Adding a Cast Column

Cast Column lets you add a cast column or a pier into your building project. Or, you can create a cast column with a cross section of your own design.

  1. To create a cast column with a standard shape:
    1. From Shape, click one of the following:

      Option Description
      Round Creates a circular column.
      Square Creates a square column.
      Rectangle Creates a rectangular column.

      While editing multiple structure features, you can click for different shapes of different members.

  2. To create a cast column using a cross section defined by an object type, perform the following steps:
    1. In the Cast Column dialog box, to select source, click Object Type .
    2. Click and select an object type from the list of imported object types.

      Notes:
      • Import an object type before creating the member. You can import an existing object type or create a new object type. For more information, see Building and Civil Assemblies User's Guide: Defining Object Type.
      • To undefine the object type, you can click .

    3. Click to display the graphic help of the object type.
    4. In the Size list, select the required size for the column.

    The out of the box object types are found at Startup\Structure\ObjectTypes.

    To install additional content, select Install Optional Content Now.

    The SDD_DSA_Object_Type.3dxml file (for the DSA collection corresponding to the AISC standard) makes all the shapes available with a single import. The best practice is to import the 3dxml files with the option As Reference.

  3. To position the cast column on a grid, click Position on Grid .
  4. To position the cast column on a wire, click Position on Wires , select one or more wires and then specify the direction of the column.

    Notes:
    • You can click Reverse to reverse the direction of the grid-driven plate.
    • The direction specifies the orientation of the local V axis of the member. Thus you can control the base rotation of the member around its axis. This is useful when attempting to orient a number of members on wires in the same direction.

  5. To create a cast column in a new geometrical set, select the Create in a new geometrical set check box.
  6. To set the column location, in the Create Mode, click one of the following:
    OptionDescription
    Single Inserts columns only on the selected segments.
    Along gridline Inserts columns on all vertical segments along the gridline of the selected segments.
    All in story

    		 Inserts columns on all vertical segments in the same story as the selected segments.
    Above and below

    		 Insert columns on all vertical segments above and below the selected segments.
    Diagrid Insert columns in an ascending diagonal pattern from a pair of selected points.
    Plane to plane Inserts columns between selected planes. You can include points between the selected planes.
    All on side Insert columns on the selected side of the building.
    All interior Insert columns on the interior of the building.
    All in building Insert columns on all vertical segments in the structural grid.
  7. To change which grid segment defines the zero angular orientation for the column, in the Cast Column dialog box, click either:
    • Snap Rotation Counterclockwise .
    • Snap Rotation Clockwise .
  8. Align the column along the U axis and the V axis .
  9. To set trim, rotation, and offset options, expand Options.
  10. Expand Grid Segment Display and in the Grids to Display box, select the grids to display, and then select the checkboxes according to the requirement:
  11. Click .

 

See Also
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