Divide Areas

Form:  Divide Selected Areas

SAP2000 allows area objects to be divided into smaller objects in the object-based model, and meshed into elements in the analysis model. Dividing the object is accomplished using the Edit menu > Edit Areas> Divide Areas command. Meshing an area object is accomplished using the Assign menu > Area > Automatic Area Mesh command.

This topic addresses dividing area objects for use in the object-based model.

  1. Select the area objects to be divided.

  2. Click the Edit menu > Edit Areas> Divide Areas command to access the Divide Selected Areas form.

  3. Choose the option to specify how the object is to be divided. The Area Object Dividing or Meshing topic explains how the program works and uses illustrations to show the effects of the various options.

Note:  Dividing an area object is performed on one object at a time.

      • Intersection of Visible Straight Grid Lines With Area Edges check box. Check this check box to specify that points be added, and thus the object divided, at the intersection of the visible straight grid lines with the edges of the selected area object. Use the View menu > Show Grid command to display grid lines.

      • Intersection of Selected Straight Line Objects With Area Edges check box. Check this check box to specify that points be added, and thus the object divided, at the intersection of the edge of the selected area object with a selected straight line object that has been drawn or defined to cross the selected object's edge.

      • Selected Point Objects On Area Edges check box. Check this check box to specify that the object be divided based on the point drawn or defined on the object's edge.  Note that the point object and the area object must both be selected and lie in the same plane.

Note:  If a point is being drawn on the edge of the object before using point-related options, the Draw menu > Snap To > Lines and Edges command may be helpful in placing the point accurately on the object's edge.

  1. Choose an option to specify the Local Axes for Added Points:

  2. Choose an option to specify Restraints and Constraints For Added Points:

Example:  Use of this command is demonstrated in Problem M, Problem S, Problem U and Problem Z.

See Also

Edit Curved Frame Cable

Divide Solids

Area - Automatic Area Mesh

Add Points to Area Edges