Adding Beams

To add beams to your model:

  1. Select (Add Beam).
    The corresponding Beams dialog opens to the Shapes tab.
  2. Select Shape type; either
    • Parametric Shapes ?(Rectangle or Circle)
    • or
    • User Shapes.
    To place a custom shape, refer to Adding User-defined Beams and Columns.
  3. Select Shape class; either
    • Rectangle or Circle ?(Parametric Shapes)
    • or
    • “Custom” User Shape ?(User Shapes).
  4. Set the shape dimensions:
    • Width and Depth ?(Rectangle)
    • or
    • Diameter ?(Circle).
  5. Complete the Options group of the Shapes tab to set the Assignments for your beam (refer to Working With Assignments).
  6. Select the insertion point by clicking the appropriate circle in the cross-section diagram (select point will turn red).
  7. Either:
    • Set the Length dimension if you will place by a point (second point will only be used for direction if a Length is entered).
    • Set Length to zero if you will place by Line or by two points.
  8. Optional: Enter a dimension for Setdown depth, the distance from the concrete edge.
  9. For additional options (Height, Start Offset, End Offsets & etc..), select the Options Tab.
    1. Height
    2. Start Offset
    3. End Offset, and so on.
  10. Place your shape (beams or columns) around the work frame using one of the following methods.
    • Insert Concrete Shape by a Line ? Click on a line to place the shape along the line. Length is determined by the line; you do not need to enter a length dimension.

      Right-clicking will rotate the shape by the default value (90?) or click to accept. You can pick another link or click to return to the dialog.

      Clicking will Rotate the column by the default rotation value (90?). Press Enter or right-click to accept.? You can then pick another line or right-click to exit back to the ProConcrete Column dialog.

    • Insert Concrete Shape by 2 Points ? Click beginning and ending points to place the shape to the length you choose. Length is determined by the points you select; you do not need to enter a length dimension. This method is commonly used to place beams and columns by clicking on grid line intersections.

      Right-clicking will rotate the shape by the default value (90?) or click to accept. You can pick another link or click to return to the dialog.

      Clicking will rotate the column by the default rotation value (90?). Press Enter or right-click to accept.? You can then pick another line or right-click to exit back to the ProConcrete Beam dialog.

    • Insert Concrete Shape by 3 Points ? Click beginning and ending points to place the shape to the length you choose. Length is determined by the points you select; you do not need to enter a length dimension.? The third point determines the shape rotation.

      Right-clicking will rotate the shape by the default value (90?) or click to accept. You can pick another link or click to return to the dialog.

      Clicking will rotate the column by the default rotation value (90?). Press Enter or right-click to accept.? You can then pick another line or right-click to exit back to the ProConcrete Beam dialog.

    • Insert Concrete Shape on Multiple Lines ? Click on a line to place the shape along the line. Length is determined by the line; you do not need to enter a length dimension.

      You can pick another link or click to return to the dialog.

      You can then pick another line or right-click to return to the ProConcrete Beam dialog.

    • Insert Beam Between 2 Main Beams ? Select two beams. Set your beam spacing from start point of beam. Beams place at insertion point based on spacing entered.
    • Insert Multiple Beams Between 2 Beams ? Select two beams. Set your Offsets from Start Points.? The command will draw a beam between the selected beams.
    • Insert Beam at WorkFrame Axes ? Click to place a rectangular selection along the current XY axis; any workframe axes inside of the area selected will get a beam from grid line to grid line.
  11. Click to apply settings and close the dialog.