Steel Detailing System

 

 

Contents:

Description

Setting

Getting Started

A. Input

        A1. Grid

A.2 Elevations

     A.3 Plates

A.4 Clip Angles

A.5 Wall Bearing Angles: Types

A.6 Wall Bearing PLates: Types

A.7 Columns

A.8 Beams

A.9 Beam Splice Connection

A.10 Add Materials

A.11 Edit beams

A.12 Edit Columns

A.13 Piece Marks

A.14 ShortCuts

 

 

B. Output

B.1 Create 3D model

B.2 Framing Plan

B.3 Plan View

B.4 Elev. View X sect.

B.5 Elev. View Y sect.

B.6 Anchor Bolt Setting Plan

B.7 Anchor Bolts: Typical Section

C. Auto Detailing

D. Reports

E. Calcshapes module

 

 

Description

 

SolidStructural is an application for creating 3DSOLID models of steel structures and stairs, AUTO generated drawings: SHOP DRAWINGS OF PIECE DETAILS, STEEL PLANS, ELEVATIONS, GRIDS, ANCHOR BOLTS SETTING PLANS in AutoCAD and automatically updated REPORTS.

System requirements: MS Access 2000 (or higher) and ACAD2002 (or higher).

Help files are located in Help folder: this file and STAIRS-help.htm

Additional links:

 

http://www.nyacad.com/Movies.htm

http://www.nyacad.com/SolidStructural09.htm

http://www.nyacad.com/AcadOffice.html

http://www.nyacad.com/SolidStructuralTutorials/SolidStructural-Tutorials.html

 

SolidStructural Forms:
http://www.nyacad.com/SS06Interface.htm

 

This program is a valuable tool for everyone involved in steel construction: detailers, steel fabricators, estimators, structural engineers etc. This software was designed for individual detailers and small fabrication shops as an alternative to expensive 3D steel systems which are not effective for small projects and renovation types of jobs. SolidStructural is very flexible for design changes; it is the cheapest software in the family of 3D Steel packages and has short learning curve.

 

SolidStructural is distributed in two ways: WITH or WITHOUT auto detailing module. See additional information on our web site http://www.nyacad.com/ 

 

Setting

 

Notes:

and read the following instructions:

 

Setting AutoCAD:

 

Start AutoCAD and configure your support path information to include the directory: C:\ SolidStructural\Support

 

 

To do it type at the command prompt: options. Then in “Options” dialog window press tab “Files”, select “Support File Search Path”, press button “Add…”, then “Browse…” to locate folder C:\SolidStructural\Support

 

Next step (for AutoCAD versions prior to 2007): Click on tab System to setup transparent mode of 3D model

Press button Properties… (in section Current 3D Graphics Display)

 

 

Make a setting as shown on picture below

 

 

Skip transparency and rendering setting for AutoCAD2007 or higher. Use Visual Style commands for different representation of 3D Model. (Read the corresponding AutoCAD2007 Help topics)

 

Next include file SolidStructural.lsp in ACAD Startup Suite. To do it type at the command prompt: appload

 

Then press button “Contents…”.

                       

 

In the next window press button “Add…” and browse to find folder C:\SolidStructural\Support

Click on the file SolidStructural.lsp in that folder.

Close all windows.

 

Change toolbar button macro for open and qsave    commands (to avoid manual restoring filedia system variable value to 1) :

^C^C_fi1;open

^C^C_fi1;qsave

 

 

Configuring MS Access

 

Start MS Access. Open any existing database (*.mdb or *.mde file) or create new blank database anywhere on your PC as shown below:

MS Access Menu-File-New…

 

 

Select Blank database…

 

 

Accept db1.mdb name and click on Create...

 

 

Go to menu

Tools

        Options…

 

 

Click on “Keyboard” tab and set options as shown below:

 

 

Press OK.

 

Additional setting for MS Access2003 or higher

In menu Tools…Macro…Security…

 

 

Select Low security level, as shown below

 

 

 

Close MS Access.

 

Getting Started

 

1. Make sure AutoCAD is running and you have any active drawing on the screen (e.g. Drawing1.dwg).

2. In MS Access click in toolbar on button Open and browse to folder C:\Solidstructural\Projects\Sample

Double click on file Sample.mde

 

 

Main form shows up.

 

 

Recommended steps for beginners in SolidStructural

 

1.      Read B. Output section

2.      The database Sample contains preliminary developed structure. Perform output procedures (Lessons 3 to 6) shown on tutorials page (download videos on your hard drive): http://www.nyacad.com/SolidStructuralTutorials/SolidStructural-Tutorials.html

Try to follow inputs shown on the screen. You always can stop video or play back.

