TM 1101 Aveva 12 Training Module PDF

AVEVA Plant
(12 Series)
TRAINING GUIDE
Structural Modelling
(Basic)
TM-1101
www.aveva.com
AVEVA Plant (12 Series)
Structural Modelling (Basic) TM-1101
www.aveva.com
2
Revision Log
Date Revision Description of Revision Author Reviewed Approved
09/05/2008 0.1 Issued for Review KB
15/05/2008 0.2 Reviewed KB NG
27/05/2008 1.0 Approved for Training 12.0.0.3 KB NG RP
15/01/2009 2.0 Approved for Training 12.0.SP3 KB NG RP
Updates
All headings containing updated or new material will be highlighted.
Suggestion / Problems
If you have a suggestion about this manual or the system to which it refers please report it to the AVEVA
Group Solutions Centre at gsc@aveva.com
This manual provides documentation relating to products to which you may not have access or which may
not be licensed to you. For further information on which products are licensed to you please refer to your
licence conditions.
Visit our website at http://www.aveva.com
Disclaimer
Information of a technical nature, and particulars of the product and its use, is given by AVEVA Solutions Ltd
and its subsidiaries without warranty. AVEVA Solutions Ltd. and its subsidiaries disclaim any and all
warranties and conditions, expressed or implied, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Neither the author nor AVEVA Solutions Ltd or any of its subsidiaries shall be liable to any person or entity
for any actions, claims, loss or damage arising from the use or possession of any information, particulars or
errors in this publication, or any incorrect use of the product, whatsoever.
Trademarks
AVEVA and Tribon are registered trademarks of AVEVA Solutions Ltd or its subsidiaries. Unauthorised use
of the AVEVA or Tribon trademarks is strictly forbidden.
AVEVA product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of AVEVA Solutions Ltd or its subsidiaries,
registered in the UK, Europe and other countries (worldwide).
The copyright, trademark rights or other intellectual property rights in any other product, its name or logo
belongs to its respective owner.
www.aveva.com
3
Copyright
Copyright and all other intellectual property rights in this manual and the associated software, and every part
of it (including source code, object code, any data contained in it, the manual and any other documentation
supplied with it) belongs to AVEVA Solutions Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
All other rights are reserved to AVEVA Solutions Ltd and its subsidiaries. The information contained in this
document is commercially sensitive, and shall not be copied, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted without the prior written permission of AVEVA Solutions Limited. Where such permission is
granted, it expressly requires that this Disclaimer and Copyright notice is prominently displayed at the
beginning of every copy that is made.
The manual and associated documentation may not be adapted, reproduced, or copied in any material or
electronic form without the prior written permission of AVEVA Solutions Ltd. The user may also not reverse
engineer, decompile, copy or adapt the associated software. Neither the whole nor part of the product
described in this publication may be incorporated into any third-party software, product, machine or system
without the prior written permission of AVEVA Solutions Limited or save as permitted by law. Any such
unauthorised action is strictly prohibited and may give rise to civil liabilities and criminal prosecution.
The AVEVA products described in this guide are to be installed and operated strictly in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the respective licence agreements, and in accordance with the relevant User
Documentation. Unauthorised or unlicensed use of the product is strictly prohibited.
Printed by AVEVA Solutions on 16 January 2009
AVEVA Solutions and its subsidiaries 2001 2007
AVEVA Solutions Ltd, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0HB, United Kingdom.
www.aveva.com
4
Contents
1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 9
1.1 Aim .................................................................................................................................................... 9
1.2 Objectives ......................................................................................................................................... 9
1.3 Prerequisites .................................................................................................................................... 9
1.4 Course Structure.............................................................................................................................. 9
1.5 Using this guide ............................................................................................................................... 9
2 Setting Up the Design Database Hierarchy for Structural Modelling............................................... 11
2.1 How PDMS Stores Structural Modelling Data ............................................................................. 11
2.2 Considerations When Creating the Hierarchy for Structural Models....................................... 11
2.3 Creating Structural Administrative Elements ............................................................................. 12
2.4 Starting the Structural Modelling Applications .......................................................................... 13
Exercise 1 Creating the Design Hierarchy ............................................................................................... 14
3 Beams & Columns ................................................................................................................................. 15
3.1 How PDMS Represents Structural Profiles ................................................................................. 15
3.2 Initial Settings................................................................................................................................. 17
3.2.1 Section Specification................................................................................................................ 17
3.2.2 Storage Areas .......................................................................................................................... 18
3.2.3 Automating Profile and Primary Node Allocations ................................................................... 19
3.2.4 Pline Rules ............................................................................................................................... 19
3.3 Creating Sections........................................................................................................................... 21
3.3.1 The Section form ...................................................................................................................... 21
3.4 Section Connectivity ..................................................................................................................... 23
3.4.1 Checking Connectivity.............................................................................................................. 25
3.5 Creating a Pipe Rack - A Worked Example ................................................................................. 26
3.5.1 Initial Settings ........................................................................................................................... 27
3.5.2 Creating Sections..................................................................................................................... 28
Exercise 2 Creating an Equipment Support Frame................................................................................. 30
4 Modifying Structural Sections.............................................................................................................. 32
4.1 Positioning...................................................................................................................................... 32
4.1.1 Explicitly (AT) ........................................................................................................................... 32
4.1.2 Relatively (BY).......................................................................................................................... 33
4.1.3 Extend Through........................................................................................................................ 33
4.1.4 Extend By ................................................................................................................................. 35
4.1.5 Drag Explicitly........................................................................................................................... 36
4.1.6 Align Secondary Nodes............................................................................................................ 37
4.1.7 Joint Freedom .......................................................................................................................... 37
4.2 Orientation ...................................................................................................................................... 38
4.2.1 Axes ......................................................................................................................................... 38
4.2.2 Rotate....................................................................................................................................... 39
4.2.3 Angle (Beta Angle) ................................................................................................................ 39
4.2.4 Flip............................................................................................................................................ 40
4.3 Copying........................................................................................................................................... 40
4.3.1 Copying with Multiple Attached ................................................................................................ 40
4.4 Modifying the Pipe Rack - A Worked Example ........................................................................... 42
4.4.1 Copy Offset .............................................................................................................................. 42
4.4.2 Position Relative....................................................................................................................... 42
4.4.3 Using a List............................................................................................................................... 42
4.4.4 Extend Through........................................................................................................................ 42
4.4.5 Create Additional Sections....................................................................................................... 42
Exercise 3 Modifying the Equipment Support Structure........................................................................ 44
5 Beam & Column Utilities ....................................................................................................................... 45
5.1 Bracing Configurations ................................................................................................................. 45
5.1.1 Available Bracing Configurations ............................................................................................. 47
5.2 User Defined Pline Rules .............................................................................................................. 48
5.3 Bracing Gaps.................................................................................................................................. 49
5.3.1 Available Gapping Configurations............................................................................................ 51
5.4 www.aveva.com
Splitting Structural Elements........................................................................................................ 52
5.4.1 Connections at Split ................................................................................................................. 53
5
5.5 Splicing Sections ........................................................................................................................... 54

5.6 Merging Sections ........................................................................................................................... 55
5.7 Fillet Sections................................................................................................................................. 56
5.8 Mitring Sections ............................................................................................................................. 57
5.9 Pline Rules and Bracing Configurations - A Worked Example ................................................. 59
5.9.1 Create a Pline Rule .................................................................................................................. 59
5.9.2 Create Bracing ......................................................................................................................... 59
5.9.3 Bracing Gaps............................................................................................................................ 60
Exercise 4 Adding Bracing to the Equipment Support Structure ......................................................... 61
6 Section Fittings and Joints................................................................................................................... 62
6.1 Section Fittings .............................................................................................................................. 62
6.1.1 The Create Fitting form ............................................................................................................ 62
6.1.2 Creating Section Fittings .......................................................................................................... 63
6.2 Joints............................................................................................................................................... 65
6.2.1 Joint Specification form ............................................................................................................ 65
6.2.2 Modify Joint Specification......................................................................................................... 67
6.3 Creating Section Fittings and Joints - A Worked Example ....................................................... 68
6.3.1 Section Fittings......................................................................................................................... 68
6.3.2 Joints ........................................................................................................................................ 69
Exercise 5 Adding Section Fittings and Joints to the Equipment Support Structure......................... 70
7 Panels & Plates ...................................................................................................................................... 72
7.1 How PDMS Represents Panels & Plates ..................................................................................... 72
7.2 Panel Hierarchy and Attributes .................................................................................................... 72
7.2.1 PANE element.......................................................................................................................... 72
7.2.2 PLOO element.......................................................................................................................... 73
7.2.3 PAVE element .......................................................................................................................... 73
7.3 Initial Settings................................................................................................................................. 73
7.3.1 Panel Specification................................................................................................................... 73
7.3.2 Storage Areas .......................................................................................................................... 73
7.4 Creating Panels .............................................................................................................................. 74
7.4.1 The Create Panel form............................................................................................................. 74
7.4.2 Hints on Creating Panels ......................................................................................................... 76
7.5 Modifying Panels............................................................................................................................ 77
7.5.1 The Loop Vertex Editor form .................................................................................................... 77
7.5.2 Moving the Panel Origin........................................................................................................... 80
7.5.3 Modifying Panel Thickness ...................................................................................................... 81
7.5.4 Modifying Panel Justification.................................................................................................... 81
7.6 Connecting Panels......................................................................................................................... 82
7.6.1 Connection Modes ................................................................................................................... 82
7.6.2 The Panel Connection Form .................................................................................................... 83
7.6.3 Panel to Section Connections .................................................................................................. 83
7.6.4 Panel to Panel Connections..................................................................................................... 84
7.7 Creating and Modifying Panels - A Worked Example ................................................................ 85
7.7.1 Creating the Panel ................................................................................................................... 85
7.7.2 Modifying the Panel.................................................................................................................. 87
7.7.3 Using a Vertex Group............................................................................................................... 88
7.8 Connecting Panels A Worked Example.................................................................................... 90
Exercise 6 - Creating and Modifying Panels............................................................................................... 91
8 Negative Extrusions .............................................................................................................................. 92
8.1 Negative Extrusion Hierarchy and Attributes ............................................................................. 92
8.1.1 NXTR element.......................................................................................................................... 92
8.1.2 LOOP element.......................................................................................................................... 92
8.1.3 VERT element .......................................................................................................................... 92
8.2 Creating Negative Extrusions....................................................................................................... 93
8.2.1 The Create Negative Extrusion form........................................................................................ 93
8.2.2 Representation ......................................................................................................................... 93
8.2.3 Settings .................................................................................................................................... 93
8.2.4 Create Methods........................................................................................................................ 93
8.3 Modifying a Negative Extrusion ................................................................................................... 94
8.4 Creating and Modifying Negative Extrusions - A Worked Example ......................................... 94
Exercise 7 Creating and Modifying Negative Extrusions ....................................................................... www.aveva.com 95
6
9 Panel Fittings ......................................................................................................................................... 96

9.1 Creating a Panel Fitting................................................................................................................. 96
9.1.1 The Create Panel Fitting form .................................................................................................. 96
9.2 Modifying Panel Fittings ............................................................................................................... 98
9.3 Creating and Modifying Panel Fittings - A Worked Example .................................................... 98
10 Standard AVEVA Generic Types .................................................................................................... 100
10.1 Generic Type BOX........................................................................................................................ 100
10.2 Generic Type ANG ....................................................................................................................... 101
10.3 Generic Type TUBE ..................................................................................................................... 102
10.4 Generic Type BEAM..................................................................................................................... 103
10.5 Generic Type DINI ........................................................................................................................ 104
10.6 Generic Type BSC........................................................................................................................ 105
10.7 Generic Type DINU....................................................................................................................... 106
10.8 Generic Type TEE ........................................................................................................................ 107
10.9 Generic Type DINT ....................................................................................................................... 108
www.aveva.com
7
www.aveva.com
8
CHAPTER 1
1 Introduction
AVEVA PDMS allows designers to utilise an array of applications contained within the program modules.
This training guide provides basic discipline specific training for the Structural Modelling application
contained within the Design module.
1.1 Aim
The aim of this training guide is to provide designers with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to create
and modify structural models.
1.2 Objectives
Introduce PDMS concepts specific to the Structural Modelling application.

Make designers aware of the administration elements required by the application.
Explain how to create a variety of structural elements.
Explain how to manipulate and modify structural elements.
Understand how to apply section fittings, section joints and panel fittings.
1.3 Prerequisites
Trainees must have completed the PDMS Foundations training course.
1.4 Course Structure
Training will consist of oral and visual presentations, demonstrations, worked examples and set exercises.
Each workstation will have a training project, populated with model objects. This will be used by the trainees
to practice their methods, and complete the set exercises.
1.5 Using this guide
Certain text styles are used to indicate special situations throughout this document, here is a summary;
Menu pull downs and button press actions are indicated by bold dark turquoise text.
Information the user has to Key-in will be bold red text.
Annotation for trainees benefit:
L Additional information
Refer to other documentation
System prompts should be bold and italic in inverted commas i.e. 'Choose function'
Example files or inputs will be in the courier new font, colours and styles used as before.
www.aveva.com
9
www.aveva.com
10
CHAPTER 2
2 Setting Up the Design Database Hierarchy for Structural Modelling
PDMS data is stored in a hierarchical structure, similar to the directories and sub-directories used to access
computer files. The Structural Modelling application requires specific administrative elements to be in place
in order to maintain the system hierarchy. These administrative elements are considered in the sections that
follow.
2.1 How PDMS Stores Structural Modelling Data
As with all PDMS Design databases that store

discipline design data, the topmost element is the
WORLD which owns the administrative sub-levels
elements SITE and ZONE.
For structural modelling, the element types used

below a ZONE are:
Structure (STRU)
Framework (FRMW)
Subframework (SBFR)
The SBFR level is optional as structural

components may be owned by a FRMW or a
SBFR or a combination of both. The elements that
represent physical structural components are:
Section (SCTN)
Panel (PANE)
Generic Section (GENSEC) curved
section.
L GENSECs are covered in the TM-1201 Structural Modelling (Advanced) training guide.
2.2 Considerations When Creating the Hierarchy for Structural Models
The splitting up of the database hierarchy for other disciplines may be more obvious than for the structural
model. For example pipes may be grouped in zones by system, piping class or fluid code, and equipment
may be grouped in zones by equipment type, systems, or physical location.
The structural hierarchy has more administrative elements than other disciplines. This allows the model to
be broken down further. The hierarchy breakdown should be well thought out and have a meaningful
structure.
Some company/project procedures require the structural model to be broken down by project build
methodology, weight control purposes, material purposes, etc. If such procedures are not in use,
consideration should be given to the drawing deliverables that will be produced from the structural model.
Draft, the PDMS Drawing Production module, uses a similar concept of a Draw List to that used in Design to
define the contents of a View on the drawing sheet. The construction of these Draft Draw Lists is greatly
aided by a good hierarchy breakdown and well named significant elements.
www.aveva.com
11
2.3 Creating Structural Administrative Elements
Before modelling can commence, the required hierarchy elements must be created. From the Design
General application only SITE and ZONE elements can be created as these are common to all disciplines.
The standard structural hierarchy elements may be created from the Create pull down menu in the Beams &
Columns or the Panels & Plates application.
L The Walls & Floors and Access, Stairs & Ladders applications create their own hierarchy elements.
To create the structural administrative elements, select Create>Structure, Create>Framework or

Create>Sub-Frame from the main menu to display the relevant form:
Significant elements, e.g. SITE, ZONE, STRU, FRMW and SBFR should normally be named to facilitate
navigation around the model and to ease creation of Draw Lists and other model tools.
The Create forms enable the elements Purpose attribute to be set to a pre-defined list of values by using
the Purpose pull-down.
L Note: These standard Purpose attribute settings are used by the Walls & Floors and other applications.
The Purpose attribute may be set manually via the command line to any value which may be used by
the other applications.
Clicking the Attributes button on any of the Create forms displays the Modify Attributes form.
The Modify Attributes form shows the

editable attributes for the element type being
created. Some attributes are common whilst
others are specific to the element.
Clicking an attribute, e.g. Function, displays a

relevant form that enables the attribute value
to be set.
www.aveva.com
12
2.4 Starting the Structural Modelling Applications
The PDMS Design module contains four Structural applications to assist designers in creating structural
models. These applications are:
Beams & Columns creation of structural profile elements

