Even though much of a structural engineer's computer modelling involves frame elements in the form of beams, columns, cables and the like, there are times when you also need to accurately model slabs, walls, tanks and retaining structures. The new plate element in SPACE GASS now allows you to do this without having to approximate them with frame grillages or resort to using a specialist finite element program. You can now do it all in SPACE GASS.

Triangular and quadrilateral plate finite elements are available using Mindlin (thick plate) or Kirchoff (thin plate) theory. They can be combined in your model with beams, columns, cables, struts, ties and braces and interconnected as desired. The analysis considers plate bending, shear and membrane effects, and different values can be specified for the actual, bending, membrane and shear plate thicknesses.

Analysis results can be presented in comprehensive reports or graphically as contour plots of various types of forces, moments or stresses.

Graphical tools allow you to quickly generate a plate mesh and apply pressure, thermal or concentrated loads. Hydrostatic loads for tanks or retaining structures can be generated quickly and easily. There is even a tool that lets you apply a pressure profile that is defined by any general equation that you can specify.

Other tools let you reverse plate faces or align plates so that their axes are all pointing in the same direction. Plates can also be offset, enabling you to align them with other beams, columns or plates.