Pier relative to axis and reference point

Interactively create a structural member of the type “pier” related to an axis and a reference point of a structural member of the type “girder”

Piers of this type of definition are positioned between a particular station of an axis in a certain vertical distance (offset) from it and a reference point of a structural member of the type “girder”. The first position defines the point of origin of the pier axis (Geometric Position 1), the second position (Geometric Position 2) the reference length.

The same explanations and notes apply as given in Pier relative to axis.

Note: The following input description relates to the station subdivision type Free. When using the options Equidistant and Begin & End, the steps 8 to 11 and 13 are omitted. When using one of these two options, you must select the cross section (step 7) already in arbitrary step before. See Piers for details regarding these options and further general explanations regarding the definition of piers.

To interactively create a pier relative to an axis and a reference point

1. Click Pier relative to axis and reference point.
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. Click the reference point in the 3D View window at which the pier axis should be connected to the girder to define the position of the Geometric Position 2 for defining the reference length of the pier.

   Note: The reference point (GP 2) must lie above the point of origin (GP 1) to receive a positive reference length. (The input is immediately checked by the program and, as the case may be, not permitted).

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.