Handbuch

SJ MEPLA

By SJ Software GmbH Aachen

Handbuch SJ MEPLA

Contents i

Contents
Introduction 1
How does registration work? ................................................................................................................................................ 1 How do I license the software?............................................................................................................................................. 2 How did SJ MEPLA evolve?................................................................................................................................................ 2

SJ MEPLA

Short instruction ................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Brief description ................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Calculation methods of SJ MEPLA...................................................................................................................................... 5 References to the various program packages........................................................................................................................ 6 Workspaces........................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Geometry .............................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Layers ................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Supports................................................................................................................................................................................ 9 Loads .................................................................................................................................................................................. 19 Options ............................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Results ................................................................................................................................................................................ 26 Messages during calculation............................................................................................................................................... 27 Error messages.................................................................................................................................................................... 27 Information messages ......................................................................................................................................................... 29 Information on project/directory......................................................................................................................................... 29 Menu bar............................................................................................................................................................................. 30 Program .............................................................................................................................................................................. 30 Edit ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 31 View ................................................................................................................................................................................... 32 Specials............................................................................................................................................................................... 32 Language ............................................................................................................................................................................ 33 Help .................................................................................................................................................................................... 33 Tool bar .............................................................................................................................................................................. 34 New..................................................................................................................................................................................... 34 Open ................................................................................................................................................................................... 34 Save .................................................................................................................................................................................... 35 Change................................................................................................................................................................................ 35 Cut ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 35 Copy ................................................................................................................................................................................... 35 Paste.................................................................................................................................................................................... 35 Delete.................................................................................................................................................................................. 35 Undo ................................................................................................................................................................................... 35 Create zip-archive............................................................................................................................................................... 35 Open zip-archive................................................................................................................................................................. 35 Attributes ............................................................................................................................................................................ 35 Superordinate directory ...................................................................................................................................................... 35

General Conditions of Sale and Delivery (as of December 2005)

37

(1) Program Supplier, User................................................................................................................................................ 37 (2) Prices............................................................................................................................................................................. 37

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(3) Making of Copies.......................................................................................................................................................... 37 (4) Copyright ...................................................................................................................................................................... 37 (5) Warranty, Liability........................................................................................................................................................ 38 (6) Validity ......................................................................................................................................................................... 38 (7) Written Form................................................................................................................................................................. 38 (8) Final Provisions ............................................................................................................................................................ 38 (9) Place of Performance, Place of Jurisdiction.................................................................................................................. 38 (10) Severability clause ...................................................................................................................................................... 38

Glossary Index

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Introduction

We thank you very much for your interest in our software! The team of SJ Software GmbH Aachen, Germany. Please use these buttons to navigate back and forth through all the topics provided in this handbook:

How does registration work?

This manual explains the entire scope of the program which is only at your disposal in program package 3 (see chapter <References to the various program packages>). Basically, the first installation of the program is a test (trial) version. If the program is started, you can choose if you want to read a brief introduction, print some protocols, continue with testversion or if you would like to run the order program. There, you may indicate that you want to receive a registration number for 14 days free of charge:

Handbuch SJ MEPLA

Introduction 1

The testversion allows you to use all functions offered by program package 3 (highest package). You cannot calculate own projects, though. Using the 14 days full version, the complete amount of this program including own calculations may be tested. Upon placement of your order you receive from us the registration number corresponding to the ordered program package. While starting the program you have to enter this registration number into the corresponding edit field. The text of the button on the lower left in this dialog changes from <Start testversion> to <Start program package x>. This dialog never appears again (or after 14 days) and the program is released with all functions the requested program package offers. How to upgrade: You may also upgrade to a higher program package at a later date. If the program has started, click on a project shown in the tree view on the left. Now, references to the single program packages appear on the right with the possibility to print an order fax for a package upgrade.

How do I license the software?

With our program SJ MEPLA you receive one registration number per licence. Thus, you can install the program on one computer. We will send you the necessary registration number upon request. In the case of a simultaneous use: we demand 25% of the first licence starting from the second registration number. If you need more than five further licenses, we create a special company license offer for you.

How did SJ MEPLA evolve?

The finite element program which was developed further within the scope of a doctorate at the RWTH (Technical University) Aachen, Germany, bases on an experience of many years, going back to the year 1990. The finite element program, at first only working for one-layered plates according to the approach of Mindlin-Reissner, was continuously enlarged in the course of the daily requirements. Approaches for non-linear geometric calculations allowed the consideration of membrane forces, which stiffen the pane and activate additional reserves. With the development of the multi-layer element construction, sandwich structures could then be calculated. Enlarged approaches for a viscous elastic material behaviour of the bonding layers (not included in SJ MEPLA) could show the properties especially of laminated safety glass. Based on experiments which had defined the property of the pendulum impact body and with the additional contact algorithms, it was possible for the first time to simulate realistic pendulum impact experiments according to DIN EN 12600. With the current further developments (insulating glass units, temperature differences, point fixing elements, ...) a wide spectrum of the glass application is covered. Special processes for a node-independent set up of bearings, springs and loads allow the universally valid use in the program SJ MEPLA. The current relevance of this development is also shown by the fact that for the near future guide lines or norms are planned which first of all allow to consider the compound effect of laminated safety glass panes and secondly to prove also mathematically the impact security of glazing (balustrade panes, pendulum impact experiment).

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Handbuch SJ MEPLA

SJ MEPLA

Short instruction

SJ MEPLA - Stress calculation of modern glass constructions At first, we advise you to print this short instruction to get a quick access to the software. Simply click on the button <Print>. In just a few steps you will learn the principal functions of SJ MEPLA. For further information you may look up in the respective chapters of this help or you may read the handbooks available on the menu bar under <Help Handbooks>. 1st step: Run: Click on <Start - All programs - SJ Software GmbH> on the task bar. Then, choose item <SJ MEPLA>. The program will be executed. 2nd step: Create new project: Click on the tool bar icon <New> (white sheet). A dialog pops up where you indicate a project number and a project name. Click on <OK>. A new directory with the following workspaces is being created: Geometry: Choice of geometrical form and entry of dimensions Layers: Specification of layer material and isolated glass constructions Supports: Specification of supports (springs, edge beams, point fixings)

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Loads: Specification of loads (dead weight, face loads, concentrated loads, pendulum impact) Options: Specifications of calculation options (linear, non-linear, output options, ...) Results: Preview, calculation, protocol creation and curve plot We advise you to complete each workspace one after another. Finally, a system is being determined for calculation and evaluation. 3rd step: Open exisiting project: The testversion (trial version) already contains some sample projects. Click on <+> in front of each project number to open the respective workspaces. These sample projects allow you to access the complete calculation of the system. Registration number for 14 days: We kindly send you a free registration number for 14 days on demand. During this period the program works like the full version (package 3). However, you are not allowed to use the results for commercial purposes. If you are interested in a free registration number, please run the SJ Order software and simply choose the respective option. (The easiest way to run the order software is to use the button <Purchase order> in the testversion dialog.)

Brief description
The dimensioning and the stress calculation of plate structures under various loads is a standard task of the daily engineering practice. Panes varying from a rectangular form can no more be calculated by table works or manual formula but have to be evaluated by the method of the finite elements.

Pendulum hit simulation with SJ MEPLA Above all on the glass building sector the systems to be examined are very similar, so that the mesh generation is almost always limited to standard geometry, for which always new meshes have to be created. For the calculation of laminated safety glass panes generally there was need to work with volume elements. The bearing conditions are in most cases reduced to few variants (elastic spring-supports, glass point fixings, edge supports). Also the evaluation of the calculation results follows the same method (deformations, stresses, proof) and so far always explicitly has to be read out of the finite element data. There is hardly a possibility to calculate insulating glass units (from 2, 3 or 4 laminated glass panes) if any pane forms shall be examined or geometrically non-linear approaches shall be used. Here is where the SJ MEPLA software applies.

