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      <title>Designing the Model</title>
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      <div class="title_topic2" id="xps10_pagetitle">Designing the Model</div>
      <hr noshade="true"><a name="gsprelim_9468"></a><p class="para_topic">The structure is a classical hinged slender beam subjected to bending behavior from a concentrated load.  The CROD element will not work since it supports only extension and torsion.  The CBEAM element would work, but its special capabilities are not required for this problem and its property entry is more difficult to work with.  Thus, the CBAR element is a good choice.  The number of elements to use is always a crucial decision; in our case the simplicity of the structure and its expected behavior allows the use of very few elements.  We will choose three CBAR elements and four evenly spaced grid points as shown in Figure<a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('get_start/02topic_4.html#gsprelim_9531');return(false);">1-</a>.
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      <div class="title_figure">Figure. The Finite Element Model</div><a name="gsprelim_9532"></a><p class="para_topic">Note that GRID points were located at the point of application of the load and at each reaction point.</p>
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