Lumped Beams

When this option is activated all stiffeners are lumped where main structural members connect as shown in the below picture. The geometric properties of the stiffeners will accumulate to the surrounding geometry.

Figure 6:17. Example of plate and stiffener assemblies (Courtesy of Germanischer Lloyd)

This is done in the FE modelling. Stiffeners that are too small are already sorted out in the idealization process but all the remaining stiffeners are then lumped. This option can be used especially in global models to keep a coarse mesh.