Features > FEM Interface > Shell Elements > Offsets

Shell Offsets

For the unstiffened/sandwich panel family, which includes solid laminates and honeycomb sandwich panels, the offset for each component can be specified in the Options tab. Additional offset can be defined relative to the +Z element normal directions as "Added Offset".

During FEM import, the offset style is automatically detected.

Important: For all other panel families, including the uniaxial stiffened family, the reference plane is always taken at the midplane of the top facesheet.

Reference Plane Offset Options

Top Face Midplane The shell offset is exported at the midplane of the top facesheet or top stack.
Midplane The shell offset is exported at the midplane of the entire stack.
Bottom Face Midplane The shell offset is exported at the midplane of the bottom facesheet or bottom stack.
OML The shell offset is exported at the top of the entire stack.
IML The shell offset is exported at the bottom of the entire stack.
Added Offset An additional user offset. This offset is the distance from the midplane of the entire stack to the grid plane. The conversion between this offset (z_HS) and other solver offsets is shown below.