Structural Design

The Structural Design User Guide introduces some of the facilities provided by the application for the design and documentation of logically interconnected structures. It explains the main application concepts and the applications that support it, and indicates how to apply these to design projects.

The structural applications offer these key benefits:

• The applications are designed to use specification data when structural components are selected from the Catalogue database, so that design consistency and conformity to standards are maintained. It is important, therefore, that the structural Catalogue databases are properly maintained.

• Structural elements are named in accordance with a predefined set of rules, so that their positions in the database hierarchy are always obvious without the need to input specific texts during the design process.

• When grid storage mode is used, structural elements are automatically stored in the appropriate hierarchy.

• Temporary lists of elements can be set up, so that a design operation can be carried out on all elements within the list simultaneously. A great deal of repetitive work can be avoided when commonly-repeated design modifications are carried out.

• The applications incorporate a number of geometric design aids, such as 3D reference grids, to make it easy to position structural elements accurately within the 3D model.

• Where possible, the Model applications create and maintain connectivity of the structural network automatically.

• Non-standard structural components, such as complex panels and floor plates, may be created by defining the required shape as a 2D profile and then extruding this to the desired thickness.

• Negative primitives and shapes may be used in the structural catalogue to define complex joint geometry and end preparations for structural sections, so that weld preparations and fitting allowances can be modelled easily.

• Templates may be used to define the basic structure of built-up girders and similar components, so that the detailed design of such items becomes a matter of inputting the required dimensional and positional data.

• Multiple copies of design components may be created by specifying the number of copies required and their relative positions and orientations. For example, a complete roof structure can be created by designing a single roof truss and then, in one operation, making as many copies as are necessary to support the length of the roof, with each truss displaced by a given distance relative to the preceding one.

• Much repetitive work can be avoided in symmetrical designs by making copies of interconnected parts of the structure and reflecting them about specified axes, so that the design pattern is repeated as required.

• Joint positions may be finely adjusted to make sure they are assembled accurately, using any standard datum line to define the precise alignment of a joint with its attached sections.

• Sections and panels (for example, wall plates and floor plates) may be divided at intersections, after the overall size and shape have been defined, without affecting any of their logical interconnections. The ‘macrostructure’ (for example, complete areas to be covered) can be designed first and then subdivided into a manageable ‘microstructure’ for fabrication purposes at a later stage (typically, to make the most efficient use of stock panel sizes). The edges of panels may be notched to fit around section profiles, and the edges of adjacent panels may be shaped such they interlock automatically.

• Penetrations may be created as catalogue elements. A penetration can incorporate appropriate sleeving or kick plates, and may be inserted into a structural section or panel as a complete entity, with the dimensions and position of the penetration derived automatically from the dimensions of the pipe/duct/cable tray passing though it.

• Multi-disciplinary clash checks can be carried out at any stage of the design, thus avoiding spatial conflicts within the overall 3D model which can be expensive to rectify at the construction stage. These clash checks are particularly important where different features of the 3Dmodel are under the control of different designers.

• At any stage of the design, reports can be created listing specified data from the current database. A standard report template can be specified, so that lists of commonly-required information can be derived very quickly, or report format can be designed to suit a particular need. The resultant output, which can include data from any design discipline, sorted as required, can be either displayed on the screen or sent to a file (for storage and/or for printing).

Structures is an umbrella to four applications supplied within the AVEVA E3D Design suite. The applications within structures allows you to build up detailed and complex structures within a full 3D environment.

The Structures comprises four applications:

• Sections

• Plates

• Walls and Floors

• Stairs Ladders and Handrails