Single panels are required for the classification and the design of the effective cross-section of thin-walled steel and aluminum cross-sections.
By default, the single panels and their properties are automatically derived from the cross-section geometry. If the option 'Activate manual input of single panels' is enabled, new single panels can be created, existing single panels modified, and their properties adjusted. If the option is deactivated, the single panels are determined automatically again in accordance with the standard specifications.
The number of a single panel is assigned automatically, but can be changed. The numbering order is arbitrary; consecutive numbering is not required.
Element No.
Under Element No., the elements assigned to the single panel are listed.
During automatic determination, contiguous elements are combined into a single panel, provided no intermediate supports exist. Whether an adjacent element is considered as a support depends on the setting 'Tolerance for straight single panels' .
In the case of manual definition, the associated elements can be entered directly or selected graphically in the work area using the button
. Multiple elements can be assigned to a single panel, provided they are contiguous.
Support
A distinction is made between supported and free edges for each single panel.
The support conditions are determined from the geometry of the adjacent elements. Whether an adjacent element is considered as a support depends on the setting 'Tolerance for straight single panels' .
Single panel extension
For the start and end of a single panel, a distance to the component edge can be considered respectively. This value influences the width of the single panel.
Positive values increase the width of the single panel, negative values decrease it.
Thickness
During automatic determination, the smallest thickness of the assigned elements is applied as the thickness of a single panel.
Information | Analytical
This section contains the most important properties of the single panel, for example type, width, and c/t ratio.