Parameters for structural precast elements

You can define parameters for structural precast elements using four tabs: Geometry, Attributes, Dimensions and Invoicing. Some parameters cannot be changed when you modify structural precast elements.

The preview area or the precast element placed updates automatically to reflect any changes you make to the parameters.

You can specify whether you want to define the precast element by entering Parameters or whether you want to create it based on an existing Architectural component or 3D object.

When the input type is set to 3D object, you can specify whether you want to use the 3D object (button is not active) or convert it (button is active). With the Column subtype, this option is also available for the Architectural component input type.

Note: When the input type is set to 3D object, you can also use an architectural component as a precast element. However, the architectural component cannot be converted.

With the exception of the Foundation and Stair subtypes, only the Rectangle cross-section is available for the Parameters and Architectural component input types. For foundations, you can select Rectangle or Hexagon for the shape of the outline. When stairs are included in your license, you can create and reinforce straight-flight stairs with or without landings by entering parameters or matching an architectural stair and modeling its bottom and top.

When you have selected the 3D object input type, only the Shape parameter is displayed. It is set to Any.
The only exception is the Stair subtype that provides the Dimensions area. The parameters you define in this area have no effect on the stair that is created. They are only used to create the label using label styles and for the title block.

When you have selected the Parameters input type, you can now specify parameters. When you have selected the Architectural component input type, you first need to select the architectural component you want to use. The program enters the adopted dimensions such as thickness, width and height in the boxes of the corresponding parameters and you can then change them.

Note: When you have selected the Architectural component or 3D object input type in conjunction with the Stair subtype, the parameters you define in this area have no effect on the stair that is created. They are only used to create the label using label styles and for the title block.
The parameters are assigned to the following architectural attributes:

Click

in the relevant line to open a dialog box in which you can enter the height or thickness of the precast element or define corbels or piles. You can define the height or thickness in the same way as for architectural components. For foundation piles, you define the pile type and pile load in addition to the geometry. When you specify alternating stress (compression/tension) for the pile type, two data entry boxes are displayed for the pile load. Enter the corresponding values.

Column head / Column base
Sleeve position / Sleeve geometry
Landing at bottom / Support at bottom / Landing at top / Support at top
Bottom / Top

Additional geometric parameters are available for the Column, Foundation and Stair subtypes. The graphics above the parameters help you find the right parameters. All you need to do is click an area in the graphics and the program immediately opens the associated parameter area and changes the graphics accordingly. Clicking a check box or dimension line in the graphics automatically selects the corresponding parameter in the parameter area. This also works the other way round: select a parameter in the parameter area and the associated area is immediately highlighted in the graphics.

You can see the data (name, manufacturer's address) of the factories listed in the Factory catalog in the Catalogs. You can define a new factory in the external catalog program or delete factories at any time.

To adopt the attributes from an existing precast element, click

in the Match attributes line. To create the precast element without a label, clear the check box in the Label line.

The mark number for the next precast element is displayed. The program usually proposes the next available number that follows the highest number already used in the active drawing files.
Here, you can influence the way mark numbers are assigned. For example, you can configure the program to begin with 101. The largest possible mark number is 99999999.

If you have selected Identical for the assignment of mark numbers in the Design configuration entry, identical elements are given the same mark number. You can also specify an existing mark number. In this case, the program compares the new element with the existing precast elements of the mark number specified. If the results of this comparison meet the criteria for identical elements, the mark number specified is used and the new element is added to the group.
If the criteria are not met, the precast element is given the next highest, unassigned mark number. The new element is not compared with other precast elements that may be identical.

To group identical elements, Allplan checks the following criteria:

Identical element type (column, hollow core element, concrete wall, ...)
Identical geometry (volume, outline, recesses, ...)
Identical element attributes (material, …)
Identical number and position of fixtures and identical fixture attributes and variables
Identical reinforcement (position of reinforcement in precast element, parameters, bar parameters such as bending pin diameter, hook lengths, …) and reinforcement attributes (e.g. steel grade)

Note: You can use the program sequence configuration to specify tolerance values Allplan is to take into account when comparing the geometry and the reinforcement and fixtures.

When you place fixtures and reinforcement in precast elements with identical marks numbers, please note that any change you make affects all the other precast elements of the same group. It is irrelevant whether you change the placing drawing, element plan or use the edit element tool. To prevent individual precast elements form being affected, you need to split them off manually from the relevant group beforehand. To do this, use the

Modify Mark Number tool.

Note: If Zero is set for the assignment of mark numbers in the Design configuration entry, you cannot enter a value.

User-defined name for the component. You can use the Element plan configuration entry in the program sequence configuration to configure the program to include this component name in the file names of the export files.

