The placement of many handrail parts is defined by setting the " Finished floor distance " which that part is above the " Floor thickness ." The top rail " Reference line " sets the member line.
You can add handrail with connections to wide flange or channel beams or to channel stairs. ' Welded ' (' Plain End ') or " Continuous Bottom Plate " handrail can be used for other material types or to add hand rail that does not connect to anything.
Special indicators:
The " OK " button is disabled (grayed out) to indicate a validation error. Hover the " OK " button with your mouse pointer to get a listing of settings you need to change on this window. When all settings are valid, the " OK " button is enabled.
Red-colored highlighting identifies an entry that is invalid. You need to change that setting, or you will not be able to close this window using " OK ."
Warning: Most changes that you make to hand-rail materials outside of the Hand Rail window make the handrail " Graphical ," and those changes will be lost if you make the handrail not graphical (" Graphical "). For this reason, you should clean up the handrail using Model > Material tools only after you are certain that you will make no more changes on the Hand Rail window. You can change a custom member material's steel grade, color or surface finish without making the member graphical.
Piecemark: Blank or a system piecemark or a user-entered character string (of up to 61 characters ) which identifies this member as having an unique design distinct from other members that have been assigned different piecemarks. This is the member piecemark of the handrail member.
Blank instructs SDS2 piecemarking to assign a system piecemark to the handrail member when you press " OK " to close this window. " PIecemark " is, by default, left blank when you first add a new handrail.
A system piecemark ( system piecemark ) is assigned automatically if " Piecemark " is blank when you press " OK ." SDS2 piecemarking uses the prefix that is entered to " Piecemark " on the Hand Rail Setup window.
A user-entered string is a user piecemark . SDS2 piecemarking will not assign new members that user piecemark, nor will piecemarking remove that user piecemark from members to which it has been assigned. It is your responsibility to ensure that the same user piecemark is not used for another distinctly different member.
Tip: If you have assigned a user piecemark to the handrail member, clearing that piecemark and leaving " Piecemark " blank will result in piecemarking assigning a system piecemark to the member when you press " OK ."
If this box is checked ( ), then " Add " is checked under the " Toe Plate " tab and the options shown above are enabled.
If the box is not checked ( ), then " Add toe plate " is not checked and the options shown above are not enabled.
Remove main section toe plate: or . This option is enabled when " Add toe plate " is checked. It is disabled when " Add toe plate " is unchecked.
If this box is checked ( ), toe plate is removed from the Main Section. If there is a Return on either end of the Hand Rail member, the toe plate remains on the Return(s). The " Return toe plates " tab is enabled.
If the box is not checked ( ), toe plate remains on the Main Section. The " Return toe plates " tab is disabled.
Add grab bar: or . Same as " Add " under the " Grab Bar " tab. This option is disabled (grayed out) when the post " Type " is ' Angle '.
The side (' NS ' or ' FS ') of the grab bar is set using " Walk side ."
If this box is checked ( ), then " Add " under the " Grab Bar " tab is checked, and you get the options shown here:
If the box is not checked ( ), a grab bar is not included as part of the handrail.
Grab bar only: or . This applies when " Add grab bar " is checked.
" Grab bar only " is turned off ( ) then back on ( ). Then a " Return to post " fitting is added to each end of the grab bar. (Recorded in SDS2 Detailing , v2017.)
If this box is checked ( ), then only the grab bar, including supports and return fittings, is generated in the model.
If the box is not checked ( ), the entire stair, including the grab bar, is generated in the model.
Style: Empty or Mesh or Pickets . These options apply when the post material " Type " is ' Pipe ' or ' Tube '. You cannot apply mesh or pickets when the post " Type " is ' Angle '.
' Empty '
' Mesh '
' Pickets '
If ' Empty ' is selected, neither mesh or pickets are added.
If ' Mesh ' is selected, mesh is added per the " Mesh " tab.
If ' Pickets ' is selected, the " Max clearance " and " Type " and " Grade " settings under the " Pickets " tab will be applied to the pickets that are generated. Picket length depends on the midrail " Count ."
Walk side: NS (near side) or FS (far side). This sets the side of the " Toe plate " and the " Grab bar . For angle handrails, it sets the leg orientation. Click here for information on how to determine the near side and far side of a member.
' NS '
' FS '
' NS '
' FS '
On an angle handrail (as shown in the example immediately above), the heel of the top rail (and angle midrails) align with the work line regardless of the choice made here. ' NS ' sets the direction of the horizontal leg of the top rail away from the near side , and the angle posts align in that same direction. ' FS ' sets the horizontal leg direction toward the near side.
Left end: P-End or Post or Return or Splice . This sets the main section end " Condition " for the " Left End " under the " Ends " tab.
Left return end: P-End or Post or Splice . This applies when the main section end " Condition " for the " Left End " is ' Return '. The end " Condition " for the return is set under " End Information ."
Left corner post ( new ): None or Main section or Return . Documentation in progress . This applies when the main section end " Condition " for the " Left End " is ' Return '. This also sets the " Corner post " on the corresponding " Left Corner Post " tab. Choosing either ' Main section ' or ' Return ' gives the corner post connection settings that match that section. For example, a ' Base Plate ' post connection will get the same " Top of support distance " the section you chose. Choosing ' Main section ' or ' Return ' also adds an entry for that member on that section's Intermediate Posts table.
Right end: This sets " Condition " for the " Right End " of the main section (under the " Ends " tab > ).
Right return end: This applies when the " Condition " for the " Right End " of the main section is ' Return '. It sets the end " Condition " for the return, which can also be set under " End Information ."
Right corner post ( new ): None or Main section or Return . Documentation in progress . This applies when the main section end " Condition " for the " Right End " is ' Return '. This also sets the " Corner post " on the corresponding " Right Corner Post " tab. Choosing either ' Main section ' or ' Return ' gives the corner post connection settings that match that section. For example, a ' Base Plate ' post connection will get the same " Top of support distance " as the section you chose. Choosing ' Main section ' or ' Return ' also adds an entry for that member on that section's Intermediate Posts table.
Graphical : You should check this box when you no longer want the handrail to undergo Process and Create Solids . For example, when you are ready to begin manually modifying the member using Edit Material , material cutting operations, or etc. Click here for more information.
Model complete date: Read-only . The " Model completed " status of this member can be set using Update Attributes . You cannot set the " Model complete date " here, on this window.
' **NOT SET** ' indicates that this window is fully editable.
' month day year ' indicates that all fields on this window are in a disabled , read-only state due to the " Model completed " date having been set on this member, using Update Attributes , not necessarily on the reported date.
Type: Angle or Flat Bar or Pipe or Tube . This also sets the top rail " Type " under the " Overview " tab. The heel of an ' Angle ' top rail aligns with the workline (click here for an example). ' Flat Bar ', ' Pipe ' and ' Tube ' top rails are centered on the workline.
Long leg direction: Horizontal or Vertical .
Top rail:
Post:
' Vertical '
'Parallel'
' Vertical '
'Perp'
' Horizontal '
'Perp'
' Horizontal '
'Parallel'
These views look down the " Reference line. " All eight angles are 3x2x1/4. The post's " Long leg direction " is set under the " Post/Pickets " tab.
Width: The width of the top rail when its " Type " is ' Flat Bar '. You can enter this width in the primary dimension " Units " or other units .
The " Width " of the top rail is centered with respect to the work line , as are pipe and tube posts. For angle posts, the bar is flush with the heel of the angle.
Graphical: The width that you enter here sets the flat bar's " Material width ." Changing that thickness here instead of on the material window does not make the handrail graphical. If the handrail is " Graphical ," you must set it to not graphical (" Graphical ") before pressing " OK " to close this window if you want the program to be able to change the top rail's width.
Thickness: The thickness of the top rail when its " Type " is ' Flat Bar '. You can enter this thickness in the primary dimension " Units " or other units .
The " Thickness " dimension that you enter here sets the flat bar's " Material thickness ."
Long side direction: Horizontal or Vertical . This applies when the top rail " Type " is a ' Tube ' that has a " Section s ize " with one side longer than the other. This sets whether that long side is horizontal or vertical
If, for example, the " Reference line " is set to ' Top ' and you change " Long side direction " from ' Horizontal ' to ' Vertical ', the top of the top rail remains the same.
Bend radius: A distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) that defines the inside radius of bending for the top corner of a P-end. This applies when the end " Condition " is ' P-End ' and the " Corner " is ' Elbow '. The distance entered here is exactly the same distance that is entered as the top rail's " Inside elbow radius " for each end that has a P-end.
r = inside elbow radius. The elbow is used to join two same-size pipe sections that are perpendicular to one another. Increasing the elbow radius increases the elbow's " Part length ."
