Rules of Comparing

The rules for comparing GENSECs are:

1. If there is a GENSEC in the origin model that has an identical number (number attribute) as the reference model, these two GENSECs are considered as matched.

2. If the number attribute of the GENSEC in the origin model is 0 or there is no GENSEC with the same number in the reference model, then the interface searches a GENSEC in the reference model with orientation and the start or end position the same as the origin model.

3. If a pair of GENSECs match Step 1. or 2., the interface compares the start and end position of those GENSEC, as well as beta angle, specification and design parameters to see if update is required.

4. If a GENSEC in the origin model does not match Step 1. or 2., the GENSEC is considered as a Deleted GENSEC. When doing the update, this GENSEC is deleted.

5. If a GENSEC in the reference model does not match Step 1. or 2., the GENSEC is considered as a New GENSEC. A new GENSEC is created when doing the update.

For member loads:

6. The interface checks each concentrated load and distributed load between the two matched GENSECs. If the load case and position of the two loads are identical, these two loads are considered as matched. Then the interface compares the force and moment of these loads.

7. If a load in the origin model has no matched load, the load is considered as a Deleted load.

8. If a load in the reference model has no matched load, the load is considered as a New load.

The member releases and support information are similar to the member loads.

For panels:

9. If there is a panel in the origin model that has an identical number (number attribute) in the reference model, these two panels are considered as matched.

10. If the number attribute of the panel in the origin model is 0 or there is no matched number in the reference model, the interface searches for a panel with an identical origin and identical positions of three consecutive points. These two panels are considered as matched.

11. If a pair of PANELs match Step 1. or 2., the interface compares the thickness and the position of the corners

12. If a panel in the origin model does not match Step 1. or 2., the panel is considered as a Deleted panel.

13. If a panel in the reference model does not match Step 1. or 2., the panel is considered as a New panel.