Abaqus Output Skill
Configure what results to save from Abaqus analyses. Controls field outputs (full-field data for contour plots) and history outputs (time series at specific points).
When to Use This Skill
Route here when user mentions:
- "What results should I save?" / "Output variables"
- "Track displacement over time" / "History output"
- "ODB file too large" / "Reduce output"
- "Monitor a specific node"
Route elsewhere:
- Extracting/reading results from ODB →
/abaqus-odb
- Running the analysis →
/abaqus-job
Key Decisions
1. Field vs History Output
| Type |
Use For |
Data Scope |
| Field Output |
Contour plots, full-field visualization |
All nodes/elements |
| History Output |
Time series plots, monitoring |
Specific points/regions |
2. Common Output Variables
| Variable |
Description |
| S |
Stress tensor (includes Mises) |
| U |
Displacement |
| RF |
Reaction forces |
| E |
Total strain |
| PE, PEEQ |
Plastic strain |
| V, A |
Velocity, acceleration (dynamic) |
| NT, HFL |
Temperature, heat flux (thermal) |
| CSTRESS, CDISP |
Contact stress/displacement |
3. Analysis-Specific Recommendations
| Analysis Type |
Essential Variables |
| Static |
S, U, RF |
| Dynamic |
S, U, V, A, RF, ENER |
| Thermal |
NT, HFL, RFL |
| Contact |
CSTRESS, CDISP, COPEN |
| Plastic |
S, PE, PEEQ |
4. Output Frequency
| Scenario |
Setting |
Effect |
| Full detail |
frequency=1 |
Every increment (large files) |
| Balanced |
frequency=5-10 |
Every N increments |
| Space-saving |
numIntervals=20 |
Fixed number of frames |
What to Ask User
If unclear, ask:
- What results do you need? Stress, displacement, reaction forces?
- Track a specific point over time? → Need history output
- Large model or long analysis? → May need reduced frequency
Workflow: Configuring Output
Step 1: Identify Needed Variables
Based on analysis type: Static needs S, U, RF minimum. Dynamic adds V, A, energy.
Step 2: Create Field Output Request
Required: Step name + variables tuple. Optional: frequency, region.
Step 3: Create History Output (if needed)
For time-series: Create node set at location, then HistoryOutputRequest with that region. Use component variables (U1, U2, U3).
Step 4: Manage File Size (large models)
Options: Reduce frequency, use numIntervals, limit variables, output to specific regions only.
Validation Checklist
Troubleshooting
| Problem |
Cause |
Solution |
| "Variable not available" |
Wrong element/analysis type |
Check compatibility |
| ODB file too large |
Too much output |
Reduce frequency or variables |
| No history data |
Bad region spec |
Verify set exists |
Code Patterns
For API syntax and code examples, see:
- API Quick Reference
- Common Patterns
1---2name: abaqus-output3description: Configure output requests - field outputs, history outputs. Use when user asks what results to save, output variables, reduce output file size, or history output.4---56# Abaqus Output Skill78Configure what results to save from Abaqus analyses. Controls field outputs (full-field data for contour plots) and history outputs (time series at specific points).910## When to Use This Skill1112**Route here when user mentions:**13- "What results should I save?" / "Output variables"14- "Track displacement over time" / "History output"15- "ODB file too large" / "Reduce output"16- "Monitor a specific node"1718**Route elsewhere:**19- Extracting/reading results from ODB → `/abaqus-odb`20- Running the analysis → `/abaqus-job`2122## Key Decisions2324### 1. Field vs History Output2526| Type | Use For | Data Scope |27|------|---------|------------|28| Field Output | Contour plots, full-field visualization | All nodes/elements |29| History Output | Time series plots, monitoring | Specific points/regions |3031### 2. Common Output Variables3233| Variable | Description |34|----------|-------------|35| S | Stress tensor (includes Mises) |36| U | Displacement |37| RF | Reaction forces |38| E | Total strain |39| PE, PEEQ | Plastic strain |40| V, A | Velocity, acceleration (dynamic) |41| NT, HFL | Temperature, heat flux (thermal) |42| CSTRESS, CDISP | Contact stress/displacement |4344### 3. Analysis-Specific Recommendations4546| Analysis Type | Essential Variables |47|---------------|---------------------|48| Static | S, U, RF |49| Dynamic | S, U, V, A, RF, ENER |50| Thermal | NT, HFL, RFL |51| Contact | CSTRESS, CDISP, COPEN |52| Plastic | S, PE, PEEQ |5354### 4. Output Frequency5556| Scenario | Setting | Effect |57|----------|---------|--------|58| Full detail | frequency=1 | Every increment (large files) |59| Balanced | frequency=5-10 | Every N increments |60| Space-saving | numIntervals=20 | Fixed number of frames |6162## What to Ask User6364If unclear, ask:651. **What results do you need?** Stress, displacement, reaction forces?662. **Track a specific point over time?** → Need history output673. **Large model or long analysis?** → May need reduced frequency6869## Workflow: Configuring Output7071### Step 1: Identify Needed Variables72Based on analysis type: Static needs S, U, RF minimum. Dynamic adds V, A, energy.7374### Step 2: Create Field Output Request75Required: Step name + variables tuple. Optional: frequency, region.7677### Step 3: Create History Output (if needed)78For time-series: Create node set at location, then HistoryOutputRequest with that region. Use component variables (U1, U2, U3).7980### Step 4: Manage File Size (large models)81Options: Reduce frequency, use numIntervals, limit variables, output to specific regions only.8283## Validation Checklist8485- [ ] Field output covers essential variables (S, U, RF)86- [ ] History output region/set exists before referencing87- [ ] Frequency appropriate for analysis length88- [ ] Contact analysis has contact-specific outputs8990## Troubleshooting9192| Problem | Cause | Solution |93|---------|-------|----------|94| "Variable not available" | Wrong element/analysis type | Check compatibility |95| ODB file too large | Too much output | Reduce frequency or variables |96| No history data | Bad region spec | Verify set exists |9798## Code Patterns99100For API syntax and code examples, see:101- [API Quick Reference](references/api-quick-ref.md)102- [Common Patterns](references/common-patterns.md)
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