Panels & Plates creation of plate type elements
Walls & Floors creation of wall, floor and screed elements
Access, Stairs & Ladders creation of access ways, stair towers, stair flights, ladders, platforms and
hand railing elements.
L Note: The Walls & Floors and Access, Stairs & Ladders applications are not covered in this Training
Guide.
These applications may be accessed from the main

menu by selecting: Design>Structures>Beams &
Columns (or other structural application) from the
main menu.
Once the desired application has loaded,

the Structures toolbar is displayed
Beams & Columns

Panels & Plates
Walls & Floors
The other applications may be started by selecting from

the main menu again or by selecting one of the
application buttons on the Structures toolbar. The
current application button is disabled.
L The main menu pull-downs change context depending on which structural application is loaded.
www.aveva.com
13
Exercise 1 Creating the Design Hierarchy
The aim of this exercise is to create a simple hierarchy for the storage of structural elements created in
worked examples and other exercises of this training guide.
Login to the PDMS Design Module using the following details:
Project: Sample
Username: USERA
Password: A
MDB: TRAINA
Enter the Beams & Columns application by selecting Design>Structures>Beams & Columns from
the main menu.
Check that you are at World (WORL) level in Design Explorer and select Create>Site from the main
menu to display the Create Site form:
Enter STABILISER in the Name textbox: and

press the Return (Enter) key to confirm the
name.
Click the OK button on the form to create the

SITE element and dismiss the form. Note that
the new element appears in the Design
Explorer as the current element.
Repeat this process using the appropriate options from the Create menu to create a Zone named
STRU.ZONE, a Structure named PIPERACK and a Framework named ROW_6.
L The row IDs referred to in the worked examples and exercises, e.g. ROW 1, reflect a pre-defined user
grid that is maintained for training purposes.
The Design Explorer should now look like this:
www.aveva.com
14
CHAPTER 3
3 Beams & Columns
The Beams & Columns application facilitates the creation of structural profiles, e.g. Pre-cast concrete
profiles, steel I-beams, T-sections, Channels, Angles, Circular Hollow Sections, etc., in the design model.
The application enables the profiles, once created, to be manipulated and modified to create the desired
structural configuration. The application also enables the insertion of Catalogue fitting components, e.g.
stiffeners, lifting lugs, etc, onto profiles and the application of Catalogue based joints to connected profiles.
3.1 How PDMS Represents Structural Profiles
To ensure design consistency and conformity to national or company standards, the definition of all profile
shapes used in structural modelling are held in a Catalogue database.
Each individual structural profile (column, beam, brace, etc.) is represented in Design by a Section (SCTN)
element. The SCTN has lots of attributes, many of which are set by placing or manipulating the element
whilst others may be set via the Appware or manually. The definition of cross-sectional shape geometry of
the profile is defined in a catalogue database. The shape is usually defined parametrically, such that the
same definition may be used for many different profiles with the same generic shape but differing values e.g.
depth, width, web thickness, flange thickness, etc.
The SCTN has a Specification Reference (Spref) attribute which points to a Specification Component
(SPCO) element in the catalogue database. The specification acts as a selection mechanism and filters the
available profiles to the user depending on choices made. The SPCO points at a Structural Profile (SPRF)
element (also held in the catalogue database) via its Catalogue Reference (Catref) attribute. The Catref in
turn references the geometry definition and other elements.
L Note: The SCTN may directly

reference the SPRF via its Spref
attribute. However, this must be done
manually via the command line or
programmatically via a user macro or
application.
When a profile is added to the design model, the position, orientation, and other attributes are set for the
item in the Design database. However, the physical properties of the profile are specified by setting a cross-
reference, called a Specification Reference (the Spref attribute of a SCTN), that points to an appropriate
specification component in the Catalogue database. This specification component (SPCO) points, via its
Catref attribute, to the catalogue profile component (SPRF).
The 2D cross-sectional geometry of a particular SCTN (I-beam, T-section, Channels, Angles, etc.) is defined
in the Catalogue and the SCTNs SpecRef attribute is set to that profile. All other aspects of the SCTN
geometry are defined by setting specific design attributes. Most of these attributes are set automatically by
PDMS as the element is specified or manipulated graphically.
Two of the most important attributes are the Position Start (POSS) and Position End (POSE) which
effectively determine the length and orientation of the element. These positions are determined from
graphical picks, explicit co-ordinates, direction and distance or a combination of these methods. The 2D
cross-section is extruded from the POSS to the POSE.
www.aveva.com
15
To provide a method of referring to individual edges and faces of the SCTN, each is identified by a named
line running along the length of the profile. These lines, which are specified within the 2D geometry in the
Catalogue, are called Plines. A section has a number of Plines that have a two, three or four letter
abbreviation set to its PKEY attribute.
As an example, some of the most commonly used Plines for an I-shaped profile might be positioned and
named as shown:
See Appendix A for Plines and Parameters of Standard AVEVA Generic Types.
www.aveva.com
16
3.2 Initial Settings
Before starting to create sections in the model some initial default settings must be made to suit the planned
method of working.
3.2.1 Section Specification
The Default Section Specification, together with its Justification, Member line and Joint line settings (these
terms are explained later), is displayed on the Beams & Columns toolbar.
The Default Section Specification is shown initially displayed as Unset, i.e. no section is specified.
Clicking the Set Default Profile Specification button displays

the Section Specification (Default) form. This form is divided into
two main areas, Specification Data and Pline Settings.
3.2.1.1 Specification Data
The default profile is selected by clicking the Specification button

and selecting the required standard from the Catalogue entries
displayed.
Following selection of the standard, the required profile is selected

from the Generic Type list (which shows the range of profile types
available in the Catalogue).
Having selected the profile type, a list of available serial sizes is

displayed in the window below. Use the cursor to select the desired
size from the scrollable list.
PDMS provides several standard specifications, for example British,

American, Japanese, DIN, etc., which may be augmented or
replaced by specific company standards.
3.2.1.2 Pline Settings
The Pline Settings lists allow the following attributes for the chosen section to be set:
Justification
Member line
Joint line.
www.aveva.com
17
Justification - sets the justification of the section, i.e.
Member line - sets the position of the line to be displayed in Draft, e.g. the section centreline.
Joint line - sets the Pline for joint geometry (normally NA).
L Note: The Joint line is not within the scope of this module.
Clicking the Apply button on the Section Specification (Default) form sets the section profile that will be
used. The section specification and Pline settings are displayed on the Beams & Columns toolbar.
L Note: The Pline settings are displayed in the order Justification/Member line/Joint line.
3.2.2 Storage Areas
The Design database Storage Areas specify which Framework (or Subframe), SCTNs and PNODs (see
Structural Connections) will be stored in when created. The storage areas should be specified prior to
commencement of creating components for that particular area of the model. The current storage areas are
displayed on the Beams & Columns toolbar.
www.aveva.com
18
Making the Framework (or Subframe) where the components will be stored the CE and clicking the button to
the left of the appropriate storage area sets the CE as the storage area and displays it on the toolbar.
The settings may also be made by selecting Settings>Storage Areas from the main menu to display the
Storage Areas form.
Making the FRMW or SBFR that will store the components the CE and clicking on the storage area required
in the form sets it to the CE.
3.2.3 Automating Profile and Primary Node Allocations
By default, each time a new section is created it will automatically be associated with a profile from the
catalogue that is the Default Profile Specification. Also by default, Primary nodes will not be created
automatically at unconnected section ends. These defaults are controlled by the following buttons on the
Beams & Columns toolbar.
L For an explanation of Primary Nodes (PNOD) see the Structural Connections section.
3.2.4 Pline Rules
The final setting to be made before commencing creation of profiles is the Pline Rule. When a section is
created and connected to an existing section, the end points of the new section are usually positioned
automatically by reference to the current Pline Rule. If this rule has not been set-up properly, the geometry
at the point of connection may not be appropriate. Pline Rules determine which Pline of the existing section
will be used to trim the new section to.
With no Pline rule set, which is the default setting, the new section is trimmed to the extremities of the
existing section.
www.aveva.com
19
In this example, the new section has terminated at

the extremity of the existing section instead of the
web, i.e. the NARO Pline.
With an appropriate Pline rule set, the new section

will trim to the required Pline (i.e. the NAR Pline)
and give the desired result.
PDMS provides one predefined Pline rule named Normal that cannot be modified. The Normal Pline rule is:
PKEY EQ NA OR CCON EQ ANY
This means that a new section will connect to the NA Pline unless it first encounters a Pline whose
CCONNECTION (abbreviated to CCON) is set to ANY.
Pline rules are also used to determine the availability of Plines for
graphical picks when creating or positioning panels, fittings, etc. The
Pline is available if it meets the criteria set out in the Pline Rule. Pline
rules are set by selecting Settings>Pick Filters>Plines from the
main menu to display the Pline Filter form.
Available Pline Filters are displayed. Selecting the required rule with the
cursor sets the rule and the form is dismissed.
Defining Pline rules is covered later in this training guide.
www.aveva.com
20
3.3 Creating Sections
Sections are created by selecting Create>Sections>Straight from the

main menu to display the Section form and activate Positioning Control
toolbar.
3.3.1 The Section form
The Section form is divided into three areas which are explained in the following sections:
3.3.1.1 String Method
On the Section form, the method by which sections will be created can be specified by clicking one of the
three option buttons.
Single Start and End Points are individually

defined for each section.
Continuous Start point of subsequent sections is

the end point of previous.
Radial Start position for subsequent sections is the

same as first.
3.3.1.2 Create Option
Initially, when the Section form is displayed, there is

only one active button under Create Option to define
the start of the section explicitly, which is the only
practical option at this stage.
This button is used to define the start of the section explicitly, i.e. by entering explicit X, Y and Z co-
ordinates.
L It should be noted that the start position of the section may also be defined by other options under the
Create Option or by using the Positioning Control toolbar if the context is right, for example there is a
least one existing section. These options are explained later in this training guide.
www.aveva.com
21
Clicking the Explicit button displays the Define section start

form.
The required East (X), North (Y) and Up (Z) co-ordinates may be
entered and the Start position will be shown by an aid in the 3D
View. The default wrt World, defines the co-ordinate system by
which the position is specified.
Clicking the OK button on the Define section start form confirms

the entered co-ordinates and changes the Creation Option
display by activating a second button.
The end position may now be defined by using either of the two
buttons. Clicking the Explicit button again will display the Define
section end form which is used in exactly the same way as the
Define section start form.
Clicking the Direction & Distance button will display a different

Define section end form. A direction, with respect to the World or
other co-ordinate system, is entered together with the required
distance from the section start position. As the distance is entered
and return pressed, the end position will be shown in the graphical
view and an aid line drawn from the start to the end position.
It should again be noted that the end position of the section may also be defined by other options under
Create Option or by the Positioning Control toolbar if the context is right.
The other Creation Option buttons are:
Perpendicular From - creates a section perpendicular to the section specified for the new section
. start
Perpendicular To creates a section perpendicular to a selected section.
By default, Secondary Nodes are automatically created. This facility may be switched off by un-checking
the Secondary Nodes check box under Creation Option. For an explanation of Secondary Nodes see
Structural Connections.
3.3.1.3 Verification
The Verification section of the Section form contains a Confirm check

box that allows the user to check the position of each new section before it
is added to the database. If the Confirm box is checked the Accept and
Reject buttons are enabled, to accept or reject the section creation in the
displayed location.
The Redefine Start button may be clicked at any time during section
creation to start the definition of the section again.
www.aveva.com
22
3.4 Section Connectivity
A connection between two SCTN elements is

facilitated by a Secondary Joint (SJOI)
element.
The SJOI is owned by a Secondary Node

(SNOD), which is positioned on the
justification line of the Owning section at the
intersection between the Attached and
Owning sections.
Sections are connected automatically when

they are created, providing the Secondary
Nodes check box on the Section form is
checked.
When SCTN elements are connected the

SJOI element is created, owned by the
SNOD element of the Owning section.
The SJOI has a Cref (connection reference)

attribute that points to the name of the
Attached section.
The Attached section has two attributes,

Joistart (Joint start) and Joiend (Joint end)
that point to the name of the SJOI element by
which they are attached to their respective
Owning members, thus creating a circular
reference.
SCTN elements may also be connected explicitly by using the Connect menu.
Selecting Connect>Connect from the main menu prompts the user to choose
the section to attach to and the section end(s) to be attached. The selection
process is terminated by pressing the Esc key.
SNODs and SJOIs will be created at each Owning/Attached intersection.
Where two or more sections connect to the Owning section at the same point, a
single SNOD is Attached created which owns two or more SJOI elements. The
Cref attribute of each SJOI points to the name of the relevant Attached section.
Connections may be updated following position changes to the owning or attached sections by using one of
the following selections from the Connect menu:
Connect>Trim to Pline - Trims the section to a Pline selected by the system in accordance with current
Pline rule, i.e. the POSL attribute of the SJOI element is modified.
www.aveva.com
23
Connect>Trim to Section - Trims the section according to the current POSL setting of the PJOI
element. This may result in the attached member not being correctly connected, e.g. if the Beta Angle of
the Owning SCTN has changed.
L The Joint Dominant and Joint Subordinate options are detailed later in this training guide.
Secondary Node (SNOD) elements are positioned along the justification line of the owning section at the
POSS or POSE position of the attached member(s). An SNOD elements primary function is to own an SJOI
element and allow one section to connect part way along another.
SNOD elements are owned by the Owning section.
Secondary Joint (SJOI) elements are used to connect two sections where they intersect at an SNOD and
their primary functions are:
providing connectivity to the structural model

trimming attached members
holding the Specification Reference for a joint.
SJOI elements are owned by an SNOD.
Primary Node (PNOD) elements have two main functions:
as analytical points when using PDMS data for structural analysis

to own a Primary Joint for referencing a catalogue joint element on an un-connected section end.
A PNOD element may be created automatically, see Initial Settings, or explicitly at section ends by
selecting Create>PNode at SCTN end from the main menu.
PNOD elements are owned by FRMW or SBFR elements, and sit at the same level in the hierarchy as
SCTN elements. PNOD elements may own more than one Primary Joint element (PJOI). PJOI elements
are used for referencing a catalogue joint element on an unconnected section end, for example a baseplate
for a stanchion.
PJOI elements are owned by a PNOD.
www.aveva.com
24
3.4.1 Checking Connectivity
The connectivity of sections in the model can be

checked by navigating to a suitable element in the
hierarchy, e.g. a FRMW or SBFR, selecting
Query>End Connections from the main menu
to display the Highlight Connections form.
The form will show all SCTN elements in the CE

that have Both ends connected, Neither end
connected and One end connected.
Checking the appropriate check box will

graphically highlight the SCTN elements of the CE
in each category in the colour shown on the form.
The default colours can be changed by clicking on
the colour button to display a colour form for that
selection.
Clicking a colour button will set that colour for the

selected category.
For the One end unconnected category the

SCTN will display a tag at the unconnected end
as well as being displayed in the highlight colour.
www.aveva.com
25
3.5 Creating a Pipe Rack - A Worked Example
This worked example demonstrates how to construct some initial frames for a simple pipe rack using
different section sizes. The text and accompanying drawings provide step-by-step guidance to create the
Pipe Rack.
The General Arrangement of the Pipe Rack is shown on the following drawings:
www.aveva.com
26
3.5.1 Initial Settings
Ensure the Beams & Columns application is current or select Design>Structures>Beams & Columns
from the main menu to enter the application
Make initial settings for the storage areas. Ensure that SBFR ROW_6 is the CE and click the Set
Section Storage Area and Set Node Storage Area buttons on the Beams & Columns toolbar.
For the Default Profile Specification, click the Set Default Profile Specification button on the Beams &
Columns toolbar, set the specification to British Standard and the Generic Type to Universal
Columns. Select 203x203x46kg/m from the displayed list, set the Justification to NA, leaving the
Member line and Joint line at NA. Click on the Apply button and then the Dismiss button on the form.
The Beams & Columns toolbar should now look like this:
Set the Pline rule to Normal by selecting Settings>Pick Filters>Plines from the main menu and
selecting Normal from the displayed Pline Filter form. www.aveva.com
27
Select Utilities>User Grid Systems from the main menu to display the User Grid Systems form.
Select Stabiliser_Grid from the Grid Systems list and click the Gridline IDs radio button. Click the
Display button and the Set View Limits to Grid button.
3.5.2 Creating Sections
Create the first section by selecting Create>Sections>Straight

