MNL 403

STRUCTURAL CONCRETE SOFTWARE SYSTEM

ADAPT-MODELER 2010

USER MANUAL

Copyright 2010

[email protected] www.adaptsoft.com
ADAPT Corporation, Redwood City, California, USA, Tel: +1 (650) 306-2400 Fax: +1 (650) 306-2401
ADAPT International Pvt. Ltd, Kolkata, India Tel: +91-33-302 86580 Fax: +91-33-224 67281
 LIST OF CONTENTS Content

LIST OF CONTENTS
1.  GETTING STARTED...............................................................................1 
2.  QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE ................................................................5 
2.1  GENERATE STRUCTURAL MODEL ..................................................................7 
2.2  ANALYSIS USING ADAPT-PT OR ADAPT-RC .................................................7 
2.3  ANALYSIS USING ADAPT-FLOOR PRO ...........................................................8 

3.  BASIC OPERATIONS AND MAIN MENU.........................................13 

3.1  ADAPT-MODELER MAIN SCREEN..................................................................15 
3.2  MOUSE FUNCTION AND OPERATION ...........................................................16 
3.3  CURSOR FUNCTION AND OPERATION .........................................................16 
3.4  OPERATION OF RETURN AND TAB KEYS......................................................18 
3.5  OPERATION OF KEY COMBINATIONS ..........................................................18 
3.6  HOW TO END/CLOSE AN OPERATION...........................................................18 
3.7  HOW TO ABANDON AN OPERATION.............................................................18 
3.8  MAIN MENU ........................................................................................................18 
3.8.1  File Menu...................................................................................................19 
3.8.2  Settings Menu ............................................................................................21 
3.8.3  Tools Menu ................................................................................................23 
3.8.4  Modify Menu .............................................................................................24 
3.8.5  Build Menu ................................................................................................26 

4.  TOOLBARS AND DIALOG WINDOWS.............................................29 

4.1  MAIN TOOLBAR .................................................................................................31 
4.2  SETTINGS TOOLBAR.........................................................................................31 
4.3  SELECTION TOOLBAR ......................................................................................32 
4.4  VIEW TOOLBAR .................................................................................................35 
4.5  MODIFY/SELECTION TOOLBAR .....................................................................38 
4.6  CAMERA AND VIEWPORTS TOOLBAR (REGULAR AND MINI) ...............38 
4.7  SELECTIVE VIEW TOOLBAR ...........................................................................40 
4.8  SNAP TOOLBAR .................................................................................................40 
4.9  DRAW TOOLBAR AND DRAW MINI TOOLBAR ...........................................42 
4.10  GRIDLINE TOOLBAR.........................................................................................46 
4.11  COPY / MOVE TOOLBAR ..................................................................................47 
4.12  SCALING TOOLBAR ..........................................................................................48 
4.13  UCS TOOLBAR....................................................................................................48 
4.14  VIEWPORT TOOLBAR .......................................................................................49 

5.  STRUCTURAL MODELING TOOLS .................................................51 

5.1  OVERVIEW ..........................................................................................................53 
5.2  STRUCTURAL MODEL PARTS.........................................................................54 
5.2.1  Structural Components...............................................................................54 

i
Content LIST OF CONTENTS

5.2.2  Common Properties of Structural Components ......................................... 55 

5.3  LEVEL ASSIGNMENTS...................................................................................... 58 
5.4  LEVEL ASSIGNMENT TOOL............................................................................. 60 
5.5  ORGANIZATION OF THE STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS DATA ............... 61 
5.6  MODELING OPTIONS ........................................................................................ 61 
5.6.1  Transform to Structural Components Toolbar ........................................... 62 
5.6.2  Build Toolbar............................................................................................. 64 
5.6.3  Structural Modeling and Display Aids ...................................................... 68 
5.6.4  Loads ......................................................................................................... 69 
5.6.4.1  Load Case Definition ............................................................... 70 
5.6.4.2  Loading Toolbar....................................................................... 71 

6.  STRIP MODELING TOOLS ................................................................ 77 

6.1  OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................... 79 
6.2  MODELING TOOLBAR ...................................................................................... 81 
6.3  MODEL/DESIGN STRIP TOOLBAR.................................................................. 89 
6.4  OTHER DATA SPECIFIC TO ADAPT-PT AND ADAPT-RC ........................... 90 
6.4.1  Data Specific to Current Design Strip ....................................................... 90 
6.4.2  Data Applicable to the Entire Project ........................................................ 91 

7.  FINITE ELEMENTS MODELING TOOLS ....................................... 95 

7.1  OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................... 97 
7.2  MESHING ............................................................................................................. 98 
7.2.1  Overview ................................................................................................... 98 
7.2.2  Maximum Mesh Size................................................................................. 98 
7.2.3  Meshing Tools ........................................................................................... 99 
7.3  ANALYZE STRUCTURE .................................................................................. 105 
7.4  VIEW ANALYSIS RESULTS ............................................................................ 105 
7.5  EXAMINE DESIGN VALUES........................................................................... 106 
7.6  EDIT/APPLY BOUNDARY CONDITONS ....................................................... 108 
7.6.1  Overview ................................................................................................. 108 
7.6.2  How to View and Edit the Boundary Conditions .................................... 109 
7.6.3  How to Apply Boundary Conditions ....................................................... 110 
7.6.4  FEM Supports and Springs Toolbar ........................................................ 110 

8.  APPENDIX A ........................................................................................ 113 

A1  TREATMEMENT OF COMPOUND (INTERCONNECTED) WALL
ASSEMBLIES ..................................................................................................... 115 
A1.1  STRUCTURAL MODELING ............................................................................. 115 
A1.2  SUPPORT LINES AND DESIGN STRIPS ........................................................ 115 

9.  INDEX.................................................................................................... 119 

10.

ii
 Chapter 1

GETTING STARTED
 GETTING STARTED Chapter 1

This manual describes the user interface of the Builder software platform, along
with the tools you will use, if you want to generate data for ADAPT-PT and
ADAPT-RC. Becoming familiar with the program interface and its various tools
will serve you well in your modeling and design work. If you have experience
with the program and want to refresh your memory before starting a new project,
go to Chapter 2 – Quick Reference Guide. As a new user to the program, review
the following. Then, refer to the step-by-step procedures outlined in the Technical
Notes for the different scenarios of the program application. At the end of this
Chapter there is a list of such Technical Notes.

This manual is divided into several chapters as follows:

• Chapter 2 is a quick reference guide for those who have used the
program, and simply intend to refresh your experience, before starting a
new project
• Chapter 3 describes the basic operations and main menus of the program
• Chapter 4 walks you through the basic operations tools of the program.
You will use these tools in all modeling, analysis and design work. You
will find the tools offer an extensive drafting capability, allowing you to
faithfully replicate complex structures
• Chapter 5 shows you how to build a structural model in three dimensions.
It also covers the common situation in which you would use an architect’s
drawing as the basis of your structural model
• Chapter 6 targets only those of you who will be generating your structural
models in Builder platform to create design strips for export to ADAPT-
PT
• Chapter 7 covers the basic Finite Elements Modeling (FEM) Tools. This
chapter gives an introduction to FEM and illustrates basic operations of
meshing and FEM analysis

For your next step, depending on the way you want to use the program, it is best
to go through one or more of the program tutorials1.

