A 2D model uses 2D elements to represent the geometry of the structure. Although all objects and structures are 3D, you can and often should consider using a 2D model for your analysis when the geometry and loading can be simplified to planar or axisymmetric modeling. This is because a 2D model usually is much easier to generate and takes less time to solve.
The program includes several elements (described below) for 2D static magnetic analyses.
For detailed information about the elements, see the Element Reference.
Table 2.1: 2D Solid Elements
| Element | Dimens. | Shape or Characteristic | DOFs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLANE13 | 2D | 4-node quadrilateral or 3-node triangular | Up to four at each node; these can be magnetic vector potential (AZ), displacements, temperature, or time-integrated electric potential |
Supported for cyclic symmetry (periodic) analysis. |
| PLANE233 | 2D | 8-node quadrilateral or 6-node triangular | Up to three at each node; these can be magnetic vector potential (AZ), electric potential/voltage drop or time-integrated electric potential/voltage drop (VOLT), electromotive force or time-integrated electromotive force (EMF) |
Current-technology element [1]Supported for cyclic symmetry (periodic) analysis. |
Whenever possible, use PLANE233 rather than PLANE13. Some of the procedural steps in this chapter are not applicable to PLANE233. PLANE233 does not support nonlinear harmonic analysis or velocity effects. See Older vs. Current 2D Magnetic Element Technologies for information on the differences between PLANE233 and PLANE13.
Table 2.2: Far-Field Elements
| Element | Dimens. | Shape or Characteristic | DOFs |
|---|---|---|---|
| INFIN110 | 2D | 4-node or 8-node quadrilateral | Magnetic vector potential (AZ), electric potential, temperature |
Table 2.3: General Circuit Elements
| Element | Dimens. | Shape or Characteristic | DOFs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIRCU124 | None | General circuit element; up to 6 nodes | One or two at each node; electric potential, current | Used to couple with a magnetic domain |
Table 2.4: Contact Elements
| Element | Dimens. | Shape or Characteristic | DOFs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TARGE169 | 2D | Target segment | n/a | Used to model the target region for a contact analysis |
| CONTA172 | 2D | Surface-to-surface contact element (3-node) | AZ | Used to model the contact region for a contact analysis |
| CONTA175 | 2D | Node-to-surface contact element (1-node) | AZ | Used to model the contact region for a contact analysis |
The 2D elements use a magnetic vector potential formulation. In 2D, each node has only one vector potential degree of freedom, AZ, the vector potential in the Z direction. The electric potential and time-integrated electric potential (VOLT) is used for current-fed massive conductors and for enforcing terminal conditions on conductors.