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TRAINING GUIDE
Structural Modelling
TM-1101
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AVEVA Plant (12.1)
Structural Modelling TM-1101
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AVEVA Plant (12.1)
Structural Modelling TM-1101
Revision Log
Date Revision Description of Revision Author Reviewed Approved
14/10/2011 0.1 Issued for Review PDMS 12.1 KB
15/11/2011 0.2 Reviewed KB NG
16/11/2011 1.0 Approved for Training PDMS 12.1 KB NG NG
12/03/2012 1.1 Issued for Review PDMS 12.1 SP2 KB
15/03/2012 1.2 Reviewed KB SB
19/03/2012 2.0 Approved for Training PDMS 12.1.SP2 KB SB NG
Updates
Revision 1.0 incorporates a number of significant alterations to this guide, including the amalgamation of the
12 Series Basic and Advanced Structural Modelling guides. Change highlighting has not been employed at
Revision 1.0 but will be employed for all other revisions.
Suggestion / Problems
If you have a suggestion about this manual or the system to which it refers please report it to AVEVA
Training & Product Support at tps@aveva.com
This manual provides documentation relating to products to which you may not have access or which may
not be licensed to you. For further information on which products are licensed to you please refer to your
licence conditions.
Disclaimer
1.1 AVEVA does not warrant that the use of the AVEVA software will be uninterrupted, error-free or free
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data or information; any special, indirect, consequential or pure economic loss, costs, damages,
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resulting from the inaccuracy or invalidity of any data created by the AVEVA software, irrespective of
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the performance of the AVEVA software shall be limited to 100% of the licence fees paid in the year
in which the user's claim is brought.
1.4 Clauses 1.1 to 1.3 shall apply to the fullest extent permissible at law.
1.5 In the event of any conflict between the above clauses and the analogous clauses in the software
licence under which the AVEVA software was purchased, the clauses in the software licence shall
take precedence.
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AVEVA Plant (12.1)
Structural Modelling TM-1101
Copyright
Copyright and all other intellectual property rights in this manual and the associated software, and every part
of it (including source code, object code, any data contained in it, the manual and any other documentation
supplied with it) belongs to, or is validly licensed by, AVEVA Solutions Limited or its subsidiaries.
All rights are reserved to AVEVA Solutions Limited and its subsidiaries. The information contained in this
document is commercially sensitive, and shall not be copied, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
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granted, it expressly requires that this copyright notice, and the above disclaimer, is prominently displayed at
the beginning of every copy that is made.
The manual and associated documentation may not be adapted, reproduced, or copied, in any material or
electronic form, without the prior written permission of AVEVA Solutions Limited. The user may not reverse
engineer, decompile, copy, or adapt the software. Neither the whole, nor part of the software described in
this publication may be incorporated into any third-party software, product, machine, or system without the
prior written permission of AVEVA Solutions Limited, save as permitted by law. Any such unauthorised
action is strictly prohibited, and may give rise to civil liabilities and criminal prosecution.
The AVEVA software described in this guide is to be installed and operated strictly in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the respective software licences, and in accordance with the relevant User
Documentation.
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shall not be liable for any breach or infringement of a third party's intellectual property rights where such
breach results from a user's modification of the AVEVA software or associated documentation.
AVEVA Solutions Limited, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0HB, United Kingdom
Trademark
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use of the AVEVA or Tribon trademarks is strictly forbidden.
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Contents
1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 11
1.1 Aim................................................................................................................................................... 11
1.2 Objectives ....................................................................................................................................... 11
1.3 Prerequisites .................................................................................................................................. 11
1.4 Course Structure ............................................................................................................................ 11
1.5 Using this guide ............................................................................................................................. 11
1.6 Setting up the Training Course .................................................................................................... 12
2 Overview of the Structural Modelling Application ............................................................................. 13
2.1 How PDMS Stores Structural Modelling Data ............................................................................. 13
2.2 Considerations When Creating the Hierarchy for Structural Models ....................................... 13
2.3 Starting the Structural Modelling Application ............................................................................ 14
2.4 Creating Administrative Elements ............................................................................................... 14
Exercise 1 – Creating the Design Hierarchy ............................................................................................... 16
3 Creating Straight Sections .................................................................................................................... 17
3.1 How PDMS Represents Straight Structural Profiles .................................................................. 17
3.2 Initial Settings................................................................................................................................. 19
3.2.1 Section Specification ................................................................................................................ 19
3.2.2 Storage Areas .......................................................................................................................... 21
3.2.3 Automating Profile and Primary Node Allocations ................................................................... 21
3.2.4 Pline Rules ............................................................................................................................... 21
3.3 Picking Control............................................................................................................................... 24
3.3.1 The Picking Control Form ........................................................................................................ 24
3.4 Creating Sections........................................................................................................................... 27
3.4.1 String Method ........................................................................................................................... 27
3.4.2 Create Option ........................................................................................................................... 28
3.4.3 Verification ................................................................................................................................ 29
3.5 Section Connectivity...................................................................................................................... 29
3.5.1 Secondary Node (SNOD) ......................................................................................................... 30
3.5.2 Secondary Joint (SJOI) ............................................................................................................ 30
3.5.3 Primary Node (PNOD) ............................................................................................................. 31
3.5.4 Primary Joint (PJOI) ................................................................................................................. 32
3.5.5 Tidying Nodes and Joints ......................................................................................................... 32
3.5.6 Checking Connectivity .............................................................................................................. 33
3.6 Creating a Pipe Rack - A Worked Example ................................................................................. 34
3.6.1 Initial Settings ........................................................................................................................... 36
3.6.2 Creating Sections Explicitly ...................................................................................................... 36
3.6.3 3D Aid Constructs – Pre-Defined User Grids ........................................................................... 36
3.6.4 Creating Sections Using Graphical Selections ........................................................................ 38
Exercise 2 – Creating an Equipment Support Frame ................................................................................. 40
4 Modifying Structural Sections .............................................................................................................. 43
4.1 Positioning ...................................................................................................................................... 43
4.1.1 Explicitly (AT) ........................................................................................................................... 43
4.1.2 Relatively (BY) .......................................................................................................................... 44
4.1.3 Extend Through ........................................................................................................................ 44
4.1.4 Extend By ................................................................................................................................. 46
4.1.5 Drag Explicitly........................................................................................................................... 47
4.1.6 Align Secondary Nodes ............................................................................................................ 48
4.1.7 Joint Freedom .......................................................................................................................... 48
4.2 Orientation ...................................................................................................................................... 49
4.2.1 Axes ......................................................................................................................................... 49
4.2.2 Rotate ....................................................................................................................................... 50
4.2.3 β Angle (Beta Angle) ................................................................................................................ 50
4.2.4 Flip ............................................................................................................................................ 51
4.3 Copying ........................................................................................................................................... 51
4.3.1 Copying with Multiple Attached ................................................................................................ 51
4.4 Modifying the Pipe Rack - A Worked Example ........................................................................... 52
4.4.1 Copy Offset ..............................................................................................................................
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4.4.2 Position Relative....................................................................................................................... 52
©©Copyright
Copyright1974
1974totocurrent
currentyear.
year. 5
AVEVASolutions
AVEVA SolutionsLimited
Limitedand
anditsitssubsidiaries.
subsidiaries.
AllAllrights
rightsreserved.
reserved.
AVEVA Plant (12.1)
Structural Modelling TM-1101
6
© Copyright 1974 to current year.
AVEVA Solutions Limited and its subsidiaries.
All rights reserved.
AVEVA Plant (12.1)
Structural Modelling TM-1101
7
© Copyright 1974 to current year.
AVEVA Solutions Limited and its subsidiaries.
All rights reserved.
AVEVA Plant (12.1)
Structural Modelling TM-1101
8
© Copyright 1974 to current year.
AVEVA Solutions Limited and its subsidiaries.
All rights reserved.
AVEVA Plant (12.1)
Structural Modelling TM-1101
www.aveva.com
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AVEVA Plant (12.1)
Structural Modelling TM-1101
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CHAPTER 1
1 Introduction
AVEVA PDMS allows designers to utilise an array of applications contained within the program modules.
This training guide provides discipline specific training for the Structural Modelling application contained
within the Design module.
1.1 Aim
The aim of this training guide is to provide designers with the knowledge and skills necessary to create and
modify structural models.
1.2 Objectives
1.3 Prerequisites
It is expected that trainees will have completed the TM – 1001 AVEVA Plant (12.1) PDMS Foundations
training course. Trainees who can demonstrate a suitable understanding of other PDMS applications and
techniques may also be permitted to undertake the training.
Training will consist of oral and visual presentations, demonstrations, worked examples and set exercises.
Each workstation will have a training project populated with model objects. This will be used by the trainees
to practice their methods and complete the set exercises.
Certain text styles are used to indicate special situations throughout this document.
Menu pull downs and button press actions are indicated by bold dark turquoise text.
Additional information notes and references to other documentation will be indicated in the styles below.
Additional information
Refer to other documentation
System prompts will be bold and italic in inverted commas i.e. 'Choose function'.
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Example files or inputs will be in the courier new font. If users are required to enter information as part of
an example, appropriate fonts and styles previously outlined will be used.
Login to PDMS using the details provided by the Trainer. They will typically be as shown below:
Username: A.STEELMAN
Password: A
MDB: A-STRUCTURAL
Select Utilities > Training Setup… from the main menu to display the Training Setup form.
Navigate to the Structural tab, select the Structural radio button then check the Setup Training Course
checkbox.
Save Work.
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CHAPTER 2
PDMS data is stored in a hierarchical structure, similar to the directories and sub-directories used to access
computer files. The Structural Modelling application requires specific administrative elements to be in place
in order to maintain the system hierarchy.
For some design disciplines the manner in which the database hierarchy should be arranged is readily
apparent. For example pipes may be grouped in zones by system, piping class, or fluid code. Equipment
may be grouped in zones by equipment type, systems, or physical location.
This is not always the case for structural models. Some company/project procedures require the structural
model to be broken down by project build methodology, while others may emphasise weight control or
material purpose. To assist designers in meeting the required engineering deliverables, the structural
hierarchy provides more administrative elements than other disciplines.
Whatever the modelling objective may be, it is important that the hierarchy is well thought out and has a
meaningful structure. The production of drawings and other deliverable documents are greatly aided by a
good hierarchy breakdown and well named significant elements.
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AVEVA Plant (12.1)
Structural Modelling TM-1101
The Structural Modelling Application is contained within the PDMS Design module. The Structural Modelling
Application contains four utilities to assist designers in creating structural models. These utilities are:
Beams & Columns – creation of structural profile elements
Panels & Plates – creation of plate type elements
Walls & Floors – creation of wall, floor and screed elements
Access Stairs & Ladders – creation of access ways, stair towers, stair flights, ladders, platforms and
hand railing elements.
The Walls & Floors utility and the Access Stairs & Ladders utility are not covered in this training guide.
Before modelling can commence, the required administrative hierarchy must be created. From the General
application, in the Design Module, only SITE and ZONE elements can be created as these are common to
all disciplines. The standard structural hierarchy elements may be created from the Create pull down menu
in the Beams & Columns utility or the Panels & Plates utility.
SITE and ZONE elements may also be created from these Create menus in these utilities.The Walls &
Floors utility and the Access, Stairs & Ladders utility create their own administrative elements.
To create the structural administrative elements, select Create > Structure…, Create > Framework… or
Create > Sub-Frame… from the main menu to display the relevant form.
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Significant elements, e.g. SITE, ZONE, STRU, FRMW and SBFR, are normally named to facilitate
navigation around the model and to ease creation of Draw Lists and other model tools. The Create forms
enable the element’s Purpose attribute to be set. A pre-defined list of values can be accessed using the
Purpose options list.
Standard Purpose attribute settings are used by the Walls & Floors utility and other applications. The
Purpose attribute may be set manually via the command line to any value which may be used by the
other applications.
Clicking the Attributes… button on any of the Create forms displays the Attributes form.
Clicking the Apply button on the Attributes form modifies the attribute and refreshes the form.
Clicking the OK button on the Create form creates the element and dismisses the form.
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The aim of this exercise is to create a simple hierarchy for the storage of structural elements created in the
worked examples and other exercises of this training guide.
Enter the Beams & Columns application by selecting Design > Structures > Beams & Columns…
from the main menu.
In the Design Explorer navigate to SITE-STRUCTURAL-AREA01. Select Create > Zone… from the
main menu to display the Create Zone form:
Repeat this process using the appropriate options from the Create menu to create a Structure named
PIPERACK and a Framework named ROW_7.
The row IDs referred to in the worked examples and exercises, e.g. ROW 7, reflect pre-defined user
grids that are maintained for training purposes.
Save Work.
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CHAPTER 3
The Beams & Columns utility facilitates the creation of structural profiles (e.g. Pre-cast concrete profiles,
steel I-beams, T-sections, Channels, Angles, Circular Hollow Sections, etc) in the design model. The
application enables the profiles, once created, to be manipulated and modified to create the desired
structural configuration. The application also enables the insertion of Catalogue fitting components (e.g.
stiffeners, lifting lugs, etc) onto profiles and the application of Catalogue based joints to connected profiles.
To ensure design consistency and conformity to national or company standards, the definition of all profile
shapes used in structural modelling are held in a Catalogue database.
Each individual straight structural profile (column, beam, brace, etc.) is represented in Design by a Section
(SCTN) element. The SCTN has many attributes, some of which are set automatically by placing or
manipulating the element via the appware, graphically or manually whilst others may be set by the user via
appware or manually.
The cross-sectional shape, or geometry, of the profile is defined in a catalogue database. The geometry is
usually defined parametrically, such that the same definition may be used for many different profiles with the
same generic shape but differing values e.g. depth, width, web thickness, flange thickness, etc.
The SCTN has a Specification Reference (Spref) attribute which points to a Specification Component
(SPCO) element in the catalogue database. The specification acts as a selection mechanism and filters the
available profiles to the user depending on choices made on the selection form. The SPCO points at a
Structural Profile (SPRF) element, which is also held in the catalogue database, via its Catalogue Reference
(Catref) attribute. The Catref in turn references the geometry definition and other elements.
When a profile is added to the design model, the position, orientation, and other attributes are set for the
element in the Design database. However, the physical properties of the profile are specified by the Spref
attribute pointing at the geometry definition in the catalogue.
Two of the most important attributes are the Position Start (POSS) and Position End (POSE) which
effectively determine the length and orientation of the element. These positions are determined from
graphical picks, explicit co-ordinates, direction and distance or a combination of these methods. The 2D
cross-section is ‘extruded’ from the POSS to the POSE.
To provide a method of referring to individual edges of the SCTN, each edge is identified by a named line
running along the length of the profile. These lines, which are specified within the 2D geometry in the
Catalogue, are called Plines. A section has a number of Plines that have a two, three or four letter
abbreviation set to its PKEY attribute.
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As an example, some of the most commonly used Plines for a parallel flanged I-shaped profile might be
positioned and named as shown:
Where an asymmetric profile, e.g. an unequal angle, is used, an additional Pline representing the profiles
centre of geometry is provided. This Pline has the PKEY CGEO. The position of the CGEO Pline is
calculated and its location will be unique to the size of the profile. The CGEO Pline has significance for the
Hole Management Utility.
See Appendix A for Plines and Parameters of Standard AVEVA Generic Types.
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Before starting to create sections in the model, some initial default settings must be made to suit the planned
method of working.
The Default Section Specification, together with its Justification, Member line and Joint line settings (these
terms are explained later), is displayed on the Beams & Columns toolbar.
The Default Section Specification is initially displayed as Unset, i.e. no section is specified.
Having selected the profile type, the available profile sizes are displayed in the list below. The appropriate
profile size may be selected from the list.
PDMS provides several standard specifications, for example British, American, Japanese, DIN, etc, which
may be augmented or replaced by specific company standards.
The Pline Settings area of the form enables the following attributes for the chosen profile to be set:
Justification line
Member line
Joint line
Member line - sets the position of the line to be displayed in Draft, e.g. the section centreline.
Joint line - sets the Pline for joint geometry (normally NA).
Clicking the Apply button on the Section Specification (Default) form sets the default section profile that
will be used. The section specification and Pline settings are displayed on the Beams & Columns toolbar.
Pline settings are displayed in the order Justification / Member line / Joint line.
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The Design database Storage Areas specify which Framework (or Subframe), sections and Primary Nodes
(see Structural Connectivity) will be stored in when they are created. The storage areas should be specified
prior to commencement of creating components for that particular area of the model. The current storage
areas are displayed on the Beams & Columns toolbar.
Making the FRMW or SBFR where the components will be stored the CE and clicking the button to the left of
the appropriate storage area sets the CE as the storage area and displays it on the toolbar.
The settings may also be made by selecting Settings > Storage Areas… from the main menu to display the
Storage Areas form.
Making the FRMW or SBFR where the components will be stored the CE, and then clicking on the storage
area required in the form, sets the storage area.
Each time a new section is created it will automatically be associated with a profile from the catalogue, that
is, the Default Profile Specification. Also by default, Primary Nodes will not be created automatically at
unconnected section ends. These defaults are controlled by the following buttons on the Beams & Columns
toolbar.
Connecting sections and the administrative elements required are detailed later in this training guide.
The final setting to be made before commencing creation of profiles is the Pline Rule. When a section is
created and connected to an existing section, the ends of the new section are trimmed automatically by
referencing the current Pline Rule.
If this rule has not been set-up correctly, the new section may not be trimmed correctly. Pline Rules
determine which Pline of the existing section will be used to trim the new section to.
With no Pline rule set, which is the default setting, the new section is trimmed to the extremities of the
existing section.
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In this example, the new section has terminated at the extremity of the
existing section instead of the web, i.e. the NARO Pline.
With an appropriate Pline rule set, the new section will trim to the
required Pline (i.e. the NAR Pline) and give the desired result.
PDMS provides one predefined Pline rule named Normal that cannot be modified. The Normal Pline rule is:
This means that a new section will connect to the NA Pline unless it first encounters a Pline whose
Cconnection attribute (abbreviated to CCON) is set to ANY.
Pline rules are also filter the availability of Plines for graphical
picks when creating or positioning fittings, panels, etc. A Pline is
only visible or available for selection if it meets the criteria of the
Pline rule.
Pline rules are set by selecting Settings > Pick Filters > Plines…
from the main menu to display the Pline Filter form. All available
Pline Filters are displayed.
Selecting the required rule with the cursor sets the rule and
dismisses the form.
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While the Normal rule will satisfy many of the connection requirements for standard section profiles, there
are instances when a User Defined Pline Rule may be beneficial. User Defined Pline rules can be used to
filter the displayed Plines, to restrict or clarify Pline selection, or for ensuring desired connectivity.
Pline rules may be simple. For example, a rule to select only the NA Pline would be PKEY EQ ‘NA’. Pline
rules can also include valid operators or expressions allowing users to build more complex rules. For
example, a rule to select only the internal radial Plines on a Gtype TUBE would be MATCHWILD(PKEY,
‘NA*’).
User Defined Pline rules are created from the Pline Filter form.
Clicking the Define Rule… button on the form displays the
Define Rules form.
Clicking on the rule Name in the Pline Filter form sets it to be the active Pline Rule and dismisses the form.
The keyword INSET used in the rule definition is a PML operator function that takes a comma
separated list of text strings (or numeric values) and applies it to the preceding attribute, i.e. the Pkey
attribute of the PLINE element.
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Structural Modelling TM-1101
Pline rules, coupled with the Positioning Control toolbar, give designers a number of ways to graphically
select positions in the PDMS model. To further assist designers, additional picking control functionality is
provided via the Picking Control form.
Selecting Settings > Picking Control… from the main menu displays the
Picking Control form.
This form allows designers to stipulate which elements within the model can
act as snap points for a variety of element types. It also allows users to apply
a default offsets to a picked position.
Elements such as Secondary Nodes, Fittings and Joints can be used as Snap
Points for graphical selections within the model. If the Significant Snaps
checkbox is selected (the default) then significant snap points will be available
for selection within the model. If the checkbox is not selected, then only the
start and end points of a Section will act as snap points.
The type of elements that can act as a Significant Snap point varies
depending on whether sections or panels are being considered.
Clicking the Set… buttons adjacent to the Section/Wall Pick Settings and Panel/Floor Pick Settings text
opens additional forms that allow the user to select how these elements will be treated in the graphical view;
including which elements will be available as significant snap points.
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Clicking the Apply button on the form sets the selected options. The Reset button resets the form to the
default options.
The Offset area of the Picking Control form presents a series of radio buttons that may be used to apply
various types of offset to the picked point. Information displayed in the lower section of the form varies
depending on to the Offset option selected.
The default setting for offset options is None. The pick position selected by the user will only be affected by
the active settings of the Positioning Control toolbar, i.e. no other offset will be applied to the pick position.
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AVEVA Plant (12.1)
Structural Modelling TM-1101
Care must be taken when an offset is applied to a pick position. Other functions that utilise graphical pick
points may also be affected by the offset. For example, the Measure Distance function will use the last
offset condition specified. Hence the user must remember to select the None option from the offset area of
the form before taking measurements in the model.
Using offsets with the Distance pick method on the Positioning Control toolbar will apply the specified
distance in addition to any offset set via the Picking Control form.
The images below show the effect of the offset being set to None, i.e. the pick point is at the start/end of the
element, and of the effect of the offset being set to Distance Direction, i.e. the pick point is offset East by
300mm.
Pick point with no offset Pick point with offset option Distance Direction
The pick position may be modified by selecting the Justification, Member or Joint line, for either the
owning or attached section, using the radio buttons in the Projection area of the form which are enabled
when the Projected radio button is selected.
The Start/End and Projected options only function where the picked section is attached using a
SNOD.
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Structural Modelling TM-1101
Care should be taken when using these options to ensure the correct setting is being used for the
required task.
Selecting Create > Sections > Straight… from the main menu displays the
Section form and activates the Positioning Control toolbar.
