SPACE GASS 12.5 HELP MANUAL

SPACE GASS 12 User Manual

Table of Contents Introduction Introduction How to use this manual Printing this manual Legal notice Hardware requirements Product support Hardware locks and insurance New features

1 1 2 5 6 9 10 11 12

Installation and Configuration Installation and configuration Installing SPACE GASS Configuring SPACE GASS Folders and files Text formatting General configuration Graphics scale calibration Graphics colors General colors Problem size limits Renderer configuration Customizing toolbars Customizing property panels The SPACE GASS utility tool

23 23 24 25 26 28 29 32 33 34 35 36 42 45 47

Getting Started Getting started Starting SPACE GASS Command line options The main SPACE GASS window The status line Using the mouse Dialogue boxes Data entry Managing job files Starting a new job Opening a job Merging jobs Saving a job Deleting a job Cleaning up a job Running a macro Running a script Job status Shortcuts

49 49 50 51 53 55 57 58 60 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 73 74

Input Methods Input methods

77 77

iii

SPACE GASS 12 User Manual Linking to Other Programs Linking to other programs CIMSteel/2 Step, IFC Step and Revit links Import links Export links Special Revit Structure links DXF links Importing DXF files Exporting DXF files

79 79 81 84 88 91 94 95 96

Modelling the Structure Modelling the structure Coordinate systems Sign conventions Ill-conditioning and instabilities

101 101 102 107 111

Project Data Project data Units Job details and attachments Node data Member data Plate data Node restraint data Section property data Standard section libraries Shape builder Flipping a section Column and beam Tee sections Angle sections Material property data Master-slave constraint data Member offset data Node load data Prescribed node displacement data Member concentrated load data Member distributed force data Member distributed torsion data Thermal load data Member prestress data Plate pressure data Self weight data Combination load case data Load case title data Lumped mass data Spectral load data Spectral curve editor Importing a spectral curve Area load data Sea load data Moving load data

113 113 114 116 118 119 124 129 132 135 136 143 144 145 146 148 154 156 157 158 160 162 164 165 167 168 169 171 172 174 177 178 179 181 182

Text File Input

185

iv

Table of Contents Text file input Text file format Initiator Headings text Nodes text Members text Plates text Node restraints text Section properties text Material properties text Master-slave constraints text Member offset text Node loads text Prescribed node displacements text Member concentrated loads text Member distributed forces text Member distributed torsions text Thermal loads text Member prestress loads text Plate pressure loads text Self weight text Combination load cases text Load case titles text Lumped masses text Spectral loads text Steel member design text Terminator Text file errors Text file example

185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 212 213 216

Structure Wizard Structure wizard

219 219

Portal Frame Builder Portal frame builder Portal frame geometry Portal frame extra data Portal frame sections and materials Portal frame loads Portal frame load cases Portal frame design Portal frame assumptions

221 221 223 226 229 230 234 235 236

Datasheet Input Datasheet input Using datasheets

237 237 238

Graphical Input Graphical overview The renderer The traditional graphics window Align members Align plate axes

245 245 246 269 276 278

v

SPACE GASS 12 User Manual Arc generation Area loads Attach Attachment and alignment methods Bends generation Combination load cases Connect Connectivity check Coordinates Copy Copy member loads Copy member properties Copy node loads Copy node properties Copy plate loads Copy plate properties Delete Draw Extend Extrude Filters Find Grid Gridlines Infotips Intersect Keyboard positioning of points Load case titles Lumped masses Managing load cases Master-slave constraints Material properties Measurements and dimensions Member concentrated loads Member distributed forces Member distributed torsions Member offsets Member prestress loads Member properties Mesh Mirror Move Move intermediate nodes Moving loads Multiple viewports Node loads Node properties Node restraints Notes Ortho Pan Plane Plate pressure loads Plate properties Prescribed node displacements vi

279 280 283 285 289 290 293 294 295 296 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 309 310 312 314 317 319 321 322 323 325 326 328 330 331 332 334 336 338 340 341 343 346 348 349 351 352 370 372 374 377 378 380 381 382 384 386 389

Table of Contents Property panels Query analysis results Query frame Query steel member design results Redraw Remove crossed member nodes Remove intermediate nodes Renumber Repeat last command Reverse member direction Reverse plate direction Rotate Scale Scales Sea Loads Section properties Select all Selection methods Self weight Snap Spectral loads Static load to mass conversion Stretch Subdivide Taper plates Taper/haunch generation Textures Thermal loads Transparency Varying plate pressure loads View buckling mode shapes View diagrams View dynamic mode shapes View envelope View global origin View labelling and annotation Load case titles viewer View local axes View manager View member origins View node / member / plate properties View nodes / members / plates View plate contours View results in local XY or XZ plane View steel member design groups View steel member design results View steel member flange restraints View steel member top flanges Viewpoint Views Zoom Analysis Analysis

391 395 397 398 399 400 401 402 404 405 406 407 408 409 411 418 419 420 422 423 425 426 427 428 429 431 433 435 437 439 443 444 445 446 447 448 451 453 454 455 456 457 458 460 461 463 466 467 468 471 473 475 475

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual Static analysis Static analysis Displacements, actions and reactions P-D effect P-d effect Tension-only and compression-only effects Cable members Non-linear analysis procedure Static analysis buckling The wavefront optimizer The wavefront analysis method A quick frontwidth calculation method The wavefront method in more detail Running a static analysis Static analysis results Buckling analysis Buckling analysis Buckling effective lengths Special buckling considerations Running a buckling analysis Buckling analysis results Dynamic frequency analysis Dynamic frequency analysis Modelling considerations Running a dynamic frequency analysis Dynamic frequency analysis results Dynamic spectral response analysis Dynamic spectral response analysis Running a dynamic spectral response analysis Dynamic spectral response procedure Dynamic spectral response analysis results Analysis warnings and errors Steel Member Design Steel member design Steel member input methods Auto-create steel members Steel member input form Steel member input datasheet Copy steel member properties Steel member design data Steel member design sign conventions Member groups Flange restraints Column and beam Tees Running a steel member design Updating analysis member sizes Serviceability check The steel member design/check process Design groups and intermediate stations Design segments Section check Member check Critical flange

viii

476 476 478 479 480 481 482 484 485 486 491 492 493 494 501 502 502 504 506 508 512 514 514 515 516 521 522 522 524 528 529 531 535 535 537 538 543 545 546 547 557 558 562 568 569 575 576 577 578 579 580 581 582

Table of Contents Effective flange restraints Twist factor Load height factor Lateral rotation factor End moment ratios and other factors Eccentric effects for compression members Eccentric effects for tension members The code check Steel member design results Steel member design/check assumptions BS5950-1:2000 code specific items Hong Kong CP2011 code specific items AISC 360-10 code specific items Eurocode EN 1993-1-1:2005 code specific items AS/NZS 4600:2005 code specific items IS800 code specific items Steel member design/check errors

583 585 586 587 589 590 591 592 593 595 600 605 607 612 615 619 620

Steel Connection Design Steel connection design Creating and editing connections The connection manager Design considerations Connection reports Connection preferences

623 623 625 636 641 643 645

Concrete Beam Design Concrete beam design Creating and editing concrete beams The concrete manager Concrete beam preferences AS3600 2009 code specific items for beams IS456 2000 code specific items for beams

647 647 649 664 669 671 675

Concrete Column Design Concrete column design Creating and editing concrete columns The concrete manager Concrete column preferences AS3600 2009 code specific items for columns IS456 2000 code specific items for columns

677 677 679 693 698 699 702

Output Output Page setup View text report Print preview Print text report Print graphics The status report

705 705 709 712 713 715 716 717

Standard Libraries Standard libraries

719 719 ix

SPACE GASS 12 User Manual The library editor

721

Importing and exporting

723

Importing old libraries Section libraries Material libraries Bolt libraries Plate libraries Weld libraries Reinforcing bar libraries Spectral curve libraries Vehicle libraries

724 725 727 728 729 730 731 732 733

Portal Frame Analysis Portal frame analysis Geometry and loads Method of input Analysis procedure Analysis results Graphical output Analysis input report Static analysis report (itemised) Static analysis report (enveloped) Bill of materials report Dynamic frequency analysis report Dynamic spectral response analysis report Buckling analysis report

735 735 736 740 741 742 743 747 755 766 773 774 775 776

Portal Frame Member Design Portal frame member design Member design results Steel member design report

779 779 783 784

Portal Frame Connection Design Portal frame connection design Connection design results

787 787 789

Cable Analysis Cable analysis Method of input Analysis procedure Analysis results

805 805 806 807 808

Converting Old Jobs Converting old jobs

815 815

Bibliography Bibliography

817 817

Index

821

x

Introduction Introduction SPACE GASS 12.5 77th Edition, April 2016 SPACE GASS is a general purpose structural analysis and design program for 2D and 3D frames, trusses, grillages, beams and plates. It includes a full complement of features that make it suitable for any job from small beams, trusses and portal frames to large high rise buildings, towers and bridges. To see the new features recently added, refer to New features. Its emphasis on graphics means that you easily see the status of your model at all times. In fact, the extensive range of graphical editing tools allow you to input your model or make changes entirely within the graphical editor. Of course, if you prefer to work with datasheets or other methods of input then they are available too. A structure wizard automatically generates the initial data for many typical structures which you can then manipulate to create the exact model you want. State of the art solvers for linear and non-linear static analysis, dynamic analysis and buckling analysis are available. Steel and concrete design modules for various international codes of practice are also available. Graphical and text reports can be generated for any parts of the structural model. Comprehensive filters that can be defined graphically allow you to customize your graphical views and output reports to include just want you want to see. Although SPACE GASS is a comprehensive program with many advanced features, its logical menu structure, toolbars and graphical emphasis makes it easy to learn and use, even for first time users. If you have questions or need help then you will probably find the answers in this manual.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual

How to use this manual Illustrated as follows is an example of each of the three outline styles used in this manual. These styles are designed to draw your attention to information in one of three ways: as a hint, an important note or general note. Hints are non-essential, but useful, pieces of information which will improve your understanding of the program. Hints sometimes identify a special way of doing something and are typically quite specific. Important notes should be carefully read and understood. They outline information that is vital to the effective use of the software. Notes identify articles of information which are meant as an aside to aid your understanding of SPACE GASS. Some notes are quite general in nature and do not give reference to a specific procedure. Notes may also serve to draw your attention to specific interpretation. HINTS This is an example of the SPACE GASS HINTS style and icon. IMPORTANT NOTES ! IMPORTANT NOTE ! This is an example of the SPACE GASS important note style and icon. NOTES

This is an example of the SPACE GASS NOTES style and icon. Following is a brief overview of each section in the manual. Chapter 1 "Installation and Configuration" Deals with the installation and configuration of SPACE GASS. Once the software is installed and running correctly, you should not have to refer to this chapter again. Chapter 2 "Getting Started" If you are new to frame analysis programs or Windows programs in general, then you should read this chapter before attempting to run a job. It provides very good basic information that you will need to know about the operation of SPACE GASS. Chapter 3 "Input Methods" Explains the four main methods of inputting and editing your model. Chapter 4 "Linking to Other Programs" Describes how data can be transferred between SPACE GASS and other structural analysis, CAD and building management programs.

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Introduction Chapter 5 "Modelling the Structure" Discusses the basics of how you can model a structure with SPACE GASS and includes information on nodes, members, restraints, coordinate systems, sign conventions, etc. Chapter 6 "Project Data" Gives a detailed description of each type of data that can be used in the frame analysis part of the model. Data for steel and concrete design is not included (see later chapters). This chapter deals only with the data itself, and leaves the discussion of the numerous methods that you can use to input the data to later chapters. Chapter 7 "Text File Input" Describes the format of standard SPACE GASS text files. This is one of the five methods of data entry. You can type your data into a standard text file and then import it into SPACE GASS. Standard text files can also be used as an alternative for permanent storage of data. Chapter 8 "Structure Wizard" Another method of input involves selecting from a number of standard structures, answering a few simple questions about the structure selected, and then having the structure wizard generate all of the frame data for you. Any of the other data entry methods can be used to modify the data after it has been generated using this method. Chapter 9 "Portal Frame Builder" Described in detail the portal frame builder and how it can be used to generate the complete model of a portal frame building including the full structure, loads (including wind loads) and design data. Chapter 10 "Datasheet Input" Is a modified form of spreadsheet input which allows you to input or edit any parts of the frame data or steel design data. Along with graphical input, this is probably one of the most useful and versatile methods of data entry. Chapter 11 "Graphical Input" Covers all of the graphics facilities, including those in the renderer. This includes graphical structure input, graphical load input, graphical steel design input, connection drawing detail, graphical output of loading, displacement, bending moment, shear force, stress, axial force and animated mode shape diagrams. Full descriptions are also given for the many commands associated with drawing, moving, copying, rotating, mirroring, erasing, zooming, panning, scaling, coordinate systems, changing the viewpoint, labelling, querying diagrams, viewing the rendered model, hidden line removal, renumbering, etc. Chapter 12 "Analysis" The static, dynamic and buckling analysis modules, together with their options and control parameters are fully described here. Chapter 13 "Steel Member Design" Details the use of the steel member design module. Please pay particular attention to the assumptions listed near the end. Chapter 14 "Steel Connection Design" Details the use of the steel connection design module. Chapter 15 "Concrete Column Design" Details the use of the reinforced concrete column design module. Please pay particular attention to the assumptions listed near the end.

3

SPACE GASS 12 User Manual Chapter 16 "Output" Describes the types of output reports and graphics hardcopies that can be obtained and the options that are available for sorting, formatting, enveloping, positioning on the page, etc. Chapter 17 "Standard Libraries" SPACE GASS is supplied with a number of standard section, material, bolt, plate and weld libraries. This chapter provides a complete guide on how you can customise any of these libraries, or create your own section libraries. Appendix A "Portal Frame Analysis" Presents a detailed report on the analysis of a typical steel portal frame. Full discussions regarding the input data and the decisions involved in producing it are included, together with complete printouts of the analysis input and output reports. Appendix B "Portal Frame Member Design" Presents a detailed report on the member design for the steel portal frame analysed in appendix B. It includes a discussion on how the steel members are being modelled, together with complete printouts of the member design input and output reports. Appendix C "Portal Frame Connection Design" Presents a detailed report on the connection design for the steel portal frame analysed in appendix B. It includes a discussion on how the steel connections are being modelled, together with complete printouts of the connection design input and output reports. Appendix D "Cable Analysis" Presents a worked example demonstrating the input and analysis of a 30m tall, guyed mast. The catenary cable equations are used to calculate the axial force in a nominal guy member, this is then compared to the result obtained from SPACE GASS. Appendix E "Converting Old Jobs" Explains how you can convert data files that were produced with SPACE GASS v1, v2 or v3 for loading into the latest version. Note that data files produced with SPACE GASS 4 or later are automatically converted into the latest format when they are opened. Appendix F "Bibliography" A list of references.

4

Introduction

Printing this manual This manual is also supplied in an Adobe PDF format that is ideal for printing. You can get to it by looking for sgwin.pdf in your SPACE GASS program folder (usually "c:\Program files (x86)\SPACE GASS 12").

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual

Legal notice End User License Agreement Notice to Licensee: This End User License Agreement (the "Agreement") is a legal agreement between you and I.T.S. Integrated Technical Software Pty Ltd (ACN 086 605 567) ("ITS"), a registered company under the Corporations Law of the State of Victoria, Australia. BY USING THIS PRODUCT, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT. If you do not agree to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement or if you do not have the authority to agree to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement on behalf of the licensee then you MUST NOT USE THE PRODUCT. Provided the Product has not been used and is not a loan, student or evaluation version, you may return it to your place of purchase for a full refund. 1. Definitions. For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings: 1.1 "Product" shall mean and include the SPACE GASS software, updates, CDs, computer disks, Security Devices, help files, reference manual or other instructions, technical support or any other software, items or information of any kind provided by ITS or obtained from the www.spacegass.com web site. 1.2 "Software" shall mean all software included in the Product. 1.3 "Security Devices" shall mean and include hardware or software that limits the number of users that may operate the Software simultaneously, or imposes an Expiry Date beyond which the Software cannot be used, or prevents certain parts of the Software from being used. 1.4 "Expiry Date" shall mean the date imposed by any Security Devices beyond which the Software cannot be used. 1.5 "ITS" includes its employees, agents and suppliers. 2. License. The Product is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties. The Product is licensed, not sold. 2.1 Grant of License. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, ITS grants to you a non-exclusive license to use the Product during the term of this Agreement. 2.2 User Limit. The Software may be installed on an unlimited number of computers, however the maximum number of users operating it simultaneously may not exceed the user limit imposed by the Security Devices. 2.3 Reference Manual. You may make such copies of the reference manual as are reasonably necessary for your use of the Product by the permitted number of simultaneous users, but you may not make copies of the reference manual for any other purpose without the prior written consent of ITS. 3. Ownership; Proprietary Rights. ITS shall at all times be the owner of and have all rights to the Product, and all intellectual property associated therewith, including but not limited to patents, copyrights, trade names and marks, domain names, and trade secrets related thereto. The Product is protected by copyright laws and international treaty provisions. Nothing herein 6

Introduction shall cause or imply a sale, license or transfer of any intellectual property rights of ITS to you or to any third party, except as expressly set forth herein. You may not reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or otherwise attempt to discover the source code of the Software. You may not attempt to reverse engineer, duplicate or bypass any Security Devices. 4. Disclaimers. ITS makes no warranties or representations as to the Product to you or to any other party. To the extent permitted by applicable law, all implied warranties, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, are hereby disclaimed. 5. Limitation of Liability. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall ITS be liable for any punitive, exemplary, consequential, indirect, incidental, or special damages arising from or related to the use of the Product by any party, including without limitation damages arising from loss of data, loss of revenue or profits or failure to realize savings or other benefits, even if ITS has been advised of or should be aware of the possibility of such damages. In the event of any defect in the Product ITS may, at its option; i. ii. iii. iv.

replace the Product or supply its equivalent; repair the Product; pay for the cost of replacing the Product or of acquiring its equivalent; or pay for the cost of having the error in the Product rectified.

To the extent that the Product involves providing a service, in the event of any error or defect in the provision of that service ITS may, at its option; i. ii.

supply the service again; or pay for the cost of having the service supplied again.

Because some states and jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability, the above limitation may not apply to you. 6. Indemnification. You, at your sole expense, will defend, indemnify and hold ITS harmless from and with respect to any loss or damage (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs) incurred in connection with, any suit or proceeding brought by a third party against ITS insofar as such suit or proceeding shall be based upon (i) any claim arising out of or relating to your use of the Product except where such claim alleges that the Software infringes or constitutes wrongful use of any copyright, trade secret, patent or trade mark of any third party; or (ii) any claim arising out of or relating to any act or omission by you. You will pay any damages and costs assessed against ITS (or paid or payable by ITS pursuant to a settlement agreement) in connection with such a suit or proceeding. 7. Changes to the Product. ITS may change the Product from time to time without notice to you and shall not be under any obligation to provide you with any notification of such change. 8. Non-Transferability. You may not rent, lease, sub-license, lend or transfer the Product to another person or legal entity without the prior written consent of ITS. 9. Term and Termination. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the date that you install or use the Product and shall continue (unless earlier terminated as provided herein) until the Expiry Date, or in perpetuity if no Expiry Date is imposed. Without prejudice to any other rights, ITS may terminate this Agreement at any time if you fail to comply with its terms and conditions. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever, you shall cease all use of the Product and remove all copies of the Software from your computers.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual

10. General. 10.1 Assignment. You may not assign or transfer this Agreement or any of your rights, duties or obligations hereunder and this Agreement may not be involuntarily assigned or assigned by operation of law, without the prior written consent of ITS, which consent may be granted or withheld by ITS in its sole discretion. 10.2 Severability. Each provision of this Agreement is intended to be severable. If any covenant, condition or other provision contained in this Agreement is held to be invalid or illegal by any court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be deemed severable from the remainder of the Agreement and shall in no way affect, impair or invalidate any other covenant, condition or other provision contained in this Agreement. If such covenant, condition or other provision shall be deemed invalid due to its scope or breadth, such covenant, condition or other provision shall be deemed valid to the extent of the scope or breadth permitted by law. 10.3 Governing Law. You agree that the use of the Product by you shall be governed by the laws of the State of Victoria and the Commonwealth of Australia, and you consent to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of that State and the Commonwealth. 10.4 Attorneys’ Fees. If any legal action is brought arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to receive its reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs in addition to any other relief it may be entitled. 10.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement is the complete and exclusive statement of the agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior and concurrent agreements, promises, proposals, representations and warranties, oral or written, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

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Introduction

Hardware requirements   

Windows 7, 8 or 10 (Windows 10, 64-bit preferred). Intel or AMD CPU (Intel multi-core preferred). Any modern graphics card with at least 2Gb RAM (NVIDIA preferred). For more detailed information, including tips on how to get the maximum speed out of SPACE GASS, refer to www.spacegass.com/hardware.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual

Product support Product support includes:     

Notification of any program modifications or enhancements as they become available. Update facility for those users wishing to upgrade to the latest version. Replacement of any software which is found to be defective through no fault of the user or which does not conform to the general published function of the software. Telephone, facsimile and email support by I.T.S. or an authorised dealer. Comprehensive Internet web site providing latest information, drivers, updates, libraries, etc. for all registered SPACE GASS users.