1
The tutorials are in the Tutorial folder of your program CD-ROM. You also can down load them from the
ADAPT website, www.adaptsoft.com.

3
 Chapter 2

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

2.1  GENERATE STRUCTURAL MODEL ..................................................................7 

2.2  ANALYSIS USING ADAPT-PT OR ADAPT-RC .................................................7 
2.3  ANALYSIS USING ADAPT-FLOOR PRO ...........................................................8 

5
 QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE Chapter 2

The natural sequence from creating a structural model, to generating structural

documents and subsequently fabrication drawings, is listed in the following.
There are many short cuts and alternatives in the process of data generation and
execution. These, however, are avoided in the following list in favor of a more
common and straightforward approach.

2.1 GENERATE STRUCTURAL MODEL

Generate a structural model, either by importing a DWG file and converting it to

structural components, or creating your own structural model using the tools of
ADAPT-Modeler. Once you are done, additional details for the analysis depend
on whether you plan to analyze the model using ADAPT-PT, ADAPT-RC, or
ADAPT-Floor Pro. The following is a guide.

2.2 ANALYSIS USING ADAPT-PT OR ADAPT-RC

If you want to use the structural model in connection with ADAPT-PT or RC1

• Enter loads (dead and live load cases only)2. Skipping of live load, live-
load reduction and other load-related issues are either handled in the
Criteria pull-down menu, which will be covered later, or directly in
ADAPT-PT or RC.
• Go to the Materials pull-down menu, and review/edit the contents of the
following sub-menus;
o Concrete – Strip Method
o Mild Steel – Strip Method
o Prestressing – Strip Method
• Go to the Criteria pull-down menu and select Strip Method of Analysis
and Design. Review/edit all the input screens, as these will be used as
default values for your entire project. You will have the option to modify
these individually, once data is exported to ADAPT-PT or RC.

1
The input screens that are specific to ADAPT-PT and ADAPT-RC are marked with a brown background.
The input screens that apply to both ADAPT-PT and RC and Floor Pro are identified with a neutral
background color.
2
PT version 7.xx and RC version 4.xx can accept only dead and live loads, plus the optional inclusion of
selfweight. Later versions of these programs can handle more load cases.
You need not go to the load case and load combinations, since these are handled in ADAPT-PT and RC.

7
Chapter 2 QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

• Generate support lines in two orthogonal directions. If a support line is

intended to rest on anything but a column or wall, enter a point support3.
• Create design strips
o Consider the design strips one by one4
Select a design strip and view its idealization in 3D
viewer
Export/open ADAPT-PT or RC
Once in ADAPT-PT or RC, view the imported data for
accuracy
Edit data if necessary
Execute data
Obtain a report
o Go back to the Modeler environment and consider the next design
strip

2.3 ANALYSIS USING ADAPT-FLOOR PRO

If you want to use the structural model in connection with ADAPT Floor-Pro

• First run for model validation:

o Go to the FEM pull-down menu and select Automatic Mesh
Generation. Accept defaults of the program.
o Once meshing is complete, click on Analyze Structure in the FEM
pull-down menu.
o Once analysis is complete, select View Analysis Results from the
FEM pull-down menu. This opens the 3D viewer of the program to
display the solution.
o Once in 3D viewer, select service load combination and Z-
Translation. This is vertical displacement of the structure. Then,
click on the tool with two light-bulb graphics. This will display the
deflected shape under selfweight only.
o Zoom, rotate and view the results thoroughly to ensure that the
deflected shape under selfweight looks reasonable. In particular,

3
If a support line rests on another support line, or is resting on a beam along its length, you must enter a
point support at the location where the design strip you are creating is intended to be supported.
4
You have the option to use the Strips pull-down menu to generate the input data for the entire set of
design strips at one time. But if you are not familiar with the program, it is best to do them one by one, as
suggested herein.

8
 QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE Chapter 2

make sure there is no deflection where the structure was intended

to have been supported. Correct the structural model if the
deflected shape and values under selfweight do not appear
reasonable.
• Add loads:
o Go to the Loading/Load Case Library pull-down menu and add
load cases, such as dead load, live load, prestressing and other load
cases that you want to include in your design.
o Display the Loading tool bar and enter loads.
• Add prestressing: If the structure has prestressing, add the prestressing
tendons.
• Edit material properties: Go to the Materials pull-down menu, and enter
the material properties for concrete, nonprestressed steel and prestressed
steel, if applicable. If there is more than one concrete material, steel or
prestressing in your structure, this is the time to give a label to each of the
new materials used and define their properties. In your modeling, the
program has assumed that all the components of the structure you created
have the material names entered on the first line of each of the lists. If you
added any new material to the list of existing materials, open the property
box of the structural components that must have the new material and
change their material name to the one you created.
• Review/edit design criteria: Go to the Criteria pull-down menu, select
General and review the default values of each of the tabs. Modify if
necessary. In particular, make sure that you select the building code of
your choice. Once you select/confirm the building code, the program
automatically creates the default load combinations of the building code
you selected.
• Add extra load combinations for validation:
o Go to the Loading pull-down menu. Select Load
Combinations/FEM Side menu.
o Create a load case for selfweight only5, with No Code Check
option.
o View and edit the load cases and load combinations. If you have
prestressing, create a load case (PT) for prestressing only.
o From the FEM pull-down menu, select Analyze Structure.
o Once the analysis is complete, go to View Results from the FEM
pull-down menu. Check the deflection shape of each load case and

5
Once you add new loads, the selfweight load case is likely to become part of other load combinations.
That is why you need to create a selfweight load combination. Also, if you plan to have skipping of live
load, leave this option to the last, after you have made sure that the model you have created works well.

9
Chapter 2 QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

load combination, to make sure they look reasonable. If deflections

do not appear right. Go back to the loads, criteria and prestressing
layout, if needed, in order to fix the problem.
• Design:
o Using the support line wizard from the Model Strips pull down
menu, create support lines in two orthogonal directions. Make sure
that you assign to the support lines in one direction X-direction,
and to its orthogonal direction Y-direction.
o Go to the FEM pull down menu and click on Create Design
Sections Automatically. Save data.
o From the FEM pull-down menu click on Design the Design
Section(s).
• Check punching shear values:
o If you have a column-supported slab, click on Punching Shear
Check.
o Display the Support Line Results Scale toolbar from the User
Interface pull-down menu.
o Click on the tool Display Punching Shear Design Outcome. This is
the last tool on the right side of the toolbar. This tool will turn any
supports that fail the punching shear requirements red.
o To view the stress ratios, click on the Numerical Display Tool on
the same toolbar.
• Generate/view reinforcement:
o From the FEM pull-down menu, click on Generate Rebar Drawing
to compile a rebar drawing.
o From the User Interface pull-down menu, display the
Reinforcement Toolbar. Click on the tool Display/Hide Rebar to
make the reinforcement visible. This is the tool with yellow circle.
o Use the capabilities of the other tools on this toolbar to view and
edit the display.
• Generate rebar drawings:
o Using the tools of the Reinforcement Toolbar, select the
reinforcement that you want to be shown on the structural drawing.
o Edit/move the reinforcement annotation to make it arrive at a clear
presentation.
o Change the font size to values suitable for printing on the paper
size you are going to select.