Reference line: Top or Center or Bottom . The member line of the handrail that shows its location when the handrail is displayed in stick form . The choice you make here affects the placement of that member line. The " Finished floor distance " (below) sets the distance that this member line is from the " Floor thickness ."
Finished floor distance: The actual or verticaldistance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) that the member line (" Reference line ") is above the " Floor thickness ." In the example below, the construction line through the work point (wkpt) shows the top of steel work line established by the points that were located when the handrail was added.
Dimension type: Actual or Vertical . For a sloping handrail, the ' Actual ' distance is different than the ' Vertical ' distance. If the handrail is not sloping, this distance is measured the same as the ' Actual ' distance since the vertical distance will be perpendicular to the floor and member line.
' Actual ' sets the " Finished floor distance " to be measured as the shortest distance (a perpendicular) between the member line and the floor. ' Vertical ' sets the " Finished floor distance " to be measured vertically between the member line and the floor.
------ Midrails ------
Count: The number ( 0 or 1 or 2 , etc.) of midrails.
" Midrail spacing " sets the distance between midrails (bottom to top) when the " Count " is ' 2 ' or greater.
Be aware that the " Count " of midrails also affects the length of pickets as described in the table below:.
Type: Angle or Flat Bar or Pipe or Tube . This also sets the midrail " Type " under the " Overview " tab. Note: Midrails run the length of the main section when the " Type " of post is ' Angle '. When the " Type " of post is ' Pipe ' or ' Tube ', they run from post to post. For ' Angle ' midrails, the " Angle cutout clearance " and " Angle cutout radius " controls the cutout in the midrail around the angle posts.
Most of these options apply when the midrail type is an angle. For the options " Angle cutout clearance " and " Angle cutout radius " to apply, both the midrail and post must be angle sections.
When the midrail type is flat bar, options for " Width " and " Thickness " become available so that you can specify the size of the flat bar rail(s).
When the midrail type is pipe, you must specify an HSS round or pipe section as the " Section size '. An " Angle post offset " can be applied when the posts are angles.
When the midrail type is tube, you must specify an HSS rectangular or tube (TS) section as the " Section size '. An " Angle post offset " can be applied when the posts are angles.
Long leg direction: Horizontal or Vertical .
This applies when the midrail " Type " is ' Angle ' and the " Section size " is an angle with unequal legs.
Width: The " Material width " of the midrails when their " Type " is ' Flat Bar '.
When the post " Type " is ' Angle ', the width of the flat bar midrails is vertical. When the post " Type " is ' Pipe ' or ' Tube ', the width of the flat bar midrails is horizontal.
Thickness: The " Material thickness " of the midrails when their " Type " is ' Flat Bar '.
When the post " Type " is ' Angle ', the width of the flat bar midrails is horizontal. When the post " Type " is ' Pipe ' or ' Tube ', the width of the flat bar midrails is vertical.
Long side direction: Horizontal or Vertical .
This applies when the midrail " Type " is a ' Tube ' that has a " Section size " with one side longer than the other. This sets whether that long side is horizontal or vertical to the world.
Bend radius: A distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) that defines the inside radius of bending for the bottom corner elbow of a P-end. This applies when the end " Condition " is ' P-End ' and the " Corner " is ' Elbow '. The distance entered here is exactly the same distance that is entered as the midrail's " Inside elbow radius " for each end that has a P-end.
r = inside elbow radius. The elbow is used to join two same-size pipe sections that are perpendicular to one another. Increasing the elbow radius increases the elbow's " Part length ."
Pipe post centerline setback: The vertical distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the centerline of the pipe post to the edge of the midrail.
This applies to a pipe, tube or angle midrails. This option is enabled when ' Pipe ' is the " Type " of post.
Fit to post: or . This option is enabled when ' Pipe ' is the " Type " of post. You can fit a pipe, tube or angle midrail to a pipe post.
Fit to post ( pipe to pipe )
Fit to post
Fit to post ( tube to pipe )
Fit to post ( angle to pipe )
If this box is checked ( ), the Hand Rail program performs an Exact Fit operation on the midrail to the post.
If this box is not checked ( ), Hand Raildoes not perform the Exact Fit operation. If you then perform the Exact Fit operation yourself, you will have the option to set a clearance between the edge of the midrail and the post that you are cutting around. See this warning before performing any material operation on handrail material.
Note: In the example shown for angle to pipe, the top rail " Type " is set to ' Angle ', which causes the heel of the angle to align with the workline .
Angle post offset:Auto or Auto . This applies when the " Type " of post is ' Angle ' and the " Type " of midrail is ' Pipe ' or ' Tube '.
' Auto ' calculates the offset (x in the above example) so that the midrails are placed beyond the fillet of the angle posts, thus preventing a clash between the angle posts and pipe or tube midrails.
' Auto ' -- when not checked -- permits the user to enter an offset distance in the primary dimension " Units " or other units .
Angle cutout clearance: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) between the edge of the angle post and the edge of the midrail cutout. This option is enabled when ' Angle ' is both the post " Type " and the " Type " of midrail.
This cutout is made to the horizontal leg of the angle that is used for the midrail. It allows the angle post to align flush with the vertical leg of the midrail.
Angle cutout radius: A distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ). A value of ' 0 ' makes the corner squared. Increasing the radius makes the curve more gradual. This is the same corner rounding algorithm that is used for Cut Layout .
This applies to the corners of the " Angle cut " when ' Angle ' is both the post " Type " and the " Type " of midrail.
Vertical and horizontal construction lines at the vertex points ( vtpt ) of the corner cut meet at the center point of a construction circle whose " Radius " is equal to the " Angle cutout radius ."
Finished floor distance: The actual or verticaldistance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) that the bottom midrail is above the " Floor thickness ." In the example below, the construction line through the work point (wkpt) shows the top of steel workline established by the points that were located when the handrail was added.
Dimension type: Actual or Vertical . If the handrail is not sloping, the ' Vertical ' distance is measured the same as the ' Actual ' distance since both are measured perpendicular to the floor and bottom midrail. For a sloping handrail, the distances are different.
' Actual ' sets the " Finished floor distance " to be measured as the shortest distance (a perpendicular) between the bottom midrail and the floor. ' Vertical ' sets the " Finished floor distance " to be measured vertically between bottom midrail and the finished floor.
Midrail spacing: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) between midrails (bottom listed first, top listed last). The number of entries ( lines ) shown here equals the " Count " ( count ) of midrails minus 1; that is, lines = count - 1 . This means that if the " Count " is ' 1 ', there are no lines for " Midrail spacing ." If the " Count " is ' 2 ', there is one line. If the " Count " is ' 3 ', there are two lines.
b is the distance from the center of the bottom midrail to the center of the middle midrail. c is the distance from the center of that middle midrail to the top midrail.
The distance from the top midrail to the top rail " Reference line " ( d ) is equal to the " Finished floor distance " ( rl ) for that reference line plus the " Floor thickness " ( ft ) minus the distance from the workline to the center of the bottom rail ( a ) minus the center-to-center distance between the bottom midrail and the middle midrail ( b ) minus the center-to-center distance between the middle midrail and the top midrail ( c ); that is, d = rl + ft - a - b - c
Long leg direction: Parallel or perpendicular . This applies when the post " Type " is an ' Angle ' with a " Section size " that has unequal legs. It sets the long leg of the angle to be parallel or perpendicular to the " Reference line " of the handrail.
Post:
Top rail:
' Parallel '
'Vertical'
' Parallel '
'Horizontal'
' Perp '
'Vertical'
' Perp '
'Horizontal'
These views look down the " Reference line ." All eight angles are 3x2x1/4. The top rail's " Long leg direction " is set under the " Rails " tab.
Long side direction: Parallel or Perpendicular .
This applies when the post " Type " is a ' Tube ' that has a " Section size " with one side longer than the other.
' Parallel ' sets the long side of the tube to be parallel to the " Reference line " of the handrail.
' Perpendicular ' sets the long side of the tube to be perpendicular to the reference line of the handrail.
Angle horizontal clip: The horizontal distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the vertical edge of the post to where the corner of the clip meets the top (horizontal) edge of the post.
This option is enabled when ' Angle ' is the " Type " of post.
Angle vertical clip: The vertical distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the top of the post to where the corner of the clip meets the vertical edge of the post.
This option is enabled when ' Angle ' is the " Type " of post.
