On the Homogenous tab, you define a thickness for a single panel.
Specify homogeneous thickness parameters:
- Label - In this field, specify the label (name) of the defined thickness type.
- Color - In this field, select the color for the defined thickness type.
- Thickness
- Constant - When you select this option, the thickness of the surface structure element will be constant.
Th field - In this field, type the thickness value for a surface structure element (panel), when a constant thickness was selected along the entire finite element (panel).
- Variable along a line - When you select this option, the thickness of the defined surface element (panel) of the structure will be linearly changing. You will be required to define the thickness of the panel at two points (P1 and P2).
- Variable on a plane - When you select this option, the thickness of the defined surface element of the structure (panel) will be changing according to the defined plane. You will be required to define the thickness of the panel at three points (P1, P2, and P3), which define the panel thickness change plane.
- Constant - When you select this option, the thickness of the surface structure element will be constant.
- Reduction of the moment of inertia - when this is selected, it allows reduction of elements of the bending inertia matrix.
Reduction has no effect on the membrane stiffness (compression, tension) and transversal forces. Elements of the bending matrix for finite elements are multiplied by a specified value of the reduction factor.
Reduction of moments of inertia for RC sections is applied in static calculations to account for the influence of section cracks. This method is allowed by the USA codes (UBC 1997 point 1910.11.1 or ACI 318 point10.11.1). Examples of stiffness reduction values according to ACI:
- Walls without cracks 0.70* Ig
- Walls with cracks 0.35* Ig
- Flat plates and slabs 0.25* Ig
- Parameters of foundation elasticity (elastic support coefficient K) - click this to open the Definition - Elastic Foundation dialog.
- Material - In this field, select the material for the defined thickness type.
After you have defined the parameters, click Add. The newly defined thickness type will be added to the list of active thickness types.