FE meshed slabs
At the levels where two-way spanning1 slabs exist, Tekla Structural Designer applies FE meshing as follows:
- Two-way spanning slabs are always meshed in the FE chasedown analysis that occurs as part of the static design process.
- Two-way slabs are by default not meshed for 3D building analysis or grillage chasedown analysis. This ensures the quickest solution time. A 3D pre-analysis process (in which the slabs are meshed) is used to decompose loads from the slabs on to supporting members.
- Alternatively, you can choose to mesh two-way slabs for 3D building analysis and grillage chasedown analysis, either at all, or selected construction levels. In this case Tekla Structural Designer does not perform the load decomposition during 3D pre-analysis for the two-way slabs at those levels.
In all of the above mentioned situations, the slab mesh density is set globally, but can be overridden at individual levels if required.
By default two-way slabs are created with isotropic analysis properties; orthotropic properties can be specified if required. This could be particularly useful when designing: precast slab units, profiled steel decking, timber decks on floor joists, and cross-laminated timber (CLT) elements.
Click the links below to find out more:
- Define whether two-way slabs are meshed for 3D building analysis and grillage chasedown analysis
- Adjust global slab mesh properties
- Apply different mesh properties at different levels
- Review the slab mesh before the analysis
- How slab properties and features impact on meshing
- Slab meshing controls
- Orthotropic slabs
Footnotes
1 One-way spanning slabs are also treated as two-way spanning if Analyze slab is selected in slab item properties