10
 QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE Chapter 2

o From the File pull-down menu, select print preview to examine the
features of the drawing you are going to print.
o Print the drawing or export it to AutoCad, using the Export
DXF/DWG tool of the program that is accessible from the File
pull-down menu.
o In the same way, generate other rebar drawings such as top bars on
one drawing and bottom bars on another.
• Generate tendon layout drawings: On engineering drawings, most
engineers group tendons into tendons in one-direction (such as banded
tendons) and tendons in other direction (distributed tendons).6 If you plan
to show the tendons in two drawings, you must first group them, following
the instructions below. If this is not the case, go to the next step.
• Group tendons:
o From the Settings pull-down menu, select Grouping. This opens
the group library. Add two group names, such as “banded
tendons,” and “distributed tendons.”
o Using Select/Set View Items, turn off everything except tendons
and the other basic information you need to identify the tendons. In
most cases, it is adequate to retain the tendons, slab outline and
column supports.
o Select as many tendons of one group as practical.
o From the Modify pull-down menu, select Modify Item Properties.
o Once the Modify Item Properties dialog windows open, select the
Tendon tab.
o In the Tendon tab, select the group to add the selected tendons.
Press OK to close the Modify Properties dialog window.
o Repeat the above steps, until all tendons are assigned to their
respective groups.
o Go to the Grouping Dialog Window and make only one group of
tendons visible, such as distributed tendons. Once you have printed
the drawing for this group, hide this group and make the next
group visible.
• Generate single report:
o From the Reports pull-down menu, select Single Default
Reports/Graphical/Tendon Plan.
o In the dialog window that opens, select the following, and then
click OK.

6
For generating fabrication drawings, tendons are grouped more extensively, assigning unique group
identification to tendons of same length and profile.

11
Chapter 2 QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

Tendon ID
Control point heights
Number of strands
Elongation (if you selected the option in data
generation)
Stressing/dead end (if you selected the option in data
generation)
• Generate compiled report: From the Reports pull-down menu, click on
Compiled Reports. Select the items of your choice and send to printer.

12
 BASIC OPERATIONS AND MAIN MENU Chapter 3

3.1 ADAPT-MODELER MAIN SCREEN

Fig. 3.1-1 shows the full-screen display of the ADAPT-Modeler program, with
typical features labeled for easy identification.

Menu Bar Toolbars

Docked Toolbars

Floating Toolbar

Status Bar

User Information Bar

FIGURE 3.1-1

ADAPT-Modeler operates the same way as other Windows programs. All

program tools are accessed from accessed from one of the toolbars provided by
the program or through the menus provided in the menu bar at the top of the
screen. Toolbars may be opened, closed, “docked” to the edge of the screen or
dragged to any position on the screen as View menu item, or by clicking the right
mouse button while the cursor is in the Menu Bar or Toolbar areas of the screen.

The User Information Bar displays tool-specific information prompted to the user
and any coordinate values that may be typed by the user for specific program
procedures.

15
Chapter 3 BASIC OPERATIONS AND MAIN MENU

The Status Bar displays such information as the mouse cursor coordinates, current
unit system, snapping status, and gridline spacing and status. A short description
of each specific tool also appears in this area when the mouse cursor is placed
over the corresponding tool button.

3.2 MOUSE FUNCTION AND OPERATION

The primary function of the mouse is through its left-click. Depending on the
mode of the program, as outlined in the next section, the left-click will result in
selecting the entity below the cursor, inserting an entity or performing an
operation at the location of the cursor.

The right-click of the mouse with cursor on the display portion of the screen will
display the window shown in Fig. 3.2-1.

FIGURE 3.2-1 RIGHT-CLICK OPTIONS OF THE MOUSE

Click on a menu item listed to perform the operation described.

If you right-click the mouse while the cursor is outside the display screen, a list of
all available toolbars appears. From this list, you can select the toolbars you want
to display.

3.3 CURSOR FUNCTION AND OPERATION

Depending on the cursor mode, the program responds differently. Before starting
an operation, it is important to make sure that the cursor is in the appropriate
mode.

16
 BASIC OPERATIONS AND MAIN MENU Chapter 3

Shape Mode Description

In this mode, you can select an entity displayed on the
screen by placing the cross over it and left-clicking
the mouse. Once an entity is selected, its color
changes.

Selection/Pick There are two ways to enable Selection/Pick mode:

• Right-click the mouse, and select Exit

• Click on Selection/Pick Tool

In this mode, the program displays the identification

of an entity that the point of the arrow touches. To
change to this mode, click on the Hint Mode Tool
Hint

In this mode, the program will create an entity, such

as a line, column or slab. Place the cross at the
location where you want the entity to be created and
left-click the mouse. Detailed instruction for creation
of each entity will be prompted on the User
Creation Information Bar at the bottom of the screen.

To enable Creation Mode, left-click the mouse on the

tool of the entity you intend to create. Then follow the
instructions at the bottom of the screen.

In this mode, the magnet indicates that the cursor is in

Snap Mode and is searching to snap onto an entity.
The cursor will search for one or more entities. Once
the cursor becomes close to any of the entities or
Snap conditions it is searching for, it will display a yellow
sign over the location to be snapped. The shape of the
yellow sign displayed identifies the entity for
snapping.

In this mode, the program can be requested to create

an entity, although the plane on which the entity is to
Undefined be created is not displayed. You must change the
Creation screen view (go to Plan View, if you are in Elevation)
before you can create the entity in mind.

17
Chapter 3 BASIC OPERATIONS AND MAIN MENU

3.4 OPERATION OF RETURN AND TAB KEYS

A special function assigned to the Return key is to repeat the last operation
performed – when the duplication of such operation is practical. For example, if
you use Copy command to copy an entity, pressing the Return key, will invoke
the Copy command again.

In addition to its normal function, the Tab key can help you select an individual
item in a group of similar items that overlap. When you attempt to select items
that overlap, such as several beams intersecting at the same location, the mouse
click on its own is not adequate to identify the beam of your choice. The program
will select one and change its color. If the program’s selection is not the one you
intended, click the Tab key. The program will select and display the next item.
Continue clicking the Tab key, until the item of your choice is selected.

3.5 OPERATION OF KEY COMBINATIONS

Some key combinations act as shortcuts to pre-assigned operations. The key

combinations are generally displayed on the computer screen, next to the menu
items they represent. The most commonly used combinations are:

Copy Ctrl key + C

Move Ctrl key + M

3.6 HOW TO END/CLOSE AN OPERATION

To end or close an operation, such as closing a polygon, press the End or C key

3.7 HOW TO ABANDON AN OPERATION

To abandon an operation you have already started, such as drawing a polygon,

press the Esc key.

