CYPECAD

The "Sloped beams" option, within the "Beams" menu of the "Beam input" tab, allows you to enter sloped beams, concrete and steel, simple or diagonal bracing, hinged or fixed at the ends, as well as V-shaped bracing.

Clicking on this option opens the "Sloped beams" window, which includes a menu with different tools:

• Add single beam
• Add diagonal bracing
• Add 'V' bracing
• Delete
• Information
• Edit
• Move
• Assign single beam
• Assign diagonal bracing
• Assign 'V' bracing

Each of these features is explained below:

Add single beam / Add diagonal bracing / Add 'V' bracing

These options allow you to introduce these elements into the model:

• Add single beam
  Insert a single inclined beam.
• Add diagonal bracing
  Insert a pair of diagonal braces.
• Add 'V' bracing
  Insert a pair of braces forming a V or an inverted V.

Inserting these elements enables the rest of the menu controls.

Delete

Allows you to delete a sloping beam, or a pair of diagonal bracing or V-bracing elements that have already been inserted. To do this, select them one by one using the left mouse button on the floor plan.

Information

Pressing this button provides information about the sloped beams, diagonal bracing or V-bracing already entered. To do this, select the element to be consulted on the floor plan with the left button or enter the corresponding element number.

An informative text box appears, displaying information such as the element's end and start group, its length, section, and the other parameters entered in its edit panel.

If the structure has been calculated, information on the reinforcement of simple inclined beams ("Upper reinforcement", "Lower reinforcement" and "Straddling") is also included.

Edit

Allows you to select a sloping beam, diagonal bracing or V-shaped bracing already entered using the left mouse button on the floor plan and modify their parameters by reopening their editing window.

Move

Allows you to reposition the end of an inclined beam, a diagonal bracing member or a V-shaped bracing member that has already been entered, provided that a valid point is marked for its definition. This operation can be performed in the initial group or in the final group of the element.

Assign single beam / Assign bracing diagonals / Assign V-bracing

These options allow you to change the data for simple sloped beams, diagonal bracing or V-bracing that has already been entered.

To do this, enter the new data in the edit panel that appears when you click on each option. You can obtain this data from any item using the "Copy from" button.

Then, by clicking on "Assign", you can select the elements on the floor plan to which you wish to assign the data, one by one, using the left mouse button.

The "Add single beam" option allows for a single sloped beam from one point to another, either rectangular concrete or formed by a steel section.

This option is available in the "Sloped beams" menu that appears when you click on the option of the same name in the "Beams" menu, within the "Beam input" tab.

Data for the simple sloped beam

Clicking on the option opens the "Data of single sloped beam" window, where the following parameters are configured:

• Final group, Initial group
  These drop-down menus are used to select the groups of floors where the sloped beam starts and ends. The program does not allow you to select groups in which a floor grouping has been defined, as it would not be able to determine on which floor the beam ends or begins. If this is the case, these floors must be ungrouped. On the other hand, it is possible to pass through several intermediate floor groups.
• Single/Multiple
  This option is only active if there is a group of plants between the selected final group and initial group, and allows you to select the input mode:
  • The "Simple" option allows you to insert a single sloped beam between the selected end group and initial group of floors.
  • The "Multiple" option allows you to enter several sloped beams in several groups at once, located in the same position on the floor plan.
• Section type
  Sloped beams can be made of "Rectangular concrete" or consist of a "Steel section". To do this, select the desired option from the selector.
  • Rectangular concrete
    To define the section of the sloped rectangular concrete beams, enter the "Width" and "Depth" in the units indicated.
  • Steel section
    The options for defining the section of sloped steel section beams are as follows:
    • Material and section selection
      The button on the left opens the "Section selection" window, where you can select the material and section of the steel section from those available, including rolled steel sections, reinforced rolled steel sheet sections, and shaped steel sections.
    • Transposed
      The "Transposed" box allows you to rotate the section 90º counterclockwise.
• Connection at the ends
  It can be defined as "Bi-potentiometer" or "Bi-articulated".
• Buckling coefficients in the vertical and transverse planes
  This section allows you to define the buckling coefficients in the "Vertical" and "Transverse" planes of sloped steel section beams. You can select "With project coefficients" (as indicated in "Project > Beam options > Buckling coefficients for sloped steel beams and bracing") or "With own coefficients", in which case the user must enter them.
• Lateral buckling coefficients
  This section allows you to enter the lateral buckling coefficients in the "Upper flange" and "Lower flange" of the sloped steel section beams.

