Structural Supports

The Structural Support tool is a schematic element that indicates support of physical elements - e.g. by the soil stratum, other elements, or tethers.

Supports are created on 1D or 2D Members as applicable: at nodes (Point Support), along linear elements or edges (Line Support), or in the 2D plane (Surface Support).

Structural Supports are placed only on Members of the Structural Analytical Model - you cannot use Structural Supports with physical model elements in ARCHICAD.

Once Structural Supports are placed, you can customize their options in the Info box or Tool settings:

Define supports according to the global or local coordinate system of its host element

Set translation and (where applicable) rotation stiffness (x, y, z, Rx, Ry and Rz)

To customize Structural Support colors, Structural Analytical Model Representation (Preferences).

Notes:

Support elements are specific to their host element. If you make a copy of the host element only, the new copy will not have analytical support. To copy both, you must select both: element and its supports.

Support elements inherit the Coordinate System settings (global vs. local) of their host elements. This information is exported accurately through SAF format. However, please note that the local coordinates in the receiving program may be interpreted differently than in ARCHICAD.

Place Structural Support

1.Activate the Structural Support tool

https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/wp-content/uploads/archicad-24-reference-guide/081_structuralanalyticalmodeltools/SupportToolBox.png 

from the toolbox, or

Design > Structural Engineering Tools > Structural Support 

2.On Floor Plan or 3D window: hover over the Structural Analytical Member to which you want to add the support.

3. Depending on the Member type (1D or 2D), the graphical feedback indicates the available Support types: Point, Line, and/or Surface.

https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/wp-content/uploads/archicad-24-reference-guide/081_structuralanalyticalmodeltools/PointSupportPreview.png  https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/wp-content/uploads/archicad-24-reference-guide/081_structuralanalyticalmodeltools/LineSupportPreview.png

Graphical Preview: Point and Line Support for 1D Member

https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/wp-content/uploads/archicad-24-reference-guide/081_structuralanalyticalmodeltools/LineSupportPreview2.png 

https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/wp-content/uploads/archicad-24-reference-guide/081_structuralanalyticalmodeltools/SurfaceSupportPreview.png 

Graphical Preview: Line and Surface Support for 2D Member

4.When you see the Support geometry you need, click to place.

https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/wp-content/uploads/archicad-24-reference-guide/081_structuralanalyticalmodeltools/SurfaceSupportDone.png 

5.Use Support tool settings or the Info Box to set additional options as needed.

https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/wp-content/uploads/archicad-24-reference-guide/081_structuralanalyticalmodeltools/Stiffness1DLineSupport.png 

Translation/Rotation Stiffness of Line Support Element

Default Settings of Structural Support Tool

When you place a new Structural Support, the element Default Settings reflect the options and working units used by Point-type Supports (some of which are not relevant for other Support geometries). Even so, just set the values needed for your specific Support geometry (e.g. Line or Surface Support).

After placement, its Selection Settings will now show the correct and relevant options and working units.

Support Elements: Symbol Options

 

Rigid

Hinge

Custom

 

https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/wp-content/uploads/archicad-24-reference-guide/081_structuralanalyticalmodeltools/RigidStiffness.png 

https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/wp-content/uploads/archicad-24-reference-guide/081_structuralanalyticalmodeltools/HingeStiffness.png 

https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/wp-content/uploads/archicad-24-reference-guide/081_structuralanalyticalmodeltools/CustomStiffness.png 

Point Support

https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/wp-content/uploads/archicad-24-reference-guide/081_structuralanalyticalmodeltools/PointSupport1.png 

https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/wp-content/uploads/archicad-24-reference-guide/081_structuralanalyticalmodeltools/PointSupport2.png 

https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/wp-content/uploads/archicad-24-reference-guide/081_structuralanalyticalmodeltools/PointSupport3.png 

Line Support

https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/wp-content/uploads/archicad-24-reference-guide/081_structuralanalyticalmodeltools/LineSupport1.png 

https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/wp-content/uploads/archicad-24-reference-guide/081_structuralanalyticalmodeltools/LineSUpport2.png 

https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/wp-content/uploads/archicad-24-reference-guide/081_structuralanalyticalmodeltools/LineSupport3.png 

Surface Support

https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/wp-content/uploads/archicad-24-reference-guide/081_structuralanalyticalmodeltools/SurfaceSupport1.png 

Not applicable

https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/wp-content/uploads/archicad-24-reference-guide/081_structuralanalyticalmodeltools/SurfaceSupport2.png 

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