MSC Patran Graph Utility

Patran Graph utility for plotting through the thickness stresses along a curve.

  • Create a curve through the area of interest:
    • Geometry Tab -> Create -> Curve -> Points
    • It is recommended to use existing nodes rather than use arbitrary points
  • Plot the through-thickness stress:
    • Results Tab -> Create -> Graph
    • Select Subcase of interest and Stress Tensor Quantity
    • From the ‘X:’ dropdown select Path Length
    • Click on the Target Entities button    
    • From the ‘ Display Control’ dropdown select Path
    • Select Curves of interest
      • When plotting multiple curves Patran will visually connect the plotted lines. The exported data should be outputted correctly.
    • Press Apply
  • There are two options to export:
    • Utilities -> Results -> Write XY Curves to File
      • Drawbacks:
        • File format cannot be changed from .xyd
        • Each curve is exported as a separate curve
      • Tools -> Results -> Explore (recommended)
        • From the ‘Object’ dropdown select XYPlot
        • Click on the Export button   
        • Select all curves to be exported
        • Change .xy file extension to .csv
  • General Tips:
    • Changing the Global Tolerance (Preferences -> Global) will affect how points are taken along the desired curve. It is recommended to keep the global tolerance at the default setting.
    • Depending on mesh density, global tolerance, and number of points requested it is possible to receive a message:  “… interpolants lie just outside the field.  Extrapolation attempted.  These values should be checked for accuracy.  It is best if all interpolants are within the field mesh.”