Plane Section Data Form

Use the Plane Section Data form to specify the parameters for a plane section definition.

Section Name edit box. Use the suggested default or type a name in the edit box.
Section Notes Modify/Show button. Click this button to access the Area Section Notes form. Use that form to add Area Section notes to the model file.
Display Color box. The Display Color box shows the color that will be used to display the area section being defined. Click the Display Color box to display the Color form; click a new color to change the display color.
Type area. Choose the Plane-Stress or Plane-Strain option to indicate the type of plane element.
Incompatible Modes check box. When this check box is checked, incompatible bending modes are included in the stiffness formulation. In general, incompatible modes significantly improve the bending behavior of the object. Uncheck the check box to exclude incompatible bending modes from the stiffness formulation.
Material Name drop-down list. Select the Material definition from the drop-down list.
Material Angle edit box. Use this edit box to specify an angle to modify the local axis of the area objects to which this plane section definition is assigned.
Thickness edit box. Type a value for the membrane thickness in this edit box, if appropriate.
Set Modifiers button. Click the Set Modifiers button to access the Property Stiffness Modification Factors form.
Thermal Properties button. This feature is under development.

Access the Plane Section Data form as follows:

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.
Choose Plane from the Select Section Type To Add drop-down list.
Click the Add New Property button to display the Plane Section Data form. Alternatively, highlight a previously defined plane section definition and click the Add Copy of Section or the Modify/Show Section button to display the Plane Section Data form.