Input file#

The Z-set input file is an ASCII file with the extension .inp. It allows to setup various types of modules, including mesh operations, FE computations (mechanical, thermal, fluid, coupled, etc.), optimizations, material point simulations, post-processing, glueing results from different subdomains, field transfers, and more.

Each module is defined with a **** (four asterisks) and ends with ****return. Options/subcommands for each problem are then listed with ***-level, **-level, *-level, -*-level, etc., depending on the number and arrangement of subcommands for each module. The definition of each module can be placed in a separate ASCII file. Alternatively, all modules can be combined into a single file, and a specific problem can be launched using the appropriate switch with the Zrun command.

The material law is typically defined in a separate ASCII file (the extension is not relevant), though this is not mandatory. This practice primarily facilitates the sharing of material models and their use with external solvers.

Please refer to the User-commands and Z-mat documentation manuals for more details on the input file commands for each module. Input files examples for a wide range of applications can be found at $Z7PATH/TESTS/.

Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of modules:

The Mesher module: perform mesh manipulations and combinations to pre-existing meshes, and import and export Z-set format files, …
```
****mesher
 % options
****return
```

Finite element computations:

****calcul <type>
 % options ...
****return

Optimization module: identify material coefficients, optimize geometry, …
```
****optimize <OPTIMIZER>
 options ...
****return
```
Simulation mode for differential models (standard behavior or a ZebFront behavior) applied to a volume element.
```
****simulate
 % options ...
****return
```
Post calculations on results obtained by the finite element method, and with simulations:
```
****post_processing
 options ...
****return
```
Results management is a tool designed to manage (extract maps, extract relevant variables) Z-set output files after a computation or post-processing.
```
****results_management
 options ...
****return
```

Transfer of nodal or integration points fields from one mesh to another:

****transfer_fields
 options ...
****return

****fe_transfer
 options ...
****return

Material model definition, with also some options to control integration methods etc.
```
***behavior <BEHAVIOR>
 material model ...
***return
```
Stitch subdomains’ results files into one file, after a parallel computation
```
****glue
 options ...
****return
```
Read and concatenate two or more FORGE result files to produce a single Z-set results database:
```
****forge
 options ...
****return
```
Etc.