Stiffness Matrices - Orthotropy Dialog

Use this dialog to specify coefficients of reduction of the matrix elements: membrane stiffness D, flexure stiffness K, and shear stiffness H.

Access

Click Define or Display on the Orthotropic tab in the Thickness dialog.

When you select a predefined type of surface element geometry, click Display to open the Stiffness Matrices - Orthotropy dialog to view values of elements of stiffness matrices. They are calculated automatically based on the geometry of a surface element. Boxes in the dialog are inactive and you cannot edit the values.

Note: The membrane stiffness matrix D is required only for shell structures.

When you select a user-defined type of surface element geometry, click Define to open the Stiffness Matrices - Orthotropy dialog. You can edit values of elements of stiffness matrices that are calculated automatically based on the geometry of a surface element.

Tip: When you select a user-defined geometry and click Define, the Stiffness Matrices - Orthotropy dialog displays values for the predefined type of surface element geometry that you selected recently. You can modify the values and specify custom geometry based on a predefined geometry type.