I.T.S. reserves the right to charge for telephone, facsimile or email support.

10

Introduction

Hardware locks and insurance SPACE GASS is sometimes supplied with a hardware lock that must be inserted into the parallel or USB port before the software will run. If the hardware lock is faulty or becomes damaged or destroyed, it can be replaced for a nominal fee provided that a remnant of the lock showing a valid serial number can be produced proving that it is a genuine SPACE GASS hardware lock. The hardware lock cannot be replaced for a nominal fee if it is lost or stolen and, for this reason, it is recommended that the user insure the software package and hardware lock for the full current market value of the software.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual

New features The key new features added in SPACE GASS since v10 are as follows. Note that minor new features, enhancements and bug fixes are not listed here. Version 12.50 This is a major new version containing a significant number of enhancements and new features. SPACE GASS now also supports hardware acceleration in all modern graphics cards. Previously this was restricted to some NVIDIA graphics cards. For more information on this and how to optimize SPACE GASS for maximum performance refer to www.spacegass.com/hardware. Version 12.27 Includes a new moving loads tool that allows for stationary and moving loads in the form of vehicles, pressure patches and line loads. Loads can now be applied to plates as well as members, plus a proximity distance setting lets you model multi-level roadways with different loads on each level. Added support for IS1893 to the spectral analysis module. Added support for IS800 seismic checks (IS800 chapter 12) to the steel member design module. Version 12.26 Adopted a less conservative approach when calculating m for segments unrestrained at one end with steel member design in accordance with AS4100 and NZS3404. Version 12.25 Added copy/paste and import/export facilities to the filter management form. Version 12.24 A new reinforced concrete column design module has been added. Version 12.23 Support for Revit 2016 has been added. Version 12.20 This is a semi-major upgrade that includes many changes, enhancements and fixes. It is also the first version that has all of the tools of the traditional SPACE GASS window now available in the renderer (along with many new tools that are only available in the renderer). A new reinforced concrete beam design module has been added. Tools for querying and viewing steel member design results have been added to the renderer. You can also label the steel member number, load factor and governing load case on each steel member in the model.

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Introduction

A load case title column has been added to the combination load cases datasheet. Seismic checks in accordance with chapter 12 of NZS3404 have been added to the steel member design module. The clauses checked are table 12.4(1), table 12.4(3), 12.4.1.2, 12.5.2, 12.5.3.1, table 12.5, 12.7.2.1, 12.8.3.1(a), 12.8.3.1(b), 12.8.3.1(c) and 12.10.3.1. Version 12.00 This is a major upgrade containing many new features and substantial performance improvements, especially in the analysis solvers and graphics engine. It also makes the renderer the main interface for the program. Introduced a new "Paradise" solver for the static, buckling and dynamic frequency analysis modules. It is a sparse matrix solver that fully utilizes the parallel processing capabilities of modern multi-core CPUs. The new solver is usually between 10 and 100 times faster than SPACE GASS 11. The most dramatic speed savings occur with jobs that have a large matrix frontwidth and lots of load cases. The renderer graphics now fully utilizes the parallel processors on the graphics card rather than doing the graphics calculations on the main CPU. This means that deflection diagrams, bending moment diagrams, shear force diagrams, etc. can be scaled up and down smoothly regardless of the size of the job, even in fully rendered 3D mode. The renderer has been given a major overhaul with a new user interface that now has almost all of the functionality of the traditional SPACE GASS window. This means that you can do everything in the renderer without constantly having to switch back to the traditional SPACE GASS window. The new functionality in the renderer includes:               

New user interface that can be configured with different skins and user defined layouts. Substantial performance increases and no annoying delays or pauses. Opening and saving of jobs. Generating reports. Structure wizards. Datasheets. Node, member and plate drawing and editing tools. Loading input and editing tools. Filtering. Scaling. Static, buckling and dynamic analysis. Steel and concrete design. Display of all analysis result diagrams such as deflections, moments, contours, etc. Ability to show fully rendered deflections rather than just wireframe. Animated mode shapes.

Version 11.09 Released an all new Steel Connection Design module for AS4100 that complies with the latest ASI design guides. Released a new Steel Member Design module for AS4600 that works with the cold formed sections from manufacturer including Lysaght, Stramit, Duragal and others. Supported sections include Cees, Zeds, angles, tophats, channels, back-to-back Cees, CHSs, SHSs and

13

SPACE GASS 12 User Manual RHSs. New cold formed section libraries for Lysaght, Stramit and Duragal have also been included. The Portal frame builder now automatically creates all of the main connections in the building. They can then be used in the steel connection design module. Allow a steel member design to be performed via a script file with the user being able to control the design groups, sections properties and load cases considered. Allow exporting of steel member design/check summaries to a text file or MSExcel/Access/Word file. Version 11.08 Various new script commands have been added that allow you to have more control over importing/exporting and analysis. You can also pause the script to see what stage it is up to at any point. Version 11.05 Released a Portal Frame Builder module for the modelling of portal frame buildings in SPACE GASS. It generates the full structural model plus dead loads, live loads, wind loads and steel member design data. The module supports gable (symmetrical and asymmetrical) and monoslope roofs, overhangs, knee braces, haunches, fly bracing, uneven frame spacings, openings, roof/wall bracing and end wall props. Wind loads are generated in accordance with AS/NZS 1170.2:2011 for all regions in Australia and New Zealand. Version 11.01 Released a Sea Load module for the calculation of wave, current, marine growth and buoyancy loads on submerged structures in marine and offshore environments. Version 11.00 This is a major new version that includes a new 3D renderer with full editing capabilities. Of course you can still edit your model in the traditional SPACE GASS window, however the editing tools in the renderer are generally more advanced and offer additional features over the traditional editing tools. Some of the load input tools, design data tools and analysis results diagrams are not yet available in the renderer, however they will be added soon. Member force and moment envelope reports can now be limited to the maximum and minimum values taken from just one end of the members rather than from both ends. The analysis engine has also had a major make-over with finite and large displacement theory added, plus options for secant or tangent matrix solutions, residual or full loading, and residual convergence criteria. An "Auto" optimizer setting has also been added that senses the most efficient optimization method before the main analysis calculations begin. It removes the necessity for you to manually use trial and error methods to find the best optimization setting. The standard libraries have been completely re-designed allowing non-standard and built-up sections to be saved. A new shape builder, moving loads generator with animated moving loads, and area loads generator have also been added. 14

Introduction

Other major new features include on-screen notes, job attachments, dimensions, load combinations grid, load case titles viewer, measure tool, textures, gridlines, view selector, customizable toolbars and multiple undo/redo steps. The major new features of SPACE GASS 11 are listed in more detail below: 

A new renderer with full editing capabilities.



A new shape builder with shape dragging, snapping, stacking, alignment and copy/paste. Shapes can now be specified as voids to easily model holes in your sections. New standard shapes have also been added for polygons, polytubes, triangles, Cees, Zeds, tophats and schifflerized angles. Line shapes that allow you to specify a line thickness and a series of points have also been added. You can even show the dimensions of your sections graphically in the new shape builder.



On-screen notes that can be positioned anywhere on or near your model or attached to nodes, members or plates.



Dimensions that can be added to your model or to individual members or plates.



A measure tool that lets you determine the actual length, component lengths and angles between any two points.



An attachment tool that you can use to attach external documents, spreadsheets, drawings or any other files to your SPACE GASS job and embed them into the job file.



Important new drawing aids now let you align with other existing points or objects, snap to key intermediate positions along members, attach to existing objects, or align with existing members or global axes. You can even lock onto a node or member by briefly hovering over it and then begin drawing at some offset away from it. When aligned with an axis, member or point, you can also just type in the desired distance away your point should be.



A new combination load cases grid showing primary and combination load cases across the top and combination load cases down the side. You simply type multiplying factors into any cells to quickly build up your combination load cases in a very visual way. Rows for new combination load cases can be added as desired.



Customizable toolbars.



A view selector showing the current viewpoint. It can also be dragged around or clicked to change the orientation of the model.



Unlimited undo/redo steps.



More detailed infotips when hovering over a node, member or plate.



New libraries in XML format that now hold non-standard and built-up sections, directly editable via the shape builder and/or library editor. Categories have also been added for Common, Special, Legacy and Obsolete classifications.



A new moving loads generator incorporating animated views of the vehicles travelling over your model. Horizontal loads and moments can now be added to 15

SPACE GASS 12 User Manual vehicles. Travel paths can now be drawn graphically, as can a loading area outside of which wheels are treated as inactive even if they are still within the ends of their travel path. A new vehicle editor has also been added, and vehicles are now incorporated into the standard libraries.

16



A load case manager now lets you copy, renumber or delete multiple load cases rather than one at a time.



buttons throughout SPACE GASS that allow to select from load cases, sections or materials that already exist in the job, plus a load case titles viewer that can be left open all the time if you need to see which load cases are which.



A new area loads generator with options for two-way and one-way loads. Load directions include X, Y, Z, "Normal to area" and "Vector". Loading areas can be actual or projected, and more than four members per polygon can now be handled.



A new renumbering tool that offers renumbering in three directions simultaneously.



A taper/haunch tool that now subdivides automatically if required.



A new find tool with additional modes for finding duplicated nodes, invalid plates, members duplicated in steel member groups, members with free ends and plates with free vertices.



New move, rotate, copy, mirror, stretch and scale tools that allow you to select nodes, members or plates. They also provide a graphical preview of the final result before the changes are made.



Textures such as "brickwork", "steel" and "concrete" that can be added to members or plates and shown graphically.



Gridlines that can be defined and shown graphically in two directions at any spacings and then used as snap and reference points when drawing objects or locating points.



A tool for converting static loads such as dead loads and live loads into masses for use in a dynamic analysis.



A new curve editor for spectral curves that has extra capabilities for importing, exporting, labelling and an equation data generation tool.



A view manager that lets you save the current view into a list of saved views and then recall them as desired.



Moveable property panels that list all of the sections and materials used in your model. You can even click on a section or material in the panel to select all the members or plates in your model that use that item.



A member alignment tool that lets you align or stack members via their center, top, bottom, left or right sides.



An option for showing member origins graphically. This quickly lets you see which way each member is running.

Introduction 

Generation of bends of any radius at member intersections. A very useful tool for pipework analysis.



A tool for reversing the direction of members. Options for adjusting member fixities, offsets and loads are included.



Various tools for extending members along their length, moving intermediate nodes, removing intermediate nodes and removing crossed member nodes.



A new steel member design module for the Hong Kong code HK CP2011 has been released.

Version 10.8 

Steel member design modules for the AISC 360-10 LRFD and ASD standards have been released.



SPACE GASS now uses the Titan license manager softlock system instead of hardware locks, although hardware locks can still be supplied if requested. TitanLM suppports stand-alone or network installations, and lets users borrow licenses from the network for use off-site.

Versions 10.6 to 10.7 

A new plate element has been added in v10.7. Plate elements can be quadrilateral or triangular with bending, shear and membrane stiffness.



SPACE GASS can now import and export data in CIMSteel/2 (CIS/2) and IFC Step file formats. This allows it to communicate directly with many other programs such as Tekla Structures/XSteel, ProSteel, Microstation, Frameworks Plus, AutoCAD, Revit Structure, StruCAD, etc.



A new built-in graphics rendering module has been added in v10.7 that allows you to generate realistic rendered models of your job that show the complete geometry of all members and plates. This replaces the old internal 3D viewer and the external VRML viewer. It is expected that this module will gradually be given full input, editing and viewing functionality until it completely replaces the existing graphics system in SPACE GASS.



Nodes can now be moved, rotated or deleted directly in v10.7.



Rotated and/or flipped members can now be located using the find command or filtered in v10.7.



In v10.7 graphical envelopes can now be limited to minimums and maximums, just minimums, just maximums or just absolute maximums.



The minimum and maximum intermediate values are now shown on displacement, bending moment, shear force, axial force, torsion and stress diagrams in v10.6.



A new connectivity tool has been added that allows you to check what is connected to any given node, member or plate.

Versions 10.1 to 10.5

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual

18



An interface to Autodesk’s Revit Structure program has been added in v10.51b.



The dynamic response analysis module now supports AS1170.4-2007 and NZS1170.5-2004



Dynamic zoom, pan, viewpoint and diagram scale changing have been added in v10.50. Your current operation stays active and none of your node, member or plate selections are lost while you are using these tools. Refer to shortcuts for more information.



SPACE GASS can be run minimized, normal or maximized (the default mode) depending on the -min, -nml or -max command line options. It can also be controlled by the SHOW line in a script file. These changes were made in v10.50a.



The concrete material properties in the standard metric library have been updated in v10.50a. The new values are based on AS3600-2001 clauses 6.1.5, 6.1.6 and Commentary Table C6.1.2.



Importing/exporting MS-Excel, MS-Word or MS-Access data can now be done in script mode in v10.50.



"D" restraints are no longer supported in v10.50. Restraints are now just "F", "R" or "S".



The structure wizard no longer generates general restraints and is less restraining in general in v10.50.



Importing of SDNF version 3 files is now supported in v10.50.



A new steel member design module for the Hong Kong code HK CP2005 has been added in v10.41.



A new steel member design module for the British code BS5950:2000 has been added in v10.41.



When exporting to DXF, the frame data can now be put into section-specific layers rather than having the entire frame in one layer.



A new steel member design module for the LiteSteel beam range of sections from Smorgon Steel has been added in v10.40. These are designed to AS4600.



The tool that updates analysis section property data based on the results of a steel member design has been enhanced considerably so that it allows the update-analysisdesign procedure to be iterated automatically.



A new dynamic frequency analysis solver has been added in v10.30. It allows you to create combinations of mass load cases and to combine lumped mass load cases with self weight load cases. The new solver uses the wavefront optimizer and, as a result, the computer’s memory requirement is vastly reduced.



An option for SPACE GASS to check for program updates via the SPACE GASS website has been added.

Introduction 

The moving load generator is now able to generate combination load cases that combine the moving loads with other static loads.



Moving load travel path coordinates, when used in conjunction with travel path node numbers, are now treated as offsets from the path defined by the node numbers.



The number of moving load wheels per vehicle has been increased to 200.



Custom libraries are now stored in a separate file to the standard libraries. They can also be stored in a different folder to the standard libraries.



Your company logo can now be scaled to an exact height that you specify and can optionally be included on every page or just the first page. JPG images formats are also now supported.



Saving of loads after graphical editing, importing of text files and report generation have all been sped up dramatically.



Zooming via the mousewheel is now centered on the mouse position.



Selection of the local XY and/or XZ planes for the display of moments, shears and stresses can now be made direct from the side toolbar rather than via a filter.



New members being drawn graphically can now be optionally given the default attributes or those of the previously accessed member.



An option for allowing duplicate members to be drawn has been added. Finding and filtering duplicate members has also been added to the cleanup, find and filter functions.



Deleting members with zero length has been added to the cleanup function.



Filters defined in terms of analysis members now also affect steel design reports.



Options for suppressing automatic re-scaling of load and analysis results diagrams have been added.



An option for selecting steel members and connections graphically and then viewing or editing them in a datasheet has been added.



The default bolt, plate, weld, rebar, spectral and vehicle library names can now be specified in the configuration.



The lowest buckling load factor is now displayed at the end of a buckling analysis.



The end offset distance for members exported to a DXF drawing file can now be specified.



The data generated by the structure wizard is now adjusted according to the vertical axis setting.



The default gravity direction in the self-weight datasheet is now adjusted according to the vertical axis setting.



Auto-created steel members are now terminated at pin-ended members. 19

SPACE GASS 12 User Manual

Version 10.00

20



A facility for generating moving loads has been added.



Other jobs can be opened and merged with the current job.



Steel member design input data can now be generated automatically for the entire model.



A facility for connecting members that cross over each other has been added.



Print previews can be produced.



Your company logo can be included in text and graphical reports.



The analysis and design output has been combined into a single report.



Text reports can be exported to PDF, HTML and TXT files.



Graphical output can be exported to PDF, HTML and BMP files.



All symbols are now shown correctly in reports.



A new page setup form gives you full control over the output device, margins, page layout and formatting.



You can specify and configure separate graphics and text printers.



USB network locks are supported.



If the program is terminated abnormally, any network licences that were active are recovered immediately and automatically.



Mouse wheel zooming, panning and viewpoint changing is supported.



Keyboard zooming, panning and viewpoint changing is supported.



Keyboard scrolling through filters, views and load cases is supported.



Temporary job files are now stored on the local workstation for extra speed and much reduced network traffic.



Filters, views, etc. in the current job can be retained when data is imported from a text file.



In order to detect the cause of frame buckling, the nodes at which the maximum translations and rotations occur are listed in buckling reports.



Tension/Compression-only effects can be made to revert to "no reversal" mode after a specified number of iterations.



Unrestrained degrees of freedom are now automatically stabilised during the analysis. This prevents many instabilities due to incorrect modelling.

Introduction 

Cable members no longer require uniformly distributed loads to be applied to them.



Nodes connected only to cable members no longer have to be restrained rotationally.



Error messages can be printed or copied to the clipboard.



Export files include all input data and are no longer affected by filters or report selections.



You can print or obtain print previews direct from the datasheets.



SPACE GASS can now import and export data directly with MS-Excel, MS-Access and MS-Word.



Options for springs and compression-only members have been added to the structure wizard beam and grillage structures.



Compression effective lengths in the steel member design input data can be fully controlled separately for each axis.



The automatic reduction of the minor axis compression effective length due to flange restraints is now optional.



Steel members can be nominated as "braced " for either or both axes in order to limit the compression effective lengths to their actual lengths.



Double angles are shown as such in the graphical section property legend.



Steel members that have been offset can now be designed.



Everything attached to and associated with a member is deleted when the member is deleted. This includes attributes, offsets, loads and design input data.



The steel design input data member lists are automatically adjusted when members are deleted, subdivided or otherwise edited graphically.



Steel members and connections are now sorted numerically if input or edited graphically.



Abandoned unnamed jobs can now be recovered automatically.



Undo for all design input data is supported.



Undo for node, member and plate renumbering is supported.



Cleanup for all design input data is supported.



The area loader supports subdivided members.



Single angle sections can be designed as concentrically connected.



The properties of a node can be copied to a graphical selection of other nodes.



The properties of a member can be copied to a graphical selection of other members.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual

22



The design input data for a steel member can be copied to a graphical selection of other steel members.



Loads can be copied from a node to a graphical selection of other nodes.



Loads can be copied from a member to a graphical selection of other members.



You can press the space bar to repeat the last graphics command.



An external macro such as another program, batch file or MS-Excel/Access macro can be run from within SPACE GASS.



