Exercise 2 – Creating HVAC Components using a Grid
7 HVAC Splitting
7.1 Overview
HVAC systems are created as a series of branches and components along the full length of the structure.
When the HVAC route is well defined and stable, the HVAC Splitting utility allows the user to split the HVAC system at either logical breaks based on topographical features or at specific points along the HVAC route.
The relevant workflow for HVAC is to define the whole route of the HVAC using key elements only i.e.
bends, dampers, reducers, etc. Splitting can then be done while the implied duct is still present.
Auto-filling gaps can be done after splitting.
Split line
Split line
Original Split line
Original Split line
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7.2 The Split HVAC Form
To display the Split HVAC form, in Design - HVAC Designer Application select Modify > Split HVAC…
The Split HVAC form consists of three sections:
Branches to Split
Split Markers
Split Branches and Move elements into
7.2.1 Branches to Split
This section allows the user to define a list of HVAC branches to be split. It consists of a list pane with a pop-up menu of options, an options list, and an Add button. The options list has the following options that can be selected in conjunction with the Add button:
1. CE – Adds to the list the HVAC branch element if the CE (Current Element) is an HVAC branch, or adds the owning branch if the CE is an HVAC branch member, or adds all the HVAC branches if the CE is an HVAC main element.
2. List – Adds all the HVAC branches from the active list.
3. Graphical Pick – Prompts the user to pick an HVAC element using graphical pick and adds the owner branch to the list.
4. Window Selection – Allows the user to add HVAC branches from the elements selected using Window selection in graphical window. Only HVAC branches in the selection are added to the list. The user will have to first do the window selection and then select this menu.
The list pane, as well as having similar options as the four above, has the following additional options all available from a right click pop-up menu:
Remove Selected – Removes selected elements from the
list. Single or Multiple selection is possible.
Remove All – Removes all the elements from the list.
Highlight Selection – Toggle menu used to specify whether the selected branch in the list needs to be highlighted or not.
Default option is toggle ON. Highlight colour is WHITE.
7.2.2 Split Markers
This section allows the user to define and modify a plane at which to split the branches, and create and position split markers.
Plane definition
The Plane Size text box is used to set/modify the size of the plane.
The Fill toggle is used to set/modify the plane filling.
Define Plane using
The drop-down list has the following options in which a plane can be created:
DB Planar Element – PDMS Database
element which can be translated into a plane, e.g., panel.
Ppoints – Standard ppoint.
Pline – Standard pline.
Reference Grid – Grid Section.
Explicitly… - Allows the user to create a plane explicitly using graphical plane edit form.
Modify Plane
The drop-down list has the following two options to modify a defined plane:
Definition… – The system prompts the
user to pick the plane to be modified. When a plane is picked the system displays the Modify Plane form for the user to the plane definition.
Position – Prompts the user to pick the plane to be modified and the new position of the plane.
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Create Marker
This link creates the split markers at the intersection points between the defined plane and the implied tubes of the HVAC branch elements that are added in the Branches to Split list.
Reposition Marker
The option list has the following two options:
Explicitly At...
Relatively By... each displaying a standard Position form to reposition the created split markers.
7.2.3 Split
This section allows the user to specify the hierarchy into which the split elements will be placed.
It consists of the following options:
Current HVAC – Creates new branch for each split marker under the HVAC system where the branch to be split is located.
New HVAC – Creates a new HVAC system and a
branch under it for each split marker.
Existing HVAC – Creates new branch under the HVAC system specified in the adjacent text.
The existing HVAC system can be specified by typing the name in the text box, or by navigating to the HVAC system and typing ce (case insensitive) in the text box, or by copying and pasting the name of the HVAC system into the text box.
Apply - The Apply button actions the splitting.
Exercise continues
141. Split the HVAC element below as shown at the intersection of the roof beams and centreline of ductwork.
142. Select Modify>Split HVAC from the main bar menu, the Split HVAC form will be displayed.
143. Click on any element in the main branch and click the ADD button on the Split HVAC form. The branch will be added to the Branches to Split.
144. Set the Plane Size to 2000.
145. Set the Define Plane using Ppoints.
A prompt is displayed Pick a P-point that can be translated into a plane.
Identify the ppoint on the PL of the first radiused bend, and a plane is displayed at the PL point.
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146. Set the Modify Plane to Definition.
The position control form is displayed.
Select Element and Intersect.
A prompt is displayed Modify Plane (Intersection[1]) Snap Identify the centre of the duct.
A prompt is displayed Modify Plane (Intersection[2]) Snap Identify the steel beam over the duct.
Click OK on the Modify Plane form.
The Plane has now been positioned at the intersection of the duct and the beam.
147. click on the Create Marker link.
An attachment is created in the HVAC branch at this point.
Because the Current HVAC option is selected, the split will create a new branch in the current HVAC element.
148. Click Apply and the split function is now complete.
A new branch has been created, and the components have been included into this branch as required by the system. The branch can be renamed if required.
Exercise 3 – HVAC Splitting