Stress Vector Plots

The stress vector or stress trajectory plot shows the principal stresses or strains at the Gaussian integration point inside the element. The stress trajectory plot allows examination of stress states and principal stress directions. Like other PISA plots, stress trajectory plots can use total stresses at a step, or the changes in stresses between any two steps.

Once a new or existing plot has been opened and the window is active, the stress vector dialog box can be accessed by selecting Stress Vector command, or the Stress Vector gadget button. The size of the arrow depends on the specified scale. Tensile stresses are indicated by arrows pointing away from the stress point while compressive stresses are indicated by arrows pointing towards the stress point. For a principal stress plot, the arrows are oriented according to the principal stress directions.