SPACE GASS can be controlled externally from another program or batch file using a script file.



A backup copy of the job is made just before each save.



Full 3D geometry displays can be saved in VRML files for later viewing.



Buttons have been added to the library editor for adding, deleting and editing.



A large number of minor improvements, bug fixes and adjustments have been incorporated.

Installation and Configuration Installation and configuration Installation and configuration of SPACE GASS is a simple two-stage process that is explained in the following sections.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual

Installing SPACE GASS The installation procedure involves downloading and installing SPACE GASS on your computer and then registering it for the modules you are licensed to use. The registration procedure also involves linking SPACE GASS to your specific Titan softlock or hardware lock. For detailed instructions, refer to www.spacegass.com/install.

24

Installation and Configuration

Configuring SPACE GASS You can run SPACE GASS by double-clicking the SPACE GASS shortcut that was created when it was installed. When you first start SPACE GASS, or if you make any changes to your system, you will be prompted for some configuration information. After the initial configuration, you can change any of the configuration settings by selecting them from the Config menu. The eight configuration forms are detailed in this chapter. All configurable data is stored in a number of files called SG.INI, SGSettings.GS and various XML files. They are all stored in the LocalAppData folder (eg. c:\Users\Fred\AppData\Local\SPACE GASS\12). Note that you can quickly reset SPACE GASS back to its default configuration settings by running the SPACE GASS Utility Tool (via the Start button => All Programs => SPACE GASS 12 => Tools => SPACE GASS Utility) and clicking the "Reset Client Configuration" button or the "Reset All" button. For more information, refer to The SPACE GASS utility tool.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual

Folders and files Select "Folders and files" from the Config menu. This form allows you to set the folder locations for the SPACE GASS program itself and for the various types of data files.

Main program folder Contains the SPACE GASS program itself. Main data folder Contains the main job data files. Standard libraries folder Contains the standard section, material, bolt, plate, weld, spectral curve, reinforcing bar and vehicle libraries supplied with SPACE GASS. This normally matches the main program folder, however it can be different if you wish to have the standard libraries in a separate folder. Note that all standard libraries are contained in a file called sglibstandard.mdb which cannot be modified.

26

Installation and Configuration Custom libraries folder Contains the custom section, material, bolt, plate, weld, spectral curve, reinforcing bar and vehicle libraries that you create. These can be in the same folder as the standard libraries or in another location. Note that all custom libraries are contained in a file called sglibcustom.mdb which can be modified via the library editor or the shape builder. If you wish to have the SPACE GASS program folder write protected then you must change the custom library folder to a different location. Text data folder Contains import/export text data files and print text files. Backup data folder Contains import/export backup job data files. Archive data folder Contains import/export archive data files. CAD data folder Contains import/export CAD data files. Temporary data folder Contains temporary files that are created and deleted by SPACE GASS as it operates. Documents folder Contains MS-Access, MS-Excel and MS-Word document files. Text editor program The name of the SPACE GASS text editor. This can be the standard Windows NOTEPAD or any other text editor that runs in Windows. Calculator program The name of the SPACE GASS calculator. This can be the standard Windows calculator or any other calculator that runs in Windows. Default library names The names of the default libraries. Note that any folders that do not exist are automatically created as you go. Copy the Job to the Backup Data Folder Before Saving If this box is selected, whenever a job is saved, a copy of the previously saved version of the job is copied to the backup data folder and renamed with an extension of BAK.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual

Text formatting Select "Text formatting" from the Config menu. This form allows you to set the report and graphics text formats and fonts.

Report text format The report text format which is initially selected when you create a new job. Note that this setting does not change the current job. The report text format for the current job can only be changed from the report form (selected from the Output menu). Graphics text format The graphics text format which is initially selected when you create a new job. Note that this setting does not change the current job. The graphics text format for the current job can only be changed from the Labelling and Annotation form (selected from the View menu). Report font The font for text reports. This must not be a proportional font otherwise the columns of numbers in reports will not line up properly. The two-column output toggle switches between one-column and two-column output in the report. Screen graphics font The font for screen graphics text. This can be any proportional or fixed font. After setting the screen graphics font size, if the text on the SPACE GASS graphics screen looks too big or too small, it may be because the screen graphics correction factors have not been set correctly. Refer to "Graphics scale calibration" in "Graphics scale calibration" later in this chapter. Printer graphics font The font for printer graphics text. This can be any proportional or fixed font.

28

Installation and Configuration

General configuration Select "General configuration" from the Config menu. This form allows you to set the general purpose configuration items in SPACE GASS.

Sound on alert This allows you to suppress or enable the sound that the program makes when it wants to alert you to something. Sound on error This allows you to suppress or enable the sound that the program makes when an error occurs. Diagram shading Loading, bending moment, shear force, stress and axial force diagrams are shaded if this item is ticked.

29

SPACE GASS 12 User Manual Shading is normally turned off as it makes multiple superimposed diagrams hard to read. Check disk space If this item is ticked, SPACE GASS performs a disk space check to ensure that there is enough free space for a static or dynamic analysis to proceed to completion. If the disk space check has been disabled and there is not enough space for the analysis data, the program may abort with an error message. Although this is not a desirable occurrence, it will not result in loss of data. Vertical axis The graphics vertical axis which is initially selected when you create a new job. Note that this setting does not change the current job. The graphics vertical axis for the current job can only be changed from the Viewpoint form (selected from the View menu). Changing this setting only affects the graphics display. It doesn’t affect the local axis definitions, the steel design top flange definitions, or the analysis and design modules in any way. Aperture size The size of the aperture circle which appears when nodes and/or members can be selected graphically. Crosshair size The size of the crosshair which appears when snap or ortho modes are on. Curve resolution All curved lines drawn with SPACE GASS are actually a series of short straight lines. In most cases it is very difficult to differentiate between a true curve and a series of ten straight line segments placed around the curve. SPACE GASS allows you to specify how many straight line segments per member are used to approximate curved lines in displacement, bending moment, shear force or axial force diagrams. Use previous attributes when drawing new members If this item is ticked, any new members that you draw will have the same attributes as the member that was previously drawn or edited graphically. If unticked, newly drawn members will have the default attributes. Allow duplicates when drawing new members Tick this item if you wish to be able to draw multiple members between the same two nodes. For example, you may wish to have two members that share the same end nodes but which are offset away from each other by some distance. This may be applicable for double angle members that have a gap between them. If you have drawn duplicate members and wish to locate them, you can do so by using the Find tool and selecting "Duplicated" in the member type field. You can also use a similar procedure to create a filter that isolates any duplicated members. Allow automatic prompting for load case titles If you want to be prompted for a load case title each time you input loads for a new load case then you should tick this option. Automatically open the renderer when SPACE GASS starts Now that the renderer has all of the tools that are available in the traditional SPACE GASS window it has become the new default user interface. This option lets the renderer open automatically at start-up rather than you having to do it manually. 30

Installation and Configuration

Start with the traditional SPACE GASS window minimized If this option is ticked, the renderer will open automatically at start-up and the traditional SPACE GASS window will not appear. If you occasionally want to use the traditional SPACE GASS window you can simply restore it from the taskbar and then minimize it again when you are finished with it. Re-scale load diagrams after load editing If this item is ticked, load diagrams will be re-scaled automatically whenever any distributed member loads are changed. Re-scale result diagrams after analysis If this item is ticked, the analysis diagrams will be re-scaled automatically whenever an analysis is completed. Draw positive bending moments on tension/compression side The convention for drawing bending moment diagrams varies from country to country. SPACE GASS can be configured to draw bending moments on either the tension or compression side of a member. Shorten members in DXF files When exporting to a DXF file, you can allow the members to be drawn full length or you can have them shortened at each end by a proportion of the member depth. For example, a member with a depth of 500mm could be drawn 250mm shorter at each end by using a depth factor of 0.5. Dashed lines Dashed (broken) lines are used to differentiate between load cases and between diagram types. All lines are drawn continuous if dashed lines are not allowed. DXF layer names Layer names are only applicable if you have the CAD interface module. These are the layers into which the drawing will be placed when you transfer it into your CAD program. It is recommended that you make each layer name different so that it is easy to distinguish between centrelines, text, members, hidden lines, attributes, bolts, plates and cut-off lines. It is also recommended that you set the hidden line layer in your CAD software to dashed or dotted lines. Automatically check for program updates SPACE GASS can automatically check its website to see if a newer version is available. If so, a notification message is displayed and you have the option of downloading and installing the update.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual

Graphics scale calibration Select "Graphics scale calibration" from the Config menu. This form allows you to calibrate your monitor so that graphics is properly sized and proportioned.

Some monitors exaggerate the horizontal and/or vertical scales so that the SPACE GASS graphical output appears stretched or compressed in either or both directions. SPACE GASS allows you to apply correction factors which allow for these exaggerations and adjust the graphical output so that it is correctly sized and proportioned. You should simply measure the width and height of the two lines on the screen with a ruler, and SPACE GASS calculates the correction factors for you. ! IMPORTANT NOTE ! Ensure that you measure between the arrow heads rather than measuring the overall form or screen size, otherwise items on the SPACE GASS graphics screen will appear too small or too large.

32

Installation and Configuration

Graphics colors Select "Graphics colors" from the Config menu. This form allows you to select colors for screen, printer and plotter graphics output.

Colors are selected by first clicking the item to be changed and then selecting a color from the palette at the bottom of the form. The list of color indexes next to "Section properties" represents section properties 1-25. If you have more than 25 section properties, the pattern is repeated for properties 26-50, 51-75, etc. The list of color indexes next to "Load cases" represents the first 25 load cases. If you have more than 25 load cases, the pattern is repeated for each additional group of 25 load cases.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual

General colors Select "General colors" from the Config menu. This form allows you to set the Windows color scheme. It controls items such as form colors, button colors, scroll bar colors, etc.

When you select this option SPACE GASS loads the standard Windows color selection form which can also be selected from the Windows Control Panel. The appearance of this screen is dependant upon the version of Windows you are running.

34

Installation and Configuration

Problem size limits Select "Problem size limits" from the Config menu. This form allows you to set maximum job size limits.

SPACE GASS has been dimensioned dynamically. This allows it to expand into the available memory of your computer giving you virtually unlimited problem size capacity dependant only on the memory capacity of your computer. The size limits you set allow you to reserve space for a job, with space being allocated according to the size of each component of a job. You should set the limits high enough so that there is enough capacity for the largest of jobs that you are likely to encounter but small enough that you don't exceed the memory capacity of your computer. Keep in mind that the limits can be changed at any time, even when you are halfway through inputting a job and find that you have run out of capacity. Just select "Problem size limits" from the Config menu and change the limits to suit your job size. After changing the limits you can simply return to where you left off, with all previously entered data retained.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual

Renderer configuration Various renderer settings and preferences are available from the Settings menu in the renderer as shown below.

In the following form: The "Alignment proximity" controls how close the mouse cursor must be to an axis aligned with a "locked on" node or member or a global axis in order to align with it. The "Cursor pickbox size" controls how close the mouse cursor must be to a node, member or plate in order to select it, lock onto it or display its infotip. The "Lock delay" controls how long the mouse cursor must be near a node or member before you lock onto it.

In the following form: The "Use previous attributes..." option, if ticked, means that when you draw a new node, member or plate it will have the same properties (ie. section ID, material ID, etc) as the previous item you drew or selected.

36

Installation and Configuration The "Allow duplicates..." option lets you draw members or plates on top of existing members or plates (ie. so that they share the same nodes). The "Allow hidden nodes to be selectable" option allows you to select nodes that you can't see due to being behind other objects. The "Automatically prompt for new load case titles" option enables load case titles to be prompted for automatically each time a new load case is created. The "Anti-aliasing" option gives graphical text a smooth appearance by changing the color of pixels around the edges of the text. The "Order independent transparency (OIT)" option enables true (fully accurate) transparency for the display of transparent objects. If unticked (required by some older graphics cards) then the transparency is unsorted, resulting in some transparent objects appearing to be in front of objects that they should be behind. The "Support multiprocessor for RC beam design" option allows multiple zones to be designed/checked simultaneously during a reinforced concrete beam design. The "Use OpenGL for graphical forms" option controls the system used to display graphical objects in forms such as the shape builder, moving loads generator, steel connection design module, reinforced concrete design modules, portal frame builder, etc. If unticked then DirectX is used. Note that this setting doesn't affect the graphical system used in the main renderer window. The "Disable OpenGL shaders" option should be unticked for maximum graphical speed in the renderer. If ticked (required for some older graphics cards) then the renderer uses a slow software emulation mode to display graphical objects rather than utilizing the parallel processing power of the graphics card. This option should only be ticked when the renderer becomes unstable due to an old or incompatible graphics card being used. The "Default deflection color" option, if ticked, means that when only one load case is displayed, deflections are shown by member color rather than load case color. If unticked or if multiple load cases are displayed then deflections are colored by load case. The "Curve quality" controls how many segments are used to display curved objects such as cylinders and the like. The "Result quality" controls how many short straight lines are used to approximate a curve when drawing deflected shapes, bending moment diagrams, etc. The "Structure line width" is the thickness of lines used to draw the structure when in wireframe or outline modes. The "Diagram line width" is the thickness of lines used to draw diagrams such as bending moment diagrams, etc. The "Maximum undo/redo steps" is the number of undo/redo steps that are remembered in the renderer. More memory is consumed if this setting is increased. The "Highlight delay" controls how long the mouse cursor must be near a node, member or plate before it becomes highlighted. Note that this setting has no effect over whether the node, member or plate is attached to when drawing new objects. The "Infotip delay" controls how long the mouse cursor must be near a node, member or plate before its infotip appears. The "Maximum load case components" is used to prevent memory overflow problems with large models that contain many load cases by limiting how many load cases can be displayed simultaneously. A "component" is considered to be a single diagram (eg. a load, a bending moment diagram, a shear force diagram, etc) on a single node, member or plate. If you experience memory problems when you try to display loads or analysis results graphically for many load cases simultaneously then you may need to lower this limit. Conversely, if your system has substantial memory and you are being restricted to an insufficient number of load cases when displaying loads or analysis results graphically then you could experiment with raising this limit. The "Rotation drag distance" is the number of pixels that you can move the mouse while the left button is held down before it will start to rotate the model. It is used to avoid the problem of the model rotating unintentionally when you are trying to select items or start a selection window. If this problem occurs then try increasing the rotation drag distance slightly. 37

SPACE GASS 12 User Manual The "Rotation mode" controls how the model behaves when you rotate it with the mouse. Trackball mode lets the model rotate about all three axes, whereas Turntable mode prevents rotation about an axis normal to your computer screen. Trackball mode is a bit harder to control than Turntable. The "Rotate at" setting controls the centre of rotation when you rotate the model by dragging with the left mouse button held down.

The following form lets you can change the theme of the renderer via the "Skin" setting. This affects the colors and styles of all the forms, buttons and input fields. You can also separately change the colors of most the items in your model to suit your requirements.

38

Installation and Configuration

In the following form you can control the color and threshold of each pass or fail level when displaying steel member design results.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual

The size of the text displayed on the screen and in graphical prints can be controlled in the following form.

The "Other" menu option gives you access to some of the configuration settings normally found only in the traditional SPACE GASS window as follows:

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Installation and Configuration For further information on each of these options, refer to "Folders and files", "Text formatting", "General configuration" and "Problem size limits". In particular, if you wish to change the vertical axis you should choose "Settings => Other => General Configuration".

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Customizing toolbars All of the toolbars in the renderer can be hidden/shown, moved or undocked. Buttons can also be added or deleted.

In order to move or undock a toolbar, simply drag its handle on the left hand end of the toolbar to the desired location.

Undocked toolbars such as the one shown below can be placed anywhere in the renderer window or docked to the top, bottom, left or right sides of the renderer.

To hide a toolbar, simply right-click anywhere on it and then untick it from the list of toolbars that appears. To restore a toolbar, select Toolbars from the Window menu, click the Toolbars tab and then tick the desired toolbar.

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Installation and Configuration

Adding or deleting buttons To add or delete buttons, right-click anywhere on a toolbar, select Customize from the menu that appears and then click the Commands tab.

You can then select a toolbar from the list and add or delete buttons as required.

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The Options tab also has additional settings that you might find useful as shown below.

For information on how to customize the renderer's property panels, refer to Customizing property panels.

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Installation and Configuration

Customizing property panels Property panels can be pinned open by clicking the button at the top of the panel so that it changes to . This means that it will stay open, even if not being used. If you click it again, it changes to , indicating that the panel is not pinned and will close when not required. If you want to close a panel manually then just click

.

You can undock a panel and place it anywhere on the screen or dock it to the left or right side of the renderer by first pinning it using and then dragging the title bar of the panel to the desired location. Note that when undocked, it will stay open when not being used.

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For information on how to customize the renderer's toolbars, refer to Customizing toolbars.

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The SPACE GASS utility tool The utility tool lets you reset the SPACE GASS registration and/or configuration settings, or attach your own logo to SPACE GASS so that it appears in the printed reports.

Reset Registration If you have a Titan softlock, this option resets SPACE GASS back to its freshly installed state. It is used primarily to start afresh in cases where SPACE GASS is having difficulty obtaining a Titan license. Note that this option resets the connection from SPACE GASS to the Titan server but does not affect the Titan server itself or its registration. If you have a hardware lock, this option de-registers SPACE GASS. The next time you run SPACE GASS it will initiate the re-registration process. It is used primarily to re-register SPACE GASS in cases such as when new modules have been purchased or when the hardware lock has been changed. For more information, refer to http://www.spacegass.com/install. Reset Client Configuration This option resets the SPACE GASS client configuration back to its default settings. The next time you run SPACE GASS it will initiate the re-configuration process. For more information, refer to Configuring SPACE GASS.

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Reset All Choose this option to reset both the registration and client configuration. Set Report Logo You can use this option to set your own logo to appear at the top of your printed reports. You must first create a JPG image file that contains your logo and any text that goes with it. For best results, make the image file large enough so that it contains enough pixels for a printer resolution of at least 300 dpi. For example, if your printer operates at 600 dpi resolution and you want the printed logo height to be 20mm, your image file will need to be at least 472 pixels in height (ie. 600/25.4x20). Regardless of the size of your image file, it will be scaled to print at the exact height you specify in the page setup form. After creating your JPG image file, click the "Set Report Logo" button to display the following form.

You should then click the "Set Logo" button, browse to your image file and select it. Note that even after completing the above procedure, you must ensure that SPACE GASS is configured to use the logo. You can do this by choosing "Page Setup" from the SPACE GASS File menu, setting the logo height and specifying whether it is to be on the first page only or on all pages. For more information, refer to Page setup.

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Getting Started Getting started This chapter explains how to start SPACE GASS and takes you on a guided tour of the main SPACE GASS window and all of its menus. It also explains how you should interact with SPACE GASS and respond to its requests for data.

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Starting SPACE GASS Before proceeding with this section you should have copied and installed SPACE GASS (see also Installing SPACE GASS). In order to start SPACE GASS, you can either: 1. 2.

Double-click the "SPACE GASS" shortcut on your desktop. Double-click on a SPACE GASS job file (they end with .SG).

If you are running SPACE GASS for the first time, you will be taken through part of the SPACE GASS configuration program (see also Configuring SPACE GASS). You can control how SPACE GASS starts by the use of command line options. For example, you can bypass the splash screen, you can prevent the previous job from loading automatically, you can control the location of the SPACE GASS configuration file, etc. They are fully explained in Command line options.

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Getting Started

Command line options You can control how SPACE GASS starts by adding one or more options to the command line in the shortcut you use to start SPACE GASS. To add a command line option, select "Properties" of your SPACE GASS shortcut and append the contents of the "Target" field with one or more of the following options. -n

Bypasses the automatic loading of the previously used job.

-p

Bypasses the splash screen.

-w

Bypasses the Internet check for new versions of SPACE GASS.

-c [bbggrr]

Allows you to set the datasheet alternate line color, where [bbggrr] is the 6 character hexadecimal representation of the desired color with bb=blue component, gg=green component and rr=red component. For example, 50% blue, 50% green and 20% red could be specified with a command line option of c7f7f33.

