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.

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.

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