Solver elements (2D)
Three 2D solver element types are available and applied in Tekla Structural Designer.
Shell
Shell elements are used for the following slabs and decks when meshed, provided they are two way spanning and their diaphragm option is not set to Semi-rigid:
- Flat slab,
- Slab on beams,
- Steel deck,
- Timber deck,
- General deck,
- Foundation mat
SemiRigid
SemiRigid elements are used for the following slabs and decks when meshed, if their diaphragm option is set to Semi-rigid:
- Flat slab,
- Slab on beams,
- Steel deck,
- Timber deck,
- General deck,
- Foundation mat
Wall
Wall elements are used for walls when the Wall Type is set to Meshed Shear Wall, i.e.
- Concrete Meshed Shear Wall,
- General Meshed Shear Wall
Solver element 2D properties
When in a Solver View, solver element 2D properties are displayed in the Properties Window as shown below. None of these properties can be directly edited in the Solver View.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Panel | |
| Type | The 2D element type will be Shell or Semi-rigid depending on the Slab Type, Decomposition and Diaphragm Options that have been set. |
| Thickness |
The 2D element thickness is derived from a different property depending on the slab type: • Composite Slab; Precast Slab; Slab on Beams; Flat Slab - Overall Depth • Steel Deck; Timber Deck - Thickness |
| Orientation | The 2D element orientation in the solver model follows the rotation angle defined for the slab item to which it belongs. |
| DivideStiffnessBy |
This property applies to semi-rigid elements only. It adjusts the stiffness determined from the material properties in order to control semi-rigid diaphragm flexibility. |
| CrackedOption | yes/no |
| Nodes | |
| Node 1, Node 2, Node 3 | The node numbers associated with this element. |