Post top rail setback: A distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ). This option is disabled (grayed out) for situations where a top setback cannot be applied. This applies to all post types when ' Pipe ' is the " Type " of top rail. It also applies when ' Angle ' is the " Type " of top rail and ' Angle ' is the " Type ' of post. The position of the top rail remains the same regardless of the entry made here. The entry made here adjusts the length of the posts.
For a pipe top rail, this setback is the distance from the top edge of the post to the centerline of the pipe top rail.
For an angle post to an angle top rail, this setback is the distance from the top of the angle post to the bottom of the horizontal leg of the top rail.
Fit to top rail: or . This option is enabled when ' Pipe ' is the " Type " of top rail. You can fit a pipe, tube or angle post to a pipe top rail.
Fit to ... (pipe to pipe)
Fit to ... (pipe to pipe)
Fit to ... (tube to pipe)
Fit to ... (angle to pipe)
If this box is checked ( ), the Hand Rail program performs an Exact Fit operation to make the top rail fit around the pipe post.
If this box is not checked ( ), Hand Raildoes not perform the Exact Fit operation. If you then perform the Exact Fit operation yourself, you will have the option of setting a clearance between the edge of the top rail and the pipe post that you are cutting around. See this warning before performing any material operation on handrail material.
------ Picket Material ------
Type: Round Bar or Square Bar or Pipe or Tube . This applies when the " Style " under " General Information " is set to ' Pickets '.
Side length: The " Material width " of the pickets when their " Type " is ' Square Bar '. This applies when the " Style " under " General Information " is set to ' Pickets '.
Long side direction: Parallel or Perpendicular . This applies when the " Type " of pickets is a ' Tube ' that has a " Section size " with one side longer than the other. This applies when the " Style " under " General Information " is set to ' Pickets '.
' Parallel ' sets the long side of the tube to be parallel to the " Reference line " of the handrail. Top rails and midrails also run parallel with the reference line.
' Perpendicular ' sets the long side of the tube to be parallel to the " Reference line " of the handrail.
------ Main Section End Picket Spacing ------
------ Left Return End Picket Spacing ------
------ Right Return End Picket Spacing ------
Max clearance: . The maximum horizontal clearance between pickets. This applies when the " Style " under " General Information " is set to ' Pickets '. Pickets are spaced less than or equal to the " Max clearance ."
Note: " Max clearance " replaces the " Max spacing " found in versions of SDS2 programs previous to v2022. An entry to " Max spacing " set the spacing of pickets as measured from their centers . By contrast, " Max clearance " sets the clearance between pickets and posts as measured from the outside of their material. Therefore, you could set the " Max clearance " to slightly less than the allowable opening required by a relevant building code to ensure compliance with it.
Tip: In most cases, entering a " Max clearance " that is exactly the maximum allowable opening by code while entering a " Round up " greater than zero will result in least number of pickets that can be spaced while still ensuring code compliance.
Round up: A distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) to which the picket clearances should be rounded. Entries made here change the picket clearances, and in turn affect picket dimensioning when the member is detailed.
example
maximum clearance
width of pickets
space inside posts
round up
number of pickets
total spaces
picket clearance
(displayed/actual)
1
3 3/4
3/4
41 1/4
0
9
10
3 7/16 (3.45)
2
3 3/4
3/4
41 1/4
1/16
9
10
2@3 1/4 (3.25),
8@3 1/2 (3.5)
Example 1: When " Round up " is ' 0 ' and left and right end spacing conditions are set to " Equal spacing " (see below), the pickets are all equally spaced. However, the displayed clearance dimension (3 7/16" × 10 spaces) when added to the widths of the pickets (3/4' × 9 pickets") is less than the overall dimension of 41 1/4" (that is, 41 1/8").
Example 2: Entering a " Round up " value of ' 1/16' ensures that the sum of dimensions of the picket clearance (3 1/2" x 8 spaces, 3 1/4" x 2 spaces) and pickets (3/4' × 9 pickets") is equal to the overall dimension of the space inside the posts (that is, 41 1/4"). In this case, the extra space is added to the spaces next to the posts on either end of the section.
Also see:Hand Rail Setup (sets picket dimensioning options for template detailing)
Left end spacing condition: Equal spacing or Setback from point .
' Equal spacing ' spaces the leftmost picket in the section or return using the " Max clearance ," adjusted to the " Round up " distance.
' Setback from point ' spaces the leftmost picket using the " Left end to 1st " distance.
Left end to 1st: A distance by which the leftmost picket in a section or return is spaced from post to its left. This applies when " Left end spacing condition " is ' Setback from point .'
Right end spacing condition:Equal spacing or Setback from point . Equal spacing or Setback from point .
' Equal spacing ' spaces the rightmost picket in the section or return using the " Max clearance ," adjusted to the " Round up " distance.
' Setback from point ' spaces the rightmost picket using the " Right end to 1st " distance.
Right end to 1st: A distance by which the rightmost picket in a section or return is spaced from post to its left. This applies when " Right end spacing condition " is ' Setback from point .'
' Full panel ' models the wire component of the mesh using grating tread material whose " Grating width " and " Grating length " are automatically set to values that fit the grating tread snugly inside the mesh frame per whatever " Frame offset " is entered.
' Inset ' also models the wire component of the mesh, but as a small rectangular "swatch" of the wire material floating in space. This may be less accurate, but potentially results in a more attractive (less busy) hand rail detail.
Add plate for detail wire outline: or . This applies when the " Detail type " is ' Inset '.
Add plate
Add plate
If this box is checked ( ), the Hand Rail program does a flat plate layout to add a 1/16 inch thick plate that is inset the " Frame offset " distance from the outer edge of the frame . On the member detail, the edge of this plate is drawn with dashed lines. You will probably want to edit this material in the hand rail bill of material , or delete it from the bill of material entirely.
If the box is not checked ( ), a wire outline will not appear in the handrail member detail.
Vertical support: Pipe or Post or Tube .
The " Long side direction " (' Parallel ' or ' Perpendicular ') applies when the " Vertical support " is a ' Tube ' that has a " Section size " with one side longer than the other. It sets the long side of the tube to be parallel or perpendicular to the " Reference line " of the handrail.
------ Frame Information ------
Type: Flat Bar or Bent Plate .
A ' Flat Bar ' mesh frame consists of eight flat bars that sandwich the wire. On a non-sloping handrail, four of the flat bars are horizontal, and the four others are vertical. The largest picture in the example below shows dimensions on the top two horizontal flat bars.
A ' Bent Plate ' mesh frame is made up of a four multi-bend plates . On a non-sloping handrail, two of these bent plates will be horizontal, but pointing in opposite directions. The largest picture in the example below has dimensions shown on the top horizontal bent plate, which points down. The vertical bent plate the is depicted points in and has the same dimensions -- its dimensions look different because of the view.
The multi-side bent plate is modeled with its " Width reference point " set to ' FS ' and corner rounding turned on. The inside corners of the bent plate that is depicted in the main illustration shown above exactly correspond to its work points.
This tells you the location of the work point at this end. The location is reported as a point (X, Y, Z), where X, Y and Z are global coordinates . Click here and here for information on how the work points position parts of a handrail.
Condition: P-End or Post or Return or Splice . This sets the end condition for the main section.
' P-End ' applies when the posts and rails are pipe or tube. The vertical section of the ' P-End ' will be made to match the top rail.
' Post ' applies when the posts and rails are pipe or tube or angle. The " Support " for this post is identified below.
' Return ' may be applied to a handrail of any type of material. This is the default selection if you located work points for a return when you added the handrail. You will need to set " Joint Information " for the top rail, midrail and grab bar corners. The end " Condition " for the return is set under " End Information ."
' Splice ' applies when there is no return. You can optionally " Add connection " for a pipe or tube or angle top rail or " Add connection " for pipe or tube pr angle midrails or " Add connection " for a grab bar or choose a " Connection " for the toe plate.
Support: -1 or a number ( member number ). This " Support " field is visible (packed) when the left end or right end " Condition " is set to ' Post '.
' -1 ' indicates that there is no support for this post, for example, because the handrail was modeled in space . When a handrail does not have a support, the only " Type " of post connection that will work properly is the ' Welded ' connection or the ' Continuous Bottom Plate '.
A ' number ' identifies the member number of the member that serves as the support for this end post.
Note: This window tells you the " Support " for each post of a handrail. This " Support " is for the left- or right-end post. The " Support " for each interior post of the main section is identified here . When you press " OK " (so that Create Solids is performed on the handrail), the support will also undergo Create Solids to ensure that matching holes are properly placed in it. If you delete the handrail, the support is either marked for Create Solids or made to automatically undergo Create Solids .
