Step 2: Specify element type and constants
Specify Element Type
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Element Type > Add/Edit/Delete > Add...
Under Structural Mass, pick Solid in the left field and Brick 8-node 45 in the right field. Click OK.
Close the Element Types dialog box and also the Element Type menu.
Specify Element Constants
Main Menu > Preprocessor> Real Constants > Add/Edit/Delete > Add...
This brings up the Element Type for Real Constants menu with a list of the element types defined in the previous step. We have only one element type and it is automatically selected. Click OK.
You should get a note saying "Please check and change keyopt setting for element SOLID45 before proceeding." This means that there are no real constants to be specified for this element, as you might recall from the plate tutorial.
Close the Real Constants menu.
Save Your Work
Toolbar > SAVE_DB
Go to Step 3: Specify material properties