A list of mesh prototypes are listed here. Multiple settings may be experimented with here to obtain the desired surface mesh before merging with the base model. Selecting the meshed surface name displays the overall model parameters. Selecting a "child" item in the list (e.g., boundary, openings, etc.) displays the parameters for that item.

• model name

  Selecting the name of the model displays the overall model parameters, which were initially set in the Add Parametric Model

  dialog.
  • Boundary Connectivity - The following methods are available for parametric model boundaries:

    None - Meshing will be done without creating any nodes along the edges of the boundary we defined. This also ignores any boundary condition (divisions or densities) and the element size. Thus, the entire distance between two sequential nodes will form the side of one element. In most cases, this can lead to poor quality elements, and is best avoided.	No divisions
    Optimize - (Default, recommended) Automatic boundary divisions to the target element size.	Optimized
    Define - Each boundary between the selected nodes will be sub-divided into the specified number of segments given in Number of segments/boundary. Note: The default value of 0 will result in the application using the Target element size to generate segments along edges (sim. to the Optimize option). A value of 1 will result in no segmentation between nodes (sim. to the None option).	Equal number of divisions

  • Target Element Size - the target element size to use for meshing, in the given units of length
  • Mesh the selected plate element - the shape of the element used:
    • Quad - quadrilateral elements with four boundary nodes
    • Triangular - triangular elements with three boundary nodes

• Boundary

  Selecting a Boundary Point/Edge displays the points' 3D coordinates (which cannot be modified) and two additional parameters which can be edited:

  • Division - When a Mesh Type is selected as Optimize, this value is used to identify the number of divisions along the boundary edge from the selected node to the next defined point on the boundary.

  • Density - When a Mesh Type is selected as Define, this value is used as a biasing parameter. The larger the value, the denser the mesh around the boundary point.

• Openings

  Openings can be added by selecting the Openings heading and clicking the Add button. Either polygonal or circular openings can be added as described above. Both opening types have options that can be edited.

  • Polygonal

    Selecting a Polygonal opening definition in the dialog displays the control point coordinates that form the opening (which cannot be edited). Each point includes two additional parameters which can be edited:

    Division - When a Mesh Type is selected as Optimize, this value is used to identify the number of divisions along the boundary edge from the selected node to the next defined point on the boundary.

    Density - When a Mesh Type is selected as Define, this value is used as a biasing parameter. The larger the value, the denser the mesh around the opening point.

  • Circular

    Selecting a Circular opening definition in the dialog displays the circle center coordinates that form the opening (which cannot be edited). Each point includes three additional parameters which can be edited:

    Radius - This defines the size of the opening. This value is used by all Mesh Types.

    Division - This is used to define the number of segments that form the circle and is used by all Mesh Types.

    Density - When a Mesh Type is selected as Define, this value is used as a biasing parameter. The larger the value, the denser the mesh around each point that forms the opening.

• Regions

  Selecting a Region definition in the dialog displays the control point coordinates that form the region (which cannot be edited). Each point includes two additional parameters which can be edited:

  • Division - When a Mesh Type is selected as Optimize, this value is used to identify the number of divisions along the boundary edge from the selected node to the next defined point on the boundary.

  • Density - When a Mesh Type is selected as Define, this value is used as a biasing parameter. The larger the value, the denser the mesh around the point on the region.

  Note: The control points for an OPENING or REGION cannot lie on the surface boundary.

• Density Points

  Selecting a Density Point definition in the dialog displays the coordinate of that point, which cannot be edited and a single parameters which can be edited:

  • Density - When a Mesh Type is selected as Define, this value is used as a biasing parameter. The larger the value, the denser the mesh around the density point.

• Density Lines

  Density lines are defined by two points. Selecting a Density Line definition in the dialog displays the two coordinates of the line which cannot be edited and two additional parameters which can:

  • Division - This is displayed on the first point that defines the density line, but applies to the line between both points. This value is used to identify the number of divisions along the density line and is used by all mesh types.

  • Density - When a Mesh Type is selected as Define, this value is used as a biasing parameter. The larger the value, the denser the mesh around the point on the density line.

Displays the parameters for the selected mesh model, Opening, Region, Density Point, or Density Line. Changes made here can be saved using the Apply button.

Removes the selected mesh model from the Preview Models list or removes the selected Opening, Region, Density Point, or Density Line from the current mesh model.

Commits the selected mesh model to the STAAD.Pro input file base model.