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Wall (Geometry)

Last modified by Iwona Budny Bjergø on 2022/01/18 12:24

Contents
Plane wall propertyDescription
Icon1584967075145-608.png
Modules where available1584966819042-941.png 1584966935638-169.png 1584967082105-175.png  1584967135556-687.png   
FunctionLine support in 1584966820930-875.png
 Shear or load-bearing wall region 1584966938226-391.png
 Unit section of long-extensional object (tunnels, dams, retaining walls et.) 1584967084456-326.png
 Structural wall in 1584967138782-961.png
Reference plane positionVertical in 1584966824547-362.png 1584967141435-984.png
 Global X-Y plane 1584966940761-913.png 1584967086291-897.png
GeometryAny shape
ThicknessConstant or variable
HoleAvailable
EccentricityOnly for display
Edge connectionRigid, hinged, elastic (spring) linear or non-linear
MaterialSteel, concrete, timber and general
Orthotropic featureAvailable in 1584966951197-851.png 1584967088193-765.png 1584967153562-589.png
Load directionArbitrary in 1584967157625-771.png
 Planar, global X-Y plane 1584966956747-681.png 1584967090101-686.png  
Load typeAll point, line load and surface load in 1584966964965-728.png 1584967091837-921.png 1584967159957-533.png
Available analysis resultsReaction forces in 1584966830943-415.png
 Displacement, internal forces, stresses, stability and vibration shape in 1584966972319-501.png 1584967093678-863.png 1584967165633-620.png
Available designRC design in 1584966969097-956.png 1584967170567-696.png
 Timber design in 1584967172123-680.png
Default Short CommandWL

Table: Wall properties

1584967285887-501.png

Figure: Wall function by FEM-Design modules

Definition steps

The wall definition depends on what module is used for modeling:
 

1584966837073-768.pngWall is a line support, so its base line has to be defined with a given height and constant/variable thickness as a straight or curved line.
1584966978869-286.pngThe only modeling object is the Wall, which is a region with constant or variable thickness, so its reference plane has to be defined as a rectangle, circular, polygonal or arbitrary shaped region. Holes can be added to it.
1584967097624-616.pngThe only modeling object is the Wall, which is a region with unit (=1) thickness, so its reference plane has to be defined as a rectangle, circular, polygonal or arbitrary shaped region. Holes can be added to it.
1584967178339-905.pngWall is a region in vertical position, so the base line has to be defined with given height and constant/variable thickness as a straight or curved line. Holes can be added to it.
  1. If needed (and available in the current FEM-Design module), set a proper position for the working plane.
  2. Start 1584967401597-836.png  Wall command from 1584967408126-674.png tabmenu and choose 1584967419168-665.png Define.
    1584967428522-547.png
  3. Set the properties of the new wall at 1584967445482-914.png  Default settings:
    1584967454340-968.png

    • 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).
    • Height (h) (General)
      In 1584966846171-258.png the height can be set in the dialog, but in 3D modules only in the Wall command’s tool palette.
      light.png- In 3D modules, the sign (positive or negative) of the Height value defines the location of the Wall (Straight line).
      - In 1584966848976-381.png, the position of the wall support can be set according to slab position: “Above slab” or “Under slab”. It also defines the location of the base line.
    • Alignment and Eccentricity (General)
      With alignment the position of the reference base line or the reference region can be set to left/front, center or right/back.
      Eccentricity (e) is handled the same was as in 3D Plate.
      Eccentricity value can be displayed in model view (Display settings
      ).
      light.png

      While modeling, think about the reference plane/reference line connections with each other. Connecting edged “perfectly” results correct and “nice” finite element mesh. If they intersect each other with small distances, the outcome of mesh generation may be very small finite elements or unexpected mesh regions. The next figure shows an example for possible (recommended or not) wall connection to slab edge.

      1584967638244-405.png
      Figure: Recommended modeling of plate-wall edge connection (no calculation differences in case 1. and 2.)

    • Thickness (General)
      In 1584966851398-340.png 1584967182667-290.png, the thickness values (t1 in the start point and t2 in the end point) can be set directly in the settings dialog. The measurement of the thickness depends on the Alignment and Eccentricity settings.
      1584967663918-302.png
      Figure: Variable thickness and eccentricity
      In 1584967235593-625.png, the thickness value is fixed. It is always 1m, so only region(s) with unit thickness (section) can be defined.
      In 1584966991963-979.png, the thickness value can be constant or variable like plate regions. Because walls are regions in the Wall module like plates in 1584967246474-782.png Plate module, the definition way of constant and variable thickness is the same. In the dialog, only constant thickness (t1=t2=t3) can be set, but with Variable thickness tool (same with Plate’s Variable thickness tool) t values can be modified separately to define wall regions with variable thickness.

