Merging Structural Elements

Structural elements of the same type, i.e. SCTN, PANE or GENSEC, may be merged together to form a single element. However, it is only possible to merge elements that are colinear (or coplanar in the case of panel elements). Any number of elements may be merged but the first element selected will be the

dominant section, i.e. the section that all other selected sections will be merged into and whose attributes

the merged sections will inherit.

6.5.1 Merging Sections

Any number of SCTN elements may be merged regardless of their specification, beta angle, or position provided they are colinear.

Selecting Modify > Sections > Merge from the main menu in the Beams & Columns application displays the prompt ‘Pick Panel/Section or End of first gensec to merge’.

The first section picked is the dominant section, i.e. the section that all other picked sections will be merged into and whose attributes the merged sections will inherit.

On picking the first (dominant) section the prompt changes to ‘Pick Section to merge or <esc> to finish:’ The remaining sections to be merged may then be graphically picked form the 3D view. The picking process is terminated by pressing the Esc key.

If one or more of the picked sections are not collinear, an error message is displayed.

Clicking the OK button abandons the merge.

If the Esc key is pressed before at least one section to merge has been picked, an error message is displayed.

Clicking the OK button abandons the merge.

If all picked sections are co-linear a merge confirmation message is displayed. Clicking the Yes button merges the picked sections with the first (dominant) section picked.

Clicking the No button abandons the merge.

The merged section retains the database Reference Number of the section picked first, i.e. the dominant section.

6.5.2 Merging Gensecs

Two GENSEC elements may be merged regardless of their specification, beta angle, or position provided the ‘line’ of the gensec at the ends to be merged is collinear.

Selecting Modify > Sections > Merge from the main menu in the Beams & Columns application displays the prompt ‘Pick Panel/Section or End of first gensec to merge’.

The first gensec selected is the dominant gensec, i.e. the gensec that the other picked gensec will be merged into and whose attributes the merged gensec will inherit.

On picking the first (dominant) gensec end the prompt changes to ‘Pick the end of the second gensec to merge:’ The end of the second gensec to be merged may then be graphically picked form the 3D view.

The end of the gensecs used for the merge depends on the pick point position on the gensec, i.e. the nearest end to the pick point is selected.The two ends to be merged are labelled in the 3D view with aid text. If the ends of the picked gensecs are not co-linear, an error

message will be displayed.

Clicking the OK button abandons the merge.

If the second gensec pick point is more than 50% of the gensecs length away from the first selected end, i.e. the opposite end of the gensec to that required, an error message is displayed.

Clicking the OK button abandons the merge.

If the two picked gensec ends are co-linear a merge confirmation message is displayed. Clicking the Yes button merges the second selected gensec with the first (dominant) selected gensec.

Clicking the No button abandons the merge.

The merged section will have the database Reference Number of the section picked first, i.e. the dominant gensec.

6.5.3 Merging Panels

Any number of PANE elements may be merged regardless of their thickness or justification providing they are coplanar and at least one vertex on each adjacent panel loop is coincident.

Selecting Modify > Merge from the main menu in the Panel & Plates application displays the prompt ‘Pick

Panel/Section or End of first gensec to merge’.

The first panel picked is the dominant panel, i.e. the panel that all other picked panels will be merged into and whose attributes the merged panels will inherit.

On picking the first (dominant) panel the prompt changes to ‘Pick Panel to merge or <esc> to finish:’ The

remaining panels to be merged may then be graphically picked form the 3D view. The picking process is terminated by pressing the Esc key.

If one or more of the picked panels are not coplanar, an error message is displayed.

Clicking the OK button abandons the merge.

If the Esc key is pressed before at least one panel to merge has been picked, an error message is displayed.

Clicking the OK button abandons the merge.

If all picked panels are coplanar, and have at least one coincident vertex in adjacent panel loops, a merge confirmation message is displayed. The panels to be merged are highlighted in the 3D view. Clicking the Yes button merges the highlighted panels with the first (dominant) panel picked.

Clicking the No button abandons the merge.