I have a membrane geometry that has a base thickness of 3 microns and a section with thickness of 6 microns. The documentation (https://help.3ds.com/2022/English/DSSIMULIA_Established/SIMACAEKERRefMap/simaker-c-membranesectionpyc.htm?contextscope=all&id=ea2cd0289c974fdd94c244c923813aaf) states that it should be possible to apply a variable thickness field to a membrane and so I am using a mapped point data analytical field.

If applying this field through a script, I get an error stating that the field does not exist or is not valid.

When applying this field using the GUI (if the field has already been defined), the section window drop down is empty. I am even able to create the field via the section assignment window and it appears in the fields but again, it cannot be selected to define the geometry.

I have applied the same field to an identical geometry that uses shell elements so I know the field itself is correct (although to get the correct displacement response I need to use membrane elements) and gives the thickness distribution I am after.

I've attached the membrane version that is not working and the shell version that is for context. I'm at a complete loss as to why this is happening so any help would be much appreciated.

Abaqus ​​​​​​​