A structural analytical member is automatically generated from a Physical Model element if the following conditions are met:
•The element’s Structural Function is classified as load-bearing
•For a Composite element or Complex Profile, it must include at least one skin/component as core
•Structural Analytical Model generation must be enabled at the element level (in element settings)
Note: Structural Analytical Members are available only for load-bearing elements created with the Column, Beam, Wall, Slab or Roof (Single-plane) tool.
By default, the Member is positioned at the center of gravity of the core of a load-bearing element.
However, Member position can be modified to guarantee Structural Analytical Model continuity, based on a particular design consideration or regulation.
Member position can be defined as follows:
•Fixed at the element level (if the design concept prohibits its modification)
•Modified (if the design concept allows it)
–Manually, by graphical offset in the model
–Manually, by setting offset/eccentricity value in the Element Settings dialog
–By configuring and applying an Adjustment Rule (Offset, Cutback/Stretch, Snap) or a combination of them (see Adjustment Rules, below.)
Set Member Eccentricity Graphically or in Settings
For multi-segmented beams and columns, or beams and columns that have a variable cross-section, a substitute profile is used to model the 1D member.
Before exporting a Structural Analytical Model from ARCHICAD, it should be checked and adjusted to ensure continuity among the 1D and 2D Members. To optimize connections, Adjustment Rules can be defined and applied in each project.
Continuous Structural Analytical Model generation through Adjustment Rules
Note: A useful workflow is to run the Physical Model Quality Check first, to fix any physical modeling errors that could affect the Structural Analytical Model (such as lack of load-bearing core connections). Once the Physical Model has been checked, Adjustment Rules can be used to address specific problems of the structural model.
For details, see Model Checking.
Filter Openings in 2D Members
The user can control which openings in 2D Members should be considered in structural analysis, and which should be ignored:
•Define which openings are too small to be considered
•Ignore narrow “strips” between openings or near the edges
End/Edge Releases
Control the following behavior of connected Analytical Members:
•End points/edges
•Characteristic types (fixed, hinge, roller)
•Custom stiffness values, by components and directions
Customizable End Release for Analytical Members
Structural Links
These elements provide a link between Analytical Members, without having to physically adjust the Members themselves. Each Structural Link can be assigned custom stiffness values.
Structural Supports
User can place Structural Supports under Columns, Beams, Walls and Slabs, and assign custom stiffness values for each component and direction.
