Element Generation

Purpose:

This interface provides a variety of methods for generating beam, shell, and solid elements.

Function:

Sample:

Beam

Common Controls:

  • Element ID : Enter new element starting ID.

  • New ID : Use default new element ID.

  • Part ID : Enter part ID for newly generated elements.

  • Pick PID : Pick part ID from graphics, part type must be consistent with the element type to be created.

  • New PID : Use default new part ID.

  • New node : Check to create new nodes.

  • Beam By : Set beam element generation method.

  • Create : Create element.

  • Reject : Reject last generated element.

  • Accept : Accept all new generated elements.

  • Done : Exit from element generate interface.

Create Beam by Edge:

  • Third Node : Set third node on/off.

  • Direction : Get direction by Direction Dialog.

  • X : Set X direction.

  • Y : Set Y direction.

  • Z : Set Z direction.

  • Node ID : ID of the third node.

Create Beam by Curve:

  • Curve. : Create beam just be curve without any change.

  • Size : Curve mesh by element size.

  • Num : Curve mesh by number of element.

  • Value : Enter size or number of elements (if zero segment by points).

Create Beam by Node_Drag:

  • Thickness : Set total thickness for generation.

  • Segment : Set number of segments for generation.

  • Direction : Get direction by Direction Interface .

  • X : Set direction 1,0,0 (click 2nd time to reverse).

  • Y : Set direction 0,1,0 (click 2nd time to reverse).

  • Z : Set direction 0,0,1 (click 2nd time to reverse).

Create Beam by Node_Spin:

  • Angle : Set total angle for generation.

  • Segment : Set number of segments for generation.

  • Position : Get position with Postion interface.

Create Beam by Shell_Diagonal:

  • Sh Diagonal : Shell diagonal.

  • Sh Diagonal13 : Shell diagonal 1,3.

  • Sh Diagonal24 : Shell diagonal 2,4.

  • Sh Diagonal Maxwrap : Shell diagonal by maxwrap.

Shell

Create Shell by Edge_Drag:

  • Thickness : Set total thickness for generation.

  • Segment : Set number of segments for generation.

  • Direction : Get direction by Direction Interface .

  • X : Set direction 1,0,0 (click 2nd time to reverse).

  • Y : Set direction 0,1,0 (click 2nd time to reverse).

  • Z : Set direction 0,0,1 (click 2nd time to reverse).

Create Shell by Edge_Spin:

  • Angle : Set total angle for generation.

  • Segment : Set number of segments for generation.

  • Position : Get position with Postion interface.

Create Shell by Edge_Extend :

no special control.

Create Shell by Segment_Set:

  • SSegId : Popup set segment id list.

Create Shell by Fill_Holes:

  • Keep Smooth : Keep the new element smooth with the neighbors.

  • Closed Hole : Pick a node on the edge of hole.

  • Open Hole : Pick a node on the edge and a closing line.

  • Polygon : Pick nodes to define a polygon to fill.

  • Auto Fill : Fill all holes smaller than size specified.

Open Hole Option:

  • Node on hole : Pick a node on the hole.

  • Closing Line : Pick a closing line.

 

 

 

Auto Fill Option:

  • Size : Hole size.

Cohesive Shell:

Cohesive elements are used to model an adhesive connection between elements which may lose its bond. Initially, the cohesive elements have zero volume.

Cohesive shell elements can be created at element edges shared by two shell elements. The user have to specify a (temporary) beam part which defines the cohesive interface. That is, the shell edges where the cohesive elements will be inserted.

  • Shell part : Select the shell part(s) to be connected by cohesive elements.

  • Beam part : Select the beam part(s) which defines where cohesive elements will be created.

The image to the left shows a shell part where all elements are connected and the beam part shows where to insert cohesive elements. The image beneath shows the topological connection after the cohesive elements have been created.

The elements in the shell part have been disconnected at locations for the selected beam part. Cohesive shell elements with zero volume have been inserted at these locations.

Solid

Create Solid by Solid_Face_Drag, Solid_Face_Offset, Solid_Face_Spin, Shell_Drag, Shell_Offset or Shell_Spin:

  • Thickness/Angle : Set total thickness or angle for generation.

  • Segment : Set number of segments for generation.

  • Direction : Get direction by Direction Interface .

  • X : Set direction 1,0,0 (click 2nd time to reverse).

  • Y : Set direction 0,1,0 (click 2nd time to reverse).

  • Z : Set direction 0,0,1 (click 2nd time to reverse).

  • Position : Get position with Postion interface.

Create Solid by Shell_Thickness:

  • Average : Set thickness for average.

  • Max : Set thickness for max.

  • Min : Set thickness for min.

  • DeleteShell : Delete shell after create solid.

Create Solid by Two_Shell_Sets:

  • Set1 : Select shell elements for set 1.

  • N1 : Pick or enter reference node 1 on set 1.

  • N2 : Pick or enter reference node 2 on set 1.

  • Set2 : Select shell elements for set 2.

  • N1 : Pick or enter reference node 1 on set 2.

  • N2 : Pick or enter reference node 2 on set 2.

  • Bias : Set bias value at shell set 1.

  • Segment : Set number of segments for generation.

Create Solid by Shell_Sweep:

  • Cross-section(Shells) : Select shell elements as cross-section.

  • Line Path : Select a line as sweep path.

  • Seg. : Set num. of segments along the line.

  • Node path : Select a node as sweep path.

  • Center align(move) : Align selected elements center with the path.

Create Solid by Tetra_2_Ten or Hex_2_Tetra:

  • NewElement : Create new ten nodes element.

Cohesive Solid:

Cohesive solid elements are created in direct analogy with cohesive shells.

  • Solid part : Select the solid part(s) to be connected by cohesive elements.

  • Shell part : Select the shell part(s) which defines where cohesive elements will be created.