-s [file]

Allows you to specify a script file that contains a list of menu commands and other items that SPACE GASS will automatically execute one-by-one rather than you operating it in the normal way. For example, a command line option of -s "c:\scripts\myscript.txt" would load the myscript.txt script file from the c:\scripts folder. Note that the ""s can be omitted if this option is at the end of the target field. See "Running a script" for more information and full details of the script file format.

-min

Runs SPACE GASS minimized so that it is not visible except for an icon on the taskbar. This can be useful when SPACE GASS is controlled by a script file (see the -s command line option above), although it may be more convenient to use the "SHOW MIN" command in the script file to achieve the same effect. See "Running a script" for more information and full details of the script file format.

-nml

Runs SPACE GASS in a normal window that is usually smaller than the overall screen size.

-max

Runs SPACE GASS maximized so that it fills the entire screen area. This is the default setting and is the same as if none of the -min, -nml or -max command line options are specified.

Note that the -min, -nml and -max command line options can be overridden by the SHOW line in a script file. See "Running a script" for more information and full details of the script file format.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual For example, to bypass the splash screen and the automatic loading of the previously used job, you could have a shortcut target field of: "C:\Program Files\SPACE GASS\Exe\sgwin.exe" -p -n If you start SPACE GASS by double-clicking on a job, then the shortcut is bypassed and any command line options in it are not used. You can, however, apply the command line options when a job is double-clicked by starting Windows Explorer, selecting Tools –> Folder Options from the menu, clicking the File Types tab, scrolling down to and clicking the SG file extension, clicking the Advanced button, clicking the Edit button and then adding the command line option to the end of the "Application used to perform action" field. Note that you can use the -i command line option to set up multiple shortcuts, each with its own SG.INI file for cases where you want to be able to run SPACE GASS with different configurations. For example, you may have a laptop that is normally connected to the office network during which SPACE GASS needs to access jobs and libraries that are stored on the network. However, there may also be times when the laptop is being used away from the network on-site or at home. It would be convenient if these two scenarios could each have its own folder settings and other configuration items. You can set this up by simply making a copy of your SPACE GASS shortcut so that you have a shortcut for when you are connected to the office network and another for when you are running SPACE GASS away from the office, each with its own SG.INI file and configuration settings. Edit the properties of each shortcut and add -i "path" to the end of the target field, where "path" is the folder containing the SG.INI file. For example, -i "c:\SG\Config\Office" would store the SG.INI file for that shortcut in the "c:\SG\Config\Office" folder, and -i "c:\SG\Config\Home" would store the SG.INI file for that shortcut in the "c:\SG\Config\Home" folder. The next time you run SPACE GASS from either shortcut, it would run through the configuration process and let you set them up with their own unique configuration settings.

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The main SPACE GASS window When you start SPACE GASS, the following main window appears with the structural model for the current job displayed in it. You can also click the window.

button to open the renderer

The title bar This is the colored band across the top of the window, it contains the SPACE GASS version, the name of the current job and the scale of the viewport if it is being displayed in full-screen mode. The menu bar The second band across the top of the window contains the twelve main menu items. By selecting one of the main menu items you can gain access to all of the options contained within that menu. The menu bar allows you to access all of the program’s features (see also The menu system). The toolbars The buttons across the top and to the left of the display area form the toolbars. The toolbar buttons replicate the most commonly used menu items and give you instant access to them (see also The toolbars). The graphics settings buttons across the bottom of the screen display the current settings for the drawing tool and allow the settings to be toggled.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual The graphics display area The area in the centre of the main window displays the structural model for the current job. The global axes are also shown in the top-right corner. You can display up to four viewports in this area. The text display area The area below the graphics settings buttons forms the text display area. The first line displays the project heading, job heading and the local axis settings. The second line is a multi-purpose line which usually contains the status line, but which also periodically displays other prompts and messages, some of which are purely informative and some of which require you to respond.

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Getting Started

The status line

The status line appears in the second line of the text display area of the main SPACE GASS window. It is also displayed at the bottom of the renderer. The status line indicates which data is present for the various parts of the current job. The presence (or absence) of data is indicated by sequences of characters shown as follows. In all cases, unless otherwise indicated, "Y" represents "data exists", while "N" represents "no data exists". If, for example, you have performed a static analysis, a dynamic frequency analysis and an elastic buckling analysis (but no dynamic spectral response analysis), the "Analysis" part of the status line would appear as "Analysis:YYNY".

You can use the status line as a check to ensure you have entered sufficient data before performing another operation. For instance, you cannot perform a static analysis until you have applied some type of load to the structure (in addition to which, sufficient data must be present on the structure itself). Check for the appropriate code in the status line window before proceeding with the operation. Headings 1. Project name, Job name, Designer’s initials and Notes (Y/N) Structure 1. Nodes 2. Members 3. Plates 4. Restraints 5. Sections 6. Materials 7. Master-slave constraints 8. Member offsets (Y/N)(Y/N)(Y/N)(Y/N)(Y/N)(Y/N)(Y/N)(Y/N) Loads 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Node loads Prescribed node displacements Member concentrated loads Member distributed forces Member distributed torsions Thermal loads Member prestress loads Plate pressure loads Self weight Combination load cases Load case titles Lumped masses Spectral load data

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual (Y/N)(Y/N)(Y/N)(Y/N)(Y/N)(Y/N)(Y/N)(Y/N)(Y/N)(Y/N)(Y/N)(Y/N)(Y/N) Analysis 1. Static analysis, where "N"=not analysed, "Y"=analysed, "U"=desired convergence not obtained, "I"=ill-conditioned 2. Dynamic frequency analysis, where "N"=not analysed, "Y"=analysed 3. Dynamic response spectrum analysis, where "N"=not analysed, "Y"=analysed 4. Buckling analysis, where "N"=not analysed, "Y"=analysed (Y/N/U/I)(Y/N)(Y/N)(Y/N) Steel 1. Steel member design data 2. Steel Member design/check results, where "N"=not designed or checked, "D"=designed, "C"=checked 3. Connection design data 4. Connection design results, where "N"=not designed, "D"=designed (Y/N)(D/C/N)(Y/N)(D/N) Concrete 1. Concrete column design data 2. Concrete beam design data (Y/N)(Y/N)

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Getting Started

Using the mouse This section gives basic information about using the mouse. If your mouse has more than one button, use the left button unless specifically told otherwise. The right mouse button is generally used by SPACE GASS to replicate the keyboard ESC key. The ESC key generally enables you to abort from the current operation or form. Note, however that the right mouse button is not always active, such as when a form is open. The following definitions explain the basic terms that are associated with using the mouse. Pointer The descriptive cursor that appears on the screen and tracks the mouse movement. Point Position the pointer on an item. Click (or Pick) Point to an item, and then quickly press and release the left mouse button. Right Click Point to an item, and then quickly press and release the right mouse button. Double-click Point to an item, and then quickly press and release the left mouse button twice. Drag Point to an item, press and hold the left mouse button as you move the mouse to a new location, then release it. Mousewheel Rotate the mousewheel to dynamically zoom, pan or change the viewpoint. For more information, refer to Shortcuts.

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Dialogue boxes When you choose a command, a form often appears so that you can select options or type in data. If an option is dimmed, it is not currently available.

Using the keyboard with a form Although it’s usually easiest to use a mouse while you work in a form, you can also select options or fill in information with the keyboard. Some of the standard keyboard operations that you can use in forms are as follows. TAB SHIFT+TAB ENTER ESC ALT

Move to the next field in the form. Move to the previous field in the form. Equivalent to selecting the Ok button. Equivalent to selecting the Cancel button. If an option, box or button has an underlined letter in its name, you can choose that item by holding down ALT while typing the underlined letter.

Moving a form You can move a form dragging its title bar to the new location. The title bar is the colored band along the top of the form. Closing a form You can close a form by pressing the Ok or Cancel buttons. Alternatively, if the form has a control-menu box at the left side of the title bar, you can double-click on it to replicate the

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Getting Started cancel button. If you single click the control-menu box, a control menu appears which also allows you to close or move the form.

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Data entry Forms can contain a wide variety of data entry fields, boxes, options and buttons. Some of the commonly used ones in SPACE GASS are: Command buttons

You choose a command button to initiate an action, such as carrying out or cancelling a command. The Ok, Cancel and Help buttons are common command buttons. In SPACE GASS, they are usually located in the top-right corner of the form. To choose a command button, you can either click on it or press TAB until the button you want is selected, and then press ENTER. Scroll bars Some windows and forms have scroll bars which you can use to view information that does not fit inside the window. If you can view all of the contents of a window or form without having to scroll, the scroll bars may be absent or dimmed to indicate that they cannot be used. Scroll bars have a scroll arrow at each end with a moveable scroll box in between. To scroll through information displayed in a window or form, drag the scroll box to the desired position. To scroll one line at a time, click the scroll arrows, or to scroll continuously, hold a scroll arrow down. To scroll one page at a time, click the scroll bar on either side of the scroll box. Text boxes You can type appropriate information directly into text boxes. Text boxes are generally sideways scrollable so that they can hold more data than can be displayed in the box. Sometimes numeric text boxes have arrow buttons attached to them. These are called "spin buttons" and you can change the number in the text box, without actually having to type anything, by clicking the arrows or holding them down. When entering data into a text box, you will find that quite often a default value is already displayed there. If a default value is highlighted then as soon as you start typing it will be erased. To edit a default value without causing it to be erased, you can simply click somewhere in the text box or press one of the keyboard ARROW keys before you begin typing. The point where you clicked becomes the insertion point for the new text. If you want to highlight text in a text box, you can simply drag the pointer across the text, or double-click on a word to select one word at a time. Any text that you type will then replace the highlighted text. You can also delete highlighted text by pressing "DEL" or "BACKSPACE". Generally, when you select a text box by clicking on it, its default value does not become highlighted, however if you use the TAB key to get to the text box, its default value does become highlighted.

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Getting Started List boxes

Display a list of items in a scrollable window from which you can make a selection. In special circumstances, you can sometimes select more than one item from a list box. Combo boxes Appear initially as a rectangular box containing the current selection. When you select the down arrow in the square box at the right of the selection, a list of available choices appears. If there are more items than can fit in the box, scroll bars are provided. Radio buttons

Represent a group of mutually exclusive options. You can select only one option at a time. If you already have one option selected, your current selection replaces it. The selected radio button contains a black dot. Check boxes

Represent non-exclusive options. You can select as many check box options as needed. When a check box is selected, it contains an X. Lists Sometimes SPACE GASS will ask you to provide a list of items such as nodes, members or load cases. Lists can be typed in as integers separated by commas or dashes. If, for example, your list was to contain the items 1,2,6,7,8,9,13,14,15 and 20, you could type it in as 1,2,6,7,8,9,13,14,15,20 or as 1,2,6-9,13-15,20. Dashes simply allow you to list a range of numbers. A special type of list is used to input flange restraint positions in the steel member design modules. This list accepts @’s (AT symbol) instead of dashes and can be used to quickly input a number of equally spaced flange restraints. For example, a list containing the following numbers 1.2,2.4,3.6,4.8,6.0,6.6,7.2,7.8,8.4 could be replaced with [email protected],[email protected]. When using a file selection form in which you have to scroll to get to the file you want, you can simply type in the first couple of characters of the file name to automatically scroll it into view.

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Managing job files SPACE GASS jobs end with ".SG". Whenever you run SPACE GASS, it loads and displays the job that you previously had open. The procedures for starting new jobs, opening previously saved jobs, merging jobs, saving jobs, deleting jobs and cleaning up jobs are explained in the following sections.

SPACE GASS jobs are actually ZIP files renamed from {Job}.ZIP to {Job}.SG. You can manually open and view their contents with WinZip, however be careful not to make any changes or SPACE GASS may no longer be able to open them.

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Starting a new job You can start a new job by clicking the menu.

toolbar button or selecting "New" from the File

If you have unsaved changes to the current job file then SPACE GASS will ask you if you wish to save these changes.

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Opening a job You can open a previously saved job by clicking the from the File menu.

toolbar button or selecting "Open"

You will be prompted for the name of the file you wish to open. SPACE GASS, by default, looks in the most recently accessed folder when opening a job.

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Getting Started

Merging jobs You can open another previously saved job and merge it with the current job by selecting "Merge" from the File menu. It is a good idea to save the current job first so that you can recover it if required.

For the job being merged with the current job, you can specify whether you want to include its structural data (required), load data and/or design data. The insertion point is the location at which the (0,0,0) origin of the merged job will be located. The default insertion point will guarantee that no overlapping with the current job occurs. In order to prevent clashing of numbered items, the merged job will be adjusted so that its numbering starts after the highest numbers in the current job. This might prevent some jobs from being merged if there is not enough room between the highest numbers in the current job and the maximum numbers specified in the problem size limits. If this occurs, you could renumber the current job and/or the merged job before attempting the merge, or you could increase the problem size limits if they are not already at their maximum settings.

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Saving a job You can save the current job by clicking the File menu.

toolbar button or selecting "Save" from the

Saves all changes made to the job. If you have not already created a name for the job (ie. if it is previously unsaved) then you will be prompted for a file name and a location (performs the same function as selecting "save as" from the file menu). "Save As" is similar to "Save", except that the job is saved under a new name that you specify. For example, if you open Job1, make changes to it and then use Save As to save it as Job2, Job1 will be left unchanged while Job2 will be the changed version of Job1.

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Getting Started

Deleting a job You can delete a previously saved job by selecting "Delete Job" from the File menu. Deletes the entire job. Use it with care because the job cannot be recovered after it has been deleted.

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Cleaning up a job You can clean up the current job by clicking the Job" from the File menu or the floating menu.

toolbar button or selecting "Clean-up

Cleans up your model by deleting obsolete items or items that are no longer connected to anything. For example, it will remove loads that are applied to non-existent nodes, members or plates, or section properties that are not being used by any members. It is very useful for quickly removing the causes of many analysis errors. The clean-up tool can also merge nodes that are within a specified distance of one another, transferring members, plates, restraints, loads, etc. from the deleted nodes to the retained nodes. If this action results in a change to the way the structure responds to the applied loads then an error message will be displayed and the clean-up will not proceed. Any pairs of nodes close together that are linked with master-slave constraints will not be merged. Dummy nodes can be removed provided they are not used as direction nodes for members or plates.

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Getting Started

Running a macro Macros are simply programs external to SPACE GASS that you can run from within SPACE GASS using this tool. They can be MS-Excel or MS-Access programs, DLLs, ActiveX programs, EXE programs or batch files. Macros are not for running and controlling SPACE GASS from another external program. For that you should refer to Running a Script. You can open the macro management form by clicking the "Run a Macro" from the File menu or the floating menu.

toolbar button or selecting

To run a macro, simply double-click the macro name in the form shown below.

To add a new macro or edit an existing macro, just click the "Add" or "Edit" buttons in the above form and then fill in the details in the following form.

Macro Title is the name of the macro that will appear in the "Run a Macro" form. Macro Type specifies the type of macro that is involved. Macro File gives the location of the external program that will be executed when you run the macro. This is not required for ActiveX macros. Class Name is the name of the class in an ActiveX macro. Macro Name is the name of the macro in an MS-Excel or MS-Access macro. Parameter is a list of extra parameters that are passed to the macro. Examples of each type of macro are supplied with SPACE GASS and are located in the main program folder.

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Running a script Scripts allow you to run and control SPACE GASS from another program external to SPACE GASS. Scripts are not for running an external program from within SPACE GASS. For that you should refer to Running a Macro. A script is simply a text file that contains a list of commands that SPACE GASS will automatically execute one-by-one. The script file can be located anywhere, and its name and location must be specified in the command line when SPACE GASS is started. For example, a command line option of -s "c:\scripts\myscript.txt" would load the myscript.txt script file from the c:\scripts folder. Note that the double quotes (" ") can be omitted if this option is at the end of the target field. If you don’t want SPACE GASS to be visible when running in script mode then you can use a "SHOW MIN" line in the script file as described below. You can create a script file manually using a text editor or you can write a program that will create the script file and hence be able to control SPACE GASS automatically. The commands in the script file allow you to select any of the SPACE GASS menu items, however currently only the import, export, analysis and exit functions will bypass their input dialogs when in script mode. All of the other functions will display their normal dialogs and messages and then continue with the script when you have responded to them. Any error messages will be displayed and cause the script mode to be terminated. Any informative messages or warnings will be added to the log file and will not cause the script to pause. If you want to run SPACE GASS normally, ensure that the -s script file option does not exist in the target field of the SPACE GASS shortcut that you use to start SPACE GASS, otherwise SPACE GASS will go into script mode and will execute all the script commands rather than allowing you to control it normally. The structure of a script file is as follows:

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1.

A header line containing "SPACE GASS Script File" must appear before any other command lines.

2.

An optional LOGFILE line can be included between the header line and the first command line. It lets you generate a log file that contains a list of all the menu commands executed from the script file, plus any messages, warnings or errors that might occur while SPACE GASS is running in script mode. It’s format is "LOGFILE Filespec", where Filespec is the path and name of the log file you want to create.

3.

An optional SHOW line can be included between the header line and the first command line. You can use it to specify whether SPACE GASS runs in a minimized, normal or maximized window when in script mode. It’s format is "SHOW MIN", "SHOW NML" or "SHOW MAX". "SHOW MIN" runs SPACE GASS minimized so that it is not visible except for an icon on the taskbar. This is probably the most useful setting for running SPACE GASS in script mode. "SHOW NML" runs SPACE GASS in a window that is usually smaller than the overall screen size. "SHOW MAX" runs SPACE GASS maximized so that it fills the entire screen area. This is the default setting and is the same as having no SHOW line in the script file.

Getting Started

Note that the SHOW line overrides any -min, -nml or -max command line options that might have been specified. See "Command line options" for more information. 4.

An optional PAUSE line can be included that allows you to pause the script. It can be useful if your script is not working properly and you want to see what stage it is up to at certain points in the script file.

5.

Command lines must appear exactly as "MENU MM SS [Extra]", where MM is a required 2 digit main-menu number, SS is a required 2 digit sub-menu number, and Extra is an optional list of parameters depending on the command. Extra can be up to 128 characters long and is used only as: (a) the file name when importing or exporting files. (b) the merge option when importing, where M signifies to merge rather than overwrite (eg. M c:\Data\MyData.XLS to merge file MyData.XLS with the current job). If the "M" is omitted when importing then the current job gets overwritten. (c) the type of static analysis, where LIN=Linear, SSF=Small displacement theory/Secant matrix/Full loading, SSR=Small displacement theory/Secant matrix/Residual loading, FSF=Finite displacement theory/Secant matrix/Full loading, FSR=Finite displacement theory/Secant matrix/Residual loading, FTR=Finite displacement theory/Tangent matrix/Residual loading, LSF=Large displacement theory/Secant matrix/Full loading, LSR=Large displacement theory/Secant matrix/Residual loading, LTR=Large displacement theory/Tangent matrix/Residual loading. Note that SSF, SSR, FSF, FSR, FTR, LSF, LSR and LTR are all non-linear analyses and are only applicable if MENU 04 02 is used. The above parameters can also be used to set the type of axial force distribution calculation in a buckling analysis when MENU 04 05 is used. (d) the list of load cases to be analysed, where CASES specifies the list (eg. CASES4,6,12-17,23,24 to analyse load cases 4, 6, 12-17, 23 and 24). Note that CASES0 signifies that all load cases should be analysed. (e) the solver type, which can be PARADISE, WAVEFRONT or WATCOM. (f) the optimization method when analysing, where NONE=None, AUTO=Auto, GEN=General, LX=Linear-X, LY=Linear-Y, LZ=Linear-Z, CX=Circular-X, CY=Circular-Y or CZ=Circular-Z. (g) the tension/compression-only effects activation in a static analysis, where TON=Activated, TOFF=Deactivated, TNR=No reversal after n iterations (eg. TNR5 for no reversal after 5 iterations). (h) the number of load steps in a non-linear static analysis, where STEPS specifies the number of steps (eg. STEPS1 for one load step). (i) the maximum number of iterations per load step in a non-linear static analysis, where ITNS specifies the maximum iterations (eg. ITNS10 for a maximum of 10 iterations per load step). (j) the convergence accuracy in a non-linear static analysis, where CNVG specifies the convergence (eg. CNVG99.99 for 99.99% convergence). (k) the lists of steel design groups, section properties and/or load cases when performing a steel member design or check. The lists can be specified as GROUPS, SECTIONS

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual and/or CASES (eg. GROUPS1-5,12,13,15-20 to export groups 1-5, 12, 13 and 15-20). Note that GROUPS0, SECTIONS0 and/or CASES0 signifies that all items should be included. Note that any analysis or design options not set by you via the Extra parameter are taken to be whatever was used in the previous analysis or design. For example, if you run an analysis of load cases 1,2,3 and 4, and then run another analysis in script mode with the CASES parameter omitted, it will also use just load cases 1,2,3 and 4. 6.

