You already know how to create a geometry and find regions without relying on IDs. Now it's time to decide what mathematical behavior each element will have and demonstrate that the stored attributes match your intent.
YOUR MISSION
You will build a solid steel beam with SOLID185, you will separate the operations
of defining, activating, and assigning, and you will generate a CSV audit. In the challenge, you will change
only the central band to aluminum without remeshing.
Guiding question: How do you know which material an existing element has?
Objectives
By completing M03 you will be able to demonstrate that:
- You choose between a beam, sheet or solid idealization according to the physical question.
- Justify
SOLID185without claiming that a 3D model is always more accurate. - Distinguish defined tables, active pointers, and stored attributes.
- You define an isotropic elastic material by
EXandPRXY. - Explain when a section is needed and when the geometry already contains it.
- Fix existing attributes with
EMODIF. - Type and material audits using
ESEL,*GETand relationships between counts.
Prerequisites and downloads
- Have completed M02 or know how to create
mid_elemsby centroids. - Maintain consistent SI units: meters, newtons, and pascals.
- Understand that M03 ends in
/PREP7: we will not apply loads or solve yet.
03_start.macStarting point.03_elements_materials.mac— complete solution.03_bug_hunt.mac— five deliberate defects.03_challenge.mac— bi-material challenge.03_expected_results.csv— self-correction contract.
How to use this lesson
| Path | Duration | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| First win | 30–35 min | Idealization, defining attributes and meshing with basic audit. |
| Complete | 70–75 min | In addition, correction with EMODIF, bi-material challenge and CSV contract. |
Recommendation: never rely on the active pointer to demonstrate attributes. Count what was stored in each element.
Session map
- Mission: objectives, downloads and idealization prediction.
- Mental models define versus enable attributes.
- Demonstration: ET, MP, meshing and element audit.
- Error hunting: misleading pointers and mixed materials.
- Challenge: bimaterial beam with full partition.
- Mastery: final test that records demonstrated mastery and recommends M04.