The Section form is divided into three areas of functionality enabling users to
stipulate:
How the sections will be set out.
How the start and end points of the section will be defined.
What actions will be applied.
The functionality relating to each area is considered in the following sections.
The method used to specify how sections will be created and can be set by clicking one of the three radio
buttons.
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If the PDMS model already contains suitable elements, the start position of the section may also be
defined by making a graphical selection using the Positioning Control toolbar.
The required East (X), North (Y) and Up (Z) co-ordinates may be
entered and the Start position will be shown by an aid in the 3D
View.
Once the start point of a section is defined, the options for defining
the section end point are updated.
The end position may now be defined by using the active create
options or by making a graphical selection.
Clicking the Explicit button again will display the Define section
end form. This form is used in exactly the same way as the
Define section start form.
Perpendicular From - creates a section perpendicular to the section specified for the new section
start.
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Where sections connect, Secondary Nodes are automatically created. This facility may be switched off by
un-checking the Secondary Nodes check box in the Create Option area of the form.
Connecting sections and the administrative elements required are detailed later in this training guide.
3.4.3 Verification
If the Confirm box is checked the Accept and Reject buttons are
enabled.
The Redefine Start button may be clicked at any time during section creation to start the definition of the
section again.
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Selecting Connect > Connect from the main menu prompts the user to choose the section to attach to
and the section end(s) to be attached The selection process is terminated by pressing the Esc key.
The Joint Dominant and Joint Subordinate options are detailed later in this training guide.
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The Posline attribute holds the name of the Pline to which the
Attached section is trimmed. This is set in accordance with the
Pline rule current when the connection was made.
PNOD elements may own more than one Primary Joint element. The Nposition attribute holds the PNOD
position with respect to its owner. As SBFR and FRMW elements do not have a Position attribute, this
position is effectively with respect to the STRU element.
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Normally when a connected structural member is deleted, the SJOI element in the connection is also
deleted. This can leave an SNOD owning no SJOI elements, i.e. the SNOD is ‘empty’.
Graphical selections utilise SNOD elements as significant snap points in the PDMS model. To reduce the
chance of selecting an incorrect point on a structural profile it is good practice to remove ‘empty’ SNOD
elements from the model.
Selecting Delete > Tidy Nodes… from the main menu displays the
Tidy Nodes form.
Clicking the OK button on the Tidy Nodes form deletes all ‘empty’
SNOD elements found.
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In some circumstances, e.g. if an attached member is deleted from the Command line, the Cref attribute of
the SJOI is set to Nulref but the SJOI is not deleted. In this case the SJOI element is redundant and it is
good practice to delete the SJOI.
Selecting Delete > Tidy Joints... from the main menu displays the
Tidy Joints form.
As deleting the SJOI may leave the SNOD ‘empty’, checking the
Delete Node if empty checkbox will also delete the SNOD if it
does not own any other SJOI elements.
The form will show all SCTN elements in the CE that have Both
ends connected, Neither end connected, and One end connected.
For the One end unconnected category the SCTN will display a
tag at the unconnected end as well as being displayed in the
highlight colour.
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This worked example demonstrates how to construct some initial frames for a simple pipe rack using
different section sizes. The text and accompanying drawings provide step-by-step guidance to create the
Pipe Rack.
The General Arrangement of the Pipe Rack is shown on the following drawings:
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Ensure the Beams & Columns application is current or select Design > Structures > Beams & Columns
from the main menu to enter the application.
Make initial settings for the storage areas. Ensure that FRMW ROW_7 is the CE and click the Set Section
Storage Area and Set Node Storage Area buttons on the Beams & Columns toolbar.
For the Default Profile Specification, click the Set Default Profile Specification button on the Beams &
Columns toolbar, set the specification to British Standard and the Generic Type to Universal Columns.
Select 203x203x46kg/m from the displayed list and set the Justification to NA, leaving the Member line and
Joint line at NA. Click on the Apply button and then the Dismiss button on the form. The Beams &
Columns toolbar should now look like this:
Set the Pline rule to Normal by selecting Settings > Pick Filters > Plines… from the main menu and
selecting Normal from the displayed Pline Filter form.
Select Utilities > User Grid Systems… from the main menu to display the User Grid Systems form. Check
that the AREA_01_GRID is selected and click the Gridline IDs radio button. Click the Display button and
the Set View Limits to Grid button.
Select Create > Sections > Straight… from the main menu to
display the Section form. Make sure that the String Method is set
to Single and that the Create Secondary Nodes check box is
checked.
Click the Explicit button to display the Define section start form.
Enter the co-ordinates West 305360, North 309680, Up 100400.
To assist users in positioning items and creating structural items with complex geometry PDMS utilises 3D
Aid Constructs. 3D Aid Constructs are 2D Graphics and although not database elements, they can be
copied, modified and deleted in a similar manner to PDMS elements. Aid constructs can be used in
conjunction with the Aid pick type on the Positioning Control toolbar to give positional information for such
items as the start and end of structural profiles or vertex elements in a panel.
Aid constructs may be created in any of the structural utilities. A variety of construct can be created,
including Grids, Planes, Circles, Lines, and Working Points. Constructs are only displayed for the
duration of the Design session, but may be saved to a file and restored during subsequent Design sessions.
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The drawings provided earlier in this section give sufficient information to determine the position of the next
column required in Row 7. However a pre-defined user grid can also be used to assist in positioning the
columns required for the pipe rack.
Pre-defined User Grids are slightly different to standard 3D aid constructs. Although they do not need to
be saved and loaded in the same manner as other 3D aid constructs, they do need to be activated in
each Design session.
With the Section form still displayed click the Explicit button again,
noting on the Define section start form that the displayed co-
ordinates are those defining the end position of the previously created
SCTN.
Rather than calculating and entering the West, North and Up positions,
navigate to the Positioning Control toolbar and set the Pick Type to
Aid and the Pick Method to Snap.
Notice that the Define Section Start form has updated the co-
ordinates to reflect the position selected on the user grid.
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Click the Walk to Draw List button on the 3D View and set the
view direction to Iso 3. There should now be two parallel
203x203x46kg/m sections in the 3D View.
The next task is to create two horizontal beams for the pipe rack frame. Graphical selections will be used
to select the start and end positions of the sections rather than entering explicit co-ordinates.
Click the first column created near to its upper end to define
the Start position of the new section, noting that the Start
label is displayed adjacent to the section.
Note that the beams have been trimmed to the TOS or BOS
Pline of the columns. Toggle wire frame display mode on by
pressing F8 on the keyboard and zoom in to one of the
connections and note the SNOD that has been created.
Click near the upper end of the first column, then near the upper end of the second column, to create a
new horizontal beam.
A 1000mm long stub beam is required on the southern column. Set the Pick Method on the Positioning
Control toolbar back to Snap and click near the top of the southern column. Use the Direction & Distance
button with a direction of S WRT /* and a distance of 1000 to create the beam.
Save Work.
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The exercises contained in this training guide allow the user to create an equipment support frame using a
range of standard sections, bracing members, panels, and fittings. The drawings below, coupled with
instructions in each exercise, provide the information necessary to model the structure correctly.
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Save Work.
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CHAPTER 4
4.1 Positioning
Elements that have position attributes (for example SCTN’s) can be re-positioned in a variety of ways. The
two main methods are position Explicitly and position Relatively.
Positioning explicitly allows the user to position elements at specific co-ordinates with respect to the
WORLD or other design elements. Selecting Position > Explicitly (AT)… from the main menu will display
the Positioning Control toolbar and the Explicit Position form. By default the Start position of the current
element is displayed showing East/West, North/South and Up/Down co-ordinates with respect to the world.
The Datum options list allows the user to specify the point on the
element to which the position co-ordinates will apply. The user may
specify Start, End, Centre or Designate Position.
Designate Position – used in conjunction with the Positioning Control toolbar, the user can specify a point
on the element for re-positioning. The entire element is relocated, or re-orientated, with the Designated
Position at the specified co-ordinates and the start and end positions modified.
Changing the Datum re-displays the axes aid and label to the
specified position.
To define a position explicitly users must enter the required co-ordinates in the appropriate direction textbox.
If necessary, the wrt textbox can be used to identify the element whose co-ordinate system is to be used for
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the position data. The bounding box will adjust to show the new position and clicking the Apply button on
the form will re-position the element.
To define a position by reference to existing design items, use the Positioning Control toolbar and the
cursor to identify the required positions by picking them in the graphical view. If required, use the Lock
check boxes to fix the current co-ordinate along any axis.
To position another section, use the Select menu options on the form to change the focus of the form. Use
the CE or Owner option if the required item is selected in the design explorer, or use the Pick or Pick
Owner option and then select the required item with the cursor when prompted. The form will display the
current position and the user can then change any part of this by entering new values.
Extend Through allows the user to specify a plane, position and orientation to extend either end of the
section to. The section will only extend along its Z axis, i.e. its extrusion direction, as the plane is infinite in
its planar dimensions. In PDMS a plane’s direction is defined by the direction of a vector normal (i.e.
perpendicular in all directions) to the plane. The position of the plane is defined by the start position of that
vector. Selecting Position > Extend > Through… displays the Extend Section – Relative form.
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In the picture above the plane has been initially positioned using the Cursor > Element option and then
moved be entering a new North co-ordinate. The Plane Direction has been set to South; note the plane aid
and direction vector displayed to help the user visualise the position and direction of the plane.
Clicking Apply button extends the end of the current element to the plane.
The position of any Secondary Nodes owned by the section is measured from its start position. If the user
requires the Secondary Nodes to stay in their original position when the start position of the section is
moved, then the Maintain Sections’ Node Positions check box needs to be selected. Otherwise, the
Secondary Nodes will move with the start position, i.e. their Z distance attribute will be maintained.
Checking the Cut end(s) to plane check box on the form will orientate the end of the section to the plane
direction after it has been extended or trimmed.
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4.1.4 Extend By
Extend By allows the user to lengthen or shorten the section by moving its Start or End position through a
specified amount. Selecting Position > Extend > By… from the main menu displays the Extend Section -
Explicit form.
The user can move the end of a section either by Distance or by a Proportion of the sections current
length; by selecting the appropriate radio button and entering the desired amount.
Entering a positive value will lengthen the section and entering a negative value will shorten it.
To maintain the position of any Secondary Node owned by the section, click the Maintain Sections’ Node
Positions checkbox.
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The Drag Explicitly function allows the user to re-position a section, have any attached sections lengths
adjust and realign the Secondary Nodes automatically. It is, therefore, equivalent to using three operations,
that is Position > Explicitly (AT)…, Connect > Trim to Pline > all attached and Position > Align
Secondary Nodes, in one.
The Datum options list enables the user to select the element
Origin or an ID Design point as the point for the dragging
operation; however, the Origin co-ordinates with respect to the
World are displayed by default.
Any valid design element may be used to define the axis system for
the direction boxes by entering the appropriate element in the wrt
box.
A bounding box and axes aid at the start position are also displayed. Entering new co-ordinates in the axes
boxes will move the bounding box to the new location.
After clicking Apply the section is re-positioned and all attached sections trimmed to the new joint positions.
All connected sections will trim to the new position of the owning section, adjusting their length as
necessary. The behaviour of the attached sections depends on whether the joint is dominant or subordinate,
as described in Joint Freedom later in this chapter.
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When a section that owns Secondary Nodes is repositioned or extended, it is possible that the secondary
nodes may become misaligned. This can be corrected by selecting Position > Align Secondary Nodes
from the main menu.
This function realigns the node(s) with their attached member(s) and may be executed from SCTN, STRU,
ZONE or SITE level.
Where two sections are connected via a joint, the joint may be defined as either dominant or subordinate.
This setting, which is determined by the Jfree attribute of the SJOI, controls how the attached section
behaves when the section owning the joint is moved.
If the joint is subordinate, i.e. the attached section is dominant and Jfree is set to false, the attached
sections will extend or trim, maintaining their original orientation, to the Pline that they were trimmed to on
creation.
If the joint is dominant, i.e. the attached section is subordinate and Jfree is set to true, the attached
sections will realign to the new joint position.
The column is the owning section with two beam sections attached.
The standard default is for joints to be subordinate. The default setting can be changed by selecting
Settings > Tolerances… from the main menu to display the Section Tolerances form.
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Joint freedom can be changed after the joint is created by selecting Connect > Joint Subordinate or
Connect > Joint Dominant from the main menu. The user will be prompted to select the section ends to
apply the chosen setting to.
4.2 Orientation
Like positioning, orientating elements in PDMS can be performed in a number of ways. SCTN elements do
not have a direct Orientation attribute, however, a pseudo-attribute for orientation can be queried, e.g. Q
ORI, which returns the normal orientation format information but is derived from the SCTNs frame of
reference, the Start and End positions and the β Angle (Beta Angle) of the SCTN.
4.2.1 Axes
Selecting Orientate > Axes… from the main menu will display
the Orientate form.
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4.2.2 Rotate
Selecting Orientate > Rotate… from the main menu displays the
Rotate form.
The centre of rotation, that is, the origin of the Rotation Axis vector,
may be positioned by entering a distance against one or more
directions. The Angle in degrees by which the element is to be
rotated, must be entered in the Angle (º) textbox prior to clicking the
Apply button.
The β Angle of a SCTN defines the rotation around its Z axis. The effect of changing the β Angle is shown
in the diagram below.
In this diagram the Justification Line is set to TOAX. Modifying the β Angle rotates the section around its Z
axis defined by the Justification Line.
Selecting Orientate > β Angle from the main menu allows the user to modify the β Angle in positive or
negative increments of 90 degrees from the sub-menu.
The Command Window must be used to set any other values. Entering BANG <value> on the data entry
line and pressing the Return key will set the β Angle to the entered value.
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4.2.4 Flip
Flip enables the user to change the orientation of sections by exchanging the Start and End positions, that
is, the Z direction of the section is orientated through 180º. This only really affects asymmetrical sections
such as angles and channels although it may be applied to all section profiles.
After selecting Orientate > Flip from the main menu the user will be prompted to select, using the cursor,
the elements to Flip. Having made the selection, pressing the Esc key will flip the chosen sections.
4.3 Copying
PDMS provides three general methods to create copies of elements; Copy Offset, Copy Rotate and Copy
Mirror. This functionality is covered in TM - 1001 AVEVA Plant (12.1) PDMS Foundations training guide.
If a connected section is copied using any of the copy methods, the newly created section will not be
connected. There are often times when a multiple copy of a section needs to be made at regular centres,
e.g. stringers in a deck or floor panel. This could be achieved by using a multiple Copy Offset; however,
each end would need to be connected after copying. PDMS provides a utility that copies a selected member
and produces multiple copies with connection details the same as the original.
Selecting Create > Sections > Multiple Attached… prompts the user to select the section to be copied if a
SCTN element is not already the CE. Upon making an appropriate selection, the Section Copy form is
displayed.
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In the picture above, the maximum number of sections has been calculated based on the length of the
shortest owning section. When the arrangement shown is correct, clicking the Apply button copies the
sections and connects them to the owning member(s). Any end preparations (see Structural Detailing) will
also be applied.
In this worked example additional frames and horizontal beams required for the Pipe Rack structure will be
created using some of the techniques described in this chapter.
Make the Pipe Rack ROW_7 the CE and select Create > Copy > Offset… from the main menu to display
the Copy with Offset form. Select Rel. from the to options list, enter 3 in the Number of copies textbox
and enter a –5180 in the X Offset textbox. Click the Apply button and click the Yes button on the
subsequent confirmation message. Note that the STRU PIPERACK now owns three additional FRMW’s.
Make the FRMW adjacent to ROW_7 the CE (it should be FRMW2), select Modify > Name… from the main
menu to display the Name form, enter ROW_5 in the Name textbox and click the Apply button. Leave the
form open, make the FRMW adjacent to ROW_5 the CE (it should be FRMW3), click the CE button on the
Name form, enter ROW_2 in the Name box and click the Apply button. Repeat the procedure to name
ROW_1. Dismiss the Name form.
Make ROW_1 the CE and select Position > Relatively (BY)… from the main menu to display the Position
By form. Select West from the East/West options list and enter 10 in the textbox then click the Apply button
then Dismiss the form.
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Whilst individual profiles are not normally named, columns are often used for reference purposes and are
commonly named in the model.
Make the column at the intersection of gridlines K and 1 the CE. Right click the SCTN in Design Explorer
and select the Rename option from the pop-up menu to display the Name form. Enter K1 in the Name
textbox and click the Apply button. Rename the other seven column SCTNs with the appropriate grid
references.
Click the Create/Modify Lists button on the Default toolbar to display the Lists/Collections form. Select
Add > List… from the form menu to display the Create List form. Enter J2+J5 in the Description textbox
and click the OK button. Select Add > Identified from the form menu and graphically select columns J2 and
J5, pressing the Esc key to end the selection. The two SCTNs are now in the list. Select Control > Close
from the form menu to dismiss the form.
Select Position > Extend > Through… from the main menu to display the Extend Section – Relative form.
Select List from the options list at the top left of the form and select Nearest End from the End of Section
options list. Ensure that the Maintain Sections’ Node Positions checkbox is checked and the Cut end(s)
to plane checkbox is unchecked. Select Cursor > Element from the form menu and graphically select a
point near the top of column J2 to place a plane aid at the top of the column and populate the co-ordinates
on the form. Modify the Up co-ordinate to 107160 and click the Apply button to extend the columns. Dismiss
the form.
Create two new FRMW elements, owned by the PIPERACK STRU, named ROW_K and ROW_J. Make
ROW_K the CE and set the storage areas to this FRMW. Set the Default Profile Specification to
Universal Beam 203x133x25kg/m justified TOS and with the Member line and Joint line set to NA.
Select Create > Sections > Straight… from the main menu to display the Section form. Set the
Positioning Control toolbar options to Element and Distance and enter a distance of 3710. Select near
the bottom of column K1 to specify the start of the section and then at the bottom of column K2 to specify
the end of the section. The section has been created at EL.(+) 104110 T.O.S.
Create the beams on ROW_K between columns K2 and K5 and between columns K5 and K7.
Make ROW_J the CE and change the storage areas. Create the beams between the columns as shown on
the drawings. For the beam between columns J2 and J5 the Positioning Control toolbar should be set to
Element/Snap and the columns picked very near the top.
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Save Work.
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Save Work.
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CHAPTER 5
Curved structural sections are represented in PDMS using Generic Section (GENSEC) elements, the
geometry of which is defined by extruding a 2D catalogue profile along a path.
This path lies on a plane and is represented by a SPINE element, owned by the GENSEC, whose route is
specified by a sequence of Spine Points (POINSP). Spine points are created at the start, the end, and at
each change of direction. Each segment linking adjacent spine points can be a straight line or circular arc,
achieved by inserting Curve (CURVE) elements.
GENSECs can be connected to each other or to SCTN elements. Fixings and joints can also be applied to
them. Although GENSEC’s may look and behave in a similar manner to SCTN elements, their definition and
hierarchy structure are quite different.
A GENSEC element sits at the same level in the hierarchy as SCTN, PANE & PNOD elements, i.e. it may
be owned by a FRMW or a SBFR.
Each element in the GENSEC hierarchy has specific attributes that combine to create the curved section.
GENSEC element
The Position attribute holds the origin of the frame of reference of the GENSEC with respect to the
WORLD. Note: this point will be the ‘start’ of the section for GENSECs containing straights portions
(Curved sections) and the ‘centre’ of the circle/arc for a GENSEC that is solely a partial or complete
circle (Ring sections).
The Orientation attribute holds the orientation of the frame of reference of the GENSEC with
respect to the cardinal axes.
SPINE element
The Ydirection attribute holds the local Y axis direction of the profile with respect to the frame of
reference of the GENSEC. Modifying the Y direction of the SPINE is similar to modifying the
Bangle (Beta Angle) attribute of the GENSEC. However, the effect of the Y direction attribute is
independent of the Bangle.
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POINSP element
The Position attribute of the POINSP element holds its position with respect to the origin of the
frame of reference of the GENSEC.
CURVE element
The Position attribute of the CURVE element holds the centre point of the curve for a Centre type
curve or the apex point for a Fillet type curve, see below.
The Cposition attribute holds the position of a point that defines the ‘sense’ of the CURVE.
The Radius attribute holds the radius of the CURVE.
The CurTyp attribute holds the type of curve of the CURVE element. Two types of curve are used in
GENSEC elements:
1. Centre – the point held by the Position attribute is the centre of the curve.
2. Fillet – the point held by the Position attribute is the apex of the curve.
The Create Methods area contains buttons that, in conjunction with the
positioning control toolbar, enable the user to create predefined closed and
open shapes.There is also a button to enable ‘free’ definition of Spine Points
and Curves.
The Radius text box (default 1000mm) enables the user to enter a value for
the radius of the curves. The Undo button is active during the GENSEC
creation process, enabling the user to step back through the picked points
and correct any errors in the pick sequence.
There is no Apply button on the Curved Section form.The creation process is carried out automatically
once the specified points for a given creation method are established. The only exception to this is the
Free Definition method.
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Free definition
Right angle
Swan neck
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If the CE is a curved section, selecting Modify > Section > Definition... from the main menu displays the
Modify Section (Curved) form.
The Spine Point area of the form enables the user to select
a POINSP (start or end) or CURVE element to modify.
The position of the POINSP element at the Start or End of the GENSEC may be modified by selecting Start
or End from the options list in the Spine Point area of the form. The position may be modified graphically or
explicitly, with respect to the GENSEC origin, in the appropriate text boxes.
A graphical aid, showing the local axes of the GENSEC, is displayed to assist the user in positioning the
Start or End. When a new position is entered the graphical aids are modified to reflect the new position.
In the following example note the change in angle of the subsequent CURVE element, even though the
CURVE point itself has not been modified.
When a new position has been defined the Modify button on the Modify Section (Curved) form becomes
active. Clicking this button will reposition the Start or End.
