Intro

INTRO
Essential Course
CONTENTS
1 Introduction ...................................................................................... 10
1.1 Course Objectives .................................................................... 11
2 FEA and ANSYS with CivilFEM........................................................ 13
2.1 Finite Element Analysis ............................................................ 15
2.2 Solutions by Finite Element Method with CivilFEM .................. 20
3 ANSYS and CivilFEM Basics ........................................................... 21
3.1 Overview .................................................................................. 23
3.2 Starting ANSYS and CivilFEM ................................................. 23
Launcher ............................................................................. 24
File Management Tab ......................................................... 25
Customization/Preferences Tab .......................................... 26
High Performance Computing Setup Tab ........................... 27
Start ANSYS and CivilFEM ................................................. 28
4 The GUI............................................................................................ 29
4.1 GUI Layout ............................................................................... 31
Graphics Window ................................................................ 33
Main Menu .......................................................................... 33
Toolbar Menu ...................................................................... 37
Icon Toolbar Menu .............................................................. 38
Raise/Hidden Icon............................................................... 39
Input Window ...................................................................... 40
Utility Menu ......................................................................... 41
Current Settings .................................................................. 43
User Prompt Info ................................................................. 43
Output Window ................................................................... 44
Other GUI Notes ................................................................. 44
On-Line Help ....................................................................... 45
Graphics and Picking .......................................................... 47
5 CivilFEM: General Analysis Procedure ............................................ 55
5.1 Main Steps ............................................................................... 55
5.2 Example Description ................................................................ 56
5.3 Setup ........................................................................................ 57
Codes ................................................................................. 58
Units.................................................................................... 58
GUI Configuration ............................................................... 59
5.4 Preprocessing .......................................................................... 63
Materials ............................................................................. 63
Element Type ...................................................................... 65
Element Attributes............................................................... 67
Modeling ............................................................................. 71
Save Database and Resume .............................................. 89
Create Finite Element Model .............................................. 91
Selection and Components ............................................... 104
5.5 Solution .................................................................................. 112
Types of loads................................................................... 113
Solid-Model Loads ............................................................ 113
Solid loads transference process ...................................... 114
Plot and List Loads ........................................................... 115
Solve The Model ............................................................... 123
Results File ....................................................................... 124
5.6 Postprocessing ....................................................................... 126
Types of ANSYS Postprocessor Graphics ........................ 128
CivilFEM Postprocessor .................................................... 130
6 Importing Models ............................................................................ 141
6.1 Introduction ............................................................................ 143
7 Coordinate System ......................................................................... 147
7.1 Coordinate Systems ............................................................... 149
7.2 Global Coordinate System ..................................................... 150
7.3 Local Coordinate System ....................................................... 151
7.4 Element Coordinate System ................................................... 152
7.5 Nodal Coordinate System ...................................................... 154
7.6 Results Coordinate System .................................................... 155
7.7 Display Coordinate System .................................................... 156
8 Element types ................................................................................ 157
8.1 Mesh 200 elements ................................................................ 159
8.2 Surface elements ................................................................... 160
Surface Elements Example ............................................... 165
8.3 Contact Elements ................................................................... 175
9 CivilFEM Materials ......................................................................... 177
9.1 CivilFEM and ANSYS Materials Coupling .............................. 179
9.2 Materials definition ................................................................. 180
9.3 Structural Steel Material Properties ........................................ 183
General Properties ............................................................ 183
Analysis and Design Diagrams ......................................... 184
Steel Properties ................................................................ 185
Code Properties ................................................................ 185
9.4 Concrete Material Properties .................................................. 186
General Properties ............................................................ 186
Analysis Diagram .............................................................. 187
Design Diagram ................................................................ 188
Concrete properties and code properties .......................... 188
9.5 Reinforcing Steel Material Properties ..................................... 190
9.6 User Material Library .............................................................. 191
9.7 List of Materials ...................................................................... 194
10 CivilFEM Cross Sections ................................................................ 195
10.1 Cross Section concept ........................................................... 197
10.2 Steel Cross Sections .............................................................. 197
Hot Rolled Shapes Library ................................................ 198
Steel Sections by Dimensions .......................................... 202
Steel Sections by Plates ................................................... 203
Steel Sections by Merge ................................................... 204
10.3 Concrete Cross Sections........................................................ 206
Faces ................................................................................ 208
Concrete Reinforcement ................................................... 210
10.4 Export/Import Cross Sections ................................................. 217
Import ANSYS 2D model to CivilFEM ............................... 217
Export CivilFEM sections to ANSYS ................................. 218
10.5 User Data Base Cross Sections ............................................. 220
10.6 List of Cross Section .............................................................. 221
10.7 Cross Section Edition ............................................................. 222
10.8 Sections Modification ............................................................. 222
Section Menu .................................................................... 222
Select Menu ...................................................................... 223
Edit Menu .......................................................................... 223
10.9 Concrete Code Properties ...................................................... 229
11 Shell Vertex .................................................................................... 231
11.1 Shell Vertex Concept.............................................................. 233
11.2 Shell Reinforcement ............................................................... 234
11.3 List of Shell Vertex ................................................................. 237
12 CivilFEM Member Properties ......................................................... 239
12.1 Member Properties Concept .................................................. 241
12.2 Steel Member Properties ........................................................ 243
12.3 Concrete Member Properties ................................................. 244
13 CivilFEM Beam & Shell Properties ................................................. 245
13.1 Beam & Shell Properties and Real Constants ........................ 247
13.2 Beam & Shell Properties Definition ........................................ 248
Beam Property .................................................................. 249
Shell Property ................................................................... 249
13.3 Beam 188 and 189 elements ................................................. 252
14 CivilFEM Solid Models Analysis ..................................................... 253
14.1 Solid Section Concept ............................................................ 255
14.2 Capturing Solid Sections ........................................................ 255
15 Load Combinations ........................................................................ 257
15.1 Typical Problems .................................................................... 259
15.2 Main Applications of CivilFEM Combinations ......................... 261
15.3 General Procedure I. Obtain All possible Load Cases ........... 263
15.4 General Procedure II. Combine Results of the Whole
Structure by Searching for Specific Targets ........................... 264
15.5 General Procedure III. Search for a Specific Result at a
Specific Location .................................................................... 265
15.6 Define Combination Rules ...................................................... 266
Start States ....................................................................... 266
Combination Rules............................................................ 266
15.7 Combination window .............................................................. 273
Combinations Tree............................................................ 274
Tool Bar ............................................................................ 275
Information Window .......................................................... 275
Start States List................................................................. 276
Coefficients window .......................................................... 277
Combination Definition Process ........................................ 278
15.8 Obtain All Possible Load Cases ............................................. 280
15.9 Defining Targets ..................................................................... 281
15.10 Combine Searching for Targets ............................................. 284
15.11 Point to Combined Results ..................................................... 284
15.12 Reading Combined Results.................................................... 287
15.13 Inquiring ................................................................................. 288
15.14 Concomitance ........................................................................ 289
16 Concrete Check and Design .......................................................... 291
16.1 General Concepts .................................................................. 293
16.2 2D Axial + Bending Check ..................................................... 296
Interaction Diagram........................................................... 298
16.3 3D Axial + Biaxial Bending Check .......................................... 299
3D Interaction Diagram ..................................................... 300
16.4 Axial + Biaxial Bending Design............................................... 301
16.5 Shear and Torsion Check and Design.................................... 303
16.6 Cracking Check ...................................................................... 304
16.7 Shell Reinforcement Check and Design ................................. 305
16.8 Results ................................................................................... 312
17 CivilFEM Steel Checking ................................................................ 315
17.1 General concepts ................................................................... 317
17.2 Eurocode 3 ............................................................................. 318
17.3 EA-95 ..................................................................................... 321
17.4 BS 5950 ................................................................................. 321
17.5 AISC-LRFD and ASIC-ASD ................................................... 323
17.6 ANSI/AISC N690 .................................................................... 325
17.7 GB50017 ................................................................................ 326
17.8 CTE DB SE-A ......................................................................... 326
17.9 ASME BPVC Section III Div.1 SubSection NF (1989) ............ 327
18 CivilFEM Envelopes ....................................................................... 329
18.1 Alternatives and Envelopes .................................................... 331
19 CivilFEM Seismic Design ............................................................... 333
19.1 Time or Frequency Domain? .................................................. 335
19.2 Frequency Domain ................................................................. 335
19.3 What is a Spectrum? .............................................................. 336
19.4 Modal Analysis ....................................................................... 336
19.5 Seismic Design ...................................................................... 337
Modes Combination .......................................................... 341
19.6 Push Over Analysis ................................................................ 343
20 CivilFEM Further Training .............................................................. 353
20.1 Documentation ....................................................................... 355
20.2 Element Types ....................................................................... 355
20.3 Analysis Types ....................................................................... 356
Training Manual
CivilFEM INTRO Essentials
CivilFEM Release: 13.0

Published Date: March 16, 2012
Registered Trademarks:
CivilFEM is a registered trademark of Ingeciber S.A.
ANSYS is a registered trademark of ANSYS Inc.
All other product names mentioned in this manual are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective manufacturers.
Disclaimer Notice:
This document has been reviewed and approved in accordance with the Ingeciber
S.A. Documentation Review and Approval Procedures. This Ingeciber S.A.,
software product (the Program) and program documentation (Documentation) are
furnished by Ingeciber, S.A. under a CivilFEM Software License Agreement that
contains provisions concerning non-disclosure, copying, length and nature of use,
warranties, disclaimers and remedies, and other provisions. The program and
Documentation may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of that
License Agreement.
Copyright 2012 Ingeciber S.A.
Proprietary Data. Unauthorized use, distribution, or

duplication is prohibited.
All Rights Reserved.
CivilFEM INTRO. Essential 9

1 Introduction

1.1. Course Objectives
1.1 Course Objectives

Welcome to the ANSYS and CivilFEM Training Course! This training course
covers the basics of how to use ANSYS and CivilFEM for static analyses. It is
intended for all new ANSYS and CivilFEM users.
The aim of this course is to teach the basics of ANSYS and CivilFEM in the
following areas:
ANSYS and CivilFEM capabilities, basic terminology and the GUI.
How to perform a complete analysis the basic steps involved.
Building solid models and meshing.
Applying loads and solving.
Reviewing results and Postprocessing (load combinations, code checking,
etc).

2 FEA and ANSYS with CivilFEM

2.1. Finite Element Analysis
2.1 Finite Element Analysis
2.1 Finite Element Analysis

Finite Element Analysis is a way to simulate loading
conditions on the design and determine the designs
response to those conditions.
Design is modeled using discrete building blocks called
elements.
Historical Note
Each element has exact The finite element method of
equations that describe how it structural analysis was created
responds to a certain load. by academic and industrial
researchers during the 1950s
The sum of the response of
and 1960s.
all elements in the model gives
The underlying theory is over
the total response of design. 100 years old and was the
The elements have a finite basis for pen-and-paper
number of unknowns, hence calculations in the evaluation of
suspension bridges and steam
the name finite elements. boilers.
The finite element model, which has a finite number of

unknowns, can only approximate the response of the
physical system, which has infinite unknowns.
So the question arises: How good is the approximation?

Unfortunately, there is no
easy answer to this question.
It depends entirely on what
you are simulating and the
tools you use for the
simulation.
We will, however, attempt to
give you guidelines
throughout this training
course. Physical System F.E. Model

In general, the finite element method allows the user to obtain the displacements
in the nodes from the external applied forces.
By means of the assigning the element type, material properties, and real
constants (inertia, length ...), the stiffness matrix will be constructed for every
element.
The system stiffness matrix can be formed by directly superimposing the
elemental stiffness matrices. The size of [K] depends on the total number of nodal
displacements of the entire structure; whereas the size of elemental stiffness
matrices depends on the number of nodal displacements per element.
.. .
[M] x + [C] x + [K] x = [F]
e
e KeII K IJ Element
[K ]= e stiffness matrix
KeJI K JJ
I
J
KeII KeIJ I
[K]= KeJI KeJJ J
I J
Global stiffness
matrix
F K u

To create the equations system that will describe the models

behavior, we must assign the following information:
Element Type
Element type to use according to the model dimensions, DOF and
analysis type.
Real Constants and Beam and Shell Properties

Section properites which depend on element type:
Area, inertia, height...
Material: Type and Properties

Modulus of elasticity, density,Poisson coefficient
The selection of the element type to generate the model is an important step
because it will affect the final results as well as the time of calculation of the
model.
Element type:
Degrees of Freedom Set(DOF)

Thermal element one degree of freedom: TEMP.
Estructural element six degrees of freedom : UX, UY, UZ,
ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ.
Element Form
Hexahedron, tetrahedron, quadrilateral, triangle, line, etc.
Dimension
2-D.Only X-Y plane
3-D. Line, surface or solid elements
Kind of Displacements
Quadratic
Linear

Every finite element type has an associated form function which is a polynomial
that defines the displacements in the whole element from the displacements
obtained at the nodes.
Each element has an associated form function:
o Polynomial that defines the displacement in all the element points

depending on the displacements obtained at the nodes.
o We can determine the structures behavior from the nodes behavior
generated in the model.
The element order is determined by the degree of the

form function.
Increasing the degree:

Increases the precision of the method.
Increases the time resolution of the problem.
By increasing the number of elements, the precision of the results will improve, but
time of calculation will increase as well.
Linear approximation
(bad results)
Quadratic distribution of
D.O.F values Real quadratic

curve
Approximation with
elements (better Quadratic approximation
results) (The best results)

Summary: Calculation method by means of finite elements with ANSYS and

CivilFEM
Once the model is complete:

1. Apply the forces on the structure.
2. Define the restrictions, supports, and the compatibility
equations.
3. Calculate.
4. Obtain displacements in nodes.
5. Obtain the displacements for every point of the
structure with the form function of the every element.
6. With the deformed shape and the constitutive loads,
obtain the stresses.
7. Obtain the strains by integration of the stresses.

2.2. Solutions by Finite Element Method with CivilFEM
2.2 Solutions by Finite Element

Method with CivilFEM
2.2 Solutions by Finite Element Method with CivilFEM
Analysis type: Nonlinear Analysis:

Nonlinearities of material
Nonlinear elasticity
Static Hiperelasticity
Nonlinear Viscoelasticity
Creep
Modal Concrete
Harmonic Non-geometric linearities
Large deflection
Transitory Large rotation
Spectral Stiffness under stress
Change of states
Buckling Cables
Contacts
Birth and death of elements

3 ANSYS and CivilFEM Basics

3.1. Overview
3.1 Overview
The ANSYS and CivilFEM program can be run in an interactive mode or a batch
mode.
In the interactive mode (default mode), you can exchange information with the
computer continuously. You can execute a command by selecting its menu path in
the GUI or by typing it directly. The ANSYS and CivilFEM program processes the
command in real time. Interactive mode allows you to use the GUI, online help,
and other various tools to create the engineering model in the graphics window
and modify it as you work through the analysis.
In batch mode, you submit a file of commands to the ANSYS and CivilFEM
program. This command file may have been generated by a previous ANSYS and
CivilFEM session, by another program, or by creating a command file with an
editor. On some operating systems, you can run a batch job in the background
while completing other tasks on the computer. Batch mode is useful when you do
not need to interact with the program, such as during the solution phase of an
analysis.
3.1 Overview
Two ways of working with ANSYS and CivilFEM:
Interactive and Batch Modes
Interactive mode allows you to interact live with the

program, reviewing each operation as you go.
Of the three main phases of an analysis preprocessing,
solution, and postprocessing the preprocessing and
postprocessing phases are best suited for interactive mode.
Batch mode allows you to submit a batch file of commands

which ANSYS and CivilFEM process in the background.
We will mainly cover interactive mode in this course.
3.2 Starting ANSYS and CivilFEM

From the Windows Start Menu, select the CivilFEM programs group and then use
the ANSYS + CivilFEM entry to run the ANSYS and CivilFEM program with
previously selected program settings. To modify these settings, use the Product
Launcher.

3.2. Starting ANSYS and CivilFEM
3.2 Starting CivilFEM
Launcher
Allows you to start CivilFEM and other CivilFEM utilities
by pressing buttons on a menu.
Start > Programs > CivilFEM XX*
The Product Launcher brings up a dialog box

containing start-up options:
(*) XX is the number of the version
From the ANSYS or CivilFEM Start Menu, you can select other options in addition
to the launcher:
Utilities (administration, animate, )
Help
CivilFEM Internet Update
Use the Product Launcher to select product settings, such as the simulation
environment, the specific license, or any add-on modules or analysis type you
want to run. Based on your product selection, you can then specify file
management, customization/preferences, and solver setup options. Product
settings and options under each tab are explained below. All options may not be
displayed, depending on your product selection.
Launcher
Here, specify your simulation environment, license, and add-on modules.
The simulation environment allows the user to choose an interactive interface or to
start a batch run.
Options include:
ANSYS Workbench
ANSYS
ANSYS Batch

MFX - ANSYS/CFX
LS-DYNA Solver
Depending on which environment you select and what licenses are available, the
product selection choices or options under the following tabs may vary.
CivilFEM is only available in the ANSYS environment.
In the License field, select a license from the available types. Only those licenses
that are both available at your site and valid with the simulation environment
selected will be shown.
Launcher has a combo menu used to select the

Simulation Environment (select ANSYS
Environment) in the top of the window .
Available licenses and add-on modules can be

selected here.
Other tabs below include: File Management,

Customization/Preferences, and High Performance
Computing Setup.
File Management Tab

This tab contains the information necessary to manage your files, such as the
location of your working directory and job name. The available options will differ
depending on the simulation environment you selected.
If you selected the ANSYS simulation environment, you can specify:
Working directory: Sets the directory in which the ANSYS and CivilFEM run
will be executed
Job Name: Defines the base filename used for all files generated by the
ANSYS and CivilFEM run.
If you selected the ANSYS Batch simulation environment, you can specify the
above items as well as the following:
Input file: Specifies the file of ANSYS and CivilFEM commands you are
submitting for batch execution

Output file: Specifies the file to which ANSYS and CivilFEM directs text
output by the program
Include input listing in output: Includes or excludes the input file listing at the
beginning of the output file
File Management Tab - used to specify the Working

Directory (Where all of your files will reside) and a Job
Name of your choosing.
Customization/Preferences Tab
The options under this tab allow you to specify detailed settings about your
working environment, such as memory settings, parallel/distributed processing
settings, custom executables, and additional parameters. The available options
will differ depending on the simulation environment you selected on the first tab.

Customization Tab - used to set memory options.

Preferences Tab - used to set the GUI Language and to
specify a Graphics Device.
Two customizable files called start.ans and stop.ans can
also be read at the beginning and end of interactive
session.
You can specify commands to be executed at program start-up in the start.ans file.
For example, if you frequently use certain functions during an ANSYS/CivilFEM
session, you might define them as abbreviations/buttons; these abbreviations can
be defined in the start.ans file.
By default, ANSYS/CivilFEM reads start.ans at the beginning of an interactive
session, but does not read it during a batch session.
High Performance Computing Setup Tab

For detailed information on using this tab, see the Performance Guide in ANSYS
Help. This tab is not available in all simulation environments.

Advanced options for distributed solvers can be selected in the

last tab.
Start ANSYS and CivilFEM
After choosing the desired start-up options, press the

Run button to start CivilFEM.
Start
CivilFEM

4 The GUI

4.1. GUI Layout
4.1 GUI Layout

You use the GUI to communicate with ANSYS and CivilFEM interactively. Each
GUI interaction produces ANSYS and CivilFEM commands to perform the
operation. Most of the tasks used in ANSYS and CivilFEM can be performed either
interactively or by inputting the appropriate commands. The GUI allows you to
perform an analysis with little or no knowledge of the ANSYS and CivilFEM
commands, while still adhering to the command level operations.
4.1 GUI Layout Raise/Hidden

Utility Menu Icon
Input Line
Icon Toolbar Menu Abbreviation Contact

Toolbar Menu Manager Icon
Output Main Menu
Window
Graphics Area
Model Control
Toolbar
User Prompt Info Current Settings

4.1. GUI Layout
The layout can be customized

Moving the top line
resizes the Toolbar
Moving the left line area
resizes the Main
Menu area
You can save your customized

layout using Utility Menu >
MenuCtrls > Save Menu Layout
1. Graphics window
Displays the location of model entities,
postprocessing contours, and postprocessing graphs.
Graphics Area

4.1. GUI Layout
Graphics Window
1. Graphics window
Displays the location of model entities,
postprocessing contours, and postprocessing graphs.
Graphics Area
This window is where graphics displays are plotted. It is usually the largest of the
GUI windows.
The Capture Image function (Capture Image button in the Standard Toolbar or
Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> Capture Image) allows you to create snapshots of the
Graphics Window. After an image is captured you can save it to a file and then
restore it in any ANSYS and CivilFEM session. Captured images are useful for
comparing different views, sets of results, or other significant images
simultaneously on the screen.
Click the right mouse button to access many functions that can adjust the
Graphics Window display. The available information will vary according to the type
of display and the position of the cursor in the window. Along with some of the
standard Pan-Zoom-Rotate functions, you can also access many of the window
control functions in the PlotCtrls section of the Utility Menu.
Main Menu
The Main Menu is where you begin your analysis. It contains the ANSYS and
CivilFEM analysis functions you use to create your model and perform the
analysis. The Main Menu is arranged in a tree structure. This structure makes
progressive submenus accessible as you proceed through the steps of the
analysis. Each menu topic in the Main Menu either expands to show more menu

4.1. GUI Layout
options (indicated by a boxed +) or performs an action (indicated by an icon

preceding the menu topic).
2. Main Menu General part
The main menu is made up

of two parts: General
Purpose part and Specific
Civil Engineering part. Civil part
Tree structure format.
Contains the main functions

required for an analysis. Scroll bar
Use scroll bar to gain access

to long tree structures.
Expand All option

Position mouse cursor on branch of Main
Menu then select right mouse button
The option to expand the

branch is displayed
Selecting Expand All expands

the branch contents

4.1. GUI Layout
You can set your menus to automatically collapse and expand your subtopics. Use
the Collapse Siblings feature (found in the right mouse click menu) to set your
menu expansion preferences. When you choose collapse, the subtopics you have
open automatically collapse when you choose another main topic.
Expand Headings and Collapse Sibling
Right Click in Main Menu and

select Preferences.
Level color, filtering and

expansion of Main Menu
can be changed.
You use the same right mouse click context-sensitive control to configure the main
menu for selectable contrasting color display within each nested level. You can
designate any color for the menu text at each level, making the transition between
levels easily detectable.

4.1. GUI Layout
With Expand headings and

Collapse siblings behavior active
Creating a Volume branch

open
When the Delete branch is opened,

the Create branch is closed
Note, inactivate Collapse siblings

to keep open the Create branch
Filtered Branches
Main Menu with structural and Main Menu with only thermal
thermal element type defined element type defined
Only Apply branches shown are

those for defined element types
One of the most useful customizations you can perform from the GUI is to apply
filtering to your menu choices. Filtering lets you grey out, or completely hide many
of the functions that will not be needed during your analysis. The preferences
dialog box is used to adjust filtering.

4.1. GUI Layout
Toolbar Menu
The Toolbar Menu is a convenient area where you can add push-buttons for
command, function, and macro shortcuts. These push buttons execute commonly
used ANSYS and CivilFEM functions.
3. Toolbar Menu
Contains abbreviations short-cuts to commonly

used commands and functions.
You can create your own button menu system,

but it requires knowledge of ANSYS and CivilFEM
commands.
You can create abbreviations either through the *ABBR command or through the
Utility Menu> Macro> Edit Abbreviations or Utility Menu> MenuCtrls> Edit Toolbar
menu items. Using one of the menu items is preferable for two reasons:
Clicking OK automatically updates the toolbar (using the *ABBR command

requires that you use the Utility Menu> MenuCtrls> Update Toolbar menu
item to make your new abbreviation appear on the toolbar).
You can easily edit the abbreviation if required.
Toolbar buttons are not consistent from one ANSYS and CivilFEM session to the
next; however, they are saved and maintained in the database so that any
"resume" of the session will still contain these abbreviations. To save your custom
button definitions, you must explicitly save them to a file through the Utility Menu>
MenuCtrls> Save Toolbar menu item (ABBSAV command) and restore them for
each session using the Utility Menu> MenuCtrls> Restore Toolbar menu item
(ABBRES command).

