Create Surface Elements

Use the Surfaces tool to create 1D surface elements.

Surface elements may be used for various load and surface effect applications.

Surface elements are defined by two to five node points and by the material properties. The nodes for this element must share the nodes of the underlying solid elements.

  1. From the 1D ribbon, click the Surfaces tool.
    Figure 1.


  2. Define the element.
    OptionAction
    Linear 1D Create one-dimensional elements based on a projection of Elems A to Elems B.
    Elems A Select the elements where you want the elements to begin.
    Restriction: Only available when the Linear 1D check box is selected.
    Elems B Select the elements where you want the elements to end.
    Restriction: Only available when the Linear 1D check box is selected.
    Density A-B Specify the number of surface elements you want created between each of the selected elements.
    Restriction: Only available when the Linear 1D check box is selected.
    Nodes Two or three nodes are selected to create a SURF element.
    Property Select a new property or existing property.
  3. Click Create.

Update Surface Elements

Use the Entity Editor to update surface elements for the desired keyword.

This includes modifying the assigned nodes, property, and so on where applicable for the solver.

Note: To change the element type, see Change Element Type.