Curved Beam Modeling

Because the geometry of curved beams can bend, you can draw them in both plan and elevation views.

To sketch a curved beam

1. Click Structure tabStructure panel Beam.
2. Click Modify | Place Beam tabDraw panel, and select a curved line tool:
   • Start-End-Radius Arc
   • Center-ends arc
   • Tangent end Arc
   • Fillet Arc
   • Spline
   • Partial Ellipse
3. Place the necessary points in the drawing area to complete your curved line selection. See Sketching Elements.
   

   Defining the arc of a curved beam

For information about sketching a beam, see Creating Beams.

For information about beam properties, see Beam Properties.

Example

Curved beams have an analytical model that can be smooth or segmented. If the analytical model is segmented, you can adjust the number and location of the segments. For more information, see Segmented Analytical Model.

Smooth analytical model

Segmented analytical model