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Calculation methods of SJ MEPLA

All inputs, like the geometry, the bearing conditions, the kind of loads, the calculation approach or the requested output, are guided and displayed by input masks. The control and output of the results occurs visually on a graphics surface and a calculation protocol, which can be added to the static assessment. Special new Finite element methods allow the simple input and quick calculation of sandwich structures (laminated safety glass), so that the entire problem can be solved at shortest time (within a few minutes). Thus the program is suited for dimensioning as well as also for static calculations, during which it offers a variety of calculation possibilities: Automated mesh generation for circles, general triangles, squares, pentagons,... and panes with curved edges by the input of corner points. The density of the element mesh is preset, but may also be selected manually to increase the accuracy of the calculation. (The user, however, is not aware of the fact that he is working with a Finite Element Program.) All subsequent calculations can be made linear or nonlinear (large deformations). Any pane structure (e. g. of laminated safety glass) considering the stiffness of the compound material by input of the layer order Consideration of pre-defined bearing designs for the plate edges as well as for any point bearing within the plate with the corresponding spring rigidities Automated installation of point fixings Countersunk or disk fixings (own elements) with the stiffness of the circular plate layer and the bush by means of elasticity-module and thickness specifications. Specification of the bearing stiffness (sub-construction, type of the point fixings) The properties of the point fixings can be stored in a database. Point supported insulating glass units Elastic edge or line supports Elastic edge beams Elastic base Multilingual version (German, English, French, Dutch) Calculation of stresses resulting from temperature differences given for each layer Face loads Dead weight (indication by the direction vector of gravity) Any point loads which are automatically distributed over the given surface Calculation of insulating glass units under consideration of the gas pressure laws in the intermediate pane space (here called IPS) under any load (climate loads like pressure differences, thermal expansion of the gas, external loads, pendulum impact, ...) All loads can be combined. Point fixings or the panes inside the insulation glass can be calculated with contact algorithms. Dynamical calculation of the pendulum impact at single-layer glass, laminated and insulation glass of any design. The drop height of the pendulum and the impact point can be freely chosen. Linear or non-linear approaches for single glass layers, laminated safety glass also for insulating glass units. Output of curve diagrams for forces, deformations and stresses during the impact period for any predefined spot. Dynamic calculated pressure hits like wind blasts. Manifold evaluation possibilities in the post-processor.

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Stresses across the plate thickness and layer order at any point Display of the pendulum impact in slow-motion Output of all stress components Display of the spring forces Vector-plot of the principal stresses Literature: Dr.-Ing. Dirk Bohmann: Ein numerisches Verfahren zur Berechnung von Verbundglasscheiben, Shaker Verlag Aachen, ISBN 3-8265-6635-1, (1999)

References to the various program packages

The program SJ MEPLA is offered in 3 different program packages. These packages are designed for different requirements: Package 3 represents the complete version containing all program functions. Package 2: All dynamic calculations including future ones are disabled and switched off in this package. The tab <Pendulum> in the workspace <Loads> cannot be selected. The tab <Pressure hit> in the workspace <Loads> cannot be selected. Package 1: In addition to the dynamic calculations also the application of point fixings is switched off. The tab <Pendulum> in the workspace <loads> is unavailable. The tab <Pressures hit> in the workspace <loads> is unavailable. The tab <Glass fixing> in workspace <supports> is unavailable.

Workspaces
Geometry

The geometry of the plate or panel is defined by the input of corner points or intermediate points. There are 6 possibilities at your disposal in the current version: circle triangle

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quadrangle pentagon hexagon quadrangle with curved edges The quantity of the edge points can either be indicated with a select button corresponding to the geometry or by the list of choices. It can be changed at any time, thus releasing the corresponding input fields. Number of corner and intermediate points: You may choose the number of corner points either by selecting the respective green geometry diagram or by choosing a number in the combobox. You may change your choice at any time. According to your choice the required fields are enabled. The input order of the edge points (as well as intermediate points) is indicated in the diagrams and has to be considered. The generated border of the geometry is displayed at the same time in the drawing area. The red edge lines (chamfers) have to be affixed at the indicated edges for a correct mesh creation. Nr., x, y: Co-ordinates of the corner points (and intermediate points) [mm]: Enter the co-ordinates of the edge points. The number references the consecutive numbering in the respective green diagram. Mesh refinement: The mesh density is pre-set to value 10. A rougher or finer subdivision of the mesh generation can be achieved by setting another value. You may enter values between 1 and about 30. The specified mesh refinement refers to the longer side of the pane. The accuracy of calculation depends on the mesh refinement (see theory manual). Note: The mesh density relates to the longest side of the pane; the shorter side is automatically adapted in a way that if ever possible square element forms will result. The exactness of the calculation process depends on the mesh density (see theory manual). The calculation effort increases with an increasing number of layers. A standard plate with one layer without additional point fixings can statically with a reasonable calculation effort (a few minutes) still be calculated with a subdivision from 30 - 40. If several layers have to be calculated, the mesh density should be reduced continuously. Therefore it is advisable to begin with a low mesh density (8-10) and, if necessary, to increase this value little by little. This applies especially to a dynamic calculation which has to solve the equation system most frequently.

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Layers

The term <layers> stands for the partition of the glass pane (or any sandwich) into areas made of the same material. According to the theory of the multi-layer elements the total number of the layers always has to be odd, as two cover layers always must encapsulate one intermediate layer.

Structure of layers
The structure of the layers is defined in a way that the lowest pane of a package always has the number 1 and that further layers continue upwards (as if they were laid on). The input or selection of a layer is made by a list of choices which offers the pre-set materials. If the required material does not exist, define the new material in the menu bar under program, settings, material. Optionally, a material in the workspace <layers> can be changed by overwriting it. These changes have no effect on the database. Button <New item>: By mouse click on the button <new item> a list of choices with the materials existing in the database opens (see menu bar <Program - Settings - Material>). The values of the chosen material are transferred into the input line. Here only the thickness and if necessary the temperature difference have to be entered. Further changes are possible at any time. Button <Delete item>: The marked line is deleted from the layer structure. The empty input fields have to be filled out by the user. So the thickness of the layer and the temperature difference in the layer (see theory manual) still have to be entered. All pre-set values except for the name of the material can be amended later. The temperature difference in the sense of a material description is logically not at the right place, as temperature differences between the single layers describe a load case. For transparency reasons this item was still included here, as it is a layer-specific property. The columns of table <layer>: Material name: choice from database E: Youngs modulus [N/mm2] : Poissons ratio [-]

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t: layer thickness [mm] : mass density of the layer [to/mm3] T: volume expansion coefficient [1/K] T: temperature difference [K] v: initial pre-stressing [N/mm2] (needed only for effective glass stress calculation) Note: For calculations without temperature effects there is no need to define the volume expansion coefficient and the temperature difference may be set to zero. Static calculation without dead weight do not need the mass density to be defined. You should indicate the initial pre-stress for heat strengthened and toughened glass. This value is required if you want to print the effective stress to the result file (protocol). By default the value is set to zero.

Structure of packages
A package designates a sandwich (e. g. laminated safety glass panes) composed by several cover layers and intermediate layers. You may define a maximum of 4 packages. The selection and definition of second and further packages always means that an insulation glass (or also other materials with a pressure-tight intermediate space) shall be calculated. Thus, you are subject to certain restrictions. For example: for the edges either a simple supported, a symmetry boundary condition or a spacer must be used. The first, lowest package always has the number 1 and is the default setting in the program. If you activate a further package (by setting the list of choices to 2) all input fields are at your disposal again, meaning that ,for example, any insulating glass units made of laminated safety glass can be described.

Intermediate space
If you activate a second package the gas in the intermediate space has to be defined by the volume expansion coefficient, the gap height between the packages and the inner pressure during production. Also here you can dispose of pre-set values from the list of choices. The indications of the temperature difference of the gas and the pressure are actually already load indications which are made here as an intermediate layer specific property. The temperature difference is the difference between the actual and the manufacturing temperature. The indication of the pressure refers to the gas pressure in the intermediate space during manufacturing of the insulating glass unit. The columns of table <intermediate space>: t: intermediate space height [mm] : volume expansion coefficient [1/K] T: temperature difference [K] pi: inner gas pressure during production [N/mm] External pressure (barometric pressure) [N/mm], difference of height [m], (installation height - production height): Upon input of the packages with the gas pressure in the intermediate space the outer pressure has to be set (default setting: 0.101 N/mm = 1010 mbar). An omission of this field would mean that e.g. an insulating glass unit would be set in a vacuum environment and it would thus arch extremely outwards. With contact of glass packages: As an additional tool you can choose by the select button a calculation with contact of the glass panes of the insulating unit. Tolerance distance [mm] for pane contact: By indicating the tolerance you control apart from which distance the pane contact shall be regarded (see theory manual). Note: The elastic bearing of the edges of an insulation glass pane through the sealing at the frame border can be shown sufficiently precisely by a simply supported edge (see theory manual). Instead you may use a spacer to define free borders of an insulating glass unit.

Supports
In this workspace the possible types of supports so far are listed.

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Tab <Spring support>

By the input of springs special kind of supports can be defined. While the edge supports always act on the entire pane edges and bear it stiffly with the set up degree of flexibility, a punctual bearing can be defined by the use of springs. As every node of the finite element mesh has at least 5 degrees of freedom, and thus also degrees of freedom in pane direction exist, also these possibilities of displacement (x-direction: u and y-direction: v) have to be considered for a statically defined bearing. SJ MEPLA automatically defines by default 3 springs which suppress this displacement. Each package is held by default at the corner point 1 in x and y-direction and at the corner point 2 only in y-direction with a low spring rigidity (1.0 N/mm). These directly visible springs in the drawing field can of course be removed if another bearing is necessary. The columns of table <spring support>: x, y: position of the spring [mm] Cx, Cy, Cz: spring rigidity [N/mm] Note: All springs only act on the lowest layer (number 1) of each package.

