The notation defined below is a partial list of the notation used throughout the manual. There are also some tables of definitions given in following sections:
Due to the wide variety of topics covered in this manual, some exceptions will exist.
Table 1.1: General Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| [B] | strain-displacement matrix |
| [C] | damping matrix |
| [Ct] | specific heat matrix |
| [D] | elasticity matrix |
| E | Young's modulus |
| {F} | force vector |
| [I] | identity matrix |
| {I} | current vector, associated with electrical potential degrees of freedom |
| {J} | current vector, associated with magnetic potential degrees of freedom |
| [K] | stiffness matrix |
| [Kt] | conductivity matrix |
| [M] | mass matrix |
| [O] | null matrix |
| P, {P} | pressure (vector) |
| {Q} | heat flow vector |
| [S] | stress stiffness matrix |
| {T} | temperature vector |
| t | time, thickness |
| [TR] | local to global conversion matrix |
| u, v, w, {u} | displacement, displacement vector |
| {V} | electric potential vector |
| δU | virtual internal work |
| δV | virtual external work |
| {W} | fluid flow vector |
| x, y, z | element coordinate |
| X, Y, Z | nodal coordinates (usually global Cartesian) |
| α | coefficient of thermal expansion |
| ε | strain |
| ν | Poisson's ratio |
| σ | stress |
Below is a partial list of superscripts and subscripts used on [K], [M], [C], [S], {u}, {T}, and/or {F}. See also Coupling. The absence of a subscript on the above terms implies the total matrix in final form, ready for solution.
Table 1.2: Superscripts and Subscripts
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ac | nodal effects caused by an acceleration field |
| c | convection surface |
| cr | creep |
| e | based on element in global coordinates |
| el | elastic |
| g | internal heat generation |
| i | equilibrium iteration number |
| based on element in element coordinates |
| I | independent |
| n | substep number (time step) |
| nd | effects applied directly to node |
| pl | plasticity |
| pr | pressure |
| D | dependent |
| sw | swelling |
| t, th | thermal |
| ^ | (flex over term) reduced matrices and vectors |
| . | (dot over term) time derivative |