All elements that refer to Beam Sections, 2D Properties or 3D Properties require an analysis material. This can either be an explicitly defined material or an implied material from a material grade. The latter are always assume to be elastic isotropic materials.
To optimise bridge loading based on an influence line analysis, any uniformly distributed load to be applied to a path needs to be specified either as a standard variable load or a user variable load.
An Element is an entity that is analysed. Its topology and position is defined using Nodes and Offsets. Its orientation is defined by the element axis set which depends on the topology of the element and the orientation node and angle. Its end fixity is defined partly by the behaviour of the Element Type and partly by the element Releases.
As discussed in the Step-by-Step guide to Environmental Impact, environmental impact parameters for a material type may be specified in the Environmental Impact Wizard. This wizard can be accessed either from the Environmental Impact Specification dialog to specify global parameters, or from the material grades to specify values for a particular user material.
Basic definition
Most input data required by GSA can be entered in tables. Tables in GSA are similar to spreadsheets, but there are a number of significant differences. These are highlighted in the sections below.
The Wizard: Graphic settings dialog box allows the parameters that govern the format and content of graphic views to be specified. All Graphic view settings can be specified either in this Graphic settings dialog box or in dialog boxes accessible from this.
The Wizard: Output settings dialog box allows the parameters that govern the format and content of output views to be specified. All Output view settings can be specified either in this Output settings dialog box or in dialog boxes accessible from this.