Shell Plot Functions Form

Use the Shell Plot Function form to specify the parameters for displaying shell force and stress functions.

Specify the shell plot function to be displayed using the various options on the form:

- Plot Function Name edit or display box.
- - If the Shell Plot Functions form was accessed by highlighting a previously defined shell plot function definition on the Plot Functions form, this box displays the name of that function. If necessary, click in the edit box and type a new name for the plot function.
  - If the Shell Plot Functions form was accessed by clicking the Add Plot Function button on the Plot Functions form, this display box will be empty until a value has been entered in the Element ID edit box. When a value is entered in the Element ID edit box, SAP2000 will display a default Plot Function Name. The default name can not be edited directly. To change the name, complete the definition of the plot; highlight that function name in the Plot Functions list on the Plot Functions form; click the Modify/Show Plot button to redisplay the Shell Plot Functions form and then change the name.
- Element ID edit or display box.
- - If the Shell Plot Functions form was accessed by highlighting a previously defined shell plot function definition on the Plot Functions form, this display box show the name of the element associated with that previously defined plot function. This value can not be edited directly.
  - If the Shell Plot Functions form was accessed by clicking the Add Plot Function button on the Plot Functions form, this is an edit box. Enter the Element ID for which the plot function is being prepared (e.g., 18 for shell element 18). SAP2000 will automatically provide a default Plot Function Name when a value is entered in this edit box.
- Type options. Choose the type of output.
- - Resultants option.
  - Stresses (top or bottom) option.
  - Shell Layer Stresses option. When this option is selected, specify the Layer Name and, from the Thickness Location drop-down list, the layer within which the stresses are to be plotted.
- Mode Number. Recover the time history for a particular mode as follows:
- 1. Select the Include One option.
  2. Enter the mode number directly, or use the spin button up and down arrows to select it from the list.

Note: If the Include All option is the only option available, the load case selected on the Plot Functions form is not a time history analysis.

- Component area. Select the appropriate component (if forces F11, F22, F12,FMAX,FMAIN,FVM, M11, M22, M12,MMAX,MMIN, V13, V23,VMAX; if stresses S11, S22, S12, SMAX, SMIN, SVM, S13, S23, SMAX ).
- Specify Output Location area. Use the options in this area to specify the location for reporting the Resultants or Stresses.
- - Output Location Reference Point area. Choose the appropriate option for determining the reference point for the shell element:
  - - Reference to Selected Coordinate System Origin option. When this option is selected, SAP2000 will offset the output results from the coordinate system origin by applying the distances specified in the Offset 1/Global X, Offset 2/Global Y and Offset 3/Global Z edit boxes.
    - Reference to Selected Joint option and drop-down list. When this option is selected, SAP2000 will offset the output results from the selected joint by applying the distances specified in the Offset 1/Global X, Offset 2/Global Y and Offset 3/Global Z edit boxes.
  - Coordinate System for Offset from Reference Location and Coordinate System drop-down list. Choose the coordinate system to be used for determining the reference point. If the Local option is selected from the drop-down list, any offset must be relative to the selected joint (i.e., Reference to Selected Joint will be the only option available in the Output Location Reference Point area).
  - Offsets From Reference Point To Output Location:
  - - Offset 1/Global X, Offset 2/Global Y, Offset 3/Global Z edit boxes. Enter a distance in the current units to offset the location of the output results in the selected direction. These options depend on the Coordinate System selected.
  - Move Output Location to Closest Joint check box. During analysis, SAP2000 internally meshes shell elements, resulting in program-generated analysis model joints. When this check box is checked, SAP2000 moves the location for reporting results to the analysis model joint closest to the location specified using the other options on this form.

Click the OK button to complete the definition of the shell plot function and return to the Plot Function form.
Define another function, or click the OK button to return to the Plot Function Trace Display Definition form. Refer to the Plot Functions topic for the additional steps required to display the shell plot function.

Access the Shell Plot Function form as follows:

Construct a model with areas that have a shell type section property.
Define a Time History function and a Time History load case; run an analysis.
Click the Display menu > Show Plot Functions command to display the Plot Function Trace Display Definition form.
Click the Define Plot Functions button to display the Plot Functions form.
Select the Add Shell Forces/Stresses option from the Choose Function Type to Add drop-down list and click the Add Plot Function button, or highlight a previously defined shell plot function definition and click the Modify/Show Plot button to display the Shell Plot Function form. If the Add Shell Forces/Stresses option is not available, no shell section properties have been assigned to the model.