4.1. GUI Layout
Icon Toolbar Menu

When you begin your ANSYS and CivilFEM session, the start-up routine reads a
number of text files and scripts that set parameters and conditions for your ANSYS
and CivilFEM session. Many of these files can be modified to provide a more
customized level of operation. The start.ans file is one such file. You call up
toolbars, set their position and define their content in a similar fashion.
You can list the toolbars in the tlbrlistXXX.ans file (where XXX is the ANSYS and
CivilFEM version number). This file contains a list of the toolbars activated at start
up. The toolbar filenames are designated as *.TLB files, and each file in the list
contains the specifications for the content, appearance, and position of the
toolbars in the ANSYS GUI. You can add additional toolbars to the GUI (including
a Pan-Zoom-Rotate functionality button bar, ANSYSGRAPHICAL.TLB, that is
included with the program) by creating the corresponding *.TLB files and including
them in the tlbrlistXXX.ans file. The default tlbrlistXXX.ans file loads the Standard
Toolbar by calling the file \ANSYSSTANDARD.TLB and the ANSYS Toolbar by
calling the file \ANSYSABBR.TLB. These files should be placed in the same
directory as your tlbrlistXXX.ans file, although the files themselves can be placed
anywhere as long as the proper path string is designated and remains valid.
For more information about creating a toolbar file you can see the chapter 4.3.8 of
the Operations Guide in the ANSYS help documentation.
4. Icon Toolbar Menu
Contains icons of commonly used functions.
Can be customized by the user. (i.e. adding icons,

additional toolbars)
Save Analysis Pan-Zoom-Rotate
Image Capture
Open ANSYS File
Report Generator
New Analysis ANSYS Help
The standard buttons and their functions include:

4.1. GUI Layout
New Analysis: Saves and clears information for the existing analysis and
starts a new analysis.
Open ANSYS and CivilFEM File: Opens ANSYS and CivilFEM database
or input files to be read into ANSYS and CivilFEM. The file type determines
the operation.
Save Analysis: Saves the current analysis to a database file.
Pan-Zoom-Rotate: Opens the Pan-Zoom-Rotate dialog box.
Image Capture: Opens the image capture GUI.
Report Generator: Opens the report generator GUI.
ANSYS Help: Displays the table of contents for the ANSYS HTML-based
help.
Raise/Hidden Icon
The Raise/Hidden Icon has been introduced to help display hidden ANSYS
created windows. This icon is located in the upper right part of the New GUI next
to the input window. As an example, consider the hiding of the Pan/Zoom/Rotate
widget by the New GUI window. By simply selecting the Raise/Hidden Icon, the
Pan/Zoom/Rotate widget is brought to the front and displayed in front of the New
GUI. Note, selecting the Raise/Hidden Icon brings forward all hidden ANSYS
created windows except the output window.
5. Raise/Hidden Icon
The Raise/Hidden Icon can be used to bring to the front
any hidden ANSYS or CivilFEM created windows (except
the output window).
Select Raise/
Hidden Icon
Pan/Zoom/Rotate
Widget Hidden
Pan/Zoom/Rotate
Widget Shown

4.1. GUI Layout
Input Window
You use the Input Window to conveniently enter single commands and access the
history buffer without changing the overall configuration of the GUI
6. Input Window
Allows you to enter commands. (All GUI functions actually
send commands to ANSYS and CivilFEM. If you know
these commands, you can type them in the Input Window).
Command format is dynamically displayed until user

finishes entering the command.
As a command is typed, the format of the

command is dynamically displayed
As you enter commands into the Input Window, the dynamic command help
appears in a box above the window. As you type the letters, the command help
displays the possible commands and guides you through the proper spelling and
syntax of the command.
You can view and access the history buffer by clicking the down arrow on the right
of the text entry box. A drop down list containing the entry history appears.
Clicking the left mouse button on any line in the history buffer moves that line to
the text entry box where you can edit and execute it. A double click on any line in
the history buffer automatically executes that line.
The vertical scroll bar at the right corner of the history buffer box allows you to
scroll through the history buffer. You can also use the up and down arrow keys to
navigate the history buffer.

4.1. GUI Layout
Reissuing commands
List of issued commands
Use scroll bar to gain access

to all commands issued
Commands can be Select down arrow to see

reissued by double-clicking list of issued commands
on the listed command
The up and down arrows on the keyboard can

be used to select different listed commands
Utility Menu
7. Utility Menu
Contains utilities that are generally available throughout

the CivilFEM session: graphics, on-line help, select logic,
file controls, etc.
Conventions used in Utility Menu:

indicates a dialog box
+ indicates graphical picking
> indicates a submenu
(blank) indicates an action
The Utility Menu lists 10 topics:

File: Contains file and database related functions, such as clearing the
database, saving it to a file, and resuming it from a file. Some of the

4.1. GUI Layout
functions under the File menu are valid at Begin level only. If you choose
such a function when you are not at Begin level, you will see a dialog box
giving you a choice of moving to Begin level and executing the function or
cancelling the function.
Select: Includes functions that allow you to select subsets of entities and to
create components.
List: Enables you to list virtually any data item stored in the ANSYS and
CivilFEM database. You can also obtain status information about different
areas of the program and list the contents of files residing on your system.
Plot: Lets you plot keypoints, lines, areas, volumes, nodes, elements, and
other data that can be graphically displayed.
PlotCtrls: Includes functions which control the view, style, and other
characteristics of graphics displays. The Hard Copy function lets you obtain
hard copies of the entire screen or just the Graphics Window.
WorkPlane: Enables you to toggle the working plane on or off and to move,
rotate, and otherwise manoeuvre the working plane. You can also create,
delete, and switch coordinate systems by using this menu.
Parameters: Includes functions to define, edit, and delete scalar and array
parameters.
Macro: Allows you to execute macros and data blocks. You can also create,
edit, and delete abbreviations, which appear as push buttons on the
Toolbar.
MenuCtrls: Lets you create, edit, and delete abbreviations on the ANSYS
and CivilFEM Toolbar and modify the colors and fonts used in the GUI
display. Once you've adjusted the GUI to your liking, you can use the Save
Menu Layout function to save the current GUI configuration.
Help: Brings up the ANSYS Help System.

4.1. GUI Layout
Current Settings
8. Current Settings
The current element attributes settings and currently active
coordinate system are displayed at the bottom on the GUI.
Element Attributes
Active Coordinate
System
User Prompt Info
9. User Prompt Info
Instructions to the user are displayed in the lower left hand

area of the GUI. The user will be given user prompt info
for operations, such as picking operations.
User Prompt Info

4.1. GUI Layout
Output Window
The Output window receives all text output from the program - command
responses, notes, warnings, errors, and any other messages. It is usually
positioned behind the GUI, but you can raise it to the front when necessary.
10. Output Window
The output window gives the user feedback on how

ANSYS and CivilFEM interpreted the users input.
The Output Window is independent of the menus.
Caution: Closing the output window closes the entire
CivilFEM session!
Able to verify the

version
Other GUI Notes
11. Other GUI Notes
Some dialog boxes have both Apply and OK buttons.

Apply applies the dialog settings, but retains (does not
close) the dialog box for repeated use.
OK applies the dialog settings and closes the dialog
box.
Remember that you are not restricted to using the menus.

If you know the command, feel free to enter it in the Input
Window!
The output window is not affected by the Raise/Hidden

Button. For convenience, the user may want to resize the
GUI, so part of the output window is displayed to allow
easy access.

4.1. GUI Layout
On-Line Help
12. On-Line Help
CivilFEM has a documentation system which provides

extensive on-line help.
You can get help on:

ANSYS commands
CivilFEM commands
Element types
Analysis procedures
Special GUI widgets such as Pan-Zoom-Rotate
There are several ways to start the ANSYS or CivilFEM

help system:
Launcher > Product Help
Utility Menu > Help > Help Topics
From windows, Start > Programs > ANSYS > Help
From windows, Start > Programs > CivilFEM > Help
Any dialog box > Help
Type HELP,name in the Input Window. Name is a
command or element name.
An ANSYS dialog box or command is for ANSYS help and

a CivilFEM dialog box or command is used for CivilFEM
help.
As you scan a page of text in the navigation window, you will notice certain words
or phrases are underlined and appear in a different color. These items are
hypertext links. A hypertext link is a text navigation tool that, when clicked, shows

4.1. GUI Layout
information about that item. Typical items which appear as hypertext links are
command names, element types, and manual section references.
Example
ANSYS help
Press help
Or press: Help,K
Or press:
Help,~CFMP
CivilFEM help
Press Alt+126
to write this
Press help
symbol
Pressing the Product Help button on the launcher brings up a help

browser with:
a navigational window containing Table of Contents, Index,
Search Utility and Favorites.
a document window containing the help information.

4.1. GUI Layout
Use the Contents tab to

browse to the item of
interest.
Use the Index tab to
quickly locate specific
commands, terminology,
concepts, etc.
Use the Search tab to
query the entire help
system for specific words
or phrases.
ANSYS also provides

an on-line tutorial.
The tutorial consists

of detailed
instructions for a set
of problems solved in
ANSYS.
To access the
tutorial, click on Utility
Menu > Help >
ANSYS Tutorials
Graphics and Picking

Many functions in the ANSYS program involve graphical picking - using the mouse
to identify model entities and coordinate locations.

4.1. GUI Layout
13. Graphics and Picking

The most heavily used interactive
capabilities are graphics and
graphical picking.
/replot
Graphics is used to visualize the kplot
model, loading, results, and lplot
other input and output data. aplot
vplot
Picking is used for model nplot
creation, meshing, loading, etc. eplot
gplot
Use Plot in the Utility menu to

produce plots or issue the
commands shown.
The PlotCtrls menu is used to

control how the plot is displayed:
plot orientation
zoom
colors
symbols
annotation
animation
etc.
Among these, changing the plot

orientation (/VIEW) and zooming are
the most commonly used functions.
These functions can also be done
with the Model Control Toolbar
located in the right side of the
window.

4.1. GUI Layout
The default view for a model is the front

view: looking down the +Z axis of the
model.
To change it, use dynamic mode a
way to orient the plot dynamically using
the Control key and mouse buttons or
picking in the Model Control Toolbar
Ctrl + Left mouse button pans the
model.
Ctrl + Middle mouse button:
zooms the model
spins the model (about screen Z)
Ctrl + Right mouse button rotates

the model:
about screen X
Ctrl
about screen Y P Z R
Note, the Shift-Right button on a two-

button mouse is equivalent to the Middle
mouse button on a three-button mouse.
You also can use the Dynamic Mode setting in

the Pan-Zoom-Rotate dialog box.
The same mouse button assignments
apply.
On 3-D graphics devices, you can also
dynamically orient the light source. This is
useful for different light source shading
effects.
When using 3-D driver

4.1. GUI Layout
Other functions in the

Pan-Zoom-Rotate Front +Z view, from (0,0,1)
dialog box: Back
Top
-Z view (0,0,-1)
+Y view (0,1,0)
Preset views Bot -Y view (0,-1,0)
Zoom-in on specific Right +X view (1,0,0)
regions of the model Left -X view (-1,0,0)
Pan, zoom, or rotate in Iso Isometric (1,1,1)
discrete increments (as Obliq Oblique (1,2,3)
specified by the Rate WP Working plane view
slider)
Rotation is about
the screen X, Y, Z Zoom By picking center of a
coordinates. square
Fit the plot to the Box Zoom By picking two corners
of a box
window
Win Zoom Same as Box Zoom,
Reset everything to but box is proportional
default to window.
Back Up Unzoom to previous
zoom.
Picking
Picking allows you to identify model
entities or locations by clicking in the
Graphics Window.
A picking operation typically involves the

use of the mouse and a picker menu. It
is shown by a + sign on the menu.
For example, you can create keypoints

by picking locations in the Graphics
Window and then pressing OK in the
picker.

4.1. GUI Layout
Two types of picking:

Example of
Retrieval picking: Retrieval
Picker
Picking existing entities for a
subsequent operation.
Allows you to enter entity numbers
in the Picker Window. To do this,
press ENTER before Apply or OK,
if you dont do so the program
does not pick or unpick any entity.
Use the Pick All button to indicate
all entities.
Example of
Locational picking: Locational
Locating coordinates of a point, Picker
such as a keypoint or node.
Allows you to enter coordinates in
the Picker Window.
Whenever you use graphical picking (that is, when you click on a menu topic
ending with the + symbol), the GUI brings up a picking menu, sometimes known
as the picker.
Function Title [1]. Identifies the function being performed.

Pick Mode [2]. Allows you to pick or unpick a location or entity
For retrieval picking, you also can choose among single, box, polygon, circle, and
loop mode. In single pick mode, each click on the mouse picks one entity. With
box, polygon, and circle modes, press and drag the mouse to enclose a set of

4.1. GUI Layout
entities in a box, polygon, or circle. Loop mode is available for picking lines and
areas only.
Pick Status [3]. Shows the number of items picked ("Count") and the
minimum and maximum number of picks required for the function.
Picked Data [4]. Shows information about the item being picked. For
locational picking, the working plane and global Cartesian coordinates of
the point are shown. For retrieval picking, this area shows the entity
number.
Keyboard Entry Options [5]. In some cases, you may need to enter the
required data by keyboard in the picker. For example, to specify a known
coordinate location during locational picking, it may be easier to enter the
coordinates than to use the mouse. In that case, you can choose between
working plane coordinates and global Cartesian coordinates. For retrieval
picking, you can choose between entering a list of entity numbers and a
range of numbers.
Action Buttons [6]. This area of the menu contains buttons that take action
on the picked entities, as follows:
- OK: Applies the picked items to execute the function and closes the
picking menu.
- Apply: Applies the picked items to execute the function but does not
close the picking menu.
- Reset: Unpicks all picked entities and restores the menu and the
graphics area to their state at the last Apply.
- Cancel: Cancels the function and closes the picking menu.
- Pick All: Picks all entities, executes the selected function, and closes
the picking menu. This feature is available for retrieval picking only.
- Help: Brings up help information for the function being performed.

4.1. GUI Layout
Mouse button assignments for picking:
Left mouse button picks (or unpicks) the

entity or location closest to the mouse
pointer. Pressing and dragging allows you Apply
to preview the item being picked (or Pick
Toggle
unpicked). Pick / Unpick
Middle mouse button does an Apply. Saves

the time required to move the mouse over to
the Picker and press the Apply button. Use
Shift-Right button on a two-button mouse.
Right mouse button toggles between pick

and unpick mode.
Cursor
Note, the Shift-Right button on a two- display:
button mouse is equivalent to the Middle Pick Unpick
mouse button on a three-button mouse.

5 CivilFEM: General Analysis
Procedure
5.1 Main Steps

Regardless of the physics of the problem, the same general procedure can
always be followed to run a simulation.
A sample model will be used to demonstrate the general analysis procedure.
Every analysis involves four main steps:

5.1 Main steps Preliminary Decisions
Which analysis type?
Preliminary What to model?
Decisions Which element type?
Select active code and units.
Preprocessing
Define Element properties (materials,
Preprocessing sections).
Create or import the model geometry.
Mesh the geometry.
Solution
Solution Apply loads and boundary conditions.
Solve.
Postprocessing
Do combinations.
Postprocessing Review results.
Check the validity of the solution.
Code checking or design.

5.2. Example Description
5.2 Example Description
5.2 Example description

The suggested example is a cantilever shell which has one
side built in a concrete box. The adjacent side is joint to a
concrete wall which grows from the shell upwards.
To improve the behavior of the structure, two steel struts are
placed, joining the wall with the box and the wall with the free
corner of the shell. Along the free edges of the shell, steel
beams are located.
The geometry, materials, element types and the loads of the
model can be seen in the following slide.
The concrete box will be modeled with 3D solid elements, the
shell will have Shell elements (movements and rotations
DOFs), the struts are modeled with Link elements (axial force
only) and the wall is made up by 2D plane elements simulating
plane stress.
Materials:
10000 Pa
Steel. EC3: Fe 430
10 C
Concrete. EC2: C35/45
15 m
30 m
5000 N
Element types:
Plane42
20 m
15 m
Solid45
Beam4
196200 Pa 15 m Shell63
15 m
Link8
Loads:
Self weight
Punctual Load: 5000 N
Surface Load: 10000 Pa
Hydrostatic Pressure: 196200 Pa (bottom)
Thermal Increment: 10 C

5.3. Setup
5.3 Setup
5.3 SETUP
The first step when working with CivilFEM is to choose the
active codes and units.
Once you have chosen the units system and have begun
your work with CivilFEM, you cannot change the active
units system.
Remember then to introduce all the data values in the

active units system at the beginning!
CivilFEM converts all the section dimensions available in the library (including
the user cross section library), the active code formulation, etc. to the active
units. However, it is important to note that CivilFEM can do this conversion only
as a first step.

5.3. Setup
Codes
Codes
Select:
Code for Steel Checking
Code for Concrete Checking (concrete and
reinforced concrete)
Code for Prestressed Concrete
Code for Seismic Design
Units and Code must be

selected first and should
not be changed later on
Steel, reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete and seismic codes can be

selected in this window. By default the Eurocodes are shown. See ~CODESEL
command.
Units
Units
Select:
Length unit
Time unit
Force, or Pressure/Stress or Mass unit (left
as User the other two of them).
If a units system is not

available in the library,
you may use it by defining
the conversion factor to
international system.

5.3. Setup
The units system for all of the calculations is selected in this window. By default,
CivilFEM uses the International System (SI). Given that the units are related,
only 3 of them may be personalised and the rest are automatically calculated.
Results data are given in the corresponding units, and abbreviations must be
specified in the second column (in the example: mm, s, kN, uuP, uuM). See
~UNITS command.
GUI Configuration
GUI Configuration
This tab includes graphical options, interface configurations,
background colors, and the following options:
Title color and title shadow: These
buttons change the title and
shadow color for all the GUI.
Undo/Redo steps: this number

shows the Undo/redo steps
available. (When this option is
chosen, it is necessary to take into
account the memory of the
computer and the data base size
used).

5.3. Setup
Optimize log: This option removes the redundant commands

produced when the CivilFEM GUI is used.
Data table decimals: Number of

decimal places used in the
CivilFEM editors.
Auto-Fit: Fit the objects in the

CivilFEM Graphical windows.
Dynamic size axis or Fixed size

axis: Option to show the
dynamic axis or fixed axis in the
CivilFEM editors.
Zoom Box: Zone utilized when performing a zoom operation. This can
be an inner rectangle selected by the mouse, a bounding rectangle
constrained by the graphics area window, or both.
Tab Views: The different views for the tabs of the editors are up, down,
or the operating system default.
The CivilFEM setup window also includes other tabs such as: CF config,
Bridges config, Geotechnical config and Prestressed config.
CF CONFIG
In this section diverse configuration parameters are determined.

5.3. Setup
Strength Reduction Factor

o Strength reduction factor used for different reinforced concrete
codes or standards.
Concrete Interaction Diagram Parameters
o NED: Number of steps on strains.
o NTD: Number of steps on angles.
o N2D: Number of steps on 2D analysis.
o WMIN: Minimum reinforcement factor.
o WMAX: Maximum reinforcement factor.
o DELTA: Coefficient to establish the diagrams centre position.
o LIMCOUNT: Maximum number of iterations on design.
o NMAXDIAG: Maximum number of diagrams stored in file.
CivilFEM Result File
o RESMAX: Maximum number of records in CivilFEM results file.
Shell Result
o PLOT: ANSYS result used for plotting CivilFEM shell results.
o FORCES AND MOMENTS: How CivilFEM obtains results on shell
elements:

5.3. Setup
ANSYS Centroid values. Forces and moments are obtained

at the centroid of the element and are considered constant
for the entire element.
CivilFEM node values. CivilFEM calculates the values of
forces and moments at each node of the element.
BRIDGES CONFIG
Bridge configuration parameters. This tab only appears if the Bridge and Civil
Non Linearities Module is activated.
GEOTECHNICAL CONFIG
Geotechnical Module parameters. This tab only appears if the Geotechnical
Module is activated.
PRESTRESSED CONCRETE CONFIG

Prestressed Concrete Module parameters. This tab only appears if the
Advanced Prestressed Concrete Module is activated.

5.4. Preprocessing
5.4 Preprocessing
Materials
Material properties defined by CivilFEM include ANSYS standard properties as
well as other properties necessary for CivilFEM specific calculations, such as
properties related to codes: characteristic strengths, yield strengths, reduction
coefficients, etc.
5.4 PRE-PROCESSING
Materials
Once you have chosen the units system and the active
code, select the materials that will be used.
In the CivilFEMs materials window the user may find a list of the materials
currently defined in the database. It is possible to choose any of the different
materials CivilFEM has in its library.
When defining a material with CivilFEM, ANSYS standard properties are
defined by assigning ANSYS materials the same numbering as CivilFEM
materials. It is not recommended to directly modify material properties with
ANSYS, as CivilFEM may later change those properties automatically to
coordinate with ones specified in the database, to update time dependent
properties, etc.

5.4. Preprocessing
Material Properties can be modified
A new user material can be

defined by choosing USER DEF
in the general properties window
Example
In this example you must define the following materials:

5.4. Preprocessing
Element Type
Element Type
The element type is an important choice that determines
the following element characteristics:
Degree of Freedom (DOF) set. A thermal element type, for

example, has one DOF: TEMP, whereas a structural element type
may have up to six DOF: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ.
Element shape -- brick, tetrahedron, quadrilateral, triangle, etc.
Dimensionality -- 2-D (X-Y plane only), or 3-D.
Assumed displacement shape -- linear vs. quadratic.
Non linear capabilities
Details on how to choose the most suitable element type

will be presented later. For now, lets see how to define an
element type.
ANSYS offers many different categories of elements.

Some of the commonly used ones are:
Linear elements
Shells
2-D solids
3-D solids
The Civil postprocessor groups the

ones most commonly used in Civil
Engineering: Structural Beams and
Shells.
A model built with CivilFEM and ANSYS may have any of the element types of
ANSYS library. However, CivilFEM only carries out calculations on certain
element types (depending on the kind of calculation) and ignores the remaining
ones, which will be used by ANSYS.

5.4. Preprocessing
Example
To continue the example, the next step is to select the
elements to be used.
From the complete element list:
In this example, the element PLANE42 has plane stress

behavior. This behavior is the default for this element type and
can be changed using the options window.

5.4. Preprocessing
From the structural Civil elements:
Element Attributes
Element Attributes
Calculations within ANSYS and CivilFEM require elements
to have the following attributes:
Element type:
Element type selected depending on the required dimensions
of the model, degrees of freedom, type of analysis: LINK1,
BEAM3, BEAM4, SHELL, BEAM44, SHELL63...
Set of real constants:

Data of the section properties, which depend on the element
type: Area, Inertia, depth...
If you have selected link, beam, or shell elements with

CivilFEM you must create the Beam and Shell Properties.
Beam and Shell Properties include all the properties required
for calculating and postprocessing with CivilFEM: properties of
the cross sections (reinforcement data, plates structure,),
member properties, etc. CivilFEM automatically generates the
set of real constants.

5.4. Preprocessing
ANSYS Section:
Replaces the real constants (only valid in certain beams).
CivilFEM Beam and Shell Properties will also generate this
section automatically if needed.
Material (CivilFEM or ANSYS generic material):

Material properties: elasticity modulus, density, Poissons
ratio, thermal expansion coefficient...
Example
Define the cross section of the beam and the thickness of the
shell.
Dont forget to
enter the number
of the material
Select IPE A 500

for beam section

5.4. Preprocessing
Enter the thickness

of the shell
Dont forget to
select the material
Next, define the Beam and Shell Properties (and the real
constants) for the beam element.
Dont forget to enter the
type of the element
Enter the number of

the Beam property
The real constants group CivilFEM generates from the Beam and Shell
Properties will have the same numbering as the beam and shell properties.

5.4. Preprocessing
Enter the number of

the shell property Dont forget to enter the
type of the element
Enter the area of

the element

5.4. Preprocessing
It is necessary to create a real constant group with its fields

left blank for the block and wall mesh. This cannot be done by
using a menu, so we must use the following command:
Enter in the command window: R,1
Modeling
Modeling
Definitions: Volumes
A solid model is defined by volumes,
areas, lines, and keypoints.
Areas
Volumes are bounded by areas, areas by
lines, and lines by keypoints.
Lines &
Hierarchy of entities from low to high: Keypoints
keypoints > lines > areas > volumes
You cannot delete an entity if a higher- Volumes
order entity is attached to it. Areas

Lines
Keypoints

5.4. Preprocessing
A model with areas and lower-order entities, such as a

shell or 2-D plane model, is still considered a solid model
in CivilFEM terminology.
There are two approaches to creating a solid model:

Top-down
Bottom-up
Top-Down Modeling
Top-down modeling starts with a definition of volumes (or

areas) which are then combined in some fashion to create
the final shape.
Initially defined volumes or areas are called primitives.
Primitives are located and oriented with the help of the
working plane.
Combinations used to produce the final shape are
called Boolean operations.
add

5.4. Preprocessing
With ANSYS and CivilFEM, the user can also create a model using geometric
primitives, which are fully-defined lines, areas, and volumes. As you define a
primitive, the program automatically creates all of the associated "lower"
entities. If your modeling effort begins with the "higher" primitive entities, you
are said to be building your model "from the top down." You can freely combine
bottom-up and top-down modeling techniques, as appropriate, in any model.
Primitives are predefined geometric shapes such as

circles, polygons, and spheres.
2-D primitives include rectangles, circles, triangles, and other

polygons.
3-D primitives include blocks, cylinders, prisms, spheres, and

cones.
When you create a 2-D primitive, ANSYS defines an area, along with
its underlying lines and keypoints.
When you create a 3-D primitive, ANSYS defines a volume, along with
its underlying areas, lines and keypoints.
Use: Utility Menu > Plot > Lines or Keypoints.
You can create primitives by specifying their dimensions or by picking

locations in the graphics window.
The WP is a movable, 2-D reference plane used to locate and orient

primitives.
By default, the WP origin coincides with the global origin, but you
can move it and/or rotate it any desired position.
By displaying a grid, you can use the WP as a drawing tablet

5.4. Preprocessing
All working plane controls are in

Utility Menu > WorkPlane.
The WP Settings menu controls

are the following:
WP display: triad only (default),
grid only, or both.
Snap: allows you to pick locations
on the WP easily by snapping the
cursor to the nearest grid point.
Grid spacing: the distance
between grid lines.
Grid size: how much of the
(infinite) working plane is
displayed.
You can move the WP to any desired

position using the Offset and Align menus
Offset WP by increments
Offset WP to >
This simply relocates the WP, maintaining
its current orientation, to the desired
destination, which can be: existing
keypoint(s), existing node(s), coordinate
location(s), global origin, or origin of the
active coordinate system.
Align WP with >
This reorients the WP.

