The Column Template Editor ( Job Settings )
- A template that you create/edit in the Concrete Template Editor window can be entered to " Template " on the Concrete Column Edit window in order to set the shape of that column to be round, square, rectangular or a custom shape. Adding rebar and ties to a template is optional. Different columns can use the same template.
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To open this window, double-click a template on the Column Templates window, or on that same window select a template and press " Edit " or press " Add ." One " Template item " (a concrete profile) should always be shown. To add an item to that profile, press the " Add " button. To delete an item, select it and press the " Erase " button. To change the profile, see " Profile '. Select a " Template Items " to edit that item. |
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opens a window with a list of template items that you can add to the " Template items " list shown above. In order to select " Tie " or " Spiral ," you need to first have a bar pattern already on the list.
Grid vert bar pattern
After pressing " Add " then selecting " Tie " or " Spiral ," you select the item's shape (its picture), then you are prompted to select the perimeter reinforcing bars that you want the tie or spiral to constrain. It is permissible to select the same bar twice. The dimensions of the tie are based on the bars that you select.
The black pointers in this example point to the bars that were selected in order to create the green tie . The order of selection is not important. The remaining bars (those not marked with pointers) were selected when the orange tie was created. To place the green tie above the orange tie, the user entered a " Depth offset " for the green tie that was equal to the green tie's diameter.
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deletes the item on the " Template Items " list that you have selected. Be aware that you cannot delete a concrete profile. This button is disabled -- grayed out -- when the item selected is a concrete profile. See " Profile ."
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" Name " and " End Cover " :
Name: Read only or Blank . The name of the column template that you are adding or editing.
If " Name " is read-only , this is the name of the " Template " that you selected on the Column Templates window when you opened this window. It is the name of the template that you are editing.
If " Name " is blank , then you pressed " Add " to open this window, You must type a " Name " in order to complete the creation of the new template.
Tip: If you want to change the name of a template, you can create a template exactly like that template but with the new name that you want. Just select that template (on the Column Templates window, not this window) then press " Save As ."
End cover: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the end of the rebar to the top or bottom end of the column.
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The " End cover " distance sets back the rebar at both the top and bottom ends of the column. |
The following options can be found in various " Template Items " :
Profile: Rectangular or Circular or Custom . This applies when the item selected on the " Templates item " list is a concrete profile. Be aware that a concrete profile viewed in the Column Template Editor shows a perspective from the bottom of the column. A concrete column's bottom end is its left end regardless of order in which that column's work points were located.
' Rectangular ' gives you options for defining a rectangular or square concrete profile. See " Concrete Profile (Rectangular) ."
' Circular ' gives you options for defining a circular concrete profile. See " Concrete Profile (Circular) ."
' Custom ' gives you options for concrete profile that is a shape that you define by pressing " Edit ." See " Concrete Profile (Custom) ."
Rebar size: Any size that has been entered to the Rebar Definitions Setup window under the " Active rebar standard " can be selected here.
Standard: Any standard that has been entered to the Rebar Specifications window can be selected here.
A " Standard " must be selected for a " Vertical bar pattern (Circle) " or " Vertical bar pattern (Grid) " or " Vertical bar pattern (Single) " or " Tie definition " or " Spiral definition ."
User configuration: If a standard that you want is not available, you can add that standard on the Rebar Specifications window.
Steel grade: Any steel grade that is available in the " Standard " that you have selected can be selected here.
A " Steel grade " must be selected for a " Vertical bar pattern (Circle) " or " Vertical bar pattern (Grid) " or " Vertical bar pattern (Single) " or " Tie definition " or " Spiral definition ."
User configuration: If a steel grade is not available for selection, selecting a different " Standard " will make that steel grade available if the steel grade you want is in that other standard. If you don't want to change to a different " Standard ," you can open the Rebar Specifications window and add the steel grade you want to the standard that you currently have selected.
