Display Options

In the Phase2 Model program, the following options are available in the Display Options dialog.

Element Numbers

Element Numbers will display the number of each finite element, as used in the Phase2 input and output data files. When Element Numbers are displayed, they will overlap in dense regions of the mesh. This is normal, use the Zoom Window option to zoom in and make numbers readable. The display of Element Numbers can be useful if you are performing a detailed inspection or troubleshooting of the mesh.

Shrink Elements

The Shrink Elements option will "shrink" each finite element such that common sides between elements are drawn twice and offset from each other. This allows the user to check the integrity of the mesh if a problem is suspected. Or it can be used as an alternate way of displaying the mesh.

Node Numbers

This option will display the node numbers of the finite element mesh, as used in the Phase2 data files. When Node Numbers are displayed, they will overlap in dense regions of the mesh. This is normal, use the Zoom Window option to zoom in and make numbers readable. The display of Node Numbers can be useful if you are performing a detailed inspection or troubleshooting of the mesh.

Note: you may notice that the node numbering begins at 4. Don’t worry, this is correct, and is due to the automatic meshing process, which requires 4 nodes located "outside" of the external boundary. These 4 "invisible" nodes are numbered 0, 1, 2, 3.

Restraints

The Restraints option will display all restraint boundary conditions applied to the model.

• A node restrained in both the X and Y directions will display a triangular "pinned" symbol.

• A node restrained in the X direction only, will display a vertical "roller" symbol.

• A node restrained in the Y direction only, will display a horizontal "roller" symbol.

• Non-zero "displacement" values will be represented by an arrow and the displacement magnitudes in the X and Y direction.

In addition, if Infinite Elements are being used to model the External boundary conditions, the Restraints option will show this by displaying arrows along the nodes of the External boundary where the infinite elements are applied.

Line Loads

The Line Loads option will display all line loads you have applied to the model with the Add Line Load option in the Line Loads sub-menu of the Loading menu. An arrow symbol and a numerical value represent the direction and magnitude.

Note: this option also displays springs added with the Add Springs option.

If not already toggled on, Line Loads and Springs are automatically toggled on anytime the user adds or deletes line loads or springs with the Add Line Load, Delete Line Load, Add Springs, or Delete Springs options.

Distributed Loads

The Distributed Loads option will display all distributed loads you have applied to the model. Arrows represent the direction of the loads and the numerical magnitude is also displayed.

The Scale Factor allows you to scale the size of the load arrows on the screen. The Scale Factor is for display purposes only, and does not affect the magnitude of the loading.

The display of Distributed Loads is automatically toggled on, anytime the user adds or deletes distributed loads.