2.2.6 Provide Cross Sections

There are two methods for attaching cross sections to elements:

  1. Direct Assignment: Directly at the component where the element is created, as shown in Fig. 2.2.6.1.

  2. Assignment via Names or Regular Expressions: Using element names (“B” and “S” in Fig. 2.2.6.2) or regular expressions by plugging cross sections into the “Assemble” component.

Fig. 2.2.6.1: Definition of a cross section.

Figure 2.2.6.1 illustrates how to attach a custom cross section to an element. The example shows an I-profile with a height and width of 50 cm. The physical unit of any input or output value is indicated in the help text that appears when hovering over the corresponding plug.

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Assignment via the “Assemble”-component overrides direct assignment at the element.

Fig. 2.2.6.2: Definition of a cross section via element names.

Figure 2.2.6.2 shows how cross sections can be attached to elements via their names “Elem|Id”:

  1. Definition of a beam cross section.

  2. Definition of a shell cross section.

  3. Selection of a cross section from the default cross section library.

An element's index can be used as its default name.

Arbitrary I-, hollow box, filled trapezoid, and hollow circular cross sections can be defined for beams. Alternatively, Karamba3D allows users to select a predefined standard cross section. For shells, it is possible to attach a different cross section to each element.

Karamba3D cross sections are available as multi-components and can be accessed via the single “Cross Sections” component. The drop-down menu allows for the selection of the cross section type.

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Should you not assign a cross section to your beam or shell elements, the default cross section will be used.

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