Inserting a new beam of a complex axis shape

Real structures are very often composed of members whose longitudinal axes are not straight-line segments. SCIA Engineer enables the users to draw almost any shape they may find in architectural sketches.

The principle for the insertion of a non-straight 1D member remains the same as for a straight one (i.e. general beam). The only difference is in the definition of the endpoints of the 1D member.

The procedure for the insertion of a polygonal 1D member

1. When asked to enter the first endpoint of the 1D member do the following:

2. Click button [New polyline] () that appears just above the command line once the program gets into the "point definition mode".

3. Enter the vertices of the polygon one after another.

4. Press [Esc] key to finish the definition of the polygon.

5. Then follow the standard procedure for the definition of a 1D member, i.e. close the function or service.

The procedure for the insertion of a circular arc 1D member

1. When asked to enter the first endpoint of the 1D member do the following:

2. Click button [New arc] () that appears just above the command line once the program gets into the "point definition mode".

3. Enter the starting point of the arc.

4. Enter the intermediate point of the arc.

5. Enter the end point of the arc.

6. Then follow the standard procedure for the definition of a 1D member, i.e. close the function or service.

The procedure for the definition of a Bezier-curve beam

1. When asked to enter the first endpoint of the 1D member do the following:

2. Click button [New Bezier] () that appears just above the command line once the program gets into the "point definition mode".

3. Enter the starting point of the curve.

4. Enter the end point of the arc.

5. Enter the 2nd control point of the curve.

6. Enter the 3rd control point of the curve.

7. Then follow the standard procedure for the definition of a 1D member, i.e. close the function or service.

The procedure for the definition of a parabolic-curve 1D member

1. When asked to enter the first endpoint of the 1D member do the following:

2. Click button [New parabolic arc] () that appears just above the command line once the program gets into the "point definition mode".

3. Enter the starting point of the curve.

4. Enter the intermediate point of the curve (i.e. the vertex of the parabola).

5. Enter the end point of the curve.

6. Then follow the standard procedure for the definition of a 1D member, i.e. close the function or service.

The procedure for the insertion of a spline-curve 1D member

1. When asked to enter the first endpoint of the 1D member do the following:

2. Click button [New spline] () that appears just above the command line once the program gets into the "point definition mode".

3. Enter the vertices of the spline one after another.

4. Press [Esc] key to finish the definition of the spline curve.

5. Then follow the standard procedure for the definition of a 1D member, i.e. close the function or service.

Note: Please note, that it is possible to enter multiple "shaped" 1D members from within one call of Drawing a member function. You can enter one shape (e.g. polygon), press [Esc] to finish the definition of the polygon. You however are still "inside" the Drawing a member function. Therefore, you may for example click [New arc] button, define an arc and again you are still "inside" the Drawing a member function. This fact can be easily visually verified on the screen. As far as you are still "inside" the Drawing a member function, the inserted 1D members are drawn in RED colour. Only when you close the Drawing a member function, the 1D members are redrawn in violet colour which means that they are selected.