Model Reference Manual
Structural Design Using Catalogue Components
This chapter first describes how logically connected structural steelwork may be built up in MODEL by choosing Components from the Catalogue. Such structures will normally exist in the MODEL hierarchy at Framework (FRMW) or Subframework (SBFR) level. The concepts are then extended for use in building designs, using other materials such as concrete.
These define the points within the 3D design model between which steel construction members are to run. Primary Nodes have their position defined in free space, whereas Secondary Nodes have their position defined relative to an owning steel Section. Nodal data, including the attributes of member elements of Nodes, is particularly relevant for stress analysis of the steelwork structure.
Sections represent the physical steel members (columns, beams, bracing struts etc.) which make up the interconnected structure. Their cross-sections are defined by reference to Catalogue 2D Profile elements, while their lengths are derived from the positions of the Nodes between which the Sections run.
These are Catalogue items which represent the physical connections between structural members. Primary Joints are owned by Primary Nodes; Secondary Joints are owned by Secondary Nodes. Multiple connections are represented by Primary or Secondary Compound Joints, which own a SubJoint for each connection point. Linear Joints are used to connect the edges of panels to structural sections or to other panels.
Panels represent any sheet materials used to clad a structural model. Their shape is determined by linking together a set of Panel Vertex elements to form a 2D Panel Loop, which is then extruded in the third dimension to give the required panel thickness.
GENSECs can be used to represent any structural item whose geometry can be generated by sweeping a 2D profile along a linear or curved path. The path, defined by a Spine element, is determined by a sequence of Spine Points and Curves. In their simplest linear format, GENSECs may be used instead of Sections and Panels; in more complex formats they can represent curved beams, curved walls, etc.
