Quick tool to model timber slabs and wall panels is optionally available for later analysis in  3D Structure and timber design in  .

Definition steps

1. If needed, set a proper position for the working plane.
2. Choose   or   according to the panel function to define a new timber panel:  Use as plate or  Use as wall.
3. Set the panel settings under   (plate) or   (wall) Default settings.
   
   Figure: Timber command and settings
   • Group identifier (General)
     The program automatically generates it, but you can define custom value. Identifier (ID and Position) number can be displayed in model view (Display settings).
   • Panel type identifier (General)
     The program automatically generates it, but you can define custom value. Identifier (ID and Position) number can be displayed in model view (Display settings).
   • Width (General)
     The width of the elements can be set if Prefabricated physical model is chosen.
   • Gap between panels (General)
     The gap between panels can be set if Prefabricated physical model is chosen.
   • Alignment and Eccentricity (General)
     With Alignment the position of the reference (definition) plane can be set to Top/Left, Center or Bottom/Right.
     Eccentricity adds “virtual” distance between the reference plane and the calculation (middle!) plane. This option is useful for displaying regions with different thickness values.
     Eccentricity (e) is handled the same was as in 3D Plate .
     Eccentricity value can be displayed in model view (Display settings).
   • Type (Material)
     Predefined panel types are available, but it can be expanded manually (Edit library) with new laminated, fiber boards, plywood etc. Design factors, stiffness and strength values can be edited for predefined and new panel types. Panel types can be imported or exported between users like the FEM-Design materials.
   • Physical model and Analytical model (General)
     In Timber plate/wall dialog there is opportunity to select the physical model (in-situ or prefabricated), then analytical system of shell, if applicable. The analytical system can be Continuous or Panel by panel. This option is available in profiled plate and profiled wall.
     
     
     
     
     Figure: Physical model and Analytical system of a timber panel

     Choosing continuous analytical system can be useful when modelling the whole structure e.g. in the preliminary design phase. The memory usage of calculation with continuous analytical system is less than panel by panel system due to the reduced number of edge connections. The use of panel by panel analytical system is reasonable in the phase of detailed design. In this case the results of the calculation are more accurate.

     In case of continuous analytical system, effect of the connections between the panels can be considered by the transverse flexural stiffness factor.

4. Set the width (w) of the selected panel type on the tool palette.

5. Set the default edge connection to hinged or rigid at Edges of the tool palette.

6. Define the timber plate/wall based on the geometry of the reference plane/base line.
   For plate panels, the stiff direction has to be defined first. (For walls, the stiff direction is always perpendicular to the wall base line.) The distribution of panels is described with an anchor point.
   
   Figure: Timber plate definition

Optional steps:

7. The panel type of selected timber panels can be modified subsequently with the  Properties tool.
8. Modify the default edge connections of the unique panel or panel group with  . Just select the plate/wall panel and then its edge(s) to set connection conditions at Border (DOF of the panel group) or Panel tab (rigid, hinged, free or semi-rigid (spring)), and finally set the requested motion and rotation settings. See the definition steps and possibilities at Plate.
   
   Figure: Panel edge connections
9. Openings and cuttings can be added to timber panel elements with Edit > Region operations > Split regions.
10. Set the display settings of timber panels at Settings > All > Display > Shell (see Plate display settings).
11. The panels are stored on “Plates” Object layers. At layer settings, the default color and pen width can be set for all panel regions. The color and pen width settings by selected panel elements can be modified by Edit > Properties > Change appearance.