Create Section by the Multiple Attached Method

There are often times when a multiple copy of a section needs to be made at regular centres, for example stringers in a deck or floor panel. To achieve this use a multiple Copy Offset. However, each end would need to be connected after it is copied. PDMS provides a utility that copies a selected member and produces multiple copies with connection details the same as the original.

1. From the main menu, select Create >Sections > Multiple Attached.

   You are prompted to select the section to be copied if a SCTN element is not already the CE (the Section Copy window is displayed when an appropriate selection is made).

   

2. To change the section to be copied, identify another section as the CE and click CE in the Section Copy window.

   The Number of copies textbox shows the maximum amount of members that can be fitted to the shortest owning section at the current spacing, as shown in the Spacing textbox.

   By default the spacing of the columns is 1000, if required you can change the distance.

3. Enter the distance in the Spacing field and click Max.

   The maximum number of copies that can be fitted is recalculated.

   A graphical aid shows the direction for +ve or –ve spacing with aid lines which represent the positions of the new sections to help visualize the results.

   

4. When the arrangement shown is correct, click Apply to copy the sections and connect them to the owning member(s).

   Any end preparations are also applied.

   However, if a value greater than the maximum is specified in the Number of copies textbox such that the copied elements goes beyond the length of the shortest owning section, the copies are made but the ‘free’ ends are not connected or end preparations applied.