Coating: None or a Coating that is available in the " Standard " that you have selected. A " Coating " can be selected for a " Vertical bar pattern (circle) " or " Vertical bar pattern (grid) " or " Vertical bar pattern (single) " or " Tie definition " or " Spiral definition ."
Select ' None ' if you do not want a coating. Since it is possible to create standards that do not have coatings, it is possible that ' None ' may be your only option.
User configuration: If a coating is not available for selection, selecting a different " Standard " will make that coating available if the coating you want is in that other standard. If you don't want to change to a different " Standard ," you can open the Rebar Specifications window and add the coating you want to the standard that you currently have selected.
Function: Any usage description from the " Column " section of the Rebar Usage Descriptions window. The " Function " that you enter here is used on the schedules that appear on drawings.
User configuration: To add a " Function " that you can select here, you can type that function to the " Column " section of the Rebar Usage Descriptions window.
When this box is checked (
), a grid with X-axis and Y-axis rulers overlays the depiction of the template.
When the box is not checked (
), the template is depicted without the grid overlay.
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------ Concrete Profile (Rectangular) ------
Width: A distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ). When a concrete column in Modeling that has this template's " Name " entered to " Template " on its Concrete Column Edit window, then the " Width " entered here is the actual cross-sectional width of that concrete column.
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In Modeling , the " Width " of the column's cross section is horizontal across your computer screen if you are in a plan view and the " Rotation " is set to ' 0 ' or '180' on the Concrete Column Edit window. |
Height: A distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ). When a concrete column in Modeling that has this template's " Name " entered to " Template " on its Concrete Column Edit window, then the " Height " entered here is the actual cross-sectional height of that concrete column.
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In Modeling , the " Height " of the column's cross section is vertical across your computer screen if you are in a plan view and the " Rotation " is set to ' 0 ' or '180' on the Concrete Column Edit window. |
When this box is checked (
When the box is not checked (
Top cover: The concrete thickness (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) of the rectangular concrete column's top cover.
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In Modeling , the top cover of a column's cross section matches the rectangular concrete profile shown in the Column Template Editor when you are looking at the bottom end of the column and the " Rotation " is set to ' 0 ' on the Concrete Column Edit window. In this example, vertical bars snap to the cover, and the top cover dimension is the distance from the top edge of the column profile to the nearest vertical bar. |
Bottom cover: The concrete thickness (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) of the rectangular concrete column's bottom cover.
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In Modeling , the bottom cover of a column's cross section matches the rectangular concrete profile shown in the Column Template Editor when you are looking at the bottom end of the column and the " Rotation " is set to ' 0 ' on the Concrete Column Edit window. In this example, vertical bars snap to the cover, and the bottom cover dimension is the distance from the bottom edge of the column profile to the nearest vertical bar. |
Left cover: The concrete thickness (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) of the rectangular concrete column's left cover.
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In Modeling , the left cover of a column's cross section matches the rectangular concrete profile shown in the Column Template Editor when you are looking at the bottom end of the column and the " Rotation " is set to ' 0 ' on the Concrete Column Edit window. In this example, vertical bars snap to the cover, and the left cover dimension is the distance from the left edge of the column profile to the nearest vertical bar. |
Right cover: The concrete thickness (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) of the rectangular concrete column's right cover.
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In Modeling , the right cover of a column's cross section matches the rectangular concrete profile shown in the Column Template Editor when you are looking at the bottom end of the column and the " Rotation " is set to ' 0 ' on the Concrete Column Edit window. In this example, vertical bars snap to the cover, and the right cover dimension is distance from the right edge of the column profile to the nearest vertical bar. |
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------ Concrete Profile (Circular) ------
Radius: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the center of the column profile to any point on the edge of the column.
When a concrete column in Modeling has this template's " Name " entered to " Template " on its Concrete Column Edit window, then this will be the radius of the cross section of that column.
Cover: The concrete thickness (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) of the circular concrete column's cover.
