I have a Validation > Analysis > General > “Section area is invalid” error. Why do I get this and how do I resolve it?

Question

I have a Validation > Analysis > General > “Section area is invalid” error. Why do I get this and how do I resolve it?

Answer

To obtain this validation error you will have created your own user defined section within the Material Section database but incorrectly defined the cross sectional area property and then subsequently used the section in the model. Following an analysis the validation error would be displayed.

If we hover over the Section area is invalid validation error or an item listed within the branch, a tooltip is displayed “A member has an invalid or zero area”.



We can double click the “Section area is invalid” error or an individual item listed under the branch. If the items exist in the active view they will be highlighted. If they do not exist in the active view then Tekla Structural Designer will automatically switch to the 3D Structure view and highlight the item(s). Alternatively, you can right click and choose Highlight Items from the context menu. The selected item(s) are also displayed in the Properties window for review and editing.

You may wish to use Scene Content and turn off items such as Wall and Roof panels to declutter the view.



Whilst you can review and edit some properties within the Properties window it is not possible to Edit the custom material section properties. We can however, clearly see the invalid entry for the cross sectional area.

   


To rectify the validation error we need to use the Home ribbon tab > Materials command to be able to Edit the section. (See screenshot below).

You may find the related article “How do I create a custom section” useful.



The Edit… button is available, where we can now correct the invalid section property.



After making the required amendments and re-running an analysis. No validation warnings of type Section area is invalid are reported for the corrected section.