Table of Contents
Element materials
are characterized by a material response which
includes element geometry.
These modules are used to define complex element geometry such as
laminate constructions for shells and arbitrary cross sections for beams.
An element material may combine one or more primitive materials
with element type specific geometry.
The ShellProp module is designed to provide an element
material model for the Shell2D and Shell3D element formulation modules.
The BeamProp module is designed to provide an element material
model for the Beam3D element formulation module.
The InterProp module is designed to provide an element material model
for the Inter2D, Inter3D and Gap element modules.
Table of Contents
11.1 Shell Element Properties - ShellProp
The ShellProp module is used to define an element material for shell
element formulations using the Shell2D and Shell3D modules.
The element material includes thicknesses, shear factors, etc.
Options exist for modelling monocoque, general integrated
and preintegrated (so-called
ABD matrix) shell wall constructions.
The methods associated with a ShellProp object are the following.
Instance a ShellProp object using vfe_ShellPropBegin.
Once a ShellProp object is instanced,
define the element material type using vfe_ShellPropDef.
Options exist for monocoque, general integrated, NASTRAN PSHELL, laminated,
and general matrix input.
Use vfe_ShellPropSetMonocoque to enter element properties for a monocoque,
homogeneous, shell property type.
Use vfe_ShellPropSetIntegrate to enter element properties at each of a
user specified number of integration points through the thickness of the
shell.
Use vfe_ShellPropSetLaminate to enter laminate properties and use
vfe_ShellPropSetPShell to enter NASTRAN PSHELL properties.
Use vfe_ShellPropSetMatrix to enter the ABD matrix of
a general preintegrated
matrix shell property type and vfe_ShellPropSetDensity to
set the associated densities.
Use vfe_ShellPropSetRefTemp and vfe_ShellPropSetThermExp to set the
preintegrated reference temperature and coefficients of thermal expansion.
Preintegrated properties in ShellProp may be temperature dependent.
The current temperature for which preintegrated properties are to be defined
is set using vfe_ShellPropSetTemp.
All subsequently defined preintegrated properties are assumed to be at
the current temperature.
Use vfe_ShellPropSetMatlFun to attach a primitive material to each material
id required.
Use vfe_ShellPropMatlFun to fill a MatlFun object with function pointers
which is then set in a shell element formulation object such as Shell3D
using vfe_Shell3DSetObject.
Destroy an instance of a ShellProp object using vfe_ShellPropEnd.
Table of Contents
11.2 Element Properties
The ShellProp module provides for three different types of shell
properties, monocoque, general integrated and general matrix.
Depending upon the shell property type the user may specify element properties
such as thickness and effective shear factor. By default these properties
are assumed to be constant over the shell surface. To achieve a variation
of these properties over the shell surface the user may define an element
property scale factor.
The pointers to all element property nodal scale factors are set in the
element formulation modules Shell2D or Shell3D using
vfe_Shell2DSetPropPtr or vfe_Shell3DSetPropPtr respectively.
The following notation and defined constants for shell wall properties are used:
Thk , VFE_PROP_THICKNESS, Thickness
Ks , VFE_PROP_KS , Shear factor
The default value for the thickness, Thk, is unity and for the shear
factor, Ks, is 5/6.
-
A monocoque shell is essentially a single layer homogeneous
shell of possibly variable thickness.
The element thickness and effective shear factor are specified as well
as the integration rule and order, material orientation angle and
material id.
If the element thickness varies over the shell surface, element
property nodal scale factors, VFE_PROP_THICKNESS, may be defined.
The effective shear factor may also vary over the shell surface
using the VFE_PROP_KS scale factors but in practice this is rarely
necessary.
Set monocoque properties using vfe_ShellPropSetMonocoque.
-
A general integrated shell allows the specification of any number of
integration points through the thickness of the shell.
The z' location, contributary thickness,
material orientation angle,
and material id must be specified for each integration point.
Set integration properties using vfe_ShellPropSetIntegrate.
-
A laminated shell is defined as a series of layers in which for
each layer the
thickness, material id, number of integration points and
material orientation angle are specified for each layer.
An overall eccentricity, Ecc, of the composite midsurface from the
shell reference surface may be specified.
If the laminate thickness varies over the shell surface, element
property nodal scale factors, VFE_PROP_THICKNESS, may be defined.
Set laminate properties using vfe_ShellPropSetLaminate.
-
A NASTRAN PSHELL type shell wall may be defined.
If the laminate thickness varies over the shell surface, element
property nodal scale factors, VFE_PROP_THICKNESS, may be defined.
Set NASTRAN PSHELL properties using vfe_ShellPropSetPShell.
-
A general matrix may be specified characterizing the shell wall.
The matrix is input as the lower triangles of the 6x6 ABD
membrane-bending and 2x2 Q transverse shear
matrices.
Set matrix properties using vfe_ShellPropSetMatrix.
The matrices together define the element material stiffness matrix
which relates the stress resultants
(Nxx,Nyy,Nxy,Mxx,Myy,Mxy,Qxz,Qyz) to the
midsurface strains and curvatures
(exx,eyy,gxy,kxx,kyy,kxy,gxz,gyz) as follows:
Set associated densities using vfe_ShellPropSetDensity.
-- -- -- -- -- --
| Nxx | | D1 | | exx |
| Nyy | | D2 D3 | | eyy |
| Nxy | = | D4 D5 D6 | | gxy |
| Mxx | | D7 D8 D9 D10 | | kxx |
| Myy | | D11 D12 D13 D14 D15 | | kyy |
| Mxy | | D16 D17 D18 D19 D20 D21 | | kxy |
| Qxz | | 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. Q1 | | gxz |
| Qyz | | 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. Q2 Q3 | | gyz |
-- -- -- -- -- --
Figure 11-1, Sign Conventions for Shell Stress Resultants
Note that if the right-hand rotations about the x,y,z axes are denoted
by rx,ry,rz, then the curvatures, kxx,kyy,kxy, are given by:
kxx = ry,x
kyy = -rx,y
kxy = ry,y - rx,x
Given this definition, the components of curvature, (kxx,kyy,kxy), do
not transform as a tensor.
