Element Definition Block

Purpose: Defines the topology of the elements

1. Record:
Format:(1X,'   3','C',18X,I12,37X,I1)
Values: KEY, CODE,NUMELEM, FORMAT
Where: KEY    = 3
       CODE   = C
       NUMELEM= Number of elements in this block
       FORMAT = Format indicator
                0  short format
                1  long format 
                2  binary format 

Following records (ascci, FORMAT=0 | 1):
 The following block of records must be repeated for each element:
  The first record initializes an element definition:
  Short Format:(1X,'-1',I5,3I5)
  Long Format:(1X,'-1',I10,3I5)
  Values: KEY, ELEMENT, TYPE, GROUP, MATERIAL
 Where: KEY    = -1
       ELEMENT = element number
       TYPE   = element type, see section ''Element Types''
       GROUP  = element group number, see command ''grps''
       MATERIAL= element material number, see command ''mats''.

  Then the nodes in the correct order have to follow:
  Short Format:(1X,'-2',15I5)
  Long Format:(1X,'-2',10I10)
  Values: KEY,NODE,NODE,NODE,NODE, ...
 Where: KEY    = -2
       NODE   = node number

Additional lines must follow if more nodes are used.

Following records (binary, FORMAT=2):
 Format:(4*int nodes*int)
 int and float are ansi-c data-types
 Values:  ELEMENT, TYPE, GROUP, MATERIAL,NODE,NODE,NODE,NODE, ...
 Where:
       ELEMENT= element number
       TYPE   = element type, see section ''Element Types''
       GROUP  = element group number, see command ''grps''
       MATERIAL= element material number, see command ''mats''.
       NODE   = node number
  
  
Last Record (only FORMAT=0 | 1 (ascii), omitted for FORMAT=2):
Format:(1X,'-3')
Values: KEY