Joints

Structural Design User Guide

Sections : Section Connectivity : Joints

Each connected section is created with JLDATU, PLDATU and FIXING elements in the Design database.

In order to represent the connections properly, a catalogue specification must be associated with each joint (in the same way that each section profile is defined by an associated catalogue specification). Joint detail can be automatically defined when sections are connected, refer to Automatic Joint Selection for further information. Alternatively, joint detail can be manually created, refer to Modify Joint for further information.

A merged joint can be created from one or more existing joints, refer to Create Merged Joint for further information.

Automatic Joint Selection

Sets the default joint selection status when a new section is created.

If the selection is highlighted, automatic joint selection is on.

If the selection is not highlighted, automatic joint selection is off.

The functionality automatically selects joints when a section connection is made. Each connection is analysed and criteria stored in the joint selection specification is applied. If no match is found between the current joint and the criteria defined in the automatic joint specification, no joint detail is applied.

Automatic joint specifications are defined using a text file in a tabular format which is loaded into PARAGON using SPECONMODE. Refer to Import Automatic Joint Specification or Manipulating the Catalogue Database using SPECONMODE for further information. Each line in the text file specifies an automatic joint selection specification component. Refer to Content and Format of a Specification and Selectors and Pointers for Automatic Joint Selection Specifications for further information.

The example displays two beams that are connected using an automatic joint selection specification which is identified in the Properties window.

Automatic Joint Reselection

Automatically modifies the catalogue specification associated with selected joints.

If connections are created without joint detailing, modifications are made to sections in the model or to the automatic joint specification, it may be necessary to apply automatic joint selection to a set of selected joints.

You are prompted to Select section(s)

Note:

The prompt does not display if the section elements are already selected.

Click to identify the sections that contain joints to be modified and press Enter. The joints are highlighted in the 3D view, each joint displays as a joint pin.

The selection status of each joint is indicated by the joint pin colour.

•

Cyan = Unselected joint

•

Red = Selected joint.

You are then prompted to Select joints

Click to identify the joints to be modified and press Enter to automatically modify the catalogue specification associated with each selected joint.

Each connection is analysed and criteria stored in the joint selection specification is applied. If no match is found between the current joint and the criteria defined in the automatic joint specification, the joint detail is not modified.

Automatic Joint Selection State

Displays joint information and performs automatic joint selection on selected joints.


Selection	Click to update the joint list to include joints that are currently selected in the 3D view.
Update	Click to update the joint list, the joint list is not updated to include joints that are currently selected in the 3D view.
Show Tags	Select the check box to display automatic joint selection tags in the 3D view for the currently selected joints in the joint list.
Automatic Joint Specification	Select from the drop-down list to define the currently used joint selection specification.

The Joint List part of the Joint List window displays details for selected joints in the 3D view.

Filter criteria can be used to specify which joints are displayed in the joint list. Refer to GUI Grid Data for further information.


Joint Name	Displays the name of the joint (FIXING) element.
Type	Displays the STYPE of the joint, TYPE is displayed if the STYPE in unset.
Selection	Displays the joint selection specification status.
Automatic	An automatic joint selection specification is applied to the joint.
Manual	A standard joint specification is applied to the joint.
Unset	The joint specification is unset.
Invalid	The joint specification reference is set, but is pointing to an unknown element.
Choices	Displays the number of choices available for the joint in the automatic joint specification. The automatic joint selection system makes a default choice if there is more than one joint detail option available. If there is more than one choice, an alternative joint detail can be selected using the Select alternative joint drop-down list. Refer to Select Alternative Joint for further information.
Message	Indicates the validity of joints with automatic joint selection applied.
Valid	The current automatic joint selection specification is valid for the joint.
Update Selection	The current automatic joint selection specification is not valid for the joint and must be reselected.
Access	Indicates if current access to the joint is write or read only.
Description	Displays the description from the joint, or from the catalogue if the joint description is unset.
Specification	Displays the joint specification from which the joint was selected.

Right-click on the joint list to display a drop-down menu.


Automatic Joint Select	Click to perform automatic joint selection for all currently selected joints in the joint list.
Add to 3D View	Click to display the currently selected joints in the 3D view.
Focus on Joint	Click to modify the display of the 3D view to include the currently selected joints.
Navigate to	Click to navigate to the currently selected element in the 3D view and the Model Explorer.
Export to Excel	Exports the joint list to an Excel file. Click to display the Save to Excel window. Navigate to a location and name the exported Excel file.
Print Preview	Click to display the joint list in the Print Preview window.

The Messages part of the Joint List window displays a message summary for the currently selected joint.

The Select from Automatic Joint Specification part of the Joint List window displays the automatic joint selection status and the current specification.


Automatic	Click to perform automatic joint selection for all currently selected joints in the joint list.
Select Alternative Joint	Use the drop-down list to select an alternative joint component from the joint specification that matches the criteria for the selected joint. The option is only active if the joint list is populated and more than one automatic joint is available.