3.      Try to experiment with output: produce different plans, views, details etc. Learn, how to preview 3D model. Try to add new submaterials (angles, plates) and modify connections in database.

 

Your next step – working on new project.

 

 

HOW TO ADD NEW PROJECT:

·Copy folder (_BlankDB) and paste it under C:\SolidStructural\Projects\

·Give a name for the new project (rename new folder) and specify a new name for database (MS Access .mde file).

·Open .mde (MS Access file) in the root of new folder

·In main form click on button ‘Clean DB’

· Check option buttons and click on ‘Delete Records’

· Go back to Main form and press button ‘Update

 

 

 

A. Input

 

Remarks:

  • Format of numbers. All formats are acceptable: decimal (60.5); fractional (60 1/2); architectural (5’-0); engineering (12.65’); AutoCAD with no spaces (15-3/8). There is no need to enter + at the beginning of the number or Inch symbol at the end. Please be careful with input of numbers (do not allow spaces at the beginning and do not leave fields blank).
  • Naming convention.
  • Do NOT use the following symbols in names of submaterials (plates, angles):

: \ / * ?<>| and .(period).

  • Do NOT use the following symbols in names of members and project name:

: \ / * ?<>|

 

Also don’t use single character for marking, such as plate mark a

  • Renaming of submaterials

Example: You decided to rename base plate bp1 to pa1 and you have already column with base plate bp1. In this case just add new plate in ‘Base Plate’ form called pa1. Then go to ‘Column’ form and for columns with base plate bp1 select from combo box pa1. After that you can go back and delete (if you don’t need it anymore) bp1 plate in ‘Base Plate’ form. Similar situation with other sub materials: in order to use them, you have to have them in database.

  • Ends combinations

When two beams are framing into column or girder from opposite directions (type or connection: clip angles), the combinations of ends must be as shown on picture: Left End - Right End

 

 

Left End - Left End or Right End - Right End won’t work.

·If while using SolidStructural ‘Open’ or ‘Save’ dialog windows in AutoCAD will disappear, then enter in the AutoCAD command prompt: RV to fix the problem

·In form Edit Beam when you are getting message shown below always click on Save Record button

 

 

When you have Project Structure-08 opened, first you have to setup default properties of the project. Press button “Setup”.

 

    1. Enter project’s name (do not use long names and follow Windows’ names convention:

 

 

    1. Set scale, text height and style, Text Stack Type (only diagonal allowed for current release) etc.

 

Notes:

1.      Field “Distance to steel face” represents the typical distance from the end of the beam to the surface of supporting member.

2.      Field “North. Value in this field represents degrees. 0 (zero): North direction – East; 90 North direction – North; 180: North direction – West; 270: North direction – South.

3.      Wide Gage Typ. Ang or Narrow Gage Typ. Ang: these fields used in Auto Clip Angles procedure. Type one character (e.g. X) in Wide Gage Typ. Ang field. And then after applying Auto Clip Angles procedure wide gage clip angles will get mark X1, X2, X3… depending from the depth of the beam. The same system for narrow gage and continuous beams’ clip angles. Before applying Auto Clip Angles procedure the clip angles must be entered in Clip Angles Form.

 

 

A.1 Grid

 

Grid:

 

Remark: Working with grids (establishing location of nodes and distances between grid lines) can be a tedious task in case you have a project with several floors and beam pattern is not identical for different floors. This is the problem for all steel detailing software (not only for SolidStructural). In complicated cases you can split big project into small parts.

Example: you project is 6 floors building. Create 1st project including only columns of the project. Next copy 1st project in order to in new 2nd project on having columns in database layout beams of the 1st and 2nd floors (keep columns’ grid lines and add lines for beams of 1st and 2nd floors). In third project copied from 2nd you delete (or edit) beams of 1st and 2nd floors, create the grid for 3rd and 4th floors and layout beams of these floors and so on. Using this method you can simplify your work (less nodes and distances between grid lines).

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In main form click button “Grid”. New form pops up.

 

 

Click button “Input” in it. After that you can see on the screen 2 forms: “Grid: Vertical Lines” and “Grid: Horizontal Lines”. Fill in data as shown on the picture below:

 

 

Type “A” in field “Name in DB”, press Enter, type “B”, press Enter and so on. Then you fill out distances between horizontal grid lines.

Remark: in both forms (“Vertical lines” and “Horizontal lines” first row in field “Dist. to next” must be 0 (zero).

In above picture (see form ‘Grid: Vertical Lines’) the distance 6’10 represents distance between “B” and “A” vertical grid lines and 3’ the distance between “C” and “B” lines.

