Insert
You can insert beam parts to the model. Normally, you select the required part size from a list that is based on the available sizes in the beam specification or, in case of an out-of-spec part, in the Catalog Part, but if the part uses instance parameters you can define each dimension of the beam separately.
Inserting a beam
You can use the Insert tool to insert beam parts with or without a beam specification. During the insertion, you can rotate the beam, change the routing reference point, and trim the beam ends.
The program tries to keep the inserted beam parallel to the main planes by ignoring very minor deviations in the direction. That is, the beam is inserted parallel to the main axis if the direction vector is within the tolerance value defined in the setting Adjustable deviation from axis directions that is described in Tolerances (Project Tolerances).
Do the following:
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Optionally, use the Model Tree pane to select the System the new model object is to use.
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On the Structural tab, in the Beam group, click Insert. The Select Beam to Insert dialog opens.
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Select a System for the model object. You can use the System that is currently selected in the model tree, select the System from the drop-down list, pick the System from another model object, or select the System from the object browser.
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Select whether to assign the model object to an existing or new group.
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Select the specification to use with one of the following methods:
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Specification – Select the specification from the drop-down list.
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Recent Beams – Select a recently inserted beam from the drop-down list.
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Pick – Pick the specification from another model object.
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Browse – Select a beam profile from the object browser.
Or, if the beam part you intend to use is not defined in a specification, select the option Allow out of spec.
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If you did not select a beam from Recent Beams, select the beam class and beam size from the respective drop-down lists.
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Cross Section shows the cross-section of the selected beam profile and the points that can be used as reference points when routing the beam part.
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You can change the view direction of the preview image by selecting either From point1 or From point2.
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You can rotate the beam by specifying the specific rotation angle or by clicking either << or >> to rotate the profile by 45 degrees at a time. (You will be able to rotate the beam also when routing the beam, or after the insertion.)
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The default reference point is at the center of the bounding box of the beam profile. You can change the reference point by clicking the point that you want to use.
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Click OK.
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If you chose to create a new group, the Create Group dialog opens. Define the properties of the group to be created, and click OK.
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Start routing the beam by picking the starting point from the active work view:
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Navigate to the starting point.
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You can also trim the beam ends later, but if you want to trim the first end now, press N, define the direction of the end normal, and press Space to accept. For general information about defining directions, see Defining direction in a view.
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Click or press Enter to accept the starting point.
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Start routing the beam in the intended direction. A preview of the beam is shown in the work view.
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You can rotate the beam:
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Press Alt+R or right-click the view and select Choose beam rotation from the context menu.
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Select the rotation angle from the on-screen tool.
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Press Enter to accept the rotation.
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You can change the reference point, for example, if you want to align a particular edge of the beam with the face or edge of another model object:
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Press B or right-click the view and select Choose routing reference point from the context menu.
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Select the new reference point from the on-screen tool.
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Press Enter to accept the new reference point.
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Pick the end point of the route:
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Navigate to the end point.
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If you want to trim the second beam end now, press N, define the direction of the end normal, and press Space to accept.
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Click or press Enter to accept the end point.
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If the beam's Catalog Part uses a Dimension Table that uses instance parameters, the Edit Beam Profile Dimensions dialog opens for specifying the dimensions of the beam. Set the parameters as described in Edit instance parameters and click OK to continue.
The beam is ready.
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You can continue to insert more beams of the same type or press Esc to exit the tool.
About beams and instance parameters
Most beam parts represent standard structural steels that are fabricated in a predefined range of profile sizes. These standard sizes are defined in the Dimension Table of the beam part, and when a designer is inserting a beam to the model, the program shows the available sizes, based on the Catalog Part reference of the beam part.
Some beams, however, are created on-site by welding steel plates together, and there might be a very large number of different profile sizes that are supported via this method. Instead of listing every possible size variation in the Dimension Table separately, beams that are welded from plates can be defined using instance parameters.
Instance parameters allow each individual dimension of the beam profile to be defined as a list of values, a min–max range, or as having no constraints. When a beam that uses instance parameters is inserted to the model, the beam gets default dimensions from the Dimension Table and the designer can adjust each dimension as appropriate. The dimensions can also be edited later, as described in Edit instance parameters.
Administrator should only enable instance parameters for beam profiles that do not represent any standard. For details, see Creating a dimension table.