Add Anisotropic Surface by Location

The Add Anisotropic Surface by Location option allows you to create an Anisotropic Surface by entering or importing XYZ coordinates into a table. An Anisotropic Surface is constructed from the coordinates using the selected Surface Reconstruction parameters (interpolation method and resolution).

To use the Add Anisotropic Surface by Location option:

1. Select the Add Anisotropic Surface by Location option from the Anisotropic Surfaces sub-menu in the Materials menu.
2. You will see the Add Anisotropic Surface by Location dialog. Choose an existing surface from the list at the left of the dialog to edit its properties (by default one surface is initially defined). You can also select the Add button to define a new anisotropic surface if required.
3. Enter or Import the X, Y, and Elevation (Z) coordinates for the selected anisotropic surface.
4. Select the desired Surface Reconstruction parameters used to generate the surface. Review the Interpolation page for more detail.
5. Select the Extrapolate checkbox if you want to extend the generated surface to the limits of your model in the X and Y direction. This will ensure that the anisotropic surface affects all the required materials without explicitly defining location points at the edges of your model in the XY plane.
6. Select OK to generate the anisotropic surface.

Assign Anisotropic Surface

After an Anisotropic Surface is created, in order to use it in the analysis it must be assigned to a material using the Generalized Anisotropic strength type. See the Assign Anisotropic Surface topic.