Close forms (click on the cross on the right upper corner of the form). If you need to remove or add (in regard with cursor location) grid line, then press the corresponding button. Example: you need to add new grid line B1 between A and B lines (distance from A and B1 is 6”). Place cursor into the record B field ‘Name in DB’ (form ‘Grid: Vertical Lines’). Click on button ‘Add Record Above’. Type: B1. Next press Tab on keyboard. Type 6.

You just added new grid line. Now delete this record using button  (we don’t need this line for our structure).

 

Remarks: 1. In case you have already beams or columns in database be careful with renaming or deleting of grid lines in “Grid” forms, because it could destroy the database.

If you need to edit or delete grid lines’ names:

  • Edit grid lines (forms ‘Grid: Vertical lines’ and ‘Grid: Horizontal lines’).
  • Go to main ‘Draw grid’ form and output grid.
  • After that you have to go to form ‘Beams’ and edit nodes’ names (assign new values) and delete beams with nodes’ names you had deleted.
  • Repeat procedure in ‘Columns’ form.
  • Next press ‘Update’ button in main form.

 

Following this sequence of command will prevent you from severe error.

 

2. Try to avoid using in Database grid lines names like A.5 or G1.2 etc. Real names for grids as per your contract drawings could be assigned then (see the following paragraph)

3. If you edited or deleted records in Input grid forms (‘Grid: Vertical Lines’ and ‘Grid: Horizontal Lines’), you have to perform drafting of grid (see the following explanations).

 

Press button “Draw Grid” in small form “Grid”. In opened Main Grid form (see picture below) select scale, check lines you wish to be present in your drawing (use pairs of buttons for check-uncheck) and assign drawing name for grid. Now you can assign real grid name in field “DWG Name”. After that press button “Draw Grid”. Additional options in form “Grid” – locking and unlocking of grid layers (the ones with name “Grid…”) can be used when you have “Grid” drawing as an active drawing. On Pressing button “Lock grid” you can get better conditions to continue development of your drawing (ACAD entities on locked layers cannot be affected by selection). If you need to edit grid, then press button “UNlock grid”. You also have an option what to show on drawing: database Grid name (option button “Show DB Name”) or contract drawings’ grid name (option “Show real name”). In current release you are able to draw the grid with grid lines bubbles located on both left and right or top and bottom sides.

 

 

After grid is completed press button “Main Form”.

Remark: All grid items are placed on separate layers, so you can make any of them invisible by freezing (layers named “Grid…”).

 

 

A.2 Elevations

Press button “Elevations” in main form. Assign ID levels (integers only!) and elevations. Do not allow ‘ID levels’ duplication. You can assign any number of levels (Field ‘Elev. (Inch.)’ is used for information only, no input here). Fill in data as shown below:

 

                                                                                                                                                                       

A.3 Plates

       

        Rectangular Plates

 

Press button “Rect. Plate” in main form.

 

Fill out data of base plates. Do not allow plate mark duplication (while working in this form read help string in the lower left corner of MS Access window).

 

 

In this form as well as in other forms for adding submaterials (shear, moment plates, clip angles etc.) you can create customized submaterial by using LOCK option.
You first create regular submaterial (Create 3D plates button). Then open drawing of 3D submaterial in corresponding folder (for rect. plates it is BasePLates folder), make necessary changes. For instance using 3D Modify AutoCAD commands you can add holes, add chamfer etc. Next you save the drawing, open form Rect. Plates and select Yes in ‘
Lock PL combobox. Next time when you press the button Create 3D plates locked plates will not be changed.

 

You can use plates with no holes (check field Plain PL?”), one, two or four holes. Pictures below show location of first hole:

 

 

Locations of holes may be symmetrical or nonsymmetrical.

Remarks:

1. To facilitate input use the button “Duplicate Record”   and TAB on keyboard.

2. If you have edited, deleted or added records, press button “Create 3D plates” before leaving the form.

 

Shear & Stiffener Plates

 

Press button “Shear Plates” in main form.

 

Fill out data of shear plates (use button “Show picture” for graphical explanations).

 

 

 

Do not allow plate mark duplication.

 

Remarks:

1.      To facilitate input use the button “Duplicate Record” and TAB on keyboard.

2.      If you have edited, deleted or added records, press button “Create 3D plates” before leaving the form.

3.      For stiffener plates (no holes) enter 0 (zero) in field Rows

 

Backing Bars

 

Press button “Backing Bars” in main form.

 

 

Enter data.

Remarks:

4.      To facilitate input use the button “Duplicate Record” and TAB on keyboard.

2.   If you have edited, deleted or added records, press button “Create 3D plates” before leaving the form.

 

Moment & Splice Plates

 

Press button “Spl. & Mom. PL” in main form.