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CURVE elements in the SPINE definition may be accessed by selecting Curve from the options list in the
Spine Point area of the form. This selection activates four gadgets on the Modify Section (Curved) form:
A Curve counter in the Spine Point area of the form. This may be used to step through, forwards
or backwards, the different CURVE elements (if more than one exists).
A Curve Type options list in the Spine Point area of the form.
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The Curve Type may be modified by selecting Fillet or Centre from the options list in the Spine Point area
of the form. The X and Y co-ordinates will change to reflect the new curve point position and the graphical
aids will update to show the new position and curve type.
The Modify button will not be activated until data in the Attributes area of the form has been modified.
This can be affected by re-entering the same radius. Clicking the Modify button, when activated, will
change the Curve Type.
The Radius of the CURVE element may be changed by entering a new value in the Radius textbox in the
Attributes area of the form. The graphical aid changes to reflect the new path of the SPINE and the Modify
button will be activated. Clicking the Modify button will update the CURVE with the new Radius.
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Clicking the Yes button will delete the CURVE element and modify
the SPINE path as shown by the graphical aid.
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This worked example demonstrates a number of creation and modification processes that will assist users
to model Curved GENSEC elements. It will also introduce the use of additional 3D Aid Constructs that will
make the modelling process easier.
Contained within AREA02 of the training model are a number of additional structures that will be utilised in
this chapter. Using the Design Explorer navigate to SITE-STRUCTURAL-AREA02 then to ZONE
BUILDING_B02 and add the zone to the 3D view.
Navigate to SITE-EQUIPMENT-AREA02,
then to ZONE-EQUIPMENT-AREA02-
B02.
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Due to the positions of the reserved areas a number of curved sections will be used to form the gantry
beam. The gantry beam could be defined explicitly as a single Gensec. However it is often more
convenient to divide a complex shape up into a number of simple shapes.
The shape required for this example could be thought of as three basic shapes; a right angle bend, a
swan neck, and an open rectangle. These basic shapes will be created, then modified, to model the gantry
beam in the sections that follow.
The gantry beam will be modelled using a Universal Beam profile. Click the Set Default Profile
Specification button in the Beams & Columns toolbar.
From the British Standard specification ensure Universal Beams is the selected Generic Type. Select
the 254x146x31 kg/m profile and set the justification to BOS. Click the Apply button then the Dismiss
button.
New hierarchy for the storage areas is also required. In the Design Explorer navigate to STRU
BUILDING_02_Level_01 and open the hierarchy tree. Navigate to FRMW B02_LEVEL_01_BEAMS.
Create a new SBFR and name it B02_LEVEL_01_GANTRY_BEAMS.
Make the new SBFR the current element then click the Set Section Storage Area button and the Set Node
Storage Area buttons.
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In the previous worked example, a pre-defined user grid was used to assist in positioning sections. Other
types of aid constructs, including a variety of grids, can also be created. To assist with the positioning of the
gantry beam a Plant Grid will be created.
Select Create > Grids > Toolbar… from the menu. The Grids form will be displayed.
The buttons on the Grids form correspond to the sub-menu creation options.
Select the Plant Grid button from the toolbar to display the Reference
Plant Grid form.
The form is divided into three significant frames; Options, Position, and
Orientation. The Options area of the form enables the user to:
Label and Detail the grid with text aids by checking the appropriate
check box.
Specify the X and Y spacing for the grid lines. One grid line will be
created for each entry in the X Spacing and Y Spacing text box. The
spacing’s are relative, i.e. they are measured from the last grid line.
Once spacing details have been entered a Preview of the grid can be
seen by clicking the Preview button.
Click in the X Spacing box and enter the following spacings:
9500, 100, 1300, 100, 1700, 100, 3000, 100, 1300, 100, 2000.
The Position area of the form enables the user to position the grid origin,
i.e. the lower left corner of the grid (for positive X/Y spacings).
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The Orientation area of the form enables the user to change the plane in which the grid will be applied. This
can be done using any of the three methods outlined below. Orientating a grid does not alter its position.
Clicking the Through three points button prompts the user to graphically pick three points to define the
plane of the grid. When the orientation points have been picked, the Y is and Z is text boxes are updated
with new directions defined by the grid plane.
Clicking the Through origin and two points button prompts the user to graphically pick two points
which, together with the origin point, define the plane of the grid. When the orientation points have been
picked, the Y is and Z is text boxes are updated with new directions defined by the grid plane.
The orientation can also be set by typing a direction in the Y is and Z is text boxes. The X direction is
automatically derived, using the Right-hand Rule and is displayed beneath the two text boxes.
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Only one direction may be altered at a time, thus two or more entries may be
required to re-orientate the grid. If an invalid orientation is defined using this
method an error message is displayed.
Due to the method used to position the grid, it is also correctly orientated and
no further action is required. To create the grid click the OK button. The form
will be dismissed and the aid lines will be displayed in the 3D view.
Select Create > Sections > Curved…from the main menu. The Curved Section form will be displayed.
From the Create Methods area of the form click the Right Angle button . Clicking the Right Angle button
starts the Gensec creation process. The primary prompt area will display a series of messages instructing
the user to select points that will define the position of the Gensec.
Leave the Radius set to 1000 and the Connect Ends checkbox unselected. Navigate to the Positioning
Control toolbar and adjust the Pick Type to Aid. Select the points in order as shown below.
Once valid picks have been made the Gensec will be created. To exit this Gensec creation method press
the Esc key.
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From the Create Methods area of the Curved Section form click the Swan Neck button .In a similar
manner to creating a right angle Gensec, clicking the Swan Neck button instigates the Gensec Creation
process. Once again, the user is prompted to make selections that will define the position of the Gensec.
Once the points have been selected press the Esc key to end the creation method. The Gensec’s should
now look like this:
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From the Create Methods area of the Curved Section form click the Open Rectangle (Fillet) button .
As with the other Gensec’s created, clicking the Open Rectangle (Fillet) button instigates the Gensec
Creation process. Three graphical selections are required. The first two selections place the apex points
of the two fillet curves. The third selection defines the length of the open legs. Select the points in order as
shown below.
Once the points have been selected press the Esc key to end the creation method. The Gensec’s should
now look like this:
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The three basic shapes provide most of the geometry required for the gantry beam. However, the right angle
gensec needs to be extended toward the west, while the open rectangle gensec requires its western most
leg to be extended to the north.
Dismiss the Curved Section form then make the Right Angle Gensec the CE. Select Query > Measure
Distance… from the main menu. Set the Positioning Control toolbar Pick Type to Graphics and the Pick
Method to Cursor. Measure from the western end of the Gensec back to the inside face of the western wall
over the main door opening.
Select Modify > Sections > Definition… from the main menu. The Modify Section (Curved) form will be
displayed and an aid axis will be positioned at the Start of the Gensec.
The Gensec needs to be extended in a negative sense, based on the Y direction indicated by the aid axis.
Enter -1062 in the Y position textbox then press Enter. The Modify button will now be active and the
graphical aids will update to show the proposed Start position of the Gensec. Click the Modify button then
dismiss the Modify Section (Curved) form.
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Make the Open Rectangle Gensec the CE then select Modify > Sections > Definition… from the main
menu.
The Start and End points of the Gensec are labelled in the 3D view and an aid axis is provided at the origin of
the Gensec. The western leg of the open rectangle needs to be extended to the north. To achieve this the
position of the End spine point must be modified.
From the Modify Section (Curved) form, select End from the option list in the Spine Point area of the form.
The position of the End spine point can now be expressed in term of the Gensec’s origin. In the Attributes
area of the form enter -4000 in the Y position text box.
Once again, a preview of the new position is provided and the Modify button is now active. Click the Modify
button then dismiss the form.
Aside from the small gaps between the three Gensec’s, the geometry of the gantry beam is now complete.
Merging the Gensec’s into one model element will be considered later in the training guide.
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A ‘Ring’ GENSEC does not contain straight segments and is used to create full or
partial circles. Selecting Create > Sections > Ring... displays the Ring Section
form.
The Circle Definition area of the form enables an Arc or a Full circle to be specified
to avoid any ambiguity. In a similar manner to Curved GENSEC’s, the Positioning
Control toolbar is active and may be used to facilitate the creation of ring sections.
For an Arc ring section, the Flip Sense button toggles between an anti-clockwise
and clockwise direction for the arc, i.e. the ‘sense’ of the arc is changed.
For a full ring section, the Flip Sense button has the same affect as using the
Orientate > Flip command from the main menu.
Through 3 points – this option enables the user to pick three points through which the circle is to
pass. For an Arc the first point selected is the start and the third point is the end.
Derive from a picked item - this option enables the user to pick a design item from which the
radius and centre of circle can be derived. The ring will be superimposed on this circle, which can
then be repositioned as required.
Fillet - this option enables the user to enter the required radius on a separate form and then pick
two linear design items that will be tangential to the required circle. For an Arc, the contact point
with the first line is the start and the contact point with second line is the end. The plane of the ring
is normal to both lines and through the first line.
Tangential to 3 lines - this option enables the user to pick three linear design items to define the
circle which will fit between these tangents. The plane of the ring is normal to, and midway
between, the first two lines.
Fixed radius, tangential to a circle - this option enables the user to enter the required radius on
a separate form, pick a position towards which the circle will be directed (the control point), and
then pick a design item from which the circle can be derived. The ring will be tangential to the
derived circle on the side specified by the control point.
Fixed radius, passing through 2 points - this option enables the user to enter the required
radius on a separate form and then pick two positions defining the start and end of the ring. A
control point is then picked. This is the point to which the circle will be directed.
Tangential to a circle – this option enables the user to pick a position defining the centre of the
ring, then pick a design item from which the circle can be derived. The ring will be tangential to the
derived circle and the radius will be the distance from first pick to the tangent point.
Tangential to 2 circles - this option enables the user to enter the required radius on a separate
form. Then, on two coplanar circular design items, pick positions near points where the ring is to
touch tangentially and also a point near the centre of ring.
Derived diameter – this option enables the user to pick two positions representing opposite sides
of a circle (distance between picks defines diameter), then pick a position towards which the circle
is to be directed (control point). For an Arc the first point is the start position and the second point
is the end position.
Derived diameter on working plane – for this option a Working Plane must be active. This
option enables the user to pick two positions representing opposite sides of the circle (the
distance between the picks defines the diameter). The picked positions will be projected onto the
Working Plane and the ring will lie in this plane. For an Arc the first point is the start position and
the second point is the end position.
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Fixed diameter – This option enables the user to enter the required radius on a separate form,
then pick a position for the centre of the ring and two positions aligned with start and end of the ring
(in that order). The ring lies in plane through the three points.
Fixed diameter on working plane – for this option a Working Plane must be active. This option
enables the user to enter the required diameter on a separate form and pick a position for the
centre of the ring. The ring will be a 180° arc, created anticlockwise about the Z-axis of the working
plane, with a start position on the X-axis.
Derived radius – this option enables the user to pick a position for the centre of the ring, the start
of the ring, and a position aligned with the end of the ring. The distance between the later two picks
defining the rings radius. The ring lies on the plane through the three picked points.
Derived radius on working plane - for this option a Working Plane must be active. This option
enables the user to pick two positions representing the centre and the start of the ring (the distance
between the picks defines radius). The picked positions will be projected onto the working plane
and the ring will lie in this plane. The ring will be a 180° arc, created anticlockwise about the Z-axis
of the working plane.
Fixed radius – This option enables the user to enter the required radius on a separate form, then
pick positions for the centre of the ring, the start, and the end of ring (in that order). The ring lies in
the plane through the three picked points.
Fixed radius on working plane - for this option a Working Plane must be active. This option
enables the user to enter the required radius on a separate form then pick a position for the centre
of ring. The ring will be a 180° arc, created anticlockwise about the Z-axis of the working plane, with
the start position on the X-axis.
Define explicitly – this option displays the Create Section (Ring). Details relating to this method
are provided in the section that follows.
The Settings area of the form enables the user to specify the
Radius, Start and End angles. Angles are measured anti-clockwise
from East wrt the current frame of reference. The ‘sense’ of the
arc, i.e. whether Anti-Clockwise or Clockwise, can also be set
Anti-Clockwise
Clockwise
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The Position area of the form contains an options list and a series
of co-ordinate text boxes. These mechanisms allow the user to
define the position of the ring section and stipulate which part of
the ring the co-ordinates relate to.
The default setting positions the Origin of the ring section i.e. the
centre of the ring. Other position options include:
Radius – the co-ordinates refer to a point, measured along the X axis from the Origin, which
corresponds to the value in the Radius text box in the Settings area of the form. If the value of this co-
ordinate is changed, the value of the Radius will change automatically. Conversely, if the Radius value
is changed the co-ordinates automatically change.
Start Angle – the co-ordinates refer to a point, measured from the Origin, that corresponds to the start
point of the ring based on the Radius and Start Angle values. If the value of one, or either, of the co-
ordinates is changed, the value of the Start Angle will change automatically. Conversely, if the Start
Angle value is changed the co-ordinates will be changed automatically.
End Angle - the co-ordinates refer to a point, measured from the Origin that corresponds to the end
point of the ring based on the Radius and End Angle values. If the value of one, or either, of the co-
ordinates is changed, the value of the Start Angle will change automatically. Conversely, if the Start
Angle value is changed the co-ordinates will be changed automatically.
In addition to the co-ordinate text boxes, the Positioning Control toolbar is also active and can be used to
set the section position using graphical picks.
The Orientation area of the form provides the user with three methods by which the ring section can be
orientated.
Clicking the Through three points button prompts the user to graphically pick three points to define the
plane of the ring section. When the orientation points have been picked, the Y is and Z is text boxes are
updated with new directions defined by the ring section.
Clicking the Through origin and two points button prompts the user to graphically pick two points
which, together with the origin point, define the plane of the ring section. When the orientation points
have been picked, the Y is and Z is text boxes are updated with new directions defined by the ring
section.
The orientation can also be set by entering a direction in the Y is and
Z is text boxes. The X direction is automatically derived, using the
Right-hand Rule and is displayed beneath the two text boxes. It
should be noted that only one direction may be altered at a time so it
may require two or more entries to re-orientate the ring section. If an
invalid orientation is defined using this method an error message is
displayed.
Orientating a ring section does not alter its position. The wrt text box enables the position and orientation to
be set with respect to other design elements.
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To modify the ‘sense’ of the ring, the Start and End angle values
must be swapped as appropriate.
This worked example demonstrates creation and modification processes that will assist users to model
Ring GENSEC elements. It will also build on the the use of 3D Aid Constructs that will make the modelling
process easier.
Using the Design Explorer, navigate to SITE-STRUCTURAL-AREA02 then ZONE BUILDING_B01. Add the
zone to the 3D view.
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The support beam will be modelled using a Parallel Flange Channel. Click the Set Default Profile
Specification button in the Beams & Columns toolbar.
The support beam needs to be positioned such that the top of the section coincides
with the underside of the floor slab. This can be achieved in a number of ways
during element creation, however one means of ensuring the correct elevation is to
establish a Working Plane.
A Working Plane may be a plane or a grid and can be used to control positioning
operations. If a working plane is active, picked positions will be projected onto the
plane. Only one Working Plane may be active at any given time.
A Working Plane can be created explicitly using the Utilities > Working Plane…
option from the main menu. Alternatively, a 3D Aid Plane or Grid can be created
and then made to be the active Working Plane.
Select Utilities > Working Plane… from the main menu to display the Working
Plane form. Navigate to the Define form menu and select the Define > Plane…
option. The Working Plane form will be displayed.
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The Options area of the form enables the user to Label the
plane, display the plane Axes, and toggle between a filled and
unfilled graphical representation of the plane (if displayed). The
Size of the graphical representation of the plane can also be
adjusted by changing the values in the X and Y textboxes.
The Position & Orientation area of the form enables the user to
position the plane origin and orientate the plane. Planes can be
positioned explicitly by entering co-ordinates, or through
graphical selections.
Clicking the OK button on the form sets the defined plane as the
active Working Plane, automatically checking the Active and
Visible checkboxes.
With the working plane suitably defined additional circle and line aid constructs can be created. Select
Utilities > Constructs… from the main menu. The 3D Aid Constructs form is displayed.
Select Create > Circle > Toolbar from the form menu to display the select the Circles toolbar. An arc
shaped aid line will be created from the existing geometry of the Level 01 floor slab.
Click the Through Three Points button on the Circles toolbar. This action instigates the Events Driven
Graphics (EDG) mode. In the Primary Prompt area the user is instructed to make a graphical selection for
the first point of the aid line. Navigate to the Positioning Control toolbar and change the Pick Type to
Graphics and the Pick Method to Snap.
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Select the Southeast corner of the floor slab. This marks the start position of the arc aid line. As a
working plane is active, the picked point is transposed to the working plane. An aid graphic indicating the
point selection sequence is displayed.
The second pick point needs to be made approximately mid way around the circumference of the curved
floor. Position the cursor over the floor slab then hold down the left mouse button. The cursor will change to
a parallelogram shape. While holding down the left mouse button move the cursor toward the edge of the
curve. When the cursor shape changes to a dumbell shape release the mouse button.
The third pick point defines the end of the arc aid line. Select the Southwest corner of the floor slab. On
selecting the final pick point the aid graphic will be displayed with an arrow at the origin of the arc and two
text boxes at the start and end of the defined angle.
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To assist in creating the Gensec a further aid line, bisecting the arc aid line, will be created. Dismiss the
Circles toolbar then select Create > Line > Toolbar… from the 3D Aid Constructs form. Click the Bisect
the Picked Lines button from the Lines toolbar. Two lines need to be selected as noted in the primary
prompt area.
Select the line defined between the arc origin and the arc start position. For the second line select the
line defined between the arc origin and the arc end position. The aid graphics should now look similar to
the picture below.
The arc aid graphic is based on the geometry of the floor slab. The position of the support beams must
account for the exterior wall and the smaller sized floor of Level 02. Rather than reposition the beam after it
is created the aid graphics will be modified to ensure the beams are created the correct position
Close the Lines toolbar then select Modify > Definition… from the 3D
Aid Constructs form. In the primary prompt area the user is asked to
pick the aid to be modified. Graphically select the arc aid line. The
Modify Circle form will be displayed.
The aid graphics will display the proposed new position. Click the OK button to modify the position of the
aid. Dismiss the 3D Aid Constructs form.
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The completed aid graphics should look similar to the picture below.
Select Create > Sections > Ring… from the main menu. The Ring Section form will
be displayed.
Ensure the Arc radio button is selected then click the Through Three Points button
in the Creation Methods area of the form.
Three points defining the start, a point on the circumference, and the end of the arc
must be selected graphically. The start and end of the support beam will tie into the
existing Level 01 beams and columns while the intersecting aid lines define the point
of curvature.
The Positioning Control Toolbar can be adjusted for each pick point to provide the
correct position for the support beam.
Navigate to the Positioning Control toolbar. Set the Pick Method to Element and the Pick Type to
Intersect.
Near the Southwest corner of the structure, select a beam aligned East/West followed by the column in the
Southwest corner. An aid graphic will be displayed at the elevation of the active working plane.
Navigate to the Positioning Control toolbar and set the Pick Method to Aid. Pick a position somewhere
along the arc aid line then select the bisecting aid line.
Navigate back to the Positioning Control toolbar and reset the Pick Method to Element. In the Southeast
corner select the beam aligned East/West followed by the column in the Southeast corner.
A ring Gensec will be created and the Flip Sense button on the Ring Section form will be active. Zoom
the 3D view out, then click the Flip Sense button to see the effect it has on the Gensec created. Click the
Flip Sense button again to restore the Gensec to the correct sense. Save work.
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A similar support beam is also required for the roof structure. Navigate to STRU BUILDING_01_LEVEL_02
in the Design Explorer and expand the hierarchy. Make FRMW B01_LEVEL_02_BEAMS the current
element and add them to the 3D view. Change the node and section storage area to this framework also.
Select Utilities > Working Plane… from the main menu. In the Settings area of the form turn off the
working plane by de-selecting the Active checkbox. Select Define > Reposition from the form menu.
Navigate to the Positioning Control toolbar. Set the Pick Method to Element and the Pick Type to Snap.
Graphically select the top of one of the beams in Level 02. Re-select the Active checkbox on the Working
Plane form. The working plane will be visible in the new location. Close the Working Plane form.
A number of Gensec creation methods only work if an active working plane exists. However, there is
usually an equivalent method designed for use without a working plane.
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Upon selecting the centre of the ring section a semi circle Gensec of the specified diameter will be created.
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Using the Design Explorer, open the Zone WORKSHOP_BUILDING and navigate to STRU
AREA02_WORKSHOP.
Create a new FRMW AREA02_WS_GANTRY and set the section and node storage areas to the new
FRMW.
Create a linear grid aid construct centred on the intersection of the beams in FRMW
AREA02_WS_ROW_B3. Ensure the spacing is 1000mm by 1000mm and increase the number of
visible lines to 20.
Choose suitable construction methods to create the Gensec shown below. The beam used is a 356 x
171 UB 45 from the British Standard. The TOS should be 2850mm above the base of the columns. A
radius of 1000mm has been used for all curves.
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CHAPTER 6
6 Structural Utilities
PDMS provides functionality that enables the user to create bracing from pre-defined configurations which
may be adapted to suit most situations. The advantages of using the pre-defined configurations to create
bracing, rather than create sections individually are:
All sections in the configuration are created simultaneously.
Initial gaps can be set so that geometry is realistic.
Created sections are automatically connected.
Selecting Create > Sections > Bracing configurations… from the main menu displays the Bracing form.
The Available Bracing Configurations list displays the available configurations. Clicking on a configuration
text in the list displays a picture of the configuration. There is more than one choice for some of the
configuration styles, for example A/K Bracing, which cover the majority of possible scenarios. The
configurations may be used where the members are in different orientations to those shown providing the
configuration is the same.
