Function
- Define a curve on a particular plane and create line elements on the curve.
Call
From the main menu, select [Node/Element] tab > [Element Detail] group > [Advanced Create] > [Line Elements on Curve]
Input
Create Line Elements on Curve
Click 
to the right of Create Line Elements on Curve
Display the Element Table.
Start Number
Node Number
Assign a number to the new starting node created together with new elements in the Model Window. This number is auto-set to the largest node number in use +1. To modify this item, click and select an option to specify a desired number.
Element Number
Assign a new starting element number. This number is auto-set to the largest element number in use +1. To modify this item, click and select an option to specify a desired number.
Curve Type
Select the shape of a curve onto which line elements will be created and the method of defining the curve.
Arc by 3 points
Define an arc by assigning 3 particular points
Arc by Center and 2 points
Define an arc by assigning 2 particular points and the center of the arc
Circle by 3 points
Define a circle by assigning 3 particular points
Circle by Center and 2 points
Define a circle by assigning 2 particular points and the center of the circle
Ellipse by Center and 2 points
Define an ellipse by assigning 2 particular points and the center of the ellipse
Parabolic Curve by 3 points
Define a parabolic curve by assigning 3 particular points
Cubic Curve by 4 points
Define a cubic curve by assigning 4 particular points
Element Type
Assign the type of line elements to be created along the curve
Material / Section / Orientation
Material
Select a material property number, or select a material property name provided that the material property data have been already defined.
No. : Type in a number on the keyboard or use the mouse to enter the number
Name : Select a material property name
Click to add, inquire, modify or delete material property data. Material properties can be entered either before or after creating elements.
Section
Select a section number, or select a section name provided that the section data have been already defined.
No. : Type in a number on the keyboard or use the mouse to enter the number
Name : Select a section name
Click to add, inquire, modify or delete the section data. Section data can be entered either before or after creating elements.
Orientation
Beta Angle : Enter a Beta Angle to assign the sectional orientation of the line elements.
Curve Definition
Define a curve on which new line elements will be created.
Number of Segments : Number of segments in the curve to define new elements
The data entry items for each method of defining the curves are as follows :
Arc by 3 points
Arc End Point : Assign the method of defining the end of the arc
P3 : Create elements up to the 3rd point on the arc
Angle : Enter the angle of the arc within which new elements will be created
P1 : Enter the coordinates of the starting point of the arc
P2, P3 : Enter the coordinates of two points on the arc
The arc is created in the direction determined by the sequential direction of P1, P2 & P3.
Arc by Center and 2 points
Arc End Point : Assign the method of defining the end of the arc
P2 : Create line elements up to the fictitious line connecting P2 and the center of the arc center
Angle : Enter the angle of the arc within which new elements will be created
C : Enter the coordinates of the center of the arc
P1 : Enter the coordinates of a particular point on the arc
P2 : Create line elements up to the fictitious line connecting P2 and the arc center.
The arc is created in the direction along the curve from P1 to P2 following the shorter distance. To create the arc in the longer arc direction, Angle is used to control the direction.
The arc cannot be created if P1, C and P2 are on a straight line. In such a case, use Angle to create the arc.
Circle by 3 points
P1 : Enter the coordinates of the starting point of a circle
P2, P3 : Enter the coordinates of two points on the circle
The circle is created in the direction determined by the sequential direction of P1, P2 & P3.
Circle by Center and 2 points
C : Enter the coordinates of the center of a circle
P1 : Enter the coordinates of the starting point of the circle
P2 : Assign a point on the plane of the circle
Ellipse by Center and 2 points
Semi-Ellipse : To form a semi-ellipse
C : Enter the coordinates of the center of an ellipse
P1 : Enter the coordinates of the starting point on the axis of the longer dimension
P2 : Enter the coordinates of a point on the ellipse
Parabolic Curve by 3 points
Divide by Equal distance on
Curve : Divide the curve into equal segments
Projecting line : Divide the curve into equal segments along the length projected on UCS (GCS) x-axis
P1 : Enter the coordinates of the starting point of a parabola
P2, P3 : Enter the coordinates of two points on the parabola
Cubic Curve by 4 points
P1 : Enter the coordinates of the starting point of a cubic curve
P2, P3, P4 : Enter the coordinates of 3 points on the cubic curve
The Local Directions of the line elements are defined by the sequential direction of P1, P2 & P3.
Intersect
Node : when existing nodes are on the line elements being created, the elements are divided at the existing nodes.
Element : when newly created line elements intersect with existing line elements, nodes are automatically created and the line elements are divided at the intersection points.