Table Selection

Once an operator is selected, tables must be selected to form the input.

The table selection portion of the dialog lists all of the tables available, and optionally extended selection drop-downs to enable a table to be addressed from another frame, load case, or even from a different resource. Click on the Show all drop-down arrow to display the full list of table options.

Figure 1. Expression Builder with the table selection section expanded to Show all

Once a table address is specified, it can be added to the expression (at the current insertion point that corresponds to the argument being defined) by clicking Insert. This will add a table address; however, it will be a short-hand form that allows long expressions to be authored without having to deal with long data type names.

Table address aliases use a four-section dot-separated list that breaks down the address by load case/frame, data type, component, and layer:

LCnFn.{S|V|T}n.Cn.Ln

Where:

n = Index (load case index, frame index, table index, component index, and so on)

LC = Load case

F = Frame (simulation step)

{S|V|T} = Scalar, Vector, Tensor

C = Component (valid only for vector or tensor tables).

L = Layer index

The index is a 1-based array index (the first entry is 1, not 0). For example, T1 is a reference to the 1st tensor table. The full specification of a table is not mandatory, and typically consists of the data type section only. For example:

Table	Address	Reference
T1.C1	1st tensor, 1st component	Stress, XX (scalar, two layers: Z1 & Z2)
T2.	2nd tensor	Strain (tensor, two layers: Z1 & Z2).
T2.C3.L1	2nd tensor, 3rd component, 1st layer	Strain, ZZ, Z1 (scalar, no layers)
V2	2nd vector	Rotation (vector)

Table references can be made to resources only, and not to tables that are user-defined as a result of an expression. For example, if you define a new tensor, it cannot be addressed in an expression.

When creating/editing an expression, the Expression Builder dialog has a Display alias check box that is enabled by default:

To review the full table addresses, disable the Display alias checkbox:

Note: The expression must be syntactically correct and complete in order to view the long form.

Attention: Expression editing is disabled when the Display alias checkbox is disabled.