The Bracing Plane options list enables the user to specify the
plane in which the bracing will be created. The choices are:
Derived by Section – This is the default and the most
commonly used option. The bracing plane direction is
orthogonal to both the first section picked and the incoming
section nearest to the first pick point.
Derived by Points – This option is useful for adding bracing
between two sections that do not have a third section
connected directly between them. The bracing plane is
constructed by projecting the second picked point onto the first
picked section.
Defined… - This option allows the user to define the bracing
plane explicitly and projects the picked points onto the defined
plane. Selecting this option displays the Bracing Plane form
and Positioning Control toolbar.
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The plane origin may be entered explicitly or by use of the Positioning Control toolbar. Having made the
appropriate settings on the Bracing form, clicking Apply will display a bracing dimensioning form which will
differ depending on the bracing configuration chosen.
A distance may be entered in A and B to make the initial gap, as shown on the corresponding diagram of
the Bracing form. Having entered the distances, the sections used to define the bracing configuration are
picked in the sequence indicated in the diagram on the Bracing form.
If the Confirm check box is selected, aids representing the bracing plane and bracing elements will be
displayed. Clicking the Accept or Reject button will create or discard the bracing. If Confirm is unchecked,
the bracing is created without further input.
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The diagrams below show the currently available bracing configurations. The dimensions marked ‘A’ and ‘B’
correspond to the A and B values on the bracing dimensioning forms. The ballooned numbers indicate the
sequence of picks. The sections must be picked in the order shown to ensure the bracing is configured
correctly.
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Having created bracing sections either as individual sections or using the standard configurations, gaps
between the bracing members may be adjusted to suit the design.
The gap may be changed to the correct distance before clicking the Accept or Reject button to modify or
discard the gap change. If Confirm is unchecked, the gap will be modified to that shown in the Gap A
textbox.
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The diagrams below show the currently available bracing gap configurations. The ballooned numbers
indicate the sequence of picks for sections or Plines.
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It is often easier to model an overall structure then split it into smaller components for fabrication or
assembly purposes. The split function allows Sections, Generic Sections, and Panels to be split from the
Beams & Columns or Panels & Plates utilities.
Selecting Modify > Sections > Split… from the main menu in the Beams & Columns application, or
Modify > Split… from the main menu in the Panels & Plates application, displays the Split Steel form.
The elements to be split are added to the Elements to split list using
the options available in the Add to list options list.
The graphical selection must be made before the Graphical window selection option is selected.
The pop up menu is available at any time and does not require the
Elements to split list to be populated.
If the Element to split list is empty, the options to remove items from
the list are greyed out.
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If the list is populated, the two element removal options are active.
There functions are described below.
Remove Selected from list – this option removes the selected
members from the Elements to split list. Multiple element
selection may be made using standard Windows selection
methods.
Clear List – this option removes all elements from the Elements
to split list.
The Define split-on area of the form has an options list with
the following choices:
Pick Section(s) to split on – this option enables the user to graphically select one or more sections to
be split on from the 3D View. Selecting this option displays the prompt ‘Pick a section to split on:’ .
One or more sections may be selected, the selection process being terminated by pressing the Esc key.
The selected items are highlighted in cyan.
The SCTN(s) selected to split on does not have to touch the elements that will be split. However the
Neutral Axis must intersect the elements to be split in at least one plane.
Define Graphical Aid Line(s) to split on – this option enables the user to create one or more aid lines
to split on by selecting points in the graphical display. Selecting this option displays the prompt ‘Line
start (Snap) Snap:’ One or more aid lines may be created, the creation process being terminated by
pressing the Esc key.
Define Graphical Plane(s) to split on – this option enables the user to create one or more planes to
split the selected elements on.
Selecting this option activates the Plane Size and Plane Direction
textboxes in the Define split-on area of the form and the
checkboxes adjacent to them.
Graphical selections activate the Positioning Control toolbar. The prompts for these options may vary
depending on the Pick Method used.
Checking the Fill checkbox ‘fills’ the plane aid. Checking the checkbox adjacent to the Plane Direction
textbox locks the Plane Direction, for any subsequently created plane(s), to the current setting.
Once graphical aid lines and/or planes have been defined the Modify
Graphical aid line/plane and Delete Graphical aid line/planes buttons
are enabled.
Clicking the Modify Graphical aid line/plane button displays the prompt ‘Pick aid to be modified pick
Aid:’. Picking a line or plane from the 3D view displays the appropriate aid modification form, i.e. Modify
Line or Modify plane.
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Clicking the Delete Graphical aid line(s)/plane(s) button displays the prompt ‘Pick aid(s) to be deleted.
<esc to finish> pick Aid:’. One or more lines or planes may be selected for deletion. The selection process
is terminated by pressing the Esc key.
The Connections at split area of the form enables the user to define what will happen to the sections at the
split. This functionality is applicable to SCTN elements only.
The user can define how the ends of the split section(s) will relate to one
another after the split by selecting one of three options.
None
Nodes
The section is split at the Justification line of the section it is split on.
SNOD and SJOI elements are created connecting the split sections to the
section(s) they were split on.
Trimmed
The section is split at the Justification line of the section it is split on.
SNOD and SJOI elements are created connecting the split sections to the
section(s) they were split on. The split sections are trimmed to the Pline at
the extremity of the section(s) they were split on.
‘Soft’ types of panel elements, e.g. STWALL, GWALL, FLOOR & SCREED are outside the scope of
this training guide.
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When all selection options have been made, clicking the Split button on the bottom of the Split Steel form
will split the elements.
One part of the split element retains the original Database Reference Number and the remaining part(s) are
allocated new Database Reference Numbers.
Splicing allows the user to divide sections into smaller lengths at any point along their length and, optionally,
connect the abutting ends created by the splice.
The SJOI may be used to apply lap or splice joints between the
end-to-end connected sections.
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Structural elements of the same type, i.e. SCTN, PANE or GENSEC, may be merged together to form a
single element. However, it is only possible to merge elements that are colinear (or coplanar in the case of
panel elements). Any number of elements may be merged but the first element selected will be the
dominant section, i.e. the section that all other selected sections will be merged into and whose attributes
the merged sections will inherit.
Any number of SCTN elements may be merged regardless of their specification, beta angle, or position
provided they are colinear.
Selecting Modify > Sections > Merge from the main menu in the Beams & Columns application displays
the prompt ‘Pick Panel/Section or End of first gensec to merge’.
The first section picked is the dominant section, i.e. the section that all other picked sections will be
merged into and whose attributes the merged sections will inherit.
On picking the first (dominant) section the prompt changes to ‘Pick Section to merge or <esc> to finish:’
The remaining sections to be merged may then be graphically picked form the 3D view. The picking process
is terminated by pressing the Esc key.
If the Esc key is pressed before at least one section to merge has
been picked, an error message is displayed.
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Two GENSEC elements may be merged regardless of their specification, beta angle, or position provided
the ‘line’ of the gensec at the ends to be merged is collinear.
Selecting Modify > Sections > Merge from the main menu in the Beams & Columns application displays
the prompt ‘Pick Panel/Section or End of first gensec to merge’.
The first gensec selected is the dominant gensec, i.e. the gensec that the other picked gensec will be
merged into and whose attributes the merged gensec will inherit.
On picking the first (dominant) gensec end the prompt changes to ‘Pick the end of the second gensec to
merge:’ The end of the second gensec to be merged may then be graphically picked form the 3D view.
The end of the gensecs used for the merge depends on the pick point position on the gensec, i.e. the
nearest end to the pick point is selected.The two ends to be merged are labelled in the 3D view with aid text.
If the second gensec pick point is more than 50% of the gensecs
length away from the first selected end, i.e. the opposite end of the
gensec to that required, an error message is displayed.
The merged section will have the database Reference Number of the section picked first, i.e. the dominant
gensec.
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Any number of PANE elements may be merged regardless of their thickness or justification providing they
are coplanar and at least one vertex on each adjacent panel loop is coincident.
Selecting Modify > Merge from the main menu in the Panel & Plates application displays the prompt ‘Pick
Panel/Section or End of first gensec to merge’.
The first panel picked is the dominant panel, i.e. the panel that all other picked panels will be merged into
and whose attributes the merged panels will inherit.
On picking the first (dominant) panel the prompt changes to ‘Pick Panel to merge or <esc> to finish:’ The
remaining panels to be merged may then be graphically picked form the 3D view. The picking process is
terminated by pressing the Esc key.
If the Esc key is pressed before at least one panel to merge has
been picked, an error message is displayed.
If all picked panels are coplanar, and have at least one coincident
vertex in adjacent panel loops, a merge confirmation message is
displayed. The panels to be merged are highlighted in the 3D
view. Clicking the Yes button merges the highlighted panels with
the first (dominant) panel picked.
The merged panel retains the database Reference Number of the panel picked first, i.e. the dominant panel.
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Filleting enables two non-parallel sections or gensecs to be merged to form a single gensec, regardless of
specification, justification or beta angle, so long as they are not parallel and are coplanar. As a gensec
cannot own fittings, any fittings on sections to be filleted will be deleted.
Selecting Modify > Section > Fillet… from the main menu of the Beams & Columns application displays
the prompt ‘Pick end of first gensec/section to fillet’.
The first section picked is the dominant section, i.e. the section whose attributes the created gensec will
inherit.
On picking the end of the first section, the prompt changes to ‘Pick the end of the second section to
fillet’.
Once the fillet radius has been entered, the Fillet Point and
Start and End of the gensec are displayed with aid graphics. A
further confirmation message is also displayed.
Clicking the Yes button creates the filleted gensec. Clicking the
No button abandons the filleting operation. The new filleted
gensec is given a new database Reference Number.
Care should be taken when entering a curve radius as inappropriate values (e.g. very large radii) can
produce unexpected results.
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Filleting gensecs is similar to filleting sections; however, the prompts and messages are slightly different.
Selecting Modify > Section > Fillet… from the main menu in the Beams & Columns application displays
the prompt ‘Pick end of first gensec/section to fillet’.
The first gensec picked is the dominant gensec, i.e. the gensec whose attributes the filleted gensec will
inherit.
On picking the end of the first gensec, the prompt changes to ‘Pick the end of the second gensec to
fillet’.
Once the fillet radius has been entered, the Fillet Point and
Start and End of the gensec are displayed with aid graphics. A
further confirmation message is also displayed.
Clicking the Yes button creates the filleted gensec. Clicking the
No button abandons the filleting operation.
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Provided certain conditions are met, PDMS allows users to mitre sections and gensecs either to another
section (or gensec) or to panel elements. The workflow required to create each type of mitre representation
is discussed in the following sections.
To successfully mitre two section ends the following points concerning relative position, orientation and other
attributes of the two sections must be considered:
The sections must not be parallel.
The sections do not have to be the same Gtype but unacceptable results may occur.
The sections do not have to have the same Beta Angle but unacceptable results may occur.
The sections do not have to be co-planar but must be within the Offset depth tolerance.
The Y direction of the sections does not have to be the same but unacceptable results may occur.
Selecting Modify > Sections > Mitre Ends from the main menu in the Beams & Columns application
displays the prompt ‘Pick Section/Gensec/Panel Elements to be mitred:’.
On picking the first section, the prompt changes to ‘Pick Section or Gensec to Mitre with or Panel to
Mitre to:’. The end of the section may then be picked from the 3D view.
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If the picked section ends are not coplanar but within the Offset
depth tolerance, a warning message is displayed.
If the picked sections are not coplanar and outside the Offset
depth tolerance, an error message is displayed.
If the sections selected are valid, graphical aids will display the
angle bisector and additional information together with a
confirmation message.
Clicking the Yes button mitres the ends of the selected sections.
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When selecting the sections to mitre, the location of the pick points and the arrangement of the sections
relative to each other has a bearing on the resultant mitring.
Where the sections physically cross, the retained portion of the sections depend on which side of the
intersection point the sections are picked on.
Where the sections do not physically cross but the projected line of one section would physically cross
the other section, the retained portion of the crossed section depends on which side of the projected
intersection of the crossed section is picked.
Where the sections do not physically cross or the projected line of one would not physically cross the
other section, there is only one point of convergence and it does not matter where either section is
picked.
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Mitring gensecs is similar to mitring sections and the same considerations to positioning, orientation and
other attributes apply.
The location of pick points is significant in that the first straight part
of the conveging ends of the gensec must be selected. Selecting
one straight at the converging end of a gensec and then the
straight at the non-converging end of the other gensec displays an
error message.
Mitring a section and a gensec is possible provided the general rules required for a successful section mitre
are followed. Depending on the justification and creation direction of the gensec, occasional errors relating
to mitre offset tolerances may be encountered. This can be overcome by making a careful change to the
Mitre Offset tolerance value.
A section or gensec may be mitred against a panel (PANE) element such that the start or end direction
(DRNS or DRNE attribute) of the section or gensec is modified to the plane of the panel. The section or
gensec must intersect the panel within the boundary of its loop otherwise the mitring operation is
abandoned.
Selecting Modify > Sections > Mitre Ends from the main menu in the Beams & Columns application
displays the prompt ‘Pick Section/Gensec/Panel Elements to be mitred:’.
If a panel is picked first the prompt changes to ‘Pick Section or Gensec to Mitre with:’. If a section or
gensec is picked first the prompt changes to ‘Pick Section or Gensec to Mitre with or Panel to Mitre to:’
as described previously.
Picking a valid combination of panel and section/gensec displays aid lines on the panel and from the
section/gensec, extending along the Justification Line, and a confirmation prompt.
Clicking the Yes button mitres the section/gensec to the panel. Clicking the No button abandons the mitring
operation.
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The Pipe Rack in SITE-STRUCTURAL-AREA01 will be used in this worked example. This example
demonstrates how to create a Pline rule, how to utilise bracing configurations, and how to the modifiy
bracing gaps. The splitting of diagonal bracing sections around a horizontal beam is also demonstrated.
To assist the designer in creating bracing and modifying the bracing gap, a suitable user defined Pline Rule
will be created.
Select Settings > Pick Filters > Plines… from the main menu to display the Pline Filter form and then click
the Define Rule… button to display the Define Rules form. Enter the following in the appropriate textboxes:
Click the Include button to create the User Defined Pline Rule and click the OK button on the Define
Rules form. The new rule is displayed on the Pline Filter form. Click the entry RHS Bracing to set it as the
current Pline rule.
Create a Subframe below FRMW ROW_K named ROW_K-BRACING and make it the CE. Select
Create > Sections > Bracing Configurations… from the main menu to display the Bracing form. Enter CE
in the Storage area textbox.
Click the Profile… button in the Section Data area of the form to
display the Section Specification form.
Click the / \ Bracing (K) radio button and enter 200 in the Gap A
text box and 150 in the Gap B textbox. Click the Confirm
checkbox to set confirmation on.
Create the K bracing on ROW K between ROWS 1 and 2 by graphically picking column K1 at the bottom,
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the beam at EL. (+) 104110 T.O.S. between ROWS 1 and 2 and column K2 at the bottom, in that order.
Click the Accept button to create the bracing. Create the K bracing on ROW K between ROWS 5 and 7
using the same gap values. Dismiss the A/K Bracing(3), 3picks form.
From the Bracing form select the Defined… option from the
Bracing Plane option list.
Create a SBFR below FRMW ROW_J named ROW_J-BRACING and make it the CE.
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Create a list of the K bracing members on ROW K. Mirror copy the list to the ROW_J-BRACING SBFR.
Connect the K bracing on ROW J to the appropriate beams and columns using the Connect > Connect
option from the main menu.
Revert to the Derived by Section Bracing Plane option on the Bracing form. Create the knee bracing on
ROWS 1, 2, 5 and 7 using option 8, Knee Bracing(2). Remember to change the storage area for each
ROW on the Bracing form.
The bracing gap associated with the cross brace between ROW 2 and 5 will now be adjusted. Manipulate
the 3D-view such that the bottom of column K5 and the intersecting cross brace can be clearly seen.
Click and hold down the left mouse button on the RHS bracing
member to display the Plines. Move the pointer to select the
Pline running along the bottom of the RHS.
Select the nearest Pline at the centre of the web of the UB,
this will either be the NAL or NAR Pline. The Gap A textbox
on the Brace Gap(s) form will display the current measured
gap value. Enter 75 in the Gap A textbox and click the Accept
button to adjust the gap.
Repeat this procedure with the other cross brace at the bottom
of column K2. Adjust the bracing gap at the top of the two
cross braces using option 2. Distance on picked Pline from
a fixed point.
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Select Modify > Sections > Split… from the main menu to display
the Split Steel form.
Select Graphical pick from the Add to list options list. Pick one of
the the cross brace members on ROW K to be split then press the
Escape key.
Click the Trimmed radio button then click the Split button.
Save Work.
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Create the ROW 3-BRACING in a new FRMW. Justify the bracing Angles at TOAX.
Adjust the bracing gaps in accordance with the drawings. This will require a new Pline rule using the
Plines TOAX, LBOA, NAL, NAR, BOS and TOS.
Copy the ROW 3-BRACING FRMW to create a new ROW 5-BRACING FRMW and connect all the
members.
Create the knee bracing on ROW C, ROW E, ROW F and ROW H.
The Equipment Support Structure bracing should now look like this:
Return to the GENSEC’s created for the Gantry beam in building B02. Merge the 3 GENSEC’s to create
a single element.
Save Work.
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CHAPTER 7
This chapter describes how the 3D structural model may be detailed by adding section fittings and joints.
Section fittings are catalogue items defined in Paragon. They are referenced in Design by FITT elements
which are owned by SCTN elements. Each fitting is designed to be associated with one or more appropriate
Plines for the particular section profile it is attached to. Due to catalogue parameterisation, one fitting type
may be applied to all section sizes of a particular profile category it was designed for.
A section fitting is positioned relative the start position of a SCTN element along its extrusion direction, i.e.
its Z direction.
Selecting Create > Fitting > Single… from the main menu, with a SCTN element as the CE, displays the
Create Fitting form. The function of the form is briefly described in the sections that follow.
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The Specification Data area of the form enables the user to specify the exact fitting required.
The Specification button and options list enables the user to select the type of fitting required, e.g. web
stiffeners, lifting lugs, fire insulation, etc.
The Section Type option list shows the Generic Type (GTYPE) of the SCTN that will own the fitting, i.e. the
current element.
The Sub-Type options list enables the user to select the sub-type of fitting e.g. a particular type or shape of
stiffener.
The scrollable list displays all available fittings for the Specification, Section Type and Sub-Type selected.
The Settings area of the form enables the user to select the position and orientation of the fitting.
The Justification options list enables the user to select the Pline to which the fitting will be ‘attached’.
The Pick Justification button can be used to select the required Pline graphically rather than selecting
from the options list.
The Zdistance textbox enables the user to enter the distance from the section start to the fitting along the
selected Pline.
The Position Element button button may be used, in conjunction with the Positioning Control toolbar,
to determine the position of the fitting and, therefore, the Zdistance graphically.
The Beta Angle box is used to specify the rotation of the fitting around the owing sections Z axis.
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When a section fitting is designed in Paragon, it is usually intended for use on one or more specific Plines
which may be shown on the Plotfile. For the fitting to work as intended, the Justification Pline should be
carefully selected.
When a Justification Pline has been selected from the options list or graphically identified, an aid arrow is
displayed at the Pline location on the section, pointing in the Z direction of the Pline. The aid arrow is
identified by a text aid showing the Pkey of the fitting, i.e. the Pline name. The aid arrow is positioned along
the Z direction of the section at the distance specified in the Z Distance textbox. The default Z Distance is
0.
Fittings are usually designed in Paragon to a specific orientation such that the Beta Angle does not need to
be modified from the default of 0. However, some fittings may work at different Beta Angles and entering a
value in the Beta Angle textbox orientates the fitting around the fittings Z axis, i.e. the Z axis of the
Justification Pline; the direction of the aid arrow.
The standard AVEVA catalogue provides simple examples of section fittings that are used for
demonstrations and training. It is important for companies to develop their own catalogues for all section
fitting requirements.
7.2 Joints
Like section fittings, joints are catalogue items that may be referenced by SJOI or PJOI elements. Joints
may have positive geometry, to represent stiffeners, haunch plates, flange inserts, end plates, etc., or
negative geometry to represent section end cutbacks, rat holes, bolt holes, etc., or a combination of positive
and negative geometry.
The positive and negative geometry definitions are held by the catalogue component and are, generally,
parameterised so that the joint may be applied to any combination of similar shaped owning and attached
sections. The joint is referenced by the Spref attribute of the SJOI or PJOI element.
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Selecting Modify > Joints > Specification… prompts the user to ‘Identify end of section joint is
connected to’. Although the SJOI is owned by an SNOD element, which is a member of the owning
section, the user must select the attached section end. PDMS determines the attached and owning section
generic types via the attached section attributes and present, via the specification, relevant joints based on
these types.
The function of the form is briefly described in the sections that follow.
The Specification Data area of the form enables the user to select the exact joint required.
The Specification button and options list enables the user to select the general type of joint required, e.g.
column connections, tubular connections, end preparations, etc.
The Sub-Type options list enables the user to select the sub-type of joint e.g. a joint with a certain number
of bolt holes or specific stiffener thickness.
The scrollable list displays all available joints for the Specification and Sub-Type selected.
The Settings area of the form allows the user to orientate the joint around the attached section.
The Justification options list shows the Plines defined in the joint. This is commonly only one Pline, the NA.
This Pline exists as a default alignment for the joint as it is aligned with the NA Pline of the attached section.
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The Beta Angle textbox is used to specify the rotation of the joint around the attached sections Z axis.
Normally this is 0 for one end of a section and 180 for the opposite end. Which end is which depends in how
the joint was created in the catalogue and how the section was defined.
Having selected the required joint from the list and set any Design Parameter requirements, clicking the
Apply button on the Joint Specification form creates the joint using the parameters of the owning and
attached sections together with any design parameters used.
