Why use VisualPlate? While less sophisticated than VisualAnalysis, it is far more economical and faster for defining models. It is also more versatile than the specialized ConcreteBending product. This tool is analysis only, no design checks are included.
Plate Bending
Solve plate bending problems for any geometry of flat plate, with various supports or holes.
Any Material
Works with any linear-elastic material, metal, concrete, or whatever you need to bend.
Advanced Analysis
Automatic FEA meshing, thick-plate element formulation, and the power of the VisualAnalysis 'engine'.
Clear Results
Graphical and textual reports of deflections, reactions, moments, and shears. View von Mises stress criteria.
VisualPlate Specifications
See the User's Guide for more complete details and short training videos.
Modeling
Plate bending analysis (any material)
Complex geometries
Multiple plate thicknesses
Holes of any shape
Stiffeners or beams
Elastic spring supports along a line
Unlimited model size
Customizable 'architectural' grid lines
Flexible edge and point supports
Import & export DXF files
Export FEA model to VisualAnalysis for more advanced work
Loading
Optional IBC and ASCE 7 load combinations included
Customizable load combinations
Custom service load cases
Plate self-weight may be included
Uniform or linear area loads, rectangular or circular
Rotate area loads in-the-plane
Ring loads (rectangular or circular)
Column loads, axial and moments
Linear loads
Analyzing
Automated FEA meshing, customizable
Sophisticated thick-plate finite element formulation
Deflections plotted
Moment, shear values plotted
Moment diagrams along a line through plate
Reporting
Full-color reporting for a professional look and easy reading
Filter reports by load case
Export numerical table to .xls, .pdf, or .html format