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Shell Thickness

In one sentence: Assign a uniform thickness to faces modelled as 2-D shell elements, determining their bending and membrane stiffness.

Overview

Workbench: FEM
Menu: FEM → Model → Element Geometry → Shell Thickness

Assigns a uniform thickness to selected faces that will be modelled as 2-D shell elements. The shell element represents the mid-surface of the thin feature; the thickness determines the bending stiffness and membrane stiffness.

Shell vs solid elements

Shell elements Solid (3-D) elements
Best for Thin-walled structures (t/L < 1/10) Blocky or thick parts
Mesh Simple mid-surface mesh Full 3-D volume mesh
Typical use Sheet metal, tanks, hulls, concrete slabs Shafts, brackets, castings

Step-by-step

  1. Select the face(s) to model as shells.
  2. Choose FEM → Model → Element Geometry → Shell Thickness.
  3. Enter the Thickness value.
  4. Click OK.

Common mistakes and pitfalls

Mesh must use 2-D shell elements

Shell Thickness applies only to faces meshed as 2-D shell elements. If the mesh is a 3-D tetrahedral mesh, the thickness setting has no effect.

Python API

import ObjectsFem
doc = App.ActiveDocument
analysis = doc.getObject("Analysis")

shell_thick = ObjectsFem.makeElementGeometry2D(doc, "ShellThickness")
shell_thick.Thickness = 3.0  # mm
analysis.addObject(shell_thick)
doc.recompute()

See also