Temperatures
are used if the effects of thermal expansion
are to be included.
A table summarizing proper combinations of material
type with possible element property nodal scale factors appears below.
SetMonocoque SetIntegrate SetLaminate SetPShell SetMatrix
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Thk Thk Thk Thk
Ks
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Table of Contents
11.3 Function Descriptions
The currently available ShellProp functions are described in
detail in this section.
Table of Contents
, ShellProp
NAME
*vfe_ShellPropBegin - create an instance of a ShellProp object
C SPECIFICATION
vfe_ShellProp *vfe_ShellPropBegin ()
ARGUMENTS
None
FUNCTION RETURN VALUE
The function returns a pointer to the newly created ShellProp object. If
the object creation fails, NULL is returned.
DESCRIPTION
Create an instance of a ShellProp object. Memory is allocated for the object
private data and the pointer to the object is returned.
By default the element material model assumes a monocoque material of
unit thickness and shear factor of 5/6, with
a material orientation angle of zero, a 2 point Gaussian integration rule and
material id of 1.
Destroy an instance of a ShellProp object using
void vfe_ShellPropEnd (vfe_ShellProp *shellprop)
Return the current value of a ShellProp object error flag using
Vint vfe_ShellPropError (vfe_ShellProp *shellprop)
Table of Contents
, ShellProp
NAME
vfe_ShellPropDef - define property type
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_ShellPropDef (vfe_ShellProp *shellprop,
Vint type)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
shellprop Pointer to ShellProp object.
type Shell material type
=SHELLPROP_MONOCOQUE Monocoque shell
=SHELLPROP_INTEGRATE General integrated shell
=SHELLPROP_LAMINATE Laminated shell
=SHELLPROP_MATRIX General matrix shell
=SHELLPROP_PSHELL NASTRAN PSHELL
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
ERRORS
SYS_ERROR_ENUM is generated if an improper type is specified.
DESCRIPTION
Define the type of shell material to be specified.
Use vfe_ShellPropSetMonocoque to input monocoque properties,
vfe_ShellPropSetIntegrate to input integration properties and
vfe_ShellPropSetLaminate to input laminate properties and
vfe_ShellPropSetPShell to input NASTRAN PSHELL properties and
vfe_ShellPropSetMatrix to input general matrix properties.
By default the shell material type is SHELLPROP_MONOCOQUE.
Inquire of a defined type as an output argument using
void vfe_ShellPropInq (vfe_ShellProp *shellprop,
Vint *type)
Table of Contents
, ShellProp
NAME
vfe_ShellPropSetDensity - set preintegrated densities
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_ShellPropSetDensity (vfe_ShellProp *shellprop,
Vdouble density[3])
INPUT ARGUMENTS
shellprop Pointer to ShellProp object.
density Array of preintegrated densities
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
ERRORS
SYS_ERROR_VALUE is generated if an improper matid is specified.
DESCRIPTION
Set preintegrated densities associated with a general matrix shell property.
The three densities are ordered as follows:
the density per unit
area followed by the
first and second moments of the density with respect to the thickness
coordinate of the shell.
Use vfe_ShellPropSetMatrix to set the preintegrated elastic properties
of the shell.
Table of Contents
, ShellProp
NAME
vfe_ShellPropSetIntegrate - set general integration point properties
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_ShellPropSetIntegrate (vfe_ShellProp *shellprop,
Vint nips,
Vdouble z[],
Vdouble t[],
Vdouble phi[],
Vint matid[])
INPUT ARGUMENTS
shellprop Pointer to ShellProp object.
nips Number of integration points, nips > 0.
z Array of integration point coordinates relative to the
shell reference surface.
t Array of contributory thicknesses at each integration point.
phi Array of material orientation angles in degrees
matid Array of material id's, matid > 0.
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
ERRORS
SYS_ERROR_VALUE is generated if an improper nips or matid is specified.
SYS_ERROR_VALUE is generated if any member of t <= 0.
DESCRIPTION
Set integration properties for nips points through the thickness of the shell.
The coordinates, z, are the distances of the integration points from the
shell reference surface. The positive z direction is along the
normal to the shell reference surface directed from the bottom to
the top surface of the shell.
The thicknesses, t, are the contributions of the integration points to
the total thickness of the shell.
The material orientations, phi, are right-hand rotations about the normal to
the reference surface.
A MatlFun object must be associated with each matid using
vfe_ShellPropSetMatlFun.
The pointers to all element property nodal scale factors are set in the
element formulation modules Shell2D or Shell3D using
vfe_Shell2DSetPropPtr or vfe_Shell3DSetPropPtr respectively.
Possible property scale factors are the following;
VFE_PROP_THICKNESS
VFE_PROP_KS
The thickness scale factor scales the z integration point coordinates.
Table of Contents
, ShellProp
NAME
vfe_ShellPropSetLaminate - set laminate properties
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_ShellPropSetLaminate (vfe_ShellProp *shellprop,
Vint nlayers,
Vdouble prop[],
Vint rule,
Vint nips[],
Vdouble t[],
Vdouble phi[],
Vint matid[])
INPUT ARGUMENTS
shellprop Pointer to ShellProp object.
nlayers Number of layers, nlayers > 0
prop Array of properties
rule Integration rule
=SYS_RULE_GAUSS Gauss quadrature rule
=SYS_RULE_LOBATTO Lobatto rule
=SYS_RULE_SIMPSON Simpson's rule
nips Array of number of integration points per layer
t Array of thicknesses per layer
phi Array of material orientation angles in degrees
matid Array of material ids, matid > 0.
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
ERRORS
SYS_ERROR_VALUE is generated if an improper nlayers is specified.
SYS_ERROR_VALUE is generated if an improper nips or matid is specified.
SYS_ERROR_VALUE is generated if any member of t <= 0.
DESCRIPTION
Set laminate properties for nlayers layers through the thickness of the shell.
The layers are entered in order from the shell bottom surface to the top
surface.