from the main menu to display the Section form. Make sure that the
String Method is set to Single and that the Create Secondary
Nodes check box is checked.
Click the Explicit button to display the Define section start form.
Enter the co-ordinates West 305360, North 309680, and Up
100400.
Click the OK button.
Click the Direction and Distance button on the Section form

to display the Define section end form.
Enter the Direction as U and a Distance of 6000. Click the OK

button.
With the Section form still displayed click the Explicit button
again, noting on the Define section start form that the
displayed co-ordinates are those defining the end position of
the previously created SCTN.
Enter the section start co-ordinates as:
West 305360
North 304800
Up 100400
After clicking the OK button on the Define section start form,

click the Direction and Distance button to display the Define
section end form and enter the Direction as U and a Distance
of 6000. Click the OK button.
Click the Walk to Draw List button on the 3D View and set the
view direction to Iso 3. There should now be two parallel
203x203x46kg/m sections in the 3D View.
The next task is to create two horizontal beams for the pipe rack frame using the cursor to select the
start and end positions of the sections rather than enter explicit co-ordinates. Change the Default
Section Specification to Universal Beams 203x133x25kg/m, the Justification line to TOS and create
the horizontal sections using the Positioning Control toolbar. Set the Pick Type to Element and Pick
Method to Snap.
Click the first column created near to its upper end to define the Start position of the new section, noting
that the Start label is displayed adjacent to the section. Click the upper end of the second column
created to define the End position of the new section. A new UB 203x133x25kg/m section is created
spanning between the two columns.
www.aveva.com
28
Set the Positioning Control toolbar Pick Method to Distance and enter a distance of 1520. Click near
the upper end of the first column, then near the upper end of the second column, to create a new
horizontal beam. Note that the beams have been trimmed to the TOS or BOS Pline of the columns.
Toggle wire frame display mode on by pressing F8 on the keyboard and zoom in to one of the
connections and note the SNOD that has been created.
Next the 1000mm long stub on the southern column will be created. Set the Pick Method on the
Positioning Control toolbar back to Snap and click near the top of the southern column. Use the
Direction & Distance button with a direction of S WRT /* and a distance of 1000 to create the beam.
Save Work.
The frame should now look like this:
www.aveva.com
29
Exercise 2 Creating an Equipment Support Frame
The exercises contained in this training guide allow the user to create an equipment support frame using a
range of standard sections, bracing members, panels, and fittings. The drawings below, coupled with
instructions in each exercise, provide the information necessary to model the structure correctly.
Equipment Support Structure Frame
www.aveva.com
30
In the Zone STRUC.ZONE create a new STRU named EQUIP_SUPPORT and a FRMW named ROW_C.
Model Row C (only) of the structure using the drawings above to ascertain co-ordinates, dimensions and
profile sizes. The other parts of the structure will be modelled in later exercises.
Remember to reset storage areas and check the Pline rule.
Check all the sections are correctly connected.
L Note: the columns of Frame C will not be orientated correctly when modelled; however, they will be
modified in the next exercise.
www.aveva.com
31
CHAPTER 4
4 Modifying Structural Sections
4.1 Positioning
Elements that have position attributes (for example SCTNs) can be re-positioned in a variety of ways. The
two main methods are position Explicitly and position Relatively.
4.1.1 Explicitly (AT)
Positioning explicitly allows the user to position elements at specific co-ordinates with respect to the
WORLD or other design elements. Selecting Position>Explicitly (AT) from the main menu will display
the Positioning Control toolbar and the Explicit Position form. By default the Start position of the current
element is displayed showing East/West, North/South and Up/Down co-ordinates with respect to the world.
The Datum options list allows the user to specify the point on the
element to which the position co-ordinates will apply. The user
may specify Start, End, Centre or Designate Position.
Depending on the option specified applying modified co-ordinates
will have the following effect on the element:
Start - Relocates the start position of the element to the specified

co-ordinates, leaving its end position unchanged.
End Relocates the end position of the element to the specified

co-ordinates, leaving its start position unchanged.
Centre Relocates the entire element, locating its centre at

specified co-ordinates and modifying the start and end positions.
Designate Position used in conjunction with the Positioning Control toolbar, the user can specify a point
on the element for re-positioning. The entire element is relocated, or re-orientated, with the Designated
Position at the specified co-ordinates and the start and end positions modified.
On opening the Explicit Position form a bounding box is

displayed around the element together with an axes aid,
showing the cardinal directions, and a label showing the Start
position.
Changing the Datum re-displays the axes aid and label to the
specified position.
www.aveva.com
32
To define a position explicitly, enter the required co-ordinates in the appropriate direction textbox. If
necessary, use the wrt textbox to identify the element whose co-ordinate system is to be used for the
position data. The bounding box will adjust to show the new position and clicking the Apply button on the
form will re-position the element.
To define a position by reference to existing design items, use the Positioning Control toolbar and the
cursor to identify the required positions by picking them in the graphical view. If required, use the Lock
check boxes to fix the current co-ordinate along any axis.
To position another section, use the Select menu options on the form to change the focus of the form. Use
the CE or Owner option if the required item is selected in the design explorer, or use the Pick or Pick
Owner option and then select the required item with the cursor when prompted. The form will display the
current position and the user can then change any part of this by entering new values.
4.1.2 Relatively (BY)
Positioning relatively allows the user to position elements by

a specified distance, along one or more axes, from its current
position. The directions can be with respect to the world or
other design elements. Selecting Position>Relatively (BY)
from the main menu displays the Positioning Control
toolbar and the Position By form.
The form allows the user to specify a distance along a single

axis or varying distances along any combination of the three
axes. By default the axes directions are with respect to the
world although any valid design element may be used. An
axes aid is displayed at the start position of the current
element.
Entering distances against any of the axes will display a New

Position label at the entered distance(s) from the current
position, thus enabling the user to see if the new location for
the element is correct.
Clicking the Apply button on the form moves the entire

element to its new location.
The Positioning Control toolbar and the cursor can also be

used to define distances graphically. Having picked two
points the distances will be entered against the relevant axes
on the form. If required, use the Lock check boxes to fix the
current co-ordinate along any axis.
An alternative method of re-positioning the start or end of a SCTN element is to use Extend Through or
Extend By functions.
4.1.3 Extend Through
Extend Through allows the user to specify a plane, position and orientation to extend either end of the
section to. The section will only extend along its Z axis, i.e. its extrusion direction, as the plane is infinite in
its planar dimensions. In PDMS a planes direction is defined by the direction of a vector normal (i.e.
www.aveva.com
33
perpendicular in all directions) to the plane. The position of the plane is defined by the start position of that
vector. Selecting Position>Extend>Through displays the Extend Section Relative form.
The End of Section list allows the user to specify which

end of the section will be extended (or trimmed) to the
plane. Four choices are available to the user.
Nearest end This is the default setting. The end of the

section nearest to the plane will be repositioned.
Start The start position of the section will be moved.
End The end position of the section will be moved.
Pick On clicking Apply the user will be prompted to pick

which end of the beam is to be re-positioned.
When the Extend Section - Relative form is

displayed, a label is placed at each end of the
section to identify which end is the Start and
which is the End.
The user can define the plane position explicitly

by entering co-ordinates in the Plane Direction
East/West, North/South and Up/Down
textboxes, or by using the Cursor and
Intersection options from the forms menu and
graphically selecting the position.
The Plane Direction is set by default to Up,

however any direction can be entered to
orientate the plane.
In the picture above the plane has been initially positioned using the Cursor>Element option and then
moved be entering a new North co-ordinate. The Plane Direction has been set to S, note the plane aid and
direction vector displayed to help the user visualise the position and direction of the plane.
Clicking Apply button extends the end of the current element to the plane.
The position of any Secondary Nodes owned by the section is measured from its start position. If the user
requires the Secondary Nodes to stay in their original position when the start position of the section is
moved, then the Maintain Sections Node Positions check box needs to be selected. Otherwise, the
Secondary Nodes will move with the start position, i.e. their Z distance attribute will be maintained.
Checking the Cut end(s) to plane check box on the form will orientate the end of the section to the plane
direction after it has been extended or trimmed.
www.aveva.com
34
4.1.4 Extend By
Extend By allows the user to lengthen or shorten the section by moving its Start or End position through a
specified amount. Selecting Position>Extend>By from the main menu displays the Extend Section -
Explicit form.
When the form is displayed a label is placed at either end

of the section to identify the Start and End locations. The
Extend pull-down allows the user to select which end of
the section will be extended, the choices being Start, End
or Pick.
If the Pick option is selected the user will be prompted to

select the end of the section that will be re-positioned
when the Apply button is pressed.
The user can move the end of a section either by Distance or by a Proportion of the sections current
length; by selecting the appropriate option button and entering the desired amount. Entering a positive value
will lengthen the section and entering a negative value will shorten it.
To maintain the position of any Secondary Node owned by the section, click the Maintain Sections Node
Positions checkbox.
www.aveva.com
35
4.1.5 Drag Explicitly
The Drag Explicitly function allows the user to re-position a section and have any attached sections lengths
adjust and the Secondary Nodes realign automatically. It is, therefore, equivalent to using three operations,
that is Position>Explicitly (AT), Connect>Trim to Pline>all attached and Position>Align Secondary
Nodes, in one.
Selecting Position>Drag Explicitly from the main menu displays

the Drag Explicitly form and Positioning Control toolbar.
The Datum options list enables the user to select the element
Origin or an ID Design point as the point for the dragging
operation; however, the Origin co-ordinates with respect to the
World are displayed by default.
Any valid design element may be used to define the axis system for
the direction boxes by entering the appropriate element in the wrt
box.
The Positioning Control toolbar may be used to determine the

new position by graphical pick, as described earlier.
A bounding box and axes aid at the start position are also displayed. Entering new co-ordinates in the axes
boxes will move the bounding box to the new location.
After clicking Apply the section is re-positioned and all attached sections trimmed to the new joint positions.
All connected sections will trim to the new position of the owning section, adjusting their length as
necessary. The behaviour of the attached sections depends on whether the joint is dominant or subordinate,
as described in Joint Freedom later in this session.
www.aveva.com
36
4.1.6 Align Secondary Nodes
When a section that owns Secondary Nodes is repositioned or extended, it is possible that the secondary
nodes may become misaligned. This can be corrected by selecting Position>Align Secondary Nodes from
the main menu.
This function realigns the node(s) with their attached member(s) and may be executed from SCTN, STRU,
ZONE or SITE level.
4.1.7 Joint Freedom
Where two sections are connected via a joint, the joint may be defined as either dominant or subordinate.
This setting, which is determined by the Jfree attribute of the SJOI, controls how the attached section
behaves when the section owning the joint is moved.
If the joint is subordinate, i.e. the attached section is dominant and Jfree is set to false, the attached
sections will extend or trim, maintaining their original orientation, to the Pline that they were trimmed to on
creation.
If the joint is dominant, i.e. the attached section is subordinate and Jfree is set to true, the attached
sections will realign to the new joint position.
The column is the owning section with two beam sections attached.
Joint is Subordinate. Column moved, beams extended to original

Plines but maintain original orientation.
Joint is Dominant. Column moved, beams extended and realigned

to new joint position and cut planes are automatically re-aligned.
The standard default is for joints to be subordinate. This default can be changed by selecting
Settings>Tolerances from the main menu to display the Section Tolerances form.
www.aveva.com
37
Joint freedom can be changed after the joint is created by selecting Connect>Joint Subordinate or
Connect>Joint Dominant from the main menu. The user will be prompted to select the section ends to
apply the chosen setting to.
4.2 Orientation
Like positioning, orientating elements in PDMS can be performed in a number of ways. SCTN elements do
not have a direct Orientation attribute, however, a pseudo-attribute for orientation can be queried, e.g. Q
ORI, which returns the normal orientation format information but is derived from the SCTNs frame of
reference, the Start and End positions and the Angle (Beta Angle) of the SCTN.
Profiles in PDMS catalogues are defined with the NA

Pline always pointing in a positive Y direction, i.e. Up,
and the extrusion direction as positive Z, in
accordance with the Right Hand Rule:
The Beta Angle default is 0 which places the profile

in the model in the orientation they are defined in the
catalogue.
4.2.1 Axes
Selecting Orientate>Axes from the main menu will

display the Orientate form.
This form enables the user to change which axis is

East, North and Up with respect to the World, or other
design element, by using the option lists or entering the
appropriate direction in the textboxes. This form only
works with elements that have a direct Orientation
attribute.
If the user attempts to use this function on an element

that does not have a direct orientation attribute, e.g. a
SCTN, SBFR or FRMW, a warning message is
displayed.
For this reason, this command is not frequently used in

the structural discipline.
www.aveva.com
38
4.2.2 Rotate
Selecting Orientate>Rotate from the main menu display the

Rotate form.
By default, the Rotation Axis direction is U and positioned at the

Start position of the element. The Rotation Axis Direction may be
changed by entering another direction or its reference altered by
modifying the wrt data.
The centre of rotation, that is, the origin of the Rotation Axis vector,
may be positioned by entering a distance against one or more
directions. The Angle in degrees by which the element is to be
rotated, must be entered in the Angle () textbox prior to clicking the
Apply button.
An axis direction aid is displayed, positioned at the centre of

rotation, together with an axes aid showing the rotation angles
at 90 degree intervals.
In this picture the default Rotation Axis of U is shown, that is

the extrusion direction of the section, and the centre of rotation
is positioned at the default position of Start Position, that is at
the justification Pline TOS.
The centre of rotation can also be set graphically by using the

Cursor and Intersection options from the form menu. The
results of the rotate command may be simply reversed by
giving a negative value to the Angle used and clicking the
Apply button again.
4.2.3 Angle (Beta Angle)
The Angle of a SCTN defines the rotation around its Z axis. The effect of changing the Angle is shown
in the diagram below.
In this diagram the Justification Line is set to TOAX. Modifying the Angle rotates the section around its Z
axis defined by the Justification Line.
Selecting Orientate> Angle from the main menu allows the user to modify the Angle in positive or
negative increments of 90 degrees from the sub-menu.
www.aveva.com
39
The Command Line must be used to set any other values. Entering BANG <value> on the data entry line
and pressing the Return key will set the Angle to the entered value.
4.2.4 Flip
Flip enables the user to change the orientation of sections by exchanging the Start and End positions, that
is, the Z direction of the section is orientated through 180. This only really affects asymmetrical sections
such as angles and channels although it may be applied to all section profiles.
After selecting Orientate>Flip from the main menu the user will be prompted to select, using the cursor, the
elements to Flip. Having made the selection, pressing the Esc key will flip the chosen sections.
4.3 Copying
PDMS provides three general methods to create copies of elements; Copy Offset, Copy Rotate and Copy
Mirror. This functionality is covered in the AVEVA PDMS Foundations training guide.
4.3.1 Copying with Multiple Attached
If a connected section is copied using any of the copy methods, the newly created section will not be
connected. There are often times when a multiple copy of a section needs to be made at regular centres,
e.g. stringers in a deck or floor panel. This could be achieved by using a multiple Copy Offset; however,
each end would need to be connected after copying. PDMS provides a utility that copies a selected member
and produces multiple copies with connection details the same as the original.
Selecting Create>Sections>Multiple Attached prompts the user to select the section to be copied if a
SCTN element is not already the CE. Upon making an appropriate selection the Section Copy form is
displayed.
The user can change the section to be copied by making

another section the CE and clicking the CE button on the
form
The Number of copies textbox shows the maximum

amount of members that can be fitted to the shortest
owning section at the current spacing, as shown in the
Spacing textbox.
www.aveva.com
40
If the spacing is changed from the default

