(API) Get local axis of finite elements

[Anonymous]

Hi,

in the forum there is an example where you can get finite element results via API using an excell file and VBA.

Is there a possibility to get the orientation vectors for the local element system of the finite elements via API.

[Rafal.Gaweda]

No.

[Anonymous]

Hi Rafal, thanks for the answer. In my company we are trying to make an interface to Robot that would take nodes, finite element results for panels modelled in Robot and do reinforced concrete design in an home made application that has been used for the last 25 years, to design offshore gravity based structures. A similar interface exits for ANSYS. It seems that getting the orientation vectors for the local element system of the finite elements is not implemented in the API. If we have a simple panel let`s say a shear wall is there a possibility to get the orientation vectors of the panel local system? Thanks in advance, Alexander Ziotopoulos Multiconsult ASA www.multiconsult.no

[Rafal.Gaweda]

But you will not get FE results in native FE LCS.
Results are always projected due to results presentation settings RobotFeResultsParams.SetDirX ; if not set - "Automatic" (= along panel X LCS) direction is considered.
If you want to consider "flat panel" + results presented in Automatic way you can take panel LCS

[Rafal.Gaweda]

You may try - 1 FE = 1 panel and get LCS of this panel

I am attaching macro for creation panel for every single FE (make FE selection in Robot)

NOTE : huge number of panels in model reduces Robot performance, so be carefull using this approach on ALL (large number of) FEs in model

[Anonymous]

Thanks Rafal,

you mention ''If you want to consider "flat panel" + results presented in Automatic way you can take panel LCS``.

Is there a method doing that via API? Is it possible to provide an example how to take out vectors for Local axis X,Y,Z for a flat panel. That would simplify

the whole process a lot.

Thanks in advance,

Alexander Ziotopoulos

Multiconsult ASA

www.multiconsult.no 

[Rafal.Gaweda · Accepted solution]

Public Sub CommandButton1_Click()

Dim RobApp As New RobotApplication

    Cells(5, 1) = "Project"
    Cells(5, 2) = RobApp.Project.Name
 
    
    Dim RSel As RobotSelection
    Set RSel = RobApp.Project.Structure.Selections.CreateFull(I_OT_PANEL)
    Dim PanelCol As RobotObjObjectCollection
    Set PanelCol = RobApp.Project.Structure.Objects.GetMany(RSel)
    
    Dim X As RobotGeoPoint3D, Y As RobotGeoPoint3D, Z As RobotGeoPoint3D
    Dim Obj As RobotObjObject
    
    Set X = RobApp.CmpntFactory.Create(I_CT_GEO_POINT_3D)
    Set Y = RobApp.CmpntFactory.Create(I_CT_GEO_POINT_3D)
    Set Z = RobApp.CmpntFactory.Create(I_CT_GEO_POINT_3D)
        
    For ii = 1 To PanelCol.Count
        
        Set Obj = PanelCol.Get(ii)
        Obj.Main.Attribs.GetLCS X, Y, Z
        
        Cells(12 + ii, 3) = Obj.Number
        Cells(12 + ii, 4) = "LCS X=" + Str(X.X) + ";" + Str(X.Y) + ";" + Str(X.Z)
        Cells(12 + ii, 5) = "LCS Y=" + Str(Y.X) + ";" + Str(Y.Y) + ";" + Str(Y.Z)
        Cells(12 + ii, 6) = "LCS Z=" + Str(Z.X) + ";" + Str(Z.Y) + ";" + Str(Z.Z)
        
    Next ii

End Sub

[Rafacascudo]

Hi @Rafal.Gaweda ,

Does this work on Robot 2018 or 2019?

[Rafal.Gaweda]

Hi @Rafacascudo

Yes.

[Temo_Escudero]

Hi, @Rafal.Gaweda,  I have a question, is there any way to apply surface loads directly over the finite element in the way the wind pressure analysis does, using the ROBOT API?, I mean, how can I generate such presure maps programatically. Greetings!

[Stephane.kapetanovic]

possible to create a surface load on contour points

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/robot-structural-analysis-forum/api-macro-for-updating-panel-contour-...