The Grade Beam Template Editor

  • A template that you create/edit in the Grade Beam Template Editor window can be entered to " Template " on the Grade Beam Edit window.

To open this window, double-click a template on the Grade Beam 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.

Select a " Template Item " to edit that item.

  • 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 ," you need to first have a bar pattern already on the list of " Template Items ."
 Grid cont bar pattern
 Perimeter cont bar pattern
 Single cont bar pattern
 Tie

After pressing " Add " then selecting " Tie ," you select the item's shape (its picture), then you are prompted to select the perimeter reinforcing bars that you want the tie 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.
  • deletes the item on the " Template Items " list that you have selected. Be aware that you cannot delete a concrete profile. The " Erase " button is disabled -- grayed out -- when the item selected under " Template Items " is a concrete profile. See " Profile ."

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" Name " and " End Cover " :

Name: Read only or Blank . The name of the grade beam template that you are adding or editing.

If " Name " is read-only , this is the name of the " Template " that you selected on the Grade Beam 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 Grade Beam Templates window, not this window) then press " Save As ."

End cover: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the left end of the rebar in a grade beam layout to the left end of the left-end grade beam in that same layout. This " End cover " distance also applies to the right end of the right-end beam in a grade beam layout.

A plan view of one end of a grade beam. The " End cover " distance sets back the reinforcing bars at each end of a layout. Intermediate beams in a layout have corner splices. .

The following options can be found in various " Template Items " :

Profile: Rectangular or Custom . This applies when the item selected on the " Templates item " list is a concrete profile. A concrete profile viewed in the Grade Beam Template Editor shows a perspective from the left end of the grade beam. A grade beam's left end is established by the 1st work point that was located when the member was added.

' Rectangular ' gives you options for defining a rectangular or square concrete profile, including a cover. See " Concrete Profile (Rectangular) ."

' Custom ' gives you options for a concrete profile that is a shape that you define by pressing " Edit ." There are no options for defining a cover. 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.

A " Rebar size " must be selected for a " Cont bar pattern (Grid) " or " Cont bar pattern (Single) " or " Cont bar pattern (Perimeter) " or " Tie definition "

User configuration: If a size that you want is not available, you can add that size on the Rebar Definitions Setup window.

Standard: Any standard that has been entered to the Rebar Specifications window can be selected here.

A " Standard " must be selected for a " Cont bar pattern (Grid) " or " Cont bar pattern (Single) " or " Cont bar pattern (Perimeter) " or " Tie 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 " Cont bar pattern (Grid) " or " Cont bar pattern (Single) " or " Cont bar pattern (Perimeter) " or " Tie 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 " Cont bar pattern (Grid) " or " Cont bar pattern (Single) " or " Cont bar pattern (Perimeter) " or " Tie 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 " Grade Beam / Continuous Footing " section of the Rebar Usage Descriptions window. The " Function " that you enter here is used on the schedules that appear on drawings.

A " Function " can be selected for a " Cont bar pattern (Grid) " or " Cont bar pattern (Single) " or " Cont bar pattern (Perimeter) " or " Tie definition "

User configuration: To add a " Function " that you can select here, you can type that function to the " Grade Beam / Continuous Footing " section of the Rebar Usage Descriptions window.

Corner Function: Any usage description from the " Grade Beam / Continuous Footing " section of the Rebar Usage Descriptions window. The " Function " that you enter here is used on rebar schedules to identify corner bars.

A " Corner Function " can be selected for a " Cont bar pattern (Grid) " or " Cont bar pattern (Single) " or " Cont bar pattern (Perimeter) ."

User configuration: To add a " Function " that you can select here, you can type that function to the " Grade Beam / Continuous Footing " section of the Rebar Usage Descriptions window.

Show grid: or .

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 grade beam in Modeling that has this template's " Name " entered to " Template " on its Grade Beam Edit window, then the " Width " entered here is the actual cross-sectional width of that grade beam.

In Modeling , the " Width " of the grade beam's cross section is horizontal across your computer screen if you are looking at an elevation view of either end of the member.

Height: A distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ). When a grade beam in Modeling that has this template's " Name " entered to " Template " on its Grade Beam Edit window, then the " Height " entered here is the actual cross-sectional height of that grade beam.

In Modeling , the " Height " of the grade beam's cross section is vertical across your computer screen if you are looking at an elevation view of either end of the member.

Uniform cover: or .

When this box is checked ( ), the value you enter to " Top cover " also applies to the bottom, left and right cover.

When the box is not checked ( ), you are permitted to enter different concrete thicknesses for the " Top cover " " Bottom cover " " Left cover " and " Right cover ."