The material orientations, phi, are right-hand rotations about the normal to
the reference surface.
A MatlFun object must be associated with each matid using
vfe_ShellPropSetMatlFun.
The wall property array, prop, contains the following:
prop[0] = Ecc
The pointers to all element property nodal scale factors are set in the
element formulation modules Shell2D or Shell3D using
vfe_Shell2DSetPropPtr or vfe_Shell3DSetPropPtr respectively.
Possible property scale factors are the following;
VFE_PROP_THICKNESS
The thickness scale factor scales the t layer thickness values and
the eccentricity property.
Table of Contents
, ShellProp
NAME
vfe_ShellPropMatlFun - fill MatlFun object
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_ShellPropMatlFun (vfe_ShellProp *shellprop,
vfe_MatlFun *matlfun)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
shellprop Pointer to ShellProp object.
matlfun Pointer to MatlFun object to be filled with material
functions
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
DESCRIPTION
Fill a MatlFun object with material model functions. Use the MatlFun
object as an attribute object for any shell element formulation module, such
as Shell3D.
Table of Contents
, ShellProp
NAME
vfe_ShellPropSetMatlFun - set primitive material model
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_ShellPropSetMatlFun (vfe_ShellProp *shellprop,
Vint matid,
vfe_MatlFun *matlfun)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
shellprop Pointer to ShellProp object.
matid Material id of primitive material
matlfun Pointer to MatlFun object of primitive material model
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
ERRORS
SYS_ERROR_VALUE is generated if an improper matid is specified.
DESCRIPTION
Set a primitive material associated with a material matid.
There must be a call to this function to set the MatlFun object for
each matid used in the shell property definition.
Table of Contents
, ShellProp
NAME
vfe_ShellPropSetMatrix - set general matrix
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_ShellPropSetMatrix (vfe_ShellProp *shellprop,
Vdouble abd[21],
Vdouble q[3])
INPUT ARGUMENTS
shellprop Pointer to ShellProp object.
abd Lower triangle of 6x6 membrane-bending matrix
q Lower triangle of 2x2 transverse shear matrix
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
DESCRIPTION
Set general matrix. The general matrix relates the shell stress
resultants to the midsurface strains and curvatures.
Use vfe_ShellPropSetDensity to set the preintegrated mass properties
of the shell.
Table of Contents
, ShellProp
NAME
vfe_ShellPropSetMonocoque - set monocoque properties
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_ShellPropSetMonocoque (vfe_ShellProp *shellprop,
Vdouble prop[],
Vint nips,
Vint rule,
Vdouble phi,
Vint matid)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
shellprop Pointer to ShellProp object.
prop Array of properties
nips Number of integration points, nips > 0
rule Integration rule
=SYS_RULE_GAUSS Gauss quadrature rule
=SYS_RULE_LOBATTO Lobatto rule
=SYS_RULE_SIMPSON Simpson's rule
phi Material orientation angle in degrees
matid Material id, matid > 0.
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
ERRORS
SYS_ERROR_VALUE is generated if an improper nips or matid is specified.
SYS_ERROR_ENUM is generated if an improper rule is specified.
DESCRIPTION
Set monocoque properties.
By default, phi is zero, rule is SYS_RULE_GAUSS with nips set to
2 and matid set to 1.
The Lobatto integration rule is included specifically because it locates
integration points on the top and bottom surfaces of the shell as well
as in the interior of the shell.
The Simpson's rule also locates integration points on the top and bottom
surfaces of the shell and allow any odd number of points greater than 3.
For the Gauss quadrature rule 1 <= nips <= 8, for the Lobatto rule
3 <= nips <= 8 and for the Simpson's rule 3 <= nips.
A MatlFun object must be associated with matid using
vfe_ShellPropSetMatlFun.
The wall property array, prop, contains the following:
prop[0] = Thk
prop[1] = Ks
The pointers to all element property nodal scale factors are set in the
element formulation modules Shell2D or Shell3D using
vfe_Shell2DSetPropPtr or vfe_Shell3DSetPropPtr respectively.
Possible property scale factors are the following;
VFE_PROP_THICKNESS
VFE_PROP_KS
Table of Contents
, ShellProp
NAME
vfe_ShellPropSetParami - set shell property parameters
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_ShellPropSetParami (vfe_ShellProp *shellprop,
Vint type,
Vint iparam)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
shellprop Pointer to ShellProp object.
type Type of parameter to set
=VFE_THERMALSTRAIN Toggle thermal strains
=VFE_THERMALEXPREF Toggle reference temperature source
iparam Integer parameter value.
=SYS_OFF Disable
=SYS_ON Enable
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
ERRORS
SYS_ERROR_ENUM is generated if an improper type is specified.
SYS_ERROR_VALUE is generated if an improper iparam is specified.
DESCRIPTION
Set shell property parameters.
The parameter VFE_THERMALSTRAIN is used to toggle the calculation
of thermal strains.
By default VFE_THERMALSTRAIN is set to SYS_ON.
The source of the reference temperature used in thermal strain calculation
is toggled by the VFE_THERMALEXPREF flag.
If VFE_THERMALEXPREF is off then the reference temperature input
with vfe_ShellPropSetRefTemp is used otherwise
the reference temperature
input by vfe_MatlFunProp with type VFE_PROP_TEMPREF is used, and
the MatlFun object is the one referencing the ShellProp object.
By default VFE_THERMALEXPREF is set to SYS_OFF.
Table of Contents
, ShellProp
NAME
vfe_ShellPropSetPShell - set NASTRAN PSHELL properties
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_ShellPropSetPShell (vfe_ShellProp *shellprop,
Vdouble prop[],
Vint matid[])
INPUT ARGUMENTS
shellprop Pointer to ShellProp object.
prop Array of properties
matid Array of material ids
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
ERRORS
SYS_ERROR_VALUE is generated if an improper matid is specified.
DESCRIPTION
Set NASTRAN PSHELL properties. This function is designed to specifically
implement a shell wall as defined by the NASTRAN PSHELL bulk data entry.
