Defining an arbitrary profile

You can create an arbitrary profile to model the shape of a simple, thin-walled, open or closed section. You define the profile by entering a series of points which are linked by straight line segments. For more information, see Arbitrary, Thin-Walled, Open and Closed Sections.

See Also
Defining profiles
Defining sections
In Other Guides
Beam Cross-Section Library
  1. Display the Edit Profile dialog box, as described in Choosing a profile type.
  2. In the data table, enter the local coordinates for Point 1.

    For detailed information on how to enter data, see Entering tabular data.

  3. Enter the local coordinates for Point 2. The line joining Point 1 and Point 2 is labeled Segment 1-2 in the data table.
  4. Enter a Thickness for Segment 1-2.
  5. Enter the local coordinates for Point 3. The line between Point 2 and Point 3 is labeled Segment 2-3 in the data table.
  6. Enter a Thickness for Segment 2-3.

    Note:

    For each individual segment of an arbitrary section there is no bending stiffness about the line joining the end points of the segment. Thus, an arbitrary section must include at least two segments.

  7. If necessary, enter local coordinates for additional points, and provide thicknesses for the resulting segments.
  8. Click OK to save the profile and to close the Edit Profile dialog box.