Top cover: The concrete thickness (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) of the grade beam's top cover.

In Modeling , the top cover of a grade beam's cross section matches the rectangular concrete profile shown in the Grade Beam Template Editor regardless of how you locate your points. Top is always the higher elevation.

Bottom cover: The concrete thickness (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) of the grade beam's bottom cover.

In Modeling , the bottom cover of a grade beam's cross section matches the rectangular concrete profile shown in the Grade Beam Template Editor regardless of how you locate your points. Bottom is always the lower elevation.

Left cover: The concrete thickness (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) of the grade beam's left cover.

In Modeling , the left cover of a grade beam's cross section matches the rectangular concrete profile shown in the Grade Beam Template Editor if you are looking at the end where the 1st work point was located (the left end). If you're looking from the 2nd work point, then the left cover will be on your right.

Right cover: The concrete thickness (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) of the grade beam's right cover.

In Modeling , the right cover of a grade beam's cross section matches the rectangular concrete profile shown in the Grade Beam Template Editor if you are looking at the end where the 1st work point was located (the left end). If you're looking from the 2nd work point, then the right cover will be on your left.

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------ Concrete Profile (Custom) ------

When the " Profile " is set to ' Custom ', pressing the " Edit " button opens the Co ncrete Profile window, which you can use to edit the profile as described below.

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 " 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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------ Continuous bar pattern (Perimeter) ------

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------ Continuous 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 ' Custom '. Be aware that when bars snap to the cover the initial placement of those bars is readjusted to compensate for the thickness of the tie when you " Add " a tie.

Top: or . When " Top " is checked, the top row of continuous bars in the grid is constrained to the top cover and the " Center location, Y " is disabled and, in effect, zero. If " Top " is not checked, the position of the top row can be manipulated using " Row spacing ."

Bottom: or . When " Bottom " is checked, the bottom row of continuous bars in the grid is constrained to the bottom cover. Note that if both " Bottom " and " Top " are checked, then the position or all rows is fixed and you cannot change either the " Center location, Y " or the " Row spacing ."

Left: or . When " Left " is checked, the left column of continuous bars in the grid is constrained to the left cover and the " Center location, X " is disabled and, in effect, zero. If " Left " is not checked, the position of the left column can be manipulated using " Column spacing ."

Right: or . When " Right " is checked, the right column of continuous bars in the grid is constrained to the right cover. Note that if both " Right " and " Left " are checked, then the position or all columns is fixed and you cannot change either the " Center location, X " or the " Column spacing ."

Tip: Since " Row spacing " and " Columns spacing " are center-to-center spacings, the math needed to calculate how to use those options to place continuous bars flush with the cover could be tedious. Its usually easier to use these snaps and let the Grade Beam Template Editor calculate the needed spacing for you.

Center location: An X distance and a Y distance from the center, top 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 horizontal 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 with the top of the concrete profile. A value of -h/2 aligns the vertical center of the pattern at the center of the profile, where h is the " Height " of a rectangular 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 continuous 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 continuous bars in the grid pattern. Rows run horizontally in the pattern. The " Spacing " between rows runs vertically.

# columns: The total count (an integer) of continuous 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 continuous bars in the grid pattern. Columns run vertically in the pattern. The " Spacing " between columns runs horizontally.

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------ Continuous bar pattern (Single) ------

Center location: A positive or negative X distance and Y distance from the center, top of the concrete profile. Distances can be entered in the primary dimension " Units " or other units .

"X" can be positive or negative. A value of 0 centers the continuous bar at the horizontal center of the concrete profile. Entering a negative X distance moves the continuous bar that distance to the left. Entering a positive X distance moves the continuous bar that distance to the right.

"Y" can be positive or negative. A value of 0 aligns the vertical center of the continuous bar with the top of the concrete profile. A value of -h/2 aligns the vertical center of the continuous bar at the center of the profile, where h is the " Height " of a rectangular profile. Entering a negative Y distance moves the continuous bar down. Entering a positive Y distance moves the continuous bar up.

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------ Tie definition ------

Rebar shape: Read-only .

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 longitudinal continuous bars. Subsequent ties are placed per their " Spacing ." Distances can be entered in the primary dimension " Units " or other units . A grade beam's left end is established by the 1st work point that was located when that member was added. 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.

#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 longitudinal 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: The distance between ties. Distances can be entered in the primary dimension " Units " or other units .

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To close/reset the Grade Beam Template Editor :

"OK" (or the Enter key) closes the Grade Beam Template Editor and reactivates the Grade Beam 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 grade beam that uses that template in the model, you can mark for processing that grade beam 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.

Also see :

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