    • Orthotropic features (General)
      This option is available in 1584966995881-527.png 1584967105344-415.png 1584967184906-835.png modules. The ratio between the E1 and E2 elasticity modules in the main directions can be set here. So, if the value is 1, the new wall will be isotropic, otherwise it is orthotropic. The orthotropy direction can be set with the angle between E1 direction and the wall’s local x’ axis (Alpha).

      warning.pngIn 1584966999703-942.png 1584967103486-106.png  modules the local x’ axis is always parallel with the global X axis.
    • Statical System (Connections) (General)
      In 1584966862639-755.png, the support conditions (General) of the top and bottom wall ends can be set to fully rigid or fully hinged. Because, Walls are line supports further line/point support is not needed to define at Wall end.
    • Allow uplift (General)
      Available in 1584966864025-687.png only. “Uplift” behavior can be modeled by activating this option. It works in case of tensional reaction force.
      light.pngIn 3D modules, “uplift” can be modeled with non-linear Line support settings.
    • Material
      Any type of materials can be set for wall Analysis, but design can be run for concrete and timber walls only depending on the current FEM-Design module. The applied material name can be displayed in model view (Display settings).
  4. In 1584967188759-157.png module, predefined connections for wall edges can be set to rigid, hinged, “No shear” or so-called User defined with the tool palette’s Edges Setup option.
    1584968140901-334.png
    Figure: Predefined edge connections

    light.pngUse the Edge connection tool to modify the default connections by the selected edges of a predefined wall. Hinged, rigid, semi-rigid (spring), free connections can be set with linear and non-linear behavior.

    No shear” macro defines edge connection with predefined “No shear” rigidity type on the defined wall’s bottom edge.
    It is the recommended wall definition method to create a non-bracing system element.
    No shear” rigidity type settings with free local x’ motion rigidity:
    1584968207011-975.png
     

    warning.png

    If a wall connect to slab at a common edge and you would like to define hinged connection between them, only one edge connection (for plate or wall) has to be defined hinged and the other has to be kept as rigid. So, applying hinged edge connection for both plate and wall at their linked edge is not allowed to avoid instability in finite element modeling. The figure shows the possibilities to model the same hinged connection in two ways.

    1584968267078-259.png

    Figure: Modeling the same hinged wall-plate edge connection in two ways

    The previous rule is also true for wall support in 1584966871985-427.png  module: if, you would like to model hinged wall support at a plate edge, define hinged statical connection for wall (top or bottom depending on the wall position) and set the plate edge connection to rigid, or, define rigid wall support and hinged edge for plate.

  5. Choose a geometry definition method for the wall’s reference line/plane (set by Alignment and Eccentricity) and create the wall with co-ordinates or by picking points in the drawing area.
    In 1584967019461-848.png 1584967110992-693.png  modules, the walls are regions in the Global XY working plane.
    warning.pngIn these wall modules the dead-load is orientated in Global Y direction, although the dead-load is orientation in Global Z direction in all other modules.

    1584968400899-969.png
    Figure: Wall region with holes, loads and supports in Wall and Plane Strain modules
    In 1584966875194-368.png  module, wall is a line support, so it has to be defined with its base/reference line. Although walls are planar objects in 1584967193454-662.png modules, they can be defined with their reference lines, because of the fixed vertical position. The lines can be straight or “curved”. The “curved” means real arc and circle in 1584967217995-986.png module, while it means the combination of straight lines (wall sections) in the 3D modules. In the second case the “curved walls” are built up by planar region members (curved finite elements are not available in FEM-Design), and the resolution of the curve approximation can be set by the peripheral angle of the sections (Alpha).

    1584968441729-628.png
    Figure: “Curved” wall definition in 3D modules

    light.pngIn the 3D modules, if you would like to connect a plate to “curved” walls at the edges, define polygonal slab instead of curved-edge slab. In case of curved plate, small regions are cut by the connected wall, and that results finite elements with very small angle.

    1584968494702-361.png
    Figure: “Curved” wall definition in 3D modules

Optional steps:

  1. Modify default thickness (Variable thickness)
    Constant wall thickness can be fast modified with the 1584968776136-923.png  Properties tool. Just select the wall(s) and set a new value under General Tab. In 1584967199177-905.png modules, you can define variable thickness with t1 and t2 values too.
    In 1584967046379-300.png 1584967116542-377.png modules, constant thickness can be changed to variable (linear distribution), or reverse, with the 1584968788033-841.png  Variable thickness tool.
    Defining wall with variable thickness is similar as done in case of a Plate.
  2. Modify the default edge connections with 1584968798731-511.png . Just select the wall and then its edge(s) to set connection conditions (rigid, hinged, free or semi-rigid (spring)), and finally set the requested motion and rotation settings. See the definition steps and possibilities at Plate.
  3. Add hole with 1584968561667-468.png  tool (see hole definition in plates).
    Except of 1584967211005-793.png module where wall is support, holes and cuttings can be defined in walls.
    In 3D modules, select a wall region and define hole in it or cut it by using a geometry mode. Selecting a wall displays the UCS in the reference plane of the wall.
    In 1584967032605-743.png 1584967118898-621.png modules, just define hole or cutting by using a geometry mode in the required wall reference plane. Selection of the host wall is needed, if the hole region intersects more than one regions.
  4. Modify the reference line/plane geometry with the Edit menu commands valid for lines/region elements.
  5. Modify the wall properties with the 1584968811502-948.png  Properties tool of the Wall tool palette.
  6. In 1584966888153-285.png Plate module, the 1584968818087-987.png  Info tool displays the support stiffness (motion and rotation) values of the wall ends (start and end point) valid in the wall local co-ordinate system.
    In the other design modules, information (the volume of the wall solid and the position of its centre of gravity) about a selected wall can be inquired with the 1584968830991-718.png  Info tool. A drawing point can be placed in the wall’s centre of gravity, if needed.
  7. Set the display settings of walls at Settings > All > Display > Shell (see Plate display settings).
  8. The walls are stored on “Walls” Object layers. At layer settings, the default color and pen width can be set for all plate regions. The color and pen width settings by selected plate elements can be modified by Edit > Properties > Change appearance.
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