A.1.2 Third character

For all elements except the special-purpose stress/displacement elements, the third character indicates the space in which the element exists.

Beam elements

2 Two-dimensional

3 Three-dimensional

o Three-dimensional, open section

Continuum elements

1 One-dimensional

2 Two-dimensional

3 Three-dimensional

a Axisymmetric

c Cylindrical

e Plane strain

g Generalized plane strain

n Nonlinear axisymmetric with asymmetric deformation

s Plane stress

Fluid elements

2 Two-dimensional

3 Three-dimensional

a Axisymmetric

l Fluid link

Gasket elements

2 Two-dimensional

3 Three-dimensional

a Axisymmetric

e Plane strain

l Three-dimensional line

s Plane stress

Interface or surface interaction elements

1 One-dimensional

2 Two-dimensional

3 Three-dimensional

a Axisymmetric

b Three-dimensional beams

c Cylindrical gap

g General

p Planar general

s Spherical gap

u Unidirectional gap

Membrane elements

3 Three-dimensional

a Axisymmetric

g Generalized axisymmetric

c Cylindrical

Pipe elements

2 Two-dimensional

3 Three-dimensional

Rigid elements

p Two-dimensional plane stress/plane strain

2 Two-dimensional beam

3 Three-dimensional

a Axisymmetric

Shell elements

3 Three-dimensional (heat transfer or coupled temperature-displacement)

5 Three-dimensional, five degrees of freedom

6 Three-dimensional, six degrees of freedom

a Axisymmetric

c Continuum

e Three-dimensional, enhanced finite strain, full integration

f Three-dimensional, finite strain

n Nonlinear axisymmetric with asymmetric deformation

Truss elements

2 Two-dimensional

3 Three-dimensional