Mitring Structural Elements

Provided certain conditions are met, PDMS allows users to mitre sections and gensecs either to another section (or gensec) or to panel elements. The workflow required to create each type of mitre representation is discussed in the following sections.

6.7.1 Mitring Sections

To successfully mitre two section ends the following points concerning relative position, orientation and other attributes of the two sections must be considered:

 The sections must not be parallel.

 The sections do not have to be the same Gtype but unacceptable results may occur.

 The sections do not have to have the same Beta Angle but unacceptable results may occur.

 The sections do not have to be co-planar but must be within the Offset depth tolerance.

 The Y direction of the sections does not have to be the same but unacceptable results may occur. Selecting Modify > Sections > Mitre Ends from the main menu in the Beams & Columns application displays the prompt ‘Pick Section/Gensec/Panel Elements to be mitred:’.

On picking the first section, the prompt changes to ‘Pick Section or Gensec to Mitre with or Panel to

Mitre to:’. The end of the section may then be picked from the 3D view.

If the picked sections are parallel an error message is displayed.

Clicking the OK button abandons the mitring operation.

If the picked sections are of different Gtypes an warning message is displayed.

Clicking the OK button continues the mitring operation. The UNDO function from the Model Editor toolbar may be used if the resulting mitre is not acceptable.

If the picked sections have different Beta Angles a warning message is displayed.

Clicking the OK button continues the mitring operation. The UNDO function from the Model Editor toolbar may be used if the resulting mitre is not acceptable.

If the picked section ends are not coplanar but within the Offset

depth tolerance, a warning message is displayed.

Clicking the OK button continues the mitring operation. The UNDO function from the Model Editor toolbar may be used if the resulting mitre is not acceptable.

If the picked sections are not coplanar and outside the Offset

depth tolerance, an error message is displayed.

Clicking the OK button abandons the mitring operation.

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If the sections selected are valid, graphical aids will display the angle bisector and additional information together with a confirmation message.

Clicking the Yes button mitres the ends of the selected sections. Clicking the No button abandons the mitre operation.

The section ends are now are extended or shortened to the mitre plane and the start or end direction (DRNS or DRNE) attribute of the section set to the mitre plane.

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6.7.1.1 Location of Pick Points for Mitring Sections

When selecting the sections to mitre, the location of the pick points and the arrangement of the sections relative to each other has a bearing on the resultant mitring.

 Where the sections physically cross, the retained portion of the sections depend on which side of the intersection point the sections are picked on.

 Where the sections do not physically cross but the projected line of one section would physically cross the other section, the retained portion of the crossed section depends on which side of the projected intersection of the crossed section is picked.

 Where the sections do not physically cross or the projected line of one would not physically cross the other section, there is only one point of convergence and it does not matter where either section is picked.

6.7.2 Mitring Gensecs

Mitring gensecs is similar to mitring sections and the same considerations to positioning, orientation and other attributes apply.

The location of pick points is significant in that the first straight part of the conveging ends of the gensec must be selected. Selecting one straight at the converging end of a gensec and then the straight at the non-converging end of the other gensec displays an error message.

Clicking the OK button aborts the mitring process.

6.7.3 Mitring a Section and a Gensec

Mitring a section and a gensec is possible provided the general rules required for a successful section mitre are followed. Depending on the justification and creation direction of the gensec, occasional errors relating to mitre offset tolerances may be encountered. This can be overcome by making a careful change to the Mitre Offset tolerance value.

6.7.4 Mitring Sections or Gensecs with a Panel

A section or gensec may be mitred against a panel (PANE) element such that the start or end direction (DRNS or DRNE attribute) of the section or gensec is modified to the plane of the panel. The section or gensec must intersect the panel within the boundary of its loop otherwise the mitring operation is abandoned.

Selecting Modify > Sections > Mitre Ends from the main menu in the Beams & Columns application displays the prompt ‘Pick Section/Gensec/Panel Elements to be mitred:’.

If a panel is picked first the prompt changes to ‘Pick Section or Gensec to Mitre with:’. If a section or gensec is picked first the prompt changes to ‘Pick Section or Gensec to Mitre with or Panel to Mitre to:’ as described previously.

Picking a valid combination of panel and section/gensec displays aid lines on the panel and from the section/gensec, extending along the Justification Line, and a confirmation prompt.

Clicking the Yes button mitres the section/gensec to the panel. Clicking the No button abandons the mitring operation.