5.4. Preprocessing
Boolean operations are computations involving

combinations of geometric entities. Boolean operations
include add, subtract, intersect, divide, glue and overlap.
All Boolean operations are available in the GUI under Main
Menu> Preprocessor> Modeling> Operate>Booleans
Add: Combine two or more entities into one.

Glue: Attaches two or more entities by creating a
common boundary between them (useful when you
want to maintain the distinction between entities).
Overlap: Same as glue, except the input entities
overlap each other.
Subtract: Removes the overlapping portion of one or
more entities from a set of base entities (useful for
creating holes or trimming off portions of an entity).
Divide: Cuts an entity into two or more pieces that are still connected to
each other by common boundaries. The cutting tool may be the
working plane, an area, a line, or even a volume.
Intersect: Keeps only the overlapping portion of two or more entities. If
there are more than two input entities, there are two choices: common
intersection and pairwise intersection:
Common intersection finds the common overlapping region
among all input entities.
Pairwise intersection finds the overlapping region for each pair of
entities and may produce more than one output entity
Partition: Cuts two or more intersecting entities into multiple pieces that
are still connected to each other by common boundaries.
Note: When you operate with two (or more) areas, the program assigns a
number to the total area by default. This choice is not arbitrary; the
program searches for the first free number.

5.4. Preprocessing
Before Boolean Alter Boolean

Bolean Operation
Operation Operation
ADD
GLUE
OVERLAP

5.4. Preprocessing
SUBTRACT
DIVIDE
Common
Intersection
INTERSECT
Pairwise
Intersection
L2 L6
L1 L3
PARTITION
L4
L7

5.4. Preprocessing
Bottom-Up Modeling
When building your model from the bottom up, you begin by defining the lowest-
order solid model entities: keypoints. Keypoints are defined within the currently
active coordinate system. You can then define lines, areas, and volumes
connecting these keypoints. You do not always have to explicitly define all
entities in ascending order to create higher-order entities; you can define areas
and volumes directly in terms of the keypoints at their vertices. The intermediate
entities will then be generated automatically as needed. For example, if you
define a brick-like volume in terms of the eight keypoints at its corners, the
program will automatically generate the bounding areas and lines.
Bottom-up modeling starts with keypoints, from which you

build up lines, areas, etc.
To build an L-shaped object, for example, you could start by

defining the corner keypoints as shown below. You can
then create the area by simply connecting the dots or by
first defining lines and then defining the area by lines.

5.4. Preprocessing
Keypoints definition
1. KEYPOINTS
To define keypoints:
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Keypoints
The only data needed to create a

keypoint is the keypoint number and the
coordinate location.
Keypoint number defaults to the next
available number.
The coordinate location may be provided by
simply picking locations on the working plane
or by entering the X,Y,Z values.
To define individual keypoints, use one of the methods listed in the following
table:
Main Menu> Preprocessor> Modeling>
Create> Keypoints> In Active CS
In the active coordinate
system Main Menu> Preprocessor> Modeling>
Create> Keypoints> On Working Plane
Create> Keypoints> On Line
At a given location on an
existing line Main Menu> Preprocessor> Modeling>
Create> Keypoints> On Line w/Ratio
Once you create an initial pattern of keypoints, you can generate additional
keypoints and work with existing keypoints using several methods described in
ANSYS Help: Modelling and Meshing Guide. Chapter 5.2: Creating Your Solid
Model from the Bottom Up. Many Boolean operations will also create
keypoints.
Hard Points
Hard points are a special type of keypoints. You can use hard points to apply
loads or to obtain data from arbitrary points on lines and areas within your
model. Hard points do not modify either the geometry or the topology of your

5.4. Preprocessing
model. Hard points have their own extension in the GUI under the keypoints
extension.
If you issue any commands that update the geometry of an entity, such as
Boolean or simplification commands, any hard points associated with that entity
will be deleted. Therefore, it is recommended to add hard points after
completing the solid model. If you delete an entity that has associated hard
points, the hard points are either:
Deleted along with the entity (if the hard points are not associated with
any other entities).
Detached from the deleted entity (if the hard points are associated with
additional entities).
You can define hard points on existing lines or areas. In both cases, you can
define the location of hard points on such entities by:
Picking (unavailable for models imported from IGES files).
Specifying ratios (available for lines only).
Specifying global X, Y and Z coordinates.
To create hard points, use one of the methods listed in the following table.

Create> Keypoints> Hard PT on line> Hard
PT by ratio
On an existing line Create> Keypoints> Hard PT on line> Hard
PT by coordinates
PT by picking

PT by coordinates
On an existing area Main Menu> Preprocessor> Modeling>
PT by picking

5.4. Preprocessing
Example
To create the solid model, first define the keypoints. The

number and the coordinates of the keypoints are the
following.
KP Coordinates KP Coordinates KP Coordinates

number number number
1 15,0,15 6 15,15,0 11 0,30,0
2 15,0,0 7 0,15,0 12 0,30,15
3 0,0,0 8 0,15,15 13 30,15,15

4 0,0,15 9 15,30,15 14 30,15,0
5 15,15,15 10 15,30,0 15 30,30,0
KP 11 KP 10 KP 15
KP 12 KP 9
KP 7 KP 6
KP 14
KP 8
KP 5 KP 13
KP 3 KP 2
KP 4 KP 1

5.4. Preprocessing
To create the first KP:

Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Create >
Keypoints > In Active CS
Enter the coordinates of KP number 1.
Then, repeat with the other KPs.
Enter the number and
the coordinates of the
KP
Lines Definition
Lines are mainly used to represent the edges of an object. As with keypoints,
lines are defined within the currently active coordinate system. You do not
always need to define all lines explicitly because the program will generate the
necessary lines in many instances when an area or volume is defined. Lines are
required if you want to generate line elements (such as beams) or to create
areas from lines.
2. LINES
There are many ways to create lines, as shown below.

If you define areas or volumes, ANSYS will automatically
generate any undefined lines with the curvature
determined by the active CS.
Keypoints must be defined in order to create lines.
Create > Lines > Create > Lines > Create > Lines > Operate >
Lines Arcs Splines Extrude

5.4. Preprocessing
Example
Once the KPs have been created, define the lines between
those KPs.
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Lines >
Lines > Straight Line
Pick or enter the KPs that define the line.
Repeat with all of the KPs to define the lines.

5.4. Preprocessing
Areas Definition
3. AREAS
Creating areas using the bottom-up method requires the
definition of keypoints or lines.
If you define volumes, ANSYS will automatically generate

any undefined areas and lines with the curvature
determined by the active Coordinate System.
Create > Areas > Arbitrary Operate > Extrude
Volume Definition
4. VOLUMES
Creating volumes using the bottom-up method require

keypoints or areas to be already defined.
Create > Volumes > Arbitrary Operate > Extrude

5.4. Preprocessing
Example
Finally, we create areas and volumes to completely define the
geometry of the model.
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Create >

Volumes > Arbitrary > Through KPs
Enter the KPs numbers to define the first volume.
Do the same with the KPs to define the second volume.
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Areas >
Arbitrary > Through KPs
Enter the KPs numbers to define the first area: 5, 13, 14, 6.
Repeat with the remaining KPs to define the second area. The
second area is defined by the KPs 6, 14, 15, 10.

5.4. Preprocessing
Once all the areas and volumes have been created, the
geometry is the following:
Another Useful Operation: Extrusion

This option is used to quickly create volumes from existing areas (or areas from
lines and lines from keypoints).
If the area that is being extruded is meshed (or belongs to a meshed volume),
the mesh will be used as a pattern for the mesh of the volume that is created.

5.4. Preprocessing
There are four ways to extrude areas:

Along Normal: Creates a volume by normal offsets of areas.
By XYZ offset: Creates a volume by a general x-y-z offset.
About Axis: Creates a volume by revolving areas about an axis.
Along Lines: Creates a volume by dragging areas along a line or a set
of adjoined lines.
Follow these steps to extrude your mesh:
1. Mesh the area that is to be extruded (using MESH200 elements).
2. Select an appropriate 3-D element type (match the shape and

number of nodes to the MESH200 element), and change the
element attributes.

5.4. Preprocessing
3. Specify the desired number of element divisions in the extruded

direction (NDIV argument). If using Extrude Along Lines, specify
the number of element divisions on the drag path line(s) (NDIV
argument).
4. Issue one of the following options (in this case Extrude by XYZ
Offset):

5.4. Preprocessing
Save Database and Resume
Save Database and Resume

It is good practice to save the database frequently because
CivilFEM does NOT run automatic backups.
The SAVE operation copies the database from memory to

the files called database files.
The easiest way to do a save is to click on Toolbar > SAVE
Or use ~CFSAVE command
To restore the database from the db file back into memory,

use the RESUME operation.
Toolbar > RESUME
Or use ~CFRESUM command

5.4. Preprocessing
The default file name for save (~CFSAVE) and resume

(~CFRESUM) is jobname.cfdb, but you can choose a different
name by using the Change Jobname (Utility menu> File>
Change Jobname).
The db file is simply a snapshot of what is in memory at the

time the file is saved.
CivilFEM database (.CFDB) and ANSYS database (.DB) files

are created simultaneously.
It is recomended to use ~CFRESUM and ~CFSAVE

commands to resume and save ANSYS and CivilFEM
databases simultaneously.
When you save the database, CivilFEM also creates two

more files: .DBB and .CFDBB. These files are the previous
.DB and .CFDB backup files.
SAVE and RESUME commands will only operate on the ANSYS .DB database.
It is therefore recommended to use the ~CFSAVE and ~CFRESUM commands,
which operate on both databases.
Example

5.4. Preprocessing
Create Finite Element Model
Create Finite Element Model

Meshing is the process used to fill the solid model with
nodes and elements to create the FEA model.
There are three steps needed for meshing:

Define element attributes
Specify mesh controls
Generate the mesh
Element Attributes definition

Before the mesh is created, the materials used must be defined, the element
types selected from the library, and their properties identified (stress state, non-
linear behaviour, etc.). If needed, the Beam & Shell Properties (or real
constants groups for some solid elements) must be defined as well.
Each part of the model will need a different material or element type. Therefore,
it is important to determine which attributes must to be assigned to the
corresponding elements.

5.4. Preprocessing
Element attributes are characteristics of the finite element model that

must be established prior to meshing. They include:
Element types: TYPE
CivilFEM Beam & Shell Properties. Depending on the type of element
they will generate:
Real constants group: REAL
Section: SECNUM (BEAM188 and BEAM189)
Material: MAT
Whenever you have multiple TYPEs, REALs (or SECNUMs), or MATs,

you need to make sure that each element is assigned the proper
attributes. There are three ways to do this:
Assign attributes to the solid model entities before meshing
Activate a global setting of MAT, TYPE, and REAL (or SECNUM) before
meshing
Modify element attributes after meshing
If no assignments are made, CivilFEM uses default settings of MAT=1,

TYPE=1, and REAL=1 (or SECNUM=1) for all elements in the model.
Note, the current active TYPE, REAL, SECNUM and MAT dictate
mesh operation.
To activate a global setting of

MAT, TYPE, and REAL (or
SECNUM) before meshing:
1. Define all necessary element types,
materials, and Beam&Shell Props. or
real constant sets.
2. Then use the Element Attributes

section of the MeshTool (Main Menu
>Preprocessor >Meshing >MeshTool):
Choose Global and press the SET
button.
Activate the desired combination of
attributes in the Meshing Attributes
dialog box. We refer to these as the
active TYPE, REAL (or SECNUM),
and MAT settings.
3. Mesh only those entities to which the above settings apply.

5.4. Preprocessing
If you want to modify the attributes after meshing:

Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Move/Modify > Elements
> Modify Attrib
Then pick the desired elements
And in the subsequent dialog box, set attributes to All to current
Pick the elements
Select the attribute to be modified

and enter the number of the new
attribute
Mesh Controls
The fundamental premise of FEA is that as the number of

elements (mesh density) is increased, the solution, in
general, gets closer and closer to the true solution.
However, the solution time and computer resources
required also increase dramatically as you increase the
number of elements.
The objectives of the analysis usually dictate the mesh
density.
ANSYS provides many tools to control mesh density, both
on a global and local level:
Global controls Local controls

SmartSizing Keypoint sizing
Global element sizing Line sizing
Default sizing Area sizing

5.4. Preprocessing
SmartSizing determines element sizes by assigning

divisions on all lines, taking into account the curvature of
the line, its proximity to holes and other features, and
element order.
SmartSizing is off by default, but is recommended for free
meshing. It does not affect mapped meshing. (Free
meshing vs. mapped meshing will be discussed later.)
To use SmartSizing:
Bring up the MeshTool (Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing >
MeshTool), turn on SmartSizing, and set the desired size level.
Size level ranges from 1 (very fine) to 10 (very coarse).
Defaults to 6.
Then mesh all volumes (or all areas) at once, rather than one-by-
one.
Default Sizing. If you dont specify any controls, ANSYS

uses default sizing, which assigns minimum and maximum
line divisions, aspect ratio, etc., based on element order.
Keypoint, Line and Area Sizing. Element size controls

keypoints, lines, or the interior of areas:
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > MeshTool; under Size
Controls, select [Set] for Keypts, Lines, or Areas
Or Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > Size Cntrls >
ManualSize > Keypoints, Lines or Areas.

5.4. Preprocessing
Default Sizing. If you dont specify any controls, ANSYS

uses default sizing, which assigns minimum and maximum
line divisions, aspect ratio, etc., based on element order.
Keypoint, Line and Area Sizing. Element size controls

keypoints, lines, or the interior of areas:
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > MeshTool; under Size
Controls, select [Set] for Keypts, Lines, or Areas
Or Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > Size Cntrls >
ManualSize > Keypoints, Lines or Areas.
Mesh generation
Generating The Mesh is the final step in

meshing.
First save the database.

Then press [Mesh] in the MeshTool.
This brings up a picker. Press [Pick All]
in the picker to indicate all entities.
If a mesh is not acceptable, you can always

re-mesh the model by following these steps:
1. Clear the mesh:

The clear operation is the opposite
of mesh: it removes nodes and
elements.
Use the [Clear] button on the
MeshTool.
2. Specify new or different mesh controls.
3. Mesh again.

5.4. Preprocessing
Other mesh options

Refine
Another meshing option is to refine

the mesh in specific regions.
Refine is available for all area
elements and only tetrahedral
volume elements.
Easiest way is to use the
MeshTool:
First save the database.
Then choose how you want to specify
the region of refinement: at nodes,
elements, keypoints, lines, or areas,
and press the Refine button.
Pick the entities at which you want the
mesh to be refined. (Not required if
you choose All Elems.)
Finally, choose the level of
refinement. Level 1 (minimal
refinement) is a good starting point.
Sweep
Sweep meshing is another option available for volume meshing. It is the
process of meshing an existing volume by sweeping an area mesh. It is similar
to mesh extrusion, except that the volume already exists in this case.
Procedure:
First define and activate a 3-D hexahedral solid element type, such as structural
SOLID45 or SOLID95.
Then bring up Mesh Tool and choose Hex/Wedge, Sweep, and how the source
and target surfaces are identified:
Auto Source/Target means that ANSYS and CivilFEM will automatically
choose them based on the volumes topology.
Pick Source/Target means that the user will choose them.
Finally press the SWEEP button and follow prompt instructions from the picker.

5.4. Preprocessing
Volume sweeping is useful if:

You have imported a solid model that was created in another program,
and you want to mesh it in ANSYS and CivilFEM.
You want to create a hexahedral mesh for an irregular volume. In this
case, you only have to break up the volume into a series of discrete
sweepable regions.
You either want to create a different mesh than the one that was created
by one of the other extrusion methods or you forgot to create a mesh
during one of those operations.
If you do not mesh the source area prior to volume sweeping; ANSYS
meshes it for you when you invoke the volume sweeper. The other
extrusion methods require you to mesh the area yourself before you
invoke them. If you do not, the other extrusion methods create the
volume, but no area or volume mesh is generated.

5.4. Preprocessing
Meshing Methods
There are two main meshing

methods: free and mapped.
Free Mesh
Has no element shape restrictions.
The mesh does not follow any pattern.
Suitable for complex shaped areas and
volumes.
Mapped Mesh
Restricts element shapes to
quadrilaterals for areas and hexahedral
(bricks) for volumes.
Typically has a regular pattern with
obvious rows of elements.
Suitable only for regular areas and
volumes such as rectangles and bricks.
Free Mesh
Creating a free mesh is simple:

Bring up the MeshTool and verify that free meshing
is set.
SmartSizing is generally recommended for free
meshing, so activate it and specify a size level.
Save the database.
Then initiate the mesh by pressing the Mesh button.
Press [Pick All] in the picker to choose all
entities (recommended).

5.4. Preprocessing
Mapped Mesh
Creating a mapped mesh is not as easy as free meshing

because the areas and volumes have to meet certain
requirements:
Area must contain either 3 or 4 lines (triangle or quadrilateral).
Volume must contain either 4, 5, or 6 areas (tetrahedron,
triangular prism, or hexahedron).
Element divisions on opposite sides must match.
For triangular areas or tetrahedral volumes, the number of
element divisions must be even.
In most cases, the model geometry is such that the areas have more than 4
sides and volumes have more that 6 sides. To convert these to regular shapes,
you may need to do one or both of the following operations:
Slice the areas (or volumes) into smaller, simpler shapes.
Concatenate two or more lines (or areas) to reduce the total number of
sides.
SLICING
Slicing can be accomplished with the Boolean divide operation. Remember that
you can use the working plane, an area, or a line as the slicing tool.

5.4. Preprocessing
CONCATENATION
Concatenation creates a new line (for meshing purpose) that is a combination of
two or more lines, thereby reducing the number of lines that surround the area.
Use the LCCAT command or Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing >
Concatenate > Lines, then pick the lines to be concatenated.
For area concatenation, use ACCAT command or Main Menu >
Preprocessor > Meshing > Concatenate > Areas.
Concatenating these
two lines makes this a
4-sided area
You can also apply a concatenation by simply identifying the three or four
corners of the area. In this case, ANSYS and CivilFEM internally
generate the concatenation.
- To do this, choose Quad shape and Map mesh in the Mesh Tool.
- Then change 3/4 sided to pick corners.
- Press the Mesh button, pick the area, and then pick the 3 or 4
corners that form the regular shape.
Notes on concatenation:

5.4. Preprocessing
If concatenations are present ANSYS and CivilFEM will not allow the
extrusion operation.
It is purely a meshing operation and therefore should be the last step
before meshing, after all solid modelling operations. This is because the
output entity obtained from a concatenation cannot be used in any
subsequent solid modelling operation.
You can undo a concatenation by deleting the line or area it produced.
Concatenating areas (for mapped volume meshing) is generally much
more complicated because you may also need to concatenate some
lines. Lines are automatically concatenated only when two adjacent, 4-
sided areas are concatenated.
Example
Once the geometry is totally defined, we generate the mesh.
Element types and materials are the following:
Main Menu >Preprocessor >Meshing >MeshTool
Mat: Concrete
ET: Solid45
Mat: Concrete
ET: Plane42
Mat: Concrete
ET: Shell63
Mat: Steel
ET: Beam4

5.4. Preprocessing
First, we mesh the block. The element edge length is 1.
Select the volumes to

be meshed

5.4. Preprocessing
Now we mesh the two areas. The element edge length is the
same.
Select the area to
be meshed
Select the area to

be meshed

5.4. Preprocessing
Finally we mesh the beams.
Select the lines to

be meshed
Selection and Components

If you have a large model, it is helpful to work with just a portion of the model
data to apply loads, to speed up graphics displays, to review results selectively,
and so on. Because all ANSYS and CivilFEM data are in a database, you can
conveniently choose subsets of the data by selecting them.
Selection Tools
Selecting enables you to group subsets of nodes, elements, keypoints, lines,
etc. so that you can work with just a handful of entities. The ANSYS and
CivilFEM program uses a database to store all the data that you define during
an analysis. The database design allows you to select only a portion of the data
without destroying other data.

5.4. Preprocessing
Selection Tools
Entity to select
The selection Tools allows
you to select a subset of
entities and operate only on Criterion by
which to select
those entities.
Most selecting tools are Type of

selection
available in the Select
Entities dialog box: Utility
Menu > Select > Entities
The GUI path is Utility Menu> Select> Entities. From the Select Entities dialog
box the user can choose, among other things, the type of entities and the
criteria by which the entities are selected:
Criterion by which to select:
By Num/Pick: based on entity numbers or by

picking.
Attached to: based on attached entities. For

example, select all lines attached to the current
subset of areas.
By Location: based on X,Y,Z location. For

example, select all nodes at X=2.5. X,Y,Z are
interpreted in the active coordinate system.
By Attributes: based on material number, real

constant set number, etc. Different attributes are
available for different entity types.
Exterior: used to select entities lying on the exterior.
By Results: used to select entities by results data.

For example, nodal displacements.

5.4. Preprocessing
Type of selection
From Full: selects a subset
from the full set of entities. From Full
Reselect: selects (again) a
subset from the current Reselect
subset.
Also Select
Also Select: adds another
subset to the current subset. Unselect
Unselect: deactivates a
portion of the current subset. Invert
Invert: toggles the active and
Select None
inactive subsets.
Select None: deactivates the Select All
full set of entities.
Select All: reactivates the full
set of entities.
After all desired operations are

completed on the selected subset, it is
recommended to reactivate the full set
of entities.
If all nodes and all elements are not active
for a solution, the solver will issue a warning
to that effect.
The simplest way to reactivate the full

set is to select everything:
Utility Menu > Select > Everything
You can also use the [Sele All] button in

the Select Entities dialog box to
reactivate each entity set separately.
Selecting can also help the user during postprocessing. For instance, in
POST1, you can select just a portion of your model to display or list the results.
You should always use selecting to obtain meaningful results in POST1 when
the model has discontinuities.
Sometimes it is convenient to group portions of the model and give them
recognizable names. These groupings may be components or assemblies.

5.4. Preprocessing
Components
A component consists of one type of entity: nodes, elements, keypoints, lines,
areas or volumes.
Another available operation is to assign a name to the

selected subset by creating a component. The name can
be used in dialog boxes or commands in place of entity
numbers or the label ALL.
A group of nodes, elements, keypoints, lines, areas, or

volumes can be defined as a component. Only one entity
type is associated with a component.
Components can be selected or unselected. When you

select a component, you are actually selecting all of the
entities in that component.
Assemblies
An assembly may consist of any number of components and other assemblies
(both of which must have been previously defined). Use the CMGRP command
(Utility Menu> Select> Comp/Assembly> Create Assembly) to define an
assembly.

5.4. Preprocessing
Component Manager is used to Create, Display, List and

Select Components and Assemblies.
Utility Menu > Select > Component Manager
All of the currently

selected entities
will be included in
the component, or
Enter the name you can select
(pick) the desired
entities at this step.

5.4. Preprocessing
Example
Now, create the elements of the struts. These elements will be
created by direct generation, so first, select the nodes that will
define these elements.
Select these two

Utility Menu > Select > Entities lines
Once the nodes have been selected, define the element

attributes and then create the element.
Main menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Elements >
Elem Attributes
Main menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Elements >
Auto Numbered > Thru Nodes

5.4. Preprocessing
Select these
nodes

And now the other strut.
Select these two
lines

5.4. Preprocessing
Select these
nodes
If you select everything and plot the elements, you can see
the complete finite element model.
Utility Menu > Plot > Elements

5.5. Solution
5.5 Solution
The word loads in ANSYS and CivilFEM terminology includes boundary
conditions and externally or internally applied forcing functions.
5.5 SOLUTION
Loads and Boundary Conditions
The solution step is where we apply loads and boundary
conditions on the object and let the solver calculate the
finite element solution.
Loads are available both in the Solution and Preprocessor
menus.

