Convert Beams to Equivalent Shells/Surfaces

Use the Create tool to create 2D elements and surfaces from 1D beams.

The tool allows you to create the following:

• Surfaces
• Shell Mesh

It also supports options to create surfaces/mesh congruent with beam nodes.

Only elements with standard beamsection are supported. Valid shapes are thinwall or hollow sections like for instance: Z, T, I, H L, Boxes, C, U, HAT, Bulbs (idealized as L) as they will be modelled as midsurfaces. Solid kind of shape like ROD are skipped.

Figure 1.

1. From the Marine ribbon, click the Create tool.

   
   
   Figure 2.

2. Select elements or components you want to convert.

   The tool filters your selection so only bar2 elements are retained.

3. On the guide bar, click to change organization and connectivity options.
4. Choose on the of the following:

   Option	Description
   Generate surfaces from beams but not 2D elements	Place a check in the Surface only checkbox Click to create surfaces and remain in the tool or click to create surfaces and exit the tool.
   Generate surfaces and 2D elements from beams	Clear the Surface only checkbox. In the microdialog, select the element size and type for the shells. Click in the microdialog.

   During surface extraction, the thickness is mapped to surfaces but properties are not created directly from this tool.