Loads on the sloped beam

Next, the program displays a table where you can "Add" or "Delete" loads on the sloped beam. The following parameters must be specified for each load:

• Load type
  Allows you to specify a load type. This can be "Uniform", "Point load", "Strip load", "Right triangular load" or "Left triangular load". Selecting each of these loads requires the subsequent entry of the parameters that define them. The help button at the top of the table displays a series of diagrams for each type of load that describe these parameters.
• Loadcase
  Allows you to assign the simple hypothesis to which the load will be associated.
• Value
  Allows you to indicate the value of the load. You can view the units in which the load value should be defined by hovering the pointer over the column heading.
• Ang.
  Allows you to define the angle formed by the load with the vertical axis of the structure. As a reference, a load with an angle of 0º indicates that it has the direction and sense of gravity; a load with an angle of 90º indicates that it is horizontal and has the same sense as the order of introduction of the beam you are going to introduce on screen.
• L1, L2
  These parameters allow you to define the points of application at the origin and end of strip or triangular loads, as well as the point of application of point loads. This distance is measured in true magnitude, i.e. along the beam and not as a horizontal projection from its origin.

Inserting the sloped beam in plan view

To insert a sloped beam, use the left mouse button to mark the starting point of the beam in the initial group. The program will then automatically move to the final group, where you can indicate the end point of the beam. The sloped beam can have a pillar or a horizontal beam as its starting and/or end point.

The "Add diagonal bracing" option allows you to enter pairs of diagonal bracing between two points on the floor plan formed by steel sections.

This option is available in the "Sloped beams" menu that appears when you click on the option of the same name in the "Beams" menu, within the "Beam input" tab.

Diagonal bracing data

Clicking on the option opens the "Diagonal bracing data" window, where the following parameters are configured:

• Final group, Initial group
  In the drop-down menus "Final group" and "Initial group", select the groups of floors where the diagonal bracing start and end. The program does not allow you to select groups in which a group of floors has been defined, as it would not be able to determine on which floor the diagonals end or start. If this is the case, these floors must be ungrouped. On the other hand, it is possible to pass through several intermediate groups of floors.
• Single/Multiple
  This option is only active if there is a group of plants between the selected final group and initial group, and allows you to select the input mode:
  • The "Simple" option allows you to enter a single pair of diagonal bracing between the selected end group and initial group of floors.
  • The "Multiple" option allows you to enter several pairs of diagonal bracing elements in several groups at once, located in the same position on the floor plan.
• Material and section selection
  The button on the left opens the "Section selection" window, where you can select the material and section of the steel section from those available, including rolled steel sections, reinforced rolled steel sheet sections, and shaped steel sections.
  • Transposed
    The "Transposed" box allows you to rotate the steel sections 90º counterclockwise.
• Connection at the ends
  This can be defined as "Bi-potentiometer" or "Bi-articulated".
• Buckling coefficients in the vertical and transverse planes
  This section allows you to define the buckling coefficients in the "Vertical" and "Transverse" planes of the sections that form the diagonal bracing. You can select "With project coefficients" (as indicated in "Project > Beam options > Buckling coefficients for sloped steel beams and bracing") or "With own coefficients", in which case the user must enter them.
• Lateral buckling coefficients
  This section allows you to enter the lateral buckling coefficients in the "Top flange" and "Bottom flange" of the sections that form the diagonal bracing.

Introduction of diagonal bracing in floor plans

To insert the diagonal bracing, use the left mouse button to mark the starting points of each of the diagonals in the initial group.

Diagonal bracing can have a column as its starting point, so the bases of the columns must be marked in the initial group of diagonals.

The "Add 'V' bracing" option allows you to insert pairs of V-shaped or inverted V-shaped bracing between two points on the floor plan, formed by steel sections.

This option is available in the "Sloped beams" menu that appears when you click on the option of the same name in the "Beams" menu, within the "Beam input" tab.

Data on V-shaped bracing

Clicking on the option opens the "V-brace data" window, where the following parameters are configured:

• Final group, Initial group
  In the drop-down menus "Final group" and "Initial group", select the groups of plants where the bracing starts and ends. The programme does not allow you to select groups in which a grouping of floors has been defined, as it would not be able to determine on which floor the bracing ends or begins. If this is the case, these floors must be ungrouped. On the other hand, it is possible to pass through several intermediate groups of floors.
• Single/Multiple
  This option is only active if there is a group of plants between the selected final group and initial group, and allows you to select the input mode:
  • The "Simple" option allows you to enter a single pair of bracing between the selected end group and start group of floors.
  • The "Multiple" option allows you to enter several pairs of bracing in several groups at once, located in the same position on the floor plan. This option is only active if there is a group of floors between the selected end group and the selected start group.
  • The "Multiple alternate" option allows you to enter pairs of bracing in several groups at once, alternating their orientation on each floor.
• Material and section selection
  The button on the left opens the "Section selection" window, where you can select the material and section of the steel section from those available, including rolled steel sections, reinforced rolled steel sheet sections, and shaped steel sections.
  • Transposed
    The "Transposed" box allows you to rotate the steel section 90º counterclockwise.
• 'V' type bracing
  • Concentric V'
    Allows you to insert two braces forming a V shape that meet at the central point in the initial group.
  • Inverted concentric 'V'
    Allows two braces to be inserted, forming an inverted V that joins at the central point in the end group.
  • Eccentric 'V'
    Allows you to enter two bracings forming an inverted V and separated by the distance marked in the "Link length" field. This option is only available for "Single" or "Multiple" bracings.
• Connection at ends
  This can be defined as "Fixed" or "Hinged".
• Buckling coefficients in the vertical and transverse planes
  This section allows you to define the buckling coefficients in the "Vertical" and "Transverse" planes of the sections that form the bracing. You can select "With project coefficients" (as indicated in "Project > Beam options > Buckling coefficients for sloped steel beams and bracing") or "With own coefficients", in which case the user must enter them.
• Lateral buckling coefficients
  This section allows you to enter the lateral buckling coefficients in the "Top flange" and "Bottom flange" of the sections that form the bracing.