(1000) to the required distance and then the
Max button clicked,
the maximum number of copies that can be
fitted will be recalculated.
A graphical aid shows the user the direction for

+ve or ve spacing with aid lines representing
the positions of the new sections to help
visualise the results.
In the picture above, the maximum number of sections has been calculated based on the length of the
shortest owning section. When the arrangement shown is correct, clicking the Apply button copies the
sections and connects them to the owning member(s). Any end preparations (see Structural Detailing) will
also be applied.
However, if a value greater than the

maximum is specified in the Number of
copies textbox such that the copied
elements will go beyond the length of the
shortest owning section, the copies will be
made but the free ends will not be
connected or end preparations applied.
www.aveva.com
41
4.4 Modifying the Pipe Rack - A Worked Example
In this worked example additional frames and horizontal beams required for the Pipe Rack structure will be
created using some of the techniques described in this chapter.
4.4.1 Copy Offset
Make the Pipe Rack ROW_6 the CE and select Create>Copy>Offset from the main menu to display
the Copy with Offset form. Select Rel. from the to options list, enter 3 in the Number of copies textbox
and enter a 5180 in the X Offset textbox. Click the Apply button and click the Yes button on the
subsequent confirmation message. Note that the STRU PIPERACK now owns three additional FRMWs.
Make the FRMW adjacent to ROW_6 the CE (it should be FRMW2), select Modify>Name from the
main menu to display the Name form, enter ROW_4 in the Name textbox and click the Apply button.
Leave the form open, make the FRMW adjacent to ROW_4 the CE (it should be FRMW3), click the CE
button on the Name form, enter ROW_2 in the Name box and click the Apply button. Repeat the
procedure to name ROW_1. Dismiss the Name form.
4.4.2 Position Relative
Make ROW_1 the CE and select Position>Relatively (BY) from the main menu to display the
Position By form. Select West from the East/West options list and enter 10 in the textbox.
Make the column at the intersection of gridlines A and 1 the CE. Right click the SCTN in Design Explorer
and select the Rename option from the pop-up menu to display the Name form. Enter A1 in the Name
textbox and click the Apply button. Rename the other seven column SCTNs with the appropriate grid
references.
4.4.3 Using a List
Click the Create/Modify Lists button on the Default toolbar to display the Lists/Collections form.
Select Add>List from the form menu to display the Create List form. Enter B2+B4 in the Description
textbox and click the OK button. Select Add>Identified from the form menu and graphically select
columns B2 and B4, pressing the Esc key to end the selection. The two SCTNs are now in the list.
Select Control>Close from the form menu to dismiss the form.
4.4.4 Extend Through
Select Position>Extend>Through from the main menu to display the Extend Section Relative
form. Select List from the options list at the top left of the form and select Nearest End from the End of
Section options list. Ensure that the Maintain Sections Node Positions checkbox is checked and the
Cut end(s) to plane checkbox is unchecked. Select Cursor>Element from the form menu and
graphically select a point near the top of column B2 to place a plane aid at the top of the column and
populate the co-ordinates on the form. Modify the Up co-ordinate to 107160 and click the Apply button
to extend the columns. Dismiss the form.
Create two new FRMW elements, owned by the PIPERACK ZONE, named ROW_A and ROW_B. Make
ROW_A the CE and set the storage areas to this FRMW. Set the Default Profile Specification to
Universal Beam 203x133x25kg/m justified TOS and with the Member line and Joint line set to NA.
4.4.5 Create Additional Sections
Select Create>Section>Straight from the main menu to display the Section form. Set the
Positioning Control toolbar options to Element and Distance and enter a distance of 3710. Select
near the bottom of column A1 to specify the start of the section and then at the bottom of column A2 to
specify the end of the section. The section has been created at EL.(+) 104110 T.O.S.
Create the beams on ROW_A between columns A2 and A4 and between columns A4 and A6.
www.aveva.com
42
Make ROW_B the CE and change the storage areas. Create the beams between the columns as shown
on the drawings. For the beam between columns B2 and B4 the Positioning Control toolbar should be
set to Element/Snap and the columns picked very near the top.
Save Work.
The Pipe Rack should now look like this:
www.aveva.com
43
Exercise 3 Modifying the Equipment Support Structure
Re-orientate the two columns in ROW_C by 90 degrees. Update the beam connections to these columns
and trim the attached sections.
Create FRMW elements for Rows D, E, and F and the additional column at E5 for the stair landing.
Name all of the columns in accordance with the gridline intersections on which they are positioned, e.g. C3,
C4, D3, D4, etc.
Create FRMW elements EL(+)104880_TOS and EL(+)107820_TOS.
Create the beams between the Rows at EL(+)104880_TOS. Create the stair half landing east of Row 4.
Remember to check the Default Profile Specification before creating the landing.
Create a list of all beams, except the stair landing, at EL(+)104880_TOS. Use the List option on the Copy
Offset form to create the beams at EL(+)107820_TOS. Ensure all copied sections are correctly connected.
Create the top stair landing at EL.(+) 107820 T.O.S. adjacent to column C4.
Check the end connections for the whole STRU.
The Equipment Support Structure should now look like this:
Save Work.
www.aveva.com
44
CHAPTER 5
5 Beam & Column Utilities
5.1 Bracing Configurations
PDMS provides functionality that enables the user to create bracing from pre-defined configurations which
may be adapted to suit most situations. The advantages of using the pre-defined configurations to create
bracing, rather than create sections piecemeal are:
All sections in the configuration are created simultaneously

Initial gaps can be set so that geometry is realistic
Created sections are automatically connected.
Selecting Create>Sections>Bracing configurations from the main menu displays the Bracing form.
The Storage area and Section Data

parts of the form allows the user to
specify a storage area and profile for
bracing in a similar manner to setting the
default section specification and storage
areas, however, the settings made via
this form override the default settings.
If the bracing configuration selected has

more than one element, all sections will
be modelled using the section specified.
However, any of the elements that make
up the configuration may subsequently
have their specification or other
attributes modified in the usual way.
The Available Bracing Configurations list displays the available configurations. Clicking on a configuration
text in the list displays a picture of the configuration. There is more than one choice for some of the
configuration styles, for example A/K Bracing, which cover the majority of possible scenarios. The
configurations may be used where the members are in different orientations to those shown providing the
configuration is the same.
The Bracing Plane options list enables the user to specify the plane
in which the bracing will be created. The choices are:
Derived by Section This is the default and the most commonly

used option. The bracing plane direction is orthogonal to both the
first section picked and the incoming section nearest to the first
pick point.
Derived by Points This option is useful for adding bracing

between two sections that do not have a third section connected
directly between them. The bracing plane is constructed by
projecting the second picked point onto the first picked section.
Defined - This option allows the user to define the bracing plane explicitly and projects the picked
points onto the defined plane. Selecting this option displays the Bracing Plane form and Positioning
Control toolbar. www.aveva.com
45
The plane origin may be entered explicitly or by use of the Positioning Control toolbar. Having made the
appropriate settings on the Bracing form, clicking Apply will display a bracing dimensioning form which will
differ depending on the bracing configuration chosen.
A distance may be entered in A and B to make the initial gap, as shown on the corresponding diagram of
the Bracing form. Having entered the distances, the sections used to define the bracing configuration are
picked in the sequence indicated in the diagram on the Bracing form.
If the Confirm check box is selected, aids representing the bracing plane and bracing elements will be
displayed. Clicking the Accept or Reject button will create or discard the bracing. If Confirm is unchecked,
the bracing is created without further input.
www.aveva.com
46
5.1.1 Available Bracing Configurations
The diagrams below show the currently available bracing configurations. The dimensions marked A and B
correspond to the A and B on bracing dimensioning forms. The ballooned numbers indicate the sequence of
picks. The sections must be picked in the order shown to ensure the bracing is configured correctly.
www.aveva.com
47
5.2 User Defined Pline Rules
PDMS supplies a single Pline Rule, named Normal, which will satisfy many of the connection requirements
for AVEVA supplied standard section profiles. However, there are many times when a User Defined Pline
Rule may be used for filtering the displayed Plines to restrict or clarify Pline selection or for ensuring desired
connectivity.
For example, Pline rules may be required to select only the

Cardinal Plines for a tubular or RHS profile. A Pline Rule, other
than Normal, may also be required to ensure correct
connectivity of tubulars that use a standard Gtype TUBE Pline
set.
To create a User Defined Pline Rule, select Settings>Pick

Filters>Plines from the main menu to display the Pline Filter
form.
Click the Define Rule button on the form to display the Define
Rules form.
The following steps are required to create a rule for

the Cardinal Points of a tubular.
Enter a Name in the textbox, e.g. Tube

Cardinals.
Enter the Rule syntax in the textbox, e.g. PKEY
INSET (AA, GG, MM, SS).
Enter a Description for the rule in the textbox,
e.g. Rule for Cardinal Points of a Tubular.
Click the Include button to display the rule in the
Defined list under User Defined Rules.
L The keyword INSET used in the rule definition is a PML operator function that takes a comma
separated list of text strings (or numeric values) and applies it to the preceding attribute, i.e. the Pkey
attribute of the PLIN element.
Pline rules may be simple or complex and use any valid operator or expression. For example, a simple rule
for selecting only the NA Pline would be PKEY EQ NA or a more complex rule for selecting only the radial
Plines on a Gtype TUBE for connectivity would be MATCHWILD(PKEY, NA*).
Having clicked the OK button on the Define Rules form, the Name of the User Defined Rule is displayed on
the Pline Filter form.
Clicking on the rule Name in the Pline Filter form sets it to be the active Pline Rule and dismisses the form.
www.aveva.com
48
5.3 Bracing Gaps
Having created bracing sections either as individual sections or using the standard configurations, gaps
between the bracing members may be adjusted to suit the design.
Selecting Modify>Bracing Gap from the main

menu displays the Brace Gaps form.
The Available Gapping list displays a

description of the gap types that may be
adjusted. Clicking on a text option displays a
picture of the gap configuration.
These gap configurations may be used in

different orientations to suit a specific situation,
provided that the basic configuration is the
same.
L The Bracing Plane option is not used in

this release.
A Default Gap may be specified to save

entering a distance each time.
Having selected the appropriate configuration,

clicking Apply displays the Brace Gaps(s) form.
The Gap A textbox displays the default gap.
The appropriate input, that is Plines or section selection, is made in the order shown on the corresponding
diagram of the Brace Gap(s) form.
If the Confirm check box is selected a dimension aid is displayed showing the current gap dimension which
will be repeated in the Gap A textbox on the Brace Gap(s) form.
The gap may be changed to the correct distance before clicking the Accept or Reject button to modify or
discard the gap change. If Confirm is unchecked, the gap will be modified to that shown in the Gap A
textbox.
www.aveva.com
49
This picture shows the apex of A Bracing

configuration with a large gap between the
two bracing sections
A bracing gap configuration No.6 has been

selected and the appropriate Plines
selected. The aids show the current gap
and the selected Plines. The gap is also
displayed in the Brace Gap(s) form.
The required gap is entered on the Brace

Gap(s) form and the aids reflect the
change.
Clicking the Accept button will modify the

gap.
www.aveva.com
50
5.3.1 Available Gapping Configurations

The diagrams below show the currently available bracing gap configurations. The ballooned numbers
indicate the sequence of picks for sections or Plines.
www.aveva.com
51
5.4 Splitting Structural Elements
It is often easier to model an overall structure and then split it into smaller components for fabrication or
assembly purposes. The split utility allows Sections, Generic Sections, and Panels to be split from the
Beams & Columns or Panels & Plates applications. Selecting Modify > Sections > Split from the main
menu to display the Split Steel form.
The user must first select the elements that will be split. The Add to list
options list provides four element selection methods:
CE this option adds the Current Element to the list
Current list this option adds the current active list (if one exists)
Graphical pick this option allows the user to select elements

from the graphical display
Graphical window selection this option allows the user to select

a range of items by dragging a selection box over them in the
graphical display.
L If using the graphical window selection the selection box must be

specified before the option is selected.
Once the required elements have been added to the Elements to split
list, the user must define where the elements will be split. This is
achieved using the Define split-on options list that provides three
options:
Pick Section(s) to split on this option enables the user to

graphically select one or more sections to be split on from the 3D
View.
L The element selected to split on does not have to touch the

elements that will be split. However its Neutral Axis must intersect
the elements to be split in at least one plane.
Define Graphical Aid Line(s) to split on this option enables the

user to create one or more aid lines to split on by selecting points in
the graphical display.
Define Graphical Plane(s) to split on this option enables the

user to create a plane to split the selected elements on.
L The positioning toolbar options can be used to select the location

of aid lines and planes required to define the split point.
Aid Lines and Planes can be modified or deleted by using the Modify
Graphical aid line/plane and Delete Graphical aid line/planes
buttons. The user is prompted to select the Aid or Plane they wish to
modify or delete.
When all options have been selected or set, clicking the Split button splits the elements.
One part of the split element retains the original db reference number and the remaining part(s) are
allocated new reference numbers.
www.aveva.com
52
5.4.1 Connections at Split
The Connections at split area of the form enables the user to define what will happen to the sections at the
split. This functionality is applicable to SCTN elements only.
If the Pick Section(s) to split on option is selected the Connections at

split options section of the Split Steel form becomes active.
The user can define how the ends of the split section(s) will relate to
one another after the split from three options:
None
The section is split at the Justification line of the section it is split on.
However, there is no connectivity created between the sections.
Nodes
SNOD and SJOI elements are created connecting the split sections to
the section(s) they were split on.
Trimmed
SNOD and SJOI elements are created connecting the split sections to
the section(s) they were split on. The split sections are trimmed to the
Pline at the extremity of the section(s) they were split on.
L Note that soft types of panel elements, e.g. STWALL, GWALL, FLOOR & SCREED are not covered
by this manual.
www.aveva.com
53
5.5 Splicing Sections
Splicing allows the user to divide sections into smaller lengths at any point along their length and, optionally,
connect the abutting ends created by the splice.
Selecting Modify>Sections>Splice displays the Splice

Section on Plane form which enables the user set a plane to
create the splice.
The splice may be applied to the CE, the current list or

elements picked from the graphical view by selecting CE, list
or Pick from the options list on the top left of the form. If the
List or Pick option is selected, all of the elements selected will
be spliced at their intersection with the plane.
The size of the plane may be specified by entering a value in

the Plane size textbox.
The plane may be positioned using the Cursor or Intersection

options from the form menu or by entering co-ordinates in the
appropriate textboxes.
If the Confirm before splicing check box is selected the user

will be prompted to confirm the splice. This can be useful if the
splice utility is applied to a list or pick selection.
Where the abutting sections are required to be
connected, ensure that the PNOD creation check
box on the Beams & Columns toolbar is checked.
A PNOD will be created at the splice position with a

