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3D Model Creation - Part 2 Generate Copies

The document provides instructions for using the "Generate Copies" command in VA to efficiently model a larger structure. It describes: 1) Creating columns and beams to form a basic structure. 2) Selecting all members and using "Generate Copies" to duplicate the structure in the Z-direction with a 12 ft spacing. 3) Connecting nodes and applying supports to model the duplicated structure.

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36 views5 pages

3D Model Creation - Part 2 Generate Copies

The document provides instructions for using the "Generate Copies" command in VA to efficiently model a larger structure. It describes: 1) Creating columns and beams to form a basic structure. 2) Selecting all members and using "Generate Copies" to duplicate the structure in the Z-direction with a 12 ft spacing. 3) Connecting nodes and applying supports to model the duplicated structure.

Uploaded by

toky-topo
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Part 2 - Generate Copies:

Basic Users: The Basic Level of VA does not support the Model | Generate Copies command. Please refer to the Cut Planes tutorial above. This section of the tutorial will focus on the Model | Generate Copies command to create the structure. This command is very similar to the Cut Planes method described in Part 1, but is much more efficient for larger structures. Create a new Project if you havent already. FEATURES: Generate Copies 3D Modeling Split Member Cut Planes Support Modification

First, create the two 10 ft. tall columns and 12 ft. beam in the X-Y plane similar to that in the Cut Planes portion. Your model should look similar to the figure below:

Holding down Shift, click on one of the members, this will select them all. Once this is done, use the Model | Generate Copies command. The Generate Copies: Pattern window will appear. Select the Using a rectangular pattern radio button and click Next. The next window asks you how many copies you want to make, and in which direction you want to place them. For this example you want to make one copy in the Z direction spaced at 12 ft. Click Finish to create the copies.

You will then be brought back to the Model view. You will see the copied members directly on top of the original members. Use the Nudge command to rotate the Global Axis to better see the copied members.

The copied members will have the same name as the original member, except there will be an additional suffix. (ex. M1 becomes M1-0 when copied.)

Connect the top nodes like before and specify the support type of the bottom nodes as Pinned. Like in Part 1, you will have to fix rotation about the Y axis. You model should look similar to the figure below:

We will continue this example by adding 5 simply supported joists spanning in the X direction. Select the two top members spanning in the Z Direction. Use the Model | Split Member command to evenly split the members into 6 parts. Make sure the Define pieces as a combined member check box in checked. Select OK to Split the members.

In the Grid Tab of the Project Manager, select None for both the Smart Plane and Cut Plane. This will turn off the Grid and only allow you to draw new members by connecting to existing nodes. Draw the 5 joists spanning in the X Direction by connecting the nodes. Your model should look similar to the figure below:

Note: You could have also selected on of the top beams and generated 5 copies in the Z Direction spaced at 2 ft. The next step is to make the 5 newly drawn joists simply supported. Select the newly drawn joists, and using the Modify tab in the Project Manager, select the connection type as Simple Connect. You will see circles appear on the members showing that there is no moment transfer. You model should look similar to the figure below:

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