Step 13 - Discretize the Model

In GenFEA, node and element number management is handled by the software but​ we need to make sure that the finite element model is defined in such a way that elements are joined at intersecting node positions. GenFEA can do this for you, just follow these steps:

1. Right click in the model workspace and click 'Clean Nodes' from the context menu
2. Right click again and select 'Discretize' from the context menu
3. Right click again and this time click 'Renumber Nodes'
4. Right click one final time and click 'Fix Orientation'
5. Display labels by clicking on 'Show Labels' from the 'Model' ribbon menu
6. Hide the labels again (just for clarity), and draw the remaining purlins as shown below
7. Repeat steps 1 to 4 to organize the model with the newly added purlins

Displaying node and element labels enables a quick visual checking method to ensure all elements are connected as we expect them to be. By discretizing the model, we split elements at intersections and join duplicate nodes. This step also allows us to create the remaining purlins at the mid positions of the newly split rafter elements.