Step 6: Modifying/Revising Connections
Also see :
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Changing the " Input connection type " that was originally selected on the Beam Edit or Column Edit or Vertical Brace Edit or Horizontal Brace Edit or Joist Edit window is one way to revise a connection.
- Connection design will generate the new connection on-the-fly, right after you change the " Input connection type ." This is referred to as process on the fly , and it does not include the Create Solids phase of Process and Create Solids . The Create Solids phase may, optionally, be made to occur when you press " OK " on the member edit window. User Opitons > the " Modeling " tab > " Automatically process after modeling operation " sets whether or not Create Solids occurs when you press " OK ."
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Changing Job or Fabricator setup options that govern the design of connections is another way to revise connections. To apply setup changes, go to Modeling and mark those members you want to change, then Process and Create Solids .
- In Modeling , Model > Member > Mark for Processing (or Mark All for Process ) the members that you want affected by the changes you made at Home > Project Settings > Job or Fabricator Setup .
- During Process and Create Solids , connection design redesigns connections marked for processing based on the most recent choices you made at Home > Project Settings > Job or Fabricator Setup .
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Revising connection design locks precisely "locks in" characteristics of a connection such as its the number of rows of bolts, etc. Connection design builds the connection around the connection design locks that the user specifies.
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A clip angle connection is adjusted to be redesigned with 3 rows of bolts.
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The number of rows of bolts is changed on a vertical brace gusset clip angle to a column in a vertical brace-to-beam-and-column connection.
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Reducing the number of bolts in a wide flange vertical brace gusset connection with claw angles results in the re-designed connection using larger angles and larger bolts.
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Changing of the length of a field weld to the gusset of an HSS rectangular brace causes Process and Create Solids to automatically adjust the gusset's size and the slot length in the HSS brace.
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Create a forced connection :
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When a connection has failed , you don't get any connection materials. Forcing the connection gets you connection materials. The Connection Design Calculations report includes a warning when a connection has been forced.
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- If connection design fails a connection, you can select "
Force " on the member's edit window then press " OK " on that edit window (so that Create Solids is performed). This forces connection design to create a connection in the model, even though the connection fails specific design checks.
- This, of course, should be done with caution since it is likely that the forced connection will not be properly engineered.
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Create connections using options like Add Material , Add Hole , and Add Bolt to add material to system connections or to create a connection from scratch.
- The disadvantage of connections created from user-added materials is that they do not undergo the limit-state strength capacity testing that system connections undergo.
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Use Save/Add Assembly :
- You can save connection materials using Model > Assembly > Save , then " Add " them onto other members using Model > Assembly > Add .
- Assemblies for adding connections may also be created in the Assembly Editor , or they can be copied into your current Job using the Copy Project Items utility.
- If you want a connection that you have created to be used in a number of different places in the model, this is a useful way to apply that connection. An alternative to assemblies, in many cases, is to apply user defined connections or Run a parametric.
- An assembly can also be added as a miscellaneous member (instead of to a member) by using Model > Member > Add > Miscellaneous > Assembly . (
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Use Python scripts -- parametrics or custom components -- to add connections :
- Python scripts ( parametrics ) can generate connections automatically.
- To run a parametric Python script in Modeling , choose Model > Parametric > Run .
- Custom components can be applied to members in Modeling . Choose Model > Component > Add .
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Create graphical connections :
- Graphical connections are created by modifying system generated connection materials or holes.
- Graphical connections are not altered by connection design .
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Replace a graphical connection with a system connection :
- Click the " Graphical " check box so that it is no longer checked.
- When you press " OK " on the member edit window (so that Create Solids is performed). all system connection materials on that member are regenerated, which means that any graphical changes to those materials are lost.
- Another way to clear a graphical connection is to use the Change option Graphically Altered to System Connections , then Process and Create Solids .
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), then make your entry. Related values that are unlocked ( 
) may be updated, and the " Left/Right end limit state " calculations will be updated. Values that are locked ( 
