Creating a Stiffener on a Free Edge

You can create a stiffener on a free edge to strengthen this edge.

A free edge can be an edge of a panel that is not limited by another object. It can also be an opening on a panel. Web girders also have free edges.

Before you begin: Open a structure to add a stiffener on a free edge.
See Also
About Stiffeners on a Free Edge
About Profile Limits
Managing Sections
In Other Guides
Content for Structure Apps
  1. From the Function section of the action bar, click Stiffener on Free Edge .
    The Stiffener on Free Edge dialog box appears.
  2. From the Category list, select an appropriate category for stiffener on free edge.

    You can change the category while editing the stiffener on free edge.

    Note: If no dictionary is set in Data Setup, only the default category is available.

  3. Optional: Clear the Automatic check box and type the required name in the Name box.

    Note: If a naming action rule is assigned in Rules Catalog or Rules Library in Data Setup, and the Automatic check box is selected, the structural object is named automatically according to the naming action rule. For more information, see Action Rule for Naming.

  4. In the Material & Orientation tab,
    1. Select the appropriate material and section for the stiffener.

      1. Select the required material reference.
      2. From the Standard list, select the section standard.
      3. From the Shape list, select the required section shape.

        The Shape box is unavailable for selection when the material-section table does not have the SectionShape column, that is when you are using the resolved sections.

      4. From the Size list, select the required section size.

      For more information about material selection, see Material, Thickness and Section.

    2. In the Orientation area, enter the required details.

      For more information, see Orientation.

    If you are unable to find the selected section reference, check the following:

    • The section reference is available in the database.
    • There are no duplicate section references in the database.
    • The section reference has the section standard attribute specified in its properties.

  5. In the Geometry tab, select a panel to attach a stiffener on a free edge in the Plate\Panel box.
    As soon as the panel is selected, the free edges of the panel or the openings on it are highlighted in the 3D area.
  6. Optional: Select the limit mode.

    You cannot change the limit mode once the support is selected.

  7. In the Support box, select the required edge or the opening on it.

    Tips:
    • You can extract edges by right-clicking in the Support box and selecting Create Extract.
    • You can select multiple edges of the panel.
    • When creating a stiffener on free edge on parametric panels, it is recommended to select an output profile defined in the contour reference of the parametric panel.
    • If you select a structural object (panel or stiffener) as a support, the supporting reference plane for the structural object is selected as the support.

  8. Optional: In the Offset box, enter the offset value of the stiffener on free edge from the selected support.

  9. Optional: In the Limit area,
    1. Select the start and end limits.

      By default, the labels of the extremities are Start and End. However, the labels may change according to the name of the directions of the bounding box.

    2. Specify the offset and normal offset values.
    3. Optional: Define the delimitation type.

    For more information, see Limits.

    Important:
    • The orientation of the stiffeners is independent from the orientation of the support. However, when the stiffener trace is curved, the orientation may not be as expected.
    • In case of multi-domain case, the orientation of the stiffener may not be as expected.
    • In case of multi-solution case, the orientation of the stiffener may not be as expected.
    • If the bounding box is set, the orientation is computed using the bounding box system.
    • If the bounding box is not set, the orientation is computed using the X, Y, and Z representation.

  10. In the Angle area, specify the required value in the Web Angle box.

    By default, the web of a stiffener is placed perpendicular to the panel.

  11. Click OK.
    The stiffener on a free edge is created.