SAP2000, meshing question

[bobering]

Hello, I could not figure out how to mesh the selected area in a picture bellow in such way that the the joints of edges match on the areas next to and perpendicular to this area. Any help would be apreciated.

http://files.engineering.com/getfile.aspx?folder=a1eba8dc-ab72-471d-b832-6bf6dbcf3d43&file=00000.JPG

 

[darkjmf1]

You do not necessarily need the joints to match.
You can use "Assign->Area->Generate Edge constraints->Create constraints around object edges" to "sew" the joints of different areas along common edges.

 

[stressed]

With a sloping area like that, you may have to try a couple of different options to see which works best.

Assigning edge constraints works well when the misaligned joints on adjacent areas are fairly close together. For example if a meshed shear wall is intersecting with a meshed slab where joints are mismatched, that would be typical application for edge constraints. You could try it with your model, but only after you've added a fairly fine mesh in the area that's currently unmeshed using Edit menu>Edit areas and use the first Divide area option where you tell it the number of mesh objects in each direction. Try using mesh object numbers which match fairly close with the joints on the edges. If you can mesh it, then you can assign edge constraints.

Another approach on a trial and error basis would be to try selecting the unmeshed area as well as select the joints along the perimeter, then use the Edit menu>Edit areas to Divide/mesh areas using the 'Mesh by selected points on area edge' option. If that doesn't work, try the same selection, but use the 'Divide area using general divide tool'.

If neither of those options give you a good mesh, you will need to draw some lines/frames with property NONE to help you mesh. Activate perpendicular projections snap tool and draw NONE property lines from joint to opposite edge of unmeshed area. Once you've drawn your lines, select the lines and the area and use Edit menu to Divide areas based on 'Intersections of selected lines'.