Local system orientation

Using this option, you can determine the orientation of planar finite elements in space (Change of local Z axis sense). After defining a panel, you can also define the sense of the normal to that panel (sense of the Z axis of the local coordinate system). Access the option by:

clicking Geometry menu > Properties > Local Panel Direction.
clicking on the toolbar.

After the option is selected, the Local System Orientation dialog displays.

Note: The option is available only for plates and shells.

You can determine a direction of the local x axis assigned to a panel. The Cartesian or Polar system may be assigned to each of the panels.

When you select Cartesian and Definition of local X axis direction, you can also specify the direction vector of the X axis. You specify vector coordinates defining the direction and sense of the local X axis of a panel (for example, the vector (0 , 0 , 1) may be a direction vector). The following image displays the direction vector of the X axis for several walls. Separators in the vector definition are the separators specified in the Microsoft^® Windows system (it is possible to use spaces instead of separators).

When you select Polar system and Definition of local X axis direction, you can specify the point of origin of the coordinate system.

Planar loads acting on panels can be defined in the local coordinate system of a panel.

Note: Calculation results are presented in the local coordinate system of an element. In the Selection of Direction dialog, you can select a direction of the coordinate system for either tabular or graphical results. The dialog opens when you click the Direction button on the Detailed tab in the Maps or Panel Cuts dialog. To use a system defined in the Local System Orientation dialog, select Automatic in the Selection of Direction dialog.

It is possible to take advantage of the local system definition for each of the panels included in a structure. There may be a different direction on each of the panels, which is convenient when working with 3D structures.

To change the sense of the normal (sense of the Z axis of the local coordinate system) of a panel, open the Local System Orientation dialog and use one of the following procedures:

Select Change of local Z axis sense.
Specify the panel for which the local coordinate system is to be changed.
Click Apply.

Position the cursor in the Panels field
Select the panels for which the sense of the normal is to be changed (panel numbers display in the Panels field).
Select Change of local Z axis sense
Click Apply.