Creating a 2D analysis model is a process with multiple phases. To create your own 2D analysis model, see the following instructions.

1. On the Nodes tab, type the node coordinates and define their properties.

   

   Note:

   Before creating additional nodes, ensure that the existing node is valid.

2. Go to the Materials tab.

   

3. Do one of the following:

   • In the Name column, click the arrow on the right side of cells, and select the correct material in the list that appears. You can then modify the material properties according to your needs.

   • Type the name of the material and the material properties in the fields manually.

4. Go to the Sections tab.

   

5. Do one of the following:

   • Click Select... and select the desired pre-defined sections which you use in your model. If necessary, you can then modify the design properties by clicking Custom...

   • Type the properties of your sections in the fields manually.
6. Click the Elements tab to open it.
7. Define the elements that you want to use in your model.

   

   Note:

   The local x-axis of each element runs from the start node to the end node. By default, the local major axis is perpendicular to the local x-axis in the 2D plane of the model with positive values, in the same sense as the global z-axis. For elements parallel to the global z-axis, the major axis is rotated anti-clockwise to the local x-axis.

   To use the minor axis section properties instead of major axis, select the Rotated option.

   1. Connect two nodes by defining the start and end nodes for each element.
   2. Select a material for the element.
   3. Select a section for the element.
   4. Define the releases and rotation of the element according to your needs.

1. Go to the Design Members tab.
2. Name the design members that you want to use in your calculations.
3. Click the ... button in the Edit column and specify a start and end element for each design member.

   

4. Modify the properties of the design members according to your needs.

1. Go to the Loading tab.
2. Do one of the following:
   • Use the existing load cases that are visible in the left property spreadsheet (labeled Loading).
   • In the Loading property spreadsheet, define new load cases according to your needs.
3. In the list above the right property spreadsheet, Select the types of loads that you want to use in your model.

   

4. Define the loads for the different types of loads.

   

   Tip:

   You can enter load positions in the following ways:

   • as absolute values
   • as ratios from 0 to 1, where 0 is the start of the element or member, and 1 is the end of the element or member
5. Go to the Load Combinations tab.
6. Define the properties of the load combinations which you want to use in your model.

   

1. Go to the Results tab.
2. Select result options according to your needs using the available check boxes and lists.
   Tip:

   By default, results view the results for the entire model. However, if you enable the Only show current selection option, the results only view the currently selected elements or members.

1. Go to the Output tab.
2. Select output options according to your needs using the available check boxes and lists.
3. To preview the output created with the options you selected, click Preview output...
4. To insert the output in your calculation document, click OK
   Tip:

   To modify the 2D analysis model later, you can recalculate it.