Connection side: Left or Center or Right . This applies when the " Type " of post is ' Pipe ' or ' Tube ' and the " Type " of connection is ' Bent Plate ' or ' Clip angle ' or ' Shear Tab ' or ' W Tee '.
' Left ' (bent plate)
' Center ' (W tee)
' Right ' (clip angle)
' Center ' is only for ' Shear Tab ' or ' W Tee '. It is your responsibility to size your connection materials to prevent material clashes -- the Hand Rail program does not size the materials for you.
Toe direction: Right or Left . This applies when the " Type " of post is ' Angle '.
' Left '
' Right '
------ Joint Information ------
Note: This heading and the settings under it are visible only when the main section " Condition " is ' Return '. Otherwise they are invisible.
Top rail corner: Elbow or Mitre or Butt . This applies when the " Condition " for this end of the main section is ' Return '.
' Elbow ' can get good results when the " Type " of top rail is a ' Pipe ' or ' Tube '. It does not work for joining ' Angle ' or ' Flat bar ' top rails on the main section with the return.
' Mitre ' works when the " Type " of top rail is a ' Pipe ' or ' Tube ' or ' Flat bar ' or ' Angle '.
' Butt ' works when the " Type " of top rail is a ' Pipe ' or ' Tube ' or ' Flat bar ' or ' Angle '.
Midrail corner: Elbow or Mitre or Butt . This applies when the " Condition " for this end of the main section is ' Return '.
' Elbow ' can get good results when the " Type " of midrail is a ' Pipe ' or ' Tube '. It does not work for joining ' Angle ' or ' Flat bar ' midrails.
' Mitre ' works when the " Type " of midrail is a ' Pipe ' or ' Tube ' or ' Angle '.
' Butt ' works when the " Type " of midrail is a ' Pipe ' or ' Tube ' or ' Flat bar ' or ' Angle '.
Grab bar corner: Elbow or Mitre . This applies when the " Condition " for this end of the main section is ' Return ' and " Add grab bar " is turned on.
' Elbow ' can get good results when the " Type " of grab bar is a ' Pipe '. It does not work for joining ' Tube ' grab bars.
' Mitre ' works when the " Type " of grab bar is a ' Pipe ' or ' Tube '.
Toe plate corner :Mitre or Square Flush or Square Setback . This applies when the " Condition " for this end of the main section is ' Return ' and " Add toe plate " is turned on.
' Mitre ' works well with most corners, not just 90 degree corners. ' Mitre ' cuts the ends of the two toe plates at angles, resulting in the vertical edges of the two toe plates (their thickness edges) being flush to one another. The program can figures out the cuts that are needed based on the angle between the two toe plates.
' Square flush ' gives good results for 90 degree corners. Both toe plates are cut square. The return's toe plate butts flush to the main section's toe plate.
' Square Setback ' works well with all corners, not just 90 degree corners. Both toe plates are cut square. Each of the two toe plates meet at a single vertical corner. Neither toe plate is flush to the other.
------ End Information ------
Note: This heading and the " Reference point " and " Condition " options under it are visible only when the main section end " Condition " is ' Return '. Otherwise they are invisible.
"Locate Return" is a button that you can press to bring you back to step 3c or step 3d of the Add Handrail operation that was used to locate the return for this end of the handrail. The only other way to move a return is to delete the handrail then add it again.
You may want to close this window and go to a view that is in the plane of all of the work point that you want to locate for repositioning the return. Then, when you reopen this window, click the " Locate Return " button.
After you press the " Locate Return " button, this window will close, and you will be prompted to move your mouse pointer ( ) to place the point location target ( ) where you want the left or right return.
When you left-click ( Locate ), this window opens again. Assuming that User and Site Options > Modeling > " Automatically process after modeling operation " is set to ' Process and create solids ' (or the default equivalent), the return will be repositioned in the model when you press " OK ."
Reference point: Read-only . This tells you the location of the work point at this end of the return. The location is reported as a point (X, Y, Z), where X, Y and Z are global coordinates .
Condition: P-End or Post or Splice . This applies when the main section end " Condition " is ' Return '. This sets the end on that return.
' P-End ' applies to the end of this return when the posts and rails are pipe or tube.
' Post ' applies to the end of this return when the posts and rails are pipe or tube or angle.
' Splice ' lets you optionally " Add connection " for a pipe or tube top rail or " Add connection " for pipe or tube midrails or choose a " Connection " for the toe plate.
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The option to specify the left- or right-end top rail " Corner " applies when the " Condition " is set to ' P-End '.
' Butt ' is the only setting that works if the " Type " of post is ' Angle '.
' Elbow ' or ' Mitre ' work well when the " Type " of post is ' Pipe ' or ' Tube ' and the " Type " of top rail is a ' Pipe ' or ' Tube ' of the same size.
Inside elbow radius: This applies to pipe when the " Corner " is set to ' Elbow '.
r = inside elbow radius. The elbow is used to join two same-size pipe sections that are perpendicular to one another. Increasing the elbow radius increases the elbow's " Part length ."
Setback: A positive or negative (-) distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ). This applies when the main section end " Condition " is ' Splice '.
' 0 ' aligns the left end of the top rail with the handrail's left end work point.
A ' positive distance ' backs the top rail away from the left end toward the right end.
A ' negative (-) distance ' extends the top rail past the left end.
Add connection: or . This applies when the main section end " Condition " is ' Splice '. Top rail splice connection materials for pipe or tube top rails can be pipe or round bar. The connection material for angle top rails is a rectangular plate.
Type: Pipe or Round Bar . This applies when the main section end " Condition " is set to ' Splice ' and " Add connection " is checked ( ). " Length " ( len ) is the total length of the splice material. " Stick through " ( out ) is the distance that the splice that the splice sticks out beyond the end of the top rail. Where in is the distance that the splice is inserted into the top rail, in = len - out .
' Pipe ' requires that you enter a pipe " Section size " to be used as the top rail splice.
' Round Bar ' requires that you enter the " Section Size " of the round bar to be used for the top rail splice.
Thickness: The plate thickness (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) of the connection plate for splicing the angle top rails.
Width: The width (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) of the connection plate for splicing the angle top rails.
Weld size: The weld size (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) for welding the weld side of the connection plate for splicing the angle top rails.
Weld side edge distance: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the weld side edge of the connection plate to the edge of the angle top rail to which the connection plate welds.
Hole side gap distance: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the edge of the angle top rail to which the connection plate bolts to the center of the hole for bolting to that same rail.
Hole side edge distance: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the center of the hole for bolting the connection plate to the angle top rail to the hole side edge of the connection plate.
Top of steel: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the center of the hole for bolting the connection plate to the angle top rail to the top of the angle top rail.
Slot length: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) between the two points farthest from one another on the perimeter of a slot.
(A " Midrail " tab appears when ' P-End ' or ' Splice ' is the " Condition ")
Corner: Butt or Elbow or Mitre . This applies when the " Condition " is ' P-End '.
A " Midrail " tab appears for the left or right end when ' P-End ' or ' Splice ' is the " Condition " The " Corner " option is available when the " Condition " is ' P-end '.
Inside elbow radius: A distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) that defines the inside radius of bending for the bottom corner of a P-end. This applies when the " Corner " is ' Elbow ' and the end " Condition " is ' P-End '. Changing this bend radius on one ' P-end ' also changes the " Inside elbow radius " on the opposite ' P-end ' as well as the " Bend radius " for the midrail.
r = inside elbow radius. The elbow is used to join two same-size pipe sections that are perpendicular to one another. Increasing the elbow radius increases the elbow's " Part length ."
Setback: A positive or negative (-) distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ). This applies when the " Condition " is ' Splice '.
A ' positive distance ' backs the midrails (all of them) away from the left end toward the right end. A ' negative (-) distance ' extends the midrails past the left end.
Add connection: or . This applies when the " Condition " is ' Splice '. Midrail splice connection materials for pipe or tube midrails can be pipe or round bar. The connection material for angle midrails is a rectangular plate.
Type: Pipe or Round Bar . This applies when the " Condition " is set to ' Splice ' and " Add connection " is checked ( ). " Length " ( len ) is the total length of the splice material. " Stick through " ( out ) is the distance that the splice sticks out beyond the end of the midrail. Where in is the distance that the splice is inserted into the midrail, in = len - out .
' Pipe ' requires that you enter a pipe " Section size " to be used as the midrail splices.
' Round Bar ' requires that you enter the " Diameter " of the round bar to be used for the midrail splices.
Thickness: The plate thickness (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) of the connection plate for splicing the angle midrails.
Width: The width (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) of the connection plate for splicing the angle midrails.
