Path > Steel (Curve Library)
Overview of Functions
Create a steel structure that follows the path.
Path> Steel / Structure is created by extruding section or lofting different profiles. Based on the following rules, It will limit the direction of section and direction for structure generation.
- Profiles of the structure can only be created in a plane normal to the master line.
- Path of structure generation is always parallel to the master line.
These constraints are applied because they are dynamically updated based on the layout that the library are assigned. Geometry and the length needs to be automatically extended / reduced.
- EX) bridge girder
Details of Functions
Create Tab > 1st sub tab
On/Off Option
Sets whether a cross section member is created.
Set whether to use the User Section.
Define profile plane
Define the plane on which to create the profile.
Start of target line : Defines the plane that is normal to the master line as the profile plane at the position spaced in the direction of the end point by the offset value entered from the start point of the master line.
End of target line : Defines the plane that is normal to the master line as the profile plane at the position spaced apart from the end point of the master line by the offset value entered.
User defined : Defines the plane that is normal to the master line as the profile plane at the position on the master line corresponding to the entered ratio value.
Distance from start profile plane* : Defines the plane that is normal to the master line as the profile plane at a distance away from the Start profile plane.
(Displayed when Tapered member is ON)
User section list
Section shape is created by inserting the registered User Section.
3 points : You can insert General Profile through 3 point click (origin, X axis of profile, Y axis of profile) at the click of a button.
Path> Concrete: Only User Sections with Material type 'Concrete' appear in the list.
Path> Steel: Only User Sections with Material type 'Steel' will appear in the list.
Generate member
Displayed when Tapered Member is ON
Set the Section’s direction of extraction and input its distance of extraction.
Direction : Sets the extraction direction of the profile.
Length : Enter the extraction distance of the profile.
Create Tab > 2nd sub tab
Cardinal point
Sets the centerline position of the part.
Cardinal point : Set the centerline position relative to the Bounding box of the profile.
Offset-y : Enter additional distance from the currently set cardinal point in the direction of the profile's Local-y axis.
Offset-z : Enter an additional distance in the direction of the Local-z axis of the profile from the currently set Cardinal point.
Define from view : At the click of a button, you can click anywhere on the profile plane to set the cardinal point.
Create Tab > 3rd sub tab
Auto matching rule
Set the automatic vertex matching method between start section and end section.
Quadrant connection : After matching the reference, vertices of each quadrant, vertices are sequentially matched according to the Loop Sequence of the profile in the direction of 'up → down' and 'left → right'.
Quadrant half area : After matching the reference vertices of each quadrant, vertices are sequentially matched within each quadrant, according to the Loop Sequence of the profile.
Loop sequence : After matching the reference vertices of the first quadrant , match the vertices sequentially according to the Loop Sequence of the profile.
However, if the number of vertices of start and end profiles does not match, quadrant half area method is automatically applied.
Since the three methods mentioned above are automatic matching methods based on program rules, the desired vertex matching results that the user might have pursued is not guaranteed.
Therefore, if it is possible to match the number of vertices in the Start profile and End profile through CAD work, then the Loop Sequence Method is recommendable.
Rotate quadrant of end profile
Rotates the End profile of the Quadrant order.
(Only if the auto matching rule is Quadrant connection, Quadrant half area it appears.)
Clockwise : Rotates the Quadrant order of the End profile clockwise.
Counterclockwise : Rotates the quadrant order of the end profile counterclockwise.
The quadrants of the Start and End profiles may be ordered differently than expected by the user's internal rules or the behavior of the General Profile.
The Rotate quadrant of end profile allows you to adjust the order of the quadrants in these situations.
Create Tab > 4th sub tab
Define shape variation
Define the connection geometry between matched vertices.
Variation origin : Set the reference point on the profile to determine whether the curve can be connected.
Vertex Sets that have the same distance from the variation origin always connect in a straight line regardless of the shape variation setting.
For example, the figure below shows a part created by setting Variation origin differently and Curve order to '2 (Parabolic)' for the same profile. Looking at the connection shape of the upper vertex of the start / end profile, the left member has a different distance from the center-center, so the curved connection is applied, and the right member has the same distance from the center-top (0) You can see that a straight line connection is applied regardless.
(Polynomial)
Curve order-y : Local Sets the degree of the curve for the y-axis direction.
Curve order-z : Local Sets the degree of the curve for the z-axis direction.
(Arc)
Radius-y : Local Enter the radius of the curve with respect to the y-axis direction.
Radius-z : Local Enter the radius of the curve with respect to the z-axis direction.
Convexity-y : Check this to apply a curve that changes convexly about the local y-axis direction.
Convexity-z : Check to apply a curve that changes convexly about the local z-axis direction.
The rules for applying concave or convex curved shapes are shown below.
- Concave : The tangent curve shape is applied at the location of the vertex close to the variation origin.
- Convex : The tangent curve shape is applied at the location of the vertex far from the origin of the variation.
Option
When checked, it maintains the extrusion rate of the 'Shape variation' line as the object's length is changed.
Property Tab > 1st sub tab
Classification
This is the function to set the properties of Path> Steel.
Object type : Represents an object type.
Member type : You can select the type of part.
Work type : You can choose the type of work.
Material : You can choose the material.
Group
Set the group information of the object.
Property Tab > 2nd sub tab
Element type
This function is to set 1D element type. Four types are provided.
Beam / Truss / Tension only / Compression only
Boundary condition
This is the function to set the boundary condition at the beginning and end of the geometry.
Constraint Tab
Section alignment
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