Elements 

2) Define membrane elements.

Select the quad/triangle surfaces, which have the same material, local directions and thickness, to define the membrane elements. 

3) Define support elements.

Hint: You can also define surface supports (Winkler type elastic foundation).

First, select the surface elements, and then select the supported edges, to define line support elements.

If you choose relative to edge support conditions, then the edge will represent the x direction, and the y direction will be perpendicular to the edge in the surface plane (according to the right-hand rule), and the z direction will be perpendicular to the surface plane.

 4) Define the nodal degrees of freedom.

Select all nodes to define degrees of freedom. Choose the ‘Membrane in X-Z plane’ from the list.  

Loads

5) Define load cases and combinations.

6) Apply loads (nodal, line, surface, dead load).

Select the elements, which have the same load.

The direction of distributed load is determined in the local x-y direction of the membrane (for example: p_y  = -10.00 kN/m²).

Static

7) Start a linear static analysis.

Tutorial Download in Windows Media Video format

Walls: Step-by-step tutorial.