Use this option to define parameters of complex members.
- clicking the
Parameters button in the
Definitions dialog, and then
Complex section button in the
Member Definition - Parameters dialog.
- or by using Member Type dialog where you can define "user" member type
To perform member calculations using the guidelines for complex members according to point p.7.6 for Laced Columns or p.7.7 for Battened Columns of IS800 code, mark the Complex sections option in Complex section dialog (and make sure that the "No lattice" checkbox is not selected).
The Distribution of battens or lattice fields frame defines the arrangement of elements that connect individual column chords. There are two ways to specify the distribution of elements:
- · By specifying a number in the Distribution of battens or lattice fields frame; battens (lattice fields) are automatically distributed evenly over the entire member length;
- · By defining the value of spacing "a1" between individual connecting elements in the Spacing "a1" edit field; it is assumed that values of the batten spacing or the height of all lattice fields are equal over the member length; if the member length is not a whole multiple of the spacing "a1", the battens are distributed uniformly with respect to the member centre: thus definition of spacing a1 = 1.0m for a 3.2m long member will cause uniform distribution of 4 battens over the member length at the coordinates: (0.1 m, 1.1 m , 2.1 m, 3.1 m).
The relevant batten (lattice) planes are parallel to the local axes of a complex section (x - member longitudinal axis, y - horizontal axis, z - vertical axis). On the Plane XY tab you define the types of battens or lattice positioned in the plane parallel to the local y axis. Analogously, the Plane XZ tab defines parameters of battens or lattice positioned in the plane parallel to the local z axis. If the No lattice option is selected, then calculations do not account for the fact that this is a complex member and are performed assuming that the chords are a completely integrated whole in a given plane.
After selecting one of the lattice types (Lattice 1, 2, 3), options that allow the definition of lattice bars become accessible. It is assumed, that posts and diagonals are usually made from the same sections.
Pressing the [...] button to the right of the Diagonal section option opens the Section selection dialog where a database, profile and section dimension of lattice element is selected. Selection of a section results in its area A/An being automatically entered to the edit field in the Connections of chords dialog.
See also: