How to save time by avoiding the need to model each section individually with FEM Structural Analysis – Advance Design

How to save time by avoiding the need to model each section individually with FEM Structural Analysis – Advance Design.

Advance Design is a FEM structural analysis solution dedicated to structural engineers operating in a BIM environment. One of the ways Advance Design helps engineers save time is with the number of options it offers for replicating elements.

Many elements in building structures are repetitive; sometimes entire floors are repetitive. To avoid the need to model each section individually, we can utilize the Copy option to save time.

If you happen to design large building structures, you have certainly encountered the problem of changes to the geometry of the structure after the FEM analysis has been carried out.

Sometimes during structural design, you need to add an element (column, beam, etc.) or you need to move a section of the structure. Manual changes to the model are time-consuming. It is much simpler and quicker to use the Copy function. It is easy to use and has many different application options.

Copy option is available under the home tab.

or after selecting an element (or several elements) and clicking the right mouse button

The item can be copied by:

• Translation defined by an increment vector

Define the translation Vector and insert Number of copies. Confirm using the Copy key.

• Translation defined by a total vector (divided in n copies)

Define the translation Vector (total distance) and insert Number (n copies). Confirm using the Copy key.

• Translation defined by a vector + one distance

Define the translation Vector, insert Distance and Number of copies. Confirm using the Copy key.

Remember:

a)       Before copying the elements you can see their Preview

b)      Vector can be pointed to graphically or entered manually (x, y, z coordinates in sequence)

Advance Design allows elements to be copied to specific systems. Use the Advanced options for this. Columns from the Ground Floor system will be copied to the 1st Floor, 2nd Floor and 3rd Floor systems.

User can also create new systems by copying.

Advance Design enables copying through Rotation.

Copying using the Ctrl key is also a very frequently used function.

When we select an element we notice that every end point is red.

When the Ctrl key is pressed, the corners will be blue.

By holding Ctrl key we can use the mouse to point to a start and end point (vector), so that the element copies itself (we don’t have to use the Copy window). This is known as fast copying.

Written by Mateusz Matłosz – Software Technical Specialist