Parameters for assembly parts

The parameters for assembly parts are part of the parameters for reinforcement and fixtures and can be defined using the Cast-in nuts and Lifting bolts tabs.

The palette displays the current settings as soon as you select the wall(s). Adjust the parameters accordingly.

Cast-in nuts tab

Create cast-in nuts

Start by specifying whether you want to Create cast-in nuts. The other parameters are only displayed when you select this option. Then specify the Number of definitions. You can define up to two cast-in nut heights with different parameters.

Parameters for cast-in nuts

Cast-in nut height

Use and to specify the relevant cast-in nut height or click to open the table where you can define the parameters for the cast-in nut heights.
This parameter is not displayed if you have selected only one cast-in nut height for Number of definitions.

Attach to side

Specify the wall side to which you want to apply the fixtures. You can choose between Visible (= side of design identifier), Invisible and On both sides.

Fixture from

Specify whether the fixture is to be taken from the Allplan office path, Allplan project path, Allplan private path, a Manufacturer catalog or an Article catalog. For the first three options, you need to specify the File and Entry, and for the other two options, the Catalog, Class, Subclass (if necessary) and the Article.

Cast-in nut arrangement

You can specify how the cast-in nuts are calculated. Additional parameters are displayed depending on your selection.

Center of gravity: one cast-in nut (per height specified) is placed on the centroidal axis.

Quarter points: two cast-in nuts are placed, each offset by one quarter of the panel width from the centroidal axis outwards. The cast-in nuts can be moved by the value specified for Horizontal offset. Enter 0 to position the cast-in nuts directly under the lifting devices. Negative values move the cast-in nuts inwards.
When the value entered for the Number of cast-in nuts is greater than 1, you need to specify the Limit weight and Limit length. As soon as these values are exceeded, the program switches from one cast-in nut to the specified number of cast-in nuts. The additional cast-in nuts are placed as follows: the offset between the cast-in nut that is not moved and the element edge is distributed evenly in accordance with the number specified. The additional cast-in nuts are moved inwards by this offset.

Edge offset: two cast-in nuts are placed at the specified Edge offset from the panel edge.
When the value entered for the Number of cast-in nuts is greater than 1, you need to specify the Limit weight and Limit length. As soon as these values are exceeded, the program switches from one cast-in nut to the specified number of cast-in nuts. The additional cast-in nuts are placed as follows: the offset between the cast-in nut that is not moved and the centroidal axis is distributed evenly in accordance with the number specified. The additional cast-in nuts are moved inwards by this offset.

Wall height <= limit height / Wall height > limit height

You can specify how the height of the cast-in nut arrangement is calculated. When you select Based on fixed height, the program places the cast-in nuts at the Height specified. Negative values are measured from the top. When you select As a % of wall height, the program calculates the height of the cast-in nuts based on the value you enter for % of wall height.

More parameters for cast-in nuts

Click to open the subordinate More parameters for cast-in nuts dialog box, which contains settings that rarely change.

You can define the Edge offsets of cast-in nuts to openings and element edges. If these minimum values are exceeded, the cast-in nuts are moved. Using Displacement of cast-in nuts, you can specify whether the cast-in nuts can be moved In any direction or Horizontally only. Displacement in any direction can be horizontal, vertical or at an angle (depending on the shortest distance).
Select the Allow automatic change option if you want the program to place only one cast-in nut in the center of gravity as long as the Limit length is not exceeded (even if you have selected Quarter points or Edge offset for the calculation of cast-in nuts).
Enter the Limit height at which the program is to change the way it calculates the height.

Lifting bolts tab

Create lifting bolts

Start by specifying whether you want to Create lifting bolts. You cannot see the other parameters until you select this option.

Calculation method for lifting bolts

Calculation of position at top

You can specify the method you want to use to calculate the position of the lifting bolts at the top level in relation to the centroidal axis. The methods you can choose are based on the following algorithms:

Method 1 = centroidal axis + L/4
Method 2 = centroidal axis + (LMin - L*Factor)
Method 3 = centroidal axis + (LMin - LMin*Factor*2)

If you select Method 2 or Method 3, the Factor line appears, where you can enter the factor for the calculation.

1 lifting bolt

If you select this option and the element length and element weight fall below the specified value, the program places only one lifting bolt at the top level.
Enter a high value (for example, 999) if you want the program to ignore this parameter.

4 lifting bolts

If you select this option and the element length or element weight exceeds the specified value, the program places four lifting bolts at the top level. Otherwise, the program creates two lifting bolts or only one lifting bolt.
Enter a high value (for example, 999) if you want the program to ignore this parameter.

If you have selected Method 3, the program places the pairs of lifting bolts at the offset specified.

Movement

The program first calculates the position of the lifting bolts using the method you selected. After this, it changes the position in accordance with the selected setting:

When you select Any, lifting bolts extending into openings are moved beside the openings.
When you select Symmetrical, the lifting bolts are moved symmetrically. If there are openings to be taken into account, the corresponding lifting bolt is moved beside the nearest side of the opening and the associated lifting bolt (pair) is moved symmetrically.
You cannot use this option in conjunction with Method 1 (centroidal axis + L/4) and two pairs of lifting bolts at the top level, as the initial situation may be unsymmetrical.
Note: The program may not find a solution for openings or irregular element outlines at the top level. If this is the case, it marks the elements in question. After having corrected the lifting bolts, you can change this marking manually in the element properties. Click the relevant element and open the Attributes tab in the element properties. Select the Correct lifting bolts setting in the Element states and actions area.
When you select To next lattice girder, all lifting bolts are moved to the nearest lattice girder that is not within an opening.

