Using the Extra Dimension Coordinates

It is possible to write expressions that are functions of the coordinates in the thickness direction of the shell. Expressions based on the usual coordinates, like x, y, and z, are evaluated on the reference surface (the meshed boundaries). In addition to this, the locations in the through-thickness direction can be accessed by making explicit or implicit use of the coordinates in the extra dimension.

The extra dimension coordinate has a name like x_llmat1_xdim. The middle part of the coordinate name is derived from the tag of the layered material definition where it is created; in this example a .