Displaying beam cross sections

There are several options for controlling the persistent display of cross sections for 1D meshes:

• Persistent solid display of cross sections.

• Persistent wireframe display of cross sections.

• Individual display controls for cross section orientation, end releases, and orientation vectors.

You control these display options for 1D meshes on the Mesh Display dialog box.

Persistent solid cross section display

When you choose Solid from the Display Section list on the Mesh Display dialog box, the software renders beam elements as 3D solids, extruding section geometry along the length of the element.

You can use a solid cross section display to quickly and intuitively identify issues with beam orientation or section definitions. Solid cross section displays also provide a more realistic rendering of models incorporating beam meshes for documenting and presenting your analysis.

Persistent wireframe cross section display

When you choose Curves from the Display Section list, the software creates a persistent wireframe display showing cross section geometry at each node of your mesh.

Displaying cross section orientation, end releases, and orientation vectors

You can turn off and on the display of symbols indicating a number of beam attributes:

• Display Section Orientation displays the current orientation of 1D elements on beam sections using an XYZ triad at each node.

• Display End Releases represents end releases (also called pin flags) using a symbol at each end of each beam where an end release is defined. Translational end releases are shown as +, rotational releases as 0, and combined releases as *.

• Display Orientation Vector displays defined orientation vectors using a line segment labeled V extending in the vector direction from each node.

Turn these settings on to confirm beam orientation and attributes, and to identify any issues. Turn these settings off for a less cluttered display.

Where do I find it?

Application	Pre/Post
Prerequisite	An active FEM file that contains 1D elements with defined cross sections and associated data.
Menu	Preferences→Mesh Display. From the Type list, choose 1D Mesh.
Simulation Navigator	In the FEM, right-click the 1D mesh collector or 1D mesh and choose Edit Display. In the Simulation file, right-click the 1D mesh collector or 1D mesh and choose Create Display Override or Edit Temporary Display.

How do I

Create a 1D mesh

Beam cross section workflow

Create a standard cross section

Create a cross section from the face of a solid

Create a cross section from a sketch

Create a cross section by entering properties

Assign a cross section to a beam mesh

Define cross section orientation

Offset a cross section

Improving performance for narrow beam cross sections

Learn more

1D meshing

1D element coating meshes

Ensuring consistent 1D element orientation during mesh creation

Creating beam cross sections

End releases for 1D elements

Reusable beam cross sections

Quick links

Command reference

Pre/Post video examples

Bulk Entry Descriptions

Simcenter 3D tutorials

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Displaying beam cross sections, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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