ensym

Mapdl.ensym(iinc='', ninc='', iel1='', iel2='', ieinc='', **kwargs)

Generates elements by symmetry reflection.

APDL Command: ENSYM

Parameters:

iinc

Increment to be added to element numbers in existing set.

ninc

Increment nodes in the given pattern by NINC.

iel1, iel2, ieinc

Reflect elements from pattern beginning with IEL1 to IEL2 (defaults to IEL1) in steps of IEINC (defaults to 1). If IEL1 = ALL, IEL2 and IEINC are ignored and pattern is all selected elements [ESEL]. A component name may also be substituted for IEL1 (IEL2 and IEINC are ignored).

Return type:

Optional[str]

Notes

This command is the same as the ESYM command except it allows explicitly assigning element numbers to the generated set (in terms of an increment IINC). Any existing elements already having these numbers will be redefined.

The operation generates a new element by incrementing the nodes on the original element, and reversing and shifting the node connectivity pattern. For example, for a 4-node 2-D element, the nodes in positions I, J, K and L of the original element are placed in positions J, I, L and K of the reflected element.

Similar permutations occur for all other element types. For line elements, the nodes in positions I and J of the original element are placed in positions J and I of the reflected element. In releases prior to ANSYS 5.5, no node pattern reversing and shifting occurred for line elements generated by ENSYM. To achieve the same results as you did in releases prior to ANSYS 5.5, use the ENGEN command instead.

See the ESYM command for additional information about symmetry elements.

The ENSYM command also provides a convenient way to reverse shell element normals. If the IINC and NINC argument fields are left blank, the effect of the reflection is to reverse the direction of the outward normal of the specified elements. You cannot use the ENSYM command to change the normal direction of any element that has a body or surface load. We recommend that you apply all of your loads only after ensuring that the element normal directions are acceptable. Also note that real constants (such as nonuniform shell thickness and tapered beam constants) may be invalidated by an element reversal. See Revising Your Model in the Modeling and Meshing Guide for more information about controlling element normals.