Module 2

Array Parameters

2. Array Parameters

Training Manual

Array Parameters are parameters that can take on multiple

values.

They can be 1-D, 2-D, or 3-D.

1-D: m rows x 1 column
2-D: m rows x n columns
3-D: m rows x n columns x k planes

17.1
-47.6
AA = -5.2
25.0
107.9

5x1 array

BB =

814
1057
1033
7141
622

17
-47
-52
25
107

386
704
348
-66
111

5x3 array

CC =

mxnx3 array

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...Array Parameters

Training Manual

In this chapter, we will discuss how to define array

parameters and how to perform operations among them.

Topics covered:
A. Types of Array Parameters
B. How to Define
C. Retrieving Database Information
D. Array Operations
E. Workshop

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Array Parameters

A. Types of Array Parameters

There are three types of array
parameters:
Array
Table
Character

Type array is a standard 1-D, 2-D, or 3-D

matrix of numeric values, such as BB
shown here.
BB(2,3) = 704
BB(3,1) = 1033
etc.

BB =

814
1057
1033
7141
622

17
-47
-52
25
107

386
704
348
-66
111

5x3 array

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Array Parameters

...Types of Array Parameters

Requires the zeroth row, column, and plane

to be filled with numbers.
Useful to define time-dependent loads and
other similar functions.
Primary variables include X, Y, Z, temperature,
velocity, pressure and time.
For example, the table array FORCE could
represent a force-vs-time function, with the
zeroth column representing time values.
FORCE(0.4) = 279.9996
FORCE(6.5) = 560.0
FORCE(8.9) = 119.25
etc.

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Type table is similar to array, except that its

row, column, and plane indices can be real
numbers, allowing you to interpolate values.

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Array Parameters

...Types of Array Parameters

A character array is a 1-D, 2-D, or 3-D matrix of alphanumeric

strings.
Useful for storing file names, DOF labels, etc.
Each string can have up to eight characters.

JOB1
JOB2
jobs = JOB3
JOB4
JOB5

UX
UY
dofs = UZ
ROTY
ROTZ

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Array Parameters

B. How to Define
1. Specify name, type and dimension.
Utility Menu > Parameters > Array
Parameters > Define/Edit > Add
or *DIM command. Example:
*dim,aa,array,4

! 4x1x1 array

*dim,force,table,5

! 5x1x1 table

*dim,bb,array,5,3

! 5x3x1 array

*dim,dofs,char,6

! 6x1x1 character array

parameter name can not exceed 32

characters

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Two steps to define an array parameter:

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Array Parameters

...How to Define
Utility Menu > Parameters > Array
Parameters > Define/Edit > Edit
Or *VEDIT command
Or =command. Example:
bb(1,1)=11,21,31,41,51
bb(1,2)=12,22,32,42,52
bb(1,3)=13,23,33,43,53

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2. Fill in the array values.

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Array Parameters

...How to Define
For table type arrays, you
must fill in values for the
zeroth locations. Otherwise,
their values will default to the
tiny number 7.8886E-31.
For example:
force(1,1)=0,560,560,238.5,0
force(1,0)=1E-6,0.8,7.2,8.5,9.3
force(0,1)=0

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Array Parameters

...How to Define
For character arrays, there is no
graphical way to fill in the strings.
Use the =command to type in the
values, then use *STAT to list them.
Each string must be enclosed in single
quotes.
Example:
dofs(1) = ux, uy, uz, rotx, roty, rotz
*stat,dofs

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Array Parameters

...How to Define
There are many other ways to fill arrays:
Predefined functions in *VFILL command (Utility Menu >
Parameters > Array Parameters > Fill)
ramp function
random function
etc.
Read data from a file:
*VREAD for arrays
*TREAD for tables
Or Utility Menu > Parameters > Read from File
Retrieve data from the database (discussed next).

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Array Parameters

C. Retrieving Database Information

Just as *GET retrieves scalar data from the database, you can
use *VGET to retrieve array information.
Or Utility Menu > Parameters > Get Array Data

First dimension the array, then retrieve the data.

Example:
*dim,dispval,array,20,3

! 20x3 array

*vget,dispval(1,1),node,1,u,x

! UX of nodes 1-20 in column 1

*vget,dispval(1,2),node,1,u,y

! UY in column 2

*vget,dispval(1,3),node,1,u,z

! UZ in column 3

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Array Parameters

Retrieving Database Information

Other types of array information you can retrieve:
nodal and keypoint coordinates (in the active CSYS)
attributes of elements, volumes, areas, etc.
select status of entities (1 if selected, 0 if not selected)

nodal stresses, strains, thermal gradients, thermal flux, etc.

element table data
and so on

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Array Parameters

D. Array Operations

Once you have defined array parameters, you can perform a

variety of operations among them.
Utility Menu > Parameters > Array Operations
Or *VFUN, *VOPER, *VSCFUN, *VWRITE, etc.

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Array Parameters

...Array Operations
*VFUN operates on a single array
parameter.
*vfun,b(1),sin,a(1) will result in b(j)=sin(a(j))
Other operations include:
natural log, common log, exponential
Square root, sort, copy
Conversion from local to global
coordinates and vice-versa
Tangent and normal vectors to a path
etc.

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Array Parameters

...Array Operations
*VOPER operates on two array
parameters.
*voper,c(1),a(1),sub,b(1) will result in
c(k)=a(k)-b(k)
Other operations include:
addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division
min, max, logical operations
derivatives, integrals
dot and cross products

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Array Parameters

...Array Operations
*VSCFUN determines properties of an
array parameter.
*vscfun,maxval,max,a(1) will result in a
scalar parameter maxval = max(a(i))
Other operations include:
sum of all the elements of an array
statistical quantities such as mean,
median, standard deviation,
variance and rms
min/max, index location of
min/max
index locations of first and last
non-zero entry

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Array Parameters

...Array Operations
*VWRITE writes data to a file in a formatted
sequence.
Utility Menu > Parameters > Array Parameters >
Write to File

Example:
*cfopen,wing,dat
*vwrite
(/,3x,Node Number,4x,Temperature,/)
*vwrite,nnum(1),tval(1)
(5x,f6.0,6x,e14.8)
*cfclose
will create a file called wing.dat with the nnum
and tval arrays written in specified format.

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Array Parameters

...Array Operations

Training Manual

There are many, many more array operations available.

Please refer to your APDL Programmers Guide for details.

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Array Parameters

E. Workshop

Refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions on:

W1. Axisymmetric Wheel

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