Joints may be applied to ends of section individually. However, if a number of sections have the same
Owning and Attached generic types and require the same end connections, a previously applied joint may
be copied and applied to these section ends.
Selecting Modify > Joints > Joint Like > Maintain Pline from the main menu prompts the user to
‘Identify end of section to be copied like’. Selecting an appropriate section end will then
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to ‘Identify end of section to be modified’. Any number of ends may be selected and pressing the Escape
key will end the selection process.
The Spref attribute for each valid SJOI element in the selected section ends will be set to the same value as
the copied section end and the geometry displayed in the graphical view.
It should be noted that the joint geometry is adjusted to suit the section sizes of each joint. In cases where a
joint is copied from one end of a section to the other, the Beta Angle of the new joint(s) may be orientated
incorrectly by 180 degrees. Adjusting the Beta Angle value will rectify this.
This worked example demonstrates the creation of some simple section fittings and joints based on the
supplied catalogues.
On the Pipe Rack make the horizontal beam on ROW J, between columns J1 and J2 the CE. Zoom into
the centre of the beam where the two RHS bracing members connect.
Select Create > Fitting > Single… from the main menu to display the Create Fitting form. Select
Stiffeners from the Specification options list, Double Full Depth from the Sub-Type options list and
8mm_Double_Stiffener from the list of available stiffeners. Select NAL from the Justification options
list and click the Position Element button adjacent to the Zdistance textbox.
Set the Positioning Control toolbar to Pline and Snap. Graphically select a Pline on the inner sloping
face of one of the RHS braces. Note that the arrow aid, labelled NAL, moves to the selected position.
Click the Apply button to create a double stiffener aligned with the edge of the RHS brace. Repeat the
process to place double stiffeners aligning with the other three faces of the two RHS braces.
Create a list of the FITT elements just created. Copy offset the FITT elements to the equivalent beam on
ROW K between columns K1 and K2.
Create similar stiffeners for the ROW J beam between columns J5 and J7 and copy offset these fittings
to the equivalent beam on ROW K.
Make column J2 the CE. Display the Create Fitting form and select Single Full Depth from the Sub-
Type options list and 8mm_Flange_Stiffener from the list of available stiffeners. The Justification
should still be set at NAL from the previous task. Create two single full depth stiffeners to align with the
horizontal beam between column J2 and J5 at EL (+) 107160 T.O.S. Note that the stiffener opposite the
top flange is not flush with the TOS. This is because the stiffener is centre justified and, therefore, must
be moved down by half the stiffener thickness.
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Repeat the procedure to create two single full depth stiffeners on column J5.
Make the beam between columns J2 and J5 the CE. Display the Create Fitting form and select Lifting
Lugs from the Specification options list, Welded from the Sub-Type options list and
10mm_welded_lifting_lug (the only option) from the list. Select TOS from the Justification options list
and enter 300 in the Zdistance textbox. Click the Apply button to create the lifting lug 300mm from the
end of the beam. Set the Positioning Control toolbar to Pline and Distance and enter 300 in the
distance textbox. Select the TOS Pline at the other end of the beam. The arrow aid is positioned 300mm
from the selected end of the beam and the Zdistance textbox updated with the new distance. Click the
Apply button to create the new lifting lug and then click the Dismiss button.
7.3.2 Joints
Select Modify > Joints > Specification… from the main menu to display the prompt ‘Identify end of
section joint is connected to’ in the secondary prompt area. Pick the end of the beam between the
tops of column J2 and J5 nearest the column J2 to display the Joint Specification form. Select
Column Connections from the Specification options list, Column Web from the Sub-Type options list
and 4M20_web from the list of available joints. Click the Properties… button to display the Modify
Properties form. Enter the following values in the appropriate textboxes:
Dist from TOS 0
Dist from BOS 12
Thickness of Plt 12
Notch Depth 0
Click the OK button on the Modify Properties form and the Apply button on the Joint Specification
form to create the joint. Dismiss the Joint Specification form.
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Exercise 6 – Adding Section Fittings and Joints to the Equipment Support Structure.
At the connection of the stair landing beam with the ROW 5 beam at EL(+) 107820 TOS, place an 8mm
Single Partial Depth stiffener to align with the centreline of the stair landing beam. The partial depth
stiffeners should be positioned in the upper part of the UB. Use a value of 150 for the Long length and
90 for the Short length.
Create a similar stiffener for the stair half landing beam at EL.(+) 104880 TOS.
Where the ROW 3 horizontal beams connect with the column webs at EL(+) 107820 TOS create a
4M20_web joint (Specification Column Connections, Sub-Type Column Web) with the following
properties:
Apply this joint to other beam/column web connections at EL(+) 107820 TOS.
Where the horizontal beams on ROWS C to H (inclusive) at EL(+) 107820 TOS connect to the column
flanges apply a 4M20_flange column connection.
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On the Equipment Support Structure create a PNOD at the bottom of all the columns. Apply a
20mm_thick_attached_base plate joint to the bottom of the columns.
Save Work.
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CHAPTER 8
This chapter considers the way panel and plate elements are created in PDMS. Consideration is given to
the hierarchy requirements for panel elements along with creation and modification methods. In order to
create panels and plates users must switch structural utilities, via the Design main menu.
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As with creating sections and GENSEC’s, some initial default settings must be made prior to modelling
panel elements.
A panel specification can be set so that a range of thicknesses or an explicit panel thickness can be used.
As panels are not catalogue items the Specification Reference (SPREF) does not have a Catalogue
Reference (CATREF) and the selected thickness may be overwritten when creating the panel. The
specification may be left unset and the panel thickness specified during panel creation.
The Default Panel Specification is shown on the Panels & Plates toolbar and is initially unset.
The Design database storage areas for panels are similar to the Section and Node storage areas for the
Beams & Columns utility. The storage areas specify the Framework or Subframe where Panels and
Primary Linear Joints (see Connecting Panels later in this training guide) will be placed when created.
The storage area can be set by navigating to an appropriate Framework, or Subframe, and clicking the
button to the left of the appropriate textbox. If storage areas are not set the elements will be created under
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The Create Panel form is divided into three areas which are described in the following sections.
8.4.1.1 Settings
Individual panels may be named or a given a description for additional information processing or model data
extraction by entering the required text in the Name or Description textboxes.
Where a panel specification has been selected the default thickness will
appear in the Thickness textbox. The default thickness may be
overridden by entering a new value; however, the following message
will be displayed.
Clicking Yes overrides the thickness value and sets the PANEs Spref
attribute to Unset. Clicking the No button disregards the entered
thickness value and leave the PANEs Spref set to the default value.
If no panel specification has been set, a thickness must be entered in the Thickness textbox. This value is
the distance the panel loop will be extruded through.
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A panel may be justified Top, Centre or Bottom. The justification determines which direction the panel loop
will be extruded.
Top The panel loop will be extruded downwards by the panel thickness.
Centre The panel loop will be extruded downwards by half the panel thickness and upwards by
half the panel thickness.
Bottom The panel loop will be extruded upwards by the panel thickness.
8.4.1.2 Representation
As panels are not catalogue items, where Drawing Levels and Obstruction values are normally set, they
may be set via the Create Panel form.
Drawing Levels and Obstruction Values are explained in TM - 1001 AVEVA Plant (12.1) PDMS
Foundations.
Various methods of defining panel vertex positions or fillet arcs, which determine the vertex positions, are
provided via the buttons in the Create Methods area of the form. The buttons are:
Derive points from graphic picks – allows the user to pick a point graphically using the
Positioning Control toolbar.
Derive points from centres & plines – allows the user to construct a point using the intersection
of two Plines with an existing panel.
Trace boundary of another extrusion/panel – allows the user to create vertices which follow the
shape of an existing panel.
Explicitly defined position – allows the user to specify a position by entering explicit co-ordinates.
Point offset from previous – allows the user to specify a distance and direction which define a
point relative to the position of the preceding vertex.
Define arc fillet – allows the user to construct a fillet arc with a specified radius between two
picked tangent lines.
Derived arc passing through three points – allows the user to construct a fillet arc passing
through three picked points.
Fixed radius arc, passing through 2 points – allows the user to construct a fillet arc with a
specified radius, passing through two picked points, which curves towards a picked direction.
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Having created a panel, the PLOO geometry may be modified by moving, adding and deleting vertices,
edges and arcs. The vertices may also be expanded or contracted by a specified amount.
A group of vertices may be selected to be copied and inserted in a different part of the loop. Tools are
provided to modify the group, e.g. move the origin or mirroring, before the group is inserted.
The Loop Vertex Editor form menus contains the following options:
Control > CE - When the form is displayed, the CE name is displayed beneath the form menu.
Navigating to another panel and selecting this option makes the new CE the panel being edited by the
form. The new CE name is displayed on the form.
Control > Close - This option dismisses the form.
Settings > Confirm - This is a toggle option. When set On the user must click the Create or Modify
button at the bottom of the form to implement each creation or modification, depending which mode is
current. When set Off, each creation or modification is implemented immediately.
Settings > Confirm on delete – This is a toggle option. When set On, the user must confirm each
deletion in order to complete the command. When set Off, deletions are implemented immediately.
Settings > Tag edges - This is a toggle option. When set On, each edge is tagged with the number of
the vertex at its start.
Edges are tagged automatically, regardless of this setting, if the panel has incorrect geometry for any
reason (e.g. zero thickness).
Settings > Free rotate - This is a toggle option. When set On this option allows groups of vertices to be
oriented automatically when they are positioned relative, to say one edge, and are then moved to a
different edge.
Utilities > Remove Redundant - This option deletes redundant vertices in situations where two or more
vertices have the same position.
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The options in the Mode Selection area of the form enable the user to select a single vertex, an edge or a
group of vertices to be modified or create a new vertex.
Select all – allows the user to select all vertices in the loop allowing them to be modified as a group.
Select group to modify – allows the user to select any number of individual vertices so they can be
modified as a group.
Select edge to modify – allows the user to pick an edge to be modified. The adjacent Edge gadget
shows the current edge number (i.e. the number of the vertex at its start).
Select point to modify – allows the user to pick a vertex to be modified. The adjacent Vertex gadget
shows the current vertex number.
Create points – allows the user to create a new vertex, which will be allocated the next number in the
sequence after the current vertex.
8.5.1.3 Vertex/Edge
The Vertex/Edge area of the form contains a Select button and a counter that shows the current vertex or
edge, depending on the current mode. If the Select edge to modify button is clicked, the counter label will
change to Edge and the counter will show the current edge.
The Select vertex/edge button allows the user pick a vertex in the 3D View. The
adjacent Vertex/Edge counter shows the current vertex/edge number, which is
also tagged in the 3D View.
The user can navigate to a specific vertex/edge by typing its number in the
textbox or by using the up/down arrows to step through the list.
When a group of vertices are modified, the buttons in the Group area of the form become active. These
options let the user modify the current group in the following ways.
These buttons affect only the Group’s behaviour; they do not affect the vertex numbering for the panel
loop. A Group may be the entire loop if the Select all button has been used.
Reverse group definition - reverses the group definition by implicitly re-numbering all of the
group vertices in the opposite sense (i.e., clockwise or anticlockwise). The origin moves to the
other side of the ‘gap’. The sense of the current vertex sequence is shown by the aid arrow in
the 3D View.
Move start forwards - moves the ‘open-side’ of the group, and the origin, one position
‘forwards’; that is, in the sense of the vertex numbering.
Move start backwards - moves the ‘open-side’ of the group, and the origin, one position
backwards; that is, in the opposite sense to the vertex numbering.
A Group may be expanded or contracted by the value specified in the textbox adjacent to the buttons.
Expand group - expands the group area by moving each edge outwards, by the distance
specified in the adjacent Expand/Contract textbox, normal to its own direction.
Contract group - contracts the group area by moving each edge inwards, by the distance
specified in the adjacent Expand/Contract textbox, normal to its own direction.
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Expand/Contract applies to all edges in the Group, including those on panel protrusions. Excessive
expansion or contraction of Groups may lead to invalid loop geometry being created.
8.5.1.6 Line
If an edge is modified, the buttons in the Line area of the form become active. These options enable the
user to modify the current edge in the following ways.
Extend start of line - moves the Start vertex along the edge direction to align it through a
picked position. Use the Positioning Control options to pick the required position.
Alternatively, if a line is selected, the Start vertex will be moved along the edge direction until it
intersects the picked line. These operations can change the edge length.
Extend end of line - moves the End vertex along the edge direction to align it through a
picked position. Use the Positioning Control options to pick the required position.
Alternatively, if a line is selected, the End vertex will be moved along the edge direction until it
intersects the picked line. These operations can change the edge length.
Make line parallel - moves the free vertex (lowercase tagging) around the reference vertex to
align the edge with a picked line (another edge, a Pline etc.). This operation maintains the
edge length.
8.5.1.7 Rotate
The options in the Rotate area of the form enable the user to rotate groups of vertices in the following ways.
Rotate anti-clockwise - rotates the edge anticlockwise, through the rotation angle specified in
the Angle textbox, about the reference end (uppercase tagging). This operation maintains the
edge length.
Rotate clockwise - rotates the edge clockwise, through the rotation angle specified in the
Angle textbox about the reference end (uppercase tagging). This operation maintains the
edge length.
8.5.1.8 Modify
The options in the Modify area of the form enable the user to carry out the following operations on the
current Group selection.
Insert selected – enables the user to move a vertex group by inserting it at a different position
in the loop sequence. Use the Vertex selector to navigate to the required point in the
sequence; the group will be inserted after the current vertex.
Mirror – enables the user to move the current vertex, edge or group such that the new
positions are derived by reflecting the original positions about a picked line (an edge, Pline,
etc.).
Delete selection – enables the user to delete a group, edge or vertex from the loop definition.
Define/Modify arc – enables the user to manipulate a fillet arc at the current loop vertex.
When this button is selected the Modify Arc form will be displayed and the Loop Vertex
Editor form will become temporarily inactive.
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This section of the Loop Vertex Editor form allows users to control the size of the Aid Spheres displayed
when modifying groups of vertices.
The sphere diameter may be entered in the Aid Diameter textbox. Alternatively,
the up and down arrows adjacent to the textbox may be used. Using the arrows
will increase or decrease the size of the aid spheres in 5mm increments.
The bottom area of the Loop Vertex Editor form displays co-ordinate data about the current vertex, edge or
group, depending on the Selection Mode, together with radius information where applicable.
For a vertex the X and Y (East and North) co-ordinates, with respect to the panel origin, are displayed.
There is no Z co-ordinate as the panel loop is a 2D object. The Radius textbox allows the user to specify a
radius to be applied to the loop at that vertex. This value is applied to the Fradius attribute of the vertex and
may be positive or negative value.
For an edge the co-ordinates are given for the start or end of the edge. An aid is displayed in the 3D View
showing which is the start and which is the end. By default the START of the edge, i.e. the vertex with the
lowest number that forms the edge, is shown in uppercase and the end shown in lowercase. This means
that any modifications made to the currently displayed co-ordinates will affect the START only.
The options list in this area of the form becomes active when an edge is selected and enables various
options of how the edge is to behave to be selected.
Selecting the End option displays the END of the edge in uppercase and the start of the edge in lowercase.
Modifications made will apply to the END of the edge only. It should be noted that modifying the length in
either of these cases will move the edge start or end accordingly.
The Aligned option displays both the START and the END of the edge in uppercase. Generally the user will
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The Modify or Create button at the bottom of the form depend on the mode. In Modify mode clicking the
button will change the current vertex or edge using the values in the X, Y, Radius or Length textboxes. In
Create mode, i.e. when adding a new vertex, clicking the button will create a new vertex with the values
displayed in the X, Y or Radius text-boxes.
When creating a panel the Origin is placed at the first vertex by default and the X and Y co-ordinates of all
other vertices in the panel relate to this position.
Selecting Position > Panel Origin from the main menu and selecting a different vertex when prompted
enables the user to use a different vertex in the PLOO as the panel origin.
If the origin is redefined in this way, the coordinates of all vertices owned by the current panel loop are
recalculated relative to the new origin such that their positions in the design model remain unchanged.
Make the panel to be modified the CE and select Modify > Thickness…
from the main menu to display the Panel Thickness form.
Entering a value in the textbox and clicking the Apply button modifies the
panel thickness.
Selecting Bottom, Centre or Top from the Justification list and clicking the Apply button modifies the
panel justification. The In/Out checkbox enables the user to set the direction relative to the plane used to
justify the panel as shown in the following diagram. In/Out justification is significant when Panel Fittings are
considered.
Specified panel vertices or panel edges may be connected to other panels or section profiles. There are a
number of connection mechanisms available, subject to the connection mode used.
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Three principle modes for connecting panels exist; Edge to, Edges to, or Drag to Edge. These modes are
considered in the sections that follow.
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Edges to surface - connects selected edges of a panel to the surface of another panel.
Drag edge to surface - drags selected edge of a panel to surface of another panel.
Drag edge to edge - drags selected edge of a panel to the edge of another panel.
Drag edge to section - drags selected edge of a panel to selected Pline of a section.
Trim all edges - trims all edges of current panel to suit current connections.
The way the panel geometry is modified depends on the selected option and is depicted graphically on the
buttons.
Connecting a panel to a section creates a Section Linear Joint (SELJ) element owned by the selected
section. The SELJ owns two Section Vertex (SEVE) elements that have Zdistance attributes to fix their
position along the section. Two PAVE elements of the PLOO have logical connections, via their Mvertex
attributes, to the SEVE elements.
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Where the panel edge being connected is shorter than the section, the two PAVE elements describing the
edge have their Mvertex attributes set to the name of the SEVE elements.
Where the panel edge is longer than the section, the SEVE elements are set at the extremities of the
section, and two new PAVE elements are created in the PLOO. The positions of the PAVE elements
correspond to the SEVE elements and have their Mvertex attributes set to the name of the SEVE elements.
Connecting a panel to another panel creates a Panel Linear Joint (PALJ) element. The PALJ owns two
PAVE elements whose positions, generally (see below), coincide with the start and end positions of the
connected panel edge.
Two PAVE elements of the Attached panel have logical connections, via their Mvertex attributes, to the
PAVE elements of the Owning panel.
When connecting a panel to the surface of another panel, the PALJ element is owned directly by the PANE
element, even if the storage area for Panel Linear Joints has been set.
This worked example uses the equipment rack created in previous exercises. It demonstrates the creation
and modification of a panel.
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Make sure the Pline rule is set to Normal and click the Derive
points from graphic picks button in the Create Methods area of
the form.
Pan the view to the top of column H3 and again select the outer
top of steel (LTOS or RTOS) Plines of the two connecting beams.
Pan the view to the top of column H5 and again select the outer
top of steel (LTOS or RTOS) Plines of the two connecting beams
(not the stair landing beam).
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Finish the panel by panning to the top of column C5 and selecting the outside TOS Plines on the two
connecting beams (not the cantilever beam). Click the OK button on the Panel Creation form to create
the panel.
The deck plate should look like this:
The panel requires modification to create cut-outs in the panel edge around the columns. This is achieved
by introducing new vertices into the loop.
Make sure the panel is the CE and select Modify > Extrusion/Panel… from the main menu to display
the Loop Vertex Editor form. Note that an axis aid, showing the axes with respect to the panel, is
placed at Vertex 1, the panel origin. First new vertices will be added to the PLOO to make a cut-out
around the top of column C3. Zoom into the top of column C3.
Change the Positioning Control toolbar settings to Pline and Snap and press the F8 key to change the
3D View to wire-line. Make sure the Vertex counter is on 1 and the co-ordinates are X 0 and Y 0. The
first new vertex is to be positioned between vertex 1 and vertex 2 and will have the same X co-ordinate
as vertex 1.
Click the Create points button and note that the Modify button at the bottom of the form has changed to
the Create button, i.e. the form is now in Create mode. Click the X checkbox to lock the co-ordinate and
pick the Pline on the north-west corner of column C3. A New vertex label is displayed at the new vertex
position. Click the Create button on the form to create a new vertex 2.
Rewind the vertex counter to vertex 8, i.e. the last vertex in the loop. Unlock the X co-ordinate and lock
the Y co-ordinate. Pick the Pline on the south-east corner of column C3. A New vertex label is
displayed at the new vertex position. Click the Create button on the form to create a new vertex 9.
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Vertex 1 needs to be moved to a new location. Click the Select point to modify button in the Mode
Selection area of the form and select vertex 1. The Create button has changed to the Modify button,
i.e. the form is now in Modify mode. Unlock the Y co-ordiante and select the Pline on the north-east
corner of column C3. A New position text displays the new position for vertex 1. Click the Modify
button to move vertex 1 to its new location.
Similar cut-outs need to be made around column E3. Set the vertex counter to 2, lock the X co-ordinate
and click the Create points button. Pick the Pline on the south-west corner of column E3 and click the
Create button to create the new vertex 3. Unlock the X co-ordinate and lock the Y co-ordinate. Press
the F8 key and pick the Pline on the south-east corner of column E3. Click the Create button to create
new vertex 4. Unlock the Y co-ordinate and lock the X co-ordinate. Pick the Pline on the north-east
corner of column E3 and click the Create button to create new vertex 5. Unlock the X co-ordinate then
lock the Y co-ordinate. Pick the outside TOS Pline on the beam between column E3 and F3 and click the
Create button to create the new vertex 6.
Column F3, F5 and E5 require similar cut-outs to column E3. This may be achieved by creating a group of
the vertices that form the cut-out around column E3 and moving it to the correct location before inserting it
into the loop.
Rewind the vertex counter to 2. Click the Select group to modify button in the Mode Selection area of
the form to display the prompt ‘Pick points <escape> to select’ in the prompt area.
When selecting vertex groups it is good practise to use an orthogonal view e.g. Plan North.
Graphically pick four points, in a clockwise direction around the cut-out at the top of column E3 and press
the Esc key. The group will be defined by four spheres, one at each of the four vertices that form the cut-
out with a larger sphere at the first vertex on the group, i.e. the group origin.
