In Buildings and Civil Structures Design, beams are attached to horizontal grid segments but you can also add them between grid points. Buildings and Civil Structures Design has two types of beams and two types of beam patterns.
- Cast beams - These are primary beams cast specifically for the building project. These include cast concrete beams. Cast beams require a building grid for the structural grid.
- Catalog beams - These are primary beams that you select from a catalog of commercially available member shapes. These beams include steel beams. You can use either a building grid or
- Cast beam patterns - These are secondary beams or joists that are cast specifically for the building project. They span between primary beams or grid segments and include cast concrete secondary beams or joists. Create the primary beams before creating the cast beam patterns.
- Catalog beam patterns - These are the secondary beams or joists that you select from a catalog of commercially available shapes. Catalog beam patterns span between primary beams or grid segments. Create the primary beams before creating the catalog beam patterns.
For both the beams and beam patterns, you have the option to add to the building project a custom design cross section. The cross section is based on sketch that you create. Use the:
- Cast Beam and Cast Beam Pattern commands for custom designed beams made from materials such as concrete.
- Catalog Beam and Catalog Beam Pattern commands for custom designed beams made from materials such as steel.
Before you begin to add beams or beam patterns, you must have a structural grid, which generates the grid segments. Cast beam and beam patterns require a building grid as the structural grid. With catalog beams and beam patterns, you can use either a building grid or a reference plane grid.
The structural grid can include curved grid segments. Buildings and Civil Structures Design includes commands and options that allow you to create both curved and straight beams. Once you place beams or beam patterns on the structural grid, the system automatically updates member locations whenever someone revises the structural grid.