The wall property array, prop, contains the following:
prop[0] = Thk, NASTRAN T
prop[1] = NASTRAN 12I/T3
prop[2] = NASTRAN TS/T
The pointers to all element property nodal scale factors are set in the
element formulation modules Shell2D or Shell3D using
vfe_Shell2DSetPropPtr or vfe_Shell3DSetPropPtr respectively.
Possible property scale factors are the following;
VFE_PROP_THICKNESS
The thickness scale factor scales the Thk membrane thickness.
The material id array, matid, contains the following:
matid[0] = NASTRAN MID1
matid[1] = NASTRAN MID2
matid[2] = NASTRAN MID3
matid[3] = NASTRAN MID4
A MatlFun object must be associated with matid using
vfe_ShellPropSetMatlFun.
Table of Contents
, ShellProp
NAME
vfe_ShellPropSetRefTemp - set preintegrated reference temperature
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_ShellPropSetRefTemp (vfe_ShellProp *shellprop,
Vdouble reftemp)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
shellprop Pointer to ShellProp object.
reftemp Reference temperature
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
DESCRIPTION
Set preintegrated reference temperature.
Use vfe_ShellPropSetThermExp to set the preintegrated coefficients of
thermal expansion of the shell.
Table of Contents
, ShellProp
NAME
vfe_ShellPropSetTemp - set temperature parameter
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_ShellPropSetTemp (vfe_ShellProp *shellprop,
Vdouble temp)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
shellprop Pointer to ShellProp object.
temp Current temperature of defined preintegrated properties
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
DESCRIPTION
Specify the current temperature for which all subsequent preintegrated
element properties,
until another call to vfe_ShellPropSetTemp is encountered,
are defined.
Table of Contents
, ShellProp
NAME
vfe_ShellPropSetStressStrain - set stress recovery points
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_ShellPropSetStressStrain (vfe_ShellProp *shellprop,
Vint numrec,
Vdouble rec[])
INPUT ARGUMENTS
shellprop Pointer to ShellProp object.
numrec Number of recovery points
rec Z location of recovery points
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
DESCRIPTION
Set the list of stress recovery points to be used in
vfe_MatlFunStressStrain for the stress and strain output. This
function is only valid when vfe_ShellPropDef has been called with
SHELLPROP_MATRIX or SHELLPROP_PSHELL. In all other cases the
integration points through the thickness are used as the recovery points.
Table of Contents
, ShellProp
NAME
vfe_ShellPropSetThermExp - set preintegrated thermal expansion
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_ShellPropSetThermExp (vfe_ShellProp *shellprop,
Vdouble alpha[8])
INPUT ARGUMENTS
shellprop Pointer to ShellProp object.
alpha Vector of preintegrated coefficients of thermal expansion
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
DESCRIPTION
Set preintegrated coefficients of thermal expansion
Use vfe_ShellPropSetRefTemp to set the preintegrated reference temperature.
Table of Contents
11.4 Beam Element Properties - BeamProp
The BeamProp module is used to define an element material for beam
element formulations using the Beam3D module.
The element material includes area properties, shear factors, etc.
Options exist for modelling general section, general integrated and
and general matrix beam section constructions.
The methods associated with a BeamProp object are the following.
Instance a BeamProp object using vfe_BeamPropBegin.
Once a BeamProp object is instanced,
define the element material type using vfe_BeamPropDef.
Options exist for general section area properties, general integration point,
and general matrix input.
Use vfe_BeamPropSetSection to enter element area properties.
Use vfe_BeamPropSetIntegrate to enter element properties at each of a
user specified number of integration points across the cross section of the
beam.
Use vfe_BeamPropSetMatrix to enter the preintegrated matrix of
a general matrix beam property type and vfe_BeamPropSetDensity to
set the associated densities.
Use vfe_BeamPropSetRefTemp and vfe_BeamPropSetThermExp to set the
preintegrated reference temperature and coefficients of thermal expansion.
Preintegrated properties in BeamProp may be temperature dependent.
The current temperature for which preintegrated properties are to be defined
is set using vfe_BeamPropSetTemp.
All subsequently defined preintegrated properties are assumed to be at
the current temperature.
Use vfe_BeamPropSetMatlFun to attach a primitive material to each material
id required.
Use vfe_BeamPropMatlFun to fill a MatlFun object with function pointers
which is then set in a beam element formulation object such as Beam3D
using vfe_Beam3DSetObject.
Destroy an instance of a BeamProp object using vfe_BeamPropEnd.
Table of Contents
11.5 Element Properties
The BeamProp module provides for three different types of beam
properties, general section, general integrated and general matrix.
Depending upon the beam property type the user may specify element properties
such as area, moments of inertia, effective shear factor, etc.
By default these properties
are assumed to be constant along the beam axis. To achieve a variation
of these properties along the beam axis the user may define an element
property scale factor.
The pointers to all element property nodal scale factors are set in the
element formulation module Beam3D using
vfe_Beam3DSetPropPtr.
The following notation and defined constants for area properties are used:
A , VFE_PROP_AREA, Area
Iyy , VFE_PROP_IYY , Moment of inertia about centroidal y axis
Izz , VFE_PROP_IZZ , Moment of inertia about centroidal z axis
Iyz , VFE_PROP_IYZ , Product of inertia with respect to centroidal axes
J , VFE_PROP_J , Torsional constant about centroid
Ksy , VFE_PROP_KSY , Shear factor along y axis
Ksz , VFE_PROP_KSZ , Shear factor along z axis
Ksyz, VFE_PROP_KSYZ, Coupling shear factor.
Dsy , VFE_PROP_DSY , Shear center offset from centroid along y axis
Dsz , VFE_PROP_DSZ , Shear center offset from centroid along z axis
Thky, VFE_PROP_THICKNESSY, Thickness along y axis
Thkz, VFE_PROP_THICKNESSZ, Thickness along z axis
The default value for all area properties is unity except for the
shear factors, Ksy and Ksz, which default to 5/6 and the
shear center offsets which default to zero.
