Integration schemes define how the application calculates the value of an element. Mechanical enables you to specify an integration scheme using the Brick Integration Scheme property. This property is only visible when you set the Element Control property of the Geometry object to Manual. Property options include Full (default) and Reduced.

Use the Full setting for linear analyses or when the model has only one layer of elements in each direction. This method does not cause hourglass mode but can cause volumetric locking in nearly incompressible cases.

Use the Reduced setting to help prevent volumetric mesh locking in nearly incompressible cases. Note however, that hourglass mode might propagate in the model if there are not at least two layers of elements in each direction.

See the Continuum Stress Elements section of the Mechanical APDL Element Reference for a more detailed discussion of integration schemes.