Editing slope valleys

Slope valleys, which are formed by the intersection of two slab planes, can be edited and deleted using context menu commands that are available when the Slab Drainage tool is selected.

Editing slope valley properties

When created, slope valleys receive the default slope, and their elevation at the edge is computed based on the drain height and the intersection with the slab edge. The control point elevation is based on the valley’s initial direction and the nearest bounds of the slab perimeter. If you opt to define the slope valley by the elevation of the control point, the slope is automatically recalculated based on the location and height of the control point and the drain.

To edit slope valley properties:

Select the slab object.

Click the tool and mode.

Right-click on one or more slope valleys and select Edit Valley(s) from the context menu.

The Valley Settings dialog box opens.

Edit the properties.

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Rotating slope valleys

Slope valleys can be rotated individually, or all slope valleys associated with a specific drain can be rotated collectively.

To rotate slope valleys:

Select the slab object.

Click the tool and mode.

To rotate one or more individual slope valleys by the same percent, select the slope valleys, then right-click on one of the slope valleys and select Rotate from the context menu.

Alternatively, to rotate all slope valleys associated with a specific drain, right-click on the drain and select Rotate Valley(s) from the context menu.

The Rotate dialog box opens.

Specify the clockwise angle by which to rotate the slope valleys.

Deleting surface folds related to slope valleys

If two slope valleys are adjacent to a drain valley, the resulting surface may have a fold, so that a single, planar surface cannot be created. A line displays where the fold is. Depending on the size of the fold and the construction method being used, this may not be a problem. If the fold is above 0.1%, an indicator line displays so it can be corrected.

If the roof geometry results in a fold, the Vectorworks software determines from which drain to start the fold line using three criteria. First it uses the drain with fewer connections to other drains. If both drains are equally connected, it uses the drain with the steeper valley slope. If both valleys are equally sloped, it uses the drain for the slope valley that has an angle closest to the drain valley. If all factors are equal, either drain may be used.

To remove a fold, right-click on one of the slope valleys adjacent to the fold and select Remove Fold(s) from the context menu.

The slope, and possibly also the direction, of the slope valley is changed. This may result in a slope valley slope less than the allowable minimum; you may need to change the slab to correct this problem.

Deleting slope valleys

To delete a slope valley:

Select the slab object.

Click the tool and mode.

Right-click on one or more slope valleys and select Delete from the context menu.

Drains and drain valley networks must have slope valleys sufficient to define all the slopes surrounding them. This means valleys cannot be deleted if they leave a greater than 150-degree angle between the remaining markers, or if a valley is the only valley between two non-collinear drain valleys.

Editing slab drainage elements