Environment File Settings¶

Overview¶

The Abaqus execution procedure uses environment parameters to customize the execution of a job. These settings can be changed using one of the Abaqus environment files: custom_v6.env or abaqus_v6.env.

If the same job parameter is defined in more than one environment file or is defined more than once within the same environment file, the last definition encountered will be used.

Environment Settings Hierarchy¶

Abaqus environment settings have the following hierarchy (from lowest to highest priority):

1. abaqus_v6.env: Default environment file created during Abaqus installation
2. custom_v6.env: User-customized environment file
3. Command line arguments: Parameters specified directly on the command line

Syntax¶

Environment files are text files containing a series of environment variable assignments. Each line has the format:

variable_name = value

Variable Types¶

• Integer variables: e.g., cpus = 4
• Float variables: e.g., memory = 80%
• String variables: e.g., scratch = /tmp/abaqus
• Boolean variables: e.g., standard_parallel = all

Troubleshooting¶

Checking Environment Settings¶

Use the following command to display current environment settings:

abaqus information=environment

Common Issues¶

• If job behavior is abnormal, check environment file syntax
• Ensure variables are not defined multiple times in the same file
• Use abaqus information=system to check system configuration

Command Line Default Parameters¶

cpus¶

Specifies the number of CPUs for analysis. The default is typically 1.

cpus = 4

domains¶

Specifies the number of parallel domains in Abaqus/Explicit.

domains = 4

double_precision¶

Specifies double precision execution.

double_precision = explicit

parallel¶

Specifies the parallel method (domain or loop).

parallel = domain

run_mode¶

Specifies the run mode (interactive or background).

run_mode = background

scratch¶

Specifies the scratch directory.

scratch = /tmp/abaqus

standard_parallel¶

Specifies the standard parallel option (all or solver).

standard_parallel = all

gpus¶

Specifies the number of GPUs.

gpus = 2

unconnected_regions¶

Specifies whether to create sets for unconnected regions.

unconnected_regions = yes

System Resource Parameters¶

memory¶

Syntax: memory = memory_specification

Description: Specifies the maximum amount of memory or maximum percentage of physical memory that Abaqus can use during analysis.

Example:

memory = 80%
memory = 4GB

System Customization Parameters¶

ask_delete¶

Specifies whether to prompt for confirmation before overwriting existing files.

ask_delete = off

auto_calculate¶

Enables automatic calculation.

auto_calculate = on

auto_convert¶

Specifies automatic conversion options.

auto_convert = all

average_by_section¶

Averages output by section.

average_by_section = on

mp_host_list¶

Specifies the MPI host list.

mp_host_list = [['host1', 4], ['host2', 4]]

odb_output_by_default¶

Enables ODB output by default.

odb_output_by_default = on

output_warnings_level¶

Specifies the warning level.

output_warnings_level = 1

onCaeStartup¶

Specifies scripts to run at startup.

onCaeStartup = ['script1.py', 'script2.py']

Export of Environment Variables during Parallel Execution¶

During parallel execution, certain environment variables are exported to child processes.

Co-Simulation Parameters¶

cosimulation_port¶

Specifies the co-simulation port number.

cosimulation_port = 48000

cosimulation_timeout¶

Specifies the co-simulation timeout value in seconds.

cosimulation_timeout = 3600

cpus_weight_std¶

Specifies the CPU weight for Abaqus/Standard.

cpus_weight_std = 2

cpus_weight_xpl¶

Specifies the CPU weight for Abaqus/Explicit.

cpus_weight_xpl = 1

portpool¶

Specifies the port pool range.

portpool = [51000, 52000]

Environment File Examples¶

Linux Environment File¶

# Linux Environment File Example
cpus = 4
memory = 80%
scratch = /tmp/abaqus
standard_parallel = all

Windows Environment File¶

@REM Windows Environment File Example
set cpus=4
set memory=80%
set scratch=C:\TEMP\abaqus
set standard_parallel=all

Source: Abaqus 2025 FD02 Execution Guide