Abaqus Keywords Reference Guide  
How to find keyword examples

*NORMAL
Specify a particular normal direction.

This option is used to define alternative nodal normals for elements. In an Abaqus/Standard analysis it can also be used to define alternative normals for contact surfaces.

Products: Abaqus/Standard  Abaqus/Explicit  

Type: Model data

Level: Part,  Part instance,  Assembly  

Reference:

Optional parameter:

TYPE

Set TYPE=ELEMENT (default) to allow the alternative normal definition of elements.

Set TYPE=CONTACT SURFACE to allow the alternative normal definition of contact surfaces in an Abaqus/Standard analysis.

Data lines to define normals for elements (TYPE=ELEMENT): 

First line:

  1. Element number or element set label.

  2. Node number or node set label.

  3. First component of normal in global coordinates.

  4. Second component of normal in global coordinates.

  5. Third component of normal in global coordinates.

Repeat this data line as often as necessary to define the normals.

Data lines to define normals for contact surfaces (TYPE=CONTACT SURFACE): 

First line:

  1. Master surface name.

  2. Node number or node set label (on master surface).

  3. First component of normal in global coordinates.

  4. Second component of normal in global coordinates.

  5. Third component of normal in global coordinates.

Repeat this data line as often as necessary to define the normals.