RM Bridge Analyzer: Properties: Cross Sections: FE Mesh


The RM Bridge Analyzer: Properties: Cross Sections: FE Mesh menu options displays elements and nodes of the Finite Element mesh of the cross-section. Each cross-section is subdivided into 9-noded Finite Elements. The mesh is used for calculating the cross-section values, especially the shear parameters. The lower left table contains the cross-section elements with node incidents, and the lower right table shows the node coordinates in the cross-section coordinate system.

The viewing of the cross-section table with detailed data of the finite element mesh used for calculating the integral cross-section values. The element is a quadrilateral element with possibly curved edges defined by a central node on each edge. They have a 9th node in the center point of the element and they can degenerate into a triangular element by assigning the same node number to the 3 nodes of one edge

As shown in the screenshot below, the window contains 4 areas:

  • The top left is the table of cross-sections with fundamental parameters;
  • Top right is a graphic presentation of the cross-section;
  • Bottom left is the table of FE elements with assigned node points, and;
  • The bottom right is the table of coordinates of the FE node point in the cross-section coordinate system.
 
More technical information about the moving and rotating of the FE nodes can be found in the specific article at the link below.

https://bentleysystems.service-now.com/community?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0113354