Cross-sectional shape (3D) for tetrahedral elements

This dialog is used to specify the local cross-sectional shape of 3D parts modelled with tetrahedral elements. Four types of cross-sectional shape (3D) can be specified:

• Flat
• Grill with square holes
• Grill with round holes
• Other shape

The Flat cross-sectional shape is for regular solid cross sections (no grill properties are used).

Grill element properties can be used to simplify a model where there are many small repeating features such as holes in the part design, but these small features are omitted from the analysis model for simplicity. The holes may extend either fully or partially through the part thickness. Use of a simplified model can greatly reduce the time required to create the CAD model, to prepare the analysis mesh, and to perform an analysis using that mesh.