Comment lines are permitted anywhere in the file provided that they have a "#" before the first non-blank character.

7.

Blank lines are permitted anywhere in the file.

A sample script file follows: SPACE GASS Script File # Create a log file (optional) LOGFILE C:\Space Gass Data\Text\Logfile.txt # Import a text file (Textin.txt) MENU 01 15 C:\Space Gass Data\Text\Textin.txt # Perform a non-linear analysis with Linear-X optimization and tension/compression-only effects activated MENU 04 02 LX TON # Export a text file (Textout.txt) MENU 01 26 C:\Space Gass Data\Text\Textout.txt # Exit SPACE GASS MENU 01 41

Note that when you exit SPACE GASS via a script file, any changes to the current job will be abandoned. If you wish to save the changes then you should include a Save or Save-As command before the Exit command.

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Getting Started

Job status You can display the current status of the job as shown below by selecting "Job Status" from the File menu.

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Shortcuts Many of the menu items can also be accessed using a keyboard or mouse shortcut. Ctrl key shortcuts They are shown in the menus with Ctrl+K or Shift+Ctrl+K after them, where K represents the shortcut key. For example, to operate the Edit Libraries tool you must hold down the Ctrl key and then hit the L key (Ctrl+L). Alternatively, to access the Renumber facility you must hold down the Shift and Ctrl keys together and then hit the R key (Shift+Ctrl+R). Alt key shortcuts Every menu item also has an Alt key shortcut that is represented by an underlined character in the menu item names. If you hold down the Alt key, the underlining appears in the menus and you can then hit the underlined character on the keyboard to select the desired menu item. If there are more than one of the same underlined character in a menu, you can simply hit the underlined character multiple times until the desired menu item is selected. For example, to access the Units form you must hold down the Alt key and then hit the S key followed by the U key (Alt+SU). Alternatively, to access the Connect tool, you must hold down the Alt key and then hit the S key, followed by the C key three times (Alt+SCCC). Renderer shortcuts While using any of the renderer tools, various keyboard shortcuts are available that can speed things up. They are listed below. Shortcut Tab key F11 key G key S key X, Y or Z keys A key (hold down)

Action Toggles all of the property panels on or off Toggles full screen mode on or off Toggles the grid on or off Toggles the snap on or off Allows you to set the working plane Temporarily disables aligning with a "locked on" node or member C key (hold down) Temporarily disables attaching to a node or member Up/Down arrow keys Zooms in/out Rotate mousewheel Zooms in/out Drag with left mouse button Rotates Drag with right mouse Pans button Many of the other shortcuts listed below are also available in the renderer Other shortcuts The following list shows a number of special mouse and keyboard shortcuts that operate some of the most useful and commonly used tools. Action Zoom in Zoom out Zoom full Zoom previous

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Keyboard shortcut Up arrow Down arrow Right arrow Left arrow

Mouse shortcut Mousewheel forwards Mousewheel backwards

Getting Started

Pan down Pan up Pan left Pan right Pan in renderer

Ctrl+Up arrow Ctrl+Down arrow Ctrl+Right arrow Ctrl+Left arrow

Rotate down Rotate up

Shift+Up arrow "V"+Mousewheel forwards Shift+Down "V"+Mousewheel backwards arrow Shift+Right arrow "H"+Mousewheel forwards Shift+Left arrow "H"+Mousewheel backwards Hold the left mouse button down and move the mouse

Rotate left Rotate right Rotate in renderer

Ctrl+Mousewheel forwards Ctrl+Mousewheel backwards Shift+Mousewheel forwards Shift+Mousewheel backwards Hold the right mouse button down and move the mouse

Enlarge load diagram Reduce load diagram

"L"+Up arrow "L"+Mousewheel forwards "L"+Down arrow "L"+Mousewheel backwards

Enlarge deflection diagram Reduce deflection diagram

"D"+Up arrow

Enlarge moment diagram Reduce moment diagram

"M"+Up arrow

Enlarge shear force diagram Reduce shear force diagram

"S"+Up arrow

Enlarge axial force diagram Reduce axial force diagram

"A"+Up arrow

"D"+Mousewheel forwards

"D"+Down arrow "D"+Mousewheel backwards

"M"+Mousewheel forwards

"M"+Down arrow "M"+Mousewheel backwards

"S"+Mousewheel forwards

"S"+Down arrow "S"+Mousewheel backwards

"A"+Mousewheel forwards

"A"+Down arrow "A"+Mousewheel backwards

Enlarge torsion "T"+Up arrow "T"+Mousewheel forwards diagram Reduce torsion diagram "T"+Down arrow "T"+Mousewheel backwards Enlarge buckling diagram Reduce buckling diagram

"B"+Up arrow

"B"+Mousewheel forwards

"B"+Down arrow "B"+Mousewheel backwards

Enlarge stress diagram "E"+Up arrow

"E"+Mousewheel forwards

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Previous load case Next load case First load case Last load case

Page up Page down Home End

Previous filter Next filter No filter Last filter

Ctrl+Page up Ctrl+Page down Ctrl+Home Ctrl+End

Previous saved view Next saved view First saved view Last saved view

Shift+Page up Shift+Page down Shift+Home Shift+End

Repeat last command

Spacebar

Input Methods Input methods There are four main ways in which data can be input into SPACE GASS. Structure Wizard If your model resembles one of the standard structures available in the Structure Wizard then it is the easiest way to quickly generate your model in SPACE GASS. Even if it isn’t exactly what you want, you can then use the other graphical or datasheet tools to modify the generated model to your exact requirements. Datasheet Input Each component of the SPACE GASS model can be input, edited or viewed in a Datasheet. For example, there are datasheets for nodes, members, plates, section properties, member loads, masses, etc. Datasheets are an invaluable tool for viewing data or making changes, particularly using the multi-row editing tool. Graphical Input You can use Graphical Input to input or edit any parts of the structural data or load data in your model. This is a very powerful tool that has the advantages of allowing you to make large changes quickly and see your changes visually as you make them. Importing from Other Programs SPACE GASS is able to link to other programs and import the structural model in a wide variety of formats. Some of the commonly used CAD and BIM (building information management) programs that can be linked to SPACE GASS include Tekla Structures (XSteel), ProSteel, Microstation, Frameworks Plus, StruCAD, Revit Structure, Bentley Structural and AutoCAD. You can also import from SPACE GASS text files, CSV (comma separated value) files, DXF files, SDNF files, Microstran ARC files and MS-Excel files.

If you have your own program that generates the SPACE GASS data, if it can write the data into a SPACE GASS text file, CSV file or MS-Excel file in the correct format then it can be imported into SPACE GASS. If you wish to know the format of a CSV or MS-Excel file that is suitable for importing into SPACE GASS, the best way is to generate a small model in SPACE GASS using the structure wizard or some other method and then export it into a CSV or MS-Excel file and use resulting file as a pattern. The SPACE GASS text file format is fully explained in Text file format, but you can also generate a text file from SPACE GASS and use it as a pattern. The other formats are quite complex and are simply generated by the programs that you are importing your SPACE GASS model from. For more information, refer to "Linking to other programs". Common Database Each of the above data input methods operates on the same common database, therefore you can use any combination of methods to input your data. For example, you can use the 77

SPACE GASS 12 User Manual structure wizard to generate the basic frame geometry, then graphically edit the geometry and apply some loads, followed by opening up some datasheets to view the data and make further modifications to the structure or loads. When some data has been input, regardless of the amount or type, you can produce an output report on the screen or printer. In addition, regardless of which input method you use, the graphics display area displays the current state of the structural model graphically. A graphics hardcopy can also be produced at any time.

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Linking to Other Programs Linking to other programs SPACE GASS can link to many other engineering, CAD and BIM (building information management) programs using a wide variety of links and file formats. Some of the commonly used CAD and BIM programs that can be linked to SPACE GASS include Tekla Structures (XSteel), ProSteel, Microstation, Frameworks Plus, StruCAD, Revit Structure, Bentley Structural and AutoCAD. Other programs that can import and/or export CIMSteel/2 (CIS/2) or IFC Step files can also be linked to SPACE GASS. These include STAAD, Risa-3D, SAP2000 ETABS, ROBOT, SmartPlant4D Structural and others Programs that can import and/or export DXF or SDNF files can also be linked to SPACE GASS, however only the basic geometry can be included in these formats. Details of the files that SPACE GASS can import/export are as follows. SPACE GASS Text File

ZIP File

CSV File

CIMSteel/2 (CIS/2) Step File

IFC Step File

This format is ideal for people who wish to write their own programs to generate the SPACE GASS data and then import it into SPACE GASS. The format of SPACE GASS text files is fully explained in "Text file input ". This format is still available but is essentially obsolete because the native SPACE GASS job files are actually ZIP files renamed from .ZIP to .SG. This format is also ideal for people who wish to write their own programs to generate the SPACE GASS data and then import it into SPACE GASS. It is a text file with the values separated by commas that can be written by many programs including MS-Excel. Useful for transferring models with many other CAD and building management programs such as Tekla Structures (XSteel), ProSteel, Microstation, Frameworks Plus, StruCAD, Revit Structure, Bentley Structural, AutoCAD, etc. This is a very comprehensive format that includes the structural and load data. Useful for transferring models with many other CAD and building management programs such as Tekla Structures (XSteel), ProSteel, Microstation, Frameworks Plus, StruCAD, Revit Structure, Bentley Structural, AutoCAD, etc. This is a very comprehensive format that includes the structural and load data.

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SDNF File

MS-Excel

MS-Word Microstran ARC

A drawing format text file invented for AutoCAD that many programs can import and export. It is a very good means of transferring drawings from SPACE GASS in the form of plans, elevations, cross sections and connection drawings into a CAD program. Because DXF is a drawing format, when transferring a structural model to another program, it is better to use the more comprehensive and specialized CIMSteel/2 and IFC Step file formats described above. This is a steel detailing neutral file format that has now been made obsolete by the much more advanced CIMSteel/2 and IFC Step file formats described above. It can contain the structural geometry and section property data and is still used by many programs. Microsoft Excel is a very powerful tool for generating data and can be used to quickly generate a structural model for importing into SPACE GASS. SPACE GASS can also export to Microsoft Excel. The data from a SPACE GASS model can be exported to a Microsoft Word document file. A format for importing Microstran models into SPACE GASS.

In order to import from or export to a SPACE GASS text file, CSV file, SDNF file, Microstran ARC file, MS-Excel file or MS-Word file, the procedure simply involves selecting the desired format from the Import or Export options in the File menu and then choosing a file name. Linking to other programs using the very comprehensive CIMSteel/2 (CIS/2) Step, IFC Step or Revit Structure transfer options are fully explained in the following sections.

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Linking to Other Programs

CIMSteel/2 Step, IFC Step and Revit links Complete structural models can be imported into SPACE GASS or exported to other programs using the very comprehensive CIMSteel/2 (CIS/2) Step, IFC Step or Revit Structure transfer options. Each of these formats can contain the complete structural model, including loads and design data. They can be used to link SPACE GASS with programs such as Tekla Structures (XSteel), ProSteel, Microstation, Frameworks Plus, StruCAD, Revit Structure, Bentley Structural, AutoCAD and many others that use the CIMSteel/2 (CIS/2) Step or IFC Step formats. Revit Structure is slightly different to the other programs because in addition to communicating with SPACE GASS via the CIMSteel/2 or IFC links, it can also communicate via special import and export menu items that can be added to the Revit Structure "Tools" menu. The physical and analytical models The "physical" model includes all of the "visible" information such as the geometry of the beams, columns, braces, cables, trusses, struts, ties, walls, slabs and connections. It includes all the components that make up the model’s physical attributes. The "analytical" model includes the "visible" information too, but it also contains "hidden" information such as support conditions, member end releases, offset data, section and material properties, loads, load combinations, design data and analysis results. The other main difference with the analytical model is that, depending on the program you are importing from, the geometry may be somewhat idealised so that the centroids of members line up with the members they are connected to. For example, bracing members that connect to a beam-column connection do not often line up with the centroid of the beam-column connection in the real structure and in the "physical" model, however they may be adjusted to line up in the "analytical" model. Section name conversion files One of the major obstacles to successfully transferring data between programs is that there is no standard naming convention for section property names and hence every program uses slightly different names. To solve this problem, conversion files are used to convert the section names used by SPACE GASS to the names used by other programs. Conversion files are supplied with SPACE GASS for converting section names to Tekla Structures, Prosteel, Revit Structure and others. You can also make your own section name conversion files quite easily. A conversion file is simply a text file that contains a list of the SPACE GASS section names together with the library each section comes from and the name of the section that is used by the program SPACE GASS is communicating with. An extract from a typical conversion file is as follows: SG Name, SG library, Other name W21x101, US, W 21*101 W21x111, US, W 21*111 W21x122, US, W 21*122 You can see from the above example that the SPACE GASS name and the "Other name" are often very similar and sometimes only involve adding or removing spaces or changing from "x" to "*" or vice versa. 81

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Standard section name conversion files are supplied with SPACE GASS for each of the SPACE GASS section libraries and each of the well-known programs that you may want SPACE GASS to communicate with. For example, Tekla Structures conversion files are supplied for each of the SPACE GASS section libraries. Similar sets of conversion files are also supplied for Revit Structure, Prosteel, etc. Creating custom section name conversion files You must first initiate a CIS/2 or IFC import or export from the File menu to display the following form.

Custom section name conversion files can then be created in either of two ways. 1.

You can create a custom conversion file that is a combination of some of the standard conversion files supplied with SPACE GASS. To do this you must first select a program name in the "Convert section names for" list box and then click the "Libraries" branch of the menu tree on the left and ensure that the SPACE GASS libraries from which the sections will be taken are listed in the "Library search order" box. You can then create the custom conversion file by clicking the "Create a custom section name conversion file" button.

2.

You can create a template for a custom conversion file that contains just the SPACE GASS section names and the libraries they come from, but not the "other program" names. To do this you must click the "Libraries" branch of the menu tree on the left and then ensure that the SPACE GASS libraries from which the sections will be taken are listed in the "Library search order" box. You can then create the template conversion file by clicking the "Create a template section name conversion file" button. To convert the template conversion file into a complete custom conversion file, you should edit the template file with a text editor such as Notepad and manually enter the "other program" names at the end of each line. You could also use MS-Excel, however when opening the file, you must specify that the file is comma delimited, otherwise each line will appear in

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Linking to Other Programs just one cell.

Section name conversion files are stored in the SPACE GASS program folder (usually "c:\Program files\SPACE GASS\Exe"). Details of how to import and export using these links are explained in the following sections.

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Import links You can import a CIS/2 or IFC Step file by selecting "Import - from CIMSteel/2 Step" or "Import - from IFC Step" from the File menu. When importing from Revit Structure, you can import a CIS/2 or IFC Step file created by it or you can select the "Send Model to SPACE GASS" item from the Revit Structure "Tools > External Tools" menu as explained in "Special Revit Structure Links". Even though the internal structure of CIS/2 step files and IFC step files are quite different, the importing procedure is the same and hence the following instructions apply to both.

The name of the file being imported is displayed in the "Data Filename" field and you can select another file by clicking on the button to the right of the input field. When importing, to ensure that the section names used by the source program are converted properly to SPACE GASS names, you should do the following: 1.

If you are linking with a standard program for which a section name conversion file exists, select it in the "Convert section names for" list box. If the name of the program you are linking with does not appear in the list, it simply means that there is currently no standard conversion file for that program. If so, you should select "Other". You can then create and use a custom conversion file or use one that you previously created as explained in "Creating custom section name conversion files" in the previous section. Alternatively, you can just skip the custom conversion file option and the section names will be imported or exported with no conversion.

2.

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Click the "Libraries" branch of the menu tree on the left to display the section libraries form as shown below.

Linking to Other Programs

If you selected a program name in the "Convert section names for" list box in step 1 above, ensure that the "Use a standard section name conversion file" option is ticked. This will activate the section name conversion using the standard conversion files supplied with SPACE GASS. If you selected "Other" in the "Convert section names for" list box in step 1 above, and you have a custom conversion file that you want to use, ensure that the "Use a custom section name conversion file" option is ticked and that the name of the custom conversion file is in the "Conversion filename" field. If you wish to create a custom conversion file, follow the procedure in "Creating custom section name conversion files" in the previous section. If you wish to use a mixture of custom and standard conversion files, you can tick both the "Use a custom section name conversion file" and "Use a standard section name conversion file" options. In this case, SPACE GASS will try to convert the section name using the custom conversion file first and, if the name can’t be found there, the standard conversion files will be used.

3.

You also need to check that the appropriate SPACE GASS libraries are listed in the "Library search order" box. The "Library search order" box controls which SPACE GASS libraries will be used when the section names being imported are converted. If the name of a section being imported does not appear in one of the libraries listed in this box then it will not be converted. It is therefore important that you include enough libraries in the "Library search order" box to ensure that all the sections being imported have their names converted. You can include all libraries in the box, however this may slow down the import process slightly due to the increased number of libraries that have to be scanned. If a section name appears in more than one SPACE GASS library then the libraries higher up in the list will have priority.

You can choose which components of the model to import by expanding the "Import" branch of the menu tree on the left and then clicking "Nodes" or "Members" as shown below.

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You can specify the starting node number or, if you leave it at zero, the imported nodes will be automatically numbered starting from the first available number. Nodes that are very close together can be merged into one, and the connecting members and plates adjusted to suit. If you select the "Adjust lower limits of node coordinates by" checkbox, SPACE GASS will find the node with the lowest coordinates and move it to the coordinates that you specify. The rest of the model will also be moved by the same amount.

You can specify the starting member and plate numbers or, if you leave them at zero, the imported members and plates will be automatically numbered starting from the first available number. Members that have an end very close to another member can be connected together. Similarly, members that cross each other within a specified distance can be subdivided and connected at the intersection point.

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Linking to Other Programs A number of programs that generate CIS/2 and IFC Step files incorrectly mix radians and degrees when specifying member direction angles. If you are importing one of these nonstandard files and find that some members are rotated incorrectly, you can select the "Assume radians for all angular measurements" checkbox to correct the problem. For more information about the "Physical" and "Analytical" models, refer to "The physical and analytical models" in the previous section.

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Export links You can export a CIS/2 or IFC Step file by selecting "Export - to CIMSteel/2 Step" or "Export - to IFC Step" from the File menu. When exporting to Revit Structure, you can export a CIS/2 or IFC Step file or you can select the "Update Model from SPACE GASS" item from the Revit Structure "Tools > External Tools" menu as explained in "Special Revit Structure Links". Even though the internal structure of CIS/2 step files and IFC step files are quite different, the exporting procedure is the same and hence the following instructions apply to both.

The name of the file being exported to is displayed in the "Data Filename" field and you can select another file by clicking on the button to the right of the input field. When exporting, to ensure that the section names used by SPACE GASS are converted properly to the names used by the destination program, you should do the following: 1.

