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Line elements: truss, beam, rib
The truss and the cubic beam element are the most widely used finite elements
for bar, beam, or column modeling. The rib element is a 3-node isoparametric
element with quadratic displacement interpolation that can be used similar to
the beam element (but takes account for the shear deformations) or in
conjunction with surface elements for eccentric rib modeling.
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Surface elements: membrane, plate, shell
The surface elements are isoparametric flat quadrilateral (8/9-node) or
triangular (6-node) elements. All use quadratic shape functions to interpolate
displacements, and pass the patch test for arbitrary shape. The plate end shell
elements use Mindlin's plate assumptions in a Heterosis formulation.
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Winkler type elastic supports for line
elements
These elements can model elastic foundation support conditions of line elements.
Nonlinear characteristics (tension only, compression only, or limit resistance)
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Winkler type elastic supports for
surface elements
These elements can model elastic foundation support conditions of surface
elements.
Nonlinear characteristics (tension only, compression only, or limit resistance)
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Point support elements with arbitrary
orientation and stiffness
These support elements can have a specified stiffness, and the resulting
internal forces are the support reactions.
Nonlinear characteristics (tension only, compression only, or limit resistance)
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Gap elements for contact modeling
The gap elements can model point-to-point contact conditions. The elements have
a large stiffness when active and a small (but non-zero) stiffness when in an
inactive state. The active state can be for compression or for tension. An
initial opening can be specified for the elements.
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Spring elements for linear/nonlinear support
or semi-rigid connection modeling
The spring elements can account for linear or nonlinear elastic support or
connection behavior.
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New:
Link elements for connection modeling
The link elements can be node-to-node (connect nodes to nodes), or line-to line
(connect ribs, ribs to surfaces, or surface sides)
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Rigid elements
The rigid elements can model rigid parts of your structures without assigning
large stiffness values to an element. The element can have any number of nodes.
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Nodal DOF (degrees of freedom)
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