 

 

Enter data.

Remarks: 1. To facilitate input use the button “Duplicate Record” and TAB on keyboard.

2.   If you have edited, deleted or added records, press button “Create 3D plates” before leaving the form.

 

 

A.4 Clip Angles

 

Click button “Clip Angles” in main form. Select material and type of clip angle; assign piece mark, number of rows (horizontal) and columns (vertical) for both web and OSL, distances between holes, long leg location and bolt diameter. The length of clip angle will be determined automatically. Do not pay attention the picture on form shows clip angle with 2 columns of holes. To specify number of columns enter 1 (or 2) in ‘Bolt Columns WEB’ or ‘Bolt Columns OSL’.

To add in Database anchor angles for wall bearing beams just type length (e.g. ) of anchor angle (field “Length” in lower left part of the form).

If you have edited, deleted or added records, then press button “Create 3D Angles” before leaving the form. The program will create ACAD file containing all clip angles from database.

 

 

Remarks:

      1. For clip angles with long slots oversized washers (covering slots) are used – green color washers in 3D model. Standard washer (blue color) is used for regular and Short Slot holes.
      2. White color text in form explains how to enter in form plain angles (no holes), used as deck or plank supports: just enter the length and select material. All other inputs for that plain angle will be ignored by program.

 

 

A.5 Wall Bearing Angles: Types

 

Press button “Wall/b Ang.” in main form. In opened form you can specify design for wall bearing beams: the number of angles and their location.

 

A.6 Wall Bearing PLates: Types

 

Press button Wall/b PL’s” in main form. In opened form you can specify design for wall bearing plates and plain plates welded to bottom flange of the beam (source for plates: rect. plates – see A.3) as well as gusset plates (horizontal and vertical). Vertical  plates – plates entered in Shear plates form. Horizontal Plates source – form Rect. Plates. Int his form you can specify rotation of plate and apply array (add several plates).

 

 

Push button ‘Show Picture’ to get more information.

 

 

 

 

A.7 Columns

 

Press button “Columns” in main form. Enter names of nodes and shapes (W, TS and Pipes shapes only) by selecting them from the lists. Assign column rotation, degrees (W-shape web or TS long wall horizontal = 0 degree, W-shape web or TS long wall vertical   = 90 degree). Select top and bottom IDlevels (adjust elevations by putting numbers in fields Top (+/-) and Btm (+/-)). Add base and cap plates; assign column name which is a column piece mark as well (optional), plate’s rotation and steel grade. Field “Status” used for reports. To exclude column material from report assign “Existing” value.

Remark:

In all forms you can sort or filter records. Place cursor in field you wish to sort or select contents of field you wish to filter and press the corresponding button in toolbar:

 

 

A.8 Beams

 

        In main form press button “Beams”.

 

 

Fill out beam nodes, shapes (W, TS, C and MC shapes only) and Toe direction (for C and MC shapes – “Inside” or “Outside”, for W or TS put “0” - zero). Put beam reference elevation (field (+/-) Elev.).

For sloped beams enter value in field (+/-) RG End in reference to Left end. Example: for sloped beam Left end working point (elevation) is 2” above level 1 and right end is 5 1/2” above level 1. Right end is 3 ½” higher than left end. Enter 3 ½” in (+/-) RG End field.

Assign ID Layer (new or existing beam, visible or invisible). Accordingly to ID Layer different linetypes and colors for sticks representing beams on framing plan will be used. Apply status: new or existing member.

To speed up input use button ‘Duplicate records’ or double click in fields ‘Right End’ or ‘Shape’.

 

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After input is completed press button “Update”. The program will automatically calculate beam and column lengths (all beam lengths will be rounded to ј”), make end preparations etc.

 

Adding clip angles to beams could be made by using:

-  Auto regime. Press button “Auto Clip Angles” and the program will add for beam-to-beam, beam-to-column connections and continuous beams clip angles (BS) as per your assignment in “Setup” form (e.g. clip angles with marks X… or S…)

or

-  Manually by using form “Edit Beam” (see the following explanations).

 

A.9 Beams Splice Connection

 

Click on “Beam Splice Conn. in main form.

 

Select Beam, plates for connection, distances. Define rotation of the plates (depending on the design of the plate in Spl. & Mom. Plates form). You can select any combination of the plates (e.g. web plates only). Use duplicate record button to assign beam splice connection for other beams.

 

A.10 Add Materials

 

Click on “Add Materials” button in main form.

 

Click on “Welded Angles” button in main form.

