Advance Design provides the option to define a manual mesh on linear elements in order to save time both in modeling and computation.

Linear elements mesh: by selecting one or more linear elements and accessing the properties window, all the available options that can be modified are in the Mesh category.

i. Automatic – when this option is active, all the imposed/intersected structural elements will be connected and share common nodes.

Automatic mesh option inactive                                   Automatic mesh option active

ii. Number – by entering a value in this field, the element will be meshed in that number of elements, without considering the value of the general mesh (global mesh options).

iii. Size – in this field a maximum dimension of the mesh is defined (length units); by applying a uniform spacing with a maximum dimension of “m”, the mesh will look as the following figure:

iv. Spacing – this option is directly connected to Size and Secondary Size; when any of the other available options, besides uniform spacing, is used then this field must be completed.

v. Secondary size – this field is the minimum dimension which will take into account the type of the spacing selected.

Sxx stresses on linear element at extremity “i”

vi. Extend into the wall – when a beam is supported by a wall (in the longitudinal direction), activating this option will create a rigid connection between the wall and the beam.

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