Create Stiffener Mesh

Use Stiffener Mesh tool to create 1D elements as shell stiffeners from orphan lines representing trailing edges.

1. From the Mesh ribbon, click the Stiffener Mesh tool.

   
   
   Figure 1.

   Note: The Stiffener Mesh tool is in a tool group with Member Mesh. Click the arrow to the right of the icon to cycle between the two.
2. On the guide bar, use the first selector to choose either Elements, Lines, or Nodes.
3. Set options as necessary by clicking on the guide bar.
4. Select entities.
   For lines, uncheck Free lines to select edges. The 1D mesh that is generated conforms with the edge mesh, regardless of meshing size and biasing.

   Select shell elements to add a 1D to each edge with an option for them to be diagonal along quad elements. This is useful for running topology on 1Ds.

   For nodes, the tool filters only nodes belonging to shells.

5. Optional: Select an orientation vector and apply it to all newly created elements.
   • Click in the microdialog to orient using the Vector then click . After defining the orientation vector, press Esc to return to the current tool.
   • If neither of the icons are activated, the orientation will default to the global Z axis.
6. Expand the chevrons in the microdialog.
7. Select an engineering type and an associated property.
8. Optional: Using the second selector on the guide bar, assign a property or beam section to your selection.
   The property you selected in the microdialog filters the list of available options. For example, a ROD config only keeps PROD properties, while a BEAM config keeps only PBAR/PBARL and PBEAM/PBEAML.

   If a beamsection is selected, then element type and property card are driven from the microdialog. If PBEAML/PBARL are selected but the beamsection is not valid, the respective PBEAM/PBAR is created.

9. On the guide bar, click one of the following:
   • - Save changes and stay in the tool
   • - Save changes and close the tool