Analytical Model Connectivity

In this chapter we detail the automated and user driven features available to ensure the integrity of your analytical model. This concerns the appropriate connectivity of the analytical nodes and members to represent the model in the intended fashion and hence perform the structural analysis with the desired behaviour.

In this section the following terms are used.

Member – a structural line type element, e.g. beam, column, bracing, raking column.

•Analytical Member -  An analytical member is the line between two node points. Several analytical members may form one physical member.

•Physical Member – A physical member is formed from one or more analytical members that form a straight line, whose geometry is the start and end point of the physical member position. For example, in the case of a primary beam supporting one secondary beam, the primary beam will have two analytical members due to the connected node of the secondary beam. The physical member will be formed from the two analytical members. Physical members are used when applying section property definitions, member loading, geometric changes, and also for design purposes. Analytical members and physical members are therefore inextricably linked to each other. Physical members can either by straight or curved (pure arc), but not cranked.

Node – A point at which analytical members join. An analytical member always has a node at either end. Two node points cannot occupy the same co-ordinate in space (within a small tolerance of each other, which is usually 1mm).

The intended functionality of MasterFrame is to minimise the time spent by the structural engineer considering the analytical nodes and member. During the Creation and Modification of structure, MasterFrame primarily deals with the physical member definitions, through which the analytical nodes and members are automatically created as needed and related to the physical members.

All of the tools and settings to ensure a well-connected and consistent analytical model are available from the Modify Geometry> Check and Modify Analytical Model sub menu.