Lightning Rod

Used to parametrically create a lightning rod, which can be placed on a Single frame, Symmetric A Frame, Vertical A Frame, Trestle, or any specified point.

Accessed from:
  • Ribbon: Steel > Home > Steel Connections > Substation Gallery
  • ... [Substation Structural Objects] > Lightning Rod

Rod General tab

Used to add segments and assign sections per segment.

Setting Description
Levels table Used to specify the shape size and length of each level of the lightening rod.

Table columns:

  • Level - Lists the number of horizontal bracing levels in the trestle. Denoted with 1, 2, 3 respectively in the diagram.
  • ShapeClass - Selects the shape class to use for the lightning rod members at each level.
  • ShapeSize - Selects the shape size to use for the lightning rod members at each level.
  • Length - Sets the length of each lightning rod member.
Add Add a new row to the levels table.
Delete Remove the currently selected row from the levels table.
Add Shape Size Opens the Add Shape Size dialog, which is used to define a new pipe shape.
  • Diameter - Sets the new pipe shape diameter.
  • Thickness - Sets the new pipe shape wall thickness.
  • Shape Size - Displays the corresponding custom pipe database entry closest to the Diameter and Thickness parameters you define.
  • Material - Selects the material for the new pipe shape.
  • OK - Closes the dialog and saves your changes.
  • Cancel - Closes the dialog without saving your changes.
  • Help - Opens online help.

Group tab

Used to create a new OpenBridge Modeler group with the Substation Gallery objects.

Setting Description
Create Group Select this option to select additional shapes. Separate Substation Gallery objects are created.

Assignment tab

Used to assign elements in the connection to a material, display class, area class, part family, level, etc.

Dialog Controls

Setting Description
OK Closes the dialog and save your changes.
Cancel Closes the dialog without saving changes.
Help Opens online help.
Template Saves and retrieve settings to be used on other projects.
Clone Shifts focus to the geometry, allowing cloning the current structural object (stair, frame, truss, etc.) properties to match one or more objects selected in the view.
Show /Hide Preview Opens or closes, respectively, a flyout panel to display an illustration based on the tool.
Key-in: PROSTEEL CREATE LIGHTNINGROD