The message “Disconnected member” or “Disconnected plate” means that there is no defined connection between the components involved.
In the Steel Joints add-on, plates, members, and other components are initially processed as stand-alone objects. Internally, a plate is a surface element, even if it is displayed in three dimensions. Therefore, a mechanical connection is not automatically created between a member and a plate, even if they touch each other geometrically.
The structural components only “know” about each other when they are explicitly connected via a fastener, for example, by:
- Weld
- Group of bolts
- Another fastener
Only this connection establishes a technical coupling between the components.
If such a fastener is missing, the steel joint does not recognize a continuous structure. The plausibility check therefore displays the message “Disconnected member” or “Disconnected plate.”
The solution is to define a suitable fastener between the relevant components.
