Cuadrados y simbolismo del cuadrado

A Secondary Node has similar functions to a Primary Node, but differs in that, whereas a PNOD is positioned independently, an SNOD is owned by a section and is positioned along the Neutral Axis (Z-axis) of that Section. This enables us to position and connect another Section (an Attached Section) at any point along the length of the first section (the Owning Section).

ZDIS Distance along Z-axis of Owning Section

An SNOD is positioned by specifying its distance from its owning Section’s Start Position (POSS), measured along the Section’s Neutral Axis.

Sections

Sections (SCTN) represent the individual lengths of material, which make up a structural model. The geometry of a section is defined by two types of settings:

• Its cross section is defined by reference to a Catalogue Profile element (I-beam, Channel, etc.,)

• Its length, Orientation, etc., are defined by setting specific design attributes.

These are automatically set by the application when the model is manipulated graphically.

SPRE Specification Reference

The SPRE attribute of a section must point to a valid profile element in a Catalogue DB in order for the section to be given a physical representation. This is achieved by setting SPRE to point to a Specification Component in a Project Specification.

GTYP Generic Type

The GTYP attribute may, optionally, be set to indicate the purpose of the Section within the structure. For example, BEAM, BRAC, etc.,

POSS Start Position POSE End Position

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POSS and POSE define the start and end positions of a Section. These may be derived from the positions of Primary or Secondary Nodes, or they may be set explicitly. The derived length of the Section is determined by calculating the distance between POSS and POSE.

DRNS Cutting Plane Direction at Start DRNE Cutting Plane Direction at End

The directions of the start and end cutting planes of a Section (that is, the directions of the perpendiculars to the planes, which define the ‘cut’ ends of the Section) are usually defined automatically when the Section is connected within the structural model. The settings of the corresponding DRNS and DRNE attributes are then derived automatically from the directions of the associated Joints cutting Planes.

It is possible to set DRNS and DRNE specifically for example, where a Section extends into free space, with at least one end unconnected. In this case cutting plane direction must be in the general direction of the other end Section.

BANG Beta Angle

The orientation of a Section about its Neutral Axis is defined in terms of an angular clockwise rotation when viewed in the POSS to POSE direction as shown in Figure 3. The angle of rotation from the default orientation is held as the setting of the Beta Angle (BANG) attribute of the section.

SPREF of SCTN Points to HPRF in

catalogue

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Figure 3

P-lines

To provide a method for refining to individual edges and faces of a Section, each is identified by a named line running along the length of the Section called as P-lines. The figures given below show the most commonly used P-P-lines.

Figure 4

JOIS Joint Reference at Start JOIE Joint Reference at End

Section ends, which have been connected in the structure, have their JOIS and JOIE attributes set such that they cross-refer to the Joints to which those ends are connected. (The joints have a similar cross-reference, the CREF attribute)

CTYS Connection Type at Start CTYE Connection Type at end

Section ends, which have been connected in the structure, have their CTYS and CTYE attributes set such that they match those of the Joints to which those ends are connected. This is done by setting CTYS/CTRE to a word, which matches the Joints CTYA attribute in the Catalogue.

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JUSL Justification Line

The JUSL setting specifies the p-line, which is to be used as a datum for aligning the section with a node. By default, JUSL is set to NA (Neutral Axis).

JLIN Joint Line

The JLIN setting specifies which p-line is to be used as a reference datum for positioning an attached Joint. The Joint will be positioned such that the JLIN of the Section is on the same axis as of the Joint.

SREL Start Release EREL End Release

The two Release attributes, the Section Start Release (SREL) and the Section End Release (EREL), may be used to define how the Section behaves under the effect of applied forces and moments. They are relevant only for stress analysis of the structure.

The attribute settings allow for two types of movement of the Section ends when external forces are applied, namely:

• Linear movement along a specified axis (DX, DY, DZ)

• Rotation about a specific axis (RX, RY, RZ) DESP Design Parameter

Design Parameters are array attributes of Sections, Joints or Fittings, each of which may store up to ten real values. They may be used to transfer design data to a corresponding Catalogue component, or to component’s attached or owning design element.

PANELS

Panels (PANE) represent any sheet materials used to clad a structural model.

The geometry of a Panel is defined by a subsidiary Panel Loop (PLOO) element.

The 2D shape of the Panel Loop is defined by linking together a set of Panel Vertex (PVER) elements, each of which has a specific position in the Panel’s co-ordinate system. The polygon thus formed defines the shape of the Panel in the same way as a Profile defines the cross-sectional area of a section. The Height

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(HEIG) attribute of the PLOO defines the distance through which this 2D shape is extruded to form the 3D Panel, that is, it defines the Panel thickness, as shown in Figure 4. default filler radius of zero denotes a point.

Storage Areas

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