Auto-PHSSCW ABAQUS: Code + Manuscript

This repo hosts the open-source code and supporting Manuscript.docx for the research: "Auto-PHSSCW ABAQUS: An Integrated, Python-Based Workflow for Automated Buckling-to-Collapse Analysis of H-Shaped Steel Composite Walls".

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🚀 Quick Start: Reproduce Key Result

Reproduce the G1 specimen validation from Scandella et al. (2020) in 3 steps:

Prerequisites

• Abaqus 2020+ (with Python 2.7 interpreter)
• Windows or Linux

Step 1: Clone and Navigate

git clone https://github.com/Johnsonlijian/Auto-PHSSCW.git
cd Auto-PHSSCW/validation

Step 2: Run Single Specimen Analysis (~10 min)

abaqus cae noGUI=Abaqus_FullAnalysis_v3_MultiCase.py -- parameters_quickstart_G1.csv

Step 3: Verify Result

cat results/H900_b202_t6_L880/summary.txt

Expected Output:

Metric	Value
FE Predicted Shear Capacity	703.87 kN
Experimental (Scandella et al., 2020)	685.4 kN
Error	+2.7% ✓

📝 For full validation (G1-G4, ~40 min): abaqus cae noGUI=Abaqus_FullAnalysis_v3_MultiCase.py

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Core Connection: Code ↔ Manuscript

All code scripts map directly to the software architecture/chapters in manuscript/Manuscript.docx:

Code File	Manuscript Reference	Key Function
code/Abaqus_update_totalshell.py	Section 2.1 (totalshell.py module)	Continuous H-shaped walls: eigen-buckling → Riks collapse
code/Abaqus_update_totalshell_sepH.py	Section 2.1 (sepH.py module)	Separated walls: surface contact + friction (configurable)
code/Abaqus_update_totalshell_boltH.py	Section 2.1 (boltH.py module)	Bolted splices: hole generation + pretension + frictional contact
code/Abaqus_update_totalshellP.py	Section 2.1 (totalshellP.py module)	Parametric batch runs: loop over geometry/load + organize outputs
code/Abaqus_update_totalshellP_sepH.py	Section 2.2 (Advanced Connections)	Separated walls (plastic analysis): elastic-plastic material model
code/Abaqus_update_totalshellP_boltH.py	Section 2.2 (Advanced Connections)	Bolted walls (plastic analysis): post-buckling collapse
validation/Abaqus_FullAnalysis_v3_MultiCase.py	Section 3 (Validation)	Scandella et al. (2020) validation

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Repository Structure

Auto-PHSSCW/
├── code/                                    # Main analysis modules
│   ├── Abaqus_update_totalshell.py          # Continuous walls
│   ├── Abaqus_update_totalshell_sepH.py     # Separated walls
│   ├── Abaqus_update_totalshell_boltH.py    # Bolted connections
│   ├── Abaqus_update_totalshellP.py         # Parametric batch (continuous)
│   ├── Abaqus_update_totalshellP_sepH.py    # Parametric batch (separated)
│   └── Abaqus_update_totalshellP_boltH.py   # Parametric batch (bolted)
│
├── validation/                              # Reproducible validation example
│   ├── Abaqus_FullAnalysis_v3_MultiCase.py  # Validation analysis script
│   ├── parameters_quickstart_G1.csv         # Quick-start (single specimen)
│   ├── parameters_scandella_corrected.csv   # Full validation (G1-G4)
│   ├── plot_validation_figures.py           # Generate validation plots
│   ├── export_images_auto.py                # Image export utility
│   └── results/                             # Pre-computed results (reference)
│
├── manuscript/
│   └── Manuscript.docx                      # Full research paper
│
├── example-results/                         # Example outputs
├── requirements.md                          # Environment setup guide
├── CITATION.cff                             # Citation file
├── LICENSE                                  # Apache 2.0
└── README.md                                # This file

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Validation Results Summary

Full validation against Scandella et al. (2020) experimental data:

Specimen	Description	VR,exp (kN)	VR,FE (kN)	Error
G1	Reference (β=143, α=1.0)	685.4	703.87	+2.7%
G2	Slender web (β=215)	479.1	513.21	+7.1%
G3	Wide panel (α=1.5)	598.5	604.67	+1.0%
G4	Stiff flange (tf=25mm)	693.2	697.70	+0.6%

Statistics: Mean error = 2.9%, Max error = 7.1% — All within ±10% criterion ✓

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How to Use the Code

Option 1: Quick Validation (Recommended First)

cd validation
abaqus cae noGUI=Abaqus_FullAnalysis_v3_MultiCase.py -- parameters_quickstart_G1.csv

Option 2: Full Software Modules

1. Env Setup: Follow requirements.md (Abaqus 2020+, Windows/Linux, Python 2.7 built-in)
2. Run Scripts:
   • For single continuous walls: Run code/Abaqus_update_totalshell.py in Abaqus CAE
   • For batch parametric studies: Modify parameters in code/Abaqus_update_totalshellP.py and run
3. Check Results: Outputs (CSV/TIFF) save to auto-created folders

Option 3: Generate Validation Figures

cd validation
python plot_validation_figures.py  # Requires Python 3.x + matplotlib

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Parameter File Format (Validation)

CSV format for validation/ scripts:

Parameter	Description	Unit	Example
hSeg	Segment height	mm	900
nSeg	Number of segments	-	1
bFlange	Flange width	mm	202.83
tWeb	Web thickness	mm	6.31
tFlangeSingle	Flange thickness	mm	20.80
Lmember	Member length	mm	880.0
fy_web	Web yield strength	MPa	247.8
fu_web	Web ultimate strength	MPa	352.5
imperfAmp	Imperfection amplitude	mm	2.71
enableCases	Load case	-	LC4_ShearY

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Citation

If you use this software, please cite:

@software{auto_phsscw_2025,
  author       = {Ren, Lijian},
  title        = {Auto-PHSSCW ABAQUS: Automated Buckling-to-Collapse Analysis},
  year         = 2025,
  publisher    = {Zenodo},
  doi          = {10.5281/zenodo.XXXXXX},
  url          = {https://github.com/Johnsonlijian/Auto-PHSSCW}
}

Also cite using CITATION.cff for GitHub integration.

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References

• Scandella, C., Neuenschwander, M., Mosalam, K. M., & Stojadinovic, B. (2020). Shear capacity of slender stiffened steel panels. Thin-Walled Structures, 146, 106435.

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Manuscript Access

Find the full research context in manuscript/Manuscript.docx:

• Section 1: Motivation and background
• Section 2: Software architecture and design
• Section 3: Validation examples (including Scandella et al.)

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License

Apache License 2.0 (consistent with manuscript metadata, Section "Metadata" → C4)

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Contact

Author: Lijian Ren
Email: renlijian@imut.edu.cn
Institution: Inner Mongolia University of Technology