The group must be moved to column F3. Lock the X co-ordinate and unlock the Y co-ordinate. Pick the
Pline on the south-west corner of column F3. The group moves such that its origin iswww.aveva.com
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panel and aligned with the corner of the column. Set the vertex counter to 6 and click the Insert
selected button in the Modify area of the form to insert the group into the loop and create the cut-out.
Unlock the X co-ordinate and lock the Y co-ordinate. Pick the south-east pline of column F5. The group
is now located correctly at column F5, however, the order of the vertices in the group must be reversed
to fit the clockwise numbering sequence and the group must be mirrored to form a cut-out and not an
outstand.
Click the Reverse group definition button in the Definition area of the form. Note the group origin has
been placed on the north side of the group. Click the Mirror button in the Modify area of the form to
display the ‘Pick line to mirror about’ prompt and graphically pick the edge of the panel. The group is
mirrored to form the correct sequence of vertices for a cut-out. Set the vertex counter to the vertex
before the group origin (i.e. 15) then click the Insert selected button.
Ensure the Positioning Control toolbar settings are set to Pline and Snap. Unlock the Y co-ordinate
and lock the X co-ordinate. Pick the Pline on the north-east corner of column E5 to move the group. Set
the vertex counter to 19 and click the Insert selected button to create the cut-out around the top of
column E5.
Create cut-outs around the tops of columns H3, H5 and C5.
Click the Select All button in the Mode Selection area of the form. Enter 10 in the textbox in the
Expand/Contract area of the form and click the Contract group button. Note that the vertex indicators
move to their new positions. Click the Modify button to contract the whole loop by 10mm.
Save Work.
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Create a centre justified gusset plate between column C3 and the cantilever stub beam south of ROW C
at EL.(+) 107820 T.O.S., using the following dimensions:
Select Connect > Connect… from the main menu to display the Panel Connection form. Click the
Edge to Section button on the form to display the prompt ‘Identify edge of panel to be connected’ in
the secondary prompt area. Graphically pick near the top edge of the panel. The prompt changes to
‘Identify pline on section to be connected to’. Pick the BOS Pline on the beam and click the Yes
button on the displayed confirmation message. Press the Esc key to complete the connection process.
Make the beam the panel is connected to the CE and note the SELJ element and the two SEVE
elements created by the connection. Query the attributes of each SEVE element and note the Zdistance
and Posline values. Make the gusset plate the CE and query the attributes of PAVE 1 and PAVE 2,
noting that the Mvertex attributes contain the name of one of the SEVE elements of the SELJ.
Go to the Beams & Columns application and modify the Specification Reference of the cantilever stub
beam to 152x89UB16kg/m. The line of the SELJ (Section Linear Joint) is visible on the underside of the
beam. Go back to the Panels & Plates application and select Connect > Trim from the main menu.
Select the gusset plate when prompted and press the Esc key to end the selection process and update
the connection.
Reset the Specification Reference of the beam back to 203x133UB25kg/m and update the connection
again.
Save Work.
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Save Work.
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CHAPTER 9
Negative extrusions are negative geometry created in design to represent a hole or a cut-out in the body of
the panel away from the edges.
A panel fitting is a predefined catalogue item consisting of positive and/or negative geometries. Panel fittings
are referenced in Design by PFIT elements. Panel fittings are similar to section fittings, described earlier in
this training guide, but are owned directly by PANE elements.
A negative extrusion (NXTR element) is an extruded 2D polygonal shape that creates a cut-out in the
owning panel. NXTRs are owned by PANE elements and have a similar hierarchy structure to them:
The planar area of the negative extrusion is defined by a LOOP element. The Loop element is defined by a
set of vertices (VERT elements). The elements of the negative extrusion contain attributes that combine to
create the cut-out in the owning panel.
The Position attribute of the NXTR holds the position of the negative extrusion origin with respect to the
PANE.
The Orientation attribute of the NXTR holds the orientation of the panel with respect to the PANE. The
Height attribute of the NXTR holds the thickness of the extrusion.
The Position attribute of each VERT element gives the vertex position with respect to the extrusion origin.
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As negative extrusions are owned by PANE elements the panel that will contain the NXTR must be the CE.
The Create Negative Extrusion form is similar to the Create Panel form; however, there are some
significant differences. The form is divided into three areas which are described in the following sections.
Individual extrusions may be named by entering a name in the textbox, however, it is not usual to do so.
9.2.2 Representation
As negative extrusions are not catalogue items, where Drawing Levels and Obstruction values are
normally set, they may be set via the Create Negative Extrusion form.
Drawing Levels and Obstruction Values are explained in TM - 1001 AVEVA Plant (12.1) PDMS
Foundations.
9.2.3 Settings
The Settings area of the form enables the user to select a surface of the panel, i.e. top or bottom, on which
the LOOP will be created and to specify the depth of the negative extrusion.
Clicking the Surface button prompts the user to Pick a surface to be used as a datum. Clicking on a
surface of the panel automatically sets the orientation for the negative extrusion, e.g. if the panel is bottom
justified and the top surface is selected, the LOOP will be created on the top of the panel and extruded
downwards.
Entering a value in the Hole depth textbox will set the depth of the negative extrusion. If the panel is to be
penetrated completely, enter a hole depth slightly greater than the thickness of the panel. This will avoid any
co-planar conflicts with the graphics display.
Entering a Hole depth value less than the panel thickness will create a partial depth hole.
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The Create Methods area of the form is similar to the Create Panel form except that there are fewer
options. All of the buttons function in exactly the same way as described for Panel creation.
The same rules apply to creating a negative extrusion as to creating a panel, i.e.
A minimum of three vertices are required to create the extrusion.
Vertices should always be created in a clockwise direction.
Vertices should maintain a clockwise numbering sequence.
Negative extrusions are modified by selecting Modify > Extrusion/Panel… from the main menu to display
the Loop Vertex Editor form.
The form functions in exactly the same way for Negative Extrusions as described for Panels.
This worked example demonstrates the creation and modification of a negative extrusion in a panel, using
the Equipment Support Structure.
Set Holes Drawn to off on the Representation tab of the Graphics Settings form. Make the panel at
EL(+) 107820 TOS the CE and select Create > Negative Extrusion… from the main menu to display
the Create Negative Extrusion form.
Click the Surface button in the Settings area of the form and pick the top surface of the panel. As the
panel is 20mm thick enter 22 in the Hole depth textbox.
Click the Explicitly Defined Position button in the Create Methods area of the form to display the
Define Vertex form, note that the default co-ordinates are set to 0, 0, 0 wrt World. Enter CE in the wrt
textbox and press the Return key. The co-ordinates now show the panel origin position. Enter 0 for all
three co-ordinates and note that a Vertex position label is now displayed at the panel origin.
Enter co-ordinates of East 500, North 500 and Down 0. Note that the Vertex position label has moved
to the co-ordinates specified. Click the Apply button on the form and note that a new label, Origin, is
displayed at the co-ordinates. Dismiss the Define Vertex form.
Click the Point offset from previous button to display the Define Vertex form. Enter N in the Direction
textbox and 300 in the Distance textbox. Click the Apply button on the form and note that the Last
Vertex label is displayed at the new co-ordinates and the New Vertex label is displayed at the direction
and distance specified. Enter E and 500 respectively in the Direction and Distance textboxes and click
the Apply button again to create the third vertex. The extrusion is defined and the extrusion shape
appears as black lines on the surface of the panel. Enter S and 300 respectively in the Direction and
Distance textboxes and click the Apply button again to create the fourth vertex. Dismiss the Define
vertex form.
Check the Display modification form checkbox on the Create Negative Extrusion form and then click
the OK button. The Create Negative Extrusion form is dismissed and the Loop Vertex Editor form
displayed.
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Panels are often used to model floor and wall elements. These elements may require access points through
them. PDMS allows users to model access hatches, doors, windows, and other catalogue elements, as
panel fittings.
With a suitable panel set as the current element, users can display the Create Panel Fitting form by
selecting Create > Fitting > Single… from the main menu. The main features of this form are considered in
the sections that follow.
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The Specification Data area of the form enables the user to select the exact fitting required.
The Specification pull-down enables the user to select the type of fitting required, e.g. standard access,
standard doors, standard windows, etc.
The Generic Type pull-down enables the user to select the generic type of fitting described in the
specification.
The Sub-Type pull-down allows the user to select the sub-type of fitting e.g. a particular style of standard
access.
The scrollable list displays all available fittings for the Specification, Generic Type and Sub-Type selected.
The Settings area of the form is where the fitting is justified, orientated and positioned with respect to the
owning panel.
The Justification options list enables the user to specify the positioning of the fitting within the thickness of
the panel and the direction of the fitting with respect to the panel.
The origin of the fitting, as defined in the catalogue, can be positioned on the Top, Centre or Bottom of the
panel. Inwards and outwards relates to the plane direction used to justify the panel. If the selected direction
is incorrect it may easily be modified to ensure the fitting is correctly orientated.
The Beta Angle textbox is used to specify the rotation of the fitting around its Z axis.
The Position box displays the current position of the fitting origin. By default the position is set to the origin
of the owning panel and is displayed wrt /*.
The form shows the default fitting origin position, i.e. the panel origin,
wrt the WORLD. The position may be specified wrt the owning panel by
entering CE in the wrt textbox and pressing the Return key.
A text aid shows the position of the fitting as the co-ordinates are
adjusted.
The standard catalogue provides simple examples of panel fittings that are used for demonstration and
training purposes. It is important for companies to develop their own catalogues for all panel fitting
requirements.
This worked example demonstrates how to create and modify a panel fitting.
Make the panel at EL(+)107820 TOS the CE. Select Create > Fittings > Single… from the main menu
to display the Create Panel Fitting form. Select Standard Access from the Specification options list,
Access Cover from the Generic Type options list and Standard Manhole Access from the Sub-type
options list.
Click the Pick Position button to display the Pick Fitting Position form and enter CE in the wrt textbox.
Enter 0, 0, 0 in the co-ordinate textboxes and the Through Position label is displayed at the panel
origin.
Enter co-ordinates of East 2000, North 750 and Up 0 and note that the label has moved to the new co-
ordinates. Click the OK button on the Pick Fitting Position form and note that the Position co-
ordinates have changed on the Create Panel Fitting form. Click the Apply button on the Create Panel
Fitting form to create the fitting, then dismiss the form.
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Make the panel fitting the CE and select Modify > Fitting… from the main menu to display the Modify
Panel Fitting form. Enter 90 in the Beta Angle textbox and click the Apply button. The access cover
fitting is rotated by 90°.
Try each of the Justification options and note the changes to the position and orientation of the fitting.
Dismiss the Modify Panel Fitting form.
Save Work.
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Create a 1000mm diameter negative extrusion in the centre of the panel at EL(+)104880 TOS between
grids C and E.
Save Work.
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CHAPTER 10
10 Volume Modelling
Volume Models are sometimes used to model civil items such as concrete base slabs, plinths, site roads, or
dedicated space for access and egress.
Volume models are essentially, equipment items that are not EQUI elements. They may be used to model
any item in PDMS that is to be constructed from primitives, but is not required to appear as an EQUI
element in the Design Explorer.
VOLM elements have some of the attributes of an EQUI and may own primitives directly,
with the exception of Nozzles.
VOLM elements may own one or more optional Sub-Volume Models (SVOLM) elements
which may own any primitive except Nozzles. The SVOLM elements are used to break
down Volume Models into sub-parts. They are similar to SUBE elements, sharing a number
of the same attributes.
In the Design General application, selecting Utilities > General… from the
main menu displays the User General Utilities form.
With a ZONE as the CE, selecting Create > (c) Volume Model… from the
form menu displays the Volume Model form.
VOLM elements may be named and the Position option lists and textboxes
enable its origin to be set with respect to any element.
With a VOLM as the CE, selecting Create > (c) SubVolume… from the form
menu displays the Sub Volume Model form.
SVOLM elements may be named and the Position option lists and
textboxes enable its origin to be set with respect to any element.
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Primitives may be owned directly by a VOLM element or by a SVOLM element. All primitives, except NOZZ
elements may be owned by the elements.
Selecting Create > (c) Primitives… from the User General Utilities form menu displays the Create
Primitive form (as used in the Equipment application).
This worked example creates some civil engineering items, specifically the concrete base slab, in Area 01. It
is common in PDMS to represent concrete civil engineering works with EQUI elements; however, for this
example the slab is a UDET based on a VOLM. The plinths and bases will be UDETs based on a SVOLM,
owned by the slab.
Exit PDMS and login to again as a Civils Designer using the details provided by the Trainer, for example:
Username: A.CIVILMAN
Password: A
MDB: A-CIVIL
Module: Design
The details of the slab are shown in the following General Arrangement drawing.
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Select Utilities > User Grid Systems… from the main menu to display the
User Grid Systems form.
Ensure AREA_01_GRID is selected on the form then click the Gridline IDs
radio button followed by the Display button.
Set the view direction to Iso3 and click the Set View Limits to Grid button.
Enter the Equipment application and navigate to /SITE-CIVIL-AREA01. Create a new Zone /ZONE-CIVIL-
AREA01 and make it the CE.
In the Command Window enter NEW :SLAB /BASE_SLAB. The User Defined Element Type :SLAB has
been previously defined in Lexicon. Query the attributes and note that the ActType is :SLAB and the Type
is VOLM.
Select Position > Explicitly (AT)… from the main menu to display
the Explicit Position form.
On the Positioning Control Toolbar, set the Pick Type to Aid and
the Pick Method to Snap.
The Explicit Position form should now show the origin of the slab
at W 322000 N 289000 U 100000.
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The slab profile could be made of several BOX primitives; however, it may also be made from an extrusion.
Select Create > Primitives… from the main menu to display the Create Primitive form.
Extrusions are similar to panel elements. 2D shapes are created using vertex points that define a loop.
The loop is then extruded through a distance.
Click the Apply button to create vertex 1 and then click the
Dismiss button.
A text aid showing the Origin of the extrusion is displayed in the 3D View.
Click the Apply button to create vertex 2. Do not dismiss the form.
A text aid showing the Last Vertex is displayed in the vertex 2 position. Note that on the Create Extrusion
form the text 2 Vertices defined (No extrusion created) is displayed. As with panel elements, a minimum
of three points are required to describe a shape; therefore the extrusion is not displayed until after the
creation of the third vertex.
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Using the Define vertex form, continue creating the remaining vertices using the data from the following
table, remembering to click the Apply button on the Define vertex each time new data is entered. The
number of vertices created is displayed on the Create Extrusion form.
Vertex
Direction Distance
No.
3 E 17400
4 D 600
5 E 1600
6 U 1200
7 W 450
8 D 900
9 W 900
10 U 900
11 W 16950
12 D 400
13 W 450
14 U 400
After creating vertex 14, click the Dismiss button on the Define vertex form. Click the OK button on the
Create Extrusion form.
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This exercise creates further civil engineering elements for the Stabiliser Plant Area 01, specifically
equipment bases and column plinths.
To see where equipment bases are required, add the Site SITE-EQUIPMENT-AREA01 from the Design
Explorer.
The Plinths and Bases will be created using UDET’s that have been created for this purpose. Both the
:PLINTH and the :BASE UDET are based on a SVOLM element and will be owned by the slab created in
the worked example.
Each plinth should be named using its grid reference, i.e. PLINTH_C3, PLINTH_C5, etc. A plinth will be
modelled using a single BOX primitive 400mm square on plan and 400mm high (i.e. the top of each plinth is
at EL.(+) 100400). Plinths for the Equipment Structure are located at the intersection of gridline IDs C3, C5,
E3, E5, E6, F3, F5, H3, and H5.
Seven equipment bases are required; one for Stabilizer Column C1101, two for the Reboiler E1301 and one
each for the Pumps P1501A, P1501B, P1502A and P1502B.
The base for C1101 is to be created as a UDET :BASE. The base will be 2200mm square in plan and be
305mm high, i.e. the top of the base is at EL. (+) 100305. The base should be centred on the centreline of
the Stabilizer Column and consist of a single BOX primitive.
The bases for E1301 is to be created as a UDETs :BASE. Each base is 750mm long in the East/West
direction, 500mm long in the North/South direction and is 845mm high, i.e. the top of the base is at EL. (+)
100845. The bases should be centred on the equipment saddles and consist of a single BOX primitive.
The bases for P1501A and P1501B are to be created as UDETs :BASE. Each base will be 1440mm long x
560mm wide x 305mm high, i.e. the top of the bases is at EL. (+) 100305. The bases should be centred on
the pump baseplates and consist of a single BOX primitive.
The bases for P1502A and P1502B are to be created as UDETs :BASE. Each base will be 1730mm long x
840mm wide x 305mm high, i.e. the top of the bases is at EL. (+) 100305. The bases should be centred on
the pump baseplates and consist of a single BOX primitive.
The finished civil works for the Stabilizer Plant Area 01 should look like this:
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CHAPTER 11
11 Material Assignment
The structural elements in a model may be assigned a material reference so that mass properties, i.e.
weight and Centre of Gravity, may be calculated and reported.
Structural materials are stored in the Properties database as Solid (SOLI) elements. The
SOLI element has Name and Description attributes that are used in the assignment of
materials for structural elements.
The SOLI owns a Table of Density (TDEN) element that owns a Spot Density (SDEN)
element. The SDEN element has a Density attribute that holds the material’s density in
kg/m³.
Materials are, generally, defined by the Administrator and may be Project specific,
depending on the structural material naming required for a project. For example, steel
grade ASTM A36 may be defined as Type 1 steel on certain projects with the definition
being held in the Project Specification.
Materials are assigned to structural elements via the Material Reference (Matref) attribute for the following
elements:
Framework (FRMW)
Subframe (SBFR)
Section (SCTN)
Panel (PANE)
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list – this option makes the current list the starting point for the material assignment. If no list exists an
error message is displayed.
Pick – this option enables elements to be picked form the 3D view to apply the material reference to.
The scrollable list on the Set Material form displays all of the material in the Properties database that may
be assigned to the structural elements. The names in the list are the Description attribute of the SOLI
elements and the displayed density is the value from the Density attribute of the SDEN element owned by
SOLI element. Selecting an entry in the list highlights the material.
The Cascade Material to all offspring checkbox, if checked, assigns the selected material to all valid
elements below the selected CE, in the current list or elements picked from the 3D view.
For the CE and list options, clicking the Apply button after selecting a material highlights the valid elements
to which the material will be applied and displays a confirmation message.
For the Pick option, clicking the Apply button enables elements to be picked form the 3D view. The picking
process is terminated by pressing the Esc key. The picked elements are then highlighted and a confirmation
message displayed.
Clicking the Yes button sets the Matref attribute for the valid elements
to the Name of the SOLI element.
If a structural model contains many members that have the same material reference, it is often more
expedient to assign all elements with the predominant material and then modified the few (specific) elements
that have a different material, i.e. assign the material at, say, STRU level and then assign a different material
to primary beams, columns or plate.
If material is assigned to a FRMW or SBFR before any elements are created below them, the valid created
elements will inherit the same material reference as their owner.
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Positive geometry in catalogue fittings and joints may be assigned a different material to the owning section
or panel by applying a different Matref to a FITT, SJOI or PFIT. However, all positive geometry in the
catalogue fitting or joint will have the same material reference. If individual components of a fitting or joint
require different material references they must be created as template fittings and joints which contain
individual sections and panels that may be individually assigned materials.
If a FITT, SJOI or PFIT do not have a Matref set then any mass property calculations will assume that these
elements have the same material reference as their owner.
Exit PDMS and re-enter as a Structural Designer using the details provided by the Trainer, for example:
Username: A.STEELMAN
Password: A
MDB: A-STRUCTURAL
Module: Design
Navigate to STRU EQUIP_SUPPORT below SITE SITE-STRUCTURAL-AREA01 to make it the CE and add
it to the 3D view. Make the view direction Iso 3 and click the Walk to Draw List button on the 3D view.
Make the FRMW ROW_3_BRACING the CE and in the Command Window enter Q MATREF and press the
Return key. Note that PDMS returns Matref unset, indicating that no material has been assigned to the
FRMW. Repeat this process with some of the SCTNs in the FRMW and check some of the other FRMWs,
SCTNs and PANEs.
Make STRU EQUIP_SUPPORT the CE and select Modify > Material… from the main menu to display the
Set Material form.
Select the material S275JR Steel from the list, check the Cascade Material to all offspring checkbox and
click the Apply button to highlight the complete Equipment Support Structure and display the confirmation
message.
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Click the Yes button on the confirmation message. Do not dismiss the Set Material form.
Select various members of the STRU EQUIP_SUPPORT and check the Matref setting. All of them will
return /GR275.
At the 12.1 release a number of material definitions have been updated in PDMS. However, to maintain
compatibility with reports created in previous versions of PDMS, the old Matref descriptions have been
maintained. Hence there is a distinction between the description selected and the Matref description
returned.
Make a list named COLS and add the nine columns of the Equipment Support structure to it. Close the
List/Collections form.
On the Set Material form select list from the options list at the top of the form and note that the name COLS
is displayed next to the options list.
Select material S355J0 Steel from the list and click the Apply button on the Set Material form. Note that the
nine columns have been highlighted. Click the Yes button on the confirmation message.
Navigate to column D3 and check that the Matref attribute is /GR355I. Navigate to SNOD 7 of column E3
and check the Matref of each of the three SJOI elements owned by the SNOD. Note that each one is set to
/GR355I and, therefore, the ‘end plates’ on the beam to column joints will be assigned this material.
On the Set Material form select Pick from the options list at the top of the form, select material GR275 from
the list and click the Apply button to display the prompt ‘Identify element’ in the secondary prompt area.
Pick the panel on the top level of the Equipment Support Structure and press the Esc key.
Select material TREAD GRADE from the list and click the Apply button on the Set Material form to display
the ‘Identify element’ prompt again. This time pick the both the upper and lower panels of the Equipment
Support Structure and press the Esc key. Note that both panels are highlighted. Click the Yes button on the
confirmation message.
