Shortening algorithm in detail

Girders configuration entry

The axes of the girders are spread over panels based on a placing direction, which can be defined for each panel. This placing direction is based on a ”smooth edge” and is always perpendicular to the span direction (see sketch).

A Span direction
B Placing direction

Consider an individual panel: there is a first axis, a second axis, a third axis etc..
A girder that is created on the first axis of the panel is shortened at the end that points towards the span direction. A girder that is created on the second axis of the panel is shortened at the end that points in the opposite direction. A girder that is created on the third axis of the panel is shortened at the end that points towards the span direction. The edge offsets defined are not affected by this operation.

This process repeats until all the girders are created for this panel. When it comes to the next panel, the algorithm starts all over again.

• Example: 4 girders per panel:
  
  Result: 20 girders (10 girders are shortened on each side).
• Example: 5 girders per panel:
  
  Result: 25 girders (15 girders are shortened on one side and 10 girders on the other side).
• Example: 3 girders per panel (and 2 girders in fitted panel):
  
  Result: 29 girders (19 girders are shortened on one side and 10 girders on the other side).