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Tab <Edge support>

A fix boundary condition can be allocated separately to every edge of the plate. The displayed possibilities (type 0 to 7) can be allocated to every edge (side number 1-6) by a list of choices. This type of bearing is set for all glass layers and glass pane packages set up. The standard case for the bearing of an insulating glass unit is type 0, type 2 or 3 or specially defined spacers. With the types of bearings 2 and 3 you can take advantage of symmetry of the system and thus save calculation time. This is mainly interesting for multilayered laminated safety glass panels with a high number of elements. This symmetry condition can only be taken advantage of, if it is parallel to a co-ordinate axis. Then, the system can maximally be quartered. Not only the geometry but also the loads are then considered symmetrically. This shows that, e.g. for pendulum impact simulations, you cannot take advantage of the symmetry as the pendulum otherwise would exist twice or four times.

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Tab <Glass fixing>

By now two types of glass point fixings are defined in SJ MEPLA with which a point-supported pane can be calculated: Type 1: Point fixing with countersunk head and a circular disk Type 2: Point fixing with two circular clamping disks These bearings can only be set up at positions within the pane area. Edge clamp fixings that comprise the pane edge cannot be set up yet. These point fixings are independent new own finite elements which describe all possibilities of displacement. The separation layers that prevent the glass-steel contact are considered exactly by the position, Youngs modulus and the thickness of the separating material. Special set ups of the force transmission consider a sliding of the separation layers at the glass face or the borehole rim. The input of these point fixings is again made by pre-set construction designs which are deposited in the database. Here, the geometric design with the elastic properties of the separation layers is pre-set. Changes or self-defined types are of course also possible. This default, how the point fixing looks like and what properties it has, is called a reference. The columns of table <manufacturer>: reference: name of the fixing (from database) type:1 for countersunk head fixing or 2 for disk fixing ri: outer radius of the bush (or radius of the borehole) [mm] ra: outer radius of the disk layer, (shim) [N/mm] Es: Youngs modulus of the shim layer, (shim)[N/mm] Eh: Youngs modulus of the bush [N/mm] ts: thickness of the shim layer [mm] th: thickness of the bush [mm] hk: conic height [mm] rk: outer radius of the cone including the separation layer (bush)[mm] Now you can use each of these selected references as often as you like by indicating the place where the pane shall be supported. The distance Zh describes the eccentricity of the fixing (distance from the lower bottom side of the glass pane with the sign according to the global z-axis). The additional properties of the elastic bearing or the special construction layout (e.g. a ball shaped head) are set up by 5 spring rigidities. The first 3 rigidities describe the displacement rigidities of the point fixings base point (position where the springs act on). The last 2 values describe the rotation rigidity around the y-axis and the x-axis. Alternatively you can set instead of 5 separate springs a directed jointed bar, which will hold the point fixing. This choice takes place by changing the last menu button from <S> (spring) to <B> (bar or rod). This bar will then act as a directed spring which connects the fixings reference point (the same point where the 5 springs are attached to) to a fix point, may be at the wall. This point must be given with his 3 co-ordinates. At both endings of the bar a hinge is located, so that only normal forces and no bending can be transmitted. Eccentricities given by the value Zh are

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regarded as well. These may lead to bending moments in the glass at the point fixing. In this way, wired glass roofs can be calculated. The columns of table <position of fixing>: reference: name out of above choices x,y: position of the point fixing in the pane [mm] Zh: distance of the base to the lower bottom side of the pane [mm] Standard choice <S> (Springs): Cx, Cy, Cz: displacement rigidities of the springs [N/mm] C, C: rotation rigidities around the y-axis and the x-axis [Nmm/rad] Choice <B> (bar): x0, y0, z0: Fix point where the bar in connected at the ground (wall) E: Youngs modulus of the bar [N/mm] A: cross section of the bar [mm] This way the rigidity of the sub-construction (substructure) and the design of a tension free bearing (whether, e. g. the point fixings generate a statically determined bearing of the panes) enter into the calculation. The possibility to displace freely (free movement) is indicated by C = 0, a rigid bearing by a high rigidity, e.g. C = 1.e6. Example for point fixings connected with springs:

The definition of the reference (name, geometry, rigidities) is: reference: Eigendef1 type: 2 ri: 18.0 ra: 30.0 Es: 40. Eh: 500. ts: 1.5 th: 3.0 hk: (N/A) rk: (N/A) The position of the above defined point fixing with the spring rigidities of the sub-construction: reference: Eigendef1 x: 100. y: 130. Zh: 5. Cx: 10000. Cy: 10000. Cz: 1000. C,: 0.

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C: 0. type: S The indication of the Zh distance displaces the base point from the lower bottom side of the glass pane by 5 mm in positive z-direction into the glass pane centre. With the rotational rigidities C and C set to 0, a free ball rotation is possible according to the above picture. These point fixings always lay aligned between the top and bottom side of the glass panels (exception: see below LITEWALL). The height of the point fixing (and so as well the bush) thus depends on the total height of the glass pane package which was indicated in <layers>. This approach, that the fixing always clamp the top and bottom glass panel, can be changed when <Type LITEWALL> has been chosen. Then the fixing only clamps the inner pane - the outside pane (glass packages higher than 1) are free to move. These calculations are underlying some restrictions: So its not possible to remove the hole in the outside panels. This has negligible effects to the global results; but because of the holes in the outside panels the stresses in this region cant be regarded (stress concentration factors which will arise here). So you cant only read out the maximum principal stresses out of the protocol - you have to select the stresses manually by use of the graphics surface or by defining additional output locations for the stresses (e.g. the middle of the pane), which are written explicitly into the protocol. For more details see theory manual>. Special geometric conditions at the borehole rim or force transmittance mechanisms can be selected by check boxes. Here you can define: which pane layer of a laminated safety glass pane lies in direct contact with the bush (for disk fixing) whether only the conic face of a point fixing can transmit the forces to the bore rim (default setting for countersunk fixings) and whether the calculation shall be made with contact algorithms The contact calculations are distinguished in set-ups for the plate layers and the bush or shim separation layers, which then apply to all point fixings. For each of the two set-ups the tolerance when the pane shall detach can be set up separately. The smoother the separating layer is the higher the tolerance must be. The default values of the tolerance amount from 0.1 to 0.001 mm. The input 0.0 is impossible for mathematical reasons (see theory manual). Point fixings may also be set for insulating glass units. Simultaneously with their use, spacers will be inserted at the borehole to seal up the insulating unit and to couple the pane by the spacers sealing material. Example for point fixings connected with bars: When the input line is changed from <S> to <B>, a bar can be given to connect the point fixing with the wall. This is done by defining the position (x0, y0, z0) and describing the rigidities of the bar (Youngs modulus and cross section area).

Zo

Z Y X
Xo

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The bar will be fixed 20 mm above the bottom side of the pane and the fix point for wall connection is 200, 0, 800, so that the anchor is lying 800mm above the x-axis. reference: Eigendef1 x: 200. y: 500. Zh: 20 x0: 200. y0: 0 z0: 800. E: 0 A:78.5 type: B A direct controlling of location is only possible inside the graphics surface. Buckling of bars under compression is not regarded in the program and must be done by hand calculation using the resulting forces. As well plausibility is not checked. If the bar or cables are intersecting, the pane must be checked within the graphics surface. Further special notes: For fixing type 1: When the countersunk head is defined to lie in direct contact to the borehole rim, then no other load transmission at the borehole can be chosen. This countersunk head than clamps the highest package and all other lower packages are free to move. For fixing type 2: The definition of the layer, which have to lie in direct contact to the borehole rim, is only guilty for the first glass package. All other packages then dont lie in contact to the glass. All calculations can be carried out using contact conditions. The standard values for the tolerance are 0.1 to 0.001 mm. These values depend on the stiffness of the separating materials. The softer the material, the larger this value can be (0.01). For very stiff materials (alloy) the tolerance must be chosen very small (0.0001mm) to achieve a separation within small forces.

Tab <Spacer>

If unsupported edges of insulating glass units shall be set, there is need for spacers, which will internally couple and seal the panes at their borders. These spacers can be defined for each edge separately. They describe the rigidity of the silicone sealing, whereas the bending stiffness of the intermediate frame will not be regarded. Additionally, there's the possibility to describe two different mechanisms. First, a linear rigidity may be chosen. Then, the same behaviour for tension and compression for the sealing material are analysed. The second non-linear method will distinguish the behaviour for tension forces, where the sealing material is linear loaded and for compression, when the panes borders are laid on the frame and so no further deformation like a rigid body contact is possible.

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When point supported panes using fixings are considered (not type LITEWALL), the characteristic values which are set for the spacers behaviour, are set automatically for the borehole rims to seal and fix the intermediate distance. Input: (only possible for insulating glass units): Edge <n>: Definition of the edge which shall get a spacer Properties of the sealing material: Youngs modulus E [N/mm]: modulus of elasticity of the sealing material shear-modulus G [N/mm]: shear modulus of the sealing material width b [mm]: width of the sealing (the height results form the intermediate gap) Note: The definition of the shear modulus enables a shear transmission between the panes. When this behaviour shall not be set, the shear modulus must be set to zero. When only a constant distance shall be analysed, the modulus of elasticity must be set to high values (e.g. 100 N/mm) to prevent the deformation of the spacer. When non-linear behaviour (tension and compression with different properties) shall be set, the appropriate choice and a tolerance value within the rigidity changes shall take place may be selected.

