Column
Use the Column tool to define vertical structural members that resist axial and bending loads in buildings and frames.
When you select Column, a tool palette opens.
Main tools
- Define – create a new column using direction and placement methods
- Properties – check or edit parameters of an existing column. Opens the Default settings dialogue for the selected columns
- Convert – only works on vertical elements. Convert existing beam, truss, plane plate, profiled plate, plane wall, profiled wall, fictitious bar and some compatible solid shape elements into columns
- Physical alignment – adjust the vertical placement of the column relative to its reference line
- Analytical model – switch between bar and shell representation and manage shell-specific properties
- Default settings – set default parameters for geometry, material, section, and stiffness (read below in more detail)
To read more about the Physical alignment, see the topic:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Physical alignment
Definition settings
Available when using the Define tool.
- Height – numeric field for the vertical length of the column
- Above – place the column above the base point or line
- Below – place the column below the base point or line
Directional functions
Available when the Define tool is selected.
- Predefined direction – define the column along the default vertical direction
- Parallel with line – select an existing line and place the column parallel to it
- Perpendicular to plane – select a plane to place the column normal to its surface
- Direction – only available with Predefined direction. Use to select one of four direction modes:
- direction is parallel with global X axis
- direction is parallel with global Y axis
- direction is parallel with x axis of UCS
- direction is parallel with y axis of UCS
Placement methods
Available when using the Define tool.
- Column by point – place a column by clicking a location in the model
- Line – draw a new line to define the column’s vertical path
- By point selection – select an existing point object as the column’s base
- By axes selection – place a column based on selected grid axes intersections
- Select vertical line – select an existing vertical line in the model
Analytical model sub-tools
When you press the Analytical model button, a group of tools becomes available to manage shell representation of the column.
- Shell model – convert the column from bar model into shell model
- Shell properties – edit material and stiffness properties of individual shell elements. Opens a dedicated dialogue
- Edge connection – define how individual shell edges behave (see note below)
- Reset shell model – revert all shell modifications to default settings
- Bar model – convert the column back from shell model to bar model
Some tools include an optional function:
- Generate fictitious bars to the boundary of the shell model – adds fictitious bars at shell ends for stability and shape retention (can be removed manually later)
The Shell properties dialogue contains three tabs: General, Material, and Stiffness.
To read more about these settings, see the relevant topics below:
- For General tab see:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Shell general - For Material tab see:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Regular Material - For Stiffness tab see:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Shell Stiffness
Edge connection functions
Available when the Edge connection tool is selected.
- Edge connection properties – view or edit edge settings of selected shells
- Endpoint behavior – define how edge endpoints connect or terminate
The content of Edge connection properties and Endpoint behavior is the same as in other shell elements.
To read more, see the topic:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Edge connections
Default settings dialogue
When you press the Default settings button, a dialogue window opens.
This dialogue contains five tabs: General, Section, Material, Stiffness, and End conditions. These follow the settings used in regular bar elements.
To read more about these settings, see the relevant topics below:
- For General tab:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Bar General - For Section tab:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Bar Section - For Material tab:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Regular Material - For Stiffness tab:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Bar Stiffness - For End conditions tab:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Bar End Conditions