Pier relative to axis

Interactively create a structural member of the type “pier” directly related to an axis with additional possibilities of definition

Compared to the standard tool Pier at station point, this tool provides additional possibilities for defining a relative length and for subdividing stations.

Piers of this type of definition can be directly positioned at a certain station of an axis in a certain vertical distance (offset) from it. This position defines the point of origin of the pier axis (Geometric Position 1).

In a further step, a second position is specified (Geometric Position 2) which is used for defining a reference length (reference length = distance from Geom. Pos. 1 to Geom. Pos. 2).

This reference length enables an additional type of definition for the subdivision of stations besides local and global, namely relative.

Within the interactive definition, the sequence of the definition of the positions needs to be observed: The Geometric Position 1 is always defined first, and afterwards, based on that, the Geometric Position 2 upwards in positive vertical direction (positive local x-direction (global Y)) which also determines the direction for the relative length. (The program checks that and does not allow a different interactive input).

The sequence of the definition of the stations (start/end station or top/bottom edge of the pier) does not matter.

Thus, the general workflow is to first define a reference length along the pier axis by means of the two Geometric Positions, and after that the pier is defined by the input of stations. This procedure corresponds to the station input Free and can be shortened/simplified using the options Equidistant or Begin & End (see the following note).

Note: The following input description relates to the station subdivision type Free which can be selected during input in the Property window. Alternatively, you can use the option Equidistant to directly subdivide the pier between the two defined Geometric Positions equidistantly (or also arbitrarily), i.e. the length of the pier equals the reference length - (in this case the steps 8 to 11 and 13 are omitted). Using a third option Begin & End (as a variant of the option Equidistant), you can define the same segment without subdivision, i.e. stations points only at begin and end. When using one of these two options, you must select the cross section (step 7) already in arbitrary step before.

See Piers for general explanations regarding the definition of piers.

To interactively create a pier relative to an axis

1. Click Pier relative to axis.
2. Optionally, edit the name and the description and confirm the input with OK.

   A new pier will be created in the menu Piers in the project navigation tree.

3. Click the axis in the 3D View window to which the pier axis should be connected.
4. Move the mouse along the axis in the View window to specify the desired station at which the pier axis should be connected, and confirm it with a mouse click.
5. Move the mouse in vertical direction in the View window to specify the desired distance in vertical direction (local x-direction (global Y)) related to the previously selected position on the axis to define the position of the point of origin of the pier axis (Geometric Position 1). Confirm it with a mouse click.

   Note: Select the type of the distance to be defined (relative to the selected position on the axis or as an absolute height through this point) during input in the menu Geometric Position 1 in the Property window.

6. Move the mouse in vertical direction upwards in the View window to specify the desired distance in positive vertical direction (positive local x-direction (global Y)) related to the previously selected position on the axis to define the position of the Geometric Position 2 for defining the reference length of the pier. Confirm it with a mouse click.

   Note: Select the type of the distance to be defined during input in the menu Geometric Position 2 in the Property window (in addition to relative distance and absolute height there is the possibility of relative to origin).

7. Click on the cross section in the menu Cross Sections in the navigation tree which should be assigned to the pier axis.
8. Move the mouse in vertical direction in the View window to specify the desired start position of the pier along the pier axis, and confirm it with a mouse click.

   Note: Select the Type of the start station in the menu Stationing in the Property window.

9. If necessary, adapt the start station in the opening input window.
10. Move the mouse again in the View window to specify the desired end position of the pier or rather pier segment on the pier axis, and confirm it with a mouse click.

    Note: Select the Type of the stations to be added in the menu Stationing in the Property window.

11. If necessary, adapt the end station in the opening input window.
12. Define the subdivision of the pier or rather pier segment via Number or Length of the individual elements in the same input window. Confirm the input with OK.
13. Append further pier segments (e.g. with different subdivision or different cross section) to the existing pier (back to 10.), or quit the tool with ESC.

Note: In the course of the input procedure described above, you can anytime insert a subdivision point in an already existing pier segment by simply clicking on the desired position within the already created pier segment.