Form: Assign Automatic Solid Mesh
Use the Assign menu > Solid > Automatic Solid Mesh command to activate the Assign Automatic Solid Mesh form. The options on the form specify how SAP2000 internally subdivides the selected solid object(s):
No Auto Meshing – Tags the solid object to not be automatically meshed by SAP2000 into the analysis model, thereby treating the object as a structural element.
Auto Mesh Solid Into This Number of Elements – When this option is selected, use the edit boxes to specify the number of objects into which the selected solid is to be subdivided.
Auto Mesh Solid Into Elements of This Maximum Size - When this option is selected, use the edit boxes to specify the maximum length, in the current units, from point 1 to points 2, 3 and 5 for the solid element.
Add restraints/constraints on edge if corners have restraints/constraints – When one of the Auto Mesh Solid options is selected, check this check box to add restraints/constraints along the edges of the meshed objects if the corners of the selected objects have been assigned restraints or constraints.
Add restraints/constraints on face if corners have restraints/constraints – When one of the Auto Mesh Solid options is selected, check this check box to add restraints/constraints along the face of the meshed objects if the corners of the selected object have been assigned restraints or constraints.
Note: Unlike the Edit menu > Divide Solids command, the Assign menu > Solid > Automatic Solid Mesh command does not change the size or number of the objects; the meshing performed is internal and is handled similar to any other assignment. This allows for the meshing to be changed or removed without any effect on the area object geometry. Use the Display menu > Show Miscellaneous Assigns > Solid command to display the Automatic Solid Object Meshing and the Automatic Solid Edge Constraints.
See Also