Primary Compound Joint (PCOJ) and two Sub
Joints (SUBJ), one having a connection reference
to the existing SCTN and the other having a
connection reference to the newly created SCTN.
To illustrate, consider the example below where a

splice will be applied to a column that has two
connected beams. A plane is initially defined using
the Cursor>Element option from the Splice
Section on Plane form. The plane is then adjusted
to a set distance above the TOS of the beams.
PNOD creation is turned on. The column is spliced
at the plane and a PNOD is created.
www.aveva.com
54
5.6 Merging Sections
Structural elements of the same type, i.e. SCTN, PANE or GENSEC, may be merged together to form a
single element. Elements may be merged regardless of their specification, beta angle, or position provided
they are co-linear.
Any number of sections may be merged but the first element selected will be the dominant section, i.e. the
section that all other selected sections will be merged into and whose attributes the merged sections will
inherit. The user must identify the sections to be merged by selecting elements in the graphical display.
Selecting Modify > Sections > Merge from the main menu displays the prompt Pick Panel/Section or End
of first gensec to merge.
L The merging of panels is described later in this training guide.
On selection of the first (dominant) section the prompt changes to Pick Section to merge or <esc> to
finish. The remaining sections may then be graphically selected form the 3D View. Pressing the Esc key
ends the selection process.
If one or more of the selected sections are not co-linear, an error

message is displayed and the merge abandoned.
If the Esc key is pressed before at least one section to merge has
been selected an error message is displayed.
If all selected sections are co-linear a merge confirmation message

is displayed and the selected sections merged with the first
(dominant) section. The merged section will have the database
reference of the dominant section.
www.aveva.com
55
5.7 Fillet Sections
Filleting enables two, non-parallel sections to be merged to form a single generic section (GENSEC).
L Generic Sections (GENSECs) are curved profiles and are covered in the Structural Modelling
(Advanced) training guide.
Selecting Modify>Section>Fillet from the main

menu displays the prompt Pick end of first
gensec/section to fillet.
On selecting the end of the first section the prompt

changes to Pick the end of the second section
to fillet.
If parallel sections are selected an error message is

displayed.
If the selected sections are valid, the user is warned

that filleting the sections will remove all fittings and
asked to confirm if they wish to proceed. This is
because GENSECs cannot own fittings.
L Section fittings are explained later in this

training guide.
Clicking the Yes button on the confirmation
message displays an input form for the fillet curve
radius. The default value of 1000 may be accepted
by clicking the OK button or a value may be entered
in the textbox before clicking the OK button.
Clicking the No button on the confirmation message

or entering a fillet radius of 0 will abandon the
filleting operation.
Once the fillet radius has been entered, the Fillet

Point and Start and End of the gensec are
displayed on the two sections together with a
further confirmation message.
Clicking the No button abandons the filleting

operation.
Clicking the Yes button on the confirmation

message creates the gensec.
www.aveva.com
56
5.8 Mitring Sections
Mitring enables the cut planes at the start and end of sections to be modified such that they are parallel to
the angle bisector.
Selecting Modify>Sections>Mitre Ends from the

main menu displays the prompt Pick
Section/Gensec/Panel Elements to be mitred in
the Status area of the 3D view.
Sections can only be mitred if they are co-planar. If

sections that are non co-planar are selected an error
message is displayed.
If the sections selected are valid, graphical aids will

display the angle bisector and additional information
together with a confirmation message:
Clicking the Yes button mitres the ends of the

selected sections. Clicking the No button abandons
the mitre operation.
The 3D view will now show the mitred section. Note

that the connectivity of the mitred ends has not
changed.
When selecting the sections to mitre, care must be taken over the
positioning of the pick points. Subject to the pick point selected,
PDMS will return a variety of results. The order of selection of the
picks is not important but the pick positions are.
To illustrate, consider the example of two co-planar members

intersecting as shown.
www.aveva.com
57
Pick Position Result
www.aveva.com
58
5.9 Pline Rules and Bracing Configurations - A Worked Example
This worked example demonstrates how to create a Pline rule and how to utilise bracing configurations to
further modify the Pipe Rack and the modification of bracing gaps. The splitting of diagonal bracing sections
around a horizontal beam is also demonstrated.
5.9.1 Create a Pline Rule
A Pline Rule is required to use only the Plines required to create the bracing members, given the sections
involved, and subsequently modify the bracing gaps.
Select Settings>Pick Filters>Plines from the main menu to display the Pline Filter form and then
click the Define Rule button to display the Define Rules form. Enter the following in the appropriate
textboxes:
Name: RHS Bracing
Rule: PKEY INSET (TOS, BOS, LEFT, RIGH, NAL, NAR)
Description: Rule for RHS Bracing
Click the Include button to create the User Defined Pline Rule and click the OK button on the Define
Rules form. The new rule is displayed on the Pline Filter form. Click the entry RHS Bracing to set it as
the current Pline rule.
5.9.2 Create Bracing
Create a Subframe below FRMW ROW_A named ROW_A-BRACING and make it the CE.
Select Create>Sections>Bracing Configurations from the main menu to display the Bracing form.
Enter CE in the Storage area textbox and click the Profile button in the Section Data area of the form
to display the Section Specification form. Select British Standard from the Specification options list
and Rect Hollow Sections from the Generic Type options list. Select a 150.0x100.0x5.0 profile, leave
the three Pline Settings as NA. Click the Apply button to set the bracing specification and dismiss the
Section Specification form.
Leave the Bracing Plane at the default of Derived by Section and select option 4. A/K Bracing(3), 3
picks from the Available Bracing Configurations list and click the Apply button to display the A/K
Bracing(3), 3picks form. Click the / \ Bracing (K) radio button and enter 200 in the Gap A text box and
150 in the Gap B textbox. Click the Confirm checkbox to set confirmation on.
Create the K bracing on Row A between Rows 1 and 2 by graphically picking column A1 at the bottom,
the beam at EL. (+) 104110 T.O.S. between Rows 1 and 2 and column A2 at the bottom, in that order. If
the bracing looks to be in the correct configuration, click the Accept button to create the bracing.
Create the K bracing on Row A between Rows 4 and 6 using the same gap values.
Dismiss the A/K Bracing(3), 3picks form and select option 1. Cross Bracing from the Available
Bracing Configurations list and click the Apply button to display the Cross Bracing form. Enter 200 in
both the Gap A and Gap B textboxes and click the Confirm checkbox to set confirmation on. Create the
cross bracing between Rows 2 and 4 by graphically picking very near the bottom of column A2 and
column A4 just below the horizontal beam at EL. (+) 104110 T.O.S. Dismiss the Cross Bracing form.
Create a SBFR below FRMW ROW_B named ROW_B-BRACING and make it the CE.
Create a list of the K bracing members on Row A and mirror copy the K bracing on Row A to this SBFR.
Connect the K bracing on Row B to the appropriate beams and columns using the Connect>Connect
option from the main menu.
www.aveva.com
59
Create the knee bracing on Rows 1, 2, 4 and 6 using option 8, Knee Bracing(2) on the Bracing form.
Remember to change the storage area for each Row.
5.9.3 Bracing Gaps
Zoom in to the bottom of column A4 and manipulate the view so that the bracing to column connection
can be clearly seen. Select Modify>Bracing Gaps from the main menu to display the Brace Gaps
form. Select option 4. Distance from start/end to Pline intersections from the Available Gapping list
and click the Apply button to display the Brace Gap(s) form. Click the Confirm checkbox to turn
confirmation on.
Click and hold down the left mouse button on the RHS bracing member to display the Plines. Move the
pointer to select the Pline running along the bottom of the RHS. When the cursor changes shape,
release the mouse button. Click and hold down the left mouse button on the UB column to display the
Plines. Select the nearest Pline at the centre of the web of the UB, this will either be the NAL or NAR
Pline. The Gap A textbox on the Brace Gap(s) form will display the current measured gap value. Enter
75 in the Gap A textbox and click the Accept button to adjust the gap.
Repeat this procedure with the other cross brace at the bottom of column A2. Adjust the bracing gap at
the top of the two cross braces using option 2. Distance on picked Pline from a fixed point.
Adjust the bracing gaps for the K bracing on Rows A and B to comply with the drawings using similar
methods.
Make column A1 the CE. Select Position>Align Secondary Nodes from the main menu to re-align the
SNOD elements after adjusting the bracing gaps. Repeat this for each section that has bracing attached.
Select Modify>Sections>Split from the main menu to display the Split Steel form. Select Graphical
pick from the Add to list options list and pick the cross brace on Row A that is to be split. Select Pick
Section(s) to split on form the options list in the Define split-on area of the form and graphically pick
the other cross brace member on Row A. Click the Trimmed radio button to select the option and click
the Split button to split the RHS bracing.
Save Work.
The Pipe Rack bracing should look like this:
www.aveva.com
60
Exercise 4 Adding Bracing to the Equipment Support Structure
Create the Row 3 cross bracing in a new FRMW. Justify the bracing Angles at TOAX.
Adjust the bracing gaps in accordance with the drawings. This will require a new Pline rule using the Plines
TOAX, LBOA, NAL, NAR, BOS and TOS.
Copy the Row 3 bracing FRMW to create a new Row 4 bracing FRMW and connect all the members.
Create the knee bracing on Row C, Row D, Row E and Row F.
The Equipment Support Structure bracing should now look like this:
Save Work.
www.aveva.com
61
CHAPTER 6
6 Section Fittings and Joints
This chapter describes how the 3D structural model may be detailed by adding section fittings and joints.
This may be for clash checking purposes only or for passing on information to the fabricators.
6.1 Section Fittings
Section fittings are catalogue items defined in Paragon. They are referenced in Design by FITT elements
which are owned by SCTN elements. Each fitting is designed to be associated with one or more appropriate
Plines for the particular section profile it is attached to. Due to catalogue parameterisation, one fitting type
may be applied to all section sizes of a particular profile category it was designed for.
A section fitting is positioned relative the start position of a SCTN element along its extrusion direction, i.e.
its Z direction.
6.1.1 The Create Fitting form
In the Beams & Columns application with an SCTN element as the CE, selecting Create>Fitting>Single
from the main menu displays the Create Fitting form.
6.1.1.1 Specification Data area
The Specification Data area of the form enables the user to specify the exact fitting required.
The Specification button and options list enables the user to select the type of fitting required, e.g. web
stiffeners, lifting lugs, fire insulation, etc.
www.aveva.com
62
The Section Type option list shows the Generic Type (GTYPE) of the SCTN that will own the fitting, i.e. the
current element.
The Sub-Type options list enables the user to select the sub-type of fitting e.g. a particular type or shape of
stiffener.
The scrollable list displays all available fittings for the Specification, Section Type and Sub-Type selected.
6.1.1.2 Settings area
The Settings area of the form enables the user to select the position and orientation of the fitting.
The Justification options list enables the user to select the Pline to which the fitting will be attached.
The Pick Justification button can be used to select the required Pline graphically rather than selecting
from the options list.
The Zdistance textbox enables the user to enter the distance from the section start to the fitting along the
selected Pline.
The Position Element button button may be used, in conjunction with the Positioning Control toolbar,
to determine the position of the fitting and, therefore, the Zdistance graphically.
The Beta Angle box is used to specify the rotation of the fitting around the owing sections Z axis.
The Properties button is used to specify any Design

Parameters that may have been used in the catalogue
definition of the fitting.
If Design Parameters have been used the Modify Properties

form is displayed.
If no Design Parameters have been used an error message is

displayed
The Plotfile button is used to display a sketch of the fitting if

one has been supplied in the catalogue data set.
If no Plotfile has been supplied for the fitting an error message

is displayed.
6.1.2 Creating Section Fittings
When a section fitting is designed in Paragon, it is usually intended for use on one or more specific Plines
which may be shown on the Plotfile. For the fitting to work as intended, the Justification Pline should be
carefully selected.
When a Justification Pline has been selected from the options list or graphically identified, an aid arrow is
displayed at the Pline location on the section, pointing in the Z direction of the Pline. The aid arrow is
identified by a text aid showing the Pkey of the fitting, i.e. the Pline name. The aid arrow is positioned along
the Z direction of the section at the distance specified in the Z Distance textbox. The default Z Distance is
0.
www.aveva.com
63
Fittings are usually designed in Paragon to a specific orientation such that the Beta Angle does not need to
be modified from the default of 0. However, some fittings may work at different Beta Angles and entering a
value in the Beta Angle textbox orientates the fitting around the fittings Z axis, i.e. the Z axis of the
Justification Pline; the direction of the aid arrow.
The standard AVEVA catalogue provides simple examples of section fittings that are used for
demonstrations and training. It is important for companies to develop their own catalogues for all section
fitting requirements.
www.aveva.com
64
6.2 Joints
Like section fittings, joints are catalogue items that may be referenced by SJOI or PJOI elements. Joints
may have positive geometry, to represent stiffeners, haunch plates, flange inserts, end plates, etc., or
negative geometry to represent section end cutbacks, rat holes, bolt holes, etc., or a combination of positive
and negative geometry.
The positive and negative geometry definitions are held by the catalogue component and are, generally,
parameterised so that the joint may be applied to any combination of similar shaped owning and attached
sections. The joint is referenced by the Spref attribute of the SJOI or PJOI element.
6.2.1 Joint Specification form
Selecting Modify>Joints>Specification prompts the user to Identify end of section joint is connected
to. Although the SJOI is owned by an SNOD element, which is a member of the owning section, the user
must select the attached section end. PDMS determines the attached and owning section generic types via
the attached section attributes and present, via the specification, relevant joints based on these types.
The Specification Data area of the form enables the user to select the exact joint required.
The Specification button and options list enables the user to select the general type of joint required, e.g.
column connections, tubular connections, end preparations, etc.
The Sub-Type options list enables the user to select the sub-type of joint e.g. a joint with a certain number
of bolt holes or specific stiffener thickness.
www.aveva.com
The scrollable list displays all available joints for the Specification and Sub-Type selected.
65
The Settings area of the form allows the user to orientate the joint around the attached section.
The Justification options list shows the Plines defined in the joint. This is commonly only one Pline, the NA.
This Pline exists as a default alignment for the joint as it is aligned with the NA Pline of the attached section.
The Beta Angle textbox is used to specify the rotation of the joint around the attached sections Z axis.
Normally this is 0 for one end of a section and 180 for the opposite end. Which end is which depends in how
the joint was created in the catalogue and how the section was defined.
The Properties button is used to specify any Design

Parameters that may have been used in the catalogue
definition of the joint.
If Design Parameters have been used the Modify Properties

form is displayed.
If no Design Parameters have been used an error message is

displayed.
The Plotfile button is used to display a sketch of the joint if one

has been supplied in the catalogue data set.
If no Plotfile has been supplied for the fitting an error message

is displayed.
If Design Parameters have been used and a Plotfile has been

specified in the joint data set, a combined sketch and Design
Parameter input form is displayed.
www.aveva.com
66
6.2.2 Modify Joint Specification
Having selected the required joint from the list and set any Design Parameter requirements, clicking the
Apply button on the Joint Specification form creates the joint using the parameters of the owning and
attached sections together with any design parameters used.
Joints may be applied to ends of section individually. However, if a number of sections have the same
Owning and Attached generic types and require the same end connections, a previously applied joint may
be copied and applied to these section ends.
Selecting Modify>Joints>Joint Like>Maintain Pline from the main menu prompts the user to Identify end
of section to be copied like. Selecting an appropriate section end will then prompt the user to Identify
end of section to be modified. Any number of ends may be selected and pressing the Esc key will end
the selection process.
The Spref attribute for each valid SJOI element in the selected section ends will be set to the same value as
the copied section end and the geometry displayed in the graphical view.
It should be noted that the joint geometry is adjusted to suit the section sizes of each joint. In cases where a
joint is copied from one end of a section to the other, the Beta Angle of the new joint(s) may be orientated
incorrectly by 180 degrees. Adjusting the Beta Angle value will rectify this.
www.aveva.com
67
6.3 Creating Section Fittings and Joints - A Worked Example
This worked example demonstrates the creation of some simple section fittings and joints based on the
supplied catalogues.
6.3.1 Section Fittings
On the Pipe Rack make the horizontal beam on Row B, between columns B1 and B2 the CE. Zoom into
the centre of the beam where the two RHS bracing members connect. Select Create>Fitting>Single
from the main menu to display the Create Fitting form. Select Stiffeners from the Specification
options list, Double Full Depth from the Sub-Type options list and 8m_Double_Stiffener from the list
of available stiffeners. Select NAL from the Justification options list and click the Position Element
button adjacent to the Zdistance textbox.
Set the Positioning Control toolbar to Pline and Snap. Graphically select a Pline on the inner sloping
face of one of the RHS braces. Note that the arrow aid, labelled NAL, moves to the selected position.
Click the Apply button to create a double stiffener aligned with the edge of the RHS brace. Repeat the
process to place double stiffeners aligning with the other three faces of the two RHS braces.
Repeat the process for the Row B beam between columns B4 and B6 and the equivalent beams on
Row A.
Make column B2 the CE. Display the Create Fitting form and select Single Full Depth from the Sub-
Type options list and 8mm_Flange_Stiffener from the list of available stiffeners. The Justification
should still be set at NAL from the previous task. Create two single full depth stiffeners to align with the
horizontal beam between column B2 and B4 at EL (+) 107160 T.O.S. Note that the stiffener opposite the
top flange is not flush with the TOS. This is because the stiffener is centre justified and, therefore, must
be moved down by half the stiffener thickness.
Click the Navigate to Element button on the

