Specifying Cross Section Data

All structural objects that participate in calculations, including truss, straight truss, curved truss, lighting pipes, and hoists, must have an associated file that contains cross section data.

Trusses with default manufacturer data include the cross section information, identified with a unique code from the manufacturer’s sets. If you are Creating a Custom Truss Symbol, either select a cross section by its code, or specify custom valid cross section information.

If not using a specific manufacturer cross section, a generic, rigid cross section can be selected. If not using a manufacturer or a generic cross section, specify custom cross section data.

A lighting pipe cross section is assumed to be a rigid cross section of the selected Construction Material chosen from the Object Info palette. A hanging position’s cross section data are based on the original object that was converted into a hanging position.

To select a cross section and/or specify cross section data:

1. Do one of the following:

●    For a truss object, click Customize from the Object Info palette. From the appropriate tab of the Truss Properties dialog box, click Change Cross Section.

●    From the Object Info palette of a straight truss or curved truss, click Truss Cross Section.

●    From the Object Info palette of a hoist, click Chain Cross Section. The Chain Cross Section dialog box contains a subset of the parameters described here; see Placing Hoists.

The Cross Section dialog box opens.

►    Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter	Description
Sets	Select a predefined manufacturer truss from the list, or select <Rigid> to indicate the use of a generic cross section (a generic cross section assumes that the cross section is rigid for all calculations, Braceworks required). For these selections, no further information can be entered since the selected cross section data is used. Select Custom to enter custom cross section data in the rest of the dialog box.
UID (edit for Custom only)	Specifies a unique identifier for the cross section
Name (edit for Custom only)	Provides a name for the cross section for use in reports
Design (edit for Custom only)	Indicates the type of cross section
Brace design (edit for Custom only)	Specifies the design of the braces (circular, alternating, or none)
Vertical Brace Angle (edit for Custom only)	Sets the angle of the vertical braces
Horizontal Brace Angle (edit for Custom only)	Sets the angle of the horizontal braces
Height/Width (edit for Custom only)	Specifies the overall dimensions of the cross section
Tube Diameter (edit for Custom only)	Indicates the diameter of the cross section tubing
Cross Section Area (edit for Custom only)	Specifies the total surface area of the cross section tubing
lxx/lyy/lzz (edit for Custom only)	Sets the moment of inertia values about the X, Y, and Z axes
Material (edit for Custom only)	Specifies the type of material that the cross section consists of; select from the available options

2. Click OK. For a truss object, click Apply Customization from the Object Info palette.

The cross section UID displays for the truss.

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Creating the Rigging System

Checking the Cross Section Workload

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