Inserting V-shaped bracing in the floor plan

To insert V-bracing, mark their starting points or their projection in the initial group with the left button. A V-brace can have a column or a horizontal beam as its starting point.

At the central point, the V-shaped bracing must also meet a pillar or horizontal beam, either in its initial group or in its final group, depending on the type chosen.

A common beam is a beam that, when inserted into one group of floors, is also visible in another group, meaning it can be used as a floor edge beam in both groups.

This can be useful, for example, to define an eave beam common to the floor slab under the roof and the floor slab that forms the roof slope, or to a beam between a horizontal floor slab and a floor slab that forms a staircase or garage ramp slab.

The "Common beam" option in the "Beams" menu of the "Beam input" tab allows you to define a beam common to two groups of floors. Selecting it displays a menu with two tools:

• Make a common beam
• Undo common beam

Each of these features is detailed below.

Create common beam

The "Create common beam" option allows you to define a common beam.

The process for inserting a common beam is as follows:

• Firstly, the beam must be inserted into only one of the groups (or the original group) using the "Insert beam" option, also in the "Beams" menu.

• In the group of destination floors where you wish to generate the common beam, there must be sufficient space available for the beam to be generated correctly and not overlap with other elements.

• Next, use the "Make common beam" option and click on the beam already entered in the original group.
  You can select the central part of the beam to make a common beam along its entire length, or select one end or the other of the beam to make a common beam only half its length: each half can be common with different groups.
  At this point, the program will display the following message: "Select common group". The target floor group must be selected from those available in the pop-up window.

• After doing so, the beam will also be visible in that group of floors, and can be used as part of the definition of the contour of floor slabs in both groups. The axis of this type of beam is drawn with a dotted line.

• From here, the model is completed by inserting the necessary floor slabs, as well as the slopes of the slabs.

The reinforcement and stress envelopes for common beams should be consulted in the group where the beam was originally inserted.

Undo common beam

The "Undo common beam" option allows you to split a beam associated with a common beam.

This operation must be performed on the associated beam and not on the original beam, i.e. on the beam visible in the target group selected when using the "Common beam" option.

By doing so, you will obtain two independent beams, one in each group of floors.

The "Polybeams" menu, within the "Beams" menu of the "Beam input" tab or the "Results" tab, allows you to create and manage polybeams.

A polybeam is a set of consecutive beams without intermediate columns that constitute a group for the purposes of editing their section or removing them.

Thus, any geometric change (for example, from "Beams > Edit") made to one of the beams is applied to all the beams that form the polybeams.

Similarly, deleting the polybeam (using "Beams > Delete") causes the entire set of beams that constitute it to be deleted. However, the reinforcement of each beam in the set may be different.

The menu offers the following options:

Compose

The "Compose" option allows you to create a new composite beam. To do this, select consecutive beam sections with the left mouse button and, when finished, confirm the operation with the right mouse button. The program will notify you of the beams that have been selected in a pop-up window, indicating their reference on the screen. When you accept this notification, the composite beam is created.

Break down

The "Break down" option allows you to ungroup all the beams of one or more previously created polybeams. To do this, select the polybeams to be broken down with the left mouse button or mark a capture area on the screen.

Add beams to a polybeam

The "Add beams to a polybeam" option allows you to add one or more beams to an existing polybeam. To do this, select the polybeam (1) and then the beam or beams you want to add to it (2), confirming the operation with the right mouse button. The program will notify you of the beams that will be added to the polybeam, indicating their reference on the screen. When you accept the notification, the polybeam is updated with the addition of the selected beams.

Divide

The "Divide" option allows you to split a polybeam into several polybeams or into separate beams at the point selected with the left mouse button. This option can also be useful for ungrouping one of the two end beams of a polybeam.

The "Predefined reinforcement spans" menu, within the "Beams" menu of the "Beam input" tab or the "Results" tab, allows you to create or delete predefined reinforcement sections in multi-beams.

A predefined reinforcement section in the set of beams that make up a composite beam is one in which the positive and negative reinforcement is continuous.

The menu offers the following options:

Assign

The "Assign" option allows you to create a predefined reinforcement section in each of the multi-beams that are subsequently selected, either with the left button or by means of a capture area.

Each poliviga selected in this way constitutes an independent, predefined reinforcement section.

In this way, when analysing and assembling the frames, the program will apply continuous reinforcement to each predefined reinforcement section created.