-
A general section beam allows the specification of general area
properties which include the total area,
moments of inertia, torsional constant, shear factors and shear center
offsets.
If the area properties vary along the beam axis, element
property nodal scale factors may be used to define the variation.
Set general section properties using vfe_BeamPropSetSection.
-
A general integrated beam allows the specification of any number of
integration points in the cross section of the beam.
The y',z' location, contributory area,
and material id must be specified for each integration point.
The torsional constant, shear factors and shear center offsets
are entered as element properties.
The integration point locations may be varied along the beam
axis using the VFE_PROP_THICKNESSY and VFE_PROP_THICKNESSZ element
property scale factors.
Set integration properties using vfe_BeamPropSetIntegrate.
-
A general matrix may be specified characterizing the beam section.
The matrix is input as the lower triangle of the
material stiffness matrix A.
Set matrix properties using vfe_BeamPropSetMatrix.
The matrices together define the element material stiffness matrix
which relates the stress resultants
(Nxx,Myy,Mzz,T,Qxy,Qzx) to the
reference axis strains, twists and curvatures
(exx,kyy,kzz,twist,gxy,gzx) as follows:
Set associated densities using vfe_BeamPropSetDensity.
-- -- -- -- -- --
| Nxx | | A1 | | exx |
| Myy | | A2 A3 | | kyy |
| Mzz | | A4 A5 A6 | | kzz |
| T | | A7 A8 A9 A10 | | twist |
| Qxy | | A11 A12 A13 A14 A15 | | gxy |
| Qzx | | A16 A17 A18 A19 A20 A21 | | gzx |
-- -- -- -- -- --
Figure 11-2, Sign Conventions for Beam Stress Resultants
The matrix quantities appear as follows for the case
of zero shear center offset and axial-bending coupling
where E is the elastic modulus
and G is the shear modulus:
A1 = E * A
A3 = E * Iyy
A5 = E * Iyz
A6 = E * Izz
A10 = G * J
A15 = G * Ksy * A
A20 = G * Ksyz * A
A21 = G * Ksz * A
Note that if the right-hand rotations about the x,y,z axes are denoted
by rx,ry,rz, then the twist, twist and
curvatures, kyy,kzz are given by:
twist = rx,x
kyy = ry,x
kzz = -rz,x
Temperatures
are used if the effects of thermal expansion
are to be included.
A table summarizing proper combinations of element formulation and material
type with possible element property nodal scale factors appears below.
SetSection SetIntegrate SetMatrix
-------------------------------------------------------------
A
Iyy,Izz,Iyz
Thky,Thkz
J J
Ksy,Ksz,Ksyz Ksy,Ksz,Ksyz
Dsy,Dsz Dsy,Dsz
-------------------------------------------------------------
Table of Contents
11.6 Function Descriptions
The currently available BeamProp functions are described in
detail in this section.
Table of Contents
, BeamProp
NAME
*vfe_BeamPropBegin - create an instance of a BeamProp object
C SPECIFICATION
vfe_BeamProp *vfe_BeamPropBegin ()
ARGUMENTS
None
FUNCTION RETURN VALUE
The function returns a pointer to the newly created BeamProp object. If
the object creation fails, NULL is returned.
DESCRIPTION
Create an instance of a BeamProp object. Memory is allocated for the object
private data and the pointer to the object is returned.
By default the element material model assumes a general section material with
unit area, moments of inertia and torsional constant, zero shear center
offsets, and shear factors of 5/6 with
a material id of 1.
Destroy an instance of a BeamProp object using
void vfe_BeamPropEnd (vfe_BeamProp *beamprop)
Return the current value of a BeamProp object error flag using
Vint vfe_BeamPropError (vfe_BeamProp *beamprop)
Table of Contents
, BeamProp
NAME
vfe_BeamPropDef - define property type
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_BeamPropDef (vfe_BeamProp *beamprop,
Vint type)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
beamprop Pointer to BeamProp object.
type Beam material type
=BEAMPROP_INTEGRATE General integrated beam property
=BEAMPROP_SECTION General section beam property
=BEAMPROP_MATRIX General matrix beam property
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
ERRORS
SYS_ERROR_ENUM is generated if an improper type is specified.
DESCRIPTION
Define the type of beam material to be specified.
Use vfe_BeamPropSetIntegrate to input integration point properties,
vfe_BeamPropSetSection to input section properties and
vfe_BeamPropSetMatrix to input general matrix properties.
By default the beam material type is BEAMPROP_SECTION.
Inquire of a defined type as an output argument using
void vfe_BeamPropInq (vfe_BeamProp *beamprop,
Vint *type)
Table of Contents
, BeamProp
NAME
vfe_BeamPropMatlFun - fill MatlFun object
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_BeamPropMatlFun (vfe_BeamProp *beamprop,
vfe_MatlFun *matlfun)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
beamprop Pointer to BeamProp object.
matlfun Pointer to MatlFun object to be filled with material
functions
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
DESCRIPTION
Fill a MatlFun object with material model functions. Use the MatlFun
object as an attribute object for any beam element formulation module, such
as Beam3D.
Table of Contents
, BeamProp
NAME
vfe_BeamPropSetDensity - set preintegrated densities
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_BeamPropSetDensity (vfe_BeamProp *beamprop,
Vdouble density[6])
INPUT ARGUMENTS
beamprop Pointer to BeamProp object.
density Array of preintegrated densities
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
DESCRIPTION
Set preintegrated densities associated with a general matrix beam property.
The six densities are ordered as follows:
the density per unit
length followed by the
first and second moments of the density with respect to the beam section
y coordinates followed by the first and second moments of the density with
respect to the beam section z coordinates
followed by the yz moment.
Use vfe_BeamPropSetMatrix to set the preintegrated elastic properties
of the beam.
Table of Contents
, BeamProp
NAME
vfe_BeamPropSetIntegrate - set general integration point properties
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_BeamPropSetIntegrate (vfe_BeamProp *beamprop,
Vdouble prop[],
Vint nips,
Vdouble yz[][2],
Vdouble area[],
Vint matid)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
beamprop Pointer to BeamProp object.
prop Array of properties
nips Number of integration points, nips > 0.
yz Array of integration point coordinates.
area Array of contributory areas at each integration point.
matid Material id, matid > 0.
