General Tab (Frame Connection Properties Dialog) - Intergraph Smart 3D - Help

Intergraph Smart 3D Molded Forms

Language
English
Product
Intergraph Smart 3D
Subproduct
Molded Forms
Search by Category
Help
Smart 3D Version
12.1 (2019)

Specifies the properties for the frame connection.

SHARED Tip The supported member is the member that you are placing. The supporting member is the existing member in the model to which you are connecting.

Category

Select the type of properties to view for the selected frame connection.

Type

Displays the type of frame connection. This box is read-only. See Frame Connections for more information about the different types that are available.

Property

Displays all properties associated with the selected frame connection. The list of available properties depends on what was defined in the reference data for the frame connection type.

Value

Specifies the values for the frame connection properties.

Name

Specifies the frame connection name.

Name rule

Specifies the naming rule used to name the frame connection.

Default Name Rule

Names the frame connection using the format "<frame connection type>-<location>-<index>" where <frame connection type> is what you select in the Type box on the ribbon, <location> is the global workshare location ID, and <index> is a unique index number that starts at 0001. For example, Axis-Along-1-0043.

User Defined

Select this rule to name the frame connection yourself using the Name box.

Position rule

Defines how the frame connection is to behave when the supporting member is moved. You can select one of three options:

Intersection

The member system lengthens or shortens to maintain the connections with the supporting member. The end of the supported member system slides to a new location on the supporting member.

Ratio

The member system lengthens or shortens to maintain the connection with the supporting member. The end of the supported member system stays in the same relative position (that you can define) along the supporting member system. This option is similar to the Distance option except that you define a percentage ratio from the supporting member end.

Distance

The member system lengthens or shortens to maintain the connection with the supporting member. The end of the supported member system stays in the same position (that you can define) along the supporting member system. This option is similar to the Ratio option except that you define an actual distance from the supporting member end.

Original Position:

Intersection Position Rule:

Ratio and Distance Position Rule:

Distance along

Type the distance from the supporting member end that the supported member is positioned. You must include the units of measurement when defining this distance. The supporting member end that is measured from, is defined using the End option. This option is available when you set Position Rule to Distance.

Ratio

Type the ratio of the supporting member length that the supported member is positioned. For example, type .25 if you want the supported member a fourth of the way along the supporting member. Type .333 if you want the supported member a third of the way, and so forth. Which supporting member end that is measured from is defined using the End option. This option is available when you set Position Rule to Ratio.

End

Specifies which end of the supporting member that the ratio or the distance-along distance is measured. You can select Start, End, or Auto. Start is the first member end that was placed. End is the second member end that was placed. If you select Auto, the software automatically selects the supporting member end that is the most logical for the frame connection. The Auto setting is recommended so that you do not have to worry whether the supporting member was modeled left-to-right, right-to-left, top-to-bottom, or bottom-to-top.

Connection Reference Standard

Specifies the reference connection for the frame connection. The list is defined by the StructConnReferenceStandard codelist.

Connection Type

Specifies the connection type for the object. To change the options on the list, edit the Connection Type select list in Catalog.

Align Frame Connection Properties

Side Justification

Select the side of the plane on which to place the member.

Align Frame Connection CONCEPT

None

Aligns the member axis so that it is placed on the surface.

Seated

Sets the member on top of the surface. The selected Orientation Side is nearest the surface.

Center

The center of the cross-section is placed on the surface. The center is calculated by the top-bottom, left-right bounds of the cross-section shape.

Flush

Uses the alignment surface's top and bottom extent to position the supported member. The supported member typically lies within the body of the alignment plane with one edge of the member flush with the alignment surface but can be offset.

Orientation Control

If On, the member angle is controlled by the Orientation Angle value defined for the Align frame connection. If Off, you can set the angle of the member independently of the align surface by using the Rotation property for the member part.

Orientation Side

Specifies the side of the supported member's cross-section that is mated to the alignment surface. You can specify Top, Right, Bottom, or Left. Edges of typical section shapes are shown in the figure.

Orientation Angle

When Orientation Control is On, this angle is added to the selected Orientation Side to rotate the member. If the Align frame connection is used on both ends of the member and you define a different angle value for each end, the angle defined at the start end of the member is used.

Reflect

Reflects or mirrors the cross-section of the supported member about a plane perpendicular to the supporting member side. An example of when to use this option is when you place a supported member with an angle cross-section using the left edge option and you want the angle facing the other direction.

Extend Distance

Specifies the offset distance from the bounding surface along the member's axis.