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------ Concrete Profile (Custom) ------
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| When the " Profile " is set to ' Custom ', pressing the " Edit " button opens the Co ncrete Profile window, which you can use to edit the concrete profile as described below. |
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Radius: A distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) that defines the amount of corner rounding that takes place.
The " Radius " is the radius of a circle. Two lines that are tangent to that circle meet at the located point. The corner's arc ends at the points of tangency of these two lines. 
A " Radius " of ' 0 ' designates a sharp corner with no corner rounding.
Increasing the size of the " Radius " moves the edge of the rounded corner back from the corner point. This is because the " Radius " defines a circle that is tangent to both lines to the corner point. The arc of the rounded corner begins and ends at the tangent points.
You can set a different " Radius " for each corner. Clicking on the upper-right corner of the table (" Radius > ") lets you set the radius for each point to be the same value.
Dimension by: Length and angle or Previous point or Origin point . This applies when you hover a point in the diagram with your mouse pointer ( 
), regardless of whether or not you are adding points.
' Length and angle ' shows one or two dimensions and an angle. The dimension(s) are to the point you are hovering. One dimension may be to the previous point, and another dimension may be to the next point. The angle to the point you are hovering may be the included angle between the hovered point and the previous two points. Or it may be the angle between the hovered point and a horizontal or vertical bisector to the previous point.
' Previous point ' shows horizontal and/or vertical dimensions between the point you are hovering and the previous point in the diagram. Dimensions of zero will not be shown.
' Origin point ' shows horizontal and/or vertical dimensions from the origin point (point 1) to the point you are hovering. Dimensions of zero will not be shown.
Adding points: You can click a line in the diagram to add a point. The new point snaps to your mouse pointer until you left-click to locate that point or right-click to cancel. Dimensions are shown as you move your mouse pointer to reposition the snapped-to point. An alternative to clicking in the diagram to add points is to enter the points to the table.
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------ Vertical bar pattern (circle) ------
Snap to cover: or . This applies when the concrete profile is rectangular or circular since those types of " Profile " specify cover thicknesses.
When this box is checked (
When the box is not checked (
Center location: An X distance and a Y distance from the center of the concrete profile. Distances can be entered in the primary dimension " Units " or other units .
"X" is the X distance and can be positive or negative. A value of 0 aligns the horizontal center of the pattern at the center of the concrete profile. Entering a negative X distance moves the horizontal center of the pattern that distance to the left. Entering a positive X distance moves the horizontal center of the pattern that distance to the right.
"Y" is the Y distance and can be positive or negative. A value of 0 aligns the vertical center of the pattern at the center of the concrete profile. Entering a negative Y distance moves the vertical center of the pattern down. Entering a positive Y distance moves the vertical center of the pattern up.
Radius: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the center " Center location " to any point on the edge of the column.
# bars: The total count (an integer) of vertical bars in the circular pattern.
Offset angle: The positive or negative number of degrees.
A positive number of degrees rotates the circular pattern of vertical bars counterclockwise.
A positive negative number of degrees rotates the circular pattern of vertical bars clockwise.
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------ Continuous bar pattern (Perimeter) ------
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------ Vertical bar pattern (grid) ------
Snap to cover: A Top and/or Bottom and/or Left and/or Right perimeter constraint to the pattern. The option applies when the concrete profile is rectangular. The option is disabled ( grayed out ) when the " Profile " is ' Circular ' or ' Custom '.
Top:
Bottom:
Left:
Right:
Tip: Since " Row spacing " and " Columns spacing " are center-to-center spacings, the math needed to calculate how to use those options to place vertical bars flush with the cover could be tedious. Its usually easier to use these snaps and let Column Template Editor calculate the needed spacing for you.
Center location: An X distance and a Y distance from the center of the concrete profile. Distances can be entered in the primary dimension " Units " or other units .
"X" is the X distance and can be positive or negative. A value of 0 aligns the horizontal center of the pattern at the center of the concrete profile. Entering a negative X distance moves the horizontal center of the pattern that distance to the left. Entering a positive X distance moves the horizontal center of the pattern that distance to the right.
