Beams

Beams are structural elements used for load-bearing applications. Elements of each beam are defined through the type properties of the specific beam family. In addition, various instance properties can be modified to define the functionality of the beam.

Sample beams

You can attach beams to any structural element, including structural walls, in your project. The beams join to structural bearing walls when the Structural Usage property of the wall is set either to Bearing or to Structural Combined.

Beams attached to structural walls

To draw beams between 2 points

1. Click Structure tabStructure panel Beam .
2. Click in the drawing area to specify the start point.
3. Use the mouse to sketch the beam, moving the cursor to the endpoint.
4. Click to specify the endpoint.

You can use the Grid tool to add multiple beams to selected grids when columns are also present at the working level.

Beam between points

To draw a beam to a specified length

1. Click Structure tabStructure panel Beam .
2. Click in the drawing area to specify the start point.
3. Use the mouse to sketch the beam, moving the cursor toward the endpoint.
4. Type a length. A text box will appear to show your entry.
5. Click to specify the endpoint.

Use the Grid tool to add multiple beams to selected grids when columns are also present at the working level.

Enter beam length

You should add beams after creating a grid since beams snap to grids. Add a grid by clicking Structure tabDatum panel Grid. However, structural beams can be added without an existing grid.

You can add beams using one of the following methods:

• Sketch individual beams.
• Select grid lines that lie between structural elements.
• Create a chain of beams.