Align Analytical Model for Entire Buildings with Grids and Levels

The automation tool creates analytical elements for the selected structural physical objects. The created analytical model follows the engineering mind set through rule-based automation logic. The objects are aligned to project levels and grids, but also to calculated references.

The automation uses calculated defaults, but you can also adjust their settings using their parameters.

Align to Grids and Calculated In-Plan References

The selected structural physical model is analyzed by the automation tool to identify each dominant direction.

For each dominant direction, the selected structural elements are grouped based on their relative offsets.

For each identified group, a virtual grid is calculated. This virtual grid will be used as a vertical alignment reference to which all the elements in the group will be aligned in plane.

If a model grid is overlapping with this group, it will be considered the vertical reference to which all the elements of the group will be aligned in plane.

Note: This offset is the calculated value representing the average of all the beam widths and wall thicknesses in the selection. It can be multiplied by the factor present in the automation tool settings.

You can adjust this multiplication factor:

In the Analyze tab Structural Analytical Model panel, click (Analytical Automation).
From the drop-down list, select (Run Physical to Analytical for Buildings).
In Modify | Modify, click (Align).
From the drop-down list, select (Align: In Plan).
In Modify | Align In Plan, adjust the tolerance as needed.

Note: A high value of this factor will group together the physical elements with a larger relative offset between them. Their associated analytical elements will be aligned to the same grid, providing a simplified representation.

Note: A smaller value of this factor will only group together the physical elements that are closer to each other. The result will be a less aligned model, but one which focuses more on following the associated elements position in plane.

You can preview the tolerance adjustment:

In the Analyze tab Structural Analytical Model panel, click (Analytical Automation).
From the drop-down list, select (Run Physical to Analytical for Buildings).
In Modify | Modify, click (Align).
From the drop-down list, select (Align: In Plan).
In Modify | Align In Plan Mode, click (Preview Alignment) .

Note: When you adjust the tolerance or the selection, the in-plan references will reset. The existing reference plans will be deleted. To view the changes, use Preview Alignment again. Some warning message will inform you when you are about to make these changes, and you can confirm or cancel these changes.

Align to Levels

For the alignment on vertical, each model element is looking for a level within a tolerance. If a level is found within this tolerance, the analytical representation for this element is aligned to that level.

This tolerance is a calculated value for each type of object:

For Beams it's their cross-section height.
For Floors it's their thickness.
For Columns and Walls it's their height.

This tolerance is measured from:

The beam geometrical axis.
Floor and foundation slab top.
Top or bottom of walls and columns.

This tolerance can be multiplied by a factor present in the automation tool settings for each type of object.

To adjust the tolerance values:

In the Analyze tab Structural Analytical Model panel, click (Analytical Automation).
From the drop-down list, select (Run Physical to Analytical for Buildings).
In Modify | Modify, click (Align).
From the drop-down list, select (Align: To Levels).
In Modify | Align To Levels Level Tolerances panel, adjust the tolerance values as needed.

Note: A bigger factor helps the elements to find more distant levels.

If more levels are identified within the tolerance of the element, the level assigned to most of the elements will be the alignment level for all.

If you want to specify the level to which the elements will be aligned to, check the "Structural" parameter in the level properties.

Align to Inclined Planes

The inclined planes are calculated virtual references, they are determined when the automation tool identifies a slanted rafter with an angle to the horizontal of less than 35 degrees.

The analytical representation of this rafter and all the analytical elements that have physical counterparts in contact with this rafter, will be aligned to this plane.

Note: You cannot adjust the alignment to inclined planes. Also, for automation, it is recommended that you use simple combinations of inclined planes (e.g. one-two slopes roof).