Reflecting elements

Use Element Copy and Reflect to create a symmetrical model by copying elements (A) and reflecting them across a selected plane (B). The software automatically creates new nodes for the resulting elements. Each new element has the same attributes as the original element. Additionally, the software copies both the associated displacement and nodal coordinate systems from the nodes on the source elements to the nodes on the newly created elements.

For example, in the following graphic, we first meshed one half of a symmetrical bar. We then used Element Copy and Reflect to copy these elements across the data plane to create the other half of the model.

Reflecting material orientation

When you reflect 2D or 3D elements, you can use the Reflect Material Orientation check box to reflect the element's material orientation. The ability to reflect an element's material orientation is helpful, for example, when you need to reflect complex, composite parts.

For 3D elements, you can use the Solid Directions to Reflect list to specify which axes to reflect about the specified plane. The software calculates the third axis to reflect as a cross product of the two axes that you select to reflect. For example, you can select First and Third to reflect the first and third axes and have the software calculate the direction of the second axis.

Identifying coincident nodes

Depending on the elements you select to reflect, some may have nodes that lie on or very close to the reflection plane itself. If you choose to copy and reflect those elements, the software may create coincident nodes at those locations. You can use the Nodes option on the Model Check dialog box to identify and eliminate any coincident nodes before you solve your model. See Duplicate Nodes dialog box for more information.

Where do I find it?

Application	Pre/Post
Prerequisite	A FEM file as the displayed part and work part
Command Finder	Element Reflect

How do I

Reflect elements

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Command reference

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Reflecting elements, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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