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Conversion of general components to structural members

General solids either directly inputted in your model or imported through any of available import function can be transformed into SCIA Engineer native entities: 1D members (beam, column, etc.) or 2D members (plate, wall, etc.).

Solid to beam

Any (reasonably shaped) general solid can be transformed to a SCIA Engineer native entity of 1D member type. In general, we can talk about three (or four – depending on the way you count it) different conversion algorithms: automatic, straight prismatic beam, and arbitrary beam (which works in both "automatic" and "straight prismatic" mode).

The "automatic" recognition algorithm is intended for curved members (e.g. the image below).

$image\RecogniserBeamAutomatic.gif$

The "straight prismatic beam" recognition algorithm is able to create straight 1D members with a prismatic cross-sections (e.g. the image below).

$image\RecogniserBeamStraight.gif$

The "arbitrary beam" option can be used with any of the two above-mentioned modes. It produces curved or straight 1D members with variable cross-section (e.g. the image below).

$image\RecogniserBeamArbitrary.gif$

Setup parameters for solid to beam/column conversion

Recognition algorithm

Automatic

This option first calculates an approximated oriented "bounding box" of the selected solid (i.e. the smallest possible box containing the whole solid). Its longest axis determines the approximate direction of the final 1D member. Then the system line of the member is calculated (the algorithm is rather complex and will not be described here). When the system line is found, the cross-section is analysed and determined. In this step the algorithm tries to take into account possible openings defined in the member.

Detect straight prismatic beams

This option first calculates an approximated oriented "bounding box" of the selected solid (i.e. the smallest possible box containing the whole solid). Its longest axis determines the approximate direction of the final 1D member. So far, it has been identical to the Automatic algorithm. From now on, however, the procedure is different and simpler. The algorithm finds the edge the orientation of which is nearest to the approximated orientation determined earlier. Then the solid is transformed to the coordinate system defined by the orientation of the edge in question. A standard xyz system of the bounding box is created. The length of the system line is then determined from it. Finally, the cross-section is detected.

Recognition setup

Cross-section comparison tolerance

This is the maximum allowable distance of two points that is used to determine whether the cross-section created by the recognition algorithm already exists in the database of the project.

The larger the value the less exact recognised shape of the cross-section and, at the same time, the lower total number of cross-sections defined in the project (even though, there may be configurations in which this proportion does not hold).

Recognise geometric cross-sections

If ON, the algorithm recognises typical cross-sections such as rectangle, I-section, etc.

The non-recognised shapes are stored as numerical cross-sections.

Detect arbitrary beam

If ON, the algorithm detects changes of the cross-section along the member and creates an arbitrary beam.

Arbitrary beam recognition setup

This set of parameters is available only if Detect arbitrary beam (above) is set to ON.

Arbitrary beams can be detected for both "automatic" and "straight prismatic beams" option. The principal difference in the algorithm is that the cross-section is detected in more points along the beam. The points where the detection takes place are specified by the user. The definition is similar to the definition of SNAP points in SNAP function (see below). Adjacent spans with identical cross-sections can be merged into single spans (see "Arbitrary beam output setup" below).

Points on line-curve length

If ON, the recognition algorithm tries to recognise the shape of the cross-section in points specified by the number, distance between them and distance from the beginning or end of the beam.

Enabled

Switches ON/OFF this definition of points where cross-section is recognised.

Length

Specifies the distance between points.

Repeat

Specifies the number of points for the recognition.

Start point

Defines if the distance is measured from the beginning or end or both end-points of the beam.

Points on line-curve Nths

If ON, the recognition algorithm tries to recognise the shape of the cross-section in points located in N-ths of the beam length.

Enabled

Switches ON/OFF this definition of points where cross-section is recognised.

Number of Nths

Specifies the number of intervals to which the beam is divided (e.g. 3 = three intervals).

Points on line-curve % of length

If ON, the recognition algorithm tries to recognise the shape of the cross-section in points located in given percentage of the total length of the beam.

Enabled

Switches ON/OFF this definition of points where cross-section is recognised.

Point position

Defines the required percentage.

Arbitrary beam output setup

This set of parameters is available only if Detect arbitrary beam (above) is set to ON.

Merge identical spans

If ON, all adjacent spans with identical cross-section are merged into one span.

Cross-section

Prismatic

The cross-section does not change within the extent of one span.

Two css

The cross-section varies from CSS1 to CSS2 linearly over the length of the span.

Output setup

Display output report

If ON, a report is shown on the screen when the recognition is completed.

The procedure to convert a general solid to a 1D member

Start function Transfer/Break/Unify > General solidinto beam/column.
Select the required member(s).
End the selection.
The setup dialogue is opened on the screen.
Define the required parameters.
Confirm with [OK].

Solid to plate

A reasonably shaped general solid can be transformed to a SCIA Engineer native entity of 2D member type. In general, we can talk about two different conversion algorithms: automatic, and flat slabs.

The "automatic" recognition algorithm is intended for more complex shapes as it is capable of creating a set of plates located in different non-parallel planes. For example, the solid in the picture is transformed into four 2D members.

$image\RecogniserPlateAutomatic.gif$

The "flat slabs" recognition algorithm is able to create 2D members from solids that are roughly "flat". For example, the solid in the picture below is transformed into two 2D members, as the two corner "wings" are located out of the plane.

$image\RecogniserPlateFlatSlab.gif$

Setup parameters for solid to plate/wall conversion

Recognition algorithm

Automatic

Converts selected solids to planar 2D members. The conversion may result in several plates.

The solid is internally split into individual planar parts which are then sorted by size and processed. The result is one or more SCIA Engineer native 2D members of plate type.

Detect flat slabs

This option is intended for solids that are roughly flat. The algorithm is analogous to the automatic mode. The exception is that at the very beginning all the planar parts of the solid that are not located in the main plane of the solid are excluded from processing.

Detect circular slabs

This option is intended for circular walls imported from e.g. IFC file. The recognizer-algorithm converts them to a standard member.

Example: Circular wall - before and after recognition:

Output setup

Display output report

If ON, a report is shown on the screen when the recognition is completed.

The procedure to convert a general solid to a 2D member

Start function Transfer/Break/Unify > General solidinto plate/wall.
Select the required member(s).
End the selection.
The setup dialogue is opened on the screen.
Define the required parameters.
Confirm with [OK].

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