Utilities toolbar and pick the top stiffener to
make it the CE. Select Modify>Attributes
from the main menu to display the Modify
Attributes from. Select Zdistance from the
attribute list to display the Zdistance form. Note
the current value and enter a new value that is
4mm less than the current value. Click the OK
button on the Zdistance form and the Apply
button on the Modify Attributes form. Dismiss
the Modify Attributes form. Note that the top of
the stiffener is now flush with the top of the
column.
Repeat the procedure to create two single full depth stiffeners on column B4.
www.aveva.com
68
Make the beam between columns B2 and B4 the CE. Display the Create Fitting form and select Lifting
Lugs from the Specification options list, Welded from the Sub-Type options list and
10mm_welded_lifting_lug (the only option) from the list. Select TOS from the Justification options list
and enter 300 in the Zdistance textbox. Click the Apply button to create the lifting lug 300mm from the
end of the beam. Set the Positioning Control toolbar to Pline and Distance and enter 300 in the
distance textbox. Select the TOS Pline at the other end of the beam. The arrow aid is positioned 300mm
from the selected end of the beam and the Zdistance textbox updated with the new distance. Click the
Apply button to create the new lifting lug and then click the Dismiss button.
6.3.2 Joints
Select Modify>Joints>Specification from the main menu to display the prompt Identify end of
section joint is connected to in the secondary prompt area. Pick the end of the beam between the
tops of column B2 and B4 nearest the column B2 to display the Joint Specification form. Select
Column Connections from the Specification options list, Column Web from the Sub-Type options list
and 4M20_web from the list of available joints. Click the Properties button to display the Modify
Properties form. Enter the following values in the appropriate textboxes:
Dist from TOS 0

Dist from BOS 12
Thickness of Plt 12
Notch Depth 0
Click the OK button on the Modify Properties form and the Apply button on the Joint Specification
form to create the joint. Dismiss the Joint Specification form.
Select Modify>Joints>Joint Like>Maintain

Pline from the main menu to display the prompt
Identify end of section to be copied like in the
secondary prompt area.
Graphically pick the end of the beam to which the

joint has just be applied to display the prompt
Identify end of section to be modified in the
secondary prompt area. Graphically pick the other
end of the beam near column B4.
Press the Esc key twice to end the selection

process and create the joint.
www.aveva.com
69
Exercise 5 Adding Section Fittings and Joints to the Equipment Support Structure.
At the connection of the stair landing beam with the Row 4 beam at EL(+) 107820 TOS, place an 8mm
Single Partial Depth stiffener to align with the centreline of the stair landing beam. The partial depth
stiffeners should be positioned in the upper part of the UB. Use a value of 150 for the Long length and 90
for the Short length.
Create a similar stiffener for the stair half landing beam at EL.(+) 104880 TOS
Where the Row 3 horizontal beams connect with the columns at EL(+) 107820 TOS create a 4M20_web
joint (Specification Column Connections, Sub-Type Column Web) with the following properties:
Apply this joint to other beam/column web connections at EL(+) 107820 TOS.
On the horizontal beams on Rows C to F, inclusive, at EL(+) 107820 TOS apply a 4M20_flange column
connection.
On the Equipment Support Structure create a PNOD at the bottom of all the columns. Apply a
20mm_thick_attached_base plate joint to the bottom of the columns.
www.aveva.com
70
Remember to Save Work.
www.aveva.com
71
CHAPTER 7
7 Panels & Plates
7.1 How PDMS Represents Panels & Plates
A panel (PANE element) can be used to

represent any sheet material in a structural
model. Using a similar principal to that for
representing a section (which is an extruded
2D catalogue profile), a panel is represented
by extruding a user defined 2D shape through
a specified thickness.
Two types of data define the panel geometry:
1. The panels planar area is defined by a

Panel Loop (PLOO) element. A PLOO is
defined by a set of Panel Vertex (PAVE)
elements. Each PAVE has a specific
position in the panels 2D geometry
system. A line joining adjacent vertices
defines each panel edge.
2. The panel thickness is defined by the

Height attribute of the PLOO element.
This represents the distance through
which the 2D PLOO is extruded to form
the 3D panel.
7.2 Panel Hierarchy and Attributes
Each element in the panel hierarchy has specific attributes that

combine to define the panel geometry:
7.2.1 PANE element
The Position attribute of the PANE holds the position of the panel origin with respect to the WORLD.
The Orientation attribute of the PANE holds the orientation of the panel with respect to the cardinal
axes. The Y (North) direction of a panel is defined as the direction from the first panel vertex to the
second panel vertex.
www.aveva.com
72
7.2.2 PLOO element
The Height attribute of the PLOO element holds the thickness of the panel.
The Sjustification attribute of the PLOO element holds the justification, i.e. top, centre or bottom, of
the panel.
7.2.3 PAVE element
The Position attribute of each PAVE element gives the vertex position with respect to the panel origin.
7.3 Initial Settings
As with Beams & Columns, before a panel is created some initial default settings must be made to suit the
planned method of working.
7.3.1 Panel Specification
A panel specification can be set so that a range of thicknesses or an explicit panel thickness can be used.
As panels are not catalogue items the Specification Reference (SPREF) does not have a Catalogue
Reference (CATREF) and the selected thickness may be overwritten when creating the panel. The
specification may be left unset and the panel thickness specified during panel creation.
The Default Panel Specification is shown on the Panels & Plates toolbar.
The Default Panel Specification is shown unset.
Clicking the Set Panel Default Specification button

displays the Plate Specification (Default) form.
The default panel specification is selected by clicking the

Specification button.
Following specification selection, the default panel

thickness may be selected from the range of values
displayed.
Selecting unset will not set the specification.
Having selected the thickness clicking the Apply button

sets the specification and default thickness.
7.3.2 Storage Areas
The Design database storage areas for panels are similar to the Section and Node storage areas for Beams
& Columns. The storage areas specify the Framework or Subframe where Panels and Primary Linear
Joints (see Connecting Panels later in this training guide) will be placed when created.
www.aveva.com
73
The storage area can be set by navigating to an appropriate Framework, or Subframe, and clicking the
button to the left of the appropriate textbox. If storage areas are not set the elements will be created under
the current element.
The storage areas may also be set by selecting

Settings>Storage Areas from the main menu to
display the Storages Areas form, in the same way
as described in Beams & Columns.
7.4 Creating Panels
Panels are created by selecting Create>Panel from the

main menu to display the Create Panel form.
7.4.1 The Create Panel form
The Create Panel form is divided into three areas which are described in the following sections.
7.4.1.1 Settings
Individual panels may be named or a given a description for additional information processing or model data
extraction by entering the required text in the Name or Description textboxes.
Where a panel specification has been selected the default thickness

will appear in the Thickness textbox. The default thickness may be
overridden by entering a new value; however, the following message
will be displayed.
Clicking the Yes button overrides the thickness value and sets the
PANEs Spref attribute to Unset. Clicking the No button disregards the
entered thickness value and leave the PANEs Spref set to the default
value.
If no panel specification has been set, a thickness must be entered in the Thickness textbox. This value is
the distance the panel loop will be extruded through.
A panel may be justified Top, Centre or Bottom. The justification determines which direction the panel loop
will be extruded. www.aveva.com
74
Top The panel loop will be extruded downwards by the panel thickness.
The panel loop will be extruded downwards by half the panel thickness and upwards by
Centre
half the panel thickness.
Bottom The panel loop will be extruded upwards by the panel thickness.
7.4.1.2 Representation
As panels are not catalogue items, where Drawing Levels and Obstruction values are normally set, they
may be set via the Create Panel form. The explanation of these settings is outside the scope of this training
guide.
7.4.1.3 Create Methods
Various methods of defining panel vertex positions or fillet arcs, which determine the vertex positions, are
provided via the buttons in the Create Methods area of the form. The buttons are:
Derive points from graphic picks allows the user to pick a point graphically using the
Positioning Control toolbar.
Derive points from centres & plines allows the user to construct a point using the intersection
of two Plines with an existing panel.
Trace boundary of another extrusion/panel allows the user to create vertices which follow the
shape of an existing panel.
Explicitly defined position allows the user to specify a position by entering explicit co-ordinates.
Point offset from previous allows the user to specify a distance and direction which define a
point relative to the position of the preceding vertex.
Define arc fillet allows the user to construct a fillet arc with a specified radius between two
picked tangent lines.
Derived arc passing through three points allows the user to construct a fillet arc passing
through three picked points.
Fixed radius arc, passing through 2 points allows the user to construct a fillet arc with a
specified radius, passing through two picked points, which curves towards a picked direction.
Below the Create Methods buttons a message displays the number

of vertices that have been created for the panel loop.
A panel loop requires a minimum of three vertices to be valid. After

the definition of the first vertex, the message changes to display
whether the panel has been created. The Remove Previous Point
button becomes active, which allows the user to delete previous
vertex definition. In the graphics view an aid will show the location of
the first vertex, i.e. the default panel origin.
www.aveva.com
75
The panel will not be displayed in the graphics view until the third
vertex is defined, at which time the message will change to show
that the panel has been created.
As each vertex is defined an aid showing the

position of the last vertex will be displayed in the
graphics view.
Once the third vertex has been defined and the

panel created, an axis aid is displayed at the
default panel origin.
The aid shows the panels axis system, the Y

(North) direction being defined by the direction
from vertex 1 to vertex 2.
7.4.2 Hints on Creating Panels
A minimum of three vertices are required to create a panel.

Panel vertices should always be created in a clockwise direction, as viewed from above. Anti-clockwise
creation will give the wrong justification and direction.
Vertices should maintain a clockwise numbering sequence, i.e. the loop should not self intersect.
If several smaller panels are required, it is often quicker to create a large panel and split it as required.
If edge cut-outs are required, it is often quicker to create the main panel and modify it for the cut-outs.
www.aveva.com
76
7.5 Modifying Panels
Having created a panel, the PLOO geometry may be modified by moving, adding and deleting vertices,
edges and arcs. The vertices may also be expanded or contracted by a specified amount.
A group of vertices may be selected to be copied and inserted in a different part of the loop. Tools are
provided to modify the group, e.g. move the origin or mirroring, before the group is inserted.
With the panel to be modified as the CE, selecting

Modify>Extrusion/Panel from the main menu displays the
Loop Vertex Editor form.
7.5.1 The Loop Vertex Editor form
As with many of the forms used in PDMS, the Loop Vertex Editor form fulfils several functions. The form is
divided into several areas which are described in the following sections.
7.5.1.1 The Form Menu
The form menu contains the following options:
Control>CE - When the form is displayed, the CE name is displayed beneath the form menu. Navigating
to another panel and selecting this option makes the new CE the panel being edited by the form. The
new CE name is displayed on the form.
Control>Close - This option dismisses the form.
Settings>Confirm - This is a toggle option. When set On the user must click the Create or Modify
button at the bottom of the form to implement each creation or modification, depending which mode is
current. When set Off, each creation or modification is implemented immediately.
Settings>Confirm on delete This is a toggle option. When set On, the user must confirm each
deletion in order to complete the command. When set Off, deletions are implemented immediately.
Settings>Tag edges - This is a toggle option. When set On, each edge is tagged with the number of the
vertex at its start.
L Edges are tagged automatically, regardless of this setting, if the panel has incorrect geometry for any
reason (e.g. zero thickness).
Settings>Free rotate - This is a toggle option. When set On this option allows groups of vertices to be
oriented automatically when they are positioned relative, to say one edge, and are then moved to a
different edge. www.aveva.com
77
Utilities>Remove Redundant - This option deletes redundant vertices in situations where two or more
vertices have the same position.
7.5.1.2 Mode Selection
The options in the Mode Selection area of the form enable the user to select a single vertex, an edge or a
group of vertices to be modified or create a new vertex.
Select all allows the user to select all vertices in the loop allowing them to be modified as a group.
Select group to modify allows the user to select any number of individual vertices so they can be
modified as a group.
Select edge to modify allows the user to pick an edge to be modified. The adjacent Edge gadget
shows the current edge number (i.e. the number of the vertex at its start).
Select point to modify allows the user to pick a vertex to be modified. The adjacent Vertex gadget
shows the current vertex number
Create points allows the user to create a new vertex, which will be allocated the next number in the
sequence after the current vertex.
7.5.1.3 Vertex/Edge
The Vertex/Edge area of the form contains a Select button and a counter that shows the current vertex or
edge, depending on the current mode. If the Select edge to modify button is clicked, the counter label will
change to Edge and the counter will show the current edge.
The Select vertex/edge button allows the user pick a vertex in the 3D View. The
adjacent Vertex/Edge counter shows the current vertex/edge number, which is
also tagged in the 3D View. The user can navigate to a specific vertex/edge by
typing its number in the textbox or by using the up/down arrows to step through
the list.
7.5.1.4 Group Definition
When a group of vertices are modified, the buttons in the Group area of the form become active. These
options let the user modify the current group in the following ways.
L These buttons affect only the Groups behaviour; they do not affect the vertex numbering for the panel
loop. A Group may be the entire loop if the Select all button has been used.
Reverse group definition - reverses the group definition by implicitly renumbering all of the
group vertices in the opposite sense (i.e., clockwise or anticlockwise). The origin moves to the
other side of the gap. The sense of the current vertex sequence is shown by the aid arrow in
the 3D View.
Move start forwards - moves the open-side of the group, and the origin, one position
forwards; that is, in the sense of the vertex numbering.
Move start backwards - moves the open-side of the group, and the origin, one position
backwards; that is, in the opposite sense to the vertex numbering.
www.aveva.com
78
7.5.1.5 Group Expand/Contract
A Group may be expanded or contracted by the value specified in the textbox adjacent to the buttons.
Expand group - expands the group area by moving each edge outwards, by the distance
specified in the adjacent Expand/Contract textbox, normal to its own direction.
Contract group - contracts the group area by moving each edge inwards, by the distance
specified in the adjacent Expand/Contract textbox, normal to its own direction.
L Expand/Contract applies to all edges in the Group, including those on panel protrusions, etc., therefore,
excessive expansion or contraction may lead to invalid loop geometry.
7.5.1.6 Line
If an edge is modified, the buttons in the Line area of the form become active. These options enable the
user to modify the current edge in the following ways.
Extend start of line - moves the Start vertex along the edge direction to align it through a
picked position. Use the Positioning Control options to pick the required position.
Alternatively, if a line is selected, the Start vertex will be moved along the edge direction until it
intersects the picked line. These operations can change the edge length.
Extend end of line - moves the End vertex along the edge direction to align it through a
picked position. Use the Positioning Control options to pick the required position.
Alternatively, if a line is selected, the End vertex will be moved along the edge direction until it
intersects the picked line. These operations can change the edge length.
Make line parallel - moves the free vertex (lowercase tagging) around the reference vertex to
align the edge with a picked line (another edge, a Pline etc.). This operation maintains the
edge length.
7.5.1.7 Rotate
The options in the Rotate area of the form enable the user to rotate groups of vertices in the following ways.
Rotate anti-clockwise - rotates the edge anticlockwise, through the rotation angle specified in
the Angle textbox, about the reference end (uppercase tagging). This operation maintains the
edge length.
Rotate clockwise - rotates the edge clockwise, through the rotation angle specified in the
Angle textbox about the reference end (uppercase tagging). This operation maintains the
edge length.
7.5.1.8 Modify
The options in the Modify area of the form enable the user to carry out the following operations on the
current Group selection.
Insert selected enables the user to move a vertex group by inserting it at a different position
in the loop sequence. Use the Vertex selector to navigate to the required point in the
sequence; the group will be inserted after the current vertex.
Mirror enables the user to move the current vertex, edge or group such that the new
positions are derived by reflecting the original positions about a picked line (an edge, Pline,
etc.).
Delete selection enables the user to delete a group, edge or vertex from the loop definition.
www.aveva.com
79
Define/Modify arc enables the user to manipulate a fillet arc at the current loop vertex.
When this button is selected the Modify Arc form will be displayed and the Loop Vertex
Editor form will become temporarily inactive.
7.5.1.9 Vertex/Edge/Group Coordinates
The bottom area of the Loop Vertex Editor form displays co-ordinate data about the current vertex, edge or
group, depending on the Selection Mode, together with radius information where applicable.
For a vertex the X and Y (East and North) co-ordinates, with respect to the panel origin, are displayed.
There is no Z co-ordinate as the panel loop is a 2D object. The Radius textbox allows the user to specify a
radius to be applied to the loop at that vertex. This value is applied to the Fradius attribute of the vertex and
may be positive or negative value.
A value of 0, the default, will produce a

