Solids - Volumetric Objects

The option generates volumetric objects (solids). The option is available using either of the following:

• Click Geometry menu > Solids.
• Click .

To define a solid, you must specify:

1. Solid number.
2. Solid edges (contours) in any of 3 ways:
   • Indicate surface objects that determine solid volume.
   • Define a list of volumetric finite elements.
   • Define a list of surface elements (such as, after loading a DXF file with structure geometry) creating a solid contour. If the Delete surface elements option is selected, the surface elements defining a solid contour are deleted from the volumetric structure.
3. Solid properties.

Note: At the bottom of the dialog, the button is located. Clicking it opens the Definition of solid properties dialog in which you can define solid physical properties. . The defined types of solid properties are added to the list of active properties.

Solid volumes are created by specifying their edges (defining volume contours). You can define a solid using either method:

• Define a list of planar objects that create solid external area.
• Specify the numbers of generated volumetric finite elements. You can use this option after generating a mesh of finite elements.

Note: If a solid-like object is created using the Creation with list of volumetric elements (FE) option, the finite elements cannot contain inclusions (that is, a solid cannot include openings). This problem can be solved by creating 2 solids so that neither of them includes the entire opening itself.

Note: If a bar is defined in a structure, whose node adjoins a node of a volumetric element, the bar functions in the structure as if there was a pinned connection in the node that connects the bar with the volumetric element.

See also:

Sign convention (volumetric elements)

Description of volumetric finite elements

Correction of Inconsistent Mesh of Volumetric Finite Elements