Create Members from Elements

This dialog can be accessed from the 'Model | Coordination Tools | Create Members from Elements' menu command.

The Create Members from Elements command generates members from 1D elements.

Definition

Element List

You can select which elements are available for “conversion” using the combo-box at the top of the dialog box. You can either use a predefined list by using the pull down part of the box, use the current selection set by pressing the button below, or type in your own list of elements. The default list is All.

Elements already covered by a member will not be used even if they are in the element list. This means that you can create members from elements in several stages (possibly with different settings each time) without worrying that you are going to end up with coincident members.

Creation Options

The options are:

• One element = one member
• Many elements = one member

Restrictions on member construction

This group of settings allows you finer control over how members are generated:

Setting	Description
Divide members at change of elements’ group	If this checkbox is set, then all the elements in a member must have the same group, otherwise the member construction tool ignores elements’ groups.
Divide members at intersections with columns	You select which direction “columns” run in using the x,y,z list box. This causes members to be broken at columns. Tip: This feature can be used to differentiate secondary beams from primary beams by setting the “column” direction to the direction of the primary beams. The secondary beams will be broken (discontinuous) where they meet the primary beams, even if they are continuous in alignment.
Member straightness tolerance	All steel members are assumed in their check calculations to be straight, however, the analysis model may not be exactly aligned. Use this setting to allow definition of members from elements that aren’t exactly in line with each other (though they must all be connected together). Be careful not to be too generous with this setting, because although the members will be created without complaint, the resulting calculations may be invalid.