To split a quadrilateral element:

Enter the Mesh module and do one of the following:

From the Object field in the context bar, select Assembly.

From the Object field in the context bar, select Part and select an orphan mesh part or a meshed part from the list of parts.

From the main menu bar, select MeshEdit.

ABAQUS/CAE displays the Edit Mesh dialog box.

Tip:  You can also display the Edit Mesh dialog box using the tool, located at the bottom of the Mesh module toolbox.

In the dialog box, do the following:

In the Category field, select Element.

From the Method list, select Split (quad to tri).

Click OK.

Select the quadrilateral element to split. You can select only a single element.

ABAQUS/CAE highlights the diagonal it will use to split the quadrilateral element into two triangular elements and prompts you to continue. ABAQUS/CAE selects the diagonal that will create the best-shaped elements based on angle measurements. You cannot select which diagonal of the quadrilateral ABAQUS/CAE uses to split the element. However, after ABAQUS/CAE splits the element, you can use the Swap diagonal tool to change the diagonal; for more information, see “Swapping the diagonal of a pair of adjacent triangular elements,” Section 41.6.7.

Click Yes to split the element.

ABAQUS/CAE prompts you to select the next element to split.

When you have finished splitting elements, click mouse button 2 or the cancel button in the prompt area to exit the procedure.