Section

Module(s): Shell

You can use the Section tool to create a section based on existing views or sections. The section depth is defined by entering a second clipping area. Check that the section depth exceeds the spacing between stirrups, for example. Otherwise, you might define a clipping area that is between the stirrups and, consequently, you can only see the longitudinal bars.

To create a section based on existing views and sections

1. Click Section (How).
   

   Activate Section in one of the following ways

   • Menu bar: Create Engineering Views, Details Shell

   • Palette: Tools Create area in the following module(s):

   Shell

2. Click the view or section in the workspace on which you want to base a new section.
3. Click Ref. Mode to set the display mode for the section. You can choose between:
   • Folded to display the section as folded. The section is folded so that it is perpendicular to the viewing direction.
   • Observer to display the section from the observer’s viewpoint. The bottom edge of the shell is placed so that it is always horizontal; in other words, horizontal edges are always horizontal, regardless of the viewing direction.
4. Set Soffit to Yes to obtain a view that is standard for engineers. Otherwise, set it to No to view it in plan. This option is only available when ref. mode is set to Observer.
5. Click a point in the workspace to define the viewing direction on the initial view/section. Various drawing aids are provided in the input options to help you define the line for the viewing direction.
   

   The following drawing aids are provided in the input options to help you define the line for the viewing direction:

   Enter normal lines: draw the line as you want, there are no constraints.

   Enter at right angles: all the lines are drawn at right angles (to the system angle set).

   Enter using cursor snap: draws lines based on a cursor snap angle.

   8 Cursor Snap Angle (3-360): defines the cursor snap angle.

   Note: The start of the line for the viewing direction has a circle. If you click within the circle, the projection it contains is used

6. To control how the clipping path and section are displayed, click Show Clipping Path on the context toolbar and make parameter settings for the display in the Section dialog box.
7. Enter a clipping area to define the boundary for the section polygon. To do this, click as many points as you want or define the polygon using a selection rectangle.
   Enter a section identifier if you have not already done so in the Section dialog box.
8. Use the input options to specify which automatic tools you want to use.
   • You can activate or deactivate automatic placement display and reinforcement labels specified in the Options.
     The setting of the Dimension line, label in compliance with options and Placement display in compliance with options buttons in the Associative Views module define whether and how bar reinforcement is labeled and displayed.
   • You can activate or deactivate automatic dimensions you have specified for views and sections in the Options. When selected, you can define the angle by clicking Angle Dimensioning in the input options.
     This option is only available when you have selected the automation check box in the Options.
     

     Define the angle for creating dimensions in one of the following ways:

     • Enter the angle in the dialog line and press Enter to confirm. A positive angle produces counter-clockwise rotation.
     • Click a line which you want to use as direction line.
     • Click two direction points.
9. You can now place the new section as you require. Various data entry tools are provided to help you position it accurately.
10. If you want a more detailed representation of the section, define a new section polygon. Otherwise, quit the function.
11. If necessary, enter an identifier for the section created or confirm the text proposed by the system and place the label.