Group Element

The user must create a Group element below an existing Level element.

The user can specify from a selection of elements which are in effect the Concrete Building representation of the structural framework elements in the hierarchy.

• Group

• Special Structure

• Assembly.

While the Concrete Design application has a selection of framework elements available for selection, the Group element is most often used as significant structural elements such as columns, beams, floors and walls are usually allocated in their own group.

The use of group elements allow the user to limit what elements are used and the location of these elements in the design database.

Refer to Create Special Structure or Create Assembly Element for further information on a special structure element or assembly element.

From the Select Structural Element pane of the Building Applications window, make sure that the Level element is the CE.

On the Building tab, in the Create group, by default Group is displayed in the Create Element drop-down list.

Click Create Element to display the Create Group window.

The application automatically populates the Name field with a name based on the project or company autonaming rules, for further information on the autonaming rules, refer to Naming for further information.

By default, the Use gaps in naming sequence checkbox is selected, the user can select which name is to be used. To select the:

• first available name, click Use first available name.

• previous available name, click Use previous name.

• next available name, click Use next available name.

• last available name, click Use last available name.

The user can change the name, to do this, type in a new name in the Name field. If this name already exists, an Error window is displayed. If the name does not conform with the autonaming rules, Apply remains greyed out as long as the name is not properly entered.

After the Group element has been named, the user can specify a default material and purpose for the Group Element.

The user can specify from a selection of industry standard materials, from the Default Material drop-down list.

The selection of a default material is used to calculate the weight and centre of gravity of the element enabling accurate reports to be generated.

After the default material has been selected, the user can specify a purpose for the Group element.

The user can specify from a selection of available structural elements, from the Purpose drop-down list.

The purpose is used to control what types of elements can be created under a Group element.

Click Apply to create the Group element. The Modify Group window is displayed and the Group element is displayed in the Model Explorer and in the Building Applications window. Refer to Modify Group Element for further information.

Click Dismiss to discard any inputs and close the Create Group window.