Form: Frame Assignment - Frame Auto Mesh Options
During an analysis, ETABS automatically meshes frame elements. The Assign menu > Frame > Frame Auto Mesh Options command provides the opportunity to control some of that automatic meshing.
Select the frame elements to be meshed (divided) or marked so as not to be meshed.
Click the Assign menu > Frame > Frame Auto Mesh Options command to access the Frame Assignment - Frame Auto Mesh Options form.
Select a frame meshing option:
Auto Mesh at Intermediate Joints - Divides (meshes) the selected element at any intermediate joints along the element. In general, intermediate joints are defined by other elements that frame into the selected element.
Auto Mesh at Intermediate Joints and Intersecting Frames/Edges - Divides (meshes) the selected element at any intermediate joints along the element as well as at any joint where a frame or edge intersects with the element. By default, ETABS automatically meshes elements in this manner during analysis.
No Auto Meshing - With this option, the element is not to be divided (meshed) during analysis.
Important Note: Using the Assign menu > Frame > Frame Auto Mesh Options command does not alter the Object Definition, i.e., it is an internal meshing, unlike the Edit menu > Edit Frames > Divide Frames command, which creates multiple objects.
Click the Apply button to complete the assignment.
When the Apply button is used, the Frame Assignment - Frame Auto Mesh Options form will remain open until it is closed by clicking the Close button. This allows selection of another frame object(s), to which a different assignments can be made.
If only one assignment is being made to only one set of selected objects, the OK button can be used to both apply the assignment and close the form.
See also: