Use this option to create a reinforcement table (the table Bars - Element table) with reinforcing bars divided into structural elements such as a beam, a column, a spread footing, etc. There are several ways to access this option:
- Menu: Reinforcement > Tools > Element manager
- Ribbon: ASD - Reinforcement > Tools > Element manager
- Toolbar: Tools > Element manager
- Command line: RBCR_CREATE_ELEMENT.
The option is a convenient tool for grouping reinforcing bars into elements (groups) that can created in the following ways:
- In AutoCAD® or by means of macros for generation of formworks of RC structure elements - countours of structural elements are created and reinforcement is drawn; next, using the Create element command, reinforcing bars are assigned to appropriate elements.
- In AutoCAD® or by means of macros for generation of formworks of RC structure elements - countours of structural elements are created; next, using the Create element command 'empty' elements are defined, and finally, bars are drawn which should be added to an element.
- Macros for generation of reinforcement of RC structure elements - contours of structural elements with their reinforcement are created; reinforcing bars are automatically assigned to appropriate elements.
After selecting the option, the following dialog displays:
The options provided in the Element group field define hierarchy, based on the following rules:
- In the hierarchy, a level is a superior element with respect to a group
- Within a level, several different groups may be defined
- Every group may contain many elements.
To define a level / group follow these steps:
- Select the Level / Group option (the symbol
appears). - Enter a name of a level and a group in the relevant field.
- Click Add.
Defined levels / groups can be deleted from the lists of available levels / groups. To delete a group, choose the name of the group, set the mouse cursor in the Group field and click Delete.
The central part of the dialog, i.e. the Element list field, holds options that make possible creation of elements in a selected group (and level). After choosing - from the drop-down lists - the names of the level and the group in which an element will be created, and after clicking Add, the New element dialog displays:
In the above dialog, specify a name of the element and a number of these elements (multiple of element); after clicking OK, indicate in the drawing the objects that should belong to the element being created; it is possible to select contours (e.g. beams along with axes, section symbols, an elevation mark) and reinforcing bars. If reinforcing bars have not been drawn in a formwork, then only formwork parts are included in the defined element.
Selected reinforcing bars together with the elements defined in the manner as described above are presented in the Element manager dialog (selected reinforcement is entered into the right panel of the dialog, in the List of positions in element field); names of created elements are added automatically to the hierarchy tree located in the Object Inspector dialog on the Model tab.
If while creating an element contours, reinforcing bars are chosen, then reinforcing bars will be entered into the List of positions in element field in the Element manager dialog. The List of positions in element field displays reinforcing bars included in the element. If the element contains both reinforcing bars and wire fabrics, then bars are shown first on the list, whereas wire fabrics are listed after them (Note: for wire fabrics, in place of a diameter, a wire fabric type is presented).
The List of positions in element field holds two buttons:
- Add - enables adding a reinforcing bar / a wire fabric to a selected element,
- Delete - enables deleting a reinforcing bar (a wire fabric) indicated on the list from an element.