The "Beam alignments" option in the "Beams" menu of the "Beam input" tab opens a dialogue box with a series of options that allow you to generate, view and modify beam alignments.

Beam alignments are sets of consecutive beams that the program references and attempts to assemble as a single continuous frame.

The following tools are available:

• Options
• Generate alignments
• Show alignments
• Join two alignments
• Divide an alignment
• Match alignments
• Reorganise
• Assign number
• Assign reference
• Multiple assignment

Each of these features is detailed below:

Options

The following tools are grouped under "Options":

• Frame ordering criteria
  Allows you to configure the frame ordering criteria when generating alignments by choosing one of the following options:
  • Number horizontal frames first / Number vertical frames first
  • Number horizontal frames from bottom to top / Number horizontal frames from top to bottom
  • Number vertical frames from left to right / Number vertical frames from right to left
  • Draw vertical frames from bottom to top / Draw vertical frames from top to bottom
• Frame base reference (Project)
  Allows you to enter the base reference for frames for the entire project.
• Frame base reference (by group)
  Allows you to enter the base reference for the frames in each of the groups in the project.

Generate alignments

Before the analysis, the program automatically creates the beam alignments.

If the user wishes to reorder the frames, divide, join or match alignments, the "Generate alignments" option must be executed beforehand in order to have a starting point from which to make the desired modifications.

Show alignments

The "Show alignments" option allows you to check the numbering of the alignment or portal to which the selected beam belongs.

To do this, after selecting the option, click on a beam with the left mouse button. The program will display information about the frame to which it belongs in the message line at the bottom of the general program interface.

Join two alignments

The "Merge two alignments" option allows you to select two consecutive alignments and create a single alignment from them.

In this way, the program will arrange a continuous assembly in the resulting alignment.

Divide an alignment

The "Divide an alignment" option allows you to select a column from an alignment and split it into two alignments at that point. The reinforcement at that point is split, which does not imply that the continuity between beams is lost.

Match alignments

The "Match alignments" option allows you to select two or more alignments before analysis so that the program applies the same reinforcement to them during analysis.

To do this, select the alignments to be matched with the left button and press the right button to finalise the selection.

Alignments that are already matched are highlighted in green when this option is enabled.

Reorganise

The "Reorder" option allows you to regenerate the references of the alignments or frames according to their position on the plan.

When you click on the option, a window appears where you can configure the following reordering criteria:

• Number horizontal frames first / Number vertical frames first
• Number horizontal frames from bottom to top / Number horizontal frames from top to bottom
• Number vertical frames from left to right / Number vertical frames from right to left

Upon accepting the dialogue box, the program will renumber the frames according to the selected criteria.

Assign number

The "Assign number" option allows you to assign a different alignment or portal number than the one automatically generated according to the criteria established in the options in this menu.

Assign reference

The "Assign reference" option allows you to select an alignment and modify its reference by typing it directly into the dialogue box that appears.

Multiple assignment

The "Multiple assignment" option allows you to simultaneously modify the number or reference of all selected alignments.

You must select one of the following three options:

• Number
  If this option is selected, enter the starting number from which the numbering will be generated.
• Reference
  If this option is selected, the reference of the first frame is entered, from which the rest of the references will be assigned by increasing the last letter or number.
• References (horizontal and vertical)
  If this option is selected, the references for both the first vertical frame and the first horizontal frame are written, from which the rest of the references will be assigned by increasing the last symbol alphabetically or numerically.

The options at the bottom of the dialogue box allow you to configure the automatic numbering performed by the program:

• Number horizontal frames first / Number vertical frames first (if "Number" or "Reference" is selected)
• Number horizontal frames from bottom to top / Number horizontal frames from top to bottom
• Number vertical frames from left to right / Number vertical frames from right to left

After accepting the dialogue box, select the desired alignments one by one or using a capture area, then right-click to confirm the operation.

With the option "Rigid diaphragm in unconnected beams" in the "Beams" menu of the "Beam input" tab, you can manage the behaviour of cantilever beams as rigid diaphragms, i.e. beams that are not in contact with any floor slab.

Clicking on the option opens a dialogue box with two options:

• Connect to rigid diaphragm
  Beams that are considered connected to the rigid diaphragm have 3 degrees of freedom, maintaining the rigid diaphragm loadcase.
• Disconnect from rigid diaphragm
  Beams disconnected using this option will have six degrees of freedom at each end with the corresponding stresses: axial, moment in the vertical and transverse planes, vertical and transverse shear, and torsional moment; therefore, their reinforcement will be dimensioned for all of them.

The beams assigned to each of these situations are highlighted in a different colour on the floor plan.

The "Assign" button allows you to select the freestanding beams to which the selected condition will be applied, either one by one or by selecting an area, while "Assign to all" applies the selected condition to all freestanding beams on the floor. The "Finish" option closes the dialogue box.

Beams that are not supported by any floor slab are considered, by default, to be connected to the rigid diaphragm.