Weld size: The weld size (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) for welding the weld side of the connection plate for splicing the angle midrails.
Weld side edge distance: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the weld side edge of the connection plate to the edge of the angle midrail to which the connection plate welds.
Hole side gap distance: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the edge of the angle midrail to which the connection plate bolts to the center of the hole for bolting to that same rail.
Hole side edge distance: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the center of the hole for bolting the connection plate to the angle midrail to the hole side edge of the connection plate.
Top of steel: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the center of the hole for bolting the connection plate to the angle midrail to the top of the angle midrail.
Slot length: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) between the two points farthest from one another on the perimeter of the slot that the angle midrail bolts to.
Toe plate setback: A positive or negative (-) distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ).
- distance
0 (zero)
+ distance
A ' positive distance ' backs the toe plate away from the left-end work point toward the right end.
A ' negative (-) distance ' extends the toe plate past the end post.
Note: The work point aligns with the center of a pipe or tube end post if the top rail is the same material.
Clip top corner: or . This applies when the " Condition " for this end is ' P-end ' or ' Post ' or ' Return '. When the " Condition " is ' Splice ', you will find " Connection " options instead of this option.
If this box is checked ( ), the top corner of this end of the toe plate is clipped per the " Clip dimension ."
If the box is not checked ( ), the corner will not be clipped.
Clip dimension: A distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ). A distance greater than ' 0 ' applies a 45 degree cut to the top corner of the toe plate. ' 0 ' (zero) keeps the toe plate cut square.
Note: When the " Condition " is ' Splice ', you will find " Connection " options instead of this option.
Add stabilizer angle: or . This applies when the " Condition " for this end is ' P-end ' or ' Post ' or ' Return '. When the " Condition " is ' Splice ', you will find " Connection " options instead of this option.
If this box is checked ( ), the Hand Rail program adds a stabilizer angle that is the " Section size ," " Grade ," " Length ," and " Dimension to " that are entered below.
If the box is not checked ( ), a stabilizer angle is not added.
Length: The stabilizer angle length (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ). Increasing the " Length " of the stabilizer angle adds the extra material toward the inside of the toe plate.
Note: When the " Condition " is ' Splice ', you will find " Connection " options instead of this option.
Distance to stabilizer: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the outside edge of the toe plate to the outside edge of the stabilizer angle. The outside edge of the toe plate is positioned by the " Toe plate setback ."
Note: When the " Condition " is ' Splice ', you will find " Connection " options instead of this option.
Connection: None or Plate or Hole . This option is available when the " Condition " for this end is ' Splice '.
' None ' stops a splice connection from being generated for the toe plate.
' Plate ' toe plate splices require that you set the " Type " to be ' Bolted ' or ' Welded '.
' Hole ' is for connecting to a bolted toe plate connection.
Condition: Plain end or Return to Post . This applies to either " Type " of grab bar (' Pipe ' or ' Tube ') when the main section end " Condition " is ' Post ' or ' P-End '.
' Plain end ' should be selected if you want to model an end condition that is not provided.
' Return to Post ' generates a 90 degree return that requires an ' Elbow ' or ' Mitre '.
Setback: A positive or negative (-) distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ).
' - distance '
' 0 (zero) '
' + distance '
A ' negative (-) distance ' extends the grab bar past the end post.
A ' positive distance ' backs the grab bar away from the left-end end post toward the right end.
Note: The work point aligns with the center of a pipe or tube end post if the top rail is the same material.
Corner:Elbow or Mitre . This sets the corner fittings to be used when the grab bar end " Condition " is ' Return to Post '.
' Elbow ' adds two extra fittings: an end post fitting; an elbow that is the " Radius " specified below.
' Mitre ' adds one extra fitting to connect the end post to the grab bar.
Radius: The radius of the bend of the elbow that is applied when " Corner " is set to ' Elbow ' for a pipe grab bar whose " Condition " is ' Return to post '. Increasing the elbow radius increases the elbow's " Part length ."
Related settings: " Bend radius " under the " Grab bar " tab sets the radius for an end return (as opposed to a ' Return to post ').
Pipe post setback:
Fit to post: or .
Add connection: or . This applies when the " Condition " is ' Splice ' and " Add grab bar " is checked ( ).
If this box is checked ( ), a connection of the " Type " specified below (' Pipe ' or ' Round Bar ') is inserted into the pipe or tube grab bar.
If the box is not checked ( ), nothing is inserted.
Type: Pipe or Round Bar . This applies when the " Condition " is ' Splice ' and " Add connection " is checked ( )." Length " ( len ) is the total length of the splice material. " Stick through " ( out ) is the distance that the splice sticks out beyond the end of the grab bar. Where in is the distance that the splice is inserted into the grab bar, in = len - out .
' Pipe ' requires that you enter a pipe " Section size " to be used as the midrail splices.
' Round Bar ' requires that you enter the " Diameter " of the round bar to be used for the midrail splices.
------ Right End ------
See " Left End ." The choices you have here (for " Right End ") are the same as you get for " Left End ."
Thickness: The thickness (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) of the toe plate. This is also The " Material thickness " of the rectangular plate material that the toe plate is made of.
Width: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the top edge of the toe plate to its bottom edge.
Finished floor distance: The actual or verticaldistance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) that the bottom edge of the toe plate is above the " Floor thickness ."
Post connection: Field (field bolted) or Shop (shop bolted) or Weld . This applies when the post " Type " is ' Pipe ' or ' Tube ' or ' Angle '.
' Shop 'shop bolts the posts to the toe plate. For pipe or tube posts, angle brackets are used. The toe plate and shop bolts appear on the handrail detail and, in the model, the toe plate remains associated with the handrail member.
' Field 'field bolts the posts to the toe plate. For pipe or tube posts, angle brackets are used. The toe plate is broken off from the handrail member and becomes its own legacy miscellaneous member .
' Weld ' designates that the toe plate be welded to the member. No welds are generated in the model or on the handrail detail.
------ Hole information ------
Gage: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the heel of the angle post to the column of holes for bolting the post to the toe plate. This applies when the post " Type " is ' Angle ' and the " Post connection " is ' Shop ' or ' Field '.
Edge distance: The distance (actual, in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the top of the toe plate to the center of the first hole for bolting to the toe plate. This applies when the post " Type " is ' Angle ' or ' Pipe ' or ' Tube ' and the " Post connection " is ' Shop ' or ' Field '.
Rows: The number (a count) of holes for bolting the toe plate to a post. Brackets are used for a pipe or tube post. This applies when the post " Type " is ' Angle ' or ' Pipe ' or ' Tube ' and the " Post connection " is ' Shop ' or ' Field '.
Row spacing: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) between adjacent rows of holes in column of holes for bolting the toe plate to the handrail post. This applies when the post " Type " is ' Angle ' or ' Pipe ' or ' Tube ' and the " Post connection " is ' Shop ' or ' Field '.
------ Bracket information ------
Long leg to:Supported or Supporting. This applies when the " Section size " for a pipe or tube post angle bracket used to support a toe plate is an angle with unequal legs.
' Supported ' puts the long leg of the bracket to the toe plate.
' Supporting ' puts the long leg of the bracket to the post.
Post side: Left or Right .
' Left ' places the bracket so that the post is to its left.
' Right ' places the bracket so that the post is to its right.
Length: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the top edge of the angle bracket to its bottom edge. Posts are always perfectly vertical, so this will always be a vertical dimension.
Shortening the bracket " Length " while keeping the " Edge distance " the same moves the bottom edge of the angle bracket up.
Edge distance: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the top edge of the angle bracket to the center of the top hole in the bracket. Changing the " Edge distance " does not change the hole (or bolt) position in the bracket -- it repositions the bracket.
Shortening the " Edge distance " while keeping the " Length " the same moves the entire bracket down.
Also see: The position of the top hole in the bracket matches the top hole in the toe plate and is set per the " Edge distance " under " Hole information ."
Weld size: The weld size of the fillet weld used to shop weld the bracket to the post. This applies when the post " Type " is ' Tube ' and the " Post connection " is ' Shop ' or ' Field '.
Shop welds on a bracket to a tube post. Regardless of whether the " Post connection " is ' Shop ' or ' Field ', the brackets shop weld to the post.
Add: or . Same as " Add grab bar " under General Information . The side (' NS ' or ' FS ') of the toe plate is set using " Walk side ." This option is disabled (grayed out) when the post " Type " is ' Angle '.
Type: Pipe ( HSS round ) or Tube ( HSS rectangular ). Note that the top rail " Reference line " does not matter for grab bar " Vertical distance " or " Horizontal distance " measure -- these are measured to the center of the top rail.