 

Select Beam, angle, distances. Angles used in this form should be present in Angles form. Define rotation of the angles: 0 (zero) – attached angles have web toe down (deck or plank support); 180 – web toe UP (lintels); 90 – web toe towards right end of the beam; -90 - web toe towards left end of the beam. You can specify any rotation angle (15, -30, 45 etc.) and array (several columns and rows).

 

 

A.11 Edit Beams

 

Press button “Edit Beam” in main form.

 

 

To navigate in this form select beam from the list “Find Beam”.

 

In opened form edit (if it is necessary) left or right end dist. to steel face, thereby setbacks and beam length will be changed. If you would like to keep from changes user’s set back, check box next to Dist. to steel face (the corresponding label switches from Auto to User).

You can also change sizes of copes and keep them form changes (check the corresponding box).

 

Clip angles: Assign clip angle piece mark (use TAB) for both ends, top of clip angles; adjust distance from center line to first hole on OSL (can be saved as user’s: check the corresponding box).

Shear Plates: Select plate mark, side, top distance and bolt grade (text box next to bolt dia. on the form).

Weld Moment conn.

 

Check box for top or (and) bottom flange, select backing bar. You also might need to change the length of cope (make user’s size of cope in order to prevent changes while next update) or distance to steel face. Use 3D model or draw plan or elevation view to define exact sizes of copes or distance to steel face for this type of connection.

 

 

Flange preparation.

 

You can specify cut wide or cut flush operation for top and bottom flanges of beam. For the framing condition when beam frames into the web of W-flange column, the sizes of cuts will be defined by the program automatically. You can change auto design and make it user’s (check the box as shown in the picture): change the sizes of cuts or assign cut flush operation.

 

 

Moment Plates: Select top and (or) bottom plate mark, gap (distance from plate to beam flange), bolt grade and specify weld.

Rotation of the plate: As is means: there is no rotation, the plate will be attached to the column the way it was added to Spl. & Mom. Form, left end of the plate will be directed towards left end of the beam; Rot. 180: left end of the plate will be directed towards right end of the beam ; Opp.: the plate will be attached to the column the way it was added to Spl. & Mom. Form then mirrored left end of the plate will be directed towards right end of the beam.

Example: you assigned identical moment plates (not symmetrical) for both ends of the beam. You use As is rotation for left end and Rot. 180 or Opp. for right end.

 

In fields W/bear Type” you can select type of wall bearing angles for left and right ends. Choose wall bearing plates (if necessary). If you decide to use shear plate connection, assign shear plate parameters (see bottom of the form). Do not allow duplication of connection, assigned for end of the beam (e.g. both clip angles and shear plate for left end or both wall bearing anchor angles and clip angles).

 

 

Remarks: 

 

-          Every time after making changes in design of your steel structure WHICH WILL AFFECT THE FRAMING CONDITIONS (grid distances, elevations, beam or column shape sizes or editing clip angles) you have to press button “Update”.

-          Some times you need to apply Update procedure second time: in case, when 3D model doesn’t reflect your input (missed bolts, wrong elevation of column etc.)

 

In case you are almost finished with design (all inputs in “Grids”, “Plates”, “Angles”, “Columns” and “Beams” forms done; you applied already “Update” procedure) and in “Edit Beam” form you are making changes which will NOT AFFECT THE FRAMING CONDITIONS such as assign different angle piece mark, change top of angles, change connection side (NS instead BS), distance to steel face, size of copes or distance from center line to first hole on OSL you DO NOT need to apply “Update”. If you just opened any of the forms, looked through the records, didn’t perform any editing operations, you DO NOT need to apply “Update”.

 

-          To facilitate input buttons “Duplicate record” added in forms.

-          Use copy and paste operations to copy several records (e.g. for copying of typical floors)

 

        How to copy floor: select records, press “Ctrl” + C and go to new record row (marked with asterisk) then press “Ctrl” + V. After that change levels of new beams (“IDlev” field)

 

-          If you need to make a global editing of records use “Filter by Selection” button in toolbar in combination with “Replace” button (read MS Access Help).

-          There is an Error handling procedure to prevent from duplicating beams or columns, There is NO Error handling for partial overlapping of beams (e. g. beams 1-A1A3 and 1-A1A2 are partially overlapped). If you have in database beams as above-mentioned the program will produce an error. Try to avoid this situation.

-          You are able to cut out beam end (put positive number in “Dist. to steel face” field) or lengthen (negative number). Again, if you need to keep from changes value, entered in field “Dist. to steel face”, check box next to this field. Try to assign user’s set backs at the end of work on your project due to update procedure of database, containing user’s set backs, takes longer time.

 

 

A.12 Edit Columns

 

Press button “Edit Column” in main form.

