The analysis of a stage is set up using the Analysis wizard from the Analysis > New analysis task command. Select the option to create a new analysis and select the analysis stage. The remainder of the data in the wizard is entered in the usual way.
There are situations where it is convenient to consider only part of the model or the model with different section or analysis properties. This can be accommodated in a model through the use of analysis stages. The basic stage definition defines the elements that participate in a stage. The properties in a particular stage can be mapped across from the base properties defined in the model in the analysis stage properties or the analysis stage materials.
The Display Methods page of the Labels and Display Methods dialog box is where the form and colour of the various element types may be specified and where the drawing of unattached nodes may be specified.
The analysis stage facility allows the elements, element properties, restraints and constraint conditions to be specified for particular analysis cases. It is provided to allow the results from models differing in these ways to be combined (e.g. for the analysis of construction stages).
Results are produced for analysis stages in the same way as for whole model analysis. Values of zero are stored for nodes and elements that are inactive for the stage.
The basic definition of a stage is a set of element which are associate with the stage. This can be 'all'.
Stage properties are used to specify element properties for analysis stages where these are to differ from the whole model element properties. The table maps from the element property number, to a property number to be used inn the analysis stage. Properties not referenced in the analysis stage properties retain the element property reference.
Graphic Views can be set to display a specific stage. The stage is specified on the Lists toolbar for the Graphic view by first setting the Display option to Stages and then selecting the required stage in the Display list. The Stages display option is not offered when no stages are present in the model. The stage can also be set in the in the Graphic settings dialog box.