"Y" is the Y distance and can be positive or negative. A value of 0 aligns the vertical center of the pattern at the center of the concrete profile. Entering a negative Y distance moves the vertical center of the pattern down. Entering a positive Y distance moves the vertical center of the pattern up.
# rows: The total count (an integer) of vertical bar rows in the grid pattern. Rows run horizontally in the pattern. The " Spacing " between rows runs vertically.
Spacing (rows): The center-to-center distance between rows of vertical bars in the grid pattern. Rows run horizontally in the pattern. The " Spacing " between rows runs vertically.
# columns: The total count (an integer) of vertical bar columns in the grid pattern. Columns run vertically in the pattern. The " Spacing " between columns runs horizontally.
Spacing (columns): The center-to-center distance between columns of vertical bars in the grid pattern. Columns run vertically in the pattern. The " Spacing " between columns runs horizontally.
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------ Vertical bar pattern (single) ------
Center location: An X distance and a Y distance from the center of the concrete profile. Distances can be entered in the primary dimension " Units " or other units .
"X" is the X distance and can be positive or negative. A value of 0 centers the vertical bar at the horizontal center of the concrete profile. Entering a negative X distance moves the vertical bar that distance to the left. Entering a positive X distance moves the vertical bar that distance to the right.
"Y" is the Y distance and can be positive or negative. A value of 0 centers the vertical bar at the vertical center of the concrete profile. Entering a negative Y distance moves the vertical bar down. Entering a positive Y distance moves the vertical bar up.
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Note: You can use Tie Zone in the model to add ties to a column even if you have not added ties to the column template. If a column template has ties defined, those ties are not placed in the model until you use Tie Zone to place them. Tie Zone has a " Hoop type " option that can be set to ' Manual ' or ' from Template '.
This is the tie definition shape that you selected after you pressed " Add " and selected " Tie ."
To change this shape, you need to select this " Template item " then press " Erase " then press " Add " and select " Tie " and then select a different shape.
Depth offset: A positive or negative distance . This places the first tie from the left end of the vertical continuous bars. Distances can be entered in the primary dimension " Units " or other units . A concrete column's left end is always its bottom end. As shown in the example below, you might use the " Depth offset " to prevent ties from clashing when you have defined multiple ties in a template.
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#3 rebar is used for both ties in this example. A " Depth offset " of ' 3/8 ' was entered to keep the two ties from clashing. |
' 0 ' places the left-most tie 1 inch from the left end of the vertical continuous bars.
' A positive distance ' displaces the left-most tie that distance from its zero position in the direction of the left end.
' A negative distance ' displaces the left-most tie that distance from its zero position in the direction of the right end.
Spacing: See Tie Zone . The custom component named " Tie Zone " is used to set the spacing of ties in a concrete column. The vertical continuous bars are added when the concrete column is added, but the ties are not added until the desired spacing is specified using Tie Zone . This lets you easily model ties with different spacings at different zones along a concrete column's length. This also allows you to use the same template for columns with different tie spacings.
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------ Spiral definition -----
Rebar shape: Read-only . This will always read ' Spiral '. The 'Spiral' referred to is the shape you selected after you pressed " Add " and selected " Spiral " to add a spiral. Currently SDS2 provides only one shape that you can select when you add a spiral.
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To close/reset the Column Template Editor :
"OK" (or the Enter key) closes the Column Template Editor and reactivates the Column Templates window. The template edited using this window is saved to the Job Settings file in your current Job . To apply template changes to a column that uses that template in the model, you can mark for processing that column then Process and Create Solids .
"Cancel" (or the Esc key or the
button) closes this window without saving any changes made to it.
"Reset" undoes all changes made to this window since you first opened it. The window remains open.
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Also see :
- Column Templates (the Column Template Editor is opened from)
- Concrete Column Edit (window on which a column template can be selected).
- Tie Zone (to add ties to a column)