2. MODELING

CHAPTER 2 "MODELLING" 41 You specify the characteristics of the mesh groups you will use: • " Description ": type a name describing the group • " Item " you select the type of item you want to place. If you select "Plate (O)n (E)lastic (F)oundation" you must enter a value of the soil index "Ks" in the corresponding field. This option is suitable for general depressions and the 'Plate' option for all other cases. In addition, the new version added the possibility of horizontal springs in pavement where the user can define a soil index, Ks,x & Ks,z. The values of horizontal springs are defined in the respective fields activated by selecting the corresponding checkbox . OBSERVATION: In Plane Stress elements the loads are applied within the plane of the element (perpendicular to its thickness) considering zero stresses perpendicular to the plane of the element. In Plane Strain elements the deformations perpendicular to the plane of the element are assumed to be zero and Axisymmetric elements are used to simulate surfaces produced by rotation.