Long side direction: Vertical or Horizontal . This applies when the " Section size " for the tube grab bar is a rectangular (non-square) HSS/TS section.
' Vertical ' orients the tube grab bar vertically.
' Horizontal ' orients the tube grab bar horizontally.
Vertical distance: The actual or verticaldistance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the center of the top rail to the center of the grab bar. The " Vertical distance " is always measured from the center of the pipe or tube top rail, regardless of what the " Reference line " is set to.
Dimension type: Actual or Vertical . This affects how the " Vertical distance " that is entered above is applied when positioning the grab bar.
In this example, the actual dimension type is less than the vertical dimension type. Consequently, changing the " Dimension type " from ' Vertical ' to ' Actual ' while keeping the " Vertical distance " the same moves the grab bar farther from the top rail.
The ' Actual ' distance is measured perpendicular to the top rail and the grab bar.
The ' Vertical ' distance is measured vertical to the world.
Horizontal distance: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the center of the top rail to the center of the grab bar. The " Horizontal distance " is always measured from the center of the pipe or tube top rail, regardless of what the " Reference line " is set to. Consequently, if the handrail slopes, this is a sloped (non-horizontal) dimension.
Bend radius: This applies to the bend in a pipe grab bar when the handrail's end " Condition " is ' Return '. Increasing the bend radius increases the elbow's " Part length ."
Related settings: A bend " Radius " can also be set when the grab bar's end is set to ' Return to post '.
------ Supports ------
Add: or . If this box is checked ( ), grab bar supports of the specified diameter connect each intermediary post to the grab bar. The supports are made of round bar material.
Grab bar supports are vertical when the hand rail is non-sloping.
Section Size: any round bar " Section size " that is maintained in the local shape file.
Centerline bend radius: A distance (positive, in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) that defines the sharpness of the bend in the grab bar support. A smaller distance bends the support more sharply. Larger distances give you a more gradual bend.
Vertical and horizontal construction lines at vertex points ( vtpt ) at the outer edges of the inside (not shown) or outside of the bend meet at the center point of a construction circle whose " Radius " is equal to the grab bar support's " Centerline bend radius ."
Vertical offset: The distance (actual, in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the centerline of the support where it interfaces with the post to where the support interfaces with the grab bar. " Vertical offset " is an actual dimension -- it is a vertical dimension (as shown) only if the handrail is horizontal.
Grab bar penetration: The distance (actual, in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from where the support interfaces with the grab bar to the top end of the support. Enter 0 (zero) if you want the support to go flush to the grab bar, without penetrating it.
Orient relative to: Post or Rail . This applies to handrails that slope.
' Post ' orients the grab bar support bar parallel with the post that it welds to. Since posts are vertical, the support will be aligned vertically.
' Rail ' orients the grab bar support bar perpendicular to the grab bar that it welds to.
Section length: plan ( new ): The read-only horizontal distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) between the section ends; that is, the distance between them in plan view.
Section length: actual ( new ): The read-only actual distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) between the section ends, measured along the slope of the section. If the section is perfectly horizontal, this distance will be the same as the " Section length: plan ."
Floor thickness: The actual distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) that the finished floor is above the work points established when the hand rail was added .
Please note: Handrail post connections are notsystem connections . You need to specify the section sizes, material dimensions and hole patterns yourself. Welds can be applied to the member detail using Weld Add . Also, see this warning .
When the " Type " of post connection is ' Angle Bracket ', the handrail program adjusts the length of the vertical angle to the section size of the wide flange, welded plate wide flange, channel or tube beam that the connection welds to in the shop. The program provides one or two angle supports on an as-needed basis. The " Type " of post used for the handrail must be ' Angle '. The angle brackets shop weld to the beam and field bolt to the angle posts of the handrail.
Two support brackets are shown in this example. The section size of those supports is specified under " Support Bracket Information ." The section size of the vertical angle is the " Section size " of the handrail's angle posts.
When the " Type " of post connection is ' Base Plate ' and the " Hole Offset Type " is ' Center to center ', the " Order length " ( len ) of the plate is equal to the " Center to center " hole distance ( cc ) plus each end's " Edge distance " ( 2e ); that is, len = cc + 2e . The " Top of support distance " is independent of the " Floor thickness " so that the base plate can be bolted directly to the supports (by entering ' 0 '), or you can enter a greater-than-zero ' tos ' distance as is illustrated below.
A handrail with ' Base Plate ' post connections can bolt to the top flange of a wide flange or welded plate wide flange or tube or channel beam or to the top flange of a stair tread. Click here for work point layout considerations.
When the " Type " of post connection is ' Base Plate ' and the " Hole Offset Type " is ' Left of post ', options are similar to those when the offset type is " Right of post " (illustrated below). The " Order length " ( len ) of the plate is equal to the " Center to center " hole distance ( cc ) plus the " Left of post " distance, plus each end's " Edge distance " ( 2e ); that is, len = cc + lp+ 2e . The " Top of support distance " is independent of the " Floor thickness " so that the base plate can be bolted directly to the supports (by entering ' 0 '), or you can enter a greater-than-zero ' tos ' distance.
When the " Type " of post connection is ' Base Plate ' and the " Hole Offset Type " is ' Right of post ', the " Order length " ( len ) of the plate is equal to the " Center to center " hole distance ( cc ) plus the " Right of post " distance, plus each end's " Edge distance " ( 2e ); that is, len = cc + rp+ 2e . The " Top of support distance " is independent of the " Floor thickness " so that the base plate can be bolted directly to the supports (by entering ' 0 '), or you can enter a greater-than-zero ' tos ' distance as is illustrated below.
Hole Offset Type ( new ):Center to center or Left of post or Right of post . Documentation in progress . This sets the relationship between the post and its bolts and holes on the plate .
Left of post
Right of post
When the " Type " of post connection is ' Bent Plate ', the vertical edge distance ( ved ) of the 1st hole from the top edge of the bent plate is the bent plate's " Width " ( s ) minus its " Hole spacing " ( s ), with the result divided by two ( (w - s) / 2 ); that is ved = (w - s) / 2 . The distance ( lex ) that the post extends below the workline (top of steel) is equal to the " Vertical to 1st hole " ( v ) plus the " Hole spacing " ( s ) plus the vertical edge distance to the bottom edge ( (w - s) / 2 ); that is, lex = v + s + [(w-s) / 2] .
A handrail with ' Bent Plate ' post connections can bolt to the web of a wide flange or channel beam or to the web of a channel stair tread. It is your responsibility to make the " Post leg length " ( ll ) long enough to reach the post. Click here for work point layout considerations.
When the " Type " of post connection is ' Bolted (Angle) ' : " Vertical to 1st hole " ( v ) is measured from the workline established by the points located when the handrail was added . The distance ( lex ) that the handrail post extends past that workline is the " Vertical to 1st hole " ( v ) plus the " Hole spacing " ( s ) plus the edge distance ( e ); that is, lex = v + s + e .
An angle post bolts to the back of a channel beam. Click here for work point layout considerations.
When the " Type " of post connection is ' Clip Angle ', the " Section size " together with " Long leg to " sets the length of the leg to the post ( ll in the illustration below). This leg needs to be long enough so that it can be welded to the post. The vertical edge distance to the first hole ( ved ) is the " Length " ( l ) of the clip angle minus the " Hole spacing " ( s ), with the result divided by two ( (l - s) / 2 ); that is, ved = (l - s) / 2 . The dimension marked x is the distance that the post extends below the workline and is the " Vertical to 1st hole " (v) plus the " Length " ( l ) minus the vertical edge distance ( (l - s) / 2 ); that is, x = v + l - [(l - s) / 2] .
A handrail with ' Clip Angle ' post connections can bolt to the web of a wide flange or channel beam or to the web of a channel stair tread. Click here for work point layout considerations.
When the " Type " of post connection is ' Continuous Bottom Plate ', a rectangular plate forms a continuous bottom plate along the length of the handrail for the posts to weld to. For a handrail with pipe or tube posts, the " Order length " ( len ) of the continuous bottom plate is half the left-end post outside diameter ( od / 2 ) plus the distance between the work points that were located when the main section was added ( wkpt-to-wkpt ) plus half the right-end post outside diameter ( od / 2 ); that is, len = od + wkpt-to-wkpt . When the midrail " Count " is ' 0 ' and the " Type " of connection is ' Continuous Bottom Plate ' and you " Add pickets ," the pickets are added between the continuous bottom plate and the top rail.
A continuous bottom plate generates no welds or bolts to the support and can be added without any supports, which means that you can weld it to any type of member or material that you want. Click here and here for work point layout considerations.