Check that the panel Matref attributes are set to /TREAD. Save Work.
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CHAPTER 12
12 Hole Management
12.1 Overview
On a typical AVEVA Plant project it is necessary for designers to create holes in panel elements, i.e. deck
plates, grating, walls, floors, etc. This can have a significant impact on design integrity and cost. Within
PDMS the Hole Management utility can be used to assist designers in managing the processes of hole
creation and modification.
PDMS controls and manages holes using the Hole Management utility which facilitates:
Communication of hole data between disciplines including the Request and Approval processes.
Ensuring holes are only created by users with appropriate write access permissions.
Performing validation checks on managed holes and providing feedback to users on the hole status.
Generation of reports for managed holes.
Generally in AVEVA Plant projects discipline Designers do not have write access to items created by other
disciplines, i.e. a Piping Designer does not have write access to Structural elements and Structural
Designers do not have write access to Piping elements, etc.
In the Hole Management utility penetration holes are specified and requested by the penetrating discipline,
normally piping, HVAC or equipment designers. Approval of hole requests is provided by the team that owns
the penetrated element, normally structural Designers. For cases where a penetration is required, say, for a
steel section through a deck/floor plate, the hole would be specified, requested and approved by the
structural discipline.
The specification of a penetration hole by the relevant discipline in the appropriate Design application
creates a ‘virtual hole’ in the panel element, consisting of a FRMW and two FIXING elements. Each fixing
element has a Specification Reference (Spref) attribute that points to the hole definition in the catalogue. An
Association (ASSOC) element that references all of the hole elements is also created.
Once the ‘virtual hole’ has been created the penetrating discipline enters the Hole Management application
and requests the hole. The owner of the panel, normally the Structural discipline, then reviews and approves
(or rejects) the hole request using the mechanism provided by the Hole Management application.
The act of approving the request creates the ‘actual’ hole as a PFIT owned by the PANE element. The Hole
Management application checks and validates the hole using the association restrictions and stores data on
the hole history and status. Only valid holes may be approved. For a structural penetration the Structural
Designer may be both the requester and approver. Specific company procedures, controlled by Data Access
Control (DAC), may be required if the Originator and Reviewer need to be different personnel.
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Once the penetration hole has been specified and the ‘virtual’ hole created, the Hole Management
application provides a series of tasks for the Originator (Penetrating discipline) and Reviewer (Structural
discipline). These tasks are:
There are three main workflow scenarios for the request/approval cycle that are detailed in the following
sections.
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In this workflow the Originator creates the ‘virtual’ hole and then either requests it or deletes the entry.
Once requested, the Originator may cancel the request and delete the entry prior to it being reviewed.
If requested and not cancelled or deleted, the Reviewer checks the hole details and, if acceptable, approves
it, thereby creating the ‘actual’ hole.
If the Reviewer rejects the hole, the Originator may re-request the hole without modification, modify the
‘virtual’ hole and then re-request it, cancel the request or delete the entry.
In this workflow the ‘actual’ hole has been created. The Originator decides that the hole is now redundant
and sets its status to Redundant.
Before the Originator can delete the entry the Reviewer must agree that the hole is redundant.
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In this workflow the ‘actual’ hole has been created. The Reviewer, possibly due to changed conditions,
decides to reject the hole. The Originator has the option to:
Modify the hole and re-request it, whereby it will go through the normal review and approval cycle.
Cancel the request, in which case the ‘virtual’ hole details remain
Delete the entry, in which case the entire hole is deleted and the ‘virtual’ hole and association deleted.
The ‘actual’ hole is deleted and the panel restored to its original state.
In addition to penetration holes, the Hole Management application enables creation of non-penetration holes
in structural panels. These holes fall into two general categories:
Holes is structural elements to allow access, e.g. access through a panel to a valve stem.
Holes that are created by panel fittings, e.g. a hatch, door, window, etc.
For non-penetration managed holes that are not created by a fitting, with the exception of a User Defined
hole type, the ‘virtual’ hole is created as a single FIXING in a new FRMW. This fixing has a Specification
Reference (Spref) attribute that points to the hole definition in the catalogue. An Association (ASSOC)
element that references all of the hole elements is also created. Approving the hole creates an PFIT owned
by the PANE.
User Defined hole shapes are created using a template and negative extrusion in a similar way as described
below for Fitting holes.
For non-penetration holes that are created by a panel fitting, the ‘virtual’ hole is created as a single FIXING
in a new FRMW. The fixing owns a Template (TMPL) element that owns a negative extrusion (NXTR) whose
vertices describe the required hole shape. The fitting is created as a FIXING element owned by the PANE
whose Spref attribute points into the catalogue to the selected fitting. An Association (ASSOC) element that
references all of the hole elements is also created. Approving the hole creates an NXTR owned by the
PANE that is a copy of the ‘virtual’ hole NXTR.
Non-penetration managed holes, of either type, may be associated with any other element in Design. The
holes have the same request/approval process as penetration holes, however, as they are created solely by
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The Hole Management application, as with other applications that use associations, is passive, i.e. the user
is not alerted if a hole association is broken or invalidated. The user must enter the Hole Management
application and actively verify if the association is still valid.
The use of the application will vary from company to company. In some it may be down to the individual
Designers to request and approve holes, whilst in others it may be the discipline lead Designer or a
designated user who performs the tasks.
The Penetration toolbar has been designed for use with the piping and
HVAC applications only, and it should not be used for hole management
within the Structural Applications or other design disciplines.
Although the creation and requesting of a non-structural penetration hole is generally performed by non-
structural personnel, e.g. Piping Designers, Equipment Designers, HVAC Designers, etc., for the purposes
of this worked example, i.e. to show the complete workflow, these types of holes will be created and
requested as well as approved.
Hole Management workflow depends on the various discipline elements being in different databases with no
write access from other disciplines, e.g. Structural Designers do not have write access to Piping components
and vice-versa; this would normally require the user to be logged in as a specific discipline Designer.
For the purposes of this worked example the Switch User tab in the Training Setup form will be used.
The first penetration to be considered is a pipe passing through a panel. The penetration will be created by
the piping discipline. As such, the user details for a piping user need to be entered. The trainer will provide
the required login details, typically they will be of the form:
Username: A.Piper
Password: A
Enter the login details in the New User Name and New User Password textboxes in the Switch User tab.
Click the Switch button and click the Yes button on the resulting save work confirmation message. Close
the Training Setup form.
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Select Design > Pipework… from the main menu to enter the Piping application. Empty the drawlist then
navigate to SITE-STRUCTURAL-AREA02 and add ZONE AREA02_WORKSHOP_BUILDING.
Navigate to SITE-PIPING-AREA02, open ZONE-PIPING-AREA02, then add PIPE FIRE-1 to the view. Click
the Walk to Drawlist button and set the view direction to Iso 3. The 3D View will now look like this:
Click the Pick Penetrating Items button on the form and select the
northern most pipe entering the workshop (Branch 1 of pipe FIRE-
1). The pipe name is displayed in the grid below the button.
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The Hole Shape selection area of the form contains Class options
lists that enables the user to select the class of hole, i.e. Standard
Types, Piping penetration piece tables and Pipe Duct. The Type
options list changes depending on the Class selected. For this
example Standard Types will be used.
The Penetrating item clearance area of the form contains the Clearance
textbox that enables a clearance around the penetrating item to be
specified. Enter 25 in the textbox and press the Return key.
Note that the Diameter value has increased from 61mm to 111mm, i.e.
the pipe OD + 2 x the clearance.
The ‘virtual’ hole fixing is displayed at the specified diameter (the outer of
the two fixing extrusions shown).
The Set to Minimum button resets the hole shape parameters to the minimum value(s) required to create a
valid hole. In this example clicking the button would set the Diameter back to 61mm.
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The number and description of parameters in the Hole shape parameters area of the form varies
depending on the Hole type selected.
The Positioning area of the form enables an offset in the X and Y directions for the penetration hole to be
specified by entering appropriate values in the X Offset and Y Offset textboxes. This enables the
penetrating item to be eccentric to the penetration hole, which may be required in some circumstances.
The Rotation gadget enables the hole shape be rotated to align the hole in a different direction. This is only
relevant on non-circular hole shapes. The rotation value may be set by using the up or down arrow or by
entering a value in the textbox.
The Single or Merged hole penetrations area at the top of the form enables individual single holes or a
merged hole to be specified for multiple penetrating items by selecting the appropriate radio button. As there
is only one penetrating item in this example the options are disabled.
Clicking the OK button on the Hole Management – Definition form creates the FRMW and two ‘virtual’ hole
FIXING elements, one for the clearance diameter and one for the penetration hole, in the STRU whose
Purpose attribute is set to HOLE; STRU VH-Stru in the SITE HM-Virtual-Holes for this example.
The top level fixing is auto-numbered using the format HM-VH-nnnn, where nnnn is a four digit sequential
number starting at 0001. The secondary level fixing is auto-numbered using the format HM-VH-nnnn-SUB-
nn, where HM-VH-nnnn is the name of the top level fixing and nn is a two digit sequential number starting
at 01.
The association is created in the ASSOGP whose Purpose attribute is set to HOLE and is automatically
named using the format HM-ASSOC-nnnn, where nnnn is a four digit sequential number starting at 0001.
Select Utilities > Hole Management… from the main menu to display the Hole Association Manager
form.
This form is used to display the Hole Associations in the model and is controlled by the Hole Association
Filters.
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The Hole Association Filter area of the form enables the user to limit the display of the hole associations in
the Hole Associations grid below by using the various radio buttons and options lists. The three radio
buttons have the following function:
List of elements – applies the filters to the elements in the Elements to manage list at the bottom right
of the form.
The Reset link label clears the list and adds the current element to it.
The Refresh link label starts the filtered search for all managed holes that reference any item in the list.
All Managed Holes – applies the filters to all the managed holes in the project.
Discipline – enables the user to select only holes belonging to a specific discipline.
Status – enables the user to select only holes with a specific approval status.
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Claimed – enables the user to select holes with a specific Claim status.
Valid – enables the user to select only holes that have passed/failed the validation test.
Note that having any other option other than Not Checked may significantly slow down the list
generation, as the validation tests will be run for every hole that passed the previous three filter options.
The Invalid checkbox, if checked, will include all hole associations that have any bad references or invalid
data. The checkbox is enabled if the List of elements or All Managed Holes radio buttons are selected.
The Apply filter link label refreshes the Hole Associations list according to the element and filtering
Make the panel the CE and select the Current Element radio button. Leave the filter option list at their
defaults, i.e. Discipline: All, Status: All, Claimed: All and Valid: Not Checked.
Click the Apply filter link label. This displays all the hole associations that reference the panel (this example
contains only one).
The associations(s) are displayed in a grid gadget that gives information about the association including its
status and validity. The standard grid gadget sorting and grouping functionality may be used on the data.
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Validate – this option validates the hole association by checking the four restrictions. Details of the
restrictions are given later in this worked example. If all restrictions are satisfied the Valid column entry
for the association is changed to Passed. If one or more of the restrictions are not satisfied then the
Valid column entry is changed to Failed.
Add to 3D View – this option adds the association elements, i.e. the panel, branch and ‘virtual’ hole
fixings, to the 3D View.
Remove from 3D View – this option removes the association elements from the 3D View.
Focus on Hole – this option ‘zooms’ in to the selected hole. This is very useful in a complex model with
many penetration holes.
Modify Definition – this option displays the Hole
Management – Definition form, enabling modifications to be
made. The form is populated with the settings for the current
association hole. If the penetrating item has been moved since
the hole was created and before it has been requested,
selecting this option re aligns the hole with the penetrating
item. If the hole has been requested or approved selecting this
option displays the following warning message:
Save/Unclaim - this option enables the user to save the data and release the claim(s) to the selected
holes.
Export list to Excel – this option displays the Save Hole Association List As file browser form where
a location and filename for the exported grid may be specified. Clicking the Save button on the browser
creates an .xls file with the specified name.
Print list – this option displays a Print Preview form that enables the association list to be viewed and
printed.
Right click on the single entry in the grid and select Focus on Hole from the pop-up menu. Note the 3D
View has zoomed into the penetration hole. Right click on the entry in the grid again and select Validate
from the pop-up menu. The Valid column entry will change to Passed.
Make sure the hole is highlighted (if there was more than one hole any number may be selected) and click
the Manage Selected Holes link label to display the Hole Management form:
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The selected hole(s) are displayed in a grid gadget with different information to that of the Hole Association
Manager form.
Note that the Status column entry is blank, indicating that this hole has not been previously managed.
Selecting the Show Tags checkbox at the top of the form places a
text aid graphic in the 3D view at the hole association being
considered.
Right clicking in the column headers or any of the fields displays a pop-up menu.
The pop-up menu has same options to the Hole Association Management form
pop-up menu described earlier, except that the Navigate To option does not
have a sub-menu and navigates to the Association (ASSOC) element.
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The Hole Management form contains fold-up panels for Selected hole data, Hole validation results and
Hole History. Open the Selected Hole Data fold-up panel to display the data for the hole:
Note that each element involved in the penetration hole is listed, including the two ‘virtual’ hole fixings.
One element, in this case the branch, i.e. the penetrating item, is the Primary Member.
Close the Selected Hole Data fold-up panel and open the Hole validation results fold-up panel.
The grid shows the results of the validation tests using the four association restrictions; the result for each
one being either PASS or FAIL.
Check existence of all associated elements – this test checks that all of the elements involved in the
association exist. It is possible that the panel, branch or other elements may have been deleted after the
penetration hole was created.
Check all associated elements intersect the Hole Owner – this test checks that the associated
elements actually pass through the owning panel. It is possible that the panel or the branch may have
been moved since the penetration hole was created.
Check all ATTAs/FITTs and FIXINGs are coincident – this test checks that all of the ATTAchments
(for pipe and HVAC branches) and FITTings (for structural sections) are coincident with the ‘virtual’ hole
fixings.
Check FIXINGs are within the owning FIXING – this option checks that the clearance fixing is within
the penetration hole fixing.
If one or more of the test fail, then the whole association fails and the hole cannot be requested.
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Additional information may be obtained on the validation tests by hovering the cursor over a line in the Hole
validation results list, thereby displaying a tooltip with further information.
Close the Hole validation results fold-up panel and open the Hole History fold-up panel. Note that there
not entries in the panel as no tasks have been actioned for the hole. Close the Hole History panel.
The Hole Comment textbox enables a comment to be added to the latest action by entering an appropriate
comment and clicking the Save button. Only the latest action comment is kept as no provision is made to
store them.
In this case only the Request and Delete Entry Reviewer tasks
are active as no other course of action is possible.
Click the Request link label and click the Yes button on the
displayed confirmation message.
Open the Hole History fold-up panel and note that an entry has been made detailing the change in status of
the hole.
Note that the Originator tasks are now inactive. Return to the Hole Association Manager form then
dismiss the form.
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Open the Training Setup form and navigate to the Switch User tab. Enter login details for the Structural
user and click the Switch button. Accept the savework confirmation message then dismiss the Training
Setup form.
Open the Hole Association Manager form, select the displayed hole and click the Manage Selected
Holes link label.
With the graphical view of the penetration hole visible, click the
Approve link label and click the Yes button on the displayed
confirmation message.
Note that the ‘virtual’ hole fixings have disappeared and the ‘actual’
hole has been created in the panel.
Open the Hole History fold-up panel and note the new Status column entry.
Click the Return to Hole Associations link label at the bottom of the Hole Management form to return to
the Hole Association Manager form. Close the Hole Association Manager form.
The Reviewer may make reject a hole on initial review or after it has been approved. In either case
Originator has the option to modify the hole and re-request, cancel the request or delete the entry.
Open the Training Setup form and navigate to the Switch User tab. Enter login details for the Piping user
and click the Switch button. Accept the savework confirmation message then dismiss the Training Setup
form.
Select Utilities > Pipe Penetration > Create Penetration… from the main menu to display the Create
Penetration form.
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Enter 25 in the Clearance textbox, 250 in the Width textbox and 250
in the Height textbox.
Leave the Radius at the default of 25 and set the Rotation to 45.
Select Utilities > Hole Management… from the main menu to display the Hole Association Manager
form.
With the penetrated panel as the CE, click the Apply filter link label to update Hole Associations grid.
Right click on the new hole in the grid and select Validate from the pop-up menu.
Click the Manage Selected Holes link label to display the Hole Management form. Click the Request link
label under the Originator Tasks and click the Yes button on the warning message.
Click the Return to Hole Associations link label at the bottom of the Hole Management form to return to
the Hole Association Manager form. Close the Hole Association Manager form.
Open the Training Setup form and navigate to the Switch User tab. Enter login details for the Structural
user and click the Switch button. Accept the savework confirmation message then dismiss the Training
Setup form.
Open the Hole Association Manager form, select the displayed hole and click the Manage Selected
Holes link label.
In the Hole Comment textbox enter Hole must be circular then press the Return key and click the Save
button.
Click the Reject link label under the Reviewer Tasks and click the Yes button on the confirmation message.
The hole has been rejected by the Reviewer, however, the comment indicates that if the hole is circular then
it will be approved. Therefore, the Originator must decide if the square hole is definitely required or a
circular hole will be OK. For the purpose of this worked example the latter will be used. Click the Return to
Hole Associations link label. Dismiss the Hole Association Manager form.
Open the Training Setup form and navigate to the Switch User tab. Enter login details for the Piping user
and click the Switch button. Accept the savework confirmation message then dismiss the Training Setup
form.
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Open the Hole Association Manager form, select the rejected hole and right click in the grid. From the
pop-up menu Modify Definition. The Hole Management – Definition form will be displayed.
Select Circular Hole – Type D from the Type options list. Note that the entry of 130 has been retained from
the previous use of this hole type and click the Set to Minimum button to make the entry 111 in the
Diameter textbox. Click the OK button on the Hole Management – Definition form.
With the penetrated panel as the CE, click the Apply filter link label to update Hole Associations grid.
Right click on the rejected hole and select Validate from the pop-up menu.
Click the Manage Selected Holes link label to display the Hole Management form. Click the Request link
label and the Yes button on the confirmation message. Click the Return to Hole Associations link label.
Dismiss the Hole Association Manager form.
Open the Training Setup form and navigate to the Switch User tab. Enter login details for the Structural
user and click the Switch button. Accept the savework confirmation message then dismiss the Training
Setup form.
Open the Hole Association Manager form, select the requested hole and click the Manage Selected
Holes link label.
Click the Approve link label under the Reviewer Tasks to create the ‘actual’ hole. Open the Hole History
fold-up panel and note the entries.
Click the Return to Hole Associations to display the Hole Association Manager form.
Select the first penetration hole created in the grid to make it the current association and click the Manage
Selected Holes link label to display the Hole Management form. This hole has previously been approved
so the only Reviewer task available is Reject.
Click the Reject link label under the Reviewer Tasks and then click the Yes button on the confirmation
message. The hole status has now changed to Rejected.Click the Return to Hole Associations link label.
Dismiss the Hole Association Manager form.
Open the Training Setup form and navigate to the Switch User tab. Enter login details for the Piping user
and click the Switch button. Accept the savework confirmation message then dismiss the Training Setup
form.
Open the Hole Association Manager form, select the rejected hole then click the Manage Selected Holes
link label.
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The Originator now has the option to modify the hole definition, as described above, Cancel Request or
Delete Entry, which have the following affects:
Cancelling the request removes the ‘actual’ hole and resets the Hole History Status to blank, i.e. it has
been reset to its original status after the ‘virtual’ hole was created but before it was requested. The
‘virtual’ hole fixings and hole management associations are retained so that the hole may be modified
and re-requested later.
Deleting the entry deletes the ‘actual’ hole, the ‘virtual’ hole fixings and the hole management
associations, restoring the panel to its original state before the penetration was created. All references to
the ‘virtual’ hole are deleted.
For this worked example the request will be cancelled and then the entry deleted.
Click the Cancel Request link label under the Originator Tasks
to display the cancel confirmation message.
Open the Hole History fold-up panel and note that the hole status is blank, i.e. Note also that the ‘virtual’
hole fixings are still present.
Click the Delete Entry link label under the Originator Tasks to
display the remove confirmation message.
Note that all references to the hole have been deleted from the Hole Management form and the ‘virtual’
hole fixings have also been deleted, restoring the panel to its original state before the penetration was
created.
From the Hole Association Manager form, select the second penetration hole created in the grid to make it
the current association and click the Manage Selected Holes link label to display the Hole Management
form. This hole has previously been approved so the only Originator task available is to make it
Redundant.
Click the Return to Hole Associations link label. Dismiss the Hole
Association Manager form.
Before the Originator can delete the entry the Reviewer has to agree it is redundant.
Open the Training Setup form and navigate to the Switch User tab. Enter login details for the Structural
user and click the Switch button. Accept the savework confirmation message then dismiss the Training
Setup form.
Open the Hole Association Manager form, select the redundant hole then click the Manage Selected
Holes link label.
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Click the Agree Redundant link label under the Originator Tasks
to display the redundant confirmation message.
Open the Hole History fold-up panel and note that the hole status
has been set to Withdrawn
Click the Return to Hole Associations link label. Dismiss the Hole Association Manager form.
Open the Training Setup form and navigate to the Switch User tab. Enter login details for the Piping user
and click the Switch button. Accept the savework confirmation message then dismiss the Training Setup
form.
Open the Hole Association Manager form, select the withdrawn hole then click the Manage Selected
Holes link label. The only Originator task now available is Delete Entry. Click this link label to delete the
hole entry and restore the panel at the penetration.
Dismiss the Hole Management form. Open the Training Setup form and navigate to the Switch User tab.
Enter login details for the Structural user and click the Switch button. Accept the savework confirmation
message then dismiss the Training Setup form.
