Download ATENA Program Documentation Part 4

3. Pre-processing
3.1 Introduction
This chapter explains the basic steps, which are to be performed in order to define a
complete geometrical and then a finite element model for non-linear FE analysis by
ATENA. The purpose of the geometrical model is to describe the geometry of the
structure, its material properties and boundary conditions. The analytical model for the
finite element analysis will be created during the pre-processing with the help of the fully
automated mesh generator. The geometrical model is created in the following steps. First,
geometrical joints are defined. These joints are later connected into boundary lines. It is
possible to create straight, arc or circular lines. The subsequent step is to define macroelements or regions, by specifying a list of boundary lines, which surround the macroelement.
Before starting the definition of the geometrical model it is a good idea to introduce the
graphical user interface of ATENA 2D pre-processor. The pre-processing window is
shown in the subsequent Figure 2.
Main Menu
Button for view
settings
Combo box for display
of supports and loads
Miscellanou
s Toolbars
Toolbar for graphical
input and editing.
Selection of active
load-case
Main view window containing the
created geometrical and FE model.
Access tree for data
definition
Tables for data input and modification.
Table for the active item in the data access tree is shown.
Figure 2: Graphical user interface of ATENA 2D pre-processor.
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