### 2.3.2. Mechanical APDL File Format

A Mechanical APDL input file requires specific element settings if it is to be used with ACP in Stand Alone mode. This applies to preprocessing models that are used to define a composite lay-up as well as postprocessing models where reading stresses and strains in future analyses is required. For more information, see Workflow in Stand Alone Operation.

Nodal solutions can be loaded from:

- PRNSOL file formats. An example export could be:

      /format,10,G,25,15,1000,1000
      prnsol,u
      prnsol,rot

- The .RST file interface allows ACP to load nodal and element results directly from the ANSYS result file.

  Use these options for element result import:

  - SHELL181: Keyopt(8) = 2 (See Figure : SHELL181 Keyopts )

  - SHELL281: Keyopt(8) = 2 (SeeFigure : SHELL281 Keyopts )

  - SOLID185/SOLID186: Keyopt(3) = 1 (See Figure : SOLID185 Keyopts and Figure : SOLID186 Keyopts)

    Keyopt(3) must be defined via the command line: KEYOPT,`ET_NUM`,3,1

  - SOLSH190: Keyopt(8) = 1

  - ERESX,NO (copy integration point results to nodes)

Supported shell and solid (for post-processing only) element types: SHELL181, SHELL281, SOLID185, SOLID186

Supported element property definition commands: SECTYPE, SECOFFSET, SECCONTROL, RLBLOCK

Figure : SHELL181 Keyopts

Figure : SHELL281 Keyopts

Figure : SOLID185 Keyopts

Figure : SOLID186 Keyopts

Release 18.2 - © ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved.