Maximum averaging extracts the maximum values from the surrounding elements attached to
a node.
The tensor and vector components are extracted and the
invariants are computed for each element (or corner) prior to averaging to a node. For results
components, the corresponding components from each element corner (or centroid) are extracted
and then the maximum value is assigned to the shared node. For invariants, the corresponding
invariants are calculated from each tensor at the element corners and then the maximum value
is assigned to the node.
For example, as shown in the Nodal Averaging of Elemental Results
topic, there are four tensors, [A2], [B1], [C3], and [D4] at four corners at Node
400.
The maximum average of the xx component at Node 400 is:
For the maximum average of an invariant such as von Mises, the von Mises value
for all tensor [A2], [B1], [C3], and [D4] are computed, then they are averaged as
follows:
The averaging methods for solid elements and shell elements are different.
Element Type
Reference System
Projection Rule
Description
Solid
Global
N/A
All corresponding tensors and vectors are transformed to the global
coordinate system and then a component or invariant is averaged as explained
above
Analysis
N/A
All corresponding tensors and vectors are left in their original coordinate
system (no transformation occurs) and then a component or invariant is averaged as
explained above. In this case, each participating element result can be in a
different system. Maximum averaging for components ignores variations in systems.
Since invariance does not depend on the coordinate system, all reference systems
will produce the same results for invariants.
Elemental
N/A
All corresponding tensors and vectors are transformed to the elemental
coordinate system and then a component or invariant is averaged as explained
above. In this case, each participating element result can also be in a different
system. Maximum averaging for components ignores variations in systems. Since
invariance does not depend on the coordinate system, all reference systems will
produce the same results for invariants.
User-defined
N/A
All corresponding tensors and vectors are transformed to the user-defined
coordinate system and then a component or invariant is averaged as explained
above.
Shell
Global
ON
All corresponding tensors and vectors are transformed to the projected system
(following the projection rule) of the participating elements and then the
component or invariants are averaged as explained above.
As a result, even if
the reference system is the same, the projected systems in participating
elements can be different. Maximum averaging for components ignores variations
in systems.
OFF
All corresponding tensors and vectors are transformed to the global
coordinate system and a component or invariant is then averaged as explained
above.
Analysis
N/A
All corresponding tensors and vectors are left in their original coordinate
system (no transformation occurs) and then a component or invariant is averaged as
explained above. In this case, each participating element result could be in a
different system. Maximum averaging for components ignores variations in systems.
Since invariance does not depend on the coordinate system, all reference systems
will produce the same results for invariants.
Elemental
N/A
All corresponding tensors and vectors are transformed to the elemental
coordinate system and then a component or invariant is averaged as explained
above. In this case, each participating element result could also be in a
different system. Maximum averaging for components ignores variations in systems.
Since invariance does not depend on the coordinate system, all reference systems
will produce the same results for invariants.
User-defined
ON
All corresponding tensors and vectors are transformed to the projected system
(following the projection rule) of the participating elements and then the
component or invariants are averaged as explained above.
As a result, even if
the reference system is the same the projected systems in participating elements
can be different. Maximum averaging for components ignores variations in
systems.
OFF
All corresponding tensors and vectors are transformed to the User-defined
coordinate system and a component or invariant is then averaged as explained
above.
Valid reference coordinate system: All (Global, Analysis, Elemental, and
User-defined)
