Structure Compilations

Description

A loading compilation is a group of basic load cases that are each factored and then added to always act together to represent the complete loading from a particular source (e.g. a standard or design manual at a particular instance).

Compilations are defined using the Compile Loading Patterns form (or, for dynamic analysis only, the Compile Loading Patterns-Dynamic form) accessed through the 'Compilations' Group Tree List.

The 'Compile Loading Patterns' form is used to define all types of compilation. But each instance (use) of the form applies to just one compilation at a time. A table in the form allows selection of all the basic load cases that are to be included in the current compilation with adjacent columns showing all the factors that apply to each basic load case when incorporated in the compilation.

Each Active Group Item in the navigation pane corresponds to one specific compilation that has been created by closing an instance of the 'Compile Loading Patterns' form using OK.

Each compilation is identified by a specific reference 'C1', 'C2', etc. There is no limit to the number of compilations that can be defined.

Outline Procedure

Select the Structure Compilations Group button in the Explorer Navigation Pane.

If the required compilation is already defined then click on the name of the required Active Group Item.

If no compilation has been defined, or if a new compilation is required, then click on the Add button on the Navigation Pane's Toolbar. A drop-down menu lists each available compilation type. Clicking on one type in the menu creates a new active group item and displays the 'Compile Loading Patterns' form with those 'factor' columns appropriate to the selected compilation type.

To delete an existing compilation click on the Active Group Item to be deleted and press the Delete key. If the compilation has been used in subsequent Envelopes the program will prompt whether or not to continue with the delete operation.

Clear All displays a warning and, on confirmation, all compilations are cleared from the model.

Clear Specific Compilations displays a Compilation Selection form that allows selection of the compilations to be cleared from the model.

On clicking Cancel the 'Compile Loading Patterns' form is closed and the active group item deleted (if new) or left unchanged (if pre-existing).

Notes

The order of the Compilations in the Active Group Tree List may be toggled between:
- View by reference The compilations are listed in order of their reference number ('C1', 'C2', etc).
- View by type The compilations are listed in order of their compilation type.
On first clicking on a compilation active group item the graphics window initially shows the structure in grey and all the basic loads comprising the compilation in colour. On selecting a basic load within the 'Compile Loading Patterns' from the graphics window it shows the currently selected basic load of the current compilation in colour with the structure and all other basic loads on the current compilation (only) shown in grey.
Compilations generated automatically by load optimisation are identified by having the relevant member, load effect and limit state (where applicable) amended to the compilation reference number. (See 'Related topics' below).