Connecting structural elements

The Insert Connection tool either connects structural element sections with a drop (hoist or dead hang object) or stacks them with a truss cross connection. When stacking structural elements, you can choose to move the object to be stacked either up or down, and select which object to move to bring the structural elements into parallel alignment, if needed.

Connecting structural elements with drops

2. If an offset is needed, enter the Offset value and toggle Enable Vertical Offset on.

4. Click on the structural element to move either up or down (stacking the moved truss under or over).

Valid connecting structures are highlighted, and a preview of the drop location displays.

If the trusses to be connected require adjustment to be stacked in a parallel alignment, the Move Parallel Trusses for Drop dialog box opens. Select whether to move the top truss system (the one with the higher Z value) or the bottom truss system into correct alignment. The selected item is moved.

The first time you use the tool in a file, the Insert Drop dialog box opens to set the default preferences.

6. Select whether to insert a hoist or dead hang object. From the Resource Selector, select the symbol to insert.

Connecting structural elements with a truss cross

1. Click the tool, and then, depending on whether you want to move the structure up or down, click either Places structure element on top or Places structure element below mode.

2. If an offset is needed, enter the Offset value and toggle Enable Vertical Offset on.

4. Click on the structural element to move either up or down (stacking the moved truss under or over).

The truss is stacked with the reference truss, and any connected hoists or dead hang objects, attached loads, and supports move with the truss. If hoists are connected between the trusses, they are removed; hoists connected to other truss sections may be lengthened or shortened.

A truss cross is automatically created at the connection point. A truss cross indicates how to calculate and model the connection between stacked trusses. Its appearance indicates the type of connection (whether it is connected, flexible, or rigid; can transmit all forces, or only tension or only compression forces, or no forces). A label indicates the truss cross’s name, type of connection, and the current force.

Parameter	Description
Properties
Name	Enter a truss cross name
Force	Displays the calculated force (Braceworks required)
Connection Type	Indicates whether the truss cross is rigid, pliable, or not connected; a truss cross that does not transmit any forces is considered not connected
Transmitted Forces	Indicates whether the truss cross can transmit all forces, or only tension or compression. Rigid truss crosses always transmit all forces. If the truss cross is not connected, this parameter is not available.
Display
Show Symbol	Display the selected symbol instead of default geometry
Symbol Name	Displays the name of the selected symbol
Select Symbol	Opens the Resource Selector to select a resource for placement; double-click a resource to activate it
Offset	Sets the vertical offset between the top truss and bottom truss; the value can be 0-300 mm (0-11.8 inches). If you change this value from the Object Info palette, you are prompted to select whether to move the top or bottom truss system to apply the new offset.
Classes	Opens the Classes dialog box to control appearance and visibility of the truss cross parts; do one of the following: ● Click Use Standard Classes to set the class names for the truss cross parts to the default suggested standard names ● Select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class. Select <Object Class> to place the part attributes in the same class as the truss cross object.
Select similar objects
Objects of same name	Selects truss cross objects with the same Name parameter
Objects of same connection type	Selects truss cross objects with the same Connection Type parameter
Objects of same transmittable forces	Selects truss cross objects with the same Transmitted Forces parameter

Mode	Description
Insert Drop	Creates a connection between two structural elements by placing a hoist or dead hang object at the clicked point
Places structure element on top	Stacks a structural element above another one, moving a truss and all its associated supports and loads up to meet the reference truss. A truss cross is created at the connection point.
Places structure element below	Stacks a structural element above another one, moving a truss and all its associated supports and loads down to meet the reference truss. A truss cross is created at the connection point.
Preferences	Opens the Insert Drop dialog box, to select a hoist or dead hang symbol to use in Insert Drop mode
Enable Vertical Offset	Toggles the offset insertion on and off
Offset	If Enable Vertical Offset is on, adds the specified distance between the top truss and bottom truss. For structural elements connected with drops, the truss to move adjusts to meet the specified offset distance. To change the offset value, see Changing the trim height of a system. For structural elements connected with truss crosses, the offset value is added to a default distance of 0” between trusses; the maximum offset value for truss crosses is 300 mm (about 11.8 inches). The Offset can be edited from the Object Info palette of the selected truss cross object.