OUTPUT_SECTION
Output
"Optional title"
coid, entype, enid, csysid, $R$
Parameter definition
Description
This command defines a cross section for sampling of forces, bending moment and area.
The local coordinate system is mandatory and defines a point on the cross section. The local $z$-axis is used as the cross section normal direction. The radius $R$ is used to define cross sections consisting of disconnected regions.
Note that the cross section does not need to follow the element grid.
Time history data are written to the file section.out. Forces and bending moments are reported with respect to the local coordinate system. Hence, 'Force in X-direction' and 'Force in Y-direction' are local in-plane forces while 'Force in Z-direction' is the force in the cross section normal direction.
Example
Cross section cutting diagonally through mesh
A complete model of a rubber sample that gets stretched with a load of 500N. A cross section is defined and the section forces are written to section.out.