sharp corner at the vertex.
A positive value will produce a convex

radius at the vertex.
A negative value will produce a concave

radius at the vertex.
For an edge the co-ordinates are given for the start or end of the edge. An aid is displayed in the 3D View
showing which is the start and which is the end. By default the START of the edge, i.e. the vertex with the
lowest number that forms the edge, is shown in uppercase and the end shown in lowercase. This means
that any modifications made to the currently displayed co-ordinates will affect the START only.
The options list in this area of the form becomes active when an edge is selected and enables various
options of how the edge is to behave to be selected.
Selecting the End option displays the END of the edge in uppercase and the start of the edge in lowercase.
Modifications made will apply to the END of the edge only. It should be noted that modifying the length in
either of these cases will move the edge start or end accordingly.
The Aligned option displays both the START and the END of the edge in uppercase. Generally the user will
only be able to modify an orthogonal edge in a direction normal to the edge itself. Care should be taken
when modifying a non-orthogonal edge as unexpected results may occur.
The Modify or Create button at the bottom of the form depend on the mode. In Modify mode clicking the
button will change the current vertex or edge using the values in the X, Y, Radius or Length textboxes. In
Create mode, i.e. when adding a new vertex, clicking the button will create a new vertex with the values
displayed in the X, Y or Radius text-boxes.
7.5.2 Moving the Panel Origin
When creating a panel the Origin is placed at the first vertex by default and the X and Y co-ordinates of all
other vertices in the panel relate to this position.
Selecting Position>Panel Origin from the main menu and selecting a different vertex when prompted
enables the user to use a different vertex in the PLOO as the panel origin.
If the origin is redefined in this way, the coordinates of all vertices owned by the current panel loop are
recalculated relative to the new origin such that their positions in the design model remain unchanged.
www.aveva.com
80
7.5.3 Modifying Panel Thickness
Although the panel thickness is set during creation it can be

modified at any time.
Make the panel to be modified the CE and select

Modify>Thickness from the main menu to display the
Panel Thickness form.
Entering a value in the textbox and clicking the Apply button

modifies the panel thickness.
7.5.4 Modifying Panel Justification
Although the panel justification is set during panel creation it

can be modified at any time.
Make the panel to be modified the CE and select

Modify>Justification from the main menu. This displays
the Set Justification form.
Selecting Bottom, Centre or Top from the Justification list

and clicking the Apply button modifies the panel justification.
The in/out checkbox enables the user to set the direction relative to the plane used to justify the panel as
shown in the following diagram.
The significance of outward and inward is covered in Panel Fittings later in this manual.
www.aveva.com
81
7.6 Connecting Panels
Specified panel vertices or panel edges may be connected to other panels or section profiles in a variety of
ways.
7.6.1 Connection Modes
There are three principle modes of operation for connecting panels.
7.6.1.1 Edge to
These options connect a single edge to

the selected item to be connected to.
If the vertices describing the edge do

not align with the selected item they are
modified to align.
Other edges adjacent to the selected

edge remain at their previous locations.
7.6.1.2 Edges to
These options connect selected edges

to the selected item to be connected
to.
If the vertices describing the edges do

not align with the selected item they
are modified to align.
Relative geometry between the

selected edges is not maintained.
7.6.1.3 Drag Edge to
These options drag the selected

edges such that the nearest
edge connects to the selected
item but maintains the relative
geometry of the selected edges.
www.aveva.com
82
7.6.2 The Panel Connection Form
Selecting Connect>Connect from the main menu

displays the Panel Connection form.
The form contains the following buttons to facilitate connections.
Vertex to vertex - connects a vertex from a panel to a vertex of another panel.
Edge to surface - connects an edge of a panel to the surface of another panel.
Edges to surface - connects selected edges of a panel to the surface of another panel.
Drag edge to surface - drags selected edge of a panel to surface of another panel.
Edge to edge - connects selected edge of a panel to an edge of another panel.
Edges to edge - connects selected edges of a panel to an edge of another panel.
Drag edge to edge - drags selected edge of a panel to the edge of another panel.
Edge to section - connects selected edge of a panel to selected Pline of a section.
Edges to section - connects selected edges of a panel to selected Pline of a section.
Drag edge to section - drags selected edge of a panel to selected Pline of a section.
Trim all edges - trims all edges of current panel to suit current connections.
The way the panel geometry is modified depends on the selected option and is depicted graphically on the
buttons.
7.6.3 Panel to Section Connections
Connecting a panel to a section creates a Section Linear Joint (SELJ) element owned by the selected
section. The SELJ owns two Section Vertex (SEVE) elements that have Zdistance attributes to fix their
position along the section. Two PAVE elements of the PLOO have logical connections, via their Mvertex
attributes, to the SEVE elements.
www.aveva.com
83
Where the panel edge being connected is shorter than the section, the two PAVE elements describing the
edge have their Mvertex attributes set to the name of the SEVE elements.
Where the panel edge is longer than the section, the SEVE elements are set at the extremities of the
section, and two new PAVE elements are created in the PLOO. The positions of the PAVE elements
correspond to the SEVE elements and have their Mvertex attributes set to the name of the SEVE elements.
7.6.4 Panel to Panel Connections
Connecting a panel to another panel creates a Panel Linear Joint (PALJ) element. The PALJ owns two
PAVE elements whose positions, generally (see below), coincide with the start and end positions of the
connected panel edge.
Two PAVE elements of the Attached panel have logical connections, via their Mvertex attributes, to the
PAVE elements of the Owning panel.
When connecting a panel to the surface of another panel, the PALJ element is owned directly by the PANE
element, even if the storage area for Panel Linear Joints has been set.
www.aveva.com
84
7.7 Creating and Modifying Panels - A Worked Example
This worked example uses the equipment rack created in previous exercises. It demonstrates the creation
and modification of a panel.
7.7.1 Creating the Panel
Enter the Panels & Plates application by selecting Design>Structures>Panels & Plates from the
main menu. Clear the Draw List and add back the /EQUIP_SUPPORT structure. Set the limits to the
Draw List and view direction to Iso 3.
Create a SBFR named EL(+)107820_TOS_PLATE owned by FRMW EL(+)107820_TOS. Make the

SBFR the CE and set the Storage Areas by clicking the appropriate buttons on the Panels & Plates
toolbar. Select Create>Panel from the main menu to display the Create Panel form and enter 20 in
the Thickness textbox and select Bottom from the Justification options list. Leave the Representation
settings at their defaults.
Make sure the Pline rule is set to Normal and click the Derive
points from graphic picks button in the Create Methods area of
the form.
Set the Positioning Control toolbar to Pline and Intersect.

Zoom into the top of column F3 and select the outer top of steel
(LTOS or RTOS) Plines of the two connecting beams (not the
cantilever beam).
A text aid will be displayed at the intersection of the Plines

showing the Origin of the panel.
Note that the message on the form now reads: 1 Vertices

defined (no Panel created).
Pan the view to the top of column C3 and again select the outer
top of steel (LTOS or RTOS) Plines of the two connecting beams.
Another text aid will be displayed at the intersection of these

Plines at the position of the new vertex.

defined (no Panel created).
Pan the view to the top of column C4 and again select the outer
top of steel (LTOS or RTOS) Plines of the two connecting beams
(not the stair landing beam).
Another text aid will be displayed at the intersection of these

Plines at the position of the new vertex.

defined (Panel created).
www.aveva.com
85
Change the Positioning Control settings to Pline and Snap and

pick the outside TOS Pline on the stair landing cantilevered beam
near to its connection with the column.
Note that the message on the form now reads: 4 Vertices defined
(Panel created).
Pick the same Pline at the far end of the beam.
Pick the outside TOS Pline on the far end of the other stair landing
cantilevered beam.
Change the Positioning Control settings back to Pline and

Intersect and press the F8 key to display the 3D View in wire-line.
This is because the sections are obscured by the panel.
Pick the outside TOS Pline on the stair landing cantilevered beam
and the outside TOS Pline of the beam between column C4 and
D4. Press the F8 key again.
Finish the panel by panning to the top of column F4 and selecting the outside TOS Plines on the two
connecting beams (not the cantilever beam). Click the OK button on the Panel Creation form to create
the panel.
The deck plate should look like this:
www.aveva.com
86
7.7.2 Modifying the Panel
The panel requires modification to create cut-outs in the panel edge around the columns. This is achieved
by introducing new vertices into the loop.
Make sure the panel is the CE and select Modify>Extrusion/Panel from the main menu to display the
Loop Vertex Editor form. Note that an axis aid, showing the axes with respect to the panel, is placed at
Vertex 1, the panel origin. First new vertices will be added to the PLOO to make a cut-out around the top
of column F3. Zoom into the top of column F3.
Change the Positioning Control toolbar settings to Pline and Snap and press the F8 key to change the
3D View to wire-line. Make sure the Vertex counter is on 1 and the co-ordinates are X 0 and Y 0. The
first new vertex is to be positioned between vertex 1 and vertex 2 and will have the same X co-ordinate
as vertex 1.
Click the Create points button and note that the Modify button at the bottom of the form has changed to
the Create button, i.e. the form is now in Create mode. Click the X checkbox to lock the co-ordinate and
pick the Pline on the north-west corner of column F3. A New vertex label is displayed at the new vertex
position. Click the Create button on the form to create a new vertex 2.
Rewind the vertex counter to vertex 8, i.e. the last vertex in the loop. Uncheck the X checkbox and
check the Y checkbox. Pick the Pline on the south-east corner of column F3. A New vertex label is
displayed at the new vertex position. Click the Create button on the form to create a new vertex 9.
Vertex 1 needs to be moved to a new location. Click the Select point to modify button in the Mode
Selection area of the form and select vertex 1. Note that the vertex counter is set to 1 and the Create
button has changed to the Modify button, i.e. the form is now in Modify mode. Uncheck the Y checkbox
and select the Pline on the north-east corner of column F3. A New position text displays the new
position for vertex 1. Click the Modify button to move vertex 1 to its new location.
Similar cut-outs need to be made around column E3. Set the vertex counter to 2, check the X checkbox
and click the Create points button. Pick the Pline on the south-west corner of column E3 and click the
Create button to create the new vertex 3. Uncheck the X checkbox and check the Y checkbox. Press
the F8 key and pick the Pline on the south-east corner of column E3. Click the Create button to create
new vertex 4. Uncheck the Y checkbox and check the X checkbox. Pick the Pline on the north-east
corner of column E3 and click the Create button to create new vertex 5. Uncheck the X checkbox and
check the Y checkbox. Pick the outside TOS Pline on the beam between column E3 and D3 and click
the Create button to create the new vertex 6.
www.aveva.com
87
7.7.3 Using a Vertex Group
Column D3, D4 and E4 require similar cut-outs to column E3. This may be achieved by creating a group of
the vertices that form the cut-out around column E3 and moving it to the correct location before inserting it
into the loop.
Rewind the vertex counter to 2. Click the Select group to modify button in the Mode Selection area of
the form to display the prompt Pick points <escape> to select in the prompt area. Graphically pick
four points, in a clockwise direction around the cut-out at the top of column E3 and press the Esc key.
The group will be defined by four spheres, one at each of the four vertices that form the cut-out with a
larger sphere at the first vertex on the group, i.e. the group origin.
The group must be moved to column D3. Check the X checkbox and uncheck the Y checkbox. Pick the
Pline on the south-west corner of column D3. The group moves such that its origin is on the edge of the
panel and aligned with the corner of the column. Set the vertex counter to 6 and click the Insert
selected button in the Modify area of the form to insert the group into the loop and create the cut-out.
Change the Positioning Control toolbar settings to Graphics and Snap, uncheck the X checkbox and
check the Y checkbox. Pick the panel edge on the east side of the structure, adjacent to column D4. The
group is now located correctly at column D4, however, the order of the vertices in the group must be
reversed to fit the clockwise numbering sequence and the group must be mirrored to form a cut-out and
not an outstand.
Click the Reverse group definition button in the Definition area of the form. Note the group origin has
been placed on the north side of the group. Click the Mirror button in the Modify area of the form to
display the Pick line to mirror about prompt and graphically pick the edge of the panel. The group is
mirrored to form the correct sequence of vertices for a cut-out. Set the vertex counter to 16, i.e. the
vertex before the group origin and click the Insert selected button to insert the group into the loop.
www.aveva.com
88
Change the Positioning Control toolbar settings to Pline and Snap and uncheck the Y checkbox and
check the X checkbox. Pick the Pline on the north-east corner of column E4 to move the group. Set the
vertex counter to 20 and click the Insert selected button to create the cut-out around the top of column
E4.
Create cut-outs around the tops of columns C3, C4 and F4.
Click the Select All button in the Mode Selection area of the form. Enter 10 in the textbox in the
Expand/Contract area of the form and click the Contract group button. Note that the vertex indicators
move to their new positions. Click the Modify button to contract the whole loop by 10mm.
Save Work.
www.aveva.com
89
7.8 Connecting Panels A Worked Example
Create a centre justified gusset plate between column F3 and the beam on Row F at EL.(+) 107820
T.O.S., using the following dimensions:
Select Connect>Connect from the main menu to display the Panel Connection form. Click the Edge
to Section button on the form to display the prompt Identify edge of panel to be connected in the
secondary prompt area. Graphically pick near the top edge of the panel. The prompt changes to
Identify pline on section to be connected to. Pick the BOS Pline on the beam and click the Yes
button on the displayed confirmation message. Press the Esc key to complete the connection process.
Make the beam the panel is connected to the CE and note the SELJ element and the two SEVE
elements created by the connection. Query the attributes of each SEVE element and note the Zdistance
and Posline values. Make the gusset plate the CE and query the attributes of PAVE 1 and PAVE 2,
noting that the Mvertex attributes contain the name of one of the SEVE elements of the SELJ.
Go to the Beams & Columns application and modify the Specification Reference of the beam to
152x89UB16kg/m. The line of the SELJ (Section Linear Joint) is visible on the underside of the beam.
Go back to the Panels & Plates application and select Connect>Trim from the main menu. Select the
gusset plate when prompted and press the Esc key to end the selection process and update the
connection.
Reset the Specification Reference of the beam back to 203x133UB25kg/m and update the connection
again.
Save Work.
www.aveva.com
90
Exercise 6 - Creating and Modifying Panels
Create a 20mm thick deck plate at EL(+) 104880 TOS, including the stair half landing, in an SBFR.
Create cut-outs around the columns.
Contract the entire panel loop by 10mm.
www.aveva.com
91
CHAPTER 8
8 Negative Extrusions
Negative extrusions are negative geometry created in design to represent a hole or a cut-out in the body of
the panel away from the edges.
8.1 Negative Extrusion Hierarchy and Attributes
A negative extrusion (NXTR element) is an extruded 2D polygonal shape that creates a cut-out in the
owning panel. NXTRs are owned by PANE elements and have a similar hierarchy structure to them:
The planar area of the negative extrusion is defined by a LOOP element. The Loop element is defined by a
set of vertices (VERT elements). The elements of the negative extrusion contain attributes that combine to
create the cut-out in the owning panel.
8.1.1 NXTR element
The Position attribute of the NXTR holds the position of the negative extrusion origin with respect to the
PANE.
The Orientation attribute of the NXTR holds the orientation of the panel with respect to the PANE. The
Height attribute of the NXTR holds the thickness of the extrusion.
8.1.2 LOOP element
The LOOP element holds no attributes affecting the extrusion geometry.
8.1.3 VERT element
The Position attribute of each VERT element gives the vertex position with respect to the extrusion origin.
www.aveva.com
92
8.2 Creating Negative Extrusions
As negative extrusions are owned by PANE elements the panel that will contain the NXTR must be the CE.
Negative Extrusion are created by selecting