3.8 MAIN MENU

The items appearing on the Main Menu depend on the configuration of the
program. The common menu items to all programs are as follows:

18
 BASIC OPERATIONS AND MAIN MENU Chapter 3

• File
• Edit
• View
• User Interface
• Settings
• Tools
• Draw
• Modify
• Build
• Material
• Criteria
• Help

Many of the items in the above pull-down menus are standard Windows
commands, such as Open, and Copy. These will not be explained here. There are
also items that appear both in the pull-down menus and the toolbars. These will be
explained only once under the associated toolbars. The remainder of the items is
explained below:

3.8.1 File Menu

Some of the File Menu operations are:

• Save As Default Values. Once you save data using this option, the
program will open all the future new projects using the values in
the data you saved. To change the default values, open a new file,
modify the parameters of your choice, and re-save it using Save As
Default Values.
• Automatically Save Option. As a safeguard against lost data, the
program automatically saves your file at the intervals stated in the
dialog window of Fig. 3.8-1. The data is saved using the original
name preceded by a ~ character. In the event of data loss, erase the
~ character from the name of the saved data before attempting to
open it.

19
Chapter 3 BASIC OPERATIONS AND MAIN MENU

FIGURE 3.8-1 AUTOMATICALLY SAVE

OPTION DIALOG WINDOW

• Import and Export of Files. If your file originates in REVIT,

ROBOT or ETABS model, prior to importing you need the
appropriate integration link to generate an import file.
You can import an AutoCad file, a Generic ADAPT file, a REVIT,
ROBOT, STAAD or ETABS model.
When selecting any of these options, you will be prompted to
browse the location of the file you would like to import.
Once you have located the import file the Import Options dialog
window shown in Fig. 3.8-2 will be displayed. You can select the
level, loads, load cases and the load combinations that you want to
import. “Update model” option will retain the information on your
existing model and add to it, the items you select in the three tabs.
If the option is not selected, your existing model would get erased
and the selected items are imported.

FIGURE 3.8-2 IMPORT OPTIONS DIALOG

WINDOW

The program allows you to export your work either into an

AutoCad DXF or DWG drawing, or to a REVIT model, or to a

20
Chapter 4 TOOLBARS AND DIALOG WINDOWS

This toolbar is used to set up the Universal Coordinate System, line types, colors
and layers in the program. The settings are also accessed from the Settings menu.

Layer Setting. The color and line settings for each layer can also be
modified in this window.

Line Style Setting. Click on this tool to open a list of the available line
styles and descriptions. Select the line style of your choice.

Colors Setting. This tool opens a color palette, from which you can select
background of the modeling window.

Display WCS. This toggle tool displays or hides the World Coordinate
System icon at its real position in (0, 0, and 0).

4.3 SELECTION TOOLBAR

This toolbar contains all tools related to selecting specific elements, objects and
structural components in the model. Each tool is described below.

Hint Mode. When activated, the arrow displays the identification of the
entities to which it points. In this mode you cannot select an entity by
clicking on it.

Window Selection. When this tool is highlighted, the Pick/Select mode is

active. You can select an entity by clicking on it or a group of entities by
opening a window around the items while the left mouse key is held down.

Double-clicking on an entity opens its properties dialog box.

Lasso Selection. This tool allows you to draw an arbitrary polygon around
a series of entities. When the lasso is closed, all entities located within or
along the lasso perimeter are selected. To use this tool, do the following:

• Click on the Lasso Selection tool.

• Draw segments of the polygon around the entities to be selected.

32
 TOOLBARS AND DIALOG WINDOWS Chapter 4

• Press C to close the lasso. The entities inside the lasso are selected
automatically.

Path Selection. With this tool you can select entities by drawing a
polyline through them. To use this tool, do the following:

• Click on the Path Selection tool.

• Draw polyline through the entities to be selected.
• Press C to end the line. The entities through which the line passes
will be selected automatically.

Select by Layer. This tool enables you to select all the entities on a
specific layer of the drawing. To use the tool, do the following:

• Click on the Select by Layer tool. The dialog box shown in Fig.
4.3-1 will open.
• Select a layer from the list. If more than one layer is to be
selected, hold down the Ctrl key while selecting from the list.
• Choose the selection type from the check boxes at the bottom of
the dialog box and press OK. The items on the layers chosen from
the list will be selected, or removed from selection, depending on
the option chosen.

FIGURE 4.3-1 SELECT LAYERS DIALOG WINDOW

Select by Type. This button is used to open a dialog box (Fig. 4.3-2) in
which one or more component types can be selected as a group. For
example, all columns or all support lines can be selected at once. To use
the tool, do the following:

33
Chapter 4 TOOLBARS AND DIALOG WINDOWS

• Click on the Select by Type tool. The dialog box below will open.
• Select an entity type from the list. If more than one type is to be
selected, hold down the Ctrl key while selecting from the list.
• Choose the selection criteria from the check boxes at the bottom of
the dialog box and press OK. Entities of the type chosen in the list
will be selected, or removed from selection, depending on the
option chosen.

Select All. This tool selects all the entities visible on the screen.

Move Selection. This tool enables you to move the entire group of entities
that are currently selected. Pick a vertex of one of the entities in the
selection and drag the entire group to the new location

FIGURE 4.3-2 SELECT BY TYPE DIALOG BOX

Move Selected Point. With this tool you can move only the vertex of an
entity to a new location, while the positions of the remainder of the
entity’s vertices remain unchanged. Select the entity first. Then pick the
vertex you wish to move. Drag it to the new location. The selected vertex
will move independently; all other vertices will remain in their original
location.

Delete Point. This tool deletes the currently selected vertex of an entity.

34
 TOOLBARS AND DIALOG WINDOWS Chapter 4

Insert Vertex. This tool is used to insert an additional vertex into an entity
that contains multiple insertion points. The new vertex is placed between
the selected vertex and the previous vertex. If the first vertex is chosen,
then the new vertex is added at this end. To add a vertex, do the following:

• Select the entity.

• Click on the Insert Vertex tool.
• Click on one of the entities’ vertices. Another vertex will be added
to the entity, adjacent to the selected vertex.

Item’s Properties (Alt + Enter). This tool opens up the Properties dialog
box for the selected entity. The properties may then be edited, as specified
in other parts of this manual.

Group Selection. This tool creates a block containing all entities currently
selected. The block may then be dragged as one unit across the screen.

Explode Block. This tool breaks down a previously created block into its
component. It also works with blocks of imported DWG or DXF files.

4.4 VIEW TOOLBAR

This toolbar contains tools selecting the entities that you want to be visible on the
screen, as well as for creating rendered or shaded views of the structural model.