The previous worked example created a non-structural (piping) penetration hole and demonstrated the
Originator and Reviewer tasks. In this example penetration holes for structural profiles penetrating panels,
including merged penetrations, are created and modified.
As mentioned previously, as both elements normally belong to the structural discipline the user has write
access to both elements and, therefore, may be the Originator and Reviewer. If company procedures require
the Originator and Reviewer are different personnel then DAC would need to be established to control the
workflow.
Select Design > Structures > Beams & Columns…from the main menu to enter the Beams & Columns
application.
Structural penetrations may also be created from the Panels & Plates application.
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Click the Pick Penetrated Items button and select the ceiling
panel.
Clearance – 25
Width – 400
Height – 400
Radius – 25
Navigate to the first level fixing for the penetration (the ‘virtual’
hole) and query its attributes, noting that the Spref attribute
has been set to /HM-HOLE/TYPE-HR.
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The column in the southwest corner of building B01 will be used to demonstrate merged penetrations. Make
this column the CE then, using Create > Copy > Offset, create 2 additional columns. One column needs
to be created 700mm to the east, the other column should be created 700mm to the north. The completed
columns should look similar to this Iso 1 view:
Navigate to the ‘virtual’ hole fixing and note that it owns a template (TMPL) element that owns an extrusion
(EXTR) that defines the shape of the hole. www.aveva.com
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When the hole is approved a negative extrusion (NXTR) is created in the panel whose shape is copied from
the EXTR. The ‘virtual’ hole EXTR is not deleted in case the hole is subsequently rejected and the shape
needs to be modified.
Note that the ‘virtual’ hole fixing owns three other fixings, one for each of the clearances around the
penetrating items.
Before requesting the hole, the penetration may be modified, if required. For the worked example the profile
shape of the penetration will be changed and enlarged.
Make the ‘virtual’ hole fixing the CE and select Utilities > Steel Penetration > Modify… from the main
menu to display the Hole Management – Definition form.
In the Hole shape boundary area of the form click the Edit
profile shape… link label to display the Loop Vertex Editor
form.
With the form in modify point mode, advance the vertex counter
to Vertex 5 then lock the X co-ordinate. Change the mode to
Create Points.
Click the Select All button to select all loop vertices. Enter 25 in
the Expand/Contract textbox and click the Expand group
button followed by the Modify button. This expands the loop by
25mm all round.
Select Control > Close from the Loop Vertex Editor form
menu to dismiss the form. Click the OK button on the Hole
Management – Definition form.
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The ‘virtual’ hole should now look similar to this Iso 1 view.
Select Utilities > Hole Management from the main menu to display the Hole Management Associations
form. Make the ceiling panel the CE and click the Apply filter link label on the form.
Two hole associations, named HM-ASSOC-0001 and HM-ASSOC-0002, with a Discipline of STRU are
displayed. Select both associations, right click in the grid and select Validate from the pop-up menu. Both
associations will pass.
Click the Manage Selected Holes link label to display the Hole Management form. Select HM-ASSOC-
0001 from the grid and click the Request link label under Originator Tasks followed by the Approve link
label under Reviewer Tasks, clicking the Yes button on the Status change confirmation messages.
Select HM-ASSOC-0002 from the grid and repeat the Request and Approval tasks. Click the Return to
Hole Associations link label to re-display the Hole Association Manager form and dismiss the form.
Select Settings > Graphics… from the main menu to display the Graphics Settings form. On the
Representation tab check the Holes Drawn checkbox and enter a value of 0.1 in the Arc Tolerance
textbox. Click the Apply button and then the OK button.
Sometimes access is required through structural panels, i.e. walls, cladding, decks, floors, etc., in order to
maintain and operate items of plant. To facilitate this process the Hole Management application allows the
creation and management of Non- Penetration Managed Holes.
Non-penetration managed may be created by any valid discipline and go through the same Request and
Approval workflow as described for penetration holes.
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Select Utilities > Steel Penetration > Create Hole… from the
main menu to display the Create Hole form.
Clicking the Pick Item for Hole button prompts the user to
‘Pick a face on the penetrated object’.
Unlike penetration holes, only one penetrated item may be
selected.
The Hole Type list shows the available holes. The first six
entries are the same hole types available for penetration holes.
After selecting a hole type from the list, clicking the OK button
on the form displays the Hole Management – Free Hole
Definition form.
The Hole Management – Free Hole Definition form has two tabs:
Hole Definition – to define the shape, size, position and rotation of the hole.
Associated elements – to define the element(s) the hole is to be associated with, e.g. piece(s) of
equipment.
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Clicking the Pick Items button prompts the user to ‘Pick associated
item’. Any item(s) may be picked to associate the hole with, however,
this would normally be a piece of equipment, a valve, an actuator, etc.
Selecting an associated item from the grid and clicking the Remove
selected item button removes it from the grid and all references to it
from the association.
Having specified all of the requirements for the hole, clicking the OK button on the Hole Management –
Free Hole Definition form will create the ‘virtual’ hole.
The hole must be requested and approved using the procedure previously described. The Project
Administrator should give consideration to the unique situation that may occur where the team responsible
for originating the hole is also responsible for approving the hole. Company or Project specific procedures
may be required to ensure the hole creation process is correctly managed.
In the Panels & Plates utility, selecting Utilities > Steel Penetration > Create Fitting Hole… from the main
menu displays the Create Hole Fittings form. The form gives access to catalogue panel fittings that, when
inserted, create a ‘virtual’ hole in the panel.
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The fitting may also be rotated using the Rotation gadget. The Panel side options list in the Adjust fitting
orientation area of the form enables the fitting to be placed on the Front Face or Back Face of the panel.
These options are not active until a panel has been picked.
The Hole Fittings form Associated elements tab looks like, and is functionally the same as, the Free Hole
Definition form Associated elements tab described previously.
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This worked example creates two free holes, with and without a sleeve, and a fitting hole in a panel.
Select Design > Structures > Panel & Plates…from the main menu to enter the Panels & Plates
application.
Click the Pick Penetrated Item button and pick the ceiling
panel in the somewhere near the north west corner of the
panel. The panel name is displayed in the upper form grid.
Width - 2800
Height - 4000
Radius - 50
The hole shape changes to the reflect the new values in the
3D View. The width is in the Y direction and the height is in
the X direction.
In the Modify associated items area of the form click the Pick
items button, note the prompt ‘Pick associated item:’, and select
the beam that was used to align the hole in the X direction.
Create a new free definition hole in the north east corner of buiding
B01. This time select a Rectangular Hole – Type HR with Sleeve
from the hole type list. Enter the following values in the Hole shape
parameters textboxes:
Width – 1500
Height – 1500
Radius – 25
Sleeve Height – 150
Sleeve Thickness – 10
Ensure the rotation is set to 0°. Click the OK button on the form to
create the ‘virtual’ hole. It should look similar to the Iso 3 view
shown.
Navigate to the ‘virtual’ hole fixing and query the Spref. Note that it
is set to /HM-HOLE/SL/TYPE-HR, i.e. a different catalogue
component to the first free hole created.
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Select Utilities > Hole Management… from the main menu to display the Hole Association Manager
form. Make the panel the CE and click the Apply filters button on the form to update the Hole Associations
grid.
The Hole Associations grid on the form should display three new hole associations, HM-VH-0003, HM-VH-
0004 and HM-VH-0005 with a Discipline entry of GEN, GEN and FITT respectively.
Select the three associations by holding down the Ctrl key and clicking on each one in turn. All three
associations will be highlighted. Right click in the grid and select Validate from the pop-up menu. All three
holes will pass.
Click the Manage Selected Holes link label to display the Hole Management form.
Make HM-ASSOC-0003 current; click the Request link label under the Originator Tasks and then the
Approve link label under the Reviewer Tasks, clicking the Yes button on the two status change
confirmation messages.
Repeat the process for the remaining two holes. Click the Return to Hole Associations link label and
dismiss the form. Save Work.
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This exercise creates various types of penetration holes and non-penetration managed and then use both
the Originator and Reviewer Tasks to manage the holes.
Clear the Drawlist and add back the Zone AREA02_WORKSHOP_BUILDING and SITE SITE-HVAC-
AREA02. Create a penetration for the HVAC element protruding through the southern wall.
Using the HVAC Designer and Panels & Plates applications, create a number of penetrations through
floors and ceilings for other HVAC items in building B01.
The penetration utility is an option of the Utilities menu in all applications.
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APPENDIX A
This appendix gives the Plines and Parameters for each Generic type (Gtype) shape used to construct the
AVEVA Standard Profile Catalogues.
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Appendix B
Clicking a colour button then dismissing the form will set the Aid line colour.
List… - this option displays the Aid Constructors form which details all constructs created by type.
Save… - this option displays the Save Construction Graphics file browser form that enables the user to
save all of the constructs to a specified pathname and filename.
Load… - this displays the Load Construction Graphics file browser form that enables the user to
restore the constructs from a saved pathname and filename.
Close - Selecting the Close option closes the 3D Aid Constructs form.
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Repeat - If this option is set ON, indicated by a checkmark adjacent to the menu label, the user can
continue to create the same type of construct until the Esc key is pressed. If the option is OFF the
construct creation is discrete. The option is toggled ON and OFF by alternate selections.
Size… - this option displays the Working Point Size form.
The size of working points can be specified by entering a value in the
Diameter text box.
The Apply to radio buttons enable the user to apply this value to New
working points or those already Defined.
All Create form menu options have sub-menus that enable the user to select
various construction methods.
Copy - The sub-menu options enable the user to Copy Offset, Copy Rotate and Copy Mirror functions
with any aid construct type.
Circle - The sub-menu options enable the user to create circle constructs in different ways.
Line - The sub-menu options enable the user to create line constructs in different ways.
Work Point - The sub-menu options enable the user to create working point constructs.
Plane - The sub-menu options enable the user to create plane constructs.
Grids - The sub-menu options enable the user to create different types of grid construct.
The Modify menu options enable the user to modify the size, shape, position
and orientation of constructs once they are created.
Move – this option displays a sub-menu with Offset…, Rotate… and
Mirror… options. These choices display the Aid Move Offset, Aid Move
Rotate and Aid Move Mirror forms respectively. The forms are identical in
both appearance and function to the respective Copy forms described
previously except that Move is the default in the Copy Settings area of
the form and the copies text box is greyed out.
Cut - this option enables the user to Cut (delete) one selected aid.
Copy - this option copies a selected aid to the clipboard.
Paste - this option activates the Positioning Control toolbar and prompts
the user to select a position to paste the aid from the clipboard.
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Delete picked aid item – this option allows the user to delete an aid.
Reposition picked aid item – after picking the aid the Positioning Control toolbar is
displayed allowing the user to reposition the aid origin using the form’s options.
Redefine radius of picked circle – after selecting a circle aid the Positioning Control
toolbar is displayed allowing the user to graphically change the circle radius. Note that the
circle origin does not change.
Extend end of picked line – after selecting a line aid the Positioning Control toolbar is
displayed allowing the user to specify a position through which the line will be extended (or
trimmed) using the options available on that form. Note that the direction of the line does not
change.
Definition… - this option allows the user to modify an aid definition via a form. After selecting this option
from the menu the user is prompted to select an aid to be modified using the cursor. Once the aid is
selected an appropriate form is displayed depending on the type of aid that has been selected. The form
contains all the data that defines that particular aid type and it can be modified by entering new values.
Position - this option prompts the user to select an aid to re-position. After selection, the Positioning
Control toolbar is activated and the aid origin can be graphically re-positioned using the options
available on that form.
Other data that defines the aid, e.g. radius, orientation, length, etc, is not modified. This option is the
same as Reposition picked aid item on the Modify toolbar.
Radius - this option prompts the user to select a Circle aid. After selection, the Positioning Control
toolbar is displayed and the radius can be changed by graphically picking a point using the options
available on that form.
Other data that defines the circle, e.g. position, orientation, etc, is not modified. This option is the same
as Re-define radius of picked circle on the Modify menu.
Extend - this option prompts the user to select a Line aid. After selection, the Positioning Control
toolbar is displayed and the length of the line may be changed by graphically selecting a point through
which the end of the line, nearest the selected point, will pass through.
The orientation of the line is not modified. This option is the same as Extend end of picked line on the
Modify menu.
Project on to Plane - this option is greyed out if there is no active Working Plane. If a Working Plane
is active this option enables the user to project the aid onto the Working Plane and orientates the aid to
the plane.
Pick - This option enables the user to pick a single construct to delete.
All Constructs - This option deletes all constructs. Confirmation is required from the user prior to the
command being executed.
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Circle Constructs
Selecting Create > Circle > Toolbar… from the 3D Aid Constructs
form menu displays the Circles form.
Tool tips that describe the construction method can be accessed by hovering over the appropriate button on
the toolbar. The toolbar contains 17 construction options.
Define explicitly
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Line Constructs
Line constructs can be accessed by selecting Create > Line from the 3D Aid
Constructs form menu. A sub-menu with the different line creation methods will
be displayed.
Selecting Create > Line > Toolbar… from the 3D Aid Constructs form menu
displays the Lines form.
The toolbar options mirror the construction options available in the sub – menu. In addition, it allows users to
select a number of creation options without the need to repeatedly open the sub-menu.
The construction methods work in conjunction with the Positioning Control toolbar enabling the user to
select model elements, displayed graphics, other 3D aid constructs, etc. in creating a Line. Clicking any of
the Line construction method buttons displays relevant prompts in the Prompt Area of the 3D View.
Tool tips that describe the construction method can be accessed by hovering over the appropriate button on
the toolbar. The Lines Toolbar contains seven construction options.
Define explicitly
Work Point constructs can be accessed by selecting Create > Work Point from
the 3D Aid Constructs form menu. A sub-menu with the different work point
creation methods will be displayed.
Selecting Create > Work Point > Toolbar… from the 3D Aid Constructs form
menu displays the Points form:
The buttons on the Points form correspond to the sub-menu creation options. The two methods of creating
line constructs are:
Derive position
Define explicitly
The Derive position button works in conjunction with the Positioning Control toolbar enabling the user to
select model elements, displayed graphics, and other 3D aid constructs in positioning a Working Point.
The Define explicitly button displays the Modify Work Point form and the Positioning Control toolbar
which enables the user to position the Working Point using explicit co-ordinates or graphical picks.
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Plane Constructs
Selecting Create > Plane from the 3D Aid Constructs form menu displays a sub-
menu with the different work point creation methods.
Selecting Create > Plane > Toolbar… from the 3D Aid Constructs form menu
displays the Plane form:
The buttons on the Points form correspond to the sub-menu creation options.
The two methods of creating line constructs are:
Through 3 points
Define explicitly
The Through 3 points button works in conjunction with the Positioning Control toolbar enabling the user
to select model elements, displayed graphics, and other 3D Aid constructs in defining a Plane construct.
The Define explicitly button displays the Modify Plane form and the Positioning Control toolbar which
enables the user to size, position, and orientate the Plane.
Selecting Copy > Offset… displays the Aid Copy Offset form.
The Graphic Aids area of the form enables the user to select the
Aid(s) to be copied. Clicking the Pick button displays a prompt and
enables the aid(s) to be selected with the cursor. Pressing the Esc
key ends the selection process. The number of aids selected is
displayed after the Selected: text. The Clear button, when active,
clears the selection.
The Apply button is greyed out until the selection has been
completed.
Having selected the aids, the Copy Settings area of the form
enables the user to select whether to Copy or Move the selection
using the Option options list and specify the number of copies
required.
The Offset Settings area of the form enables the user to select the
Type of offset required and then specify the appropriate Cardinal
offsets using the East/West, North/South and Up/Down option lists,
or specify a Distance and Direction for the offset.
If multiple copies have been specified then each aid is offset by the
specified amount from the previous copy.
Clicking the Apply button executes copies or moves the selected
aids.
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Selecting Copy > Rotate… displays the Aid Copy Rotate form. The
Graphic Aid and Settings area of the form are the same as those
described for the Copy Offset… form, except that the Rotation
Angle (in degrees) must also be specified.
The Rotation Axes area of the form enables the user to select or
specify the Position and Direction of the rotation axis. The area
contains two buttons to assist the user:
Pick Position of Rotation - clicking this button displays the
Postioning Control form and enables the user to specify
the origin of the rotation axis using the forms options.
Pick rotation line - clicking this button enables the user to
select a 3D Aid whose position will be the origin of the
rotation axis. The Direction will also be set to the aids
direction.
The rotation axis origin may also be specified manually by entering
appropriate co-ordinates in the text boxes.
If the Pick Position of Rotation button is used, or the rotation axis
origin is specified manually, the direction of the rotation axis may be
specified in the Direction text box.
Using the Pick rotation line button sets the Direction to the direction of the selected 3D aid.
Irrespective of the method used to specify the Position and Direction of the rotation axis, the values may
be edited manually at any time.
If multiple copies have been specified then each aid is rotated the specified angle from the previous copy.
Clicking the Apply button executes the command.
Selecting Copy > Mirror… displays the Aid Copy Mirror form. The
Graphic Aid and Settings area of the form are the same as those
described for the Copy Offset… form, except that multiple copies
cannot be specified.
The Mirror Plane area of the form enables the user to select or
specify the Position and Direction of the mirror plane. The area
contains two buttons to assist the user:
Pick position of mirror plane - clicking this
button displays the Postioning Control form and
enables the user to specify the origin of the mirror
plane using the form’s options.
Pick mirror plane - clicking this button enables
you to select a 3D Aid with an origin position
defined at the mirror plane.
The mirror plane origin may also be specified by manually entering
appropriate co-ordinates in the appropriate textboxes.
If the Pick position of mirror plane button is used, or the rotation axis origin is specified manually, the
direction of the mirror plane, i.e. the direction of the vector normal to the plane, may be specified in the
Direction text box. Using the Pick mirror plane button sets the Direction to the direction of the selected 3D
aid.
Irrespective of the method used to specify the Position and Direction of the mirror plane, the values may
be edited manually at any time. A vector aid and representation of the plane are displayed using the
specified settings.
Clicking the Apply button executes the command.
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Appendix C
In this worked example 3D Aid Constructs are created, copied and modified in order to create two panels
with complex shapes representing a stiffened padeye plate.
Select Utilities > Constructs… from the main menu to display the 3D Aid Constructs form. From the form
menu select Create > Grids > Toolbar… to display the Grids form.
Click on the Linear Grid button to display the Reference Linear Grid and the Positioning Control toolbar.
In the Spacing area of the Reference Linear Grid form enter 50 for the X value and 50 for the Y value.
Enter a value of 20 for the Number of visible lines, click the Preview button on the form and zoom in to the
displayed graphics. Change the view direction to Iso 3.
In the Orientation area of the form enter the following values in sequence, noting the changes in axis and
aid direction:
Z is E - press the Return key.
Y is U - press the Return key.
Z is S - press the Return key.
Click the Preview button again. The grid should now look like this in an Iso 3 view.
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Select Create > Circle > Toolbar… from the 3D Aid Constructs form to display the Circles form. Click the
Fixed radius, passing through 2 points button to display the Radius form. Enter a value of 250 for the
radius.
Set the Positioning Control toolbar to Aid/Snap and click on the top horizontal grid line where it intersects
with the sixth vertical grid line, i.e. 250 from the top right hand corner of the grid. This is the first point
defining the circle. Click on the same vertical grid line where it intersects with the centre horizontal grid line,
i.e. 10 spaces below the first point, a distance of 10 x 50mm = 500mm. This is the second point defining the
circle.
There are two possible arcs that can be drawn with the specified
radius between these two points. A prompt is displayed asking
the user to select a Polar Control point, i.e. a point that will
define where the arc will pass through. Pick an intersection of
the right hand vertical grid line with any of the horizontal grid
lines between the first and second points selected. An arc will be
drawn as shown in the left hand picture below.
Select Create > Line > Toolbar… from the 3D Aid Constructs form menu to display the Lines form.
Click the Between two points button. Create three lines to form the shape shown in the left hand picture
below. Click on the Point to circle tangent button on the Lines form and create a line as shown in the right
hand picture below.
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Select Modify > Position from the 3D Aid Constructs form and pick the grid. Make sure the Positioning
Control toolbar is set to Aid/Snap and click on the top of the vertical Line aid. The grid origin will reposition
to the selected point.
Select Modify > Definition… from the 3D Aid Constructs form, then pick the grid again to display the
Modify Grid form.
Set the Number of visible lines to 22.
In the Orientation area of the form enter the following values in sequence:
Y is E - press the Return key.
Z is U - press the Return key.
Click the OK button on the form to modify the grid construct.
Create a Circle and Lines to form a shape similar to the picture below utilising Create > Copy >
Offset/Mirror and Modify > Definition… where appropriate.
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Delete the grid and the larger circle using Delete > Pick from the 3D Aid Constructs form menu.
The aids should now look like this.
Using the Panels & Plates application create panel elements to model the Padeye Plate. Make sure that the
Positioning Control toolbar is set to Aid/Snap.
Using the vertical aids that were constructed first, create a 25mm thick, centre justified panel. Use the
Derive points from graphic picks option in the Create Panel form to create the first three vertices as
shown.
Using the Fixed radius arc, passing through 2 points button on the Create Panel form, create the curved
part of the panel. Enter a value of 250 in the Radius form and select the two points and the Polar Control
point as shown.
For point 5 select near the upper end of the sloping line. For point 6 (Polar Control point) change the
Positioning Control toolbar settings to Aid/Cursor.
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Use the Derive points from graphic picks button, change the Positioning Control toolbar settings to
Aid/Snap and select the last vertex position.
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Using the 3D aid lines, create a 20mm thick, bottom justified panel with the pick sequence shown below.
Create the first four points using the Derive from graphical picks option. Use the Intersection and Snap
settings along with the Aid setting on the positioning toolbar.
After creating vertex 4, change the vertex creation method to Derived arc passing through three points
option. Remember to change the positioning toolbar to Aid and Cursor when selecting pick position 6.
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Delete the 3D aid constructs. The completed panels should look like this.
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