 

 

In Edit Column form you can add beam stiffeners at column locations and add bolts for connection of base (cap) plates and beam flanges. To do it select column, beam above (below), select 'stiffeners’ system. The program calculates parameters of stiffeners and adds them in form. You can edit those parameters. When you close Edit Columns form, SolidStructural automatically assigns stiffeners piece marks: pf1, pf2, pf3 etc.

Note: There is no special form for adding stiffeners at column locations. Other stiffeners - use Shear plates form.

When you create 3D Model, the program generates 3D plates (stiffeners defined in Edit Column form). Location of drawings - StifPLates folder of current project.

When you generate drawings of beams, the program produces beams sections with stiffeners automatically (StifPLates folder).

If you produced and finished editing of beam drawings with beams sections with stiffeners, in order to save time, you can turn off auto generation of stiffeners sections : form Setup - check Skip Sections?

Remark:

There is no auto update procedure for beam stiffeners. If the size (shape) of beam above (below) was changed, then you have to open the form “Edit Column” and press button “Update Records” with following Update in Main form

 

           

A.13 Piece marks

 

First open report “Beam Groups” (press corresponding button in Reports section). Printed report can help you in grouping and assigning beams’ piece marks.

Next click on Piece Marks button in Main form

 

 

 

A.14 Shortcuts

MS Access

ShortCut

Action

Description

F11

Open database window

View Tables and Queries

F2

Select entire field

 

Ctrl + F

Find

 

Ctrl + H

Replace

 

 

B. Output

 

 

B.1 Create 3D Model

 

On pressing this button in main form 3D Solid model of your structure will be created.

In opened form (see picture below) depending on the type of project - with or without stairs - click on appropriate button.

 

 

Add Bolts, Cope Beams Ends as well as Update weight options: uncheck these options (especially at the beginning of your work on 3D model, when you are not planning to produce final drawing) to shorten the time of creation of 3D Model.

You could navigate 3D Model using ACAD toolbars “View” or “3D Orbit”. Generation of 3D model is a time consuming procedure. Wait until message box “100% done!” will show up.

For previewing 3D Model you can use different modes available from toolbar ‘Shade’ (AutoCAD prior to 2007) or Visual Styles (ACAD2008 or higher)

Transparent representation of 3D – shortcut TR+ (undo transparency shortcut TR-).

Other shortcuts:

ZZ –3D orbit

`2 (back slash and 2) Visual Style - 2d wireframe

`R (back slash and R) Visual Style - Realistic

 

 

B.2 Framing Plan

 

Press button “Framing Plan” in Main form

.

In opened form select level, check box “Yes” if you need to put reference beam elevation on plan, use alsoother options and press button “Draw 2D Plan”.

 

B.3 Plan View

 

Click on ‘Plan View’ button.

 

 

Select Level, check box “Yes” if you need to put reference beam elevation on plan and assign distances to clipping planes. Front distance defines upper clipping plane elevation and back distance defines lower clipping plane elevation.

In order to prevent user’s errors the message boxes similar to shown below are used.

 

Example 1: 1st level elevation = 8’-0”. If you put 5” as the front distance and  –10Ѕ ” as the back distance 3D model will be sliced at elevations 8’-5” and 7’-1Ѕ”. The drawing will show all members between these elevations as 2D shapes.

Example 2: 2nd level elevation = 16’-1”. If you put -4Ѕ ” as the front distance and  -11’-0Ѕ ” as back distance 3D model will be sliced at elevations 15’-9Ѕ ” and 5’-0Ѕ”. The drawing will represent all members between these elevations as 2D shapes.

 

B.4 Elev. View X-sect.

 

Select Grid line from the list, check box “Yes” if you need to put reference beam elevation, assign distances to clipping planes. Front distance defines closest clipping plane location and back distance defines farthest clipping plane location.

 

Example: Grid line 1 is a horizontal line with Y coordinate = 0’-0”. If you put 5” as the front distance and 6’-0” as the back distance the 3D model will be sliced by horizontal planes at Y coordinates 5” and 6’-0” respectively. The drawing will represent all members between these elevations as 2D shapes. If you have chosen FRONT view the 3D model will be sectioned at a front clipping plan (see picture below).

 

 

If you have chosen REAR view the 3D model will be sectioned at back clipping plan (see picture below).

 

 

 

B.5 Elev. View Y-sect.

 

Select Grid line from the list, check box “Yes” if you need to put reference beam elevation and assign distances to clipping planes. Front distance defines RIGHT clipping plane location and back distance defines LEFT clipping plane location.

Example 1: Grid line A is a vertical line with X coordinate = 6’-0”. If you put 6’ as the front distance and -5’ as the back distance the 3D model will be sliced by vertical planes at X coordinates 12’ and 1’-0” respectively. The drawing will represent all members between these planes as 2D shapes.

