Create Base + Screed Component

Referring to the hierarchy, a base + screed component element must reside below an existing floor base element.

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

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

Click Create Element to display the Create Base + Screed window.

In the Naming part of the Create Base + Screed window, the application automatically populates the Name field with a name based on the project or company autonaming rules.

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.

The Screed Material drop-down list by default is set to None, the material can be changed to another suitable material. From the Screed Material drop-down list, the user can select from a list of suitable materials.

The Base Material drop-down list by default is set to Pyrocrete, the material can be changed to another suitable material. From the Base Material drop-down list, the user can select from a list of suitable materials.

The material is used to calculate the weight. The density of the material selected is shown in a tooltip.

Screed Thickness / Base Thickness

The screed thickness and base thickness can be populated in several ways:

• Enter the absolute finished level (wrt World) in the Top Level field.

• Select the top level using a position in the graphical view and click Pick Screed Level. The graphical view's mode changes and the Positioning Control window is displayed.

• Enter the finished thickness in the Screed Thickness field. If the thickness is locked, click Other level changes to suit thickness to unlock it.

• Click Measure Height and measure the screed thickness by selecting two graphical picks.

• Enter the absolute base level (with respect to the world) in the Base Level field.

• Select the base level using a position in the graphical view and click Pick Base Level. The View's mode changes and the Positioning Control window is displayed.

• Enter the base thickness in the Base Thickness field. If the thickness is locked, click Padlock to unlock it.

• Click Measure Height and measure the base thickness by selecting two graphical picks.

• Enter the absolute bottom level (wrt World) in the Bottom Level field.

• Select the bottom level using a position in the graphical view and click Pick Bottom Level. The View's mode changes and the Positioning Control window is displayed.

• If the user does not want the thickness to adapt to level changes, click Thickness changes suit levels to lock the thickness.

• The default finished level is zero with respect to the level. The default screed thickness is zero. The default base thickness is 300mm.

Position

The Position section of the window is used to establish the centre position of the base. It can be populated several ways:

• Enter the values in the fields for east, north and up in the Position frame. The reference can be changed by entering the name of an existing element in the Wrt field. If the field is greyed out, click Coordinates locked to unlock it.

• Select the position in the graphical view using Pick Position in the Position frame. To avoid changing a desired value in a field, click Coordinates unlocked to lock it.

The default position is at the origin of the level. By default, the position is the origin of the base. For rectangular and circular shapes, the origin is at the centre. To select a reference point to position the base click the Reference drop-down list.

Orientation

The Orientation section of the window is used to establish the Direction and Rotation angle of the base.

The Direction textbox displays the direction of the base (defined from the start to the end positions).

The direction may be changed using a number of methods.

• The direction can be re-established by typing a new direction (for example: U, N, N45E, S30W15D) then click Enter.

• Clicking Pick surface or edge to define direction allows the user to select an existing edge or surface in the model. Where a surface is selected then direction is set perpendicular to it. Where an edge is selected the direction is aligned with the edge.

• Clicking Rotate angle using two picks allows the user to graphically pick the rotation angle by using the Positioning Control window. Two graphical picks are required. A graphical aid line is displayed showing the angle of rotation created by the picks. Alternatively the user can type in an angle using a format of degrees, minutes, and seconds.

Shape

Select the shape using the Shape drop-down list.

To specify a rectangular shape, select the Rectangular option. To define the length and width:

• Enter the values in the Length and Width fields.

• Measure the length. Click Measure Length and the Positioning Control window is displayed. The user is prompted to Measure Length:Pick Start (Snap) Snap: and Measure Length:Pick End (Snap) Snap:.

• Measure the width. Click Measure Width and the Positioning Control window is displayed. The user is prompted to Measure Length:Pick Start (Snap) Snap: and Measure Length:Pick End (Snap) Snap:.

• Click Pick Corner to pick two opposite corners. The Positioning Control window is displayed. The user is prompted to Pick first corner (Snap) Snap: and Pick second corner (Snap) Snap:.

• Define the length, click Pick Length by Position The Positioning Control window is displayed. The user is prompted to Pick length by position (Snap) Snap:.

• Define the width, click Pick Width by Position The Positioning Control window is displayed. The user is prompted to Pick width by position (Snap) Snap:.

To specify a circular shape, select the Circular option. To define the diameter:

• Enter the value in the Diameter field.

• Measure the Diameter. Click Measure Diameter and the Positioning Control window is displayed. The user is prompted to Measure Length:Pick Start (Snap) Snap: and Measure Length:Pick End (Snap) Snap:.

• Click Pick position radius to define the diameter. the Positioning Control window is displayed. Follow the prompt Pick position on radius (Snap) Snap:.

To define a complex shape, initiate the 2D editor using the Complex option.

The 2D Contour Editor window allows the user to define a series of points, in a single plane, that are used to define the footprint of the base.

Click Apply to create the base. The base component is created under the base element. The base screed component is created under a base screed element. If the base screed element does not exist, the base screed element is created automatically. The Modify Base + Screed window replaces the Create Base + Screed window.

To cancel the creation of the base, click Dismiss. If the user navigates to another element, the Modify Base + Screed window closes automatically.