If you are linking with a standard program for which a section name conversion file exists, select it in the "Convert section names for" list box. If the name of the program you are linking with does not appear in the list, it simply means that there is currently no standard conversion file for that program. If so, you should select "Other". You can then create and use a custom conversion file or use one that you previously created as explained in "Creating custom section name conversion files" in the previous section. Alternatively, you can just skip the custom conversion file option and the section names will be imported or exported with no conversion.

2.

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Click the "Libraries" branch of the menu tree on the left to display the section libraries form as shown below.

Linking to Other Programs

If you selected a program name in the "Convert section names for" list box in step 1 above, ensure that the "Use a standard section name conversion file" option is ticked. This will activate the section name conversion using the standard conversion files supplied with SPACE GASS. If you selected "Other" in the "Convert section names for" list box in step 1 above, and you have a custom conversion file that you want to use, ensure that the "Use a custom section name conversion file" option is ticked and that the name of the custom conversion file is in the "Conversion filename" field. If you wish to create a custom conversion file, follow the procedure in "Creating custom section name conversion files" in the previous section. If you wish to use a mixture of custom and standard conversion files, you can tick both the "Use a custom section name conversion file" and "Use a standard section name conversion file" options. In this case, SPACE GASS will try to convert the section name using the custom conversion file first and, if the name can’t be found there, the standard conversion files will be used.

You can choose which components of the model to export by clicking the "Export" branch of the menu tree on the left.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual The normal procedure is to export the analytical model because, as well as the geometric information, it contains "hidden" information such as support conditions, member end releases, offset data, section and material properties, loads, load combinations, design data and analysis results. However, if you are exporting to a program that requires the physical model then you should select it. Note that when exporting from SPACE GASS, the geometric information in the physical and analytical models is the same. For more information about the "Physical" and "Analytical" models, refer to "The physical and analytical models" in the previous section.

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Special Revit Structure links Revit Structure is slightly different to the other programs because there are two ways to link it to SPACE GASS. In addition to being able to communicate with SPACE GASS via the CIMSteel/2 and IFC Step file links, Revit Structure can be configured to create SPACE GASS jobs directly and also update the Revit model from them. The advantage of using the direct Revit Structure link over the CIMSteel/2 and IFC links is that after you have transferred the model to SPACE GASS, you can import the section property and steel design changes back into Revit Structure without completely replacing the Revit Structure model. The advantage of the CIMSteel/2 and IFC Step file links is that you can start with a SPACE GASS model and transfer it into Revit Structure to create a Revit model from scratch. You can’t do this with the direct Revit Structure link. Of course, you can use a combination of methods. You could start with a SPACE GASS model, export it using CIMSteel/2 or IFC to create a new Revit Structure model, add to the model in Revit Structure and then export it back to SPACE GASS using the direct Revit Structure link. Setting up the direct link between SPACE GASS and Revit Structure You can add the special SPACE GASS items to the Revit Structure "Tools" menu by running the RevitSpaceGassLink.exe file in the SPACE GASS program folder (usually "c:\Program files\SPACE GASS\Exe"). The program will attempt to find the SPACE GASS and Revit Structure program folders and then display them in the following form.

If either field doesn’t display a folder name with "(file found)" at the end, you will have to click the appropriate browse button at the right of the field to select the program folder manually. Once both folders have been identified correctly you can click the Ok button and the SPACE GASS items will be automatically added to the Revit Structure "Tools" menu. Transferring from Revit Structure To create a complete SPACE GASS model from Revit Structure, click the "Send Model to SPACE GASS" item from the Revit Structure "Tools" menu.

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When exporting to SPACE GASS, you have full control over units, connections between beams and columns, loads, member offsets, specification of tension-only members, section names, etc. If the names of sections in your Revit Structure model are different to the names used in the SPACE GASS section libraries, you can use (or set up your own) section name conversion file that converts the Revit Structure names to the SPACE GASS names. For more information, refer to "Creating custom section name conversion files" in "CIMSteel/2 Step, IFC Step and Revit links". Transferring to Revit Structure When the SPACE GASS analysis and/or design is complete, you can update the Revit Structure model by clicking the "Update Model from SPACE GASS" item from the Revit Structure "Tools" menu.

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When importing from SPACE GASS you can elect to incorporate steel design data into the Revit Structure model. This is then retained in Revit Structure and returned to SPACE GASS the next time you export a model to SPACE GASS from Revit Structure.

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DXF links The DXF file format is a text format invented for AutoCAD that many programs can import and export. Because DXF is essentially a drawing format rather than for engineering models, it is limited to the basic structural geometry when used to transfer a structural model. For this reason, transferring a structural model is best done using the CIMSteel/2 (CIS/2) Step or IFC Step file formats or the Revit links which are very comprehensive and can include loads. The DXF format is, however, a very good means of creating drawings in the form of plans, elevations, cross sections and connection drawings for transferring into a CAD program. Details of how to import and export DXF files are explained in the following sections.

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Linking to Other Programs

Importing DXF files You can import a DXF file by selecting "Import - from DXF" from the File menu. When importing, SPACE GASS interprets each discrete line in a CAD drawing as a member. This has two ramifications that you will need to consider. 1. CAD programs do not know that intersecting lines need to be segmented into submembers with nodes at the intersection points. For example, if you drew the top and bottom chords of a truss with just two lines adding the struts and braces as separate lines, SPACE GASS would consider that the chords are not connected to the web members except at the chord ends. You must ensure every member that you want in the SPACE GASS model is drawn as a separate line in the CAD program. If you draw a line in the CAD program which continues past a node then the member will not be connected to that node in the SPACE GASS model. 2. You shouldn’t read a DXF file, created with full member geometry, back into SPACE GASS (it interprets each member flange and web line as an individual member).

Note that SPACE GASS only interprets LINE, 3DLINE and POLYLINE entities as geometry when importing a DXF file. All other entity types are ignored. It is usually much quicker and more efficient to draw the structure directly in SPACE GASS rather than drawing it in your CAD program and importing it into SPACE GASS. This is because SPACE GASS knows it is dealing with a structure and not just lines in a drawing.

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Exporting DXF files There are two types of DXF files that can be exported from SPACE GASS. 1.

Elevations, plans, cross sections and member schedules.

2.

Steel connection drawings.

Exporting elevations, plans, cross sections and member schedules You can export elevations, plans, cross sections and member schedules by selecting "Export – to DXF" from the File menu.

Full geometry You can elect to simply export a wireframe drawing that consists of lines along the centrelines of each member, or you can also include the full member geometry which shows the actual member shapes including flanges and webs, etc. Drawings that include the full member geometry can have the geometry lines shortened by a distance factor that you specify in the General Configuration form at each end of the member so that intersecting members do not run into one another. Member schedule Selecting this check box causes a member schedule to be included in the drawing. Z axis vertical AutoCAD and some other 3D CAD programs assume that the Y-axis is vertical for 2D drawings, while the Z-axis is vertical for 3D drawings. 96

Linking to Other Programs

If this check box is selected then the global Z-axis is made vertical in the drawing, otherwise the Y-axis is vertical. Label members Members can be unlabelled, or labelled with the member names, member marks or both. Draw with By choosing 3DLINEs or FACES you can generate a full 3D drawing, or by choosing 2DLINEs you can limit the drawing to just 2D views, elevations, plans or cross sections of the structure. Note that FACEs support hidden line removal and shading while 3DLINEs do not. A 3D drawing complete with full member geometry is very useful for visualizing how the structure fits together and for checking whether members clash with each other or not. Similar 3D drawings with hidden line removal can also be viewed directly in SPACE GASS without having to go to a CAD program (see also View rendered model). Because almost all structural drawings are made up predominantly of 2D plans, elevations and details, the ability of SPACE GASS to produce 2D drawings of the frame is one of the most useful aspects of being able to export DXF files. SPACE GASS allows you to create a series of 2D vertical or horizontal "slices" at any position through a 3D frame and have them exported to CAD as cross sections, elevations or plans. These 2D drawings can contain the full member geometry complete with dashed and dotted hidden lines. It is then a simple matter for a draftsperson to use a CAD package, such as AutoCAD, to add connections, notation, etc. and complete the structural drawing. 2D drawing plane If you have specified a 2D drawing by choosing 2DLINEs in the "Draw with" combo box, you must choose a 2D drawing plane here. 2D drawing limits If you have specified a 2D drawing, then you must nominate upper and lower drawing plane limits. The limits will be along the global axis at right angles to the 2D drawing plane. Any members that lie between the two limits will be included in the drawing. Scale You can scale the drawing up or down with this field. For example, a scale of 10 causes the drawing dimensions to be reduced by a factor of 10. Units for the DXF drawing file are the same as those used in SPACE GASS. Title Typing a title into this field causes it to appear at the bottom of the drawing. DXF layer names Layer names can be any names of up to 8 characters. AutoSKETCH requires layer names to be integers from 1 to 10 in all cases. It is recommended that you configure your CAD software so that the hidden line layer uses dashed or dotted lines. This ensures that they can be easily distinguished from visible geometry lines. You can specify that the layers should be section-specific for centerlines, full geometry and/or text. This means that each member type will have its own layer rather than the entire frame 97

SPACE GASS 12 User Manual just going into a single layer. You can then set your CAD software so that each layer has a different color, making identification of the various section types very easy.

Exporting steel connection drawings During or after a steel connection design, you can create fully detailed and annotated drawings of the connections and export them to DXF drawing files in either of two ways. 1.

Enable the "Generate drawings for a CAD system" option at the beginning of the connection design phase (see also Running a steel connection design). This causes a DXF drawing file to be created for every connection designed.

2.

Click the toolbar button after the connection design phase to view the connection drawings graphically and then selectively produce DXF files from there (see also View steel connection drawings).

Using either method, the final result is the same. You can control the drawing layer names by setting them in the SPACE GASS configuration data. An example of a steel connection drawing produced automatically by SPACE GASS is shown as follows.

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Modelling the Structure Modelling the structure Before a frame can be modelled and analysed with a program such as SPACE GASS, it must first be idealised and modelled mathematically. The most popular mathematical model uses the concept of nodes connected by elements of a finite size (finite elements). SPACE GASS requires that frames are represented by nodes connected by members, cables or plates. Such nodes are generally free to move and rotate in space. Practical structures, however, are connected to a footing in some way, and so node restraints must be applied which limit the movement of selected nodes. The relative movement between nodes connected by a member, cable or plate is a function of the section and material properties of that element. Loads can be mathematically represented in the model and can be applied elements. Such loads include all of the normal force and moment type loads, in addition to load inducers such as prescribed displacements and temperature differentials. A single analysis can consider numerous load cases, each of which may contain many different load types. During the analysis phase, all unrestrained node displacements (degrees of freedom) are calculated for each load case. Element forces and moments are then determined from the relative movement of the nodes they are connected to and, finally, reactions are calculated by equating element reactions at each restrained node. If the analysis selected is non-linear, SPACE GASS does an initial linear analysis and then modifies the stiffness matrix for each member based on the previous analysis node displacements and member axial forces. It then re-analyses the structure for the modified member stiffness and continues iterating the analysis phase in this way until convergence is achieved. Note that because the plate elements are linear elements at this stage, their stiffness is not modified during the non-linear analysis iterations.

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Coordinate systems The geometry of a structural model is referenced by a set of global XYZ axes. Each member and plate element also has its own set of local xyz axes so that items such as section properties and local loads can be more easily referenced. All axes are right hand orthogonal. This means that if you are looking at the XY plane with the Y-axis pointing upwards and the X-axis pointing to the right, the Z-axis points towards you as shown below. Global Axes The shape and position of a structure in space is defined by a set of global axes (X,Y,Z). All node coordinates, for example, are input relative to the global axes system. The global XZ plane is assumed to be horizontal, while the global Y-axis points vertically upwards. Note that although SPACE GASS assumes that the Y-axis is vertical by default, it can be configured to set the Z-axis to vertical. This is done via the Viewpoint tool.

Global Axes

Member Axes The local axes for a member have their origin at node A and are defined as follows: 1. The x-axis lies along the axis of the member and points from node A to node B. 2. The local y-axis is normal to the local x-axis and points in the same general direction as the global Y-axis. It is orientated such that the local xy-plane is parallel to the global Y-axis. 3. The local z-axis is orthogonal with x and y. For members that have their longitudinal axis parallel to the global Y-axis, rule 2 is undefined and hence, for these members, the local z-axis points in the same direction as the global Z-axis. 4. If a direction angle, node or axis is defined then the member is rolled about it’s longitudinal x-axis by the direction angle or, if a direction node or axis is defined, by an amount such that the local y-axis is aligned with the direction node or axis as shown below.

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Member Local Axes

Member Direction Angle

Member Direction Node

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Member Direction Axis

If you are unsure of the orientation of the local axes for a particular member, you can display them graphically (see also View local axes). Plate Axes The local axes for a plate have their origin at the centre of the plate and are defined as follows: 1. The x-axis is in the plane of the plate and is parallel to the line joining node A and node B. 2. The local y-axis is also in the plane of the plate and is normal to the local x-axis. 3. The local z-axis is normal to the plane of the plate and is orthogonal with x and y. 4. If a direction angle, node or axis is defined then the local axes are rotated about the plate’s normal z-axis by the direction angle or, if a direction node or axis is defined, by an amount such that the local y-axis is aligned with the direction node or axis as shown below. Note that defining a direction angle, node or axis affects the orientation of the plate’s axes but not the orientation of the plate itself.

Plate Local Axes

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Plate Direction Angle

Plate Direction Node

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If you are unsure of the orientation of the local axes for a particular plate, you can display them graphically (see also View local axes).

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Sign conventions Items which act along or about an axis are considered to be positive when they act along or about the positive axis direction. Positive rotations conform to the right hand screw rule shown as follows.

Right Hand Screw Rule

Applied loads have their sign determined by the axes system in which they are referred. Most types of member and plate loads can be specified in either the global or local system, however node loads and self weight are always referenced by the global system. Node displacements are positive if they displace along or around the positive global axis directions. External reactions are positive if they act along or around the positive global axis directions. Member Actions Member actions follow the sign conventions as follows.

Member Forces and Moments

Positive axial forces cause compression in the member. Positive moments cause compression on the positive axis side of the member.

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Channel and angle sections have their flange toes pointing in the direction of the local z-axis. Positive y-axis moments therefore cause the flange toes to go into compression. Positive shears cause the node A end of the member to translate in the direction of the positive axis with respect to the node B end. Positive torsions cause the node A end of the member to rotate anti-clockwise with respect to the node B end when observed from the node B end. Plate Actions Plate actions follow the sign conventions as follows.

Plate Forces

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When calculating the design moments for reinforced concrete slabs, the twisting moment Mxy must be combined with the normal bending moments Mx and My. The WoodArmer method is commonly used for this and is explained in "Bending Moments in Reinforced Concrete Slabs" below.

Plate Stresses

Note that plate elements have no rotational stiffness about their local z-axis. This means that there is effectively a rotational pin connection between the plate and its corner nodes about the axis normal to the plate. Positive moments cause compression in the top (positive z-axis) face of the plate. Plane Stress Three dimensional objects subjected to loads generally have three principal stresses, however in structural elements where one dimension is very small compared to the other two (ie. plate elements), one of the three principal stresses is zero and a state of "plane stress" is said to exist. In this case, the stresses are negligible with respect to the smaller dimension as they are not able to develop within the material and are small compared to the in-plane stresses. Principal Stress For plates subjected to plane stress, there are two principal stresses acting in the principal axis directions. The angle between the principal axes and the local x and y axes is called the principal angle. The principal stresses can be calculated from x, y and xy using Mohr circle theory as follows. 1 (max) = (x + y)/2 + SQRT((x - y)2/4 + xy2)  (min) = (x + y)/2 - SQRT((x - y)2/4 + xy2) xymax = ( - )/2 109

SPACE GASS 12 User Manual  = Tan-1(2xy/(x - y))/2 where x, y and xy are the membrane and shear stresses in the local axis directions (as per the above diagrams), 1 and 2 are the principal stresses, xymax is the maximum shear stress and  is the principal angle. von Mises Stress Richard von Mises (an eminent Austrian scientist who worked on solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, aeronautics, statistics and probability theory) found that, even though none of the principal stresses exceeds the yield stress of the material, it is possible for yielding to result from the combination of stresses. The von Mises criteria is a formula for combining these principal stresses into an equivalent stress, which is then compared to the yield stress of the material. The yield stress is a known property of the material and is usually considered to be the failure stress. The equivalent stress is often called the "von Mises Stress" as a shorthand description. It is not really a stress, but a number that is used as an index. If the von Mises stress exceeds the yield stress, then the material is considered to be at the failure condition. The von Mises stress can be calculated from the principal stresses according to: vm = SQRT(((1 – 2)2 + 12 + 22)/2) where 1 and 2 are the principal stresses and vm is the equivalent or "von Mises" stress. Bending Moments in Reinforced Concrete Slabs When evaluating the design moments for a reinforced concrete slab, the twisting moment Mxy must be taken into account in addition to the normal bending moments Mx and My. Mxy contributes a moment effect to both the principal bending directions x and y. Using the Wood-Armer method, the design moments Mx* and My* can be determined as follows: To design bottom reinforcement (ie. calculate moments that cause tension in the bottom face): Mx* = Mx + | Mxy | My* = My + | Mxy | If either of Mx* or My* from the above calculations are < 0 then If Mx* < 0 then Mx* = 0 and My* = My + | Mxy2/Mx | If My* < 0 then My* = 0 and Mx* = Mx + | Mxy2/My | To design top reinforcement (ie. calculate moments that cause tension in the top face): Mx* = Mx - | Mxy | My* = My - | Mxy | If either of Mx* or My* from the above calculations are > 0 then If Mx* > 0 then Mx* = 0 and My* = My - | Mxy2/Mx | If My* > 0 then My* = 0 and Mx* = Mx - | Mxy2/My | Further information can be found by searching for "Wood-Armer" on the Internet or at web sites such as http://www.scribd.com/doc/76706580/Slab-Design-by-Wood-Armer-Method or http://www.scribd.com/doc/51463621/Wood-Armer

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Ill-conditioning and instabilities The most common analysis errors are caused by structures that are not correctly conditioned or stabilised. Ill-conditioning commonly occurs when frames contain members of widely varying stiffness’s. When a very stiff member is connected to a very flexible member and their stiffness matrices are assembled into the structure stiffness matrix, some of the stiffness terms of the flexible member can be completely lost due to their insignificance in comparison with the stiffness terms of the stiff member. Hence, the flexible member is not completely represented and ill-conditioning occurs. SPACE GASS contains an algorithm which checks for possible ill-conditioning and displays warning messages if appropriate. Generally, these messages appear well before illconditioning actually occurs. They do, however serve to highlight structures which are close to being ill-conditioned. If after the analysis, the sum of the reactions equals the sum of the applied loads then it can be assumed that the frame is well conditioned. Instabilities occur when one or more nodes are free to translate or rotate without resistance from the frame. Sometimes unstable structures are very easy to detect, such as when restraints have not been applied or when an obvious collapse mechanism is possible. Instabilities are often very subtle and difficult to isolate. For example, if an unrestrained node has a pinned connection to each of its connecting members then it would be free to rotate and an instability would result. This type of instability can be hard to detect because it only affects one node in the structure. True trusses must therefore have every rotational degree of freedom restrained. Sometimes highly ill-conditioned frames can also be interpreted as being unstable by the program. Another common type of instability occurs when a group of members connected end-to-end in a straight line are free to rotate about their longitudinal axis. The instability occurs because during the analysis the program is unable to determine the amount of rotation of the intermediate nodes. Some instabilities cannot be detected by a static analysis, and you should therefore be wary of results that contain very large deflections or deflections that occur in the wrong direction. However most instabilities can be detected by a buckling analysis and are identified by very low buckling load factors. If you get buckling load factors that are below the minimum allowable value (eg. shown as " Other => General Configuration".Other renderer tools

Other features and tools currently available in the renderer are as follows: Printing of your rendered or wireframe model. Exporting to other image formats such as DWG, DXF, IGES or STL. Undo/redo with unlimited steps. Shape builder. Library editor. Structure wizard. Portal frame builder. Find tool. Draw tool Copy node, member or plate properties tool. Filters tool. Move tool. Rotate tool. Copy tool. Mirror tool. Stretch tool. Scale tool. Renumber tool. Check connectivity tool. Generate arc tool. Generate bends tool. Subdivide tool. Intersect tool. Extend tool. Extrude tool. Connect tool. Remove intermediate nodes tool. Remove crossed member nodes tool. Move intermediate nodes tool. Align members tool. Generate taper/haunch tool. Reverse member direction tool. Mesh plates tool. Reverse plate direction tool. Align plate axes tool. Copy node, member or plate loads tool. Generate moving loads tool Generate area loads tool. Combination load cases editor. Manage load cases tool. Static load to mass conversion tool. Load case titles viewer. View manager tool. Measure tool. Dimension tool. Gridlines tool. 267

SPACE GASS 12 User Manual Notes tool. Query analysis and steel member design result tools.

