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In which case, we use midplane, bottom or top offset for a shell definition? Does an offset affect the mesh orientation?

Question asked by Dongwei Qi on Dec 3, 2015
Latest reply on Dec 7, 2015 by Leszek Paprota

I'm confused about the offset options of shell definition. What determines that we use midplane, bottom or top?

Is the mesh orientation the same as the offset?

For example, I select midplane, but the mesh orientation is either bottom or top. Which one should I use? What conditions decide the bottom or top?

Thanks.

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Hi Dongwei

use the preview to see which offset you should use. the shell is a zero thickens FEA model and you are working on solids right?

If you are confused by the name shell just imagine it is a "sheet of metal"

Middle Surface	The selected surface is the midplane reference of the "sheet metal."
Top Surface	The selected surface is the top surface of the "sheet metal."
Bottom Surface	The selected surface is the bottom surface of the "sheet metal."
Specify Ratio	The selected surface is a reference surface defined by an offset value that is a fraction of the total thickness. The offset value ranges between -0.5 and 0.5.

Hope this helps.

Leszek