 

 

 

 

 

B. 6 Anchor Bolt Setting Plan

 

Start new drawing using file SolidStructural.dwt (folder C:\Solidstructural\Support) as a template.

Remark: In order to draw anchor bolt plan you have to have the drawings with 3D plates (see section A.3. Base Plates)

 

Press button “A/B Plan” in main form. In opened form select scale and text style.

 

Press button “Draw Columns”, then button “Add Plates”. You can suppress visibility of base plate’s contour by selecting “No” in combo box Show PL's Contour?”

 

Remark: for better performance of your drawing you can exaggerate columns with plates. Put any number bigger then 1 in text box “Exaggerate, times”. Columns and plates will be scaled using coefficient you put in that text box.

To add anchor bolt dimension press the corresponding button.

 

  1. 7 Anchor Bolts: Typical Section

 

On pressing this button the new form for drafting of typical base column detail with anchor bolts will show up. Select column from combo box, assign parameters, select scale, give the name for drawing and press button “Draw Anchor Bolt Detail”. If you need to draw anchor bolt with no hook just type 0 (zero) for length of hook. In this form you have options for showing either flange or web of the column and whether or not to show straps.

 

C. Auto Detailing

 

Set auto detailing options in Setup form. Drawings of beams will be stored in folder BeamDetails and columns in folder ColumnDetails of current project.

General notes:

  1. Before Auto detailing of members in SolidStructural make sure you have saved at different location final drawings of piece details (details you don’t need to edit anymore) or be careful while selecting members for detailing (do not include in selection complete drawings).
  2. While editing of drawing better move border with title block, not detail.
  3. You should be familiar with the other programs (QuickViewport and NYacad Symbols). You’ll be more productive with these applications.
  4. For proper color assignment while printing use Plot Style file SolidStructural.ctb under C:\SolidStructural\Support\. Copy this file into AutoCAD ‘Plot Styles’ directory.

 

If you have chosen One Det/Sheet option in Setup form you will get completed drawings (11x17 size for beams and 18x24 for columns) including title block and bill of material.

First, you need to edit information in title block. Open drawing _Stamp.dwg (folder Xrefs under your current project directory) and add your current project data. You also can make a page setup (use plot style SolidStructural.ctb file found under C:\SolidStructuralSupport\ folder)

If you selected ‘No’ (several details per a sheet) in Setup form, the program will create two files: the first is the drawing of member (e.g. B1.dwg), the second one is the Bill of Material with suffix ‘-BOM’ (e.g. B1-BOM.dwg). To compose sheet with several members you can insert drawings of piece details as blocks or attach them as XReferences. You can use as a template drawing PieceDetail-Template.dwg found in folder Drawings under your current project directory. That drawing has XReferenced border:

C:\SolidStructural\Projects\Structure-08\Xrefs\Border24x36.dwg

and inserted block with attributes called DWG-INFO.

In folder Drawings you also can find the following drawings:

·ErectionPlan-Template.dwg – template for erection drawings

·E1.dwg – first floor steel framing plan of structure used in demo version. The core of the drawing was created in auto regime in SolidStructural. Then manually was added the north symbol, title, titleblock and grid. You decide how much time you need to finalize this drawing as well as the other drawing:

·B1.dwg – drawing of beam details (members of demo version of SolidStructural).

 

 

To start auto detailing Press button “Select” in main form

 

Select beams (columns) from “Select” form and click on button “Done”. You can select by holding left button of the mouse and moving mouse down or combination: mouse + Control or Shift.

 

 

After that click on the corresponding button “Go!” in main form.

Remarks:

1.      Each drawing of member contains two blocks, which could be used for final editing of drawings. Block ‘0’ (zero): insert this block at point 0,0 to show 3 more views of beam (top view, top flange only and bottom flange only) or 3 more views of column. Block ‘A’: 3D model of member.

2.      Scale for columns drawings can be assigned in Setup form. Scale for beams assigned individually in Piece Marks form.

3.      If you make first time auto detailing after your structure is built or after you have made a changes in your design, Uncheck box “Skip sections”. In this case, the program will create sections of beams, which will be used in drawings. If you just changed scale of drawing or need to recreate drawings of beams, you can Check box “Skip sections” to save time.

 

In case column (beam) doesn’t fit the border, you can use different methods:

A. Overwrite dimensions and Stretch (use this method if you are not expecting any changes in design and you are ready to send drawings for fabrication).