Select/Set View Items (Fig. 4.4-1). This button is used to set the display
of the project items on the screen. Depending on which boxes you select,
you can display additional information about each entity. The size of the
symbols representing each entity, and the font that expresses the
information is controlled by the Symbol Size and Font Size data fields. The
font size for each entity can be controlled individually. If the information
displayed on the screen overlaps, you can pick each text and move it
around to increase the clarity of display.

The checkmarks under column on Display control the view of your project
in the modeling screen of the program, whereas those in the column
Render refer to the 3D Viewer, controlled by the third tool described next.

35
Chapter 4 TOOLBARS AND DIALOG WINDOWS

Go to Default Display. Use this button to change the items displayed on

the screen to default display. Default display is set by Save as Default
button in the Select/Set View Items shown in Fig. 4.4-1.

Group Library. Use this button to open Group Library and change group
visibility, add or delete groups.

View Model. This button opens the ADAPT Solid Modeling (3D Viewer),
where a three-dimensional, color view of the model is displayed. The
view also may be captured as a bitmap and exported to other documents.
An example of the 3D Viewer is shown in Fig. 4.4-2. Specific controls in
the window are described in the chapter on ADAPT Viewers.

Render Design Strip. This button is used to render the Design Strips for
easier viewing and verification. It toggles between showing the Design
Strips with their outline or solid color

Wire Frame. This tool sets the model view to a wire frame model.

Hidden Lines. This tool creates a model view in which hidden lines are
invisible.

(a) Structural Components Tab

36
 TOOLBARS AND DIALOG WINDOWS Chapter 4

(b) Loads Tab

FIGURE 4.4-1 SELECT/SET VIEW ITEMS DIALOG WINDOW

FIGURE 4.4-2

37
Chapter 4 TOOLBARS AND DIALOG WINDOWS

4.5 MODIFY/SELECTION TOOLBAR

Modify Item Properties. This tool opens the Modify Item Properties
dialog box in which you can change the properties of a group of similar
items, such as columns, at one time. To modify a set of items at one time,
such as size of a number of columns do the following:

• Select the items that you want to modify.

• Click on the Modify Item Properties tool.
• Navigate through the dialog window that opens and make the
modifications you want.
• Click OK to accept your modifications and exit.

Display All. This tool displays all the items that were visible on the screen
prior to having used the Display Selection tool.

Display Selection. This tool displays on the screen only the items that
you have selected.

Hide Selection. This tool hides the items you selected and displays the
remainder of the items.

Create a Cut at Specified Location. With this tool you can create a
display of the cross-sectional geometry of any part of your structural
model. Click on the tool and follow the instructions on the screen to draw
a cut across the structural model and display its geometry at the location of
your choice.

4.6 CAMERA AND VIEWPORTS TOOLBAR (REGULAR AND MINI)

38
 TOOLBARS AND DIALOG WINDOWS Chapter 4

This toolbar is used to display different views of the model, zoom in or out, pan
and show multiple port views of the structure. The tools on the toolbar are self-
explanatory. The hint text associated with each tool provides additional
information. The following describes several of the less commonly used tools.

Redraw. This button clears and then re-draws the entire display.

The following buttons display the model from different angles.

Top View

Left View

Front View

Top-Front-Right View

Other tools are:

Zoom Window

Zoom Extents

Zoom In

Zoom Out

Dynamic Zoom

Dynamic Pan

Undo Zoom / Pan

Redo Zoom / Pan

Single Viewport

Two Vertical Viewports

39
Chapter 4 TOOLBARS AND DIALOG WINDOWS

4.7 SELECTIVE VIEW TOOLBAR

Display Items by Type. This tool allows you to select specific items for
viewing on the screen. Simply click on the tool. It opens a list of items
that exist in your project. Select the items you want to be visible and press
OK.

Display All Items. This tool makes all the items in your project visible.

Display Labels on Selection. This tool displays labels of the items you
select on the list it displays.

Display All Labels. This tool displays the labels of all items currently
visible on the screen.

4.8 SNAP TOOLBAR

This toolbar contains all the snapping tools of the program. To snap to an entity,
the mouse must be in Select/Pick mode, and you must bring the cursor close to the
location where you will snap the entity. Left-click the mouse to snap. The options
are:

Snap to Endpoint

Snap to Midpoint

Snap to Center

Snap to Intersection

Snap to Perpendicular. This tool forces the mouse cursor to snap to a

target entity, such that the entity being created will be positioned
perpendicular to its target.

40
 TOOLBARS AND DIALOG WINDOWS Chapter 4

Snap to Nearest

Snap to Grid. This tool forces the mouse cursor to snap to the nearest grid
point.

Grid Settings (Fig. 4.8-1). This tool opens the Grid Settings dialog box
where grid spacing, angle and other parameters can be set.

Snap Settings (Fig. 4.8-2). This tool opens the Snap Settings dialog box,
where all snapping features may be selected or deselected.

Snap to Vertices of a Component. Using the previously described tools,

you will not be able to snap arbitrarily to the vertices or edges of structural
components, such as a beam. Since a structural component that is
displayed as solid is defined by its insertion points, the insertion points
will not necessarily be the vertices or edges of the entity. By clicking on
the above tool, you can make the vertices and edges of all the structural
components of your project capable of being snapped to.

Note: Caution should be used when working with this tool. In

order for a structural component to be correctly accounted for, in
most instances it must be connected to other structural components
through its insertion point. That is to say, the components must
snap together at their insertion points.

Create/Draw Orthogonal. This tool forces the entity being drawn or

created to be positioned along either the X-axis or Y-axis.

FIGURE 4.8-1 GRID SETTINGS DIALOG WINDOW

41
Chapter 4 TOOLBARS AND DIALOG WINDOWS

FIGURE 4.8-2 SNAP SETTINGS DIALOG BOX

4.9 DRAW TOOLBAR AND DRAW MINI TOOLBAR

The tools remain active for multiple-entity generation until you press the Esc key
or right-click on the mouse. To edit an existing drawing entity, double-click on it
to open its property box.

Continue Mode. This tool allows you to create linked entities without
having to draw the entities separately. For example, if you want to create
a series of beams that are connected at each support location, you can
invoke this mode, and each new beam in the series will be connected to
the last insertion point of the last created beam.

Create Point. To create a point with this tool, do the following:

• Click on the Create Point tool, and insert the point at the
location you choose with the mouse.

42
 TOOLBARS AND DIALOG WINDOWS Chapter 4

• To change the location of the point, double-click on the point to

open its property box (Fig. 4.9-1). Edit the coordinates. Other
drawing entities can be edited in a similar manner.

FIGURE 4.9-1 PROPERTY BOX OF A POINT

Create Line

Create Polyline

Create Polygon

Polygon: Vertices, Center, Radius

Polygon: Vertices, Start Edge, End Edge

Polygon: Vertices, Diameter

Circle: Three Points

Circle: Diameter

Circle: Center, Radius

Arc: Three Points

Arc: Radius, Angle

Arc: Start, Center, End

Arc: Start, End, Radius

43
Chapter 4 TOOLBARS AND DIALOG WINDOWS

Arc: Radius, Chord

Write Text, Select Position. This tool creates text by specifying the text
content, starting point, font height and direction. To create text with this
tool, do the following:

• Click on the Text tool. Follow the instructions in the User

Information bar.
• Write the text, click on the start point, enter the font height of the
text and choose the direction.

