How to use physical groups

What is a physical group

A physical group is a group of bars that behave as if they were one continuous bar. You can define physical groups for:

• Sections: allows you to easily define variable sections
• Physical: allows you to easily adjust the model and apply eccentricities
• Loads: allows you to easily define trapezium loads

How to use it

To modify the geometry

1. 1. Select the desired bars.
   2. Select the group ‘Physical’. Click on  to group (or on  to ungroup).
   3. Select the elements to be moved. Check the option ‘Rescale physical elements’.
   4. Result

Result with physical groups	Result without physical groups

To define the excentricities

1. 1. Select the desired bars.
   2. Select the group ‘Sections’. Click on to group (or on to ungroup).
   3. Select the elements to be moved. Check the option ‘Rescale physical elements’. Use the button at the bottom of the dialog to which begin and endsection (if required).
   4. Result

Result with physical groups	Result without physical groups

To define trapezium loads

1. 1. Select the desired bars.
   2. Select the group ‘Loads’. Click on to group (or on to ungroup).
   3. Select the elements to be moved. Check the option ‘Rescale physical elements’.
   4. Result

Result with physical groups	Result without physical groups