Side Clearance

Specify the offset distance perpendicular to the align surface to place the member axis.

Lateral Distance

Specifies the offset distance in the plane of the align surface to place the member axis.

Axis Frame Connection Properties

X Offset

Specifies an offset to apply in the x-direction after the two cardinal points are aligned.

Y Offset

Specifies an offset to apply in the y-direction after the two cardinal points are aligned.

Z Offset

Specifies an offset to apply in the z-direction after the two cardinal points are aligned.

Coordinate System

Specifies the coordinate system to use for the offset values. Local is the local coordinate system of the supporting member.

Supporting CP

Specifies to which cardinal point on the supporting member system to align the supported member system's cardinal point. You can specify any cardinal point number, or select 0 to use the cardinal point with which the supporting member was placed.

Gap Frame Connection Properties

There are three members in a gap frame connection:

  • The target member is the member always to move and is the owner of the frame connection. The target member is shown as blue in the figure below.

  • The primary member is the member to which the other two members are attached. The primary member is shown as red in the figure below.

  • The secondary member is the third member in the joint. The software does not require the secondary member to be in the same plane as the target member. The secondary member is shown as orange in the figure below.

Actual Gap Distance (G)

Displays the actual gap distance between the target and secondary member. This distance is shown as G in the figures below.

Actual Centerline Distance (X)

Displays the actual gap between the center line of the target member and the center line of the secondary member. This distance is shown as X in the figures below.

Actual Overlap Distance (L)

Displays the distance between the lowest point of the target and secondary member saddle on the primary member to the point where the target and secondary member intersect. This distance is shown as L in the figures below.

Actual Overlap Distance (A)

Displays the amount of overlap between the target and secondary member. This distance is shown as A in the figures below.

Allowable Centerline Distance

Displays the calculation of the primary member diameter times the Centerline Design Factor. The centerline distance should be less than or equal to this value.

Allowable Overlap Distance (Fmin ´ B)

Specify the minimum overlap distance (A) that is acceptable.

Allowable Overlap Distance (Fmax ´ B)

Specify the maximum overlap distance (A) that is acceptable.

Design Passed (Centerline)

Display True if the centerline design passed. Displays False if the centerline failed. The centerline design pass/fail is calculated by comparing actual centerline distance with the allowable centerline distance.

Design Passed (Overlap)

Display True if the overlap design passed. Displays False if the overlap failed. The overlap design pass/fail is calculated by (Min. Factor ´ B) < A < (Max. Factor ´ B) and then comparing that value to the Allowable Overlap Distance (Fmin ´ B) and the Allowable Overlap Distance (Fmax ´ B) values. You define the minimum and maximum design factors using the Overlap Design Factor (Fmin) and Overlap Design Factor (Fmax) properties. The B distance is shown in the figures below.

Direction

Select the direction to calculate the gap.

Axially Along Surface

Select this mode when you want to define the offset as the distance between the center lines of the target and secondary members. This distance is measured parallel to the primary member centerline.

Axially and Flush Along Surface

This option is currently not available. Select this mode when you want to define the offset as the distance between the center lines of the target and secondary members and you want the target member to be flush with the outside of the primary member. The axially distance is measured parallel to the primary member centerline. Use the Flush Direction and Flush Offset options to refine exact flush placement.

Radially Along Surface

Select this mode when you want to define the offset as the distance between the closest points on the hull of the target and secondary members. This distance is measured around the hull of the primary member.

Centerline Distance Roundoff

Type the distance to which the centerline gap should be rounded off.

Centerline Design Factor

Type the ratio of the primary member section size to use in calculating whether the centerline design passed or failed. The default value is 0.25, which specifies that the primary member diameter be divided by 4 (D/4).

Flush Direction

This option is currently not available. Specify which direction you want the target member to move to become flush with the primary member.

Flush Offset

This option is currently not available. Specify the distance from the primary member hull edge to the target hull edge. An offset of zero indicates that the two member edges are perfectly flush.

Gap Symmetry

Defines where the gap between the target and secondary member is symmetric along the primary member. This option only applies when the target and secondary members connect to the primary member at different angles.

At Center

Select this option to have the gap symmetrical at the center-line of the primary member. This is labeled 1 below. Note that 2 and 3 are different lengths.

Gap Symmetry - At Center

At Surface

Select this option to have the gap symmetrical at the surface of the primary member. This location is labeled 1 below. Note that 2 and 3 are different lengths.

Gap Symmetry - At Surface

Offset Along

Defines if the target member moves along the primary member or along the secondary member to create the gap. This property is only available for Gap Single Axial gap connections.