If you have a large model with loads displayed and the renderer is operating slowly when you zoom, pan or rotate, try turning off the loads display or at least select less load cases to be displayed simultaneously.

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The traditional graphics window This is the original graphical interface for SPACE GASS that is gradually being replaced by The renderer. It is still available, however not recommended due to the more advanced tools available in the renderer graphical interface. You can open the traditional graphics window via the renderer's Window menu => Open Traditional SPACE GASS Window.

The process of inputting a frame graphically into SPACE GASS simply involves drawing lines on the screen with your mouse. Each line represents a member or the edge of a plate. Nodes are automatically attached to the ends of each member, at plate vertices and at points where members intersect. Node, member and plate numbering is performed automatically, or at your discretion. The graphics renumber facility lets you renumber nodes and/or members, and automatically adjusts all the other data that references nodes and/or members accordingly. In order to draw a line, you must position your cursor at the start of the line, click the left mouse button, move the cursor to the other end of the line and then click the left mouse button again. The line is dragged around with the cursor as you position the second point. The end of the first line then becomes the start of the next line and the process continues for subsequent lines until you press ESC or click the right mouse button (right-click) to end the sequence. If the end of a member is drawn so that it touches another member, the two members become connected. If attach is on then you only have to position a member close to another member in order to connect them. If you connect a member to an intermediate point along an existing member, the existing member is subdivided into two, and a node is automatically inserted at the intersection point.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual Nodes, members and plates can be deleted, moved, copied, rotated, stretched, mirrored or subdivided. It is simply a matter of selecting a node, member or plate, or placing a window around a group of nodes, members and plates, and then performing the desired operation in accordance with the instructions following in this chapter. If you want to move a single node, you can just select it with your mouse and then drag it to its new location. You can see the members connected to the node being stretched as you move the node. You can select nodes, members or plates directly by clicking them with the left mouse button or you can use a selection window. If the second corner of the selection is to the right of the first then it is a "Normal" selection window in which only the nodes, members or plates that fall completely within the window are selected. Alternatively, if the second corner is to the left of the first then it is a "Crossing" selection window in which any nodes, members or plates that are within the window or which cross the boundary of the window are selected. A normal selection window is drawn with a solid line, whereas a crossing window is drawn with a dashed line. The two types of selection window are shown below. In order to de-select nodes, members or plates, you can simply select them again, either by clicking directly or by using a selection window. Normal selection window

Crossing selection window

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Once you have made your selection, you can get access to the various graphical tools by right-clicking and then selecting from the menu that appears. A typical member selection menu is shown below.

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After selecting from the menu, the tool you selected may open a form or it may require you to pick extra points. For example, if you selected the "Generate Arc" tool from the above menu, the Arc tool would then require you to pick a point on the concave side of the arc so that it knows which direction to use when creating the arc. Whenever the graphical editor requires you to do something, it displays a red prompt at the bottom-left corner of the window as shown below. It is therefore a good idea to look there if you are not sure what to do next.

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Positioning points accurately in the traditional graphics window In order to input a structure graphically you have to be able to position the graphics cursor accurately. Unless you have the steady hands of a surgeon and you are an expert with the mouse, this is virtually impossible. Therefore, SPACE GASS has a number of indispensable tools that enable you to draw a structure to the nearest micron regardless of your surgical abilities. All of these tools can be accessed via the settings menu or activated, deactivated and/or configured using the graphics settings buttons across the bottom of the screen and/or the keyboard. All of these settings can be toggled without interrupting the use of most graphics tools. [Keyboard "G"] Clicking the Grid button displays a grid of dots on the screen at any user defined spacing. If the grid has been activated the grid button will appear depressed and instead of the text "Grid: Off" the button will display a message "Grid: x", where x is the spacing you defined. The grid can lie in the XY, XZ or YZ planes. See also Grid. [Keyboard "S"] The Snap facility, if turned on, activates a secondary crosshair graphics cursor which indicates the actual selection point and which moves in discrete steps rather than moving smoothly. The snap spacing can be set equal to the grid spacing or any other desired value. As with the Grid button, if you activate the Snap button and enter a spacing at the prompt the text on the button will change from "Snap: Off" to "Snap: x", where x is the spacing you defined. For example, if you set the snap spacing to 100mm the cursor will move in steps of 100mm, enabling you to draw to an accuracy of exactly 100mm. The button will indicate that snap has been set to 100mm by displaying the text "Snap: 100" (if units are set as mm). You can change the snap spacing as you move the cursor. SPACE GASS automatically senses when SNAP is not required and turns it off temporarily in such cases. See also Snap. [Keyboard "O"] The Ortho tool forces lines to be drawn either horizontally or vertically. Since structures are made up predominantly of horizontal beams and vertical columns, it is a very useful tool indeed. See also Ortho. [Keyboard "A"] The Attach facility displays an aperture circle with the graphics cursor and allows you to attach to existing members by simply picking points near them. The aperture circle indicates how close you must get to a member in order to attach to it. It is very useful for attaching new members to existing members or for locating points which are at the ends of members. See also Attach. [Keyboard "X,Y,Z and P"] The Plane facility allows you to change the current drawing plane. You will be able to select the drawing plane (choice of XY - "Z", YZ - "X" and XZ - "Y") as well as specifying an offset. An offset is the distance from a virtual plane to the specified plane, the distance being measured perpendicular to the virtual plane. For

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual example, selecting the XY plane with an offset of 5m will result in every node being created with coordinates of x,y,5. See also Plane. [Keyboard "C"] The Coordinates facility allows you to toggle between one of four coordinate systems. The different systems available are:    

Cartesian Cartesian-Relative Polar Polar-Relative

The text display at the bottom right corner of the screen will constantly change to reflect the position of the graphics cursor on the screen. The format of this text is governed by the coordinates system you have selected. Selecting the "Off" option switches all coordinates systems off and disables the coordinates display text. See also Coordinates. The keyboard can also be used to position points precisely. You simply type in the coordinates of the point using cartesian or polar coordinates in absolute or relative modes (depending upon the coordinates system selected). Note that there is no icon or button for this tool. You just need to type a number and the coordinates input form will appear automatically. See also Using the keyboard to position points. See also The renderer. Other tools There are also a number of other tools that are of great use when inputting data graphically. The query frame facility (see also Node properties, Member properties and Plate properties) allows you to point to a node, member or plate and obtain information about node coordinates, member end fixities, section properties, material properties, etc. You can also query analysis results and steel member design results. You can use the zoom, pan and viewpoint facilities to view the structure in different ways. Zoom allows you to zoom in on a portion of the structure and have it enlarged for a detailed inspection. Pan allows you to translate the structure in any direction on the screen. Viewpoint allows you to rotate your viewpoint to any position around the structure. There are a host of additional tools which allow you to scale the structure or diagrams to any desired value, show the rendered model, superimpose loading diagrams, displacement diagrams, bending moment diagrams, shear force diagrams, axial force diagrams, torsion diagrams, reactions, stress diagrams, envelopes and dynamic mode shapes, display steel connection drawings, show local axes, restraints, constraints, offsets, top flanges, etc. You can also set up a number of filters, each of which limits the amount of the model that you can see and work on. The contents of each filter can be based on a range of axis coordinates, node properties, member properties, load types and many other selection criteria that you can control. Filters can also be selected in the output reports so that they can be quickly customized to include exactly what you want to see. 274

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Searching for specific nodes, members or plates is easy with the find function. You can search for nodes, members or plates directly, or by reference to their properties. All aspects of what you see on the graphics screen can be saved as views that can be named and then recalled at any time. All filters, viewpoint, scales, zoom, pan and other settings applicable at the time the view is saved are recalled when the saved view is recalled. Many of the above mentioned procedures are identical in the renderer, however some of them are not and some renderer tools have more options available. For more information, refer to The renderer.

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Align members It is easy to align or stack members using the render's "Align Members" tool. After selecting the members to be adjusted, right-click and select "Align members" from the menu that appears and then click another member to align them with. In the form that appears you can then choose to align the members according to their tops, bottoms or sides. Alternatively, you can stack members side by side or on top of one another using the "Stack" options.

In the before and after diagrams below, the blue beam has been adjusted to align with the red beam's top flange.

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Align plate axes You can use this tool to align the local axes of a number of plates. After you have drawn and meshed some plates, you will probably find that their local axes are all pointing in different directions. If they are left this way then the results will be for different axis directions and they will be difficult to compare. It will also be difficult to produce meaningful contour diagrams if the plate axes are not aligned. After selecting the plates to be aligned, right-click and select "Align Plate Axes" from the menu that appears. You should then click a plate that the selected plates are to be aligned with. Options include allowing plates to be reversed (ie. the direction of their local z-axes are reversed), letting plates that are currently aligned with a direction node or axis to be realigned, and adjusting pressure or thermal gradient loads for reversed plates.

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Arc generation The Arc generation tool lets you apply an arc to any member by adding intermediate nodes with any desired radius and arc plane. After selecting the members to be converted to an arc, right-click and select "Generate Arc" from the menu that appears. You should then pick any point on the concave side of the member so that the tool knows which way to bend the arc. If you have selected multiple members connected end-to-end and the "Generate continuous arc over multiple connected members" option is ticked then the Arc tool will try to generate a continuous arc that encompasses all of the connected members. This is particularly handy if you have already generated an arc and then wish to re-select it and change its radius. With this option unticked, a separate arc will be generated for each selected member.

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Area loads One-way or two-way area loads can be generated by specifying a pressure that is applied to a roof or a floor or any other set of members that can form closed or open polygons. The pressure loads are converted to member distributed forces calculated from the contributing area of each member. You can select many members that form multiple open or closed areas and the area loading tool will process them all at once.

Two-way loads require closed areas formed by three or more perimeter members and the generated member loads are based on the load surface spanning in two directions, generally resulting in a mixture of uniform, triangular and trapezoidal loads. One-way loads don't require closed areas and the generated loads are based on the load surface spanning in just one direction, resulting in uniformly distributed loads if the supporting members are parallel, or trapezoidal if the supporting members are not parallel. After selecting the desired members to be loaded, right-click and then select "Generate Area Loads" from the menu that appears.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual For one-way area loads, if you click the "View Dummy Members" button in the one-way area loading form shown below, you can visually see the dummy members that effectively "close" the open polygons on which the one-way loads are based. Of course, the "dummy" members don't exist and don't attract any load. "Projected" areas results in the loads being based on the projected areas normal to the load direction, whereas "Actual" areas cause the generated loads to be based on the actual areas regardless of the load direction. The load direction can be parallel to one of the global axes or along any vector that you specify. You can select the load direction vector graphically by clicking the "Select Vector" button. If the "Generate loads normal to area in general load direction" option is ticked then the pressure is applied in the general load direction that you have specified, but normal to each polygon. This is handy if you have a pitched roof and you want to apply a generally vertical wind load that is normal to the roof on both sides of the ridge. The "Generate uniformly distributed forces only" option forces the pressure applied to a polygon to be applied uniformly to each member rather than as triangular or trapezoidal loads. The "Check for crossing members" option checks for members that cross over each other which could result in areas that overlap. This check should normally be left on. If the area loader generates loads on members that already contain loads in the same load case or if it generates multiple overlapping loads on the same member then the "Merge loads with matching start and finish positions" option will try to merge the loads rather than having two sets of loads with different sub-load numbers. This makes it easier to see the loads when they are viewed graphically. If this option is turned off then when identical loads are generated on a single member it might be difficult to differentiate between them when they are viewed graphically. The "Ignore member offsets when calculating areas" option treats the members as if they have no offsets and could result in slightly inaccurate results if the member offsets affect the shape or size of the area. It should only be ticked if the area loader is unable to find the desired areas due to member offsets.

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Attach This tool is only available in the traditional graphics window. The renderer has other attachment tools that replicate the function of this Attach tool. The attach tool lets you attach nodes, members, plates and reference points to existing nodes, members or plates without having to position the cursor exactly on them. You can change the attach setting by clicking on the toolbar button or selecting "Attach Mode" from the Settings menu or pressing "SHIFT+CTRL+A" on the keyboard (or just "A" if a graphics command is active). If ATTACH is on (as indicated on the toggle button above), the program displays an aperture circle with the graphics cursor and allows you to attach to existing nodes members when you pick points near them. The aperture circle indicates how close you must get to a node, member or plate in order to attach to it. The point of attachment depends on the ATTACH setting.

The settings that may be displayed on the attach button are: Off: Middle/End: Nearest/End:

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n%/End:

Middle: Nearest: Orthogonal: Perpendicular:

within the aperture circle, attaches to the end. Attaches to a point at the nearest n% increment along the member, or the end, whichever is closest. Attaches to the middle. Attaches to the nearest point. Attaches to a point that makes the line being drawn exactly horizontal or vertical. Attaches to a point that makes the line being drawn perpendicular to the member being attached to.

For example, if you draw a new member and wish to attach it to the end of an existing member, you can simply set ATTACH to "MIDDLE/END" and then locate the start of the new member near the end of the existing member. The two members will be automatically connected with a common node at the intersection point. To connect a member to the mid point of another member ensure that ATTACH is set to "MIDDLE" and then simply position the end of the first member to within the aperture circle radius of the second member. The second member is automatically broken into two and a node inserted at the intersection point.

The attach setting is only used if the aperture circle touches a node, member or plate.

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Attachment and alignment methods The following discussion applies to all tools that involve selecting points or drawing vectors, such as when drawing nodes, members or plates, moving, stretching, copying, extending, connecting or even when adding dimensions. During these operations there are a number of aligning, snapping and attachment tools that can help. To attach to a node (or the end of a member or the vertex of a plate), just move close to the node until it changes color. This indicates that you are close enough, and you can then click the left mouse button to attach to it. To attach to an intermediate point on a member, just move close to the member until it changes color. You can then move along the member to find its mid-point, third points, quarter points or fifth points, each of which will show up as a different colored dot with a label next to it. You can then click to attach to the desired point. Note that if you wish to position a point close to a node or member without attaching to it, you can hold down the C key to temporarily turn off the attachment feature.

If you are drawing the second end of a line then "Perpendicular" and "Orthogonal" attachment points will also be highlighted on the member if applicable.

You can even align your point with an orthogonal line extending from a node or a member's midpoint. In order to do this you must first briefly hover over the node or member until you hear a faint pop sound that indicates that you have "locked on" to it. You can then move away

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual and a dotted line will extend from the "locked on" node or member to your point, allowing you to line up with it exactly. Note that you can temporarily turn off alignment with locked on nodes or members by holding down the A key while you are working. You can also change the "locked on" delay via the "Lock delay" setting in the Attachment and alignment methods Preferences form in the renderer's Settings menu.

Similarly, you can align your point with any of the "locked on" member's three local axes as shown below.

You can even use it to draw a new member that is aligned with an existing member by "locking on" to the existing member and then drawing in line with it.

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When aligning with a locked on node or member, you can position your point an exact distance from the locked on item by simply typing the distance rather than having to click the point with your mouse.

When drawing a line, if it is close to being aligned with one of the three global axes then it will snap to that axis. You can then either click the point with your mouse or you can just type the length of your line.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual For information about the grid, snap and working plane tools in the renderer, refer to Grid, Snap and Plane. For more information about using the keyboard to position points, refer to Using the keyboard to position points. For more information about operating the other tools in the renderer, refer to The renderer.

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Bends generation This tool in the renderer allows you to generate bends of any radius between members that are currently connected to each other.

After selecting the members to be adjusted, right-click and select "Generate Bends" from the menu that appears. Each bend is approximated by a series of straight line segments and you can specify the number of segments per 90 degrees in the form shown below. You can also specify a threshold angle to stop bends being generated between members that are close to being aligned in a straight line.

Note that a bend will not be generated between connected members if the angle is less than the threshold angle, if the bend radius is too large or if there are more than two members or a plate connected to the intersection node.

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Combination load cases Combination load cases combine existing load cases to allow analysis of a structure with the interaction of different loads. Combination load cases are given a load case number the same as any other load case. You can open the combination load cases grid by clicking the shown below.

button in the top toolbar as

Existing combination load cases can be edited by typing into any cell. New combination load cases can be added by typing into the blank line near the top of the grid.

By hovering over a column heading or a cell in any row, information about the load case will be displayed including its title (if one exists).

The title for any combination load case can be directly input or edited via the "Title" column in the datasheet, plus if you right-click on a column heading you can input or edit a primary or combination load case's title or notes.

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If you have a large number of columns and you don't want to repeatedly scroll sideways to get to the cells you need, you can condense the grid for any combination load case by simply clicking the arrow to the left of the combination load case you are interested in. You can then condense the grid for any other row or you can revert back to the default sorting by clicking the * button near the top-left corner of the grid.

When creating combination load cases, if the columns you need are not included in the grid, you can add them by clicking the "Add Columns" button near the top-right corner of the grid and then listing the extra load cases required.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual See also Datasheet Input.

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Connect The Connect tool allows you to connect members that cross each other within a specified distance but which are not currently connected. After selecting the members to be connected, right-click and select "Connect" from the menu that appears. Members that cross each other within the tolerance you specify in the following form will be connected.

After using the Connect tool, if you want to check that the members are properly connected, you can use the "Connectivity" tool. See also Intersect.

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Connectivity check The Connectivity tool lets you see graphically what is connected to a particular node, member or plate. It is a very handy tool if you are not sure if certain nodes. members or plates are properly connected. For example, it will quickly tell you if a member simply passes over a node or if it is properly connected to it. Right-click on a single node, member or plate and then select "Connectivity Check" from the menu that appears. The nodes, members and plates that are connected to the selected item are then highlighted graphically. You can then proceed to click on any other nodes, members or plates in your model to check their connectivity.

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Coordinates The Coordinates tool shows the position of the mouse cursor while you are drawing lines or selecting points. The renderer version In the renderer, the coordinates tool is for display purposes only and cannot be changed to relative or polar. It appears in the bottom right-hand corner of the renderer as shown below.

The traditional graphics window version This tool not only allows you to view the mouse coordinates, but you can also cycle between cartesian and polar coordinates using absolute or relative modes.

You can change the displayed coordinates by clicking the toolbar button or selecting "Coordinates Display" from the Settings menu or pressing "SHIFT+CTRL+C" on the keyboard (or just "C" if a graphics command is active). The current COORDINATES setting is displayed on the graphics settings button (as indicated above). Choices are:

Cartesian, Cartesian-Relative, Polar, Polar-Relative, Off.

When a graphics operation is active, the actual coordinates of the graphics cursor are displayed at the bottom-right corner of the screen. If you select the second corner of a window or line and the COORDINATES setting is in a relative mode then the coordinates displayed are relative to the first point of the window or line. Relative coordinates are the same as absolute coordinates when you select a single point or the start of a line.

The COORDINATES setting does not restrict your choice of Cartesian, polar, absolute and relative modes when inputting points from the keyboard. For example, you can enter a point from the keyboard using polar coordinates even if the COORDINATES display is set to Cartesian coordinates (see also Using the keyboard to position points).