For the purposes of considering buckling in horizontal, steel or concrete beams, the buckling length is considered to be the free length of the beam in both the vertical and horizontal planes.

The following options within the "Beams" menu of the "Beam Input" tab allow you to define the coupling beams of the model.

Coupling beams are elements used in the design of seismic-resistant structures, allowing two shear walls aligned on the same plane to be connected. They are elements with very high rigidity that reduce lateral displacement of the structure. The results of the coupling beam analysis obtained in CYPECAD can then be exported to BIMserver.center and imported into programmes such as StruBIM Shear Walls for design and verification.

Automatic coupling beams

The "Automatic coupling beams" option allows you to define the parameters based on which the programme will automatically assign the coupling beam function to beams when using the corresponding option in "Define coupling beams" in the same menu.

Thus, coupling beams with diagonals will be those that are in contact with shear walls located in the same plane and in which the ratio between their length and their depth is less than or equal to the first value indicated (default 2).

Furthermore, a beam will be considered to brace a shear wall if its depth is greater than or equal to the second value indicated (by default, 40 cm).

Define coupling beams

The "Define coupling beams" option allows you to assign or unassign the coupling beam function to beams previously entered in the model that have the appropriate cross-section.

When you click on the option, a dialogue box appears where you can choose one of the following options:

• Operates as a coupling beam with diagonals, if it meets the automatic assignment criteria are met
  It allows you to assign the coupling beam function to the beams selected later if they meet the conditions defined using the "Automatic coupling beams" tool.
• Operates as a coupling beam with diagonals
  It allows you to force the assignment of the coupling beam function to the beams selected later.
• Does not operate as a coupling beam with diagonals
  The beams selected subsequently will lose the coupling beam function.

At the bottom, the "Assign" option allows you to select the beams in the floor plan to which the selected condition will be assigned, while "Assign to all" will apply the selected condition to all beams in the floor plan where possible. On the other hand, "Copy from" allows you to extract information from a specific beam on the floor plan to define the current beam. The "Finish" option allows you to end the operation without changes.

The program offers the following tools for adjusting and configuring beams in the "Beams" menu, within the "Beam input" tab:

• Adjust
• Delete
• Extend beam
• Assign beams
• Edit
• Move
• Information
• Fixity at beam end
• Fixity at steel beam end
• Join beams
• Divide beams
• Disconnect/Connect

Each of these tools is described below:

Adjust

The "Adjust" option allows you to adjust the position of a beam by aligning its faces or axis with the faces or axes of nearby columns or screens, as well as with lines from a DXF/DWG template, contours, maximum slope lines, or intersection lines of inclined planes.

• To adjust one end of the beam, left-click on it, moving the cursor close to the face you wish to adjust and keeping the cursor outside the beam.
• To adjust both ends of the beam at the same time, i.e. to adjust the entire beam, click on the centre of the beam, close to the corresponding face, and keep the cursor outside the beam.
• The adjustment can also be made to axes. To do this, left-click on the end or centre of the beam, keeping the cursor within the beam.
• If you want to adjust to a DXF or DWG template or to a contour, you must first select the "Capture to templates" option in the toolbar and, in the dialogue box that appears, choose the "Nearest" capture. When you do this, the "Fit" option will adjust the beams to the DXF or DWG template lines or contours and not to the faces or axes of columns, until the snaps are deactivated.
• If inclined planes have been defined previously, right-clicking the mouse will bring up a dialogue box with the option "Adjust to intersection of planes / lines of maximum slope". Activating this option allows the following:
  • If two sloping floors are found on a beam, it is possible to adjust the beam to the intersection line of the two planes of these floors.
  • If a beam is defined on an sloped plane, it is possible to adjust the beam to a line that passes through its centre and takes the direction of maximum slope of the plane or the direction perpendicular to the maximum slope of the plane, depending on which is closest to the current direction of the beam.

Delete

With the "Delete" option, you can remove any beam you have entered. You can remove a beam by clicking on it with the left mouse button or, after clicking the right mouse button, by entering the beam number in the dialogue box that appears.

If a beam is divided by another beam (for example, in the case of a beam supporting a roof truss), only the indicated section of the beam is deleted.

When deleting a beam that divides two panels, use the left mouse button to select the panel you wish to keep. After deleting the beam, this panel will cover the surface of the two previously existing panels.

Extend beam

With the "Extend beam" option, you can move the end of a beam in the direction of its axis.

When you click on the option, a dialogue box appears where you must indicate the "Type of new beam" that will be applied to the extended section. This can be the definition applied to the "Current beam", which can be viewed and modified by clicking on the corresponding button, or the same data can be taken from the "Beam being extended".

If the "Fixed length" box is checked, the beam will be extended by the length indicated in the field provided for this purpose. To do this, when you hover the pointer over a beam in the floor plan, a preview of the extension will be displayed, which can be validated by clicking with the left mouse button.

If the "Fixed length" box remains unchecked, select the beam and then use the left mouse button to mark the new position of one of its ends on the floor plan.