Offset Required

Type the gap distance that you want between the target and secondary member. Select how you want to define this distance using the Offset Type box.

Offset Type

Select how you want to specify the Offset Required value.

Gap

The Offset Required distance is between the two closest points of the target member hull and the secondary member hull. This is shown as G in the figures below.

Centerline

The Offset Required distance is between the center line of the target member and the center line of the secondary member. This is shown as X in the figures below.

Overlap

The Offset Required distance is between the lowest point of the target and secondary member saddle on the support member to the point where the target and secondary member intersect. This is shown as L in the figures below.

Overlap Design Factor (Fmin)

Defines the minimum design factor for the calculation: Min ´ B < A < Max ´ B. The default value is 0.3. This calculation is used to determine if Design Passed (Overlap) passes or fails. The A and B distances are shown in the figures below.

Overlap Design Factor (Fmax)

Defines the maximum design factor for the calculation: Min ´ B < A < Max ´ B. The default value is 0.5. This calculation is used to determine if Design Passed (Overlap) passes or fails. The A and B distances are shown in the figures below.

Axially Along Surface:

SP3D Struct Gap FC Axially Along Surface CONCEPT

Radially Along Surface:

SP3D Struct Gap FC Radially Along Surface CONCEPT

Seated, Flush, and Centerline Frame Connection Properties

Side

Select the side of the supporting member on which you want to place the supported member.

Offset

Specify the distance to place the supported member from the supporting member. For seated and flush frame connections, the offset is between the side of the supporting member that you specified with the Side option and the supported member's side that you specify with the Edge option. For centerline frame connections, the offset is between centerline of the supporting member and the supported member's side that you specify with the Edge option.

Edge

Specifies the side of the supported member's cross-section that is mated to the supporting member. You can specify Top, Right, Bottom, or Left. Edges of typical section shapes are shown in the figure.

Reflect

Specifies that Smart 3D reflects or mirrors the cross-section of the supported member about a plane perpendicular to the supporting member side. For example, when you place a supported member with an angle cross-section using the left edge option and you want the angle facing the other direction

Surface Frame Connection Properties

X Offset

Specifies an offset to apply in the x-direction.

Y Offset

Specifies an offset to apply in the y-direction.

Z Offset

Specifies an offset to apply in the z-direction.

Coordinate System

Specifies the coordinate system to use for the offset values.

Tangent Frame Connection Properties

Offset Distance

Type the distance (3) from the centerline of the supporting member (2) to the tangent connection point. This distance is the radius of the circle to which the supported member (1) is made tangent.

Tangent Frame Connection

Side

Select Left or Right to define on which side of the supporting member the supported member is placed. To determine left and right, imagine you are standing on the start end of the member with your head towards positive global Z looking down the length of the member. Your left and right determine the direction of Left and Right.

Tangent Plane

Controls the plane on which the tangent circle is drawn. You can select:

Horizontal

The tangent circle is parallel to the X-Y plane (normal to global Z) regardless of the slope of any of the members. For example, you are creating a tangent connection between the sloping green beam and the sloping red column, or between the sloping blue beam and the sloping red column.

Tangent Plane Horizontal CONCEPT

Vertical

The tangent circle is parallel to global Z and is aligned with the centerline of the supported member (green member in the left figure, blue member in the right figure).

Tangent Vertical Green Supported CONCENT Tangent Vertical Blue Supported CONCEPT

Normal to Supporting

The tangent circle is normal to the supporting member (the sloping red column).

Tangent Normal to Supporting CONCEPT

In Plane of Supported

The tangent circle is parallel to the centerline of the supported member and normal to the supporting member centerline (green member in the left figure, blue member in the right figure).

Tangent In Plane to Supported Green Member CONCEPT Tangent In Plane to Supported Blue Member CONCEPT

Vertical Corner Brace Frame Connection Properties

X Offset

Specifies the offset to apply in the x-direction.

Y Offset

Specifies the offset to apply in the y-direction.

Z Offset

Specifies the offset to apply in the z-direction.

Coordinate System

Select whether the offset values are defined relative to the global coordinate system or the member's local coordinate system.

Work Point

Specifies the work point location. There are six work point locations that you can select.

1 - Primary Center - Secondary Far Side
2 - Primary Center - Secondary Center
3 - Primary Center - Secondary Near Side
4 - Primary Near Side - Secondary Far Side
5 - Primary Near Side - Secondary Center
6 - Primary Near Side - Secondary Near Side