To Merge Sections

Any number of SCTN elements can be merged regardless of their specification, beta angle, or position provided they are collinear.

1. From the main menu bar in the Beams and Columns application, select Modify> Section> Merge.

   You are prompted to ‘Pick Panel/Section or end of first gensec to merge:’.

   The first section picked is the dominant section. The prompt changes to ‘Pick Section to merge or <esc> to finish:’.

2. You must then pick the other sections to be merged from the 3D graphical view.

3. Press Esc to terminate the picking process.

   If any of the picked sections are not collinear an error message is displayed.

   

   If panels are to be merged and they are not coplanar an error message is displayed.

   

   If the Esc is pressed before at least two sections to merge have been picked an error message is displayed.

   

4. In each case click OK to abandon the merge.

   If all picked sections are collinear (or coplanar) a merge confirmation message is displayed.

5. Click Yes to merge the picked sections with the first (dominant) section picked.