Create Category for Profiles

A Structural Profile is a 2D cross-sectional shape defined in the catalogue for later use in Design.

Profiles require a Geometry Set, a Pline Set, a Data Set and a Specification to function correctly. The profiles are usually defined parametrically such that a single definition may be used for a wide variety of similar shaped profiles with different dimensions.

All structural profiles have a Generic Type set via the GTYPE attribute of the SPRF element. A Gtype is an abbreviated description (a maximum of four letters) that refers to a generic shape of a profile, for example a BEAM, TUBE, ANG and so on.

There are a number of reserved GTYPES as listed below:

The reserved Gtypes are held in the file %PDMSDFLTS%UI-GTYPE-SELEM. This is a read only file. If new Gtypes are required then the read only attribute must be removed from the file and then use the Generic Type Definitions Form to edit the list.

A Profile Category must reside below a STSE which in turn must reside below a CATA element.

Create Category for Profiles

1. Select Create, then select Catalogue to open the Create Catalogue Form. Create a new Steelwork Catalogue in the database hierarchy with the purpose set to STL.

2. Select Create, then select Section to open the Create Section Form. Create a new Steelwork Section in the database hierarchy with the purpose set to STL.

3. Select Create, then select Category for Profile. The Category for Profile form is similar in layout to a standard Create Category Form, but contains added sub forms specific to Steelwork Profiles.

4. Create a set of parameters with the following Descriptions:

   

5. Make sure that the values are also populated by using the sub form as illustrated below:

   

6. Click Element in the Model References part of the form to open the References sub form.

   

   The References sub form allows basic editing of attributes as well as references to elements contained in the Structural Profile.

   Name	Specify the name of the Structural Profile.
   Description	Enter a suitable description of the Structural Profile.
   Generic Type	Select from the pulldown from a list of standard GTypes.
   Parameters	Lists the Parameters specified in the Parameter Definitions form.
   Profile Geom	Pick or specify a positive geometry element from the database hierarchy (Automatically set if a Geometry Ref set is later create using the Category form).
   Data Set	Pick or specify a Data Set element in the database hierarchy (Automatically set if a Data Ref set is later create using the Category form).
   P-Line Set	Pick or specify a P-Line Set element from the database hierarchy (Automatically set if a Geometry Ref set is later create using the Category form).

7. Click Apply to commit the changes.

8. Click Back to return to the main Category form.

Set Profile Geometry Components

A Profile Geometry is created using Parameter values so that one definition can be used for any size of profile.

Refer to Understanding Parameters for a detailed explanation of Parameters.

9. Select Geometry Ref in the Model References part of the form.

   The Geometry References sub form opens:

   

10. There are three components that may be used to define the geometric shape of the profile, select the New pulldown to expand options for SREC,SANN and SPRO.

    All geometry sub forms have Component Visibility, Drawing Level and Obstruction options, these are used to control the way the geometry behaves in the 3D view and with other geometry when created.

    Selecting SREC will display input criteria for a Structural Rectangle (SREC) as follows:

    

    A Structural Rectangle (SREC) is a profile geometry component comprising of a simple rectangle. An SREC consists of the following attributes:

    X Co-ordinate (PX)	Specify position in the X axis.
    Y Co-ordinate (PY)	Specify position in the Y axis.
    X Length (PXLEN)	Specify length in x axis to define shape.
    Y Length (PYLEN)	Specify length in y axis to define shape.
    Axis (PLAX)	Define axis orientation.
    Offset X (DX)	Offset of X co-ordinate of centre of rectangle between ends of the profile.
    Offset Y (DY)	Offset of Y co-ordinate of centre of rectangle between ends of the profile.
    Offset X (DXL)	Difference in rectangle dimensions in the X direction.
    Offset Y (DYL)	Difference in rectangle dimensions in the Y direction.

    Selecting SANN will display input criteria for a Structural Annulus (SANN).

    A Structural Annulus (SANN) is a profile geometry component comprising of a circular arc.

    X Co-ordinate (PX)	Specify position in the X axis.
    Y Co-ordinate (PY)	Specify position in the Y axis.
    Axis (PLAX)	Define axis orientation.
    Angle (PANG)	Subtended Angle attribute may be any angle up to a maximum of 180°.
    Radius (PRAD)	External Radius.
    Width (PWID)	Annulus Width.
    Offset X (DX)	Offset of X co-ordinate of centre of annulus between ends of the profile.
    Offset Y (DY)	Offset of Y co-ordinate of centre of annulus between ends of the profile.
    Offset Radius (DRAD)	Change of external radius between ends of profile. +VE tapers outwards from start to end, -VE tapers inwards from start to end.
    Offset Width (DWID)	Change of width between ends of profile.

    As the subtended angle cannot be greater than 180°, a Circular Hollow Section (Gtype TUBE) must be made of two SANN components.

    Selecting SPRO will display input criteria for a Structural Profile (SPRO).

    A Structural Profile is a shape defined by a series of vertex elements placed at each change in direction of the shape.

    The shape must have a minimum of three vertices. Each vertex is defined with the following attributes.

