Description: Abaqus/CAE now supports Abaqus/Standard analyses that fully couple the effects of a simultaneous heat transfer, electrical, and structural procedure. A fully coupled thermal-electrical-structural analysis is the union of a coupled thermal-displacement analysis and a coupled thermal-electrical analysis.

Coupling between the temperature and electrical degrees of freedom arises from temperature-dependent electrical conductivity and internal heat generation (Joule heating), which is a function of the electrical current density. Coupling between the temperature and displacement degrees of freedom arises from temperature-dependent material properties, thermal expansion, and internal heat generation, which is a function of inelastic deformation of the material. Coupling between the electrical and displacement degrees of freedom arises in problems where electricity flows between contact surfaces.

Step module:
    StepCreate: General: Coupled thermal-electric-structural