Tab <Edge beam>

When the system is supported with elastic edge beams, this load bearing behaviour may be regarded as well. If so, the deformation results from the total stiffness of pane and beam. In this way the underlying construction (e.g. the clamping frame) may be considered. But some special requirements must be regarded: The beams may only be set at the borders of the plate. The beam may also be set for curved edges, but it never transmits torsional forces, as it doesn't have a torsional rigidity! This beam can only transmit bending forces transverse to the pane area, no normal forces. With this beam definition it's possible to place this beam at the borders of the system. The beam will act as a reinforced plate edge. As the edge beam acts at the borders of the elements, the boundary conditions <edge support> depends on the kind of bearing of the nodes at the beginning and ending of this beam. In addition, the beginning and ending of the beam may be fixed with further degrees of freedom. Note: With this restriction curved beams cant be exactly simulated, as bending forces will always interact with torsional forces, e.g. especially for circles. This interaction is not regarded! Example: A rectangular plate is simply supported at the edges 1 and 3. The two edges 2 and 4 are reinforced with a beam. The boundary condition for the endings of the beams is therefore also a simple support! Additionally, the rotational degrees of freedom may also be removed, so that the beam endings are now clamped.

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The columns of the table: edge: Which border shall be reinforced with a beam? material: material of the beam as default from the database I [mm4]: moment of inertia for bending out of plane A [mm]: cross section area of the beam The most input field may be filled out with the predefined material from the database. The density is necessary for dynamic calculations as well as for load calculations due to the dead weight. Output: Result for the position and value of the maximum and minimum bending moments (protocol).

Tab <Elast. edge support>

Shall the edges of the system be elastically supported (e.g. rubber bearings), the borders of the plate may be defined with an underlying elastic profile. In contrast to the above supports, where the boundary condition may only be set on or off (switching degrees of freedom on or off), the transversal deformation of the supporting profiles may also be considered here. Additionally, here's the possibility to consider contact conditions, so that e.g. lifting corners may occur. The columns of the table: edge: Which edge shall be supported? E [N/mm]: Modulus of elasticity b [mm]: Width of underlying profile h [mm]: Height of profile contact: yes/no (radio button) Contact approach (tolerance): Value for change in distance [mm], wherein the pane will de-attach from the supporting structure.

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Tab <Elast. base>

When a plate is elastically supported on the entire face, this calculation is very complex especially when contact conditions shall be regarded. This elastic base material may be set with it's layer height and Youngs modulus. Depending on the contact settings lifting or de-attached pane regions may arise. Note: A rearrangement of the material due to compression and accompanied material movement is not possible to simulate, as interaction effects are not considered (Poissons ratio is set to zero). Input: E [N/mm]: Modulus of elasticity of the elastic base h [mm]: Height of elastic base Tolerance: Value for change in distance [mm], wherein the pane will de-attach from the supporting base structure.

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Tab <Elast. line support>

Analogue as for the elastic edge supports, here a line style elastic support crossing the structure may be set. This will be done by giving two points for the beginning and ending of the line support. Along this defined line, automatically spaced springs with an associated stiffness are generated. As for the elastic edge supports, the line supports as well only declare a rigidity in z-direction. The width is only needed for the calculation of the spring rigidities. The columns of the table: Point 1: x- and y co-ordinates of the beginning point Point 2 x- and y co-ordinates of the ending point E [N/mm]: Modulus of elasticity b [mm]: Width of profile h [mm]: Height of profile contact: yes/no (radio button) Contact approach (tolerance): Value for change in distance [mm], wherein the pane will de-attach from the supporting structure.

Loads
The input of the loads that shall act onto the system is defined by the following kinds of loads. The layer-related values were already explained in <layers> but they are stated here again.

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Tab <Face load>

Pressure loads: Pressure loads can be set up separately for every package. A positive acting face load is defined in positive global zaxis direction. Constant face loads: p [N/mm]: pressure loads acting onto the total plate area Linear distributed face loads: p0, p1 [N/mm]: pressure ordinates belonging to y0 and y1 y0, y1 [mm]: reference points for the pressure p0 and p1 The linear distributed face loads always acts onto the total pane. Its not possible to pressurize parts of the pane with this load method. With this method water pressure can be calculated. Dead weight: The dead weight is controlled by the indication of a direction vector. This vector (3 vector components) indicates the direction of the acceleration due to gravity which acts onto the system. Example: 0,0,-1: The gravity acceleration acts in negative z-direction. 0,-1,-1: The acceleration acts onto the pane under a 45 angle. The pane is thus rotated by 45 against the horizontal. 0,-1,0: The acceleration acts within the plane of the pane. The pane is thus rotated by 90 against the horizontal (vertically installed pane, see theory manual). The input of the vector components does not necessarily be given in normalised values. The normalisation to a unit vector is made by the program. The effect of 0,0,-5 is identical with 0,0,-1. The calculation with dead load requires the declaration of the density [to/mm] of the layer materials, as the acting forces are determined by there mass. The input of 0,0,0 disables the calculation of the dead weight. In addition, there is the possibility to give only the angle of rotation around the x-axis. The gravity acceleration vector is then calculated automatically. To remove the dead weight, the angle entry must be cleared.

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Tab <Concentrated load>

By use of concentrated loads you can enter as many local single loads as you like. This load is distributed within the defined area (Lx, x Ly). With this approach all possibilities for concentrated loads at certain points up to line and face loads in any direction can be specified (see theory manual). The columns of the table: x, y: centre position of the load area [mm] Fx, Fy, Fz: force due to the 3 co-ordinate directions [N] Lx, Ly: edge length of the distribution area [mm] Forces Fz are introduced directly into the pane without conversion, as all layers within one package are coupled by one degree of freedom. Forces in x and y direction are distributed according to the layer thickness, so that a uniform introduction into the entire pane structure is achieved (e. g. edge loads which acts in-plane onto the cross section of the panes borders.)

Tab <Pendulum>

The pendulum impact is a dynamical load simulation. The impact of the pendulum body which is modelled with a mass of 50 kg and its twin tyres (according to DIN EN 12600), is approached to the pane in time steps. The arising

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contact in interaction with the pane, the variable tyre foot print area and the continuously changing force during this process which acts on the pendulum as well as on the pane, is solved by the time step method. The drop height as well as the position of the impact can be chosen freely. Condition therefore is, that the pendulum does not stretch beyond the edge of the pane. The parameters describing the pendulum body, were found in experiments and are valid for a tyre pressure of 3.5 to 4.0 bar. A non-linear spring for the tyres is used which describes there rigidity (see theory manual). The total calculation results including all forces, stresses and acceleration of the pendulum is saved and can be displayed in the <graphics surface>. Furthermore, it is possible to generate a <curve diagram>, showing e.g. the time-force relation of the pendulum body. All maximum and minimum values of the local stress output (see <options>), the deformations, the spring forces and the pendulum force are saved in the calculation protocol. Additionally the position and the size of the principal stresses are indicated. Input: x, y: point of impact for the pendulum body [mm] H: drop height of the pendulum [mm] T: time step length [s] Tend: calculation duration [s] (max. computing time) Time step length: The time step length is pre-set to 0.001 seconds. This value is applicable for a pane size of 1000 x 1000 mm with normal structure. If the pane is stiffer the time step length should be reduced; for thinner ("softer") panes it can be chosen longer. This value is not a constant in SJ MEPLA but only a standard value which is not exceeded during calculation. If bad convergence occurs (too many iterations, because the value was chosen too high) the time step automatically reduces. For good convergence T is chosen higher, but never higher than the time step length set up. The calculation ends when the calculation duration is reached or the process is manually terminated. Temperature differences: The temperature difference can be set up separately for every layer with a constant gradient over the layer thickness. This happens in the workspace <layers>. If there is only one layer, a deformation results only from the temperature expansion and a corresponding reaction due to a statically undetermined bearing. If several layers (e.g. laminated safety glass) are indicated, a curvature effect from the different expansions of the layers with different layer temperatures will result (see theory manual). For such calculations the thermal expansion coefficient T must be defined in <layers>. Climate loads: The climate loads are relevant for the calculation of insulating glass units. The following loads can be set up in the workspace <layers>: inner pressure [N/mm] in between the insulating glass unit (in the interspace) external (outside) pressure [N/mm] temperature difference from installation temperature and manufacturing temperature [K] difference of height H [m] from installation and manufacturing place, if the precise external pressure is unknown Additionally, all load combinations of face load, point load and temperature differences in the layers (insulation glass made of laminated safety glass up to 4-fold glazing = 3xinterspaces) are possible. These calculations can as well as all other calculations also be made with a non-linear geometric approach. Also insulating glass units can be exposed to the pendulum impact. The gas pressure laws in the intermediate spaces are always considered. Then, however, the climate loads and other loads have to be set in a way that offload conditions are achieved (e. g. internal pressure = external pressure) and no other loads like face loads are applied. Otherwise the system would be exposed to these loads "abruptly" and start to swing before the pendulum impacts.

