Create Panel Welds

Creates a Structural Weld Set (STWSET) element which owns one or more Structural Weld (STWELD) elements which are used to represent welds between panel edges or between panel edges and section edges. STWELD elements contain the weld information. For example, the connection reference and the weld geometry.

STWELD elements are owned by Panel (PANE elements).

The example displays a weld between panel edges.

The example displays a weld between a panel edge and a section edge.

Weld Settings

Before welds can be modelled, various settings must be defined to determine, for example, the weld creation tolerance and the weld properties for the creation of welds.

Default Weld Specification

Sets the default specification for the creation of panel welds.

Automatic Weld Creation

Sets the default weld creation status when a new connection is made between panel edges or between panel edges and section edges.

If the selection is highlighted, automatic weld creation is on.

If the selection is not highlighted, automatic weld creation is off.

Automatic welds can be created when using the following processes:

• Create bounded plate. Refer to Create Bounded Plate for further information.

• Modify panel or bounded plate, for example, splitting a panel Refer to Split Section, Panel or Bounded Plate for further information.

• Extend panel edge. Refer to Extend Panel Edge for further information.

Create Welds from Selection

Creates multiple welds using a selection of sections and panels. For example, a deck of (non-bounded) panels with support beams underneath

Welds are created for:

• Plate-to-plate connections: Panels within the user selection with edges that are very close to each other (within the set weld creation tolerance) have welds created in the gap between them.

• Plate-to-beam connections: Primary beams within the user selection which an edge of a panel lies on, and secondary beams within the user selection have one or two welds created between the intersecting edges.

You are prompted to Select panels and sections

Note:
The prompt does not display if the section and panel elements are already selected.

Drag a rectangular fence around the items to be selected. Alternatively, click to select the initial item then press Shift and click to select additional items.

Press Enter to create the welds.

Welds are created between the selected panels and the adjacent panels and sections. The created welds display in the 3D view.

Welds are created between the underside of the panel and the intersecting edges of the supporting beams (the example is viewed from underneath the deck).

Welds can be created for overlapping plates.

In the example, the red coloured welds are owned by the blue panel (currently selected), while the blue coloured welds are owned by the other panels.

The connection status of panel welds can be inspected and modified using the Connection Review window. Refer to Review Connections for further information.

The direction of the weld displays in the 3D view when a weld is selected on the Connection Review window. Alternatively, the direction of the currently selected weld in the 3D view can be indicated by an arrow using the command window.

The STWDIR attribute, owned by a Structural Weld element (STWELD), can be queried for deck plates. The example syntax queries the weld direction of pin 1 of the STWELD:

pin 1 at pos dir stwdir

By default, all welds owned by a deck plate point downwards with respect to the owner.

The PPOS and PDIR psuedo attributes, defined in the RPATH element and owned by a STWELD element, can be queried for straight welds. The example syntax queries the weld directions of pin 1 and pin 2 of the STWELD:

pin 1 at p1 dir p1dir

pin 2 at p2 dir p2dir

Buy default, the start direction points into the weld and the end direction points away from the weld.

Update Welds from Selection

Checks the status of welds between panel edges or between panel edges and section edges. If applicable, you can update or repair welds as well as remove connectivity.

You are prompted to Select panels

Note:
The prompt does not display if the section and panel elements are already selected.

Drag a rectangular fence around the items to be selected. Alternatively, click to select the initial item then press Shift and click to select additional items.

Press Enter to update the welds.

Welds are evaluated, updated and deleted automatically.

There are various modification scenarios which result in weld update or deletion.

Note:
If the automatic weld creation functionality is not enabled when panels or bounded plates are merged or split, welds can be updated by manually selecting the required items.

Removed Panel Supporting Sections

Panel supporting sections are deleted, the welds that reference the deleted sections remain.

With the panel selected, click Update to remove the welds, all other welds are updated to fill the void.

Modified Profile Specification of Attached Sections

The profile specification of panel supporting sections are modified using the Properties window, the welds that reference the modified sections must be updated to reflect the modifications.

With the panel selected, click Update to update the welds to reflect the panel supporting section modifications.

Panel Moved away from Elements connected by Welds

A panel containing welds is moved away from supporting sections, the welds that reference the supporting sections remain.

With the panel selected, click Update to remove the welds as the distance between the panel and the supporting sections is too large to create valid welds.

Panel Edge Extension along Weld Direction

The panel edge is extended along the direction of the weld, the weld is not extended.

With the panel selected, click Update to extend the weld.

Note:
It is not necessary to select the panel that contains that weld in order to update it. The presence of a BACKREF attribute on the structural welds means the neighbouring panel that is connected to the weld can be picked, and the weld is updated.

Weld Active Properties

A series of drop-down lists are available to define the active properties for the creation of panel welds.