FBD Plot and Display

Define visualization options for the free-body plot.

Free body forces/moments
Defines whether free-body forces and moments must be shown at each boundary node or at all nodes. If the section group is made up only by elements and the node ID list is empty, the boundary nodes option searches for all of the nodes that are shared with the rest of the model.


Figure 1. All Nodes Option


Figure 2. Boundary Nodes


Figure 3. Boundary Nodes
Resultant forces/moments
Defines that free-body forces and moments must be shown at the summation point that is defined. If more than one option is selected, forces and moments are summed up.
If a cross-section is defined more options are available.
Cross Section Position
Moves the cross-section plane along its normal direction within the boundaries of the model. If the cross-section is realized, this option will not be available.
Flip
Allows you to select nodes that are on the opposite side of the cross-section’s plane normal. If the cross-section is realized, this option will not be available.


Figure 4.


Figure 5.


Figure 6.
Tables
Creates tables with free-body forces and moments for one or multiple sections and for one or multiple loadcases. The summary table (and summary table summation points) can be used to create Potato/VMT plots.
The summary table shows all forces and moments for nodes and summation points.


Figure 7.
The summary table summation points show all forces and moments at summation points only.


Figure 8.
The min/max table shows the higher and lower values of forces and moments at summation points among the selected loadcases.


Figure 9.
Load Creation
Creates an include file, where free-body forces and moments are properly realized as loads for that model for selected sections and selected loadcases.
Resolve In
Defines the coordinate system in which the loads will be created. Options vary depending on the solver.
Include Name
Defines the name of the include file in which the loads will be exported.
Forces
Selects force components to be exported.
Moments
Selects moment components to be exported.
Create Fields
Create field entities with free-body forces and moments for the selected sections and selected loadcases.
Load Types
Select what type of free-body data must be shown. Options vary depending on the solver. If more than one option is selected, values at the same location are summed up.
Tolerance
Forces or moments with an absolute value lower than the tolerance are not displayed.
Forces
Defines which force components will display.
Moments
Defines which moment components will display.
Show Values
Defines if free-body vector values will display.
Size Scaling
Defines how free-body vectors will be scaled for visualization.
Arrow Length (%)
Scales free-body vectors for visualization.
Color
Change the color of each force or moment component.
Vector Heads
Defines if the free-body vector points to the node or out of it.
Vector Style
Change the style of free-body vectors.
Numeric Format
Defines if free-body vector values should be displayed in fixed or scientific format. It also defines the amount of decimal places.