LS-DYNA > Building A Model > Introduction to Building a Model
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Introduction to Building a Model
There are many aspects to building a finite element analysis model. In several cases, the forms used to create the finite element data are dependent on the selected analysis code and analysis type. Other parts of the model are created using standard forms.
Under Preferences on the Patran main form, is a selection for Analysis that defines the intended analysis code to be used for this model.
The analysis code may be changed at any time during model creation.This is especially useful if the model is to be used for different analyses, in different analysis codes. As much data as possible will be converted if the analysis code is changed after the modeling process has begun. The analysis option defines what will be presented to the user in several areas during the subsequent modeling steps.
These areas include the material and element libraries, including multi-point constraints, the applicable loads and boundary conditions, and the analysis forms. The selected Analysis Type may also affect the allowable selections in these same areas. For more details, see The Analysis Form (p. 8) in the MSC.Patran Reference Manual.
Table 2‑1 summarizes the various LS-DYNA commands supported by the Patran LS-DYNA Preference.
 
Table 2‑1
CATEGORY
KEYWORD
BOUNDARY
*BOUNDARY_SPC_SET
*BOUNDARY_CYCLIC
*BOUNDARY_PRESCRIBED_MOTION_SET
*BOUNDARY_PRESCRIBED_MOTION_NODE
CONSTRAINED
*CONSTRAINED_EXTRA_NODES_SET
*CONSTRAINED_GENERALIZED_WELD
*CONSTRAINED_GENERALIZED_BUTT
*CONSTRAINED_GENERALIZED_FILLET
*CONSTRAINED_GENERALIZED_SPOT
*CONSTRAINED_JOINT_SPHERICAL
*CONSTRAINED_JOINT_REVOLUTE
*CONSTRAINED_JOINT_CYLINDRICAL
*CONSTRAINED_JOINT_PLANAL
*CONSTRAINED_JOINT_UNIVERSAL
*CONSTRAINED_JOINT_TRANSLATIONAL
*CONSTRAINED_LINEAR
*CONSTRAINED_NODAL_RIGID_BODY
*CONSTRAINED_NODAL_RIGID_BODY_INERTIA
*CONSTRAINED_RIVET
*CONSTRAINED_SHELL_TO_SOLID
*CONSTRAINED_SPOTWELD
*CONSTRAINED_TIE-BREAK
*CONSTRAINED_TIED_NODES_FAILURE
CONTACT
*CONTACT_AUTOMATIC_ONE_WAY_SURFACE_TO_SURFACE
*CONTACT_AUTOMATIC_SINGLE_SURFACE
*CONTACT_AUTOMATIC_ SURFACE_TO_SURFACE
*CONTACT_CONSTRAINT_NODES_TO_SURFACE
*CONTACT_CONSTRAINT_SURFACE_TO_SURFACE
*CONTACT_NODES_TO_SURFACE
*CONTACT_ONE_WAY_SURFACE_TO_SURFACE
*CONTACT_RIGID_BODY_ONE_WAY_TO_RIGID_BODY
*CONTACT_RIGID_BODY_TWO_WAY_TO_RIGID_BODY
*CONTACT_RIGID_NODES_TO_RIGID_BODY
