SP3D Structure Tutorial: Placing Splits

SP3D Structure Session 8: Placing Splits

Objective:
By the end of this session, you will be able to:

• Place splits in a structure by using the Place Split command.

Prerequisite Sessions:
• SP3D Overview
• SP3D Common Sessions
• Structure: An Overview
• Placing Members in a Structure

Overview:
As described in the Structure: An Overview session, the structure member creation
commands—place member and framing productivity commands—create a member system
with a single member part. The Place Split command divides a member system into multiple
member parts by using another object, such as another member system, a grid plane, or an
elevation plane. Figures 1 - 3 show samples of splits placed in beams by using this command.
The member system keeps all the member parts oriented along an axis. You can edit the
properties of individual member parts. For example, you can edit the cardinal point, section
size, material, and other properties, except the logical axis.

A split is useful for grating design and complex offshore platform leg constructions. In Figure 1,
the placement of a member system created a member part. The cylinders at the end of the
member system are graphical handles for frame connections.

Figure 1: Member System and a Member Part

Using the Place Split command, you can split this single member part into multiple member
parts at the intersection with the shorter supports, as shown in Figure 2.

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 SP3D Structure Tutorial: Placing Splits

Figure 2: Member System to Be Split into Multiple Parts

This action results in multiple member parts that share the single axis of the member system, as
shown in Figure 3. You can trim the member parts and create detailed information on assembly
connection design at the split connections and at the frame connections that are at the end of the
member systems.

Figure 3: Multiple Parts of a Single Member System (with Every Other Member Part Selected)

After you have split the member system into parts, you can recombine the parts by deleting the
splits between the parts. The position of the recombined part continues to be controlled by the
parent member system. The splits can be selected graphically just like frame connections. You
can also convert one or more of the member parts that belong to a member system into separate
member systems so you can move those parts away from the controlling axis of the original
member system. Select the Convert command and then select the parts you want to convert to
individual member systems.

Steps for Placing a Split in Crossing Beams:

Place splits for the set of floor support beams in Unit U02 of Area A2 as shown in Figure 4.

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 SP3D Structure Tutorial: Placing Splits

Figure 4: Output - Placed Splits Highlighted

Before beginning the procedure to place splits:

• Define your workspace to display A2 > U02 in the Structure task.

• Make sure that the Active Permission Group is set to Structural.

1. Click the Place Split button on the vertical toolbar.

Figure 4: Place Split Button

2. The Place Split ribbon is displayed. Select the set of long horizontal beams for the first
set. The long horizontal beam will be highlighted.

3. Click the Split status drop-down list on the Place Split ribbon as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5: Split Status Drop Down List Highlighted

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 SP3D Structure Tutorial: Placing Splits

The Split status drop-down list has the following options:

o By Rule - This option automatically selects the intersection member system
that should be split based on rules. The software checks the Continuity Type
and Continuity Priority Number values defined on the Member System
properties. Continuity Type is Continuous or Intercostal. Continuity
Priority Number is used to select the member system to be split when two
member systems with the same Continuity Type intersect. Member systems
with a lower continuity priority, such as 1, 2, and 3, split member systems
with a higher continuity priority, such as 7, 8, and 9.
o Split First - This option places the split on the first set of members that are
selected.
o Split Second - This option places the split on the second set of members that
are selected.
o Split Both - This option splits all member systems that you have identified in
both the steps.
o Split None - This option does not create a split but suppresses the
interference between two members that intersect.

4. Select the Split First option in the Split status drop-down list on the Place Split ribbon.

Figure 6: Split First Option Selected in the Split Status Drop-Down List

5. Click the Accept button on the Place Split ribbon, as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7: Accept Button on the Place Split Ribbon

6. Select the set of short horizontal beams for the second set and click Accept on the
ribbon.

7. Click the Finish button to complete placing the splits.

Figure 8: Finish Button

8. Repeat workflow to split the framing members on next bay.

Tips:
• Select a member system and move it. All member parts of the member system
will move.
• Assembly connections can be placed at split connections just as they can be
placed at frame connections.

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 SP3D Structure Tutorial: Placing Splits

Steps for Removing a Split:

Remove a split from a member system in Unit U02 of Area A2.

1. Click the Select button on the vertical toolbar.

2. Set the Locate Filter to Split Connections.

Figure 9: Split Connections Selected in the Locate Filter Drop-Down List

3. Select the split to be removed. Figure 10 shows the selected beam with the split that
needs to be removed.

Figure 10: Split Located by Locate Filter

4. Right-click the split and click the Delete command. The split will be removed from the
member.

Figure 11: Delete Command

The graphic view after removing the splits should resemble Figure 12 when the member parts
are selected.

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 SP3D Structure Tutorial: Placing Splits

Figure 14: Member System Without the Splits

For more information related to splitting members and removing splits, refer to the following
topics of the user guide StructureUsersGuide.pdf:

• Place Split Command

• Remove a Split

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