This handrail with a continuous bottom plate was modeled without a support.
When the " Type " of post connection is ' L Shaped Plate ', the " Order length " of the plate is equal to the " Length (l) " of the plate. The " Material width " is equal to the " Width (w) ." The " Top of support distance " is independent of the " Floor thickness " so that the L shaped plate can be bolted directly to the supports (by entering ' 0 '), or you can enter a greater-than-zero ' tos ' distance as is illustrated below.
A handrail with ' L Shaped Plate ' post connections can bolt to the top flange of a wide flange or welded plate wide flange or tube or channel beam or to the top flange of a stair tread. Click here for work point layout considerations.
Rotation ( new ):0 or 90 or 180 or 270 degrees. Documentation in progress . When the " Type " of post connection is ' L Shaped Plate ', this sets the rotation of the plate, in contrast to the hole " Rotation " found under Left 1 and Left 2 Hole Information sections.
When the " Type " of post connection is ' Rectangular Plate ', the " Width " ( w ) of the rectangular plate is equal to each end's end " Edge distance " ( 2e ) plus the " Center to center " hole spacing ( cc ); that is, w = 2e + cc . The vertical edge distance ( ved ) is the " Length " ( l ) of the rectangular plate minus the " Hole spacing " ( s ), with the result divided by two ( (l - s) / 2 ); that is, ved = (l - s) / 2 . The distance ( lex ) that the post extends below the workline (top of steel) is equal to the " Vertical to 1st hole " ( v ) plus the " Hole spacing " ( s ) plus the vertical edge distance to the bottom edge ( (l - s )/ 2 ); that is, lex = v + s + [(l - s) / 2] .
The top and bottom images show a ' Rectangular Plate ' post connection to the back of a channel beam. Click here for work point layout considerations.
The middle picture shows a ' Rectangular Plate ' post connection to the web of a wide flange beam, to which the " Extension Plate Information " pertains. Click here for work point layout considerations.
When the " Type " of post connection is ' Shear Tab, ' both a support plate and a shear plate are generated. " Vertical to 1st hole " ( v ) is measured from the workline established by the points located when the handrail was added . " Member line to holes " ( lth ) is the distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the column of holes in the shear tab to the center of the post. From the vantage point of the plan view in which you added the handrail, this would be the distance from the member line to the holes. The vertical edge distance ( ved ) to the first hole in the shear plate is the " Length " ( l ) of the shear plate minus the " Hole spacing " ( s ), with the result divided by two ( (l - s) / 2 ). The distance ( lex ) that the post extends below the workline (top of steel) is equal to the " Vertical to 1st hole " ( v ) plus the " Hole spacing " ( s ) plus the vertical edge distance to the bottom edge ( (l - s) / 2 ); that is, lex = v + s + [(l - s) /2 ] .
A handrail with ' Shear Tab ' post connections can bolt to the web of a wide flange or channel beam or to the web of a channel stair tread. Click here for work point layout considerations.
When the " Type " of post connection is ' Shear Tab (Angle) ' , " Vertical to 1st hole " ( v ) is measured from the workline established by the points located when the handrail was added . The distance ( lex ) that the angle post extends below the workline is the " Vertical to 1st hole " ( v ) plus the " Hole Spacing " ( s ) plus the " Angle edge distance " ( a ); that is, lex = v + s + a . The " Material width " of the rectangular plate that is used for the shear tab is calculated automatically based on information about the supports. The " Order length " ( len ) of the plate is twice the " Vertical edge distance " ( 2ved ) plus the " Hole spacing " ( s ); that is, len = 2ved + s .
An angle handrail with ' Shear Tab (Angle) ' post connections will have the shear tab properly sized if it connects to the web of a wide flange or channel beam or to the web of a channel stair tread. Click here for work point layout considerations.
"" WeldedPlain end When the Type of post connection is '' or '', there is no true connectivity to the supports since welds are not generated. This means that you can model a welded handrail in space, without a support, or manually connect it yourself to any support material. Welds can be applied on the member detail using Weld Add .
A welded handrail to the top flange of a beam. Be aware that this type of handrail can also be used for side connections. Click here and here and here for work point layout considerations.
When the " Type " of post connection is ' W Tee ' , the " Section size " that is entered sets the stem depth ( d ) and also sets the flange width (not shown). The stem needs to be deep enough so that it can be welded to the post. The vertical edge distance to the first hole ( ved ) is the " Length " ( l ) of the W tee minus the " Hole spacing " ( s ), with the result divided by two ( (l - s) /2 ); that is, ved = (l - s)/2 . The dimension marked x is the distance that the post extends below the workline and is the " Vertical to 1st hole " ( v ) plus the " Length " ( l ) minus the vertical edge distance ( (l - s)/2 ); that is, x = v + l - [(l - s) / 2] .
A handrail with ' W Tee ' post connections can connect to the web of a wide flange or channel beam or to the web of a channel stair tread. Click here for work point layout considerations.
If the box is not checked ( ), a closure plate is not added to the posts.
Thickness: The thickness of the closure plate (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ). For a rectangular closure plate (on a tube post), this is the rectangular plate " Material thickness ." For a round closure plate (on a pipe post), this is the round plate " Material thickness ."
In this example, the closer plate is a rectangular plate since the post is a tube.
Add drain hole: or . This applies when the closure plate is on a pipe (shown) or on a tube (not shown).
In these examples, the closer plates are round plates since the posts are pipe.
If this box is checked ( ), a drain hole with the " Diameter " specified below is added to each of the closture plates in the handrail's posts.
If the box is not checked ( ), drain holes are not added to the closure plates.
Diameter: The diameter of the drain hole (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ).
In this example, the closer plate is a rectangular plate since the post is a tube.
Post spacing method: Auto or Semi Auto or User or Semi User . Spacing between pipe and tube posts is measured center to center. Spacing between pipe posts is measured heel to heel.
Tip: You can adjust the results of a choice made here by changing the " Left End Distance " that is reported for each intermediate post.
' Auto ' instructs the Hand Rail program to first calculate the minimum number of posts that can be spaced less than the " Maximum spacing " apart from one another (e.g., end posts 11-0 feet apart would require two intermediate posts if the " Maximum spacing " was ' 4-0 ' since a fewer number of posts would result in the maximum spacing being exceeded). Hand Rail then determines the number of spaces between posts (e.g., if there are two intermediary posts between the end posts, the total number of spaces between posts is three). Hand Rail then divides the total distance between the end posts by the number of spaces to determine the spacing between posts (e.g., if the total distance between end posts is 11-0 feet and the number of spaces is three, the resulting post spacing would be 3-8 feet). The result is posts that are evenly spaced.
' Semi Auto ' lets you enter a " Max left end to 1st intermediate " and a " Max right end to 1st intermediate " distance to set the maximum spacing from the outside (end) posts to the intermediate posts nearest to them. The Hand Rail program then uses the " Maximum spacing " to determine the spacing between any posts that are between these four outside posts. The result is the first and last post spacings may have different, program-calculated values than one another, while the inside posts will be evenly spaced.
' User ' only applies to Add Hand Rail operations, not to edit operations. You need to enter a " Post count " (the total number of intermediate posts that you want between the two end posts), then press the " Locate " button. Add Hand Rail will close this window and provide you Locate- Pan -Return mouse bindings for locating points on the workline of the handrail where you want the posts. After you have located the " Post count " number of points, this window automatically re-opens and the results are reported in the " Left End Distance " column of the table at the bottom of this section.
' Semi User ' lets you enter a " Left end to 1st intermediate " and a " Right end to 1st intermediate " distance to set the exact spacing from the outside (end) posts to the intermediate posts nearest to them. The Hand Rail program then uses the " Maximum spacing " to determine the spacing between any posts that are between these four outside posts. The result is the first and last post spacings may have different, user-entered values than one another, while the inside posts will be evenly spaced.
Maximum spacing: A distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ). This distance may be applied when the " Post spacing method " is ' Auto ' or ' Semi Auto ' or ' Semi-User '.
If the " Post spacing method " is ' Auto ', the " Maximum spacing " applies to the spacing between all of the posts in the main section, including the end posts.
If the " Post spacing method " is ' Semi Auto ' or ' Semi-User ', the " Maximum spacing " applies to the spacing between the intermediate posts only.
Round up: 1/16 or 1/8 or 1/4 or etc. This applies when ' Auto ' or ' Semi Auto ' is the " Post spacing method ." If a value other than zero is entered here, the Hand Rail program rounds up the " Left End Distance " to the next increment of that value. This setting may be applied when the " Post spacing method " is ' Auto ' or ' Semi Auto '.
