Merged Joints

Catalogues and Specifications User Guide

Structures : Merged Joints

Merged joint design templates and catalogue specifications are provided in the sample data, example PML callback functions for three different types of merged joint are also included.

The design templates, catalogue data and PML callbacks are all linked and required to run the merged joint functionality. For example, the system calls a PML function when a design template is instanced, and the created MFIX element references a specification component.

Merged Joint Callback Functions

It is recommended that the callback function for a merged joint should be a simple function that gathers the necessary parameters using properties in the merged joint design template, and collects attached element data. Another PML function is called that processes the calculations and modifies data in the merged and attached joint templates. The callback function is responsible for handling all errors that might occur during the calculations.

The function that processes the calculations effectively replaces database element rules that would normally be used to parameterise joint element geometry. It is recommended that local names are used in the design templates to make it easier to identify objects that are modified by the PML callback function.

The provided sample PML callbacks contain useful comments in the code to assist in the creation of PML callbacks.

Merged Joint Design Templates

There are some differences between merged joint design templates and structural joint templates:

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Elements in the merged joint template are modified by the PML callback function.

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The merged joint template has a callback property, of type FUNC, to define which PML function is called when the joint is created or modified.

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The merged joint template has one or more SBRF type properties to define the joint specification component that is applied to attached member joints.

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Optionally, a REFE type property is available for merged joints that require a reference element to define the joint.

Sample joints and PML callback functions are provided with the product to assist with creation of customised joints.

The three example merged joints are:

It is recommended that the attached members of the gusset plate merged joints have a Gtype of the following types: RTUB, CTUB, DRTU, DCTU.

Star plate has no restriction on Gtype, however it is recommended that all attached members are of the same depth.

Corner gusset plates require a picked reference element during creation.

Merged Joint Specification

Merged joint selection is controlled by a catalogue specification in the same way as a single joint. The PURP attribute of a structural joint specification is JOIN, the PURP attribute of a merged joint is MJOI.

A merged joint normally has more than one entry in the specification. One SPCO element references the main compound joint design template, other SPCO elements reference joint detail that is applied to attached members.

The design template referenced by the main merged joint SPCO (/JM1-OTYP-PFI-ATYP-ANY-GussetPlate-001) contains a property that specifies which SPCO is used for attached joints.

The PML callbacks can be found in \PMLLIB\Structural\Functions.


File	Description
avmergedjointgussetplate01.pmlfnc	Type 1 gusset plate for diagonal bracing for tubular or rectangular attached members with reference element.
avmergedjointgussetplate01comp.pmlfnc	Catalogue callback function for type 1 gusset plate for diagonal bracing for tubular or rectangular attached members with reference element. Defined as Design Template PML callback function, as defined by DDAT FUNC data element. Gathers Design Template properties (parameters) and calls avmergedjointgussetplate01.pmlfnc.
avmergedjointgussetplate02.pmlfnc	Type 2 gusset plate for K type bracing for tubular or rectangular attached members.
avmergedjointgussetplate02comp.pmlfnc	Catalogue callback function for type 2 gusset plate for K type bracing for tubular or rectangular attached members. Defined as Design Template PML callback function, as defined by DDAT FUNC data element. Gathers Design Template properties (parameters) and calls avmergedjointgussetplate02.pmlfnc.
mergedjointcaprectangular.pmlfnc	Calculates and stores seal cap plate for rectangular bracing members connected to a gusset plate. Called from type 1 and type 2 joints.
mergedjointcaptubular.pmlfnc	Calculates and stores seal cap plate for tubular bracing members connected to a gusset plate. Called from type 1 and type 2 joints.

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