Define - Area Sections

Form:  Area Sections, Area Section Data

Use the Define menu > Section Properties > Area Sections command or the Assign menu > Area > Sections command to access the  Area Sections form and add, modify, or delete an area property definition. The area property definition consists of geometrical and material properties.

TIP:  The forms described in this topic also can be accessed by clicking the + (plus) symbol that may appear next to a drop-down list of available sections on the {Template} forms that are used to start a new model or to add objects from a template (Edit menu).

1. Click the Define menu > Section Properties > Area Sections command, or select an area object(s) and click the Assign menu > Area > Sections command, to access the Area Sections form. The Area Sections form also can be accessed by clicking the + (plus) symbol that may appear next to an Area drop-down list, such as appears on the {Template} forms.

2. Choose the type of section to add from the Select Section Type To Add drop-down list:  Shell, Plane, or Asolid.

3. Click the appropriate button:

1. • Add New Section button.

   • 1. Depending on the type of section selected in Step 2, the Shell Section Data, Plane Section Data, or Axisymmetric Solid (Asold) Section data form will appear.

     2. Use the options on that form to add a new area section definition to the model file.

   • Add Copy of Section button.

   • 1. Select the property definition to be copied from the list of property definitions in the Sections area of the Area Sections form.

     2. Click the Add Copy of Section button. Depending on the type of section selected in Step a, the Shell Section Data, Plane Section Data, or Axisymmetric Solid (Asold) Section data form will appear "pre-loaded" with the parameters of the selected property definition.

     3. Use the form to review or modify the definition and add a section definition to the model file.

   • Modify/Show Section button.

   • 1. Select the property definition to be modified from the list of property definitions in the Sections area of the Area Sections form.

     2. Click the Modify/Show Section button. Depending on the type of section selected in Step a, the Shell Section Data, Plane Section Data, or Axisymmetric Solid (Asold) Section data form will appear.

     3. Use the form to modify the existing definition without adding a new definition to the file.

   • Delete Section button

   • 1. Select the property definition to be deleted from the list of property definitions in the Sections area of the Area Sections form.

     2. Click the Delete Section button to delete the definition.

Example:  Definition of area sections is demonstrated in Problem A, Problem B, Problem C, Problem M, ,Problem N, Problem O, Problem S,  and Problem Z.