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Each element in the panel hierarchy has specific attributes that combine to define the panel geometry.

Further consideration is given to the panel hierarchy and the geometry attributes in the sections that follow.

8.2.1 PANE Element

 The Position attribute of the PANE holds the position of the panel origin with respect to the WORLD.

8.2.2 PLOO Element

 The Height attribute of the PLOO element holds the thickness of the panel.

 The Sjustification attribute of the PLOO element holds the justification, i.e. top, centre or bottom, of the panel.

8.2.3 PAVE Element

 The Position attribute of each PAVE element gives the vertex position with respect to the panel origin.

8.3

Initial Settings

As with creating sections and GENSEC’s, some initial default settings must be made prior to modelling panel elements.

8.3.1 Panel Specification

A panel specification can be set so that a range of thicknesses or an explicit panel thickness can be used. As panels are not catalogue items the Specification Reference (SPREF) does not have a Catalogue

Reference (CATREF) and the selected thickness may be overwritten when creating the panel. The

specification may be left unset and the panel thickness specified during panel creation.

The Default Panel Specification is shown on the Panels & Plates toolbar and is initially unset.

Clicking the Set Panel Default Specification button displays the Plate Specification (Default) form.

The default panel specification is selected by clicking the

Specification button.

Following specification selection, the default panel thickness may be selected from the range of values displayed.

Selecting unset will not set the specification.

Having selected the thickness clicking the Apply button sets the specification and default thickness.

8.3.2 Storage Areas

The Design database storage areas for panels are similar to the Section and Node storage areas for the

Beams & Columns utility. The storage areas specify the Framework or Subframe where Panels and Primary Linear Joints (see Connecting Panels later in this training guide) will be placed when created.

The storage areas may also be set by selecting Settings > Storage Areas… from the main menu to display the Storages Areas form, in the same way as described in section creation.

8.4

Creating Panels

Panels are created by selecting Create > Panel… from the main menu to display the Create Panel form.

8.4.1 The Create Panel Form

The Create Panel form is divided into three areas which are described in the following sections.

8.4.1.1 Settings

Individual panels may be named or a given a description for additional information processing or model data extraction by entering the required text in the Name or Description textboxes.

Where a panel specification has been selected the default thickness will appear in the Thickness textbox. The default thickness may be

overridden by entering a new value; however, the following message will be displayed.

Clicking Yes overrides the thickness value and sets the PANEs Spref attribute to Unset. Clicking the No button disregards the entered thickness value and leave the PANEs Spref set to the default value.

If no panel specification has been set, a thickness must be entered in the Thickness textbox. This value is the distance the panel loop will be extruded through.

A panel may be justified Top, Centre or Bottom. The justification determines which direction the panel loop will be extruded.

Top The panel loop will be extruded downwards by the panel thickness.

Centre The panel loop will be extruded downwards by half the panel thickness and upwards by half the panel thickness.

Bottom The panel loop will be extruded upwards by the panel thickness.

8.4.1.2 Representation

As panels are not catalogue items, where Drawing Levels and Obstruction values are normally set, they may be set via the Create Panel form.

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8.4.1.3 Create Methods

Various methods of defining panel vertex positions or fillet arcs, which determine the vertex positions, are provided via the buttons in the Create Methods area of the form. The buttons are:

Derive points from graphic picks – allows the user to pick a point graphically using the

Positioning Control toolbar

.

Derive points from centres & plines – allows the user to construct a point using the intersection

of two Plines with an existing panel.

Trace boundary of another extrusion/panel – allows the user to create vertices which follow the

shape of an existing panel.

Explicitly defined position – allows the user to specify a position by entering explicit co-ordinates. Point offset from previous – allows the user to specify a distance and direction which define a

point relative to the position of the preceding vertex.

Define arc fillet – allows the user to construct a fillet arc with a specified radius between two

picked tangent lines.

Derived arc passing through three points – allows the user to construct a fillet arc passing

through three picked points.

Fixed radius arc, passing through 2 points – allows the user to construct a fillet arc with a specified radius, passing through two picked points, which curves towards a picked direction.

Below the Create Methods buttons a message displays the number of vertices that have been created for the panel loop.

A panel loop requires a minimum of three vertices to be valid. After the definition of the first vertex, the message changes to display whether the panel has been created. The Remove Previous Point button becomes active, which allows the user to delete previous vertex definition. In the graphics view an aid will show the location of the first vertex, i.e. the default panel origin.

The panel will not be displayed in the graphics view until the third vertex is defined, at which time the message will change to show that the panel has been created.

As each vertex is defined an aid showing the position of the last vertex will be displayed in the graphics view.

Once the third vertex has been defined and the panel created, an axis aid is displayed at the default panel origin.

The aid shows the panel’s axis system, the Y (North) direction being defined by the direction from vertex 1 to vertex 2.

8.4.2 Hints on Creating Panels

 A minimum of three vertices are required to create a panel.

 Panel vertices should always be created in a clockwise direction, as viewed from above. Anti-clockwise creation will give the wrong justification and direction.

 Vertices should maintain a clockwise numbering sequence, i.e. the loop should not self intersect.

 If several smaller panels are required, it is often quicker to create a large panel and split it as required.