shell element coordinate system

[Ginny]

I am using Patran and Nastran, with the shell element coordinate system defined with MCID (Project x axis of mcid on to element to define element x material direction. No other easy way). Do I have to enter and angle theta for each element instead for Hypersizer to understand it? Is there an easy way to have patran calculate the angle?

[Phil]

No, you do not have to enter a THETA angle for a material coordinate system.  If you enter the coordinate system as an MCID, HyperSizer should correctly interpret the material coordinate system.

Let us know if this is not the case and we can try to help you diagnose the problem.

[James]

If you don't enter an angle or reference a coordinate system HyperSizer will assume the angle is zero and the material axis is parallel with the grid line between the first and second nodes.

Ref: HyperSizer Pro Manual p. 114