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
ERRORS
SYS_ERROR_VALUE is generated if an improper nips or matid is specified.
SYS_ERROR_VALUE is generated if any member of area <= 0.
DESCRIPTION
Set section properties, prop and
integration properties for nips points in the cross section of the
beam. The coordinates, yz, are the coordinates of the integration points
in the element coordinate system with its origin at the beam
reference axis.
The areas, area, are the contributions of the integration points to
the total area of the beam cross section.
A MatlFun object must be associated with matid using
vfe_BeamPropSetMatlFun.
The section property array, prop, contains the following:
prop[0] = J
prop[1] = Ksy
prop[2] = Ksz
prop[3] = Ksyz
prop[4] = Dsy
prop[5] = Dsz
The pointers to all element property nodal scale factors are set in the
element formulation module Beam3D using
vfe_Beam3DSetPropPtr.
Possible property scale factors are the following;
VFE_PROP_THICKNESSY, VFE_PROP_THICKNESSY
VFE_PROP_J
VFE_PROP_KSY, VFE_PROP_KSZ, VFE_PROP_KSZ
VFE_PROP_DSY, VFE_PROP_DSZ
The thickness scale factors scale the y' and z' integration point
coordinates respectively.
Table of Contents
, BeamProp
NAME
vfe_BeamPropSetMatlFun - set primitive material model
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_BeamPropSetMatlFun (vfe_BeamProp *beamprop,
Vint matid,
vfe_MatlFun *matlfun)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
beamprop Pointer to BeamProp object.
matid Material id of primitive material
matlfun Pointer to MatlFun object of primitive material model
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
ERRORS
SYS_ERROR_VALUE is generated if an improper matid is specified.
DESCRIPTION
Set a primitive material associated with a material matid.
There must be a call to this function to set the MatlFun object for
each matid used in the beam property definition.
Table of Contents
, BeamProp
NAME
vfe_BeamPropSetMatrix - set general matrix
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_BeamPropSetMatrix (vfe_BeamProp *beamprop,
Vdouble dmat[21])
INPUT ARGUMENTS
beamprop Pointer to BeamProp object.
dmat Lower triangle of 6x6 material stiffness matrix
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
DESCRIPTION
Set general matrix. The general matrix relates the beam stress
resultants to the centroidal strains, twists and curvatures.
Use vfe_BeamPropSetDensity to set the preintegrated mass properties
of the beam.
Table of Contents
, BeamProp
NAME
vfe_BeamPropSetSection - set general cross section area properties
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_BeamPropSetSection (vfe_BeamProp *beamprop,
Vdouble prop[],
Vint matid)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
beamprop Pointer to BeamProp object.
prop Array of properties
matid Material id
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
DESCRIPTION
Set section properties, prop and
general cross section area properties.
The section property array, prop, contains the following:
prop[0] = A
prop[1] = Iyy
prop[2] = Izz
prop[3] = Iyz
prop[4] = J
prop[5] = Ksy
prop[6] = Ksz
prop[7] = Ksyz
prop[8] = Dsy
prop[9] = Dsz
The pointers to all element property nodal scale factors are set in the
element formulation module Beam3D using
vfe_Beam3DSetPropPtr.
Possible property scale factors are the following;
VFE_PROP_AREA
VFE_PROP_IYY, VFE_PROP_IZZ, VFE_PROP_IYZ
VFE_PROP_J
VFE_PROP_KSY, VFE_PROP_KSZ, VFE_PROP_KSZ
VFE_PROP_DSY, VFE_PROP_DSZ
Table of Contents
, BeamProp
NAME
vfe_BeamPropSetParami - set beam property parameters
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_BeamPropSetParami (vfe_BeamProp *beamprop,
Vint type,
Vint iparam)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
beamprop Pointer to BeamProp object.
type Type of parameter to set
=VFE_THERMALSTRAIN Toggle thermal strains
=VFE_THERMALEXPREF Toggle reference temperature source
iparam Integer parameter value.
=SYS_OFF Disable
=SYS_ON Enable
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
ERRORS
SYS_ERROR_ENUM is generated if an improper type is specified.
SYS_ERROR_VALUE is generated if an improper iparam is specified.
DESCRIPTION
Set beam property parameters.
The parameter VFE_THERMALSTRAIN is used to toggle the calculation
of thermal strains.
By default VFE_THERMALSTRAIN is set to SYS_ON.
The source of the reference temperature used in thermal strain calculation
is toggled by the VFE_THERMALEXPREF flag.
If VFE_THERMALEXPREF is off then the reference temperature input
with vfe_LinMatSetRefTemp is used otherwise
the reference temperature
input by vfe_MatlFunProp with type VFE_PROP_TEMPREF is used, where
the MatlFun object used is the one referencing the BeamProp object.
By default VFE_THERMALEXPREF is set to SYS_OFF.
Table of Contents
, BeamProp
NAME
vfe_BeamPropSetRefTemp - set preintegrated reference temperature
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_BeamPropSetRefTemp (vfe_BeamProp *beamprop,
Vdouble reftemp)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
beamprop Pointer to BeamProp object.
reftemp Reference temperature
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
DESCRIPTION
Set preintegrated reference temperature.
Use vfe_BeamPropSetThermExp to set the preintegrated coefficients of
thermal expansion of the beam.
Table of Contents
, BeamProp
NAME
vfe_BeamPropSetStressStrain - set beam recovery points
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_BeamPropSetStressStrain (vfe_BeamProp *shellprop,
Vint numrec,
Vdouble rec[][2])
INPUT ARGUMENTS
beamprop Pointer to BeamProp object.
numrec Number of recovery points
rec Y-Z location of recovery points
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
DESCRIPTION
Set the list of stress recovery points to be used in
vfe_MatlFunStressStrain for the stress and strain output. This
function is only valid when vfe_BeamPropDef has been called with
BEAMPROP_MATRIX or BEAMPROP_SECTION. In all other cases the
integration points through the cross section are used as the recovery points.