5.5. Solution
Types of loads
There are five categories of loads:
DOF Constraints Specified DOF values, such

as displacements in a stress
analysis or temperatures in a
thermal analysis.
Concentrated Loads Point loads, such as
forces or heat flow rates.
Surface Loads Loads distributed over a surface,
such as pressures or convections.
Body Loads Volumetric or field loads, such as
temperatures (causing thermal
expansion).
Inertia Loads Loads due to structural mass or
inertia, such as gravity and
rotational velocity.
You can apply most loads either on the solid model (on keypoints, lines, and
areas) or on the finite element model (on nodes and elements). For example,
you can specify forces at a keypoint or at a node. Similarly, you can specify
convections (and other surface loads) on lines and areas or on nodes and
element faces. No matter how you specify the loads, the solver expects all
loads to be in terms of the finite element model. Therefore, if you specify loads
on the solid model, the program automatically transfers them to the nodes and
elements at the beginning of solution.
Solid-Model Loads
Advantages:
Solid-model loads are independent of the finite element mesh. Therefore,
the element mesh can be changed without affecting the applied loads.
This allows you to make mesh modifications and conduct mesh
sensitivity studies without having to reapply loads each time.
The solid model usually involves fewer entities than the finite element
model. Therefore, selecting solid model entities and applying loads on
them is much easier, especially with graphical picking.
Disadvantages:
Elements generated by ANSYS and CiviFEM meshing commands are in
the currently active element coordinate system. Nodes generated by
meshing commands use the global Cartesian coordinate system (by

5.5. Solution
default). Therefore, the solid model and the finite element model may
have different coordinate systems and loading directions.
You cannot display all solid-model loads.
You can apply loads either on the solid model or directly on

the FEA model (nodes and elements).
Solid model loads are easier to apply because there are fewer
entities to pick.
Moreover, solid model loads are independent of the mesh. You
dont need to reapply the loads if you change the mesh.
Pressure on line Pressures on element faces
Constraint Constraints
on line at nodes
Solid model FEA model
Force at keypoint Force at node
Solid loads transference process

Solid-model loads are automatically transferred to the finite element model at
the beginning of solution. If you mix solid model loads with finite-element model
loads, couplings, or constraint equations, you should be aware of the following
possible conflicts:
Transferred solid loads will replace nodal or element loads already
present, regardless of the order in which the loads were input.
Deleting solid model loads also deletes any corresponding finite element
loads.
Also loads and boundary conditions can be transferred to the finite element
model before solution in this way:

5.5. Solution
Plot and List Loads
Verifying applied loads
Plot the applied loads by

activating load symbols:
Utility Menu > PlotCtrls >
Symbols
Or list them:
Utility Menu > List > Loads

5.5. Solution
Example
To apply the boundary conditions on the bottom
surface of the block, select the nodes of that
surface.
Utility Menu > Select > Entities
Main Menu > Solution > Define Loads > Apply >
Structural > Displacement > on Nodes
Enter the coordinates to

the plane of nodes to be
selected
Select UX, UY and

UZ directions

Plot > Elements

5.5. Solution
You can apply a linearly varying surface load, such as hydrostatic pressure on a
structure immersed in water:
- GUI:
Main Menu> Preprocessor> Loads> Define Loads> Settings> For
Surface Ld> Gradient
Main Menu> Solution> Define Loads> Settings> For Surface Ld>
Gradient
- Command: SFGRAD
To create the gradient specification, you specify the type of load to be controlled
(the Lab argument), the coordinate system and coordinate direction the slope is
defined in (SLKCN and Sldir, respectively), the coordinate location where the
value of the load (as specified on a subsequent surface load command) will be
in effect (SLZER), and the slope (SLOPE).
Now, apply all the loads.

Hydrostatic Pressure
First we have to select the elements where the pressure will
be applied

5.5. Solution
Then, we define the pressure gradient to be applied

Main Menu > Solution > Define Loads > Settings > For Surface Ld
> Gradient
And finally we apply the pressure on the selected elements

Main Menu > Solution > Define Loads > Apply > Structural >
Pressure > On Elements
Enter the element

face where the
pressure is applied.

5.5. Solution
Once this load has been applied, it is very important to delete

the gradient before applying the rest of the loads.
GUI:
Main Menu> Preprocessor> Loads> Define Loads> Settings> For
Surface Ld> Gradient
Main Menu> Solution> Define Loads> Settings> For Surface Ld>
Gradient
Command: SFGRAD
Self weight
Inertia > Gravity > Global
Surface Load
The first step is to select the elements where the pressure
will be applied.

5.5. Solution
To select these elements, select the top area of the block,

then the nodes located in this area, and the finally the
elements that are attached to those nodes.
Now apply the pressure:

Enter the number of the
face where the load is
going to be applied
Enter the value of

the pressure
Pressures are applied perpendicular to the element surfaces. Faces where the
pressure will be applied are represented by number; this numbering depends on
the element type. Information about face numbers can be found in element
type help.
In this example, the element type used for the terrain is SOLID45. This is a 3D
solid element defined by eight nodes and six faces. The geometry, node

5.5. Solution
locations, faces, and coordinate system for this element are shown in the
following figure:
So in this example, the face where the pressure has been applied is the number
6 (the top surface). The face numbering is always associated with the element
coordinate system. In the example all the solid elements have their coordinate
system parallel to the Global Cartesian (default orientation).
Punctual Load
Force/Moment > On Keypoints
Select the KP located on the corner of the shell (or enter the
number of that KP)
Select this KP

5.5. Solution
Then enter the direction and the value of the force. This load
will be transferred to the nodes in the solution process.
Thermal Increment
Temperature > On Areas
Select the area of the wall
Select this area

5.5. Solution
Enter the temperature
You can verify this load:

Utility menu > List > Loads > Body > On All Areas
Solve The Model
Solve
Once the loads and boundary conditions have
been applied, the next step is to solve the
model. This can be done through the menu:
Main Menu > Solution > Solve > Current LS
Before you solve, you must select the type of analysis to be

done.
Main Menu > Solution > Analysis Type > New Analysis
These different options of analysis will be explained in the
following days.

5.5. Solution
Example
Select all the entities before solving the model.

Utility Menu > Select >Everything
Main Menu > Solution > Solve > Current LS
Results File
Results file
When the model has been solved, the results file is
created. CivilFEM results file (.RCV) is created
simultaneously with ANSYS results file (.RST).
A CivilFEM results file has a similar structure as an ANSYS

results file. Load step number 1 in the .RST file
corresponds to the load step 1 in the .RCV, which contains
additional data calculated by CivilFEM for postprocessing
(such as stress and strain in each section point, forces and
moments for solid sections).
.RCV file also contains the results of check and design

processes. These results are stored in blocks called
ALTERNATIVES.
The additional data and results contained in the CivilFEM

files are not considered for analysis in ANSYS.

5.5. Solution
The name of the ANSYS results file depends on the analysis discipline:
Jobname.RST for a structural analysis.

Jobname.RTH for a thermal analysis.
Jobname.RMG for a magnetic field analysis.
CivilFEM will create a parallel results file:
Jobname.RCV for a structural analysis.

CivilFEM will not add new results to thermal or magnetic analyses.
Therefore, to resume the results from a structural analysis, it is necessary to

have the ANSYS RST file and the CivilFEM RCV file (RCV file does NOT
substitute the RST file).

5.6. Postprocessing
5.6 Postprocessing
Postprocessing refers to reviewing the results of an analysis. It is arguably the
most important step in the analysis because the user can observe how the
applied loads have affected the design or model, the quality finite element
mesh, etc.
Two postprocessors are available for reviewing the results: POST1, the general
postprocessor and POST26, the time-history postprocessor.
POST1 allows you to review the results over the entire model at specific
load steps and substeps (or at specific time-points or frequencies).
POST26 allows you to review the variation of a particular result item at
specific points in the model with respect to time, frequency, or some
other result item.
In this essential training manual the only postprocessor that will be explained is
the general postprocessor (POST1). The time-history postprocessor, POST26,
is explained in the advanced training manual.
The solution phase calculates two types of results data:
Primary data consist of the degree-of-freedom solution calculated at
each node: displacements in a structural analysis, temperatures in a
thermal analysis, and magnetic potentials in a magnetic analysis. These
are also known as nodal solution data.
Derived data are those results calculated from the primary data, such as
stresses and strains in a structural analysis, thermal gradients and fluxes
in a thermal analysis, magnetic fluxes in a magnetic analysis, etc. They
are typically calculated for each element and may be reported at any of
the following locations: all nodes of each element, all integration points of
each element, or the centroid of each element. Derived data are also
known as element solution data, except when they are averaged at the
nodes. In such cases, they become nodal solution data.
To enter the ANSYS general postprocessor: Main Menu> General Postproc.
To enter the CivilFEM Civil Engineering particular processor: Main Menu> Civil
Postprocessor.

5.6. Postprocessing
5.6 POSTPROCESSING
You can plot and list results such as reactions, stress, strain,
etc. with ANSYS and forces and moments or results on cross
sections with CivilFEM
The first step is to read the results for each load step.
Once the desired results data are loaded into the computers
memory, you can review them through graphics displays and
tabular listings. In addition, you can map the results data onto
a path.
Graphics displays are perhaps the most effective way to

review results.

5.6. Postprocessing
Types of ANSYS Postprocessor Graphics
You can display the following types of graphics with ANSYS

postprocessor:
Deformed Shape Displays

Contour Displays
Vector Displays
Path Plots
You can display the following types of graphics with ANSYS

postprocessor:
Deformed Shape Displays

Contour Displays
Vector Displays
Path Plots

5.6. Postprocessing
Vector Displays
Vector displays use arrows to show the
variation of both the magnitude and direction
of a vector quantity in the model. Examples
of vector quantities are displacement (U),
rotation (ROT), magnetic vector potential (A),
magnetic flux density (B), thermal flux (TF),
thermal gradient (TG), fluid velocity (V),
principal stresses (S), etc.
To produce a vector display, use the
following:
Main Menu > General Postproc > Plot Results
> Vector Plot
Path Plots
These are graphs that show the variation
of a quantity along a predefined path
through the model. To produce a path
plot, perform these tasks:
Define a path.
Main Menu > General Postproc > Path
Operations > Define Path > By Nodes,
On Working Plane or By Location
Map data onto the path.

General Postproc > Path Operations >
Map onto Path

5.6. Postprocessing
Plot the Data.

Main Menu > General Postproc > Path Operations > Plot Path
Item > On Graph.
Main Menu > General Postproc > Path Operations > Plot Path
Item > On Geometry.
Note: Path operations are only applicable for nodes and

elements results and therefore, not for cross section and shell
vertex results.
CivilFEM Postprocessor
With the CivilFEM postprocessor you can display forces and

moments graphics and section results. To display these
graphs, use CivilFEM entities (Beam & Shell Properties must
be defined).
Main Menu > Civil Postprocessor > Beam Utilities > Graph Results
Main Menu > Civil Postprocessor > Shell Utilities > Graph Results
These graphics and section results are only available if the model contains
CivilFEM entities. Beam and Shell Properties or Solid Sections, must be used.
With CivilFEM, axial and shear forces and torsion and bending moments can be
displayed or listed.

5.6. Postprocessing
Forces and Moments in Beam Elements

Main Menu >Civil Postprocessor > Beam Utilities > Graph
Results > Forces & Moments
In beam elements, axial and shear forces and also

bending moments can either be plotted or listed.
Graph results are plotted in a window similar to any other

ANSYS result.

5.6. Postprocessing
List Forces and Moments in Beam Elements

Results > Forces & Moments
Listed results are exported to a HTML or ASCII file.
The user can select the

data that are listed.
An HTML file is automatically created.
CivilFEM also can display stresses and strains results in tessella sections and
points.

5.6. Postprocessing
Stresses and Forces in Cross Section

Results > Section Results
In CivilFEM it is necessary to create and assign cross

sections as well as real constants to beam elements in order
to calculate elastic normal stresses in cross sections.
The forces applied on these cross sections are also listed.
RESULTS DESCRIPTION
SX Represents stress in the X direction of the section.
SY Represents stress in the Y direction of the section.
SZ Represents stress in the Z direction of the section.
SXY Represents XY tangential stress of the section.
SYZ Represents YZ tangential stress of the section.
SZX Represents ZX tangential stress of the section.
EPX Represents elastic strain in the X direction of the section.
EPY Represents elastic strain in the Y direction of the section.
EPZ Represents elastic strain in the Z direction of the section.
EPXY Represents XY tangential elastic strain of the section.
EPYZ Represents YZ tangential elastic strain of the section.
EPZX Represents ZX tangential elastic strain of the section.

5.6. Postprocessing
Forces are always listed. Stresses can be plotted in tessella

or in points.
Section Data
Tessella results
Section Data
Points results

5.6. Postprocessing
Forces and Moments in Shell Elements

Main Menu >Civil Postprocessor > Shell Utilities > Graph Results
> Forces & Moments
Following the same procedure as for beams, forces and

moments can be plotted or listed for shell elements as well.
Stress & Strain in Shell Elements

Main Menu >Civil Postprocessor > Shell Utilities > Graph Results
> Stress & Strain
Stresses and strains can be

plotted for top and bottom
fibers.

5.6. Postprocessing
The results are plotted in the window or listed in a HTML or

ASCII file.
Stresses and Forces in Solid Section

Main Menu >Civil Postprocessor > Beam Utilities > Graph Results
> Section Results
When a solid section is captured from a solid model, we can

also get results from it.
For this situation, the forces are obtained by integrating the
stresses that CivilFEM gets from ANSYS.

5.6. Postprocessing
The same window as for cross sections is displayed, but the

method to obtain the results is different.
More results
can be plotted
Example
First, read the results and then plot the UY displacement .

Main Menu > Civil Postprocessor > Read Results > By Load
Step
Main Menu > General Postprocessor > Plot Results > Contour
Plot > Nodal Solu

5.6. Postprocessing

5.6. Postprocessing
Next, plot the Shell Bending Moment in the Y direction.

Main Menu > Civil Postprocessor > Shell Utilities > Graph Results
> Forces & Moments
Finally, plot the Beam Bending Moment in the Z direction.

Main Menu > Civil Postprocessor > Beam Utilities >Graph Results
> Forces & Moments

5.6. Postprocessing
6 Importing Models

6.1. Introduction
6.1 Introduction
6.1 Introduction
It is possible to import into CivilFEM models created from
other sources:
DXF geometry.
ASCII Grid and LiDAR terrain definitions.
SAP2000 Finite Element model.
ROBOT Finite Element model.
The import Utility can be accessed from the Windows Start Menu (inside the
CiviFEM group) or from the Civil Preprocessor menu.
Once the importing options have been specified, a name

for the Output file (that will be generated for ANSYS) must
be selected and will be created by clicking the "Generate
Output File" button.
This file can be run in ANSYS. If the importing utility has

been launched from inside ANSYS, (Civil Preprocessor >
Utilities > Import from) the "Run" button will be shown to
allow the model to be created directly (it is recommended
to have previously executed ~CFCLEAR command)
The utility keeps the last files paths to make it easier to

use. You can erase these paths by pressing the button
"Clear File Names".
The View" buttons are for viewing the respective

input/output files.

6.1. Introduction
6.2 DXF
After selecting the DXF geometry file, CivilFEM will read
the existent layers in the model and will allow the user to
select layers to be imported:
The entities that will be read from the DXF file are the
following: 3DFACE, ARC, CIRCLE, LINE, LWPOLYLINE,
POINT, POLYLINE (POLYFACE MESH, 3D POLYLINE,
3D POLYGON MESH), SOLID, TEXT, TRACE.
Entities that are not included in this list may generate a warning message.
Despite the message, the model will be created, ignoring those entities that
cannot be imported.

6.1. Introduction
6.3 ASCII Grid/LiDAR
First, the LiDAR geometry file to be imported must be

selected. Then, it is possible to specify a coordinates range
used to import only a part of the model.
LiDAR files may contain a great amount of information that is
not always necessary for model generation. It is possible to
downsample the resolution of the model by using just one
point for every n points of the original model.
6.4 SAP2000 (version 7.10)
It is necessary to generate several input files based on the

geometry the user wants to import. To do this in SAP2000, it
is necessary to open the menu: "Display > Show Import
Tables > Geometry Data" and generate a file for nodes,
another for beams, and so on. In the corresponding tab of
"CivilFEM Import Utility" the created files will be selected.

6.1. Introduction
6.5 ROBOT MILLENIUM 97
For this program it is necessary to generate only one input

file with geometry that will be exported. To do this, in Robot
Millenium, the file must be saved in text format, with
extension "*.STR" (instead of the extension "*.RTD" of
Robot). In the corresponding tab of "CivilFEM Import Utility"
the created file must be selected:

6.1. Introduction
7 Coordinate System

7.1. Coordinate Systems
7.1 Coordinate Systems

CivilFEM uses several types of coordinate systems, each used for a different
purpose:
Global and local coordinate systems are used to locate geometry items
(nodes, keypoints, etc.) in space.
The display coordinate system determines the system in which geometry
items are listed or displayed.
The nodal coordinate system defines the degree of freedom directions at
each node and the orientation of nodal results data.
The element coordinate system determines the orientation of material
properties and element results data.
The results coordinate system is used to transform nodal or element
results data to a particular coordinate system for listings, displays, or
general postprocessing operations (POST1).
7.1 Coordinate Systems

In CivilFEM there are different coordinate systems:
Global Coordinate System

Local Coordinate System
Element Coordinate System (ESYS)
Nodal Coordinate System
Results Coordinate System (RSYS)
Display Coordinate System (DSYS)

7.2. Global Coordinate System
7.2 Global Coordinate System

A global coordinate system can be thought of as an absolute reference frame.
ANSYS provides three predefined global systems: Cartesian, cylindrical, and
spherical. All three of these systems are right-handed. They are identified by
their coordinate system (C.S.) numbers: 0 for Cartesian, 1 for cylindrical and 2
for spherical.
a) Cartesian (X, Y, Z components) coordinate system 0 (C.S.0)

b) Cylindrical (R, , Z components) coordinate system 1 (C.S.1)
c) Spherical (R, , components) coordinate system 2 (C.S.2)
d) Cylindrical (R, , Y components) coordinate system 5 (C.S.5)
(a) (b) (c) (d)
7.2 Global Coordinate System (CSYS)

The global reference system for the model.
May be Cartesian (system 0), cylindrical (1), or spherical
(2).
By default, the Active
Coordinate System is the
Global Cartesian. You can
change it to (Utility Menu >
WorkPlane > Change Active CS
to)
Global Cartesian
Global Cylindrical
Global Spherical
Working plane
User-defined local coordinate
system
The command needed to change the global coordinate system is CSYS.

7.3. Local Coordinate System
7.3 Local Coordinate System
7.3 Local Coordinate System

In many cases, it may be necessary to establish your own
coordinate system which has an origin offset from the
global origin, or an orientation that differs from the
predefined global systems. Local coordinate systems can
be created in the following ways:
Utility Menu> WorkPlane> Local Coordinate Systems> Create

Local CS> At Specified Loc.
Local CS> By 3 Nodes.
Local CS> By 3 Keypoints.
Local CS> At WP Origin.
Define the local system in terms of the active coordinate system
with the CLOCAL command.

7.4. Element Coordinate System
When a local coordinate system is defined, it becomes

the active coordinate system. As you create a local
system, you assign it a CSYS identification number
(which must be 11 or greater).
You can create (or delete) local coordinate systems in any

phase of your ANSYS session. To delete a local system,
use the following method:
Utility Menu> WorkPlane> Local Coordinate Systems> Delete
Local CS
Local coordinate systems can be Cartesian, Cylindrical or

Spherical.
7.4 Element Coordinate System
7.4 Element Coordinate System (ESYS)
Every element has its own coordinate system that

determines the direction of orthotropic material properties,
applied pressures, and results (such as stresses and
strains) for that element. All element coordinate systems
are right-handed orthogonal systems.
The default ESYS orientation is described in the Help
document for each element type.
Many element types have key options that allow you to
change the default element coordinate system orientation.
For area and volume elements, you can also change the
orientation to align the element coordinate system with a
previously defined local system by using one of the
following methods:
To change the default ESYS, it is necessary to align it with a specified local

coordinate system (CSYS 11 or greater).

7.4. Element Coordinate System
The procedure is as follows:

1. Define a local coordinate system with the appropriate orientation.
Location is generally arbitrary.
Utility Menu > WorkPlane > Local Coordinate Systems > Create
Local CS
2. Select the desired elements.
3. Modify the ESYS attribute of all selected elements to the local system
number defined in step 1.
Preprocessor> Modeling> Move/Modify > Elements> Modify Attrib
Or EMODIF command (e.g, emodif,all,esys,11)
4. Reactivate all elements and switch back to previous coordinate system
(CSYS).
Beam elements coordinate systems have the X axis always parallel to the
beam, and the orientation of the Z-Y axis can only be changed by creating a
third node (orientation node) or using the THETA angle of the Real Constants
(not all elements have this option).
Main Menu> Preprocessor> Modeling> Create> Elements> Elem

Attributes
Main Menu> Preprocessor> Meshing> Mesh Attributes> Default

Attribs
The default orientations for most elements' coordinate systems fit the following
patterns:
Line elements have the element X-axis directed from their node I toward
their node J. Y-axis parallel to the global X-Y plane.

7.5. Nodal Coordinate System
Shell elements:
- element X from node I to node J
- element Y perpendicular to element X in the plane of the element
- element Z normal to X-Y by right-hand rule
For 2-D and 3-D solid elements, the element coordinate system is
usually parallel to the global Cartesian system.
7.5 Nodal Coordinate System
7.5 Nodal Coordinate System
While global and local coordinate systems locate geometry

items, the nodal coordinate system orients the degree of
freedom directions at each node. Each node has its own
nodal coordinate system, which by default, is parallel to
global Cartesian. You can rotate the nodal coordinate
system at any node to a desired orientation using one of
the following methods:
Main Menu> Preprocessor> Modeling> Move/Modify> Rotate
Node CS> To Active CS
Node CS> By Angles
Node CS> By Vectors

7.6. Results Coordinate System
7.6 Results Coordinate System
7.6 Results Coordinate System (RSYS)
Results data are calculated during solution and consist of

displacements, stresses, strains, etc. These data are
stored in the database and in the results file in either the
nodal coordinate system or the element coordinate system.
However, results data are generally rotated into the active
results coordinate system (which is by default the global
Cartesian system) for displays, listings, and element table
data storage.
It is possible to change the active results coordinate
system to another system:
Main Menu> General Postproc> Options for Output

7.7. Display Coordinate System
7.7 Display Coordinate System
7.7 Display Coordinate System (DSYS)

By default, a listing of nodes or keypoints always shows
their global Cartesian coordinates, even if they were
defined in a different coordinate system. You can change
the display coordinate system used in such listings by one
of the following methods:
Utility Menu> WorkPlane> Change Display CS to> Global
Cartesian
Cylindrical
Spherical
Utility Menu> WorkPlane> Change Display CS to> Specified
Coord Sys
Changing the display coordinate system will also affect

your graphical displays.

8 Element types

8.1. Mesh 200 elements
8.1 Mesh 200 elements
8.1 Mesh 200

MESH200 is a mesh-only element, contributing nothing to
the solution. This element can be used for some
operations, for example:
Multistep meshing operations, such as extrusion.
Temporary storage of elements when the physics analysis has not
yet been specified.
Meshing an area before importing it to a CivilFEM cross section.
MESH200 may be used in conjunction with any other

element types. After it is no longer needed, it can be
deleted or left in place. Its presence will not affect solution
results.
The element is defined by two to twenty nodes, depending

on the desired shape of the element. It has no degrees of
freedom, material properties, beam & shell properties, or
loadings.

8.2. Surface elements
8.2 Surface elements
8.2 Surface elements
How would you apply a pressure load, that is:

tangential to the surface, such as a shear load?
spatially varying over the surface, such as a bolt load?
oriented at an angle to the surface, such as ice load on a rooftop?
Surface effect elements provide an effective way to do this.
Characteristics:
They overlay the surface of an underlying mesh like a
skin.
They act as a conduit for surface loads.
Creating them is very easy:
Select nodes on the surface of interest and at least the elements
attached to them.
Activate the appropriate element type.
Issue ESURF (or Preprocessor > Create > Elements > Surf /
Contact > Surf Effect).
Select all nodes.

Available for both 2-D and 3-D models:

SURF151 & 153 are line elements (thermal and structural) meant
for edges of 2D models.
SURF152 & 154 are area elements (thermal and structural) meant
for surfaces of 3D models.
SURF156 are 3D line elements (structural) meant for edges of 3D
models.
We will discuss only SURF154 in this section, but the
same concepts can be applied to the other elements.
SURF154 as depicted
in the Elements
Reference manual

SURF154 uses different element face numbers to accept

different types of loads.
The face number is a field in the "Apply PRES on elems"

dialog (Solution > Define Loads > Apply > Structural >
Pressures > On Elements), as shown below.
The orientation of the pressure depends on which element

face is used.
Face 1:
Normal pressure.
Positive value acts into the
element (along element -Z).
Faces 2 & 3:
Tangential pressures, along
element X & Y respectively.

