option from the toolbar or the Analysis menu. This will have the effect
of updating the contours based on the actual range of the current data.
You can choose this option anytime you wish to manually re-compute the
current contour range.Examine2D > Compute
The Examine2D analysis engine uses the indirect boundary element (fictitious stress) method, as described in Chapter 4 of Crouch and Starfield (1983), to solve for the induced stresses around underground excavations. Stress, displacement and strength factor are calculated at each of the Stress Grid points, and the resulting contours are generated by interpolation from the data at the grid points.
In order that analysis results are always immediately available for viewing, the Examine2D analysis is automatically computed:
As soon as the model boundaries and stress grid are defined.
Whenever the model input parameters are changed (e.g. material properties, field stress, adding or editing boundaries, etc).
Therefore, the display of analysis results should always correspond to the current input data for your model.
Although the Examine2D analysis is automatic, the following Compute options are available to the user.
Compute Contour Range
When you edit the model input parameters, you will notice that the contours are automatically updated to display the current results. It is important to note the following:
The contour range of the data you are currently viewing, does NOT automatically change when you edit the model. This allows you to edit the model and observe the changing contours, while maintaining the original contour intervals and colours. This behaviour is deliberate, because if the contour intervals were continually updated while you were interactively editing the model, this would be potentially very confusing and make interpretation of results difficult.
However, after making changes to the model, the current contour range may no longer be suitable for the new data. For example, you may see white (blank) areas where the new results are outside of the current contour range.
When you are finished with a current editing task, you can manually
re-compute the Examine2D analysis,
and the current contour range, by selecting the Compute
Contour Range option from the toolbar or the Analysis menu. This will have the effect
of updating the contours based on the actual range of the current data.
You can choose this option anytime you wish to manually re-compute the
current contour range.
Real Time Contouring
One of the notable features of Examine2D, is the fact that you can interactively move or modify the model boundaries, and the stress analysis results (contours) will be updated in real time, as you move the boundaries. This capability is referred to as Real Time Contouring (i.e. real time stress analysis).
In most cases you will want this feature to be enabled. However, you can turn OFF this feature if you wish, by clearing the Real Time Contouring checkbox in the Display Options dialog. If you have a very slow computer, for example, you might want to turn this off in some circumstances.