Define a variable slab thickness

In the latest SCIA Engineer versions, the possibilities for the definition of a variable slab thickness have been extended.

When creating a new 2D member, the property ‘Thickness type’ is by default ‘Constant’ and cannot be changed. The reason is that a thickness variation is related to the edge nodes of the slab, so the slab itself has to be input first. Afterwards the ‘Thickness type’ can be put to ‘Variable’ via its properties menu. At that moment, the input options for the definition of the variable thickness appear:

The options 'Direction X / Y / Z' allow the thickness to vary in the global X / Y / Z direction, while the options 'Local X / Y' allow a variable thickness in the local x or y direction of the slab. In both cases you have to select two slab vertices (nodes that are part of the slab edge), for which the thickness can then be specified. The thickness is extrapolated automatically to the other member nodes.

Note that the options 'Local X / Y' are only available for plates and straight walls (not input as shells!); the same is valid for 'Variable in two directions'.

For all 2D members with 4 slab vertices the option 'Variable in 4 points' is available as well. For each of the 4 (principal) edge nodes, you can input the thickness. An example is shown below:

For circular slabs a last option 'Radial' is available, by which you can define the thickness in the centre of the slab and on its edge. Additionally, the eccentricity might be adapted to obtain the following result:

Keep in mind that the finite element mesh size will influence the accuracy of the variable thickness of the member, since each finite element has a constant (averaged) thickness. This can be checked via the Main menu > Calculation, mesh > 2D data viewer, for the resulting self weight of the structure: