Tutorial

SectionBuilder is a finite element based tool for the sectional analysis of beams of arbitrary configuration made of anisotropic materials. ShapeBuilder is a pre-processor to SectionBuilder that enables the parametric definition of simple cross-sectional shapes that are used in mechanical and aerospace engineering.

This tutorial describes how to run SectionBuilder, exercise its many options, and how to understand the output generated by SectionBuilder. A detailed user's manual is available for SectionBuilder and in many instances, this tutorial links to this user's manual as a resource for finding more detailed information and background material.

ShapeBuilder provides a convenient way of generating simple cross-sectional shapes in a parametric manner. Familiar shapes such as I-sections, T-sections, or L-section are obtained easily along with more complex shapes such as airfoil sections or double box sections. This tutorial makes exclusive use of ShapeBuilder for the generation of the cross-sectional shapes.

Table 1. List of common tasks.

SectionBuilder	Sign conventions	Sectional properties	The file system
File operations	Open the input file	Save the input file	Backup the input file
Run SectionBuilder	Perform FEM analysis	The graphics commands
Visualize results	Visualize strain field	Visualize stress field	Visualize warping field
Display results	Display topology	Display axes and centers
Element operations	Select an element	List stress tensor	List strain tensor
Sensor operations	List sensors	Select an element	Create a sensor
Static loads	Select a loading case	Edit a loading case	Create a loading case