Apex property	Description
Icon
Modules where available
Axis position	Arbitrary (horizontal, vertical and skew) in
Cross-section	Rectangular
Eccentricity	Disable
Material	Steel, concrete, timber and general
Load direction	Arbitrary in
Load type	All point and line load
Available analysis results	Displacement, internal forces, stresses, stability and vibration shape in
Available design	Timber design in
Default Short Command	APEX

Definition steps                        

1. If needed (and available in the current FEM-Design module), set a proper position for working plane. In all modules, respect that the gravity direction is always the Global Z axis direction.
2. Start  Intermediate section from tabmenu and choose  Define.
   
3. Set the properties of the new Intermediate section at  Default setting:
   
   • Rounding radius (r)
     The rounding radius can be invidually set. The default value is 1.00 m and rounding the inner edge. For rounding the outer edge check the Round outer edge option on. The following figure shows the difference between rounding the inner or both edges.
     
     Figure: Rounding inner and both edge
4. Select the neighboring bar element.

   Defining the correct way an apex, the following criteria has to meet: The neighboring bars cross-section has to be Rectangular Their Y axes are parallel and point into the same direction Their material has to be the same

5. Apex zones with their connected bars are only one physical element but it has more analytical element.
   
   Figure: Describing analytical and physical elements