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Copy The Copy tool allows you to copy members or plates in any straight line direction, or around an arc or helix. This is very useful for structures such as trusses where you can draw just the first panel and then make copies of it to build up the complete structure. After selecting the members or plates to be copied, right-click and select "Copy to Locations", "Copy along Line", "Copy along Arc" or "Copy along Helix" from the menu that appears. If copying to locations, you should then pick a reference point on the items being copied, fill out the form that appears below and then simply click wherever you want to the selected items to be copied to. You can then continue to click additional locations to have the selected items copied there too.

If copying along a line, you should then pick two points that represent the ends of a vector through which the items are to be copied.

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If copying along an arc, you should then pick the center of the arc and then fill out the form that appears below.

If copying along a helix, you should then pick the center of the helix arc and then fill out the form that appears below.

Don't forget that when drawing in the renderer, you can attach to other nodes or members, or you can "lock on" to a node or member and then align with an orthogonal line or an extension line from the "locked on" node or member. You can also align with one of the three global axes. For more information, refer to Attachment and alignment methods. Remember also that when drawing, you can use the mouse or you can simply type in the coordinates of the desired point(s). For more information, refer to "Using the keyboard to position points".

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After copying some members or plates, if you are not sure that they are properly connected to other nodes, members or plates, you can use the "Connectivity" tool.

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Copy member loads The Copy Node Loads tool lets you copy loads from a loaded member to a selection of destination members. The renderer version After selecting the destination members, right-click and select "Copy Member Loads" from the menu that appears. You should then click the source member, followed by specifying the load cases that the loads are to be copied from in the form shown below. If you tick the "Delete and replace loads on destination members for the specified load cases" option then all pre-existing member loads on the selected destination members contained within the selected load cases will be deleted first. If it is unticked then the loads being copied will be added to the pre-existing loads.

The traditional graphics window version The procedure is the reverse of the renderer procedure above. After selecting the source member, right-click and select "Copy Member Loads" from the menu that appears. You should then select the destination members, right-click and then select Ok to have the loads copied. All pre-existing member loads on the selected destination members contained within the selected load cases will be deleted and replaced by the copied loads.

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Copy member properties The Copy Member Properties tool lets you copy the member, section, material and offset properties of a member to a selection of destination members. The renderer version After selecting the destination members, right-click and select "Copy Member Properties" from the menu that appears. You should then click the source member, after which its properties are copied to the destination members. The traditional graphics window version The procedure is the reverse of the renderer procedure above. After selecting the source member, right-click and select "Copy Member Properties" from the menu that appears. You should then select the destination members, right-click and then select Ok to have the properties copied.

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Copy node loads The Copy Node Loads tool lets you copy loads, prescribed displacements and lumped masses from a loaded node to a selection of destination nodes. The renderer version After selecting the destination nodes, right-click and select "Copy Node Loads" from the menu that appears. You should then click the source node, followed by specifying the load cases that the loads are to be copied from in the form shown below. If you tick the "Delete and replace loads on destination nodes for the specified load cases" option then all pre-existing node loads, prescribed displacements and lumped masses on the selected destination nodes contained within the selected load cases will be deleted first. If it is unticked then the loads being copied will be added to the pre-existing loads.

The traditional graphics window version The procedure is the reverse of the renderer procedure above. After selecting the source node, right-click and select "Copy Node Loads" from the menu that appears. You should then select the destination nodes, right-click and then select Ok to have the loads copied. All pre-existing node loads, prescribed displacements and lumped masses on the selected destination nodes contained within the selected load cases will be deleted and replaced by the copied loads.

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Copy node properties The Copy Node Properties tool lets you copy the restraint and master-slave constraint properties of a node to a selection of destination nodes. The renderer version After selecting the destination nodes, right-click and select "Copy Node Properties" from the menu that appears. You should then click the source node, after which its properties are copied to the destination nodes. The traditional graphics window version The procedure is the reverse of the renderer procedure above. After selecting the source node, right-click and select "Copy Node Properties" from the menu that appears. You should then select the destination nodes, right-click and then select Ok to have the properties copied.

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Copy plate loads The Copy Plate Loads tool lets you copy loads from a loaded plate to a selection of destination plates. The renderer version After selecting the destination plates, right-click and select "Copy Plate Loads" from the menu that appears. You should then click the source plate, followed by specifying the load cases that the loads are to be copied from in the form shown below. If you tick the "Delete and replace loads on destination plates for the specified load cases" option then all pre-existing plate loads on the selected destination plates contained within the selected load cases will be deleted first. If it is unticked then the loads being copied will be added to the pre-existing loads.

The traditional graphics window version The procedure is the reverse of the renderer procedure above. After selecting the source plate, right-click and select "Copy Plate Loads" from the menu that appears. You should then select the destination plates, right-click and then select Ok to have the loads copied. All pre-existing plate loads on the selected destination plates contained within the selected load cases will be deleted and replaced by the copied loads.

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Copy plate properties The Copy Plate Properties tool lets you copy the plate, material and offset properties of a plate to a selection of destination plates. The renderer version After selecting the destination plates, right-click and select "Copy Plate Properties" from the menu that appears. You should then click the source plate, after which its properties are copied to the destination plates. The traditional graphics window version The procedure is the reverse of the renderer procedure above. After selecting the source plate, right-click and select "Copy Plate Properties" from the menu that appears. You should then select the destination plates, right-click and then select Ok to have the properties copied.

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Delete The Delete tool allows you to delete any or all of the structure. The items to be deleted are first highlighted so that you can verify them before they are actually removed. Nodes connected to deleted members or plates are also deleted unless they are connected to other members or plates that still exist. After selecting the nodes, members or plates to be deleted, press the Delete key or right-click and select "Delete" from the menu that appears. The selected items are then deleted. .

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Draw The Draw tool allows you to draw new nodes, members or plates and attach them to existing nodes, members or plates. Nodes are automatically generated at the ends of each member or plate vertex. If a member or plate is attached to the intermediate point of an existing member, the existing member is subdivided into two and a node is automatically inserted at the intersection point. When in drawing mode you can control the numbering of new nodes, members and plates being drawn by pressing the keyboard N, M or P keys and then specifying the number of the next node, member or plate to be drawn. Alternatively, you can simply let SPACE GASS find the next available node, member or plate. You can easily renumber any nodes, members or plates later using the Renumber tool. For members, the procedure is as follows. 1. Click the

(renderer) or

(traditional graphics window) toolbar button.

Note that you can switch to drawing plates by pressing the T key to switch to drawing triangular plates or the Q key to switch to drawing quadrilateral plates. You can switch back to drawing members by pressing the M key.

2. Pick the start of a new member. This can be a new point not connected to existing members or plates, or it can be an existing member or plate end point or member intermediate point. Don't forget that when drawing in the renderer, you can attach to other nodes or members, or you can "lock on" to a node or member and then align with an orthogonal line or an extension line from the "locked on" node or member. You can also align with one of the three global axes. For more information, refer to Attachment and alignment methods. Remember also that when drawing, you can use the mouse or you can simply type in the coordinates of the desired point(s). For more information, refer to "Using the keyboard to position points".

3. Pick the end of the new member. Again, this can be a new point or a point on an existing member or plate. 4. If you wish to draw another member that extends from the end of the member just drawn then pick another end point. You can keep picking end points for additional members. 5. Press ESC or the right mouse button to end the operation. 6. Return to step 1 above to draw another member, or press ESC or the right mouse button to exit from the tool.

Be careful when subdividing or connecting to intermediate points on members that have local Y or Z member offsets. Because local offsets are calculated relative to a straight line joining the member’s end nodes, they will change direction if you add intermediate

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Graphical Input nodes. It is therefore recommended that you should always convert any local Y or Z member offsets to global before adding intermediate nodes.

If you wish to draw multiple members between the same two nodes, you will need to first activate the "Allow duplicates when drawing new members" option in the "General configuration" item of the Config menu. For plates, the procedure is as follows. 1. Click the or (renderer) or (traditional graphics window) toolbar button and then select between drawing triangular or quadrilateral plates. Note that you can switch between drawing triangular or quadrilateral plates while drawing by pressing the T key to switch to drawing triangular plates or the Q key to switch to drawing quadrilateral plates. You can also switch to drawing members by pressing the M key. Note also that while in quadrilateral plate drawing mode, you can draw triangular plates by simply double-clicking the 4th node.

2. Pick the start of a new plate. This can be a new point not connected to existing members or plates, or it can be an existing member or plate end point or member intermediate point. Don't forget that when drawing in the renderer, you can attach to other nodes or members, or you can "lock on" to a node or member and then align with an orthogonal line or an extension line from the "locked on" node or member. You can also align with one of the three global axes. For more information, refer to Attachment and alignment methods. Remember also that when drawing, you can use the mouse or you can simply type in the coordinates of the desired point(s). For more information, refer to "Using the keyboard to position points".

3. Pick the next vertex of the new plate. Again, this can be a new point or a point on an existing member or plate. 4. Pick the third and fourth (if a quadrilateral plate) vertices of the new plate. 5. If you wish to draw another plate that extends from the end of the plate just drawn then pick another point. You can keep picking points for additional plates. 6. Press ESC or the right mouse button to end the operation. 7. Return to step 1 above to draw another plate, or press ESC or the right mouse button to exit from the tool.

You can draw triangular plates while in quadrilateral plate drawing mode by doubleclicking the 4th node of quadrilateral plates.

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While drawing, you can switch between drawing members or plates by pressing the M key to switch to drawing members, the T key to switch to drawing triangular plates or the Q key to switch to drawing quadrilateral plates.

Plates must be flat (ie. all vertices in the same plane).

After drawing some members or plates, if you are not sure that they are properly connected to other nodes, members or plates, you can use the "Connectivity" tool.

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Extend Members can be extended or shortened using this tool in the renderer. After selecting the members to be extended or shortened, right-click and select "Extend" from the menu that appears. You must then select a reference point graphically. This just allows you to control which ends of the members will move and which ends will stay in place. The form shown below then appears. The "Mode" option lets you choose between specifying a new length or specifying an extension or reduction. The "Move" option lets you control which ends of the members will be moved. In the "New length" or "Extension" field at the bottom of the form, you can specify the new length or extension (or shortening) as an absolute value or as a percentage of the original member length.

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Extrude The extrude tool lets you extrude multiple members in any direction. It is extremely handy for extruding a set of columns from the ground or from an existing floor of a multi-storey building. After selecting some nodes to extrude from, right-click and select "Extrude" from the menu that appears. The nodes you select do not have to be coplanar. You should then pick two points that represent the ends of a vector along which the members will be extruded. Note that the position of the vector is unimportant, as it is just the length and direction of the vector that matters. Don't forget that when drawing the vector, you can attach to other nodes or members, or you can "lock on" to a node or member and then align with an orthogonal line or an extension line from the "locked on" node or member. You can also align with one of the three global axes. For more information, refer to Attachment and alignment methods. Remember also that when drawing, you can use the mouse or you can simply type in the coordinates of the desired point(s). For more information, refer to "Using the keyboard to position points". The extrude form then appears, allowing you to set the node increment if desired, otherwise just leave it at 0 to use the next available node numbers. The node increment can be useful if you have a regular node numbering scheme for each floor of a multi-storey building.

The members are then extruded from the selected nodes in accordance with the length and direction of the extrude vector.

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Graphical Input When extruding members from the ground, it can be useful to set up some Gridlines and then use the Draw Nodes tool to create nodes at the gridline intersections from which columns are to be extruded. You can then select all the nodes just created and extrude columns from them.

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Filters The filter tool allows you to restrict the amount of data that is displayed in the graphics display area or in output reports. You can use it to restrict the display to specific nodes, node types, members, member types, plates, plate types, section properties, material properties, load types, buckling modes, steel members, steel connections, axis limits or any combinations of these. To create a filter from nodes, members or plates selected graphically Select some nodes, members or plates graphically by picking them or by using the "Find" tool and then select "Create Filter" from the floating menu, after which the following form appears.

To save the current selection as a filter, just click the combo box in the above form, select a filter number and then type in the filter’s name. You can overwrite previously saved filters or you can select and name an unused filter. An alternative method of creating a filter from nodes, members or plates selected graphically is to use the "Select" buttons in the main filters form as explained below. To create or edit filters Click the

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toolbar button or select "Filters" from the View menu or the floating menu.

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For each filter you can select one or more check boxes and then specify the corresponding items to be included in the filter. For example, if you specify a member list of 1,2-6,9,10 and a section property list of 2,3, the filter will include only those members in the specified list that use section properties 2 or 3. The more check boxes you enable and corresponding items you specify, the more you limit the nodes, members or plates that are included in the filter. You can define up to 200 different filters and scroll between them in the form by changing the "Filter" numeric field.

The Include/Exclude buttons simply reverse the effect of the items in the filter line. For example, if you specify a node list of 2-5,9,13 and select "Include" then those nodes will be included in the filter. However, if you select "Exclude" then all the nodes except 2-5,9 and 13 will be included in the filter.

You can use the "Select" buttons in the "Nodes", "Members" and "Plates" lines to graphically select or edit node, member and plate lists rather than having to type them in manually. You can also use the "Select" buttons to graphically add to or modify filters that were previously defined using other than node, member or plate lists. Filters can also be based on lists of steel design members or connections, or steel member design results. The "X-axis", "Y-axis", and "Z-axis" fields allow you to specify minimum and maximum limits for one or more axis directions. You can enter ranges into the fields manually or select them graphically by clicking their "Select" button. Any parts of the frame which fall outside of these limits are excluded from the filter. The "Make filtered out members and plates" selection allows you to completely hide any members or plates that are not included in the active filter or show them transparent. You can also change the color and transparency of the filtered out objects. To select and activate a filter Click the "Filters" toolbar combo box

and make your selection.

Scrolling through the filters can be most conveniently done using the keyboard Ctrl+Page keys as described in Shortcuts. To import or export filters Click the Import or Export button and then choose the type of file to import from or export to. You can import from MS-Excel or MS-Access. You can export to MS-Excel, MS-Access, MSWord, or a text, PDF, RTF, HTML or CSV file. The import/export tools are very handy if you want to transfer the filters from one job to another, or if you have generated them in a program such as MS-Excel and then want to bring them into your job. Copy and paste You can use the copy and paste buttons to transfer your filters from one job to another.

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Find You can use the Find tool to quickly locate nodes, members or plates in your model by clicking the

button in the top toolbar.

The renderer version

Before clicking Ok, if you want to see which items would be found you can click the button to have them listed as shown below. You can then click the button if you want to copy a list of the found items into the clipboard, ready for pasting into another part of SPACE GASS or another program.

You can also find all the members or plates with a particular section or material by clicking the desired section or material in its property panel and then having all the matching members or plates selected.

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The traditional graphics window version

You can find nodes, members or plates by listing their numbers directly or by specifying their properties or the nodes/members/plates to which they are connected. Only those nodes, members or plates that satisfy all of the find criteria in the form are found.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual When a node, member or plate is found, it is highlighted graphically the same as if you had selected it by picking it with the mouse. You can use the highlighting simply as a visual reference to see where the found nodes, members or plates are in your structure, or you can click a toolbar button or click the right mouse button and choose from the floating menu that appears to perform an operation on the selected nodes, members or plates. You can cancel the highlighting by pressing the keyboard ESC key or by selecting "Cancel" from the floating menu. If you are searching for members of a certain section or material, you can also just click the desired section or material in the properties panel of the renderer to highlight all the members in your model that use it. After the Find tool highlights the nodes, members or plates you are searching for, you can perform many graphics operations on them by right-clicking and then selecting from the menu that appears.

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Grid A grid can be displayed as a visual aid while you are developing or viewing your model. The grid also assists in identifying the working plane, as it is always displayed in that plane. The renderer version The Grid tool can be turned on or off via the grid button or by pressing the G key.

in the bottom of the side toolbar

Note that if you change your working plane then the grid automatically moves to that new plane.

For more information about the attachment, alignment, snap and working plane tools in the renderer, refer to Attachment and alignment methods, Snap and Plane.

The traditional graphics window version You can display a rectangular grid in the XY, XZ or YZ global planes by clicking the toolbar or selecting "Grid" from the Settings menu or pressing "SHIFT+CTRL+G" on the keyboard (or just "G" if a graphics command is active).

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual It is a useful visual reference as you move the cursor around the screen. The GRID can be set to any desired size provided it is not too fine or too coarse to be properly displayed. The GRID setting uses the same system of units as the structure being displayed. It can be toggled on or off by again clicking the "Grid" toolbar button or re-selecting the "Grid" menu item. The current GRID setting is displayed on the graphics settings button (as indicated above). If you change the operating plane while a grid is displayed, the grid will not be updated until you perform an operation which refreshes the entire screen such as PAN, ZOOM, VIEWPOINT, SCALE, REDRAW, etc.

In the traditional graphics window, the grid can only be displayed in one of the global planes. It cannot be offset a distance out along one of the axes. If you are operating in a plane which is offset from the 0,0,0 global origin and your viewpoint is at an angle to the plane you are working in, do not try to use the displayed grid as a reference. It is only useful if you are operating in the same plane as the grid or if your viewpoint is perpendicular to the operating plane.

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Gridlines Gridlines can be added to your model at any stage of its development. As well as providing a visual reference, they can also be attached to when you are drawing or editing your model.

Gridlines can be created, edited or turned on or off via the button in the bottom of the side toolbar. You can simply enter the desired gridline tags, positions and elevations into the appropriate tables of the form shown below. By entering more than one line of data in the Elevations table you can have multiple sets of gridlines at different elevations.

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SPACE GASS 12 User Manual Gridlines can also be generated by clicking "Auto Generate Gridlines" buttons via the form shown below.

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Infotips If you hover the mouse over a node, member or plate in the renderer, an infotip appears that gives useful information about the object as shown below. Infotips can be turned on or off by clicking the left hand part of the button at the bottom of the side toolbar. If the button is on but infotips don't appear when you move the mouse over the structure, click the arrow part of the button and check that the "Structure Infotips" option is ticked. Note that you can also temporarily hide infotips while you're working by holding down the I key.

See also Query analysis results.

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Intersect The Intersect tool allows you to join two or more members and automatically insert nodes at the intersection points. It works with members that are not touching each other, and with members that cross over each other. After selecting the members to be intersected, right-click and select "Intersect Move", "Intersect Extend" or "Intersect Offset" from the menu that appears. You should then click a member that the selected members are to intersect with. If you choose "Intersect Move", the ends of the selected members will be moved to the intersection points. If you choose "Intersect Extend", new members will be added that extend from the ends of the selected members to the intersection points. If you choose "Intersect Offset", member offsets will be added that offset the ends of the selected members to the intersection points. Because the "Move ends" or "Extend ends" selection only affects members which don’t already pass through the intersection point, the selection is irrelevant for members that cross over each other.

! IMPORTANT NOTE ! Concentrated loads and distributed forces acting on a member that is subdivided as the result of an intersect operation are now automatically re-distributed onto the subdivided members, however in the traditional graphics window distributed torsion, thermal and prestress loads are not!

Be careful when intersecting with members that have local Y or Z member offsets. Because local offsets are calculated relative to a straight line joining the member’s end nodes, they will change direction if you add intermediate nodes. It is therefore recommended that you should always convert any local Y or Z member offsets to global before intersecting at an intermediate point.

After using the Intersect tool, if you want to check that the members are properly connected, you can use the "Connectivity" tool. See also Connect.

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Keyboard positioning of points

If you can’t easily position a point using the mouse, you can simply type in the desired coordinates. You can enter points in cartesian or polar coordinates, using absolute or relative modes. As soon as you start typing, the following form will appear automatically.

A point can be entered using cartesian coordinates by simply typing the X, Y and Z values separated by commas. For example, 2.3,1.2,0.5 locates a point at X=2.3, Y=1.2 and Z=0.5. If you type less than three values for a point, the missing values are assumed to be zero. For example, 2.3,0,0 could be shortened to just "2.3", or 2.3,1.2,0 could be shortened to "2.3,1.2". To locate the "0,0,0" origin very quickly, you only have to type 0. A point can be entered using polar coordinates by typing a distance, followed by a vertical angle (from the global XZ plane), followed by a horizontal angle (from the global XY plane).