Face 4:
Normal pressure, tapered. Magnitude = P1 + XgP2 + YgP3 + ZgP4
P1-P4 are specified VAL1-VAL4 on SFE command.
Xg,Yg, Zg are the global Cartesian locations of the element's
integration points.
P2,P3,P4 are the slopes in global X,Y,Z respectively and default to
P1 if left blank.
Positive value acts into the element (along element -Z).
P2
P1
Xg=0 Xg
For example, to apply a tapered pressure of 200 to 1000 in the

global X direction, with X values ranging from -2 to +2:
Slope P2 = (1000-200)/4 = 200; P3 = 0; P4 = 0
P1 is the value at Xg=0, calculated as P1 = 2(200) + 200 = 600
sfe,eflat,4,pres,,600,200,0,0

Face 5
Vector-oriented pressure of magnitude P1.
P2 Xg P3 Yg P4 Zg
Direction = P22 P32 P42
P2,P3,P4 now represent the direction cosines of the vector and

have no effect on the magnitude.
Example: sfe,eflat,5,pres,,1000,-1,-1,0 defines a pressure at
angle of 45 in the X-Y plane.
The magnitude of vector-oriented pressure also depends on

KEYOPT(11).
KEYOPT(11)=0 (default) and 1 applies pressure on the projected
area of surface elements.
Useful for bolt loading (or pin loading).
Example: sfe,ecurv,5,pres,,1000,0,-1,0 defines a bolt load on the
curved surface, as shown by a POST1 contour plot below.

KEYOPT(11)=2 applies pressure on the full area.

Useful for inclined surfaces (such as a roof top) or wind loads.
Example: sfe,eslope,5,pres,,1000,0,-1,0 defines uniform, full
pressure on all faces of an inclined surface, as shown below.
Surface Elements Example

The aim of this simple example is to become familiar with surface elements.
First, the surface and solid elements must be selected from ANSYS library.
Main Menu> Preprocessor> Element type> Add/Edit/Delete
Elements to be selected: 3D Structural154 (1) and Solid45 (2)
Second, the material for the model is selected from CivilFEM material library.

Main Menu> Civil Preprocessor> Materials

Material to be selected: Concrete C35/45
Then, the model geometry is created:

Keypoints and Volume through KPs
KP X Y Z
1 0 0 0
2 10 0 0
3 0 5 0
4 5 5 0
5 0 0 -20
6 10 0 -20
7 0 5 -20
8 5 5 -20
- Main Menu> Preprocessor> Modeling> Create> Keypoints> In

Active CS
- Main Menu> Preprocessor> Modeling> Create> Volumes>
Arbitrary> Through KPs

Finally, generate the mesh (Main Menu> Preprocessor> Meshing> Mesh Tool):
First, change the attributes: select the solid45 element

Second, enter the number of line divisions:

Third, select Hex and Mapped mesh and select the volume (the number
of divisions in opposite lines must be the same).
Finally, generate the mesh.

Now a tangential pressure in Y direction will be applied to elements with Z=0

coordinate.
First, select the nodes located at Z=0 (Utility menu> Select Entities>
Nodes by location)
Second, change the element attributes (Main Menu> Preprocessor>

Modeling> Create> Elements> Elem Attributes)

Then, create the surf elements (Main Menu> Preprocessor> Modeling>

Create> Elements> Surf/Contact> Surf Effect> General Surface> No
extra Node)
Finally, apply the pressure of 1000 Pa in the Y direction:

Select the elements by the number of element. (number 1) (Utility Menu>
Select> Entities> Elements by attributes> Element type number)
Apply the pressure (Main Menu> Solution> Define Loads> Apply>
Structural> Pressure> On elements: Pick all). The Face number must be
number 3; this indicates a tangential pressure in the Y direction.

Change the symbols to arrows for the applied loads. (Utility Menu > PlotCtrls >
Symbols)
Change Surface Load

Symbols to Tan-Y Pressures
Choose Arrows

For applying a horizontal pressure on the sloped face, follow the steps below:
Select everything with the selection tools. (Utility Menu> Select>

Everything) Then select the lateral area and finally the nodes attached to
this area (Utility Menu> Select> Entities ).
Confirm the element type selected is the surf element (element type
number 1). This can be done by looking at the bottom of the GUI window.
If not, change it (Main Menu> Modeling> Create> Elements> Elements
Attributes).

Then, create the surface elements (Main Menu> Preprocessor>

Modeling> Create> Elements> Surf/Contact> Surf Effect> General
Surface> No extra Node).
Finally, select these created elements and apply the pressure of 1000 Pa
in the X direction. (Main Menu> Solution> Define Loads> Apply>
Structural> Pressure> On elements: Pick all)
The load key indicates

the way to apply the load
These values indicate the

direction of the load vector

8.3. Contact Elements
The KEYOPTION 11 is 0 by default, so the pressure is applied on the projected

area. If the pressure is to be applied on the full area, the KEYOPTION 11 in
element type options is required to be changed when the SURF154 element is
defined:
8.3 Contact Elements

8.3. Contact Elements
8.3 Contact elements

In problems involving contact between two boundaries.
TARGE element
CONTAC element
For rigid-flexible contact TARGET is the rigid surface and

CONTAC is the deformable surface.
For flexible-flexible contact both are deformable surfaces.
2D: TARGE169 with CONTAC171, CONTAC172, CONTAC175

3D: TARGE170 with CONTAC173, CONTAC174, CONTAC175,
CONTAC176, CONTAC177
Real constant:
Target and contact elements that make up a contact pair, are
associated with the same real constant set.
Different contact pairs must be defined by a different real constant
set.
The faces must be orientated with the normal direction

opposite to the other one.
Properties of contact surface can be defined with KEYOPT:

Contact Algorithm
Convergence parameters
Behavior of contact surface

9 CivilFEM Materials

9.1. CivilFEM and ANSYS Materials Coupling
9.1 CivilFEM and ANSYS

Materials Coupling
Material properties defined by CivilFEM include ANSYS standard properties as
well as other properties necessary for CivilFEM specific calculations, such as
properties related to codes: characteristics strengths, yield strengths, reduction
coefficients, etc.
9.1 CivilFEM and ANSYS Materials Coupling

CivilFEM materials are linked to those in ANSYS so that
the number identifying the CivilFEM material corresponds
to the number of the material in ANSYS.
The definition of a material in CivilFEM implies the

automatic definition of the ANSYS material properties and
the data required for CivilFEM postprocess.
When deleting or modifying a material with CivilFEM

commands, the corresponding ANSYS material is also
deleted or modified.
It is not recommended to define nor delete the material

properties using ANSYS, as CivilFEM material properties
will not be defined or modified.

9.2. Materials definition
9.2 Materials definition
9.2 Materials definition

Define materials by the following this menu path:
Main Menu > Civil Preprocessor > Materials
Some materials in
CivilFEM are time
dependent
CivilFEM material definition (see CFMP command in CivilFEM Help) is

achieved by selecting one of the materials included in its libraries.
CivilFEM material library defines the following material

types:
Structural Steel
Concrete
Reinforcing Steel
Prestressing Steel (*)
Soils (*)
Rocks (*)
When selecting a material from

the library all properties are
automatically defined
(*) Described in the Training for the Specialized Modules

The material properties are divided into different groups of

properties.
General properties: common for all materials (number, reference,
type, properties for elastic analysis, ...)
Analysis and design diagrams
Material properties: Specific for steel, concrete, etc.
Code properties: Specific for the code selected in the
configuration menu, etc.
FLAC3D properties: Only for exporting the model to FLAC3D
CivilFEM material properties are time dependent. This dependency is controlled

by a global variable called active time (see ACTTIME command). This time is
common to all materials and its value is fixed by the user in each instant.
CivilFEM active time may or may not coincide with ANSYS time (ANSYS TIME
command).
On the other hand, each CivilFEM material contains the materials activation
time and controls when the materials are initially activiated. Once active time
and activation time are established, those materials whose activation time is the
same or less than the active time will be active. Those elements of a section
whose material is inactive do not exist to any effect (either in CivilFEM or in
ANSYS). The age of each material is calculated for each instant from the active
time (ActTime) and activation instant values:
MatAge (Imat) = ActTime TmAct (Imat)
Where:
MatAge: Material Age
ActTime: Active Time
TmAct: Materials activation time
Imat: Material taken into account
This age allows the calculation of any property of the material in the considered
instant by interpolation of the respective time dependent vectors.

Material
activation time
Material Age = ActTime - TAct
Calculation
time
When a material is defined, it is labeled with a reference associated with the

chosen library material. The user can modify all of the properties which are not
associated to the library. In order to modify the data associated to a library
reference, the material must lose that reference and become labeled as User
Def.

9.3. Structural Steel Material Properties
9.3 Structural Steel Material

Properties
General Properties
9.3 Structural Steel Material Properties

General Properties
All CivilFEM material properties may be modified if the
User Def option is activated.
Material name
General Properties are
divided into:
General properties
Type User Def option
Time
Mechanical properties
Cost
The command ~CFMP defines Structural Steel Material Properties in CivilFEM

and ANSYS. It can be used with one of the options below:
From Library: Data associated with a library reference.

User defined: The material loses its library reference and the user can
modify all the properties.

Analysis and Design Diagrams
Analysis Diagram
Analysis Diagram is the stress-strain diagram used for the
structural analysis of the model. If the option User Def is
activated, the user will be able to add or delete diagram
points.
Type of plot
Code dependent stress-
strain diagrams exist for
different material
thicknesses. In addition, Type of
diagram
the diagram may be
displayed in tension,
compression or tension Diagram points
and compression.
Non-Linear
Material Behavior
thickness
Design Diagram
Design Diagram is the stress-strain diagram used for the

sections analysis. If the option User Def is activated, the
user will be able to add or delete diagram points.
Code dependent stress-
strain diagrams exist for
the different material
thicknesses. In addition,
the diagram may be
displayed in tension,
compression or tension
and compression.
It is possible to modify the diagrams by previously changing the field Type to 0:

User Defined. Depending on the type of diagram, different non-linear
behaviours can be selected (KPLA property).

Depending on the active code, the material properties may depend on the
thickness of the steel plate. The variation of the properties that depend on the
thickness can be seen by selecting the thickness range on the bottom buttons.
Steel Properties
The material type window will vary according to the selected material and active
code.
Steel Properties
Steel properties are properties related to the steel material
only. If the option User Def is selected, the user will be
able to change the material thickness as well as the
modulus of elasticity.
Steel properties include:
Thickness dependent
properties
Linear structural properties Thickness definition
ANSYS plastic behavior
Strain limits
Strain limits
Code Properties
The code window will vary according to the selected material and active code.

9.4. Concrete Material Properties
Code Properties
Properties related to the active steel code.
Safety factors
according to code
Mechanical
properties
9.4 Concrete Material Properties

General Properties
9.4 Concrete Material Properties

You can select one of the materials from the library and all
the properties will be automatically defined. You can also
modify all the properties by the User Def option.
Define material properties

from library
Actual calculation time

User Defined:
You can define a material
from the library and then
modify it, changing its
reference to User Def.
Material
Birth Time
After changing its

properties, you can save
the material into the
user material library.
Analysis Diagram
Analysis Diagram
The analysis diagram is the stress-strain curve that will be

used by ANSYS for the structural analysis of the model.
It is possible to define the real
stress-strain analysis
diagrams of the materials
using the pre-established for Non-Linear
Behavior
the active code or to modify
these diagrams by adding or
deleting points with the option
user defined.
One stress-strain
curve for each age

Design Diagram
Design Diagram
The design diagram is the stress-strain curve that is used by
CivilFEM for sections check and design.
Choose the stress-

strain diagram type or
define it by adding or
deleting points.
Concrete properties and code properties
Concrete properties and code properties

It is possible to add, delete or modify the existing ages of the
material. All material properties are automatically calculated
for the additional ages.
Age dependent
properties
With time dependent materials, the user has the option to plot the evolution of
certain properties through time by clicking with the right mouse button on the
name of the property:


9.5. Reinforcing Steel Material Properties
9.5 Reinforcing Steel Material

Properties
The ~CFMP command defines all reinforcing steel material properties including
the properties necessary to carry out an ANSYS analysis.
9.5 Reinforcing Steel Material Properties

You can select a type of reinforcing steel from the library of
materials and all the properties will automatically defined.
You can also modify all of the properties by the User Def
option.
Define material properties
from library:
User Defined:
You can define a material
from the library and then
modify it, changing its
reference to User Def.
After changing its

properties, you can save
the material into the
user material library.

9.6. User Material Library
9.6 User Material Library

After modifying a material, it can be saved for future sessions of CivilFEM. To
do this, press the Save button on the material browser window.
The name of the file where the material will be stored must be specified in the
Database FileName field. If the file does not exist, it will be created, and if it
already exists, the material will be added to the file. The name of the file will be
the name of the folder that will appear inside the USER group of materials, and
it will contain all the materials stored in it.
To use the saved materials in a different computer, it is only necessary to copy
the file or files that contain the materials to the respective folder on the other
computer.
9.6 User Material Library
It is possible to add user materials into the CivilFEM

material library by:
Selecting a material from the library
Modifying its properties (User Def)
Storing it in a file named by the user
The name of the

file to be created
must be specified

By default, the user material file will have the jobname. The
extension of this file is .UMP and it is stored in the
following folder:
%AppData%\CivilFEM\MatUserLib
Where %AppData% is the System Application Data folder. For
example: C:\Documents and Settings\User\Application Data
The material properties are read and listed in the active

unit system and code.

To delete a saved material, select the material and press the button Delete
material/file.
To delete a whole file, all of the materials it contains must be deleted first. Once
it is empty it is possible to delete it by selecting it and pressing the Delete
material/file.

9.7. List of Materials
9.7 List of Materials
9.7 List of materials
The properties of the materials defined in CivilFEM can be

listed in ASCII or HTML. There are 2 types of listings:
Short list
Detailed list

10 CivilFEM Cross Sections

10.1. Cross Section concept
10.1 Cross Section concept
10.1 Cross Section concept

This concept refers to a unique cross section, as commonly
understood in engineering. There are many ways of defining
cross sections with CivilFEM using the cross section explorer.
Main Menu> Civil Preprocessor> Cross Section
In this window we can see a list

of all the defined cross sections
10.2 Steel Cross Sections
10.2 Steel Cross Sections
A steel cross can be defined in five different ways:
Library of hot rolled shapes

Steel beams by dimensions
Steel sections by plates
Section merge
Capture 2D mesh

10.2. Steel Cross Sections
Hot Rolled Shapes Library

To select the desired section, the user must find the section in the shapes
library, located in the left side of the window. This library contains all the shapes
classified in CivilFEM.
Hot Rolled Shapes Library Search option
Apply+Exit Add shapes

into the
library
Section
dimensions
ANSYS and CivilFEM

properties will be
Section properties.
automatically defined
More properties are
according to active units
available through listing
In the top right corner of the window, the user may find the Search button
(Find).

Steel sections from the library can be found using the

sections search function. The user may specify up to 3
properties.
The user can introduce shapes into CivilFEM library by two

ways:
Reading shape files
Using the CivilFEM window

The user data files for hot rolled shapes are stored in the
following folder:
%AppData%\CivilFEM\ShapeUserLib
Where %AppData% is the System Application Data folder.
The files extensions are .bin .mec (mechanical properties)

and .geo (geometrical properties).

Reading files: The user must specify the files (the geometric
data file and the mechanical properties file) needed to import
the new shapes. If the mechanical data are not available,
CivilFEM will calculate them automatically from the defined
geometry.

CivilFEM Window. The user must specify the necessary

parameters to define the new shape.
The group number must be

between 501 and 999
Steel Sections by Dimensions

In this window, steel sections by dimensions may be created. To do so, the type
of section must be previously selected. The different types of sections
supported by CivilFEM are the following:
I
C
T
L
PIPE
BOX
After defining the type of section, the desired values are introduced in the
corresponding boxes. To identify the notation used in the sections geometry,
the user may consult the figure attached in the bottom left corner of the screen.

Steel Sections by Dimensions
This option allows you to define steel sections by their

dimensions.
Available shapes Material

by dimensions number
Dimensions
Steel Sections by Plates

Steel sections may also be defined by plates. To do so, choose the option Steel
by Plates and then create each of the plates coinciding with the section.
Clicking on the New plate button will create a new plate, and by clicking the
Modify plate button you will be able to modify properties of the existing plate.
The Delete plate button will delete plates.
If one of the plates is clicked with the mouse, the corresponding plate will
change the color, and its properties will be displayed in the window.

Steel Sections by Plates

In this window new plates may be defined, or already created
ones can be modified or deleted. Properties for the selected
plate are also displayed here.
Define, modify or
delete plates
These types of
shapes can be
checked by codes.
To define steel sections by plates, the following must be

defined:
Plate number Plate material
Plate Type:
web or flange
Connections
Plate end
points
coordinates
Steel Sections by Merge

Occasionally it is necessary to create a section as a composition of two existing
sections. This is performed with the Merge utility, which can be accessed by
pressing the Merge button on the section browser window.

Steel Sections by Merge

First, the two sections to be merged must be defined.
Definition of
first section
Definition of
second section
In the Merge dialog, the following data must be entered:

Number: New section Id number.
Section 1: First section.
Section 2: Second section.
Coord. Y: Y coordinate of the axis origin of section 2 (referred to the
axis of section 1).
Coord. Z: Z coordinate of the axis origin of section 2 (referred to the
axis of section 1).
: Rotation angle of section 2, measured counter clockwise
from the vertical line.
Name: Name of the new section.

10.3. Concrete Cross Sections
Finally merge the

sections.
Coordinates of
the section 1 Section 3
respect to the
section 2
The created section will maintain all the code properties of section 1 and will
have all the points, tessella, faces, plates, reinforcement groups, etc. of the two
initial sections.
10.3 Concrete Cross Sections
10.3 Concrete Cross Sections
It is possible to check and design reinforced concrete beams

formed by any generic cross section under axial loading plus
biaxial bending, shear, torsion and combined shear and
torsion.
Cross sections by
dimensions
Import/Export of a
2D mesh
Merge sections

In this screen, concrete sections may be created by dimensions. To do so, the

type of section must be selected (Shape). Possible section types are:
I
C
T
L
PIPE
BOX
After defining the section type, the desired values must be introduced in the
corresponding boxes. To identify the notation used in the sections geometry,
the user may consult the figure attached in the bottom left corner of the screen.
This window allows you to define concrete sections by their

dimensions, defining all of their properties automatically.
Available shapes
Material
by dimensions
number

Concrete sections by dimensions:

Rectangular Box T
Pipe Circular I
Faces
Faces
Each reinforcement group is located on a face.
A single face may have different reinforcement groups
associated to simulate several reinforcement layers.
The face is a polygonal line defined by at least two
points.
4
Reinforcement location
The reinforcement is
located at the left of the
face.
3
1 2
Face

To define or modify a face:

Edit > Faces
Modify a face
Create a face
Click on a face to
select it
A face does not need to be defined by all the points of the contour of the
section; only the beginning and ending points of a straight line are needed.
In fact, a face can be inside the section; it does not have to be on the border
line of the section.
Tessella
Face
Points

Concrete Reinforcement
Concrete Reinforcement
Once the concrete section has been created and the faces
are defined, the user can reinforce it.
Types of concrete reinforcement:
Bending
Shear
Torsion
To enter the reinforcement definition dialog you must modify the section and
enter the Edit > Reinforcement groups:
Modify Reinforcement
New
Reinforcement
Group
Bending Reinforcement
The bending reinforcement of concrete sections is organized in groups, allowing
an unlimited number of reinforcement groups.

The reinforcement groups can be located on any face defined in the section.
The different possibilities that CivilFEM includes regarding the definition of
bending reinforcement groups are the following:
Total reinforcement group area
Reinforcement group area per unit of length
Number of bars in a group and its diameter
Number of bars in a group per length unit and its diameter
Space between bars and diameter of bars
When the bending reinforcement is introduced, by means of any of these 5
options, the rest of the data is calculated automatically.
It is possible to define a preliminary reinforcement in CivilFEM by activating the
Rkey option. Depending on the type of section, the Rkey field will have different
values. The reinforcement material is determined in the Rmat field.
Bending Reinforcement
There are 2 ways to define the bending reinforcement of a

cross section:
Using the predefined options (RKEY) when creating the cross
sections
Defining the reinforcement configuration desired by the user
Bending reinforcement is defined by groups of bars.
To modify the selected

predefined bending
reinforcement (RKEY), we must
change the parameter RKEY to
the option User Defined.

RKEY options:
Box
GROUP 2
GROUP 8
GROUP 3
GROUP 1
GROUP 5
GROUP 7
GROUP 6
GROUP 4
RKEY=1
Rectangular
GROUP 1 GROUP 2
GROUP 1
GROUP 1
GROUP 3
GROUP 2
GROUP 2 GROUP 4
RKEY=1 RKEY=2 RKEY=3
Circular
GROUP 1
RKEY=1

Pipe
GROUP 1
GROUP 2
RKEY=1
I Section
GROUP 1
GROUP 1
GROUP 2 GROUP 1
RKEY=1 RKEY=2 RKEY=3
T Section
GROUP 1
GROUP 1
GROUP 2
RKEY=1 RKEY=2

User defined reinforcement configuration.

For defining the bending reinforcement groups we must
specify:
Class
Location
Amount
Class
Scalable: This group may be modified (scaled) in the design
process.
Constant: This group is fixed and will not be scaled.
Scalable
Constant
Initial reinforcement Designed reinforcement
Location
Face that will support the reinforcement group and the
bar situation.
Amount
By ratio
By area Class
By bars
Face
Bar situation
By area
By ratio
By bars

Shear Reinforcement
The possibilities of input definitions concerning shear reinforcements in
CivilFEM are the following:
Area per unit length.
Input of a stirrups total area and the distance between stirrups.
Input of the longitudinal spacing of the stirrups and the diameters of bars.
Shear Reinforcement
Only one group of shear reinforcement may be defined for
each cross section.
Shear reinforcement may be defined:
By ratio: Area of shear reinforcement per unit of length.
Angle with the

longitudinal axis
Y
ALPHA Y
X Shear Y Shear Z
By area of one stirrup and distance between stirrups.
Y
ALPHA Y
X
S
Shear Y Shear Z
Distance between
stirrups

By number of legs and distance between stirrups.
Number of bars
to Shear Z
Number of bars
to Shear Y
Distance between
stirrups
Diameter of bars
Torsion Reinforcement
Torsion Reinforcement
Only one group of torsion reinforcement may be defined for
each section.
Torsion reinforcement has two components:

Transversal: Independent of shear reinforcement
May be defined:
By ratio
By area of stirrups and distance between stirrups
By diameter of bars and distance between stirrups
Longitudinal: Independent of bending reinforcement
May be defined:
By total area
By number of bars and diameter

10.4. Export/Import Cross Sections
10.4 Export/Import Cross Sections

Import ANSYS 2D model to CivilFEM
10.4 Cross Sections Export/Import (2D)

A section created in ANSYS with elements Mesh200 can be
captured by CivilFEM. This capability allows the definition of
any cross section shape.
CivilFEM
ANSYS

The user can define CivilFEM cross sections from any ANSYS 2D model using
nodes and MESH200 elements. ANSYS nodes and elements are transformed
into points and tessella of the CivilFEM section.
The number of the ANSYS coordinate system which will be the sections
coordinate system must be specified. By default, this coordinate system will be
the active coordinate system.
The section coordinate system will be the ANSYS coordinate system defined in
this window. It should be taken into account that the nodes and elements must
be contained on the YZ plane (X axis normal to the section).
Export CivilFEM sections to ANSYS
You can export any section defined with CivilFEM to ANSYS.
Select the coordinate system to

which the section will be exported.
This local coordinate system must
be created before exporting the
section
This option allows exporting the points and tessella of a CivilFEM cross section
to nodes and elements or keypoints and areas into ANSYS.
When you export the section you can create nodes and elements or areas and
keypoints only. In the case of creating elements, the superficial and linear
tessella are exported as MESH200 elements and the point tessella
(reinforcement) are exported as MASS21 elements.


10.5. User Data Base Cross Sections
10.5 User Data Base Cross

Sections
10.5 User Data Base Cross Sections
The user can create cross sections by means of any of the

CivilFEM possibilities and store them into files defined by the
user.
Select the section

to be stored in the
database
The user cross section files are stored in the following

folder:
%AppData%\CivilFEM\CSLib
Where %AppData% is the System Application Data
folder.
The files have the .UCS extension
It is possible to use a section defined in a previous session if it has been saved.

