Splitting Members

Select Modify Geometry> Split Members. This opens the Split Member editing function at the right of the screen.

The Split Member function deals with the physical members. Splitting a member will divide the physical member into two or more new physical members. During this process the member loading and section properties will be split appropriately also.

The Split Members function has two modes of operation, ‘Split Members(s)’ and ‘Quick Split Single Member’ which can be selected from the option buttons at the top.

To exit/close the Split Member function, click on the ‘X’ button at the top right of the Split Members window.

Split Member(s)

In this mode you perform a split operation on one or more selected physical members.

1.Select the members from the frame graphics window.

To reset the current selection of members, click the ‘Clear’ button.

2.Choose the Split Settings

a)Distance – Splits the member once at the distance specified. This distance is measured form the end 1 of member, which is always the lower node number. In general, for beam this will be the lower X or Z co-ordinate value and for columns the lower Y co-ordinate value. Check the ‘Measure from end 2’ box for this distance to measure from the second end of the member.

b)Ratio – Splits the member once at the specified ratio of physical member length. The ‘Measure from end 2’ option is as per the Distance option above.

c)Segments – Specify the number of equal segments to split the physical member up into.

d)Explode – Splits the physical member at the analytical node points, hence each analytical member becomes its own physical member.

3.You can optionally click on the ‘Preview Changes’ check button at the bottom of window, to enter the preview mode. This shows the changes to made in preview mode.

4.To action the changes, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window. This also automatically clears the current selection.

Quick Split Single Member

In this mode you select the single physical member you wish to split, then pick a point on that member to split the member once at the selected point.

1.Pick the single member from the graphics window that you wish to split. If you wish to cancel this selection and begin again, press the Escape (Esc) key.

2.Pick a point on that member. The member is automatically split at this location.

The snap settings will allow you to pick one of a number of different points on the member. By default, the snap points will have thirds points, half points, and also any other point measured from the end of the member the cursor is closest to.

Tip! – When you see the dimension, line appear on the member, simply type a numerical value to overwrite the dimension, and press enter to automatically pick a snap point at the dimension value specified.

Insert Analytical Node Only

The ‘Insert analytical node only (do no split physical member)’ check box option can be used with the split member function to preserve the exiting physical member definitions and create additional analytical nodes and members within the physical member.

This option might be used to create a node point, internal to the physical member, at which to

1.Place nodal loading. Although member loading supports internal point loads without the need for a node point.

2.Place nodal support/spring/prescribed displacement conditions.

3.Create an additional point at which analytical quantities can be measured, such as nodal deflection or vibration response factors.