To edit previously written text:

• Double-click on the text. The corresponding dialog box will open

(Fig. 4.9.2).
• Edit the font, height, coordinates and other parameters as
necessary.
• Click on the button to accept the new input values.
• Alternatively, to change location of the text just drag the insertion
points to their new locations.

FIGURE 4.9-2 TEXT EDITING DIALOG BOX

Select Position, Write Text. This tool creates text by specifying the start
point, specifying font height, choosing a direction and entering the text.
To create text with this tool, do the following:

• Click on the Text tool. Follow the instructions in the User

Information bar.

44
 TOOLBARS AND DIALOG WINDOWS Chapter 4

• Write the text by clicking on the start point, entering the font
height of the text, choosing the direction, and finally typing the
text.

To edit previously written text, follow the same procedure as for the
preceding text creation option.

Create Dimension Line. This tool creates a dimension line by specifying

the start point, end point and position of the dimension line. To create text
with this tool, do the following:

• Click on the Create Dimension Line tool. Follow the

instructions in the User Information bar.
• Click the start point, click the end point and choose the position of
the dimension line.

You can change the size and font of the text on the dimension lines by
modifying the default values in the Text dialog box. You can access this
dialog box from the Settings pull-down menu under Environment menu
items.

To edit a previously created dimension line:

• Double-click on the dimension line. Its dialog box will open (Fig.
4.9-3).
• Edit as necessary.
• Click on the button to accept the new input values.
• Alternatively, just drag the insertion points to their new locations.

FIGURE 4.9-3 DIMENSION PROPERTIES DIALOG BOX

45
Chapter 4 TOOLBARS AND DIALOG WINDOWS

4.10 GRIDLINE TOOLBAR

Gridline Wizard. This tool opens a dialog box to create a series of

gridlines with user-defined spacing and labels. Specific input controls are
described below. Once the gridlines are created, you have the ability to
edit them. You can change the position, orientation, length and label of
each gridline individually (Fig. 4.10-1).

FIGURE 4.10-1 GRIDLINE WIZARD PROPERTY BOX

Draw user defined gridlines. To draw the gridline, click on the tool and
follow the instruction at the bottom of the screen. Once the gridline is
created you have the ability to edit it. Double click on gridline to open its
property box (Fig.4.10-2) and change the default settings.

FIGURE 4.10-2 GRIDLINE PROPERTY BOX

46
 TOOLBARS AND DIALOG WINDOWS Chapter 4

4.11 COPY / MOVE TOOLBAR

This toolbar enables you to create single or multiple copies of the entities that are
currently selected, either as a linear or circular array of identical entities. You can
replicate the selected entities with the mouse (graphical) or by coordinates.

Graphical Translation. This tool moves or copies an entity horizontally

(in the X- or Y- direction). Select one or more entities you want to act on
and follow the instructions on the screen.

Graphical Rotation. This tool rotates an entity in the X-Y plane around a
point specified by you. Select one or more entities you wish to rotate and
follow the instructions on the screen.

Translation by Coordinates. This tool opens a window where any one of

the choices of the Copy/ Move toolbar can be selected (Fig.4.11-1). The
operation, however, takes place when you enter the coordinates of the
location where you want the selection to be copied/moved.

FIGURE 4.11-1 COPY/MOVE/ROTATION DIALOG WINDOW

Layer Translation. This tool copies or moves the selected item(s) from
one drawing layer to another. Select the items you wish to copy/move,
click on the tool and follow the instructions on the screen.

Note: Moving an item from one layer to another may affect how
other display tools perform. For example, if a column is moved
from its original layer to a different layer, then that column no
longer will be controlled by the Display Column tool.

47
Chapter 4 TOOLBARS AND DIALOG WINDOWS

4.12 SCALING TOOLBAR

This toolbar provides you with the option of distorting the dimension of the model
in one or more direction, in order to obtain a better view of its details, such as
magnifying the profile of a tendon within a slab thickness. Select any of the three
coordinate axes, X, Y or Z. Then click on the button of your choice, such as
Increase Scale Factor. With each click, the program reduces or increases the scale
of the entire display along the selected axis. The function of the tools is as
follows:

Decrease Scale Factor

Reset Scale Factor. This tool resets the scale factor to 1 for the chosen
coordinate direction.

Increase Scale Factor

Modify the X-Direction

Modify the Y-Direction

Modify the Z-Direction

4.13 UCS TOOLBAR

The User Coordinate System toolbar offers the following choices for specifying
the position of items on the screen by coordinates.

World Coordinate System. This tool changes User Coordinate System

(UCS) to the World Coordinate System (WCS) – the default setting of the
program

48
 TOOLBARS AND DIALOG WINDOWS Chapter 4

UCS at Last Point. The UCS positions the origin of the coordinate
system at the last point entered. But, the direction of the X-axis and Y-axis
remain parallel to the global axis (WCS).

UCS at Endpoint of Last Line. The UCS is positioned at the endpoint of

the last line segment entered, with the X-direction along the previously
drawn line.

UCS: 5 Points. The UCS is defined by: Origin, X Start, X End, Y Start,
and Y End.

UCS: 3 Points. The UCS is defined by: Origin, X End, and Y End.

4.14 VIEWPORT TOOLBAR

Viewport tools create one or more independent viewing ports on the screen. Each
icon shows the orientation on the screen of viewports created by that tool. To
create one of the views, just click on its tool. These viewports may also be
printed.

49
 Chapter 5

STRUCTURAL MODELING TOOLS

5.1  OVERVIEW ..........................................................................................................53 

5.2  STRUCTURAL MODEL PARTS.........................................................................54 
5.2.1  Structural Components...............................................................................54 
5.2.2  Common Properties of Structural Components .........................................55 
5.3  LEVEL ASSIGNMENTS ......................................................................................58 
5.4  LEVEL ASSIGNMENT TOOL.............................................................................60 
5.5  ORGANIZATION OF THE STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS DATA................61 
5.6  MODELING OPTIONS ........................................................................................61 
5.6.1  Transform to Structural Components Toolbar ...........................................62 
5.6.2  Build Toolbar.............................................................................................64 
5.6.3  Structural Modeling and Display Aids.......................................................68 
5.6.4  Loads..........................................................................................................69 
5.6.4.1  Load Case Definition ...............................................................70 
5.6.4.2  Loading Toolbar.......................................................................71 

51
 STRUCTURAL MODELING TOOLS Chapter 5

5.1 OVERVIEW

This chapter describes in detail how to generate a structural model. You will use
the structural model for your analysis and design, either via ADAPT-PT or using
the ADAPT-Floor Pro option. Your structural model will be the same, regardless
of which method you use. The creation of a structural model is your first step in
using the BUILDER platform for your design and drafting, regardless of whether
the structure is conventionally reinforced or prestressed. The previous chapters
described the environment of the program and the general purpose tools of
drafting, editing and viewing. The focus of this chapter is on components that
form your structure, such as columns and slabs. These are called Structural
Components.

