Question
I would like to know the difference between the options 'Element' and 'Avg. Nodal' in the Plate element.
Answer
When the 'Element' option is selected, the results obtained consider the internal member forces within a single element, whereas when 'Avg. Nodal' option is selected and the results are the average value, taking into consideration adjacent elements and their effects.
In the case of plate analysis of a rectangular element, results will be at a total of five points.
When the 'Element' option is selected, the results are output within a single element, whereas when 'Avg. Nodal' option is selected and the results are the average value, taking into consideration adjacent elements and their effects.
As shown in the figure below, the result at node 4 of element 1 is the result of the red dot at node 4 when 'Element' option is selected. Whereas when 'Avg. Nodal' option is selected, the result is the average of the results of the 4 points indicated by the circle.
When the 'Avg. Nodal' option is selected, you can also select the 'Avg. Nodal Active Only' option.
This option calculates the average result values only for active elements to provide results in some special cases. For example, if dummy elements exist in the model (for purposes such as load input), these elements can be inactivated to prevent them from affecting the analysis results.
In general, the results of the 'Element' option tend to be higher compared to those of the 'Avg. Nodal' option. Additionally, in parts where there is a large variation in stress, there can be a significant difference between the results of the 'Element' option and 'Avg. nodal' option.