# Reproducing the cantilever beam tutorial

This section explains how to use the Abaqus Scripting Interface commands to reproduce a tutorial that shows the basic steps to create and analyze a simple model. The tutorial, [Creating and Analyzing a Simple Model in Abaqus/CAE](https://help.3ds.com/2021/English/DSSIMULIA_Established/SIMACAEGSARefMap/simagsa-m-Caebeam-sb.htm?contextscope=all#simagsa-m-Caebeam-sb), is available in [Getting Started with Abaqus/CAE](https://help.3ds.com/2021/English/DSSIMULIA_Established/SIMACAEGSARefMap/simagsa-c-ov.htm?contextscope=all#simagsa-c-ov).

## About the cantilever beam example

The example leads you through the Abaqus/CAE modeling process by visiting each of the modules and shows you the basic steps to create and analyze a simple model. In [Creating and Analyzing a Simple Model in Abaqus/CAE](https://help.3ds.com/2021/English/DSSIMULIA_Established/SIMACAEGSARefMap/simagsa-m-Caebeam-sb.htm?contextscope=all#simagsa-m-Caebeam-sb), you create a model of a steel cantilever beam and load its top surface. You then analyze the beam and plot the resulting stresses and displacements. {numref}`gst-beam` illustrates the model that you create and analyze.

(gst-beam)=

:::{figure} /images/gst-beam.png
:align: center
:width: 100%

A loaded cantilever beam.
:::

## Running the example

Use the following command to retrieve the output database that is read by the scripts:

```sh
abaqus fetch job=beamExample
```

To run the script, do the following:

1. Start Abaqus/CAE from a directory in which you have write permission by typing `abaqus cae`.
2. From the startup screen, select **Run Script**.
3. From the **Run Script** dialog box that appears, enter the path given above and select the file containing the script.
4. Click **OK** to run the script.

:::{note}
If Abaqus/CAE is already running, you can run the script by selecting **File -> Run Script** from the main menu bar.
:::

## The cantilever beam example script

The first line of the script, `from abaqus import *`, imports the Mdb and Session objects. The current viewport is `session.viewports['Viewport: 1']`, and the current model is `mdb.models['Model-1']`. Both of these objects are available to the script after you import the `abaqus` module. The second line of the script, `from abaqusConstants import *`, imports the Symbolic Constants defined in the Abaqus Scripting Interface. The script then creates a new model that will contain the cantilever beam example and creates a new viewport in which to display the model and the results of the analysis. For a description of the commands used in this section, see the appropriate sections in the {doc}`/reference/index`.

The script then imports the `Part` module. Most of the sections in this example begin with importing the appropriate module, which illustrates how a script can import a module at any time to extend or augment the object model. However, the Abaqus Scripting Interface has a convention that all the required modules are imported at the start of a script; and that convention is followed in other example scripts in this guide.

```python2
"""
beamExample.py

Reproduce the cantilever beam example from the
Appendix of the Getting Started with
Abaqus: Interactive Edition Manual.
"""

from abaqus import *
from abaqusConstants import *
backwardCompatibility.setValues(includeDeprecated=True,
                                reportDeprecated=False)

# Create a model.

myModel = mdb.Model(name='Beam')

# Create a new viewport in which to display the model
# and the results of the analysis.

myViewport = session.Viewport(name='Cantilever Beam Example',
    origin=(20, 20), width=150, height=120)

#-----------------------------------------------------

import part

# Create a sketch for the base feature.

mySketch = myModel.ConstrainedSketch(name='beamProfile',
    sheetSize=250.)

# Create the rectangle.

mySketch.rectangle(point1=(-100,10), point2=(100,-10))

# Create a three-dimensional, deformable part.

myBeam = myModel.Part(name='Beam', dimensionality=THREE_D,
    type=DEFORMABLE_BODY)

# Create the part's base feature by extruding the sketch
# through a distance of 25.0.

myBeam.BaseSolidExtrude(sketch=mySketch, depth=25.0)

#-----------------------------------------------------

import material

# Create a material.

mySteel = myModel.Material(name='Steel')

# Create the elastic properties: youngsModulus is 209.E3
# and poissonsRatio is 0.3

elasticProperties = (209.E3, 0.3)
mySteel.Elastic(table=(elasticProperties, ) )

#-------------------------------------------------------

import section

# Create the solid section.

mySection = myModel.HomogeneousSolidSection(name='beamSection',
    material='Steel', thickness=1.0)

# Assign the section to the region. The region refers
# to the single cell in this model.

region = (myBeam.cells,)
myBeam.SectionAssignment(region=region,
    sectionName='beamSection')

#-------------------------------------------------------

import assembly

# Create a part instance.

myAssembly = myModel.rootAssembly
myInstance = myAssembly.Instance(name='beamInstance',
    part=myBeam, dependent=OFF)

#-------------------------------------------------------

import step

# Create a step. The time period of the static step is 1.0,
# and the initial incrementation is 0.1; the step is created
# after the initial step.

myModel.StaticStep(name='beamLoad', previous='Initial',
    timePeriod=1.0, initialInc=0.1,
    description='Load the top of the beam.')

#-------------------------------------------------------

import load

# Find the end face using coordinates.

endFaceCenter = (-100,0,12.5)
endFace = myInstance.faces.findAt((endFaceCenter,) )

# Create a boundary condition that encastres one end
# of the beam.

endRegion = (endFace,)
myModel.EncastreBC(name='Fixed',createStepName='beamLoad',
    region=endRegion)

# Find the top face using coordinates.

topFaceCenter = (0,10,12.5)
topFace = myInstance.faces.findAt((topFaceCenter,) )

# Create a pressure load on the top face of the beam.

topSurface = ((topFace, SIDE1), )
myModel.Pressure(name='Pressure', createStepName='beamLoad',
    region=topSurface, magnitude=0.5)

#-------------------------------------------------------

import mesh

# Assign an element type to the part instance.

region = (myInstance.cells,)
elemType = mesh.ElemType(elemCode=C3D8I, elemLibrary=STANDARD)
myAssembly.setElementType(regions=region, elemTypes=(elemType,))

# Seed the part instance.

myAssembly.seedPartInstance(regions=(myInstance,), size=10.0)

# Mesh the part instance.

myAssembly.generateMesh(regions=(myInstance,))

# Display the meshed beam.

myViewport.assemblyDisplay.setValues(mesh=ON)
myViewport.assemblyDisplay.meshOptions.setValues(meshTechnique=ON)
myViewport.setValues(displayedObject=myAssembly)

#-------------------------------------------------------

import job

# Create an analysis job for the model and submit it.

jobName = 'beam_tutorial'
myJob = mdb.Job(name=jobName, model='Beam',
    description='Cantilever beam tutorial')

# Wait for the job to complete.

myJob.submit()
myJob.waitForCompletion()

#-------------------------------------------------------

import visualization

# Open the output database and display a
# default contour plot.

myOdb = visualization.openOdb(path=jobName + '.odb')
myViewport.setValues(displayedObject=myOdb)
myViewport.odbDisplay.display.setValues(plotState=CONTOURS_ON_DEF)

myViewport.odbDisplay.commonOptions.setValues(renderStyle=FILLED)
```
