Member Add Joist ( Modeling > F2 >   Structural steel > select " Joist" )

Tool summary :

  • Adds a joist to the 3D model. Locate two points and make entries on the Joist Edit window to define the joist.
  • A unique member number [num] is assigned to a joist as it is added. This member number may be used to identify the joist in the 3D model.
  • Beginning with v2017 SDS2 software, joist work points began to be automatically located at the joist bearing elevation instead of the top of joist elevation. Users who prefer the pre-2017 way of locating points at the top of joist elevation can use the Input by Top of Joist Elevation modifier.
  • In SDS2 v2021 software, the ' Flush framed shear ' connection was introduced as a joist " Input connection type ." The ' Flush framed clip angle ' connection was introduced in v2022. To get a flush framed connection when framing a joist to a beam, the top of steel elevation of the joist needs to be the same as the top of steel elevation of the beam. Otherwise, connection design will emit the failure message " Flush framed joist elevation not at supporting beam top of steel " instead of designing a connection. To get the joist elevation to match the beam elevation, use the Input by Top of Joist Elevation modifier when locating points.
  • When ' Bearing ' is the joist " Input connection type ," locating a joist work point at the beam member line ( INCM ) without using the modifier ( ) automatically places the joist at the bearing elevation. The bottom of the joist shoe will match the beam's top flange elevation.
  • See (on this page) point locators and modifiers and the step-by-step instructions .

Also see :

VIDEO Seven joists are quickly added, each by either locating two work points using INCM or by middle-click ( Repeat ). The " Input elevation " for each end of each joist is at the bearing elevation of that joist's end. (Recorded in SDS2 Detailing , v2017.)

YouTube video: Flush Framed Joists.

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   Point locators and modifiers :

   INCM ( Intersection of a Construction Line with a Member ) is a good choice of point locator to use when you Model > Member > Add > Joist . For a joist that bolts to the top of a beam, INCM snaps to the center of the beam's top flange at the location of the construction line. For a joist with a seated joist connection to a column web or flange, INCM snaps to the center of the column, and Add Joist automatically positions the joist seat at the appropriate elevation on the column's web or flange. You can use this point locator with or without the Input by Top of Joist Elevation modifier. If you use this point locator with the Input by Top of Joist Elevation modifier, it may be advisable to set the Offset Controls to a " Z + " offset equal to the difference between the input point elevation and top of joist elevation.

   Input by Top of Joist Elevation allows users to input joists at the top of joist elevation, which was the only way to get system connections when adding joists before v2017 versions of SDS2 programs. When this point location modifier is on, you get annotation text like the following :

The located work point is recorded to the Joist Edit window's " Top of joist " elevation.

When Input by Top of Joist Elevation is off, you get annotation text like the following:

The located work point is recorded to the Joist Edit window's " Input elevation "

For a joist-to-beam framing situation where ' Flush framed shear ' or ' Flush framed clip ' is the joist " Input connection type ," the top-of-steel elevation of the joist needs to be the same as the top-of-steel elevation of the beam. The top-of steel elevations of the two members will be equal when the joist's work point to the beam's member line is located using INCM along with the Input by Top of Joist Elevation modifier.

page 1 | contents | F2 > structural steel > joist | joist edit window | top

   Step-by-step instructions :

These instructions explain how to add one or more joists at their bearing elevation, instead of by using the Input by Top of Joist Elevation modifier. Generally it is best to start the Add Joist operation with grid lines or construction lines strategically placed so that they cross the beams or columns to which you want to frame the joist. The following instructions assume that you are using a 3-button mouse.

1 . Invoke Add Joist using any one (1) of the following methods:

  • Right-click ( Menu ) and choose Add Member > Structural Steel > Joist .
  • On your ribbon, click the Add Joist icon, which is pictured above. If the icon is not currently on your ribbon, you can add it using the Ribbon Editor . In the Ribbon Editor , choose Model -- Member > Joist .
  • Use a keyboard shortcut (if one has been set up). Joist is in the keyboard configuration " Command group " called ' Model -- Member '.
  • You can also add the tool to a mode of your choice. In Mode Configuration , the tool can be selected from the " Command group " called ' Model -- Member '.

2 . Various Locate options become active along with Locate - Repeat - Return mouse bindings.

bindings

2a : Select the Locate icon you want (if it is not selected already). Place the point location target ( ) where you want the first work point of the joist, then left-click ( Locate ). This work point establishes one bearing point of the joist. It's elevation is recorded -- for the appropriate end -- as the " Input elevation " on the Joist Edit window.

2b : The status line prompts, "Locate second point:" Reposition the point location target ( ) where you want the joist to end, then left-click ( Locate ).This work point establishes another bearing point of the joist. It's elevation is recorded -- for the appropriate end -- as the " Input elevation " on the Joist Edit window.

3 . The Joist Edit window opens. On it are settings for the joist whose work point(s) you defined in step 2. Since process on the fly takes place even before the window opens, all relevant connection design locks are available to you immediately after the window opens, and process on the fly will continuously update connection design locks as you make changes on the edit window.

3a : Edit the joist settings as desired, then press the " OK " button.

4 . The joist whose settings you entered in step 3, and whose work points you located in step 2, appears on screen. Do one of the following:

bindings

Alternative 1 : Move the mouse pointer ( ) and middle-click ( Repeat ) to add a joist exactly like the one you just added beginning from where the point location target ( ) is at. The X, Y global axes location of the repeated joist will begin from the located repeat point (where the target is at). The joist's Z location (left and right " Input elevation ") and other settings will be that of the last-added or last-edited joist.

Alternative 2 : Follow these instructions beginning with step 2 to add a joist that is somewhat different than the one you just added.

Alternative 3 : Right-click ( Return ) if you are done adding joists.

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