CivilFEM automatically loads all saved sections. These user defined sections

10.6. List of Cross Section
are displayed in a tree form, showing each of the files created and the sections
it contains.
The properties are read and

listed in the active unit
system and code
CivilFEM automatically
loads all saved sections
10.6 List of Cross Section
10.6 List of Cross Section
The data of the defined sections can be listed in HTML or

ASCII format. Choose between:
General List (only general properties are listed)
Detailed list (we can select which properties are to be listed)

10.7. Cross Section Edition
10.7 Cross Section Edition

Once the section has been created, if necessary, any characteristic of the
section may be redefined. To do so, you must select the desired section. Once
it is selected, the group of buttons under New Section will transform to Redefine
Section; clicking on any of them will display the window corresponding to the
type of section. Therefore, it is possible to transform a section easily.
10.7 Section Edition

Sections already defined in CivilFEM, can be redefined if
desired.
Section
redefinition
options
10.8 Sections Modification

It is possible to modify an existing section. To do so, the user must select the
Cross Sections Explorer and press the Modify button.
The different possibilities of section modifications are the following:
Section Menu
The only option available is to exit the modification utility, without saving the
changes done (Quit). It is equivalent to the Cancel button in the tool bar menu.

10.8. Sections Modification
Select Menu
In this menu, subgroups of the selected data can be chosen. The selection may
be carried out with the mouse pointer (By Pick), by Material Type or by Material
Number.
If the selected option is By Pick, CivilFEM will provide a list of entities from
which to choose:
Points
Tesella
Faces
Reinforcements
Plates
Edit Menu
In this menu the user may access the sections properties edition.

In this menu the user may access the section properties

edition.
Common data
10.8 Cross Sections Data
Common Data
General Properties
Data identifying the section:
Identification number, type, shape, titles
Dimensions
Data with the dimensions and geometry of the section:
Depth, width, thickness of the flange and web, filet radius
Points and Tessella Structure
When defining a cross section in CivilFEM the program
automatically divides it into points and tessella. Points are
used for the geometric description of the cross section and
tessella are needed when calculating the sections geometric
resistance.

Points Data
Data associated to each section point.
Material number associated to the point, material type,
Tessella Data
Data associated to each tessella such as:
Material associated to the tessella, material type,
The Refining Tessella option (TRefine) allows the user to increment the number
of tessella that form the section (remeshing the section) to obtain more precise
results in the calculations carried out.
You can increase the number

of cross section points and
tessella in the cross section
window:
Edit > TRefine
You can change the

material of the tessella:
Edit > Tessellum
Select the tessella to be changed,

pick on the change material button
and select the number of the
Material.

Type of Tessella:
Used for:
Representing reinforcements defined by
TYPE 1 bars
Associate LINK and BEAM elements
Point
ends (I or J)
Used for:
Represent plates
TYPE 2 Associate SHELL elements faces
Represent reinforcements uniformly
Line with two points distributed (Fi=0)
Used for:
Associate SHELL elements faces with
TYPE 3 edge nodes
Represent reinforcements distributed
Line with three points uniformly by curves (Fi=0)
Used for:
TYPE 4
Associate SOLID elements faces
Triangle with three
points
Used for:
TYPE 5 Associate SOLID element faces with
edge nodes
Triangle with six points
Used for:
TYPE 6
Associate SOLID element faces
Quad with four points
Used for:
TYPE 7 Associate SOLID element faces with
edge nodes
Quad with eight points

Mechanical and Structural Properties

Properties used for checking according to codes and for
structural analysis (they are transferred to ANSYS as real
constants for the calculation of the model).
Inertia moment, torsional moment, area, shear center,
For composite cross sections CivilFEM automatically
homogenizes these properties to the material with a lower
number inside the section.
Material 2
Material 1
Homogenize to
Material 1
CivilFEM allows the section properties to be changed (Edit > Mechanical

Properties) just by entering the value in the corresponding edit box. The original
value can be retrieved again by clicking on the A button (autocalculate).

Concrete Sections Data
Concrete Sections Data

Code properties
Additional data for calculating shear and torsion according to
codes:
Shear width, effective depth, uniform thickness, wall
equivalent width
Additional data for crack checking according to codes:
Bars diameter, effective reinforcement ratio,
Steel Sections Data
Steel Sections Data

Code Properties
Possible additional cross section data needed for steel code
checks:
Areas of holes to obtain the net area, summation of the
forces transmitted by the bolts
Plates Structure
Data concerning the plates decomposition of the section:
Number of plates, type, connections, thickness,
coordinates, class, reduction factors
The plates structure is automatically defined when creating
any type of steel section.
The class and reduction factors of the section are the output
data of calculations with codes (Eurocode 3, LRFD and British
Standard).

10.9. Concrete Code Properties
10.9 Concrete Code Properties
10.9 Concrete Code Properties
Concrete code properties are additional cross section

properties needed to check and design shear and torsion
reinforcement and to carry out crack checking according to
codes or standards.
Each concrete code has its own code properties. These
properties are automatically defined, for sections by
dimensions, when defining the cross section geometry.
It is only necessary to redefine these properties if you want
to use properties other than the default values or if you are
using a generic shape cross section.
To edit Code properties, select a concrete section and
press modify. Then Edit > Code Properties
(Main Menu > Civil Preprocessor > Cross section > Modify)

10.9. Concrete Code Properties
11 Shell Vertex

11.1. Shell Vertex Concept
11.1 Shell Vertex Concept
11.1 Shell Vertex Concept

A shell element concept equivalent to the beam cross
section used to represent properties of a particular vertex
of the shell element.
Shell vertices contain data and properties of the shell
element nodes.
Enter the
thickness
Steel shell
Select the
material
It is also possible to Create a new vertex, Modify an existing vertex, Delete it,
Create a vertex from another vertex already defined, and List created vertices.
When a vertex is created or modified, a window with two sections is displayed.
The first one refers to general parameters and the second one to
Reinforcement.

11.2. Shell Reinforcement
Enter the
thickness
Concrete shell
Select the
material
11.2 Shell Reinforcement

May be bending or/and shear reinforcement (concrete shells).
Parameters for bending reinforcement:
Material: reinforcing steel.
Reinforcement cover.
Reinforcement per unit of length:
Top surface in X direction
Bottom surface in X direction
Top surface in Y direction
Bottom surface in Y direction
KRnf: Braced reinforcement bars (only for CEB method)
ALP: Reinforcement angle (only for WOODS method)
THETA: Angle of compressive strut

11.2 Shell Reinforcement (concrete shell)

It is not necessary to define an initial amount of
reinforcement; only define the reinforcement material
number (Rmat).
Reinforcement Material
cover
Reinforcement
per unit length
Braced reinforcement
bars Angle of reinforcement
(only for Wood method)
Concrete
compression
strut angle

Parameters for shear reinforcement:

Material: reinforcing steel.
The reinforcement can be defined by ratio or by number of bars.
Reinforcement by ratio: Ass
Reinforcement by number of bars: NX, NY, SX, SY, Fi
11.3 Shear Reinforcement (concrete shell)
Material
By Ratio or By Number of bars
Ass: Reinforcement area per

SX: Longitudinal unit area
spacing of the
bars
NX or NY: Number of bars
per unit length
Fi: Diameter of bars (by number of bars)

11.3. List of Shell Vertex
11.3 List of Shell Vertex
11.4 List of Shell Vertex
The data of the defined shell vertex can be listed in

HTML or ASCII format. Choose between:
Short List
Detailed list

12 CivilFEM Member Properties

12.1. Member Properties Concept
12.1 Member Properties Concept

The Member Properties setting contain additional data for check and design
according to codes. These data embrace properties not directly associated to
the transversal cross section but to its functioning as a member of a group of
elements in a model.
12.1 Member Properties Concept
Member properties are data of the structure needed to

check according to codes and are not directly defined as
cross sections, element properties, or geometry.
Member properties depend on the active

code.
CivilFEM associates member properties to

Beam & Shell Properties or Solid Sections.
The properties already created are listed in the member properties window.
Moreover, New Properties can be created and existing properties Deleted,
Modified, Copied or Listed.

12.1. Member Properties Concept
The following window is displayed when a member property is created or

modified.
It is possible to change the property Number and Name in this window. The
different code-dependent parameters may be modified in the first tabs. In the
last tab, non-linearities for CivilFEM, non-linear beam calculations are activated
or deactivated (Bridges and Civil Non Linearities Module).

12.2. Steel Member Properties
12.2 Steel Member Properties
12.2 Steel Member Properties

Typical member properties are:
Member description: Column, beam,
Buckling lengths: Unrestrained length, length between
stiffeners,
Coefficients: K, Kw, Beta, Chi,
Default values
Active code
Each type of checking process requires specific member properties.

The program assigns the appropriate values from the code. All of these values
may be changed by the user. To determine what each variable means, look up
the code or press the help button in this window.
Not all code checking types require the definition of all the member properties.
ANSYS does not need these properties to solve the model.

12.3. Concrete Member Properties
12.3 Concrete Member Properties
12.3 Concrete Member Properties

Typical member properties are:
Strength reduction factor (used in certain codes such as AS3600)
Default values
Active code
The strength reduction factor is a member property that can be globally

assigned to the whole structure (CivilFEM Setup), or assigned to each of the
elements using Member Properties.

13 CivilFEM Beam & Shell Properties

13.1. Beam & Shell Properties and Real Constants
13.1 Beam & Shell Properties and

Real Constants
Beam and Shell Properties contain all the properties of a beam or shell element
type, not determined by their type, material, or location of nodes. Once the
cross sections (for beam elements) or the shell vertex (for shell elements) are
defined, the definition of the Beam and Shell Properties will associate the end of
the element with the corresponding Member Property and any other properties
(offsets, etc.).
13.1 Beam & Shell properties and Real Constants

Beam & Shell properties in CivilFEM are linked to ANSYS
sections and sets of real constants. The number identifying
the CivilFEM beam & shell property corresponds to the real
constants set number (or section number for BEAM188
BEAM189, SHELL181 and SHELL281) in ANSYS.
When assigning a Beam & Shell property to an element,
the corresponding ANSYS real constant set or section is
assigned.
When deleting a Beam & Shell property with CivilFEM
commands, the corresponding real constant set or section
in ANSYS is automatically deleted.
It is important to assign the Real Constant or Section
attribute to the geometry before meshing. This attribute is
the Beam & Shell Property number.
It is important to indicate during the definition of the property the element type to
which the Beam and Shell Property will be associated for the correct definition
of the real constants.

13.2. Beam & Shell Properties Definition
Beam & Shell Properties contains all the properties of a

beam or shell element type, not determined by its type,
geometry, material or location of nodes. It includes the
data of sections of a beam element and of all vertices of a
shell element.
For a beam element, a Beam & Shell property will contain
the following:
Beam & Shell property = Cross section (I) + Cross section (J) +
Member property + Offsets
For a shell element, a Beam & Shell property will

contain the following:
Beam & Shell property = Shell vertex (I) + Shell vertex (J) +
Shell vertex (K) + Shell vertex (L) +
Member property + Offsets + EFS
13.2 Beam & Shell Properties

Definition
13.2 Beam & Shell Properties Definition

Procedure:
1st step: cross sections definition (beams)
or shell vertex (shells).
2nd step: definition of member properties
in case its necessary.
3rd step: definition of beam & shell
property
1 2 3

Beam Property
The Beam Property window is divided into:
Upper Menu The beams general properties are defined here: Number,
Name, Beam type (Ename) and Offset location (Offset).
Cross Section (left side) where the type of beam section is chosen and its
offsets can be seen and modified.
Member Properties (right side) where member properties of the beam are
chosen and can be reviewed.
On the left side (Cross Section), it is possible to choose if the beam has a
constant section or is a tapered beam (pressing on the Constant Section button
will change the screen to display Variable Section)
It is possible to define variable cross sections for both

element ends by choosing an appropriate element type
(BEAM44 or BEAM54).
Element
Offset
type
definition
Cross section Member

properties
Node location
(offset)
List of ANSYS Real

Constants
There is a button in the bottom side to display the Real Constants assigned to
the beam.
Shell Property
The window is the same in the case of Shell Properties, but beam ends
(sections) are substituted by shell ends (vertex). Instead of displaying each end,
two fields with the vertex Thickness and the Material are shown.
For SHELL63 elements, the Elastic Foundation Stiffness (EFS) edit box is
available.

It is possible to define variable Shell sections by choosing

an appropriate element type.
Element
type
Member
Shell vertex
properties
Elastic Foundation List of ANSYS real

Stiffness (Shell 63) constants
Offset (Shell 181 and 281)
Elastic foundation stiffness is only available for SHELL63 elements.
Node location (offsets)
Offset Definition
When creating a BEAM44 or BEAM54 The nodes location can be
modified by entering an offset.
Offset
definition
(~BMSHOFF command).

The node is located at the center of gravity of the section.

The node is located at the sections axis origin.
The node is defined by entering its coordinates.
The node is located at the shear center of the section.
User:
These coordinates are referred to

the section axis.
The node is defined by entering its

coordinates or by clicking any of the 9
typified points on the section.
Coordinates
of nodes
When creating a SHELL181 or SHELL2891 The nodes location can

be modified by entering an offset.
Offset
definition
(~BMSHOFF command).

13.3. Beam 188 and 189 elements
The node is located at the any height.

The node is located at the Top of the shell.
The node is located at the Bottom of the shell.
User:
These coordinates refer to center of

the shell element.
Coordinate
The node is defined by entering the of node
vertical coordinate.
13.3 Beam 188 and 189 elements
13.3 Beam 188 and 189 elements
Beam 188 and 189 elements allow to render the real

shape of the section on the beam model:
PlotCtrls > Style > Size and Shape
1 ANSYS 10.0
NOV 29 2005
12:31:27
NODAL SOLUTION
STEP=1
Display of
SUB =1
TIME=1
SX (AVG)
element real
RSYS=0
PowerGraphics
EFACET=1
AVRES=Mat
shape DMX =.003277

SMN =-.146E+08
SMX =.146E+08
-.146E+08
-.113E+08
-.809E+07
-.486E+07
-.162E+07
MN .162E+07
.486E+07
Y .809E+07
X .113E+08
Z MX .146E+08
This allows the user to plot results (such as stresses) on

the 3D shape of the element, not only on the directrix of
the beam.

14 CivilFEM Solid Models Analysis

14.1. Solid Section Concept
14.1 Solid Section Concept
14.1 Solid Section Concept
Sections associated to elements of 2D and 3D models of finite elements.

It is used to extend the checking capabilities of the program to generic
models in 2D/3D with elements LINK, BEAM, SHELL, PLANE and
SOLID.
CivilFEM allows the definition of solid sections from a 2D model containing the
following two-dimensional elements: LINK1, PLANE2, BEAM3, PLANE42,
BEAM54, PLANE82, PLANE182, PLANE183.
CivilFEM allows the definition of solid sections from a 3D model containing the
following three-dimensional elements: BEAM4, LINK8, LINK10, PIPE16,
PIPE20, BEAM23, BEAM24, SHELL41, SHELL43, BEAM44, SOLID45,
SHELL63, SOLID64, SOLID65, SOLID72, SOLID73, SOLID92, SHELL93,
SOLID95, SHELL143, LINK180, SHELL181, SOLID185, SOLID186, SOLID187,
BEAM188, BEAM189.
14.2 Capturing Solid Sections

To define a solid section from a 2D or 3D model, it is necessary to select the
plane of nodes that defines the section situation and the elements that provide
their characteristics to the section. The definition of a solid section implies the
automatic definition of the associated cross section. This cross section will be
created by points, associated with the selected nodes of the model, and by
tessella, corresponding with the selected elements of the model that share

14.2. Capturing Solid Sections
those nodes. The tessella will have the same properties assigned to their
corresponding elements (material, type). This way, the points and tessella will
be linked to the nodes and elements of the model. This union will be used for
the calculation of stresses and the integration of forces and moments.
For the definition of the solid section, in addition to selecting the plane of nodes,
it is necessary to define a local Cartesian coordinate system whose axes Y-Z
define the plane of nodes. This coordinate system will be the coordinate system
of the associated cross section once it is captured.
14.2 Capturing Solid Sections

It is necessary to select the plane of nodes that defines the
section situation and the elements that provide their
characteristics to the section.
A local Cartesian coordinate system (Y-Z axes) defines the
plane of nodes.
The tessellas will have the same properties assigned to
their corresponding elements (material, type).
Automatic generation
of cross section
Plane of
nodes

15 Load Combinations

15.1. Typical Problems
15.1 Typical Problems

CivilFEM provides, through the combinations module, the possibility of
operating with a results set and combining them in such a way that given
targets can be achieved.
Therefore, the results combination is based on the search of the combination
among a certain data set that, following certain rules, fulfills the given targets at
each node of the structure.
Listed below are some of the questions that CivilFEMs load combination
module can solve.
15.1 Typical Problems

Problem example 1: Loads in building
What is the maximum moment in section A-A?
Where should the variable load be located?
Should the wind blow from right to left or from left to right?
Is the dead load favorable or unfavorable?
?
? A A
? ? ? ?

15.1. Typical Problems
Problem example 2: Mobile loads

Where should the two engines be located for the stress to
be maximum at point P?
? ? ?
Problem example 3: Selecting coefficients
Scheme of combinations in Eurocodes

E G, Gravity G k, Gravity G, Dead G k, Dead Q, Live Qk, Live
Q, Wind 0, Wind Qk, Wind Q,Thermal 0, Thermal Qk, Thermal ...
gG = 1.00 or 1.35 ?
gQ = 1.00 or 0.00 ?
You must decide

independently for each
section of the structure.

15.2. Main Applications of CivilFEM Combinations
15.2 Main Applications of

CivilFEM Combinations
15.2 Main Applications of CivilFEM Combinations
Mobile loads
Combinations with variable coefficients (favorable/
unfavorable)
Actions in different directions (wind, earthquakes, )
Combinations according to codes logic
Example:
Permanent actions (Gk)

Self weight
2x300kN located in the most Dead load of 20 kN/m
unfavorable position Road traffic actions (Qk)
Vehicles (Double-axis)
Border 2x300 kN in virtual lane 1
2x200 kN in virtual lane 2
Virtual lane 1 Uniformly distributed loads
9.0 kN/m2 in virtual lane 1
Border
2.5 kN/m2 in virtual lane 2
Virtual lane 2 2.5 kN/m2 in the other areas
Border Target:
2x200kN located in the most
Maximum MZ
unfavorable position Minimum MZ

15.2. Main Applications of CivilFEM Combinations
Eurocode 1: Permanent and transient situations (simplified)
Permanent actions Variable actions

The program will select
the coefficients to apply for
each target and element. G Gk Q Qk
Safety factor Safety factor
for permanent actions: for variable actions:
G = 1.00 if it is favorable Q = 0 if it is favorable
G = 1.35 if it is unfavorable Q = 1.00 if it is unfavorable
file.RST Start State Combined

results file.CMB or file.CVMB
Load state 1
Combination 1
Self weight
Permanent actions
Load state 2
Combination 2
Dead load
Vehicle in virtual lane 1
Load states 3 to 21
Combination 3
Vehicle 1
Vehicle in virtual lane 2
Load states 22 to 40
Combination 4
Vehicle 2
Uniformly distributed loads
Load states 41 to 58 Combination 5
Uniformly distributed load Road traffic actions
Combination 6
1st level combinations
2nd level combinations Permanent and transient
3rd level combinations situations

15.3. General Procedure I. Obtain All possible Load Cases
15.3 General Procedure I. Obtain

All possible Load Cases
With CivilFEM Combination module you can define certain combination rules
and obtain all the possible load cases that can be generated following those
rules.
15.3 General Procedure I

Define combination rules
Start States of each combination
Combination type
Coefficients for each start state
Calculate
Obtain all the possible load cases
Results are appended in the results file (from the last load
step defined).
This procedure will create new load steps that will be appended after the last
step is defined in the RST and RCV files.
Postprocessing of new load steps is done in the same way as for solved load
steps.

15.4. General Procedure II. Combine Results of the Whole Structure by Searching for Specific Targets
15.4 General Procedure II.

Combine Results of the
Whole Structure by
Searching for Specific
Targets
It is also possible to combine the initial load states following certain combination
rules by looking for a specific target (or a group of targets) instead of combining
all of the results. This will provide an envelope of results for the whole structure.
For example, combining for the maximum shear force will create an envelope of
maximum shear forces that can be produced for all the possible combinations
throughout the structure.
Apart from obtaining the enveloped results, CivilFEM will also provide the
concomitant results inside the same group. This is to say, these results occur at
the same time as the target is obtained. For example, for a beam element
structure for which the maximum shear force is the desired target, CivilFEM will
also provide the axial force or the bending moments that happen at the same
time (for the same combination) as the maximum shear force (the load
combination will be different for each point of the structure).
15.4 General Procedure II

Combination type
Define Targets
Calculate
Obtain envelopes searching for the targets
Point to combined results (new CMB and CVMB files)
Read combined results
This procedure is very useful when the load combinations may generate many
load cases (moving vehicle, for example).
15.5. General Procedure III. Search for a Specific Result at a Specific Location
15.5 General Procedure III. Search

for a Specific Result at a
Specific Location
Sometimes it may be useful to obtain a specific result at a specific location or
entity (beam, node, cross section, solid section, etc.). An example would be
obtaining the maximum vertical displacement at the center of a span.
In this case, the definition of the combination rules is needed; however, instead
of combining all the results, an inquiry will be done for a certain target at a
specified location.
15.5 General Procedure III

Combination type
Define Targets
Inquire
Worst hypotheses and coefficients
Results for certain points
Global Concomitance
Concomitant loads
Results at one entity (node, element, section, etc.). Not for the
whole model.

15.6. Define Combination Rules
15.6 Define Combination Rules

Start States
15.6 Defining Combination Rules

Start States
Each combination has its own start states
The start states can be obtained from:
Jobname.RST or Jobname.RCV
Combinations of CivilFEM (nested combinations)
From jobname.RST or jobname.RCV a start state can be
identified by:
The Load Step and Substep
The number of Data Set
From CivilFEM combinations, a start state can be identified
by:
The combination number
Combination Rules
Combination Rules
Combination Rules are logic relations between Start
States.
Each combination rule has its own Start States.
A combination rule may have any number of Start States
(up to a maximum of 1,000,000).
The result of the combination is called the combined result.
Combination rules can be nested unlimited times.
That means that the combined result of the combination i can be a
start state for the combinations i+1, i+2, , n, and combined
results of combination i+1 may be a start state for combinations
i+2, i+3, , n
E G, Gravity G k, Gravity G, Dead G k, Dead Q, Live Q k, Live Q, Wind 0, Wind Q k, Wind ...
Combined result Start State Combination Rule

There are 8 Types of Combination Rules

Addition [ADD]
Addition with Variable Coefficients [ADDVC]
Incompatible or Exclusive Start States [INCOMPAT]
Compatible Start States [COMPATIB]
Start States Option [OPTION]
Opposed Start States [OPPOSED]
Selection [SELEC]
Selection with variable coefficients [SELECVC]
Addition [ADD]
Description
Addition of all the Start States multiplied by fixed coefficients
Required Coefficients
1 Coefficient per Start State
Additional Data
None
Notes
It is the classic addition
It is equivalent to ANSYS combinations

Addition with Variable Coefficients [ADDVC]

Description
Addition of all the Start States multiplied by variable coefficients
2 Coefficients per Start State
Additional Data
None
Notes
It can be used in code combinations
For example C = fg.G + fq.Q
Incompatible or Exclusive Start States [INCOMPAT]
Description
As maximum one Start State may be selected (one or none) from
the defined ones
None
Additional Data
None
Notes
Used for representing mobile loads which can only occupy one
position of the possible ones

Compatible Start States [COMPATIB]
Description
Addition of any subset of the Start States defined (none, one,
several or all of them)
None
Additional Data
None
Notes
For representing mobile loads which may occur simultaneously
(surface loads)
Option [OPTION]
Description
Only one Start State is selected from the ones defined
None
Additional Data
None
Notes
For selecting from several hypotheses. For example, different
code hypotheses...

Opposed Start States [OPPOSED]
Description
Addition of all the Start States, but with each one multiplied by
+1.00 or -1.00
None
Additional Data
None
Notes
For actions which may act indistinctly in two opposed directions
(earthquake, wind...)
Selection [SELECT]
Description
Addition of a fixed number of Start States selected from the ones
defined
None
Additional Data
Number of Start States to add
Notes
For mobile loads which can act simultaneously in more than one
position

Description
Addition of a fixed number of Start States; each can be
multiplied by two coefficients
2 Coefficients per Start State
Additional Data
Number of Start States to add
Notes
It is the most general type; by degeneration, it is adapted to
any of the previous types

In a SELECVC combination the program adds a subgroup
selected from the start states defined for the combination
rule and it multiplies each by a different coefficient. The
program selects which ones are to be added for each
target and for each point of the structure
Start States selected
Start Start State

State 4
2 Start State
5
Start State
Start State
1
3
Combination Rule

Summary of Combination Rules
TYPE Coefficient Number of Start

Maximum Minimum States to add
ADD C1 C2 = C1 ALL
ADDVC C1 C2 ALL
INCOMPAT 0 1 1
COMPATIB 0 1 ALL
OPTION 1 1 1
OPOSED 1 -1 ALL
SELECT 1 1 NADD
SELECTVC C1 C2 NADD
These data should be introduced by the user.

