Model Auto Connect

Select ‘Modify Geometry > Check and Modify Analytical Model > Model Auto Connect and Clean Up’. This open the ‘Model Auto Connect’ window.

The ‘Model Auto Connect’ deals with situations where the analytical centre lines do intersect and manages their node point connections.

A ‘Model Auto Connect’ operation will perform the following tasks on the entire model

Internal Intersect - Check for analytical members that both internally intersect each other and are thus not connected with a common node point. In accordance with the Internal Intersecting members settings, the analytical members are split and connected with a new common node point.

End Intersect - Check for analytical member ends, i.e. nodes, that internally intersect an analytical member and are thus not connected to it. The analytical member will be split at the node point and the connection will be made.

Auto Merge - Using the ‘Remove Redundant Analytical Node’ option, nodes are removed that are internal to physical members and have no other connected member and are not being used for any other purpose (e.g. Support/load/response factor). As such the two connected analytical members at the removed node are merged into one analytical member.

Also, with the ‘Remove Redundant Analytical Node’ turned on, for physical members that currently internally intersect but should not in accordance with the Internal Intersecting members settings, the members are automatically disconnected by removing the node at the intersection and merging the analytical members.

Important – all intersection checks and subsequent connections are performed on the analytical centre line. It is possible that members may physically collide/connect, but their analytical lines do not, in which case the ‘Model Auto Connect’ will not make the connection since this would involve an adjustment of the analytical member/node positions. This is referred to as a Modelling Inconsistency and can be checked/repaired using the Analysis Model Consistency Checker.

The ‘Model Auto Connect’ operation can be carried out in either

a fully automated always on manner through the ‘Auto Connect all members’ check box, or

on an on-demand basis using the ‘Auto Connect’ button, or ‘OK’ button to exit the window.

With ‘Auto Connect all members’ setting turned on, MasterFrame will ensure that as the model is created and modified the ‘Model Auto Connection operation is automatically carried out. This setting is ON by default for a new file and is also recommended to remain on.

When this setting is turned off, it is possible that

1.Analytical members may intersect but not have a node point connection. In some cases, this may be desired (e.g. tension only cross bracing), while in other cases the connection may be required.

2.A node may lie internally on an analytical member but not connect it. It is extremely rare for this to be desired.

Click the ‘Cancel’ button to exit the window without doing a ‘Model Auto Connect’ or saving any setting changed.

Model Auto Connect Internal Intersecting Member Settings

The behaviour of the ‘Model Auto Connect’ operations internal intersection can be controlled using the following settings.

Auto Connect Member at Intersection – with setting ON, member internal insertion is performed.

Do not connect tension-only member at intersection – with this setting ON, members that have the ‘Tension-Only’ attribute are not automatically intersected with other members.

Do not connect bracing member at intersection – with this setting ON, members that are set as Bracing Type members are not automatically intersected with other members.

Do not connect dummy member at intersection – with this setting ON, members that have the dummy member ‘De-activate’ attribute are not automatically intersected with other members. These members are non-structural.

In all of the ‘Do not intersect…’ settings, with the ‘Remove Redundant Analytical Node’ ON, members are automatically merged that have connected internal nodes to other members.

These global settings can be overridden on a physical member level using the following Member Attributes

‘Auto-Connect’ attribute. This has an ON/OFF setting. When the setting is ON, the member will always be intersected with other internal intersecting member regardless of the global rules above. With this setting is OFF, the member will not be automatically connected to other internally intersecting members.

‘Auto-Merge’ attribute. This has an ON/OFF setting. This is a member level override for the global ‘Remove Redundant Analytical Node’ option.

‘No-Intersection’ attribute. With this attribute present the physical member will always be one analytical member. Even if there are End Intersect condition, these will not be connected to the member.

Automatically Make Co-ordinates Positive Settings

Using this setting MasterFrame can automatically adjust the model co-ordinates in a global sense to ensure the nodal co-ordinates are all positive values. This happens automatically as you transition between exiting functions or at analysis time.

‘Automatically make all co-ordinates positive’ - this setting is off by default. Applies to all three X, Y and Z axes.

‘Apply to horizontal XZ plane only (exclude Y)’ – this option can be useful where you wish to have control over the Y coordinates of the structure, e.g. negative Y co-ordinates below group level.