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The Add Frame menu item provides tools to add standard or previously constructed structural frames to an existing model. This allows for the rapid creation of frames, including the re-use of previously created structural arrangements.
The Add Frame menu is accessed by going to Create>Add Frame. The sub-menu controls the type of structural frame to be added to the current model. The sub-menu options are shown below.
With the Add Frame tools, it is possible to define and introduce the following structural arrangements:-
Continuous Beam
Sub-Frame
Multi-Storey and Grillages
Multi-Bar Portal Frame
Fink Truss
Lattice Truss
Space Roof Truss
Lattice Tower
Import a Frame
Continuous Beam
The Continuous beam tool allows for the insertion of a multi span continuous beam. The number of spans, span lengths and loading can be specified. The Continuous Beam panel layout is shown below.
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Sub-frame
The sub-frame insert allows for the insertion of sub frames comprising multi span and multi-storey plane frames. As with the continuous beams, it is possible to define the loading on the beams. The layout of the sub frame menu is shown below.
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Multi-storey
The Multi storey tool allows for multi-story plane frames to be constructed, or, alternatively, this option can be used to create regular floor grillages. In both cases, dead and live loadings can be specified. The layout of the Multi Storey pane is shown below.
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Multi Bay Portal
The Multi Bay portal allows the creating of multi-bay, 2D portal frames. The inputs allow control over the number of frames, height to eaves, height to apex, creation of haunches, loading and base fixity. The layout of the multi bay portal area is shown below. It is also possible to define different values per span.
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Fink Truss
The Fink Truss option allows the creation and addition of a standard fink truss. The span and height can be input manually, or the span can be controlled by the positioning between two nodes. There are no inputs for adding loads to the fink truss. The layout of the Fink Truss pane is shown below.
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Lattice Truss
The lattice truss allows for the creation and addition of standard truss types into the a model. The truss type is controlled by the drop down, with the available options being:
1. N type lattice
2. V type lattice
3. Vierendeel truss
4. Vierendeel Tower
5. V Tower Frame
6. X Tower frame
7. PI Tower Frame I
8. PI Tower Frame II
For each lattice type truss, the inputs allow control over the dimensions of the truss, which give the ability to control the shape of the lattice truss. The panel sizes can be specified individually to give non-symmetrical arrangements.
The layout of the lattice truss panel is shown below.
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Space Lattice
The space lattice tool creates and inserts a 3D space lattice type structure. The inputs can be used to control the overall size of the space lattice, the truss height and the panel size in the x- and z-axes directions. The layout of the space lattice panel is shown below.
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Lattice Tower
Similar to the lattice truss, the lattice tower allows for the creation of a number of arrangements of lattice tower frame. The tower type is controlled by the drop down, and gives the following options.
1. N type lattice
2. V type lattice
3. Vierendeel truss
4. Vierendeel Tower
5. V Tower Frame
6. X Tower frame
7. PI Tower Frame I
8. PI Tower Frame II
The dimensions and panel sizes are controlled by the inputs. The layout of the lattice tower pane is shown below.
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Import a Frame
The import a frame tool provides a mechanism whereby previously created structures can be added to a model, or imported to create a new model with the previously frame geometry. The frame imported will have the geometry, section sizes and area loading panels associated with the original model, but loads are not imported.
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Once you have selected a frame from the file list, it will be imported into the existing frame, with the origins of both frame coinciding. To manipulate the position of the imported frame relative to the existing frame, click on the Origin and Orientation option at the bottom of the panel.
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Add Frame to Existing:-
The node and member numbers of the imported frame can be incremented so that they start at numbers which are higher than the node and member numbers on the existing frame.
Resize Frame:-
The size of the imported frame can be increased or decreased in the X or Y or Z axes or a combination of these, to change the span or height of the overall structure before it is added to the existing frame. For example, when importing a previous portal frame, the span may need modified in the X direction, and the height in the Y direction.
Shift Frame:-
As previously mentioned, the origins of the imported frame and the existing frame are coincident initially. You can move the imported frame in the X or Y or Z directions or a combination of these in order to get the new frame in the correct position relative to the existing frame.
Rotate Frame:-
Equally the imported frame can be rotated to bring it into the desired orientation relative to the existing frame. For example, you may wish to rotate it through 90 degrees about the Y axis before adding it to the existing model.
In the above order of options, the 'shift' will take place before the 'rotation'. You can switch the order by clicking on the .png){kind=small}
button.
Clicking on the 'Frame Data' button .png){kind=small}
will take you back to the file list.
Click on the 'Apply' button to carry out the actions.