15.7. Combination window
15.7 Combination window

Once the combinations module has been initialized, any combination can be
defined with of all its start states through this window:
Tool bar
Information about the

selected combination
or new combination
Information and
coefficients of the
selected start state
Default coefficients that

will be assigned to the
new start state
Combinations
and families
tree Visualization modes
of the start state list
Start states list. It includes the

defined combinations, the
available load steps and sub
steps and all the defined datasets.

15.7 CivilFEM Combination window
Combinations Tree
The combinations tree has a list of all the defined combinations, and each
combination contains a list of the start states that it combines. Each start state
can be a data set (load step with substep) or another combination previously
defined.
It has two main groups:
Combinations. It groups the list of all the combinations for the defined
loads.
Families. It groups the list of all the defined families (see the Bridge and
Civil Non Linearities Module in CivilFEM help).
After clicking with the right mouse button on the different elements of the tree, a
contextual menu will appear showing the actions that can be performed on this
element or group of elements.

Tool Bar
Tool Bar
The tool bar is located at the upper part of the window. The
tool bar has two parts: the fixed part, that remains
unchanged at any time, and the variable part, that adapts
to each situation, showing only the buttons that can be
used at each moment.
Information Window
This window, located at the right of the objects tree, has the following functions:
To show the properties of each selected object. Whenever an object is
selected (combination, load step, dataset, family, etc.), the window will
show all its properties.
To allow modification to the data.

To serve as a dialog box with certain actions. In some cases, for

example creating a new combination, it is necessary to enter a series of
values or properties to perform the desired action.
To create a new combination, it is necessary to define the type of combination
and the number of start states:
Defining Combination Rules

Define the type of combination and the number of Start
States
Before starting with calculations, you must define all the
combination rules and targets.
Combination name
Combination number
Number of Start States included in Type of combination

this combination rule
Start States List

This is a list of possible start states to choose from for a combination. The
combinations previously defined can also be start states for a new combination
(nested combinations).

Defining Start States

Define the start states of each combination rule
Origin of the Start State:

Load Step and Sub Step
[file RST] or [file RCV]
Data Set
[file RST] or [file RCV]
Previous combination
[file CMB] or [file CVMB]
Coefficients window
When a combination is defined, the default coefficients have to be introduced if
they are required. These coefficients are applied to all the start states which
form the combination.
Once the combination has been created, the start states coefficients can be
changed by selecting the desired start state and changing their value at Start
State window.

Defining Coefficients
Define the coefficients of each start state (if required)
Maximum coefficient Minimum coefficient
If a default value is introduced, it will be

applied to the rest of Start States.
Combination Definition Process
Combinations Definition Process
In order to define a new combination, the following

steps should be followed:
1. Select the group of all the combinations.
2. Enter the information of the new combination:

3. Press the button to create the new combination.
4. Select from the start state list, the start states desired to be included
in the combination (more than one can be selected while pressing
the control key [CTRL]). The default coefficients for the start states in
the combination must also be defined.
5. Select the combination from the tree (it still does not have its start
states defined):
6. Drag the selected start states from list with the mouse and drop them
into the combination:

15.8. Obtain All Possible Load Cases
6. Another possibility (instead of drag & drop) is to press the contextual

button in the tool bar.
This way, the combination can also be completely defined:
15.8 Obtain All Possible Load

Cases
15.8 Obtain All Possible Load Cases

Following the General Procedure I, you can obtain ALL the
load cases that the combinations define.
Caution: This may generate many load cases.

15.9. Defining Targets
Following Procedure I, CivilFEM will generate all the load cases defined by the
combination rules.
These new load cases will be appended to the RST and RCV files, following the
previously solved load steps.
15.9 Defining Targets
15.9 Defining Targets

Targets are results that have to be maximized or
minimized.
Strains, stresses, forces, moments, displacements or
reactions are TARGETS.
TARGETS may be maximum, minimum or maximum in
absolute value.
You can define as many targets as you wish; each one will
generate its own results for each combination.
The calculation of all of the combinations can be a long
process, so it is important to define all the targets before
doing the combinations.
To define targets use: Main Menu > Civil Postprocessor >
Combine Results > Def One Target

Targets are divided into ANSYS and CivilFEM targets:

Targets related to elements (ANSYS)
Beam elements
Shell elements
Solid elements
Axisymmetric elements
Targets related to nodes (ANSYS)
Movements
Reactions ANSYS Targets
Targets related to
element ends (CivilFEM)
Cross sections
Shell vertex CivilFEM Targets
Cross Section (CROSS)

CivilFEM targets include forces, moments and stresses and
strains at the sections points calculated by CivilFEM for beam
elements and stored in the CivilFEM results file (jobname.RCV).
For cross sections, the number of points varies and may grow
indefinitely, so the targets for these points are limited to 14.
Therefore, the number of available targets is 6 relative to forces
and moments, 14 to stresses, and 14 to strains. In the last two
cases, the target refers to a point and a component of the stress
or strain in that point, both defined by the user.
Concomitance is established for all the data which compose the
forces and moments in the section and for all of the components
of the stresses and strains of all the points in the section.
Shell Vertex (VERTX)
CivilFEM targets include forces, moments, and stresses and
strains calculated by CivilFEM for shell elements vertices and
stored in the CivilFEM results file.
A target is defined by its referred datum (for example FX) and by its TYPE
(Minimum, Maximum or Maximum in absolute value).

Defining One Target

All the combinations defined use all the Targets defined
Target Number
Targets Group
Type of Target
If you select CROSS as a target group, you can define the

cross section points as either a stress or strain target.
User Point
number
Cross section
point number
Stress or strain

15.10. Combine Searching for Targets
15.10 Combine Searching for

Targets
Following Procedure II, it is possible to obtain an envelope of certain results and
the concomitant results associated to these envelopes.
15.10 Combine Searching for Targets

All the combination rules simultaneously search for the targets
List of all the targets, combination

rules, start states and coefficients
CivilFEM will create two additional results files: .CMB and .CVMB in which the
enveloped results will be stored.
15.11 Point to Combined Results
After combining targets, it is necessary to point to the correct results file for
postprocessing:
.RST/.RCV for the initial load steps.
.CMB/.CVMB for the enveloped or combined results.

15.11. Point to Combined Results
15.11 Point to Combined Results
You can read the Original and the Combined results
Command ~CMBDAT allows the user to select or to point to original or

combined results. Afterwards, the user may use ~CMB or ~CFSET commands
to recall to memory the combination and target that will be postprocessed.
Original Results Combined Results
*.RST *.CMB
~COMBINE
*.RCV
*.RCV *.CVMB
1 2
~CMBDAT

15.11. Point to Combined Results
The combined results are written in file. CMB or file. CVMB

depending on the origin of the results being combined.
File.CMB will contain combinations from file.RST.
Therefore, since these combinations come from ANSYS
results file, code checking or reinforced design are not
allowed.
File.CVMB will contain combinations from file.RCV.
Therefore, since these combinations come from CivilFEM
results file, code checking or reinforced design are
allowed.
If the user requires CivilFEM code checking and design
capabilities for a particular combination, a CivilFEM Target
(CROSS or VERTX) should be defined.
Each combination result occupies a Load Step in file.CMB

or file.CVMB.
Therefore, you will have as many Load Steps as
combination rules defined.
The results corresponding to each target are written as a
Sub Step of each Load Step. Therefore, combinations
correspond to Load Steps and Targets correspond to Sub
Steps.
You will have as many Sub Steps as targets defined
All the Load Steps of file.CMB have the same amount of Sub
Steps
The results in the combined results files (.CMB/.CVMB) can be postprocessed

in the same way as solved results (plot and list results, code checking, etc.)

15.12. Reading Combined Results
15.12 Reading Combined Results

Once the combined results file is selected, the combination rule, containing the
data to be loaded, can be specified through the target number or by description.
In case the target number is not indicated, the target with the lower number will
be loaded.
15.12 Reading Combined Results
Reading Results (by number or by description)
Enter the number of the

combination to read. The last
combination by default
Target groups and targets

defined previously
Example of combined results in a hexagonal shell

Combination: 1, target: 1 (absolute Z maximum displacement)
Combination
Target

15.13. Inquiring
15.13 Inquiring
15.13 Inquiring
CivilFEM allows the user to determine which coefficients to
multiply the start states of a combination and where the loads
must be applied to achieve a particular target at a determined
node or element of the structure.
This can be done with command

~CMBINQ or by menu: Main Menu > Civil
Postprocessor > Combine Results > Nodal
Results or Element Results.
Target, node,
and combination
rule required
Listing values
Loading
concomitance in
the whole model

15.14. Concomitance
Target, node, and value required
Combination Rule
Worst Combination
UZ* for the selected

node and rule
Inquiring can be done before combining. Combinations are not required to

obtain inquired results.
15.14 Concomitance
15.14 Concomitance
CivilFEM allows the user to identify any concomitant value

of each point and the group to which the TARGET belongs
to.
The concomitant loads in the model for the combination

rule selected will be available until a new data set is
specified by means of the ~CFSET or ~CMBDAT
commands.

16 Concrete Check and Design

16.1. General Concepts
16.1 General Concepts

Checking and reinforcement design of reinforced concrete beams in CivilFEM
includes structures made of 2D and 3D beam elements under axial loading plus
biaxial bending, shear, torsion, and combined shear and torsion (depending on
the Code or Standard).
The check and design process of reinforced concrete beams under axial
loading plus biaxial bending is based on the 3D interaction diagram of the cross
section to be analyzed. The 3D interaction diagram contains the (FX, MY, MZ)
forces and moments corresponding to the sections ultimate strength states.
Using the diagram, the program is able to check and design the section taking
into account the previously obtained forces and moments acting on the section.
This process allows the consideration of any generic section and the check and
design of sections consisting of different concretes and reinforcement steels.
16.1 General Concepts Codes

Eurocode 2
Reinforcements can be ACI 318
checked or designed ACI 349 (CivilFEM NPP)
according to the Ultimate ACI 359 (CivilFEM NPP)
Limit State with the CivilFEM CEB-FIP
utilities for concrete checking. Spanish code EHE
British Standard 8110
Australian code AS3600
Chinese code GB50010
Brazilian code NBR6118
AASHTO Standard
Specifications for Highway
Bridges
Indian code IS456
Russian code SP 52-101-03
Structural Design Code for
Buildings (CivilFEM NPP)

Code check
CivilFEM checks the structure with
a fixed amount of reinforcement
and shows the safety factor of each
element.
Code design
CivilFEM checks the structure and
multiplies the initial scalable
reinforcement until obtaining a
safety factor (1/criterion) as close
as possible to 1.00.
Code check has the following options available for beam elements and solid
sections:
2D Axial force + Bending Moment. CivilFEM uses the interaction diagram of

each section, taking into account the design stress-strain curve for each of
the materials of the section. The moment of the Y or Z section is considered.
the materials of the section. Moments in two directions are applied to the
section.
Shear, Torsion, and combined Shear & Torsion. Availability of these three
checks depends on the code formulation.
Cracking. If available, CivilFEM can obtain the cracking criterion according
to code. A decompression analysis can also be made to analyze the state of
the concrete structure.
For shell elements, the following options are available:
Check under bending moments and in plane loading, using the CEB-FIP
formulation.
Check for bending moments, axial loads, in plane shear loads, out of plane
shear loads, and torsional moments using the Orthogonal Directions
Method.

Check for bending moments, axial loads, in plane shear loads, out of plane
shear loads and torsional moments using the Most Unfavorable Directions
method.
Check the shear reinforcement (not available for all codes).
CivilFEM can obtain the needed reinforcement (design) in order to fulfill the
code requirements. For beam elements, the following design options are
available:

the materials of the section. The moment of the Y or Z section is considered.
Scalable reinforcement will be increased/decreased until the section reaches
a safety factor of 1.0, according to the code.
the materials of the section. Moments in two directions are applied to the
section. Scalable reinforcement will be increased/decreased until the section
reaches a safety factor of 1.0 according to the code.
Shear, Torsion and combined Shear & Torsion. Availability of these three
checks depends on the code formulation. Shear and torsional reinforcement
will be increased/decreased until the section reaches a safety factor of 1.0
according to the code.
For shell elements, the following options are available:

Design under bending moments, using the Wood-Armer formulation.
Design under bending moments and in plane loading, using the CEB-FIP
formulation.
Design for bending moments, axial loads, in plane shear loads, out of plane
shear loads and torsional moments using the Orthogonal Directions Method.
Design for bending moments, axial loads, in plane shear loads, out of plane
shear loads and torsional moments using the Most Unfavorable Directions
method.
Design the shear reinforcement (not available for all codes).

16.2. 2D Axial + Bending Check
Results
The available results of a concrete
check or design are grouped into two
blocks:
Beam Results
This group includes the results for
beam cross sections as well as the
results of check or design of a solid
section.
The available results to be plotted or
listed depend on the type of checking or
design that has been carried out.
Shell Results
This group includes the results for shell
element vertices.
16.2 2D Axial + Bending Check
16.2 2D AXIAL+BENDING CHECK
CivilFEM checks the structure with the initial

reinforcement amount.
Stresses can be limited for

concrete or for the reinforcement
This check only complies with the sections strength requirements, thus ignoring
the requirements related to the minimum reinforcement amounts or dispositions
for each code and structural typology.
The check criteria provide information about the relationship between the acting
force and moment combination and the ultimate force and moment combination.
If this criterion is less than 1.0, in such a way that the forces and moments
acting on the section are inferior to its ultimate strength, the section is safe
(element is OK). On the contrary, for criterion higher than 1.0, the section will be
considered as not valid (element is NOT OK).
The following results are available for each element:

Elements that are OK and NOT OK according to
code specifications
Criterion
Interaction diagram
Code check/design results
Red elements
need more
reinforcement
Elements with
Criterion < 1
are O.K.

Interaction Diagram
2D Interaction diagram
Design loads
Ultimate
strength
Without
reinforcement
Inside OK
Outside Not OK
This is a 2D interaction diagram. It includes all the necessary information for

checking as well as design. Effects of actions, ultimate strength, safety
information, as well as strength with and without reinforcement can be seen.
The criterion provided is the ratio between the distances of the center of the
diagram to the design loads point and the center of the diagram to the ultimate
strength.

16.3. 3D Axial + Biaxial Bending Check
16.3 3D Axial + Biaxial Bending

Check
16.3 3D AXIAL+BIAXIAL BENDING CHECK
CivilFEM checks the structure with the initial reinforcement

amount and shows the following results for each element:
Elements that are OK and NOT OK according to code
specifications
Criterion
2D/3D Interaction diagram
Stresses can be limited for

concrete or for the reinforcement
As for the 2D axial + bending check, the check criteria provide information
about the relationship between the acting axial force and moment combination
and the ultimate axial force and moment combination.
If this criterion is less than 1.0, the forces and moments acting on the section
are lower than its ultimate strength: the section is safe (element is OK). For
criterion higher than 1.0, the section will be considered as not valid (element is
NOT OK).

16.3. 3D Axial + Biaxial Bending Check
3D Interaction Diagram
3D Interaction diagram
Above is a 3D interaction diagram. Interaction diagram is a surface in the space

(FX, MY, MZ) which defines the boundary of the failure criteria of the cross
section. Therefore, this surface contains the forces and moments corresponding
to the sections ultimate strength states.
It also includes all the necessary information for checking as well as design.
Effects of actions, ultimate strength, safety information, and strength with and
without reinforcement are also shown.

16.4. Axial + Biaxial Bending Design
16.4 Axial + Biaxial Bending

Design
16.4 AXIAL+BIAXIAL BENDING DESIGN
Process of Reinforcement Design

In the design process all the scalable reinforcements are
multiplied by a factor so that the safety factor of the
section is as close as possible to 1.00.
Factor is taken from a range of values specified by the

user. In case they are not specified, the program takes
the configuration values:
min < < max (by default 0.5 2.0)
The design process follows the steps described bellow:

If the safety factor is higher than 1 for = min then min will be
used.
If the safety factor is less than 1 for = max then design fails. In
this case, the user must either increase the initial reinforcement of
the section or change max.
For other cases the factor is obtained between min and max so
that safety factor is within 1.00 and 1.01.
With CivilFEM, the results of reinforcement design are the

amount of reinforcement designed and the factor for
each element.

16.4. Axial + Biaxial Bending Design
2D Axial+Bending Design of the Reinforcement
Selection of
bending plane
min and max

Optional stress limit
3D Axial+Bending design of the reinforcement
min and max

Optional stress limit
Reinforcement
factor

16.5. Shear and Torsion Check and Design
16.5 Shear and Torsion Check and

Design
16.5 SHEAR AND TORSION CHECK AND DESIGN
CivilFEM allows following types of check and

design for shear and torsion:
Shear only
Torsion only
Combined shear and torsion
The Partial Safety Factors are the code comparison criteria. For example, the
torsion check according to Eurocode 2 (EN 1992-1-1:2004/AC:2008) uses the
following comparison parameters: TRDMAX (Maximum design torsional
moment that can be resisted by the section without crushing of the concrete
compressive struts, TRd,max), CRT_1 (Ratio of the design torsional moment (T Ed)
to the resistance TRd,max), TRD (Maximum design torsional moment that can be
resisted by the torsion reinforcement, TRd) and CRT_2 (Ratio of the design
torsional moment (TSd) to the resistance TRd)
The Global Safety Factor takes into account all of the Partial Safety Factors and
indicates the higher ratio of the design shear, torsional moment, or combined
shear and torsional moment to the sections ultimate resistance: if it is less than
1.0, the section is valid (element is OK); whereas if it exceeds 1.0, the section is
not valid (element is NOT OK).

16.6. Cracking Check
Check results are:

Elements OK and NOT OK
Global safety factor
Partial safety factors and results
Design results are:
Elements OK and NOT OK (Unable to design)
Partial results
Reinforcement amount
16.6 Cracking Check
16.6 CRACKING CHECK

The cracking check of beam cross sections
in CivilFEM is available for the following codes:
Eurocode 2
ACI 318
ACI 349 (CivilFEM NPP)
EHE
ITER Structural Design Code for Buildings (CivilFEM
NPP)
It is possible to do the following types of checks:
Decompression : Checks if all the internal cross section
points are under compression.
Cracking : Calculation of the crack width/limited stress,
taking into account the bending about one of the local
axes of the section. Formulation depends on the code.

16.7. Shell Reinforcement Check and Design
16.7 Shell Reinforcement Check

and Design
16.7 SHELL REINFORCEMENT CHECK AND
DESIGN
Shell reinforcement works with elements
SHELL43, SHELL63, SHELL93 SHELL181 and
SHELL281
CivilFEM allows to design the shell reinforcement

according to the following methods:
Wood-Armer Method
CEB-FIP Method
Orthogonal Directions
Method
Most Unfavorable Direction
Method
Reinforcement amount varies in
X & Y directions and in top &
bottom faces for each vertex. ~DIMCON Command

Wood Method
WOOD METHOD
Design of reinforcement is done for MX, MY and MXY. In-
plane axial and shear loads are ignored.
The orientation angles of the reinforcement can be defined

for each vertex. By default ALPHA= 0.
My*
Mx*
Element
axis
The reinforcement design of shells under bending and torsional moments is

accomplished by the Wood Method.
Calculation process follows these steps:
The reinforcement design moments are obtained from the acting bending
moments: The bending moments Mx, My and torsional moments Mxy are
provided by the shell calculation and obtained from the CivilFEM results
file. Once Mx, My, and Mxy are found, a pair of design moments Mx*
and My* are searched (see the picture above). These two moments are
necessary for the reinforcement design and must include all the possible
moments generated by Mx, My, and Mxy in any direction. Two pairs of
design moments are obtained: one for the bottom reinforcement and one
for top reinforcement.
The limit bending moment is calculated taking into account the active
code specifications.
The reinforcement is calculated depending on if the design moment is
greater or less than the limit bending moment. If the design bending
moment is greater than the limit, both tension and compression
reinforcements are disposed; otherwise only tension reinforcement is
disposed.
Designing results are stored in the CivilFEM results file. These results
are: Reinforcement amount at X top, reinforcement amount at X bottom,
reinforcement amount at Y top and reinforcement amount at Y bottom.

CEB Method
CEB-FIP 1990 METHOD

Design of reinforcement taking into account :
Tx, Ty, Txy, Mx, My, Mxy, Nx, Ny
Struts and
ties model
The reinforcement designing of shells under bending moment and in plane

loading is accomplished by model code CEB-FIP 1990.
The reinforcements take an orthogonal network (directions in this network are
taken as element X and Y axes).
Calculation process is based on the following:
The shell is considered to be ideally divided in three layers. The outer
layers provide resistance to the in plane effects of both the bending and
the in plane loading; while the inner layer provides a shear transfer
between the outer layers.

It assumes that the shell is reinforced with an orthogonal mesh with a x

and ay separation. Therefore, the shell is divided into cells and its
equivalent forces (npSdx, npSdy, vpSd) for reinforcement calculation are
obtained from the acting forces and moments obtained from the CivilFEM
results file.
The struts and ties method is applied to determinate the reinforcement
amount from the tension of the steel bars and the compression of the
concrete on each cell.
Two data are necessary: whether the reinforcing steel bars are braced or
not and the angle between the reinforcement X axis (element X axis)
and the direction of concrete compression. By default, = 45 (although
it is valid any angle if 1/3 tan 3).

Orthogonal Directions Method
ORTHOGONAL DIRECTIONS METHOD
Reinforcement is designed under bending moments and

axial forces, for the directions of the reinforcement and
independently one from the other.
Reinforcements are defined as an orthogonal net (directions

of this net are taken as element X and Y axes).
Torsional moment and membrane shear force may or may not be neglected.
If they are not neglected:

T* x Tx Txy Sign(Tx )
T* y Ty Txy Sign(Ty )
M* x Mx Mxy Sign(Mx )
M* y My Mxy Sign(My )
Where T*x and T*y are axial forces, Mx and My bending moments, and Mxy
torsional moment and Txy membrane shear force.
X and Y represent the orthogonal directions of bending reinforcement of the

shell (Element X and Y axes)
Checking results will provide the criterion for the X and Y directions
independently.
Design results will include the reinforcement factor for each direction, top and
bottom surface.
Depending on the active code, the checking or design is performed using the
pivot diagram described for the check and design of concrete cross sections.
The maximum allowable stress in the reinforcement can be specified in order to
consider ULS cracking design.
Most Unfavorable Direction Method
The aim of this design method is the calculation of the reinforcement of

concrete shells with a method based on the one proposed by Capra-Maury
which takes into account bending moments (Mxx, Myy) and torsional moments
(Mxy) as well as axial forces (Nxx, Nyy) and in plane shear forces (Nxy).
MOST UNFAVORABLE DIRECTION METHOD
A group of top (Axt, Ayt) and bottom (Axb, Ayb) reinforcements

will be obtained balancing the bending moment and axial force
(M, N) projected on a plane with its normal contained in the
shell.
To solve it, the total bottom reinforcement and the total top
reinforcement are minimized independently.
Reinforcements are considered to be orthogonal and set along the X and Y

axes of the element.
Considering a plane with its normal contained in the shell and located at an
angle from the positive X axis of the element, the bending moment and axial
force (M, N) are:
M() = Mxx cos2 + Myy sin2 - Mxy sin 2

N() = Nxx cos2 + Nyy sin2 - Nxy sin 2
From these values, the required reinforcements At and Ab are calculated.

The following conditions must be fulfilled
Axt cos2 + Ayt sin2 At

Axb cos2 + Ayb sin2 Ab

2 2
Depending on the active code, the check or design is performed using the pivot
diagram for beams, one for each direction.
Checking results will provide the total criterion and the axial force N() and
bending moment M() are used to obtain this criterion.
Design results will include the reinforcement area for each direction, top and
bottom surfaces.
The maximum allowable stress in reinforcement can be specified in order to
consider ULS cracking design.

16.8. Results
Shear
SHEAR
In shear check or design, the reinforcement is designed

under an equivalent shear force:
V Vx 2 Vy 2
It will be calculated according to the criteria of the

selected code.
The design shear force is the composition of the shear forces in each direction
of the shell.
16.8 Results
Checking results are stored in Alternatives. The RCV results file will store the
solved load steps and substeps, and the alternatives obtained by code check or
design. In order to postprocess the code results, it is necessary to point at the
desired alternative, not the load step.

16.8. Results
16.8 RESULTS
BEAM RESULTS
Partial results of the calculation according to the
selected code
Total criteria
Elements OK and NOT OK
Reinforcement amount or scaling factor (design)
SHELL RESULTS
An icon shows the

reinforcement location

16.8. Results

17 CivilFEM Steel Checking

17.1. General concepts
17.1 General concepts
17.1 General Concepts

With CivilFEM it is possible to accomplish steel code checks
according to the different design codes for steel structures.
It is possible to check any cross-

section defined using any of the
CivilFEM available methods,
including the cross-sections defined
by plates.
CivilFEM has the following codes implemented:

Eurocode 3
CTE DB SE-A (Spanish)
EA-95 (Spanish)
AISC-LRFD 2nd Edition
AISC-LRFD 13th Edition
AISC-ASD 13th Edition
AISC-ASD 9th Edition (CivilFEM NPP)
British Standard 5950 (1985 & 2001)
GB50017 (Chinese)
ASME BPVC Sect.III Div.1 SubSection NF (1989) (CivilFEM NPP)
ANSI/AISC N690-1994 (CivilFEM NPP)
ANSI/AISC N690-2006 ASD and LRFD provisions (CivilFEM NPP)
Each code uses different criteria and methods as shown hereafter.