Create>Negative Extrusion from the main menu to
display the Create Negative Extrusion form.
8.2.1 The Create Negative Extrusion form
The Create Negative Extrusion form is similar to the Create Panel form; however, there are some
significant differences. The form is divided into three areas which are described in the following sections.
Individual extrusions may be named by entering a name in the textbox, however, it is not usual to do so.
8.2.2 Representation
As negative extrusions are not catalogue items, where Drawing Levels and Obstruction values are
normally set, they may be set via the Create Negative Extrusion form. The explanation of these settings is
not within the scope of this training guide.
8.2.3 Settings
The Settings area of the form enables the user to select a surface of the panel, i.e. top or bottom, on which
the LOOP will be created and to specify the depth of the negative extrusion.
Clicking the Surface button prompts the user to Pick a surface to be used as a datum. Clicking on a
surface of the panel automatically sets the orientation for the negative extrusion, e.g. if the panel is bottom
justified and the top surface is selected, the LOOP will be created on the top of the panel and extruded
downwards.
Entering a value in the Hole depth textbox will set the depth of the negative extrusion. If the panel is to be
penetrated completely, enter a hole depth slightly greater than the thickness of the panel. This will avoid any
co-planar conflicts with the graphics display.
Entering a Hole depth value less than the panel thickness will create a partial depth hole.
8.2.4 Create Methods
The Create Methods area of the form is similar to the Create Panel form except that there are fewer
options. All of the buttons function in exactly the same way as described for Panel creation.
The same rules apply to creating a negative extrusion as to creating a panel, i.e.
A minimum of three vertices are required to create the extrusion. www.aveva.com

93
Vertices should always be created in a clockwise direction.

Vertices should maintain a clockwise numbering sequence.
8.3 Modifying a Negative Extrusion
Negative extrusions are modified by selecting Modify>Extrusion/Panel from the main menu to display
the Loop Vertex Editor form.
The form functions in exactly the same way for Negative Extrusions as described for Panels.
8.4 Creating and Modifying Negative Extrusions - A Worked Example
This worked example demonstrates the creation and modification of a negative extrusion in a panel, using
the Equipment Support Structure.
Set Holes Drawn to off on the Representation tab of the Graphics Settings form. Make the panel at
EL(+) 107820 TOS the CE and select Create>Negative Extrusion from the main menu to display the
Create Negative Extrusion form.
Click the Surface button in the Settings area of the form and pick the top surface of the panel, note that
the surface direction now reads D WRT /*. As the panel is 20mm thick enter 22 in the Hole depth
textbox.
Click the Explicitly Defined Position button in the Create Methods area of the form to display the
Define Vertex form, note that the default co-ordinates are set to 0, 0, 0 wrt World. Enter CE in the wrt
textbox and press the Return key. The co-ordinates now show the panel origin position. Enter 0 for all
three co-ordinates and note that a Vertex position label is now displayed at the panel origin.
Enter co-ordinates of East 500, North 500 and Down 0. Note that the Vertex position label has moved
to the co-ordinates specified. Click the Apply button on the form and note that a new label, Origin, is
displayed at the co-ordinates. Dismiss the Define Vertex form.
Click the Point offset from previous button to display the Define Vertex form. Enter N in the Direction
textbox and 300 in the Distance textbox. Click the Apply button on the form and note that the Last
Vertex label is displayed at the new co-ordinates and the New Vertex label is displayed at the direction
and distance specified. Enter E and 500 respectively in the Direction and Distance textboxes and click
the Apply button again to create the third vertex. The extrusion is defined and the extrusion shape
appears as black lines on the surface of the panel. Enter S and 300 respectively in the Direction and
Distance textboxes and click the Apply button again to create the fourth vertex. Dismiss the Define
vertex form.
Check the Display modification form checkbox on the Create Negative Extrusion form and then click
the OK button. The Create Negative Extrusion form is dismissed and the Loop Vertex Editor form
displayed.
Modify each vertex to add a 10mm radius curve at each

corner of the negative extrusion. Turn Holes drawn on to
display the negative extrusion hole.
Save Work.
www.aveva.com
94
Exercise 7 Creating and Modifying Negative Extrusions
Create a 1000mm diameter negative extrusion in the centre of the panel at EL(+)104880 TOS between
grids E and F.
www.aveva.com
95
APPENDIX A
9 Panel Fittings
9.1 Creating a Panel Fitting
A panel fitting is a predefined catalogue item consisting of positive and/or negative geometries. Panel fittings
are referenced in Design by PFIT elements. Panel fittings are similar to section fittings, described earlier in
this training guide, but are owned directly by PANE elements.
With the panel that is to own the fitting as the CE, selecting Create>Fitting>Single from the main menu
displays the Create Panel Fitting form.
9.1.1 The Create Panel Fitting form
The Specification Data area of the form enables the user to select the exact fitting required.
The Specification pull-down enables the user to select the type of fitting required, e.g. standard access,
standard doors, standard windows, etc.
The Generic Type pull-down enables the user to select the generic type of fitting described in the
specification.
The Sub-Type pull-down allows the user to select the sub-type of fitting e.g. a particular style of standard
access. www.aveva.com
96
The scrollable list displays all available fittings for the Specification, Generic Type and Sub-Type selected.
The Settings area of the form is where the fitting is justified, orientated and positioned with respect to the
owning panel.
The Justification options list enables the user to specify the positioning of the fitting within the thickness of
the panel and the direction of the fitting with respect to the panel.
The origin of the fitting, as defined in the catalogue, can be positioned on the Top, Centre or Bottom of the
panel. Inwards and outwards relates to the plane direction used to justify the panel. If the selected direction
is incorrect it may easily be modified to ensure the fitting is correctly orientated.
The Beta Angle textbox is used to specify the rotation of the fitting around its Z axis.
The Position box displays the current position of the fitting origin. By default the position is set to the origin
of the owning panel and is displayed wrt /*.
Clicking the Pick Position button displays the Positioning Control

toolbar and the Pick Fitting Position form.
The form shows the default fitting origin position, i.e. the panel origin,
wrt the WORLD. The position may be specified wrt the owning panel by
entering CE in the wrt textbox and pressing the Return key.
The position co-ordinates may then be adjusted to correctly position the

fitting origin. It is important to take into account the orientation of the
panel when specifying the co-ordinates.
A text aid shows the position of the fitting as the co-ordinates are
adjusted.
The Properties button is used to set any Design Parameters

that may have been used in the catalogue definition of the fitting.
The Plotfile button is used to display a sketch of the fitting, if one

is supplied in the catalogue data set. Having selected, positioned
and oriented the fitting, clicking the Apply button on the form
creates the fitting.
The standard catalogue provides simple examples of panel fittings that are used for demonstration and
training purposes. It is important for companies to develop their own catalogues for all panel fitting
requirements.
www.aveva.com
97
9.2 Modifying Panel Fittings
Selecting Modify>Fitting from the main menu displays the

Modify Panel Fitting form.
The Modify Panel Fitting form functionality is the same as

the Create Panel Fitting form except that altering the
settings modifies an existing fitting.
The position of a panel fitting may also be modified by

selecting the Position>Explicitly (AT) or
Position>Relatively (BY) options from the main menu. It
should be noted that the user cannot re-position the panel
fitting in the Up or Down directions, i.e. Z wrt panel, using
these options.
The orientation of a panel fitting may also be modified by

selecting the Orientate>Rotate or Orientate> Angle
options from the main menu. The Angle may also be
modified from the Command Line.
9.3 Creating and Modifying Panel Fittings - A Worked Example
This worked example demonstrates how to create and modify a panel fitting.
Make the panel at EL(+)107820 TOS the CE. Select Create>Fittings>Single from the main menu to
display the Create Panel Fitting form. Select Standard Access from the Specification options list,
Access Cover from the Generic Type options list and Standard Manhole Access from the Sub-type
options list.
Click the Pick Position button to display the Pick Fitting Position form and enter CE in the wrt textbox.
Enter 0, 0, 0 in the co-ordinate textboxes and the Through Position label is displayed at the panel
origin.
Enter co-ordinates of East 2000, North 750 and Up 0 and note that the label has moved to the new co-
ordinates. Click the OK button on the Pick Fitting Position form and note that the Position co-
ordinates have changed on the Create Panel Fitting form. Click the Apply button on the Create Panel
Fitting form to create the fitting.
www.aveva.com
98
Make the panel fitting the CE and select Modify>Fitting from the main menu to display the Modify
Panel Fitting form. Enter 90 in the Beta Angle textbox and click the Apply button. The access cover
fitting is rotated by 90.
Try each of the Justification options and note the changes to the position and orientation of the fitting.
Dismiss the Modify Panel Fitting form.
Save Work.
www.aveva.com
99
APPENDIX A
10 Standard AVEVA Generic Types
This appendix gives the Plines and Parameters for each Generic type (Gtype) shape used to construct the
AVEVA Standard Profile Catalogues.
10.1 Generic Type BOX
PARA 2
TOS PARA 4
LTOS RTOS
PARA 7
PARA 3
NA
LEFT RIGH
PARA 1
PARA 6
LBOS RBOS
BOS
Other Parameters:
PARA 5 = Weight per unit length
www.aveva.com
100
10.2 Generic Type ANG
www.aveva.com
101
10.3 Generic Type TUBE
HH GG FF
II EE
JJ DD
KK CC
NA &
NAGG
NAII NAEE
LL BB
NAKK NACC
MM NAMM NAAA AA PARA 1
NAOO NAWW
NN XX
NAQQ NAUU
NASS
OO WW
PP VV
QQ UU
RR TT
SS
PARA 2
There are three types of Pline:

S AA-XX every 15 degrees round the circumference
S NAAA-NAWW every 30 degrees from the centre
S NA equivalent to NAGG
Other Parameters:
www.aveva.com
102
10.4 Generic Type BEAM
PARA 2
TOS PARA 4
LTOS RTOS
TLW TRW
LTBS TBHL TBHR RTBS
TLWB TRWB
PARA 6
PARA 3
NA PARA 8
PARA 1
NALO NAL NAR NARO
BLWT BRWT
BBHL
LBTS BBHR RBTS
LBOS BLW BRW RBOS

BOS
PARA 12
Other Parameters:
PARA 7 = Cross Sectional Area
PARA 9 = Nominal Depth
PARA 10 = Nominal Width
PARA 11 = Surface Area per unit length
www.aveva.com
103
10.5 Generic Type DINI
PARA 2
PARA 4 TOS
LTOS PARA 7 RTOS
TBHR
TBHL
PARA 6
PARA 3
NA
PARA 8
NALO NAL NAR
PARA 1
NARO
BBHL BBHR
PARA 10
(as percentage)
LBOS BOS RBOS

PARA 11
PARA 4 measured midway between TOS and LTOS
Other Parameters:
www.aveva.com
104
10.6 Generic Type BSC
PARA 2
LTOC TOC PARA 4

RTOC
TBH
PARA 5
NA
PARA 10
FOC IOC ROC
PARA 1
PARA 3
PARA 7
BBH
PARA 9
(degrees)
PARA 8
LBOC BOC RBOC
PARA 13
PARA 4 measured midway between LTOC and RTOC
Other Parameters:

www.aveva.com
105
10.7 Generic Type DINU
PARA 2
PARA 14
= =
LTOC TOC RTOC
PARA 4
TBH
PARA 5
NA
PARA 10
FOC IOC ROC
PARA 1
PARA 3
PARA 7
BBH
PARA 9
(as percentage)
PARA 8
LBOC BOC RBOC
PARA 13
PARA 4 measured midway between the PARA 14 limit and RTOC

PARA 14 is usually either zero or equal to PARA 3
Other Parameters:
www.aveva.com
106
10.8 Generic Type TEE
PARA 1
TOS PARA 4
LTOS RTOS
PARA 5 LTBS TBHL TBHR RTBS
TLWB NA TRWB
PARA 7
NALO NAL NAR NARO
PARA 3 PARA 2
LBOS RBOS
BOS
Other Parameters:
PARA 10 = Original Depth
PARA 11 = Original Width
PARA 12 = Original Weight
www.aveva.com
107
10.9 Generic Type DINT
PARA 2
PARA 13
LTOS TOS RTOS
PARA 4
PARA 14
PARA 17 PARA5
(as percentage) TBHL NA TBHR
PARA 7
NALO NAL NAR NARO
PARA 3 PARA 1
PARA 15
BOS
PARA 16
(as percentage)
PARA 3 measured midway between TOS and BOS

PARA 4 measured midway between LTOS and TOS
Other Parameters:
PARA 10 = Original Depth
PARA 11 = Original Width
PARA 12 = Original Weight
www.aveva.com
108

TM 1101 Aveva 12 Training Module PDF

Diunggah oleh

Informasi Dokumen

Judul Asli

Hak Cipta

Format Tersedia

Bagikan dokumen Ini

Bagikan atau Tanam Dokumen

Opsi Berbagi

Apakah menurut Anda dokumen ini bermanfaat?

Apakah konten ini tidak pantas?

Hak Cipta:

Format Tersedia

TM 1101 Aveva 12 Training Module PDF

Diunggah oleh

Hak Cipta:

Format Tersedia

AVEVA Plant

Visit our website at http://www.aveva.com

Printed by AVEVA Solutions on 16 January 2009

AVEVA Solutions and its subsidiaries 2001 2007

5.5 Splicing Sections ........................................................................................................................... 54

9 Panel Fittings ......................................................................................................................................... 96

Introduce PDMS concepts specific to the Structural Modelling application.

Trainees must have completed the PDMS Foundations training course.

1.4 Course Structure

1.5 Using this guide

Information the user has to Key-in will be bold red text.

Annotation for trainees benefit:

2 Setting Up the Design Database Hierarchy for Structural Modelling

2.1 How PDMS Stores Structural Modelling Data

As with all PDMS Design databases that store

For structural modelling, the element types used

The SBFR level is optional as structural

2.2 Considerations When Creating the Hierarchy for Structural Models

2.3 Creating Structural Administrative Elements

To create the structural administrative elements, select Create>Structure, Create>Framework or

The Modify Attributes form shows the

Clicking an attribute, e.g. Function, displays a

2.4 Starting the Structural Modelling Applications

Beams & Columns creation of structural profile elements

These applications may be accessed from the main

Once the desired application has loaded,

Beams & Columns

The other applications may be started by selecting from

Exercise 1 Creating the Design Hierarchy

Login to the PDMS Design Module using the following details:

Enter STABILISER in the Name textbox: and

Click the OK button on the form to create the

The Design Explorer should now look like this:

3 Beams & Columns

3.1 How PDMS Represents Structural Profiles

L Note: The SCTN may directly

3.2 Initial Settings

3.2.1 Section Specification

Clicking the Set Default Profile Specification button displays

3.2.1.1 Specification Data

The default profile is selected by clicking the Specification button

Following selection of the standard, the required profile is selected

Having selected the profile type, a list of available serial sizes is

PDMS provides several standard specifications, for example British,

3.2.1.2 Pline Settings

Justification - sets the justification of the section, i.e.

3.2.2 Storage Areas

3.2.3 Automating Profile and Primary Node Allocations

3.2.4 Pline Rules

In this example, the new section has terminated at

With an appropriate Pline rule set, the new section

PKEY EQ NA OR CCON EQ ANY

Defining Pline rules is covered later in this training guide.

3.3 Creating Sections

Sections are created by selecting Create>Sections>Straight from the

3.3.1 The Section form

3.3.1.1 String Method

Single Start and End Points are individually

Continuous Start point of subsequent sections is

Radial Start position for subsequent sections is the

3.3.1.2 Create Option

Initially, when the Section form is displayed, there is

Clicking the Explicit button displays the Define section start