Main Menu of ILM Preprocessor for input and view of launching process related structural data. The moved superstructure is defined by a segment of the type 'nose' and at least one segment of the type 'girder' . All ILM-springs that are moved along the structure have to be defined as individual segments.

The upper listing shows all individual segments that will be launched.

The lower listing shows all elements that represent the individual Nose and Girder Segments. Whereas in 'Original Structure' view the elements of current project are input and viewed and in 'ILM Structure' view the generated subdivided new elements and nodes after 'ILM Recalc ' are shown.

The segment table (upper listing) contains all information of the individual segments which are part of the launching procedure.

In particular it shows the following parameters:

• Segment name – Name of the segment for reference
• Type – Type of the segment
• Nose segment –  Name of related nose segment of the girder segment
• SegLength – Calculated length of a nose or girder segment
• Radius / No1 / No2 – Input for circular launching, below, assigned to nose
• Spring – Element number ILM-support spring
• Node – Number of  'launched' node of ILM-support spring
• New Node – Start no. for generated new nodes (Nose and Girder)
• New Element – Start no. for new elements (Nose and Girder)
• Tolerance – Input tolerance value for ILM-support spring, below
• Tolerance X – Input tolerance value for ILM-support spring, below

The above parameters have to be entered using the <insert> or <modify> pad . The first segment must be a nose segment. It is recommended to define afterwards the girder segments in the right order, and the support segments at the end.

The table below the segment table displays the elements belonging to the current segment. The original values entered by the user are displayed when 'Segment Definition - Original Structure' is active. New elements can be assigned in this mode by using the <insert > button.

The view option 'Segment Definition - ILM Structure' can be used to present the elements created in the refinement process together with the coordinates of the generated new nodes after <Recalc ILM> .