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Run AxisVM.

Start with a new model.

Import your dxf file:

Zoom and Pan as desired:

Select Viewpoint as desired:

Rotate view as desired:

Define all your surfaces:


You can create openings (holes) by selecting and deleting surface elements. Or you can create
the openings beforehand in Rhino before importing to AxisVM.

Define your shell material:


Place your supports:

Place downward uniformly distributed load on your shell. Double check to see which axis is the
vertical axis in your structure.
Analyze the structure:

Take note of maximum deflection

Examine the distribution of


Principal forces (n1,n2) and
principal moments (m1,m2).
Examine vibration:

Examine the first 3 modes of vibration


TASK A (Examining effects of topology changes)
Analyze 3 different patterns of openings for the same structure and compare their structural
performance.

TASK B (Examining effects of sizing changes)


Using the structure in task A that performs the best, try redistributing the materials in the structure
without changing the overall weight. Do this by increasing the thicknesses of the shell in some
places and decreasing them in other places.

To change thicknesses:

Then select which plates you want to change thickness and then:

Make sure you increase thicknesses in some parts and decrease in some parts so the overall weight
of the structure is more or less the same.

To check weight of structure:


TASK C (Examining effects of shape changes)
Take the best performing structure in task B and slightly alter its proportion or shape and re-analyze
and compare structural performance.

TASK D (Examining effects of topology changes)


Take the best performing structure in task C and strategically add ribs or frames where you feel they
may be useful.

To add ribs:

Then select lines you want to define as ribs and then click OK.

As you add ribs, make sure to also reduce thicknesses in your plates so that the overall weight stays
more or less the same.

Examine and compare 2 different ways of adding ribs (frames).

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