Calculation Model Parameters

Use this dialog to set up the analysis of displacements, internal forces, and supporting objects of your model.

Access

1. Click Model Structural Elements, and then select a planar element such as a floor, a panel, or a wall.
2. In the Properties panel, click Edit Calculation Model Type.

Elastic Stiffness

Specify if you want to generate finite elements for your model.

If you don't want to generate finite elements, the program uses the material parameters and thickness to generate a cladding for the model.

Finite Element Type

Select a type of finite elements for your model, such as membrane, shell, or slab.

The elements can have different degrees of freedom depending on the type of structure, for example slabs, shells, PSO, or AXI.

Rigid Connection of Nodes for the Slab

Specify if you want to add a stiffening diaphragm to your element.

Stiffening diaphragm

Select a type of stiffening for the element:

• Full stiffening (rigid body) - Creates a rigid body connection on the nodes of the element by constraining all degrees of freedom.
• Flexible stiffening (in XY) - Creates a rigid membrane connection on the nodes of the element by constraining the degrees of freedom UX, UY, and RZ.

Transfer of Loads

Specify how the loads should be distributed.

Analytical method (finite elements)

Generates a finite element mesh and distributes the loads on the nodes of this mesh.

Simplified (trapezoidal and triangular method)

Uses the trapezoidal and triangular method to distribute the loads in the specified direction.

Note: The load direction is based on the X axis of the local coordinate system.