In Advance Design, the results are expressed in the local coordinate system of the concerned element. Only the actions on supports are expressed in the global coordinate system.
Thus, the results on a linear element are given by default in the local coordinate system of the element, so that Fx is always a normal force (for example FX > 0 indicates that the element is tensed).
Similarly, the results on a planar element are given by default in the local coordinate system of the element. Thus Fyy is a normal force in the local Y direction, and in a plane perpendicular to the Y (local) axis.
The only exceptions are the section cuts on the planar elements. In this case, the results are expressed in the local coordinate system of the planar element on which they are defined.
However, in Advance Design this setting can be modified using the Options tab of the Results dialog box (Alt + Z).
Thus, for a plate with 2 supports on which a uniform load is applied like the one above, the results for Mxx may be:
