General calculation parameters

Any type of calculation can be controlled by means of a set of parameters.

Proper FEM analysis of cross-section parameters

If this option is ON, torsional constant and shear relaxation are calculated by means of finite element method for cross-sections defined as (i) general cross-section, (ii) geometric shapes or (iii) wooden sections.

Neglect shear force deformation

This setting affects the stiffness of 1D members.

  • The option ON means that 1D members are calculated according to the Euler-Bernoulli assumption
    • in theory, shear areas are considered infinite;
    • in practice, altered cross-section properties are sent to the solver, which make the shear deflection negligible in comparison with bending deflection
    • as a result, internal forces and deflections will be the same as in a traditional manual calculation
  • The option OFF means that 1D members are calculated using the Timoshenko model
    • actual values of shear areas are used, either manually defined or computed exactly
    • for details, see the chapter related to cross-section characteristics
Bending theory of plate/shell analysis Defines if Kirchhoff or Mindlin bending theory is used.

Type of solver

Direct or iterative solution type may be selected.

Number of sections on average member

Defines the number of section for evaluation of results on a 1D member of "average length".

Section is always created in both end points and under concentrated loads. The average length is determined from the real length. Shorter 1D members contain fewer sections while longer 1D members contain more sections.

Warning when maximal translation is greater than

If the maximal value of translation specified here is exceeded, the user is asked to confirm that s/he still want to review the results. This parameter is linear and nonlinear analysis .

Warning when maximal rotation is greater than

If the maximal value of rotation specified here is exceeded, the user is asked to confirm that s/he still want to review the results.

This parameter is linear and nonlinear analysis .

Note: The adjustment of these parameters may affect the layout of the calculation dialogue that opens on the screen when a calculation is started.

Note: For Mindlin bending theory of shell is used a mixed interpolation of transverse displacements, section rotations and transverse shear strains. It is an extension of a pure displacement formulation. For curvatures there is used an interpolation as the pure displacement on based elements but for shear strain are used another one. The mixed elements are not locked and do not contain any spurious zero energy mode.