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Tab <Pressure hit>

A further dynamic calculation method can be performed with the pressure hit possibility. By giving a load factortime curve the face- and concentrated loads defined under <loads> are time step controlled applied onto the system. Thereby the load factor is multiplied with these loads. In this way wind blasts (e.g. form measurements) can be set on and the dynamic response of the pane can be simulated. Important notice: The input data must at least consist out of 3 entries. Tips smoothing: With the peak blending value sharp curve tips can be rounded. The value matches thereby the radius of a circle laid within the curve tips. A value of 0.0 switches off this smoothing. Checkbox <use pressure hit>: To activate this kind of calculation the button <use pressure hit> must be marked. When pressure hit calculation is enabled, a possibly defined pendulum impact calculation will be disabled.

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Tab <Line loads>

Line loads are approaches for loads which are acting along a line. In reality its not possible to set up loads with no width (loaded area). Although such a tool is an approximation, it is often used. Line loads are given in unit [N/mm] or of same dimension [kN/m]. The line will be defined by a starting point (X0, Y0) and by an ending point of the line (X1, Y1). Only loads within this line and in between the glass panel are considered for loading. Along this so defined line, loads in 3 directions qx, qy and qz can be given. Out of these values a resulting load vector in displayed in the graphics surface. The columns of the table: x0, y0: Starting point of the line load [mm] x1, y1: Endpoint of the line load [mm] qx, qy, qz: Load components in 3 directions [N/mm or kN/m]

Options

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In the workspace options the requested calculation set-up as well as the position of the local stress and deformation outputs can be specified. Calculation set-ups: The default setting is a linear geometric calculation. With the select button you can switch over to non-linear calculation. Large deformations which are transversely to the plane of the plate are then considered (see theory manual). All calculations (also pendulum impact and insulation glass) can be carried out with these options. By setting the <force tolerance> value the precision of the calculation can be changed. Solving non-linear equations take place by use of the Newton-Raphson method. This is an iterative process, which will end when the tolerance value is reached. This value is predefined with 0.1 N and shall only be changed by a specialist. Checkbox <disable automatic>: With this function the algorithm that tries to find the quickest possible solution of the system is suppressed. In case of high loads with non-linear effects, as the consideration of large transversal deformations (non-linear geometric) or in case of insulating glass unit with the non-linear gas pressure law, it can be necessary to disable this automatic control. The tangential stiffness matrix is then set up and solved during every iteration. This option should be enabled only by exception as it makes the calculation much more time consuming. In case of a dynamic calculation for a pendulum impact this option will not be considered. Checkbox <apply loads in how many steps>: A load can be applied in several steps. This selection is frequently advisable in case of very big loads as it supports the convergence of the calculation. All intermediate steps are saved and put out. They can be shown separately with the <graphics surface>. The last load step corresponds to the total load to be applied. Attention: When using the load steps, only in the last step all loads have been applied! Note: In extreme cases also both options <disable automatic> and <apply loads in x steps> can be selected. Local stress outputs: Here you can define some positions within the plate where the stress and displacement shall be determined explicitly. These outputs are listed in the calculation protocol. Every stress output contains the following values: Sxx: Stress in global x-direction Syy: Stress in global y-direction Sxy: Shear stress Sp+: Principal stresses (positive root) Sp-: Principal stresses (negative root) The output of these 5 stress values is carried out on the basis of the defined layer structure for the top and bottom side of each layer. These outputs are furthermore at your disposal within the <curve diagram> for displaying results of a dynamic pendulum impact simulation or a calculation in several steps. Thus, e.g. the stress variation under the pendulum impact point during a certain time period can be displayed. Stress results (max. values): The following stress results can be chosen, to be written into the protocol: effective glass stress maximum principal stress minimum principal stress Von Mises stress (for metallic layers) For these choices, the maximal or minimal stress results are written into the protocol by indicating there position and there associated layer.

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Results

In the workspace <results> all possibilities that belong to the calculation and the output of results are mentioned. Before calculation: With the button <system preview> the system which has not been calculated yet can be considered. Here, the generated mesh, the bearing design, the position of the point fixings and all other settings can be regarded, before the calculation is carried out. Thus all inputs as well as the generated mesh density can be controlled once again. If a calculation results already exists, they will be deleted by the <system preview>. A warning message draws your attention to this fact. Calculation: If the system has been reviewed or if the calculation shall be carried out directly, the calculation is started with <start calculation>. A waiting dialog appears that informs about the state of the calculation. Further messages are faded in the lower left footer of the program window and inform about the state of the calculation. Upon termination of the calculation the program automatically returns and releases the further dialog. Button <Abort>: A manual termination of the calculation is possible with the <abort> button. Calculation results are then not available or only available up to the last time step solved. This operation can take some time as the calculation program can only be terminated at certain points during the calculation process. Calculation results: After calculation additionally to the system data also the results of the calculation are available. The button <Graphics surface> starts the graphics post processor which displays the result visually (see manual for more information about the graphics surface). Protocol: The protocol contains all data of the calculation. The geometry of the plate, the position of the edge points, the layer structure, the utilised point fixings including the calculation set-ups and all calculation results that were requested, are recorded in a tabulation and can be printed out. Curve diagram: If a dynamic calculation of the pendulum impact or a calculation in several steps has been carried out, specific evaluations in form of a curve can be established here. With the list of choices the value on the x-axis and the y-axis can be adjusted separately. Depending on the size of the result database this evaluation may take some seconds until the result is shown in the form of a curve diagram. The shorthand expressions in the list of choices have the following meanings: P: package number L: layer number

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top, bottom: top and bottom side of the layer Sxx, : stress component Print curve diagram: Every displayed curve can be printed out separately by clicking the button <print curve diagram>.

Messages during calculation

Error messages
The mesh is too much distorted! Select a higher mesh density!
If a point fixing is placed too close to the pane edge or if the mesh is too rough, the mesh can possibly not be generated correctly. Causes, correctives: Check the position and the order of the corner points of the system. Select a higher or also lower mesh subdivision and check the generated mesh with the system preview. Check the position of the point fixings.

A point fixing is situated outside the plate!

Causes, correctives: Check the position of the point fixing.

The mesh is too rough to insert the point fixings!

For a very low mesh refinement value (e. g. 2), a point fixing mesh cannot be generated. Causes, correctives: select a higher mesh refinement check the position of the point fixings

The point fixing is too large for the plate!

The plate diameter of the point fixing is too large. Causes, correctives: Check the chosen radius of the point fixings circular plate.

A spring is situated outside the plate!

Causes, correctives: Check the position of the springs (if necessary displace them by one millimetre into the pane if it shall be situated close to the edge).

No convergence: The calculation is terminated!

In 2000 iterations no convergence could be achieved. Causes, correctives: the system is not statically determined check bearing and springs check the thickness of insulation glass panes

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The loads for a non-linear calculation (geometrically non-linear, insulating glass units) are very large.
Causes, correctives: Check loads! Click on the button <disable automatic> or <apply loads in x steps> or both in the workspace <options>.

The chosen contact algorithms causes large stress redistribution.

Causes, correctives: Check loads! Click on the button <disable automatic> or <apply loads in x steps> or both in the workspace <options>.

The contact calculation could not be carried out. The system alternates between two condi-tions.
Causes, correctives: enlarge tolerance install supporting springs, that guarantee the static determination select a smaller Youngs modulus of the separation layers disable contact calculation in case of insulation glass: the static loads are too high (use contact in static insulation glass calculation only by exception) Note: The convergence can be observed during calculation. If no convergence appears, the calculation should be terminated manually by <abort>.

No convergence! Check a statically determined bearing!

If the error force increases during iterations the calculation stops after a maximum error has been exceeded. Causes, correctives: the system is not statically determined check bearing and springs check the thickness of insulation glass panes

The impact point of the pendulum is not within the pane area!
Causes, correctives: Check the position of the impact point.

The contact area of the pendulum tyres stretches beyond the pane edge!
During calculation a variable tyre foot prints area is considered. This reaches over the pane border or is lying within a borehole. Causes, correctives: The pendulum must be set up more remote from the edge of the pane. The pendulum must not impact on a point fixing.

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Information messages
A stress/displacement output is lying outside the plate!
This local output is not considered.

Equation system is solved anew!

The calculation with contact algorithms, non linear calculation, insulation glass and the pendulum impact require from time to time a new set up of the stiffness matrix accompanied by a new solving of the equation system. In this process the program termination is not possible. A selected termination will not be carried out before on return of this routine.

Time step is decreased:

In case of a poor convergence of dynamic calculations (pendulum impact / pressure hit) the time step is decreased if necessary in order to re-establish a rapid convergence.

