Transitioning plates from a circular (or elliptical) to a square (or rectangular) shape can be done easily using some of RISA-3D’s automated generation tools. Below is the procedure for transitioning a circle into a square, but it should be clear how this could be accomplished for other similar shapes.
- On the "Home" tab select "Templates" and then select "Circular Arc"
- Modify the properties of the circular arc to match the image below and then click "OK"
The circle of nodes generated by the template should now look like this:
Next generate nodes in a square arrangement at a distance away from the circle equal to the required offset between the two sections.
- Draw four members forming a square around the circle, as shown in the image below:
- With only the beams selected, click on the “Modify” tab and select “Global” from the "Move" section
- Specify an offset distance of 10ft in the Z increment
Next, we can subdivide the members:
- With only the beams selected, click on the “Modify” tab and select “Add Nodes” from the "Members" section
- Select "Uniform" for the "Spacing Type" and choose "5" for the "Number of Segments"
- When the nodes have been added, delete the members
Next, let's add the plates:
- Snap to an ISO view and rotate such that none of the nodes overlap each other visibly and then draw a triangular plate between the top node on the circle and the top middle node of the square as shown below
- Continue drawing triangular plates until you have covered one quadarant (1/4) of the circle. Be careful to draw each plate in the same order (either clockwise or counter-clockwise, stay consistent)
Your model should now look like this:
- Select all of the plates, click on the “Modify” tab and select “Rotate” from the "Copy" section
- Set the Properties of the "Copy Rotate" as shown in the image below:
The plate transition is nearly done. The only remaining task is to submesh it for better results.
- Select all of the plates, click on the "Modify" tab and select "Submesh Plates""
- Select the "Triangular" mesh option from the Properties and click "Apply to Selected"
The completed model should now look like this: