There are several methods to select nodes and stress points that can be used for curve generation in the Output program.
When having nodes and stress points selected prior to the calculation (pre-calc), Plaxis will store data for these pre-calc nodes and/or stress points for each calculation step. This data will involve the data for soil elements, not for structural elements or interfaces. Pre-calc points will not store axial forces or bending moments for instance.From PLAXIS 3D 2017 and 2D 2018, there is no limit to the number of selected points: pre-calc nodes (labelled CN_#) and stress points (labelled CS_#).For PLAXIS 2D 2017, PLAXIS 3D 2016 and older, the number of selected points is limited: 10 pre-calc nodes (labelled A to J) and 10 stress points (labelled K to T)
For nodes and stress points selected after the calculation (post-calc), the data will be retrieved from the stored result files. By default, a phase will have the Max number of steps stored set to 1, so only the last step for this phase is remembered, hence only the result for this step will be shown for the selected post-calc node. For more detailed curves, make sure to increase this Max number of steps stored to have more intermediate data points in a phase for the curve. If the Max number of steps stored is equal to the Max steps value then all available data will be used for the curve.
Since the data is retrieved from the result step files after the calculation, you can select as many post-calc nodes and stress points as desired. Note that the output program will have to read all step data before creating the curve, so if a lot of steps/data is available this may take some time.Note, having a lot of results steps saved will also increase the disk space needed.
To select these Pre-calc nodes/stress points, there are two options:
Do not forget to click the Update button
Options to select Post-calc nodes and stress points (after calculation)
Any pre-calc structural node will only display the displacements.
For post-calc structural nodes there are several options, just as with the general selection of nodes and stress points. When viewing the normal model view (including the soil) it works the same as above with these additions:
When viewing the structural plot (e.g. plate results), only the nodes for this structure will be displayed in the selection options.
Creating axial force curve for Fixed End anchors
[Tips and Tricks]
How to select more than 10 nodes to be used for a curve
Non-consecutive order of step numbers in Plaxis
Output scripting example: create curve data
[Python Scripts]
Select points for curves prior to calculation directly in Input
Unable to select points for curves
Unable to select structures or nodes