*CONTACT_SINGLE _SURFACE
*CONTACT_SLIDNG_ONLY
*CONTACT_SLIDING_ONLY_PENALTY
*CONTACT_SURFACE_TO_SURFACE
*CONTACT_TIEBREAK_NODES_TO_SURFACE
*CONTACT_TIEBREAK_SURFACE_TO_SURFACE
*CONTACT_TIED_NODES_TO_SURFACE
*CONTACT_TIED_SURFACE_TO_SURFACE
CONTROL
*CONTROL_BULK-VISCOSITY
*CONTROL_CPU
*CONTROL_CONTACT
*CONTROL_COUPLING
*CONTROL_DYNAMIC_RELAXATION
*CONTROL_ENERGY
*CONTROL_HOURGLASS
*CONTROL_OUTPUT
*CONTROL_SHELL
*CONTROL_TERMINATION
*CONTROL_TIMESTEP
DAMPING
*DAMPING_GLOBAL
*DAMPING_PART_MASS
*DAMPING_PART_STIFFNESS
DATABASE
*DATABASE_BINARY_D3PLOT
*DATABASE_BINARY_D3THDT
*DATABASE_BINARY_XTFILE
*DATABASE_EXTENT_BINARY
*DATABASE_HISTORY_NODE
*DATABASE_HISTORY_BEAM
*DATABASE_HISTORY_SHELL
*DATABASE_HISTORY_SOLID
*DATABASE_HISTORY_TSHELL
DEFINE
*DEFINE_COORDINATE_SYSTEM
*DEFINE_CURVE
*DEFINE_SD_ORIENTATION
ELEMENT
*ELEMENT_BEAM
*ELEMENT_DISCRETE
*ELEMENT_MASS
*ELEMENT_SHELL_THICKNESS
*ELEMENT_SOLID_ORTHO
*ELEMENT_TSHELL
INITIAL
*INITIAL_MOMENTUM
*INITIAL_VELOCITY
*INITIAL_VELOCITY_NODE
LOAD
*LOAD_BEAM_OPTION
*LOAD_BODY_GENERALIZED
*LOAD_NODE_OPTION
*LOAD_SEGMENT
*LOAD_SHELL _OPTION
*LOAD_THERMAL_CONSTANT
*LOAD_THERMAL_CONSTANT_NODE
*LOAD_THERMAL_VARIABLE
*LOAD_THERMAL_VARIABLE_NODE
MAT
*MAT_ELASTIC_OPTION
*MAT_PLASTIC_KINEMATIC
*MAT_VISCOELASTIC
*MAT_BLATZ-KO_RUBBER
*MAT_ISOTROPIC_ELASTIC_PLASTIC
*MAT_SOIL_AND_FOAM
*MAT_JOHNSON_COOK
*MAT_STRAIN_RATE_DEPENDENT_PLASTICITY
*MAT_RIGID
*MAT_COMPOSITE_DAMAGE
*MAT_ENHANCED_COMPOSITE_DAMAGE
*MAT_PIECEWISE_LINEAR_PLASTICITY
*MAT_HONEYCOMB
*MAT_MOONEY-RIVLIN_RUBBER
*MAT_RESULTANT_PLASTICITY
*MAT_CLOSED_FORM_SHELL_PLASTICITY
*MAT_FRAZER_NASH_RUBBER_MODEL
*MAT_LAMINATED_GLASS
*MAT_LOW_DENSITY_FOAM
*MAT_COMPOSITE_FAILURE_MODEL
*MAT_VISCOUS_FOAM
*MAT_CRUSHABLE_FOAM
*MAT_RATE_SENSITIVE_POWERLAW_PLASTICITY
*MAT_LINEAR_ELASTIC_DISCRETE_BEAM
*MAT_NONLINEAR_ELASTIC_DISCRETE_BEAM
*MAT_NONLINEAR_PLASTIC_DISCRETE_BEAM
*MAT_SID_DAMPER_DISCRETE_BEAM
*MAT_SPRING_ELASTIC
*MAT_DAMPER_VISCOUS
*MAT_SPRING_ELASTOPLASTIC
*MAT_SPRING_NONLINEAR_ELASTIC
*MAT_DAMPER_NONLINEAR_VISCOUS
*MAT_SPRING_GENERAL_NONLINEAR
*MAT_SPRING_MAXWELL
*MAT_SPRING_INELASTIC
*MAT_SOIL_AND_FOAM_FAILURE
NODE
*NODE
PART
*PART_OPTION
RIGIDWALL
*RIGIDWALL_GEOMETRIC_SEVERAL OPTIONS
*RIGIDWALL_PLANAR_SEVERAL OPTIONS
SECTION
*SECTION_BEAM
*SECTION_DISCRETE
*SECTION_SHELL
*SECTION_SOLID_OPTION
*SECTION_TSHELL
SET
*SET_NODE_OPTION
*SET_BEAM_OPTION
*SET_DISCRETE_OPTION
*SET_SEGMENT
*SET_SHELL_OPTION
*SET_SOLID_OPTION
*SET_TSHELL_OPTION
TITLE
*TITLE