Assign beams

The "Assign beams" option allows you to copy the characteristics of the last beam entered (or current beam) to beam spans already entered in the model by selecting them in plan view. This allows you to change the data of existing beams without having to delete and re-enter them.

Clicking on the option opens a dialogue box with the following options:

• Keep selected face fixed
  This option allows you to keep one of the faces or the axis of the beam fixed when assigning new dimensions. To do this, when selecting an individual beam, place the cursor on the outside of the beam and close to the face you want to keep fixed, or on the inside of the beam if you want to keep the beam axis fixed. This option cannot be used if multiple beams are assigned.
• According to beam setting
  This option allows you to maintain the original setting defined in the beam when assigning new dimensions, regardless of the position of the pointer when selecting the beam. This option can be used both in individual assignment to a beam and in multiple assignment to several beams.

The "Current beam" button allows you to view and modify the data for the current beam or the last beam entered, which will be assigned to the selected beams.

At the bottom, the "Assign" option allows you to select the beams in the plan to which the data will be assigned, while "Select" allows you to extract the information from a specific beam in the plan to define the current beam. The "Finish" option allows you to end the operation without changes.

Edit

With the "Edit" option, you can edit and change the characteristics of the beam section selected in the floor plan.

The program will open the beam definition window so that you can enter the desired configuration, which will be applied to the beam when you click on "Accept".

Move

With the "Displace" option, you can move the end of a beam (keeping the other end fixed) or move the entire beam in parallel, based on a defined displacement value.

When you select this option, the message line at the bottom of the program interface will display the value of the "Current offset" or offset that will be applied. You can change this value by right-clicking and entering the new offset value in the dialogue box that opens.

Next, to move the beam, place the cursor near the end or centre of the beam and click on the side towards which you want to move it, depending on whether you want to move only one end or the entire beam in parallel.

Information

The "Information" option allows you to display an information box on the screen about the characteristics and results of the beam selected in the plan.

To do this, select the beam with the mouse pointer, or type its "Number" in the corresponding field of the "Search for a beam" dialogue box that appears and press 'Enter'. When you do this, the beam will be marked in red and the rest of the beams that are the same as the selected beam will be marked in magenta.

If you click the right mouse button, or if you use the "Next beam" option in the dialogue box that appears, you will see the information for the beam following the current one. Similarly, the "Previous beam" option allows you to view the information for the beam with the number preceding the current one.

If the structure has been calculated, information about the deflections calculated for each beam will also be displayed. If any deflection limit is exceeded, its value will be shown in red.

Fixity at beam end

This option allows you to assign the type of fixity at the ends of beams made of any material.

Clicking on it opens the "Assign fixity at beam end" window, where you can select the type of support from those available. This can be:

• Fixed
• Pinned
• Partially fixed
  In this case, a value between 0 and 1 must be defined.

After selecting one of the above, click on "Assign" and select the end or ends of one or more beams by marking them one by one or using a capture area.

Each type of recess or joint is represented on the screen by a different symbol.

Fixity at the end of a steel beam

This option allows you to assign the type of fixity at the ends of the metal beams.

Clicking on it opens the "Assign fixity at end of a steel beam" window, where you can select the type of embedding from those available. This can be:

• Automatic fixity of I beams depending on the geometry of the support
  This option is only available for I beams made of rolled or reinforced steel. When this option is selected, a hinge will be automatically assigned to the end of these beams if that end rests on the web of a column or another beam with a double T section. Otherwise, a fixed support will be assigned.
• Fixed
• Pinned
• Partially fixed
  In this case, a value between 0 and 1 must be defined.
• With rotational stiffness
  In this case, the rotational stiffness value must be entered at the end of the part. The program provides help in explaining the effects of "Consideration in the analysis model of rotational stiffness at the ends of parts".

After selecting one of the above, click on "Assign" and select the end or ends of one or more metal beams by marking them one by one or using a capture area.

Each type of recess or connection is represented on the screen by a different symbol.

Join beams

The "Join beams" option allows you to join two aligned beams with matching ends and the same cross-section.

To do this, two sections of beams with these characteristics are marked on the floor plan using the left button.

Divide beams

The "Divide beam" option allows you to split a beam into several sections.

To do this, after clicking on the option, mark the point on the beam where you want to make the division and click the left button.

Division may be necessary, for example, if a section change is desired.

Disconnect/Connect

The "Disconnect/Connect" option allows you to disconnect or connect the ends of the "Beams with external connection" (entered from "Beams > Enter beam" and representing supports on piers, supports on walls or embedments) with the columns.

When disconnecting a beam with external connection from a column, the vertical movement of the column will not be impeded by this type of beam. The program will represent this disconnection by drawing a sawtooth symbol on the contact face of the beam with the column.

Otherwise, the beam with external connection will be connected to the column and the column's vertical displacement will be impeded by this beam.

The "Assign data for the capacity check" option is located in the "Beams" menu of the "Beam input" tab and appears in projects where seismic action has been activated.

