The Strain tensor result shows the strain in the selected direction (default = first principal direction) throughout the part, in the laminate through the thickness of the part shown by the Normalized Thickness value in the legend, and the load factor shown in the legend.
In the case of a Warp analysis, the values represent residual strains, which are the actual strains minus the strains due to pure shrinkage.
Note that the plot corresponds to one particular position through the cross-section, as specified by a normalized thickness value where -1 is the bottom of the element, 0 is the centerline through the element, and +1 is the top of the element.
The normalized thickness value can be viewed or modified on the Animation tab of the Plot Properties dialog.
You can display strains in the second principal direction, or one of the 6 tensor components, using the options provided on the Tensor tab of the Plot Properties dialog.
This result displays the strain distribution within the part as a tensor plot. You can also display the strains as a contour plot using either the Strain in first principal direction or Strain in second principal direction results.