Create Axisymmetric Elements

Use the Axisymmetrics tool to create axisymmetric 1D elements.

Axisymmetric elements are suitable for modeling thin to moderately thick axisymmetric shell structures, such as oil tanks, pipes, and cooling towers.

Axisymmetric elements are two-node elements with three degrees of freedom at each node: translations in the x, and y directions, and rotation about the z-axis.

  1. From the 1D ribbon, click the Axisymmetric tool.


    Figure 1.
  2. Define the element.
    Option Action
    Linear 1D Create one-dimensional elements based on a projection of Elems A to Elems B.
    Elems A Select the elements where you want the elements to begin.
    Restriction: Only available when the Linear 1D check box is selected.
    Elems B Select the elements where you want the elements to end.
    Restriction: Only available when the Linear 1D check box is selected.
    Density A-B Specify the number of axisymmetric elements you want created between each of the selected elements.
    Restriction: Only available when the Linear 1D check box is selected.
    Nodes Select the node(s) where you want to create axisymmetric element(s).
    Property Select a new property or existing property.
  3. Click Create.

Update Axisymmetric Elements

Use the Entity Editor to update axisymmetric elements for the desired keyword.

This includes modifying the assigned nodes, property, and so on where applicable for the solver.

Note: To change the element type, see Change Element Type.