Time step is increased:

In case of a very good convergence the time steps are slightly increased to accelerate the calculation.

Calculation is ended! Computing time:

Normal end of a calculation by reaching the specified calculation time.

Information on project/directory
Click on a project or a directory in the tree view on the left. An overview will appear on the right:

Project-Nr.: Shows the project number. Project-name/directory-name: If you click on a project in the tree view this label shows the name of the project. If you click on a directory in the tree view this label shows the name of the directory. Project-description/directory-description: Enter a precise description either to your project or directory.

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Button <Calculate all directories>: This button is only enabled if you choose a project with directories. Click on this button to start calculation one after another for all directories of the current project. The calculation will be aborted if errors occur. Create new project: Learn how to create a new project here.

Menu bar
Program
This dialog enables you to make settings, take care of databases and change path names.

Settings - Tab <General>Office line:

The tab <general> contains at present only one input field for the office line. On hardcopies of the calculation protocol this office line appears as the head line of each page.

Settings - Tab <Material>

SJ MEPLA always works under consideration of these inputs which are used as default data in the workspace <layers>. The layer descriptions adopted this way can of course be corrected there again. It is advisable to add and complete here the standard materials so that the inputs can be carried out quicker. The database is predefined with the most usual materials. Amendments or new items are made with the buttons <new item> and <delete item>. Button <new item>: Click this button to open a free line above the marked line. The input of the parameter (the <tab> button leads into the next entry) transfers the new material properties. Button <delete item>: Click this button to delete the marked line from the database. The single item corresponds to the definitions described in <layers>. It is impossible to undo a deletion.

Settings - Tab <Filling gases>

Analogously to the tab <material> intermediate space materials (gases) are defined here. The most usual gases are also pre-set here. Intermediate spaces are explained in the workspace <layers>.

Settings - Tab <Fixings>

In order to minimise the effort of the geometry description and the elastic properties, the point fixings are specified here. These data can always be reused in the workspace <supports> by the table in this tab and thus do not always have to be defined anew. Every input obtains a name referring e.g. to the manufacturer or the brand name. In future this database will be maintained by us with the new fixing types and the manufacturers' data. These inputs are coloured and cannot be changed in the database, but only in the workspace <layers>, if other separation layers than those assumed by the manufacturer shall be used. The description of these inputs is made in the paragraph point fixings.

Settings - Tab <Paths>

Path to projects: The pre-setting for the project path is called: C:\Program files\SJ_Software\Mepla\Projects (as far as during installation no other directory was chosen). If you do not want to save your project locally on the computer but centrally on a server (or a commonly used hard disk) you can change the path here. If projects have already been created locally you will have to displace them with

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the Windows Explorer to the required directory on the server. With the path indication you can do further structuring of your projects. Path to base data: The pre-setting for the project path is called: C:\Program files\SJ_Software\Mepla\Projects\sj_basisdaten\sj_mep (as far as during installation no other directory was chosen). If you save your projects centrally on a server you can change the path here. Path to program: It shows, for your information, the installation path of the program SJ MEPLA and cannot be changed as it was fixed during installation.

Settings - Tab <Options>Color active input fields: You may have selected a special colour scheme in the monitor settings. As a result, active entry fields may occur in a strange colour. If so, please uncheck this checkbox. Exit
Closes SJ MEPLA and asks if changes should be saved before closing.

Edit
Change
This menu item is only active if a project or directory has been marked in the tree view. With the feature <Change> a dialog for the amendment of the project or directory data opens.

Cut
In the tree view: If you click on a directory and choose <cut> , the symbol of the entry gets blurred. Then, you can click on a project and choose <paste>. In an input field: The cut command deletes a marked text which can be pasted into any other input field (<Strg+X> is the short command for the keyboard).

Copy
In the tree view: Click on a project or a directory to cpy the complete project or directory. In an input field: The copy command enables you to copy a marked text into the windows clipboard and paste it into any other input field (<Strg+C> is the short command for the keyboard).

Paste
The paste command (<Strg+V>) pastes the text form the clipboard at the current entry field.

Delete
Delete text: Analogously to the key <del> the marked text is deleted. Delete contents of a workspace: If not a text but a workspace is marked in the tree structure on the left, the command <delete> removes the entire contents of this workspace (including all corresponding tabs) after a check-back. Delete project: If not a text but a project is marked in the tree structure on the left, the command <delete> removes the entire project after a check-back. These data are then irrevocably deleted.

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Delete directory: If not a text but a directory is marked in the tree structure on the left, the command <delete> removes the entire project after a check-back. These data are then irrevocably deleted.

Undo
Only an amendment in an input field can be undone.

Create zip-archive
If a project or a directory shall additionally be saved (e.g. on an external disk) the function <create zip-Archive> can be used. Here a new dialog opens which gives you the possibility to select the target and the file name for the saving.

Open zip-archive
Analogously to the function <create zip-archive> an existing archive is unpacked into the tree view.

Attributes
Here a standard windows dialog opens showing e. g. the size of the respective project directory.

View
Font
The pre-set standard font is Arial 10 pt. Other fonts and type sizes can be selected here.

Sorting
The collation of the project numbers can be chosen either in ascendant or descendant order. This enables you to list the projects in a logical order.

Mouse track
If the mouse track is active the currently selected project/workspace is coloured and underlined in the tree structure on the left.

Update
In case the tree view is not displayed properly this command enables you to force a redraw.

Display help
Below the workspaces (or tabs) the pre-setting creates an additional area for the help window. We recommend to display this help window in the beginning and to close it when you are familiar with the program.

Specials
Live Update
This command requires that the software may access the internet. Note: In most cases the Internet connection has to be established prior to the execution of this live update. Now a new dialog opens which shows the existing version and the version which is available on our Internet Server. Please click on the offered version and then click on the install button in the icon bar. The live update is now executed and after a automatic restart of the program the new version is at your disposal.

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Important notice: Our programs have a 3 digit version number. The last digit of this version number serve for minor upgrades and corrections and are always free of charge. Changes in the first or second digit of this version number will indicate an update with major upgrades. This update will be liable to pay the costs. If you download an update with changes in the first two digits, automatically a new registration number for the program will become necessary. During the next start of the program the reference to the testversion will appear and you will have to print out the order fax again. Here you will have to check the item <update>. The price is at any time available on our homepage in the internet (www.sj-software.de). All prices are given in EUR. You will then obtain directly from us per fax or email your new registration number and within the next few days the corresponding invoice.

Export to SJ OFFICE
This function is only available in the German version.

System settings
Here opens the standard windows dialog to the system properties of the computer.

Language
SJ MEPLA is an internationally deployed software and supports English, German, French and Dutch at this time. The French and Dutch handbooks contain some English parts.

English
After a restart of SJ MEPLA help and program surface appear in English language.

German
After a restart of SJ MEPLA help and program surface appear in German language.

French
After a restart of SJ MEPLA the program surface appears in French while the help appears in English.

Dutch
After a restart of SJ MEPLA the program surface appears in Dutch while the help appears in English.

Help
Content
Here the online help opens. The narratives available there correspond to this manual.

Handbooks
There are three handbooks available in SJ MEPLA. Please choose menu <Help Handbooks> to select: Program: Contains help on how to use SJ MEPLA. Online help and the program handbook are the same. Theory: Explains the theoretical and mathematical background of SJ MEPLA that would disrupt the online help.

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Graphics surface: Contains help to the external module <graphics surface> which you may access using <results>. Click on the respective entry to open the handbook as a pdf-file. A pdf-file requires the free of charge software Adobe Reader.

SJ Software Online
A mouse click on this item initiates the attempt to establish a connection to our homepage in the internet providing general information about our programs, notes to faqs and updates.

Info
Click on <info> to open a new dialog showing: Version and state of the program Further information on SJ Software GmbH Ways and means to contact our hotline

Tool bar
Move the mouse to the desired symbol for further explanations. Most functions from the tool bar can also be chosen on the menu bar or by using the right mouse button. We recommend working with the right mouse button which works in a contextsensitive way. Note: There is one function that can only be executed using the tool bar: Save.

New
The command <new> contains contextsensitive functions, i.e. the respective function depends on the respective entry in the tree view. You can use <new> for two different purposes: Project: Click on the top entry <projects> in the tree view. Now you can create a new project. Choose whether you want a project with or without directories. A division in several directories can be useful, for example, if you want to calculate different but similar cases within a project. You may calculate all directories one after another in one step using the button <calculate all directories>. Directory: You may add more directories to a project where you have chosen the option <with directories>. Next to the symbol <new> there is a small arrow allowing further selections.

Open
You can use <open> for three different purposes, depending on the respective entry in the tree view: Projects: If you click on the top entry <projects>, all workspaces to the respective projects will open. Project: If you click on a certain project, all workspaces to this project will open. Directory: If you click on a directory, all workspaces to this directory will open.

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Save
The save symbol is only active if you work in an opened project. Click on this symbol for an intermediate storage.