The structural model will be a faithful three-dimensional representation of the

shape of the floor system you plan to design, along with one story of supporting
structure (walls and columns) below it and, if any, one story of walls and columns
above it. It will be a single-level floor system. However, it will include all the
details, such as openings, steps on the slab, beams, drop caps and drop panels.
The following figure shows a representation of a structural model displayed in
wire frame format.

FIGURE 5.1-1 THREE DIMENSIONAL VIEW OF STRUCTURAL MODEL

You can view the structural model in solid and other formats too. This is
explained in the sections dealing with the viewers of the program.

In addition to the geometry, you also will define boundary conditions for the
model. That is to say, the manner in which the structure is supported or the way
parts of the structure are connected. For example, you may wish the connection

53
Chapter 5 STRUCTURAL MODELING TOOLS

between a slab region and its supporting column to be hinged. This is described in
the section on Release/Restraints.

Presence of loads, such as selfweight, live load or other loads also is considered to
be part of the structural model, and will be discussed in this chapter. How the
loads should be factored and combined to meet the requirements of various
building codes, however, is covered later, in the sections dealing with analysis
and design options. Similarly, selection of design codes and design criteria are
handled in the chapters covering analysis and design.

5.2 STRUCTURAL MODEL PARTS

5.2.1 Structural Components

The building structure you model consists of entities called Structural

Components. You assemble the components to form a true representation
of the floor system and its supporting structure.

The primary Structural Components of the current version of the program

are:

• Slab regions
• Columns
• Openings
• Beams
• Drop cap/drop panel
• Springs (point spring, line spring or area springs)
• Supports (point support or line support)

If you use ADAPT-Floor Pro, an additional component is available:

• Prestressing tendons

For the program for the mat foundation, you have:

• Soil area support

Further, the Rebar Module of the program includes:

54
 STRUCTURAL MODELING TOOLS Chapter 5

• Bar reinforcement (rebar)

5.2.2 Common Properties of Structural Components

Each Structural Component has properties specific to itself, such as

material and location. The properties of each Structural Component are
listed in their component’s property box. Some of these property items,
such specification of material, are common among all components. The
following describes the most common properties.

There are three ways you can open the property box of an entity. These
are:

• Double-click on it.
• Select the entity, then click on the Item’s Properties tool on the
main toolbar.
• Place the cursor over it, right-click and select Properties from the
list that opens.

The property box of a slab region (Fig. 5.2-1) is used as a sample to

describe the common properties.

GENERAL TAB (Fig.5.2-1(a)):

#.This field displays the number of the entity. Modeler automatically

assigns an ascending number (1, 2, 3…) to this field each time an entity of
the same type, such as a column, is created. If you delete an entity, the
program automatically re-numbers the entities of that group, before saving
the data. The last number gives the total count of entities of any given
group used in your model. You cannot change the information displayed
in this field.

Label. In this field, the program assigns a name to each entity. For
example, for the third column you generate, it will assign “Column_3.”
The important difference between this field and the one above is that in
this field you can enter a name that you assign to the entity, such as
“Rose.” In its reports, the program will list the name you have assigned to
the entity along with the number it selected in the previous field.

55
Chapter 5 STRUCTURAL MODELING TOOLS

(a) General Tab

(b) Location Tab

(c) Properties Tab

FIGURE 5.2-1 SAMPLE PROPERTY BOX

56
 STRUCTURAL MODELING TOOLS Chapter 5

Material. This field identifies the material selected for the structural
component. You can change the material of the structural model by
selecting a different one listed in the combo box. If the material you intend
to use is not listed, you must go to the Material pull-down menu and first
define it. Once you do so, the new material will appear on the list of the
combo box for you to select.

Group. Each entity, whether a Structural Component or an arc, is placed

in a group. It was described in earlier chapters how to select specific
groups for display or other operations. Initially, the program places every
entity in its default group “Group 1.” You can move the entity created
into a different group by selecting the group of your choice from the list in
the combo box. If you want to create a new group, you must go to the
Grouping menu item in the Settings pull-down menu.

Other Properties. Depending on the type of the entity at hand, there will
be other properties, such as dimensions, that will be listed for view and
editing.

LOCATION TAB (Fig.5.2-1(b)):

Offset. The value given as offset defines the location of the entity with
respect to the reference plane to which it is associated. For example, an
offset for slab will describe the distance of the top of slab to the current
plane. An offset for the top of an upper column gives the distance of the
column top end from the top reference line.

Coordinates. The coordinates of the vertices of each entity is listed in a

table. You can select each vertex and edit its coordinates. This option
enables you to place an entity at an exact location.

PROPERTIES TAB (Fig.5.2-1(c)):

Layer. This field shows where the graphical display information of the
entity is saved. You can change the layer to another one from the list in
combo box.

Line Thickness. This field is used to edit the width of the lines used to
display the entity. It applied to display on the screen and in printed
hardcopies.

Color. This field is used to edit the color of the object on the screen.

57
Chapter 5 STRUCTURAL MODELING TOOLS

Filling. This field is used to choose and display a fill pattern for the
display of an entity, if it covers an area such as a slab.

5.3 LEVEL ASSIGNMENTS

In this version of the program, you model one floor level along with the supports
immediately below and above it. You will be using three horizontal planes to
describe the structure. The first is the level you have selected to design. It is
referred to as the current plane. All the features of the floor system, such as the
position of the slab regions, beams and steps on the slab will be expressed with
respect to this plane (Fig 5.3-1). The walls and columns below the slab are
assumed to extend from the current plane to the plane below it (bottom plane).
Likewise, the walls and columns above the slab extend from the current plane to
the next plane above (top plane). These are the default length assignments of the
program. Obviously, you can modify the length of a support above or below to a
value different from the distance between the two respective planes. This will be
explained along with the modeling of walls and columns.

FIGURE 5.3-1 REFERENCE PLANES (LEVEL ASSIGNMENT)

IN ELEVATION

Note that in Fig. 5.3-1 one of the columns does not extend to the top plane. The
top of that column is said to have an offset with respect to its natural position (top
plane). Similarly, a section of the slab is stepped down below the current plane.
Again, this slab region is viewed to have an offset with respect to its natural
(default) position.

Unless you specify otherwise, the program initially inserts each structural
component with respect of the reference planes as shown in Fig. 5.3-2.

58
 STRUCTURAL MODELING TOOLS Chapter 5

FIGURE 5.3-2

You can adjust the program’s initial positioning of the structural components, by
using the Offset feature of each component (Fig. 5.3-3). This is described later.

FIGURE 5.3-3

59
Chapter 5 STRUCTURAL MODELING TOOLS

Figure 5.3-4 is an illustration of a complex floor system composed of the basic

Structural Components and the offset features.

FIGURE 5.3-4

The program comes with default values for the distance between the
current plane and the top and bottom planes. You may need to change this,
however, to match the details of your project. This is explained next.