    X Co-ordinate (PX)	Local X position with respect to the profile's origin, that means, the Neutral Axis (NA).
    Y Co-ordinate (PY)	Local Y position with respect to the profile's origin.
    Radius (PRAD)	Fillet radius of the profile at the vertex position
    Offset X (DXL)	Offset of the X co-ordinate between start and end of the profile
    Offset Y (DYL)	Offset of the Y co-ordinate between start and end of the profile
    Offset Radius (DRAD)	Change of fillet radius between the ends of the section

    When defining the vertices the following practices should be observed to ensure correct results:

    • Vertex numbering should maintain rotational order, either clock wise or anti-clockwise.

    • Lines between vertices should not self intersect or cross each other.

    • When creating an enclosed shape consider using two touching SPRO components to simplify the shape.

11. Click on Modify Points in the SPRO sub form to enter vertices.

    

    Each row in the list of points represents a vertex point.

12. To modify rows:

    • Click New to add a row.

    • Click Copy to duplicate a row.

    • Click the red X to delete a row.

13. Click OK to complete adding points and return to the Structural Profile (SPRO) sub form.

Sample Structural Profile

In the following example a Structural Profile with the following representation will be created:

14. In the Geometry References sub form create a new SPRO.

15. Set the Drawing levels to 5 to 8.

16. Set Obstruction to Hard and check the Tube Flag check box

17. The SPRO requires 8 vertices. The numbering will start in the top left-hand corner and go in a clockwise direction.

    Enter the following values into the Modify points form:

    Vertex	PX	PY	PRAD
    1	(-PARA[2] / 2)	(PARA[1] / 2)	(PARA[3] * 2)
    2	0	(PARA[1] / 2)	0
    3	0	(PARA[1] / 2 - PARA[3])	0
    4	(-PARA[2] / 2 + PARA[3])	(PARA[1] / 2 - PARA[3])	(PARA[3])
    5	(-PARA[2] / 2 + PARA[3])	(-PARA[1] / 2 + PARA[3])	PARA[3])
    6	0	(-PARA[1] / 2 + PARA[3])	0
    7	0	(-PARA[1] / 2)	0
    8	(-PARA[2] / 2)	(-PARA[1] / 2)	(PARA[3] * 2)

    The resultant Structural Profile should be displayed as follows in the 3D preview:

    

Create Pline Sets

18. Click Plinesref in the Model References part of the form to open the Pline Definitions sub form.

    

    It is important to define Plines at every significant part of the profile to allow connectivity, justification and positioning. For the rectangular hollow profile the following Plines will be used:

    

19. In the P-Line Definitions form, create five new P-Line definitions as illustrated below:

    

20. Enter the below data into the P-Line Definition form.

    PKEY	PX	PY	PLaxis
    TOS	0	(PARA [1] / 2)	Y
    LTOS	(-PARA [2] / 2)	40	Y
    RTOS	(PARA [2] / 2)	(PARA [1] / 2)	Y
    RBOS	(PARA [2] / 2)	(-PARA [1] / 2)	-y
    LBOS	(-PARA [2] / 2)	(-PARA [1] / 2)	-y
    BOS	0	(-PARA [1] / 2)	-y
    LEFT	(-PARA [2] / 2)	0	-x
    RIGH	(PARA [2] / 2)	0	x

21. The P-Line Definition form creates PLIN elements in the appropriate database hierarchy.

    A PLIN element has several attributes which play an important part in varying uses of a Pline. The most important attributes are:

    P-Line (Pkey)	A maximum of 4 letter name for the Pline. The Pkey is normally an acronym of the Pline description, eg NA is Neutral Axis, TOS is Top of Steel.
    Description (DESC)	Enter a suitable description of the Pline.
    Axis Direction (PLAX)	The direction of the PLine. This is important as it is used to determine the orientation of fittings and joints.
    X Co-ordinate (Px)	The X offset of the Pline from the profile origin (Neutral Axis). These are expressed in Profile Parameters (see Understanding Parameters).
    Y Co-ordinate (PY)	The Y offset of the Pline from the profile origin (Neutral Axis). These are expressed in Profile Parameters (see Understanding Parameters).
    Level	determines the drawings level on which the Pline will be visible (default 0-10).
    Tube Flag	determines the visibility of the Pline and may be set to TRUE (checked) or FALSE (un-checked).

Create Data Sets

Data sets allow parameters to be set on the profile which can be later queried from the Design Module.

22. Click on Data Ref in the Model References part of the form to open the Data References sub form.

    

    Data sets (DTSE elements) own DATA elements. A data set must have a DATA element for each of the profile parameters and, if applicable, any design parameters. DATA elements may also be used for information purposes and may contain expressions that refer to other SPRF attributes or parameters.

23. Enter the following:

    Description	Enter a full description of the property.
    Key	Maximum of 4 characters, used to identify the property when queried. This is usually an acronym of the parameter or property, for example, RRAD for Root Radius.
    Definition	Parameterized Property expression. The expression that is evaluated when the property is queried.
    Type	Property type. May be selected from Distance (default), Bore, Numeric, Integer, Logical or String.
    Default	Parameterized Property expression. The default value for the property. Used mainly with design parameters.
    Expression	Parameterized Property expression. The expression that is evaluated when the property is queried.