or three nodesVoltage at two nodes (plus charge at a third node for an independent voltage source)
CIRCU124 NoneGeneral circuit element applicable to circuit simulation, up to six nodesUp to two at each node; electric potential, current
CIRCU125 NoneDiode element used in electric circuit analysis, two nodesElectric potential