  1. Explode main dimension (dimension representing member’s length)
  2. Overwrite dimensions. Enter OO (not zero-zero) at the command prompt and select dimensions. You need to select only dimensions which will be affected by stretching command: all ordinate dimensions which will get inside of crossing window, used for selection while stretching (elevation of hole for column, distance from end of beam to stiffener plate etc.) There is no need to overwrite distances between holes of base plate or distance to first hole for shear plate etc. Overwriting of dimensions saves your time: you don’t need to retype dimension’s value.
  3. Stretch command. Select crossing window and shorten member.

 

B. Use PaperSpace ViewPort (use this method in case the drawing produced by SolidStructural is not complete: you are planning to add holes or materials to the drawing or even re-detail the drawing of member). Use ‘QuickViewPort’ application to add new ViewPorts (shortcut: QV).

How it works. For auto detailing you have selected  NO’ in ‘One Det. Per Sheet’ combo box (e.g. columns F1 and F5). Drawings of columns are stored in ColumnDetails folder. In this case you will have two drawing for each column: first is drawing of the column (F1.dwg) and second is BOM of this column (F1-BOM.dwg). You open template, prepared for this project or use the drawing PieceDetail-Template.dwg found under Drawings folder of your current project directory. Save template as e.g. C-1 (better use dash symbol, because you can have column with the name C1). Next you attach XReferences (shortcut XR) or insert drawings of the members into current drawing. After you have made sheet composition and closed drawing containing several members, you always can go back to drawing of member, edit it or even send it for auto detailing again and your drawing C-1. dwg will be automatically updated (maybe you will need only make minor changes in ViewPorts).

 

Remark: Above-mentioned drawing PieceDetail-Template.dwg contains ViewPort (scale 1”=1’-0”). Leave this ViewPort as it is, if your columns (beams) details are detailed in 1” scale, otherwise delete that ViewPort (you’ll add new ViewPorts with the help of ‘QuickViewport’ program)

 

D. Reports

 

You have at your disposal automatically updated reports: “Cutting List”, “Steel Summary”, “Plates”, “Angles”, “Bolts” (three types of reports) and “Nodes”. Information from report “Beam Groups” could be used for piece marks assignment. Report “Order Steel” is based on user’s input. You can filter data in reports (use the button “Change Filter”).

Reports’ data can be transferred to MS Excel or MS Word (press the corresponding button in toolbar).

 

E. Calcshapes module

This module gives you possibilities to:

·        Make calculations using any formats of numbers;

·        Solve triangles;

·        Have at your disposal database of structural shapes (more than thousand shapes in registered copy of program) with fast search;

·        Select and print W- shapes data;

·        Use clipboard to transfer text or numbers in Autocad or other applications.

 

To launch module press button “Calcshapes” in main form

 

1. Calculator

            In order to make calculations you have to enter numbers in field [1] using formats:

o       architectural  (5’-4 11/16 or 12’-3 7/8 or 10’ etc.);

o       fractional (14 5/16 or 1 3/16 or 13/128 or 156/1793 etc.);

o       decimal (14.55 or 0.001 etc.)

 

After putting number in [1] press TAB key, put number in field [2], press TAB, type in combo box (yellow box between [1] and [2] – see picture) “+”or “-“or “/“or “x“ or “sqr“ (square root of number [1]) or “pow” ([1]^2), press TAB.

 

 

The “TOTAL” fields represent result of calculations in various formats. Decimal representation of result of calculation gets into clipboard of your computer and in the field “Clipboard”. Button “CLEAN” makes fields [1] and [2] equal 0.

 

2. Triangles

 

Fill out numbers in fields [1] and [2] ([1] must be less than [2]) and then press button “BEVEL”. Results: angle, hypotenuse of triangle and bevel.

 

3. Database of shapes

 

            This part of module is database of structural shapes. You can select shape in combo box named “Full name” by typing W8x31 or in combo box “Short name” type W831, or in “W-SHAPES” – just type 831 (last combo box – only for W-shapes search, this is the fastest way to select).

On pressing buttons “1” or “2” (see picture below) shape data (depth, web etc.) get into calculator – fields [1] or [2] respectively

 

 

Example: define thickness of fill plate for splice connection of columns W12x87 and W12x65.

·        Select (or type) in [W-SHAPES] 1287, press button “1” next to field [Depth];

·        Select in [W-SHAPES] 1265, press button “2” next to field [Depth];

·        Type “-“ in yellow field of Calculator, press TAB on keyboard;

·        Enter number 2 in field [2] , press TAB, type or select “/” and press “Enter”.

 

At the beginning a new job it is helpful to have printed shapes data. Press button “SELECT SHAPES” then move from the list to list desirable shapes and press button “Done”. Select form will be closed. Next press button “OPEN Report with Selected Shapes” for preview and print.

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