Stiffener - Layout tab

Setting	Description
Layout	Sets the shape of the inner corners of the stiffeners, one from the available options: Use Flat – A flat steel is used instead of a poly-plate. The flat is processed by Boolean operations in a way as if its shape would be identical with a poly-plate. Search Closest Flat – The current polyplate is replaced by the closest fitting flat steel. No user-specific flat steel is created.
Length	Sets the length of the stiffeners, based inner edge form selected from the drop-down list; Full Stiffener – The stiffener height extends over the complete web height of the shape. Half Stiffener – The stiffener height stretches over half the web height of the shape where the side is determined by the picked side. By Length – The stiffener is given the height specified by you. Only values between 10-90% of the web height can be used. Edge – The height of the stiffener is determined according to the specifications, but the layout is a triangle shape.
Placement	Controls whether stiffeners are created on both sides or one of the sides only. Note: This selection will be ignored for shapes like 'C' which allow one stiffener only. Both Sides – This is Default selection. Creates stiffeners on both sides. Near Side –When Near Side is selected and applied on shapes that support two stiffeners, the stiffener is created only on one side. It will be on front side for a beam created from left to right. Far Side – When Far Side is selected and applied on shapes that support two stiffeners, the stiffener is created only on one side. It will be on rear side for a beam created from left to right. Note: When Near or Far side options are selected then punch holes are created only on one side of the beam, and that will be on the side where stiffener is created.
Dimensions	Thickness – Sets the thickness of the stiffener plate; this value is taken from the table or it can be entered freely if this setting has been activated. Flange Offset – When calculating the stiffener dimensions, this is the distance to the flange side, i.e., the stiffener height is slightly reduced. Web Distance – When calculating the stiffener dimensions, this is the distance to the web side, i.e., the stiffener width is slightly reduced. Length – This is the value for the stiffener length when you have selected the stiffener length ‘To Measure’. Offset – When calculating the stiffener dimensions, this is the distance to the outer edge of the flanges, i.e., the stiffener width is slightly reduced. If the stiffener is to slightly project towards the outside, type a negative value. Round to – The Round to value describes a rounding accuracy applicable to the width of the calculated stiffened plate. Rounding is carried out after calculation of the projection. Using this setting, it is possible, e.g., to permit only dimensions divisible by 5, so that flat steel bars can be used. Radius – In the Radius input field you specify the radius of the ribbed plate at the shape radii. If this value is 0, the shape radius is imported. If you have selected the create ‘Insert at Slant’, the radius is bridged by a slanted edge.

Insertion of Stiffeners

You can insert stiffeners either in views or in the global view. When you have selected normal stiffeners (i.e. stiffeners running vertically to the shape axis), you are prompted to specify the shape where the stiffeners are to be inserted.

After selection, the program prompts you to specify the center of the insertion point of the stiffeners. Click the point you want on the shape or on a construction line. Your pick point is generally placed perpendicular to the shape axis.

When you have selected ‘Full Stiffener’ – the stiffener is inserted to fit.
When you have selected ‘Half Stiffener’ or ‘To Measure’, you are prompted to specify the fastening side of the stiffeners.

Click the flange side with which the stiffeners are to be in contact.

Let’s assume that you have drawn the construction lines on the upper flange in the top view as shown on the left. If you click the line at any point, the pick point is always positioned perpendicular to the axis and used as the insertion point of the stiffeners.