17.2. Eurocode 3
17.2 Eurocode 3
Eurocode 3
Types of checking
Y
Tension (1D): FX+

Z G.C.
Compression (1D): FX- Z

Z
Bending (2D): MZ or MY
Y
Shear (2D): FY or FZ
Bending + shear (2D): (FY, MZ) or (FZ, MY)
Bending + Axial (3D): FX, MY, MZ
Bending + Axial + Shear (3D): FX, FY, FZ, MY, MZ
Compression Buckling (1D): FX-
Lateral Buckling (2D): MZ or MY
Lateral Buckling in Bending + Tension (3D): FX+, (MY or MZ)
Buckling in Bending + Compression (3D): FX-, MY, MZ
For studying the safety of the structure, Eurocode 3 classifies sections in 4

possible classes:
Class 1 Cross-sections that can form a plastic hinge with the rotation
capacity required for plastic analysis.
Class 2 Cross-sections that can reach their plastic moment resistance,
but have limited rotation capacity.
Class 3 Cross-sections in which the stress in the extreme compression
fiber of the steel member can reach its yield strength, but local
buckling is liable to prevent development of the plastic moment
resistance.
Class 4 Cross-sections in which it is necessary to make explicit
allowances for the effects of local buckling when determining
their moment resistance or compression resistance.

17.2. Eurocode 3
Class 1 Class 3
Mu = fy * W plastic Mu = fy * Welastic
It can form a plastic hinge Only elastic solutions
Class 2 Class 4
Mu = fy * W plastic Mu < fy * Welastic
Limited rotation capacity Only elastic solutions
Compact Sections Slender Sections
Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4
In class 4 sections, the section resistance is reduced: for each section plate, the
effective lengths at both ends of the plate and the reduction factors 1 and 2
are calculated.
Class 4 section
Axis selection
Plot options
Selection of Non-effective segment

the section
to plot
The program
takes into account Section forces
the reduction in and moments list
the resistance of
slender sections
(class 4) due to
local buckling. Plates list
CivilFEM considers and works with three different coordinate reference

systems. All of these systems are right-handed:

17.2. Eurocode 3
1. CivilFEM Reference Axis. (blue axis).

2. Cross-Section Reference Axis. (pink axis).
3. Eurocode 3 Reference Axis. (Code axis). (green axis).
To define the Eurocode 3 reference system, the user must indicate which of the
CivilFEM axis: -Z, -Y, +Z or +Y coincides with the relevant axis for positive
bending.
Specify the main

axis for bending
Class
Calculation
Class Calculation:
Partial: Check only takes into account the forces and
moments corresponding to the check being executed.
Full: Check takes into account all forces and moments.
Notes
According to Eurocode 3, CivilFEM checks:
Section resistance
Local buckling of the section plates
Element buckling with the method
Results and safety factors depend on the selected axis

for the check.
Eurocode 3 changes its sign criteria according to the two

cases:
In compression checking, compression is taken as positive.
In tension checking, tension is taken as positive.

17.3. EA-95
17.3 EA-95
EA-95
Types of Checks:
Tension (1D): FX+

Compression (1D): FX-
Bending (2D): MZ or MY
17.4 BS 5950
BS 5950 (1985 and 2001)

Y Y
Types of Checks: Y
Z G.C.
X
Z
Bending + Shear (2D): (FY, MZ) or (FZ, MY)

Lateral Buckling (2D): MZ or MY
Tension (1D): FX+
Compression Buckling (1D): FX-
Bending + Tension + Shear (3D): FX, FY, FZ, MY, MZ
Bending + Compression + Shear (3D): FX, FY, FZ, MY, MZ

17.4. BS 5950
CivilFEM, when performing checks according to BS 5950, considers and works

with three different coordinate systems. All of these systems are right-handed:
1. CivilFEM Reference Axis (blue axis).
2. Cross-Section Reference Axis (pink axis).
3. BS 5950 Reference Axis (Code Axis), (green axis).
Y Y
Z G.C.
Z
X
Specify the main
axis for bending
To define this reference system, the user must indicate which direction of the
CivilFEM axis: -Z, -Y, +Z or +Y coincides with the relevant axis for positive
bending.
The steps for the checking process are as follows:
1. Read the checking type requested by the user.
2. Read the CivilFEM axis to be considered as the principal bending
axis in order to coincide with the X-axis of BS5950.
3. Checking operations for each element:
Obtain material properties stored in the CivilFEM database
corresponding to the element and calculate the rest of the
properties needed for checking: Shear Modulus, Epsilon (material
coefficient).
Obtain the cross-section data corresponding to the element.
Determine of the section class (similar classification to Eurocode
3) and calculate the reduction factors applied to the design
strength in the case of slender sections.
Obtain forces acting on the section (Fx, Fvx, Fvy, Mx, My).
17.5. AISC-LRFD and ASIC-ASD
Check the specific section according to the type of external load.

Document the results which will be stored in the CivilFEM results
file (.RCV) as an alternative.
17.5 AISC-LRFD and ASIC-ASD
AISC-LRFD (2nd Edition)

Types of Checks:
Tension
Compression for flexural buckling
Compression for flexural-torsional buckling
Bending
Shear
Plate Girders
Bending + Axial
Bending + Axial + Shear + Torsion
AISC-ASD (9th Edition)

Types of Checks:
Tension
Bending
Shear
Axial compression + Bending
Axial tension + Bending

17.5. AISC-LRFD and ASIC-ASD
AISC-LRFD and AISC-ASD (13th Edition)

Types of Checks:
Tension
Bending
Shear
Plate Girders
Bending + Axial

17.6. ANSI/AISC N690
17.6 ANSI/AISC N690
ANSI/AISC N690-2006 ASD and LRFD provisions

Types of Checks:
Tension
Compression for Flexural Buckling
Compression for Flexural-Torsional Buckling
Bending
Shear
Plate Girders
Bending + Axial
ANSI/AISC N690-1994
Types of Checks:
Tension
Compression for Flexural Buckling
Compression for Flexural-Torsional Buckling
Bending
Shear
Axial Compression + Bending
Axial Tension + Bending

17.7. GB50017
17.7 GB50017
GB50017
Types of Checks:
Bending
Shear
Bending + Shear
Axial Force
Bending + Axial
Compression Buckling
17.8 CTE DB SE-A
CTE DB SE-A
Types of Checks:
Tension
Compression
Bending
Shear
Bending + Axial Force
Bending + Shear
Bending + Axial Force + Shear
Compression Buckling
Bending Buckling
Bending + Tension Buckling
Bending + Compression Buckling

17.9. ASME BPVC Section III Div.1 SubSection NF (1989)
17.9 ASME BPVC Section III Div.1

SubSection NF (1989)
ASME BPVC Sect. III Div.1 SubSection NF (1989)

Types of Checks:
Tension
Shear
Compression
Bending
Bending + Axial Compression
Bending + Axial Tension

18 CivilFEM Envelopes

18.1. Alternatives and Envelopes
18.1 Alternatives and Envelopes

The data in the CivilFEM results file are stored in two different types of data
blocks: blocks of stresses, forces, moments, and strains and blocks of
alternatives.
Data blocks of stresses, forces, moments, and strains are obtained and stored
immediately after solving.
Blocks of alternatives differ from each other in their content because they
depend on the process (type of check or design) that has generated the
alternative. These data are created in postprocessing phase, taking input data
of forces, moments, stresses, and strains from the corresponding blocks. Each
block of forces, moments, stresses, and strains may generate one or more
alternative blocks.
18.1 Alternatives and Envelopes

This utility allows the generation of new alternatives as an envelope of
others previously obtained. There are three types of envelopes: maximum
values, minimum values , and absolute values.
Envelopes have to be homogeneous: each must be obtained by the
application of the same code and the processing of the same model. The
resulting alternative will be homogeneous with the previous ones,
possessing a similar identification and the same reading, drawing and
representation commands.
RCV.File
RCV.File Stresses
Stresses
Strains
Strains
Forces
Forces
Moments
Moments
Alternative 1 Alternative 1
Alternative 2 Alternative 2
~ENVELOP
Alternative 3
The envelope of several alternatives is a new data block (new alternative) that
contains the minimum, maximum or absolute maximum values (depending on
type) of each input alternatives.

19 CivilFEM Seismic Design

19.1. Time or Frequency Domain?
19.1 Time or Frequency Domain?
19.1 Time or Frequency Domain?

Time Frequency
All Types of Analysis Valid for Some Analyses

- Non Linear - Linear Analysis
- Any Damping - Simplified Damping
Easy Concepts New Concepts
- Few concepts differ from a - Mode shapes
static analysis - Spectrum, Eigenvalues
Difficult Calculation Easy Calculation
- Calculation time is high Better phenomena
- Disc space needed is high
comprehension
19.2 Frequency Domain
19.2 Frequency Domain

Modal Analysis
This method allows the user to obtain the natural
frequencies and mode shapes of a structure. It
functions well as a first evaluation, but sometimes
is insufficient.
Harmonic Analysis
Useful when actions are cyclic, have the same
frequency and act indefinitely.
Spectral Analysis by Modal Superposition
The response of the structure is characterized by
the combination of some of the natural mode
shapes of the structure, multiplied by a coefficient
that comes from the spectrum.

19.3. What is a Spectrum?
19.3 What is a Spectrum?
19.3 What is a Spectrum?
Acceleration
Spectrum for a
certain location
A spectrum is a function that shows the maximum response

of a system of simple oscillators with a specific damping
under a dynamic action.
Usually, the X-axis contains frequencies or periods and the
Y-axis, displacements, velocities or accelerations. Normally,
a 5% damping is a good estimate.
19.4 Modal Analysis
19.4 Modal Superposition Analysis

The solicitation is given in terms of spectra (accelerations).
The analysis consists of evaluating the structures
behavior as the sum of the responses of each of its mode
shapes.
The response of each one of these natural mode shapes is
obtained from the data given by the spectrum for the
specific frequency, multiplied by the modal participation
factor. This factor takes into account how much the
orientation of the solicitation excites every mode.

19.5. Seismic Design
19.5 Seismic Design
19.5 Seismic Design

CivilFEM provides a set of tools that allow for a
simple analysis of forces and moments due to
seismic action in structures according to the
following codes:
Eurocode 8 CALTRANS Seismic Design
NCSE (Spanish code 94 and 02) Criteria
IT 3274 (Italian code) AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design
The Greek code EAK 2000 Specifications
The French code PS 92 Uniform Building Code (1997)
Chinese code GB50011 Indian Standard 1893
Elements available:
All elements

CivilFEM builds and defines

the response spectrum from
a certain code with the
parameters that define it.
The data required to define

the response spectrum are
input into the CivilFEM
database with the
~DEFSPEC command.
Four spectra can be defined

for different damping values.
Up to four spectra may be defined with different damping ratios. Each of the
spectra may be created using different code options, but only the last ones used
will be listed.
It is also possible to define the spectra by points:
First, the periods must be defined in ascending order.

Then, for each of the damping values, different
accelerations can be provided to define the different
spectra.

The procedure to define the spectra by points is:

Define the horizontal periods in ascending order.
Next, the horizontal acceleration values may be defined for the previously
set periods. Up to four spectra may be defined, each one for a different
damping value. All of these spectra have the same period table.
Define the vertical periods in ascending order.
For the vertical period table, the vertical acceleration values may be
defined in the same way as for the horizontal values.
The number of modes to be extracted can be defined

with the command ~MODLSOL. The default is 20
modes.
The number of mode shapes to be calculated is taken as
input data for the modal analysis of the structure that is
carried out in ANSYS.

Both the abscissas and ordinates of the spectrum can be

listed and plotted with the commands ~L_SPEC and
~P_SPEC.
Spectrum
component
to be drawn
Initial Final
Increments
period period

Modes Combination
Once the vibration modes are obtained by means of the ~CMBMOD command,
they are combined in the indicated directions.
The combination of
vibration modes can be
done with the command
~CMBMOD.
To use this command, the

spectrum data must be
defined and the vibration
modes to be combined
extracted.
The combination result is stored in CivilFEMs results file (file.RCV) with a Load
Step number following the last Load Step carried out.

The result of the combination of modal responses, is

stored in CivilFEM as Loadstep 2 (Modal analysis is
stored in Loadstep 1). Therefore, to visualize results, use
the ~CFSET command to point to this Loadstep.
*** CivilFEM DATASET ***

--------------------------------
LOADSTEP SUBSTEP CUMULATIVE
-------- ------- ----------
2 1 1
*** ALTERNATIVES IN .RCV FILE ***

---------------------------------
DATASET STATUS:
NUMBER OF ALTERNATIVES: 0
CURRENT ALTERNATIVE NUMBER: 0
CURRENT LOADSTEP: 0
CURRENT SUBSTEP: 0
If the combination method is SRSS, for each one of the three directions
(longitudinal, transversal and vertical), the result combination for the different
vibration modes is the square root of the sum of the considered variables
squares. Once the significant vibration modes are combined in each of the three
directions (longitudinal, transversal and vertical), the result is again the square
root of the sum of the squares.
For the rest of combination methods (CQC, DSUM, GRP y NRLSUM), it is only
possible to apply the spectrum and combine the vibration modes in the selected
direction.

19.6. Push Over Analysis
19.6 Push Over Analysis
19.6 Push-Over Analysis

The model of the structure surrenders
to a lateral load which increases
depending on a certain parameter .
The figure shows a structure, in this case a lighthouse, subjected to a certain

vertical load W (self weight + other loads) and to a lateral wind load. As a
consequence of this action and the intensity, determined by the value of a
certain parameter (in this case represents the value of the pressure at the top
of the structure), the structure suffers a deformation that is measured by the
displacement of the highest point
roof ()
and a horizontal reaction on the base:
V()
On a Cartesian chart, the pair of values (roof, V) is plotted to obtain the capacity
or V- curve. Interesting points on this graph for the structure can be observed,
such as at the end of the elastic behavior or at the beginning of the collapse
process.
Next, a modal analysis of the structure is performed and the k-th vibration mode
with the highest participation factor PF is obtained (it is normally the first one,
k=1, except when local modes are present). The following magnitudes are then
defined:

m i ik
PFk i1
N
(Modal Mass Coefficient)
m
i1
i 2
ik
2
N
mi ik
k N i1 N (Modal Participation Factor)
2
mi mi ik
i1 i1
In these expressions ik is the i-th component of the vibration mode k, and mi is

the mass that corresponds to the associated degree of freedom.
The vibration modes are normalized, so that:
m
i1
i ik2 1 (N = total number of degrees of freedom)
The previous expressions are simplified:
N
PFk m
i1
i ik
PFk2

k (W/g)
To carry out the Push Over analysis, a change of variables is made from the
roof V diagram built before, to a new Sd Sa diagram called Acceleration-
Displacement Response Spectrum or ADRS.
The change of variables is
V
Sa
W k
roof
Sd
PFk . k,roof
Both curves can be seen in the previous figure.

The following figure shows usual values of the previously defined parameters
for different shapes of the dominant vibration mode k.

Therefore:
Response spectra are usually set in terms of accelerations (Sa),

pseudovelocities (Sv) or displacements (Sd) corresponding with the vibration
period T.
Between these four magnitudes, the following relationships can be set
2 T
Sag = Sv , Sd Sv
T 2
when Sa is expressed as fractions of g.
Removing Sv from the previous expressions, the following equation is obtained:
T2
Sd g Sa
4 2
This equation sets the relationship between the acceleration and displacements
spectra.
The following figure represents the acceleration spectra in its standard
expression (T, Sa), and from this figure, the (Sd, Sa) spectra ADSR is obtained.

Sa
(x g) 2
T g
______
Sd = 2
Sa

Standard Format Spectrum
T
ZPA
(Rigid body acceleration)
Sa T=T1 T=T2
(x g)
T=T3
ADRS Format
Response Spectra Sd
Sd/Sa = c , (constant)
The lines depicted through the origin represent, in this plane, the locus of an
equal vibration period:
Sd c
T = 2 2
g Sa g
With lower values of T, the structure is stiffer. In fact, the value of Sa for T = 0 is
known as ZPA (zero period acceleration), so the value
1 Sa
k
c Sd
for these straight lines is a measure of the stiffness.

Superposing the Capacity Spectrum Curves (CSC) and the Demand Spectrum
Curve (DSC) with (Sd, Sa) axes obtains the following graph:
Capacity Spectrum
Curve
Elastic Point
Performance
Inelastic Point (PP)
Point (IP)
Demand Spectrum Curve
Superposing the Capacity Spectrum curve with the

Demand Spectrum Curve in the (Sd, Sa) graph.
If the structure remains elastic during the entire load process, the intersection
point of the CSC and DSC curves (capacity and demand), known as the
Performance Point (PP), represents the equilibrium situation. This is to say, pp
would be the deformation that would be obtained when the seismic forces act
on the structure.
Nevertheless, in general, the structure does not remain in an elastic regime
during the whole process. For this reason, several authors prefer to consider
the Inelastic Point (IP) as a working point in presence of seismic forces,
obtained as shown in the previous figure. It is therefore equivalent to conclude
that when regarding displacements, the structure maintains its elastic behaviour
until its intersection with the demand curve.
During the process, plastic local phenomena take place which cause the
weakening of the structure.
For example: a load applied to a structure is increased by a multiplier factor i

(i > j if i > j).

1 (x 1) x x x x
D 3 4
B 2 5
P Q
A C
Elastic behaviour Sa
Plastic behaviour
(x g) T=T1 T=TI T=T2
3 PP (Performance Point)
4
2 5 T=T3
1
Sd
Retrofit Analysis
If < 2 the structure stays elastic with a stiffness that is determined by the
straight line corresponding to the period T = TI.
If =2 the PC bar becomes plastic.
If = 4 the structure is weakened because both the AP and PC bars have

undergone yielding.
If = 5 the structure collapses.
With this analysis it is possible to determine where the structure needs to be

strengthened.
The Push Over analysis consists of several steps:
1. Creation of the finite element model.

2. Response Spectrum and modal analysis.
3. Definition of the vertical loads which remain constant during the process.
4. Definition of the horizontal loads that will be increased by the parameter
. These loads are stored in a load file (~CFLSWRT command).
5. Definition of a range for the parameter: (i, f ) and the increment.
(~PUSHDEF command)
6. Selection of the predominant mode. (~PUSHMOD command).

7. Calculation of the structure submitted to the loads defined in 3 and 4,

changing (~PUSHSLV command).
8. Selection of a stage (across Sd or ) and a graphic representation
(~RETROFT command).
The results can be listed using the ~PUSHLST command.
General Data
Coordinates
Number of node
of node
Load state file
Load multiplier factor

Number of substeps
Vertical axis
~PUSHDEF
command
Disp. Measure Point: The Push Over curves will be defined with the
displacement found at this point. It may be defined by node coordinates
or by the node number.
LS File: Load state file that contains the loads placed on the structure
that will be increased by the multiplier factor.
Lambda: load multiplier factor.
SS num: Number of substeps. For every substep, the load will be
increased by / SS num. (For example, if there are 10 substeps and
=5, 1 =0.5 2 = 1 3 =1.5 10 =5, then the load is multiplied by 1 in the
first load state, by 2 in the second load state, etc)
Vertical Axis: A vertical axis must be defined (direction of gravity).

Modal Shape
Selected mode shape
Solve
(~PUSHMOD and
~PUSHSLV commands)
Curves
Performance Inelastic Elastic

Point Point Point
Plot
Lambda or
Sd Values
(~RETROFT
Command)
PP (performance point): Intersection point of the curves.

EP (elastic point): Intersection point of the curves if the structure had an
elastic behaviour.
IP (inelastic point): Point of the capacity curve vertically above the EP.
After introducing the values of Sd or the multiplier factor Lambda in the

RETROFIT area of the window, the yielding of the structure is represented in
the graphic window for a specific substep.
Yielded
elements
Through commands this can be done by entering:

~RETROFIT, Lambda, VALUE
Or
~RETROFIT, Sd, VALUE
~RETROFT, Lambda, VALUE

to view the yielding of the structure
for each substep.

20 CivilFEM Further Training

20.1. Documentation
20.1 Documentation
20.1 Documentation
ANSYS documentation:
ANSYS Element Reference
ANSYS Commands Reference
Analysis Procedures Start > Programs >
ANSYS Theory Reference
ANSYS > Help
APDL Programmer's Guide
ANSYS Tutorials
CivilFEM documentation:
CivilFEM Commands Reference Start > Programs >
CivilFEM Theory Manual
CivilFEM > Help
CivilFEM Dialog Boxes
Workbook
Manual of Exercises
Manual of Essential Examples
Exercises
Advanced Examples
20.2 Element Types
20.2 Element Types

ANSYS has a library of over 200 element types to choose
from. Some of the commonly used ones are: Plane, Solid,
Beam, Pipe, Shell, Link, Surface, Mesh, Contact, Target
The elements most commonly used in Civil Engineering are:

Plane, Solid, Beam, Shell and Link elements.
You can find descriptions of the elements (their

characteristics, restrictions, field application, etc.) in the
Element Reference in ANSYS help or by typing
HELP,element type name at the command prompt.

20.3. Analysis Types
20.3 Analysis Types
20.3 Analysis Types

Structural
Static (ANSYS help > Structural Analysis Guide > Chapter 2)
Modal (ANSYS help > Structural Analysis Guide > Chapter 3)
Harmonic (ANSYS help > Structural Analysis Guide > Chapter 4)
Transient Dynamic (ANSYS help > Structural Analysis Guide > Chapter 5)
Spectrum (ANSYS help > Structural Analysis Guide > Chapter 6)
Buckling (ANSYS help > Structural Analysis Guide > Chapter 7)
Thermal (ANSYS help > Thermal Analysis Guide)
Fluid Flow (ANSYS help > Fluids Analysis Guide)
Electromagnetic
Low-Frequency Analysis (ANSYS help > Low-Frequency Electromagnetic
Guide)
High-Frequency Analysis (ANSYS help > High-Frequency Electromagnetic
Guide)
Coupled-Field (Multiphysics) (Considers the mutual interaction
between two or more fields) (ANSYS help > Coupled-Field Analysis
Guide)

Intro

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INTRO

CivilFEM Release: 13.0

Copyright 2012 Ingeciber S.A.

Proprietary Data. Unauthorized use, distribution, or

All Rights Reserved.

CivilFEM INTRO. Essential 9

CivilFEM INTRO. Essential 10

1.1 Course Objectives

CivilFEM INTRO. Essential 11

CivilFEM INTRO. Essential 13

2.1 Finite Element Analysis

2.1 Finite Element Analysis

The finite element model, which has a finite number of

So the question arises: How good is the approximation?

CivilFEM INTRO. Essential 15

[K]= KeJI KeJJ J

CivilFEM INTRO. Essential 16

To create the equations system that will describe the models

Real Constants and Beam and Shell Properties

Material: Type and Properties

Degrees of Freedom Set(DOF)

CivilFEM INTRO. Essential 17

Each element has an associated form function:

o Polynomial that defines the displacement in all the element points

The element order is determined by the degree of the

Increasing the degree:

D.O.F values Real quadratic

CivilFEM INTRO. Essential 18

Summary: Calculation method by means of finite elements with ANSYS and

Once the model is complete:

CivilFEM INTRO. Essential 19

2.2 Solutions by Finite Element

2.2 Solutions by Finite Element Method with CivilFEM

Analysis type: Nonlinear Analysis:

CivilFEM INTRO. Essential 20

CivilFEM INTRO. Essential 21

Interactive mode allows you to interact live with the

Batch mode allows you to submit a batch file of commands

We will mainly cover interactive mode in this course.

3.2 Starting ANSYS and CivilFEM

CivilFEM INTRO. Essential 23

3.2 Starting CivilFEM

Start > Programs > CivilFEM XX*

The Product Launcher brings up a dialog box

(*) XX is the number of the version

CivilFEM INTRO. Essential 24

Launcher has a combo menu used to select the

Available licenses and add-on modules can be

Other tabs below include: File Management,

File Management Tab

CivilFEM INTRO. Essential 25

File Management Tab - used to specify the Working

CivilFEM INTRO. Essential 26

Customization Tab - used to set memory options.

High Performance Computing Setup Tab

CivilFEM INTRO. Essential 27

Advanced options for distributed solvers can be selected in the

Start ANSYS and CivilFEM

After choosing the desired start-up options, press the

CivilFEM INTRO. Essential 28

CivilFEM INTRO. Essential 29

4.1 GUI Layout

4.1 GUI Layout Raise/Hidden

Icon Toolbar Menu Abbreviation Contact