Design Element

Create Design Element

Command	SOF_SE_DESIGN_ELEMENT
Tooltip	Creates generic design elements as a line between two points or along an axis.
Sidebar	Structural Elements

Modify Design Element

Command	SOF_SE_DESIGN_ELEMENT_M
Tooltip	Modifies design elements.
Sidebar	Structural Elements

In SOFiPLUS(-X) design elements are linear elements with a cross section and some additional properties.

Design elements allow system values and results to be issued at user-defined points. These sections are independent from the finite element mesh, which is available at these positions.

In a first expansion step, SOFiPLUS(-X) does not support all the properties a design element can have in the DECREATOR program:

• The geometry is limited to a drawn line or assigned to an axis.

• The design element should have a cross section.

A detailed description of the design elements properties can be found in the chapter ‘DSLN – Design Element along SLN’ and the following chapters of the manual DECREATOR.

During the Export design elements are written into the structural database (.CDB). The generated result file can be opened with command Results of Design Elements.

Available options:

The following options are available for creating design elements:

Start and End Point

Creates a polygon from a selection of lines. With this input, it is possible to switch between options. The chosen points can be selected from the drawing or input using coordinates. As you type, a preview is displayed in the drawing. The entry is terminated with the Enter key.

Segment on geometric axis

Creates elements with reference to an axis. For this option the following input possibilities are available:

Between all placements: The elements are created from the first placement of the axis up to the last.

Use the segment closest to the picked point: One element is created between the two placements nearest to the picked point on the axis.

One element between two placements: One element is created between two picked placements.

The grip points of elements bound to an axis change their type. Instead of the square a small arrowhead can be seen. This arrowhead can be dragged to another placement. This changes the assignment of the element.

Single Element Mode - Polygonal Input

Switches between the polygonal input type and entry of a single element. Single element mode always asks for the start and end point of a new element.

Set Working Plane

Because certain selection options only are available in the current working plane, it is possible to rest the working plane to a user defined position. For this the following options are available:

3Points: The coordinate system is aligned by defining 3 points (origin, X-axis and Y-axis).

Element: The orientation of the coordinate system is set with the selection of an object.

The working plane remains in place until the command to create the element is closed.

General Tab

Each element is given a name and a number that is shown in the drawing.

A design element should have a cross section. This can be choosen (or defined) in the part Cross Sections. If a haunched section is to be generated, two different cross sections can be specified or created for the two ends. Please note that only similar shaped sections can be used in this case, although they may have different dimensions.

Collection Method

By default, the design element collects the elements that are located within the assigned cross-section. The search algorithm can be influenced by specifying an alternative element selection. For the composite workflow, for example, it makes sense to collect the beam elements that are located beneath the design element (option Concurrent Beam). In this case, you can exceptionally work without an assigned cross section.

Note

The design element must then be bound to an axis!

The Bounding Box option selects elements within the bounding box defined by the minimum and maximum values. These are specified in the local y-z coordinate system of the design element.

In addition, the selection of elements can be restricted via groups. By default, all groups are considered. However, individual groups can be deselected if required. An example is a beam that is connected to a column with a hinge. The Group Selection (Design Element) dialog is closed by the X at the top. The settings are then saved. If the change to the group assignment is to be canceled, this must be done by canceling the entire command in the design element dialog.

Note

Check the assignment of the groups if groups are subsequently created or changed.

The Reference of integrated forces input selects the reference axis for transferred forces, essentially for the bending moments.

Element Division

With the Element Division options the kind and distance of the sections, the design elements are divided, is set.

Note

There are two types of sections:

• Design Sections: When calculating the design element, properties and results from the analysis will be stored at these sections.

• Intermediate Sections: No design will be carried out later by other programs at these sections. They are rather intended to obtain smoother plots in the Graphic.

Available input options:

Automatic Generated Design Sections: Divides the design element in eight parts and creates seven design sections additional to the start- and endpoint.

Maximum Element Length (HDIV): Sets the distance of the intervals at which intermediate sections are created. The design element ist divided in parts with the given length. If the total length of the design element is not divisible by the value, shorter elements are created that come as close as possible to the desired length.

The Type of Application specifies the type of the design element based on the structural member intended for design.

A detailed description of these input possibilities can be found in chapter ‘DSLN – Design Element along SLN’ and ‘DSEL – Element selection’ of the manual DECREATOR.

Sections Tab

This tab is only available when modifying an existing design element.

The sections tab allows to define explicit design sections along the design element. When calculating the design element, properties and results from the analysis will be interpolated at these explicit sections.

In the case of frequently used values, it can be helpful to adopt the values ​​from a table program.

A detailed description of these input possibilities can be found in the chapter ‘DSLC – Design sections along the design element’ of the manual DECREATOR.

Limitation

Importing design elements bound on an axis requires that a placement exists at the station where the design element ends.

Example

Definition of some design elements in program SOFiPLUS(-X)