5.4 LEVEL ASSIGNMENT TOOL

This specifies the distance between the top of the typical region of the floor slab
you are designing to the top of the slab above (top plane) and the top of the slab
below (bottom plane). When you create a column or wall, it will initially assume
the distances you specify here, until you change it.

60
 STRUCTURAL MODELING TOOLS Chapter 5

Level Assignment. This button is in the Build toolbar, which will be

described further on. It opens the Reference Plane dialog box (Fig. 5.4-1)
in which the distance between the three reference planes is described by
their height above a datum level.

FIGURE 5.4-1 REFERENCE PLANE DIALOG WINDOW

5.5 ORGANIZATION OF THE STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS DATA

The program stores the graphical information of each of the Structural

Components in a dedicated default layer. You can view these layers by clicking
on the layer tool on the main toolbar of the screen and selecting the layer of your
choice for viewing.

5.6 MODELING OPTIONS

There are two principal options for modeling real-life projects. One is to start with
an available architect’s drawing (DWG or DXF file). The other is to draft the
model entirely within the environment of the BUILDER platform, using the
Modeler’s drafting capability. In the first case, you may need to use some of the
Modeler’s drafting capability along with the information obtained from a
DWG/DXF file.

When you use a DWG/DXF file to generate a model, most of your work will be in
the transformation or conversion of the drawing items into Structural
Components. You are likely to start with the Transform to Structural Component
toolbar. On the other hand, when you plan to draft your model from scratch, you
will use the Build toolbar.

61
Chapter 5 STRUCTURAL MODELING TOOLS

5.6.1 Transform to Structural Components Toolbar

You will use this tool if you start with a DWG or DXF file, and plan to
convert the items shown on the drawing to Structural Components for
your model. In other words, if you are not importing a drawing for
conversion to your model, you are not likely to use the tools on this
toolbar. You will use the Build toolbar.

Once you import a DWG or DXF drawing, your first choice is to

transform the items on the imported drawing directly to structural model.
The items shown on the imported drawing are simply lines (graphics). The
process of conversion is to (1) pick an item on the drawing, such as a
column, and (2) click on the associated structural component tool
(Transform to Column), in order to convert it to a structural component.

Transform Polygon Only items that are in form of a closed

polygon can be picked and converted directly into structural
components. Not every column or opening in the imported
structural drawing is drawn as a closed polygon.

This button is used to transform groups of lines that are drawn

separately, but intersect into a polygon. Click on the tool. The
program searches the drawing and creates polygons for the
instances where conversion of intersecting lines into polygons is
practical. The program retains the original items on the drawing,
but writes the polygons created in a new layer called
“Polygons_from_line.”

Transform Slab Region. This button is used to transform a

polygon (closed polyline) to a slab region. The tool operates in the
same manner as the Transform Column tool, which is described
in greater detail below. The transformed slab region is always
located at the Current Reference Plane.

Transform Column. This tool is used to transform a rectangle

(polygon) or circle to a column.

To transform a (polygon) rectangle into a column do the following:

62
 STRUCTURAL MODELING TOOLS Chapter 5

• Select one or more rectangles that are made up of

polygons.
• Click on the Transform Column tool. All selected
entities will be transformed into columns with the same
dimensions as the rectangle or circle.

The default of the program places the transformed columns below

the slab. If they are intended to be placed above the slab or both
below and above, you must make the correction either through the
property box of the column, or by way of using the copy/move
commands. The use of the property box is described in the section
on “Build Toolbar.”

Transform Wall. This button is used to transform a rectangle

(closed polyline) into a wall. The tool operates in the same manner
as the Transform Column tool.

Transform into Several Walls. When a polygon represents two or

more intersecting walls, this button is used to transform it into
several individual walls, each having a rectangular cross-section.
In the analysis, however, the program treats the walls integrated
into one along their common vertical joints. The tool operates in
the same manner as the Transform Column tool.

Transform Drop Cap/Panel. This button is used to transform a

rectangle (closed polyline) into a drop cap. This tool operates in
the same manner as the Transform Column tool.

Transform Beam. This button is used to transform a polygon

(closed polyline) into a beam. The tool operates in the same
manner as the Transform Column tool.

Transform Opening. This button is used to transform a polygon

(closed polyline) into an opening. The tool operates in the same
manner as the Transform Column tool.

63
Chapter 5 STRUCTURAL MODELING TOOLS

5.6.2 Build Toolbar

The primary application of this toolbar is to create a structural model from

scratch – as opposed to using an imported DWG/ DXF file. In addition, it
works as a supplement to the Transformation tool described in the
preceding, since not all Structural Components can be transformed directly
from an imported file. You may have to create some of them manually,
using the tools of this toolbar.

For a major real-life structural model, you are likely to start by setting out
some gridlines, and/or use a grid on the background to help you in your
drafting. For this purpose, you use the Gridline Toolbar described earlier
in this manual.

Create Slab Region. This tool creates a new slab region with the
corresponding properties input in the dialog box shown in Fig.5.2-
1. To create a slab region, use the following procedure:

• Click on the Create Slab Region tool. The dialog

1
box shown in Fig. 5.2-1 will open .
• Edit the input fields as required (each input field is
described below). These values will be used in the
future, until they are changed again2.
• Draw the outline of the slab region. Click the mouse at
each point required3.
• After the last point has been selected, Press C to close
the area.
To edit the properties of an existing slab region, open its property
box and edit as described earlier. If you want to change the shape
of a slab region on plan graphically, do the following:

1
The property dialog box window will automatically open if you selected option “Open Items Property
Dialog Box Automatically” in the Settings pull-down menu, item General Settings (Fig. 3.8-3)
2
To have the parameters, such as thickness, material and offset, of the slab region you have created to be
used for the subsequent slabs you create, you should use the option of “Use Last Properties as Default.”
This option can be turned on from the pull-down menu Settings, item General Settings.
3
You are likely to make mistakes as you trace a slab boundary. Continue until done. When finished, correct
your mistakes by stretching the slab boundary to where it should be and using the tools Move Selected
Vertex, Delete Vertex and Insert Vertex.

64
 STRUCTURAL MODELING TOOLS Chapter 5

• To change the location of an entire slab region, make

sure the Move Selection tool is highlighted, then just
drag the slab region by a vertex to its new location.
• If you would like to change the location of just one
vertex, make sure the Move Selected Point tool is
highlighted, then just drag the vertex to its new
location.
• If you would like to remove a vertex, use Delete Point
tool.
• If you would like to add a vertex, use Insert Point
tool.

Create Column. This tool creates a new Column with the

properties input in the corresponding dialog box (Fig.5.6-1). To
create a Column, use the following procedure:

• Click on the Create Column tool. The dialog box

shown below will open.
• Edit the input fields on each tab as required. These
values will be used in the future, until they are changed
again.
• Click the mouse at the column location (you may do
this in conjunction with snapping tools).

FIGURE 5.6-1 COLUMN PROPERTY BOX

65