Lateral lifting bolts

When you select this option, the program applies lifting bolts to the left or right side of the precast element in accordance with the Calculation of lateral position setting. Lateral lifting bolts are positioned in the same way as lifting bolts at the top. Depending on the element height, the program places one lifting bolt or four lifting bolts.

When you select From wall height, the program only creates lateral lifting bolts when the specified Wall height is exceeded.

When you select Pair of lifting bolts at top level and there are lateral lifting bolts, the program uses the Offset specified to apply a lifting bolt pair (instead of a single lifting bolt) to the side at the top opposite the lateral lifting bolts.
This can be useful when the element is to be turned by the crane. By using a lifting bolt pair, you can avoid overloading the single lifting bolt.

Note: This additional pair of lifting bolts is not created if there are two pairs of lifting bolts at the top level (due to the settings for 4 lifting bolts).

Anchorage components at bottom level

When you select this option, the program places anchorage fixtures below the lifting bolts at the top level. These anchorage fixtures are defined by the following parameters.

Attach to side

Specify the wall side to which you want to apply the fixtures. You can choose between Visible (= side of design identifier), Invisible and On both sides.

Fixture from

Height

You can specify the height of the fixtures. When you select Based on fixed height, the program places the fixtures at the Height specified. Negative values are measured from the top. When you select As a % of wall height, the program calculates the height of the fixtures based on the value you enter for % of wall height.

Definition of lifting bolts

Depending on the wall weight, wall area and wall height, you can place different types of lifting bolts. You can specify settings for each type.

Lifting bolt

Use and to specify the relevant lifting bolt or click to open the table where you can define the parameters for the lifting bolts.
By default, four different lifting bolts are provided. You can add more lifting bolts by clicking Add. To delete existing lifting bolts, select the lifting bolts and click Remove.

Permissible applications for lifting bolts

This parameter is only available when you have selected the Symmetrical setting for the Movement in the Calculation method for lifting bolts area.

Click to open a subordinate dialog box where you can specify the Permissible applications. Using these settings, you can create different lifting bolts at the element top and the selected element side. In addition, you can define other lifting bolts for the elements rotated for production.
The Rotated top level of element indicates the lifting bolts that are on the element side when the element is lifted from the formwork. Consequently, these lifting bolts are at the top when the element is placed later. The Rotated element side indicates the lifting bolts that are used to lift rotated elements from the formwork. Consequently, these lifting bolts are on the element side when the element is placed in the building later.

Create as

You can specify whether the lifting bolts are bars or fixtures.

When you select Bar, choose the Diameter from the Catalog and enter the Length. For multi-layer walls, you can specify whether the lifting bolt is created as a Loop or as an Eyelet. When creating a loop, you can enter its Overlap. The value set always applies to the shorter leaf. Negative values lead to countersunk mounting.
When you select Fixture, you can specify whether the fixture is to be taken from the Allplan office path, Allplan project path, Allplan private path, a Manufacturer catalog or an Article catalog. For the first three options, you need to specify the File and Entry, and for the other two options, the Catalog, Class, Subclass (if necessary) and the Article.
For symbol fixtures, enter the Overlap. The value set always applies to the shorter leaf. Negative values lead to countersunk mounting.
For linear fixtures, enter the Length. When dealing with multi-layer walls, you can specify whether the lifting bolt is created as a Loop or as an Eyelet. When creating a loop, you can enter its Overlap. The value set always applies to the shorter leaf. Negative values lead to countersunk mounting.

Minimum offset to edge

Minimum offset of the outer lifting bolt to the nearest element edge. If this value is not complied with, the program displays an error message, but it still creates the lifting bolt.

More offsets

This parameter is only available when you have selected the Symmetrical setting for the Movement in the Calculation method for lifting bolts area.

Click to open a subordinate dialog box where you can specify the Offsets between lifting bolts and to openings. Enter the Maximum and minimum offset between lifting bolts. When you place pairs of lifting bolts, the Maximum offset for lifting bolts defines the offset between the axes of the two pairs. The Minimum offset for lifting bolts defines the offset between the inner lifting bolts of the two pairs. In addition, you can use Minimum offset for pair of lifting bolts to define the minimum offset between the lifting bolts of one pair.
You can use the Offset L1 of element edge to openings and Lateral offset A1 to openings parameters to define the mandatory offset between the top level of the element or the rotated element side of a wall element and an opening below or beside it as well as the lateral offset of the lifting bolts to an opening. Accordingly, the two Offset L2 of element edge to openings and Lateral offset A2 to openings parameters apply to the lateral lifting bolts at the top level of a rotated element or at a rotated element side.

Position of offsets in elements of normal height

Position of offsets in extra high elements

Lattice girders under lifting bolts

This parameter is only available when you have selected the Symmetrical setting for the Movement in the Calculation method for lifting bolts area.

When you select this option, the program places secondary lattice girders below the lifting bolts at the top level. You can specify a Shortening value for the lattice girders. You can only enter positive values for the shortening. The girder type used is the same as that of the main girders.
As with girders placed at element edges or beside openings, these lattice girders are regarded as "mandatory" girders and the other lattice girders are equally spaced between them.

Maximum wall weight (one loop) / Maximum wall weight (two or more loops)
Maximum wall area
Maximum wall height

While checking that the wall weight, wall area and wall height parameters are not exceeded, the program tries to place the lifting bolt with the lowest number. If the program only creates one lifting bolt due to the settings for the top level, it compares the value of the Maximum wall weight (one loop) parameter with the current wall weight. When placing two or more lifting bolts, the program checks the Maximum wall weight (two or more loops) parameter.

Enter a high value (for example, 999) if you want the program to ignore this parameter.

Enter high values for all parameters (999 to, 999 m2, 999 m) if you want the program to use only one lifting bolt type.