This option allows the contribution of the effective width of the slab to be considered in the analysis of the beam's yield moments for capacity checks.

To do this, tick the "Assign slab contribution" box in the pop-up window and enter the following values:

• the "Effective width (1)" for positive moments,
• the "Effective width (2)" for negative moments,
• the "Effective depth (3)",
• the "Mechanical ratio of the bottom reinforcement",
• and the "Mechanical ratio of the top reinforcement".

After clicking on "Assign", select the side wall at the end of the beam in contact with a pillar from which the data will be copied. The meeting points are represented on the plan by triangular symbols. These symbols are filled in with colour if the previous box has been ticked, lighting up in magenta if they have the same data assigned as in the dialogue box.

The "Copy from" option allows you to take the data from the selected meeting point on the floor plan, while the "Finish" option allows you to exit the dialogue box.

With the "Minimum moments" option in the "Other options" menu, within "Beams", on the "Beam input" tab, you can assign minimum bending moments to be covered to the beams, both negative and positive.

To do this, in the pop-up window that appears, you must select one of the following options related to the "Coefficients assignment for the check of minimum moments in beams":

• Do not Code check
  In this case, the minimum moment check will not be performed.
• Check with job coefficients
  If this option is selected, the minimum moments will be checked using the coefficients defined in "Construction > Beam options > Minimum moments to be covered with reinforcement in beams".
• Check with coefficients
  If this option is selected, it is possible to enter the value that defines the minimum negative and positive moments. By default, these values are:
  • Top reinforcement: PL²/32
  • Bottom reinforcement: PL²/20

The "Assign" button allows you to select the beams to which the selected condition will be applied one by one, while "Assign all" applies the selected condition to all beams on the floor. The "Finish" option closes the dialogue box.

Fixity in beam faces

The "Fixity" option in the "Other options" menu, within "Beams", on the "Beam input" tab, allows you to fully or partially articulate slab ribs and connect them to the faces of the specified beams and to beam axes in the case of joist slabs.

To do this, in the dialogue box that appears, you can enter the desired "Fixity coefficient in beam faces". This value can vary between 0 (hinged) and 1 (fully embedded).

Then, click on "Assign" to apply the value entered in the dialogue box to the faces of the beams selected with the left mouse button, or on "Consult" to examine the value applied to the faces of the beams (clicking with the left mouse button will open the dialogue box with the applied value).

The program will use colour coding to indicate the values entered in the model elements:

• Light green indicates items that have the same data entered in the dialogue box.
• The cyan colour indicates elements that have data entered that differs from that defined in the dialogue box and also differs from the program's default data.
• Elements that have data entered that differs from that defined in the dialogue box are shown in black, and this data is also the same as the program's default data.

Transitions between beams

When selecting the "Transitions" option in the "Other options" menu within "Beams", in the "Beam input" tab, right-clicking opens a window showing the different possibilities for resolving the change in section (due to differences in width) where two beams meet a column.

The terms "Left side" and "Right side" refer to the order in which the beam is inserted: when looking from the starting point to the end point of the beam, the left side will be the side on the left of the beam, and the right side will be the opposite.

Once the transition has been chosen for both sides, accept the dialogue box and left-click on the column in the model to make it effective.

The selection of one transition or another does not influence the analysis of the beams, and should be chosen with the sole criterion of facilitating the bending of reinforcements at the change of section.

The program offers the following tools for assigning data to beams in the "Other options" menu, within "Beams", on the "Beam input" tab:

• Assign covers
• Assign soil data
• Assign type of environment
• Assign service class
• Assign the slope angle of the compression struts
• Assign shear resistance
• Assign deflection limits
• Assign buckling coefficients

Each of these tools is described below:

Assign covers

The "Assign covers" option allows you to assign the covers to the beams defined in the "General project data" (within the "Project > General data" menu) or indicate some "Specific covers for the beam".

In the latter case, the dialogue box shows the "Top cover", the "Bottom cover" and the "Side cover".

Assign soil data

La opción "Asignar datos del terreno" permite escribir y asignar datos tanto a las "Vigas de cimentación" como a las "Losas apoyadas en el terreno".

En el cuadro de diálogo que aparece al pulsar sobre esta opción, es posible activar las casillas correspondientes para "Asignar el módulo de balasto", escribiendo su valor, y/o para "Asignar las tensiones admisibles" del terreno, escribiendo su valor tanto para "Situaciones persistentes" como para "Situaciones sísmicas y accidentales". El botón de la derecha permite "Importar valores usuales de proyecto" seleccionando un tipo de terreno entre los disponibles (como gravas, arenas, limos o arcillas).

Assign type of environment

The "Assign type of environment " option allows you to assign the environment type to the beams by selecting the one defined in the "General project data" (which can be modified in the same dialogue box or in the "Project > General data") or indicate a different environment type from the "Data defined in library".

In the latter case, the type of environment is created by indicating a "Reference" and selecting the "Exposure class" and its "Designation", which gives a value of "Maximum crack opening".