Table of Contents
, BeamProp
NAME
vfe_BeamPropSetTemp - set temperature parameter
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_BeamPropSetTemp (vfe_BeamProp *beamprop,
Vdouble temp)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
beamprop Pointer to BeamProp object.
temp Current temperature of defined preintegrated properties
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
DESCRIPTION
Specify the current temperature for which all subsequent preintegrated
element properties,
until another call to vfe_BeamPropSetTemp is encountered, are defined.
Table of Contents
, BeamProp
NAME
vfe_BeamPropSetThermExp - set preintegrated thermal expansion
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_BeamPropSetThermExp (vfe_BeamProp *beamprop,
Vdouble alpha[6])
INPUT ARGUMENTS
beamprop Pointer to BeamProp object.
alpha Vector of preintegrated coefficients of thermal expansion
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
DESCRIPTION
Set preintegrated coefficients of thermal expansion
Use vfe_BeamPropSetRefTemp to set the preintegrated reference temperature.
Table of Contents
11.7 Interface and Gap Element Properties - InterProp
The InterProp module is used to define an element material for interface
and gap
element formulations using the Inter2D, Inter3D and Gap modules.
The element material includes film coefficients and traction-relative
displacement relationships.
Current options exist for contact with and without friction
in structural analysis
and heat flux as a direct function of temperature difference in thermal
analysis.
The methods associated with a InterProp object are the following.
Instance a InterProp object using vfe_InterPropBegin.
Once a InterProp object is instanced,
define the element material type using vfe_InterPropDef.
Options exist for contact with and without friction and sticking contact.
The interface properties normal to the surface are input as some type
of traction versus relative displacement curve.
The structural contact types are as follows.
-
INTERPROP_SLIP contact without friction. If contact occurs then
any relative displacement tangential to the normal contact direction
is frictionless. The tangential tractions are always zero.
-
INTERPROP_NOSLIP contact with infinite friction. If contact occurs
then any tangential relative displacement is restrained with the same
stiffness penalty as the normal relative displacement.
-
INTERPROP_STICK contact with infinite friction with no release.
If contact occurs then
any tangential relative displacement is restrained with the same
stiffness penalty as the normal relative displacement
and the normal stiffness penalty is never reduced.
In this case a stress history must be maintained.
-
INTERPROP_FRICTION contact with friction. If contact occurs
any relative displacement tangential to the normal contact direction
is contrained using the tangential stiffness penalty until the
tangential friction force is exceeded and slippage occurs.
In this case a stress history must be maintained.
There are three functions for inputting the curve relating normal traction
to normal relative displacement:
vfe_InterPropSetNormPWLinear or vfe_InterPropSetNormBiLinear
If a bilinear curve is specified using vfe_InterPropSetNormBiLinear the input
arguments generate a traction, Tx, versus relative displacement, dx,
as illustrated in Figure 11-3a.
Figure 11-3a, Bilinear Traction versus Relative Displacment Curve
If a piecewise linear curve is specified using vfe_InterPropSetNormPWLinear
the traction, Tx, versus relative displacement, dx, curve is illustrated
in Figure 11-3c.
Figure 11-3c, Piecewise Linear Traction versus Relative Displacment Curve
If friction is present, the coefficients of static and kinetic friction
in each of the principal tangential directions are input
using vfe_InterPropSetFriction. Note that a stress history must be
maintained for either contact with sticking or contact with friction.
Use the material function, vfe_MatlFunNumHist, to query the number of
history variables used at a point.
The thermal analysis types are as follows.
-
INTERPROP_CONVECTION thermal convection.
A film coefficient must be defined.
-
INTERPROP_RADIATION thermal radiation.
The Stefan Boltzmann contant and emissivity must be defined.
Use vfe_InterPropSetFilmCoef to enter film coefficients for thermal analysis.
Use vfe_InterPropSetEmissivity and
vfe_InterPropSetStefanBoltzmann to set emissivity and the Stefan-Boltzmann
contant for radiation effects.
The current temperature for which properties are to be defined
is set using vfe_InterPropSetTemp.
All subsequently defined film coefficient properties are assumed to be at
the current temperature.
Use vfe_InterPropMatlFun to fill a MatlFun object with function pointers
which is then set in an interface or gap
element formulation object such as Inter3D
using vfe_Inter3DSetObject.
Destroy an instance of a InterProp object using vfe_InterPropEnd.
Table of Contents
11.8 Element Properties
The pointers to all element properties are set in the
element formulation modules Inter2D, Inter3D or Gap using
vfe_Inter2DSetPropPtr, vfe_Inter3DSetPropPtr or
vfe_GapSetPropPtr respectively.
The only element property required is the temperature for temperature
dependent material effects.
T , VFE_PROP_TEMPERATURE, Temperature
The default value for the temperature, T, is 0.
For structural analysis
the InterProp module relates a vector of tractions, (Tx,Ty,Tz)
to a vector of relative displacements (dx,dy,dz)
-- -- -- -- -- --
| Tx | | A1 | | dx |
| Ty | | A2 A3 | | dy |
| Tz | = | A4 A5 A6 | | dz |
-- -- -- -- -- --
A surface normal interface properties relate Tx directly to dx through
the traction-relative displacement curve.
For thermal analysis,
the InterProp module relates a scalar heat flux, (q)
to a scalar generalized temperature difference (dt)
q = h*dt
Where h is the film coefficient.
Table of Contents
11.9 Function Descriptions
The currently available InterProp functions are described in
detail in this section.
Table of Contents
, InterProp
NAME
*vfe_InterPropBegin - create an instance of a InterProp object
C SPECIFICATION
vfe_InterProp *vfe_InterPropBegin ()
ARGUMENTS
None
FUNCTION RETURN VALUE
The function returns a pointer to the newly created InterProp object. If
the object creation fails, NULL is returned.
DESCRIPTION
Create an instance of a InterProp object. Memory is allocated for the object
private data and the pointer to the object is returned.
