Create Stiffener Mesh

Use Stiffener Mesh tool to create 1D elements as shell stiffeners from orphan lines representing trailing edges.

1. From the 1D ribbon, click the Stiffener Mesh tool.

   
   
   Figure 1.

   Note: The Stiffener Mesh tool is in a tool group with Member Mesh. Click the arrow to the right of the icon to cycle between the two.
2. On the guide bar, use the first selector to choose either Elements, Lines, or Nodes.
3. Set options as necessary by clicking on the guide bar.
4. Select entities.
   For lines, uncheck Free lines to select edges. The 1D mesh that is generated conforms with the edge mesh, regardless of meshing size and biasing.

   Select shell elements to add a 1D to each edge with an option for them to be diagonal along quad elements. This is useful for running topology on 1Ds.

   For nodes, the tool filters only nodes belonging to shells.

5. Optional: Select an orientation vector and apply it to all newly created elements.
   • Click in the microdialog to orient using the Vector then click . After defining the orientation vector, press Esc to return to the current tool.
   • The default beam orientation matches with adjacent shells normal.
     Note: In some solvers, like OptiStruct, the orientation defines y-axis while in others, like ANSYS, it defines the z-axis.
6. Expand the chevrons in the microdialog.
7. Select the engineering type as BEAM or ROD.
   Note: Some solvers give a provision to select associated property card image.
8. Optional: Using the second selector on the guide bar, assign a property or beam section to your selection.
9. On the guide bar, click one of the following:
   • - Save changes and stay in the tool
   • - Save changes and close the tool