Change
For further explanations click here.

Cut
For further explanations click here.

Copy
For further explanations click here.

Paste
For further explanations click here.

Delete
For further explanations click here.

Undo
For further explanations click here.

Create zip-archive
For further explanations click here.

Open zip-archive
For further explanations click here.

Attributes
For further explanations click here.

Superordinate directory
Jump to higher nodes in the tree.

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General Conditions of Sale and Delivery (as of December 2005)

(1) Program Supplier, User

These general conditions of sale and delivery are valid between SJ Software GmbH as program supplier (supplier) and the purchaser of the program as user of the program (user).

(2) Prices
Applicable is the latest price list. The prices are net prices in EUROS () excluding VAT.

(3) Making of Copies

With the payment of the entire selling price the user purchases the not transferable and non-exclusive right to use the software for his own needs. The user may only make copies of the software and documentation for internal purposes (work and security copies).

(4) Copyright
The manual and all parts of the program are protected by copyright. The copyright protection lies with SJ Software GmbH Aachen, Germany. It is a severe copyright infringement to make reproductions of the program regardless of what number of copies and in which form they are made, and to hand them over, even temporarily, to third parties. It is also an infringement to make adaptations or other amendments to the program, to circumvent the copy protection included as well as subsequent corrections of the registration number.

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(5) Warranty, Liability

All parts of the program have been tested carefully. In case that nevertheless defects occur within the first six months upon delivery, the user has the exclusive right to claim reworking free of charge. If the supplier rejects this reworking or if he does not succeed in reworking, the user is entitled to claim for cancellation of sale contract or reduction of the sales price. Further claims of the user are excluded unless they result from an act of intentional or culpable negligence of the supplier. In particular the supplier does not guarantee that the program complies with the special requirements of the user. The user has the obligation to examine whether the program is suitable for his purposes. Special properties are not assured.

(6) Validity
This agreement applies likewise for all further program versions, data and other documentation placed at the user's disposal.

(7) Written Form

The parties have agreed that this agreement is drawn up and amended in writing. Collateral agreements are not made. They must be drawn up in writing to become valid. Supplementary verbal agreements do not exist.

(8) Final Provisions

These terms and conditions shall be governed exclusively by German law and shall preclude the laws on the international sale of goods, even if the contract partner should be headquartered abroad.

(9) Place of Performance, Place of Jurisdiction

The place of performance and jurisdiction for both contract parties is Aachen, Germany; the court of jurisdiction shall be the responsible court in Aachen, Germany.

(10) Severability clause

When some clauses of this contract are or become ineffective or infeasible they shall be replaced by clauses maintaining the spirit of the contract as far as possible. (The effectiveness of these general conditions of sale and delivery is not affected by the fact that one single of the above clauses is or will become invalid.) End of General Conditions of Sale and Delivery

38 General Conditions of Sale and Delivery (as of December 2005)

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Glossary
Adobe Acrobat Reader
General Former title of Adobe Reader.

Adobe Reader
General Adobe Reader is a free of charge software to view, print, and search Adobe Pdf files.

Area
SJ MEPLA A quantity expressing the size of a region of space (symbol: A).

Bar
SJ MEPLA A bar is a kind of rod (shaft), a straight and slender stick; a wand; a cylinder; hence, any slender bar, as of wood or metal.

Beam
SJ MEPLA A beam is a structural element that carries load primarily in bending (flexure). Beams generally carry vertical gravitational forces but can also be used to carry horizontal loads (i.e. loads due to a gust of wind or an earthquake). The loads carried by a beam are transferred to columns, walls or girders, which in turn transfer the force to adjacent structural members.

Bluetooth
General An industrial specification for wireless personal area networks (PANs). Bluetooth provides a way to connect and exchange information between devices like personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, laptops, PCs, printers and digital cameras via a secure, low-cost, globally available short range radio frequency.

Button
General A button is a control that can be clicked by a mouse to execute a certain function. In this handbook buttons are declared by <>, for example button <OK>. (Keys, key combinations and functions are bracketed as well.) Examples:

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Glossary 39

Calculation
SJ MEPLA A calculation is a deliberate process for transforming one or more inputs into one or more results.

Check box
General In computing, a check box is a graphical user interface element (widget) that indicates a two-way choice or state (true/false) which can be edited by the user. Normally, check boxes are shown on the screen as a square box that can contain white space (for false) or a tick mark or X (for true). Adjacent to the check box is normally shown a caption describing the meaning of the check box. Inverting the state of a check box is done by clicking the mouse on the button, or the caption, or by using a keyboard shortcut. See also radio button. Example:

Client
General A computer that accesses remote services from another computer called server.

Coefficient
SJ MEPLA A constant multiplicative factor of a certain object such as a variable (for example, the coefficients of a polynomial), a basis vector, a basis function and so on.

Coefficient of thermal expansion

SJ MEPLA The coefficient of thermal expansion is used in two ways: - as a volumetric thermal expansion coefficient - as a linear thermal expansion coefficient These characteristics are closely related. The volumetric thermal expansion coefficient can be measured for all substances of condensed matter (liquids and solid state). The linear thermal expansion can only be measured in the solid state and is common in engineering applications.

Command prompt
General A command prompt (or just prompt) is a character or string of characters used in a command line interface to indicate that the computer is ready to accept typed input.

Coordinate system
SJ MEPLA A system for assigning a tuple of numbers to each point in an n-dimensional space. Numbers in many cases means real numbers, but, depending on context, can mean complex numbers or elements of some other field. If the space or

40 Glossary

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manifold is curved, it may not be possible to provide one consistent coordinate system for the entire space. In this case, a set of coordinate systems, called charts, are put together to form an atlas covering the whole space.

Copy & Paste

General A popular, simple method of reproducing text or other data from a source to a destination.

Degrees of freedom
SJ MEPLA In mechanical engineering, degrees of freedom describe flexibility of motion. A mechanism or linkage that has complete freedom of motion (even if only in a limited area or envelope) has six degrees of freedom. Three modes are translation - the ability to move in each of three dimensions. Three are rotation, or the ability to change angle around three perpendicular axes.

Density
SJ MEPLA A physical property of material (symbol: ). The average density of an object equals its total mass (m) divided by its total volume (V).

Dialog box
General Dialog boxes are special windows which are used by computer programs or by the operating system to display information to the user, or to get a response if needed. They are so-called because they form a dialog between the computer and the user - either informing the user of something, or requesting input from the user, or both. In GUI terminology, a dialog box is a user control or widget.

Drag & Drop

General In computer graphical user interfaces, drag-and-drop is the action of (or support for the action of) clicking on a virtual object and dragging it to a different location or onto another virtual object. In general, it can be used to invoke many kinds of actions, or create various types of associations between two abstract objects.

E-Modulus
SJ MEPLA Abbreviation for the modulus of elasticity.

ESG
SJ MEPLA ESG consists of a glass pane and is used for glass showers, inner doors and glass partitions. ESG offers an increased resistance against variations in temperature, a high resistance to bending, to impact and to impingement. After breakage, ESG collapses to small, loose-fitted fractions and therefore reduces the risk of injury. ESG was created in 1933 by Glaswerke Herzogenrath (near Aachen, Germany) and was originally labeled Sekurit.

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Glossary 41

External pressure
SJ MEPLA This is the total pressure which affects a structure or a system from outside trying to compact the system. See also internal pressure.

FE
SJ MEPLA Abbreviation for finite elements. See also finite elements method.

Finite elements method

SJ MEPLA In numerical analysis, the finite element method (FEM) is used for solving partial differential equations (PDE) approximately. Solutions are approximated by either eliminating the differential equation completely (steady state problems), or rendering the PDE into an equivalent ordinary differential equation, which is then solved using standard techniques such as finite differences, etc. The use of the finite element method in engineering for the analysis of physical systems is commonly known as finite element analysis.

Force
SJ MEPLA In physics, a force is an external cause responsible for any change of a physical system. For instance, a person holding a dog by a rope is experiencing the force applied by the rope on his hand, and the cause for its pulling forward is the force exercised by the rope. The kinetic expression of this change is, according to Newton's second law, acceleration, non kinetic expressions such as deformation can also occur. The SI unit for force is the newton.

Glass pane
SJ MEPLA A geometrical form where the thickness (z) is several times lower than the length (x) and width (y). The outer form is irrelevant. A glass pane resembles the model of a surface structure. A glass pane doesnt bend as forces act only in the plane.

Homepage
General The start page or main web page of a website Example: Please visit the homepage of SJ Software GmbH at http://www.SJ-Software.de.

Hookes law
SJ MEPLA In physics, Hooke's law of elasticity is an approximation which states that if a spring is elongated by some distance, x, the restoring force exherted by the spring, F, is proportional to x by a constant factor, k. That is, x = kF. When this holds, we say that the spring is a linear spring. For many applications, a prismatic rod, with length L and cross sectional area A, can be treated as a linear spring. Its extension (strain) is linearly proportional to its tensile stress, by a constant factor, the modulus of elasticity, E. Hence,

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Handbuch SJ MEPLA

or

The most commonly encountered form of Hooke's law is probably the spring equation, which relates the force exerted by a spring to the distance it is stretched by a spring constant, k, measured in force per length.