By default the element material model assumes a slip material.
Destroy an instance of a InterProp object using
void vfe_InterPropEnd (vfe_InterProp *interprop)
Return the current value of a InterProp object error flag using
Vint vfe_InterPropError (vfe_InterProp *interprop)
Table of Contents
, InterProp
NAME
vfe_InterPropDef - define property type
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_InterPropDef (vfe_InterProp *interprop,
Vint type)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
interprop Pointer to InterProp object.
type Interface material type
=INTERPROP_CONVECTION Thermal convection
=INTERPROP_RADIATION Thermal radiation
=INTERPROP_SLIP Contact without friction
=INTERPROP_NOSLIP Contact with infinite friction
=INTERPROP_STICK Contact without release
=INTERPROP_FRICTION Contact with friction
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
ERRORS
SYS_ERROR_ENUM is generated if an improper type is specified.
DESCRIPTION
Define the type of interface material to be specified.
By default the interface material type is INTERPROP_SLIP.
If INTERPROP_FRICTION is specified then the friction coefficients must
be input using vfe_InterPropSetFriction.
If the stick or noslip options are specified then, during contact, infinite
friction is indicated. In this case the tangential stiffness is set equal
to the normal stiffness computed using the normal surface properties.
If the stick option is specified then once contact occurs the surfaces are not
allowed to separate even if a tensile normal traction develops.
Inquire of a defined type as an output argument using
void vfe_InterPropInq (vfe_InterProp *interprop,
Vint *type)
Table of Contents
, InterProp
NAME
vfe_InterPropSetNormBiLinear - set bilinear normal properties
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_InterPropSetNormBiLinear (vfe_InterProp *interprop,
Vdouble kn,
Vdouble ka,
Vdouble d0,
Vdouble t0);
INPUT ARGUMENTS
interprop Pointer to InterProp object.
kn Normal stiffness for closed gap
ka Ambient stiffness for open gap
d0 Initial gap opening
t0 Gap preload
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
ERRORS
SYS_ERROR_VALUE is generated if an improper npts is specified.
DESCRIPTION
Define a bilinear traction-relative displacement relationship by specifing
two slopes, the stiffnesses kn and ka of the closed and open gap, and
the initial gap, d0, and associated preload, t0.
Table of Contents
, InterProp
NAME
vfe_InterPropSetNormPWLinear - set piecewise linear normal properties
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_InterPropSetNormPWLinear (vfe_InterProp *interprop,
Vint npts,
Vdouble d[],
Vdouble t[])
INPUT ARGUMENTS
interprop Pointer to InterProp object.
npts Number of points in traction-relative displacement curve
d Set of npts relative displacement values
t Set of npts traction values
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
ERRORS
SYS_ERROR_VALUE is generated if an improper npts is specified.
DESCRIPTION
Set values defining a piecewise linear traction-relative displacement
curve with npts points.
Table of Contents
, InterProp
NAME
vfe_InterPropSetFriction - set friction properties
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_InterPropSetFriction (vfe_InterProp *interprop,
Vdouble kt,
Vdouble mustat[2],
Vdouble mukine[2])
INPUT ARGUMENTS
interprop Pointer to InterProp object.
kt Transverse stiffness
mustat Coefficients of static friction in y' and z' directions
mukine Coefficients of kinetic friction in y' and z' directions
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
ERRORS
SYS_ERROR_VALUE is generated if an improper mustat or mukine is specified.
DESCRIPTION
Set tangential stiffness factor, kt, and coefficients of static and kinetic
friction, mustat and mukine.
The coefficients of friction can not be negative, in addition the coefficients
of static friction can not be less than the associated coefficients of
kinetic friction.
Table of Contents
, InterProp
NAME
vfe_InterPropSetEmissivity - set emissivity
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_InterPropSetEmissivity (vfe_InterProp *interprop,
Vdouble emis)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
interprop Pointer to InterProp object.
emis Emissivity
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
ERRORS
SYS_ERROR_VALUE is generated if an improper emis is specified.
DESCRIPTION
Set emissivity relating heat flux to generalized temperature
difference for radiation effects. The emissivity can not be negative.
Table of Contents
, InterProp
NAME
vfe_InterPropSetStefanBoltzmann - set Stefan Boltzmann constant
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_InterPropSetStefanBoltzmann (vfe_InterProp *interprop,
Vdouble sb)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
interprop Pointer to InterProp object.
sb Stefan Boltzmann constant
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
DESCRIPTION
Set Stefan Boltzmann constant for radiation effects.
Table of Contents
, InterProp
NAME
vfe_InterPropSetFilmCoef - set film coefficient
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_InterPropSetFilmCoef (vfe_InterProp *interprop,
Vdouble filmcoef)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
interprop Pointer to InterProp object.
filmcoef Film coefficient.
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
ERRORS
SYS_ERROR_VALUE is generated if an improper filmcoef is specified.
DESCRIPTION
Set film coefficient relating heat flux to generalized temperature
difference. The film coefficient can not be negative.
Table of Contents
, InterProp
NAME
vfe_InterPropMatlFun - fill MatlFun object
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_InterPropMatlFun (vfe_InterProp *interprop,
vfe_MatlFun *matlfun)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
interprop Pointer to InterProp object.
matlfun Pointer to MatlFun object to be filled with material
functions
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
DESCRIPTION
Fill a MatlFun object with material model functions. Use the MatlFun
object as an attribute object for any interface or gap
element formulation module, such as Inter3D.
Table of Contents
, InterProp
NAME
vfe_InterPropSetTemp - set temperature parameter
C SPECIFICATION
void vfe_InterPropSetTemp (vfe_InterProp *interprop,
Vdouble temp)
INPUT ARGUMENTS
interprop Pointer to InterProp object.
temp Current temperature of defined properties
OUTPUT ARGUMENTS
None
DESCRIPTION
Specify the current temperature for which all subsequent
element film coefficient properties set using vfe_InterPropSetFilmCoef,
until another call to vfe_InterPropSetTemp is encountered,
are defined.