Defining a new plate from beams

Input parameters for the plate

Name	Defines the name of the slab.
Type	Specifies the type of the slab. The user may select from types: (i) plate, (ii) wall, and (iii) shell. This type plays role e.g. in code checks. The check procedure applied depends on this parameter. Therefore, pay attention to the selection of proper type.
Material	Defines the material of the slab.
FEM model	Isotropic A normal isotropic slab with identical properties in all directions is used. Orthotropic An orthotropic slab with different properties in two orthogonal directions is used. When the FEM model is set to "Orthotropic from beams", the self weight of the beams is not considered in the calculation. Only the self weight of the plate is taken into account. (This is because this type of plate is used to simulate a plate composed of prefabricated beams by a substitute plate.)
Thickness	Specifies the thickness of the plate.
Member system plane at	The input-plane (system-plane) of the input slab may be in the mid-surface of the slab, at the top surface or bottom surface of the slab.
Eccentricity z	If required, eccentricity of the slab may be input.
LCS type	Defines the type of the local coordinate system of the slab.
LCS axis	The orientation of the local Z axis of the slab may be easily turned around. This check box does it. See figures below. normal orientation $image\loadnormalZ.gif$ swapped orientation $image\loadswappedZ.gif$
LCS angle	The direction of the local X-axis may be input here.
Layer	Selects the layer of the slab.

Geometry of beams (part of the input parameters for the plate)

Position	The position of the beams can be defined by the distance between two adjacent beams or by the number of beams that is required under the plate.
Offset	Available only if Position set to Distance. This value defines the offset of the first beam from the plate edge. The distance is measured in the positive direction of the local y-axis of the plate. The beams follow the direction of the local x-axis of the plate.
Offset first Offset last	Available only if Position set to Number. These values define the offset of the first and last beam from the plate edge. The numbering of beams is made in the positive direction of the local y-axis of the plate. The beams follow the direction of the local x-axis of the plate.
Distance	Specifies the axial distance between two adjacent beams.
Position in plate	Specifies the position of the beam over the height of the plate. $image\LoadPanelWithBeamsPositionInPlate.gif$
Alignment	Top The beams are laid on the top surface of the plate. Centre The axis of the beam is at the same level as the middle-plane of the plate. Bottom The beams are attached to the bottom surface of the plate.
Beams eccentricity Z	Defines the eccentricity of the beams in the Z-axis.
Generate subregions	If ON, the final plate is defined with as many subregions as there are beams in the plate. One beam is accompanied with one subregion and they together create a T-section composed of the beam (i.e. rib) and the effective slab width.

Input parameters for the beams (parameters from the separate dialogue for the beams)

Name	A name of the 1D member.
Type	The beam type is not essential for the definition of a 1D member but may take effect later. For example, some functions performing design and check to technical standards take account of the type.
Cross-section	The cross-section influences the properties of a 1D member and defines its shape and also material (as the material is one of cross-section properties).
Alpha	This angle determines the rotation of the cross-section of the inserted 1D member around the longitudinal axis of the 1D member.
Member system line at	Disabled. Informs about the alignment adjusted in the plate parameters.
Eccentricity ey, ez	Disabled.
LCS	Disabled. Set to z by vector.
LCS Rotation	Disabled.
FEM type	Defines the type of finite element: Standard The standard 1D finite element is used. The element can transfer both moments, axial and shear forces. Axial force only Truss finite element is applied. This element is capable of transferring the axial force only.
Buckling length	Disabled.
Layer	Any entity including a 1D member can be put into a layer. The layer can thus comprise entities that have something in common (e.g. one floor, columns of one floor, columns of the same length, etc.) Once layers are defined and assigned, they can be used to e.g. display just a particular part of the structure, make selection of that particular part, etc.)

The procedure to define a new plate from beams

Open service Structure.
Start function 2D Member > Prefab slab.
Set the FEM model to Isotropic frombeams or Orthotropicfrom beams.
Fill in other parameters (see below).
Confirm with [OK].
Define the shape of the plate.
When the shape definition is complete the input dialogue with beam (rib) parameters is opened on the screen.
Fill in the required parameters (see above).
Confirm with [OK].
The input is complete.