Beam
Use the Beam tool to define horizontal or inclined structural members that resist bending and axial forces.
When you select Beam, a tool palette opens.
Main tools
- Define - create a new beam using direction and line definition methods
- Properties - check or edit parameters of an existing beam. Opens the Default settings dialogue for the selected beams
- Convert - convert existing wall foundation, foundation slab, column, truss, plane plate, profiled plate, plane wall, profiled wall, fictitious bar and some compatible solid shape elements into beams
- Physical alignment - adjust the vertical placement of the beam relative to its reference line
- Analytical model - switch between bar and shell representation and manage shell-specific properties
- Default settings - set default parameters for geometry, material, section, and stiffness (read below in more detail)
To read more about the Physical alignment, see the topic:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Physical alignment
Additional setting
Available when using the Define or Convert tool.
- Apply default physical alignment - if selected, the default vertical alignment (from the Physical alignment dialogue) will be automatically applied to newly created or converted beams
Directional functions
Available when the Define tool is selected.
- Predefined direction - define the beam along the default vertical or inclined direction
- Parallel with line - select an existing line and place the beam parallel to it
- Perpendicular to plane - select a plane to place the beam normal to its surface
- Direction - only available with Predefined direction. Use to select one of five direction modes:
- y′ axis is parallel to global XY, YZ, or XZ plane
- y′ axis is parallel to UCS
- y′ axis is perpendicular to UCS
Line definition methods
Available when the Define tool is selected.
- Straight line - draw a straight beam between two points
- Arc by center, start point and angle - define a curved beam by specifying center, start and angle
- Arc by 3 points - define an arc using three points along the curve
- Arc by start, end point and tangent - define an arc by setting start and end points and a tangent direction
- Line by selection - select an existing edge or line element to define the beam path
Analytical model sub-tools
When you press the Analytical model button, a group of tools becomes available to manage shell representation of the beam.
- Shell model - convert the beam from bar model into shell model
- Shell properties - edit material and stiffness properties of individual shell elements. Opens a dedicated dialogue
- Edge connection - define how individual shell edges behave (see note below)
- Reset shell model - revert all shell modifications to default settings
- Bar model - convert the beam back from shell model to bar model
Some tools include an optional function:
- Generate fictitious bars to the boundary of the shell model - adds fictitious bars at shell ends for stability and shape retention (can be removed manually later)
The Shell properties dialogue contains three tabs: General, Material, and Stiffness.
To read more about these settings, see the relevant topics below:
- For General tab see:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Shell general - For Material tab see:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Regular Material - For Stiffness tab see:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Shell Stiffness
Edge connection functions
Available when the Edge connection tool is selected.
- Edge connection properties - view or edit edge settings of selected shells
- Endpoint behavior - define how edge endpoints connect or terminate
The content of Edge connection properties and Endpoint behavior is the same as in other shell elements.
To read more, see the topic:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Edge connections
Default settings dialogue
When you press the Default settings button, a dialogue window opens.
This dialogue contains five tabs: General, Section, Material, Stiffness, and End conditions. These follow the settings used in regular bar elements.
To read more about these settings, see the relevant topics below:
- For General tab:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Bar General - For Section tab:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Bar Section - For Material tab:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Regular Material - For Stiffness tab:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Bar Stiffness - For End conditions tab:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Bar End Conditions