Cardinal Points

Overview

A detailing layer is available in RISAFloor that lets the user set the "true" elevations and locations start/end, top of steel, etc...) for all members. For each member (both columns and beams) you can describe the connection point at member ends.

The areas where member detailing parameters can be added/viewed are:

• RISAFloor
  • Beams Data Entry Spreadsheet>Detailing tab
  • Columns Data Entry Spreadsheet>Detailing tab
  • Model Display Options>Beams/Columns/Walls tab

Note:

For each end of the member, both cardinal point positions and decimal local offsets are used to described the connection location. The location of the cardinal point is plotted as follows:

Figure 1: Cardinal point Location and Local Axis

Note:

• Only cardinal point 1-10 are supported by RISA. You may instead use an offset.

The x, y, and z offsets are based on the local axis of the member. The x local axis is defined along the member from I to J. It coincides with the  geometric centroid of the member section. The standard cardinal point positions (1-10), as well as the decimal local offsets are both supported in current detailing definition. If the cardinal point is set, the y and z offset values will be automatically calculated and filled in the data structure. If there is a situation that doesn't match a cardinal point (angle brace as an example) you can also set the y and z offsets directly.

Note:

• The Analysis Offset and Rigid End Offset are completely different concepts from the detailing offset. The purpose of the detailing offsets is more realistic visualization and plotting of the model. The detailing offsets are not considered during the analysis. In the analysis, all members are still connected at their geometric centroid. Analysis Offset and Rigid End Offsets, on the other hand, affect the load distribution and design of the member. They are analysis parameters. In our program, the Analysis Offset / Rigid End Offset are completely separate data structure from the detailing offsets. When Analysis Offset is set for a model, for example, the detailing information will NOT be automatically updated to cardinal point 8 accordingly. 

Detailing Input and Modification:

There are three ways for setting and modifying the detailing layer information. You can use the graphical member modify, the double-click dialog and the member detailing spreadsheet to set the detailing information.

Default

When a member is drawn, by default, x offsets are set to be 0 on both ends. If the member type is beam , by default the y and z detailing offsets will be on cardinal point 8 ( top center) for both ends. If the member type is column, by default the detailing offset will be on cardinal point 10 for both ends.

Graphical member modify

A Member Detailing tab has been added to the Graphical member draw/modify window. The user can choose to “set y, z offset using cardinal point” or “set y, z offsets directly”. When a cardinal point is picked, the value in the “y Offset” and “z Offset” text box will automatically be updated.

Figure 2.A: Member Detailing Tab in Graphical Member Modify (3D)

Figure 2.B: Column/Beam Detailing Tab in Graphical Member Modify (FLOOR)

Double click dialog

A Detailing tab has been added to the double click dialog for the displaying and modification of the detailing info.  The user can choose to Set y, z Offsets Using Cardinal Point or Set y, z Offsets Directly. When a cardinal point is picked, the value in the y Offset and z Offset text box will automatically be updated.

Figure 3: Detailing Tab in double click dialog

Spreadsheets

A detailing tab is available on the Columns and Beams spreadsheet. The spreadsheet shows a label and 8 values for each member. The “I cardinal point” and “J Cardinal Point” are dropdown lists with numbers and a description. When a user picks a cardinal point, the y and z offset values will update automatically based on the current shape.  When a new y and z offset are input by the user and it doesn’t fall on any cardinal point, the “Cardinal Point” will automatically change to “None”. When the “Member Detailing” grid is active, a toolbar button is added to recalculate values based on new shapes (Figure 5).

Note:

• When the design shape of the member is changed, the detailing offsets of the member is not automatically updated. The Recalculate tool bar button needs to be clicked to get new y, z offset with respect to the cardinal point picked.

Figure 4.A: Detailing Tab in Member Spreadsheet(3D)

Figure 4.B: Beam/Column Detailing Tab in Member Spreadsheet(FLOOR)

Figure 5: Recalculate Detailing Offset button when Member Detailing Spreadsheet in Active

Visualization of the Detailing Layer

To visualize the model with the detailing layer, go to the plot option dialog box and member tab. Check the “Detailing Info” check box (Figure 6). 

Figure 6: Detailing Info Checkbox in the Model Display Options Window

Note:

• When the Detailing Info box is checked, the members will be plotted solely using the x, y and z offsets. The “Analysis Offset” and “Rigid End Offset” will not be considered in the plot.

File I/O

[.MEMBERS_DETAILING_DATA] data section is added to the .R3D file to hold the member true location data. [..RF_COLUMNS_DETAILING_DATA] and [..RF_BEAMS_DETAILING_DATA] data sections are added to the .RFL file to hold member true location data. The CIS2 translator is updated to read/write this new data section.