|
||
|
|
||
Even though SCIA Engineer is primarily a state-of-the-art and sophisticated tool for static, dynamic, etc. calculations, it can serve also as a powerful modeller, as it can remember two types of model: structural model (called CAD model in previous versions of SCIA Engineer) and analysis model (called calculation model in SCIA Engineer). The former represents the real shape of the structure and is also used for imports from other CAD programs, the latter contains certain simplifications and idealisations enforced by the applied numerical method of solution.
So far, the structural model in SCIA Engineer was restricted to 1D members only. Now, this feature extends to plates, walls, and shells as well. The user can take the full advantage of this fact and (and it is important) within one project define both the tuned analysis model that provides accurate results and fine-looking structural model reflecting the real configuration of the structure.
But this is not all! SCIA Engineer enables the user to import the model of the structure from a third-party software. Most often, what is imported is the structural shape (fig. 1). The user then faces the problem of transforming this structural model into a working analysis model – usually, there will be problems with contacts of adjacent members (fig. 2). SCIA Engineer comes with a handy solution. After a single click and a little-play with a few parameters that control the whole process, SCIA Engineer can automatically convert the structural model into the analysis one (fig. 3). Should it happen that a conflict have arisen during this conversion, the user is immediately and graphically informed about it in the screen (fig. 4). Once such places are corrected manually, nothing prevents the user from defining the required boundary conditions, load cases, loads and other data needed for a successful calculation of the project.
|
Fig. 1 |
|
|
Fig. 2 |
|
|
Fig. 3 |
|
|
Fig. 4 |
|