Insulated glazing
SJ MEPLA Insulated glazing is a piece of glazing consisting of two or more layers of glazing separated by a spacer along the edge and sealed to create a dead air space between the layers. When it is made of glass it is called insulated glass. It is mounted in a sash or frame as if it were a very thick piece of glass. The dead air space may be filled with air but an inert gas like argon provides better insulating performance. Typically the spacer is filled with desiccant to prevent condensation and improve insulating performance. Generally the insulating quality is used in reference to heat flow where the gap between glazed sheets is optimum at about one centimetre. A larger gap allows for convection currents and negates the dead air space. However, in some situations the insulation is in reference to sound. In these circumstances a large gap improves the noise insulation quality. Insulated glass may not be cut to size in the field like plate glass but must be manufactured to the proper size in a shop equipped with special equipment.

Internal pressure
SJ MEPLA The pressure inside an object in opposition to the external pressure affecting the object from the outside.

Mass
SJ MEPLA A property of physical objects that, roughly speaking, measures the amount of matter they contain. Unlike weight, the mass of something stays the same regardless of location. It is a central concept of classical mechanics and related subjects.

Material
General The substance or matter from which something is or can be made, or also items needed for doing or creating something.

Menu bar
General The menu bar in Microsoft Windows is usually anchored to the top of a window, therefore there can be many menu bars on screen at one time. Items in Windows menu bars can be accessed through shortcuts usually involving the alt key and the first letter of an option.

Modulus of elasticity
SJ MEPLA In solid mechanics, the modulus of elasticity (also known as Young's modulus, tensile modulus or elastic modulus) is a measure of the stiffness of a given material. It is defined as the limit for small strains of the rate of change of

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Glossary 43

stress with strain. This can be experimentally determined from the slope of a stress-strain curve created during tensile tests conducted on a sample of the material. If the force is expressed by elongation and the tension by strain, we get Hookes law:

Office line
General Represents the title and/or addresse of your office.This line appears optionally during printing as part of the header on each page.

Origin of the coordinate system

SJ MEPLA By convention the origin of the coordinate system in Cartesian coordinates is the point (0, 0, ..., 0)..See also coordinate system.

Pdf
General Abbreviation for portable document format. This format was invented by Adobe, maker of Adobe Reader.

Poissons ratio
SJ MEPLA When a sample of material is stretched in one direction, it tends to get thinner in the other two directions. Poisson's ratio (), named after Simeon Poisson, is a measure of this tendency. It is defined as the ratio of the contraction strain normal to the applied load divided by the extension strain in the direction of the applied load:

For a perfectly incompressible material, the Poisson's ratio would be exactly 0.5. Most practical engineering materials have between 0.0 and 0.5. Cork is close to 0.0, most steels are around 0.3, and rubber is almost 0.5. Some materials, mostly polymer foams, have a negative Poisson's ratio; if these auxetic materials are stretched in one direction, they become thicker in perpendicular directions. A Poisson's ratio greater than 0.5 does not make sense because at a certain strain the material would reach zero volume, and any further strain would give the material "negative volume". Pressure SJ MEPLA Pressure (symbol: p) is the force per unit area acting on a surface in a direction perpendicular to that surface. Pressure is measured in Pascal (Pa), where 1 Pascal equals a force of 1 Newton (N) exterted on an area of 1 square meter.

Provider
General Software provider, here: SJ Software GmbH.

Radio button
General

44 Glossary

Handbuch SJ MEPLA

In computing, a radio button is a graphical user interface element (widget) that indicates that it is one of a set, which together provide a multi-way choice which can be edited by the user. Radio buttons are arranged in groups of two or more and displayed on screen as, for example, a list of circular holes that can contain white space (for unselected) or a dot (for selected). Adjacent to each radio button is normally shown a caption describing the choice that this radio button represents. When the user selects a radio button, any previously selected radio button in the same group becomes deselected. Selecting a radio button is done by clicking the mouse on the button, or the caption, or by using a keyboard shortcut. Radio buttons got their name from the physical buttons used on radios to select preset stations - when one of the buttons was pressed, it would pop out whichever other button was pushed in. It is possible that initially none of the radio buttons in a group are selected. This state can not be restored by interacting with the radio button widget (but it may be possible through other user interface elements). Example:

See also check box.

Registration number
General All programs of SJ Software GmbH are released by computer-specific registration numbers. A registration number converts a trial version into a full version. No further installation is required.

Sandwich
SJ MEPLA A layered material consisting of one or more types of filling between two sheets of outer lining. Most often applies to building materials, clothing or composite armour.

Server
General A server computer shares its resources, such as peripherals (i.e printer: print server) and file storage (i.e. disk: file server), with the users' computers, called clients, on a network. Thus, it is possible for a computer to be a client and a server simultaneously, by connecting to itself in the same way a separate computer would.

Shear modulus
SJ MEPLA In materials science, shear modulus S, sometimes referred to as the modulus of rigidity, is defined as the ratio of shear stress to the shear strain:

Shear modulus is usually measured in ksi (kips per square inch) or GPa (gigapascals). The shear modulus is one of several quantities for measuring the strength of materials. All of them arise in the generalized Hooke's law. Young's modulus describes the material's response to linear strain (like pulling on the ends of a wire), the bulk modulus describes the material's response to uniform pressure, and the shear modulus describes the material's response to shearing strains. Anisotropic materials such as wood and paper are poorly described by these three moduli.

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Glossary 45

SJ Software GmbH
Haarhofstr. 54 D-52080 Aachen Germany Fax: +49 (0) 241 910 535 9 Internet: http://www.SJ-Software.de E-Mail: info@SJ-Software.de

Spring constant
SJ MEPLA See Hookes law.

Stiffness
SJ MEPLA The resistance of an elastic body to deflection by an applied force. The stiffness k of a body that deflects a distance under an applied force P is:

Stiffness is typically measured in newtons per metre. As both the applied force and displacement are vectors (respectively P and ), in general their relationship is characterised by a stiffness matrix, k where: P = k . The displacement can, in general, refer to a point distinct from that where the force is applied and a complicated structure will not deflect purely in the same direction as an applied force. The stiffness matrix enables such systems to be characterised in straightforward terms. The inverse of stiffness is compliance, typically measured in units of metres per newton.

Strain
SJ MEPLA An elongation in percent (extension/shortening respectively strain/compression) of a body (symbol: ), defined as:

l is the difference in length, l0 is the original length

Stress
SJ MEPLA In physics, stress (symbol: ) is the internal distribution of forces within a body that balance and react to the loads applied to it. Stress is a tensor quantity with nine terms, but can be described fully by six terms due to symmetry. Simplifying assumptions are often used to represent stress as a vector for engineering calculations.

Tabs
General A group of tabs is a part of a dialog box dividing it into a certain number of areas. Each area (tab) has its own content. Only one tab can be active at the same time. Example:

46 Glossary

Handbuch SJ MEPLA

Testversion
General A trial version with a slightly reduced functional range. All programs of SJ Software GmbH are released by computer-specific numbers.

Tool bar
General In a graphical user interface on a computer monitor a toolbar is a row, column, or block of onscreen buttons or icons that, when clicked, activate certain functions of the program. Example:

Tree structure
General A way of representing the hierarchical nature of a structure in a graphical form. The graph looks a bit like a tree, even though the tree is generally shown upside down compared with a real tree; that is to say with the root at the top and the leaves at the bottom. Example:

Tree view
General Synonym for tree structure.

User
General The purchaser of one of the programs offered by SJ Software GmbH.

Vector
SJ MEPLA Informally, a vector is a quantity characterized by a magnitude (in mathematics a number, in physics a number times a unit) and a direction, often represented graphically by an arrow.

Volume
SJ MEPLA Volume (symbol: V), also called capacity, is a quantification of how much space an object occupies. The international unit for volume is the cubic meter.

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Glossary 47

VSG
SJ MEPLA German abbreviation for laminated sheet glass (Verbund-Sicherheits-Glas).

Wikipedia
General Wikipedia is an encyclopedia written collaboratively by its readers. The site is a Wiki, meaning that anyone, including you, can edit almost any article right now by clicking on the edit this page link that appears at the top of the page. http://www.wikipedia.org

Workspace
SJ MEPLA The six different items (geometry, layers, supports, loads, options, results) to results which are automatically created for each project are called workspaces.

Young's modulus
SJ MEPLA Abbreviation for the modulus of elasticity (named after scientist Thomas Young).

48 Glossary

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Index

E
Evolvement of SJ MEPLA 2

G
Glossary 43

L
Licensing 2

R
Registration of SJ MEPLA 1, 2, 3

S
SJ MEPLA 3

Handbuch SJ MEPLA

Index 49