Assign service class

The "Assign service class" option allows you to assign the service class to the timber beams, either by selecting the class defined in the "General project data" (within the "Project > General data") or by indicating a "Service class different from the general one for the project".

In the latter case, you must select the "Service class" from those available in the dialogue box.

Assign the slope angle of the compression struts

The "Assign the slope angle of the compression struts" option allows you to modify the slope angle of the compression struts with the axis of each part.

You can select the value defined in the "General project data" (in the "Project > General data > By position > Beam options > Dimensioning/Checking" menu) or enter a "Specific strut angle for the element".

Assign the shear resistance

The "Assign shear resistance" option allows you to adjust the calculation of shear resistance in beams, either by using the settings defined in the "General project data" (in the "Project > General data > By position > Beam options > Design/Check") or by selecting a "Specific to the element" setting.

In this case, it is possible to activate or deactivate the checkbox "Consider shear resistance as a shear-reinforced element":

• If this option is activated, the shear resistance of beams is always calculated considering the contribution of transverse reinforcement, and the additional provisions corresponding to the criteria of the standard for this type of reinforcement are taken into account.
• Otherwise, it is first verified whether the element can withstand the required shear force without taking the transverse reinforcement into account.

Assign deflection limits

The "Assign deflection limits" option allows you to assign deflection limits to beams, either using those defined in the "General project data" (in the "Project > Beam options") or by selecting the limits from the "Data defined in library".

In this case, the dialogue box allows you to create and set deflection limits for beams made of different materials: "Concrete", "Rolled steel", "Formed steel" and "Timber".

By pressing the edit button on the right, you can configure the following arrow limits for each material:

• Instantaneous, by simple hypothesis type (Permanent load, Overload)
• Snapshot, by type of action combination (Characteristic, Frequent, Quasi-permanent)
• Infinite term, by type of combination of actions (Characteristic / Frequent, Quasi-permanent) (for "Concrete" and "Timber")
• Long-term active, by type of combination of actions (Characteristic, Frequent, Quasi-permanent)

In some cases, the wizard in the top right-hand corner allows you to import the deflection limit values from the "Design conditions" of the standards selected in the "General data".

The other options on the sidebar allow you to import and export the information on the configured deflection limits to .bibgen files saved on disk.

Assign buckling coefficients

The "Assign buckling coefficients" option allows you to define and assign the following parameters related to the buckling check of elements in compression and the lateral buckling check, both for steel beams and timber beams:

• Check buckling of elements in compression
  In this section, by activating the boxes "XY buckling" and/or "XZ buckling" it is possible to define the "Buckling length" or the "Buckling coefficient" of the element, as well as the "Moment coefficient" in both planes.
• Check lateral buckling
  In this section, by activating the boxes "Positive bending (Top flange)" and/or "Negative bending (Bottom flange)" boxes, it is possible to define the "Lateral buckling length" or the "Lateral buckling coefficient" of the element, as well as the "Moment coefficient" in both wings. The "Critical moment modification factor" is also defined.

For the seismic analysis of the structure, the program allows concrete structural beams to be designated as primary beams or secondary beams for the purposes of their performance in the earthquake-resistant system.

To do this, use the "Earthquake-resistant category" option in the "Beam input" tab in the "Beams > Other options" menu.

In the dialogue box that appears, select one of the following options:

• Primary beams against seismic action
• Secondary beams against seismic action

The "Assign" button allows you to select the beams to which the selected condition will be applied one by one, while "Assign to all" applies the selected condition to all concrete beams on the floor. The "Finish" option closes the dialogue box.

The program uses a colour code to indicate the condition assigned to the different concrete beams on the floor plan.

Secondary elements in relation to seismic action are structural elements that are not considered part of the building's resistant system for withstanding such seismic actions. Therefore, these elements do not need to meet any special requirements.

The stiffness of secondary beams for seismic scenarios is reduced according to the value defined in the "Inertia reduction factors" dialogue box (under the "Project > General options" menu). The mass of secondary beams will be taken into account.

With regard to capacity checks, the designer can indicate how they wish to consider secondary beams according to their judgement in the dialogue "Secondary beams under seismic action" (within the menu "Structure > General data > By position (steel bar calculation options) > Beam options > Design/Check").

The option "Enter rectangular external edge", within the "Beams" menu of the "Beam input" tab, allows you to automatically generate a rectangular perimeter of beams that form the outer edge of a floor slab.

Clicking on this option brings up a dialogue box with the following options:

• Insert rectangular opening with angle 0
• Insert rectangular opening with any angle

Insert rectangular opening with angle 0

When you click on this option, the "Current beam" window opens first, where you can define the type of beam to be used in generating the edge.

Next, two points must be marked on the floor plan (1 and 2), which will form one of the diagonals of the edge. The beams will follow the directions of the main coordinate axes.

Insert rectangular opening with any angle

When you click on this option, the "Current beam" window opens first, where you can define the type of beam to be used in generating the edge.

Next, mark two points that define one side of the edge (1 and 2) and, finally, a point to define the opposite side (3).