If you are interested in learning more about using continuum elements in Abaqus, you should examine the following problems:

• “Geometrically nonlinear analysis of a cantilever beam,” Section 2.1.2 of the Abaqus Benchmarks Manual

• “Spherical cavity in an infinite medium,” Section 2.2.4 of the Abaqus Benchmarks Manual

• “Performance of continuum and shell elements for linear analysis of bending problems,” Section 2.3.5 of the Abaqus Benchmarks Manual