Toe direction: Left or Right . This applies when the " Type " of post is ' Angle '. The choice you make here is reported in the " Toe Direction " column of the table at the bottom of this section. It can also be changed, on that table, for individual posts.
' Left '
' Right '
Connection side: Left or Center or Right . This applies when the " Type " of post is ' Pipe ' or ' Tube ' and the " Type " of connection is ' Bent Plate ' or ' Clip angle ' or ' Shear Tab ' or ' W Tee '. For an angle post, it applies when the connection " Type " is ' Shear Tab (Angle) '.
' Left ' (bent plate)
' Center ' (W tee)
' Right ' (clip angle)
' Center ' is only for ' Shear Tab ' or ' W Tee '. It is your responsibility to size your connection materials to prevent material clashes -- the Hand Rail program does not size the materials for you.
The Intermediate post table has a row for each intermediate post, with the leftmost intermediate post listed in the first row. You can click in a cell on the table to directly edit the value that is reported in that cell. For example, you can use this table to change how the posts are spaced. When you press " OK " (so that Create Solids is performed on the handrail), the support will also undergoes Create Solids to ensure that matching holes are properly placed in it. If you delete the handrail, the support is either marked for Create Solids or it automatically undergoes Create Solids .
See the " Main Section " for an explanation of the " Left Return " options that appear here. You get the same options for the " Left Return " as you get for the " Main Section ." A return can have different connections and supports and intermediate post spacing than the " Main Section ," but the rail and post materials are the same.
See " Joint Information " and " End Information " under the " Ends " tab for information on setting the corner joints and end " Condition " for the return.
Corner post:None or Main section or Return . Same as " Left corner post " under the General Information section; setting it here also sets it there.
SupportING member #: This is the member that the post connects to. Typically, Hand Rail tool attaches the post to the nearest member if possible, and user intervention is not required. However, if there is more than one proximate member (for example, if the post connection rests on a spliced beam), you may enter another member number if desired. If the member number is negative ('-1'), no nearby member was found by the Hand Rail tool to attach the post to.
Angle post toe direction:Read only . This applies when the " Connection " of the post is an angle. This is the direction that the toe of the angle post points.
See the " Main Section " for an explanation of the other " Left Corner Post " options that appear here. You get the same options for the " Left Corner Post " as you get for the " Main Section ," although a corner post can have different connections than the " Main Section ."
See the " Main Section " for an explanation of the " Right Return " options that appear here. You get the same options for the " Right Return " as you get for the " Main Section ." A return can have different connections and supports and intermediate post spacing than the " Main Section ," but the rail and post materials are the same.
See " Joint Information " and " End Information " under the " Ends " tab for information on setting the corner joints and end " Condition " for the return.
Corner post:None or Main section or Return . Same as " Left corner post " under the General Information section; setting it here also sets it there.
SupportING member #: This is the member that the post connects to. Typically, Hand Rail tool attaches the post to the nearest member if possible, and user intervention is not required. However, if there is more than one proximate member (for example, if the post connection rests on a spliced beam), you may enter another member number if desired. If the member number is negative ('-1'), no nearby member was found by the Hand Rail tool to attach the post to.
Angle post toe direction:Read only . This applies when the " Connection " of the post is an angle. This is the direction that the toe of the angle post points.
See the " Main Section " for an explanation of the other " Right Corner Post " options that appear here. You get the same options for the " Right Corner Post " as you get for the " Main Section ," although a corner post can have different connections than the " Main Section ."
External vent hole weld clearance: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) that the edge of the hole must be, at minimum, from the nearest intersecting material.
------ Ends ------
End section vent hole diameter: This applies when the " Left end " or " Right end " is a ' P-End ' or a ' Post '. Per American Galvanizers Association guidelines, vent holes in end sections are set, by default, to 1/2 inch (13 mm), and when " Add external vent holes on end post elbow " is checked.
Add external vent holes on end post elbow: or . This applies when the " Left end " or the " Right end " is a ' Post ', the top rail " Type " is a ' Pipe '.
If this box is checked ( ), an end section vent hole is added to end posts.
If this box is not checked ( ), an end section vent hole is not added to end posts.
P-End vent holes:None or In Elbow or In Rail . This applies when the " Left end " or the " Right end " is a ' P-End '," and the top or midrail " Type " is ' Pipe '.
'None'
'In Elbow'
' In Rail '
------ Post ------
Settings under the " Post " heading are enabled when ' Pipe ' or ' Tube ' is the " Type " of post.
------ Top rail ------
Settings under the " Top rail " heading are enabled when ' Pipe ' or ' Tube ' is the " Type " of top rail.
------ Midrail ------
Settings under the " Midrail " heading are enabled when ' Pipe ' or ' Tube ' is the " Type " of midrail.
------ Pickets/Mesh ------
Settings under the " Midrail " heading are enabled when the post material " Type " is ' Pipe ' or ' Tube ' and the " Style " is ' Pickets ' or ' Mesh '.
The picket " Type " must be ' Pipe ' or ' Tube ' to get external or internal venting. For mesh, venting is applied to the " Vertical support ."
------ Grab Bar ------
Settings under the " Midrail " heading are enabled when " Add grab bar " is checked.
The " Return Toe Plates " tab is enabled when " Remove main section toe plate " is checked ( )This tab is disabled when " Remove main section toe plate " is not checked ( ). The settings on this tab apply to the end of the toe plate on the Return that is located closest to the Main Section. The end of the toe plate located at the free end of the Return is controlled by the Ends > Toe Plate options.
------ Left Return to Main Section------
Toe plate setback: A positive or negative (-) distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ).
A ' positive distance ' backs the toe plate away from the Main Section work point, toward the free end of the Return.
A ' negative (-) distance ' extends the toe plate past the Main Section work point, away from the free end of the Return.
Clip top corner: or .
If this box is checked ( ), the top corner of the end of the toe plate (closest to the Main Section) is clipped per the " Clip dimension ."
If the box is not checked ( ), the corner will not be clipped.
Clip dimension: A distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ). A distance greater than ' 0 ' applies a 45 degree cut to the top corner of the toe plate (closest to the Main Section). ' 0 ' (zero) keeps the toe plate cut square.
Add stabilizer angle: or .
If this box is checked ( ), the Hand Rail program adds a stabilizer angle that is the " Section size ," " Grade ," " Length ," and " Dimension to " that are entered below.
If the box is not checked ( ), a stabilizer angle is not added.
Length: The stabilizer angle length (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ). Increasing the " Length " of the stabilizer angle adds the extra material toward the inside of the toe plate.
Dimension to stabilizer: The distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ) from the outside edge of the toe plate (closest to the Main Section) to the outside edge of the stabilizer angle. The outside edge of the toe plate is positioned by the " Toe plate setback " option found on the Return Toe Plates tab.
------ Right Return to Main Section------
See " Left Return to Main Section. " The choices for " Right Return to Main Section " are the same as " Left Return to Main Section " .
"Properties" opens the Edit Properties window, on which you can make entries to custom properties . If, at the time it was created, your current Job was set to use a legacy flavor, the window that opens is named Custom Properties , not Edit Properties .
The Edit Properties window can also be used to read " Log " entries or review or type " Notes ."
The " Properties " button is disabled ( grayed out ) when a new custom member is being added.
Tip:Model > Member > Properties s an alternative to this button. It opens the Edit Properties window directly, without your first having to open a member edit window.
" Status " opens the Member Status Review window, which can give you additional information about this handrail, and which you can use to enter status information.
"OK" (or the Enter key) closes this window and saves the settings on it. If the " OK " button is disabled (grayed out), click here for more information. For an Add Hand Rail operation, you need to right-click ( Return ) to end the operation after pressing " OK ."
Solids on "OK": If the appropriate choice is made to User and Site Options > Modeling > " Automatically process after modeling operation ," then this member will automatically be regenerated ( Create Solids will take place) after your press " OK ." Otherwise, you will have to manually Process and Create Solids in order for changes you made on this window to be fully updated in the 3D model.
"Cancel" (or the Esc key) closes this window without changing (or adding) the handrail you are editing (or adding).
"Reset" undoes any changes made since you first opened this window. The window remains open.
The Hand Rail window ( Modeling )
)
Graphical ," and those changes will be lost if you make the handrail not graphical (" 
Graphical "). For this reason, you should clean up the handrail using Model > Material tools only after you are certain that you will make no more changes on the Hand Rail window. You can change a custom member material's steel grade, color or surface finish without making the member graphical.
) to place the point location target (
) where you want the left or right return.
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Log " entries or review or type "