Enter the appropriate exposure class.
You need to include the exposure class in reinforcement drawings according to DIN 1045-1, section 4.2.1 (3). Among other things, cement formulation, minimum concrete cover and minimum concrete strength grade depend on the exposure class.

This area is only available for columns. The Column type and Column position attributes are required by the tools that automatically create the appropriate connection when wall panels are joined with the substructure.

You can access the Element states and Element actions for status and locking administration. You always need to assign element states manually whereas actions may be obtained automatically (depending on the settings in the configurations).

This area is only available when you have defined entries in the configurations. To select an attribute or cancel its selection, select or clear the check box in the line of the attribute name. You can change the attributes presented here. The defaults are defined in the configurations.

You can use these settings to define the orientation of the precast element in the element plan as well as for production and loading.

This area is only available when you have selected the 3D object input option on the Geometry tab.

Define the directions of the local x axis and the local y axis. The direction of the local z axis is always derived from these two directions, as the z axis must be perpendicular to the plane defined by the x axis and y axis.
It is normally not necessary to change the directions for the axes of the local coordinate system unless you convert an object rotated in plan or space to a structural precast element. In this case, you need to change the directions to make sure that the label includes the correct local dimensions (the LocX, LocY and LocZ variables for the default label).

To define the local x axis, you can choose between Enter angle in plan, Enter based on midpoint and Enter based on three points. You can also enter the values directly. To define the local y axis, you can only choose between Enter based on midpoint and Enter based on three points. Here, too, you can enter the values directly.

The values entered describe the vector in the global x-y-z coordinate system. Separate the individual numbers by semicolons.
The first value defines the vector in the x direction; the second value defines the vector in the y direction and the third value in the z direction. 1;0;0, for example, defines the positive, global x axis..

Define how the component is turned. If, for example, an inclined beam viewed in elevation is to be horizontal in the element plan, you need to enter the inclination of the bottom side of the beam for the Span direction.

The program proposes a Span direction of 90° for precast elements that are usually vertical (Column and Wall). A value of 0° is proposed for the other precast elements. Normally, you only need to change the Span direction for custom or inclined components.

To define the Span direction, you can enter an angle or use the Enter angle in plan or Enter based on two points option. In addition, you can Flip the direction.

Define from which surface/side the precast element is viewed. You can define the viewing direction vector by entering values directly or you can use the Enter angle in plan, Enter based on center or Enter angle based on three points option. In addition, you can Flip the direction.

The values you enter for the Viewing direction define a vector in the global x-y-z coordinate system. Separate the individual numbers by semicolons.
The first value defines the vector in the x direction; the second value defines the vector in the y direction and the third value in the z direction. Entering 1;0;0, for example, defines a viewing direction in the positive, global x direction.

You can specify whether you want to use the viewing direction you defined in the Alignment area by selecting the Relative to span direction setting or whether you want to use a different direction for production by selecting the Absolute setting.

Define how the component is turned for production. To define the Production direction, you can enter an angle or use the Enter angle in plan or Enter based on two points option. In addition, you can Flip the direction.

When Position for production is set to Absolute, you can specify a different direction for production. The approach is the same as for Alignment.

Click

to open a dialog box where you can define the planes that are to be taken into account when UNITECHNIK data is generated. The viewing direction set for production defines how a component is displayed in this dialog box. By default, only Clipping plane 0 (= plane of the precast element that rests on the pallet) is taken into account. You can define additional clipping planes for cross-section jumps.

You can specify whether the precast element's dimensions transferred to PP Manager can be changed there later. Clear this check box if the production dimensions specified here are compulsory.

Define how the component is turned for loading. To define the Loading direction, you can enter an angle or use the Enter angle in plan or Enter based on two points option. In addition, you can Flip the direction.

When Position for loading is set to Absolute, you can specify a different direction loading. The approach is the same as for Alignment.

You can specify whether the precast element's dimensions transferred to PP Manager can be changed there later. Clear this check box if the loading dimensions specified here are compulsory.

The entries in this tab are intended for use with ERP systems. You can import the attributes from an ERP system.

User-defined name that can be included in labels for element plans or lists/schedules. Select the Invoice text attribute of the string type.

When you have imported attributes from an ERP system, select one of the components presented in the list box.

This value is entered automatically when you have imported attributes from an ERP system and selected a component for Invoice text.

User-defined value that can be included in labels for element plans or lists/schedules. Select the Pieces attribute of the integer type.

This entry is made automatically when you have imported attributes from an ERP system and selected a component for Invoice text.

If you do not change the value "0", the program does not calculate this value until you transfer data to the ERP system (

List Generator tool). Calculations are based on the current element geometry. If you enter a value here, this value will be transferred to the ERP system.