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Typical warning message from LUSAS Solver text output file (*.OUT):

***WARNING*** ELEMENT NUMBER P HAS NODE Q OUT OF ELEMENT PLANE (KPLATE PROCESSOR)


Most common causes & links to solutions 

As described in the help menu:

Help topics > Element reference manual > Appendices > Element restrictions > Excessive warping

The four nodal points defining quadrilateral surface elements should be coplanar. However a small out of plane tolerance is permitted to allow a slightly warped shape - if exceeded the above warning is issued but the analysis will proceed.

The warning may indicate (for example) an area where a curved surface has been assigned a coarse irregular mesh. This will result in a mesh shape containing warped elements. This may be resolved by one or more of the following:

  1. use of a regular mesh
  2. mesh refinement
  3. changing from a linear order element (e.g. QSI4) to a quadrilateral element (e.g. QSL8)

How to find the target Node or Element:

Solver error or warning messages are also scanned from Solver .out file and reported in Modeller Text Output window.By default the Text Output window appears at the bottom of the graphics window just above the Status Bar. This displays messages and warnings during a modelling session. Specific objects referred to in error and diagnostic messages in the text window by ID number in the form "Element P" may be identified using the identify object dialog. The “Identify Object" dialog is invoked by double clicking on the message text. From this dialog the identified object may be selected, moved to the centre of the screen, scaled to fill the screen, have its properties displayed, or identified by an annotation arrow or a temporary indicator.

Element P can also be located in the model using Advanced Selection, activated by right- clicking with the mouse in the graphics window, or via:

Edit > Advanced Selection

 


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