Sometimes it is necessary to conduct more detailed investigations for certain areas of a framework, for example, to evaluate the distribution of internal forces at a support or to examine a frame corner as a surface model. For this purpose, you can model the member cross-section over multiple surface objects, which, however, is associated with effort. The Convert Member to Surfaces function simplifies the task of representing a 1D element using 2D surface elements.
Right-click the member to open its shortcut menu. From the Members entry, select the Convert Member to Surfaces function.
Based on the geometry of the cross-section and member, surfaces with the corresponding thicknesses are generated. During this conversion, the information related to the structural object "member" is lost.