Question:
When are elements mutually connected in RSECTION 1? How can I connect the unconnected elements with each other?
Answer:
Elements are connected if they share a common point.
Image 01 shows two elements. Element 1 has Point 1 and Point 2, and Element 2 has Point 2 and Point 7. Elements 1 and 2 are thus connected, because they share the same Point 2.
► Image | Elements 1 and 2 Connected via Point 2 https://www.dlubal.com/de/img/041508
Image 02 shows two elements that cross each other. Element 1 has Point 1 and Point 2, and Element 2 has Point 7 and Point 8. Elements 1 and 2 are not connected, because they do not share the same point.
► Image | Not Connected Elements 1 and 2 https://www.dlubal.com/en/img/041509
You can connect the crossing elements using the "Connect Lines and Elements" function. Simply drag a window over the area where you want to connect the elements. It is not necessary to fully capture the objects (Image 03).
► Image | Connecting Elements 1 and 2 via "Connect Lines and Elements" https://www.dlubal.com/en/img/041510
After applying the function, Element 1 is divided into Element 1 and Element 3 (Image 04). Elements 1, 2, and 3 are now connected with each another via the common Point 7.
► Image | Elements 1, 2, and 3 Connected via Point 7 https://www.dlubal.com/de/img/041512
Image 05 shows two elements. Element 1 has Point 1 and Point 2, and Element 2 has Point 7 and Point 8. Elements 1 and 2 are not connected, because they do not share the same point.
► Image | Elements 1 and 2 Not Connected https://www.dlubal.com/en/img/041514
It is possible to create a connection between Point 2 and Point 7 using a null element (Element 3 in Image 06). A null element has a thickness t = 0 mm and a shear thickness t* > 0 mm. Element 1 is connected to Element 3 via Point 2 and Element 3 is connected to Element 2 via Point 7, so the entire cross-section is connected.
► Image | Connection of Elements 1 and 2 via Element 3 https://www.dlubal.com/de/img/041515
Image 07 shows two cross-sections. Cross-Section 1 is an IPE 200, containing Elements 1 through 5. Cross-Section 2 is a UPN 200 that contains Elements 6 through 8. The elements of Cross-Section 1 are not connected to the elements of Cross-Section 2, as they do not share any common points.
► Image | Cross-Sections 1 and 2 Not Connected via Elements https://www.dlubal.com/en/img/041524
It is first necessary to divide the cross-sections into their individual objects (points, lines, elements, parts, openings) in order to edit them. For this, use the "Convert to Normal Geometry" function in the shortcut menu of the cross-sections (Image 08).
► Image | Dividing Cross-Sections into Individual Objects https://www.dlubal.com/de/img/041526
The connection of Element 7 of Cross-Section 1 with Element 1 and Element 2 of Cross-Section 2 can be created using a null element. Element 7 is to be divided at the connection point. The division is carried out automatically when setting the element, if the "Auto Connect Lines and Elements" option is activated. In Image 09, Element 7 was divided into Elements 7 and 10. Element 9 connects Element 10 and Element 7 via Point 39, and Element 1 and Element 2 via Point 2.
► Image | Connecting Elements of Cross-Sections 1 and 2 https://www.dlubal.com/en/img/041543