Beams

Open

Figure 1

As depicted in Figure 1, the Beam Section comprises two spreadsheets.

Draw Beam

→ Click the "Draw Beam" button to initiate the process of drawing a beam object. The drawings created using this command will be displayed in the 3D view (see Figure 2 and Figure 3).

Open

Figure 2

To modify the beam properties, follow these steps:

→ In the spreadsheet, select the desired beam row.

→ Edit the material selection by choosing the appropriate material from the available options, as shown in Figure 4.

→ Enter the desired depth of the beam in the corresponding cell in the spreadsheet.

→ Optionally, if an elevation offset is required, enter the offset value in the designated cell.

→ Choose the desired beam type from the available options; ”Gravity/Lateral”, depending on the design requirements.

Analytical Lines

Switch from “Beams” spreadsheet to “Analytical Lines” spreadsheet as shown in Figure 1.

To draw analytical lines for a specific beam object, please follow these steps:

→ Click on the "Draw Analytical Beam" button to activate the command.

→ Position your cursor on the drawing area and click to specify the starting point of the analytical line.

→ Move your cursor to the desired location and click again to define the endpoint of the analytical line.

The analytical line representing the beam object will be drawn in the model.

By following these steps, you can create analytical lines that accurately represent the geometry and properties of the beam object for further analysis and design purposes.

When the analytical beam command is active, the AEC|BOLT AUTOCAD App automatically overlays the analytical wall drawings to display the end nodes of the analytical walls.

The end nodes of the analytical beam line are indicated by yellow points, while the end nodes of the analytical wall are represented by pink points, as depicted in Figure 6.

To define the properties of the analytical beam, you need to enter specific values in the corresponding spreadsheet fields, as demonstrated in Figure 7. Here are the steps:

→ Enter the width and depth of the analytical beam in the designated cells of the spreadsheet. This information defines the dimensions of the beam and helps in accurate modeling and analysis.

→ If required, you can specify the Refline Offset. This offset allows you to position the analytical beam relative to the reference line. Enter the desired value in the appropriate cell of the spreadsheet.

→ Similarly, if a Vertical Offset is necessary, you can specify it in the corresponding cell of the spreadsheet. This offset helps in adjusting the vertical position of the analytical beam.

Additionally, the AEC|BOLT AUTOCAD App provides the functionality to divide the analytical line into multiple parts. By doing so, you can assign different properties to each part, such as varying thickness. This feature allows for more precise representation and analysis of complex structural elements.

By accurately entering these parameters in the spreadsheet, you can define the properties and geometry of the analytical beam, ensuring a comprehensive and accurate representation in the model.

To divide the analytical line and create breakpoints, you can follow these steps:

→ Click on the "No Break Pts" button on the spreadsheet row. This button allows you to split the analytical line into multiple segments and assign different properties to each segment.

→ After activating the "No Break Pts" mode, select the point on the analytical line where you want to create a division (Figure 8). This point will serve as the location for the breakpoint.

→ Continue selecting additional points along the analytical line to create more breakpoints if needed. Each selected point will mark a division or change in the properties of the line segment (Figure 9).

By clicking the "No Break Pts" button and selecting points on the analytical line, you can easily create breakpoints and define different properties for each segment. This functionality is useful when there are variations or changes in the geometry or properties along the length of the analytical line.

If the analytical line does not align with the center line of the beam, it is necessary to specify the refline offset to ensure the creation of the correct analytical beam. Here's how you can do it:

→ In the AEC|BOLT AUTOCAD App, locate the analytical beam command or option.

→ Enter the desired refline offset value in the corresponding field or parameter. The refline offset determines the distance between the analytical line and the center line of the beam.

→ Make sure to enter the refline offset value accurately, taking into consideration the geometry and alignment of the beam.

By specifying the refline offset, you can ensure that the analytical beam is generated with the correct alignment and position relative to the center line of the beam. This is important for accurately representing the structural elements in the model and subsequent analysis. Refer to Figure 10 and Figure 11 for visual illustrations of the process.

The drawings of the analytical beams, including their geometry and properties, will be accurately reflected in the finite element model view. This means that the analytical beams created in the AEC|BOLT AUTOCAD App will be seamlessly integrated into the finite element analysis model.

Show Tributary

By clicking on the "Show Tributary" button (Figure 1), you can visualize and examine the tributary areas associated with the beams. The tributary areas represent the portion of the floor or slab that is supported by each individual beam. This information is essential for performing beam analysis accurately.

When the tributary areas are displayed, you can see the extent of influence that each beam has on the surrounding floor or slab. This visualization helps in understanding the load distribution and determining the appropriate loadings to be considered during beam analysis.

The beam tributary areas provide valuable input for the subsequent beam analysis process, as they define the scope of responsibility for each beam in supporting the applied loads (Figure12).