Calculations using the Finite Element Method (FEM) assume that the structure is in the Plane Stress State. A deep-beam is calculated as a plane membrane loaded in its plane (the main component of the stress in the direction perpendicular to the membrane equals zero).
As the calculations start, a user-defined deep-beam is transformed to a calculation model described by a finite element mesh. The meshing method applied by default is Coons' method, including definition of a preferred size of a finite element. It is also possible to select other meshing methods.
Required (theoretical) reinforcement areas are calculated using the analytical method.
The most crucial issues when generating a FEM calculation model include the following.